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Trailblazing educator wins profession’s highest award

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Outstanding educator and 49th recipient of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Roll of Honour Award, Mrs. Sadie Comrie, is presented with the Citation by JTA President, Dr. Garth Anderson, at a gala event at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel recently. The Award, which was introduced in 1977, recognizes excellence in the classroom, the JTA and the wider society.

Sadie Comrie, a trailblazer whose more than 50 years’ outstanding service to the education sector spans innovative work in the classroom, as an administrator, and community leader has been conferred with the local teaching profession’s highest accolade, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Roll of Honour Award.

Sadie Comrie

The prestigious award was presented recently at an elegant ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Guests at the function included a cross-section of educators, led by Steadman Fuller, Custos of Kingston, who represented the Governor-General and Patron of the Award since 2009, Sir Patrick Allen.

The Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator, Ruel Reid and the Deputy Opposition Spokesman on Education and Training, Michael Stewart, also attended the stellar event at which Mrs. Comrie became the 49th recipient of the Award which was introduced in 1977 to recognize excellence among educators. The Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour, another educator and President of the Moravian Church in Jamaica and The Cayman Islands, was the Guest Speaker.

The Citation, which was presented by JTA President, Dr. Garth Anderson, described Mrs. Comrie as “a meticulous, dynamic planner who knows how to galvanize people and accomplish any task that is set for her.”

CLASSROOM INNOVATIONS

Among her many classroom innovations, was the effective use of audio recordings and specially-assigned movies as the basis for discussions in her Language and Communication classes at Lacovia High School, in St. Elizabeth, long before the technological era. The Guidance and Counselling Programme, which she developed at Lewisville High School, and which was extended to five All Age Schools in neighbouring communities, as well as to parents, was another pioneering initiative.

Sadie Comrie served from 2004-2007 as Principal of the May Pen Primary School, which was then the largest institution of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. During her tenure, literacy levels among under-performing Grade 3 students were improved, music was introduced to the upper school curriculum, teachers were trained in Information Technology, and the school plant was upgraded.

A former President of the JTA, which she joined on her second day as a classroom teacher in the 1960’s, Mrs. Comrie has served at the District and Parish levels, as well as on the Central Executive. She was also Liaison Officer between the Ministry of Education and the Association; and she continues to represent the organization through its subsidiary, the Jamaica Publishing House.

In her address, Guest Speaker, Rev. Phyllis Smith-Seymour, commended the JTA for its continued recognition of members who have served with distinction.

“This act is even more rewarding when persons are able to acknowledge the gesture while they are alive and in their right mind…To be chosen by your peers is also another significant yardstick,” she noted.

Rev. Smith-Seymour said Mrs. Comrie, who had devoted her life to nation-building, reflected the sentiments expressed by American Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, who stated that: “An individual has not started living until he/she can rise above the narrow confines of his/her individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”   

POSITIVE CHANGE AGENTS

Noting the important role of education in influencing change globally, she urged educators at every level to see themselves as positive change agents in the Jamaican society; to demonstrate passion for their work and to continue being role models and nation builders.

Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information stated that the Roll of Honour Award did not only recognize outstanding contributions to education, but also identified the recipient as being of the highest integrity and professionalism.

“When the JTA affirms these values, you send a positive signal to trainee teachers, students in the classrooms and the wider public that integrity and professionalism do matter,” Senator Reid asserted.

The message read on behalf of the Governor-General and Patron, Sir Patrick Allen, noted that the Association played a significant role in advancing the national agenda; and he encouraged members to find a meaningful path for service.

Asserting that investment in teachers and the education system was critical to the attainment of the nation’s goal of sustainable development by 2030, JTA President, Dr. Garth Anderson, pledged that the Association would continue to work hard to promote the profession and acquire the resources that would enable teachers to carry out their responsibilities.   

In her reply, Mrs. Comrie traced her professional journey and thanked her colleagues for their exemplary support; and promised to continue to be a vessel of cooperation and service.

Musical tributes were offered at the function by teachers of the Lewisville High School and the Brotherhood of Sharon Baptist Church, St. Elizabeth where Mrs. Comrie is an active member.       

