Notice. quits after meeting with JLP officials

RAYMOTH Notice, the mayor of Spanish Town, yesterday resigned following a meeting with senior officers of his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and councillors of the St Catherine Parish Council, which he chairs.

Notice, a medical doctor, will remain as councillor of the Bog Walk Division.

The resignation of the mayor came just a day after he was arrested and charged by the Bog Walk Police and taken before Resident Magistrate Simone Maddix to answer five counts of assault, following a report by his wife, Verna, that she was beaten by him.

However, Mrs Notice told the court that she was withdrawing the charges if her husband agreed to seek counselling.
The JLP said Wednesday, it would not take any action against the embattled mayor since the charges were withdrawn.

Nelson. the JLP is one of the staunchest advocates of the rights of women

But, in a swift about turn, the Opposition party said yesterday, assault against women must be condemned.

Senator Dwight Nelson, the party's spokesman on information, told the Observer yesterday that despite the legal outcome of the case involving the mayor's wife, "an assault against one woman is an assault against all women, and the party would not be tolerating it".

Earlier, a statement from the JLP said Dr Notice had taken a decision to tender his resignation as chairman of the St Catherine Parish Council and Mayor of Spanish Town.
According to the JLP, Notice said his decision was made in the best interest of the council and party.

He is said to have expressed thanks to his fellow councillors for their support in the past two years. In their turn, the councillors are said to have expressed regret at the circumstances which led to his decision.

But sources said that at the time the JLP statement was released, Notice was soliciting views from councillors on what decision he should make.

Nelson told the Observer that the JLP is one of the staunchest advocates of the rights of women, and it would not tolerate anyone abusing women, including any among its ranks.

"We will not condone in any form, abuse, verbal or physical, on women," said the Opposition spokesman.

Verna Notice reported that she had been abused during the period November 2004 to May 2005. She said she first reported the matter to the police on February 27, and again on May 30.

Meanwhile, police investigations continue into allegations that the Suzuki Grand Vitara assigned to the former mayor was seen leaving a crime scene at High Mountain, St Catherine on June 3.

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