By Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORTLAND:
THE PORTLAND Parish Council, which is controlled by the Jamaica Labour Party, could have a new chairman today, if a planned vote of no-confidence aimed at unseating the current chairman and Mayor of Port Antonio, is passed at a special Council sitting.
Mayor Alston Hunter could be unseated if his JLP colleague, Councillor Benny White, forms an alliance with People's National Party Councillors, who hold four seats on the Council to the JLP's five.
Mayor Hunter, who was elected chairman after the JLP won the Local Government Elections in June last year, has been coming under strong criticism from PNP councillors.
"He lacks basic leadership qualities," said Dexter Rholand, a PNP councillor. "There are many flaws in his leadership style, as the civic pride of Port Antonio has been ignored constantly. Beautification and preservation of the township has never been on his agenda. As a person he has a good heart, but is easily led."
Councillor White, whose political career dates back to the 1970s, told The Gleaner: "I am a frustrated JLP councillor. The (Portland Parish Council) is in a state of disarray all because of one man - Mayor Hunter. It is no secret that he is being led by a colleague councillor whose credibility leaves a lot to be desired."
Councillor White said that the Mayor had stagnated the progress of the Portland Parish Council, citing the incidence of uncollected vendors' fees from the Musgrave Market as just one of the many weaknesses of Mayor Hunter's administration.
However, Mayor Hunter has denied the allegations.
"I think persons at the Council may have a personal vendetta against me. Therefore, they are trying to do everything to undermine my efforts," he told The Gleaner, adding: "Councillor White is an ungrateful JLP councillor, who is on an agenda."
Observers say Councillor White is the candidate most likely to replace the embattled Mayor Hunter, should he be voted out.
