This rather luxurious house is one of the many facing demolition in the community of Hurlock, St. James.
Michael Nattoo – Staff Reporter
Over 200 could lose homes
For almost 20 years, Andria Johnson worked and invested every penny into building a home for herself and her family in the community of Hurlock in St. James, but in the coming days, it could all be reduced to rubbles, after it was revealed that the land had been privately owned by West Indies Home Contractors Limited (WIHCON), which has plans to use the land for a major housing development. These plans do not include Johnson, and the over 200 people now occupying sections of the privately-owned property.
So, when a delegation of worried, furious and bewildered residents from the community of Hurlock visited our offices, among them senior citizens, the air of disillusionment followed them.
“We want some justice! We want some help from our Member of Parliament, Mr. Edmund Bartlett!” one resident, who has lived on the property some 16 years, exclaimed. “For most of us, those houses are all that we have, we have no Plan B, so how can they just push us off the land like that?” another resident questioned.
The Western Mirror has learnt that already, a few houses, which have already been vacated, have been demolished, and as WIHCON’s plans progress for the housing development, more houses are expected to meet the same fate. To make matters worse for the possibly soon-to-be homeless residents, majority of them live in concrete structures.
“Last month, they came and bulldozed a big house, and recently, they leveled another one,” Ms. Barrett, one of the senior residents, told the Western Mirror. She has lived on the property since 2006, and further revealed that prior to them taking up residence there, the land had been rundown, neglected and did not become a developed space until they moved there. This sentiment was echoed by Ms. Johnson, who recently came back to Jamaica from the USA, after being told that her children had been served with notices to vacate the property.
“This land was a complete wilderness until we lived there,” she pointed out, “and it’s not like we are not willing to pay for the land, we are all willing to pay and to get regularized, but we haven’t been given a chance to have those discussions,” Johnson added, further explaining that they have since been told to seek legal representation, despite having meetings with Member of Parliament, Edmund Bartlett, regarding their state of affairs.
Some of the residents who may lose their houses in the ongoing land conflict in Hurlock, St. James.
CONSULTATIONS HELD
“Yes, we met with the MP, and we were told that they were trying to work something out for us,” Johnson said, as other members of the contingent nodded, while some gave their vocal approval, saying, “Yes, a dat dem tell we!” So far, however, those talks have not led to any meaningful resolution for the residents. As one puts it: “We nuh hear back from dem all now ‘bout dat!” What many residents reported seeing following those meetings when they were told to leave the property, were men who visited the area, tractors in tow, threatening to level their houses. They also reported seeing police officers, whom some residents claim, attempted to intimidate them.
“Dem come after Mr. Bartlett keep di meeting and say dem come fi remove we from the property,” one man, who goes by the name Mark, explained. Mark has lived on the property for 16 years and explained that his family of seven also lives with him. The homeowner went on to reveal that Bartlett met with them in April and had given his word that he would be back not long after to give an update on the negotiations.
In what the residents believe is a case of abandonment on the part of their political representatives, they are now clinging to what they believe may be their only legal hold to the places they have called home – Adverse Possession. Adverse Possession, in simple terms, allows the ‘adverse possessor’ (squatter), to over time, through meeting certain requirements, claim legal ownership of a property if the property had been neglected by its rightful owner.
“A lot of us has lived there long enough to qualify for Adverse Possession, so what about that?” a resident by the name of Oral, who has lived on the property since 2002, questioned.
WIHCON speaks
Not so, however, claims WIHCON, the current owner of the property, which was previously owned by CAN-CARA Development Limited. The Western Mirror reached out to Venice Williams-Gordon, Attorney-at-Law representing WIHCON, who explained that, “Firstly, the matter is before the court. For those claiming Adverse Possession, they should understand that it doesn’t quite work like that. They should remember that at no point were they unaware of who owned the land. Before WIHCON, the land was owned by CAN-CARA, who repeatedly held meetings with them regarding their occupation of the lands. They were constantly reminded by CAN-CARA through several meetings, and when WIHCON assumed ownership, that practice continued, so at no point were the lands neglected by the rightful owners.” Attorney Williams-Gordon further explained that as a result of their status as squatters, it is not a requirement that the owners give them written notice to vacate the premises.
