Many people should know by now that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Hopewell Division, Vasca Brown, is the new chairman of the Hanover Parish Council.

He replaced long-time councillor for the Riverside Division Lester Crooks, who resigned from the post last week amid a hotel construction controversy.

Brown’s ascension to the chairmanship of the council, which is dominated by the JLP, comes at a time when the parish is poised for economic development, particularly in the area of tourism.

Construction is already under way for a 1,600-room hotel at Point, a few minutes from Lucea, which is Hanover’s parish capital.

But in addition to the US$150-million hotel, there are several other projects that must be developed if Hanover is to realise its full economic potential.

The new mayor, it seems, is aware of the benefits that can accrue from tourism development in the parish, and has already announced plans to develop the sector, particularly in Lucea.

As reported in today’s lead story, Lucea, which sits on a beautiful harbour 25 miles west of Montego Bay, is rich in history. The town also lies between two of the Caribbean’s most renowned tourist resort areas – Montego Bay and Negril – and appears to have waited far too long to be developed.

The Hanover museum, for example, located on the site of an 18th century prison, needs to realise its full potential. There is also the historic Fort Charlotte – the beautiful harbour that can be developed for cruise shipping; the 18th century parish church; and the 19th century courthouse building with its historic clock.

Hanover is also blessed with several rivers and springs and the Dolphin Head Mountains, all of which can be utilised to realise Brown’s dream of having the town transformed into a major tourist attraction.

But to make the dream a reality, the new chairman must lead the charge. However, he cannot do it alone and will need the support his colleague councillors on both sides of the political divide. He will also need the input of the various public and private sector stakeholders.

But will the new chairman be able to garner the support necessary for the development of the parish? In what is widely believed to be an election year, let us hope that partisan politics will not stifle the parish’s development.

Brown will therefore have to ensure there is transparency, accountability and unquestionable integrity in the day-to-day operations of the local authority. Without these crucial elements, he is doomed to fail in his quest to move the parish forward.