Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, presents a mango tree to participant in the 'Cassava Challenge' competition, Sharon Edwards, during a presentation ceremony, at The Gleaner's head office, on November 10. - JIS Photo

Building changes irk residents

SPANISH TOWN, ST CATHERINE:

The smashing of glass windows in a building, formerly occupied by the Bank of Nova Scotia, along Young Street in Spanish Town, has led to disquiet in recent times.

The concern surrounds the bank's response, as cement has now been used to fill out vandalised areas.

Residents are calling the action a further defacement of the business community.

They claim that the concrete makes the structure look like a prison and will only add to the bad reputation of the area. A number of institutions have moved from the area because of that reputation.

Up to press time, attempts to get a response from the corporate affairs division at the bank remained futile.

The bank closed its doors in the community over a year ago and has been carrying out operations in the Oasis Plaza in the centre of town.

- Rasbert Turner

Credit union aids charity groups

SPANISH TOWN, ST CATHERINE:

The Jamaica Legion is expressing gratitude for donations received from the St Catherine Co-operative Credit Union.

Ivy Scott Justice of the Peace, in saying thanks for the institution said it was a wonderful gesture.

The legion was one of several groups given donations of cash. Among the other recipients were Friends of the Linstead Hospital, (A group that assists the hospital from time to time), Bible Truth Church of God, St Catherine Parish Council Poor Relief Department, the Point Hill Diagnostic Centre along with other groups who had made petitions for assistance.

Winston Donald, marketing officer, while accepting the appreciation of the recipients told The Gleaner that the duty of the Credit Union was not only a saving institution but also a full-bodied operation, which embraces community development in a very serious way.

- Rasbert Turner

A plea for passion from education officers

OCHO RIOS, ST ANN:

Chief inspector of the National Education Inspectorate, Elaine Foster Allen, has implored education officers to develop a passion for their job or resign.

Foster Allen was delivering the keynote address at the opening session of the Jamaica Associa-tion of Education Officers' (JAEO) 19th annual professional development conference at the Gran Bahía Principe hotel in Runaway Bay, St Ann on Thursday.

In a wide ranging, riveting and inspiring presentation, Foster Allen also proposed the establishment of a professional development protocol to guide education officers.

The JAEO, however, disclosed that this was already being worked on.

Foster Allen also encouraged the education officers to stay strong in the face of criticism by some sectors of the society.

She noted too that the education officers corps had suffered from a lack of a clear definition of who the education officer was, because of the multiple roles they had to take on.

She went on to commend the JAEO on starting the process of establishing a professional development.

- Carl Gilchris