Beloved graphic artist dies in motorcycle accident

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Andrew Bailey

The St. James Police are now investigating the circumstances that led to the death of former Vistaprint employee, Andrew Bailey, who died along the Howard Cooke Boulevard in Montego Bay, St. James, after being hit from his motorcycle.

According to information received, Bailey was traveling along the roadway around 7 p.m., when tragedy struck. Reports suggest that the former UWI Mona – Western Jamaica Campus student was a casualty in a collision which initially involved a Toyota Ipsum and a Yaris. Witnesses say Bailey was hoisted from his motorbike from the impact of the Yaris, and was as a result thrown onto some rocks on the median. Head injuries he sustained reportedly killed him on the spot.

The driver of the Ipsum is said to have been charged following the tragic accident.

REACTIONS FROM WORK COLLEAGUES, FORMER CLASSMATES

“The team is shaken up man. He was such a fun-loving guy, and was always looking to make people laugh,” shared a member of the team he worked on at Vistaprint. “He is going to be so badly missed, and things won’t be the same without him.” Another of Bailey’s Vistaprint family shared, “I don’t think I can handle this… I don’t know. I was waiting for the news that at worst, he was injured… I still am. It’s hard to accept that such a kind person, full of life, had to die so young. He was loved, no doubt about it, and once the reality sets in, he will be sorely missed.”

A former classmate, with whom Bailey studied Digital Media Productions at the UWI Mona, WJC, expressed that the news of Bailey’s passing came at such a shock. “I honestly can’t believe it. For three years we did classes and interacted together, and Andrew was never one to bring any bad vibes. He always paid attention to his work, but never once missed out on an opportunity to add humour to whatever he was doing. I really can’t believe. I really can’t.”

Bailey was originally from Kingston, but made Montego Bay his home after completing his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Western Jamaica Campus.

Double murder rocks Norwood

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Michelle Solomon

A case of reprisal seems to be the motive behind Friday’s killing of a man and a woman in Norwood, Montego Bay, St. James.

The deceased are 49-year-old Assad Faceyand and 45-year-old Michelle Solomon, both of Norwood, St James

Reports are that about 4:25 p.m. on Friday, the two, who operated a cook shop at the intersection of Top Road and Middle Road, were at work when they were pounced upon by a lone gunman who opened gunfire, hitting them.

Assad Facey

Residents who heard the uproar summoned the police who, upon their arrival, found the two business partners suffering from gunshot wounds. They were assisted to the Cornwall Regional hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

In the meantime, further information gleaned by this newspaper suggests that a family feud could be behind the double murder, and may be linked to the shooting and wounding of a man and woman in Norwood, just hours before on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, one woman mourning Facey and Solomon’s death and speaking on condition of anonymity described them as a peaceful, kind and hard workers, whom she and many in the community are missing terribly.

“He would be the last person to start war with anybody. He started out selling porridge and then soup, until him have the cook shop now.  I don’t know why anyone would want to kill him. He was such a nice person,” she said. “Michelle was also a nice person, good person, so I don’t know what trigger all this violence, it is just too much for me right now, can’t manage it at all.”

Meanwhile, Solomon’s husband is reportedly beside himself with grief, and has not stopped crying since Friday.

Couple shot in Hanover

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Keneisha Kerr

A young woman is dead and her boyfriend battling for life in hospital following a drive-by shooting by men on motorcycle in Lances Bay, Hanover on Sunday.

Dead is 24-year-oldKeneisha Kerr of Lances Bay.

Reports are that the couple was at home when two men drove up on a motorcycle and opened gunfire at the two who were in their yard. The common law couple was shot multiple times all over their bodies.

The gunmen made good their escape.

The police were summoned and on arrival, the male was discovered suffering from gunshot wounds and the female shot to death inside the house. The wounded man was treated and admitted in serious condition, while the female was pronounced dead.

Sunday’s incident is one of several shootings to take place in Hanover since the start of the year and has left residents of the quiet seaside community fearing that this may be the start of things to come.

“We are afraid. We don’t know what is going to happen next. We need the police not only to come and patrol but to develop a relationship with residents of the community,” one elderly woman, who requested anonymity, told the Western Mirror. 

Another resident expressed sorrow at the fatal shooting of the young lady “she was such a quiet and pretty girl, she didn’t deserve to die like that.” He also was fearful that based on the rampage gunmen appear to be having across the parish no one is safe. “These guys move around with heavy weaponry, we need more security check points, I just know it won’t end like this,” the concerned resident said.

