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Somerton, Rose Hall challenges being addressed

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Councillor for the Somerton Division, Mark McGann (left) and Councillor for the Rose Hall Division, Anthony Murray (right) listen keenly to concerns being aired by residents of the Rose Hall and Somerton Divisions, who attended a community meeting at the Bethtephil Baptist Church in Chatham, St. James, on Sunday, June 30. Representatives of the St. James Health Department and the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited also pay attention.

Councillors Mark McGann and Anthony Murray, representing the Somerton and Rose Hall Divisions respectively at the St. James Municipal Corporation, have declared that going forward, serious attention will be given to resolving the infrastructural challenges being faced by citizens in the divisions.

Both Councillors were addressing a community meeting at the Bethtephil Baptist Church in Chatham, St. James on Sunday, June 30, where residents were given an opportunity to speak freely on challenges they have been experiencing. Councillors McGann and Murray affirmed their commitment to addressing the challenges which include poor road conditions, inadequate water supply and insufficient street lights.

A resident of the Rose Hall Division participating in the St. James Municipal Corporation’s Community Meeting in Chatham on Sunday, June 30, 2019.

 “There is work currently being undertaken as we continue to strengthen partnership with the relevant agencies to find practical real-time solutions,” declared Councillor McGann, adding that “although the area suffers badly from drought and inadequate water supply due to outstanding pipe repairs, I continue to work closely with NWC to have certified trucks supply residents with water.”

Councillor McGann further informed that, “A major step to upgrade the water supply systems in the area has already been taken with plans being put in place for the installation of new pumps and we have already installed a number of tanks.  The trucking of water is only a temporary alternative to ensure residents have water for sanitary convenience while we work on permanent solutions.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Murray reiterated that the challenges with water in his division are being addressed in a similar manner, pointing out that the trucking of water remains the main alternative.

PRIORITY

 He further reassured residents that road repairs and replacement of street lights in his division continue to be a priority as “4.5 million dollars have been allocated for repairing roads in Retirement and surrounding areas and an additional 4 million for Chatham. We also continue to liaise with Jamaica Public Service Company who continues to fix and replace a number of streetlights in phases”.

The NSWMA and St. James Health Department, Social Development Commission, Environmental Solutions Limited, the Jamaica Public Service Company, the Adelphi Police and the Jamaica Red Cross all played their part at the forum by addressing the residents pertaining to their respective portfolios.

These include proper garbage collection, health-related concerns, disaster preparedness, security awareness, the fixing of street lights across the divisions, the impact of the development of the Closed Harbour Beach in Montego Bay, and the support for social interventions in the communities.

The St. James Municipal Corporation’s Community Empowerment Forum is geared towards facilitating communication between the citizens of the parish and their Local Authority, and other agencies whose activities impact the lives of the public.

Film Commissioner says Sprinter release represents new era in Jamaican film

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(L-R) Sprinter cast members Kadeem Wilson, Shantol Jackson, and Dale Elliot; Filmmaker, Storm Saulter, and CEO of Hyperion Equity, Zachary Harding, pose for a picture at the American Black Film Festival, where the project won ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Narrative Feature’ and the ‘Audience Award’.

Film Commissioner Renee Robinson has said that the local opening of filmmaker Storm Saulter’s second feature film, Sprinter, heralds a new era in Jamaican film, and shows that locally made content can be displayed on the island and appeal to Jamaican audiences.

Ms. Robinson made the comments in anticipation of the Jamaican premiere of the award-winning film, which will be shown across the island starting on July 3, 2019. Sprinter was executive produced by NBA veteran Richard Jefferson and renowned actors Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, through their production company Overbrook Entertainment. It has been screened in over 50 cities and 20 states across North America.

Film Commissioner Renee Robinson speaking at JAMPRO’s Film, Animation, and Music Investor forum earlier this year.

Speaking on the premiere, she said, “SPRINTER opening in theatres in Jamaica demonstrates the true viability of local content on local screens for local audiences, and I hope this will launch more opportunities for visibility for the work of Jamaican filmmakers. Storm Saulter and his team have created something that all Jamaicans can be proud of, and we must rally behind it with support – whether by buying a ticket this week or by joining the long-standing advocacy for resources and ecosystem growth for the film industry.”

