Lawmen assigned to the Clarendon division on Thursday seized a firearm and several rounds of ammunition in an open lot in Coates Pen Reports from the May Pen police are that about 1:45 p.m. a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver along with five .38 cartridges were found No one was arrested in connection with the find Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. Copyright © 2025 Multimedia Jamaica Ltd Jamaica— Disgruntled parents of students who attend May Pen Infant School in Clarendon are demanding the resignation of Board Chairman Stanley Ramsingh over growing concerns that leadership is lacking at the institution The parents padlocked the school gate Tuesday morning preventing students and teachers from gaining access Parents standing out the May Pen Infant School as they demand the resignation of the institution’s chairman Parents lament that the school has been operating without a principal for a few months and allege that no meals are being provided for their children They also allege that the school is not well kept and the janitorial staff are not being paid some holding placards bearing the demands “Canteen must open while others chanted “The chairman needs to go!” A placard with demands made by parents who padlocked the gates of the May Pen Infant School in protest have taken a bold step towards personal development and long-term success through a mentorship initiative led by the MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) the Mentorship Workshop brought together youth and volunteer professionals to foster meaningful told JIS News that the workshop was a component of a larger intervention under the European Union’s BRIDGE Project which gives young people the tools they need to thrive in the face of adversity “These mentees would have already completed life skills training and many are currently enrolled in internships so a critical intervention to help them set and achieve clear Providing details on the process used to match mentees and mentors he explained that “through a dynamic rotational meet-and-greet activity mentees and mentors were able to interact and rank their preferred matches creating the potential for perfect pairs based on mutual choice” The Senior Project Officer further pointed out that this approach is holistic as “mentorship for us is not just about being a listening ear; it’s about building trust and guiding mentees to achieve specific goals He recalled how mentorship shaped his own journey and noted that “sometimes all a young person needs is someone to say ‘this is how you do it or this is the next step’ and that kind of support can change everything” The atmosphere at the workshop was described as open with many of the participants arriving early Nactie expressed as indicative of the youth’s desire for growth “There was no separation between mentors and mentees and the trust-building started well before the formal mentorship matching even began,” he told JIS News Nactie pointed out also that the mentorship component is strategically aligned with other interventions including internships and vocational referrals as together these efforts work to strengthen youth resilience and reduce the risk of engagement in crime or violence “Youth who are consistently engaged in employment or positive guidance are less likely to turn to harmful alternatives and we are happy to know that our mentorship and internship initiatives are designed to build protective factors that can transform lives,” he shared he reiterated that several workshop participants are already benefiting from internships and some have secured full-time positions as a result With the mentor-mentee agreement in place for one year the MYF team will conduct regular check-ins with both parties to monitor progress and provide support The goal is for each mentee to achieve at least one of the three Specific Relevant and Time-Bound (SMART) goals they set during the workshop but for our youth they represent major steps forward and achieving even one goal shows that the mentorship is working,” Mr which currently operates in multiple communities islandwide aims to expand mentorship workshops to more parishes as part of its national youth empowerment strategy Even though the MYF continues to receive positive responses to the initiative a continuous call is being made for more mentors to come on board If you’re willing to guide a young person and help change the trajectory of their life For more information about the MultiCare Youth Foundation or to become a mentor, persons may visit their website at www.myfjamaica.org or call 876-922-6670 Send An Email Get the latest news & updates from the JIS sent to your inbox The May Pen Bridge in Clarendon will be closed this Sunday the National Works Agency (NWA) has stated It says the bridge which is one of the main entrance points into the town of May Pen will be closed for six hours to facilitate emergency works Closure will be between the hours of 8:00 a.m says closure of the bridge is necessary to have the repairs safely done He explains that the driving lanes are narrow and that this will restrict the activities to be carried out during the allotted time will be removing badly rutted sections of the carriageway which will then be repaved motorists wishing to enter the town of May Pen travelling from the direction of Kingston or Lionel Town are being advised to continue along the Bustamante Highway onto Glenmuir Road and Anderson Drive The reverse will obtain for those who wish to travel east of the town including towards Old Harbour and Spanish Town Motorists are being urged to obey posted warning signs and the instructions of flag-persons during the period of the closure Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. Jamaica — The May Pen Bridge in Clarendon will be closed this Sunday February 16 for six hours to facilitate emergency works which is one of the main entrance points into the town of May Pen will be closed between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm communication and customer manager at the National Works Agency (NWA) closure of the bridge is necessary to have the repairs safely done He explained that the driving lanes are narrow and that this will restrict the activities to be carried out during the allotted time The reverse will be obtained for those who wish to travel east of the town Motorists are being urged to obey posted warning signs and the instructions of flag persons during the period of the closure has again urged health-care workers to demonstrate greater compassion in the discharge of their duties especially given the growing record of patient deaths at public hospitals islandwide because I heard countless stories of hospital horrors I was beset with worry when my relatives were admitted to May Pen Hospital in 2022 and 2024 I feared that they would have been poorly treated or neglected altogether once I left the accident and emergency ward where they were staying and we have many positives to report about our experience The hospital staff — from the custodians and porters to the nurses and doctors — quickly dispelled the pervasive stereotypes about local health-care workers answered my endless questions and made time to simplify complex medical jargon for our understanding Some even made jokes that brought me and my family much-needed cheer My family’s follow-up visits to the hospital’s outpatient clinic have been equally satisfying We are treated with dignity and offered a commendable standard of care One afternoon I overheard one of the doctors telling a colleague that he was hungry and exhausted as he had been working all morning he was noticeably courteous and efficient as he made his rounds and attended to patients He even obliged one of my last-minute requests of the many with whom I have interacted at the clinic and hissed her teeth during one of our exchanges has not diminished my overall positive experience at the facility Whenever I accompany my relatives for their check-ups I simply direct my questions to the more accommodating nurses The DrugServ staff is surprisingly warm and supportive When I lamented my busy work schedule and the challenges experienced with collecting medications for my relatives one of the pharmacists advised me to use their appointment system to reduce the wait time but the staff’s kindness and openness to improving their service have been encouraging Let us never take these health-care professionals’ courtesy and commitment for granted For years I only experienced “nice” doctors and nurses through Grey’s Anatomy and House — all popular television series portraying exemplary medical care in the US I am happy to have a pleasant experience in my homeland in a health system strained by staff and equipment shortages the nurses and doctors at May Pen Hospital could have become callous the cornerstone of effective health-care delivery Research published