WESTERN BUREAU:
SEVERAL COUNCILLORS stormed out of yesterday's monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Parish Council, Savanna-la-Mar, after a policeman on duty at the RM Court, next door, threatened to throw out all persons at the Council meeting for disturbing the court.
The meeting was being held in a building shared by the Savanna-la-Mar RM Court and the Parish Council. The Council's meeting room is bordered on both sides by courtrooms.
About 11:15 a.m., 35 minutes after the meeting started, Councillor Marcus Whyte was in the middle of a presentation, when a police sergeant stepped into the room and told the councillors they were disturbing the court.
"You people are disturbing the court. The judge is asking that you keep silent. He is reminding you that this building belongs to the court. If you continue to disturb the court, you will be thrown out."
A councillor attempted to reply, but was hushed by the officer who ordered: "Silence", before leaving the room abruptly.
Councillor Sandra McIntoch and Deputy Mayor Winston Comrie then stormed out of the meeting, obviously upset. Shortly afterwards, three other councillors followed suit.
Savanna-la-Mar's Mayor, Councillor Ralph Anglin, remained composed, and asked that the meeting be continued, despite the fact that only five councillors remained, along with local government officers.
Mayor Anglin expressed disappointment with the councillors who had walked out, but described the policeman's behaviour as uncouth. "I don't think the judge sent him to talk like that," the mayor said, adding that he intended to report the matter to the Superintendent of Police in charge of the parish. "The Court and the Council co-exist. We have an understanding that our Council meetings would be held here."
Councillor Delford Morgan supported Mayor Anglin. But Councillor E. Brooks said that although he did not walk out of the meeting, his outrage was no less than that of the councillors who did. He stressed that the Commissioner of Police, as well as the Minister of National Security and Justice, should be made aware of what had taken place.
"I think we must make it known in no uncertain terms that we will not accept that kind of behaviour," said an angry Councillor Brooks. "We are duly elected by the people and our responsibilities are not less than those of the court. I am prepared to stand up and be arrested for doing the people's business."
