Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
City Hall probes Shawn Hinds meeting with Constabulary
…Mayor says Sooba is Govt instrument for unrest
City Mayor Hamilton Green is convinced that the government is seeking a physical confrontation with citizens and is using Town Clerk (acting) Carol Sooba as “an instrument for unrest.”
Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green urge citizens not to be provoked as Sooba sought to secure the compound with her officers
Remarking on what took place at City Hall on Tuesday when the public was locked out of a public meeting hosted by the Mayor and majority of City Councilors, Green said that Sooba who “strutted about City Hall in a provocative manner” was seeking to tempt persons who were locked out of the compound to react violently.
The Mayor said that City Hall is currently under “siege” as security remained stiff at the Municipality yesterday. The Mayor and Councilors had invited citizens to attend Tuesday’s meeting but was powerless to admit them into the compound. As such, he had to address attendees who were several yards away, beyond the Municipality’s security gates.
City Constables with the aid of senior ranks manned the gate under directions from the Town Clerk (ag). When the public went to City Hall yesterday to conduct business, the agency was not easily accessed since persons wishing to use the back entrance (Charlotte Street) to the compound were denied access and were told that they had to use the Regent Street gate.
Mayor Green noted, however, that while he was given an explanation by the Constabulary department that City Hall was under security protocol because of the fear of strange elements entering the compound, he said he had cause to lodge a complaint with the Chief Constable Mr. Andrew Foo since the Town Clerk’s bodyguard, Mr. Shawn Hinds was seen briefing members of the City Constabulary.
“Who is really the Chief Constable?” Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green asked as she elaborated on the allegations, that prior to Tuesday’s scheduled meeting, Hinds was seen meeting with members of the Constabulary; giving them directions.
It was noted further that upon seeing some of the City Councilors the gathering had quickly dispersed. “They were caught off guard,” Chase-Green said. She explained that they didn’t expect to see the Councilors so they quickly moved.
However, Foo told the media that he is unaware of any such matter that Hinds had briefed his staff. He told the media that he received correspondence from the Mayor Tuesday evening and after questioning his staff they denied the allegations.
He stated also that an investigation has been launched into the matter, but so far no such information has surfaced. While Foo was nowhere to be seen during the fracas on Tuesday, he told this publication that he was in his office and is unaware of the part Hinds allegedly played.
When asked about the allegations against him, Hinds told the media that, at no time at all did he address the Constabulary ranks.
Through the media, the Deputy Mayor said to the Town Clerk (ag) that the Mayor and Councilors will not be bribed. The Deputy claimed that Sooba last Friday, promised Mayor Green to fix his office, purchase new chairs, blinds etc. if he would work with her.
The offer, according to the Deputy Mayor is being seen as a bribe since the Mayor and Councilors do not believe in having fancy offices and comfortable furniture while citizens are suffering. “We have been using these old furniture for the last 20 years and we will continue to use it,” she emphasized.
Mayor Green claimed that the government, “through its instrument of unrest is seeking a physical confrontation.”
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