ACTING Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe, has been sent on administrative leave by the Local Government Commission for failure to carry out a “very simple instruction”.
Harry could not be reached for comment on Thursday, but the Guyana Chronicle understands that Deputy Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, is now serving in the position since the decision was taken last Tuesday.

Commissioner Norman Whittaker told this publication that Harry had to be written to twice by Chairman Mortimer Mingo about a matter that she failed to respond to.

According to him, a unanimous decision was taken at the commission’s most recent statutory meeting, after Harry-Munroe refused to carry out a very simple instruction.
The chairman wrote to her asking that she explain her refusal to respond, and Harry-Munroe reportedly did not respond. The second letter from the chairman asked her to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against her.

According to Whittaker, the commission found Harry-Munroe guilty of “gross” indiscipline and subsequently took its decision.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, was informed by letter on Tuesday of the commission’s decision, and a source at City Hall said the decision was implemented almost immediately.

The mayor and Harry-Munroe did not get along very well, as the former often complained about being slighted by the latter. In fact, just recently, Narine called off a statutory meeting of the council because he said Harry-Munroe failed to send the agenda to him first.
In a letter to Harry about the issue, Narine said he was frustrated and disappointed that the agenda was printed before he could see it. “It seems as though you are taking my words for granted and I am very much displeased about the way you’re acting towards your responsibility. Please madam, do get your act together and let us carry out the business of this council in the way it should be done,” the mayor wrote.
While Harry attempted to explain that there was an issue with the printing machine, Narine

said he would not accept this explanation. “You cannot find excuses all the time. I will not tolerate that. If you’re finding excuse for those things, you’re incompetent. We must not throw blame on the equipment.”

Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore had said Harry’s actions were disrespectful. “The tail can’t wag the dog; the dog must wag the tail. This matter was deliberated earlier and I think the mayor spared the town clerk any embarrassment at the time. To continue to not allow the mayor his authority or his prerogative to do what he is supposed to do as chairman is disrespectful.”

Meanwhile, substantive Town Clerk, Royston King, was fired from his post last January following a report emanating from the commission of inquiry into the operations of City Hall. The inquiry was conducted during the period September 24, 2018 and November 2, 2018.