Garfield L. Angus, JIS Writer

William 'Billy' Shagoury (right) poses with a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, children and parents at a recent children's fête, organised by the Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee, of which he is chairman. - JIS photo

He was presented with the 2004 FirstCaribbean International Bank regional unsung hero runner-up award for his service to humanity.

But he has received some 35 awards from service clubs, government and civic groups, for over 36 years of contribution to community development. His name is William 'Billy' Shagoury.

Time, resources

"He has given a lot of his time and personal resources to build this community and his work has had positive impacts on many persons who have been influenced by him to support causes that he believes in and to make time for their country. He is very committed," said Ingrid Parchment, secretary of the Clarendon Parish Development Committee, when she spoke of Shagoury.

At age 21, Shagoury had to cut short his studies at the former College of Arts Science and Technology (now the University of Technology) where he was engaged in business studies. He had to take over his father's business, one that has expanded today into one of the largest manufacturers of building blocks and suppliers of aggregates.

According to Shagoury, "My father had died at the time and I had to leave college and run the business. He never spoke much, but he was a man of integrity, very strict and when he got rough on us (children), my mother with her calm voice would cool things down. He taught me a lot of business sense, he gave away a lot of scholarships to people without talking about it. At age 59, he passed away."

The 1964 graduate of Campion College is father of two girls, ages 19 and 22. He is chairman of the Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee and Parish Development Committee, National Chairman of the Association of Parish Development Committees (PDCs), member of the Clarendon Police Civic Committee since 1972 and current chairman for over 15 years.

New prison

He contends that crime stems from the failing of parents to properly care for and protect their children and he advocates for a new prison.

"Crime will diminish when it is made unattractive, I mean penalty for gun crimes must be harsh and there must be a new prison where offenders can receive humane treatment. But, as business people, we can help to kill the breeding of wrongdoers by employing persons from areas that we call 'bad'. That, I believe, will have other youngsters thinking that their best interest is to get educated and enter the work world, instead of depending on the dons for their survival," said the 36-year veteran of the Kiwanis Club of Clarendon.

Shagoury went on to say that the older he gets, the less energy he would be likely to have to complete tasks for his parish, tasks he says, are important to the lives of people.

"But, before I am unable to physically contribute to the unfinished work that we have, or before I breathe my last breath I want to see in May Pen, a complex, housing all the institutions serving people in the parish under one roof. Where anyone seeking information ranging from how to obtain a scholarship, or how they can receive help in setting up a small business, that kind of information, can be accessed at ease without the run-a-round, which ends in frustration," said Shagoury.

He also said that he and a team have identified lands for the proposed complex and are currently seeking support from local and overseas interests.

Development Committee

Shagoury shares how the Parish Development Committees (PDC) work to bring people and communities together.

"Because the time that you give as members of the PDCs is entirely voluntary, these bodies attract people who are genuinely interested in being community builders. Prime Minister Bruce Golding met with us recently and he outlined clearly that partisan politics should not influence the work of the PDCs. The members of parliament heard him and I have high praise for him on the stance that he has taken on this matter. Political tribalism is costing the country too much. My politics is well known, but seven years ago, I was ill and laid in a US hospital for eight days and Dean Peart sat at my bedside for three days wishing me well. That is humanity. Look at Nelson Mandela and what they did to him. But he came out of prison and didn't seem to hate even one of his oppressors," he stated.

According to the president of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, Alda Brow, Shagoury is helping to keep voluntarism alive, while motivating others to build community organisations.

"In an era where voluntarism seems to be dying, Billy has demonstrated that we as individuals and citizens can combine our efforts and create communities that can last for generations."

This is a collaborative feature between The Gleaner Company and the Jamaica Information Service.