Volunteers Work on Charles Gordon Market

Work on Labour Day in St. James and Hanover got off to an early start, with more than 50 projects receiving support from community volunteers.

The Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay headed the list of 37 registered projects in St James.

Work was completed on the vendors’ stalls, paved areas surrounding the market compound as well as the chain cordon at the front of the building.  Repairs and painting of exterior walls, the patching and painting of the car park and general cleaning up were also carried out.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris, said work on the market will continue after Labour Day.

Over in Bickersteth, residents of that community and neighbouring Copperwood district teamed up to carry out work on the community centre.

According to President of the Copperwood Citizens Association, Garfield Ellis, the football and cricket pitches were cleared and levelled, while the multi-purpose netball and volleyball court was reinstalled.

Meanwhile, Attorney General, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, led a team of volunteers to work in her West Central St. James constituency.

At Catherine Hall Primary and Infant School, Mrs. Malahoo Forte said the entire bathroom was refitted with new tiles, basins and toilets.

“What we have done this year is to make the communities take ownership and responsibility for the projects. The office of Member of Parliament along with the relevant government agencies provided resources, complemented by the kind contributions of other constituents,” Mrs. Malahoo Forte said.

In the Providence Heights community, members of the citizens association came out in large numbers to carry out general cleaning up activities, the bushing of vacant lots as well as the construction of two storm drains.

Citizens Association President, Glendon Ferguson, said heavy duty work was facilitated by machinery hired through the office of the Member of Parliament, Dr Horace Chang.

In Hanover, work began early on the parish project at the Chester Castle Health Centre. Just under 60 community volunteers worked alongside employees at the centre and the Hanover Parish Council to install metal bars.

Community Relations Officer, Desmond Dorman, told JIS News that by day’s end the centre was also outfitted with weather resistant awnings. Additionally, renovation work, including the painting and repairing of benches for the patients as well as the erection of a signboard and landscaping of the centre’s grounds were done.

The theme for Labour Day 2016 was: ‘For Health’s Sake…..Keep it Clean’