Students of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) Hands of Praise group in Manchester perform a gospel item recently.- JIS photo This year the CCCD celebrates 50 years in Jamaica.
TRELAWNY:
A number of local environmental organisations, including the University of the West Indies (UWI) are to benefit from several million dollars geared at beefing up efforts to conserve Jamaica's eco-forest, the Cockpit Country.
The United States based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the approval of three grants valued at US $840,000 ($59,000,000) in November of last year to continue efforts to protect the ecologically sensitive area.
The grants were awarded to the Windsor Research Centre, which operates from within the Cockpit Country, the UWI's department of life sciences and the Miami-based Fairchild Botanical Gardens.
A portion of an additional grant was also awarded to Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, which is supporting local lobbyists, Jamaica Environment Trust, in its bid to protect the Cockpit's unique landscape.
- Gareth Manning
No fire truck in St Elizabeth
ST. ELIZABETH:
Despite having three fire trucks in working condition, the St. Elizabeth Fire Department is without a fire unit of its own.
This was revealed at the first monthly general meeting of the council held at the agency's meeting room on Thursday, in Black River. According to the meeting, the fire department is without a truck because those it had were borrowed from other parishes.
Senior Deputy Superintendent in charge of the St. Elizabeth Fire Department, Homer Morris, said that properties at risk in St. Elizabeth are estimated at $85 million.
Mayor of Black River Jeremy Palmer has also said that a looming drought is threatening the southern section of the parish and that water trucks at the council need to be in a position to respond adequately to whatever difficulty may arise.
Deputy mayor and councillor of the Southfield division S. Ruben Myers, said that accessing funds to address the water shortage in southern St. Elizabeth is critical and the short term must be considered. He said that now is the period when most droughts occur.
- Rayon Dyer
Returning residents praise police
SPANISH TOWN, ST. CATHERINE:
Although there was a high rise in criminal activity in 2007 - such as murders, robberies, rape - at least one group had high praise for the police.
Percival Latouche, president of the Resettlement of Returning Residents Association, said the police, along with the airport authorities, customs and other agencies worked well in 2007, especially over the Christmas period, to cut down on criminal activities against returning residents.
According to the association's statistics, over a seven-year-period, 309 returning residents were murdered and over 500 robbed.
Mr. Latouche said that, in previous years, several acts of robbery were committed against returnees and it was good to see that at least attempts have been made to minimise this negative effect.
He was addressing members of the Old Harbour Chapter of the Returning Residents Association and said he hopes that, in 2008, measures will be put in place to strengthen the stance taken last year. Mr. Latouche pointed out that speedy trials of persons who commit crimes against returning residents seemed to have worked.
Making suggestion for 2008, Mr. Latouche has asked that the authorities look into using money taken from criminals, whose acts affect returning residents to help their victims.
- Rasbert Turner
Peanut factory for St Elizabeth
WARMINSTER, ST. ELIZABETH:
The Jamaica 4-H Club is hoping to increase job opportunities with the establishment of an $11 million peanut processing plant in Warminster, St. Elizabeth.
The peanut processing plant is scheduled to begin operation next month.
On Thursday, January 24, the Embassy of Japan and the Jamaica 4-H Club will sign a $7 million contract towards the development of the peanut plant in the community.
Executive director of the Jamaica 4-H Club, Lenworth Fulton, applauded the Japanese government for the grant and said the plant would create job opportunities for some 300 people in the community.
In addition, at the 4-H Warminster Centre is a five-acre peanut farm. A building situated at the centre will be renovated and used as the peanut processing plant for roasting and packaging of the product.
Mr. Fulton said several pounds of peanuts were cultivated weekly, with many left to rot, as there are very few buyers.
With the operation of the plant more of the produce will be used as the organisation hopes to put a 4-H Peanut on the market.
- Shelly-Ann Thompson
Christian deaf centre marks 50 years in Ja
MANDEVILLE, MANCHESTER:
The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) will tomorrow hold a special service of thanksgiving at the Mandeville Baptist Church, to commemorate 50 years of service to Jamaica.
Manager for CCCD in Jamaica, Donville Jones, said the service will begin at 4:00 p.m., and the guest speaker would be Dr. Gerry Gallimore, former national director, Jamaica Youth for Christ.
He pointed out that all activities in this jubilee year will be held under the theme: 'Celebrating God's Goodness'.
Mr. Jones said the CCCD would be hosting an appreciation banquet at the Kendal Conference Centre next Tuesday.
Persons interested in finding out about all the events planned for 2008 can visit the CCCD website at: www.cccdjamaica.net
The CCCD was founded in June 1958 by two Canadian missionaries from Ontario who had been dispatched to Jamaica by the Ontario Mission for the Deaf. Currently, the Knockpatrick campus has some 130 enrolled students.
- JIS
Berbick's killer gets life Accomplice faces 14 years
Berbick
NORWICH, PORTLAND:
In sending a clear message to would be offenders, Justice Christine McDonald, yesterday, sentenced Harold Berbick to life imprisonment for the murder of his uncle, Trevor Berbick, former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, on October 28, 2006.
Berbick's accomplice, Kenton Gordon was sentenced to 14 years, having been found guilty on the lesser charge of manslaughter during the trial.
no previous conviction
In passing verdict, Justice McDonald, pointed out that she took into consideration the age of Berbick at the time of the murder, and that he has no previous conviction. She, however, lamented the fact that a life was taken, and that it is now apparent that murder is plaguing the Jamaican society.
In the case of Gordon, Judge McDonald noted that he had apologised for his actions, and showed signs of remorse. Berbick will be eligible for parole after 20 years.
It is widely speculated that Gordon, could also be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his prison term.
Sister of the slain boxer, Beverlee Berbick, showed no reaction regarding the sentencing, and did not wish to comment. She, however, said that the court had done its part, and that the incident should not have happened.
satisfaction
Residents in the community of Norwich, home to the former boxer, have expressed satisfaction at the sentencing of both men. According to an outspoken community figure, who gave his name as 'Jah Screw', the sentence was justified.
"We have murdered a great icon", he said. "This man was a boxing legend, who did the entire Jamaica proud. He was our only heavy- weight champion, and that feat might never ever be repeated by anyone," he said.
Residents lauded the work carried out by the investigation officer, senior detective, sergeant Kenneth Bailey, of the Port Antonio Criminal Investigative Branch. Sergeant Bailey apprehended both men just two days after the murder.
"I am usually critical of the police in a negative sense based on experience," said Hugh Johnson, a resident of Norwich district.
"Even when they (the suspects) were first arrested I had my doubts. But it goes to show that the police acted professionally, which is something oftentimes not seen."
The body of the former boxer was found near his home at Norwich on October 28, 2006, with four chop wounds to the back of the head. At the time of his death, Berbick, the last fighter to defeat the legendary Mohammed Ali, was 54 years old.
- Gareth Davis Sr.
