Corrodus

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montego Bay businessman Ewen 'Patrick' Corrodus is to assume official duties as the first citizen of the parish of St James this Saturday.

The Seventh-day Adventist elder, who is managing director of Better Homes, one of the largest hardware stores in western Jamaica, will don the custodial robe left by Clarence Nelson.

Nelson, who has served in the capacity for the last 13 years, demits office on Friday due to ill health.

He has been home since July 2008 when he suffered a stroke.

"I have great admiration for Custos Nelson. He is a man who carried out his responsibilities with commitment and dignity.

Outstanding job

He did an outstanding job, leaving a legacy that will urge me to carry on," said Corrodus.

In the last year a number of noted Montegonians have acted in Nelson's absence including former presidents of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), Winston Dear and Mark Kerr-Jarrett, and president of the Lay Magistrates' Association, Enel Brydson, who acted for seven months.

Brydson has welcomed Corrodus' appointment.

"Mr Corrodus is a capable and very successful businessman. For him to have been approached he must be a man of high repute," said the acting custos.

The incoming custos, who has served as a justice of the peace for more than 13 years, said he was elated at the appointment.

"I have been serving the public for over 35 years as a businessman. It's a good feeling to know I will be able to continue to serve them in a wider capacity," he told The Gleaner.

Already booked to officiate at the Emancipation vigil this Friday night in Montego Bay's Sam Sharpe Square, Corrodus said he would like to see the role of justices of the peace expanded beyond humdrum court appearances and document signing.

"I want to see them helping to make a difference as role models in the various communities, as it is important that we are seen as persons who people look up to."

Who is Ewen Corrodus?

Fondly known to friends as Patrick, he was born in Ocho Rios, St Ann. He has lived in Montego Bay for more than 40 years with his wife, Daphne. He is the father of two boys and a girl.

He is a former director of the MBCCI, a coopted member of the St James Parish Council; director of the Northern Caribbean University Board and the West Indies Union Investment Manage-ment Limited.

He is also a director of the Housing Agency of Jamaica, from which he says he will resign on Saturday.

'I have been serving the public for over 35 years as a businessman. It's a good feeling to know I will be able to continue to serve them in a wider capacity.'