The main entrance to Bois Content, St Catherine. Aside from the absence of a justice of the peace, the community is plagued by deplorable roads and water shortages. - Photo by Mark Beckford

WHILE MANY may take for granted having easy access to a justice of the peace (JP), the absence of any in Bois Content is a burning issue.

Residents of the community, which rests in the hills of west central St Catherine, said processes as rudimentary as getting a photograph or other documents certified could be as difficult as pulling teeth. They say for every time the services of a JP are needed, one has to embark on an eight-mile trek to Old Harbour. Another option is trying their luck at the adjoining Bellas Gate community two miles away.

Paulette Jackson, a resident of Bois Content who has faced such journeys before, said the quest could be more disheartening if, after using up time and limited financial resources, the request is turned down.

"Normally, if they (JPs) don't know you, they don't want to sign it," she told The Gleaner.

Jackson said it was high time the com-munity had an official to call its own.

Frederick Bailey, a member of the Bois Content District Development Committee (DDC), said the community had a working relationship with a justice of the peace in the neighbouring parish of Clarendon. That link deteriorated some three years ago due to ill-health on the part of the official. Since then, Bailey said the committee has been making attempts to have a JP appointed for the area but the progress is moving at snail's pace.

"We have made representation about the issue. The group had elected one David Fray, from Bois Content, for the position and we sent in a résumé to the relevant authorities. That was two years ago and up to now, there has been no response," Bailey said. He also added that the president of the DDC, Kathleen Jones, also submitted a similar résumé, to which they are yet to receive a reply.

Bailey said that since then, the committee has tried to discuss the matter in meetings with political representatives for the West Central St Catherine constituency, wherein Bois Content lies. However, real results have not been forthcoming.

Member of parliament for the area, Dr Ken Baugh, said the issue was news to him. Baugh, the deputy prime minister, said the matter had never been raised with him.

"I was not aware. If it is an issue in the area, I would suggest they contact me and I will definitely make representation. Give them my number and have them call me," he told The Gleaner.

Baugh continued that, in fact, he was awaiting a response from the custos of St Catherine about recommendations for the post of JP in other areas of the constituency.

marlon.vickerman@gleanerjm.com