As a controversy regarding the installation of parking meters in Georgetown continues to rage, a war of
Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan
words seems to be emerging between Mayor Patricia Chase Green and her deputy, Sherod Duncan, who evidently have different views on the contract for the installation of the meters.
Duncan had previously stated the contract for the parking meters was shared between two companies, with Smart City Solutions receiving 50 per cent and another company the remaining 50 per cent.
However that was disputed by Director of Smart City Kamau Kush, who said his company has a contract for the installation of all the meters.
Commenting on Duncan’s position, Chase Green on Tuesday made it clear that the Deputy Mayor was not speaking on behalf of the Council.
However, on Wednesday, Duncan fired back at the Mayor, making it clear that he was elected to represent the views of his constituency.
He said while she was correct that the Council has a Public Relations Officer who speaks on the Council’s behalf, he was reelected as a Councillor to represent all of Georgetown in keeping with the laws.
“The day I was elected to the Council, I did not give up my right to speak on my own behalf or my right to speak on the behalf of all those residents of my constituency and municipality at large. And I most certainly speak for the officer of the Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Georgetown. I don’t believe the argument put forward, whether in a personal capacity or officially on behalf of Council, diminishes the potency and veracity of said arguments,” Duncan asserted.
Duncan also brushed aside reports that there is a “rift” between him and the Mayor.
He said that there are often clashes between persons with differing opinions.
“This is what happens when people with differing views meet. There is a reason why there are 30 Councillors and not just a Town Clerk or just a Mayor and administrative staff. City Hall has to become a place of rigorous discussion, high ideals, and the cross fertilisation of ideas.”
Both Duncan and Chase Greene were elected on APNU/AFC tickets; however, Duncan came from the AFC faction of the coalition, while Chase Green is from the APNU.