It was revealed to the Western Mirror that WIHCON and the National Housing Trust (NHT) have partnered on a project to have 1,500 low income housing units built, and the illegally occupied lands are needed for that purpose.
Attorney Williams-Gordon, in closing, added that a number of the affected residents were also given cease and desist orders when they first started construction, but many of them continued in spite of the warning.
Over 200 residents stand to be affected one way or the other, depending on the outcome of court proceedings.
CHAMPIONS AGAIN! Alf Remekie, ISSA Basketball coordinator, hands over the ISSA Western Conference Under-14 trophy to the Herbert Morrison Technical High Captain, Dalmar Clarke, after they disposed of Cornwall College 37-25 in the final on Monday at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. The title marked a fifth straight for the Bogue-based school under the watch of coach Dave Black (1st left)
Noelita Lawrence photo
Noelita Lawrence – Staff Reporter
ISSA U-14 B’ball
Bogue school lifts another Basketball title
It was a different formula but the same script as for the fifth straight year, Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS) are again Western Conference Champions of the ISSA Schoolboys Under-14 Competition.
In the championship game played on Monday, June 4, against fierce longtime city rivals Cornwall College at the Montego Bay Cricket Club, Herbert saw off their opponents 37-25 in one of the most competitive meeting between the sides in years.
The Dave Black-coached Herbert trailed by as many as five at one stage late in the third quarter before rallying to overhaul their flagging rivals who wilted under the pressure.
The teams were competitive early on with the Bogue-based school getting the slight edge 10-9 after the opening quarter.
Cornwall’s second unit then capitalized on a flurry of mistakes and missed chances by the defending champions, going on a surge against their opponents’ second unit, jumping to a 7-5 victory as just a point separated the two going into the break, (16-15).
Cornwall again pressed in the early stages of the third quarter, but then with their nemesis on a charge and upping their defensive displays, they wilted under the sustained pressure and went for just two points in over five minutes as Herbert took charge of the match-up to open up a slender gap.
The Sheldon Pearson-coached Cornwall team were also dreadful at the free throw line, missing eight of 12 shots taken, falling further behind in the affair.
Establishing a 12-point lead from a position of five behind, Herbert, now sensing victory and yet another grip on the title, went on a charge, scoring on cuts and fast breaks before a couple of neat lay-ups and the odd three pointers.
They totally outplayed and Cornwall in the closing stages, 13-3, to pull off the sensational come-from-behind victory, maintaining their strangle hold and prolonging the drought of the red and gold Orange Street-based Cornwall.
Diontae McBean with 6 points and 7 rebounds and Shemar Martin, also with 6 points and 9 rebounds, led the way for the CC team.
The charge of the champions was led by the hard-working Dalmar Clarke, 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, while the tournament’s MVP, Kyle Fraser, supported with 6 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, effected 10 steals and also had 7 assists.
The finalists Herbert Morrison Technical High and Cornwall College will now participate in the All-Island playoffs scheduled to get underway in Kingston later today at the National Stadium Courts beginning at 11 a.m.
THIRD PLACE BATTLE
Holland High copped third place, storming past Muschett 46-21 in the battle for minor placing.
Flawless Travers, 18 points and seven steals, was the mastermind of the Holland victory With Jermaine Hall adding 9 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
Reanoy Thompson, 8 points and 4 rebounds, and a similar number from David Brown highlighted Muschett’s scorecard.
The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1924 made the possession and use of ganja a criminal offence.
Any individual found in possession of ganja could be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment or both depending on the circumstances of the offence. The smoking or otherwise use of ganja was also an offence which could make a person liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a term of twelve months or two years.
Rastafari is a Jamaican indigenous religious movement that developed in the 1930s in which ganja is used by its adherents as a sacrament. The movement focused largely on black liberation and was therefore considered seditious and anti-government in colonial Jamaica. Criminalizing the use of ganja under the Dangerous Drugs Act, lead to widespread persecution and arrests of many Rastafarians.
An attempt was made to challenge the constitutionality of The Dangerous Drugs Act. In 1997, Dennis Forysthe, a Rastafarian and Attorney-at-Law, was arrested for illegal possession of marijuana and a chillum pipe at his home. He petitioned the Supreme Court for a declaration that his constitutional rights to freedom of conscience in the practice of his religion had been infringed by the Dangerous Drugs Act. He further contended in his submissions to the beneficial effects of ganja both medically and economically. His submissions were rejected by the Court primarily out of restrictions on Constitutional rights in the interest of public health, and the protection afforded to the Dangerous Drugs Act by a “savings law” clause which protected laws in existence when the country gained political independence in 1962 against constitutional challenge.
