-Councillors move Motion for removal of Mayor
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr.Kellawan Lall, at a press conference at his Kingston office Thursday, announced the appointment of Yonnette Pluck as the new Town Clerk. He said that the ongoing conflict within the Council, which is very political in nature, has been going on for a long time and is affecting its administration.
Minister Lall explained that his decision was a lawful one based on Section 332:1 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, which states that “if at any time, any difficulty arises in connection with the application of this Act or in bringing into operation any of the provisions, the Minister may by order make any provision that appears to him necessary or expedient for removing that difficulty.” 
He said that while Pluck’s appointment may not end the politicking, it will address the issue of a substantive Town Clerk, a matter which has been outstanding for quite some time.
Exercising the powers of the Commission, Minister Lall went to public tender and got several applications for the town clerk position, all of which were considered. However, the final decision was withheld for some time, in an effort to deal with some of the more serious issues relating to recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, which included the reform of the Council’s budget. The budget has since been completed and is organised in a completely new format. 
Meanwhile, the Council went ahead and sought its own applications and agreed to the appointment of Royston King by way of a resolution in council.
“The appointment and approval of substantive, statutory officers must come to the Minister; they may not like the idea, but that’s the law,” he said. 
Minister Lall was advised by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Charles Ramson, who stated that the order does not purport to restrain nor prohibit Pluck as was contended.
He lamented that it is unfortunate that King, as a Local Government Officer, has joined the political clique that is trying to force a town clerk upon the Council.
He maintained that King has usurped the authority of the Town Clerk and has since launched an investigation led by Head of the Commission of Inquiry for City Hall, Keith Burrowes.
The Local Government Minister said that the threats to the Town Clerk from Hughes, Fields and Stoby, a legal firm, were completely out of order as they cannot form an opinion on a legal document and believe that the said opinion should be the ultimate judgment.
Minister Lall disclosed that he had received a Motion signed by Councillor, Patricia Chase-Green, and seconded by another Councillor, for the removal of His Worship Hamilton Green, as the Mayor of Georgetown.
The Motion states that the Mayor has failed to carry out the wishes of the Council by allowing the Acting Town Clerk (now Town Clerk) to carry out her duties in spite of the decision of a judge of the High Court of the Supreme Court.
Minister Lall explained that there is no decision by any judge prohibiting or restraining the Town Clerk from carrying out her duties.
“All the judge did was command the Town Clerk to respond to the Motion that was filed, that’s all,” he said.
He added, the Council can go ahead with its Motion for the removal of the Mayor, however, the matter is affecting the work of the Council and as such, the decision to appoint a Town Clerk was made in an attempt to ensure that the work of this important municipal body is not hindered.  (GINA)