DEPUTY Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, yesterday stormed out of the City Hall statutory meeting, after again accusing acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, and other councillors of racial practices following Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine’s failure to respond to a question posted by Mayor Hamilton Green.

Yesterday’s statutory meeting was held in the Chambers of City Hall, and the mayor had questioned Narine on solid waste management affairs in groups Seven and Eight, but he failed to respond after being so requested by Sooba, who explained that she had instructed Narine not to answer because the Mayor was conveniently addressing issues of the council.

Councillor Sobers had earlier requested the Mayor to have the council examine the spread of the newly discovered mosquito-borne Chikungunya disease, which is fast becoming prevalent, but Mayor Green had denied his request, stating: “This is not the time for that,” although he had added that the issue would later be addressed. Sobers’s concern had not been addressed, and Green had proceeded to question Narine.

Being head of the Administrative body of City Council, Sooba then instructed Narine not to respond to the mayor’s question, deeming it convenient on certain issues.

A furious Chase-Green then sprang to her feet, denouncing the actions of the Town Clerk and accusing her of racial practices. She noted that the previous Director of Solid Waste, Mr. Hubert Urling, was subject to questioning from the council because he was of African descent, but Narine has an option because he is of Indian descent.

She declared that City Council is an autonomous body, which therefore makes the councillors the employers of City Hall personnel, and she said that employees accordingly are to report to the councillors.

Urling, who was dismissed on charges of corrupt practices, would not normally give explanations to City Councillors, Sooba said, and as such he had often been criticised and requested to provide information to the council.

A furious Chase-Green then exited the Chambers, in process urging Councillor Kamla Ross, with whom she had a brief exchange of words to: “come talk to me outside leh I deal with yuh!”

Mayor Green remained in the chambers and continued with the passing and approving of minutes, most of which had already been passed and approved. Thereafter, the statutory meeting, which had seen no real progress, was adjourned.
Written By Ravin Singh