The Linden Town Council yesterday raised objections to a notice it received from the Local Government Commission (LGC) that only one candidate had applied for the post of Town Clerk and would be interviewed, saying it believed that a plan was in play to appoint PPP/C candidate Lennox Gasper.
The council said that it knew of six applicants and believed that the lone person referred to by the LGC was Gasper.
Gasper had been unilaterally appointed and earlier this month the LGC said that he had been removed, following objections by the council. But only last week the council again highlighted that Gasper was still on the job and that they would consider litigation against the LGC to remove him.
“The Local Government Commission has indicated that following the advertisement being placed in the newspapers for the position of town clerk, the commission only received one application and is prepared to proceed with the interview of that one candidate. That one candidate is anyone’s guess,” a statement from the council said.
“The council is aware that at least six applications were made for the position. This situation raises concerns about fairness and transparency in the appointment process for the town clerk of the Mayor and Town Council of Linden. This latest position taken by the commission is a further step and indication that the commission is biased and is prepared to employ a flawed process to ensure that Lennox Gasper is given the position..
“This is wrong, malicious, and a clear indication that the commission is a tool of the PPP/C Government,” the statement added.
Efforts to contact LGC Chairman Julius Faerber yesterday proved futile.
The Mayor and Town Council of Linden said it was committed to upholding principles of fairness and transparency in all its processes, including the appointment of key positions such as the town clerk.
“The council firmly believes that it is essential that all qualified candidates have an equal opportunity to compete for such a crucial role within the community. The council recognizes that a diverse pool of applicants can bring different perspectives and experiences, ultimately benefiting the town and its residents,” the statement pointed out.
Anticipating that the LGC will argue that Gasper is the most senior officer and acts in the position, the council urged that the file be revisited to field potential candidates; and that the application process begin with a fair, transparent and open process.
“From all indications, the commission is compromised and is prepared to strong-arm the council to accept the PPP/C’s appointee to the position of town clerk of Linden. It is clear that they are not prepared to work with the recommendations made by the people’s officials but are prepared to push the PPP/C agenda,” the council stated.
It is calling on the people of Linden to “reject” actions wherever the commission seeks to unilaterally impose itself on the council. It is also calling for a comprehensive review of the application process.
“Given the discrepancy between the number of applications received by the Local Government Commission and the actual number of applications submitted, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive review of the application process. This review should aim to identify any potential shortcomings or barriers that may have hindered qualified candidates from applying for the position,” the council reasoned.
It continued, “Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that all applications are thoroughly considered to select the most suitable candidate for the role. It is clear that the other applicants were superior to the single candidate hence the swift move to indicate that the commission received only one application.”
The council is calling on the LGC to reevaluate its current approach and “take necessary steps to rectify any deficiencies in the application process” and on citizens to condemn the action of the commission.
“It is essential to uphold the principles of fairness and transparency by providing all qualified candidates with an equal opportunity to be considered for the position of town clerk. The council urges the commission to reopen the application process and actively encourage qualified individuals to apply,” the council asserts.
“The Mayor and Town Council of Linden calls on every right-thinking Guyanese, whether they are from Linden or any other township to openly condemn the action, posture and antics of the commission,” it added.
The council said it remains committed to engaging with the community throughout this process.
