MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker, declared yesterday that they will not be bullied by the Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown who started a protest in front of the Ministry Thursday, demanding the removal of Acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba. In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he said, last Monday, after a lengthy meeting with Mayor Hamilton Green, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase- Green and other senior ministry staff, Sooba was asked to withdraw a letter she had written to the Mayor and apologised for whatever rude behaviour she had portrayed to him.
The minister said he was unaware that Sooba has not done so and a protest for her removal was not required for such a simple matter and, as it is, he is not in a position to say whether or not the letter was, indeed, withdrawn.
Whittaker said it was agreed that the ministry has put in place a process which sees the recruitment of persons to fill senior positions at City Hall, including that of Town Clerk.
He noted that the recruiting and selection process is scheduled to commence next week and there is no need for Sooba’s instant removal.
Whittaker stated that Sooba will stay in her position as Acting Town Clerk while the recruiting procedure continues and a new Town Clerk is selected.

Utmost respect
Until then, she will remain in her capacity and the utmost respect must be given to her while she is still the Acting Town Clerk.
“We will not be bullied by the Mayor,” the minister said, to remove any officer, unless there are solid grounds for the officer’s removal, which needs to be reported and will be taken into consideration by the minister to take that decision.
Whittaker said he is thankful for the support given by the police, who helped to keep the general protesting situation under control, as, at the time, he was engaged in a meeting with the Linden Town Council and could not have left it to address the very “vocal” group of demonstrators.
The minister advised the mayor and his followers not to continue this process of protesting and misbehaving and, constantly, attacking the Town Clerk, as the decision remains firm to have Sooba stay in her position until a suitable candidate is selected to be recruited by the ministry to fill, not only the position of Town Clerk but positions of City Treasurer, City Engineer and Director of Solid Waste, as well.
In conclusion, Whittaker said, for safety reasons, Sooba has not been at her office as she is faced with a very baffling situation and, no matter what, the minister is advising the staff of City Hall to show her the deference she requires as the Town Clerk.