Many were surprised by the recent, simultaneous appearance of three hurricanes along the North Atlantic Basin, especially so shortly after Hurricane Harvey.

Then there was the unexpected strength of Hurricane Irma which was among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever observed.

Arlene Aaron-Morrison, climatologist with the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), explained to Sunday Newsday that many different factors, including ocean warming and rising sea levels (symptoms of climate change), contribute to the increase in the strength of some of the storms the Atlantic had been experiencing.

“For years researchers have been speaking to changes such as extreme precipitation events over most of the mid-latitude land masses and over wet tropical regions will very likely become more intense and more frequent by the end of this century as global mean surface temperature increases.” She also noted that Irma, Jose and Katia were not the first hurricanes to appear simultaneously, but that in September 2010, Igor, Julia and Karl followed similar paths although they were not as strong as the recent three.

TTMS climatologist Kenneth Kerr also told Sunday Newsday that Irma, Jose and Katia were not in the Atlantic Ocean at the same time but in the North Atlantic Basin, the hurricane developing region.

He stressed that one could not say climate change was the cause of Irma’s strength as the evidence was not conclusive. “We can’t say for sure that Irma was a direct result of climate change because it was one event. But if we have this thing occurring for a number of years consecutively then we could argue it is climate change.” However he said, in general, climate change had contributed to stronger storms since there was a direct relation between sea surface temperatures and the intensity of tropical cyclones.

“When you look at other basins and the other side of the Caribbean Sea, then the argument holds because there is evidence that suggests that these intense systems have been more frequent in recent times.” “What the research and all the evidence is pointing to is that we expect the intense tropical cyclones to become more intense, and that there would be more frequent intense cyclones, not the general cyclones.” Kerr explained that there were two main reasons why TT was usually spared from tropical storms. The first was because storms did not usually form very close to the equator and TT was approximately ten degrees north of the equator. That meant storms usually formed north of the country. “For a storm to start you need some spin, and that increases the further away from the equator… It requires storms to form further south in order for us to be impacted.” The second reason TT was so rarely disturbed by tropical storms was because of the direction in which they usually travel.

The direction of travel was dictated by a few forces – the spin or Coriolis force, the subtropical high pressure system, and weaknesses around the subtropical high pressure system.

He said the Coriolis force allowed weather systems moving in the atmosphere to deviate to the right. Therefore, if the weather system was flowing from east to west, it would curve to the right and away from TT.

Kerr said the subtropical high pressure system in the Atlantic, which generally steers the direction of tropical cyclones, also had a major part to play. One website explained these “subtropical highs” stating: As the air aloft moves poleward, it cools and bunches up. The bunching up, or convergence, is because the circumference of the Earth gets smaller at higher latitudes. Eventually, around 30 degrees latitude, the air sinks. The sinking air is dry and warm and results in a band of high surface pressure, called the subtropical highs.

“If the system is particularly strong and located further south than usual during the wet season, and the winds in that system might just cause the storm to travel strictly on an east to west path. If the systems is further north then there is usually a turning just east of us. Depending on where the turning takes place, TT may get away from it,” Kerr said. A weakness (a low pressure system) in or close to the edge of the subtropical highs could also weaken the cell of the subtropical highs and cause the system to turn earlier than usual.

However, that did not mean that the people of TT should be lax in their preparation for storms in terms of emergency plans, supplies, and even building codes. As the experts observes, tropical cyclones can be unpredictable.

We here have a constitutional democracy which remains quite deficient in “representing” the people. Slowly but robustly filling this breach is the list of active joint select committees (JSC).

From the age-old neglect of the constitutionally-driven Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), corruption-prone Educational Facilities Company, the infamous Estate Management Business and Development Company to the administration-challenged Land Settlement Agency and Self-Help Commission, the flush of JSCs, fully spirited and purpose-focussed, are now breaking new ground of public inquiry and accountability — even with some embarrassment to high office-holders.

It now seems democracy moving into high gear. Our parliament has a range of committees — sessional, standing, house, privileges, statutory instruments, business, special select, public accounts, public accounts enterprise, departmental committees.

A JSC is empowered through the parliament to send for persons, papers and records relating to the subject being investigated. Following the British Westminster traditions, our JSCs have three important features: limits to its power to summon, privilege, and members’ integrity. The JSC is really parliament in action – comprising an equal number from both houses.

