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Industry/ Plaisance residents resolute on unwanted NDC overseer
Industry/Plaisance residents during their stakeout exercise outside the NDC on Wednesday
– on third week of camp outside NDC office
By Zena Henry
Industry/Plaisance residents are adamant that the government-appointed overseer for the community’s Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) will not set foot in the building since he is not the people’s choice for the job.
The residents remain resolute and have for the past three weeks been camping outside of the building.
When visited on Wednesday, one resident seated outside of the NDC building said that persons have been camping outside of the building to ensure that the overseer does not enter the building. “Not even a security work, he can get here,” another resident stated.
The residents have set up a tarpaulin for shade, next to the NDC, and they would man the location for the day. Some persons even made themselves comfortable under an old Hymac, while others sat on the ground or a long bench. They cook and have their meals at their station. Several persons usually occupy the area, with some working a shift system, the publication was told.
Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker was accused by residents of forcing the unwanted overseer on them. They claimed that the newly-appointed overseer, Orlando Jardine, was placed in the position while overlooking the longstanding and more experienced staff who they claimed ought to have gotten the position.
Minister Whittaker stated however that Jardine was selected fairly using a democratic process. He had claimed that the man was more academically qualified for the job than Ms Debra Mc Dowell, who the community is rooting for.
Minister Whittaker had also defended Jardine’s appointment when he said that eight persons applied for the position of the overseer, and the interviewing panel; comprising representatives of the Ministry, the RDC, Region 4 and the Industry/Plaisance NDC, shortlisted five of these persons to be interviewed. He said, however, that only two of the shortlisted persons turned up and of the two Jardine was deemed suitable.
However, Minister Whittaker came in for much criticism since he was accused of having one position in the case of acting city Town Clerk Carol Sooba, who got the position based on experience, and another position with Mc Dowell, who is being deemed unqualified academically for the overseer post, despite her wealth of experience.
Plaisance residents said Minister Whittaker’s ‘double standard’ in the matter is one of the reasons they are so upset.
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