Members of the outgoing Mayor and City Council (M&CC) said their farewells yesterday during their final statutory meeting as local government elections will be held on Friday.
During the sitting, councillors reflected on their years served and several stated that they are leaving their seats with a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Although the majority bid farewell to City Hall, fellow councillors and the staff, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and councillors Gregory Fraser and Junior Garrett declared that they are hoping to return and take up seats in the new council. All of the hopefuls are on the coalition government’s first past the post list, which means that the only way they can return to council is if they win their respective constituencies.
Florence Bourne, a councillor for 17 years said she had a wonderful journey serving the people of Georgetown and pledged her support and time if ever the new council needed her help.
Long-time councillor Oscar Clarke urged his peers to be of guidance to the new councillors. He stated that they should use their experience to help councillors understand the system by explaining the serious of the municipality.
He also recommended that City Hall shows its appreciation for the mayor and councillor who have served for more than a decade.
Chase-Green said that looking back it was tedious, eventful and uneventful. She announced that despite the challenges she was able to get developmental works done. She said that if it is God’s will she will return but advised the new council to be fully knowledgeable of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01. She said they used the act as a bible for direction on issues.
Meanwhile, Kamla Devi-Ross, in her reflection applauded the works of Carol Sooba, former embattled Town Clerk, who she said had moved the city out of debt.
She said working with the council had been a great experience and she did not regret it. She stated further that the new council should not look at political affiliation, but, “… look at the citizens and their needs.”
Mayor Hamilton Green, in his final address, praised the youth of the city for taking up the challenge to enter city council. He also charged the new council to work to carry out the vision of restoring Georgetown to the garden city and a modern city for generations to be proud of.
He also suggested that City Hall host a grand affair to usher in the new councillors and bid farewell to those councillors who would no longer serve. He pledged his support to the new council and announced he can be called on at any time.
Town Clerk Royston King applauded the councillors for their cooperative efforts to move the city forward. He told them that they are going out on a high note, not as being a part of history but by creating history. He also called on the councillors to make themselves available to coach the new councillors on the dos and don’ts.
The statutory meeting concluded after a ceremonial walk as the mayor left the council chambers.
