Contributed
Len Blake, Alpart community council chairman, shares a joke with members of the head table at the annual general meeting of the Alpart Community Council; held at the Alpart Sports Club on October 24. Seated from left are: Adassa Johnson, secretary, Leroy Whitely, deputy chairman; Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of agriculture; and Alerto Fabrini, managing director, Alpart.
Restorative justice talks held out West
NEGRIL, WESTMORELAND:
A wide cross section of the Westmoreland community was introduced to the concept of restorative justice, when residents attended the first of two public consultations held last Wednesday in that parish.
The consultation, which forms part of a series being held across the island, took place at the Travellers Beach Resort in Negril.
Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm done when a crime is committed by holding the wrongdoer responsible for his or her action.
Director of inspection and monitoring in the Ministry of Justice, Vaughn Graham, explained to the attendees that the series of public consultations was aimed at explaining the upcoming policy document to be sanctioned by Cabinet.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, as well as the Canadian government, were doing the development of the policy document.
He explained that a restorative justice task force had submitted a report that said the Jamaican society was ready for the practice of restorative justice.
- JIS
Jamalco begins repairs on infirmary
MAY PEN, CLARENDON:
Some 60 volunteers from the bauxite and alumina company, Jamalco, along with community volunteers, turned out at the Clarendon Infirmary last Wednesday to effect much-needed repairs. Phillip Biggs, community relations officer at Jamalco, pointed out that Jamalco began repair work on the infirmary some weeks ago when the company's volunteers installed a new set of kitchen cupboards.
Additionally, in an effort to address the problem of a leaking roof, and the displacement of the residents, whenever it rains, some 200 sheets of zinc were to be replaced at different sections of the premises. Biggs went on to say that the residents of the infirmary would also be in for an early Christmas treat, as the building was in the process of being repainted.
The Jamalco volunteers also donated bed linen, clothing and medical supplies to persons housed at the institution. The Clarendon Infirmary is currently home to 144 persons. Jamalco will wind up its voluntary work at the infirmary with the planting of ornamental trees. This is being done as part of Alcoa's commitment to plant 10 million trees worldwide.
- JIS
Fish and bammy festival well supported
OLD HARBOUR BAY, ST CATHERINE:
Jamaicans were treated to a day of fun and seafood at the fourth staging of the Old Harbour Bay Fish and Bammy Festival, held at the Jamaica Public Service Sports Club, on Sunday.
The event, which saw over 3,000 patrons in attendance, was organised by a committee, comprising residents of Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine.
Reverend Sandra Nembhard, member of the organising committee, said part of the proceeds would go towards community development, especially in the areas of education and training.
She added that as part of the community development effort, it is expected that some of the proceeds would be used to assist students, to obtain birth certificates, particularly those who would be sitting the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) next year.
The festival was sponsored by Lider Oil and Supreme Ventures Ltd.
- JIS
Fire-Safety Awareness Week launched
OLD HARBOUR, ST CATHERINE:
The Jamaica Fire Brigade, launched Fire Safety Awareness Week, at a church service held at the New Testament Church of God in Rhoden's Pen, Old Harbour, St Catherine, last Sunday.
The week was celebrated under the theme 'Awareness The Key To A Fire Safe Community' and is a repetition of last year's theme, as the Jamaica Fire Brigade has adopted it as a slogan for its community fire-safety programme, launched in July of this year.
The main objectives of the programme is to: broaden community fire safety awareness, reduce the instance of death or injuries caused by fires, increase the number of smoke detectors installed in homes and get communities actively involved in fire-protection efforts.
The week was observed with a number of planned activities across the island such as, exhibitions at fire stations, house to house visits and expositions.
- JIS
Mental Health Unit to help street people
MAY, PEN CLARENDON:
The Mental Health Unit at the Clarendon health department has earmarked November 14 a 'pick-up programme' day.
This entails removing the over 30 street people roaming the parish's capital, cleaning, feeding, medicating where necessary, and hopefully returning them to their homes.
John Falconer, a mental health-care professional, speaking at a health fair and forum recently at the St Gabriel's Anglican Church Hall, said the area of mental health was not adequately supported financially and so he was asking corporate Jamaica and ordinary citizens for their help.
The Clarendon association for street people, a charitable organisation which houses about 15 street people, will also assist in the exercise.
- Angella Chin
Lions Club helps with breakfast
SPANISH TOWN, ST CATHERINE:
The Lions Club of Spanish Town has committed $143,000 per school term to help the breakfast programme at the Eltham Park Primary School.
According to Noel Perkins, principal at the institution which holds over 450 students, the donation comes when the school was finding it difficult to cope with more than 40 children, who normally partake of the breakfast programme.
Several teachers and students echoed the views of the principal.
President of the Lions Club, Justin Champanie, said it was one of his organisation's mandates to take care of the less fortunate.
"The club, which has been in operation since 1979, continues to do well under trying circumstances," remarked Champanie.
- Rasbert Turner
George William Gordon's will revealed
TWICKENHAM PARK, ST CATHERINE:
A heritage exhibition, depicting Jamaican culture and history, was staged by the Registrar General's Department (RGD), in Twicken-ham Park, St Catherine, last Wednesday.
On show were the last will and testament of National Hero, George William Gordon, a list of the first registered marriages in Jamaica, and the first locally recorded bill of sale. Also in the mix were sumptuous Jamaican fare - ackee and saltfish, roasted breadfruit, coconut drops, gizzada and duckunoo.
Many customers visited the exhibition tent to peek, some watched from afar, while still others came forward and expressed themselves forthrightly.
Dr Patricia Holness, chief executive officer of the RGD, and staff members were on hand to serve visitors and customers at the exhibition.
The exhibition also contained replicas of old Jamaican maps, showing names of places long forgotten, and even listing free villages sited all over the island
- JIS
