RADCLIFFE WALTERS CUSTOS, ST. ANN
1) Get St. Ann Homecoming started. It has been defunct for sometime now. We want to celebrate it around Marcus Garvey's birthday.
2) Want to see what can be done as an individual or as a group to stem violence in St. Ann.
3) To reorganise my company and still keep all my staff.
CUSTOS OF ST. ELIZABETH
ALFRED FARQUHARSON:
I resolve to do my best for the upliftment of the people not only for St. Elizabeth but Jamaica, to be an example to people of what I encourage them to be.
CUSTOS OF TRELAWNY
ROYLAND BARRETT:
My desire is that the people of Jamaica will come to realisation that they can settle their differences by other means than violence.
CUSTOS OF MANCHESTER
DR. GILBERT ALLEN:
1) My plans for the new year on the personal side is to make more space for leisure. To find quality time for family, friends and church.
2) In my public life, I plan to continue to promote good in Jamaica, to make known the beauty of our country, its vast human and natural resource.
3) This year I plan to continue the refurbishing the Mandeville Courthouse (which) began in 1995. To promote better relationships between the police and citizens of our parish, contributing to the advancement of peace and harmony in our land.
CUSTOS OF WESTMORELAND
OWEN SINCLAIR:
To try and create a healthy lifestyle by all means. I'm going to eat right, exercise and try to stay healthy.
CUSTOS OF HANOVER MAVIS KING:
My New Year's resolution is to get nearer to God that He will continue to come within all of us and restore a right spirit within us. I want Him to grant me the ability to reach out to all those who are in need. That He will guide and uphold all those in positions of authority who are assigned to give quality service to the young, middle ages and the elderly. I want to ensure that law and order will be established and give support for the constant upliftment of the parish of Hanover. For Hanover and Jamaica land we love I wish for all a peaceful and productive New Year 2004.
CUSTOS OF ST. JAMES
CLARENCE NELSON:
I'd like to see a more peaceful and productive Jamaica. My role is to facilitate that in the best way I can.
CUSTOS OF CLARENDON JAMES DEROUX:
I hope we have a little more peace in Clarendon. Last year wasn't so bad but we can be better. I hope the people will continue to do well especially the young. I am especially concerned about the young people. Some are out of university for two years and can't find jobs, I am hoping against hope that things will get better.
For myself, I look forward to carrying on my custodial work as best as I can. I get to meet the people and I intend to continue doing just that. I have a young son who keeps me on the move. As usual, I just hope things will begin to work for the people.
CUSTOS OF KINGSTON CANON WEEVILLE GORDON:
I hope my aim in life will be achieved which is to assist those who cannot assist themselves. As for the parish of Kingston, I look forward to even further collaboration and corporation of all the entities working for the upliftment of the parish, socially and otherwise.
I am pleased with the moving of the higglers. I think it was a great move by the KSAC and I am willing to work with them as I always have. I plan to work with the entrepreneurs to restore the metropolitan area and to get more people involved in the social activities taking place for they are the ones that will make it a success as the outlook looks fruitful. By working together we can do it!
CUSTOS OF ST. THOMAS
REV. LEONARD SAUNDERS
That our people, not just of St. Thomas but also Jamaica, would carry forward the real meaning of Christmas, that of 'peace on earth, good will toward men'. I wish they would live this out in actuality. We need this to be done now more in our history and time than ever before.
CUSTOS OF ST. ANDREW REV. CARMEN STEWART:
Regarding the Justices of the Peace, the area I operate in, the Government has been promising seals and I would like to see it accomplished and all JPs in the parish would have them. I would also like to see the JPs have a bigger role in community involvement especially with the youth.
I would like to see the initiatives for peace have more visibility and be seen as contributing to peace and justice. I hope parish-based projects will become vibrant. Personally, as a pastor, I have been building a multi-purpose auditorium for community development. It would provide an evening institute for adult education and promote parent education. I hope to keep well and follow the footsteps of the Lord."
CUSTOS OF ST. CATHERINE REV. SOPHIA AZAN:
I am hoping for compassion and peace in St. Catherine, especially Spanish Town where we have had a lot of upheaval. That is the concern; where do we go, what do we do? I am talking about hope. I live in hope.
All of us have to do more in touching the lives of the less fortunate. As a pastor I hope that Jamaica will know Christ. Without Him there is no hope. For myself, I am planning something for my community, to feed the seniors and children. In general, I cry out for peace and harmony.
CUSTOS OF ST. MARY A.A. POTTINGER:
Speaking as a former president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, the year 2004 will be exciting for Jamaica, as the outlook on agriculture is bright as the Praedial Larceny Act will be enforced and the JAS centralised market system will be implemented.
With regards to crime, I am expecting that as custodees we will play a bigger role in mobilising lay magistrates to achieve peace in communities. I have even set up a meeting with Minister (of National Security) Phillips in early January.
I also hope that The Gleaner will focus more on rural areas especially in the field of agriculture.
DESMOND MCKENZIE MAYOR, KINGSTON:
1) My resolution is a global one. I hope that mankind will recognise the importance of life and once they recognise that it will cut down on the unnecessary killings.
I wish for 2004 that there will be less killing.
MAYOR OF PORTMORE GEORGE LEE :
I will try and gather the strength to face the challenges at the municipality. The challenges are to get staff, stem the violence and social decay. The challenges are not insurmountable but we need co-operation.
I'll be doing everything to see Portmore and the country move forward. I'm unhappy with many aspects of it but I have faith in God and with prayer and action things will turn around.
