Parish Council being blamed for destruction of house by fire

The Thomas Parish Council has been accused of being responsible for the homelessness of five persons, including three children, who lost their home in a fire on Monday.

Councillor Hubert Williams of the White Horses division levelled the accusation during Thursday’s Parish Council meeting.

Mr. Williams blamed the parish council for allowing vendors to erect stalls along a section of South Street in Morant Bay, and turning a blind eye to the danger this posed for years.  He claimed that the stalls prevented the fire truck from getting to the scene of the fire.

Mr. Williams asserted that it was the Council’s responsibility to provide vending areas and allow for the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians in the town of Morant Bay.

The Parish Council has now called an urgent meeting with the vendors and the police, in an effort to have the vendors relocated.

View the original article here

Parish Council being blamed for destruction of house by fire

Manchester Parish Council Secretary/manager moving on

Latest News

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 | 3:43 PM

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Christopher Powell, who has held the position as Secretary/Manager of the Manchester Parish Council for the last year, will be taking up a similar role at the St Mary Parish Council.Mayor Brenda Ramsay made the confirmation on Monday. Powell is reportedly trading places with David Parkes who is slated to take up office in Mandeville on Thursday January 2.Ramsay said that due to the “exigencies” of the service transfer is a natural procedure for Secretary/managers.She sought to dispel rumours that Powell was leaving for political reasons.“The Public Service Commission (which manages public sector appointments and transfers) is a professional body…. I have never heard Mr Powell speak one way or the other. It’s not a political office that he has,” she insisted.Powell could not be reached for a comment on Tuesday. Director of Finance David Harris is temporarily acting as Secretary/manager.The 15-member Manchester Parish Council is controlled by the ruling People’s National Party (PNP).- Alicia SutherlandLike our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Manchester Parish Council Secretary/manager moving on

Manchester Parish Council Secretary/manager moving on

News

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 | 3:43 PM

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Christopher Powell, who has held the position as Secretary/Manager of the Manchester Parish Council for the last year, will be taking up a similar role at the St Mary Parish Council.Mayor Brenda Ramsay made the confirmation on Monday. Powell is reportedly trading places with David Parkes who is slated to take up office in Mandeville on Thursday January 2.Ramsay said that due to the “exigencies” of the service transfer is a natural procedure for Secretary/managers.She sought to dispel rumours that Powell was leaving for political reasons.“The Public Service Commission (which manages public sector appointments and transfers) is a professional body…. I have never heard Mr Powell speak one way or the other. It’s not a political office that he has,” she insisted.Powell could not be reached for a comment on Tuesday. Director of Finance David Harris is temporarily acting as Secretary/manager.The 15-member Manchester Parish Council is controlled by the ruling People’s National Party (PNP).- Alicia Sutherland

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Manchester Parish Council Secretary/manager moving on

"Parish" remembered as a leader among his peers

GERALD Ashley Webber, a late driver of Banks Trucking Limited who passed away on August 9, was remembered as a champion driver who took his career seriously and mastered the art of delivering products safely across the island.

Affectionately called ‘Parish’, Webber passed away at age 64.On August 31, his relatives, friends, mourners and well-wishers gathered at a thanksgiving service to celebrate his life at the St Mary The Virgin Anglican Church on Molynes Road in St AndrewFollowing opening remarks by Reverend Barrington Jones, the casket bearing his remains was carried by pall-bearers from the back of the church to the altar, signalling the start of the service.Francis Robinson, a former colleague and close friend of Webber, offered the first tribute.“He was not only a strong person in character, but in voice. He was a leader whom the other drivers looked up to over the years. The younger drivers looked up to him. He was an icon among the drivers and a giant among men,” Robinson said.He then went on to reflect on conversations they had before Webber’s untimely passing and hailed him as a champion driver.Another unidentified mourner remembered Webber as a man who had a passion for trucks.“That’s why he was a good truck driver,” the mourner told Life Tributes.Webber’s niece, Christina Campbell, delivered the eulogy.According to Campbell, Webber, who was born on November 26, 1948, was a loving and caring person.“He was a good and caring father and later, grandfather. As a provider he was the best. He would say, ‘Don’t worry man. Everything will be all right.’ Although he is gone, the memories remain and make the pain of losing him more bearable,” she said.Webber was also remembered as an individual who offered good advice and wise counsel, especially to other drivers of the various trucking companies he had been employed to during his career.Immediately after completing his secondary level education, he launched his career by joining his father, a previous contractor, working several construction sites before becoming a trucker.Webber is survived by his wife Marcia, daughter Ashley, adopted son Omar, grandchildren Ajahne and Neil, and a host of other relatives and friends.His remains were interred at the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in St Catherine.Webber’s wife Marcia is a picture of grief as his daughter Ashley tries to hold back the tears.Ashley Webber reads the first lesson during the thanksgiving service for her father’s life.The mourners bow their heads in prayer.Pall-bearers carry the casket bearing the remains of Gerald Ashley Webber.Webber’s grandchildren Neil (right) and Ajahne say a final farewell to their grandfather.Webber’s niece Christina Campbell delivers the eulogy. (PHOTOS: MICHAEL GORDON)

View the original article here

"Parish" remembered as a leader among his peers