A resolution adopted by the St Ann Municipal Corporation to rename Main Street in Ocho Rios in memory of the late hotel tycoon Gordon “Butch” Stewart has been accepted by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.
The following resolution was read aloud at the most recent monthly meeting of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation by Jennifer Brown-Cunningham, chief executive officer:
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“And whereas Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has been a significant employer in Ocho Rios, and whereas Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has been, through his Sandals Foundation, contributing greatly to the development and benevolence outfit program, be it resolved that the St Ann Municipal Corporation look to rename Main Street, Ocho Rios in his honor posthumously. We further resolve that this does not interfere with the mailing address but rather add his recognized name as an addition on signposts and street name, and we further resolve that this recognition be forwarded to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development for approval,” she noted.
Michael Belnavis, a council member representing the Ocho Rios Division, stated that Stewart’s commitment to the parish will be honored by the designation.
He emphasized that Main Street businesses will not be impacted by the change.
He added, “Persons who live and operate on the stretch, Main Street, will not have to redo their stationery and so on. However, the signposts and so on will get an additional component to the top of the sign itself just to have the name on. So, it’s just a recognition but it doesn’t affect the economics of the businesspeople and so on the Main Street…so I’m asking that we get the support.”
The business tycoon, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 79, is best known for creating an empire in the travel industry with Sandals Resorts International. The Order of Jamaica, which is Jamaica’s fourth-highest honor, was also given to him.
