MONTEGO BAY, ST James — While pledging to work in the best interest of the parish, firebrand minority leader in the St James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Michael Troupe (People’s National Party, Granville Division), has put Jamaica Labour Party councillors on notice that the Opposition will be even more outspoken than before.

“We are going to be more vocal. We are going to make sure that our agenda – the people’s agenda – goes forward,” Troupe told the
Jamaica Observer.

His comments came just after he and the rest of the councillors were sworn into office during a ceremony held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre on Thursday.

Troupe, who has represented Granville for almost three decades, is joined on the Opposition side of the aisle by Kerry Thomas who was returned to serve the Mount Salem Division and Martin Kellier who will represent Welcome Hall. Kellier last served as councillor from 2012 to 2016.

Meanwhile, the newcomers include Michael Allen in Somerton, Anthony Swaby in Maroon Town, and Kenroy Gordon who won the Catadupa seat.

“We have things that we need to be done and we are not going to be quiet about it. There are now six of us and we are going to be on the same agenda going forward,” Troupe declared.

In the previous administration, Troupe and Thomas were the only two members of the PNP as Sylvan Reid and Gladstone Bent, who were elected to represent Salt Spring and Catadupa, respectively, were booted after missing three consecutive meetings.

Troupe has promised that things will be different this time around.

“That won’t happen this time,” he stressed.

“This time we have already started to train them and we have already told them about the council,” he explained.

A team meeting is slated for this Sunday, he explained, to further educate his Comrades who have not served before on what they can expect when they get into council.

“These new set of councillors will be coming in stronger and better,” Troupe declared.