By Claude Mills, Staff Reporter 
An elated Robert Chambers (left), head of the Maroon Town Enterprise Limited, accepts the Michael Manley Award for Community Self-Reliance from Glynne Manley, during the presentation ceremony at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive, St. Andrew, yesterday. Mr. Chambers also collected $150,000. - Norman Grindley/Staff Photographer.
THE MAROON Town community in St. James is this year's winner of the Michael Manley Award for Community Self-Reliance.
Speaking at the fourth annual event at the Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Drive, St. Andrew, yesterday, Robert Chambers, head of the Maroon Town Community Enterprise Ltd., shared his elation with the audience in an emphatic way.
"This is a real joyous day here for us. As we entered the theatre, we could feel the vibes...," Mr. Chambers said.
"We are grateful to see that the hard work has paid off. A lot of times, we go home after 3:00 a.m., sometimes after starting work at 8:00 a.m. I remember going to Hungary in 1979 to study co-operative management, and then when I returned in 1980, tragedy struck," he said to loud guffaws of laughter from the audience.
After the audience quieted down, he continued on a pro-People's National Party slant:
"We had to go underground in the 1980s (when the Jamaica Labour Party was in power) until 1991, so we have to say hail to the PNP," he said to generous applause.
"... and hail to our MP, Derrick Kellier. Thanks to the farmers, and thanks to the consumers who purchase our product." Mr. Kellier is the PNP's Member of Parliament for South St. James.
The award, which is named in honour of late former Prime Minister Michael Manley, was presented by his widow Glynne.
MAROON PRIDE
This year's recipient has been producing Maroon Pride banana chips since 1991, employing over 200 residents from the community. According to Mr. Chambers, the chips are quite popular in Western Jamaica, being the chief producers in that part of the island.
Asked to explain what he meant by the tragedy in 1980, he responded:
"Well, I lived with a little fear at the time because 1980 was a volatile year, and it was rumoured that I was coming in with a plane load of guns and bombs, and because it was close to the elections, it was a difficult time."
It was the first time that the Maroon Town community was entering the competition for the annual award, and emerged the winners out of a field of 22 entrants.
The Manchioneal community in Portland won a special award, and a cash prize of $50,000.
