ST JAMES, Jamaica — Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, has rubbished claims that the St James Municipal Corporation is targeting residents of the Whitehouse community who have been building structures in the area.

The declaration from Mayor Vernon was made during a recent community meeting in the fishing community, where matters relating to security, solid waste management, health and the regularisation of land in the area were discussed.

The mayor pointed out that over the past year, cease and desist notices have been served on residents of hundreds of communities across the parish who have been building homes and other facilities-to include residents in affluent communities and those in unregulated areas.

“There is absolutely no truth to information circulating that the St James Municipal Corporation is targeting the Whitehouse community. We have served notices on residents in Bogue Village, Rosevale, Rhyne Park, Westgate Hills, Cornwall Courts…not just in areas where there are informal developments, but also formal communities, because they too are doing extensions to their homes, additions here and there and making major changes without the necessary approvals,” Vernon was quoted as saying in a press release from the municipal corporation on Wednesday.

He noted that as the local planning authority in the parish, part of the job of the municipal corporation is to ensure that all constructions are done in accordance with the approved development order.

“There are laws which govern how the corporation operates. The corporation is responsible for declaring some areas for certain developments, sub-divisions etc. It is important for proper planning to take place— not just for the sake of planning but to ensure that there are no breaches and that all regulatory agencies are comfortable with the development,” he explained.

Responding to queries as to why the intervention in the Whitehouse area was taking place now, the mayor said: “Why not now? This move will cost you the residents nothing other than the cost associated with getting your title…The St James Municipal Corporation wants to work with you and the relevant agencies to ensure that the regularisation takes place as is for the benefit of the citizens of Whitehouse. We are doing what we are doing now, so that the community of Whitehouse can dovetail into the wider development of the city of Montego Bay.”

He also sought to lay to rest any suggestion that the corporation’s motive for this Whitehouse intervention was linked to politics, stating that, “This move is non-political and has only one aim: this is to ensure that the properties remain in the hands of the hard-working citizens of Whitehouse and that they all receive titles which in essence is power in their hands and security of tenure. The notices which were served were done on the basis of ensuring that orderly development takes place.”

Vernon added that the corporation, the National land Agency and GeoLand Titling will shortly be conducting investigations to ensure that the true owners of the lands can be identified, and the necessary steps be taken to transfer the properties into the hands and in the name of the residents.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this project involved lots of research to ensure that we know for sure whose name or names the properties are in and take the necessary steps to get these parcels of land transferred to the current and legitimate owners here in Whitehouse. It is important that you own a piece of Jamaica which, when you get the legal documents to show ownership, it will give you the power to negotiate with financial institutions and to do developments legally.”

As the city of Montego Bay grows, the mayor said the municipal corporation must move to ensure that constructions are done legally and that there is full adherence to the building codes.

“In St James we have seen projects in Norwood, Rose Heights, Barrett Town. Many of these communities have existed for years and are now being formalised. One of those communities is Whitehouse where citizens have occupied the land for a long time and have established the areas as a vibrant community. It is within this context of further development for the city of Montego Bay that we are looking at the Whitehouse community…Our efforts are aimed at formalising the area which will give you the avenue to apply for building permits and to construct your homes and or other buildings. We are here to work with you, and we have engaged experts to help with the process,” he explained.

Meanwhile, following a lengthy legal process in relation to the unauthorised construction of a building which houses the popular seafood restaurant, Snappaz, in the Whitehouse community, Mayor Vernon said a compromised has been reached between the municipal corporation and the owner/operator Milton Russell.

The court had ruled that the entire building should be demolished and the debris cleared. However, Mayor Vernon said, given the fact that the restaurant provides jobs and service and supports the local economy, discussions were held with Russell and a compromise reached where some adjustments to the building will take place in short order, which should alleviate any threat to planes landing or taking off from the nearby Sangster International Airport.

Trevion Manning, Damion Brown and Mayor Richard Vernon