through the National Library of Medicine indicates that when clinicians lack compassion patients suffer: their care is grossly compromised; they do not adhere to prescribed treatment plans; and they ultimately experience adverse medical outcomes and recovery rates increase when their doctors are caring and empathetic Positive doctor-patient relationships are also forged when compassion I understand that some patients and their family members may be rude and impatient when they are anxious or in pain Such an attitude can aggravate and frustrate even the most emotionally intelligent doctors and nurses Several researchers in the Journal of the National Medical Association have maintained that “compassionate care is a fundamental element for improving [the] quality of health care system services” but our health-care providers lack compassion the quality of clinical care in Jamaica will not improve materially like those of Jodian Fearon and Anna-Shay Campbell who died I trust health-care workers across the island will be inspired by their colleagues at May Pen Hospital and prioritise kindness and dignity as they interact with patients The negative hospital narratives can change with time please support our health-care professionals by offering them salaries that are commensurate with their invaluable toil equip all our hospitals with the resources needed for improved patient care Every Jamaican deserves high-quality medical aid View the discussion thread. Jamaica- Approximately 30 poultry farmers from May Pen have been equipped with vital resources and skills to enhance their farming practices from a collaborative initiative led by Project STAR in partnership with Hi-Pro aimed to boost income-generating capacities while promoting sustainable agricultural practices among farmers senior economic development lead at Project STAR and chair of the session underscored the importance of partnerships in advancing agricultural development “This initiative is more than just farming; it’s about building resilience and empowering farmers to maximise their potential,” Hayle stated project officer at the Project STAR May Pen Field Office revealed that the initiative stemmed from a series of community walk-throughs in Havana Heights where residents expressed keen interest in poultry farming He explained that Project STAR subsequently engaged key partners the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) the Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) farmers were introduced to best practices in poultry production including tips shared by Dr Roberta Harris-Daley Dr Harris-Daley provided practical advice on tackling common challenges in poultry farming emphasising the importance of preventative care and proper management techniques The Rural Agricultural Development Authority representative encouraged farmers to register with the agency highlighting the benefits of access to ongoing support Constable Collette Thompson of the JCF addressed the pressing issue of praedial larceny offering strategies to safeguard farmers’ investments reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to supporting farmers despite the hurdles faced but we pushed through because this initiative is too important to abandon,” Bromfield shared She emphasised that the training extended beyond the provision of products focusing on technical expertise and skill-building to ensure sustainable success for farmers expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support This will help my business a lot because I have three kids to take care of,” Anderson said including losing 60 birds due to unforeseen circumstances but the support we received today will push us a far way,” he added including feed and other essential resources alongside interactive presentations designed to enhance their practical knowledge Attendees were encouraged to share the knowledge gained with others in their communities “Each one teaches one,” Bromfield urged highlighting the importance of collective growth for the industry’s future Many of the farmers expressed that the training and resources were a foundation for a transformative year ahead “This initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening the agricultural sector and empowering communities in Clarendon,” said Brenda Knight the attorney general and the solicitor general have stated that Joel Williams rightfully occupies the position of Mayor of May Pen amid an impasse over the chairmanship of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation following November's by-election in the Aenon Town division Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie told Wednesday's post-Cabinet media briefing that while People's National Party (PNP) councillors in the municipal corporation have been pushing to have Williams removed The by-election in the Aenon Town division brought the number of sitting councillors in the municipal body to 22 – split down the middle 11 apiece between the PNP and the Jamaica Labour Party The PNP councillors believe the mayorship should reside with their caucus claiming that the by-election results meant it now had the overall popular vote McKenzie informed Wednesday that he had sought legal advice on the matter and recently received a joint response from Attorney General Derrick McKoy and Solicitor General Marlene Aldred McKenzie said the attorney general and the solicitor general have advised that Clause 32 of the Local Governance Act clearly lays out what happens when a tie occurs after a by-election He quoted from their letter stating that "Where there is a tie in the political representation following a by-election the person who occupied the chair as chairperson before the by-election remains as the chairperson after the by-election Clause 19 of the Act states that the tenure of the chairperson of a municipal corporation lasts from one local government election to the next The only way in which that chairperson can be removed between islandwide local government elections is if a no-confidence motion supported by the majority of all councillors in the municipality no sooner than 12 months after the date of the last local government election." McKenzie stated that the advice means that Williams remains the chairman of the corporation while Clive Mundell remains the deputy mayor "With the legal position being clearly expressed I'm expecting that the outburst and the disruption of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation will come to an end and that the needs of the people in their respective divisions will occupy the attention of all the councillors," he said noting that he was disappointed about the manner in which the dispute has unfolded McKenzie pointed to recent disruptions to meetings of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation and the abrupt end to last week's abrupt end to the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ) McKenzie also suggested that a no-confidence vote after February 26 is unlikely to succeed in removing Williams "If after the one year there is a vote of no-confidence against the mayor it means that all the councillors will have the right to vote but he also has the right to the casting vote So if there comes a time when there is a vote of no-confidence nobody would expect that the person who the vote of no-confidence is raised against will vote against himself," McKenzie stated View the discussion thread. There is growing concern among councillors in Clarendon about the high volume of traffic heading into the town of May Pen as a result of recent developments in the Mineral Heights area Councillor Scean Barnswell (People’s National Party Hayes Division) raised the issue at this month’s sitting of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation on Thursday “The situation as it relates to traffic along the Hayes/Halse Hall main road going south is unbearable and we have been fighting with this as far back as 2014/15 It got worse in the sense that persons from the Mineral Heights Housing scheme have to adjust the hours they go to work “Between 7:30 and 15 minutes to nine in the mornings there is a pile-up of traffic from the roundabout all the way to the Jamalco (Halse Hall) Great House and we have been asking that something be done about this,” said Barnswell a study was conducted with the National Works Agency (NWA) which looked at how some adjustments could be made to allow for the traffic to flow easily in that area Branwell suggested that traffic signal lights could be erected at some points or the re-routing of traffic on Aluminum Way to one way coming from May Pen instead of going out onto the main road that will cut across and cause congestion “Now with Burger King opening up at Millennium Mall we are seeing a surge of traffic cutting across going into the mall and coming back out the pedestrians who have to access that mall are at risk I see near misses because