Low turn out, political fuss at St Catherine Independence Day ceremony

Ruddy Mathison, Gleaner Writer

The annual Independence Day Civic Ceremony in Emancipation Square, Spanish Town was marred by a low turnout with Mayor Norman Scott declaring that the residents of St Catherine were boycotting the ceremony.

The mayor in greeting the approximately 70 people in attendance, said the state of public emergency in St Catherine North has created an atmosphere where the people can no longer go out and enjoy themselves.

"This is the reason why the people have boycotted these celebrations, we are facing trying times in this country and this boycott by the citizens is some reflection of the times," Scott stated adding that he empathised with the people.

But when pressed, Scott could not validate his claim that the low turnout was because of a boycott. The Jamaica Labour Party's Kenisha Allen, the councillor for the Spanish Town division, said the Mayor's assertion was unfounded, suggesting that the turnout was the result of the lack of effective planning.

"The mayor should have directed the leadership of the civic committee to get the councillors involved from the beginning and this was not done," Allen told The Gleaner She denounced what she described as the partisan nature of the function which was chaired by People's National Party councillor Claude Hamilton instead of someone from the Joint Civic Affairs committee.

Meanwhile, St Catherine Chamber of Commerce President Dennis Robotham bemoaned the low turnout.

"The mayor is closest to the ground so he might be able to pick up on certain sentiments," Robotham said.

"But with that been said, what about the professional and business sector that are noticeably absent? Should we conclude that they are also boycotting the function?" Robotham questioned. He warned that Independence Day celebrations should not be used personally or politically but should focus on nation building.

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