Mobay mayor urges citizens to act against criminality

WESTERN BUREAU:

Chairman of the St James Parish Council and mayor of Montego Bay Glendon Harris has

exhorted the people of St James to play their part in uprooting criminal elements, as the nation prepares to enter the year 2015.

"The good we do today will always be important, particularly if it helps to preserve security and the ability of others to survive. We must go beyond simply being good and kind; we must stop criminal actions before they even occur," Harris said, during his address at the St James Parish Council's annual municipal Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, held in Sam Sharpe Square on Monday evening.

"In this Christmas season, looking to a new year, we must seek to root out all those evil among us, all those who try to wreak havoc on our communities," Harris continued. "It is my belief that we can all play an important role in an effort to lift each other from the grip of hardship. Let us start today ... (and) adopt this attitude throughout our entire lives, throughout the year to come, and improve upon our actions as we move forward."

Harris also emphasised that the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is an annual effort by the parish council to bring the people of western Jamaica together in unity.

Joining hands, hearts

"It is really an important event in a very important period. This time forms the backdrop against which we unite, joining hands and hearts together as we look back at the year past and make preparations for a new year to come," Harris said as he addressed the crowded square.

"This ceremony is an event that the parish council utilises to draw together families and friends from all over western Jamaica to partake in one of the most fitting entertainment packages for the holidays."

This year's staging of the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in St James also saw a number of musical performances, including renditions by artiste Jabez, the Montego Bay New Testament Church of God choir, and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Song Competition 2014 finalist Aneisha Walker.