It was never your intention to apply for a Spirit License

By: Kymberli Whittaker

“It is my intention to apply for a spirit license to sell rum, gin, brandy and other distilled spirits at the next session of the court in the parish of xxxxx. Signed Management”

This sign is put at the entrance of bars to partially  keep in line with section 17 (1) of the Spirit License Act, however when I see those words on any bar, it  is a stark reminder to me that we are not enforcers of the law, and that regulation is not one of Jamaica’s strong areas.

Visit a corner or neighbourhood bar/tavern in any community, and I guarantee you, that you will see a worn, dilapidated sign above the door, or inside the establishment indicating an intention to apply for a Spirit Licence. Each and every time I see a sign of this nature, I have to wonder if the government really wants money. I believe these Parliament sittings and discussions in the media about collecting taxes is all an elaborate ruse to make us appear that they are busy doing work and are actively trying to increase revenue.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the government do not need to re-invent the wheel. Why tax handcart men? What is the rationale? How many handcarts do you plan to earn revenue from? What is the longevity of a handcart’s operation? Are handcarts found in every parish or are you just targeting persons carrying on business in Jamaica’s capital?

Jamaica is famously referred to as the country which has “the most bars and churches per square mile”. Now we cannot even think to tax churches, even though some may say these places of worship are running more profitable “businesses” with a seemingly steady stream of income from its worshippers. So it begs the question why have we not begun to ensure that bars pay their fees?

The Spirit Licence Act, has been in operation from 1928, and amended in 2004. It was last amended in 2012. However I am unsure if it was a grievous oversight on the part of our legislators, to ignore the penalties for persons who just have an “intention” to apply.  The amendment of this Act was lauded by Parliament to my disbelief and puzzled amusement as they concentrated on extending the opening hours of such bars, for two additional hours.

Persons may have an intention to apply for years, and I am sure for decades but decline to make the move. These persons have slipped through the cracks, no, they have fallen off a precipice, enjoying free reign, selling liquor with no licence, because they are legally allowed to do so. This Act governing Spirits is so detailed; section 54 even makes it an offence to sell rum which is not strong enough, being a lower proof of forty per cent alcohol by volume. So the law in Jamaica seeks to ensure that persons can consume “quality” rum, yet they are unable to ensure that the rum being served is served in a legitimate fee paying establishment. Priorities, priorities, priorities.

Big bars or Clubs who sell liquor cannot escape this piece of legislation, as they are watched like hawks to ensure compliance. But what about Angela or Peaches who sells around the corner. Almost every corner. The government has shown that they have no qualms about targeting the poor people or the regular man, so how come no one is pursuing this area with vigour?

Over the past couple months, we have seen that laws which the government regard as important are fast tracked through the system and implemented in no time. I would have thought that  the Ministry of Health would have jumped on this  in the same manner they jumped on the issue of smoking in public places, as they seek to dictate/manage our level of exposure to substances which though harmful, many have made a lifestyle choice to consume. I say without a doubt that the numbers of bars would reduce drastically  thus furthering the Health Ministry’s  mandate, if sections 19 and 20 were enforced addressing the grounds for refusal of licensing applications.

Section 3 of the Spirit License Act states explicitly “…no spirits shall be sold, either by wholesale or retail in this Island, except by persons thereunto duly licensed under this act…”Tax Collectors get your act together and stop looking for ingenuous ways to pressure the masses, when laws on the books are not being enforced.

September 2013

Twitter: kymroxi

How Poor is the Poor?

How Poor is the Poor?

By Kymberli Whittaker

Data from  the Statistical Institute of Jamaica in 2011, estimates that around 20% of the Jamaican populace is living below the poverty line. Poverty may be defined as having little or no access to necessities and not having a proper means to sustain themselves. Necessities. What really defines necessities?

On the world stage, poverty is seen as inadequate access to food, shelter, clothing, clean water, or health care. To sum it up it refers to a person having a poor standard of living and being deprived of the basics. Images of children for example with protruding bellies, bulging eyes, bones pressing against the skin comes to mind.  Poverty may also be judged on the income received in US dollars, with receiving a small amount being associated with persons living in poverty. The correlation being that a smaller income means that one is not able to purchase the necessities. Necessities.