The historical foundation of the JSC resides in its power to summon persons, demand papers and records.

The JSC’s power to compel persons to appear is now limited, thus creating an almost fatal blow to the JSC principle. The JSC on its own does not yet have the power to compel an official or citizen to appear.

It can, however, make a report to parliament, and possibly, depending on the circumstances, the attorney general can exercise some power in this respect.

A similar situation applies to a member refusing to appear. It remains to be seen whether our parliament will legislate to applying this residual power to strengthen the JSCs.

Reviewing precedents on the historical powers of parliament, Canadian MP, Derek Lee, states: “Based on principles firmly established on constitutional and parliamentary law, a house of parliament has the full authority to summon and compel the attendance and testimony of any person, and to summon and compel the production of any document,”(Power of Parliament to Send for Persons, Papers and Records, University of Toronto Press, 1999).

Parliament, by tradition, not only has privileged freedom of speech, but the right to punish for contempt and make its own rules.

Sometimes mistakenly called the “highest court of the land,” our Parliament is less than supreme.

Parliament may make laws unless they are “shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a society that has a proper respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual,”(Constitution, Section 13).

This implies that 41 MPs and 31 senators could sit, argue and decide to make a law that has no “respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual” as required in Sections 4 and 5 of the said constitution to which these members have sworn to upkeep.

And it is left to an individual, a judge, to determine this? Quite intriguing! For those who feel radio and television have an unfettered right to record events in parliament, check again. Firstly, the media is there through general permission of the president or speaker, not through “freedom of the press” as stated in the Constitution.

Secondly, there are controls.

Recordings shall not be used for commercial advertising, for election advertising, or for ridicule or satire (watch it Rundown).

The early beginnings of the JSC expansion faced some teething problems.

For example, as chairman of the early JSC empowered to inquire and report on service commissions and municipal corporations, I understood the spirit of the Ramesh Maharaj-driven legislation meant public broadcast for the hearings.

The then Senate president, quite cautiously, objected. I resorted to legal advice and the Solicitor General’s opinion.

Yes, it was open to public broadcast unless the entire house says otherwise. JSC work then became alive and direct.

Th public is not too happy with the behaviour and performance of our parliamentarians.

A strict code of ethics should help just as the House of Commons has. Then there is also a Parliamentary Commissioner of Standards.

But meanwhile, our bipartisan JSCs are doing a good job for our democracy.

In eight games, we suffered seven losses with one victory, a slim 1-0 win over Panama in Port of Spain back in March.

We presently sit at the bottom of the six-team table with three points. We still have two games remaining — Mexico away on October 6 and the US on October 10 at home.

Our dream of reaching our second World Cup is officially over. As a die-hard fan, I’m left very disappointed with our overall performance, particularly from our overseas-based professionals. They are making too many simple errors. I am heartbroken.

To the coach and technical staff, we have to start to build from now and to look to the future. The key to success is commitment, dedication and hard work. In four years’ time let’s hope the road to Qatar is a much smoother and less bumpy one.

RICKIE ELDER Piarco

Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing trees in a container and, through repeated pruning, not allowing them to reach their natural size.

Recently the Eastern Horticultural Club (EHC) was hosted by a senior member of the Bonsai TT at a workshop on the Introduction to Bonsai. A 20-member group journeyed to Diego Martin to learn about the art of bonsai and on arrival were given a tour of his garden. Bonsai specimens could be seen everywhere; each one beautiful yet distinctly different from the other. The bonsai were created from many different species of hardy plants, especially those with small leaves. The variety of bonsai plants we saw included ficus (Ficus benjamina), pomegranate (Punica granatum), schefflera (Schefflera arboricola), cherry (Prunus sp.), Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), Japanese boxthorn (Serissa japonica), Lucaena (Lucaena sp.) and the common purple bougainvillea.

After the tour, we were given a demonstration of a simple bonsai technique on a ficus tree. Our hosts gave exceptionally clear explanations and demonstrations on what is required to produce a bonsai plant, from the types of plants suitable for bonsai, types of soil to use, techniques of pruning and wiring, appropriate pots and how to water and fertilise the plant after repotting. We learnt how to prepare the root ball, how to select branches to wire and which part of the branch should be pruned. It was indeed incredible to witness the transformation of the ficus, at the end of the hour long process.

