Below are comments from readers of www.jamaica-gleaner to two stories published yesterday:

Costly stay - Rural schools face half-a-million dollar bill for Corporate Area accommodations

Gov't has some places they could use for temporary accommodations. The Urban Development Corporation could look into having these accommodations available with cooking facilities. They could also double up for accommodating those who come for conferences in other parts of the country. The Mico University College could think of renting accommodations.

- Veejay

The good news is that as the 'economic conditions worsen', we still preserve free education and health care. Champs takes place once each year, so people need to plan in advance.

- Chuck Emanuel

Since when did travelling from Spanish Town to Kingston become stressful? St Jago must be rich. By next year Excelsior, St Hugh's and Wolmer's may want to stay at Strawberry Hill for added comfort.

- Helen Havisham

Kingston's hotels, for a city that is crime-ridden, overcrowded, with clumsy roads, poor traffic signage, irresponsible drivers, and you name it, cost too much. Not to mention the poor service received from these money-grabbing hotels.

- Kenneth Reeves

I hope these Kingston hotels are offering substantial discounts to these students and coaches for this yearly event. It would definitely be a gesture of goodwill.

- Lady D

Half a million Jamaican dollars is not a lot of money to take care of several people over five days ... that is reasonable. Also, many schools from the country bring too many runners who are not ready for Champs. They need to raise the standards so that only the very best athletes can participate. The others have multiple meets throughout the season where they can expose their skills.

- Andyb

'JPS wicked!' Whitfield Town residents complain bitterly about tamper-resistant system

Quarrelling over the fact that the meters are TAMPER RESISTANT!!! While the rest of the nation would rejoice over $5,000-$9,000 bills!

- Guest 876

Welcome to the Jamaica which the rest of us paying residents have been living in.

- LB

It seems like reality bites! Thanks for joining the real world where we paid for our bills, as well as for your years of stealing. This is the reality of Jamaica - high electricity bills! Now start paying.

- Phillip Liverpoolforever Cole

Welcome to the world of not stealing electricity and paying your JPS bill. Why JPS wicked? So because you are unemployed, the bills must be lowered or you should get no bill at all - even though we have every appliance in history that uses up energy?

- guiseppe

What's wrong with these people, always complaining! They want everything free.

- joseph

Yes, the FREENESS done. Too many of you are living the lives of kings and queens without paying for the lifestyle. Those of us who can barely eke out a living had to be underwriting the cost for you. Enough is enough. Thank you, JPS!

- kay