While serving as United States Ambassador to Jamaica, I offered financial assistance to the government of the day for the redevelopment of Hellshire Beach, with no strings attached. The offer was not accepted.

I am saddened to read that the conditions, which were of concern then, still exist.

J. Gary Cooper

Former US ambassador to Jamaica

Mobile, Alabama

Why can private security firms do as they wish, with nothing being done about it? In the last Budget presentation an announcement was made regarding new pay rates for private security guards. Since then, some companies are billing customers at new rates but are not passing on any increase to the security guards.

One company which has the contract for a public sector institution took more than seven months to pay their guards the new rates, and when those who were to receive the increase asked about it, they were either sent home or told to try another company.

I urge the Ministry of Labour to look into these claims.

Ovell McKenzie

hothead_kyle@yahoo.com

What is happening with Digicel's Rising Stars this year? Everything about the show seems lacklustre, boring and watered down. From all appearances, Anthony Miller seems to be of the opinion that the more insulting he is, the more ratings the show will pull. Yet even his 'performance' has become predictable and unnecessary. In the beginning we saw where he would say what needed to be said, albeit sometimes crude and uncomfortable to watch. But now he has become overbearing and overly dramatic. I shudder to think that he believes that all the insults he hurls at everyone are well-deserved.

And for Yendi, God bless her heart. She tries to come across as 'down to earth' as much as she possibly can but, for the most part, there is a real disconnect between her and the contestants. Clyde McKenzie and Nadine Sutherland, while sometimes a little nonchalant, are bearable.

The show has some of the ingredients needed for it to be as entertaining as it once was. Utilise them! We love (all the) Rising Stars, but promoters, sponsors and producers must do their part to ensure that the production is everything that it has the potential to be.

Andrienne Palmer

theintricate@yahoo.com

Mona Heights

Kingston 6