The Western Mirror
Reflecting Western Jamaica's News & Views

According to their website, the Western Mirror was first published on October 4, 1980.

The award-winning community newspaper covers Western Jamaica which comprises St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny and St. Elizabeth.

Lloyd B. Smith is its founder and Managing Director.Born out of the ashes of the Beacon newspaper,another Montego Bay-based community newspaper, which folded after 15 years, the members of staff of that institution decided to take over the company.

The associate members included Dennis Barton, director and advertising manager, Miriam Williams, and director and production manager, Michael Bryan.

The Beacon, became defunct due to bankruptcy after 15 years in operations.

At the opening of their new office building on cottage road, Montego Bay in August 2005, 25 years after commencing operations, Mr Smith reportedly said:

"I stand here today proudly because I unapologetically say when we started the Western Publishers Limited there was a tremendous feeling that ordinary black poor people, who just a few generations ago came from the cane piece, would not be able to achieve something of this stature," (Observer)

"We were laughed at by the first bank manager we approached for a loan," recalled Mr. Smith.

However, this may have been a blessing in disguise, because they survived for years without borrowing a cent to construct the building which took seven years to complete." (Gleaner)

Mr. Smith is currently the president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry- a position he also held in the past, and was twice elected Vice President of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ).

He is also the recipient of numerous awards and citations in the areas of Journalism, Performing Arts and Community Development and is popularly known as ‘The Governor’ in the city of Montego Bay because of his fearless advocacy on behalf of Western Jamaica in general and Montego Bay in particular.

Today they also boast an online presence, although, it does appear to be a work in progress. They however have archives of selected articles from the print edition.

Their address is:

The Western Mirror
PO Box 1258
4 Cottage Road,
Montego Bay,
Jamaica
West Indies

There telephone numbers are:
(876) 952-5253, (876) 952-5352 & (876) 952-7028.

Click here to visit the Western Mirror's home page.

posted: 5/2/2009

Sources:

JamaicaGleaner.com
JamaicaOsberver.com
caribphilanthropy.org.jm

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