ST ANN, Jamaica — Chairman of the St Ann Municipal Corporation Michael Belnavis has moved a resolution for the National Housing Trust (NHT) to give a concessionary rate to councillors who have served for two terms or more.

Belnavis, who is the Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, moved the resolution at the municipal’s monthly meeting held today.

The resolution states: “Be it resolved that councillors after a period of two terms be given a NHT solution at a concessionary rate, to reflect their age and tenure; recognising that most councillors are above and beyond government retirement age.”

In justifying the need for the concessionary rates for councillors, the resolutions outlined that “councillors from the various municipal corporations are employed for a specific period of time, dedicate time and resources to the public at large, do social work and give of their own resources, invariably deplete their own resources because of their social involvement, and many councillors retire from council without any real housing solution”.

Councillor for the Beecher Town Division Ian Bell seconded the resolution. It also garnered support from both Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) councillors.

The resolution will be sent to other municipal corporations seeking their support.

Belnavis explained to the councillors that he moved the resolution because he witnessed a former mayor living in a very poor condition after giving years of service.

Renae Dixon