Samantha Chantrelle, projects administrator, N.C.B. Foundation (left), presents a cheque for 100,000 to Monsignor Richard Albert, head of the St. Patrick's Education Foundation towards the academic needs of inner-city youth. Sharing a moment with them are students from the Riverton Early-Childhood Resource Centre where the presentation was made on Wednesday, September 12. - Contributed

Percy Junor Hospital gets new department

WALDERSTON, MANCHESTER:

The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester, which has been viewed by many as the best in the island, got even better last Wednesday, with the official handover of the newly built Central Sterilisation Supply Department (CSSD).

The new unit, which was built in four months, was completed within budget and on time, according to senior project engineer of the Southern Health Authority, Richard Lawson.

Mr. Lawson said the CSSD was done at a cost of $4.4 million and was funded by Mrs. Vinette Gordon-Cole, who donated $2.8 million and the National Health Fund, who contributed $1.5.

The benefactor, Mrs. Gordon-Cole is a retired nurse, who migrated to the United States.

Among those lauding Mrs. Gordon-Cole and her husband for their contribution were chief executive officer, Stanhope Scott; senior medical officer, Dr. Bradley Edwards; Dr. Neville Gallimore; and Minister of Finance and Public Service, Audley Shaw.

- Byron McDaniel

JNBS increases tertiary assistance

KINGSTON:

The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) has increased its assistance to tertiary students with the establishment of the JNBS/Mona School of Business (MSB) scholarship.

The award, valued at $1 million, is part of the JNBS Scholarship Programme and becomes tenable during the 2007/08 academic year.

Ryan Williams, a graduate student of the University of the West Indies, is the first recipient of the scholarship. He was presented with the award by Carl Bliss, JN Group's human resource executive, during a presentation ceremony at the Mona School of Business on August 30.

Williams, who completed his undergraduate degree in management studies in May this year with first-class honours, topped the list of three candidates for the scholarship.

The awardee expressed gratitude at being selected and was also appreciative of the HP 530 laptop valued at $109,000, which he received as part of the scholarship award.

Since 1983, some 300 secondary and tertiary students have benefited from the JNBS Scholarship Programme.

- Contributed

Myers backs abolishment of Local Government

ST. ELIZABETH:

Deputy Mayor of Black River, Shirley Myers, says he endorses the decision by Prime Minister Bruce Goldingto abolish the Local Government Ministry.

The deputy mayor also became the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor of the Southfield division, following the monthly meeting of the parish council at Black River in St. Elizabeth, on Thursday.

He said Mr. Golding had informed the council that his government would phase out local government, giving parish councils more autonomy. Mr. Myers went on to indicate that Mr. Golding has committed to give councils five per cent of the budget to faciliate the change.

The mayor agrees with Golding's point of view and suggests it wouldl also make the institutions more accountable.

- Michael McLean

Health issues affect St Ann

OCHO RIOS, ST. ANN:

Medical health officer for St. Ann, Dr. Patrick Wheatle, is appealing to members of the new government to give priority to addressing a number of health issues affecting the parish.

He listed some of these issues as the poor state of supplied water, the poor state of the food market, the need to control the spread of rodents and the cleaning of drains and ponds.

Referring to the state of water supplies, Dr. Wheatle disclosed that, of the 77 water-supply areas owned by the St. Ann Parish Council, only 12 were being treated. He warned that the situation could negatively affect the health of residents in those areas.

Most of the untreated water is said to come from south west St. Ann and to a lesser extent, a section of the parish's north west.

Dr. Wheatle said health problems that spring from the environment can lead to epidemics if not given urgent attention.

On the matter of markets, Dr. Wheatle was displeased with the present state of the facilities, especially the Ocho Rios Market.

- Devon Evans

Parish Council dismayed over out-of-order hydrant

ST. THOMAS:

Tempers flared as the St. Thomas Parish Council was on Thursday advised that a disfunctional fire hydrant is risking the lives and businesses of citizens in Golden Grove and its environs.

At the September meeting of the council on Thursday, assistant superintendent of the St. Thomas Fire Brigade reported that for the third consecutive month, the fire hydrant in the Golden Grove town square has been out of service because the key to open the control for the flow of water was unavailable.

The news outraged councillors attending the meeting and a very strong demand for corrective action was called for by Jamaica Labour Party councillor Beresford Steel of the Dalvy division.

His call was endorsed by People's National Party (PNP) colleague, former deputy mayor, Lancelot Comrie, of the Bath division.

Councillors are demanding the hydrant be made functional by whatever means because too many important buildings and facilities are at risk.

- Arthur Green

Cabinet size sparks council row

LACOVIA, ST. ELIZABETH:

A verbal clash erupted between the People's National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council, last Thursday.

JLP councillor for the New Market division Ernest Hendricks, told his PNP colleague, councillor for the Balaclava division, Rodney Barnes, he would throw him out of the meeting if he tried to say anything about the size of the JLP Cabinet.

The argument started while the council debated the Alga Report.

Councillor Barnes was relatively quiet throughout the meeting when he stood to speak on the topic but was prevented by a boisterous Mr. Hendricks.

At the time, Barnes was saying the previous Government had been criticised by the new JLP Government for the size of its Cabinet but has replaced it with an even larger one.

- Michael McLean