“LAUGHABLE” – that is how Berger Paints marketing assistant Karen Grant described comments by Member of Parliament for St Michael North West, Chris Sinckler, as he recently chided certain Black Rock businesses for not contributing to the development of their communities.While speaking at the third annual Lawson Weekes Educational Scholarship function at Almond Bay Conference Centre, Hastings, Christ Church, Sinckler said: “KFC can’t see fit to do any major community development [in that area] but is open every day. G4S, Berger Paints and others in Black Rock are not contributing and they need to step up to the plate. I’m going to name them, I’m not afraid.”Sinckler also identified Carlton Supermarket as being “one of the worst”.When the DAILY NATION contacted representatives of the companies named for a response, most of them declined. Not Grant from Berger Paints, though.She said: “Last year we donated paint to Deacons Primary School’s reading room and the year before we sponsored a road tennis competition. We also donated paint to the YWCA refurbishment and are the official paint sponsors for Crop-Over. In addition, every year we produce and donate colouring books for all the schools in the island.”Grant continued: “If Sinckler mentioned us, then he has made a terrible mistake and has missed what we are doing. Right now, we have numerous written requests for paint and garbage cans from different schools.” Director of operations at KFC Ted Branch, declined comment while G4S manager Roger Barrow said he was “loath to get into public discourse with the minister”.Managing director of Carlton Supermarket, Andrew Bynoe, said he had no evidence the minister actually made the comments and would not respond until this was confirmed. (CA)
