Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORTLAND:
THE SUPREME Court has granted an extension to the ex parte injunction barring new appointments at the Portland Parish Council, setting the stage for a potentially explosive showdown on July 25, when the matter will be mentioned in court.
Yesterday, during the monthly meeting of the parish council, the secretary/manager, Franklyn Smith, responded to a motion brought by People's National Party (PNP) councillor, Dexter Rowland to have independent councillor Benny White installed as Deputy Mayor of Port Antonio.
Mr. Smith said that he had been advised by the Attorney General's office that an arrangement had been reached, probably by legal teams on both sides, to have Councillor Rupert Kelly of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) chair yesterday's sitting of the parish council.
FURTHER RESTRAINED
"I was also instructed to restrain myself from applying any of the decisions that we had arrived at during that meeting held last Friday", added Mr. Smith.
Last Friday, July 8, an emergency meeting sanctioned by the Supreme Court was held at the council's chamber where a motion of no-confidence was passed by all four PNP councillors along with independent councillor, Benny White, in having Mr. Kelly remain as chairman. It was during that meeting that Councillor White was elected Deputy Mayor.
