Permit me an opportunity to respond to an article titled 'Transport Authority boss sent home' which appeared in The Gleaner of December 5.

The last paragraph of that article which was attributed to me said, " ... yesterday confirmed that the managing director was being placed on leave due to a unanimous no-confidence vote." Let me state for the records that at no time did I state that Mr Goodison was being sent on

leave due to a unanimous no-confidence vote.

I simply confirmed two things - (a) that the board did reach a unanimous no-confidence vote with respect to Mr Goodison and (b) that he was sent on leave. The inference that one was the cause of the other was purely that of the reporter.

- Alwin Hales, PhD, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Works, 138H Maxfield Avenue Kingston 10

Street vending

Mr Editor, it is gross indecency and embarrassment to the well-being of our country that a citizen vies for illicit vending on our streets.

The police or the authorities must perhaps say, "please miss, could you kindly not vend here, as it is out of bounds for you, thank you?" as they know certain areas of Half-Way Tree, downtown and even rural capitals are deemed illegal; most areas are posted with signs.

I suggest the security personnel adopt a zero-tolerance approach this holiday, give us a clean public thoroughfare.

- Delroy Lawrence fortis-forever@hotmail.com

Blindfolded

Please be advised that 'The Jamaica Dairy Development Board Bill' was tabled several weeks ago. I read it and had it with me when it was passed last week Tuesday. Every legislator should make it his/her business to have the bills, that have been tabled, at their disposal at all times. If some legislators did not have a copy of the bill it is because 'they blindfolded themselves!'

- Gregory Mair, MP, NE St Catherine

Bush under fire

Congratulations to President George Bush for remaining calm under fire in Iraq, a hostile territory he himself created. A miss is as good as a mile, so it is difficult to determine under what law in that country the journalist could be charged. Would he be sent to Guantanamo without trial?

- Latchman Kissoon, latchkiss@lawyer,com, Welches, Church, Barbados Via Go-Jamaica