Mandeville, Manchester — New chairman of the Manchester Parish Council and mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell has no illusions about the magnitude of the task ahead of him.

Mitchell (PNP — Royal Flat Division) told last week’s installation ceremony in Mandeville that he is aware he cannot shoulder the responsibilities alone.

The fourth-term councillor said that in addition to help from others, he will need prayers, patience and perseverance.

Mitchell has replaced Brenda Ramsay as head of a council that remains dominated by the People’s National Party (PNP) though that party’s majority over the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was reduced to 9-6 from 11-4 in the November 28 Local Government election.

Ramsay, who was councillor of the Bellefield Division for 18 years, has retired from representational politics.

Ramsay’s replacement in Bellefield, Mario Mitchell (PNP) is among three new faces in the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

The PNP’s Rohan Kennedy is now representing the Mile Gully Division. He is also a newcomer.

Fairbourne Maxwell held that seat in the last council.

The other new face is educator Claudia Morant-Baker who won the Porus Division for the JLP.

The JLP’s Leroy Mitchell took the Walderston Division after losing the seat to the PNP’s Burton Wright in the 2012 Local Government Election.

McArthur Collins (PNP – New Green Division), Iceval Brown (JLP – Grove Town Division), Anthony Bryce (PNP – Newport Division), Desmond Harrison (JLP – Christiana Division), Omar Miller (JLP – Craighead Division), Darlton Brown (PNP – Alligator Pond Division), Jones Oliphant (PNP – Mandeville Division), Faith Sampson-Nickle (PNP – John’s Hall Division), Ervin Facey (PNP – Spur Tree Division) have all retained their seats and were among those sworn in on Thursday.

Facey was retained as vice chairman of the corporation.