New councillors committed to youth development

At least two newly elected councillors at the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) have committed to employing a renewed focus on the youth population in addition to embarking on more community development initiatives.

Speaking with The Gleaner following the first council meeting which was held yesterday, Dennis Gordon, People's National Party councillor for the Maxfield Park division, noted that it has been a learning experience, having won the division in the recent local government elections, and promised to do his best to cater to the needs of the citizens.

"It's interesting and I am still on the learning curve. The vision is to see how we can lend assistance to the youngsters. I want to give them a second opportunity, especially those who left school with no subjects or formal training. One has to recognise that those are the ones we need to attend to, because the percentage of the population under 35 is significant, so that's my vision," he said.

Andrew Bellamy, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Mona division, said that the balance between his responsibilities at the corporation and his constituency will be critical in ensuring that there is development.

LOTS OF WORK TO DO

"As it relates to being officially sworn in as a councillor, it is overwhelming. It is a proud moment in my life. I realise that the KSAC, more now that I am here, has a lot of work to do and that it is serious business. It is the business of the people and the expectations are very high," he shared.

"With that being said, it's now about striking a balance with the responsibilities that are here at the KSAC and my responsibilities that I have within my division with the different communities and the people."

Other new councillors include the JLP's Rohan Hall of the Red Hills division and Rosalie Hamilton of the Rae Town division, among others.