By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter 
McKenzie
KINGSTON MAYOR, Desmond McKenzie, believes that the decision by the board of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) not to renew the contract of former fire services boss, Major George Benson, was a malicious move.
He reasoned that the major's refusal to keep silent about
disregard shown to the fire
services may have led to the decision for not renewing his contract.
MADE FREQUENT STATEMENTS
"For the past few years, Major Benson has made frequent statements to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on the extremely poor situation within the brigade arising from the lack of resources from central government," Mr. McKenzie stated.
"There is, therefore, justified concern that the major may have been punished for remarks he has made publicly about the situation within the fire brigade."
Mr. McKenzie said that in the spirit of transparency, the reasons surrounding the decision not to renew the contract should be made public.
"My only comment is that it is inaccurate," is all Delroy Brown, chairman of the JFB's board of director's would say. He told The Gleaner that Major Benson had a contract, "it expired and it was not renewed because he had served his ten years."
Mr. Brown said that the board's decision was hinged on the belief that it was time for "new blood" to take over the reins of the JFB. "There is no malicious reason for Major Benson's contract not being renewed," Mr. Brown said.
NOT A GOOD OPERATIONS MAN
Major Benson was "a reasonably good administrator but not a good operations man," the board chairman said. This, too, he said, had no bearing on the board's decision.
Major Benson should have put in place a succession plan, Mr. Brown said. "We need some younger people, some new blood."
When contacted, Major Benson refused to confirm or deny the mayor's claim.
"I have no argument with anybody. I can't, as my contract ran its course until it ended ... so I salute smartly and move on," he said.