Ms. Robinson went on to say, “In many ways, SPRINTER heralds a new era of Jamaican cinema, one which displays significant potential for economic success and critical acclaim. The Jamaica Film Commission couldn’t be prouder.”

JAMPRO hopes to create more jobs for Jamaicans working in the screen-based industries through films like Sprinter, develop routes to market for commercially viable creative content, and promote formalization of the film industry.

Abigail Hewitt’s Abii Paris

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Abigail Hewitt

Rashaun Stewart – Summer Intern

The establishment of a business independent of any support systems is a daunting task for many. This is especially true in the case of artists who must market themselves successfully, lest their budding businesses suffer from atrophy. In the case of Abigail Hewitt, her proclivity for art led to her taking the big step of establishing her own business.

“I launched my business on August 25, 2014. It was a gift to myself for my 20th birthday to officially release my brand to the public,” Hewitt revealed. “The name of my brand/business is Abii Paris. My business surrounds art and design.”

Born and raised in Mount Salem, St. James, she spent her formative years there before eventually relocating to Porto Bello Heights, her present community of residence. A self-taught painter, Hewitt has always had a proficiency in the arts. Producing eye-catching visuals and weaving a tapestry with the paintbrush are particular talents that she enjoys developing. To that end, her education has been focused primarily on improving her artistry. She attended Herbert Morrison Technical High School, Miami International University, the Art Institute of Philadelphia and Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Hewitt entertains ambitions of expanding her business and targeting more lucrative markets in the future. These plans are somewhat nebulous and are long-term goals rather than immediate plans. For now, she is content to gradually expand her brand and legitimize it even further.

“Some plans for expansion are tapping into different markets and providing a more unique range of products and services. I am currently not sponsored by any organization. Seeking sponsorship is not in the pipelines at the moment,” she added.

The establishment of her business was not entirely seamless. Some challenges beset her during the process of opening and others have arisen over the course of the intervening years. The most notable challenge she has experienced is the belligerence of customers who seek to obtain art pieces at dramatically reduced costs.

CHALLENGES

“Some challenges I’ve encountered are customers who undervalue your work and do not want to pay for services they requested,” Hewitt lamented. “Also, staying afloat when the drive to create is dwindling away is a challenge.”

In her words, one of the traits that is most conducive to success as a young entrepreneur is time management. “I would say time management is very important. Making the time to extend yourself in different areas and also managing it to get all the tasks at hand done in the scheduled time,” she commented.

Hewitt had words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. She affirmed that passion and commitment are key tenets that will facilitate the actualization of goals. Additionally, she believes that remaining steadfast in determination and a refusal to give up are also of paramount importance in becoming a successful youth entrepreneur.

“The journey is not for the swift but for those who can endure it. Being an entrepreneur requires a lot of passion, resilience and dedication. The greatest blessings in life come in small doses so always remember to honour your growth. Despite the challenges you may face do not give up. Don’t be afraid to take risks and challenge yourself.”

Hewitt may be contacted via email at abbie1193@yahoo.com or via the direct messaging option on Instagram, where her handle is @foreverabiiparis. Her art pieces are also on display under the aforementioned handle.

Trelawny solid waste transfer station gets approval

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Audley Gordon

The Public Investment Management Secretariat (PIMSEC) has approved the National Solid Waste Management Authority’s (NSWMA) construction of a new garbage transfer station in Trelawny.

Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, says that the station will serve as an area where trucks can deposit solid waste prior to being loaded onto larger vehicles and transported to designated disposal sites.

He advised that the process to construct the facility now advances to the next phase, “where the consultant is to bring us the design and Bill of Quantities”.

Mr. Gordon said the transfer station, with its multiple benefits, “is a win-win for all”.

“If you put a transfer station in Daniel Town, instantly Trelawny will become a cleaner parish. The truck that now loads in Daniel Town will take roughly two hours to drop-off and make another round. If we put a transfer station in closer proximity, that truck could clean approximately 20 communities within that time,” Mr. Gordon outlined.

He indicated that solid waste will be temporarily stored at the transfer station and moved to designated landfills, preferably at nights when there is less traffic.

“The transfer station will help us to save on fuel, and wear and tear on the vehicles; but most importantly, communities will be cleaned quicker,” the Executive Director added.

Mr.  Gordon pointed out that the strategic placement of transfer stations is consistent with the Government’s thrust and NSWMA’s mandate to create a cleaner environment for citizens.

