StJMC bids farewell to disaster coordinator Tamoy Sinclair
by Christopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer · The GleanerWESTERN BUREAU:
The St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC) formally said goodbye to its outgoing parish disaster coordinator, Tamoy Sinclair, during her final official attendance at the corporation’s monthly meeting last Thursday, which precedes her move to the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC), where she will serve as its chief executive officer.
Sinclair, who will assume her new role at the TMC effective January 2, 2025, thanked the StJMC for the opportunities and experience she gained over the years since joining up as St James’ disaster coordinator in 2008.
“As I depart from this chamber, in my last official capacity for this council meeting, I just want to extend my gratitude towards this entire council and the agencies that have supported me over the years, and who have allowed me the opportunity to share my passion for disaster management through the municipality,” said Sinclair.
“Going forward, I will continue to strive for excellence and do my best in my new role as chief executive officer at the TMC, where I will work to try and strengthen local governance and ensure that the municipality and the parish of Trelawny will have a strong local governance system where we will have enhanced citizen participation, so that we can ensure equity throughout the parish of Trelawny. I thank you again for all I have learned here at this municipality, and I will take your words of encouragement and your lessons with me on my new journey,” Sinclair continued.
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Her expression of gratitude followed several glowing tributes and commendations from the StJMC’s councillors, including Montego Bay’s Mayor and StJMC Chairman Richard Vernon.
“I would add my own voice of encouragement to Ms Sinclair to take on this new challenge, to be bold, continue to be calm, be calculated, and to lead with all that you have learned, with all the experience that you have assumed over the years, for which it is now time for application. This is a new position, a new venture, a new space to adjust in, and we wish you all the best,” said Vernon. “We know you will do well, and you will continue to have the support of the StJMC in this future endeavour. We thank you for your years of service, as we have certainly benefited from them.”
Parish disaster fund
Sinclair’s most notable acts of service during her tenure at the StJMC include advocating for the establishment of a parish disaster fund to assist citizens adversely affected by natural disasters, and her efforts in disaster preparedness education across St James.
Government Senator Charles Sinclair, the StJMC’s councillor for the Montego Bay North East division, recounted Ms Sinclair’s work ethic and proactivity when she started at the municipal corporation during his time as Montego Bay’s mayor.
“I remember when Ms Sinclair came here and we had a conversation in the mayor’s office, and I said to her, ‘You know, you have some big shoes to fill.’ She was this quiet, unassuming type of person, and she accepted the position, and I want to say that over the period, she has done tremendous work in building the capacity and the profile of the disaster unit in the StJMC,” said Sinclair.