Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Newton James shows off his gigantic gift at the reception held in his honour at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, last week Thursday. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The man from Burnt Savannah, Westmoreland, will join the august group of citizens reward for service to country.

Newton James, managing director of Independent Radio Company which houses Power 106 and Music 99, will be receiving the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, on Heroes' Day, and friends and colleagues decided to throw a reception to mark an honour that they all considered was long overdue. The reception was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Thursday night.

Much was said about the man from The Manning's School by those who know him best. Lascelles 'Ted' Warmington, chairman of Independent Radio Company, expressed admiration for the way James managed his team and how they supported him. James was credited with building the station himself, which included lots of physical work.

No surprise

Managing Director of The Gleaner Company, Oliver Clarke, said it was no surprise James was getting the award as his work had spanned the Caribbean, Europe and even Africa. He joked that James was the only man he knew whom he could call up at 4:00 a.m. He credited him as a founder, manager and builder, and as a very good marketing person whom he admired greatly.

His children, Loretta and Anthony James, spoke of their father's love for his work and how through that work, he tried to better the lives of others. They marvelled at his love for country and told how he strove to make the country better.

Throughout the proceedings, master of ceremonies, Donnette Chin-Loy, read congratulatory notes for those absent, including RJR's Gary Allen, Jean Lowrie-Chin and former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.

Soon it was time for the man of the moment to say a few words. James revelled in the expansion that Power 106 has made. He pointed out that the station had four out of the top five talk shows. He was pleased that recent polls showed Music 99, the younger sibling station, was number one for listeners on Sunday. Throughout his speech, he was cheered on by the staff. James thanked a few of the persons who had helped to make him the man he was, including his parents, his headmaster at Manning's and various individuals in the local and foreign media.

Thanks

He thanked The Gleaner Company for helping to create the opportunity for the two radio stations and thanked Mr. Clarke for sharing the vision of what radio could do to help the nation. James expressed hope for Jamaica because of the efforts of companies like The Gleaner.

Among those attending were: Chris Roberts; Gleaner managers John Hudson and Yvonne Senior; Managing Director of Sangster's Book Stores Locksley Henry; Gleaner board member Morin Seymour; MP for Central Kingston Victor Cummings; media veteran Claude Robinson; Power 106 announcers Derval Malcolm and Stacie-Ann Smith; Terry Wilson and Terry McNeil from The Gleaner's Corporate Affairs Department; and Ed Khouri of the Jamaica Observer.