Young bartender dies in crash

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Christopher Sherman
  • Four admitted to hospital

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

Another motorist fell prey along the black spot area of the Rose Hall main road in Montego Bay on Sunday, when the life of a young man was snuffed out in a motor vehicle collision, while four other persons were admitted to hospital in serious condition.

The victim has been identified as 21-year-old bartender, Christopher Sherman of lot 22 Ranch Road, West Green, Montego Bay.

The Barrett Town police who are investigating, reports that about 2 a.m., Sherman was driving a Toyota Yaris motorcar from Falmouth towards Montego Bay with three women aboard.  It is further reported that on reaching the vicinity of Wagon Wheel, the vehicle collided with a Toyota Axio which was travelling in the opposite direction, towards Falmouth.

The three women in the car being driven by Sherman, along with the driver of the Toyota Axio, received multiple injuries and were taken to the Falmouth Public General Hospital where they were admitted in serious condition.

However, firefighters from the Ironshore Fire Department, who were quick on the scene, were called into action and were forced to use the Jaws of Life to cut Sherman from the wreckage.

His lifeless body was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Sherman’s death pushes the number of fatalities in the parish of St. James, since the start of the year, to 19 from 18 crashes.

The parish of Westmoreland has similar figures to St. James, while Trelawny has recorded 16 fatalities from 13 crashes, with 10 persons dying from 9 crashes in the parish of Hanover. 

‘BG’ off to China

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Britney Gregory

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

This summer will be a very different one for several young and aspiring national female footballers, who will be thousands of miles away from home.

Britney Gregory out of Felicity Road in Glendevon, St. James, will be among the more than dozen Under-14 ladies, getting off to the Asian country, China, where they will spend two months participating in a development camp under the watchful eyes of key instructors from that country.

The soft-spoken twelve year-old Gregory, who has an eye for the sport, said she is “delighted with the opportunity”.

“I’m looking forward to it. I hope it is all I envisioned and at the end of the day, I will come back a much better player, rounded… I look forward to the training and learning lots of new things,” she told the Western Mirror.

A versatile player who heads the ball powerfully, Gregory also possesses the capability of scoring goals, and has been representing her school for more than three years in the VMBS Under-13, captaining them in the last two.

BIGGEST FAN

She was one of eight (8) girls to have participated in the recently held competition, and she credits her grandmother as her rock and main supporter.

“I don’t know where I would be without her, she is my strength. She attends all my games and encourages me even when I’m not having a good game. Two months away from her will be a long time, but she is happy for me and wants me to go there and do my best so, I’m looking forward to it,” Gregory said.

Gregory, who will be attending the famed Montego Bay High School this September, is a fast learner and a talented all-round athlete who also represented her primary school in Basketball, Netball and Track and Field.

She began her journey on Saturday night, June 29, departing the Sangster’s International Airport.

The initiave is an arrangement between the Governments of China and Jamaica for the continued development of young players.

Shynetyme and LA Lewis set to collaborate

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Montego Bay singjay, Shynetyme

MGN/Alan Lewin

LA Lewis, the man known for his many iconic moments on, and even before the prominence of social media, has taken an interest in Montego Bay-born female DJ, Nordia Noble, more popularly known as Shynetyme.

The LA Lewis effect is almost instant, as Shynetyme has once again been thrust into the spotlight, and is enjoying the perks of being sought after by ‘7 Star General’.

Noble, who hails originally from the Salt Spring community, is no stranger to the music scene. In fact, dancehall fans will remember Shynetyme from her days participating in the popular Magnum Kings and Queens competition, where she constantly wowed with her performances. Though that year, 2017, Noble didn’t win (Suspense, another contestant, took the honours), astute observers could tell that she was destined for the music scene. She expressed to the Western Mirror, “ That show (Magnum Kings and Queens) put my career in the lime light, and I have no regrets entering that contest. It’s what most people know me from.”

Riding on that wave, she has since released a number of tracks, slowly gaining some traction in the dancehall arena. ‘Clean To We Step’, ‘ Firm and Strong’, and ‘We Love’, all produced by the Crazy Dawg record label,  are keeping Shynetyme’s name on the lips of her growing fan base, and she has other projects cooking. Combine that with her pending collaboration with LA Lewis and most certainly, she’s set to make some noise in what has been a typically quiet scene for local female artists.

