St. Thomas councillors clash over chairman's absence

  

A war of words broke out during Thursday's meeting of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation over the absence of Chairman Louis Chin.

 

Minority leader and councillor for the White Horses Division, Hubert Williams, took issue with his absence.

 

Mr. Williams said, of the meetings held since the February local government elections, Mr. Chin has only been present for two.

 

He also pointed out that it was critical that the people hear from the leader of the corporation, which prompted a tense exchange with councillor for the Trinityville Division, Dean Jones. 

 

"I didn't hear the Deputy Mayor mention that the Mayor was sick.... As the Mayor, if you going to absent (sic) from general council meeting, you have to send something. [It] can't be a situation where you just say, oh I apologise like that, because you have to remember the office, and the office that he hold, he's supposed to tap this meeting [as] the meeting that he need to communicate with the parish," Mr. Williams insisted. 

 

After a clash between Mr. Williams and Mr. Jones about who had the floor to speak, Mr. Jones defended the mayor. 

 

"If the Mayor has an appointment he don't have to come in here to come tell anybody what his business are (sic). Him don't have to come in here and tell you what his sickness is. Why is he coming here and telling you that? Makes no sense at all, so sit and shut up yuh mouth, man!" 

 

Chairman of the meeting, Deputy Mayor Michael McLeod, eventually managed to regain control and continued with the agenda items.

 

It was later stated that the Mayor had a doctor's appointment.