San Fernando Civic Awards

The San Fernando City Corporation on Monday honoured citizens for their contributions to the city. Among those being honoured were the former Mayor of San Fernando, Ian Atherly, and former Government Minister and PNM stalwart, Joan Yuille-Williams. In addition to her political achievements, former government Minister and PNM stalwart, Joan Yuille-Williams has made significant contributions to the sport of netball, particularly in the city of San Fernando. According to Deputy Mayor Patricia Alexis, her passion for the sport has seen her take on various roles, from player to coach and ultimately to a key administrator. "She has been instrumental in developing netball at the grassroots level, inspiring young athletes and promoting the sport within her community. Her commitment to netball has earned her recognition as a stalwart in the sports community, and she continues to champion initiatives that support and elevate women's sports in Trinidad and Tobago." Ms. Alexis said Mrs. Yuille-Williams’ contributions have left a lasting impact, inspiring future generations to engage in both civic duty and athletic pursuits. Also acknowledged for his contribution to sport was former Mayor of San Fernando and former National Cyclist Ian Atherly. His dedication to the sport not only earned him accolades but also made him a role model for aspiring athletes in the region. One of Mr. Atherly’s key initiatives as Mayor was the conceptualisation of the cross-crossing food court. As he congratulated the recipients, Mayor of San Fernando, Robert Parris, emphasised the power of culture to unite communities beyond politics, highlighting achievements like San Fernando Hill's incorporation into the City Corporation, and collaborations with Point Fortin to boost regional tourism. "We took a holistic approach towards tourism. Mayor Clyde James and I sat down and we stated we cannot develop the Southwestern Peninsula singularly. We have to come together. And we see the opportunities with November being the Cruise Ship Season that both San Fernando and the Borough of Point Fortin can benefit from our strategic partnership." Among those receiving awards were Roopnarine Herowan for his 47 years of service to the San Fernando City Corporation, Vishnu Rampersad was recognised for 44 years’ service, and Lorna Jugmohan was recognised for 37 years' service. In the area of Art and Culture, awards were given to Daniel Rajkumar and Selwyn Bunny Persad. Major Joseph Bridgewater, Michelle Dowridge, and book retailer Keith Khan were recognised for their contributions to education.