ST. ELIZABETH:
WHILE THE two major political parties are gearing up for Local Government elections, some Mayors are calling on the authorities to implement at least one aspect of the reform programme, before or after the election.
Former Mayor of Black River, JAG Myers told the Gleaner, on Tuesday that the time had come to elect Mayors directly, as it would encourage greater participation at the community level.
"The partisan way of choosing our Mayors should be a thing of the past. I strongly believe that we should start electing our Mayors independently of the political party", said Mr. Myers. He said it would ensure greater accountability in the income and expenditure of the Parish Council and a general development of the various parishes.
According to Horace Williams, Mayor of Mandeville, the citizens of the different parishes should be given the opportunity to elect their mayors directly and to chose the person whom they see fit to run the business of the cities and parish capitals. However, "I would like to see everything worked out properly before such a move is taken, because it makes no sense to have it done in any rush", Mr. Williams said.
"I think the authorities should try and explain this aspect of the local government reform process to the people. I agree that their idea is a good one, but more explanation about its various implications would provide a great deal of help to the people in the different parishes," Mr. Williams said.
Mayor of Black River, Daphne Holmes, also believes that the time has come for mayors to be independent of the political parties which would allow more room to address the critical needs of the cities and parish capitals. She said that she fully supported the idea.