There are currently plans afoot to have Shynetyme go on a mini tour in Canada and USA in the latter parts of the 2019.

HORRIFIC

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Rajay Gayle


A horrific vehicular collision on the Point main road in Lucea, Hanover, last Thursday, June 27, claimed the life of hotel worker Rajay Gayle, a resident of Cauldwell district in Green Island.

Reports are that about 3:30 p.m., a black and red motorcycle driven by Gayle, collided with a Toyota Corolla motor car driven by Tevin Williams, a bartender from Montpelier. The collision occurred due to Gayle overtaking a bus that was in his path at a particular section of the Point main road. This action took him directly into the path of the incoming car driven by Williams, causing the two vehicles to collide. 

Eyewitness reports and subsequent observations by the respondent team suggest that Williams’ motor car was travelling from Lucea and heading in the direction of Montego Bay, while Gayle was heading in the opposite direction. Gayle and Williams were the only injured parties in the wake of the collision. Williams sustained only superficial injuries that were limited specifically to his face. He received treatment at the Noel Holmes Hospital and was discharged later.

Gayle’s death occurred due to gruesome injuries he suffered during the collision. His right arm was severed from his body at the shoulder and thrown several feet away, while his right leg was broken in multiple places.

RS

PSOJ demands crime plan

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Howard Mitchell, PSOJ President

Clinton Pickering – Freelance Writer

The imposition of States of Emergency is not seen by the powerful Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) as good enough to battle the scourge of crime. PSOJ President Howard Mitchell, is demanding a crime plan.

He made this declaration, “Today, in the parish of St James that has suffered so much from crime and from violence, I am using this forum as a platform to again call on our government and our opposition party to sit down together with civil society to discuss the root cause of our crime, the link of our crime with corruption, the broad based long term solutions that are necessary to  reduce the murder rate, the violence and undisciplined behaviour and to devise national methodologies and approaches to meet those challenges and put us on a path of mature development.”

Mr. Mitchell was addressing a PSOJ President’s Forum at Jewel Grande in Montego Bay on Wednesday, June 27, 2019, in which he placed the country’s crime problem in the context of a national disaster.

Dissatisfied with the responses to crime over the past 20 years, the outspoken private sector leader said, “I don’t care what they call it; a crime summit, Vale Royal talk, a violence commission, I really don’t care but for God’s sake, let us address these issues together as mature members of a society and focus on our mutual progress and prosperity.”

 DISAPPOINTED

The theme for the forum was focused on disaster management and mitigation and Mr Mitchell was disappointed at the poor turnout of Montegonians in spite of over 90 confirming their attendance. In addressing an approach to threats to the nation’s social fabric and progress, he stretched the definition of disaster to include crime among the list of manmade destructive events.”

He argued that every society in history has stood on the three pillars: a strong state, efficiently and well-managed, not indulged in corruption and restricted to the provision of the essential services; having a private sector that is energetic, competent, innovative, independent and educated to meet the requirement of policies developed by the state and, a national community that is confident, cooperative and focused on policies developed by the state in conjunction with the community.

His take on the crime dilemma is that, “We as civil society have stood by and done very little as standards fail, as the sidewalks become crowded with illegal vendors, the streets are overcome with robot taxis and itinerant hustlers and our produce markets, where the genuine community hub where the community’s rural and urban meet, have become staging areas for drug dealing and vectors for contagious illnesses.”

Mr. Mitchell said it was clear to him that “government by itself cannot deal with the disaster of crime effectively (and) without active support of civil society, measures taken by the state will not only not have long term viability will have the potential for distortion of the intended effect and the creation of a hardcore criminal gang society.”

He said this was why the PSOJ and others continued to call for inclusive dialogue among both major political parties and civil society. “We assert that without active participation and consensus from the three pillars of our society, the imbalance that result will continue to cause failure in our society,” declared Mr Mitchell. He added that the organization did not want to know the details of a crime plan or to make one itself, “but we want to know that one exists.” Further, “We are not asking to be involved in operational decision-making but we in the private sector; that is the market, want to align our efforts to reduce the economic marginalization of the society along with the effort of the security forces,” he said.