Chief Justice Wolfe in his reasoning stated that arguments relating to possible economic benefits which could be derived from legalizing ganja would be more properly advanced before Parliament to convince legislators on the question of legalizing ganja.
Such arguments were ultimately advanced before Parliament. Although ganja has not been fully legalized, eighteen years after Forysthe v The Director of Public Prosecutions and The Attorney General of Jamaica (1997) 34 J.L.R. the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act of 2015 (the “Amendment Act”) was passed which decriminalises possession of two ounces or less of ganja, making it a non-arrestable, ticketable offence instead. It remains a criminal offence to be in possession of over two ounces of ganja and offenders can be arrested and tried in court and if found guilty, sentenced to fine or imprisonment or both.
Rights available to Rastafari: Ganja as a Sacrament, Exempt Events
One of the most notable amendments, however, are the rights granted to Rastafarians to use ganja as a sacrament. The Amendment Act provides that the Minister of Justice may authorize any person who is eighteen years old or over and who is an adherent to the Rastafarian faith or an organization comprised of Rastafarians, to cultivate on lands designated by the Minister. This cultivation must be for the use of ganja for religious purposes as a sacrament in adherence to the Rastafarian faith.
The Minister of Justice can also declare an event to be an “exempt event” once they are promoted or sponsored by Rastafarians. At such events no person would be liable to be arrested, detained or prosecuted regarding the conveyance of ganja, possession or smoking of ganja. Some of these “exempt events” have been held, for example Stepping High and Rootzfest, both taking place in Negril.
The International Opinion: Jamaican Sacramental Ganja
Jamaica is signatory to various Conventions or treaties such as The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 known collectively as the international drug control Conventions. In order to remain compliant with these international drug Conventions, the Jamaican government has committed to a medical, therapeutic and scientific ganja industry.
The international community, however, is not in agreement with Jamaica’s decision to make ganja legal for sacramental purposes by adherents of the Rastafarian faith. The United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (“INCB”) reviews on a regular basis the drug control measures in various countries and Governments’ overall compliance with the provisions of the international drug control treaties. The INCB issued its 2017 annual report in which it criticized Jamaica for legalizing cannabis for religious use. While the U.N. claims to promote global religious tolerance, the INCB strongly disagrees with the religious nature of the Rastafarian cannabis ceremony. The report states that “The Board reminds the Government of Jamaica… that…only the medical and scientific use of cannabis is authorized, and that use for any other purposes, including religious, is not permitted.” What measures then, if any, can the INCB take against Governments’ that are not complaint with international drug treaties?
Article 14 of the 1961 Convention (and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol) and article 19 of the 1971 Convention set out measures that the INCB may take to ensure the execution of the provisions of these Conventions. Such measures are carried out when the INCB has reason to believe that the aims of the Conventions are being seriously endangered by the failure of a State to carry out their provisions. The INCB also has the right to ask for explanations from the Government of the country in question and may call upon the Government concerned to adopt remedial measures. If the INCB finds that the Government concerned has failed to give satisfactory explanations or has failed to adopt any remedial measures it may call the attention of the Parties, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to the matter. The INCB has already invoked these articles against a limited number of States, one such State being Afghanistan in the year 2000 to combat the widespread cultivation of opium poppy in the country.
Is there any Economic Benefit in Cultivating Sacramental Ganja?
The constitutional right to freedom of conscience in the practice of religion has long since been enshrined in the Jamaican Constitution. Therefore, it is a progressive step forward that the adherents of our indigenous and uniquely different religious form, Rastafari, are now able to apply to the Ministry of Justice to cultivate ganja for the use as a sacrament. It will be interesting to see the role these international sanctions may play in Jamaica’s current legal landscape. The question must be asked though, what commercial gains can Rastafarians derive from these sacramental rights granted under the Amendment Act? To have just been afforded sacramental rights does not equate to any real economic or commercial gain. The Amendment Act states specifically that the selling or otherwise dealing in ganja does not apply to ganja cultivated on lands for sacramental purposes. Therefore, how can Rastafarians derive economic enablement through these changes in the law? The word “sacrament” has a religious connotation and does not seem to infer, and the law is in agreement with this, any real commercial benefit from being able to cultivate ganja as a sacrament.
