Her
Worship the Mayor of Mandeville, Councillor Brenda Ramsay, addressed the
Business, Civic and Community residents of Mandeville at the Leaders’ Symposium
held at Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU) main auditorium on June 20,
2012. Mayor Brenda Ramsay announced that the town of Mandeville has become a
university town. During the past 50 years Mandeville has developed into a
regional hub.
“The
glorious days of bauxite are gone. We must now look for other resources. Our
curriculum needs to be tweaked to meet the regular demands. There must be a
wholestic approach to what we term as education”. The expansion of secondary
and tertiary institutions will add to the economy of the town”. Councillor
Ramsay advocated that urgency is needed to address the lack of employment. She
made a call for more entrepreneurs, rather people seeking employment.
Mayor Brenda Ramsay shares her vision of the parish growth at the NCU Symposium
Councillor
Brenda Ramsay succinctly outlined the history of where the town of Mandeville
is coming from and where it has reached. Manchester is the youngest of fourteen
parishes. It was brought into recognition in 1814. It is the 6th
largest parish, comprised 100 acres. In 1817 an additional 10 acres were
selected to house the courthouse, jail, and police station.
Despite the inadequate supply of water,
Councillor Ramsay asserted that the town is still the first choice for
returning residents to reside. She pointed out, “Mandeville is a haven for colonials and retirees.” She continued to say that Mandeville is
Jamaica’s English village.
In
highlighting Mandeville’s present developments, Councillor Ramsay affirmed
that there are many similarities and deep contrasts in relation to the town’s
development. She noted that the agriculture base has greatly decreased.
“Substantial benefits and the injection of money was good while it lasted; but
with the harsh economic times things have changed,” she asserted.
Her
Worship the Mayor admonished that we need to be proactive in matters relating to
the environment. She also spoke of “monitoring and mitigating
this monster climate change.” She suggested some areas that need improvement;
these include: proper disposal of waste, a change in the construction of homes
in order to take advantage of wind flow which can reduce the efficiency on air
conditioning, more replanting of trees, refusal to build in flood prone areas,
improved parking and traffic flow, persistent lobbying for better water supply
and construction of water storage tanks.
Councillor Ramsay believes that Manchester can truly become a place to live, raise families and do business.
Mikki Clarke