'Look out for us in 2011'

Clarendon Chamber of Commerce president pledges greater presence, more activities

Jermaine Francis, Gleaner Writer

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

ALDO BROWN, president of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was not active in 2010 but intends to do much more for the parish in 2011.

Brown told The Gleaner that apart from assisting the National Works Agency and the police in the parish to install surveillance cameras at different sections in the town in 2009, the chamber has not been very visible in the parish's activities.

The chamber president noted that the first mission in 2011 would be to reorganise and re-energise, in an effort to be in a better position to help with the development of the parish.

He said more needed to be done to market Clarendon and, in particular, May Pen, as a prime destination for businesses of various sorts.

In this regard, he noted that the chamber would be placing greater emphasis on ensuring that persons within the business community adhere to regulations as it relates to matters such as building codes and garbage disposal.

This, he said, would enhance the overall look of the parish and help business operators and consumers to operate in cleaner and more friendly environments.

More active role

In referring to social ills such as crime and violence that are affecting the parish, Brown said the business community needed to do more in terms of giving back to the communities, and play a more active role in helping communities to better themselves.

Brown said the chamber would be paying closer attention to the needs of the business sector in the parish, so as to adequately advocate on its behalf.

Commenting on the recession and how it affected businesses in the parish, Brown said many business owners expressed mixed views. He said some were expressing satisfaction on how they fared throughout the year, while others threatened to close their doors due to the harsh economic climate.

He noted that the hardware stores in particular experienced severe difficulties throughout the year.