Gilchrist

WESTERN BUREAU:

Popular politician and former mayor of Montego Bay, Arthur Gilchrist died at his home in Anchovy Estates, St James, yesterday morning after an extended period of illness.

Gilchrist, whose career encompassed stints in politics, trade unionism and business, was 66.

"Arthur Gilchrist was a stalwart for the People's National Party in the west. He was a champion for the poor and an advocate of grass roots development," Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller said in a release. "As mayor, he played a pivotal role in establishing a number of landmarks that exist today in Montego Bay."

Gilchrist, who served as mayor from 1990 to 1998, was instrumental in the creation of the People's Arcade, Harbour Street Arcade and the Bryon Leslie Fish Market. He served as deputy mayor from 1986 to 1990, representing the Salt Spring and Mount Salem divisions, both in west central St James.

Transport Centre

He also piloted the formation of the Montego Bay Redevelopment Company and the preparation of the Greater Montego Bay Redevelopment Plan. Under his watch, the Montego Bay Transport Centre was constructed, and he initiated the St James Parish Library Park.

Joy Crooks, nurse administrator and founding member of the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI), expressed condolences to the Gilchrist family.

"He will be sadly missed by us here at CUMI. He helped to build the awareness of the need for this centre through the parish council and we appreciated his role at CUMI."

Gilchrist served as a member of the National Executive Council from 1976-2003 and was a founding member of the People's National Party Youth Organisation. In 1991, he founded COMFORT (Committee for the Protection of Tenants).

"He was a man of integrity and honesty who worked assiduously for the working-class citizens in Montego Bay," recalled community development activist, O Dave Allen.

Gilchrist was a trade unionist and worked as an organiser for the Trade Union Congress that represented workers at the Sangster International Airport and Casa Montego Hotel. He studied at the Branch Texas College and the Jamaica School of Agriculture.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Fay, and six children.

Mayor of Montego Bay Charles Sinclair has announced the opening of a condolence book at the St James Parish Council from July 1 to July 7 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.