The dawning of the new year opens our minds to new possibilities, especially when there is positive news to spur us on.

The announcement by Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake that there has been a 19 per cent reduction in murders gives us hope that we can continue to score gains in crime fighting. This is key to our achievement of Jamaica’s Vision 2030: Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business. Seniors would like us also to be the place of choice to retire safely.

The road repair Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) project is making some headway as each day we discover a smoother ride on our regular routes. If our 63 Members of Parliament and over 200 parish councillors were more diligent and ethical in monitoring the infrastructure of this small island, our roadways and bridges would be the envy of the world. In this new year, we, the taxpayers, want to see new energy from them.

There is a video making the rounds on social media in which a young man declares: “If you grew up in a place like this [photos of Jamaican scenes] you were rich. Let me explain. When we were growing up in the Caribbean, we were told one thing over and over: You were poor and the real opportunities are abroad. … The Caribbean’s natural resources and lifestyle are more valuable than ever. Listen, my friend, we had and still have what the world wants — authenticity, warmth, and a connection to nature.” In this we hear echoes of former Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s reminder, “Jamaica is too rich to be poor.”

When we see the disastrous extremes of weather in developed countries and continued warfare in others, we are reminded that despite our challenges we have been richly blessed. Indeed, we are ahead of some countries in our efforts to save our environment with the ban on single-use plastics and other conservation initiatives. Our hearts go out to the people of Sudan, Palestine, Ukraine, and California, including fellow Jamaicans, who have suffered immeasurable losses from war and raging fires.

Tourism upturn

The news from Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett that we are inching closer to the five million tourists projected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraging.

We had a brief holiday at a north coast hotel where industrial action had taken place about a month before, and the staff members were pleasant and helpful. The Jamaican hotel worker combines intelligence and charm to give our visitors memorable stays.

Kudos to the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association for its swift action in addressing communication issues which may have sparked the protests of the workers. The Sandals University, led by Dr Luz Longsworth, is producing high-level personnel for the Caribbean tourism industry. We note that the new Princess Hotel in Hanover is addressing the issue of housing for its workers.

Industry leaders may have to work more closely with promoters. The recent show featuring Beres Hammond and Buju Banton attracted thousands of patrons, many of whom complained about the lack of food and refreshments. What a missed opportunity for vendors in the area.

The industry sinks or swims on the morale of our workers and on opportunities for other stakeholders.

Power of Prayer

There is hardly anyone — believer, agnostic, or atheist — who is not grateful for a prayer in a crisis. As an unapologetic believer, our shop has been doing pro bono public relations work for the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) for over 30 years. The NLPB Planning Committee is made up of some of our finest church leaders and I have great memories of the chairmanship of the late Bishop Dr C Evans Bailey and succeeding chairs and members.

The theme for the 45th staging of the NLPB, which is scheduled for this Thursday, January 16, is ‘Righteousness Exalts a Nation’. Since its inception in 1981, the NLPB has served as a pivotal event, fostering unity, fellowship, and spiritual reflection among the nation’s leaders, promoting shared values and a vision for national progress. The VM Group via the VM Foundation continues to be a faithful sponsor, this year joined by Jamaica Broilers as co-sponsor.

The 2025 NLPB outreach project is Tegwyn House, a special unit at the Jamaica National Children’s Home that cares for children who have severe mental and physical disabilities. Members of the public are invited to tune in to the live broadcast of the event, which will air on local television and radio stations starting at 7:30 am.

A strong 85 for Audrey Hinchcliffe

It was a stately Audrey Hinchcliffe who celebrated her 85th birthday in fine style last Wednesday. Negotiating the throngs of family and friends like a young woman, we all expressed our amazement at this active lady who started her own company, Caribbean Health Management Consultants Limited (CHMC) in 1988 when, as a qualified returning resident to Jamaica, she could not get employment. Soon after she created Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited, which now has subsidiaries: Institute for Workforce Education & Development Limited (IWED), Manpower & Maintenance Services Placement Agency Limited (MMSPA), and Manpower & Maintenance Services Foundation. The woman who could not find employment now has a workforce of 3,000.

Some years ago when she provided services for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), she learned that then British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while on a visit to the OPM, commented on the sparkling appearance of the building and said he wished he could have her services for his offices. A brilliant author of four books and occasional columnist, Hinchcliffe remains compassionate, even as a successful entrepreneur. She was one of the first business leaders to encourage fellow employers to accept seropositive workers.

The Excelsior High School graduate is the holder of a master of science in health administration from Long Island University and a bachelor of arts in community health from St Francis College, Brooklyn.

Happy Birthday to Audrey Hinchcliffe, a brilliant Jamaican visionary.

Jessie Ripoll Primary’s great loss

Board chair of Jessie Ripoll Primary School Marcia Thwaites sent her colleagues a message that left us reeling: O’Neil Stevens, the beloved principal of the school, and his wife Camesha Lindsay-Stevens were killed by a speeding vehicle when they attempted to change a tyre on a highway in North Carolina. A deluge of tributes followed the news as we learnt of his dedication as one of Jamaica’s top principals.

In his message for the school’s 2024-25 academic year, Stevens wrote, “I extend heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated academic TEAM… In the last sitting of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP), 98.7 per cent of students were at the highest state of readiness for secondary school learning (Pathway 1)… As your principal, I look forward to strengthening and forging professional relationships that augur well for our school.” No wonder his loss is so painful.

Deepest sympathy to the couple’s children, other family members, and the Jessie Ripoll community. May their souls rest in peace.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author, communications expert and seniors’ advocate. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.

Audrey Hinchcliffe

O’Neil Stevens (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Reports are that Jamaica is inching closer to the five million tourists projected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.