MONTEGO BAY, ST. JAMES:

Clients were surprised when they heard about the Lucea collectorate having a customer appreciation day. However, this was a tax administration event, which was held simultaneously in all 28 collectorates.

The week December 2-8, 2007, was celebrated as 'Tax Administration Week'. The week commenced with a regional church service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay. This was followed by a brunch at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Hotel.

Monday, December 3, saw an exhibition mounted with information on the functions carried out by the Inland Revenue Department and other departments attached to tax administration. Brochures were also distributed to taxpayers.

On Wednesday, December 5, the staff at the Lucea collectorate were treated by their managers. The following day there was a customer appreciation day where 35 persons were awarded for outstanding voluntary compliance.

Overall, the week was very successful and many clients were appreciative of the recognition shown. The general consensus among both administrators and customers is that they hope the event would become an annual event.

- Sanikah Allen

MORANT BAY, ST. THOMAS:

THE Morant Bay and Port Morant collectorates launched their celebration of the eighth anniversary of the islandwide reformed tax administration with a church service held at the Trinity Baptist Church, Morant Bay, St. Thomas.

The acting senior Collector of Taxes of Morant Bay, Rosalie Smikle, read the director general's message which highlighted the challenges that face the institution. He pointed out that "currently, the compliance rate averages only about 30 per cent". However, "an improved compliance rate is one of the main solutions for improving social services, such as health care, education, road maintenance, national security and poverty alleviation that the Government can offer to the nation, but it takes taxes to care".

A combined collectorate choir rendered the song You Held Me Up. This was well received by the congregation while acting Collector of Compliance, Robert Brown, read the lesson.

Mrs. Smikle told The Gleaner afterwards that a number of activities were planned for the week. These included managers' Creativity Day, a wellness session, preparing a will, customer appreciation day among other activities.

- Marlene McPherson

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON:

The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands; Mount Olivet Charge in Manchester, which includes Spaldings; Mount Olivet and Baillieston United churches, celebrated its 110th anniversary on Sunday.

To mark the milestone, the church held a thanksgiving service and celebration at the Spaldings United Church.

Congregants witnessed the switching on of new chandeliers, the unveiling of a new beautifully lit cross above the platform, the opening of a new main door, the collection of tangible monetary contributions and the cutting of an anniversary cake to celebrate the charge's milestone.

Guest preacher for the occasion was moderator for the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Reverend Henley Bernard.

Also in attendance at the service was the Reverend Dr. Collin Cowan, general secretary of the United Church, as well as other dignitaries associated with the church and its movements over the years.

- George Henry

CLARENDON:

Last Thursday, Ritchies Primary School got a helping hand when Leslie Reid, past student and a London civil servant, donated four computers, a printer and an overhead projector valued at over $250,000 to its beleaguered computer lab.

Principal Lesseta Samuda, teachers, students and representatives from both the school's board and the parent-teacher association were present for a brief ceremony on the school grounds, during which heartfelt gratitude was expressed to a man who 'made good' on a promise.

Mr. Reid was fêted 'Ritchies Primary-style', with music, poetry and songs. A dialect titled ' It's aal about technalagy', performed by teacher, Terina Levy, elicited laughter as she expressed in colourful words how 'foreign a com a mi thru technalagy'.

In his response, Mr. Reid said that he hoped that the students would take care of the computers as they were God's property. He also made promises of future donations. He added that he hoped that the powers that be would fast-track the installation of a telephone line so that the school could have Internet access.

- Angella Chin

CLARENDON:

Hayes New Town Basic School in Clarendon now has a brand new roof and clean and brightly painted walls, thanks to the Alcoa Foundation, Jamalco, Food For the Poor (FFP) and the New Town Citizens' Association.

The school is one of several institutions in Clarendon and south Manchester damaged by Hurricane Dean that is being repaired through a US$100,000 (J$7 million) grant from the Alcoa Foundation to FFP.

FFP replaced the roof lost during the hurricane and repaired the structure using hurricane straps and screws to increase its strength.

At a workday on Saturday, November 24, volunteers from the citizens' association, the community youth club and Jamalco painted the building, cut grass and shrubs from the playing field, and cleared debris from the schoolyard.

FFP's senior project officer, Clive Spence, noted that the contractor completed the roofing project over four weeks at a cost of some $400,000. The organisation has also rebuilt the Salt River Basic School near Jamalco's port at Rocky Point, and has replaced the roof of the Toll Gate Community Centre. Thirteen other institutions will be repaired from the grant over the next few months.