Story of Vernamfield

I am in the process of writing the story of the construction and operations of the United States Air and Naval Base at Fort Simmonds (later Vernamfield) in south Clarendon. I am asking readers

to send me any information they might have about the Base.

This could include information about themselves, or their relatives, who were involved in the construction, actors and musicians who performed at the Base, sportsmen and women who played against the officers and men stationed there, Jamaicans who got married to the personnel, trade union agreements and disputes which took place and anything anyone knows about the airplane crashes, etc. This information could be sent to me by email, hartleyneita@yahoo.com or, telephone 970-1726.

Hartley Neita

Beach sand removal

In the current debate regarding the (legal or illegal) removal of beach sand from one location of the country to another, there has been no mention of the measures which are in place to ensure that the recipient properties can actually retain the sand that has been delivered.

Given coastal dynamics, there are some locations where sand does not normally accumulate, but rather is transported elsewhere by wave and current actions. Therefore, there is no guarantee that the newly placed sand will remain in place, because if that was the case there would have been no need for sand replenishment. It is quite likely that the demand and need for more sand in these locations will not diminish over time.

Learie Miller, learie2002@hotmail.com, Via Go-Jamaica

Promotion delayed

As someone who has moved up the social ladder through education, I find it depressing when qualified individuals are asked to act as school principals for prolonged periods and not appointed principals. Some of these individuals are performing at a high level but for various reasons (church affiliation is one of them) they are left in limbo.

The Epping Forest Elementary School in St Elizabeth is a typical example. The acting principal has been in this position for a long time, and it is clear that she is doing an excellent job, but has not been appointed principal and indications are that it has to do with church affiliation. Sir, we need to decide just what is priority here. The school should not be held back because of our own selfishness. Our children come first.

R. Campbell, rnmcampbell227@hotmail.com.Via Go-Jamaica