JPs render civic duty

THE EDITOR: It is with great concern and consternation that I read the contents of the article written by Nalinee Seelal on JPs in the Newsday on Tuesday February 1, 2005. This article says that JPs are calling for an apology and their President states in part that JP’s worked round the clock to grant bail, even working on Public Holidays and on weekends and for this very important and essential function they received a monthly stipend of only $300.

Thus, they are seeking an increase to $1,500 monthly. Are these the facts? I don’t think so. JP’s are doing very well indeed for themselves. I personally know two JPs who are constantly boasting of the amount of money they make per week from the granting of bail. A particular JP collects from bail granting about $7,000 per week. I would like the authorities to take steps to remind JP’s that the service they render is a civic one and must not be the avenue to make money at the expense of the public who sometimes need their services.

KELVIN SINGH
Port-of-Spain