WESTERN BUREAU: CALLING THEMSELVES the Jamaica Past Local Government Representatives Association (JPLGRA), a group of former parish Councillors has banded together to lobby for promised pension and social benefits due to former Local Government representatives.

The group, headed by J.A.G Myers, retired chairman of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council and former Mayor of Black River, was launched officially on May 22 at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville.

JPLGRA is to be registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and has membership from most of the parishes, Mr. Myers said.

Other officers elected to lead the executive council are former Councillors Randall Robinson and Ripton Melhado, who will act as vice presidents; Tony Meyler, as secretary/treasurer, and Joyce Sterling as his assistant.

Interests

The association has a six-point objective: protect the interests, rights and privileges of past Local Government political directorates; advance their cultural, social and economic upliftment; take appropriate action relevant to any matter with which the association may be concerned; obtain and disseminate information; serve as liaison between the Local Government political directorates, the ministers of government, government agencies, and community organisations; and to be registered as a NGO.

"Whatever Government has promised to give Local Government representatives in our twilight years is not forthcoming," said Mr. Myers, who is also the immediate past president of the Association of Local Government Authorities (ALGA).

"A lot of promises have been made that something would have been done in recognition for our years of service. Mayors and Councillors are out there suffering in no uncertain terms because they have nothing," he told The Gleaner.

He chided Local Government Minister Arnold Bertram for not giving a responsive ear to their pleas. "The Minister is unkind and hostile to Local Government representatives who have passed on the baton. He doesn't even respond to correspondence."

The association, which presently has a membership of 30, will be embarking on a membership drive as they seek to "lobby, participate in and take control over all matters impacting upon the lives of past Local Government political directorates and their dependents," read the JPLGRA mission statement in part.