Chairman says will not tolerate indiscipline
Two PPP/C Region Four councillors are up in arms about what they call the “dictatorial behaviour” of Chair-man Clement Corlette who has however dismissed the allegations saying he will not permit indiscipline at any of the statutory meetings.
Councillors Kwame McKoy and Desmond Morian made their concerns known at a press conference hosted at PPP HQ Freedom House on Wednesday, a day after the region’s statutory meeting.
At the press conference McKoy told reporters that Corlette always dominated meetings, suppressing the views of the councillors and this type of behaviour was “entrenched in those from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) party.” He also said he felt that the chairman wanted to usurp the powers of the regional administration in his style of leadership which always sought to have “absolute power.”
He noted that Corlette was even demanding that persons indicate before hand whether they wanted to make presentations during the meeting and the regional chairman wanted to determine the questions to be asked during the sessions.
Relating an example, McKoy said that at Tuesday’s meeting Corlette brought to the table a policy order which asks that persons indicate before hand whether they wanted to make a presentation during the meeting. According to him this contradicted the law and the chairman should not be the one deciding who speaks during meetings or determining every question that is asked. He argued that Corlette had no authority to bring policy orders to a meeting, but could only make proposals and ratifications if necessary.
He also accused the chairman of being confused about his role. McKoy insisted that PPP/C councillors would continue to speak out on Corlette’s conduct. Asked whether the complaints were ever brought to the attention of the chairman, McKoy said he was not aware of any specific correspondence of this nature but said minutes of previous meetings would show objections to Corlette’s behaviour.
Meanwhile Morian who had remained quiet throughout the press conference broke his silence after a reporter queried the very issue of the policy order which he said was something councillors took seriously and sometimes would want to share with constituents before agreeing. He said he felt that Corlette had imposed things on councillors.
Morian, who said that he has been on the region’s council for a number of years, maintained that persons must be allowed to speak. He pointed out that he has always been very vocal at meetings. However, he did not raise any other particular matter where he felt Corlette has been a dictator. Morian said he felt that his attitude with regards to the policy order was in conflict with the law.
No indiscipline
When contacted and asked to comment on the allegations levelled against him, Corlette insisted that he would not stand by and allow any indiscipline at the meetings. Explaining the policy order issue raised by the councillors, Corlette said that when the policy was presented it was unanimously supported.
According to him, PPP/C councilor, Vice Chairman Mohammed Khan also supported the motion. He further stated that with 35 councillors some of them tended to repeat points already made and some attempt to speak on every issue for long periods. Corlette said the system is similar to that used in parliament and would only bring order to things.
According to Corlette, by the time McKoy arrived at Tuesday’s meeting the order was already approved and passed.
Meanwhile he said he felt that McKoy does not fully understand the workings of the council but “wants to do what he likes when he likes, talks for how long he wants to and must get his own way and when anyone interjects now he comes up with this dictator allegation.”
Corlette said he tries his best to allow councillors to air their views but will not tolerate indiscipline since effective time management must be practiced during the meetings even as contributions are made.
He could not address Morian’s concerns since according to him Morian was there when the motion was passed and did not raise any objections.
The Region Four administration is set to provide a test of the post-2006 political environment. The two main parties – the PPP/C and the PNCR-1G – had voted together to share the top two spots on the council, that of chairman and vice chairman.
