Crosswalk remarked, sidewalk restored highlights Labour Day activities in Old Harbour

Cries to boycott the national holiday, ironically in commemoration of the 1938 Labour Rebellion over wealth inequalities throughout the then British West Indies, were ignored by many groups who chose to honour projects planned months in advance.

Justices of the peace in Old Harbour banded together to add life and comfort as it relates to how they serve the public by adding fresh paint to a mediation room at the Old Harbour Court House. This, the Justice of the Peace South West Zone for St Catherine stated, will also allow them to facilitate more mediation sessions in a private setting.

On the outside of the police station the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce, based here in OId Harbour, it was a bee hive of activities as the business community restored the sidewalk along South Street and Vaz Drive.

Business owners not only invested funds in a project believed to value hundreds of thousands of dollars, but also time, technical expertise and effort. The project, involving a crew of 25 volunteers, was completed on the morning after Labour Day as they transformed an area that was not just an eyesore but a danger to the public.

“After passing this section a few weeks ago I looked at it and I saw the need. It was messy. It had a lot of dirt and debris and dirty water, and pedestrians can’t be stepping into that mess. So it dawned on me and I put it to the board and they agreed that yes this is the perfect project. And when you look at it the town needs to look more beautiful and the chamber has a mantra (sic) (objective) to make Old Harbour the cleanest town,” Treacha Reid, president, South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce. 

“It was a good venture working with the chamber of commerce,” added Councillor Steve Graham (JLP, Old Harbour Central Division). “I hope to see more persons come on board next time and I’m looking forward for next year to work with the chamber of commerce again.”

Reid, who has been leading the local business group since 2021, also led a team of chamber members and volunteers from the Old Harbour Police Youth Club in freshening up the crosswalk at Marlie Mount.

As early as six o’clock in the morning members met at Marlie Mount to remark the lines with special road marking paints courtesy of BH Paints. During an exercise that lasted for roughly two hours the team was met with howls of criticism and admiration, the former for going against calls for a boycott and the latter for recognizing the need to make the pedestrian more visible for motorists especially at nights as there is no streetlight at the location.

The chamber president acknowledged several partners who contributed to the success of their Labour Day project, namely: The Old Harbour Police and its PYC, Homer Plus Hardware, Scott’s Hardware and Construction, W&B Hardware, Russell’s T20 Sports Bar & Lounge, Revita Wata, Unbeatable Wholesale, OJay Koolers, Juici Patties, Jam Baugh Fitness, Papason Hardware, and Unique Bathroom Vanities and Accessories.

In Patrick Street, People’s National Party (PNP) councillor/candidate for the Old Harbour Central Division Obryan Leighton stayed in his home community to renovate a wall with the intention to decorate the area with images of hope and positivity.

“Soon and very soon everybody will see the end product and mi know the people ago love it. Not just Patrick Street but the whole Old Harbour,” said Leighton.

It is four years since the Nightingale Grove Basic School has been closed but with the re-establishment of the community’s citizen association, residents are doing everything they can to ensure the more than 40-year-old institution reopens its door when the new academic year begins September.

Residents came together on Labour Day to sanitise the building, plant trees and provided a general facelift of the school grounds.

Jerine Singh is president of the Nightingale Citizen Association and she tells Old Harbour News that the early childhood institution is part of the community’s history that needs to be preserved.

“They are very excited you know because I had some persons who came out this morning and they came and said they are doing their part because they are going to work. I have some persons who are unable to be here but they give their monetary donation and kind; and those who are here are excited,” said Singh who noted her family was the first to reside in the community.