Economic Empowerment through the Cannabis Licensing Authority?
The economic or commercial gains to be derived from ganja from its sale is regulated by the Cannabis Licensing Authority (the “CLA”). The CLA is a regulatory body established under the Amendment Act charged with the power to make the regulations and further ensure these regulations comply with the international treaty obligations. Under the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) Regulations (the “Regulations”) of 2016 several licenses are available that grants the holder of the license, the ability, amongst other things, to sell and thereby derive some economic benefit from ganja. The Regulations also outlines the applicants who may apply for licences. One of these applicants includes a cooperative society registered under the Co-operatives Societies Act or a society registered under the Friendly Societies Act or a company incorporated under the laws of Jamaica.
There is more strength in numbers. To secure economic enablement, Rastafari, or even just traditional or indigenous small farmers, must form one collective voice and body or perhaps several collective bodies. This collective body or bodies could take the form of a Co-operative or several Co-operatives or a Company and an application can be made to apply for one or several of the many licenses under the Regulations. These licenses include a cultivator’s license, a processing license, a transport license, a retail license and a research and development license. Smaller traditional farmers like Rastafarians may face a few constraints, one such constraint being the fees involved in securing a license. An application fee must be paid, ranging from USD $300-$500 dollars. Another fee is payable on the issue of the license ranging from USD $2000- $10,000 (note briefly that the fees for licenses with separate tiers are further broken down per square meter) and a security bond is payable (depending on the license type) ranging from USD $1000-3000.
Capital, like that listed above, may be difficult to procure however the Regulations make special provision for the payment of fees. The Regulations provide that the CLA may, in respect of any category of license, (after consultation with the Minister of Finance), waive the payment of any fee or security bond or defer the payment for a specified period. This option could be pursued, and an application could be made to have the fees or security bond waived or at the least very least deferred for a particular time period. It must be remembered that licenses granted under the jurisdiction of the CLA is in accordance with medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes only and does not encompass sacramental use.
A Sacramental Ganja Industry or Economic Empowerment through the CLA?
What though, about a sacramental industry, or at the very least a local sacramental industry where those exercising their right to cultivate their sacrament are able to sell their sacrament, for example, to other adherents of the Rastafarian faith. Or, is this even possible? Does attempting to derive a commercial benefit from ganja as a sacrament mean that ganja is no longer a sacrament? In other words, does an added economic benefit negate the religious connotation of ganja as a sacrament? These questions may ultimately require adjudication and an amendment to the Amendment Act to permit the sale of cultivated sacramental ganja, or perhaps, the allowance of some form of contribution in exchange for the use of the sacrament. Will the international Conventions that Jamaica is signatory to even permit any kind of development of such an industry?
Constitutional challenges regarding sacramental use are also taking place internationally. In Canada for instance Leafly has reported that Davidacus Holmes of Jamaican descent and founder of the Sanctuary of the Rastafarian Order Ministry, Canada’s first registered Rastafarian church, is currently seeking a full religious exemption for the production, processing, and distribution of cannabis.
If Rastafarians only wish to exercise religious rights to their sacrament in peace, they have now won. Despite international Conventions, the law permits adherents of the faith, through the Ministry of Justice, to be able to cultivate ganja for religious purposes. However, as a small State, Jamaica may struggle to hold on to it’s autonomy under international scrutiny to adhere to Convention obligations.
Can this empowerment be secured through the sacrament, or through the CLA? His Majesty Haile Selassie I said it best when he stated that “History teaches us that unity is strength and cautions us to…overcome our differences in the quest for the common goals, to strive, with all our combined strength, for the path to true African brotherhood and unity”. Whatever differences may exist in the Rastafari community it is respectfully submitted, should and must be set aside. Collective voices to face these issues are stronger than none. Then, initiative must be taken in trying to secure economic empowerment through this growing industry.
Marlene Malahoo Forte (centre), MP, West Central St. James, authorizes the documents at the official signing of partnership agreement between the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation and HEART Trust/NTA. Phillip Gore, founder and Executive Chairman of Gore Developments Limited (GDL) and Janet Dyer, Managing Director at Heart Trust/NTA, smile as the partnership becomes official.
