OCHO RIOS, St Ann – After 16 years of service as a local government representative, Councillor Lambert Weir (Claremont Division, People’s National Party) has officially thrown in the towel.

On Thursday, during this year’s final monthly meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation, his peers bid farewell to the man they described as a “true gentleman”.

“It is sad to see you go, we really had some good times and I learnt from some of your experiences. I can say you conducted yourself as a gentleman; and I put that in bold. There are a lot of things that you would’ve done that characterise you being a gentleman. We wish you well,” said mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Sydney Stewart.

The Opposition PNP had already indicated, during a presentation of candidates in Brown’s Town on November 19, that they will look to newcomer Kaydian Harty to retain the seat for the party in the next local polls.

On Thursday Weir could not hold back his tears as he reminisced about his many years as a member of the local government body.

“Sixteen years!” Weir stressed. “I enjoyed being here and working with my colleagues. I will miss being here; there are some things that I wanted to do before I leave but I have to move on.”

Sad that his dream of having a fire station built in his Claremont Division never materialised while he was in office, he still wants to keep pushing for the project.

“In any way that I can assist the next administration, I will be happy to do so,” vowed Weir.

Councillor Ian Bell (Beecher Town Division, PNP), who also first entered the St Ann Municipal Corporation in 2007, was sad to see his Comrade go.

“I will keep the mantle flying high when he leaves,” said Bell.

The accolades also poured in from councillors affiliated with the Jamaica Labour Party. They praised Weir for putting his political preferences aside and working for the betterment of the people in St Ann during his tenure.

Deputy mayor and councillor for the St Ann’s Bay Division Dallas Dickenson spoke of Weir’s humility, his penchant for fairness and gentility.

“Go out and make the world a better place,” he told Weir.

There was also input from councillor for the Ocho Rios Division, Michael Belnavis.

“You have always been level-headed and mature and, as my colleagues said, a true gentleman. So it is really sad to see you go,” he said to Weir.

Councillor for the Lime Hall Division Genevor Gordon-Bailey spoke of her admiration for Weir’s leadership skills.

“I gave you that name ‘gentleman Weir’ when I came here because I’ve seen how you operate; you are truly a good person and I wish you all the best,” she said.