Portmore dedicates new municipal building to memory of late first mayor George Lee

The multimillion-dollar municipal building of the Portmore Municipal Corporation in St Catherine was on Monday dedicated to the memory of the municipality's first mayor George Lee.

The building was officially opened at a ceremony yesterday, which was filled with glee and fanfare. 

Mayor Leon Thomas highlighted the journey of Portmore becoming a municipality, starting in 1999 when residents with common desires met in a classroom.

"The wonderful transformation of Portmore that has been accomplished since that time is due to the cooperation and sincere effort of a unified people," Thomas stated.

He praised the vision and determination of those early pioneers, including Lee, whose widow was in attendance.

The event also marked the 20th anniversary of the municipality's establishment in 2003. 

St Catherine Southern Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson described Portmore's evolution as a testament to the purposefulness and determination of its residents.

"The promulgation of the Portmore administrative authority... came about to administer the affairs and issues affecting the people of Portmore," Jackson reminded the audience.

Jackson emphasised that in the early stages, the focus was not on titles but on creating an effective governing body to serve the needs of communities.

The evening concluded with a ribbon cutting for what was described as the largest municipal building in the English-speaking Caribbean. 

Celebration included a fireworks display, a balloon release, and performances.

- Ruddy Mathison

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