Portland mayor returned by unanimous vote

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

COUNCILLOR FOR the Manchioneal division, Paul Thompson, has committed to improving the quality of service to the municipality, after he was returned unanimously as mayor of Port Antonio for a second term in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)-controlled Portland Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Thompson, who was first elected as chairman of the PMC in 2016 following the local government elections of that year, was the only candidate nominated for the top post of mayor of Port Antonio among the eight other councillors, during a swearing-in on Thursday.

“I am happy that once again confidence has been [reposed] in me. My performance over the last seven years speaks for itself, and I will ensure that the work of this municipal corporation is carried out in a transparent manner,” Thompson told The Gleaner during a interview.

“There is no time for complacency and I will be hitting the road running. During this term it will be the mission of this municipality to ensure a better quality of life for the citizens of this parish by providing and maintaining the services we offer. Enforcing laws and ensuring compliance through consultation and generally providing effective local governance to enhance the development of this parish will be treated as a priority.

“Let me assure the people of Portland that, as your councillors at the municipal corporation, we take the mandate that you have given us seriously and we intend to ensure that you are given the most effective representation and services, as we combine our efforts to bring progress and property to all communities. Local government has a special role to play in delivering special service to all the people that we serve, and that is why it is so important to strengthen the responsiveness and accountability between the local government framework, so as to ensure that the best and most effective service delivery is afforded to the people that we serve, “ he added.

Rohan Vassel was also re-elected as deputy mayor in a corporation that has four new councillors, including Clyde McKenzie of St Margaret’s Bay, Shanique Green of Fellowship, Orton Manahan of Hope, and Athlete Cleary of the Fairy Hill division, representing the JLP. The other councillors that took up the oath of office were minority leader Dexter Rowland of Port Antonio and Wayne McKenzie of Prospect representing the People’s National Party (PNP), along with Dion Hunter of Buff Bay, of the JLP.

Earlier, Daryl Vaz, the West Portland member of parliament, along with his wife Annmarie of the neighbouring East Portland constituency, lauded the efforts of the seven JLP councillors, which, according to them, ensured victory with a margin of seven to two over the People’s National Party (PNP) following the February 26 local government elections.

Custos of Portland Lincoln Thaxter, who brought greetings, cautioned that sometimes the task ahead is somewhat challenging and that often there is the case of insufficient resources, which can affect service delivery, but urged the elected councillors to be proactive and maintain a good professional relationship with the people as they executed their duties.