In a coordinated community effort, the St Mary Municipal Corporation has initiated a comprehensive Christmas preparation campaign in Port Maria, Jamaica. The ambitious project commenced on Sunday with a large-scale urban cleansing operation conducted in partnership with multiple national agencies, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The extensive clean-up involved thorough washing of public sidewalks and systematic removal of accumulated bulk waste from the town’s central district. This initiative represents the first phase of a broader strategy to restore the area’s aesthetic appeal and ensure public safety ahead of the festive season.
Mayor Fitzroy Wilson, in statements to local media, emphasized the psychological importance of this undertaking for community morale. He specifically referenced the recent challenges posed by Hurricane Mellissa, noting that the clean-up effort serves both practical and symbolic purposes in helping the community recover from the storm’s impact.
‘As I have consistently maintained, Christmas celebrations will proceed in St Mary despite previous adversities,’ Mayor Wilson affirmed, highlighting the municipality’s determination to maintain traditional holiday observances.
The current cleaning operations form part of a more extensive program aimed at maintaining Port Maria’s cleanliness and security throughout the holiday period. In a related development, municipal authorities have scheduled a crucial meeting with local vendors for this coming Tuesday. This gathering will focus on establishing formal vending zones and implementing a registration system for all market participants during the Christmas season.
Mayor Wilson further clarified the regulatory approach: ‘The Christmas period will not constitute an unregulated environment for vendors. Through Tuesday’s meeting, we will implement a structured registration process and designate specific vending areas to ensure both orderliness and fair access.’
The multi-agency collaboration demonstrates the municipality’s holistic approach to seasonal planning, addressing both infrastructure cleanliness and commercial organization while working to restore normalcy following recent natural disruptions.