On Friday, December 13th, at a brief ceremony at the Caribbean Restaurant in Spring Path, Blowing Point, two retirees were recognized for their committed service in the area of Public Health. They were Mrs. Icilma Morton and Mr. Ralphod Finch, who served in the Department for twenty-nine and thirty-one years respectively.
Mr. Allister Richardson, a former Vector Control Officer who had been attached to the Department of Health Protection for some thirty years, reflected: “It was truly a pleasure for me to work with Icilma. It was perhaps the best time of my employment in the public service. Our squad was like a family that was free from undermining, and there was no kind of backstabbing or backbiting in our circle. Any issues among us were dealt with in an amicable way, and Icilma’s cheerful laugh, in times of disagreements, would restore a spirit of calm among us, and though her demeanor we would maintain our camaraderie.”
Also speaking at the ceremony was former Senior Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Leroy “Bro. Lee” Richardson. He recounted: “There is much to mention of these two remarkable individuals. I would start by saying that Mr. Finch worked with me at the time when I was responsible for the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Eradication Campaign, which later led into “Vector Control”. Mr. Finch came into the squad at a time when I was not certain that I would have gotten someone suitable enough to ably assist on the garbage trucks. The trucks then were of a type that carried a kind of elongated tank-type bin with large doors, along the sides, that would have to be manually pushed up to open, and pulled down to close, after the garbage was dumped inside.
“I want to believe that this type of labourious work made a man like Mr. Ralphod Finch physically fit. It was not so easy for garbage disposal workers back then. Today, we have light convenient plastic bins with containers. But back then, men like Ralphod were required to lift heavy 55-gallon steel drums of garbage up onto a truck and physically throw out that garbage into the long bin.
He also commended Mr. Finch for his dedicated service at the Corito landfill where he was particularly serious about having the various classes of refuse properly separated and placed in the appropriate areas of the dump site.
Bro Lee also praised Mrs. Icilma Morton for the work that she did over the years — inspecting homes and finding possible mosquito breeding sites. He recalled: “Icilma has done well, walking through the pond areas of the island with a fogging machine on her back. Her most challenging pond to treat was the Savannah pond that was in the area of where the Cuisinart Golf Course now stands. Icilma had to walk through these ponds with her machine on her back. One can imagine a person of her short stature wading through the ponds.
“I would always try to boost her up and encourage her to keep on doing the good work that she was devoted to. Icilma worked well. She did a very good job in the area of vector control. She stuck with the tasks — and the challenges that she faced — until today. She deserves a big hand.” (there was a resounding applause).
Mr. Oliver Hodge, another former Vector Control Officer, paid tribute to the work of Icilma and Ralphod, but he made particular mention of Icilma: “I can vividly remember that after the flooding brought on by Hurricane Lenny in 1999, Icilma and I engaged in prayer as we walked around the Public Health building seven times, for the success of job retention, and God’s direction while we were on the job. Prayer works. Our prayers were answered. So I want to encourage you, Icilma and Radphod, that as you go into retirement, just keep your faith in God and rely upon his faithfulness.”
Director of the Department of Health Protection, Mr. Ambrel Richardson spoke briefly: “I want to say a hearty thanks to Icilma and Ralphod… You had been very dedicated and loyal colleagues over the past years, so you will now have an opportunity to relax, and I hope that you will enjoy the rest of your time on planet Earth. I pray God’s blessings upon you and wish you both all the best in the future.”
He then cordially thanked all the guests who attended the ceremony, and was particularly appreciative of his staff for whatever they did in making arrangements for the event. In addition, he was grateful to all of the sponsors, including the Government of Anguilla, Webster’s Management Group Ltd., and Caribbean Restaurant.
Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
