LGC probing allegations against Linden Town Clerk

The Local Government Commission (LGC) is currently investigating several allegations made against Linden’s Town Clerk Orleena Obermuller by members of the Council.

Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell on Thursday noted that the Council is dissatisfied with certain inactions on the part of the Town Clerk and has asked for an intervention into several issues.
“There are some issues in the Council as it relates to the administration and its effectiveness. The Council has decided that they are not comfortable with the Town Clerk. The Council has found some discrepancies. They believe the Town Clerk is not working in the interest of the Council, she’s not working with the Council and decisions made since 2017 and 2016 have not yet been carried out. The Council also believes that the Town Clerk has become, not a Clerk to the Council but is acting upon her own and using outside influences to make decisions,” the Mayor alleged.
Arrindell further alleged that the Town Clerk was negligent in effectively carrying out the Council’s decisions.

“For example, the consistent building of illegal structures across Linden. The Council has passed a system that these persons in the initial phase should be warned and the structures should be teared down. We have seen that since 2017, nothing has (been) done and the town has become more glaring in terms of these dilapidated structures.”
She also alleged that lately, the Town Clerk has refused to be present at meetings which are called by her. Additionally, she alleged that tender documents are being sent out without the knowledge of the Council.
Asked whether there were any other steps taken to remedy the situation prior to writing to the Ministry and Commission, the Mayor said the Commission is responsible for disciplinary actions.
As such, she noted that the Council wrote several times to the Town Clerk. Those letters were copied to the Commission.
“So the Ministry has responded and the Local Government Commission and the investigation has begun into the situation,” Arrindell said.
The Mayor further noted that the Council had also decided that it will not engage the Town Clerk until the matters are ironed out.
“So, the Council has returned to normal function, as we await the decision of Ministry and Local Government Commission,” Arrindell posited.
Meanwhile, the Town Clerk in an invited comment said she is aware of the allegations brought against her that would have led to an investigation. Obermuller said she would have received several correspondences from the Commission based on the allegations and she has since responded.
She explained, however, that she would not comment on other aspects until the findings are revealed and recommendations are made on the way forward based on the alleged issues that were raised.
As it relates to her meeting attendance, she said the law in Chapter 28:01 is clear on how meetings are called. In the absence of following the stipulated procedure, she noted that the meeting is only a caucus or deemed illegal.
“As it relates to meetings, the Council is governed by Chapter 28:01…There’s a section that speaks to meeting proceedings of the Council under Section 55 Sub Section 1. It speaks to how meetings are called. As a result of that, as Town Clerk, it is my role and responsibility to work in accordance to the Sixth Schedule. And once meetings are called in accordance to the Section 55 Sub Section 1 it is my role to attend same,” the Town Clerk added.
The Town Clerk added that she was present at the Council’s statutory meeting on Wednesday and also refuted allegations of acting against the Council’s orders.
“All my actions are based on the law…the Council yes has the responsibility to make policies, but then the Town Clerk is still guided by the law. So if that is outside of the law, the Town Clerk don’t have the right to carry through with any illegal decision of the Council. Once it’s a legal decision, yes the Town Clerk has the responsibility to execute same.”