Lucea, HANOVER
Hanover Parish councillors blasted the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), during the monthly meeting of the council recently, for what they said is the "utility company's mismanagement of the street lights in the parish."
According to the councillors, JPS contractors have been short-changing the parish by installing malfunctioning lamps, removing lamps to other parishes, and giving false information to the council about the installation of lights.
"Some of them (lights) from the day dem put dem up, dem don't work," said Mayor of Lucea and chairman of the Hanover Parish Council Lester Crooks. "I am so embarrassed because there is a community in Dias where the lights don't work. Lamps have been put up without lamp covers. Lord help us!"
Efforts to get a comment from representatives of the JPS in Hanover proved futile.
Claudia Gardner
Lucea, HANOVER
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has reported minimal damage to agriculture in Hanover as a result of Hurricane Dennis, with only 40 hectares of crops estimated at $1.8 million lost.
In his report to the Hanover Parish Council on July 14, Bernard Goffe, RADA parish manager for Hanover, said that vegetable farmers suffered $764,000 in loss. Damage to condiments was estimated at $100,000, while $260,000 in livestock and $385,000 worth of semi-permanent crops were lost. He added that damage from soil erosion was estimated at $260,000.
Mr. Goffe informed that approximately 256 farmers were affected by the hurricane and moves towards recovery had already started.
Montego Bay, ST. JAMES
The community of Flankers in St. James stands to benefit from a day of business and social networking today, when telecoms provider, MiPhone, and its partner, the Social Development Commission (SDC), give the community the opportunity to benefit from the interaction between various business, social and civic organisations and groups from the area.
The event forms part of an islandwide project of the SDC and MiPhone, in their series of 'Community Connect Extravaganza' which the organisers hope will give communities the opportunity to demonstrate the talents of the people of these communities.
Recognising sports as a unifying force, the SDC has organised a number of sporting competitions as a central feature of the event.
Black River, ST. ELIZABETH
Hoteliers on the island's south coast are now trying to regain momentum from the battering the tourist industry received in the wake of the major hurricane systems which affected the island.
According to leading hotelier on the south coast, Jason Henzell, operator of Jake's Hotel in Treasure Beach, "The aim is to try and regain momentum and to proceed ahead."
Mr. Henzell also explained the importance of a south coast
disaster plan and that one was needed to assist in protecting the tourist industry on this side of the island.
With less than two months into the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, the island has already been impacted by two major hurricanes Dennis on July 7 and Emily, just over a week later.
Rayon Dyer
May Pen, CLARENDON
A market scene with two women, cut flowers, plants, ground provisions and fruits will be the highlight of the display by the Jamaica Horticultural Society at the 53rd staging of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show, slated for July 30 to August 1 in May Pen, Clarendon. This year the Jamaica Horticultural Society, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will spearhead the coordination of the horticultural display.
Moneague, ST. ANN
The Agricultural Unit of the West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco) will be staging its annual Farmer's Sale Day today, at PRC Traders in Moneague, St. Ann.
Assistant coordinator for the event, Camille Henlon, said the sale day has proven to be a success over the years.
"This event is organised not only to provide a market for the farmers but also to create an atmosphere where they can take their produce and meet directly with consumers, retailers and exporters," she said.
In addition to low-priced fruits and vegetables, ornamental and horticulture plants, patrons will also benefit from free health checks.
Runaway Bay, ST. ANN
The literacy of students in Brown's Town, St. Ann, is about to receive a boost. SuperClubs Breezes Runaway Bay Resort and Golf Club in the parish has facilitated this by offering free vacations to four specialist teachers from Canada. In exchange for the complimentary stay at Breezes Runaway Bay, the volunteers will teach English at a summer literacy camp for 98 students at St. Christopher's School for the Deaf in Brown's Town which is about 18 miles away from the resort. The camp began on July 11 and runs for three weeks.
The Ministry of Education organised the camp for nine and 10-year-old students who did not master the grade four literacy tests. Public relations manager for Breezes Runaway Bay, Patrick Scudder, said this is the second time that the resort is providing accommodation for the four Canadian teachers.
Annotto Bay, ST. MARY
Police personnel at the Annotto Bay Police Station in St. Mary are pleased with the newly renovated facility in which they work.
The renovation was facilitated by a private sector group, dubbed Friends of Annotto Bay, and involved painting, construction of new bathrooms, enhancement of recreational spaces, offices, barracks and kitchen, among other areas. The work began last year and was completed at an estimated cost of $5.6 million.
National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips officially opened the facility on June 30 during a ceremony where a key was
handed over to Superintendent G. W. Hudson, symbolising a fresh start.
Ocho Rios, ST. ANN
The St. Ann police are trying to determine the cause of a motor vehicle accident on the Ocho Rios to Dunn's River main road on July 20, which claimed the life of one man and resulted in injuries to four other persons.
The accident, which involved a Toyota minibus and a Toyota Corolla motor car took place at 6:15 that morning and both vehicles, were extensively damaged.
The dead man has been identified as Orville Paddyfoote, a bus operator, of Runaway Bay. Four passengers in the car including the driver were hospitalised.
Devon Evans
Walderston, MANCHESTER
Councillor of the Walderston division, Leroy Mitchell, recently tabled a petition in the Manchester Parish Council for it to call on the relevant authorities to address the problem of hardships created by lack of postal facilities in several districts since the Walderston building was damaged during Hurricane Ivan's passage last September.
"The senior citizens of the area are finding it very hard to travel over four miles in some cases to Clarendon, another parish to receive their mail," Councillor Mitchell said in his petition.
Byron McDaniel
