When Errol ‘Juppie’ White, the deputy mayor of Falmouth and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor for the Duncans division, died in November last year, many of his constituents believed that a by-election would have been held in short order to fill the vacancy left by him.

In anticipation of such a poll, shortly after he was laid to rest his son Donovan, as well as the People’s National Party’s (PNP’s) Derrick Gallimore began campaigning in the division.

But the hope of a by-election was dashed almost two weeks ago when chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council Colin Gager announced that it was not on the cards.

According to Gager, who is also the mayor of Falmouth, based on the advice from the Attorney General’s office having such a poll would not be constitutionally legal.

“I have sought advice from the attorney general (Dorothy Lightbourne) on the matter, and she has advised that the by-election shall not be held if a vacancy occurs within six months proceeding the 1st of June in the year in which a local government general election is to be held,” said Gager at the regular monthly meeting of the council earlier this month.

The announcement undoubtedly has caused further disappointment in the division, bearing in mind that the ruling JLP may not call a local government election anytime soon.

It is generally agreed however, that the law of the land must be upheld.

But what many persons are seemingly peeved about is the fact that since White’s death, a deputy mayor of Falmouth is yet to be named.

I believe that the general public needs to hear from Mayor Gager on the matter.

Is it that a deputy (mayor) is not essential to the running of the council, Mr Gager? Or, is that none of the eight sitting councillors (six JLP and two PNP) are competent enough?

Days after White’s passing JLP councillor for the Lorrimers division Steve Warren was being touted to be Gager’s deputy.

Warren, 53, is currently the longest serving councillor at that local body and sits on a number of committees at the council, including poor relief, which he chairs.

He is said to have the backing of Marisa Dalrymple Philibert, the member of parliament for South Trelawny — in which his division falls — as well as her vice-chairman Hugh Grant.

Apart from Warren, the pool of councillors at Gager’s disposal includes former mayor of Falmouth and councillor for the Wakefield division Jonathan Bartley (JLP); former deputy mayor of Falmouth Fitz Christie; the outspoken and astute politician Fernandez ‘ Bingy’ Smith — all of whom are said to be competent persons.

So why then is there no deputy, Mr Mayor?