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CNWEEKLYNE WS.COM
THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2026
$65M Community Bond at Stake As Lauderhill voters head to the polls on March 10 On Tuesday, March 10, Lauderhill voters will decide on a $65 million community-driven bond initiative, RISE Lauderhill, alongside municipal elections that will shape the city’s development priorities. The bond proposal allocates $9.5 million for public safety improvements, $34 million for parks and infrastructure, and $21.5 million for transportation and roadway projects. Planned projects are designed to deliver visible, neighborhood-level benefits, including modern public facilities, upgraded parks and trails, renovated streets, and enhanced public safety infrastructure. Officials note the initiative addresses community needs identified through resident feedback and city planning efforts, while also helping protect property values and improve quality of life across every neighborhood. Investments include a new Public Safety building, fire station renovations, and upgrades to streets, parks, and recreational facilities. continues on B4 – $65M Bond
OPINION
Return home to Jamaica and replenish the land Social media recently went viral with a video of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness suggesting that members of the diaspora should return home to help address Jamaica’s declining birth rate.
Almost instantaneously, reactions surfaced claiming Holness wanted diaspora members to return home simply to reproduce and boost the population. In reality, the prime minister’s words were misconstrued. He did not issue a birth-rate “invitation” campaign as if promoting a travel brochure. As background to his remarks, Jamaica’s total fertility rate has been falling well below the level needed to maintain a stable popula-
tion. Government officials have identified this demographic trend as a long-term economic and social concern. Speaking to a Jamaican audience, Holness warned about the implications of demographic decline and suggested that Jamaicans living abroad should consider returning home — not just for tourism or short visits, but as part of a broader effort to help build the country’s economy, workforce and future. In his remarks, he linked concerns about a
shrinking population with the potential value of a net return of talent, skilled workers and diaspora members to Jamaica’s domestic growth and development. That includes encouraging people in the diaspora to consider relocating, investing or raising families in Jamaica as part of addressing these challenges. Contrary to commentary circulating on social media, the prime minister was not announcing a formal government policy to pay continues on A7 – Replenish the land
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
NEWSMAKER Jamaican-American Broward Commissioner Hazelle Rogersmarks 30 years in public service a3
CARIBBEAN Jamaica equipped to treat most burn victims, despite calls for overseas care A4
HEALTH Caribbean women trailblazers redening global health
ENTERTAINMENT Lost In Time Festival unites reggae’s heavyweights in Kingston
SPORTS Dr. Kishore Shallow applauds Windies’ resolve after Super Eight exit
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