Jamaican Sworn in as Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes

Jamaican national, Barrington A. Russell, Sr., was sworn in as Mayor of the City of Lauderdale Lakes, in the United States of America (USA), in a brief ceremony on November 10, after being successful at the polls on Election Day, November 4.
Mayor Russell succeeds former Mayor, Samuel Brown, also a Jamaican national, who retired, having served in that position since 1998.
Prior to his successful bid, Mr. Russell was one of six Commissioners serving on the Lauderdale Lakes City Commission, a position he held since 2004. He also served as Vice-Mayor from 2005 to 2006.
Since moving to South Florida, Mr. Russell, a real estate consultant and owner of BAR Realty in Broward County, has been actively involved in community projects. He has held several public positions and sits on various community Boards. He has also served on civic committees.
Mayor Russell has expressed his desire to continue serving the Lauderdale Lakes community, with a diverse population of nearly 40,000, a large number of whom are Jamaicans.
Before migrating to the United States in 1987, Mr. Russell served in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and in the insurance industry.
Another Jamaican national, Dale Holness, was re-elected as Commissioner of Lauderhill, an adjoining suburb of Fort Lauderdale, with a population of over 65,000, one-third of whom are Jamaicans.
In his capacity of Commissioner, Mr. Holness spearheaded the twinning of Lauderhill and Falmouth, Trelawny, in October 2006.
He also holds membership in a number of charitable and professional organisations, which impact the Caribbean community.
This brings to six, the number of Jamaicans serving in elected office in Florida State, including State Representative-elect, Hazelle Rogers, who was recently elected to serve at State Level in the Florida House of Representatives. Prior to her recent success, Ms. Rogers was one of six Commissioners in the City of Lauderdale Lakes, a post she held since 1996.