motorists tend not to want to stop or forget that pedestrians use that thoroughfare just the same “I think we need to look if we need that size roundabout or do we need to reduce the size of the roundabout or do we need to remove the entire roundabout to increase the traffic flow going west or going north into the town or turning right toward Old Harbour it’s a waste of production time and it’s a waste of business time We need to look at it seriously,” argued Barnswell “We also need to look at the Glenmuir Corridor as that area is also congested in the mornings just the same especially during the peak hours We need to look at it with the NWA and see what can be done,” added Barnswell the chairman of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation Joel Williams said he would try to convene a meeting to look at the issue within the next two weeks “I will be calling the CEO of NWA to try to arrange a meeting It was yesterday I was in a discussion and we were looking at taking up the left side of the gas station and have traffic filtered back onto the Bustamante Highway but we can’t do that alone; it has to be done from the National Works Agency but we will try to get a meeting with the agency within another two weeks,” said Williams A fire broke out in a section of the May Pen Cemetery in west Kingston on Wednesday and the blaze was confined to a "very small" area chief executive officer of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation "The fire seems to be in the centre of the front part of the cemetery and it is not endangering any lives or property at this time," Hill told journalists adding that he was on hand to assess the situation A unit from the Trench Town Fire Station—located across from the cemetery—responded to the fire superintendent of cemeteries in Kingston and St Andrew "You have persons living here who are of unsound mind and you have persons passing through the cemetery who may be smoking and drop their cigarettes that could have caused the fire," he suggested View the discussion thread. DOCTORS at May Pen Hospital in Clarendon say the new electronic health records (EHR) System has significantly improved their ability to provide medical care to victims of mass casualty incidents including those from the bloody Cherry Tree Lane massacre in August a medical officer in the accident and emergency department shared that before the implementation of the system dubbed e-Care — which digitally captures and stores patient clinical records — health-care workers found it difficult to keep track of their patients during mass casualties “We would have to physically be counting persons and then you would have to go back sometimes to medical records to see if the person you saw there was someone else who had this [patient] or who had that [record],’ ” she told the Jamaica Observer the EHR system allows doctors to create virtual groups for each mass incident — showing all the patients involved and other details about their medical care She recounted that on the night of August 11 when victims associated with the Cherry Tree Lane mass killing arrived at May Pen Hospital the EHR system was helpful in maintaining order and ensuring that no patient got left behind or lost in the system Official police reports put the death toll for the mass shooting that night at eight — including three women and a child — with nine others injured and taken to the hospital for treatment “For all the persons who were involved in the shooting… we could actually just put all of them in one virtual group rather than having them mixed with everyone else If we wanted to see everyone in the incident we knew they are located here and so we could go through them in a more timely manner,” she told the Sunday Observer Dr Gary Thompson — a junior general surgeon and system specialist for the Electronic Health Records System and who also treated victims injured during the Cherry Tree Lane massacre — said EHR made it easier for them to provide updates on their status “Some of the times when people ask about these patients the police officers might want to know what are the types of injuries and how many persons — it’s easier now to just find everybody in that same [virtual] location,” said Dr Thompson Implemented by the Health Systems Strengthening Programme (HSSP) the EHR System is replacing the paper-based method of health record management in 13 health-care facilities in central Jamaica — three hospitals and 10 primary care facilities It also aims to facilitate the sharing of records among health-care providers in the public health system for a more seamless and collaborative delivery of care May Pen Hospital started using the EHR system in January — the first facility in the island to do so — and it is now being utilised by Spanish Town Hospital and six primary health centres By the end of the year St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital and four other primary health-care facilities are to be added to the list of places utilising EHR The HSSP contracted The Phoenix Partnership in the UK to deliver the system at a cost of US$5 million with their contractual obligations to Jamaica also including a 15-year support period Dr Golding pointed out another feature of the system she enjoys which is the ability to access information about her patient’s health status from any section of the hospital I could log on to the emergency room system and still be able to visualise the type of patients and what they are coming in for,” she told the Sunday Observer “It removes that fixed position where you had to be in one position to be able to triage a patient you are able to do that and peruse and see several things happening for the patient from anywhere — once you are logged on to the system,” she added a patient who was at the hospital when the Sunday Observer visited recently She shared that she ended up at the hospital after suffering a heart attack “I came in Thursday night after three [o’clock] and somebody went and register me while the doctor was seeing me By the time they did the ECG [electrocardiogram] and the other tests the system was already up to put in the information that they have to see what was happening to me before,” said Davis and I think it helped to save my life because of the severity of the pain that I was in… It helps save lives and it saves time,” she declared The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has resumed operations on the May Pen bus route The state-owned bus company said the aim is to bring enhanced convenience and affordable fares to residents and students in May Pen and surrounding communities The May Pen service was initially introduced in 2017 on routes 501 502 and 503 through a partnership with the Ministry of Education to accommodate students in the area “Its reintroduction ensures the continued availability of safe and affordable public transportation for commuters,” the JUTC said in a statement has been added from Spanish Town to May Pen via the tolled highway Route 501 covers Old Harbour to Denbigh/May Pen via Free Town Bustamante Highway; Route 502 covers Lionel Town to Denbigh/May Pen via Vere Mineral Heights; Route 503 runs from Toll Gate to Denbigh/May Pen via Osbourne Store said “JUTC is committed to meeting the needs of our commuters and the reintroduction of the May Pen route reflects our dedication to improving the quality of public transportation across Jamaica” Nathalia Palomino said: “The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive We urge all commuters to make the most of the JUTC SmarterCard and enjoy the benefits of reduced fares This initiative underscores our commitment to customer satisfaction” “It’s great,” said Sylvester Crawford a poultry farmer from Treadlight district in Clarendon as he expressed gratitude for receiving 50 birds and feeding supplies to support his livelihood Crawford was among 30 farmers in May Pen who benefited from the initiative facilitated by Hi-Pro through Project STAR aimed at strengthening small farming businesses in the area “This comes in very handy,” Crawford said and it has helped send all my kids to school The farmers benefited from a training session aimed at boosting income-generating capacities while promoting sustainable agricultural practices Hi-Pro’s representatives shared tips on best practices in poultry production and practical advice on tackling common challenges The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) facilitated discussions on strategies to safeguard farmers’ investments against praedial larceny revealed that she lost her entire stock of 25 birds when Hurricane Beryl destroyed her coop last year “This is like restarting for me,” she said “I had to rebuild my coop and buy back 25 birds after the hurricane and now I’m starting again with these 50 birds who’s still in school and heading to 11th grade this September.” McClune emphasised that despite the