… as Deputy Mayor Chase-Green calls her “acting Town Clerk’

IN an unprecedented move at City Hall yesterday, Town Clerk Carol Sooba walked out of the council’s fortnightly statutory meeting and ordered all officers back to work, because Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green addressed her as “Acting” Town Clerk. 

The meeting was cancelled
It was a total disaster yesterday when the approximately 20 councillors gathered. Loud outbursts and flaring tempers were the order of the day. Many sat in their seats chuckling as they watched councillors arguing fervently, some defending Chase-Green while others, Sooba.
Chase-Green began the proceedings by asking, as is customary, the person sitting in the capacity of town clerk to recite prayers. But Sooba refused to say the prayers on the ground that Chase-Green referred to her as the “acting” town clerk.
Chase-Green’s contention is that a matter is currently before the court on the issue of Sooba’s appointment as town clerk. Councillors are challenging Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud on his decision to appoint Sooba.
Hence, until the matter is finally determined, Chase-Green said Sooba will remain in an acting position as far as she is concerned.
Sooba walked out of the meeting after which Chase-Green proceeded with the pledge. Sooba then returned to say that the statutory meeting could not go on because it was not “duly constituted.”
She ordered all of the officers to return to their respective places and continue their work and told the gathering that should someone have further queries, they can contact the Minister of Local Government.
This newspaper understands that council’s business yesterday included having the 2014 budget estimates presented to the council for approval.
Of course, this could not be accomplished. The estimates were supposed to have been approved and submitted to the Local Government Ministry since last November.