Michael Belnavis returns as Mayor of St. Ann's Bay

 

Nearly four years after he resigned as Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Councillor for the Ocho Rios Division Michael Belnavis is back in the chair after leaving under a cloud of criticism in July 2020.

 

Mr. Belnavis was on Thursday afternoon elected chairman of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation during a swearing in ceremony for councillor-elects of the corporation.

 

During his previous stint, he was heavily criticised after it was revealed that he had installed an electric vehicle charging port at the municipal corporation for his personal use, without prior authorisation.

 

This became the subject of an Integrity Commission report which deemed his actions an abuse of power.

 

He was subsequently cleared of wrongdoing and he repaid the installation cost of $78,226.

 

Addressing Thursday's ceremony, Mr. Belnavis called for unity among the councillors.

 

"In a room where these political lines are drawn, it is for is to move forward in one accord, and that accord can only be for the benefit of the people of St. Ann. And I believe that with the 15 councillors that we have here to include myself as the 16th councillor, it can only be greatness if we work together," he declared.  

 

The Jamaica Labour Party controls the St. Ann Municipal Corporation with a majority of 11 to the People's National Party's five councillors. 

 

Ian Bell, Councillor for the Beecher Town Division, said he is hopeful that this time around, Mayor Belnavis will be more effective than during his previous tenure. He also promised that the five opposition councillors will ensure the people's needs are given priority. 

 

"I am hoping that it is not just words, but it will be put in action because he would have said it before when he was mayor prior to this occasion and it didn't happen. We will not sit back, although it is five of us, and have them dominate the council in whatever is not proper. We were elected by real people that send us down here, that [are] depending on us to represent them. And representation is what we intend to give," he vowed.