THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has instructed the police to withdraw criminal proceedings that were made out against Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Mr. Royston King.Mayor Hamilton Green yesterday made the announcement while noting that he saw no reason why King cannot now be installed as Town Clerk of the municipality. He was speaking at City Hall’s

fortnightly statutory meeting.
Just recently, Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan reportedly delivered to the former controversial Acting Town Clerk, Ms. Carol Ryan Sooba, a letter which indicated that her services in that capacity were severed as of last July 7.
The City Council, some three years ago, had taken a decision to install King as Town Clerk, but then Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker had disregarded that decision and appointed Sooba instead. This was even as King secured the most points during the interviews that were conducted.
The Mayor yesterday explained that his intention was to write the minister to “reaffirm” the decision that was earlier taken by the Council.
Councillor Junior Garrett suggested that the Mayor’s proposal be made into a Motion, and said he was willing to move it so that King could be installed immediately. Mayor Green, however, stood his ground, saying that he will first write to the minister.
City Councillors have long argued that the Council has the power to make decisions that, in the end, just need the signature of the minister. However, Whittaker, in rebuttal, had often told the press that while it was up to the Councillors to make suggestions, the minister had the final say.
Meanwhile, Councillor Gladstone George disagreed with the Mayor and Councillors who supported King’s appointment, and stood up to say that according to the law, any position in the public service must be advertised and examined. Furthermore, he said a committee must be set up to conduct interviews.
George vehemently argued that King must be made to face another interview, since three years have elapsed since the first set of interviews was done. Furthermore, he said after those interviews, someone other than King was appointed, meaning Sooba.
George’s remarks were, however, unsupported, and there appeared to be consensus among the majority of the Councillors present, with regards to the appointment of King.