CHAIRMAN OF the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) region one, Senator Desmond McKenzie, is urging the Municipal and Parish Council Services Commission (MPCSC) to be "flexible" when making a decision on what will happen to Dennis Messias, superintendent at the May Pen Cemetery, Spanish Town Road, West Kingston.
Mr. Messias, who represented the JLP in both the 1997 and 2002 General Elections in St. Andrew South, was sent on 105 days leave last year, pending an enquiry into the circumstances under which he participated in the October 16, General Election.
He is alleged to have breached section 3 (16) of the Staff Orders, which states that public officials cannot actively participate, for any political party, in Parliamentary or Local Government elections, or act as agents, sub-agents or canvassers at such elections.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Senator McKenzie, who also serves as Councillor for the Tivoli Gardens division in which the cemetery falls, said that he hoped that the Commission will not dismiss Mr. Messias from his position.
"We hope that in whatever decision they make, they won't be too harsh on Mr. Messias. If something can be worked out where he loses some pay or he is suspended for some time without pay but not to dismiss him," Senator McKenzie said.
The Senator explained that Mr. Messias' position as Superintendent at the May Pen Cemetery is hard to fill, that he has been a hard worker in his years at the cemetery and that the Superintendent is accepted by residents from the surrounding communities.
"I am not saying that you must move the goal post in the middle of the game but I believe that the Municipal Services Commission is being a little bit difficult on this matter. We are not saying that we are in support of it, but we are saying that the Commission can be a little bit more flexible," Senator McKenzie said.
He said that the May Pen Cemetery is a sensitive job and that it is very difficult to find people who are willing to go there to work.
"We can't fight the Commission, so I really hope that the Commission will take all these factors into consideration when making its decision," Senator McKenzie said.
Representatives at the Municipal and Parish Services Commission, which is carrying out the enquiry, remained tight-lipped about the fate of Mr Messias yesterday, even refusing to say whether they have received a response to their request that Mr. Messias submit a report to the Commissions within 21 days.
"I cannot jeopardise a matter that is under consideration. I cannot answer those questions, because the matter is under consideration, but as soon as a decision is taken, I am sure that you will know," Commission secretary, Yvonne Gordon said.
When contacted yesterday, Mr. Messias admitted that his lawyer should have sent off his response to the Commission and that he was still receiving his full salary, but declined to discuss anything more.
In the meantime, Senator McKenzie said he was having discussions with Town Clerk at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), Errol Greene, about the cemetery's management but has still not met Orville Fagan, the acting superintendent. Senator McKenzie said that Mr. Fagan was appointed without his being appraised of the situation.
"I cannot support someone out there that I know nothing about," he said.