We were all eager to practice the technique that we had learnt and one member chose the Fukien tea or Philippine tea tree (Ehretia buxifolia), a very popular plant for bonsai.

Being a tropical evergreen shrub it grows well in our climate. This plant produces small white flowers which turn into small berries thus changing the look of the bonsai at various times of the year After a short break we were introduced to a more advanced technique used to produce a bonsai plant and to some members this was the most interesting part of the workshop.

This is one member’s account: “The ashoka tree (Polyalthia longifolia) such as the four in my garden, has large leaves, a conical shape and can grow well over 40 feet in height, so my interest in how the specimen on show would be turned into a bonsai plant was heightened. The specimen was approximately four feet in height with a trunk diameter of about five inches.

Two Bonsai TT members pruned away the unwanted leaves and bark, then used power tools to cut, scrape, burn and shape the top to jagged points, which reminded me of a tree struck by lightning. Branches were wired to grow into the desired shape.

Skill and artistry were on show as the two men worked on this specimen.

After all this was done and they were satisfied with the shape, a liquid was brushed on to the bare burnt top to give it an aged look (this would whiten more with time), the roots were trimmed and freed up of some soil, and the tree was transplanted into another container. The soil was poked a few times to eliminate air pockets which could cause erosion and a generous amount of water was applied to the base. I am now looking at my four full grown Ashoka trees with new eyes!” The members of the EHC thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and the hospitality of the Bonsai TT and many of them now wish to try a bonsai plant of their own. If you are interested in learning the art, Bonsai TT may be contacted at 770-8340.

For further information contact the Eastern Horticultural Club at 357-5033, 720-2698 or easternhorticultural@hotmail.com The club meets on the first Saturday of every month (except public holidays) at 3 pm at Moreton Hall, Aramalaya Presbyterian Church, Cochrane Street, Tunapuna.

Bonsai demonstration using ficus.

However, he again gave no indication as to the size of the fiscal package.

Speaking to reporters during a health fair at Diego Martin Boys’ RC School, in his constituency, Rowley said the country’s dire economic circumstances demanded that the Government be prudent and disciplined in its approach.

“There has to be discipline. As much as we would like to do a lot of things, we have to do the things that must be done,” he said.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced shortly before the proroguing of Parliament on Friday that the fiscal package, the third of the Rowley administration, will be delivered on October 2 at the International Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain.

Last year, the Ministries of National Security and Education received the heftiest allocations.

Turning his attention to the health fair, the Prime Minister said an individual’s health was important to their well-being.

“Health, in general, is so important.

It is natural wealth,” he said. “This fair is important because, firstly it awakens people to pay attention to their health and, also, not just to pay attention but to manage their health.” Urging citizens to pay close attention to their health, Rowley said similar events have already been held in Carenage and other parts of his constituency.

He said a fair also was being planned for La Puerta in the nottoo- distant future.

“So, it is bringing health care to the communities, adding to what is already there. But, in this case, we get to bring in a number of specialists and health care givers and have lectures to encourage them to take care of their health.” Rowley said preventive arrangements in dealing with one’s health can be of tremendous economic benefit “not just only to yourself but the nation as a whole.” “If you manage to intervene and preserve your health, there are only benefits to be had.” Yesterday’s event featured a walkathon from the Merrytones Panyard, Bagatelle Corner to Diego Martin Boys’ RC School.

Constituents were able to access blood pressure and glucose tests, pap smears, prostate examinations, ear, nose and throat check-ups, eye tests and mental health evaluations.

Several health organisations, including the Advanced Cardiovascular Institute, Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, Newtown Medical Centre, Ministry of Health, AA Laquis, Family Planning Association and the North West Regional Health Authority, participated in the event.

The incidents occurred in the same location as the journalists sought to take pictures of the Penal premises of a lease operator who has been named in a major audit report that pointed to fraud in the delivery of oil to state-owned Petrotrin. The company, according to the report was billed some $100 million for oil it never received.

Newsday’s photographer Jeff Mayers was warned on Tuesday by one man who pursued him in a vehicle that he would shoot him the next time he saw him in the area. On Friday, Guardian Media photographer Kristian De Silva sustained injuries to his face after being cursed and cuffed by several men, one of whom attempted to run over him in a black Toyota Hilux.