Sashane Shakes
The Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation presented HEART Trust/NTA with $6 million last Friday at the signing of their partnership agreement.
Through the Government of Jamaica’s Housing Opportunity Production and Employment (HOPE) Initiative, youths from 18-24 years are engaged in the National Service Corps Programme (NSCP). NSCP is implemented through the HEART Trust/NTA and targets unattached youths who will be given technical skills training which will be honed over a period of up to one year.
The foundation has agreed to partner with HOPE and will sponsor 25 interns from St. James (Granville especially) for training (HEART and JFLL) and job placement will be provided on completion of that training.
National Coordinator of HOPE Programme, Colonel Martin Rickman, pointed out, “If everybody comes onboard along with the Phillip and Christine Gore Foundation, and in such a no-nonsense way, then we could have the makings of really putting a meaningful dent into that massive population of unattached youths across Jamaica.”
“And the truth is, and certainly in my interactions with unattached youths in various communities across Jamaica, the vast majority always wants to do well. The reason they get involved with things is because they end up with no choice,” he continued.
In that regard, he is calling upon other organizations, industries, employers and government entities to come onboard with the HOPE and HEART Trust Programme to create more meaningful opportunities.
With over 200,000 at-risk youths in Jamaica, the programme currently has 3,000 individuals due to issues regarding limited space, while another 5,000 have recently been trained and are awaiting placement.
DROP-OUT RATE
Colonel Rickman went on to mention that unlike other programmes, the drop-out rate is at 1 percent, however, in all cases, this is due to employment opportunities as a result of good values and sufficient skills learnt.
A cheque valuing the sum of $6 million from the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation was consigned to the HEART Trust/NTA and National Service Corps Programme (NSCP) to establish the NSCP in St. James at the partnership agreement signing held at Montego West Village in St. James on Friday June 1, 2018. From left are: Christopher Gore, Managing Director of the Gore Group of Companies and of Gore Developments Limited, Colonel Martin Rickman, National Coordinator of Housing Opportunities Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme, Marlene Malahoo Fort, MP West Central St. James, Phillip Gore, Executive Chairman of Gore Developments Limited and Janet Dyer, Managing Director at Heart Trust/NTA. Phillip Green photos
Held on the grounds of the Gore Homes Montego West Village, it was announced that statistically, as little as 40 percent of funds donated reaches the beneficiaries but in this specific case, 100 percent of the funds will go directly towards the individuals to be benefitted.
Particularly grateful for the partnership is Attorney-at-Law and Member of Parliament for West Central St. James, Marlene Malahoo Forte, who shared that the amendment to the National Development Act establishing the National Service Corps (NCSP) was one of the three bills Prime Minister Andrew Holness held near and dear to his heart during the 2017/2018 budget debate. However, after facing many obstacles and the possibility that it would not have been completed in time for the Prime Minister to make his presentation, through arduous work, the bill was completed.
“This was the first programme worthy of partnership and it pleases me greatly because a lot of thought and a lot of love went into this programme. Already we are seeing how it is changing lives positively,” said MP Forte.
In addition to the $6 million in financial support, HOPE has also committed to assisting with placing/mentoring interns in key skill training areas such as Plumbing, Landscaping, Construction, among others.
Some core skills include Personal Development, Work Ethics, Personal Financial Management, Citizenship, Teambuilding and Conflict Resolution. The specific skills training is in line with jobs that are marketable such as Construction, IT, Office Administration, Digitizing, Hospitality and Customer Service.
The NSCP targets youths 18-24 years, not enrolled or employed in an approved educational institution. CXC passes are an asset but not a requirement. Requirements for enrollment into the NSCP include completed application form with photograph attached, copy of birth certificate and copy of a government-issued ID.
Here, a proud-looking Alrique presents Sergeant Gary Brandford with the goodies while Donna Archer-Ellis (grand-mother) and Con. Gawayne Porteous look on. – Phillip Green photos
Phillip Green – Photo Editor
Recently, five-year-old Alrique Grant, who attends the Hanover Pre- and Preparatory School and whose ambition is to become a policeman, in an act of kindness, presented a cake and other refreshments to the security forces participating in the State of Public Emergency manning the border of St. James and Hanover.
