– on status of suspension of John Douglas, City Treasurer (ag)

THE Local Government Commission (LGC) has issued a stern warning to the Town Clerk, stating that the City Treasurer (ag), John Douglas, be sent on suspension with immediate effect. This was the information received by and related to the Mayor and City Council at the M&CC’s statutory meeting on March 10, 2020.

According to councillor Oscar Clarke, Town Clerk (ag) Sherry Jerrick, received a letter from the LGC stating their position which concluded that there would be action taken against her if the matter is not resolved following the LGC’s decision.

The LGC had approved one month’s suspension for Douglas along with a host of other officers of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for the respective roles they played in the controversial issue surrounding money found in the former chief constable’s vehicle.

The council had moved a motion seeking to have the suspension be deferred asking that Douglas is allowed to proceed on his one month no-pay suspension in March, on the basis that budget discussions had already started. Town Clerk (Ag) Sherry Jerrick wrote to the LGC asking for that period up to when all budget preparations were expected to be concluded.

Mayor Ubraj Narine, said that the council will move in the direction of setting up a meeting of the LGC with a committee of the commissioners on a way forward, stating that the Town Clerk cannot be instructed by the LGC. He explained that the Town Clerk is a part of the council and as such the request was made by the council.

During the statutory meeting, several other matters were discussed by the council. Mayor Narine made the announcement that two major waste management contracts, one which the council has with Cevons Waste Management Services and the second with the Puran Brothers Inc., will end on October 5 2020. Narine invites agencies and persons to put forward their proposals for these contracts.