Two days before, TV6 cameraman Phil Britton and a female co-worker went to the same location to cover the story, and while filming from the roadway, someone pelted beer bottles at them from the direction of a nearby house, smashing the back window of his car. Britton and his co-worker shielded themselves behind the car.

De Silva was accused of being on private property. His camera was smashed against a security booth.

De Silva, who sought medical care at Siparia Health Facility, reported the matter to Sgt Taitt at the Penal Police Station.

Reporter Sascha Wilson, who was with De Silva, also gave statements to the police. As they made their reports, an acting sergeant who was recognised of one of the men who assaulted De Silva, arrived at the station. The officer, according to the journalists, instructed a constable who was taking their report to omit certain details.

The sergeant and two constables then returned with the TV6 team to where they were attacked and Britton pointed out where his car was parked, but the senior officer insisted the incident occurred in the driveway of a house.

According to the journalists, they (police) never called out to see if anyone was in the house, and the officers repeatedly tried to have the cameraman say he was in the driveway which was not true.

Sunday Newsday learnt police claimed the broken bottle retrieved from the wagon had no “viable” fingerprints.

Sources said Britton became even more traumatised at about 9.45 am yesterday when two policemen in plainclothes arrived at his home to question him about a traffic ticket, but they left when he produced a receipt as proof of payment.

Mayers reported to Newsday that the driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser accosted him after he took photographs of the compound from the road. After identifying himself to the unknown man who accused him of trespassing, Mayers went to his vehicle and drove off. But the man returned to his vehicle and followed Mayers, while taking pictures with his cellphone.

Eventually the man drove in front of Mayer’s vehicle blocking his pathway. He then said: “Next time I see you on the street I will shoot you.” A Penal sergeant in a marked vehicle subsequently intercepted Mayers to inform him that an all-points bulletin had been issued on his vehicle after residents reported that “a Rasta man” was stalking people on the street where the lease operator’s business is located.

Police allowed Mayers to drive off without taken further action a senior policeman said he was unaware of attacks on Britton and Mayers.

“The incident on Friday is being investigated

We feel as if our prospects for growth on the island have been set back a million years. The fact that this situation was inflicted on the island by a government headed by a son of Tobago depresses us even further.

What social and economic progress can Tobago look forward to now with the massive losses being incurred daily, by almost everyone on the island – from hoteliers, to vendors, to professionals to taxi drivers – everywhere things keep getting worse and worse. Our misery grows each passing day because we do not see a speedy solution in sight – no proper cargo and passenger ferry on the horizon, and moreso no compensation for all the losses that all of us are incurring.

Over the last five months we, Tobagonians have had to face the fact, for the first time in all our lifetime, that we cannot count on a daily ferry service bringing in goods and taking us to Trinidad to conduct our business. For as far back as the majority of us can remember a boat has always arrived in and taken off from Tobago, on a daily basis – even thrice per day in recent years.

We just took it for granted that a boat was available to us everyday… just get a ticket and things are on track. Never did we foresee that a day such as this would ever come.

The question is what are we in Tobago to do now because we are all adversely affected in so many ways. The ferry fiasco and the lack of a solution changes things drastically for us as it goes to the very core of our existence as Tobagonians.

It is already impacting our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. The ferry is our lifeline in more ways than one.

Things are compounded by the fact that all our representatives who fought so hard to represent us in the THA and the Parliament are silent about the fiasco. Not a word to us, not a consultation to get our views, no leadership… not a nothing.

That is what bothers me most of all, their allegiance to a political party has completely trumped the interest of Tobago… so for them, its stay quiet and hope that it goes away.

So we in Tobago have to grow up fast and make some far-reaching decisions on the way forward. It is not just about talking, quarrelling, protesting or swimming.

First of all, we in Tobago have to decide how mad are we about the ferry fiasco. Is it that we intend to stay silent and let a few carry the burden of speaking out? Is it only the dramatics like ‘Watson swimming’– where we see ourselves as spectators – that we prepared to show up for? Like an exciting Carnival lime? Remember when Watson Duke called us out to march a few weeks ago only a handful was there.

Second, are we in Tobago satisfied to ride out this problem until the next due election date. Or a we going to demand that we go back to the polls in the hope that credible alternatives to the present representatives would emerge. In other words, are Tobagonians going to find their voices to say at last that enough is enough. Or will we continue to suffocate ourselves under the PNM ‘til ah dead’ routine. Even PNM people no longer believe that the party can bring solutions to the problems any more. They just hanging on for … so.

Also, are Tobagonians at last going to demand of our opposition forces here on the island that they band us together in a dynamic united group and disassociate ourselves from all Trinidad-based political parties? You see I am arguing that the time is now for a serious vision to be mapped out for us in Tobago. None of the two existing national parties can or will do it.

For instance, I am saying that at the same time that this PNM government was dropping the ball on the Tobago ferry, if the opposition parties were concerned about us they would have been vocal in sounding the alarm about it. They should have been pointing out the problem and that there is trouble ahead for Tobago. It was an ideal subject for a motion of urgent public importance in the Parliament.

That is what happens when an opposition cares about people and what is happening to them.

So we have to accept that none of the two parties cares one hoot about us. I don’t have to remind us that the THA itself has also failed us at our greatest hour of need. It was created to do exactly what it did not do in this ferry issue …. Sound the alarm and demand a solution well in advance, not stay dumb! The recent refusal of our Chief Secretary and his Secretary for Agriculture to go before the JSC and the reasons advanced is so laughable and ridiculous that it fit for inclusion in my book of sweet jokes! They have all failed Tobago … failed badly.

So where do we go from here folks? For starters, the Port Authority has publicly invited tenders for the Supply of a Roll On/Roll Off Passenger Fast Ferry on a Two Year Time Charter. The deadline for submission of tenders is September 20. I am thinking that the Chamber of Commerce, the Truckers and the Tobago House of Assembly either together or individually ought to move swiftly to identify reputable suppliers in Europe and wherever and urge them to submit tenders. Do your research now and get a good operator or two to apply.

That is the first step to Tobago’s maturity. We must play a role in this process.

If we truly love this piece of island and are concerned about our welfare and that of our children, we the people of Tobago and our Assembly have to intervene and not continue to stay on the sidelines, like if we are spectators. The time is now for our young leaders and older heads, too, to stand up and declare that Tobago needs a new vision for survival. A vision which reduces dependency on the ferry service from Trinidad. A vision which allows the island to continue to operate e f f i c i e nt – ly – ferry or no ferry. A vision for true and pr a c t i c a l self-dependence for a change.

The present ongoing thrust towards strengthening the Catholic ethos in Catholic schools focuses, first and foremost, on promoting, nurturing and strengthening the bond between Almighty God and His people. The ravages of recent hurricanes, wild fires, earthquakes and the destructiveness of civil and international conflict expose the stark truth that material wealth is fleeting and insubstantial. The values which our schools espouse serve to guide and enrich our children as they mature. Among the chief of these values is the call to serve, to give selflessly, to support our fellow man by using the gifts and talents which each of us has. The collegiality of a prayerful, faith-based school community confers not only a deeper awareness of our role in the Father’s plan but it strengthens and affirms all who seek the Lord with a sincere heart. Tolerance in a multi-religious community, respect for others of different faiths and of differently faith-based practices, faith-in-action as opposed to empty but pious sounding exhortations and the very real opportunities for conversion to the Faith — indeed, to faith — are among the greatest qualities that a child can cultivate in our schools.

As they strive to teach the tenets of the faith, our schools do not only engage in the salvation of souls but they spread the moral values inherent in all the great religions of the world. The ‘lost’ courtesies of respectful body posture in our communal and especially in our sacred spaces, the need to still the clamouring of the world and to allow the mind, the heart and the soul to be immersed in the peace and silence of the Divine, the need for men and women of wroth to bravely and steadfastly live the truths of their faith on a daily basis, the purging of negative and false perceptions of faith teachings spread by others or stemming from destructive personal experience, are issues that are in many cases being addressed by our schools’ staff and other educational stakeholders.

These issues do not pertain only to the child’s spiritual life but extend into other areas of his interaction with his community.

Where parental responsibilities rest even more heavily on the shoulders of school administrators and their staff, the onus lies on these education to ensure that students embrace the wondrous graces emanating from school Mass attendance, recitation of the Holy Rosary, prayer and moral direction from daily assembly and the blessing of serving in the Legion of Mary, and other Church ministries.

