Garrett replaces Williams as Chairman of Finance Committee
A MAJORITY vote by City Councillors, on Wednesday, saw Councillor Junior Garrett installed as Chairman of the Finance Committee, replacing Deputy Mayor, Robert Williams. Williams is currently a patient at the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) in Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and is reported to be recovering. As Chairman of the Committee, he was responsible for managing the Council’s finances.
The motion to replace him was passed at the Council’s final statutory meeting for the year after those in attendance found it “ridiculous” that vouchers were being taken to the sick Williams, in hospital, for his signature.     
Those documents will now be signed by Garrett.
Before the motion was proposed, Mayor Hamilton Green pointed out that the Mayor is usually the Chairman of the Committee but Councillor Patricia Chase-Green reminded that it is the Council’s responsibility to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
She said it was necessary for someone else to assume the position because Williams is in no position to return to work shortly.
Garrett concurred and noted that the finance business of the council must continue.
He observed that there were a number of occasions when “fingers were pointed at Williams” for mismanagement of funds.
“So the council cannot leave anything to chance,” remarked Garrett, who also sits on the Finance Committee.