Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORT ANTONIO, Portland:
THE ATTORNEY-General's Depart-ment has issued instructions that controversial councillor, Benny White of the Fellowship division, is to assume the position of vice-chairman of the Portland Parish Council (PPC).
The pronouncement was made by chairman and acting mayor of the PPC, Rupert Kelly, during the monthly sitting on Thursday. Councillor Kelly also congratulated Mr. White on his new appointment and urged all parties present to work in unity so as to preserve the integrity of the council.
"I have had a hectic workload," said Mr. Kelly. "Now that a vice-chairman has been appointed, we should strive to ensure that we all work together as a team."
OFFICIAL TITLE
Chairman Kelly also pointed to the fact that since the issue of the vice-chairmanship has been settled, he hoped the pending issue of the official title as mayor would also be cleared up soon.
"I have been acting as mayor for some time now and I believe the appointment of Councillor White will help to reduce the workload which I had single-handedly undertaken."
But Councillor White, who has been at the centre of controversy on numerous occasions - dating back to July 2004 when he sided with four People's National Party (PNP) councillors in an attempt to oust then mayor, Alston Hunter and his then deputy, Rupert Kelly from office - was happy with his new appointment.
"This is something I have been looking forward to for some time now," said Mr. White. "I am certain my colleagues are happy and will support my new appointment."
BURIED HATCHET
Councillor White's recent appointment has been accepted by the four Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors who have indicated that the hatchet has been buried.
While the JLP councillors are gradually accepting what they term as treacherous behaviour on the part of Councillor White, his resignation from the JLP, along with his membership application to the PNP, is now having adverse effects in the Fellowship division as many electors in that division are now opposed to the switch.
"Yes, we are happy that Benny is now vice-chairman of the PPC," said a local resident who gave her name only as Marcia. "But many like myself are upset as we gave our votes to the JLP and not the PNP."
