MAY PEN, CLARENDON:

Three institutions in Clarendon recently received cheques totalling US$9,000 from the Alcoa Foundation.

The cheques, US$3000 each, were presented in recognition of the participation of the Jamalco employees in ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together in Our Neighbourhoods) community projects.

Richard Hall, Jamalco's capital projects Manager presented one of the cheques to the One Accord Basic School in Savannah Cross to assist with completion of the school building. A team of Jamalco volunteers will also provide technical assistance to the school.

The Tollgate Football Club collected its grant from Jamalco's Mine superintendent, Roger Blair, at the Tollgate Community Centre. Another 10 Jamalco volunteers are helping the community to refurbish the centre.

Classroom completion

At the Kemps Hill High School, the US$3,000 grant will be used to complete the construction of a classroom. Another team of Jamalco volunteers, whose children attend the school, will work with other members of the school community to paint a new classroom block. Pamela White, a member of Jamalco's corporate services team, presented the cheque to the school during devotion.

- Angella Chin

Staff cuts coming for St Elizabeth PC?

BLACK RIVER, ST ELIZABETH:

Jeremy Palmer, mayor of Black River, has said that if the St Elizabeth Parish Council was to adequately serve the people of the parish, staff cuts would have to take place.

Mayor Palmer made this disclosure while speaking at the monthly general meeting of the council at the agency's meeting chambers in Black River last Thursday.

The mayor cautioned the council after councillors lashed out against the National Water Commission's (NWC) decision to close the Luana Filling Bay.

Trucking water

Councillor for the Newmarket division, Ernest Hendricks, said more needed to be done to have potable water trucked to the residents of the northern side of the parish.

He said the NWC should be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem.

The NWC facilities were ordered closed to contain operational costs at the company.

Mayor Palmer, councillor for the Pedro Plains division, said the agency overspent its budget on minor water supplies by some $10 million last year. This year, some $2 million has already been spent to provide water to residents.

- Rayon Dyer

Agri-show aims at young farmers

FALMOUTH, TRELAWNY:

The 54th Hague Agricultural Show, staged annually in Trelawny, will this year seek to sensitise patrons on the strides made by young farmers.

"The youth will be targeted as we will be highlighting young farmers and what they do, along with schools," show coordinator Bevolyn Harvey said.

She added that schools have been invited to stage on exhibits or demonstrations. The livestock competition and display will be expanded to all areas including birds.

The usual Jamaica Agricultural Society branch competition winners, along with the Trelawny Farm Queen, will be announced. The perennial crowd favourites -