Clash at Westmoreland Municipal Corporation meeting as councillor moves to oust Deputy Mayor

A heated exchange erupted at Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation after Frome Councillor Lidden Lewis attempted to table a notice of motion seeking the removal of Deputy Mayor Devon Thomas.

Lewis formally proposed the motion, saying he had no confidence in Thomas’ ability to continue in the role and accusing him of lacking the skill set to drive development, failing to encourage change, and neglecting his duties within the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation.

But Mayor Danree Delancy refused to accept the motion, arguing that it violated the Corporation’s by-laws requiring all documents for consideration to be submitted to the Clerk at least eight clear days before a meeting.

“This is just coming to my attention. I have not had time to peruse it. Therefore, I cannot accept it,” the Mayor said.

He added that he would strictly adhere to the by-laws.

Lewis argued that the notice was delivered as a document to the Corporation’s CEO, Andre Griffiths, who also functions as Clerk, on December 5.

He argued that the Mayor would have more than enough time ahead of the January meeting, when the vote is scheduled to take place.

“The document was brought to the CEO’s office on the 5th… the vote is in January, so you have one month and more than eight days,” Lewis countered.

Another flashpoint emerged when the Mayor rejected Lewis’ request for a secret ballot.

Delancy argued that as chairman he does not support the idea of secret voting.

"If we do have a vote, it will be by show of hands. [We] won’t be going the route of secret ballot."

Lewis further urged Griffiths to explain why the motion was brought to this meeting of the Corporation.

"If the CEO knew it should not have been at this meeting, then he should've brought it to the January meeting."

After prolonged back-and-forth, Lewis withdrew the motion for the day but said it will return next month.

“I do ask that come January, this motion is still presented,” he said.

The motion to remove Thomas, who is the Councillor for the Savanna-la-Mar North Division, is expected to be revisited at the January 2026 meeting of the corporation.

- Mickalia Kington

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