WESTERN BUREAU:
FLARING TEMPERS and unruly conduct at yesterday's regular monthly meeting of the St. James Parish Council resulted in the call for the establishment of a Code of Conduct to govern the local governing authority.
The move was made after Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor, Heroy Clarke, blamed "party politics" for the lack of repairs to the deplorable Rose Heights and Farm Heights main roads.
"Since March 15, 1999 I have been asking for something to be done to the road and now I hearing foolishness that none of the ministries is undertaking the responsibility!" he shouted. "I know the Superintendent of Road and Works had told me that the works was sent out for tender."
In an impassioned speech, Clarke said that the longstanding problem was very unfair to the residents in the area.
The Councillor added that water is flowing into homes and there were high volumes of water which the drainage system could not accommodate.
Clarke's comment was met with sarcasm from People's National Party (PNP) Councillor, Michael Troupe, whose outburst evoked laughter throughout the meeting room.
"Progress...solid achievements...the fourth term," were some of the interjections Troupe used when Clarke expressed dissatisfaction at the way in which the situation was being handled and asked when work on the roadway would commence.
This led to Montego Bay's Deputy Mayor, Gerard Mitchell, who was chairing the meeting, asking Troupe to leave the meeting. Councillor Troupe refused, saying that he was merely sympathising with his colleague.
"This is the worst behaviour I have seen in any of our meetings...I call that a Code of Conduct be put in place, outlining the way in which we must conduct ourselves," said PNP Councillor, Glendon Harris.
Deputy Mayor Mitchell reiterated Harris' suggestion, which was welcomed by other councillors, noting that "proper behaviour and decorum has to be the order of the meeting."
