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Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, has strongly defended Jamaica's reputation as a law-abiding country, noting that the island was not a haven for drugs. He said that the perception in some countries abroad was that every Jamaican uses at least an ounce of marijuana daily. "This is not so," the Mayor stated as he addressed the opening of a two-day...

Secretary/Manager for the St. Ann Parish Council, Clinton Gordon, has said that the Council would be putting strict measures in place to ensure that persons conform to building laws. He told JIS News, that people often build without the proper permits and they disregard notices served for them to discontinue. "The buildings they construct are sometimes not safe and also,...

The St. Ann Parish Council is staging a series of town hall meetings to hear the concerns of residents and to discuss ways in which service to communities can be improved. Secretary/Manager at the St. Ann Parish Council, Clinton Gordon, said that the meetings were in keeping with the need to reach out to communities and to encourage greater participation...

Mayor of Falmouth, Councilor Colin Gager, has urged investors to adhere to all Parish Council building rules and regulations in the parish, as these will be enforced, irrespective of the magnitude of such investments. Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the Icy Allen Care Centre, on the grounds of the Trelawny Infirmary recently, Mayor Gager emphasized that, "I don't...

Donations from Government, the private sector and members of the public, have raised $3.9M to help the children left behind after the Portland truck tragedy of December 19, 2008. Money from the NCB account will reach the hands of caregivers during the first week in March through the Portland Parish Council. This commitment was made by Minister of State for...

Benefits available through the People's Cooperative Bank and the Portland Cooperative Credit Union, were extensively discussed at a community meeting sponsored by the Port Antonio Regional Office of the Jamaica Information Service(JIS), at the Boston Community Centre on Thursday (February 5). The meeting sensitised residents of Boston and surrounding communities, about how to access membership in financial institutions, and the...

Government Senator Desmond McKenzie, has warned of increased activity within local authorities to ensure that building regulations are observed and the fees paid. "There is going to be war between the local authorities and those persons who continue to circumvent the law and continue to show little or no respect for local authorities," the Senator warned. Senator McKenzie, who is...

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Local Government, Robert Montague, has charged parish council heads to establish new methods and employ new ways of thinking, particularly in this time of global economic crisis. "I give you this charge because we are in serious times, times that require you to conduct business unusual, but...

An earthquake simulation exercise aimed at testing the responsiveness of tenants and users of the Portmore Town Centre Plaza in St. Catherine was held recently (Jan. 15) in observance of Earthquake Awareness week. The activity began at approximately 1:50 p.m. and involved the simulated search and rescue of nine persons with different injuries from a section of the building that...

In an effort to sensitize residents of St. Ann and heighten their awareness about the local government reform process, the St. Ann Parish Council will stage a series of town hall meetings across the parish beginning this month. The first of the meetings is scheduled for the St. Mark's Anglican Church Hall in Brown's Town on January 27, and they...

The St. Thomas Parish Council is moving to have repair work carried out on a section of the Hermitage Road in St. Thomas, which has been severely eroded over the years, and is in need of a retaining wall. Addressing Councillors at the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday (Jan 8) in Morant Bay, St Thomas, Mayor of Morant Bay,...

The national strategic development plan, Vision 2030, is receiving the support of the business community and other stakeholders of the parish of St. Catherine. Following a recent public consultation held at the Open Bible church Hall in Twickenham Park, President of the St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce, Don Robotham and Member of Parliament for South Central St. Catherine, Sharon Haye-Webster...