Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (centre), greets newly appointed Director of Tourism, Donovan White during a special welcome meeting at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s New Kingston office on February 16, 2018. Sharing in the moment are (from left), outgoing Acting Director of Tourism, Donnie Dawson; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith; and Senior Advisor/Strategist to the Tourism Minister, Delano Seiveright.
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, says a tourism certification programme for secondary students will officially be launched, with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information on the 15th of March.
The joint initiative will provide certification from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) in their Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme (HTMP) to students in grades 10, 11, 12 and 13.
The Minister made the announcement during a special welcome meeting for the newly appointed Director of Tourism, Donovan White, at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s New Kingston office on February 16, 2018.
“This certification programme will close the loop in terms of our strategy to build the human capital and to create professionalism within the industry. High school students can use this certification as the first step, before going to HEART or universities of their choice,” explained the Minister.
He also shared that it would then be recommended for students to apply to the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), an assessment institution driven by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), which offers AHLEI world-class training and certification over a three-month period.
“Once you have completed your training at the tertiary level, then you can come to us at the JCTI for certification. Also, if you didn’t go to any formal institution but you have competence in different tourism-related fields, like as a sous-chef de cuisine or a supervisor in Food and Beverage, you can come to the JCTI and get certified. So you also are able to move up in your profession,” said the Minister.
The JCTI and high school certification programme, forms part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Human Capital Development Plan, and will facilitate the certification of Jamaicans working in tourism, and better prepare them to serve the sector.
The pilot programme for the certification programme for secondary students will begin this summer, when facilitators will be trained. The official roll-out of the programme in schools should begin in the Christmas term.
The 2018 Jamaica Gospel Song Competition Finalists (L-R): Lloyd “Father” Reece, Crystal Chambers, Travis Allen, Daynea Deacon-Jones, Dwight Ferrari, Kenrick Lynch, Lawayne Thomas, Shaundre Cowan, Joelle Notice and AdeoluwaAdeoye.
The top ten finalists for the 2018 staging of the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition were chosen from the semi-final round of the competition, held on Ash Wednesday, February 14. The finalists, who will compete to be named winner of the competition at the finals in July, were chosen from the top 25 semi-finalists from across the island. Organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition has unearthed hundreds of Gospel singers and song writers over the past three decades, most of whom have gone on to advance brand Jamaica.
The finalists are: Daynea Deacon-Jones of Portland with Wayward Worship, Shaundre Cowan of Hanover with Worship, Victory Edition and Travis Allen and Kenrick Lynch, both of St. Ann with There is No Greater Love and The End of All Things Is at Hand respectively. Hailing from St. Catherine are AdeoluwaAdeoye with You Oh Lord and Dwight Ferrari with God’s Coverage; while Kingston and St. Andrew are being represented by Joelle Notice with Keep the Faith,Lawayne Thomas with 24/7 Contact, Crystal Chambers with The Christ In Me and Lloyd “Father” Reece with Bright Morning Star.
“The Jamaica Gospel Song Competition facilitates growth in the music industry, and continues to provide opportunities both locally and internationally for persons who have entered, even those who were not the winner on the final night,” said Stephen Davidson, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the JCDC. He continued, “This year’s impressive crop of semi-finalists each brought something extra to the competition in their own unique way; it was hard for the judges to select the best ten.”
“The finalists will now begin preparation for their journey to the finals which will include voice, music and industry-based developmental workshops, recording the album and performances and outreach across the island. All this will be captured in a reality television series leading up to the Grand Finals,” Davidson added.
Davidson also noted that entries were received from across the island from persons looking to become the next face of Jamaican Gospel music, but after four highly competitive regional auditions and eliminations, only the most impressive contestants made it to the semi-finals.
The Jamaica Gospel Song Competition since its inception in 1987 has since become an iconic presentation of indigenous gospel music in Jamaica and attracts over 200 artistes, producers and writers of original gospel music each year. This competition is also seen as another avenue for the unearthing and growth of writers, and vocalists through training with the best within the industry.
OH YES!! Reno’s Bobby Brown sweetly takes possession of the ball just along the touchline between the Montego Bay United pair of Keneil Kirlew and Jermaine Woozencroft (R) during their big western derby in the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday at WesPow Park. MBU carved out a sensational 2-1 win over their opponents, a second against them this season to rush into the top half of the standings.
