By Arthur Green, Gleaner WriterST. THOMAS:
TWO PEOPLE'S National Party (PNP) councillors, a former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mayor, Rose-marie Shaw and deputy mayor in the previous council Lancelot Comrie are insisting that correct procedures be adhered to by the St. Thomas Parish Council.
This issue arose because of the conduct of Mayor Joan Spencer and her deputy Michael Hue in the performance of their duties.
Councillor Comrie questioned the mayor's right to give permission to a JLP councillor for donating money from the Parochial Development Fund to personal choice events and activities which are outside the realm of what was originally prescribed.
"Madam Chairman, I would like to know if the procedure for disbursement of money from the parochial fund has been changed, and if not, how do you explain your granting permission to your colleague to make donations from such fund?" she asked.
In response, the Mayor rescinded her permission. In another matter, Councillor Shaw noted that while not opposed to the motion tabled by Councillor Hue for the extension of tenure for the Superintendent of Roads and Works, Mr. Dennis Bembridge, "the proper way is to give notice of such motion prior to tabling."
The resolution was, however, passed unanimously after Mr. Hue effected the necessary amendments. Councillor Shaw, in hammering home her point, said that in her over 20-odd years of service to the council she has never seen such ineptness and called for more adherence to the stated practice and norms of the council.