challenges “You can’t let things get you down I’m grateful for this opportunity to restart and provide for my family.” will allow me to extend my business and continue supporting my family,” she said who has been in poultry farming for four years shared that her business provides for her 14-year-old son while also helping to pay bills and put food on the table Although she acknowledged the challenges of market fluctuations and competition she commended the initiative for its role in empowering farmers “Project STAR is doing an excellent job,” Knight said “This initiative is helping young people and others to make a better living but it’s a step in the right direction said that Hi-Pro was pleased to be on board “We want to ensure that we are equipping you with the necessary skills and the knowledge,” she said of the training session “[Our presence here] shows you how committed we are senior economic development lead at Project STAR emphasised the critical role of partnerships in driving agricultural development “This initiative goes beyond farming; it’s about fostering resilience and equipping farmers to reach their full potential,” Hayle remarked The farmers who benefited from the initiative are from Havanna Heights and the JCF in bringing the initiative to life View the discussion thread. Clarendon — Board chairman of May Pen Infant School Stanley Ramsingh has blamed what he describes as “political sabotage” for creating conditions that led to parents padlocking the school’s gates Tuesday morning teachers and janitorial workers gathered outside the inaccessible premises “We are here this morning because there is no principal at the school; the canteen is closed there is no vice-principal,” said Kimone Hamilton She said even though they have paid for the canteen to provide meals to their children they have been unable to eat there for about three weeks and no other meal options are provided and promised updates have not been forthcoming who called for the return of the principal and vice-principal said: “We are just protesting about everything…We need the chairman out because he is not making any sense; we want the chairman to be out of the system and a new chairperson,” she said was particularly concerned about sanitary conditions at the school “There is no cleaning going on at the school; they don’t have any chemicals to clean the school and this is not good for the children’s health I am here this morning in regards of the children’s health and the teachers’ welfare and we need back [principal] Miss Brown at this school because when she was here everything was running very smoothly,” said the irate parent board Chairman Ramsingh sought to provide what he said was context that was missing from the discussion He said since September last year he has written 32 letters to the education ministry in an effort to get a number of issues addressed but his pleas have “all fallen on deaf ears” He painted a picture of a school administration that has its hands tied Ramsingh explained that the board had suspended the principal for what it ascertained were breaches committed the vice-principal resigned in September 2022 and the education ministry has not accepted any of the board’s recommendations for replacements “We asked the ministry from the 25th of April to send somebody on secondment to act as the interim principal but they haven’t [approved] it at all,” he told the Jamaica Observer by phone they have not been able to manage their finances for more than a year as efforts to have the guidance counsellor appointed as a signatory to the school accounts were thwarted at the regional level of the education ministry “So that simply means that we didn’t have anybody from the school to sign cheques We have not written a cheque from the school for over 14 months now; that’s a plain fact because there is no one from the school staff to sign cheques,” Ramsingh said When asked about the closed canteen he again pointed the finger at the education ministry’s regional office “From last year September the funds that the Government grant to the school were not coming to the school It was diverted to the regional office — regional service…Now the regional office said that they would pay the bills and they have not been paying [all] the bills but they are not paying for the suppliers and that’s the only thing they said in terms of the canteen The wholesale that supplies goods to the canteen is owed money between three and four months now totalling close to a quarter of a million dollars the wholesaler refused to honour it because the owners said they wanted to get their money,” Ramsingh said “People who supply chemicals and cleaning agents for the school are owed over $100,000 for the accumulation of bills The Internet and the telephone [bill] has not been paid for over four months now and it is disconnected except the one that the Ministry of Education provides which works fine when it is working,” he said Ramsingh named the individual he believes is the stumbling block and in particular the regional office is sabotaging the school; and I say that without any fear of contradiction because we have evidence of that last year,” the board chairman maintained the statutory deductions from their claims have not been paid over to them for the past four months because what happened is that the gentleman is the education ministry’s regional director Barrington Richardson asked the Observer to call back as he was discussing the issue with his supervisor efforts to speak with him after that were futile is hoping Education Minister Fayval Williams will intervene “I would have wanted the region to intervene; but It is all politics… The school is riddled with politics now,” Ramsingh lamented Clarendon — Newly minted youth mayor of May Pen Tejaun Hall has vowed to work alongside councillor for the Palmers Cross Division Carlene Benjamin encouraged the 19-year-old to put himself forward for the post He is the Clarendon Municipal Corporation’s youth leader for 2024/2025 in addition to being the junior representative for the division “I am feeling quite elated and happy; it is a good feeling I could just hear Councillor Benjamin in my ear telling me to compete and to do my best because I have a good shot at winning At the end of the competition when the announcement was made I was overjoyed but I’m a reserved person so I was happy but didn’t show too much happiness,” said the teenager who is studying dentistry at University of Technology Benjamin could not hide her excitement at her protégé’s accomplishment “As councillor for the Palmer’s Cross Division I feel really good that my youth councillor is the youth mayor for the town of May Pen I am happy that the Palmers Cross Division is now in the limelight for something positive so people will see that this is where greatness begins,” she said “All the youth councillors that I’ve chosen throughout the years are youth of substance but Tejaun Hall is going to take the Palmer’s Cross Division to places and I know he will make Palmers Cross Division the division I want it to be,” she added Hall’s mother Keresha Smith said she was not surprised as he has always been an achiever because he has always surpassed all my expectations,” she said and I have always told him that if he sees himself at 75 per cent That has always been my pass mark for him and he has always exceeded that,” continued the proud mom Hall is a graduate of Glenmuir High where he was a member of the quiz team He later completed sixth form at Munro College He was also the Ministry of Local Government’s Board of Supervision top achiever for CSEC in 2022 and she loves that he is caring towards his younger brother who looks up to him With so many people expecting great things of him Hall is determined to make a difference in his new role as youth mayor He said he is already in dialogue with his councillor to see how best they can make an impact on their community The competition that saw him elected was held at Clarendon Municipal Corporation last Friday There were 10 junior council nominees vying for the roles of youth mayor and deputy The corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Rowhan Blake encouraged them all to make the most of the experience “The fact that you are brave enough to walk through those doors and come in here and give of yourselves says a lot about you Being a good leader doesn’t mean you have to be a good speaker; it’s in your attire and your ability to lead,” he told the youngsters “Not because a person is soft spoken or quiet [means they cannot lead] — there’s a place for them too What you must do is figure out what your advantage is and work on that He also gave an assurance that the corporation is committed to working with youth councillors throughout the year on various activities and initiatives and will be providing the necessary guidance Mayor Williams says greater emphasis must be placed