According to Alrique’s grandmother, Donna Archer-Ellis, retired teacher at Rusea’s High School, the idea came about as a result of her frequent visits to Montego Bay, during which Alrique travels with her. During one of their visits to the second city, Alrique quipped, “Grandma, they are doing a great job catching the bad guys. They must need a lot of fluid working in the hot sun”.
He insisted on speaking to the officers at which time he asked if he could offer refreshments.
The request was discussed with the officers’ superior and was given the green light. So on Friday, June 1, 2018, Alrique, with the refreshments garnered from the funds from his ‘piggy bank’ and assisted by his grandmother, visited the check-point and presented a cake, sandwiches, water and drinks.
With a disarming smile, locs flowing stylishly down his shoulders and a personality and demeanor that would suggest this life has never tested him, Karel Wisdom stands as the epitome of a man possessed by his passions and consumed by his singular focus – to change as many lives as he can for the better, through the powerful vehicle of music. His admission of these things makes it no wonder that the 38-year-old is now a finalist in the JCDC Festival Song Competition, leaving him with every bit of confidence that maybe, just maybe, his will be the face of victory when it is all said and done.
“I started singing seriously when I was 17 years old,” the father of two daughters explained, adding that over the years, despite initially finding his genesis in gospel music, he had always felt that his calling was not so much religion-centric, but more so to deliver music that was not only conscious, but music that transcended all boundaries. By all accounts, it would seem that the unassuming Wisdom held true to that conviction, as though his humility did not bring him to tell us, a deeper look into his history revealed that he has worked with the likes of big names such as Ernie Smith, Maxie Priest, Shaggy, and Etana – all individuals known for their unwavering commitment to positivity.
“There are some situations I went through, and I realized that in order to make the change of the magnitude I dreamt of, I needed a bigger platform,” Wisdom said with careful calculation, admitting that he saw entering the Festival Song Competition as the ideal avenue to accomplish this. “I felt that being a part of this Festival Song Competition would have been a good platform from which to make that difference,” he continued. For the tough times the parish he has called home for the past 7 years, St. James, has been having, adding his voice to the mix of those fighting for the good everyday was an easy decision for him. “The crime monster has taken over, so I wanted to use my talent and my platform to get that message out. That’s why the song I did for the competition took a patriotic stance,” Wisdom, whose stage name is Jah Wiz, said. This strong, and these days rare sense of patriotism is not the only driver behind Wisdom’s journey on the path least trodden; he has seen the worst of what awaits one in a life of crime, and he now undeniably knows it’s not worth it.
TURNING POINT
“I went through some situations – some interactions with the law, and it all gave me time to think and dig deeper. It gave me some time to refocus,” Wisdom said, citing that those struggles did not quite signal a turning point in his life, but rather a returning point to all that was good about himself and the life he wanted to live.
“Growing up, around 16 or 17, I endured some struggles. There came a point where things got even more desperate, and it became much harder, so I felt like just to survive, I had to get a little creative in figuring out a way to survive, and so I did.” That did not yield the results Wisdom had hoped for. It instead landed him an unfortunate meeting with the long arm of the law, one that he would soon come to appreciate it.
“Being incarcerated for a period of time, I got a chance to really see what goes behind those walls on a much deeper level. I got a chance to understand why a lot of them in there did the things they did, and it made me even more resolute in my decision to deliver the message of peace and love to the ones not yet impacted by the prison system. They are who I’m doing this for,” Wisdom asserted. For those still in the system, he hopes his music will serve as a pathway to rehabilitation. That’s why Wisdom remains passionate about capitalizing on simply being in the Festival Song Competition – more people are reached on this stage. That’s why for him, making it to the top ten out of the many who entered, is already a crowning achievement for him. As for those dark experiences, Wisdom feels that they have given him an edge he refuses to take for granted.
“They give me an edge because now, I now know I have something to fight for. I have something that I believe in because I see the importance of it in dealing with what Jamaica has been dealing with. I had a story before all this, before the run in with the law and all, but now, I have a more powerful story,” Wisdom added with confidence.
Knowing that he is already a winner makes it that much easier for the soft-speaking Wisdom to take this mission on of uplifting Jamaica, regardless of whether or not he wins the competition. His Festival Song entry, “Hands on your heart”, is already being hailed as an anthem, and whether or not it continues to pick up traction, one can’t help the feeling that this is only the beginning for the awe-inspiring Wisdom.
