Lime Cay concerns give accountant Silver Pen Award
published: Friday | June 13, 2003
By Damion Mitchell, Staff Reporter
Robert 'Bobby' Khouri (right), The Gleaner's Sliver Pen recipient for the month of April, collects a framed copy of his letter entitled, 'Hands Off Lime Cay,' from Editor In Chief, Garfield Grandison. The presentation was made yesterday at The Gleaner's North Street offices, downtown Kingston. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
WHEN ROBERT "Bobby" Khouri wrote to The Gleaner in April of this year highlighting his concerns over the proposed privatisation of Lime Cay, he did it out of passion for the little paradise off the Port Royal coast in Kingston.
He knew that he was sharing the view of many persons who turned up at the Cay, weekend after weekend, to have an enjoyable time and he knew that should the attraction be privatised it would impact on economic activities in Port Royal. However, what he did not know was that his letter would have earned him The Gleaner's Silver Pen Award for the month on April.
"It was very unexpected but is very well appreciated," Mr. Khouri said of the award in an interview yesterday, having received a silver pen and a framed copy of his winning letter entitled 'Hands Off Lime Cay' which was published on April 1, 2003.
The Silver Pen Award is presented each month to the writer of The Gleaner's 'Letter of the Day,' which receives the most votes. Mr. Khouri's winning letter scored 22, of the possible 30 points while runner up "Have the Chickens Come Home to Roost?" by Howard O.M Lewis, which was published on April 11 scored 16 points.
PRIVATE COMPANY
Lime Cay began to generate debate when news broke that effective April 1, 2003 adults visiting the Cay would be required to pay $100 and children, $50, as the Cay would be managed and operated by a private company, Lime Cay Jamaica Ltd.
In his letter, Mr. Khouri said, "Lime Cay is owned by the Government of Jamaica and people of Jamaica for the benefit of the people and not for the benefit of one or (a) small group of entrepreneurs who see this merely as a money making opportunity."
But, the fees are yet to come into effect. Project manager of Lime Cay Jamaica, Dr. Franklyn Johnston, had earlier reported that the collection of fees to enter the Cay was delayed because infrastructure work at the facility was incomplete. The same situation now obtains.
In 2000 the National Environ-ment and Planning Agency had tendered for bids inviting proposals to operate Lime Cay.A group of individuals decided to bid and in 2001 retained consultants to prepare proposals and represent them. In 2002, they submitted the documents and were granted the lease. The group Lime Cay Jamaica was then formed.
Mr. Khouri, a 56 year old Accounts Manager at International Chicken and Seafood, a local fast food restaurant, said he would like to see "certain things in Jamaica remain the same way for Jamaicans."
The Silver Pen Award "Hands Off Lime Cay" was Mr. Khouri's second "Letter of the Day" to be published in The Gleaner and there may be more to come. "I like to write and I will continue to write about the things, which are of concern for Jamaicans," he said.