on drains to reduce the risk of flooding It was Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud who stated that it is best to,“Do as much as possible for the patient and as little as possible to the patient.” Putting this comprehensive concept into medical practice a consultant general surgeon at the May Pen Hospital (MPH) has helped to revolutionise treatment at the hospital leading the team which performed the parish’s first laparoscopic colon surgery groundbreaking and historic to perform this surgery I could not allow myself to be overwhelmed by the moment And I’ve always been passionate about improving the standard of health care at this hospital So what better way to do it than by introducing laparoscopic surgery,” Dr Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner had recently made its way to the green shores of Jamaica but it was only available at institutions such as the University Hospital of the West Indies (UWHI) and Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) Having performed the surgery several times at the UHWI he was excited to bring this practice to the rural community “This was the first laparoscopic colon surgery to be done in May Pen Hospital [It is] usually performed as a standard procedure in first countries so for May Pen to be offering this kind of care is significant and speaks to the advancement in terms of patient care throughout the region We’ve also done the first laparoscopic appendix surgery and laparoscopic hernia surgeries and diagnostic laparoscopic procedures,” he shared involves using small cuts on the abdomen to do the procedure “This procedure avoids making large incisions and spares the patient pain and long recovery thereafter Patients are able to get back to their normal physical activity in a shorter time and return to work so that they can increase productivity,” the doctor revealed the surgery results in a better cosmetic outcome colon cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women and it often goes undetected He is particularly passionate about this field because he has identified several cases and incidents where people have succumbed to the disease due to late detection you start to have bleeding from the bottom or bleeding with the passage of [your] stool Other common symptoms include abdominal pain as well as constipation or bowel obstruction This is why screening early for colon cancer and management are so important We prefer to have screening and see small growths called polyps,” he said colonoscopy or a CT scan to detect early polyps A recent case saw the early management resulting in a good patient outcome “We performed this procedure on a female patient recently Her early management saw her getting [a] smaller incision surgery She was discharged by day three post procedure he shared the company was instrumental in providing much-needed equipment staplers and other specialised sutures required for the surgery “We’ve had the basic laparoscopic tower the basic equipment needed for this kind of surgery since 2017,” he added she had to undergo a colonoscopy prior to the surgery meaning [a] bowel washout beforehand to decrease the amount of contamination during the surgery.” It is important to note that surgery was completely laparoscopic the doctor means a part of the colon was removed with the tumour rejoining the bowels in a laparoscopic fashion “We didn’t have to open up the patient in order to join back the bowels And there was no need for a stoma bag or faeces bag.” Dr Thomas’ journey has taken him full circle and now he is able to improve the lives of those patients in and around Clarendon without them having to make that commute to Kingston Always open to sharing the risks of laparoscopic surgery Dr Thomas is looking forward to improving even more lives by performing these procedures in the near future krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. JAMAICA Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) has announced the launch of a new weekday route which will operate between Chapelton and May Pen in Clarendon JUTC said this service will enhance connectivity for commuters in Clarendon providing an affordable and safe transportation option along the Chapelton-May Pen corridor The new route will serve passengers travelling via Turners and New Longsville offering a regular service operated from the Spanish Town Depot Commuters will benefit from an affordable fare structure of adults: $100 while using a SmartFare card and $150 if paying in cash Seniors and students will pay $50 with a SmartFare card or $150 if paying cash JUTC’s Corporate Communications Manager Shantole Thompson said the new route emphasises the company’s commitment to improving public transportation services across the island “The introduction of Route #504 is a direct response to the needs of our commuters in Clarendon We remain steadfast in our mission to provide safe and affordable transportation for all Jamaicans This new service will undoubtedly benefit residents by offering more flexibility and convenience in their daily travels,” said Thompson said this new route is a part of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach beyond the boundaries of the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region in keeping with the expressed desire of Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz “The company’s medium- to long-term vision is to see commuters in other parishes benefit from safe reliable and more affordable transportation and to also play its part in the development of a more disciplined public transportation system islandwide,” said Barrett-Morris JUTC said it is encouraging passengers to take advantage of the new service and is reminding them that using their SmartFare ensures the best fares had committed to extending JUTC service to May Pen in Clarendon; Linstead and Bog Walk in St Catherine; and Albion He had said that with the coming into being of the world-class highway system across Jamaica it is important that the country does not place reliance on route taxis to provide mass transport of citizens on highways saying “it is both counter-productive and risky” “The JUTC must put itself in a position to deliver on this public good and I intend to see to that,” said Vaz as he underscored his previously stated commitment to improve the public transportation system for students in rural Jamaica Last December JUTC began operations in St Thomas with four buses two each assigned to the Morant Bay-to-Kingston and Yallahs-to-Kingston routes Jamaica — A section of the May Pen Cemetery in St Andrew was engulfed in flames on Wednesday as firefighting teams worked tirelessly to control the blaze but surrounding communities are being affected by smoke explained that the fire is concentrated in a small area of the cemetery and does not pose an immediate threat to nearby facilities such as Tivoli High School or the Horizon Remand Centre “It seems to be a fire that emerged suddenly on the cemetery grounds and so we are here to assess the issue luckily the Trench Town fire brigade station is literally just across the road and they have sent a unit with some firefighters and they have left to return The fire seems to be in the centre of the front part of the cemetery and it is not endangering any lives or other property at this time,” Hill said as well as the Horizon Remand Centre to the east of the cemetery It is not now affecting any of those facilities at the moment is on its way back to now deal with the fire itself by putting it out and ensuring that the grounds remain safe,” he continued president of the Denham Town Community Development Centre shared that the smoke from the cemetery is indeed impacting surrounding communities it’s affecting the residents at the moment because there’s smoke So it’s affecting the surrounding community like at Denham Town where the cemetery is based… even the motorists the motorist public that is travelling along the territory right now But the fire brigade is working overtime to try to put the blaze under control,” he said Superintendent of Cemeteries at the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation is of the opinion that the fire may have been caused by someone of unsound mind “I was here in the office and I only saw smoke start to come up And it may be caused through persons that we have here who’s living on the compound You have persons who pass through the cemetery who are smokers that would have caused the fire that we have here,” he said Cornwall noted that burials for the day would not be impacted by the fire it’s not going to disrupt any funeral today Hill expressed confidence in the Jamaica Fire Brigade’s ability to contain the fire View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. View the discussion thread. Jamaica — Several people narrowly escaped serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash on