This should be followed by relocating the government offices to cheaper office spaces in downtown Kingston. The size of the municipal government should also be cut and a spirit of volunteerism be encouraged at the community level.

Jamaica is probably too small for such a top-heavy governance structure. More emphasis should be placed on productive work rather than politics. Those remaining in the civil service after this 'right-sizing' should be given a compensation package that includes a smaller base salary and an attractive incentive plan that rewards productivity and output quality. This should apply to all public servants, including the prime minister and teachers and would be an example for the private sector.

Cigarette, alcohol, gasolene, motor vehicles, junk foods, luxury products and non-essential imports should be taxed at higher levels. Any loss in revenues due to higher taxes on some of these items would likely be offset by savings in health-care costs.

Finally, taxes should be removed from all locally produced unprocessed foods so as to encourage development in agriculture. Tuition should be subsidised for students in this field at both the secondary and tertiary levels.

Joseph L. Patterson

joseph.patterson@sympatico.ca

Ontario, Canada

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Thanks and appreciation

Sometimes, we do not take time out to express our thanks to others who in one way or the other have made differences in our lives.

On this note, I would therefore like to use this medium to express thanks and appreciation on behalf of the residents of Ginger Hall, Bombay, Manchester to all the persons involved in one way or another who have helped in the process of having electricity brought to the residents of upper Ginger Hall, Bombay, Manchester. I would especially like to name the the following persons:

Our former Member of Parliament John Junor;

Councillor Brenda Ramsay (now mayor of

Mandeville);

The Rural Electrification Programme - in particular, Weston Barrett.

We will have a bright Christmas thanks to the electricity brought to the district. Our heartfelt thanks to you all.

Vinella Hurge

vinella hurge@yahoo.com

Ginger Hall District

Bombay PA