THREE recently elected councillors were sworn in as members of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) on Monday, pledging to tackle long-standing community concerns and continue the work of their predecessors.

A special sitting of the KSAMC was held to allow councillors Dellon Gayle (Denham Town Division), Kelvin Hall (Olympic Gardens Division), and Phylicia Henry-Golding (Chancery Hall Division) to be sworn-in after they successfully contested by-elections on September 3, all on Jamaica Labour Party tickets.

All three struck optimistic tones when they spoke to the Jamaica Observer after the ceremony.

They pledged to continue the work already started in their divisions while bringing their own priorities to the table.

Gayle, who replaces the late Jermaine Hyatt who died in November 2024, just nine months after the last local government elections, said he has been active in Denham Town long before his election, describing the moment as “a step up” rather than a beginning.

“I’m feeling elated but I was always there doing the work, so it’s just like a step up,” Gayle told the Observer.

He said his main focus will be working with the National Water Commission to restore consistent piped water to households, while monitoring ongoing sewerage works.

“The main challenge we have right now is, like, some sewer issue and some water issue. So, from time to time the Member of Parliament (MP) [Desmond McKenzie] has to be trucking in water. So we’ll be going in a series of discussions, dialogue with the water commission to see how best we can get water back in the pipes. The sewer issue is an issue that is being dealt with now by water commission, a contract is now under way and it’s being done right now,” Gayle explained.

He also emphasised that his priority is to move past the elections, hit the ground running, and maintain safety and peace in the division.

“I must say we are at the right place right now in terms of the crime and violence because we have no shooting or murder since the start of the year. So we are on the right path and I know that with the different social programmes that we’re putting in place, it will help the guys, the young men, the crime producers to keep in line and to keep the peace,” said Gayle.

His colleague Hall expressed excitement about his new role, saying he felt “very much welcomed” and eager to get to work.

He told the Observer that one of his main goals is to ensure residents feel included in the decision-making process and argued that such involvement is key to building trust between communities and local government.

Hall outlined several infrastructure concerns in Olympic Gardens, noting that residents had raised issues during his campaign walks.

“Well, for my division, one of the main plans is to let people feel included. That is definitely a big deal, for them to feel and be a part of the thing. Apart from that, the other issues such as the zinc fence removal, street lighting — because during my campaign, while I was walking, I realised that there were some street light issues. I have already initiated dialogue with JPS (Jamaica Public Service Company) to get that sorted out, and of course dealing with sewage, drainage cleaning, etc…, given that we are now in a very rainy season… so, there are definitely some plans,” said Hall.

“Apart from that, sports is definitely a big factor because I believe that when you get a person socially involved and active, especially the youth, then that can definitely be a significant contribution to something positive as it relates to the country, not just the division but the broader country as a whole,” he said.

Hall replaces former Councillor Christopher Townsend, who died in November 2024.

Meanwhile Chancery Hall Councillor Henry-Golding declared that she has “big shoes to fill” as she replaces former Councillor Duane Smith, who is now MP for St Andrew North Western.

She described her swearing-in as an honour and a responsibility to continue Smith’s work in the division while pushing her priorities which include youth development, with a strong emphasis on education and mentorship.

“I want to provide more mentorship for the kids because I know the kids are the future… I’ve seen in my division how some of the community centres are not being put to use and I think there are teachers there as well and persons who would give back. Maybe not having a teaching degree, but they will help kids and students with the PEP (Primary Exit Profile) or anything of the sort. So that’s one of my main focus for my division because education is the key. It helps with growth, it helps with development, it’s just a stepping stone to build the future and to continue the further development of Jamaica,” said Henry-Golding.

But even as the councillors were excited to hit the ground running, senior Government officials reminded them that the task ahead would demand dedication, sacrifice, and results.

McKenzie, who is the minister of local government and rural development, warned the new councillors that the “honeymoon period is over” and urged them to prove that local government can deliver meaningful improvements in people’s lives.

“So the only honeymoon period for the new councillors is now, and when the gavel slams, that honeymoon period is over, [and] the work begins. If you witness the rains over the last couple of days, it also tells you that your role as councillors becomes more and more in demand,”said McKenzie.

He reminded the new councillors that expectations are high, and that local government must deliver practical results to restore public trust.

“Do not allow people to feel that local government is a waste of time… You are walking into a situation where a lot more will be required for the people to fill the vacancies that have been created. The expectations of Jamaicans now are much greater than they were two weeks ago and I say that because Jamaicans want to move away from the theatre and to get out there on the road of development,” he added.

State minister in the ministry and former Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams echoed the call for commitment, as he urged the councillors to “work beyond the hours” and build relationships with colleagues on both sides of the political aisle.

“It’s important that you are here and it is important to do important work and I encourage you to do the best of your ability to go beyond the hours and when you come here to serve, you commit yourself to working beyond hours and serving the people,” said Williams.

Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby (second right) poses with newly sworn-in councillors Dellon Gayle (left), from the Denham Town Division; Phylicia Henry-Golding, Chancery Hall Division; and Kelvin Hall, Olympic Gardens Division, at a special sitting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation on Monday. (Photos: Joseph Wellington)