UNC councillors vote with PNM for aldermen

THE TWO UNC Councillors on the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, yesterday voted with their ten PNM colleagues to elect Joanne Thomas and Lizanne Bolan, aldermen on the Council.

The election of aldermen and swearing in of the 12 Councillors took place at the Corporation’s Hall. Former Chairman of the Corporation — now Member of Parliament for St Ann’s East, Anthony Roberts — in extending congratulations to the councillors, reminded them that their job was not a glamourous one, but one of service to the people whom they represented. He further told them that having been elected, they were the “representatives of the people, and the question of party no longer holds.” There are only two female councillors on the 12- member PNM-controlled Corporation. They are Jennifer Guerra and Linda Hollingsworth. They would be joined by the two female aldermen. By profession, Thomas is a manager and Bolan, a law student.

The other councillors are Henry Nicholas, Dr Jeffrey Reyes, Kwesi Antoine, Junior Jacky, Richard Walcott, James Henry, Santam Ramjit (UNC), Davlin Sherwin Thomas, Christopher Perreira and Nazimool Mohammed (UNC). Reyes is tipped to be sworn in as Chairman of the Corporation. He was vice chairman but served in the capacity of chairman when Roberts was elected as MP. Presiding over the ceremony was Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Jeanette Simmons. The swearing-in ceremony of chairman, vice chairman and aldermen will take place on Monday.