Western Bureau:
Councillor Derrick Sangster, who was elected by his peers to serve as mayor of Black River and chairman of the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, says his first order of business will be to lobby central government for funds to adequately effect work on the parish's minor water-supply system.
"We will be making an appeal to central government for more funding that goes into these minor water-supply schemes," said Sangster. "Currently, the council gets a small amount of funding, but much more is required to fix this long-standing issue in St Elizabeth."
"This will be a very critical element of our thrust to finally rid this parish of chronic water problems that have dogged us for so long," added Sangster.
The new mayor said it was incumbent on the new administration that he lead to take the initiative in bringing potable water to the citizens of the parish.
"It is well known that there are many places in this parish that do not have a sufficient supply of piped water, and, therefore, through the minor water supply, I see where we can help to make things better for the people," said Sangster.
Sangster, a 41-year-old political veteran, was recently elected to serve another term as councillor for the Mountainside Division. He was nominated and unanimously ratified by his peers.
Fellow Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor Albert Williams was selected to be Sangster's deputy. The ruling JLP won nine of the 15 divisions in the recent local government elections to wrest control of the corporation from the opposition People's National Party (PNP).
Outgoing mayor Councillor Everton Fisher hailed Sangster as a friendly and capable leader, one who he said was able to continue the fine tradition of representing the people of St Elizabeth well.
"You are not only my brother, but my friend," said Fisher. "That you have been selected to lead us at this time speaks to the goodness in you, where you recognise the people, not JLP and not PNP, but those who you have sworn to serve. I congratulate you."