MANCHESTER, Mandeville — Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell on Thursday voiced opposition to the Government’s plan to establish a single authority to manage the nation’s roads and the centralisation of entertainment permits.

“On the campaign there were two things that…I heard about: one road authority and centralising entertainment matters. But just to state that under the Places of Amusement Regulations all that is vested in the councils, so any move to move such authority from the councils will have to go through Parliament, and if you remove roads from us [and] entertainment regulation from us, it is simple, close down the municipalities, because what else would the municipalities have to do apart from taking care of the poor and the indigent…building plans and all of that,” Mitchell said at Thursday’s sitting of the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

“That is not what the electors of the parish elected us for. They expect us to serve them to the best of our ability, but if you remove from us authority, then there can be no service,” added Mitchell, a member of the People’s National Party who contested the Manchester Central seat in the September 3, 2025 General Election and lost to the Jamaica Labour Party’s Rhoda Moy Crawford.

For months the Government has said it was reviewing the entire system and considering creating a single road authority to manage all road maintenance.

Additionally, Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange recently proposed changes in the process of applying for and the granting of permits for entertainment events.

Grange expressed a desire to see a reintroduction of a national “one-stop shop” for event permits. With this system, all applications would be routed through a central platform under the ministry’s oversight.

However, Mitchell, in reiterating his objection to both the one road authority and entertainment permit centralisation, said “good sense will prevail”.

“…Those were only gimmicks or promises made on the campaign,” he told councillors.

“The election is over and so we get back to the work of the people to make their lives better and to help to enhance their livelihood for those who need our help. We are elected here to do the work in our various divisions…” he added.

“I want to congratulate the winners and say well done to those who have fought very well. As for me, the people of Manchester say it is better for me to sit as mayor and so this morning I accept that wish and ask that we continue to do the work of the parish,” he said.

Mitchell polled 8,876 votes to Crawford’s 9,112.