Patricia Chase-Green has been returned to the position of Mayor of Georgetown after Sherod Duncan withdrew just before the Georgetown Mayor & City Council was set to vote for a new mayor.
Duncan announced that he was withdrawing from the process which he said has been “tainted” with “ministerial” intervention and that councillors have been “coerced” to give their support in a particular direction.
Duncan also announced that he will not be contesting for the Deputy Mayorship “as this position requires someone more in tune with the incumbent Mayor’s thinking and work ethic.” Lionel Jaikarran is the new Deputy Mayor.
The deputy mayor, who had been at loggerheads with Chase-Green and Town Clerk Royston King especially as it relates to the soon-to-be-introduced parking meter system, said this is not what he had hoped to do but he has been forced into this direction.
“…in the last few days the local government process has been tainted with ministerial intervention and it is my belief that Councillors have been coerced to give their support in a particular direction to maintain the status quo; undermining the democratic process,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
“This and the use of municipal resources to campaign for the incumbent does not augur well for our local democracy, and presents an unleveled playing field; a selection of Mayor and not an election,” he added.
According to Duncan serving the Municipality of Georgetown as Deputy Mayor has been a rewarding experience for him and an education. “I have enjoyed the support of Councillors across the political divide, the Coalition Government’s confidence, (the Government continues to have my unswerving support) and I am humbled by the support of the residents of the Municipality of Georgetown.”
“I look forward to continue representing the residents of Constituency 14 South Ruimveldt / Ruimveldt Industrial Estate as their Councillor.”
