Bi-lateral relations, trade and opportunities in culture between the city of Kingston, Jamaica and the City of Miramar will be some of the topics up for discussion when the Mayor of Kingston, Delroy Williams and the Mayor of Miramar Wayne Messam will address residents in a Town Hall meeting scheduled to be held in South Florida next week.
The meeting is also seen as an opportunity lay the foundation for the establishment of a sister cities agreement.
A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries.
The relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement.
The upcoming meeting is of particular significance as Kingston celebrates a significant anniversary
“It is fitting to have Mayor Williams visit Miramar as Jamaica and the Diaspora celebrate the 145th year of Kingston as Jamaica’s capital,” said Messam.
Kingston, Jamaica’s smallest parish, is located on the southeastern end of the island.
Founded in 1692, it sits on the 7th largest natural harbor in the world that is protected by the Palisadoes, a sand spit that connects the city to the infamous town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport.
Kingston is the heartbeat of Jamaica, rich in history and seeped in culture, the multicultural city came into existence as a refuse for survivors of the 1692 earthquake that destroyed two thirds of Port Royal.
Spanish Town was then Jamaica’s capital and although the Governor of the island sought to have the capital moved to Kingston, a Bill to that effect was not approved by Britain.
However years later, in 1865 Governor Sir John Peter Grant was assigned the task of re-organizing the island and this included relocating the capital to Kingston.
The City of Miramar in Florida, came into being fairly recently.
It was established in 1955 to serve as a “bedroom community” for Miami and Fort Lauderdale .
Based on the diversity of both cities, the Town Hall meeting is being touted as an opportunity for Williams and Messam to address residents of Miramar, members of the Diaspora and the Caribbean Trade community.
The event will be open to all residents.
