PORT ANTONIO, Portland — The delay of the next local government election in this eastern parish is either a big deal or of no significance at all. Like many sections of the country, it depends on who you ask.

“It is not a problem for me when it call. If it is today or tomorrow, I’m not worried as my job is just to represent the people to the best of my ability,” said Councillor Rohan Vassell (Jamaica Labour Party, Balcarres Division) who is also deputy mayor of Port Antonio.

“The heads of government, they know what they are doing and whenever the time is right,” Vassell told the Jamaica Observer.

He is confident that the country’s leaders know best, even if the delay means he has to manage the affairs of not just his division but also Fellowship, where the former councillor Irvin “Louie” Brown died in October 2020 from complications associated with COVID-19. The division has a heavy focus on tourism and agriculture and is seen as vital to the parish.

“It is challenging. However, it is my thing to do to represent, to assist, to listen as I find it intriguing. I put myself forward to represent so my assistance to people is not a challenge. It is always finding a way how to reach out to them. It might be tiring at times but it is hard work and smart work, but I am cool with that. The division is large with hilly terrain but I enjoy doing it,” Vassell said of Fellowship.

He is not the only one called upon to do double duty. Mayor Paul Thompson (JLP, Manchioneal Division) is also handling the affairs of the Fairy Hill Division since Derron Wood’s death in March 2021. Wood died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the Corporate Area. He had reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

Their colleague, Councillor Stephen Williams (JLP, St Margaret’s Bay Division), has given the mayor and deputy mayor the thumbs up for the job they are doing in all four divisions.

“The business of the council is always ongoing and we just have to continue doing what we have to do in carrying out our municipal responsibilities as councillors. We have lost two councillors and, despite that, it has not affected us as, based on my knowledge, the divisions of Councillors Brown and Wood are being represented — although it could have been better with their direct councillor,” he said.

According to Williams, it helps that locally elected officials who serve the people of Portland work together, despite party affiliation.

“We all work together, including the two members representing the Opposition party. We sit as a jurisdiction, and not so much as per division. As we represent our various divisions, we do sit as a corporation; we discuss matters for the entire parish whenever we meet. We are not confined to each other’s particular division but we look at the whole parish,” he said confidently.

However minority leader, Councillor Wayne McKenzie (People’s National Party, Prospect Division) had a different take on the matter.

“We have lost two candidates but I am not even sure how we are managing the situation,” he said. “I’m aware that the mayor is in charge of one division and the deputy mayor the other. There is no official report coming in from the mayor as it relates to what’s actually happening in those specific areas but I see some activities taking place in those areas,” he said.

Unlike the JLP councillors, McKenzie is concerned about the delayed election and the impact it will have on the people they represent. He is concerned that the Government does not view the Local Government Election as important.

“I am just hoping that the Government will show some greater respect to local government. We have seen in the past where the JLP Government has treated local government as a bastard child — very poor way of managing it — and I am concerned because local government impacts the people on the ground, impacts the community more directly than a central government representative,” he argued. “Both governments are needed but local government is the one that touches the lives and concerns of the people on the ground on a daily basis. I am concerned the way the Government is treating it.”

He is hoping Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie, whom he views as approachable, will provide guidance on the way forward.

“I am expecting him to come out and make it clear where we are as it relates to local government; not just the election but the whole local government in terms of the respect of the ministry and the councillors that represents the people,” said McKenzie.