Clarendon MC power struggle intensifies
Clarendon MC power struggle intensifies . A contentious power struggle unfolding in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation brought Thursday’s monthly meeting to an abrupt adjournment as Mayor Joel Williams rebuffed calls from People’s National Party (PNP) councillors to resign. At the heart...
The Gleaner
A contentious power struggle unfolding in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation brought Thursday’s monthly meeting to an abrupt adjournment as Mayor Joel Williams rebuffed calls from People’s National Party (PNP) councillors to resign.

At the heart of the dispute is the demand by PNP councillors for Williams’ resignation following the recent by-election in the Aenon Town division, which brought the number of sitting councillors in the municipal body to 22 – split down the middle 11 apiece between the PNP and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The PNP councillors, who signalled that a court challenge could follow, believe the mayorship should reside with their caucus, claiming that the by-election results meant it now had the overall popular vote when added to the tally from the local government elections this year.

However, Williams, a JLP councillor, remained steadfast in his claim to the mayoral seat, arguing that his swearing-in ceremony in March solidified his position.

NOT SURPRISED

Following a dramatic move by the PNP that led to the abrupt adjournment of a recent meeting, Williams, speaking to reporters afterward, said he was not surprised by the actions of the PNP councillors.

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“What took place is something I was expecting. I knew the PNP had some issue as it relates to the 11-11 [tie] and whether they have the popular vote. In this case, the popular vote doesn’t count because I was sworn in as the mayor in March, and the act speaks to that. Once you’re sworn in as the mayor, you remain the mayor,” Williams insisted.

According to Williams, it was also procedurally ineligible for any motion to be moved against a mayor within the first 12 months of a tenure.

Councillor Delroy Dawson, who trumped the JLP’s Suzette Barton in the November by-election, was sworn in yesterday.

Dawson had lost the seat to the JLP’s Marjorie McLeod-McFarlane in the February polls, but the seat became vacant with her passing in September.

Tensions escalated when PNP Councillor Romain Morris, who stood on a point of order and queried under which section of the Local Governance Act Dawson’s swearing-in would be administered.

Rowhan Blake, CEO of the corporation, responded by stating that once a mayor is sworn in by a presiding officer at the first meeting following an election, the mayor is in charge of all proceedings thereafter.

The PNP councillors, however, disagreed with this interpretation.

Councillor Scean Barnswell, leader of the PNP caucus, strongly objected.

“He’s no longer the chairman. He no longer has the privilege or enjoys the opportunities that office comes with to be the chairman and mayor of the municipal corporation,” he charged.

Dawson, the returned councillor, shared similar sentiments, contending that if Williams had the parish’s best interest at heart, he would do the “responsible” thing and step aside.

olivia.brown@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica
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2024-12-13
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A contentious power struggle unfolding in the Clarendon Municipal Corporation brought Thursday’s monthly meeting to an abrupt adjournment as Mayor Joel Williams rebuffed calls from People’s National Party (PNP) councillors to resign. At the heart...
Clarendon MC power struggle intensifies