the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 on Sunday night Preliminary reports are that the crash involved a Mitsubishi The impact of the crash resulted in one of the vehicles overturning while another is in a mangled state The crash reportedly happened about 8:00 pm It has resulted in a pileup of traffic on the highway View the discussion thread. I am writing to express my profound disappointment with the continued lapse of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in its service delivery at its Clarendon parish office the current office is located at 6B Manchester Avenue and is situated on the floor above the May Pen branch office of a financial institution one will immediately realise it is most unsuitable for its current usage This is directly related to the ministry’s most popular services: administration of the National Insurance Scheme which facilitates remits to pensioners the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) as well as the Abilities Foundation of Jamaica Limited These programmes are accessible to those that qualify but primarily target the needy the disabled and caretakers of the very young trawling up and down two flights of outdoor stairs in rain and sunshine (sometimes both) I have witnessed an elderly woman fearfully descending the stairs during heavy rainfall apologising for blocking the narrow spiral stairway because she feared descending too quickly would make her slip on the wet concrete or broken-off sections of the steps I have also seen scores of persons standing and waiting downstairs outside in the heat and rain because the waiting area upstairs is full or they simply cannot manage to go up for a number Don’t even get me started on the anecdotal evidence of security personnel carrying frail elderly customers up to the office to get their affairs in order Many stories like these have been shared among fellow Clarendonians who see this accepted status quo as humiliating and a downright disgrace Delivery of good customer service starts with making the service accessible to customers in the first place as with many other areas of business within our society let us not wait until there is an injury or fatality before we make the requisite changes – whether temporary or long-term View the discussion thread. Jamaica — Motorists will continue to utilise the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000 toll free as the toll implementation has been further delayed The National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) announced the extension in a notice on Friday “The commencement of tolling on the May Pen to Williamsfield Highway NROCC appreciates the public’s continued patience and understanding Relevant updates will be provided as soon as they become available,” the company said NROCC is responsible for overseeing the design construction and maintenance of Jamaica’s highways The May Pen to Williamsfield leg includes approximately 23 kilometres of a four-lane arterial divided highway on a new alignment and approximately five kilometres of the existing Melrose Hill Bypass With the June 1 arrival of the hurricane season a wave of concern is sweeping through Clarendon as stakeholders are citing worry over the risk of flooding particularly in vulnerable sections of May Pen The threat of heavy rains looms like a dark cloud stirring apprehension and highlighting the urgent need for preparedness in the face of nature’s impending wrath chairman of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation and mayor of May Pen acknowledged that the Guinep Tree area especially has been plagued by persistent flooding issues for years that an upgrade to the drainage network could provide a lasting solution to these problems “Guinep Tree area is always going to be an issue until we can correct the drainage and all of those drains are too small for this kind of rain and the water that we have coming through those areas now We will have to look at how we are going to expand those drains Until we correct those drainage situations we are going to continue to face this kind of problem,” said Williams Williams acknowledged the challenge of addressing the flooding issues emphasising that while there were plans in place to address the situation the immediate focus will be on ensuring that the existing drains are kept clean to mitigate flooding the minority leader within the Clarendon Municipal Corporation emphasising the parish’s lack of preparedness to endure the impact of the hurricane season several areas across the parish are in dire need of drain rehabilitation He pointed specifically to the corridor from Soursop Turn to Bucknor and other low-lying regions such as Toll Gate and Race Course “I’m worried about the parish in terms of readiness The municipal corporation has done what it can in terms of the routine maintenance of community drain cleaning but the main concern lies with the National Works Agency (NWA) drains These drains have not been cleaned since 2015 and we have seen quite a bit of flooding taking place,’’ said Barnswell the manager of communication and customer services at the NWA responses to the questions posed were not received up to Friday the NWA was absent from the last disaster preparedness committee meeting in May where attendance from all state agencies was expected He claimed the NWA had been absent for the past eight years adding that former Mayor Winston Maragh had attempted to engage the agency through written invitations “I know that Mayor Joel Williams had indicated that he’ll be writing to the minister with responsibility to outline his frustration of not having these agencies attending our disaster meetings Just from the one-hour downpour we had in May Pen [over the weekend] I know the businesspeople within the town of May Pen have a concern as it relates to how they’re able to do business whenever we’re having rainfall because these drains have outlived their existing sizes The National Works Agency is not maintaining these drains and we’ll keep having flooding taking place,” said Barnswell The May Pen Vendors Association has also expressed concern over revenue losses incurred during rainy weather highlighted that vendors who ply their trade in the May Pen Market are among those most severely affected “There are sections of the market that leaks the vendors have to pack up,” she expounded Green-Mason expressed distress over the longstanding issue of what she described as shoddy infrastructure plaguing the May Pen business community during the rainy season highlighting Fernleigh Avenue as one of the most affected sections “It has always been the same thing happening over and over again What we need is a proactive action to mitigate those problems The way they’re placing the drains is not logical You place the drain on the hillside of the road – the water is not going to go uphill I don’t think they have consulted adequately with the persons who live or work within the areas,” said Green-Mason stating that she was hoping for a speedy redress to the matter olivia.brown@gleanerjm.com View the discussion thread. May Pen Lions and Junction Ballards Valley emerged victorious in the opening set of matches in the SDC National Community T20 Cricket competition’s National Phase which bowled off with an exhilarating doubleheader at the French Park Oval in Manchester last Sunday Junction Ballards Valley from St Elizabeth clinched a narrow three-run win against Manchester’s Fairfield Junction put up a formidable total by scoring 187 for seven in their allotted 20 overs Andre McCarty starred with a classy 56 which was ably supported by Diane Binns with 38 and David Powell 24 Fairfield’s Adrian Silvera snared three for 28 and Rosario Marshall picked up three 56 despite spirited efforts from Jamie Merchant 35 David Powell bagged three for 34 for Junction while former West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell claimed two for 32 The second match saw May Pen Lions dominate South Stars United securing a convincing nine-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis method South Stars struggled and could only manage to get 103 all out in 18.4 overs with Javardi Francis contributing 20 and Kashane McDaniel 18 Former West Indies seamer Krishmar Santokie starred with the ball for May Pen Rain interruptions forced officials to revise May Pen’s target to 78 runs from 15 overs Odaine McCatty’s unbeaten 41 and Tieno Osbourne’s 26-not out guided the Lions comfortably to victory at 78 for one in just 8.3 overs The National Phase continues this weekend with upcoming round-robin matches to be held at Eden Park Sports Complex in Jacks Hill St Mary and also the UWI Mona Bowl in St Andrew and Manley Horne Cricket Ground in St Elizabeth View the discussion thread. Jamaica— Mayor of May Pen Joel Williams is seeking to set the record straight after a two-year-old video resurfaced on social media causing panic and chaos among some