It is difficult to tread that fine line between showing support for your political representatives and becoming so besotted that you stray into a puddle of hate, splashing invectives on your opponents. This can be dangerous, as supporters with short fuses can pick fights and take our politics back to a time which did no good for our country’s reputation.

People will argue that negativity has become the face of politics in more developed countries, but what those states can withstand, our small island cannot. Our shop has served the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) since 1996. For the 1997 election, we were asked to create a peace campaign, as the enmity between political operatives was almost dangerous. With Tony Rebel and Tony “T-Rob” Robinson, we created the ‘Peace, Love and Unity’ music video featuring political representatives on the then Electoral Advisory Committee in friendly banter, our Reggae Boyz and Dionne Hemmings, fresh from her gold medal victory at the Atlanta Olympics. Louise Fraser Bennett, head of the Sound System Alliance, distributed records to sound systems throughout Jamaica. She told us that DJs used it to quell trouble at dances.

By the time we worked on the next general election campaign, political tension had eased, but there was a call for greater respect, and so we launched the respect campaign showing candidates and supporters sharing messages of respect for their fellow Jamaicans regardless of their political choices.

For subsequent elections we focused on the security of our electoral system, the step-by-step process to vote, the more sophisticated EVIBIS system, which identified voters using their fingerprints.

In spite of these efforts, we have seen a decline in voter participation, particularly among younger people. Voter turnout for the February 2024 local government elections was only 29.6 per cent, and with the close calls in some divisions, we can only imagine the hand-wringing “if only” that happened as we held our collective breaths for recounts. The EOJ had reminded Jamaicans that every single vote would count and that they should participate in the governance of their country.

The Jamaica Observer’s Managing Editor Miguel Thomas reported on an enlightening address by chair of the Electoral Advisory Commission (EAC) Earl Jarrett to the 153rd synod of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands earlier this year. Jarrett disclosed that an EAC-commissioned Don Anderson poll revealed that non-voting Jamaicans were of the view that “people do not benefit”; “none of them [political parties] helping the people”; “all politicians are the same”; or “politics too dirty”.

That last reason — “politics too dirty” — should be a wake-up call for politicians and their operatives. Yet the mudslinging has been getting worse over recent weeks. Jamaica’s electoral system and its attendant legislation make ours one of the finest in the world. Members of the EAC and the EOJ have been invited to address international conferences and observe elections worldwide. The challenge now is to engage with voters in an atmosphere of respect. We should not be depending on less than 30 percent of our electorate to decide who will lead our country in the next general election.

Negril resilience

On our recent visit to our favourite place in the world, Negril, we had some trepidation as we had heard about the water woes in resort areas. Not only was every restaurant we visited sparkling and warm, but crowds descended on the beach area for a big music show. A
Television Jamaica report showed how sidewalk vendors had prepared themselves with taps neatly fitted on large containers for hand-washing. Tourists continue to support them.

We tried Miss Lily’s restaurant for the first time. The food, lighting, and view of the famous seven-mile beach were delightful. Cheers also to Boardwalk; Pushcart on the West End; and Travellers for their excellent menus and staff.

Kudos to the Negril Chamber of Commerce President Elaine Allen Bradley and the executive which has been insistent that the area’s water supply must be improved.

With so much development taking place in this resort town, a favourite of Boomers, the recent announcement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness was welcome. He noted that a short-term initiative was in place, “including the decalcifying of one of the mains, which should be completed today [May 19] for the Great River, which will increase the capacity of that system”. He noted that pipes had been partially blocked by debris and these would be cleared. He assured that “long-term capital investment” in the Negril water supply system was being planned.

Farewell and Welcome

Last week I said farewell as chair, for over nine years, of Digicel Foundation and welcomed the new chair, Joy Clark, a highly respected senior executive of Digicel Jamaica. Clark had previously served as vice-chair of Digicel Foundation and her spirit of giving is in total alignment with the mission of the foundation, ensuring that no one gets left behind.

It was a privilege and honour to serve the foundation, created by Denis O’Brien and piloted by Global Chair Maria Mulcahy. O’Brien had committed to giving back to his markets and has done so in a big way to Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Papua New Guinea when the network served that country. Throughout Jamaica, on visits to Haiti, and in dialogue with Haiti’s Chair Josefa Gautier as well as Trinidad and Tobago Chair Deha Clifford, we saw the impact of a foundation which has changed tens of thousands of lives.

The Digicel Foundation board and staff serve with passion and commitment. Vice-chair and Public Relations Committee Chair Antonia Graham, Finance Committee Chair Pauline Murphy, Governance Committee Chair Danielle Stiebel-Johnson, project approval Chair Bryan Gonzales, fund-raising Chair Frank O’Carroll, staff engagement Chair Fadil Lee, Stephen Murad, Ewort Atkinson, Tashima Walker, and Antonette Heirs give of their time and talent with enthusiasm.

CEO Charmaine Daniels leads one of the most productive teams. Project managers Miguel “Steppa” Williams, Jodi-Ann McFarlane, and Deborah Bloomfield, Public Relations Manager Kedisha Clarke, Special Needs and Education Officer Jeneard Williamson, and accountant Lorenzo Powell serve beyond the call of duty. They will go into deep rural areas to investigate projects, checking the bonafides of organisers before tabling them for approval. Twelve special needs schools have either been built or extensively renovated by the foundation, multiple schools have been renovated, expanded, and equipped with smart rooms.

The foundation has been so well-respected that USAID, UNICEF, and The Queens Young Leaders Project have partnered with excellent results. Digicel Foundation has invested over US$46 million in projects for special needs, education, and community development over the past 20 years. The lives of more than 800,000 Jamaicans have been improved through the work of the foundation.

What an honour it has been to share in the vision of founder O’Brien and the passion of all involved. We saw repeatedly the pride and ambition of our fellow Jamaicans who need but a little help to make their way to success. I am grateful for the fulfilment of the journey and wish my esteemed successor Joy Clark an amazing tour of duty.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV, and CCRP. Send comments to
lowriechin@aim.com.