MONTEGO BAY, St James

Newly re-elected president of the St James Football Association, Gregory Daley, has promised a speedy resolution to issues concerning the financial report which was rejected by some delegates at Monday’s Ordinary/Special General Meeting (Voting Congress) at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

For the second-straight Voting Congress, the financial report was not accepted, as the majority of the delegates voted for the suspension of questions until “another time” in the face of queries from sections of the audience.“I am going to go talk to the accountants (Tuesday),” said Daley, who outpolled Orville Powell 62-16 in a sometimes raucous meeting that threatened to get out of hand. “And I can say in short order, the shortest time possible, things will be sorted out; there is nothing being hidden, I can attest to that.”One of the major issues with the accounts was the fact that then Treasurer Macklin Peterkin — who was elected in 2014- died while in office and no election was held to replace him.Monday’s meeting heard that First Vice-president David Watt and other members of staff “helped out” in maintaining the accounts during the interim.A woman who the meeting heard represented the auditing firm that worked on the accounts was presented to the meeting, but the name on the stamp on the report did not match the name of the company she said she represented. A decision was subsequently taken to “suspend” the reports until further notice.It was heard too that there were no receipts to substantiate some expenses, as they were not turned over by the previous treasurer. This did not sit well with Powell and his team, who were seeking to replace Daley who has held office since 2012.Harsh words were then exchanged before order was restored and the voting was allowed to proceed, but the president’s report was not read.Daley later told the“The intention was to disrupt the meeting to the extent that it would not continue,” Daley said. “I am very disappointed. I expected persons to come here and be professional, act professionally, and if you have issues, present them and let us deal with them.”He said the “disrespect” that was shown “is not good and not tasteful for the football at all. I am for football, not personalities, and I will call Orville Powell… and go around to WesPow and talk to him and I am not one for heated arguments…as a matter of fact I will go see him when I think he has calmed down, I will call him and say to him ‘I am disappointed that he behaved in that manner”.Meanwhile, a number of new comers were elected to the board, all from Daley’s team, after Powell and his team walked out of the meeting immediately after the results of the voting for the position of president was announced.Veteran football administrator David Watt was re-elected unopposed as first vice-president; Hopeton Gilchrist returns to the executive as second vice-president, also unopposed.Gavin McNeil and Dennis Waite are first-time members of the executive as treasurer and general secretary respectively, both unopposed, while Tracey Reid beat Edmond Sheriff 48-5 for the position of assistant general secretary.Deon Stern-Tingling, Fay Hall, Joy Nelson, Tyrone Gordon and Patrick Clarke were the five council members elected.

For the second-straight Voting Congress, the financial report was not accepted, as the majority of the delegates voted for the suspension of questions until “another time” in the face of queries from sections of the audience.

“I am going to go talk to the accountants (Tuesday),” said Daley, who outpolled Orville Powell 62-16 in a sometimes raucous meeting that threatened to get out of hand.

“And I can say in short order, the shortest time possible, things will be sorted out; there is nothing being hidden, I can attest to that.”

One of the major issues with the accounts was the fact that then Treasurer Macklin Peterkin — who was elected in 2014- died while in office and no election was held to replace him.

Monday’s meeting heard that First Vice-president David Watt and other members of staff “helped out” in maintaining the accounts during the interim.

A woman who the meeting heard represented the auditing firm that worked on the accounts was presented to the meeting, but the name on the stamp on the report did not match the name of the company she said she represented. A decision was subsequently taken to “suspend” the reports until further notice.

It was heard too that there were no receipts to substantiate some expenses, as they were not turned over by the previous treasurer.

This did not sit well with Powell and his team, who were seeking to replace Daley who has held office since 2012.

Harsh words were then exchanged before order was restored and the voting was allowed to proceed, but the president’s report was not read.

Daley later told the

Jamaica Observer West that he believes there was a plan to disrupt the meeting.

“The intention was to disrupt the meeting to the extent that it would not continue,” Daley said.

“I am very disappointed. I expected persons to come here and be professional, act professionally, and if you have issues, present them and let us deal with them.”

He said the “disrespect” that was shown “is not good and not tasteful for the football at all. I am for football, not personalities, and I will call Orville Powell… and go around to WesPow and talk to him and I am not one for heated arguments…as a matter of fact I will go see him when I think he has calmed down, I will call him and say to him ‘I am disappointed that he behaved in that manner”.

Meanwhile, a number of new comers were elected to the board, all from Daley’s team, after Powell and his team walked out of the meeting immediately after the results of the voting for the position of president was announced.

Veteran football administrator David Watt was re-elected unopposed as first vice-president; Hopeton Gilchrist returns to the executive as second vice-president, also unopposed.

Gavin McNeil and Dennis Waite are first-time members of the executive as treasurer and general secretary respectively, both unopposed, while Tracey Reid beat Edmond Sheriff 48-5 for the position of assistant general secretary.

Deon Stern-Tingling, Fay Hall, Joy Nelson, Tyrone Gordon and Patrick Clarke were the five council members elected.