KAMLA: Gross deception by Mayor

Leader of the Opposition, Kamla Persad-Bissessar i

The public is being played by the latest charade of the Rowley government.

By a Press Release dated 13 February, 2016 the Mayor of Port of Spain expressed his intention to “tender my (his) resignation as Mayor, and as an Alderman”.

A TV6 online report today has stated:

“Although he’d promised to submit his letter of resignation today, TV6 News understands that Tim Kee did not follow through on the promise and did not submit a letter of resignation at today’s emergency meeting of the City Council.

Reports are that the Council went into committee stage to deliberate on Tim Kee in the wake of recent public outrage over comments he made in relation to the murder of a Japanese tourist.

The committee meeting also provided Tim Kee with time to decide whether or not he would indeed resign.

It’s still up to the City Council to make the final decision.”

Is this a carefully orchestrated manoeuvre by the Rowley government to save the face of its Treasurer? If the Mayor reportedly did not submit a letter to Council, what are they deliberating? In the light of his Press Release, why did they (the Council reportedly give him more time to decide?

The burning question here is whether the POS City Council is the proper body to receive, consider and accept such resignation.

Under section 25(1) of the Municipal Corporations Act, Chap. 25:04 Mayor Tim Kee may resign at any time as Mayor and as an Alderman by delivering his signed letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The POS City Council has no role in law in receiving, considering or accepting his resignation as Mayor or as an Alderman.

If the Mayor really intended to resign, he would have just sent his letter to the CEO of the Corporation as provided by law. The City Council has no power in law to receive, reject or to accept such resignation.

Once again, the Rowley government is preying on the ignorance of some of the population as to the legalities of holding office. Mayor Tim Kee and the Council should be ashamed of themselves for engaging in what can only be described as an act of gross deception on the populace, indeed playing mas after the Carnival – a charade of immense proportions.

Mr. Tim Kee has decided to resign, has made his decision public, and must follow through with his resignation by sending immediately his letter of resignation to the officer legally designated in law to receive same, namely, the CEO of the City Corporation.

Anything less is to fly in the face of right thinking citizens on this issue and but just a grand charade.
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The Office of The Leader of the Opposition