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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Will the Christmas goodies appease the western electorate?</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Mark Cummings
Thursday, December 21, 2006
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>Party constituency representatives in the Western region are working feverishly to make this holiday season a very special one with a number of events that have and are going to give constituents a real treat.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Apart from the millions of dollars being spent to undertake road work in many communities, the raft of events include treats, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and the distribution of housing grants.
In East Central St James, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) representative, Ed Bartlett, is providing millions of dollars worth of assistance to his constituents.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"This year has been the best year for me in terms of providing benefits for my people (East Central)," Bartlett said, adding that the constituents will have a "very good" Christmas.
His package includes the provision of $500,000 under his Economic Enablement programme to seven constituents. The money, according to the MP, will be used to give the recipients a "worthwhile" start in establishing a wide range of business ventures.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The JLP MP, who has been the elected representative since 2002 is also distributing housing grants valued at $1 million to more than 100 persons.
Then there is the Agricultural Production programme where $500,000 was last week distributed to just over 100 farmers to start various projects.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Apart from these multi- million dollar projects, Bartlett is also distributing roughly 1,000 grocery packages to the elderly and shut-ins.
Derrick Kellier, the People's National Party (PNP) MP in the neighbouring constituency of South St James plans to have at least 24 treats for children from across the constituency; tree lighting ceremonies, distribution of grocery packages for the elderly and a fete for his party workers.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The PNP's Luther Buchanan's plans for his constituency (Eastern Westmoreland) is similar to that of Kellier's.
But he has invested heavily in the bushing of banks and replacement of sidewalks and culverts in his area.
Dennis Meadows (JLP) in North Trelawny is focusing on the elderly this Christmas.<P class=StoryText align=justify>He plans to distribute grocery packages to more than 700 of them.
He too will be hosting a fete for his constituency workers.
Barrington Gray (JLP) in East Hanover is concentrating his efforts on several beautification projects while in western section of the parish the PNP's Ian Hayles is focusing his attention on the elderly and the children.<P class=StoryText align=justify>There are also many other events being undertaken by scores of councillor/caretakers.
But how far will these offerings go to appease the constituents, many of whom are still suffering from the lack of proper representation over the years?<P class=StoryText align=justify>While the politicians must be commended for their efforts in trying to make the festive season joyful for thousands of persons across the region, many constituents believe that the Christmas benefits are not far-reaching enough.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"It's not that we want handouts but what we want is better representation. Our roads are in a poor state, there is lack of water in our community and there are so many unemployed youths," said a St James resident. "Giving us stuff now because it is Christmas is just not good enough."<P class=StoryText align=justify>He believes that the politicians must endeavour to make benefits available to the constituents not just as Christmas time but throughout the year.
The politicians will tell you though that resources are scarce and that they are doing their best.<P cl
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Mark Cummings
Thursday, December 21, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>Party constituency representatives in the Western region are working feverishly to make this holiday season a very special one with a number of events that have and are going to give constituents a real treat.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Apart from the millions of dollars being spent to undertake road work in many communities, the raft of events include treats, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and the distribution of housing grants.
In East Central St James, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) representative, Ed Bartlett, is providing millions of dollars worth of assistance to his constituents.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"This year has been the best year for me in terms of providing benefits for my people (East Central)," Bartlett said, adding that the constituents will have a "very good" Christmas.
His package includes the provision of $500,000 under his Economic Enablement programme to seven constituents. The money, according to the MP, will be used to give the recipients a "worthwhile" start in establishing a wide range of business ventures.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The JLP MP, who has been the elected representative since 2002 is also distributing housing grants valued at $1 million to more than 100 persons.
Then there is the Agricultural Production programme where $500,000 was last week distributed to just over 100 farmers to start various projects.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Apart from these multi- million dollar projects, Bartlett is also distributing roughly 1,000 grocery packages to the elderly and shut-ins.
Derrick Kellier, the People's National Party (PNP) MP in the neighbouring constituency of South St James plans to have at least 24 treats for children from across the constituency; tree lighting ceremonies, distribution of grocery packages for the elderly and a fete for his party workers.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The PNP's Luther Buchanan's plans for his constituency (Eastern Westmoreland) is similar to that of Kellier's.
But he has invested heavily in the bushing of banks and replacement of sidewalks and culverts in his area.
Dennis Meadows (JLP) in North Trelawny is focusing on the elderly this Christmas.<P class=StoryText align=justify>He plans to distribute grocery packages to more than 700 of them.
He too will be hosting a fete for his constituency workers.
Barrington Gray (JLP) in East Hanover is concentrating his efforts on several beautification projects while in western section of the parish the PNP's Ian Hayles is focusing his attention on the elderly and the children.<P class=StoryText align=justify>There are also many other events being undertaken by scores of councillor/caretakers.
But how far will these offerings go to appease the constituents, many of whom are still suffering from the lack of proper representation over the years?<P class=StoryText align=justify>While the politicians must be commended for their efforts in trying to make the festive season joyful for thousands of persons across the region, many constituents believe that the Christmas benefits are not far-reaching enough.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"It's not that we want handouts but what we want is better representation. Our roads are in a poor state, there is lack of water in our community and there are so many unemployed youths," said a St James resident. "Giving us stuff now because it is Christmas is just not good enough."<P class=StoryText align=justify>He believes that the politicians must endeavour to make benefits available to the constituents not just as Christmas time but throughout the year.
The politicians will tell you though that resources are scarce and that they are doing their best.<P cl