Teacher-turned-candidate Allen-Thompson’s vision for Glendevon
Published:Friday | February 16, 2024 | 12:10 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Donyja Maria Allen-Thompson has become a cornerstone of the Glendevon community, known for her dedication as an educator, community developer, and long-term resident.
At 43 years old, she serves as a teacher at the Glendevon Primary and Junior High, where she has made a significant impact on the lives of students.
Her commitment to service extends beyond the classroom as she steps into the political arena.
Allen-Thompson’s candidacy marks a significant transition for the Montego Bay North division in St James North Western as she replaces Mayor Leeroy Williams on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ticket. She will go up against the People’s National Party’s Ronaldo Jackson in the February 26 polls.
With this transition, Allen-Thompson aims to continue the legacy of leadership and community development set by her predecessor while bringing her unique perspective and dedication to the role.
“When I traverse my division – I am almost 90 per cent complete, with very few areas left to cover – it is then that I realise the people I aim to represent are those I have either taught or lived alongside. I am not detached from them,” said Allen-Thompson, who describes herself as a visionary.
Having resided in Glendevon for 35 years, Allen-Thompson has spent 23 of those years teaching at the main school in the community.
“It was the people who called for me. Everywhere I went, they would shout, ‘You are the one we want to represent us!’ after they heard Mr Williams was retiring. ‘You are one of us; you are from the community’,” Allen-Thompson told The Gleaner.
Additionally, she said Member of Parliament Dr Horace Chang has been urging her to enter representational politics for years.
“Service has always been one of my hallmarks. I am involved in numerous service organisations in my community and the Montego Bay environs. When I look at the Jamaica Labour Party and the impact [it is] making on the country, I said to myself, ‘I want to be a part of this prosperity. I want to be a part of the upward thrust that I see this party leading the country into’,” she said.
Relatable and approachable are words that come to mind when describing this councillor candidate, who hopes to surpass the 903 votes her predecessor polled in 2016, compared to the 418 that the People’s National Party’s (PNP) George Hamilton received.
Glendevon is a large division, comprising 23 polling divisions, spanning from the entrance to Paradise, Norwood, all the way to Salt Spring, Quarry Heights, Sun Valley, Dallas, and Montego Hills.
Allen-Thompson says she brings quality leadership to the job she is applying for, with a series of projects in the pipeline that will benefit the communities she represents.
“I am looking to work with the HEART/NSTA Trust and the Social Development Commission to provide training for people in various areas. For those in Quarry Heights, who have been waiting for their land titles for years, I will be lobbying on their behalf,” she said.
Rehabilitating a postal agency in the division, which has been down for a while, is also on Allen-Thompson’s agenda, as well as providing support for young men and women, particularly single mothers.
Additionally, she has highlighted street lights and water as areas needing immediate attention.
“Water is also a significant problem in the Glendevon-Norwood area. Therefore, we are continuing with our water harvesting. We will have between four to six tanks on Easy Street in Hendon, so when water is off in the community, the citizens will have access,” she promised.
With more than 90 per cent of the roads in her division already rehabilitated, Allen-Thompson’s role now is to continue where Williams left off, ensuring that infrastructure is maintained.