Hinds

Mayor-elect of Portmore, the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Keith Hinds, is still basking in the victory he scored over incumbent mayor of the municipality, George Lee, but says there won't be a prolonged celebration as there is urgent work to be done.

Mr. Hinds told The Gleaner yesterday that he was preparing to take office soon with the knowledge that there was a great deal of hard work to be done in the municipality.

The preliminary count showed Hinds polling approximately 200 votes more than his counterpart, Lee. A recount, which started yesterday, is to be completed today.

Mr. Hinds said he toured the municipality yesterday and his first order of business after being sworn in next week will be to improve the aesthetics of the city.

"I am tired of seeing the bush and 'macca' in Portmore," he said.

Hard work

The mayor-elect said his triumph did not come by chance, but was finally achieved through perseverance and hard work.

"It seems to be one of the sweetest victories so far in this election, the fact that Keith Hinds has become the new Mayor of Portmore," he said.

The People's National Party (PNP) yesterday captured seven divisions in Portmore to the JLP's four. This means that the PNP has superior numbers in terms of councillors, with a JLP mayor in charge.

Mr. Hinds said the superior numbers representing the PNP would not affect the decision-making process, explaining that the councillors are willing to set aside their political differences and work together for the benefit of Portmore.

"I am sure there are going to be times when they draw party lines, but then I am the mayor," he said.

The JLP yesterday swept the local government elections, winning nine of the 13 parish councils, and finishing in a tie with the PNP for the St. Ann Parish Council.

Showing an improvement over the 2003 local polls, the PNP picked up Hanover and Manchester, after retaining Westmoreland and the municipality of Portmore.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com