A section of the canal that is being built to alleviate flooding in the community of Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth. - photo by Tashieka Mair

ST. ELIZABETH: Controversy is brewing over plans to recruit a driver to operate one of the two water trucks at the St. Elizabeth Parish Council.

People's National Party councillor for the Balaclava division, Rodney Barnes, did not mince words when he criticised the Jamaica Labour Party-led parish council over the way interviews were conducted to select a driver.

Councillor Barnes questioned why one of the applicants, who failed when he first applied for the position, was again called within weeks to another interview for the same position.

Barnes is also questioning why certain chairpersons for committees within the council were asked to be part of the interview panel for the selection of the driver.

It was also reported that the superintendent of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council, who was not present at the time of the interview, was threatened for failing to give support to the employment of one of the applicants.

- Neville Paul

Employment row brewing over bridge

MILK RIVER, CLARENDON:

Minister of Transport and Works, the Honourable Mike Henry, during a tour of Milk River on Wednesday, made a move to settle what some residents claimed to be a situation of victimisation at the site where the Milk River bridge is undergoing construction.

Some residents of the People's National Party stronghold are making claims that only resident to the party should be employed as labourers on the site.

In an address to residents, Minister Henry made it clear that a list of persons - from both parties - who applied for jobs would be sent to the Member of Parliament for consideration. He added that he hoped a fair selection would be carried out.

The scheduled time for completion of the two-lane steel girder bridge is May 2008. It is estimated to cost $140 million.

- Dwight Nelson

Parish council thanks Samaritans

SPANISH TOWN, ST. CATHERINE:

The St. Catherine Parish Council on Thursday gave four persons, who were recently trained by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, $80,000 worth of diving equipment to continue their rescue operations.

The three women and one man were recognised as heroes by the local authorities, who presented them with their gifts at the organisation's monthly general meeting.

The donation was made possible through Councillor Owen Stephenson, Windalco and the council.

Chairman Andrew Wheatle endorsed the efforts the four persons had made, time and time again saving the lives of persons who ended up in the Rio Cobre.

Parish disaster coordinator Patricia Lewis said, while no remuneration had been given, it was commendable that their spirit of volunteerism allowed them to continue.

- Rasbert Turner

Dengue scare for western parish

BLACK RIVER, ST. ELIZABETH:

Some 56 suspected cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in the parish of St. Elizabeth, and four persons have died as a result of the disease.

This was disclosed at the monthly general meeting of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council, held at the agency's meeting room in Black River on Thursday, by the medical officer of health for the parish, Dr. Derrick Ledford.

The four deaths have all occurred in the Santa Cruz health district.

Dr. Ledford went on to speak about the ways to avoid the disease and to dispel some of the myths surrounding it. One of those myths is that everyone who contracts the disease needs to be hospitalised.

- Rayon Dyer

Geat Bay canal restarts with $9 million boost

TREASURE BEACH, ST. ELIZABETH:

Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, said the Government has made $9 million available to restart construction work on the Great Bay canal, which is located in the Treasure Beach area of St. Elizabeth.

Minister Henry, who recently toured the project, said that instructions have been given to the National Works Agency for work to commence in the shortest possible time.

Minister Henry also indicated that for the new budget year, which begins in April 2008, a submission would be made for further funds to complete the canal system.

The canal, on which construction started in 2006, is designed to take excess storm water flows from land to sea.

- JIS