Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
Patrons turned out in their numbers at the recent family fun day at the Boston Jerk Festival in Portland.Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
Portland residents are hoping that the recent controversy that has shadowed the Portland Parish Council (PPC) is over and that things will soon return to normal.
Many believe that the rehabilitation road work in various divisions such as Berrydale, the Rio Grande Valley and the Buff Bay Valley has been severely hampered by the power struggle at the council.
"Because of the leadership struggle in the parish council, no work no gwaan round inna the communities, and we hope dat things better," a resident of Port Antonio, said.
In the meantime, deputy mayor at the Portland Parish Council, Rupert Kelly, made a request that "councillors representing the two major political parties will set aside personal differences and continue the work they are mandated to do".
Mr. Kelly will be sworn in as mayor soon following the Supreme Court ruling, which overturned an earlier injunction, which had prevented him from taking office.
"I have already extended the olive branch to all councillors," said Mr. Kelly. "For us to achieve our objectives, and to better serve the people of Portland, there must be a united effort."
Work not hampered
Mr. Kelly said that although there had been a leadership tussle at the parish council since July last year, the work of the council was never hampered in any way.
"The Mayor's office has always been vigilant in all aspect and has managed to maintain a level of efficiency despite the ongoing saga, which lasted for more than a year," Councillor Kelly said.
However, there is still dissent in the ranks. Four People's National Party (PNP) councillors along with independent councillor, Benny White, have repeatedly expressed their opposition to the appointment of Kelly as Mayor, since the resignation of Alston Hunter on July 4 this year. The roiling
tensions in the PPC suggest that a
grenade of melodrama can explode at any
moment, given the shifting allegiances of
the councillors.
The PNP now holds the majority within the PPC because of the expected pledge of allegiance from Councillor White who has applied for membership of the PNP, and had been elected deputy mayor in a special
meeting called by the PNP councillors.
Whatever the hopes for a rapprochement in the council, councillors may well have to wait on the outcome of another court ruling as both sides are expected to return to the Supreme Court on September 30 to determine whether White is indeed eligible to become deputy mayor of the PPC.
