Black River’s new mayor outlines ambitious agenda
Richard Solomon promises to lead with integrity, accountability
EDUCATOR RICHARD Solomon, who won the New Market division on the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) ticket in the February 26 local government elections, was installed Thursday as the new mayor of Black River and chairman of the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation (StEMC).
Solomon, who replaces his JLP colleague Derrick Sangster – mayor in the previous JLP administration that the party had also won by a 9-6 margin – will have Donald Simpson, who won the Malvern division for the JLP, as his deputy.
Sangster, who won the Mountainside division for the JLP, retains his place in the corporation as a councillor.
In his wide-ranging acceptance speech, Solomon, who had both of his parents in the audience, listed a range of issues he plans to tackle in a manner that is inclusive and accommodative of councillors on both sides to get the best results for the people of St Elizabeth.
“I pledge to serve with great pride and the highest level of integrity, accountability, and transparency,” said Solomon. “… Today I call for all hands to be on deck. Colleague councillors, let us unite around a common cause for the greater good of the people we were elected to serve.”
Speaking to the beauty of Black River and its potential to become a premier economic centre, the new mayor said he would be working assiduously to foster economic growth through the engagement with local businesses and investors he hopes will help with development of the township and wider St Elizabeth.
“The idea is to make St Elizabeth the place of choice to work, raise a family, and do business,” said Solomon, who intends to use his background in environmental studies to help foster a sustainable environment as part of the overall plans for each major township in the parish.
Describing himself as a “humble man from humble beginnings”, the new mayor promised that under his watch, the poor and the indigent would not be forgotten.
“I will work collaboratively with all stakeholder groups to strengthen existing programmes that cater to the most vulnerable among us, and where necessary, we will introduce new initiatives to ensure that they are properly cared for,” said Solomon.
Solomon also outlined plans to address perennial issues such as garbage collection and security through the building out of a CCTV network to link to the Jamaica Eye system as well as seeking to create opportunities to help the young people to become the best version of themselves.
Three of the parish’s four members of parliament – Franklin Witter, JC Hutchinson, and Floyd Green - were in attendance, alongside Beryl Hope Rochester, the custos of St Elizabeth; and the Electoral Office of Jamaica’s (EOJ) chief returning officer, Sandra Dean Moore, who encouraged councillors to lead with purpose.
“Lead with purpose because the people are depending on you …. You were chosen by your party as the standard-bearer in your division … . I urge you to serve well,” she said.