residents The 2-minutes 27-seconds video shows several motorists trapped in flood waters in a section of the May Pen Woods which is the main road linking May Pen to New Longville and other communities further north “I am very concerned about a video that I saw and have shared with the minister (Robert Morgan) that exists from 2022 purporting to be the day before yesterday (Wednesday) and I’m asking persons who are doing things like those to desist from misleading the public,” Williams said Mayor Williams said it was important to set the record straight pointing out that the video had nothing to do with the happenings over the last three days He said  May Pen Woods is currently not flooded adding that traffic is moving freely along the corridor “We did some major work there on Labour Day in terms of cleaning but because we don’t get the support so you clean one day and then they dump the other day,” the mayor added An official website of the United States government A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website Share sensitive information only on official Emergency Information for American Citizens Christopher Tufton (2nd right) and the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S John McIntyre (2nd left) cut the ribbon to officially open the 40-bed field hospital at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon Sharing in the moment are: Custos of Clarendon donated by the United Sates (US) Government through the US Embassy in Jamaica valued at J $132 million was officially opened at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) ongoing assistance to nations in the Caribbean and is funded by the Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) The field hospital which is the second to be set up in Jamaica is also equipped with a generator Christopher Tufton in speaking on behalf of the government said the donation of the field hospital shows the strength of the relationship between the countries and symbolizes the collaboration that is necessary to confront and overcome the global Pandemic “I really want to put on record our appreciation for this facility We are looking at adding capacity in excess of 300 to 350 beds…we give the standards but we do tweak it a bit and this is all in demonstration tangibly of our response to the treatment component of the COVID-19 virus The truth is no public health system could have adequately planned for this Pandemic…so we have to make provisions in these extreme cases” Minister Tufton said He added that a collaborative solution has to be found in these cases “the timing of the Pandemic and its impact on us required us to evolve in terms of a plan and a strategy to add capacity as we went along These field hospitals will serve the purpose for which they are intended and we expect that they will continue to serve additional purposes later on we have used COVID which is a threat as an opportunity for us to buildout our infrastructure If there is one good thing that comes out of COVID our health infrastructure is going to be more resilient and it is for us to structure it in a way to tackle the non-COVID issues.” John McIntyre said the field hospital is an investment for the present and also for future adding that it will enhance the Government’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic “SOUTHCOM’s support to Jamaica’s COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts began in late March 2020 as the first signs of COVID-19 infections were beginning to impact the Caribbean and has continued to provide support throughout nearly the 20 months that our two countries have been fighting this pandemic government has donated over $12 million U.S dollars in COVID-related assistance to Jamaica including USAID’s announcement that it will provide an additional $5.2 million U.S dollars to advance vaccination and strengthen health systems to diagnose manage and mitigate COVID-19 transmission.” Chargé d’Affaires McIntyre said The latest Department of State travel updates and guidance on travel.state.gov Have an emergency? 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'personalization_storage': cmplz_in_array( 'preferences' 'analytics_storage': cmplz_in_array( 'statistics' 'ad_user_data': cmplz_in_array( 'marketing' 'ad_personalization': cmplz_in_array( 'marketing' as the TM template needs to be sure it's cmplz_ Clarendon — Approximately 80 men who live on the streets of this town were treated to pizza and non-alcoholic champagne on Father’s Day They were grateful they were remembered and appreciated the food even more Among them was Patrick Lampard who told the Jamaica Observer he was born and raised in Effortville and has been on the streets for more 15 years “Night and day mi deh pan di street a patch tyres Dem no like fi see me in the streets but mi stay away from trouble Dem never want mi pan di corner cause dem say mi a live a reckless life but when dem find out say a mi likkle jugglings and dads name naa call pan no wrongs and police naa look fi dads they pass through now and then and give me a $1,000 to buy a little food an ting,” he said Lampard would love to have a tyre and vulcanising machine to boost business so he can afford somewhere to live “Mi would like certain help to get the machine weh can patch tyre so mi can look after myself and come off the street so next year this time I can be at home with my children and get mi proper meal so me as a father a enjoy myself same way and mi happy about it,” he said “I would like to get a steady job so that I can maintain myself and my children A lot of people no have their father with them today so it feels good to be alive although we are on the streets At least someone still remember us and give us a treat Today is a good day enuh because nobody no really focus on fathers a just mothers; so we give thanks fi di treat,” Nelson added It was organised by Stephen Liao who is the proprietor for National Self Serve Wholesale in May Pen He said it was a pleasure to be able to give back to those in need very happy and I am willing to see how best I can assist the few who still have their faculties intact and are willing to work to make their wish come through so they can enjoy their pizza once in their lifetime for Father’s Day,” he told the Observer operations manager at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of the facility the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has announced Clarke-James had been serving as acting CEO since May 2021 The regional health authority commended Clarke-James for partnering with internal and external stakeholders and networking with donors in establishing the operation of a 40-bed field hospital for the region located on the grounds of the May Pen Hospital “Other accomplishments under her leadership include the expansion of the Neonatal Special Care Unit establishment of a medical waste refrigerator refurbishing of the medical waste incinerator establishment of a cough centre and a successful laundry rehabilitation project,” the SRHA said in a statement on Wednesday team support and dedication in serving the clients that led to my achievements and success.” She added: “There were challenging times I am feeling blessed and indeed honoured to take on the roles and responsibilities of the CEO of this noble institution.” Clarke-James cited the COVID-19 pandemic as her “biggest test” while serving as acting CEO has garnered requisite skills to manoeuvre challenging times “During the raging storm of the COVID-19 pandemic I stood steadfast despite the circumstances to ensure the best care was effected to our clients,” said a confident Clarke-James adding that their resilience and commitment have been crucial to her role at the facility “I respect them all and salute them for their support Good leadership is being able to empower your team to attain the goals and objectives of the institution motivated and supportive staff who only give their best,” she said The newly minted CEO says the delivery of quality service remains paramount at the facility Great leaders have to be servant leaders and pull off the jackets when the need arises I enjoy the team spirit in optimising the best care and management of our clients,” she told The Gleaner “I will continue to inspire and influence good governance as we strive in becoming a centre of excellence in clinical patient care and effective customer services,” Clarke-James told The Gleaner She lauded members of the May Pen business community stating that they have contributed greatly to the institution She added: “God is my guide in whatever I do and where He leads me I will continue to follow and be inspired by the amazing tasks; to save the lives of our clients.” who has over 20 years experience in public health who currently serves the Western Regional Health Authority as regional director The SRHA says it looks forward to May Pen Hospital rising to greater heights