Hunter, left and Whiteman
WERE THEY staged or just mere coincidence?
The rumblings that took place in the Parish Councils in early July have drawn differing views from the hierarchy of the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party.
The four incidents involved PNP members walking out of meetings in Portland, Manchester and St. Catherine and clashing with JLP Chairman Lester Crooks in Hanover.
The JLP won the ascendancy in these parishes by close margins at the 2003 Local Government polls. The action by the PNP councillors sparked cries of mischief by some JLP members but PNP General Secretary Burchell Whiteman says there is no evidence to support these claims.
NO PROOF
"We have found that there was no concerted plan and we don't plan to take any disciplinary action because nobody acted dis-honourably," said Mr. Whiteman.
Karl Samuda, the JLP's General Secretary, told The Sunday Gleaner that while there is no proof that the clashes were staged, the "coincidence is rather stark,"
Added Mr. Samuda: "It seems the PNP have at least explored the possibilities of de-stabilising Parish Councils where the membership is close."
Here is a synopsis of the stormy meetings that took place July 9 in the Parish Councils of Hanover, Manchester and St. Catherine.
In Hanover, the four PNP Councillors led by Sandy Bay division Councillor Lloyd Hill squared off with Parish Council Chairman Lester Crooks, saying their relationship with him had deteriorated.
Mr. Hill, who had tabled a notice in June that he would be moving a no-confidence vote against Mr. Crooks in July, said the Chairman was disrespectful and autocratic. He added that Mr. Crooks' administration had accomplished little since it came to office.
Mr. Hill said he had the backing of his PNP colleagues as well as JLP Councillor Audley Gilpin but on July 15, when the issue was brought to vote before council, Mr. Hill was absent and the motion stalled. Mr. Hill's motion will be brought before Council again in September.
In Manchester, differences between the opposing Councillors resulted in a walk-out by PNP members who wanted to discuss developments relating to a bus park that had been before the Infrastructure Committee.
This was denied by Deputy Chairman, Sally Porteous, who said the matter was inappropriate for a Council meeting; she pointed out that it should be taken before the Infrastructure Committee. At the time, two of the seven JLP Councillors were absent while the six PNP Councillors were present.
Mrs. Porteous told The Sunday Gleaner that things had simmered considerably since the walkout. "We have heated debates but we get on pretty well," she said. Mrs. Porteous disclosed that the Manchester councillors are scheduled to go on retreat in late August.
SIDE-STEPPING ISSUE
In St. Catherine, Mayor Raymoth Notice came under fire from the PNP Councillors who questioned the status of JLP Councillor Henry Fisher who was arrested by police in Miami in April for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine aboard a cruise ship.
The PNP contingent, which numbered 10, wanted to know if Mr. Fisher had resigned his post as Councillor of the Mount Industry division and if he was still being paid. Dr. Notice told the Councillors that Mr. Fisher had submitted a resignation letter, dated June 16, but added that it could not be made public until there was a general meeting of the Council.
A meeting was called for June 26 but Dr. Notice declared it null and void, saying it was illegally convened. Under the Jamaica Gazzette's Bypass law of 1951, no meeting is legitimate unless the Chairman and his Deputy Chairman are aware of it.
According to Dr. Notice, neither he nor his deputy, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, was informed of the meeting.
Natalie Neita-Headley, Councillor for the Lauriston division, has accused the Mayor of deliberately sidestepping the issue, saying he has had opportunities to read the letter but did not.
Mayor Notice is abroad at present, but Deputy Mayor Dr. Wheatley told The Sunday Gleaner that Mr. Fisher's letter will be read at the Council's next Special Meeting which is scheduled for September 2.
H. C.
