KNOW YOUR ST ANN CANDIDATES

CLOVIS GOHAGEN, PNP

BENSONTON DIVISION, St Ann Municipal Corporation

Clovis ‘Junior’ Gohagen describes himself as the unity candidate for the PNP, who will bring greater changes to the Bensonton Division in the South East St Ann (SESA) Constituency. He says he is well positioned because of his known service as Chairman of the Bensonton Division for the last five years and Vice Chair of SESA since 2011.

Mr Gohagen says his excellent working relations with MP Lisa Hanna and present caretaker Dr. Kenneth Russell puts him in a position to get all the benefits for the Division and focus his efforts on tackling long-standing issues for the division. These include communities such as Prickly Pole, McNie, Alderton, and Bensonton.

He has set his priority areas as:

1. Increasing the skills, qualifications, and certification of young people;
2. Expanding potable domestic water supply to the communities.
3. Registering more farmers and increasing their production and productivity

“Farming is our industry. So I need to get more farmers registered to take advantage of any supplies and assistance from RADA,” the PNP candidate says. He also wants to improve productivity and believes he can get access to greenhouse technology for farmers.

He says he has a passion to improve opportunities for young people.

Mr Gohagen says that sometimes there are opportunities on overseas programmes as well as local jobs but many young people don’t have the skills and certification. “That’s why I want to work with HEART NSTA to get them to bring their training into the community,” Mr Gohagen says. He says some young people have difficulties taking on the fares and distance to the nearest HEART facility at Beechamville, hence he wants to make it easier for them.

For him more could have been done regarding roads in the Bensonton Division. Mr Geohagen says as Councillor in his representation he will be able to call on the support of Dr Russell, who he expects to be elected the next MP, and the St Ann Municipal Corporation to achieve the rehabilitation and repairs to roads and improve water systems across the Division. “I know what it takes and I will be able to make the changes for Bensonton,” Mr Gohagen says.

ON ELECTION DAY, February 26, 2024

VOTE CLOVIS GOHAGEN, VOTE PNP

MAXINE SIMPSON, JLP

BENSONTON DVISION, St Ann Municipal Corporation

Maxine Simpson,  community leader, advocate, educator, farmer, and entrepreneur is the standard bearer for the Jamaica Labour Party in the Bensonton Division of South East St Ann (SESA).

Ms Simpson says, in putting herself forward as the JLP candidate to represent the Division in the St Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC), she is confident to put an end to PNP dominance and take home the seat for the JLP. “The people are expressing the need for a change,” she said.

Ms Simpson said she is a community person who has been demonstrating an interest in the welfare of her community members,  regardless of their political persuasion.

Ms. Simpson says her commitment to service was not shaken by a previous unsuccessful attempt to represent the Division in the SAMC.  She decided to stay and work in the Divisions for the betterment of the people. “I need to make a difference and here I am,” she said.

She says she is conscious that the Bensonton Division is dominated by agriculture. She said: “Farmers can be better off with more support towards agro-processing, water harvesting, and greenhouse technology.” She said she has pushed for Community Tourism resulting in some tours for the community.

Our young people need to be empowered with skills and certification to exploit other opportunities,” she says.

Her passion, persistence, and determination for skills training and community development gave birth to the McNie Hope Community Skills Training Centre in partnership with HEART NSTA and supported by other stakeholders. The McNie New Testament Church also was part of that enterprise.

In January 2024, the Institution graduated over 200 young persons who completed programs training in numerous Technical disciplines and are now empowered to contribute to a skilled workforce.

“I am lobbying for a fully equipped Community Centre and play Field.  Change needs to come to all communities “.

“Many challenges are evident in South East.

1. Roads remain in a deplorable condition,

2. Water systems need upgrading

3. Mismanagement of the Division hinders its growth and development.

“My God is working and I will continue to work for positive change in this Division that I care so much about,” she says.

ON ELECTION DAY, February 26

VOTE MAXINE SIMPSON, VOTE JLP.