St. James Honours Eight with Spirit of Independence Award

Seven of St. James’ outstanding residents and one community project were on August 6, honoured with the ‘Spirit of Independence Award’ by the St. James Parish Council.

Amidst the pomp and pageantry of the St. James civic ceremony, held at Sam Sharpe Square on Independence Day, the awardees were cited as heroes and lauded for their significant contributions to the development of the parish.

The citation read by Councillor Suzette Brown said: “They embody the spirit of innovativeness and exhibit selflessness, and have dedicated themselves to community development in ways that are far-reaching and have made a positive impact in the lives of others. Today, we honour our heroes for the parish of St James for they illustrate ….that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

The honourees were: News Editor at the Western Mirror newspaper, Carol Esson for journalism; Senior Medical Officer at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, Dr. Delroy Fray for health; Retired Educator and Manager of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Western Regional Offices, Evelyn Tugwell for education;   Businessman and Developer, Giuseppe Maffessanti for philanthropy; Pastors Hortense Kerr and Leroy Sterling for community service; farmer, McLeod Welch for agriculture; and the Rastafari Indigenous Village for contribution to tourism.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris, in his address, charged Jamaicans to commit themselves to building their country.

He said the theme of this year’s Independence celebrations:  ‘This is Jamaica, My Jamaica’ seeks to re-emphasize the need for Jamaicans to “stand up and declare ownership of (our) country while accepting responsibility for those things that need changing.”

Mayor Harris charged the present generation to cease from negativity and regard the country as one worth fighting for “much like our forefathers, who fought for our freedom from the ravages of colonialism and those who lobbied and bled for our sovereignty (and) never saw Jamaica as a country that was not theirs.”

He said “as we reflect on our past and celebrate our accomplishments, let us not forget the true meaning of Independence, nor the role that each of us must play in ensuring our nation’s progress, peace and prosperity.”

Others participating in the ceremony were Custos of St. James, Hon. Ewen Corrodus, who read the Governor-General’s message; Acting Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Member of Parliament for South St. James, Hon. Derrick Kellier, who read the Prime Minister’s message; and Member of Parliament for North West St. James, Dr. Horace Chang, who read the Leader of the Opposition’s message.

Also in attendance were Councillors of the St. James Parish Council, Justices of the Peace, members of civic society, and representatives of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce led by President Nathan Robb.

There were cultural presentations by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Band and 2004 Digicel Rising Star finalist, Suzanne Perkins.