Melvin Jones hailed for his commitment to May Pen North

Residents of Bucknor in May Pen, Clarendon, have been hard hit by the death of Jamaica Labour Party Councillor Melvin Jones, who died on Christmas day.

Jones, who died at age 80, has been serving that community from 1998 both as a councillor and a justice of the peace.

Jones' commitment to service was evidenced by his last visit to the office of Mayor of May Pen Winston Maragh on December 17 to present his medical certificate to apply for sick leave.

"He was always working for the people, and on his last visit he came to request if I could ask my secretary to prepare some JP letters," disclosed Maragh. He said Jones was also at a Municipal Corporation meeting a month ago batting for his people.

"The last meeting he came to he wasn't feeling too well. We knew he went to the doctor so we weren't expecting him, but he showed up asking about water for Pennantwood. He also told us about the state of the road and I went with him to look at the road," Maragh recalled.

Maragh said their friendship goes back to 40 years, when Jones worked for the custos of Clarendon, William Shagoury, before leaving to join the staff of EB Sing and Sons Limited, a construction company.

According to Maragh, age did not slow down the late councillor, whom he described as being very "sharp for his age".

Member of Parliament for May Pen Central Mike Henry had high praises for Jones, whose loss, he said, would leave a great void in the constituency in terms of commitment to service.

"Melvin gave to the constituency and he gave more than he received. We will miss him dearly and seek to ensure that we retain his dream and vision," said Henry.

A Bucknor resident, who identified himself as 'Flour', described Jones as "the general", "di real big boss" who made things happen for the area.

"On a day like today, Christmas Day, he would be up and running; he would have passed through. Yeah, man, the youth love him," he said of Jones' involvement in the area.