Portland council barred from installing new mayor
published: Wednesday | July 6, 2005

Gareth Davis ,Gleaner Writer

HUNTER

PORT ANTONIO:

ONLY ONE day after the resignation of Port Antonio's Mayor Alston Hunter, there is a new twist in the mushrooming leadership crisis which has embroiled the Portland Parish Council (PPC).

Yesterday, the PPC was barred by a Supreme Court order from installing deputy mayor, Rupert Kelly as the new chairman and mayor.

The injunction which was granted yesterday by Mr. Justice Horace Marsh is to remain in effect for seven days.

People's National Party (PNP) Councillor Dexter Roland brought the ex parte application in the Supreme Court. The other councillors named are Doreen Forbes, Wayne McKenzie and Phillip Thomas - all PNP representatives.

The injunction stems from the resignation on Monday by the mayor and chairman of the Portland Parish Council, Alston Hunter. After the seven-day period expires, the parish council can contest any application for the injunction to be extended.

Following Hunter's resignation, his deputy, Rupert Kelly, assumed the position as mayor and chairman of the Portland Parish Council. Contacted yesterday, Councillor Kelly expressed disappointment that the injunction had been filed.

"They are just trying to frustrate the mandate of the people; they want to hijack the council," he charged. "I am disappointed that they have taken this course of action, but I am adopting a wait-and-see approach ... I am going to honour whatever the law has to say on this matter, and not bend to the whims and fancies of selfish people."

In the meantime, Benny White, a former Jamaica Labour Party councillor, has switched allegiance and may become a member of the PNP, pending the approval of his application to the National Executive Council when it meets at the end of July.