Without the spiritual anchor that the young — and that all men — yearn for, life becomes meaningless and fruitless. Catholic schools do not, of course, have a lien on the vital work of educating and promoting spiritual growth among the young. It is a labour that is assumed by other faith and non-faith-based schools too. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the responsibility that Catholic schools continue to have in the formation of worthy citizens of our land and of the Kingdom of Heaven.

They have been stealing vehicle parts, committing other crimes and robbing a shop several times until, finally, they were identified by the owner. The nation needs more women like her to stand up for themselves and to fight crime.

Once again, a hearty thank you to the Sangre Grande police. Keep up the good work.

GABRIEL HENDERSON Sangre Grande

IF a Category 5 hurricane like Irma were to hit Trinidad and Tobago buildings in lower income areas and squatters would be the most affected, says Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry president Dr James Armstrong.

“If it were to happen here it might not be as devastating as 95 per cent of the buildings in Barbuda but you would be surprised to see a significant amount of destruction.” Irma caused also catastrophic damage in Barbuda, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands and has caused at least 82 deaths, including 43 in the Caribbean and 39 in the United States. But what if it and another similar hurricane had hit this country? Armstrong, in response to Sunday Newsday, said a powerful hurricane would be “devastating” to this country in different ways including severe flooding. He said he was also not sure that the type of construction used for small buildings could withstand a Category 4 or 5 hurricane.

“We will have a significant amount of damage. I don’t think we are really following, particularly in lower income areas, following even small building guidelines.” Armstrong said the country has not had the experience of a powerful hurricane for many years.

TT was hit by Tropical Storm Bret in June leading to one indirect death, downed trees, roofs blown off and flooding but no major damage. But back in 1974 Tropical Storm Alma caused $5 million in damage and two deaths while the 1933 Trinidad hurricane resulted in 13 deaths, thousands left homeless and an estimated $3 million in damages.

And there was deadly Hurricane Flora in 1963, which devastated Tobago on September 30 with winds estimated at 195 km/h.

Eighteen people died in Tobago, and two drowned in Trinidad due to flooding triggered by the Category 3 storm. The island lost 50 per cent of its coconut trees and cocoa crop, as well as 75 per cent of the trees of the forestry reserve.

Flora destroyed an estimated 2,750 houses in Tobago, and damaged 3,500 amounting to US$30 million in losses.

Armstrong said there is a need to tighten up the construction of buildings and homes, and this includes ensuring inspections take place. He recommended the retrofitting of a number of homes.

“I am hopeful something can be taken into consideration certainly within local government municipal bodies for the building control.” Armstrong said to construct a home an application must be made to the Town and Country Planning Division but with local government reform it would all be done at the municipal level.

There are guidelines, he disclosed, for the construction of small buildings which most engineers follow as well as codes from Florida in the United States, and the United Kingdom. Armstrong also said there is the Caribbean Uniform Building Code or CUBiC.

(Although Irma caused major damage in Florida, there are many reports that buildings withstood her fury because of improved building codes enforced after 1992’s Category 5 Hurricane Andrew caused significant infrastructure damage to the state.) Armstrong said despite the guidelines they are not always followed and gave the example of roofs resting on a ring beam (a horizontal support for a masonry wall) instead of being properly connected.

He said in the event of a hurricane the housing stock at a lower (income) level would incur significant damage though not to the extent suffered in other countries. And “by and large” there is fairly good housing stock at the upper level, he observed.

“’God is a Trini’ so we keep getting away from it.” Armstrong attributed seasonal flooding to a lack of control.

He pointed that that in the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) of 1984 there were areas indicated as flood plains but from then to know it is “surprising” that such areas have had significant development.

He also said with the level of squatting and squatter regularization the country was “really asking for trouble” when it comes to hurricanes.

On the National Building Code, for which a committee had been set up, Armstrong said as far as he is aware work is still being done on it but “we need to move on that as quickly as possible.” “We do need a building code. We really need to get these things done and once we have it in place we need to enforce it…at the design level when we submit designs and (have it) scrutinized carefully (to ensure) that details in architectural drawings would withstand different disasters.

We also have earthquakes to think about. That is another problem as well.”