Uphold and pass on freedom heritage, says MoBay deputy mayor

WESTERN BUREAU:

MONTEGO BAY Deputy Mayor Richard Vernon is calling for citizens of St James and the wider Jamaica to work together in upholding and passing down Jamaica’s heritage of freedom for future generations, regardless of socioeconomic status or political preference.

Vernon sounded the call on Monday while addressing the 2023 staging of St James’ National Heroes Day Civic and Awards Ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.

The service, held under the theme ‘Celebrating a Proud Heritage – Resilient and Strong’, saw 10 residents of St James receiving the 2023 Sam Sharpe Award for their contributions to various fields, and another five receiving the Mayor’s 2023 Special Award.

“You all play a role in protecting our heritage. We have a duty to remain resilient and a duty to protect what was handed down, and there is no greater value than the freedom to stand here. Therefore, I encourage our citizens, stakeholders, movers and shakers, to support the efforts of our Government and your local authority as we endeavour to develop beyond our ambitious dreams, with the baseline being the improvement of our citizens’ quality of life,” said Vernon.

“On this mission none of us is more significant than all of us, and I call on the weak and strong, rich and poor, the many people that define Jamaica, Government and Opposition, to put away frivolity and come together with fixity of purpose as we safeguard our heritage and bequeath a solid country to our successors,” Vernon added.

“Let us use this Heritage Week to renew our vows that before God and all mankind we will do what is necessary to ensure that Jamaica may increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity.”

PROMISE OF AID

His call came a day after fire engulfed a section of the Montego Bay Shoes Market in the western city’s downtown district, the second major blaze the facility has suffered in the past eight years following a previous fire in 2015.

Over 200 vendors lost millions of dollars in goods as a result of the latest fire, which took place sometime after 1 o’clock on Sunday morning. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Commenting on that disaster, Vernon assured those who have been affected that the St James Municipal Corporation will be working to improve the vendors’ fortunes, even as restoration takes place.

“We have improved our capacity to respond to natural disasters, fire and accidents, by developing a modern regional fire facility in St James. On a sombre note, let me acknowledge those who have suffered immensely the economic setbacks due to the Shoes Arcade blaze,” said Vernon. “The leadership of this municipality is with you, and from the ashes we will diligently realise a vastly improved local economic experience.”

During Monday’s ceremony, The Gleaner’s western bureau reporter, Albert Ferguson, was the first of the 10 Sam Sharpe Award recipients for 2023, being honoured for his contributions to St James in the field of Journalism.

Additionally, three residents of Tucker, Irwin in the parish – Kenroy Wright, Marcel Biggs, and Desrick Myers – jointly received the Mayor’s 2023 Special Award for their role in rescuing two boys from being washed away by floodwaters in Tucker, St James, during heavy rains on June 6 this year.

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com

SAM SHARPE AWARDEES 2023

.Albert Ferguson, reporter for The Gleaner Western Bureau, for contribution to the field of Journalism

.Gena Haughton, president of the St James Netball Foundation, for contribution to the field of Sports

.Collette Barnes, principal of Flankers Primary and Junior High School, for contribution to the field of Education

.Alen Webster, extension officer for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, for contribution to the field of Agriculture

.Dr Carlene Grant-Davis, consulting paediatrician at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, for contribution to the field of Health

.Wayne Cummings, chief executive officer of the Arya Group of Companies, for contribution to the field of Tourism

.Bernard Wesmore Salmon, president of the Comfort Hall Community Development Committee, for contribution to the field of Community Service

.Inspector of Police Delroy Harriot, zone commander at the Barnett Street and Granville Police Stations, for contribution to the field of National Security

.Dr Alloi Allen, chief executive officer and medical director of the Oneness Health Centre, for contribution to the field of Industry and Commerce

.Kenneth ‘Lord Laro’ Lara, musician, for contribution to the field of Arts and Culture

MAYOR’S SPECIAL AWARD 2023

.Fitzgerald Roach, now-retired water production manager at the National Water Commission, for contribution to the field of Community Service

.Gavin Edmond, teacher at St James High School, for contribution to the field of Education

.Kenroy Wright, Marcel Biggs, and Desrick Myers, for their role in rescuing two boys from being washed away by floodwaters in Tucker, St James, during heavy rains on June 6 this year