Mayor of Lucea, Sheridan Samuels, expressed condolences to the family and the community and stated that he hopes the rising gun violence will be quickly brought under control. – Craig Oates

Eight killed in Westmoreland

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Coran Birch

Fear has gripped the parish of Westmoreland, which is now teeming with security personnel as marauding gunmen went on a rampage in the parish, killing eight persons in separate incidents there, over a 24-hour span.

The police high command is reported to have deployed additional personnel to the parish to boost the efforts of crime-fighters in the wake of the murders.

The deceased are a man identified only as ‘Chucky’, 19-year-old Ronaldo Campbell of Cooke Street, 34-year-old Corey Parkins of Cascade, Hanover, 23-year-old Coran Birch of Woodsville, Hanover, 21-year-old Jahmar Warren of Grange district in Westmoreland, 18-year-old Dean Smith, otherwise called ‘Eric’ Labourer of New Market Oval, Patrick Campbell, otherwise called Quatro – unemployed of Jane Marks Road, Westmoreland and  24-year-old Ojari Romans, a farmer of  Cedar Valley, Westmoreland.

In the latest in the series of murders, a man known only as ‘Chucky’ was shot dead about 8:17 a.m. on Tuesday by an unknown assailant in Llandillo in the parish. The Police were summoned and ‘Chucky’ was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 A mere 13 minutes later, crime sleuths were summoned to another homicide scene at Lewis Street, Savanna-la-Mar, where 19-year-old Ronaldo Campbell was shot dead by unknown assailants.

Reports are that Campbell was standing at a premises when he was approached by three armed men who opened gunfire hitting him. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

However, the murder spree began on Monday, at Coke Street about 1:15 p.m.  when 18 year-old Dean Smith, otherwise called ‘Eric’, was sitting in front of a shop when a white Toyota Axio car drove up and stopped. Four men armed with guns alighted and opened fire at Smith hitting him in his upper body after which they left in the same car.

The police were summoned and upon arrival, Smith was seen lying face down in a pool of blood with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds to his head, neck and abdomen. He was transported by the police to the Sav-la-Mar Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Just under three hours later at Fullersfield, residents stumbled upon Campbell lying on the side of the road and summoned the police who, upon arrival, saw him lying on his back with what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the left side of his neck. He was taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 And, crime sleuths were further kept busywhen they were again called to active duty following reports that five persons who were among a group of patrons at a bar in Williamsfield about 11:15 p.m. were shot by unknown assailants.

Reports indicate that four armed men alighted from a Toyota Voxy motor vehicle, entered the premises and opened gunfire. The police were summoned and on their arrival, the victims – three men and two women – were taken to hospital. Parkins, Birch and Warren were pronounced dead, while the women have been admitted to hospital.

Meanwhile, at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, a passerby traversing a dirt path located in front of Romans’ house, reportedly saw him lying on the roadway suffering from what appears to be gunshot wounds.  The police were summoned and the victim subsequently taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Residents reportedly heard gunshots about 10:15 the previous night but made no report to the police.

Raped and butchered

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Valerie Thompson

Shamir Brown – Trelawny

A third man is being sought by the Trelawny police in connection with last Thursday’s brutal slaying of 59-year-old farmer, Valerie Thompson, affectionately called ‘Miss P’ of Parnassus district, Clarks Town, in the parish.

Miss Thompson’s partially nude body was discovered by family members on a section of her farm with its head severed and fingers missing. She is suspected to have been raped before she was butchered by her assailants.

The family had started a search for her when she did not return at a specific time from her farm.

Investigators say two men are already in custody after they were picked up on Friday, but according to Acting Police Chief for the parish, Deputy Superintendent Winston Milton, charges are yet to be laid against the men. One of the men was allegedly attacked by residents and chopped in an act of reprisal and is said to be in hospital under police guard.

 Crime sleuths say they are following strong leads into the incident, which has plunged the community of Clarks Town into a state of sadness.

The family is beside itself, with grief for a woman whom they describe as hardworking, humble and jovial.