A glancing header from Renaldo Rodney and a ferocious right foot blast from St. Fleur catapulted Montego Bay United (MBU) into playoff position in the Red Stripe Premier League for the first time this season with a thrilling 2-1 win over Reno in the western derby at WesPow Park on Sunday (February 18).
The latest three points moved MBU up two places to fifth with 37 points, as they completed a third victory in five outings.
The defeat had a reverse effect on the Westmoreland-based Reno, who slipped out of the top half of the standings and into seventh position, although just two points and a point adrift of two teams, MBU and Harbour View, respectively.
Rodney opened the scoring in the 37th minute before St. Fleur sealed the win with a blistering strike in the 59th.
The crucial and much-anticipated encounter got off to a well-balanced start, with both teams cancelling out each other with stout defending.
The first real chance of the match-up went MBU’s way in the 27th minute, when Rodney, who could have had a hat-trick, was out clean in on goal, but his effort from close range was blocked by a sprawling defender.
Looking lively and quick on the ball, Reno had the holding of their opponents and looked purposeful on the ball in and around the mid-third, without being penetrative.
However, their sting was knocked from the Reno team and the deadlock was broken in the 37th minute when Rodney flicked a header past the despairing lunge of Reno’s goalkeeper, getting on the end of a well-weighted cross delivered by Ladale Richie.
MBU held the slim advantage going into the break and just five minutes into the resumption, Rodney again found himself facing goal, but, after getting on the end of a blistering three-man build-up, his tame shot was held low down at the near post.
After trading blows mostly in the middle of the park, MBU increased their advantage just on the hour-mark when St. Fleur used his speed to destructive effect, powering between two defenders before unleashing a venomous shot high into the corner of the net.
The home team could have further increased their margin six minutes later, but hot-striker Dino Williams missed a sitter from six yards out after getting a perfect pass from St. Fleur.
MBU enjoyed a crowd-loving spell midway the 80-minute mark, which saw them maintain possession of the ball with 45 passes untouched by their opponents.
Captain Dwayne Ambursely, back in the middle of the park, Rodney and Williams, again had chances but failed to convert.
Omar Johnson, with a powerful header in time added on, got the consolation goal for the Reno team.
Tim Hannkinson, the MBU coach, said it was nice to get the win and move into the top half, and he was pleased that players are now rounding into attacking form.
Meanwhile, Sandals South Coasts, whose relegation from the top flight after just one season is now just weeks away, slipped closer to certain relegation following another defeat, the latest a 1-0 beating at the hands of Tivoli Gardens.
The latest defeat is a 17th for the Westmoreland-based Aaron Lawrence-coached team.
They are rooted second from bottom on just 19 points, two ahead of Boys’ Town, whose relegation was confirmed last weekend.
With a major assault being waged on crime in St. James, the police hierarchy in the neighbouring parish of Trelawny has launched a major manhunt for the parish’s Most Wanted as it seeks to crackdown on violence-producers in the parish.
The five Most Wanted persons are Adrian McNeil – wanted for wounding with intent; Evon Williams, who is wanted for murder, Rohan Bryan, otherwise called ‘Monkey Man’, wanted for shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm; Trevor Rhynie, otherwise called ‘Beenie Man’, wanted for illegal possession of firearm and assault at common law, and Renor Gayle – who is wanted for wounding with intent.
Winston Milton, Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of Operation for the Trelawny Police, says in addition to the five Most Wanted men, the police would be working to flush out and dismantle four major gangs operating in sections of the parish.
They are the Sinners Gang, based in Hague Settlement; the Zion Gang, which operates from the Zion community; the Water Lane Gang, which operates between Water Lane and Newton Street, and the Lippy Gang, which has its operational base in Bunkers Hill.
The parish of Trelawny recorded 21 murders last year, with five recorded so far this year.
Shameera Sterling while playing in a friendly game here in Montego Bay
Noelita Lawrence Staff Reporter
Shameera inks professional Netball deal
In spite of all the crimes, turmoil and killings threatening to cripple the once famed ‘Friendly City’ of Montego Bay, there are still milestones and achievements to be proud of.
The latest comes in the form of sports and rewards the long, grinding efforts of a lowly-born athlete, namely, Shameera Sterling.
Shameera, one of Montego Bay’s and Jamaica’s most talented and revered young netball prodigies has made her city, family, friends and close watchers proud, by inking her first professional deal, one that sees her plying her trade in Europe.
She has since made her debut for the team, an impressive performance in a 55-44 victory over the UWS Sirens.
