JLP, PNP Councillors Almost Come to Blows at ALGA-J Meeting

A clash between JLP and PNP councillors brought the annual general meeting of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica, ALGA-J, in Mandeville to an abrupt end on Friday.

The skirmish began when ALGA-J members were set to vote for a new president and vice-presidents.

The melee resulted in the police being called to the Golf View Hotel, where the meeting was being held.

Shaloy Smikle report.

Former May Pen Mayor and JLP Councillor for the Rocky Point division in Clarendon, Winston Maragh, is the sitting president of the association.

Nationwide News sources say the clash between the councillors was triggered by a disagreement over a motion to move the voting forward on the agenda.

PNP Councillors reportedly objected, but the motion was carried.

The ballot box was then snatched and the microphone grabbed from President Maragh.

His left hand was bruised during the melee, and he reportedly sought medical attention.

But the PNP Caucus of Councillors says the meeting ended prematurely because there were significant breaches of procedural rules and constitution.

According to ALGA President Aspirant and Councillor of the Hayes Division in Clarendon, Scean Barnswell, the meeting ended prematurely because of significant breaches of procedural rules and the Association’s constitution.

Barnswell says there were also questions about the financial report.

But Maragh later told journalists that the meeting descended because PNP councillors were afraid they would lose the vote for the new ALGA president and vice-presidents.

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister, Desmond McKenzie, says a meeting will be held to address Friday’s chaotic scenes at ALGA-J’s annual general meeting in Mandeville.

In a statement, Minister McKenzie condemned the incident as a total disgrace in the life of local government.

He called out the behaviour of Councillors who deliberately disrupted the meeting to the point where the elections for the new executive of ALGAJ were unable to take place.

Minister McKenzie says the disgraceful series of events was played out in front of a range of invited guests, including members of the media.

He described the incident as a desperate, reckless, and callous behaviour and a huge stain on the image of local government.

The minister says he will not allow the melee to go unchecked.

He says a meeting will be held with the Association to address the incident.