New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh, expressed gratitude to President David Granger, the government, the local business community and the citizenry for their continual support in transforming the century-old township.
He made his feeling known in his New Year’s Day message.

During the past 12 months, the municipality installed hundreds of street lights and rehabilitated roads along with the main thoroughfares.

As progress continues in  the current year, the Municipal Development Plan, inclusive of the Municipal Economic Plan, will unfold, resulting in the installation of business incubators along the Republic Road, the putting in of Information and Communications Technology hubs around the township, the continual distribution of land titles by Central Housing and Planning Authority, the completion of the multimillion synthetic  track, the creation of a  family  leisure destination within the Esplanade Park,  the continual breakfast distribution to pensioners and the opening of a night market, which will cater primarily  for persons working beyond regular office hours.

“Development is not an overnight thing. It comes with time. We are putting together our municipal plan which will see economic development and stability in our town,” emphasised the deputy mayor.

He added: “We are living in the 21st century, and, we cannot uphold ancient practises… our order of operations is to modernise our beautiful town.”
With respect to youth development, a Youth Council will be formed with secondary school first formers, who will be empowered to understudy the roles of councillors in an effort to expand their leadership abilities.

Despite the plans, Mc Intosh has expressed concern over the wanton disposing of waste materials and the mixing of cement on the roadways.
“That aside, on behalf of Her Worship, the Mayor and Councillors of New Amsterdam, I want to wish you a prosperous and productive New Year. I trust that your hopes, dreams and aspirations become a success,” he said.