Newcomer Forbes hoping to wrestle Mt Salem from incumbent Thomas
ENTREPRENEUR RENO Forbes, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker candidate in the upcoming local government election, is confident in her ability to outperform her opponent in the Mt Salem division of St James West Central.
With a track record spanning seven years, Forbes has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the Mt Salem division, paralleling the tenure of her opponent, the incumbent Councillor Kerry Thomas of the People’s National Party (PNP).
At 58 years old, Forbes, the owner and operator of Apex Car Rental and Insurance Agency, is one of three women competing to represent the parish at the local government level.
Known for her hands-on approach, Forbes, though a newcomer, expressed her motivation to effect change in the area after witnessing first-hand the areas in need of improvement during her community visits.
“Initially, I was assisting Member of Parliament Marlene Malahoo-Forte with her election in 2016, and there was a vacancy for the division. People began asking me to be their representative based on the activities they saw me doing in the division,” Forbes revealed to
The Gleaner.
A no-nonsense business leader and former president of the RentA-Car Association of Jamaica, Forbes has taken proactive steps to address community issues. She noticed the state of disrepair of many garbage skips, overrun by rodents, prompting her to spearhead their rehabilitation. Additionally, she has provided assistance with garbage collection when municipal trucks are unavailable, utilising her own resources to ensure the cleanliness of the community.
Forbes has emerged as a formidable presence within her division, with plans to further enhance local resources and community centres. She aims to establish a homework centre where after-school programmes can be facilitated by teachers for both children and adults facing literacy and numeracy challenges.
During the interview with the candidate, it was evident that Forbes spent her Valentine’s Day in Peddlar’s Lane, Mt Salem, actively assisting with the unclogging of a blocked drain, a persistent issue in the area.
“A young lady brought it to my attention, and I arranged for a cesspool truck to remove the water so we could assess the blockage. However, we had to abort that plan. Currently, we have manpower in the drain, actively clearing it,” she shared.
Mt Salem, one of the largest divisions in St James West Central, encompasses communities such as Barnett Oval, sections of Irwin, Tucker, Westgate Hills, and Fairfield Avenue. Close to 10,000 voters are eligible to vote in the division.
With seven years of experience working in the division, Forbes is confident in her ability to displace the incumbent. She emphasised that community members appreciate her efforts regardless of political affiliation.
“Whether you are PNP or JLP, it does not matter. When people need help, we help. I assist from my personal resources,” she revealed.
Forbes extends her support beyond political boundaries, providing assistance to students with tuition and lunch money, as well as individuals in need of building materials or other forms of aid. While the member of parliament’s office contributes significantly, Forbes plays a crucial role in supplementing these efforts.
Expressing her commitment to making a tangible difference in local governance, Forbes asserted: “I am confident that I can do a better job than the current situation. Priority lies in addressing community roads, particularly in the Irwin belt.”
Regarding road infrastructure in Mt Salem, she clarified that while there are no immediate issues requiring repair, her focus remains on maintaining and improving existing roads to ensure the community’s well-being.