The teams will again be in action on February 24 when they take on Celtic Dragon.
Born and raised in the second city of Montego Bay, 22-year-old Shamera Sterling, who hails from slums of Hart Street in the city, has signed an initial eight-month contract with Loughborough Lightning in Leicestershire in the England Professional Super Netball League.
The skinny player Shameera, who left the island on January 3 to take up the contract, is expected to be with the club until the middle of July when the season will come to a close.
Sterling in her debut game for Loughborough Lightning in Leicestershire, England
STARTED OUT YOUNG
Introduced to the sport at around age ten while attending Corinaldi Avenue Primary, Sterling then transitioned to Anchovy High where she made a brief stop before being shipped off to Kingston where she attended netball powerhouse at the ISSA level, the Queen’s, for just over two years.
After her stint in the capital, and having gained more experience, Shameera returned to MoBay where she was reunited with old friends and coaches and did 1 year at Herbert Morrison Technical High (HMTHS) in the 2014-15 calendar year, under the watchful eyes of Rita Spence, a former national player and now coach.
Sterling was also offered a full scholarship to the University of Technology (UTECH) but for whatever reason, she failed to take up the offer. She later got and accepted one to UWI, where she was before leaving to take up the contract.
BIG BREAK
Versatile and capable of operating in multiple playing positions, with command, Shermeera’s first introduction to the National setup came when she was about 15, but she was not selected for an Under-16 tournament as she was said to be over the age at the time.
However, her big breakout in the National senior ‘Sunshine Girls’ came in 2012.
She was catapulted into the National Undert-19 programme and excelled before being given a chance to play against the South African team.
The skinny-built Shameera sent shock-waves through the crowds with her electric and commanding performances, delighting even her opponents and came in for high praises, catching the eyes of the senior National team coaches, who then called her in to play in the three-match series and as they say, the rest is history, as she has not looked back since.
Gina Haughton, the now President of the St. James Netball Foundation, told the Western Mirror of her delight of the achievements of young Sterling, but was quick to add that with so much talent on offer, St. James can soon assume the role of being a nursery for the National Netball setup.
“We have so many players worthy of a national call up” she said. Haughton is also hoping for continued development and growth of the sport in MoBay but continues to bemoan the lack of support being given by corporate Jamaica.
Jacinth Carey, who has been at the forefront of Shameera’s development, nurturing her talent from an early age, told the Western Mirror of her delight. “I am truly, truly happy for her, she has worked hard, suffered a lot, kept her eyes on the dream and she is now reaping the rewards. She is not the only exceptional talent we have here, but I hope this opportunity turns out well and sets the tone for many more from out of Montego Bay,” a beaming Carey noted.
Carey was speaking of another national starlet, Carlalee Tinglin, who herself is a part of the national set-up and is currently pursuing a Degree in Literacy Studies, also at UWI.
Shameera told the Western Mirror from her home in Leicestershire, that she was happy with the experience, adding that she is hoping for an exceptional season in helping her team to the championship podium, or a at least a place in the top four.
She is also eyeing a bigger contract with the club or a move either to Australia or New Zealand.
Shameera told this news entity that she has been well-received by her new teammates, whom she says think “her presence adds value to their brand”. She also saYs the playing style and methods of training are way more advanced.
Thursday, February 15, is a day Marsha Clarke Ewan and Garfield Ewan of Glendevon, Montego Bay, will forever remember as one of the darkest days of their lives. It is the day that Garfield was detained by the police in Montego Bay under the State of Public Emergency, shattering their plans for celebrating a happy first wedding anniversary on February 16.
Marsha, an executive assistant at Housing Agency of Jamaica, and Garfield, a construction worker and baker, got married in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, last year, following which she returned home. Garfield flew to Jamaica on Sunday, February 11, with the main intention to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his wife on Friday, February 16. They had plans for a day at Hard Rock Café, which would have been followed by a romantic dinner at Rick’s Cafe.
However, this proved not to be, as Marsha related that the unfortunate series of events began to unfold minutes after 5a.m. on Thursday, February 15, when she and her husband were in bed at the matrimonial home at Lime Tree Lane, Glendevon, Montego Bay.
There was a persistent knock on the door at minutes after 5 a.m. When she inquired who it was, she was told that it was the police, and that they were on a joint police/military operation.