and craves the support of all team members as Clarke-James continues to lead the team View the discussion thread. Senior medical officer (SMO) of the May Pen Hospital while assuring that the hospital is prepared for a surge in the coronavirus spread as a result of the new Omicron strain that has been confirmed in the island is also warning citizens of the parish to exercise caution and to continue to be vigilant Pointing out that the hospital has gone through almost two years of the pandemic he said it has given the medical facility ample time to prepare for more variants to come We have our isolation ward; we have our processing ward with the capacity to accommodate at least 40 more people So we are even more ready than we were before for this stage of the virus,” he outlined Edwards also had words for those who continue to defy the disaster risk management protocols by hosting parties reminding them that the country is still in the middle of a pandemic and that although the numbers are going down 32 persons were arrested and charged on Christmas morning for breaches of the Disaster Risk Management Act in May Pen and seeing the increased numbers in places like London and New York those are places that people tend to come to Jamaica frequently for holidays; and when they come The new variants spreads quickly; they say it spreads almost three times as fast as the original variant,” the senior medical officer warned as he noted that it is still not certain how the variant will affect persons physically he emphasised that exercising precaution is key with mask-wearing social distancing and staying away from gatherings Revealing that he had been afflicted with COVID prior to the vaccine coming out and had to be hospitalised for 17 days he advocated for preventive measures in protecting against the virus Rising COVID cases is not the only challenge the hospital is facing Edwards reported that during the festive season there is a tendency for people to leave their loved ones at the hospital to go to parties Our bed capacity at the May Pen Hospital is 170 and even before the people started coming in When you leave your loved ones and you go away and we can’t find you The SMO urged persons to look after their loved ones by ensuring that they are given their medications to keep their non-communicable diseases View the discussion thread. The sizzling heat of the August sun could not prevent the grand display of the best in Jamaica’s agriculture and fisheries as the historic Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show made its 70th showing on Independence Day (August 6) Patrons from near and far flooded the Denbigh Showground in May Pen which was scaled down from its usual three-day format due to the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl And though the agricultural sector suffered many setbacks from the Category 4 weather system the Denbigh show served as a strong indicator that the nation and its farmers are well on the road to recovery told the official ceremony that the new buzzword for agriculture is ‘resilience’ and urged farmers and fishers to seek opportunities from crises Holness also noted that there is no coincidence in the show being held on the nation’s Independence Day as because you can’t really say that you’re independent if you can’t feed yourself Our farmers are critical to our independence” Beaming with pride was the Minister of Agriculture exhibitors and organisers pooling together to stage the beloved show “Having seen the devastation of Hurricane Beryl a number of people thought that this would not be possible but we knew that if we put our shoulders to the wheel if we put our faith and confidence in our farmers if we work together with our private-sector partners A number of other dignitaries and officials attended the event including Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Oversight for Skills food stops and pavilions were the patrons from all ages who the National Farm Queen Coronation took place followed by an after party headlined by Dancehall crooner Denbigh 70 was held under the theme ‘Building back through resilience’ Councillor Joel Williams (Jamaica Labour Party Denbigh Division) on Thursday promised that the Clarendon Municipal Corporation (CMC) will make a difference in the town where he was born and raised “I have to make sure that I work for the town of May Pen and its environs as I have recently found out that I am the first mayor of May Pen who was born and raised in May Pen,” said the career politician who brings 42 years of experience to the table He was speaking during Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony at the CMC “I have a passion for cleanliness and May Pen has not gotten the support it needed to make it the place we want it to be with issues such as poor garbage collection and blocked drains And so I already have a clear-cut plan in my head as to how I will go about cleaning the town of May Pen I will be hitting the ground running and I am moving forward come Monday morning to start some new initiatives,” he said adding that he plans to work closely with the minority leader Williams has pledged to bridge existing gaps to ensure the work of the municipality gets done he appeared to struggle to fight back tears as he delivered his inaugural speech “I say this to you from the bottom of my heart that Jamaica We’re going to lift this town from its current state and we are going to make you proud of this current crop of councillors The politics is now behind us and I intend to work across the aisle and as a team This is not about me but about the town of May Pen,” he said Williams is supported by second-term Deputy Mayor Clive Mundle who represents the Frankfield Division Maragh did not seek re-election as mayor but successfully contested his Rocky Point Division In 2016 when he was sworn in as head of the CMC Maragh had promised to transform May Pen by installing well-kept green spaces and a major sewage treatment plant He had similarly pledged to work across the political divide for the good of the city of May Pen THE UNITED States Government has partnered with the private sector to establish a 40-bed field hospital that is now up and running at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon The new facility is expected to ease the burden that has been placed on the hospital as a result of the rising COVID-19 cases chargé d’affaires at the United States Embassy said the investment is the second of two field hospitals in Jamaica It comes under the embassy’s humanitarian-assistance programme The field hospital comes with generators and comprises a staff area “This is an investment for now and an investment for the future That’s a commitment,” McIntyre said of the substantial donation valued at US$850,000 “The humanitarian assistance helps partner nations build their disaster-readiness response and mitigation capabilities The programme funds infrastructure equipment and training to help nations to prepare for crisis but also to support countries,” McIntyre stated during his address at the official opening of the field hospital yesterday on the grounds of the hospital the US government has donated over US$12 million in COVID-related assistance to Jamaica for ICU beds improved communication support to emergency operation centres McIntyre explained that the USAID will be donating an additional US$5.2 million to advance vaccinations and strengthen the health system to diagnose through the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) we continue to support the minister’s ministry to test and identify COVID variants circulating in Jamaica and we are also helping with the procurement of a genome sequencing platform (advanced sequencing technologies enable researchers to study subtle differences in the genome) for Jamaica.” in thanking the US Government for its generous donations said it symbolise the collaboration that is necessary to overcome a pandemic That’s why we have variant strains inequity in terms of the opportunity to tackle this pandemic is once again demonstrating leadership that we expect of them as one of our most significant powerful neighbours to not just Jamaica With the field hospital now up and running Dr Tufton noted that his ministry is now putting additional facilities at the University Hospital of the West Indies and Savanna-La-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland Mandeville hospital is also going to benefit from a similar facility “We [are] looking at adding capacity in excess of 300 bedz This is all in demonstrating tangible response to the treatment of the COVID-19 virus The truth is no public-health system could have adequately planned for this pandemic we have to find a solution approach that is going to be collaborative and adds capacity globally we depend on others to provide assistance even as we try to help ourselves.” View the discussion thread.