Desmond McKenzie street sign vandalised

The street sign that was last week unveiled on a Manchester road that was renamed for local government and rural development minister, Desmond McKenzie, has been damaged.

The sign was unveiled in the community of Somerset in Manchester North West where the Guava Walk Road was renamed Desmond McKenzie Close by the municipal authorities. However, less than a week after the unveiling ceremony, the sign was damaged by vandals, forcing the Manchester Municipal Corporation to have it removed for repairs.

Faith Sampson, councillor of the John's Hall division in which Desmond McKenzie Close falls, told THE WEEKEND STAR that the sign was damaged by a resident who objected to the renaming of the road. She said that the sign has since been repaired and will be remounted.

"Community members saw the young man. He is known in the community. The matter was reported, but unless those who saw him go to the police, then you can't do much with hearsay," Sampson said.

The road was repaired at a cost of $5 million about two years ago, and Sampson said the decision to name the road for the minister was influenced by his track record of service to the people in the area.

"It (renaming) wasn't thrusted upon them without their knowledge. The discussion started from June 2021, in front of the minister, the people, and the sitting member of parliament [Mikael Phillips] and no one objected," Sampson said.

She told THE WEEKEND STAR that 95 per cent of the residents welcomed the renaming and acknowledged it as a move that can only make their community better. She noted, however, that there are pockets of resistance and suggested that political difference is the main reason for persons objecting to the road being renamed. The councillor said that "well-thinking residents of the community are not comfortable" with the level of opposition.

During last Friday's renaming of the road, McKenzie said he was moved by the gesture of appreciation.

"It is not often that you get this kind of recognition. I am in the job to offer service because we are servants of the people, and it's our responsibility to work. But when the people acknowledge your work in a tangible way, I feel honoured for this recognition. I appreciate it and thank you," he said.

Sampson was elected on a People's National Party ticket as councillor for the John's Hall division after winning 52.6 per cent of the votes in the 2016 local government elections. However, she changed sides and joined the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in July 2020. McKenzie is a deputy leader of the JLP.