Jovexx’s meteoric rise

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Jovian 'Jovexx' Jackson
  • Sumfest, music and big dreams

Michael Nattoo – Staff Entertaining Reporter

Around three years ago, a video surfaced on Facebook, which showed a young man, possessing untapped, raw talent, singing at a shop in the community of Norwood. When he began, as is the case along most shop hangout spots around the country, there was some amount of noise, but as he continued, the noise died, and a beat rose from the silence. Capturing the ears, and apparently the hearts of those who were within earshot of him, Jovian Jackson subtly caressed the silence with his one-of-a-kind voice, and by the time he was done, those who were around him erupted in cheers. The captured moment went viral, and history has since been in the making.

Now three years later, Jovian, whose stage name is Jovexx, is preparing for his biggest performance yet. Come Festival Night 2 of the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ – Reggae Sumfest, Jovexx will make his debut, and is all kinds of excited that finally, he is making a breakthrough. “I’ve never been to Sumfest, and the first time, I’m gonna be performing in front of thousands. I’m grateful. But I plan to make a statement. A kick mi ago kick off di gate,” the artist explained, citing that ever since he could remember, he has always wanted to be on that stage.

His talent is undeniable, and though most will not forget him after his debut performance on that big stage come July 20, the Western Mirror takes pleasure in introducing the West to what may very well be the next big thing to come out of Montego Bay.

Producer Asa Smith (right) and Jovexx

“Mi love music. From mi a likkle yute and a go a church, mi a do music and right now, mi grateful fi weh mi deh,” the soft-speaking Jovexx shared with the Western Mirror. Like most powerhouses in the music industry, Jovexx found his Genesis – aptly so, in the church. “I got involved with music when I used to sing on the choir in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Norwood – the Norwood SDA to be specific.” The exposure isn’t where the church’s influence stops for Jovexx. He makes no qualms and has no reservations about it – he is a cultural artist, and, in his own words, “You’ll never hear me singing a song about gunshot or anything like that… I’m all about reggae.” Jovexx has grand ambitions too. The foundation of his music comes from a singular purpose: “I’m going to change the world.” The path to superstardom, he believes, will lead him to becoming the next mouthpiece for underprivileged youths in Jamaica and across the world, and for someone who is set on never forgetting where he comes from – the inner-city community of Norwood, that goal seems easily attainable. “Where I come from, Paradise, Norwood – not everyone there is bad. You have good people coming out of there. And I want to show that. I want to use my music to show that, and to teach di yute dem knowledge, and show dem seh greater things out deh.” For him, music is everything, and he acts that way.

Jovexx is not a man of small dreams, but his unique style of approaching music, which hinges on being unapologetically true to his passion, makes his dreams seem less superfluous, and more consistent with the utterances of a man truly on a mission. But what does he sound like? For those who’ve never heard him, Jovexx describes his sound this way: “I don’t sound like anyone else to be honest. You can only be you, and that’s what I carry with me. At the end of the day, though I know there are similar sounds out there, I know my voice, and my voice is unique.” It’s a lot to wrap your head around, we admit, but if you’ve heard him, his statement, rooted in a quiet confidence, makes perfect sense.

It is no wonder that BBC1 Extra, as well as BritJam and CrabFest, and other popular entertainment shows with an international reach, have found the artist quite appealing, hailing him as a rising star.

But such success takes a team to accomplish. And Jovexx has the ideal one pushing him on. Overproof Records is relatively new, but their mission of delivering uncompromisingly soul-satisfying music, coupled with the belief that artists don’t have to leave MoBay to reap massive success in music, already makes them a force to be reckoned with. Asa Smith, Producer/Owner, Overproof Records, recognizes talent, and having Jovexx on his label was an easy choice. “Not many people can display that lyrical ability and that consciousness that he has. His stage presence and awareness are even better than those of some of the more established artists out there. Also, the level of positive vibrations he brings is unmatched right now,” Smith shared. And it seems the two are a match made in producer-artist heaven, as, like Jovexx, Smith has big dreams too. “We want to become a powerhouse and bring Montego Bay to the forefront of the music business. We have lots of talent, but not the right structures to develop it. We want to change that. We believe we can.”

Overproof Records can be reached at overproof.records@gmail.com. Make history with them. They seem to be in the business of that. Undoubtedly, so is Jovexx. Remember the name. Follow his journey on Instagram at Jovexx_music, and follow Overproof Records at overproof_music.

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