2 JLP St. Mary Councillors absent from today’s swearing in

Two of the Opposition Councillors elected to serve in the St. Mary Parish Council were absent from today's (March 29) swearing in ceremony.

It is not clear why the outgoing Mayor of Port Maria, Richard Creary, and outgoing Deputy Mayor Barton Oliver, were absent.

It was expected that 13 Councillors would have been sworn in today: 8 from the Governing PNP and 5 from the Opposition JLP.

However, only 3 JLP Councillors turned up.

Irie FM’s St. Mary correspondent says the newly installed Chairman of the Council,  indicated that the 2 absentee JLP Councillors had voiced concern about being jeered at today's proceedings.

At this afternoon's swearing in ceremony, Councillor for the Bellfield Division, Levan Freeman was installed as Chairman of the St. Mary Parish Council.

And, Councillor for the Highgate Division Paul Fyffe was elected Deputy Chairman.

In his inaugural address, Chairman Freeman charged the Councillors to focus on serving the needs of all St. Mary residents, not just party supporters.

He asked that the Councillors host quarterly public meetings with residents, in order to hear their concerns and be better able serve them.