Randy Finnikin

The exercise represents, in part at the moment, the completion of a Supreme Court order sought by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to have the boys relocated to another care facility after it reported systemic abuse at the Sunbeam Children’s Home located here in the greater Old Harbour region.

The management of the all-boys children’s home is vehemently contesting those claims by the CPFSA, while calling the actions of the state agency to be lacking due process.

This decree took effect April 1, 2023 and according to the Prime Minister is a vital step towards having a fully trained and certified labour force, a critical area that the country is presently lacking to meet its own demand.

Predictably there has been a noticeable increase in interests from Jamaicans wanting to become certified through the state-owned skilled-based agency, a point highlighted by Dr Taneisha Ingleton, managing director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, according to media reports.

The brazen and senseless gun attack also left six persons injured nursing gunshots wounds after hoodlums with high powered weapons went on a marauding rampage at a football match watched by an estimated crowd in excess of 300 spectators.

Finnikin, executive director at the Institute of Vocational and Professional Training (IVPT) outlined the institution’s mission on agriculture now added to its suite of educational offerings.

“We have the three different systems in here. The plains of St Catherine is not a greenhouse-friendly place, so we will be gathering data as to how certain plants are able to respond to greenhouse conditions,” Finnikin said during a tour of its hydroponics greenhouse.

The Old Harbour Minister’s Fraternal is among several entities and individuals to have tabled their cause with the NCB Foundation Grant Wish programme in hope of securing the top prize of three-quarter of a million dollars. The NCB Foundation this year has set aside a $15 million purse from which numerous groups or persons will receive cash prizes in various categories. Persons can vote up to three times a day which will be used to determine the beneficiaries.

In the afternoon sunset today roughly 60 residents, some bearing placards, came together and marched through the district in a show of unity against crime and violence. Joining them in solidarity were head of the St Catherine South Police Division Senior Superintendent (SSP) Christopher Phillips and commander in charge of the Old Harbour police zone DSP Mark Harris.

His comments were in response to statements attributed to residents of Bellas Gate where 29-year-old Jeffery Bedward – the man police believed murdered Dawkins – lived. 

Bedward on Saturday was fatally shot during a shootout with members of the security forces in the neighbouring district of Belfield. He and another man, the police said, were intercepted while driving Dawkins’ vehicle in the Sand Hole area of Belfield. A .38 revolver was seized during the operation while Bedward’s accomplice escaped.

Today, the clock is far removed from its majestic and pristine best, a colonial relic seemingly left to decay by the elements and time.  It no longer works these days, in fact for more than a quarter of a century, leaving many to ponder its relevance in an era where everyone can keep abreast of the time from a wide range of smart devices.

But has the time come to do away with the clock?

However, the anticipated show of support fell flat, as not more than 15 people were present at the OJ Koolers parking lot on June 23.

Like a voice preaching in the proverbial wilderness, convener Randy Finnikin – a renowned public social activist and Old Harbour resident – made a rallying cry for citizens to unite in the fight against crime.

He articulated a wide range of plausible plans and strategies that could save Old Harbour – Jamaica’s fastest growing town – from the brink of urban blight and social decay.

Finnikin, a wearer of many community portfolio hats, ruffled feathers by accusing the local governing authority of failing to present a proposed plan of action that speaks to developing the south west St Catherine town.

Speaking in the presence of Mayor Norman Scott and members of the municipality executive at a town hall meeting at Old Harbour High School on February 26, Finnikin charged that the town is on the brink of anarchy.