Portmore Council honours 13 at Heroes Day ceremony

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica -- Six individuals, two companies and five staff members of the Portmore Municipal Council were honoured Monday at the annual Heroes Day Civic and Awards Ceremony, held on the grounds of the council under the theme “Resilient People, Proud Heritage”. Lana Louise Finikin, Tremayne Ochardo Perry and Carmen Eunice Morris were recognised for community development, while Odean Godfrey Taylor was honoured for his contribution to sport. Oshane Nicardo Dixon and Davoy Amani Burton were the youth development awardees. Finikin, a founding member of the Sistren Theatre Collective, which was established in 1977, has served as its executive director since 2004. She was commended for using theatre and the creative arts to address issues such as gender-based violence, crime prevention, teenage parenthood and community safety, and for her work in women’s empowerment. Her advocacy has extended internationally through engagement with the United Nations and UN Women. Locally, she has been active in Portmore and chairs the West Cumberland Community Development Committee. Perry was cited for sustained service to the Naggo Head community and beyond. He provides recurring support to vulnerable families, particularly in low-income households, and organises annual back-to-school and Christmas programmes for children. He also runs an ongoing feeding programme for the elderly and needy, and has led sponsorship drives to develop the local football club. During Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, he coordinated emergency relief, delivering cooked meals and care packages. Morris was recognised for about 42 years of voluntary and public service to Greater Portmore and wider Jamaican society, through grassroots development and community leadership. She has been a first aid responder and officer with St John’s Ambulance since 1984, and has worked as a shelter manager, assisting individuals and families during crises. She has served on the board of Kensington Basic School since 1996, and is active in the Four East Citizens Association and the Greater Portmore Joint Council. She is also a choir member at St Paul Anglican Church in Portmore. Morris was commissioned a Justice of the Peace on January 22, 2002, and received the Badge of Honour for meritorious service on October 19, 2018. Taylor was honoured for sports development, youth empowerment and community service in Portmore. He is a head coach, and his programmes use mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to work with at-risk youth, teaching discipline, respect and self-confidence as alternatives to crime. He balances this work with a professional career as a trade auditor. Dixon was recognised for youth empowerment and community development in Portmore and across Jamaica. He served as president of the Portmore Municipality Youth Council from 2023 to 2025, and established the annual Youth Spelling Bee to promote literacy and academic excellence. He is deputy chairman of the National Youth Council of Jamaica and previously served as Youth Member of Parliament for South St Catherine. His outreach includes school visits, violence prevention and assistance to the elderly. Burton was honoured for his leadership roles, his initiatives for vulnerable individuals and children, and his commitment to youth empowerment. He is president of the Portmore Pines Police Youth Club, which falls under the St Catherine South Police Youth Club Council, and promotes character and spiritual growth at his church. He has championed Meals on Wheels and UNICEF’s Fix My Food initiative to improve child nutrition, works with the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety Unit and runs a summer camp for young people. He also leads back-to-school outreach and youth programmes, and builds community partnerships to create opportunities for youth. ADA Manufacturing, represented by Steven Chin, and Super Home Depot, represented by Wei Zhang, were recognised for business development. ADA Manufacturing was cited for its support to Portmore after Hurricane Melissa, donating truckloads of items to help affected residents and other parishes recover. The municipality saluted the company’s generosity and corporate social responsibility, and noted the importance of partnership between the private sector and local government in responding to disasters. Super Home Depot was recognised for contributing to Portmore’s development and the well-being of its residents, and for providing significant assistance after Hurricane Melissa to support community recovery. The municipality said the company’s support improved residents’ resilience, and it highlighted the partnership between the private sector and local government as an example of generosity and solidarity in times of adversity. The council staff members honoured were Nyandah Newman, Pat’Rae Palmer, Kadian Mason, Asheker Pryce and Terriano Powell. Paying tribute to the staff, Portmore Municipal Council Chief Executive Officer Rovel Morris said the work of employees is central to how the council serves the municipality. The CEO singled out Mason, who works in the engineering department and has a dedicated team supporting her, and Palmer, who is the contact for building-area issues at any hour, whether 2:00 am or 6:00 am. Morris noted that Palmer does not claim overtime, treating the extra hours as part of his responsibilities, and asked that he be given a round of applause. Responding on behalf of the awardees, Burton thanked the Portmore Municipality for the recognition and said he and his fellow honourees were humbled and honoured. He said the awards show that contributions matter, and noted that behind every achievement are families, mentors and communities who support and inspire. He congratulated the other awardees and said leadership is not about a title, but about taking responsibility, creating opportunities and making a difference by serving others. He called on the awardees to continue serving with humility and dedication, and offered a blessing for Portmore and Jamaica. Mayor Leon Thomas, in a message read by Deputy Mayor Alrick Campbell, gave thanks to the Almighty for guidance and protection. He said Jamaica had remained strong and full of pride despite the odds, and that resilience was built into the nation’s character, enabling it to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious. He pointed to infrastructural and social development in the municipality for the benefit of residents, while acknowledging that many issues still required attention. He called for continued unity and unified leadership, saying it would be key to a successful 2027 and the years beyond. Governor General Sir Patrick Allen’s message was read by Justice of the Peace Christobal Wright, who represented Custos Icylin Golding. Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s message was read by Councillor Courtney Edwards, while Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson read a message on behalf of Opposition Leader Mark Golding. The march-past was made up of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Jamaica Corrections Service. Cultural items were presented by students of Bridgeport High and Waterford High schools, and Waterford, Kensington, Bridgeport and Gregory Park primary schools, as well as Jamaica Life Learner. Floral tributes to the nation’s heroes were made by councillors Joy Brown, Claude Hamilton, Vanruck Preddie, Anthony Wint, Alrick Campbell and Courtney Edwards.