Dr. Donald Rhodd

Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland, Dr. Donald Rhodd, has called on members of the Portland parish council to work together to send a signal to the rest of Jamaica that political unity is important in achieving the nation's goals.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the Portland parish councillors, he called for forgive-ness and reconciliation, in light of what he sees as the questionable circumstances under which some of the councillors were elected.

"As you chart a path towards working together, foremost in your minds and hearts must be the need for forgiveness and reconciliation," Dr. Rhodd said. "This, I submit, is necessary since some of you have been elected under very questionable circumstances."

He said that those who had been involved in bribery and intimi-dation should realise that their actions "have undermined our democracy which has been built by the blood, sweat and tears of tens of thousands of individuals".

He urged the new members to incorporate Jamaicans in their decision making, and to foster a spirit of cooperation in the council.