“So I opened the door and they entered. The soldiers searched the premises and asked my husband for his identification and his passport. He complied and we also showed them our marriage certificate. They found nothing, but said they were going to take him to the police station to have him processed. So I went along with them,” Mrs. Clarke-Ewan explained.
She told the Western Mirror that she asked a policewoman how long the processing would take, and was told that under the State of Emergency (now Enhanced Security Measures), it could be up to 14 days.
“He migrated in 2016 and he did not have a record, and had never been in jail – this was the first time that he would be sleeping in jail,” Mrs. Clarke-Ewan said. She continued: “This is so painful and it is very confusing. How you can just pick up someone randomly, without a reason, and lock them up? They said to the public ‘you need to have your identification on you’ – but that does not help.”
The very distraught wife further said:
“I tried to get additional information, but everyone I spoke with was either rude or very insensitive and kept referring me to other persons. One person remarked: ‘People have been here since last week, so what so special about him?’ That made me really upset, but I could not do anything,” she said.
Mrs. Clarke-Ewan said it was after 5 p.m. before her husband was allowed to eat a bowl of soup, and she had to beg and plead with a policewoman at the station to allow it.
“I, myself, have not eaten. I had been at the station for more than 18 hours, had a headache, and am frustrated and upset our plans have been ruined! How are we to recover from this devastating experience? My husband spent close to US$700 dollars to come here to celebrate our anniversary, only to be arrested and detained. I don’t even know how to express myself at this point,” explained Clarke-Ewan.
Garfield was scheduled to depart for Baltimore on Sunday, February 18, but his wife says that seems to be in jeopardy, and so too is his job, which he should resume today, Monday.
“I said to one policeman: ‘My husband is to resume his job in Baltimore on Monday, what happens if he loses his job?’ He was very flippant and his response was ‘That has nothing to do with me, not my concern’”.
Mrs. Clarke-Ewan seems to be understandably overwhelmed by their predicament, and further explained to the Western Mirror: “What they have done is not only ruin his vacation, but also our wedding anniversary, because my relatives were not at the wedding, so we wanted to celebrate here with them. Now that is totally messed up. What they are doing is telling people who live in the USA not to come back to Jamaica. I am sure he will not want to come back to Jamaica after this very awful experience of being treated like a common criminal, when he has done nothing wrong.”
Mrs. Clarke-Ewan further questioned: “What is the purpose of this State of Emergency? Is it to stigmatize people in the inner-city areas?” The distraught Clarke-Ewan, she related that had she been from an upscale community, such as Westgate Hills, they would not have encountered the kind of treatment and stigmatization they experienced and continue to experience at the hands of the police.
Several attempts were made to get a comment from the top brass of the St. James Police on this matter, but to no avail, as they were all said to be out of office and could not be reached for a comment.
Fitzroy Williams - Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Railway Corporation
JRC heading to court to evict illegal dwellers
The ongoing saga between the Jamaica Railway Corporation and illegal residential occupants at the People’s Arcade in Montego Bay is set to take another twist, with the Corporation heading to court to have them evicted from the property which it owns.
Vando Palmer, Director of Communications at the Ministry of Transport and Mining, under whose portfolio the JRC falls, says the situation at the Arcade is untenable with grave security and health concerns and widespread electricity theft.
“So, the JRC will be going to court in the first week of March to obtain an order to have them removed. The Health Department (St. James Health Services) has expressed grave concern as a result of illegal occupants there. Information is that in a number of cases, faeces is placed in black bags and parachuted into nearby gullies and other drains and the security forces do not have ease of access to the Arcade.”
Mr. Palmer argues that this is very insanitary and is posing health threats to commercial occupants at the property that the JRC is working to have their tenure regularized.
“Montego Bay has grown at a rate of 6 percent over the past ten years and with that growth has come social challenges as we have been experiencing in the city. So, first and foremost we want to give people a sense of belonging and opportunity if we can unlock the inherent Jamaican trait of entrepreneurship and the drive to provide better for themselves,” explained Gordon.
The Foundation has a three-pronged approach and a capital outlay of 12 million dollars in the initial phase to include entertainment and culture, expected to impact more than 10,000 persons; sports to reach and impact over 20, 000 and education and mentorship to reach and impact more than 10,000 students.
So far, 6 million dollars of the 12 million needed in the initial phase has been raised.
Gordon says to make the Foundation sustainable, they have a strong merchandising programme in place to market and promote printed T-shirts emblazed with #iLoveMoBay and memorabilia to include a wide range of products to include cups, mugs and pins.
As part of the educational initiative, Junior Achievement Jamaica will be launching a competition among students to develop a business plan, for which funds have already been identified for the prize and further to that, a major mentorship programmewill be undertaken.
The sports aspect, he related, is being done in conjunction with the Montego Bay United Football Club and the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control.
For her part, Gibbs says the citizenry has lost the sense of pride and love and the #iLoveMoBay Foundation objective was to bring back love and peace and restore Montego Bay as the Friendly City.
“Our aim is to partner with the right organization and build back that civic pride spreading this message across the city – Montego Bay is open for business, Montego Bay is a great place to be. I a m ready and we are ready to do that,” Gibbs said.
Here is a composite sketch of the serial rapist/robber. Anyone who identifies this man may contact 119, CISOCA at 952-4997 or the nearest police station.
The Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, CISOCA, is advising commuters to be on the lookout for a serial rapist and robber, operating a robot taxi plying the downtown Montego Bay to Providence Heights, Coral Gardens and Ironshore routes.
The driver, who is wanted by CISOCA, is said to be about 5 feet 6 inches tall, slim build, light complexion, wears cornrows, and sports tattoos on both hands and on one side of the foot, and always wears a white merino.
He sometimes travels with a female as a decoy passenger to lure women to the vehicle, or sometimes has a man present.
The man is said to be armed and dangerous, and commuters are being advised to be mindful of how they travel, opting to use the service of registered taxis (red plate).
CISOCA is advising commuters to leave out early to avoid being late and having to rush and take the first available taxi. Employees, especially females leaving work late at nights, are being advised to contact someone they can trust and/or travel in groups.
Four of St. James’ most dangerous individuals wanted by the police for crimes committed in the parish turned themselves on Monday, February 5.
The four, who were among the most recent list of eight wanted persons, are:
Twenty-one-year-old Tajay Dixon and Fiona Williams, both of Grange Pen, Lilliput, St James, who were wanted for Shooting with Intent. Dixon and Williams surrendered to the police in the company of their attorney.
Timoy Spence and Leon Spence, both of Red Square, Tucker, in St James, who were wanted for Shooting with Intent, were also accompanied by their attorney when they turned themselves in.
The other four individuals of the eight who were admonished by the police to turn themselves in, are still at large. They are: Christopher Boyd, otherwise called ‘Plank’; and Kiran Gowe, wanted for Murder and Shooting with Intent, which occurred along Sunset Boulevard, Montego Bay, St. James on January 16, Christopher Taylor 42-year-old construction worker of Green Heights Meadows, St. James, who is wanted for Indecent Assault and Christopher Vassell, 25-year-old farmer of Tangle River, St. James wanted for Sexual Offences.
The Police are renewing their appeal for all persons named as wanted to turn themselves in to the nearest police station. Anyone knowing their whereabouts is being asked to contact the Montego Bay Criminal Investigation Branch at 953-6191, Crime Stop at 311, or the nearest Police Station or 811.
Apall of gloom now hangs over sections of Trelawny following two separate incidents in the parish, which resulted in the death of a teenage girl and a taxi operator.
On Saturday, the community of Stettin was sent into shock when a sister was stabbed to death by her sibling.
Dead is 19-year-old Kimberly Crawford, while her 23-year-old sister is hospitalized under police guard pending formal charges.
The Trelawny police indicate that at just 9 a.m. on Saturday, Kimberly and her sister, who reside in the southern section of the parish, were embroiled in a heated argument, during which Kimberly (the deceased) used a piece of glass from a broken mirror to stab her sibling several times.
Police further indicate that the elderly sister then reportedly used a knife to inflict a stab wound to Kimberly’s neck. She was rushed to the Falmouth Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Unconfirmed reports reaching the Western Mirror are that the sisters may have been arguing about the time Kimberly returned from an outing.
Following the stabbing the accused initially fled the scene, but later turned herself in to Ulster Spring Police, accompanied by a pastor from the area.
Police say the woman is yet to be charged as they are trying to ascertain further information into the deadly matter.
There was more bloodshed in the parish on Monday, when 31-year-old taxi operator, Ricardo Merchant, of Jackson Town, was gunned down at his home.
According to information received from the police, about 3:38 p.m., Merchant was at his home in Barnstable, when a lone gunman allegedly entered his yard and opened fire.
Merchant was struck in the back of the head. He was taken to the Falmouth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
