As you were! Samuels, Dehaney-Grant chosen for Hanover mayor, deputy
THE LEADERSHIP in the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) has remained as it was prior to the recent local government elections as, following the swearing in ceremony for the seven elected People’s National Party (PNP) councillors in that cooperation, Sheridan Samuels and Andria Dehaney-Grant have both been re-selected by their fellow councillors to be the mayor and deputy mayor, respectively. They will therefore be the chairman and vice chairman of the HMC.
Last Thursday ’s swearing in ceremony, which was called to order by the principal returning officer for the Hanover Eastern constituency, Hermena Bucknor, was held in the HMCs meeting room, located in Bustamante Square, Lucea, Hanover.
Scheduled to start at midday, the ceremony started about five minutes late, as some consideration was being given in time, for the arrival of both members of parliament in Hanover - Dave Brown of Hanover Eastern, and Tamika Davis of Hanover Western - who, along with the custos of the parish, Dr David Stair, were all listed to make addresses on the programme, but were absent.
With no apology tendered on their behalf, the decision was taken to start the ceremony without them.
Davis arrived some 35 minutes into the ceremony, however, while Brown and Stair failed to show.
Bucknor guided the proceedings up to the point of the selection of Samuels as the mayor, then handed over to him for him to marshal the rest of it.
In a brief address made by her, Bucknor noted that the day marked a significant moment in the sojourn of the many communities across the parish, as the residents gather to swear in the newly elected parish councillors.
“It is an honour to stand before you as the returning officer, tasked with overseeing this crucial transition of leadership,” she stated, adding that the country’s democracy thrives on the trust and confidence placed in elected representatives.
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
Turning her attention to the residents of the parish she stated, “You have chosen them (the councillors) to be the stewards of your shared visions, entrusted with the well-being and progress of your beloved parish.”
“In these challenging times, the expectations placed upon our councillors are profound, our community looks to them with anticipation, expecting a commitment to addressing fundamental needs,” she stated, while naming the provision of good roads, potable water and an efficient power supply as being at the forefront of collective community aspirations.
While acknowledging the weight of the community expectations, she called for the councillors to be transparent in all their day-to-day actions.
Samuels, who will now be serving a second successive term in the position as mayor of Lucea, in his address after being sworn in, called for collaboration between the councillors and the members of parliament within the parish, with a view to properly serving the residents across the parish.
“To both members of parliament, I extend my sincerest invitation for your support and collaboration, our success as a parish depends on our ability to work together, transcending political affiliations and personal agendas, in pursuit of the common good,” he stated.
“Let us unite in purpose, pool our resources and harness our collective expertise, to address the needs of our constituents, and foster inclusive growth and development,” he emphasised.
He argued that he is accepting the position of mayor, recognising the trust and confidence placed in him by the councillors in the HMC, the residents of the Cauldwell division which he represents, and by extension every resident in the parish of Hanover.
“I will say to the entire Hanover that this team (of councillors) is committed to build a more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable Lucea, and by extension Hanover, we are committed to creating a community where everyone’s voice is heard, where opportunities are abundant, and where the quality of life for all residents is enhanced,” he emphasised.