Monday, June 19 kicks off St. Catherine Municipal Corporation’s Community Forum 2017
The St. Catherine Municipal Corporation (SCMC), on Monday, June 19, 2017 engaged several agencies in the first of a series of community meetings in the Greendale Division, where Chairman of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation and Mayor of Spanish Town, Norman Scott, is the parish Councillor.
The meeting which was held at the Windsor Heights community centre was geared towards giving citizens hands on opportunity to raise issues of concern within the community, with the hope that the team would be able to find solutions to address them or make the necessary recommendations.
The St Catherine Municipal Corporation's team was lead by Chairman, Mayor Scott and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Andre Griffiths.
Agencies such as Land Administration and Management Agency (LAMP), Ministry of Health (St. Catherine Health Department), National Solid Waste Management Authority, (NSWMA) and Ministry of Labour and Social Security, (PATH) Programme were present.
The CEO called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Land Administration and Management Agency (LAMP)
Senior Legal Officer at LAMP, Mr. Nickoy Young, in his presentation, brought the residents to understand the functions of the Agency as it relates to Acquisition of Land, Acquiring Land Titles, and Preparing Wills. He also touched on some of the legal issues that surrounded the processes.
Mayor Scott was quick to urge residents to make use of the opportunity to get with the programme of getting their lands surveyed in order that they can acquire their Legal Titles. He said presently, over (1000) Titles are ready and at the Ministry waiting to be released so residents should act now.
Public Health
When Acting Deputy Chief Public Inspector Carter made her contribution on Public Health, she focused on Fogging, Food Inspections and the Food Handlers Card.
Some residents complained that the community is faced with a serious mosquito nuisance problem and when fogging is done, foggers tend not to mop up all the areas; instead they concentrate on the main roads. The Inspector noted and promised try and have the problem rectified.
National Solid Waste Management Authority
Less than three minutes into his presentation the NSWMA representative Mr. Lynden Thomas paused to resounding applause in sections of the audience. Residents openly commended the NSWMA for being one of the most effective agency they have ever had serving the Windsor Heights community. It was the hope of residents that the good work being done will be continued.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
The PATH Programme was the subject of discussion when the representative from the MLSS took the microphone. Mr. Wright apologized for the absence of his colleague who would have spoke on the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). It was no surprise as he spoke, that persons were not supportive of the requirements and process to get on the PATH Programme. He however implored persons with personal or other PATH related questions to visit him at his office in Spanish Town on Fridays when he is in all day.
Nonattendance of Agencies
A number of entities were invited; a few sent apologies for absence. JPS and NWC are among those invited. Regrettably there was no representative from either agency when residents inquired.
Thanks and Conclusion
The Mayor thanked the Acting CEO, Mr. Griffiths and his team and the agencies present for making the forum possible and successful.
By the end of the meeting at 8:03 p.m. an estimated (150) were present; it may have been more.
Other meetings are expected to be held in divisions across the parish for the remainder of June and July 2017. All parties involved will be duly informed of scheduled dates.
