Senator Delroy Williams was yesterday sworn in as the new mayor of Kingston and outlined a lofty vision for the capital city that included improving infrastructure and a return of tourism.

But his new administration got a glimpse of the enormity of its task when rival supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) clashed in the streets outside the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) before the installation ceremony, in a bitter spillover of the just-concluded Local Government Election which resulted in the PNP losing control of the city council by one vote.

It was not clear what triggered the clash, but the police had to call for reinforcements to restore order after supporters hurled insults, shoes and stones at each other, while some threatened to get physical.

The JLP supporters hoisted a small cardboard coffin while chanting that they were burying former Mayor Angela Brown Burke. One councillor lashed out against a senior police officer, claiming that he did nothing to stop the JLP supporters from coming at the PNP supporters.

Another councillor was overhead saying, “If dem nuh move, we nah move,” while another said, “We nuh fraid a nuh John Crow weh a pitch.”

Shortly after the fracas, the ceremony got underway with the swearing-in of Senator Williams, who represents the Seivwright Gardens Division, as mayor. Councillor Winston Ennis (Waterloo Division) was sworn in as deputy mayor.

Mayor Williams, during his address, stressed that his administration will operate in a spirit of unity and cooperation and invited the minority caucus to work with them for the betterment of the municipality and its people.

“There are many challenges confronting us, but we have never resisted a challenge. As a corporation we will confront those challenges as one, united in our purpose and sacred responsibilities to secure the interest of the people of Kingston and St Andrew,” he said.

“In the spirit of unity and cooperation we will open many paths and fulfil many dreams, and we will do so as one,” Mayor Williams added.

He told the gathering that his vision is to make Kingston the “capital city of the Caribbean, the pearl of the Antilles and a major player in the Latin American landscape” and invited corporate Jamaica and the people to share in this vision and help to make it a reality.

However, he said, “The municipal corporation must drive economic activities and we must facilitate and not hinder. We will act within the statutory power to be a facilitator of growth. We must create a megacity; Kingston must become a spectacle, a tourist attraction.”

The mayor also promised that his administration will be working on the expansion of the city’s pier to attract cruise ships and stopover visitors. In addition, the administration will address the downtown development plan and improve the city’s infrastructure.

He also committed to work closer with stakeholders in the entertainment industry to make Kingston the “undisputed centre of entertainment in the Caribbean”. In addition, he vowed to engage vendors in a friendlier and gentler manner to reap greater profits.

Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang congratulated the members of the new council and commended the outgoing administration for its work.

However, he told the new council that there is still a lot of work to be done as local government has a major role to play in the development of the country.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie urged the corporation to perform in a way that will underscore the importance of local government and will foster greater respect from citizens.

He also challenged the corporation to forge partnerships that will be beneficial to the city and will surpass political boundaries.