THE 'PREFECT' OF CAMBRIDGE [photo not included]
Most people seem to associate a Friday, especially dated the 13th, with bad luck, or at least superstitious persons would think it a day on which to exercise due caution in their affairs of business or pleasure. Such a day and date, however, in July of 1962 has special significance in the lives of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ramsay, as it included the birth of their fourth son, Wilmot "Max" Ramsay, now Councillor of the Cambridge Division.
The product of parents who have been intimately associated with education - his mother a teacher and father who holds his Master's Degree (M.A.Ed) in Education, Max began his schooling at the Cambridge Basic School, when Mrs. Iris Allen was its Principal. He moved on to the Cambridge All-Age, (now Primary) during the era of Teacher Sweeney, where he successfully sat the 'Common Entrance Exams' that placed him in the renowned Cornwall College. His interests grew in time and eventually reflected a natural gift for languages, French and Spanish in particular. His seasons at Cornwall College saw active involvement in school activities - President of the 'French and Spanish' Society; executive member of the U.N.E.S.C.O. Club, the Students' Council; the Photographic Society; member of the JBC sponsored Schools' Challenge Quiz team for Cornwall; representative for Cornwall as 'Alliance Francaise' participant in Drama, a combined effort between Cornwall and Mt. Alvernia High School; a fan of football [soccer], and naturally, the Debating Society, "where it all started".
This active involvement carried attendant responsibilities, when he became one of the youngest prefects on the hill, while in Fifth Form. Supposedly, responsibility begets more responsibility as in 1979, having graduated from school, he began working life in the Accounts Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, fiddling around figures. He became associated with Young Jamaica, (the Youth Arm of the Jamaica Labour Party) and was soon elected administrator of the Southern St. James Chapter. That progression took him into the arms of the J.L.P. and the elections of 1980 as a party functionary, assisting to mobilize the constituency. Resulting from these activities, the present Member of Parliament, [Hon.] Dr. H.A. 'Marco' Brown, suggested that he represents the Cambridge Division in the Local Government Elections of March 2nd, 1981. This presented him, in his own words with "more than a challenge", that seat having been a P.N.P. enclave - where he un-seated the incumbent Councillor Rudolph Scarlett. He then became the youngest ever member of the St. James Parish Council [, now the St. James Municipal Corporation,] and in fact the youngest elected representative of Local Government in Jamaica, at the age of 18 years old.
The 'Prefect of Cambridge', whose division include places like: Bickersteth, Retrieve, Fern, Plumb, Mt. Horeb & Cambridge, to mention some areas, has a right to be proud of what has been achieved. These include: a Type-Three Health Centre for Cambridge; construction of the new [proposed Marco Brown Public] Library, also in Cambridge; the extension of electricity services to Bullman, Retrieve, what is now the Max Ramsay Drive, the provision of improved street lighting, the introduction of the annual 'Miss Town of Cambridge' contest - which produced Miss St. James in 1984 - Angela Green, and Miss City of Montego Bay, 1985 - Jeneita Sparkes.
Committed to cultural development, Max has organised numerous activities which have offered needed exposure to local talent. He has recently donated a scholarship to attend Cornwall College, for one child from the Cambridge Primary School who has passed the Common Entrance Exams, and is also Chairman of that Primary School's Board.
SPECIAL MENTION
An admirer of the late Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, whose life, Max feels, should be "an example to all Jamaica", he is most impressed by the simplicity of that National Hero. Though his international champions include the late Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, the local scene is lead off by the late - John Wesley Kentish whom Max speaks of as "the late Reverend J.W. Kentish, J.P., headmaster, farmer, humanitarian, church leader, educator to the nation, etc., who had a major impact on my life, in terms of his dedication and service to the Cambridge and adjoining communities. His wife - Mrs. Inez Kentish, also came in for special mention, having prepared Max for the Common Entrance Exams years ago, and with whom he maintains close personal relations. They are described by Max, as "Stalwarts who gave invaluable, selfless service to the community." Many years ago while attending Primary School, he recalls an occasion of prophetic dimensions. Mrs. Kentish said, "You, little Ramsay, are going to get involved with politics!" Though the reasons for the statement are not clear, they have indeed proved true.
Today, Max still sees the need for much improvement within his division, but is aware of the fiscal constraints. He would love to begin major road improvements, an expansion of the water supply, (which he finds ridiculous - water being pumped all the way to Westmoreland from 'Bucknor' through [B]ottom [Lower] Cambridge and Ducketts, while surrounding areas are without proper service); more involvement of the youth in the Solidarity & HEART programmes, and he dreams of the eventual establishment of a "sports complex".
At present Max has plans for the upgrading of rural squares and has secured the use of the old primary school buildings to be used for community purposes. He would love to see greater involvement of youth in politics, but says that the atmosphere must first be created. Who is to create the desired atmosphere was not immediately made clear, but, if the "Prefect of Cambridge" has his way, then the youth of both major political persuasions may just take him up on that issue, which could prove to be his on-doing. However, for the present, - "you rule Max", - his concern and consistent involvement in the community may yet carry the day.
(Page 2, THE WESTERN MIRROR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1986)
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