South Florida bids bittersweet goodbye to Mair

With outgoing Jamaican Consul General to Miami Oliver Mair preparing to take up duties as consul general in New York, community organisations across South Florida and Atlanta recently held a number of send-off events in his honour to say “thank you” for his service to that sector of the Jamaican diaspora.

Mair is due to assume his post in New York during the week of August 26 after serving nearly eight years as consul general in Miami, overseeing 13 states. In his new appointment, he will have responsibility for 33 states, as well as Bermuda and Puerto Rico.

At one event put on by the Hi 5K group, which he founded, Mair was lauded for what was described as his “outstanding contribution in fostering community development in the south Florida Jamaica community”.

He was also presented with a plaque honouring his contribution to the Jamaican diaspora in the southern United States.

During the event, he shared a special moment with his community relations officer, Cheryl Winter, with whom he worked closely during his tenure.

Members of the consulate staff in Miami also held a send-off event for Mair.

Other farewell events were held by the Jamaica Association of Central Florida; Jamaican Men of Florida; Jamaican Women of Florida; Andrea Service and Friends; and Island Spice restaurant.

Over in Atlanta, Georgia, a “last lick” farewell party was held in Mair’s honour.

Reflecting on his tenure as consul general in Miami, Mair told The Gleaner that there had been several high points to his service in South Florida, pointing to the establishment of the Hi 5K run, the weekly call-in chats with the community, as well as the support he garnered for Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

He also pointed to the Adopt a Clinic programme, through which funds raised from the Hi 5K event have supported a number of clinics in Jamaica.

In May, the University of Fort Lauderdale conferred an Honorary Doctor of Ministry award on Mair for his service to the Jamaican community.

EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

In a recent meeting with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness in Jamaica, following his appointment as consul general to New York, Mair said he was looking forward to the challenge that New York offers.

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve in New York but it is a bittersweet moment,” he said.

Holness noted that, as consul general in Miami, Mair had done exceedingly well.

The prime minister said that Jamaica was blessed to have excellent consuls general across the world and that Mair epitomised this excellence.

Dr Allan Cunningham, head of People Profile and former Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the Southern US, who worked closely with Mair, said that as consul general, he took a multifaceted approach to community engagement.

Cunningham, who organised one of the farewell functions for Mair, said he would be missed as consul general.

“South Florida has been pleased with his leadership and it is sad to see him go,” he said.

According to Cunningham, New York can expect good things under Mair’s leadership.

“I think that the community in the northeast USA will appreciate his leadership,” he said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com