LUCEA, Hanover — Wynter McIntosh, the newly appointed chairman of the Hanover Parish Council, has vowed to ensure that viable opportunities are created to improve the economic development of the parish.

“I see one of my tasks as helping to put Hanover back in its rightful place on the map of Jamaica. We need a capital for the parish that reflects and supports expansion and this can only be achieved through all those who have an interest in the betterment of the parish,” he argued.

He added that he plans to galvanise the support of all stakeholders in a bid to ensure that the parish achieves economic prosperity.

“…Be it community stakeholders, Government agencies, the private sectors, concerned citizens, all those who take pride in where they live, work and play; this can only be achieved by us all working together,” Wynter explained.

McIntosh, who was making his maiden presentation as chairman of the Hanover Parish Council during yesterday’s special sitting of the local authority, emphasised that he intends “to make our local governance increasingly be seen and respected as an effective channel for supporting local growth and development.”

McIntosh, who is also the People’s National Party (PNP’s) councillor for the Chester Castle Division, replaced councillor for the Green Island Division Shernett Haughton, whose resignation took effect yesterday.

Haughton had cited a lack of support from her colleagues as the reason for her resignation, which came five months after the Office of the Contractor General launched a probe into the operations of the local body amidst allegations of nepotism in the awarding of contracts.

Yesterday, Haughton stressed that she will continue to represent her division.

Meanwhile, the outgoing chairman has pledged her full support to McIntosh, and his deputy, Neville Claire, the councillor for the Lucea Division.

However, she added that her two-year tenure in office as mayor was challenging.

“As I reflect on my tenure in office as mayor of Lucea, the journey was not a smooth one and I must say that I was not able to accomplish all that I had set out to achieve, but I truly believe that I have made a significant contribution to the development of the parish,” she argued.