Mayor of Kingston Desmond Mckenzie (left) embraces People's National Party councillor Angela Brown-Burke after taking the Oath of Office at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation office on Church Street, Kingston. Also pictured is Minister of National Security Derrick Smith. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Senator Desmond McKenzie, Mayor of Kingston, yesterday charged the newly appointed councillors of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to embrace unity in fulfilling the mandate of the municipality.

The 40 councillors representing the divisions of the KSAC, including Mayor McKenzie, were being sworn in at a morning ceremony held at the council's office on Church Street, downtown Kingston.

"Remember, we do not only represent those who support us, we represent all who fall within our borders," said Mayor Mckenzie.

A high point of the ceremony was the swearing-in of duties for Rosalee Hamilton, the Jamaica Labour Party councillor for the Rae Town division, who is still recovering after being injured in a shooting incident that occurred less than two weeks before the December 5 local government elections.

Thunderous applause

When her name was called, Ms. Hamilton stood to thunderous applause and said the Oath of Office.

"I am not as energetic as I used to be because the doctor has told me to slow down, but I am here to serve," Ms. Hamilton told The Gleaner after the ceremony.

Angella Brown-Burke, minority leader, said the 17 People's National Party (PNP) councillors stood ready to serve the people along bipartisan lines.

"For us, we are not PNP councillors. We have been elected to serve … we intend to do so with integrity and sincerity," said Mrs. Brown-Burke.