San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello was a no show at yesterday’s swearing-in of councillors at the San Fernando City Corporation yesterday, amidst news that he may be replaced next week.
People’s National Movement (PNM) insiders indicated that attorney Solange De Souza-Ransome is tipped to replace him, however, there has been no confirmation.
When asked about the mayor’s absence, the PNM councillors could not tell.
Calls to his phone were not answered.
CEO of the SFCC Indarjit Singh said yesterday that next week will be the swearing-in of aldermen and the election of the new mayor and deputy mayor.
Six PNM councillors and three newcomers from the United National Congress (UNC) took their oath of office before a small audience at the City Hall auditorium along the Harris Promenade.
Despite losing three electoral districts in the SFCC following last week’s local government election, returning councillor for Pleasantville Robert Parris said the work goes on as usual.
Parris believes the performance of the last council was up to scratch.
Traffic plans and the renaming of streets were some of the initiatives he said the old council was proud to have done.
Now that there are opposition councillors in the council, he doesn’t think there will be any issues.
“I think that we have to continue to serve the people. I think that is the objective of local government. That is the objective of service. Whether or not we have opposition on the council, I believe that local government is too small to practice party politics and I think we should do what is best for the people of San Fernando,” Parris said.
With the general election about a year away, he agreed that the performance of the PNM led council is crucial to the party keeping the San Fernando West and San Fernando East constituencies.
As a local government body, he said they are charged with tending to people’s basic needs.
UNC councillor for Marabella South/Vistabella Marcus Girdharie said he and his fellow members will work towards showing the people of San Fernando what his party is about.
As a minority representative, he said his role is to represent the people, but he would also encourage his burgesses to write to the council.
He added another way to achieve results is by building relationships with the business community to get work done that the Corporation may not be able to carry out.
With the UNC making inroads in the SFCC, he said the party sees this as an opportunity for change.
“We have gained three seats. It is our intention to be very active on the ground. We intend to do the work that we have been asked to do. At the end of the day, this is a sign and we are taking it positively,” Girdharie said.