The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

CHERVITA Campbell has been ousted from her post as chief councillor of the City of Freeport Council following a recent no confidence vote taken by council members amid allegations of gross misconduct involving a local government contract.

Ms Campbell, who claimed the allegations are false, has more than a week left to file an appeal to the administrator, who will then forward it to the minister of local government for a final decision.

When contacted on Monday, Administrator Preston Cunningham told The Tribune that Ms Campbell was served an official notice of the outcome of the no confidence vote taken on June 21 to remove her as chief councillor.

Ms Campbell, according to the administrator, left the meeting before the vote was taken.

“I would have written her to advise her what transpired in the meeting…. and informed her that she is no longer chief councillor until such time as the matter is resolved,” he said.

Mr Cunningham noted he has not yet received a letter of appeal from Ms Campbell.

“She has not sent a letter appealing the decision, but she has another eight days left in which to do so. The law requires a period of 15 days where she is given an opportunity to appeal the decision of the council, if she chooses to,” he explained.

When contacted for comment, Ms Campbell said she was in the process of drafting her appeal as she stressed that the allegations against her were false.

“The same councillors who have conspired and falsely accused me (are) at it again,” she said in a statement to The Tribune. “I am in receipt of a communication from the administrator which indicates that the City of Freeport Council exercised a vote of no confidence in me. Therefore I have served notice to the administrator of my intention to appeal the decision. The allegations that are being levied against me are undoubtedly unfounded, untrue and frivolous.”

She added: “My legal advisors are awaiting certain documents and I can assure the Grand Bahama community that I will continue to work relentlessly in my position to better serve the City of Freeport, a duty which I have been elected to do.”

This is the second time that she has been removed temporarily from her position as chief councillor concerning allegations of misconduct involving local government contracts.

Mr Cunningham explained that the Local Government Act provides for two conditions with respect to council members bringing a vote of no confidence against the chief councillor: gross misconduct and being charged and convicted of a criminal act.

Council members are accusing Ms Campbell of allegedly trying to put forward a contract for works without the consent of the body. They alleged that she had issued a letter of commitment for work to a contractor without first going through the proper channels.

“You must get the consent of the majority of council members in a duly constituted meeting in order for a contract to be awarded, and you also have to tender it and when that exercise is completed the council must convene a meeting to go over the tenders and decide who is best to award the contract to, and then a contract is executed. She did none of those things,” alleged the administrator.

He noted that council members had requested several times for Ms Campbell to table the commitment letter, but she allegedly refused.

Mr Cunningham said Deputy Chief Councillor Nevar Smith is acting as chief councillor in the meantime and will conduct the affairs of the council until the matter is resolved.

He explained that once an appeal is made and the minister of local government makes a decision, it is final.

“If she files an appeal and wins she will be reinstated in her position, but if she loses the appeal or does not appeal, a special meeting will be called so that council members can decide who they want as their permanent chief councillor,” he said.