Two PNP councillors booted from St James MC

WESTERN BUREAU:

Tempers flared during yesterday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC) after the Jamaica Labour Party-led (JLP) majority voted to boot two People’s National Party (PNP) councillors who have missed the last three consecutive meetings without giving prior notice.

Senator Charles Sinclair, councillor for Montego Bay North East, moved the motion against Sylvan Reid, councillor for the Salt Spring division, and Gladstone Bent, representative for Catadupa, citing their absences at the March, April, and May sittings.

The motion was supported by Sinclair’s fellow JLP councillors but was opposed by the PNP minority.

Montego Bay Mayor Homer Davis, who chairs the StJMC, cited the corporation’s regulations in outlining why Reid and Bent were being removed if the ruling stands.

“If a councillor is absent from three consecutive ordinary meetings of the council without leave from the council, the minutes of the council shall be conclusive evidence as to the attendance of the councillors,” said Davis.

“What is before us is conclusive that for three consecutive meetings, Councillors Bent and Reid were absent,” said Davis.

The action was taken pursuant to Section 30 (1B) of The Local Governance Act, which states, “If a person elected to the office of mayor or councillor ... is absent from three consecutive ordinary meetings of the council without the leave of council ... , that person shall, thereupon, become disqualified immediately and shall cease to hold the office.”

However, in rejecting the action taken against his colleagues, PNP minority leader Michael Troupe said that both Reid and Bent had underlying medical conditions and were staying at home in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.

“The instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Government say dem must tan a dem yard. You must take into consideration those who have underlying [health] problems, and you must take into consideration the problems being faced by Councillors Reid and Bent and others,” said Troupe.

Both Reid and Bent were present at Thursday’s sitting.

Reid looked on in silence as the motion was being moved, but Bent stood up, defiantly declaring that he would be continuing in his post.

“I’m an elected councillor of this council, and there were many meetings, after the allegation being raised by this councillor (Sinclair), which I couldn’t really come to, but I found myself at different meetings here, which says that my interest is here for the people of Salt Spring division who elected me to be here,” said Reid.

“Whatever happens here today, Councillor Reid will still be the councillor for the Salt Spring division. Have a good day. Tell your wife that,” Reid told Sinclair before storming out, accompanied by Troupe.

Former Montego Bay Mayor Shalman Scott said that the councillors may seek redress through the Association of Local Government Authorities or in the courts.

There are 13 JLP and four PNP councillors in the St James Municipal Corporation.