Speaking to her daughter, Tamara Chin, she related that her mother was a simple farmer who gave away most of the things she grew because that was her kind nature. She related that her family is having a tough time dealing with the situation. “The feeling is hard to explain, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and it’s just very hard to explain,” she remarked as she tried to put into words the effect the murder of her mother has had on her.

Jericho mourns

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Andrew Bingham
  • Fatal crash claims two

Craig Oates – Hanover Correspondent

A pall of gloom hangs heavily over the community of Jericho in Hanover, as residents continue to mourn the untimely deaths of two of their young citizens who lost their lives in an accident along the popular Holland Bamboo main road in St. Elizabeth on Saturday, January 16.                   

The deceased have been identified as 29-year-old Andrew Bingham and 17-year- old Deniel Taylor, both of Jericho.

Deniel Taylor

 Reports are that shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday, Bingham was driving a white Toyota Corolla motorcar in which Taylor was a passenger, from Middle quarters towards Santa Cruz, when he attempted to overtake a line of traffic, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a Toyota Hiace minibus transporting members of the Bible Way Apostolic Church, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Bingham and Taylor, along with other persons who were injured in the bus, were taken to hospital, where Bingham and Taylor were pronounced dead, while the injured from the bus were treated and admitted in serious condition.

Adrian Mack, a resident from the Jericho community who knew both men, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the car on my social media page. I knew it was them and was praying all would be fine, but unfortunately, this wasn’t to be because both men died. They were good young men. They were humble, respectful and took part in community activities.”

He said Taylor, who was a recent graduate of the Green Island High School, attended church regularly and played in the community’s Under-17 football competition.

“This is too much for the community,” a senior citizen commented, arguing that Jericho was still in the throes of recovery from the recent death of another young man from the community, whose body was discovered along the beach in neighbouring Sandy Bay .

Meanwhile, Andrea Dehaney, Councillor for the Sandy Bay Division, has offered condolences to the family of the young men and also offered prayers for the community, which she said was undergoing trying times.

Murder-suicide

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Wendy Scarlett

Many questions have been left unanswered, in an apparent case of murder-suicide, as 48-year-old businessman, Junior Wint, brutally ended the life of his 23-year-old common law wife,Wendy Scarlett, and then snuffed out his own, at Flamstead Gardens in St. James last Friday.

Junior Wint

In what is being called a case of love gone sour, Scarlett, a bar operator, was walking along the Flamstead main road about 1:30 p.m. on Friday, when Wint drove up in a grey Toyota Corolla motorcar.

An argument developed between them and Wint, who was a licensed firearm holder,alighted from the vehicle andallegedly brandished the gun, a 9mm Canik pistol, which he used to shoot Scarlett and then turned the weapon on himself.

The police were alerted and on arrival, Wint and Scarlett were seen lying along the main road with bullet wounds to the heads.

Both were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The gun was later handed over to the police by a relative of Scarlett.

Desperate

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The emotional pair of Walton Evans – baby Vernisha in hand, and Latoya Whyte, pleads their case for assistance with the Western Mirror, revealing that their family has come under extremely difficult times, and are unsure of how they will survive.
  • Parents of stolen baby plead for help

Sashane Shakes – Staff Reporter

To say Walton Evans, 41, and common law wife, 34-year-old Latoya Whyte, have had the going tough, would be a gross understatement. Earlier this year, on Friday, January 4, 2019, the couple’s then newborn, Vernisha Evans, was abducted from the Cornwall Regional Hospital car park. In that incident, Whyte entrusted a woman to hold the newborn as she went to the bathroom, and upon her return, she discovered that the woman had left the premises with the infant.

Although young Vernisha made it safely back to them, Evans’ burdens, those current and from the past, have him terrified that he may lose her again, just like he lost his first daughter ten years ago.

Evans revealed to the Western Mirror that in the case of his first daughter, who will be turning 12 in May of this year, he was deemed unfit to care for her.“I had my first daughter on my handcart in the market and them come down there come take her from me.” In three (3) desperate attempts to get her back and on two (2) occasions, “they said I was dirty and the third time I was late,” he shared.

Since then, he has not been able to get over the memory of the Child Development Agency taking her away from him, and now, with the couple’s financial situation looking as bad as ever, Evans in particular has been nothing short of paranoid.