Despite a flood of Police personnel and soldiers as a result of ramped up security measures including a State of Emergency in St. James, Western Jamaica continues to bleed with the parish of Westmoreland showing an uptick in murders.
The authorities in Westmoreland continue to struggle to put a lid on murders with the parish recording 65 murders since the start of the year, compared with 58 for the corresponding period last year.
The parish of Trelawny is tethering on the edge of an increase, registering 10 murders so far this year, equaling the number for the same period last year.
Murder figures for the parish of Hanover show a reduction of nine when compared with same period last year, when 33 murders were committed.
The parish of St. James, which has been under a State of Public Emergency since January 18, showed a marked decline with 40 murders for the year so far, compared with 118 for the same period last year.
Meanwhile, in the latest cases of bloodshed in the West, two men lost their lives in brutal fashion on the weekend, in Trelawny and Hanover. Two other persons were wounded and a lone female was also taken into custody in connection with one of the two fatal incidents.
The deceased have been identified as 24-year-old Brian Williams, otherwise called ‘Willy Bounce’, of Thorpe Street, Falmouth in Trelawny and 25-year-old Raymond Whitelocke, otherwise called ‘Kalechie’, of Jerusalem Mountain, Westmoreland.
Both murders took place on Saturday. In the first incident, Williams was said to be standing near a phone store along Parade Street in Falmouth about 2:30 p.m., when he was confronted by a woman and a dispute developed between them.
The woman reportedly brandished a knife which she used to stab Williams in the chest. Williams reportedly tried to run from his attacker but fell at a nearby bar. He was later transported to the Falmouth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The woman was later picked up by the Falmouth police and could be charged later this week.
Later that night, at about 9:25 p.m., Whitelocke was among a group of persons playing bingo at an establishment in Green Island, Hanover; when a man armed with a handgun allegedly opened gunfire at them.
The Police were summoned and on their arrival at the scene,Whitelocke and two other persons, who also received gunshot wounds, were taken to hospital where Whitelocke was pronounced dead. The other two persons were admitted in stable condition.
Inwhat has been deemed a success story of the social arm of the Zone of Special Operations in Mt. Salem, St. James, 100 community members will be employed and $26 million spent to remove 1000 metres of corrugated zinc fences, to be replaced with ‘A’ class concrete walls, in sections of the community.
This was announced on Thursday evening by Omar Sweeney, Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, JSIF, at a contract signing at the Mount Salem Primary School between the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and the Mount Salem Benevolent Society.
“This project will be implemented over a nine-month period, utilizing the community-based contracting methodology, which will see the Mt. Salem Community Development Benevolent Society Committee acting as project managers. This approach will help to strengthen community leadership and empower community members to have a stake in maintaining the infrastructure of their community.”
He said the project is being implemented under the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Measure and should have a positive impact on community safety and aesthetic development for more than 4-thousand residents of Mount Salem.
The 100 community members to be employed under the programme were trained in block-making and tiling under the ZOSO initiative implemented in the community.
Mr. Sweeney said under the social component of the ZOSO, thousands of residents would have benefitted from medical and dental checks, birth certificate processing, clean up and drainage programmes.
He also announced that similar zinc fence removal projects would be pursued in Granville, and Retirement in St. James and Russia in Westmoreland.
Winsome Barnes, President of the Mt. Salem Benevolent Society, says she was pleased that residents were receiving some benefit under the social programmes of the ZOSO, arguing that the Benevolent Society was willing to collaborate with the various social agencies.
“We are working together in a major collaborative effort to ensure that Mount Salem continues to be the place to work, raise, families and do business. We are happy for this particular project, which incorporates the community in such a way that residents are actively involved, so we look forward to continued efforts to improve the community.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Donald Graham, said the removal of the zinc fence was a good thing as the zinc fence, in many instances, impeded crime-fighting as criminal elements often use them as part of their getaway strategy.
“They often run behind these zinc fences eight to ten feet high and disappear. In other times, these fences offer no protection to you the resident because they are porous. I urge you to give the removal your support as it will improve your protection and add aesthetic appeal to the community.
ACP Graham also indicated that for the 274 days of the Zone of Special Operation, there were no reports of violent acts in Mount Salem.
