The Point Fortin Borough flag will fly at half-mast today in honour of former mayor Victor Chin Kit. Chin Kit, 84, died yesterday. He had been ailing for several years. Present mayor Clyde Paul confirmed Chin Kit died at his home at Clifton Hill, Point Fortin, which he shared with his wife, Naomi, who survives him, along with their two children, Ian and Dianne. Chin Kit, an electrical engineer, served as an alderman on the first Borough Council in 1980 and as the second mayor during the period 1984-1987. Paul, who served as town clerk during Chin Kit’s tenure, described him as his mentor, saying he encouraged him to stay at the borough and serve the people. “The vision for Point Fortin, which we are seeing unfolding, came from Chin Kit. The lessons I learned about public service and local government came from him. Even though he no longer was involved in active politics, he was always around giving support. Whenever I had a problem, I would go to him,” Paul recalled. Both Paul and former councillor Grantley Wells described Chin Kit as the best mayor Point Fortin ever had.
Paul said Chin Kit was a longstanding member of the PNM and the party had been in contact with his family to assist with a fitting sendoff. In the meantime, he said, he had ordered the borough’s flag to be flown at half-mast. Local MP Paula Gopee-Scoon said she was saddened by the news of his death. She said: “He has been known to have been ill for some time and perhaps it was time to go. Knowing how deeply religious he was I am assured that he is in a better place with God.
“I want to say that I have known him in another capacity, as a family man and friend of my parents. So he has known me from childhood. “I remember him for his intelligence, his very dignified manner in conducting all affairs, deeply religious, very committed in everything he did. “He truly was a servant of the people of Point Fortin and a man of great integrity. You don't find many Victor Chin Kits any more,” Gopee-Scoon added.