MONTEGO BAY, St James – New mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair Jnr, has called for the removal of all political advertisements from public spaces in the parish.

“I am directing that all political flags, slogans, billboards and other party paraphernalia be removed from public spaces throughout the parish of St James,” Sinclair said.

He warned that failure to comply in a timely manner would result in the council, in conjunction with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), removing them “post haste”.

Mayor Sinclair was speaking last Thursday at the Montego Bay Civic Centre after he was sworn-in as mayor and chairman of the St James Parish Council.

Sixteen other political representatives from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), who were successful in the local government polls were also sworn-in at the ceremony.

Political activity in the parish over the last two years has left sections of the parish defaced with political graffiti and posters.

Sinclair argued on Thursday that now that the political campaigning was over, the parish must settle down and move forward to tackle the many issues that lie ahead.

“The people have spoken and the die has been cast and so it is now time for all of us to work together – regardless of our political flavour – with a view to ensure that the parish is developed to its full potential,” Sinclair emphasised.

The JLP won 13 of the 17 parish council divisions in St James.

Sinclair, however, noted that despite the JLP’s majority, the council is mandated to ensure that “our every action, comment and otherwise is done in the best interest of the people of St James.”

“It is my intention to constructively engage all councillors with a view to achieving that goal,” he said.