Long Serving Members Honoured By St. James Parish Council

More than 50 persons who have served the St. James Parish Council  for up to 40 years were recognized at a staff awards ceremony, held at the Seawind Beach Blub in Montego Bay, on June 25.

Lifeguard, Neville Campbell, was awarded for being the longest serving employee, with 40 years of unbroken service.

The awardees were drawn from the Administrative, Ancillary and support departments of the Council.

Addressing the ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Denzil Thorpe, congratulated the awardees for their many years of service to the St. James Parish Council.

“We welcome the opportunity to join in the recognition of the hard work, dedication and efforts and overall great performance of the outstanding staff of the St. James Parish Council who have contributed to the successes that you have been able to achieve over the past years. I believe that encouragement sweetens labour,” he said.

Mr. Thorpe said the event would play a key role in building staff morale at the Council in support of the entity’s goals and objectives.

“This adds more significance to this venture than anything else. I must commend the Municipal authorities for identifying the value of recognizing and rewarding the hard work of the dedicated staff who have given selfless service in serving the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, Montego Bay’s Mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris, said the award represents the Council’s way of showing the employees that the entity is adding a premium to its human resources.

He noted that some awards are presented after persons have died, but the Council has chosen to praise and reward its team members while they are alive and active.

“We say to our colleagues that you have been good and faithful stewards in the St. James Parish Council. So, I really want to celebrate with you and celebrate for you for the service that you have been offering to the St. James Parish Council, the parish of St. James and Jamaica,” the Mayor said..

The awards ceremony was staged under the theme: ‘Recognizing Excellence and Achievement’.