Shaw, Downie make cases for Morant Bay division seat

A “national disgrace” is how former Mayor of Morant Bay Yvonne Rosemarie Shaw, who is vying once a again for a seat in the St Thomas Municipal Corporation, describes the legacy road network in the parish.

The road network, which forms part of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, has been hit with delays and criticism over the substandard works at sections of the project.

Shaw, who is known for switching political allegiance – leaving the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) for the People’s National Party (PNP) then back to the JLP – during her veteran political career, is now running on a PNP ticket.

She spoke to journalists following her nomination at the Coke Methodist Church yesterday and said she was not satisfied with the quality of roadwork taking place in St Thomas.

“Not at all. You yourself would have driven on the road and you would have seen the problem. It’s a waste of money. So many billions of dollars was spent the other day, and you now see the results, and we have been clamouring for this road for years and you see what happens. It is a national disgrace,” Shaw said.

Shaw said she has some unfinished business.

“The first priority is a central system for the town of Morant Bay. We have always been agitating for that, and it is non-existent. So that is very, very important,” she said.

Shaw said she has plans to build on the recreational park started by Councillor Rohan Bryan, who died from a heart condition last April.

“The gullies, the drains, street lights, the community centre at Lyssons. That has been run down. We need to deal with that. The very police station is a problem. The police officers and the civilians have to be using the same bathroom, so I need to make representation in that regard.” Shaw said.

The seat became vacant following Bryan’s death.

Bryan defeated Shaw when he first won the Morant Bay division for the PNP in the 2012 parish council elections.

REVISITNG RELOCATION OF VENDORS

Shaw plans to revisit removing the vendors off the streets for ease of movement for pedestrians and motorists in the town area.

“There is the arcade up there. When I was councillor, I made representation. I got the land from the Ministry of Health to build a proper arcade. So that will, somewhat, ease the congestion on the road,” She said.

She is confident that the electorate will ensure that she returns the seat to the PNP.

“I know the people; the people know me. I trust the people. The people know me. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again,” Shaw told The Gleaner.

Her opponent is vice-principal of the Paul Bogle High School, Winston Downie.

Downie told The Gleaner that he would bring integrity and equity to the municipal corporation when elected.

“Accountability, love, trustworthiness, and building for the future. Taking care of the toddler up to the elders, no one will be left out. I just want to do an honest job, and as the scripture said, unless the Lord build the house, they that labour, labour in vein. The Lord will always be the head of my life and the head of this campaign trail,” Downie said.

Asked about the projects he intends to implement during his tenure, he said: “The projects are here already. We have the urban city, historical site at the Paul Bogle Square, that will become a museum, a first-class museum. There are many more to come on boaard, but I can’t speak on matters that I am ... you know. I will wait in the balance for those to come on board,” Downie said.

Bryan defeated Wilbert Walker of the JLP by 423 votes in the February 2024 local government elections.

For the parish, the PNP won four seats to the JLP’s six.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com