By Keril Wright, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU
CHRISTOPHER POWELL, who holds a B.Sc. degree in management from the University of South Carolina and a MBA in International Business and Finance from Nova Southeastern University, will be taking over as the new Secretary Manager for the St. James Parish Council.
Mr. Powell, the Acting Secretary Manager at the Clarendon Parish Council for the past three years, will replace Lilieth Allen, who will be going into retirement after serving the St. James Parish Council for over 30 years. Mr. Powell, who is in his mid-thirties, told The Gleaner that despite his youthfulness, he is qualified and has a track record to prove that he can manage the job and as a consequence, he was looking to meet and overcome the challenges in St. James.
"I would imagine that the problems in St. James are on a larger scale compared to those in Clarendon," said Powell. "However I am sure they are the same problems I was up against there."
The Parish Council, headed by Mayor Hugh Solomon, has long been criticised for its poor management of the city as problems of illegal vending, traffic congestion, garbage and poor drains have plagued the city.
"Many of the problems that I will be facing in St. James are problems I have been fighting against in Clarendon," said Powell. "Some of them I have strong controversial views about that I will be hoping to sell to the people in St. James."
"One of things I was recruited to do in Clarendon was increase revenue and that I have increased to over 300 per cent in the past three years," he said.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Monday, Mrs. Allen said she would be handing over to Mr. Powell yesterday but would remain until the end of the week to ensure a smooth changeover. She noted that she would be advising Mr. Powell to be "open and transparent" and "be his own man", when he assumes the top position at the Council.
The former Secretary Manager came under scrutiny last year as the Council reeled under pressure on account of the Street People Scandal. She, along with the Mayor Solomon and Superintendent of Roads and Works Mr. Tubal Brown, were subpoenaed to testify before the Street People Enquiry.
