LUCEA, Hanover — Mayor of Lucea Sheridan Samuels’ concern that the president of the Hanover Parish Development Committee (PDC) is aligned to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spilled over into a heated discussion at the most recent council meeting, with both trading barbs during a discussion about repairs needed to markets in the parish.

Samuels was elected on a People’s National Party (PNP) ticket in the February 26 election. In March he had accused the PDC president, Christeen Hooper-Johnson, of campaigning for the JLP in the lead up to the February election.

At last Thursday’s monthly meeting of Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC), the mayor announced that the HMC would be working with the local government ministry to repair Cleveland Stanhope Market in Lucea and Hopewell Market in Hopewell, as the corporation moved to have vendors removed from the streets.

However, Hooper-Johnson noted that while she agrees that the vendors should be placed in the market, conditions in Cleveland Stanhope Market are not suitable. Armed with photos, she argued that the market is in a deplorable condition.

“There was a bucket there with faeces to the back of the market, and urine where they urinated in there. It was reported that the street people are the ones sleeping in the stalls. Yes, we want to remove the vendors but have the market cleaned; and the roof that is leaking, do something to it. The part to the back of the market is meshed and it was also reported that when rain falls, it covers the flooring with water,” stated Hooper-Johnson.

The PDC president, who made it clear that she was not tearing down anyone, also noted that the fish market is closed and is being used to store old metal and rubbish, while a drain in the area is in need of cleaning.

During the exchange that followed the mayor sought to explain the approach that the council intends to take, going forward. He said street vending will not be allowed but stressed that the removal of vendors will be handled with care.

“My intention is to invite the vendors that are out there to a meeting and have a discussion with them. Let them understand that [things] cannot remain the same,” stated Samuels.

“We are going to remove their stalls with them. We are not going to use any big sticks and trucks to tear down anything for the PDC to take any pictures and put on social media,” he added.

He also told the meeting that terms of reference will be provided so that the PDC can be aware of its roles and functions.

“They are a framework of the corporation; they are not a watchdog group. They are a group that is supposed to be supporting us, and not criticising us,” argued the mayor.

However, an obviously riled Hooper-Johnson made it clear she was not intimidated by the mayor’s comments.

“I sat and listened but before I give my report, let me tell you that I am not daunted. I am not even afraid or shaken by your remarks about the PDC. If I am missing anything I am still willing to learn, but as long as I represent the parish development committee I am representing all citizens in Hanover,” she told the mayor.

She also denied any intention of posting comments on social media, as the mayor had intimated.

In response, Samuels queried when he made the comments.

“You said it, and you are to remember what you are saying since you were giving your bash speech,” replied Hooper-Johnson.

The mayor repeated his question about when the remarks were made, claiming something must be wrong with his brain.

“It seems so, and you need to seek a psychologist,” hit back Hooper-Johnson.

She later tried to apologise and show photos which back up her claims about the market. She was denied the opportunity.

Earlier during the discussion, deputy mayor for Lucea, Andria Dehaney Grant had also pointed to the improper presentation of the PDC report. She noted that the PDC president should have spoken to the CEO of the corporation and alerted the Hanover Health Department. She also noted that while work was done in the market, more is to be done.

Medical officer of health for Hanover, Dr Kaushal Singh also encouraged the PDC not to wait for a special occasion to make a report.

“The public health department should be informed immediately. To all citizens, if you find any issues like that it has to be [said] to us because we have law enforcement power and we can do advocacy to enable the corporation to work around it and improve the situation,” he urged.

However, Councillor Brian “Penta” Chambers (PNP, Lucea Division) said he welcomed the report.

“I am happy for the report because it is now telling me that I have a lot of stuff to do, because I am sure those things are not there from last month. This is telling me that for seven years we have been doing nothing so now the time has come for me to do something,” stated Chambers who snatched the seat from the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Easton “Brown Dawg’ Edwards.

Noting that there is a lot to be done in Lucea, Mayor Samuels said work will be carried out to improve the courtyard, the fish market, and efforts will be made to address challenges they are having within the public restroom at the market. He also explained that the meter indicates that the commodity is being used, however there is no water entering the restroom. He is alleging that the water is being stolen, however he did not indicate by whom. He revealed that the storage tank is depleted as soon as it is filled and, as a result, the corporation has to buy water for the facility to use.

In addition, Samuels said repairs will also be done to the public restroom at Hopewell Market. The entrance to that market is also slated for repairs.