Acting custos appointed for St Catherine
FORMER assistant commandant of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), Lester Donald Smalling, 79, has been appointed to act as Custos of St Catherine by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke.
Smalling’s appointment last week is consequent on the retirement of outgoing custos, Gladstone Lewars, who demited office last December.
Lewars, 78, a former education officer who retired after serving 11 years as custos, attributed his departure to poor health. “I have resigned after serving (for) 11 years in this prestigious office, only because of my failing health,” he said.
Smalling will act in the office until a successor is appointed.
Sources told the Observer that while Smalling, a justice of the peace (JP) for 39 years, and who holds the Golden Scale Award from the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica for distinguished service, has acted as custos of the parish on several occasions, the age limit has precluded him from being considered to succeed Lewars.
Meanwhile, Lewars has urged the parish’s 449 JPs to be above reproach. “I would like to admonish JPs to keep their integrity intact, hold their head high above the waters and remember always, that voluntary service is the hallmark of their commitment to the community. As lay magistrates it is incumbent on them to be role models and start the journey to return Jamaica to its former glory,” Lewars said.