FOURTEEN NEW Justices of the Peace (JPs) for St. Mary were sworn in at a ceremony held at Couples Hotel last week Wednesday, bringing the number of JPs serving the parish to 221.
The new appointments are Paul Pennicooke, Neville Condappa, Rev. Henroy Samuels, Doreen Fox, Rev. Glenroy Lalor, Pierre Paul Battaglia, Norma Joyce Hill, Constantine Cox, Victoria Ramgoolam, Harry Seymour Osbourne, Rev. Donald Samuel Williams, Andrew Grant, Roy Oliver Saunders and Dr. Newton Adams.
The function was presided over by Custos of St. Mary, A.A. "Bobby" Pottinger, and witnessed by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, who delivered the keynote address.
Sir Howard told the JPs that their appointments should be regarded as an engagement for them to perform more service on behalf of their communities. He emphasised that the position of JP meant "hard work for those so appointed".
The Governor-General said that persons serving in that
capacity should regard themselves as instruments of truth, adding that they must be prepared to assist in providing leadership in the communities at all times.
He urged all Jamaicans to have confidence in their country and be proud of their ancestors, stressing that they must always resist the tendency to be negative and disrespectful of their country, and to put God first in all their activities.
Responding on behalf of the JPs, Mr. Pennicooke pledged that they would "serve to the best of their abilities".