The Zone of Special Operation was introduced in Mount Salem on September 1last year.
TUMBLING THROUGH: Andre Hayles of the Granville Jaguars, despite being pushed over takes control of the ball between the Inner-City Avalanche pair of Okieffe Noble (R) and Fabian Julian during the WBA Elite Basketball League match played on Saturday at the Montego Bay Cricket Club. - Noelita Lawrence photo
Noelita Lawrence – Staff Reporter
Elite Basketball
Knights, Jaguars undefeated
Holland Saints out of Trelawny continued their impressive early season form with a stunning 81-68 victory over former champions Catherine Hall All Stars while Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights and defending champions Granville Jaguars stayed perfect in the Western Basketball Association Elite League at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.
Saints, with the shock victory, made it two-from-two, improving their points tally to four while sinking the All Stars to their first defeat of the campaign.
Errol Steele of the Saints engineered the demise of the All Stars team with a solid 29 points, while influtential player/coach Ricardo Brooks added a double-double, 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
A third player, Aldane Anderson, added 19 points.
Saints were ahead by ten at the break, after winning the two opening quarters 16-13 and 20-13 for a commanding 36-26 advantage.
With their offence spearheaded by fast break points, interceptions, penetrations to the basket and timely three-pointers, Saints continued their forward march by adding a further 45 points in the second half as All Stars pressed, themselves scoring 42.
Michael Schloss had 22 points in a losing cause for the All Stars with two others getting into double figures as Mikhail Smith added 11 rebounds.
KNIGHTS SMOOTH
Meanwhile, Cricket Club Knights collected a third victory, putting out Lucea Flames 74-66.
Flames were on fire in the opening seconds of the encounter, putting six unanswered points on the board before they faded out as Knights got going and into a rhythm, outscoring them 17-8 storming to a 37-26 halftime lead.
Knights were in cruise mode thereafter, storming to the victory with minimum fuss as they dictated the boards and dominated their opponents in the paint, using screens and high pick and rolls.
Captain Jhuan Bryan led the way for the Knights with a solid team-high 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while Antonio Spence and Daniel Malcolm added 15 and 10 respectively.
Spence also had six rebounds.
For the Flames, Junlian Walker soared for a game-high 19 points, with Jvon Calderon adding 15 and hauling down 11 rebounds, while Sheldon Myrie supported with 16 and 7 as Flames sank to a second successive defeat.
CHAMPS MOVE ON
In the meantime, defending champions Granville Jaguars, though not at their best, pulled off a 68-52 victory over a spirited Inner-City Avalanche.
Avalanche had three players in double figures and had the chance to pull off a stunning win, but wilted under the pressure of a charging Jaguars team who dropped ten straight unanswered points and forced four turnovers as they closed out their third straight win, remaining undefeated.
Team leader Dane Morris and Kaniel McKenzie with 12 and 11 points were two of the three players in double figures for the Avalanche.
Youngster David Gordon, 19 points and 8 rebounds, and Cleon Morgan 17, led the charge for the Jaguars with Dave Black, 10, and Tafari Vassell 15 rebounds, offering assistance.
The League continues on Thursday with a solitary match at the same venue.
Onlookers get a final look at the body of Karen Clarke after it had been recovered from the Half Moon Bay Beach in Falmouth
Shamir Brown
Suicide is suspected in the case of a woman who drowned in the vicinity of the Half Moon Fishing Beach in Falmouth, in the early afternoon hours of Monday, May 28, 2018.
The dead woman, who lived on Water Lane in the Trelawny parish capital, has been identified as Karen Clarke. Her body was recovered by fisherman sometime after she was reportedly observed by persons walking into the water, who thought she was going for a swim. However, an alarm was raised sometime after when she failed to surface.
According to information gleaned, Miss Clarke, who leaves behind a nine-month-old child, had a mental problem which may have pushed her to the limit after she was unable to collect some money that she was expecting.
Falmouth Police are investigating.
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old student of New Holland, St. Elizabeth, Carl Sylvester, is suspected to have drowned at a river in the community on Sunday, May 27.
Reports from the Lacovia Police are that about 5:30 p.m., Sylvester went to the river with his brother and encountered difficulties while swimming and drowned.
Following processing by the Police on the scene, the body was removed to the morgue.
