Following their victories in the September 3 general election, Members of Parliament-elect Dennis Gordon (PNP) and Delroy Williams (JLP) have resigned and bid farewell to their colleagues in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) on Tuesday, September 9.

The farewell took place during the monthly general meeting of KSAMC councillors.

Having served multiple terms in the KSAMC, Gordon described his departure as bittersweet. Though he will now serve in Parliament, he reaffirmed that his political identity remains deeply rooted in local governance.

Gordon, who won the East Central St Andrew Constituency, pledged to work closely with his former colleagues in the KSAMC to advocate for the reform and strengthening of local government across Jamaica.

In his farewell address, Gordon said his first priority in Parliament will be to push for two per cent of central government revenue to be allocated directly to local authorities, a move he believes would significantly improve service delivery and governance.

“If we fix some of the local government issues, we will ultimately address many of the central government issues. That will be my first stroke in Parliament,” Gordon said.

Gordon, who represented the Maxfield Park Division as councillor, also announced plans to advocate for the introduction of a reverse mortgage programme for retired councillors, particularly those who served prior to the implementation of the new public-sector compensation scheme.

“None of our colleagues should retire without financial security. They gave so much and got so little. The time is now to right that wrong,” he said.

Former Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams also addressed the sitting, joining Gordon in bidding farewell to his colleagues as he too transitions to the national legislature.

Reflecting on more than two decades of service at the municipal level, Williams reaffirmed his passion for local government and pledged to continue advocating for its strengthening in Parliament.

“Though I’ve moved on to another level, the level of Parliament, my heart is, honestly, at local government,” said Williams, who won the Central Clarendon Constituency for the JLP.

Williams noted that while there are several issues within local governance, the solution lies in increased funding and building institutional capacity.

“I’ve seen the functioning of local government, and I know there are areas that need strengthening. But if we are going to serve the people well, there are some things that just need to remain at the local level. What we need is to build the capacity of local government,” he said.

He stressed the importance of continued collaboration with Gordon and other former councillors now in Parliament to represent municipal issues with one voice.

“We are local government practitioners, you can’t take that away from us. Dennis and I will champion those issues. We’ll always have dialogue, and we’ll make our position very clear in Parliament,” he said.

The duo will join Duane Smith, another former KSMAC councillor now in Parliament.