Local Government Commission (LGC) Chairman Julius Faerber says that the body has the power to appoint whomever it pleases and has not done anything in contravention of Guyana’s constitution in relation to the appointment of a Linden Town Clerk.
Faerber’s comment came amid Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon’s concern over the Local Government Commission backpedalling on its unilateral appointment of Lennox Gasper as Town Clerk for the town.
The Commission’s Chairman said that nothing was done unilaterally.
“We have not done anything unilaterally, nothing we did violate the constitution, however, you will hear more from me on the subject Friday”, he told Stabroek News.
The LGC caused consternation when on November 9th, 2023 it named Gasper to the position as he is affiliated to the governing PPP/C and had served in their campaign for the recent local government elections.
The LGC Chairman, when asked for a comment on the subject by Stabroek News reiterated that he will not comment further on the subject until tomorrow.
On November 17, Solomon said the commission, has now advised that the position of Town Clerk be advertised.
The mayor was also displeased with this decision by the LGC.
“We firmly believe that this decision undermines the authority and autonomy of the Council in matters about the appointment of key administrative positions within our municipality’, he said last Wednesday.
Solomon also expressed concerns regarding the section of the LGC which has caused the council and municipality to not have a town clerk.
According to the release, the Linden Mayor and Town Council were placed in a position of uncertainty after the LGC unilaterally appointed the town clerk.
According to him, it is important to emphasize that the LGC respects and adheres to the democratic processes and procedures outlined for the appointment of senior staff for the Council such as town clerks.
“The Council has a responsibility to ensure that such appointments are made by established guidelines and regulations, taking into consideration the best interests of the community and the efficient functioning of local governance.
“We firmly assert that any decisions related to any appointment to the designation as Acting Town Clerk should be made through a collaborative and consultative process involving the Council, as stipulated in our governing laws”, he declared.
Concerning the resignation of the former Town Clerk which gave rise to this situation, Solomon said that the Council at a duly conducted statutory meeting decided:
That the file containing previous applications be revisited to select a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy;
The process commences, that is, application, shortlisting, scheduling of interviews etcetera and the most suitable candidate is selected; and
The most senior officer at the Council acts in the position to allow the above to occur.
“This decision was communicated to the Local Government Commission. Unfortunately, the Commission continues to act in a manner which seeks to undermine the authority and autonomy of the Council, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana”, Solomon said.
