Trade union moves to have PRO King appointed
THE  Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU), by resolution, has called for the implementation of the majority City Councillors decision, to have current Public Relations Officer Royston King appointed Town Clerk. The  resolution was passed at the recently held GLGOU’s 40th Delegates Conference,  President Andrew Garnett told the Guyana Chronicle, on the telephone, yesterday.
He said he saw no reason for Mr. King to be denied the appointment as he has served the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for in excess of 20 years and is more than academically qualified.
But Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall had said, last week, that minister with the portfolio,Mr. Kellawan Lall is not inclined to grant the councillors’ request.
“The Mminister is, practically, saying that he has not approved the request by City Hall,” Dharamlall said, in an invited comment.
According to Garnett, however, if Minister Lall had anything negative against King, the latter should have already been disciplined. “If he has nothing, then I see no reason why King should not be appointed.”
There were several applicants for the  post and they   were interviewed by the Personnel and Training Committee of the M&CC.  King, reportedly, emerged as the top candidate and was recommended, by the interviewers, for the position.
In that context, Garnett said the practice, over the years, has been to allow officers to act in positions pending the minister’s approval and the process that was employed involving King has been open, transparent and accountable.
“He (King) scored the highest points and the entire package on how the process was conducted was sent to the minister,” Garnett pointed out, adding that the Council will take action on the issue at the next statutory meeting, on Monday.
He said Acting Town Clerk, Ms. Yonnette Pluck had applied to be confirmed but did not attend when summoned for the interview.
“I couldn’t understand the reason for the Acting Town Clerk not turning up for the interview,” Garnett remarked.
Other factors
Asked for his comments on the minister’s refusal to appoint King, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green said he believes Lall took other factors, besides those that were listed by councillors, into consideration.
The matter was the subject of a heated debate among councillors at their last statutory meeting in February and Mr. Green had suggested that there be an inquiry into the character of King.
However, Green said he is not surprised at the minister’s stand.
King, himself, declined to say anything until he receives a response from the ministry.
Councillor Llewellyn John said, in keeping with the proper democratic principle, the person for whom the majority voted should get the nod.
The other applicants, who were interviewed for the Town Clerk post were Mr. John Bishop, Mr. Ron Eastman and Ms. Carol Sooba.
The lone applicant for City Treasurer did not attend a scheduled interview and Mr.  Andrew Meredith will remain acting in that capacity.