Thursday talk

Hottest topics on the cocktail circuit

Waiting minister

1. The story going around in the Caribbean is that the Jamaican government minister flew to the Twin Island Republic for an official meeting with his counterpart for discussions affecting both countries. The Jamaican minister arrived and left without seeing his ministerial colleague as the 'host' minister went into hiding, and he nor his office would return the visiting minister's telephone calls. Some are saying it's the height of disrespect and just another reason Jamaica should withdraw from CARICOM.

New master

2. Observers say there is a new 'Backra' in town, after word emerged that 'loud talking' on the West property saw the new part-owner of the trendy entity giving a thorough back-siding to an 'ethnic' member of staff the other day. Some are asking that the offender's visa and/or work permit be cancelled; others are asking the Labour Ministry to step in before this one boils over and on to the streets, as staffers object to being physically assaulted.

We want Radcliffe!

3. Some residents of the Norbrook and Constant Spring neighbourhoods are asking Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis to intervene and bring some order to the Manor Park area in the evenings. They say the minibus drivers are not only impeding the smooth flow of traffic in the neighbourhoods, but their driving is now a cause for concern.

Less noise

4. Not everyone is complaining about the style of the current contractor general. Some say they much prefer his style to what they regard as the alarmist role played by his predecessor. They say they will settle for less noise and more prosecutions as against more noise and no prosecutions.

Cable-service issue

5. A number of subscribers to some cable providers are asking for an intervention or investigation into the fact that, despite this being primarily and English-speaking country; and people signing up for English-speaking channels, more and more of their cable service is now being broadcast in Spanish. They are asking that the 'relevant authorities' look into the matter with a view to providing some redress.

Closing shop

6. News that the gallery is being forced out of business is not going down well as it is the only one of its kind offering artists and patrons the facility it does. But the word is, the parent company practically gave them notice to vacate and this has left the art world in a tailspin, causing many to question the business sense of those who made the call.