‘Christmas is on for St. Mary’- Port Maria Mayor

Although still in recovery mode, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, citizens of St. Mary are being encouraged to partake in the planned activities for the upcoming Christmas season.

Mayor of Port Maria, Councillor Fitzroy Wilson, in an interview with JIS News following Thursday’s (Nov. 13) sitting of the St. Mary Municipal Corporation in the parish capital, declared that “Christmas is on for St. Mary”.

The objective is to give residents an opportunity to escape the recent stresses by enjoying the holiday festivities.

Mayor Wilson reported that all shelters in the parish are now closed and the damage to parochial roads are being addressed with most thoroughfares cleared. Farming, tourism and business are among the hardest hit sectors and residents are still facing challenges with access to utilities.

However, Mayor Wilson said that the spirit of community has been admirable in the aftermath of the devastation.

“We would have seen the commitment from persons and the camaraderie (where) everybody comes in and assists each other,” he said.

He assured parishioners that although they may be feeling frustrated with the pace of restoration of electricity, the Municipal Corporation continues to make representation on their behalf.

“We hope that by December we will have at least 90 per cent of the parish being restored so that Christmas lights can go up and the Christmas festivities (can take place),” the Mayor said.

Thursday, December 11 was announced as the date for the parish’s annual tree lighting ceremony.

Mayor Wilson said that the Municipal Corporation is looking to relax some of its measures for vending in the town of Port Maria to accommodate the festive season.

“Where vending is concerned, although controlled, we will relax some of the areas so that persons can come out and earn their livelihood over the period. We’re mindful of the difficulty faced by the residents with the devastation from the hurricane,” Mr. Wilson said.