Anthony Minott-Pastor Lloyd Hamilton (left) accepts his award from President of the Rotary Club of Portmore, Shirley Gayle .

Three persons were honoured by the Rotary Club of Portmore, recently, at Eden Garden, St. Andrew.

Dr. Marvin Reid, of Edgewater Medical Centre, was recognised for his hard work during the Rotary Club's annual health fair.

Dr. Reid, was unavoidably absent, and Dr. Dane Levy, head of the Edgewater Medical Centre, collected on his behalf.

Bridgeport High School's senior guidance counsellor, Joan Powell, was awarded for her contribution to education. She was not present because of ill health.

The third recipient, Pastor Lloyd Hamilton, of the Port Henderson Road Church of God was awarded for sterling contribution to his community, spiritually, and socially.

Pastor Hamilton unselfishly caters to the needs of the less fortunate, who live in informal settlements along Port Henderson Road, popularly called 'Back Road' by giving them food and other amenities.

Dr. Dane Levy was the guest speaker for the evening. He spoke about the potential that exists within Portmore that could make it the most successful municipality in the island and the Caribbean. He said that Portmore should try and protect its environment with the planting of trees and improve green areas to attract people towards the city.

He, however, noted that this initiative is already on stream, with the Portmore Municipal Council's creation of parks and other green areas. He discussed the problem of improper housing.

He said that for Portmore to alleviate the crime situation, "we need to tear down the informal settlements that are breeding criminals and put in place modern housing developments".

Meanwhile, club president, Shirley Gayle, said that the awarding of these people is keeping with Rotary International's (RI), vocational service month. "Each year we honour persons from various vocations that have contributed to society, and these three are worthy recipients," Gayle told THE PORTMORE STAR.