KINGSTON, Jamaica — Councillor of the Homestead Division in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, Owen Palmer, died in a motor vehicle crash early this morning.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie who expressed sadness at Palmer’s untimely passing.

Councillor Palmer was a long-serving political representative, who was also the minority leader in the municipal corporation.

McKenzie said: “I am really heartbroken at the tragic loss of Councillor Palmer, who was a good and loyal servant of Local Government, a strong contributor to its development, and a colleague. All of us who have been part of the Local Government system as elected representatives, from both political parties, are in mourning, as Councillor Palmer was highly respected and enjoyed great affection. We in the Local Government family are hurting, and we share the pain of his family, even as we hold them up in our prayers.”

“Councillor Palmer worked tirelessly in the interest of the people of the Homestead Division and also of St Catherine in general. He earned and maintained their love and respect, which was most recently demonstrated in the 2016 Local Government election, when he was returned with 90.7 per cent of the vote. He was a passionate proponent of Local Government, and at an appropriate time, we in Local Government will suitably honour him, his work and his legacy,” the minister added.

Palmer is the second elected representative at the Local Government level to have died in the last two and half months.

His passing follows that of Councillor for the May Pen North Division of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, Melvin Jones, who died on Christmas Day last year.