Nancis — Arima’s 40th Mayor

THE 40th Mayor of Arima, businessman Eustace Nancis, was yesterday sworn into office at the Arima Town Hall. The Deputy Mayor is Councillor for Arima West, Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez.

Nancis, in his maiden speech as Mayor of the Royal Borough, which celebrates its 115th anniversary this year, vowed to solicit help from everyone, especially Members of Parliament, in addressing several problems plaguing Arima and seek the widest consultation from all stakeholders to improve the borough. He said the most pressing problems were the need for “a new market, administrative complex, an efficient garbage collection system and fixing the Mt Pleasant Road.” Nancis also promised to “serve all to the best of my ability.”

Outgoing Mayor Elvin Edwards, in his thank-you speech, said during his seven-year term, he was disappointed with the “insensitivity of the last Government, the UNC, but we got by.” He expressed confidence that with a PNM-controlled Corpo-ration under a PNM Government, “We expect much for the people of Arima.” The first order of business was the swearing-in of Aldermen Nancis and Gumarpath Lutchie Maharaj, who were elected last Monday. Edwards then entered the Hall, escorted by Cpl Geneive Sandiford, and gave his thank-you speech. Later on, Nancis, with a broad smile on his face, was elected unopposed.

After taking the oath, Nancis was adorned with the Mayoral chain and received his first salute from Cpl Sandiford as Mayor. Bharath was later elected Deputy Mayor, also unopposed. Among those gathered to witness the swearing-in were former Arima Mayor Rose Janniere, Ambassador Pleni-potentiary Jerry Narace, Carib Queen Valentina Medina and her husband, as well as Nancis’s rival for the post, George Hadeed. Nancis’s wife Carol and his children Denia and Dwayne were also present.