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Western Focus

Zooming in on the west - PNP, JLP target 16 parliamentary seats

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 12:00 AMAdrian Frater

While there is no evidence to suggest that either the ruling People's National Party (PNP) or the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) subscribes to the view that 'where the west goes, the rest follows', both parties are now targeting the region...

The west, the PNP’s happy hunting ground

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 9:22 AM

In the 2011 general election, which the ruling People's National Party (PNP) won by a comfortable 42 to 21 margin, western Jamaica played a pivotal role in that success as 12 of the region's 16 parliamentary seats went to the Portia Simpson Miller-...

Vox pop for Western Focus

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 10:03 AM

Do you believe our two political parties (the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party) are really serious about creating the kinds of opportunities our young people need to flourish and realise their fullest potential?Larry Simpson,...

Five inductees for MBCCI Wall of Fame

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 10:10 AMOkoye Henry

Five outstanding pioneers, who have created industries that have helped to shape Montego Bay's economic landscape, have been selected to become the first inductees of the newly created Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Wall of...

Let’s put away the class divide – MoBay’s mayor

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 10:31 AM

Montego Bay's mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris, last week took on the contentious issue of 'class,' which is rarely discussed in public, while addressing the inaugural St James Parish Council's Trailblazer Awards.In speaking to some of the issues...

Create a tourism SEZ in MoBay- says Henry

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 10:52 AM

Speaking against the background of the belief that success breeds success, the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is calling on the Government of Jamaica to establish a tourist-recreational special economic zone (SEZ) in the...

Eyesore of the week

Published:Friday | October 30, 2015 | 11:04 AMAdrian Frater

... troubling social impediments still in the way

Published:Thursday | October 22, 2015 | 9:40 AM

Despite the many positive signs indicating that Montego Bay is now ready to embrace real growth, there are still some lingering concerns, which if not addressed, could derail the transformation plans.In a recent column, which was published in The...

Mass Willie gets a century, Tucker celebrates

Published:Thursday | October 22, 2015 | 10:46 AM

While there is a popular saying that, age is just a number, for Claudius Taylor, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, it was reason enough for a grand celebration - thanking God for his long life and his wonderful family.The special event,...

Illustrious seven cop Sam Sharpe Award

Published:Thursday | October 22, 2015 | 11:14 AMAdrian Frater

The spotlight shone brightly on seven illustrious citizens of St James last Monday as they were all presented with the coveted Sam Sharpe Award as a part of the parish's 2015 National Heroes Day celebrations.Renowned music teacher Carl Matthews,...

DON’T DISCARD THE SEEDS, EAT THEM!

Published:Thursday | October 22, 2015 | 11:27 AM

Good eating habits are important for good health. In order to succeed in our quest for good health we should include seeds in our diet. The nutrients contained in seeds to nourish the germinating plant are also very good for our health. Some of the...

MoBay poised for significant growth - * … investments rolling in apace*

Published:Thursday | October 22, 2015 | 8:58 AMAdrian Frater

Multibillion-dollar investments rolling in apaceDespite surrendering pride of place to Falmouth in cruise shipping, and the likelihood of a similar scenario when casino gaming becomes a reality, Montego Bay still appears to be well positioned for...

Vox pop for Western Focus

Published:Friday | October 23, 2015 | 3:07 PM

In light of the major developments earmarked for Montego Bay, to include the US$425 million Montego Bay Action Plan, do you believe the city is now ready to realise its fullest economic potential?Marsha Beckford-Sales RepresentativeI think so ... in...

Eyesore of the week

Published:Friday | October 23, 2015 | 4:10 PMAdrian Frater

Hospiten MoBay….tailor-made for health tourism

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 12:12 PMAdrian Frater

As local stakeholders continue to seek innovative ways to improve the island's tourism offering, a giant step was made recently with the opening of the new multibillion-dollar state-of-the-art Hospiten Montego Bay medical facility, which appears to...

... public hospitals striving to stay relevant

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 12:43 PM

While the opening of the new state-of-the-art medical facility Hospiten Montego Bay has lifted private health care in western Jamaica to another level, based on recent statements by Calvin G. Brown, the chairman of Western Regional Health Authority...

Vox pop for Western Focus

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 1:31 PM

With Montego Bay recently opening its door to a new $2.3 billion state-of-the-art private hospital (Hospiten MoBay) and with Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) the premier public hospital in rural Jamaica, do you believe the western city is now...

ARE WHOLE GRAINS THAT IMPORTANT?

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 1:33 PM

We know that whole grains are good for our health, but most people turn their noses up at them. This is because they taste and look different from refined (processed) foods. Due to their lower price and greater availability, most of us grew up on...

Run/Walk to highlight Mt. Alvernia’s 90th anniversary celebrations

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 1:36 PMOkoye Henry

While the upcoming Mt Alvernia High School 5K Run/Walk is poised to be an integral part of the school's 90th anniversary celebrations, the event will also play the dual role of fundraiser as the income generated will go towards the sports programme...

MoBay Cultural Centre, a sparkling gem - *....ready to make a positive impact on Jamaica*

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 1:44 PM

A year after the historic Montego Bay Civic Centre, which is located in the heart of Sam Sharpe Square in the western city, was transformed into the Montego Bay Cultural Centre (MBCC), there are now signs that the facility is ready to impact the...

Eyesore of the week

Published:Friday | October 16, 2015 | 2:02 PMAdrian Frater

Make ‘hip strip' EP hotel zone - MBCCI *.... the two sides of the coin*

Published:Friday | October 9, 2015 | 6:01 PMMark Titus

businesswoman Gloria Henry, president, of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), wants the Montego Bay Hip Strip to be designated a European Plan (EP) hotel-only zone. However veteran hotelier Godfrey Dyer ihas declared a...

Put the ‘hip’ back into the ‘strip’

Published:Friday | October 9, 2015 | 6:50 PM

When Edmund Bartlett, the former minister of tourism, signed two contracts worth J$95 million, in 2007, to do upgrading work on Glouster Avenue, Montego Bay, many felt it was the help required to put the 'hip' back into the declining 'strip'.The '...

Vox pop for Western Focus

Published:Friday | October 9, 2015 | 7:40 PM

Since the advent of the all-inclusive hotel concept in Jamaica, many persons have been expressing a preference for the EP (European plan) hotel, which stakeholders believe would be ideal for Montego Bay 'Hip Strip.' Here are some of the voices from...

Blue Hole residents angry * - ….poor infrastructure hurting community*

Published:Friday | October 9, 2015 | 7:46 PMOkoye Henry

The political representatives, who will be vying to represent the residents of the Blue Hole district in Montpelier, St James, could face a tough task convincing them to vote, as angered by the poor state of the infrastructure in their community,...

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