MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Wendy Freckleton was returned unopposed as president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce (MCOC) on Thursday at the organisation’s annual general meeting.

She expressed gratitude for the “vote of confidence” and hope for success during her tenure.

Kayon Wallace will serve the 2013-2014 administration as first vice-president; Karen Wong, second vicepresident and director of projects and events; Sandra Peart, treasurer (with assistant Sheriffa McPherson); Doreth Jones, secretary; Delroy Jarrett, director of information and communication technologies; Stuart Barnes, director of entrepreneurism and business advocacy; Garfield Green, director of government relations and economic development; Thelma Vassall, director of workforce development and education (with assistant Janice Brooks); Tracey Drummond, director of membership (assistant Phillip Williams); Charmaine Dixon, director of communication and public affairs; and Reverend Dr Owen Gordon, chaplain.

The third-term president said that as a result of the traffic problems in Mandeville, a Town Planning and Development Division has been formed. As such, businessman Rashidi Thomas will be expected to work with the National Works Agency and Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing to implement the new traffic plan for Mandeville.

She revealed that in the past year there was a “record high” attendance at monthly meetings and every division within the organisation made significant progress.

“…. Mandeville will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2016. We hope that by then we will be able to declare it a city. I encourage all our members and, by extension, the entire business community of Manchester, to start preparing themselves to make the type of investment that a city requires, so that no one will be left out of the benefits,” she added in the MCOC newsletter.

Freckleton said that this year she and her team will also be serving as mentor to the Old Harbour and St Elizabeth chambers of commerce.