HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-11-16, Page 10Page 10—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 16, 1988
A land both blessed and cursed by nature
A special report
by Rob Bundy
Near perfect weather and the promise of
sandy beaches and crystal clear waters
have promoted millions upon millions of
North American travellers to seek the sun
and fun of the Caribbean island of Jamaica
over the years. But while nature has bless-
ed this land of friendly, culturaly rich peo-
ple, it has recently cursed it.
On the afternoon of September 12, Hur-
ricane Gilbert whipped into a frienzy the
waters of the Caribbean and pummelled
the tiny island with winds in excess of 130
mph. While the horror of the storm lasted
but a few hours, it left in its wake a scene
of devastation.
Thousands of people were left homeless.
Rich agricultural crops on which the peo-
ple depend for food were wiped out, and
power and telephone lines were left dangl-
ing from one end of Jamaica to the other.
These scenes of destruction were big
news in North America and this has lead to
a problem the Jamaican government is
currently trying very hard to rectify. Hur-
ricane Gilbert, though long gone, has left a
lasting impression on tourists that
Jamaica is not the place to holiday.
Tourism in this Third World country is
the very backbone of the economy. The
tourist trade accounts for virtually every
dollar of foreign exchange and provides a
valuable market place for the consumer
goods and services provided by the
Jamaican people.
With scenes of toppled palm trees and
roofless homes in their minds, tourist have
abandoned Jamaica as a vacation destina-
tion and this has left its ver} er- nomy in
great jepardy.
Little has changed
Leroy supports his family by selling the
wood carvings he produces in the 'Straw
Market' in the town of Ocho Rios on
Jamaica's famous north shore. A town of
some 20,000 people, the majority of the
population of Ocho Rios lives off the criuse
ships and hotel guests that have normally
flocked to this pictureque resort town.
Today, Leroy has made less than $20
Jamaican dollars (about $4.50 Canadian).
"Business has been bad for a long time
since Gilbert," he says in his thick
Jamaican accent. "Them p 'ople not come.
Them not buying and money for us is
little."
Leroy, while maintaining the bright
Turn to page 11 •
With great care and artistic flare, Leroy works on the woodcarvings he sells in the
market at Ocho Rios, Jamaica. His small stall in the town market is his family's sole
source of income, but whith a drastic decline in tourist trade due to the recent hur-
ricane there, Leroy's family is having a hard time making ends meet.
Support Ken Dunlop on November 21st
Stop the Mulroney Trade Deal!
Make Your Vote Count!
Vote Liberal
Ken Dunlop will
speak for you on:
• an independent, sovereign Canada
• keeping otrragricultural industry
• postal service for .011 Canadians
• environmental clean-up and
action on acid rain
• protection of pensions and
our heath care system
• an open and honest government
• a fairer tax system
FOR A RIDE
TO THE POLLS CALL:
Wingham: 357-1140 Clinton: 482-5200
Kincardine: 396-4453 Exeter: 235-2322
'Goderich: 524-5351 Port Elgin: 389-4644
Seaforth: 527-2494
Ken Dunlop has
the experience:
ayor of Port Elgin from 1985-88
• parent of four children
• born and raised in Huron -Bruce
• successful area businessman
• served on Town Council, P.U.C.
and Police Commission
• founder of Port Elgin Junior
Hockey Club
• graduate University of Western
Ontario 1973
Huron -Bruce
needs a strong voice
In Huron -Bruce elect
Dunlop LIBERAL 0
This is more than an election. .It's your future.
Authorized by J. Gerry Moss, Official Agent for Ken Dunlop