AUSTIN HYMAN, citizens' association president for the Cedar Grove housing scheme near Mandeville, Manchester, jumped out of his seat on Wednesday as he heard the announcement that his community had won the National Housing Trust's (NHT) Best Scheme national trophy.The NHT Best Schemes competition awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, and saw first, second, and third-place honours handed out in the county and national sections.
Cedar Grove housing scheme had earlier placed second in the Middlesex county awards, losing out to Ebony Vale in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Ensom Acres, also in St. Catherine, placed second.
"I was kind of up and down," a beaming Mr. Hyman told The Gleaner when asked if he was concerned after failing to grab first place for Middlesex.
But explaining why he thought Cedar Grove won the overall trophy, Mr. Hyman said: "We do a lot of hard work in our community. It clean from top to bottom."
GOT BACK IN SHAPE QUICKLY
He also noted that, despite the damage caused during the recent onslaught of Hurricane Ivan, the community had worked quickly at getting back in shape.
Competition judges rated the housing schemes in categories including beautification, environmental awareness, teamwork and integrity. The judges looked at the care of embankments, care of units, cleaning of playing fields, proper maintenance of community centres, planting and care of trees, sanitation, establishment of youth groups and mortgage arrears.
Copping the second-place trophy in the national section was Donmair housing scheme, off Red Hills Road, St. Andrew. Glendale housing scheme, St. Andrew, placed third.
"Every one of you present here is part of that positive force which is going to help transform Jamaica," Maxine Henry-Wilson, minister of education, youth and culture, told the gathering of NHT home owners. She was speaking on behalf of Horace Dalley, minister of labour and social security, who had been scheduled to appear.
She added: "By your own initiative you are helping to set up the homework centres, the community recreational areas, the committees to visit the sick and elderly. All of these small acts of volunteerism ultimately make this place a better one for all of us."
