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Tuesday, 08 July 2008
Fireworks erupted in the monthly meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) on Tuesday prompting a dramatic walk-out by councillors of the People's National Party (PNP).
Tempers flared between councillors of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) dominated KSAC after Councillor John Myers in a debate on crime and violence mistakenly made reference to the JLP supporting crime and violence.
It was during his presentation in council chambers that JLP councillors reportedly heckled their political counterparts about nightmares in making direct reference to a speech given by PNP leader Portia Simpson-Miller at the party's conference last year.
Tempers flared when Chairman, Desmond McKenzie denounced irresponsible comments about crime and threatened to call off the debate.
"I don't want to hear about whether it is nightmare or day-mare [sic]. Let us deal with the issue and deal with it in a responsible way and if I get that kind of response I am going to suspend the debate," said Mr. McKenzie.
However, things took a turn for the worse when Councillor Roselea Hamilton of the Rae Town Division was invited to contribute to the crime debate and while doing so referred to her experience .
Ms Hamilton and PNP minority Leader Angella Brown-Burke then traded insults.
"I am a victim of violence and I wear a colour, I wear green. I was not shot because I am involved in corruption nor any form of crime but because I wear the colour green," said Ms. Hamilton.
As the melee continued angry PNP councillors stormed out of the meeting.
However, Mr. McKenzie managed to restore order and the meeting with the JLP councillors continued.
And in a release issued on Friday evening, Mayor McKenzie has apologised to minority leader, councillor Angella Brown Burke for comments made about her connection with crime in the Corporate Area by JLP councillor Rosalea Hamilton during Tuesday's council meeting.
Councillor Hamilton is said to have made defamatory comments alleging connection to crime in the Corporate Area.
In a letter Mayor McKenzie dissociated the Council from the remarks and apologised for the comments.
He says "I apologise unreservedly for any embarrassment these comments may have caused you and I am advising you that I intend to fully pursue this matter and will use my office to ensure that this does not happen again."
Mayor McKenzie is also calling on Councillor Hamilton to withdraw her comment and make a public apology to Councillor Brown Burke.
Fireworks erupted in the monthly meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) on Tuesday prompting a dramatic walk-out by councillors of the People's National Party (PNP).
Tempers flared between councillors of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) dominated KSAC after Councillor John Myers in a debate on crime and violence mistakenly made reference to the JLP supporting crime and violence.
It was during his presentation in council chambers that JLP councillors reportedly heckled their political counterparts about nightmares in making direct reference to a speech given by PNP leader Portia Simpson-Miller at the party's conference last year.
Tempers flared when Chairman, Desmond McKenzie denounced irresponsible comments about crime and threatened to call off the debate.
"I don't want to hear about whether it is nightmare or day-mare [sic]. Let us deal with the issue and deal with it in a responsible way and if I get that kind of response I am going to suspend the debate," said Mr. McKenzie.
However, things took a turn for the worse when Councillor Roselea Hamilton of the Rae Town Division was invited to contribute to the crime debate and while doing so referred to her experience .
Ms Hamilton and PNP minority Leader Angella Brown-Burke then traded insults.
"I am a victim of violence and I wear a colour, I wear green. I was not shot because I am involved in corruption nor any form of crime but because I wear the colour green," said Ms. Hamilton.
As the melee continued angry PNP councillors stormed out of the meeting.
However, Mr. McKenzie managed to restore order and the meeting with the JLP councillors continued.
And in a release issued on Friday evening, Mayor McKenzie has apologised to minority leader, councillor Angella Brown Burke for comments made about her connection with crime in the Corporate Area by JLP councillor Rosalea Hamilton during Tuesday's council meeting.
Councillor Hamilton is said to have made defamatory comments alleging connection to crime in the Corporate Area.
In a letter Mayor McKenzie dissociated the Council from the remarks and apologised for the comments.
He says "I apologise unreservedly for any embarrassment these comments may have caused you and I am advising you that I intend to fully pursue this matter and will use my office to ensure that this does not happen again."
Mayor McKenzie is also calling on Councillor Hamilton to withdraw her comment and make a public apology to Councillor Brown Burke.
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