Veteran Councillor Becomes Montego Bay Mayor

Veteran Councillor in the St. James Parish Council and President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris, has become the 15th Mayor of the City of Montego Bay.

Mayor Harris, who has represented the Maroon Town division for 22 unbroken years, was sworn into office during a ceremony Thursday March 29, at the Montego Bay Civic Centre.

The new Mayor, who will also serve as Chairman of the St. James Parish Council, then performed his first official task, presiding over the election of Councillor of the Granville Division, Michael Troupe, as Vice Chairman of the council and Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay.

Delivering his inaugural address, Mayor Harris expressed appreciation to the councillors and others across the parish, for the confidence they have placed in him. He pledged that the St. James Parish Council, under his leadership, will “provide a voice for the people of the parish of St. James,” and assured that the duties of the council will be executed in a transparent, accountable, responsible and non-partisan manner.

He said that there are a number of issues that will be given priority during his tenure, among them are: improvement of the fire service, including the acquisition of a fire boat; upgrading of the Charles Gordon Market; refurbishing of the clock tower; settlement of the Bogue and Infirmary lands; and cleaning-up of the city.

"I will continue to be the voice to lobby for a suitable fire station for the parish as well as a fire boat for the town and wider parish, as the city has been without a fire boat for over seven years.  In collaboration with the relevant authorities, I will be making representation on behalf of the citizens of rural St. James on a matter that has been on the council’s agenda for over 35 years, which is a sub-station for Cambridge and another for Maroon Town,” Mayor Harris said.

He informed that a recommendation is before the St. James Parish Council for the purchasing of two vehicles retrofitted with water tank and water pump, which will serve as first response in case of fire.                             

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter