Mobay Mayor Urges Collective Approach to Enhancing Development Across St. James
By: , August 8, 2024
Photo: Okoye Henry
Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, presents the Spirit of Independence Award to philanthropist Janet Richards, Founder and President of the Janet Richards Foundation, during the St. James Independence Day civic ceremony at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay on August 6.The Full Story
Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, is calling for a collective approach in building a prosperous and safe parish.
He made the call during the St. James Independence Civic Ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, on Monday (August 6), in commemoration of Jamaica’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.
Councillor Vernon said he envisioned a municipality where both the Government and citizens play more active roles in the development and preservation of Montego Bay and, by extension, St. James, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility.
“In our 62nd year, we need a municipality where our garbage is collected and citizens maintain their space. We need a municipality where you can do your business and [everyone] is appreciated,” he maintained.
Councillor Vernon pointed out that significant strides are already being made between government and the people in a number of key areas, most notably crime, citing a 34 per cent reduction in murders in St. James for the period of January 1 to August 3, relative to the previous year.
He added that this decline, from 124 to 82 murders, is testament to the “progress and safety of our municipalities”, while commending the divisional police command and acknowledging “the support [from the people] that made it possible”.
The Mayor underscored that the journey towards “prosperity” requires further deepening of the collaborative approach.
To this end, he urged citizens to aspire for more and foster a culture of mutual respect and cooperation.
Councillor Vernon’s address was part of a larger ceremony, held under the theme ‘Jamaica 62: One Love…To The World’, during which 11 individuals received the 2024 Spirit of Independence and Mayor’s Special Awards.
These awards honoured their outstanding contributions to the development of St. James since 1962, spanning various fields, including tourism, journalism, sports, education, healthcare, commerce, and community development.