The tearful father shared that he has had to be following his common law wife around almost everywhere, for fear that at any moment, his beloved daughter may again be whisked away. Beneath that paranoia lies a very harsh truth – neither Evans nor Whyte can afford basic necessities to care for young Vernisha, rendering them helpless should the CDA decide to act again.

“It rough man. I can hardly afford to buy feed for the baby and when mi done buy food for me and Latoya, I can’t even buy yam at the market. Is ‘Badoo’ that grow in we yard me and Latoya eat,” shared a crying Evans.

‘BAD LUCKY’

Whyte, who is unemployed, stays at home with Vernisha while Evans works in order to maintain upkeep of the household. Evans is a contracted worker for the National Solid Waste Management Agency (NSWMA), with whom he just renewed his contract, which will see him being paid $19,000 bi-weekly once he starts working. Currently, however, as a street cleaner, he is unable to do much. Evans relayed that he is unable to work on the NSWMA truck due to having a bad back after being hit down by a car while sweeping along the Lilliput main road. He shared that he was struck down a second time by a bus in Freeport, Montego Bay.

“Sometime me have to sit down and wonder why me so bad lucky so. Me just bad lucky bad,” said Evans.

He has had to be doing a few odd jobs just so his family can make it through the day, one of which includes selling sugarcane for a woman who lives in his area. Evans has also found himself converting wire to copper, and collecting bottles and selling them to wholesale and retail supermarkets. “Is not that me really want to do these things but me rather do a honest job than go thief,” said a humble Evans.

The couple and their child share a two-bedroom dwelling at Tangle River in St. James, but Evans has hopes of adding a small bathroom and kitchen, as those amenities are currently separate from the house, which is proving challenging with the new addition to his family. “Me keep my house clean and in good condition but I need to add the bathroom and kitchen because that will be better to raise my daughter,” he said in his interview with the Western Mirror. “100 blocks go for around $12,000 now, but me need around 200 blocks to start and I can’t afford it with the pay I’m going to get,” he added.

Despite those struggles and pressing needs, Evans insists that his living conditions are much better.

“Three social workers evaluated the house and I passed the test. The house is fit to raise our baby in but I need the extra help,” he shared.

The couple has done the best they can to stay afloat, but things are increasingly becoming tougher, as though Evans has a renewed contract with NSWMA, he will have to work a month before getting paid. In the interim, their living expenses are skyrocketing, and the centre of their world – baby Vernisha, may feel that harder than any of them. As a result, the family is pleading for any assistance they can get.

“It nuh have to be money,” Evans pleaded, “but the baby need clothes and other little baby things.”

Anyone wishing to assist Walton with clothing for his child, the baby’s mother and himself, as well as food, toiletries and/or cash, can do so by calling him at (876) 586-8977 or (876) 497-2479.

Montego Bay Welcomes Another Rolly Polly Franchise !

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Rolly Polly will be celebrating the Grand Opening of its new franchise located at the newly constructed Fairview Annex in Bogue, Montego Bay, on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Since its conception in 2017, Rolly Polly has expanded its reach to cater to Ice Cream lovers in Mandeville, Ocho Rios, Kingston and Montego Bay.

They offer over 50 all-natural flavors for dairy lovers. They also offer alternative options for vegans who wish to indulge in their wide range of frozen treats.Rolly Polly also offers options based on health or lifestyle preferences, such as vegan ice cream, vegan milk-shake and, most recently, Açaí bowls.Açaí bowlsis vegan-friendly, nutritious, tasty bowl filled with various typed of delicious fruits. “Rolly Polly prides itself in providing tasty, affordable treats for everyone, regardless of their individual preferences,”explained Taneisha Hinds, Operations Manager, Rolly Polly.

Another of Rolly Polly’s tasty treats

Customers also have the option of adding alcoholic beverages to their sweetened frozen treat. Baileys, Sangster’s Rum Cream, Appleton Rum and Hennessy are some of the popular choices.

Rolly Polly is pleased to announce that it will be adding Champagne Sorbets and Breakfast toast to its diverse menu. Customers are encouraged to come out and enjoy all the sweetened frozen treats Rolly Polly has to offer.

Proceeds will go to the West Haven Children’s Home for the Disabled in Copse, Hanover.

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