Across the nation
published:
Saturday | July 29, 2006
Port Antonio, Portland
As part of its pre-election campaign, a re-energised Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) team, headed by party leader Bruce Golding, rolled into Portland and was met by a massive and receptive crowd at the town capital on Wednesday.
It was obvious from the outset that the JLP leader, accompanied by other members of the party hierarchy, would not be able to meet the expected arrival time of 4:30 p.m. in Buff Bay to formally introduce Daryl Vaz as candidate for the constituency of West Portland.
The contingent arrived in Port Antonio about 7:05 p.m. to a resounding welcome and reception from party supporters and other residents.
"I am overwhelmed by this massive turnout," Mr. Golding said. "Tonight, I formally introduced to you, your candidate for the constituency of Eastern Portland, Dennis Wright, who will be the next Member of Parliament for this constituency."
Gareth Davis
Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth
Inspector of Police for the Santa Cruz division, is Paul Bernard, said that there is a high rate of carnal abuse in his division. He was addressing Rotarians at their weekly meeting at the Chariots Hotel in St. Elizabeth earlier this week. He said that of the 24 reported carnal abuse cases since the start of the year, 14 were committed in the Santa Cruz Police Division. He said the latest incident occurred over three days ago when a four-year-old girl was sexually molested by an adult. The inspector, who is in his sixth week at the Santa Cruz Police Station, said incidents of this kind would be his main focus at this time.
Michael McLean
Annotto Bay, St. Mary
Violence reared its ugly head on Wednesday night at a political rally held by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in Annotto Bay, St. Mary, when a reported clash between members of both major political parties resulted in the stabbing of a 12-year-old girl.
The pre-teen, Shamaria Chin, was reportedly stabbed in the neck by a woman and was rushed to the Annotto Bay Hospital where she received five stitches.
Her mother, Christine Wallace, said the incident followed a fracas between supporters of the two major political parties.
The Annotto Bay police told The Gleaner Thursday that no official report had been made on the incident.
Harry Douglas, the People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament for South Eastern St. Mary, wrote to the Opposition about the incident, calling on the party to publicly condemn the act. JLP Senator Anthony Johnson told The Gleaner that officials from the party were in the area Thursday morning and no one reported the incident.
