Higglers’ champion Whittingham passes

Lionel‘Dunstan’Whittingham, president of the Jamaica Higglers, Vendors and Markets Association, passed away yesterday.

Paying tribute, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said that Whittingham was a “passionate and tireless advocate for the interests of vendors for many years”, adding that he made his presence felt well before he rose to public view in the 1990s.

“I had the opportunity to observe and to interact with him, first as a councillor in the then Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, and later as mayor. He was a serious force to be reckoned with, and he commanded the unwavering loyalty and respect of the vendors,” McKenzie said.

“While he was quick to challenge what he saw as mistakes by local and central government in dealing with the vendors, he was not defiant of public order ... and was not afraid to chastise conduct that was unruly,” he added.