WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The Westmoreland Municipal Corporation has paid tribute to the late Councillor Patrick Forrester, (People’s National Party, Petersfield Division), who lost his life in a motor vehicle crash in Westmoreland on September 17.

Tribute to Forrester, who was a first-term councillor started with Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Danree Delancy during Thursday’s sitting of the regular monthly general meeting of the corporation.

Councillor Delancy said Forrester was eager to serve his division. He noted that for the short time he served as councillor, he left a positive impact.

“Councillor  Forrester got elected last [year] February and I can tell you that he did well, running even before he was sworn in officially, he started writing projects and programmes,” stated Mayor Delancy.

“So, I should say that he actually started, before he was sworn in as councillor officially, started making queries as to how and when he could submit projects and programmes [for his division],” added the mayor.
“He served with passion and he served with compassion. And most of all, I think he served with humility. Never boastful; never puffed up; never wanting to be seen in a [non] punctilious manner but always trying to serve and to give of his best,” stated Delancy.

The mayor further extended condolences to his family and well-wishers

“I want to officially extend condolences to his family — both immediate and extended. I want to extend condolences to his constituents. I want to really and truly extend heartfelt condolences to all the lives that he has touched and to all who are mourning his loss at this time. And I want to say that he will be greatly missed. He was here with us for a short while, but believe me, he has indeed left his mark. I want to extend condolences to his family both immediate and extended. I want to really and truly extend condolences,” added the mayor.

Councillor for the White House Division, Michael Jackson, who knew Forrester for more than 30 years,  said the former councillor was someone who took interest in both the people of his division and the travelling public.

“He was strident in his defence for the travelling public as he was the president for the Petersfield Taxi Association where he was the voice of the taxi- men, commuters and owners of public passenger vehicles,” stated councillor Jackson.

Councillor for the Little London Division, Ian Myles, expressed similar sentiments.

Forrester is expected to be laid to rest in November.

— Anthony Lewis