BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — There was plenty of pomp, colour and ceremony as Beryl Rochester was formally installed as Custos Rotulorum last Thursday at this historic coastal town's Independence Park.
 |
| The new custos of St Elizabeth, with husband Derrick Rochester (centre) and governor general Sir Patrick Allen. In back row, from left are Members of Parliament Richard Parchment and Raymond Pryce. |
But also, there was much substance, as Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke and Rochester,
who is St Elizabeth's first woman custos, delivered sober messages relating to national development.
Speaking to an audience of leading citizens of St Elizabeth and the wider Jamaica, including custodes, scores of justices of the peace, and political representatives, Sir Patrick underlined the threat posed by criminals among the nation's top priorities.
He urged Jamaicans to overcome "fear" and turn their faces firmly against criminals whom he said were seemingly "bent on destroying our homeland" and "who have no qualms about wrecking the prospects of honest people, snuffing out the lives of our people, including innocent infants and children".
 |
| Daesharae Arthurs of Santa Cruz Primary provides light entertainment with a cultural item. |
Sir Patrick said that "law-abiding citizens... should not remain so fearful that we even refrain from reporting crimes or giving the police useful information. Each of us should be willing to do whatever we can, within our power, to reverse the tide of crime".
He reminded residents that last month, the prime minister and the opposition leader joined with him in "making an unprecedented appeal to all residents of this country... to come together, under God, and beat back this scourge of crime". He instructed custodes and justices of the peace, to "always give leadership at the community and parish levels to secure peace and tranquility across Jamaica". more
No comments:
Post a Comment