In Jamaica, the ones without what is deemed a legitimate steady income; the ones who wake up and have no jobs to go, can they for the most part be deemed all poor? Extreme poverty does exist in our nation as some cannot under any circumstances take care of themselves or their children and end up homeless or dependent solely on family, strangers and other organisations such as the government,  church and welfare organisations to survive,  however separate and aside from these cases which is unfortunately too many, I believe many persons hide under the umbrella of poverty to avoid responsibilities.

The category of persons whom I am referring to pay no light bill, yet have light. They do not pay for water, yet have water, whether in their pipes or at the neighbourhood standpipe. They pay no rent yet live or squat somewhere without hassle from any government agencies. They have no jobs, yet they do not die of hunger. In the “allegedly” poor communities whether in the rural or urban areas, no one with working mental faculties walks naked. They eat and live, and everyday has a rhythm. A rhythm of hustling to achieve their “necessities”.

Necessities differ based on background and goals. What is necessary for one man may not be necessary for the other. Food and shelter is a must, but when we look at persons who do not work or do menial informal tasks as a method of hustling and see them as automatically poor, we err and err seriously.

The cost of living is high I’m sure we have all come to accept that some persons will have more amenities at their disposal than others. We should however strive to be able to live at an acceptable standard, which means that we will need money. Times are hard yes, as who feels it definitely knows it, but for many who use the “I’m poor” excuse I do not buy it.

How many poor persons do you know who religiously gamble daily, playing games such as Cash Pot and Lotto, when they say they have no money to buy one board or zinc at a time to fix their failing housing structures? How many poor persons do you see “immaculately” dressed from head to toe, but are unable to pay for one (1) cxc subject to try to slowly take the steps to lift themselves from “poverty”. Most cook shops are in poor areas, who buys the food? Street Dances are kept weekly, do these people not buy drinks at each event? How many poor persons say they have no clothes to go to church or a job interview, yet they are covered in tattoos or their skin has been lightened systematically to a different hue, both of which takes money?

We need to stop facilitating excuses from this category of the “poor” and they need to be held accountable. Many are comfortable in their state of “poverty” and as a nation we cannot accept “being poor” as a limitation, for anyone who chooses this path. Sometimes we have to accept that poverty is a choice for some and in analysing the state of Jamaica and where we have reached, compared to where we should be, we have to adopt a no tolerance attitude towards this category.   Really, how poor are they?

September 2013

Twitter: kymroxi

“ Success vs. Self Actualisation”

“Young and Confused, What Should I Choose? Success vs Self Actualisation”

                                                                                                           

For the most part we have all been indoctrinated to think that there are set stages, we must pass through in life. We are born to go to Primary/ Preparatory School, then on to an upstanding High School, then on to College/ University. After that we find a job in line with our career goals to help us afford a lifestyle which based on observation and further indoctrination we believe that it is necessary to achieve. The Dream Job. The Car. The House. The Family. These all help to make up “The Big Picture” and based on how much we earn and are able to spend, our level of success is determined by these societal constructs.

The dim reality, is in striving to achieve “success” we may never self-actualise, as we run around like headless chickens until we eventually collapse with no more to be achieved. So many are stuck in dead –end jobs that they simply do not enjoy, all in an effort to be in a position to pay back loans taken out to buy The House. The Car. Provide for families. For ex The children who have to go to certain Schools and have to have certain amenities in order for the parents to be deemed as being “successful”.

Whose dream are we living? Have you at any point 
sat down and thought about exactly what you are working for? Spending long hours toiling away doing work that is not fulfilling. What is it that you are here on earth to do? Surely it is not to work to pay the bills, rent/mortgage and then save enough money for retirement until you die.

I challenge you, the clock is ticking, time is something we can never get back.  Think outside of the box, many opportunities are there lying in wait for you to unearth them. Where you were last year, financially, educationally, mentally, and socially, you should not be there today. As we grow in our bodies, so should we grow in our output and achievements. Worldwide the top companies were started by persons who found a niche and manipulated it achieve their goals and achieve “success” in their way. Let us all strive to define “success” in our way, by using our minds to move forward and for us to be happy and content while we’re young. Let us self-actualise.

By: Kymberli Whittaker

     September 2013

   Twitter: kymroxi