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Whittaker in disbelief over Sooba’s $400,000 furniture purchase
Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, has promised to let his officers look into an alleged unapproved spending of $400,000 by acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, who used the money to buy an executive chair and a suite for her office.
Local Government Minister Norman Whitaker
The Minister’s expressed disbelief when he was asked for a comment on the “illegal” spending of the Council’s money.
“That can’t be true,” the Minister said, after inquiring whether media operatives were correct on the sum spent for the furniture.
Minister Whittaker said that while he is not aware of the Town Clerk’s (Ag) spending, he assured that his staff would investigate the matter. The Minister expressed his conviction that any money spent by Sooba would have been permitted by the Council.
When informed of the annoyance by the Mayor and the majority of councillors over Sooba’s “indiscriminate and unapproved spending” he reiterated moves to get to the bottom of the matter.
The Mayor, his Deputy and some councilors held a press conference on Tuesday to register their annoyance with the purchase of the Town Clerk’s executive chair and the suite. They told the media that no money was approved for the purchase of any furniture for the Town Clerk’s office. Council is adamant that it is in no position to spend money on “non-priority” items while the city continues to face dire situations. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green was especially incensed that the Town Clerk had purchased the elaborate furniture, but failed to purchase one spray can to aid in the exercise to tackle the ongoing Chikungunya virus epidemic.
Chase-Green said that Sooba had mentioned collaboration and help from the Health Ministry, but refused to accept since according to her, ‘ the cost of the chair could have bought several spray cans, chemicals and possible change remaining. Added to that, the Town Clerk is scheduled to purchase an $8M vehicle; another project that the Council is against.
While Sooba would have explained to this publication that the Council approved the purchase, Chase-Green said it was not a priority of the Council since the Town Clerk already has two vehicles at her disposal.
She added that the Town Clerk continues to deny the Mayoral section of the Council of vital basic items such as ink, gas for the Mayor’s vehicle, filing cabinets and sanitary items among others. This denial has also seen the Mayor taking the Town Clerk to court.
Town Clerk (Ag)
Carol Sooba
The Mayor and Councilors told the media that they have received word that the acting Town Clerk is also scheduled to purchase a microwave, silent flush toilet, 72-inch television set and a percolator for her office. Again the body has opposed what it says are unnecessary purchases.
Mayor Hamilton Green spoke of the Minister putting his signature in place of the Mayor in a project scheduled to be undertaken by the Mayor and City Councilors (M&CC). The Mayor said that while the Council is unaware of the funds spent to purchase two open back trucks and whether it was from the Council’s stipend, the Minister signed where the Mayor was supposed to.
The trucks commenced work two weeks ago, but by Tuesday afternoon they were off the road because they are unfit for road use.
It was stated also, that so far Sooba has spent more than $1M in unapproved money. Councilors say they are still awaiting the investigation by the Auditor General over half a million dollars which Sooba used earlier this year to secure legal services in her own capacity.
She has also expended funds to effect repairs to her office without the Council’s approval.
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