Tensions flare at KSAMC as JLP protests election of deputy mayor

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors staged a walkout from Tuesday’s meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) after Councillor Lorraine Dobson of the Springfield Division was elected deputy mayor.

The walkout followed heated exchanges between JLP and People’s National Party (PNP) councillors over whether the election process complied with the KSAMC’s standing orders. JLP members argued that as a matter of principle, the post of deputy mayor should have gone to one of their councillors.

JLP councillors Tosha Schwapp of the Stony Hill Division and Rohan Hall of the Red Hills Division nominated former deputy mayor Winston Ennis, councillor for the Barbican Division. However, PNP councillors Eugene Kelly of the Whitfield Town Division and Jesse James Clarke of the Trafalgar Division nominated Dobson, heightening tensions and prompting Mayor Andrew Swaby to call a five-minute recess.

Following the recess, Dobson was declared deputy mayor, triggering a walkout by JLP councillors in protest. The meeting continued in their absence, culminating in Dobson’s swearing-in.

“I, Lorraine Angella Dobson, having been duly named deputy mayor, do hereby swear that I will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of such office without fear or favour, partiality or ill-will and to do the best of my judgement and ability, so help me God,” she affirmed as PNP councillors banged desks and chanted congratulations amid empty JLP seats.

Speaking with The Gleaner later, Dobson said she was grateful for the confidence placed in her by her colleagues.

“I’m feeling good to know that my colleagues have placed such confidence in me in carrying out the duties as deputy mayor. I have always had good relations, and, therefore, they have displayed that confidence in me today,” she said.

Dobson described the JLP walkout as expected but said she remained ready to work with all councillors in the interest of the KSAMC.

WALKOUT WAS EXPECTED

“The walkout is nothing new. You will see it on many occasions, where they do things like this. So I guess that is just what they decided to do,” she said.

Tensions within the JLP camp were evident even before the meeting began, with 11 councillors arriving well after the scheduled start time.

JLP councillor for the Lawrence Tavern Division John Myers argued that Dobson’s election violated established principles, citing the 20-20 tie in the municipal corporation, which allowed the PNP to secure the mayorship through the popular vote in the 2024 local government elections.

“They got the mayorship by means of popular vote, so the deputy principally went to the JLP side. So we were dealing on principle that anyone of us from the JLP side could be the deputy, and so we chose Winston Ennis,” he noted, explaining that the nomination was seconded, only to be usurped by the PNP’s nomination of Dobson.

“It is unfair and against principle, and the mayor knows that they did that intentionally. We are upset, and we are going to meet tomorrow and discuss whatever move we can make to really deal with them. There is nothing else. It is just that that happened, and it does not look good as a matter of principle,” he said.

Dobson, however, rejected claims of unfairness, arguing that the JLP had set a similar precedent in St Thomas and Clarendon

“They did it to the PNP in St Thomas, and they did it again in Clarendon. When we had the by-election and got back one of the divisions, it was a tie count similar to what we have at the KSAC, but the mayor was already installed. When the PNP recommended their deputy, they (JLP) wouldn’t have it. And a similar situation unfolded in St Thomas,” she argued. “So the precedent was already set by them – twice!”

The post was vacated by Delroy Williams last year to contest a seat in the general election. Williams is now member of parliament for Clarendon Central.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com