Markland for mayor
Published:Tuesday | November 17, 2020 | 12:16 AMPaul Clarke/Gleaner Writer
Broadcaster Markland Edwards said that his bid to seek the Portmore mayorship was spurred by a cry from the people of the municipality for better leadership.
Edwards, who has never ran for or held a political office before, is among applicants to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) seeking to become its candidate in the upcoming local government elections, which were constitutionally due this month.
The People’s National Party holds a slight majority in the current make-up of the Portmore Municipal Corporation, with the mayorship in the hands of Leon Thomas. It is the only municipality that votes directly for its mayor.
Edwards said his stepping forward to be a potential mayor is a result of “complaints and cries of the people for more aggressive and transformational leadership” to get plans and projects moving at the municipal corporation.
“Any plan that will lead to improved delivery and access by residents to all the services of the State should be embraced and welcomed,” said Edwards.
He backed a pitch by the Government in the recent general election to make the largest English-speaking dormitory community of Portmore the island’s 15th parish, saying it would be a positive step for the people.
“I must commend the Holness administration for keeping an election promise. I am also pleased that in addition to setting up a joint select committee of Parliament to examine the motion ... , there will be consultations with the people of Portmore,” he said.
Although just seeking to get his feet wet, Edwards told The Gleaner he has always had an interest in politics.
“As a broadcaster, I have been a keen observer of the political process, and over the years, the JLP has been the party with the clearer vision for the development of Portmore.
“I have been impressed with the policies and ideologies of the JLP and its leadership, which are more in keeping with my personal philosophies as it relates to economic empowerment of the people and national development,” said Edwards.
Emphasising that he is a Portmore resident “through and through”, Edwards pointed out that having a personal interest the development of the municipality was natural.
The well-known radio personality has more than two decades of experience in commercial radio, concert promotion and event production, having started his career in 1993 as an announcer on LOVE 101 FM.