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WHILE many persons within City Hall have expressed some degree of hopefulness in Ms. Patricia Chase-Greene being elected as Deputy Mayor, quite a few councillors have signalled their intention to contest the election for the post. Councillor Ranwell Jordan in a telephone interview told this newspaper that he is confident that Chase-Greene will be elected.
He said as a councillor, he is satisfied with the aptitude and work ethic of the acting Mayor.
Jordan emphasised that the persons who will be elected must have the interest of City Hall at heart.
Guyana Chronicle also spoke with two of the hopeful candidates, councillors Eon Andrews and Anthony Boyce.
Both candidates put forward a vibrant vision to positively transform City Hall. However, Boyce posited that except for Chase-Greene, none of the contesting councillors are more favoured by the Council.
Andrews related that he had already established an overseas network which can change the unsightliness of Georgetown.
Meanwhile, Town Clerk, Carol Sooba told this publication that City Hall is currently awaiting the High Court Order to be served upon her and the Local Government Minister, Ganga Persaud to decide the way forward.
According to Sooba, following the serving of the order, she will move to arrange a special meeting. At that meeting, both councillors and Sooba will discuss matters pertaining to the legitimate advertising of a vacancy for the post of Deputy Mayor.
Questioned about the possibility of Chase-Greene being elected as Deputy Mayor, the Town Clerk said, as one may know, any of the councillors can apply to fill the vacancy, but as for the fate of the election persons will just have to wait on due course.
Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker has also expressed similar views as the Town Clerk. However, he explained that during the Council’s upcoming statutory the matter is likely to be raised and discussed.
Reportedly, Chief Justice Ian Chang had earlier ruled that the election of Patricia Chase-Greene as Deputy Mayor was invalid, since the electoral process was in breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act.
He pointed out that the “Town Clerk has to publish the notice of the time and place of the intended meeting and cause a copy therefore to be served to the City Councillors not less than three days before a meeting is held.
Justice Chang further stated “it is undisputed that the meeting” held on March 12 was not designed specifically to facilitate the electoral process, but other arising issues, which is another breach of the law.
Ms. Chase-Greene was elected Deputy Mayor by the Council following the death of then Deputy Mayor Robert Williams.
But her election was legally challenged and the verdict was handed down in a matter brought by Councillor Llewellyn John with Chase-Greene and acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba as respondents.
Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green stated that after appropriate consultations, a new election will have to be convened.
However, he contended that most of the senior officers were present when the election took place and did not view it as flawed.
He said as a councillor, he is satisfied with the aptitude and work ethic of the acting Mayor.
Jordan emphasised that the persons who will be elected must have the interest of City Hall at heart.
Guyana Chronicle also spoke with two of the hopeful candidates, councillors Eon Andrews and Anthony Boyce.
Both candidates put forward a vibrant vision to positively transform City Hall. However, Boyce posited that except for Chase-Greene, none of the contesting councillors are more favoured by the Council.
Andrews related that he had already established an overseas network which can change the unsightliness of Georgetown.
Meanwhile, Town Clerk, Carol Sooba told this publication that City Hall is currently awaiting the High Court Order to be served upon her and the Local Government Minister, Ganga Persaud to decide the way forward.
According to Sooba, following the serving of the order, she will move to arrange a special meeting. At that meeting, both councillors and Sooba will discuss matters pertaining to the legitimate advertising of a vacancy for the post of Deputy Mayor.
Questioned about the possibility of Chase-Greene being elected as Deputy Mayor, the Town Clerk said, as one may know, any of the councillors can apply to fill the vacancy, but as for the fate of the election persons will just have to wait on due course.
Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker has also expressed similar views as the Town Clerk. However, he explained that during the Council’s upcoming statutory the matter is likely to be raised and discussed.
Reportedly, Chief Justice Ian Chang had earlier ruled that the election of Patricia Chase-Greene as Deputy Mayor was invalid, since the electoral process was in breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act.
He pointed out that the “Town Clerk has to publish the notice of the time and place of the intended meeting and cause a copy therefore to be served to the City Councillors not less than three days before a meeting is held.
Justice Chang further stated “it is undisputed that the meeting” held on March 12 was not designed specifically to facilitate the electoral process, but other arising issues, which is another breach of the law.
Ms. Chase-Greene was elected Deputy Mayor by the Council following the death of then Deputy Mayor Robert Williams.
But her election was legally challenged and the verdict was handed down in a matter brought by Councillor Llewellyn John with Chase-Greene and acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba as respondents.
Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green stated that after appropriate consultations, a new election will have to be convened.
However, he contended that most of the senior officers were present when the election took place and did not view it as flawed.
