Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Walton Brown has congratulated the new mayors of Hamilton and St George.

Charles Gosling was elected as Mayor of Hamilton last Thursday night by a sizeable majority over Carlton Simmons, while Quinell Francis was voted in to take over the St George mayoral reins from Garth Rothwell.

“Putting oneself into the political spotlight takes courage and we salute these two for offering themselves for these positions,” Mr Brown said. “We also congratulate those others that were successful in obtaining other positions within the corporations.

“In Hamilton, we hope that the outstanding issues that have affected the corporation’s ability to deliver for the people will be sorted out as soon as practicable so that we can see tangible evidence of a corporation working for the people.

“In St George, we hope that under Mayor Francis, we will see a renewed momentum for growth and development in the Old Towne which will spur an economic rebirth.

“The Progressive Labour Party wishes both corporations success, as success for the municipalities inevitably means success for many Bermudians.

“To that end, though, we will continue to hold the corporations accountable for their actions and, by extension, the governing OBA, who continue to hold stewardship over the Corporation of Hamilton.”