Minority leader in HMC, opponent express confidence over Hanover Eastern
‘I envision that in four years I can make the Hopewell division one with clean water, reduced unemployment, skilled and empowered residents, and roads that reflect the pride we have in our homes.’
THE CONTEST for the Hopewell division in the Hanover Municipal Council (HMC) is getting more interesting with time, as the February 26 local government elections draw near.
The incumbent, Devon Brown, of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), who is the minority leader in the HMC, is up against first-time candidate of the People’s National Party (PNP), businessman, Lennox ‘Zico’ Fray.
Brown’s retention of the HMC seat will provide a lot of answers for the JLP if the party is successful in winning the majority seats in that corporation in the upcoming election, while Fray’s success is equally important to the PNP in determining the future leadership of the corporation, if that party is successful.
Sitting as the councillor for the Hopewell division in the HMC since March 2012, Brown won the seat twice, by beating Derrick Foster of the PNP by close to 500 votes in 2012, and Sharon James also of the PNP in 2016 by approximately 300 votes. While claiming that he is confident that he will retain the seat in the February 26, 2024 election, Brown argued that the dynamics of the political scene at present might cause him to do so at a reduced majority.
OPTIMISTIC
“If you look at the dynamics of the politics that is happening right across the country, in some areas one would expect to excel while in others there might be a reduced majority, but I am optimistic of a positive result and I hope to win by about a two-to-three-hundred-votes margin,” Brown told The Gleaner in an exclusive interview.
He listed the refurbishing of the Hopewell Market at a cost of approximately $20 million as one of his main achievement since holding office, noting that the project had lifted the aesthetics of the centre of the town of Hopewell.
With regard to his greatest hurdle since in office, Brown stated “not getting the road from Hopewell to Hadington fixed is my greatest hurdle, as the people has been crying for it for years, and I have made numerous representation about it”.
“We broke ground recently, with Minister [Everald] Warmington to get that road rehabilitated, but entering an election, even though I am confident (of a win), this road should have been one of the roads that I can talk about as an achievement of getting it rehabilitated,” he stated.
He pointed out that work on the road is slated to start sometime in March this year, adding that notwithstanding, he is not comfortable that he is entering an election period without that road being rehabilitated.
Brown listed the water situation in the Bamboo area and the lack of space in the Hopewell cemetery as two items of high concern to him at present, adding that representation has been made with respect to both situations, and he will continue to put in the necessary level of representation to remedy those situations.
“You have elected me twice based on my performance. I know that we have made progress and there has been hiccups in some spaces that could have been addressed, or greater representation made, but I assure you that because of the growth in the economy, most of the problems (that are now present) will be addressed soon, so come out and vote and give councillor Brown another chance,” he pleaded.
Fray on the other hand, who is also expressing confidence that he will be victorious come February 26, thinks Brown has got more time than he deserved, without the relevant achievement to show for it, and it is now “time for a change”.
“The Hopewell division is comprised of different age groupings and class of people in the different districts, and they are all now complaining that they need someone that can truly represent them, not just for making promises, but to get things done,” he stated during an interview with The Gleaner.
“Not just for neglecting them and promising them, but if you promise them a road or water, keep them up to date as to the status of your achievements towards those promises,” Fray added.
WATER SHORTAGE
Fray made mention of the severe water shortage now being experienced in Hopewell and several of its adjoining districts, despite their proximity to the Great River water source, which serves hotels and other communities several miles away.
“Those are some of the things that motivate me to try to represent the people of the Hopewell division,” Fray pointed out during the interview.
He listed water, roads and lack of opportunities as some of the most pressing needs of the people of the Hopewell division, which he hopes to represent.
“I envision that in four years I can make the Hopewell division one with clean water, reduced unemployment, skilled and empowered residents, and roads that reflect the pride we have in our homes,” he emphasised.
He argued that the private sector within the area is willing and able to assist in the future development of the division and need to be involved in the decision-making process in the area.
“My main appeal to the residents of the Hopewell division is that they need to go out and vote on February 26, and vote for a change, vote for someone who is innovative, accountable, fair-minded, approachable, and willing to work with you and for you,” Fray said.