KSAC and SDC Roll Out Clean Community Competition

To encourage improved sanitation practices among residents in the Corporate Area, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the Social Development Commission (SDC) have rolled out a Downtown Clean Community competition.

The competition, which runs from May 21 to 31, forms part of a public health clean-up initiative, which provides an incentive for communities that make sustainable strides to keep their surroundings clean and to protect the environment.

Participating communities include: Parade Gardens, Rae Town, Tivoli Gardens, Hannah Town, Denham Town, Fletcher’s Land, Kingston Gardens (Allman Town) and Rose Gardens.

Speaking with JIS News during Labour Day activities at the St. William Grant Park on May 23, Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Angela Brown Burke, said “the idea is to get community members involved in cleaning up their public spaces."

“We are also getting them involved in recycling and we are hoping that (residents) will have an appreciation of what just coming together and cleaning up can do; and to be able to earn a little bit from the recycling,” she said, adding that it is the intention to make it an annual competition to maintain  cleanliness in these communities.

The competition, spearheaded by the SDC is also being put on in collaboration with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, the Gleaner and the 140th Committee, chaired by Mrs. Brown Burke.

The winning community will receive the City of Kingston Trophy as well as a cash prize. The second and third place competitors will also receive cash prizes. Additionally, the community that collects the most plastic bottles will be given a plaque.

By Alecia Smith-Edwards, JIS Reporter