MANCHESTER, Jamaica – There was a tense exchange between councillors in Manchester on Thursday over the revocation of an entertainment permit for an event on Main Street in Mandeville.

This latest development follows days of debate over the proposed venue for Color Splash slated for December 24 and included mentions of stories published by Observer Online.

READ: Mandeville Mayor, party promoter clash over event permit

READ: Businessman accuses Manchester municipal leadership of sabotage in revoking event permit

Mayor of Mandeville, Donovan Mitchell had on Monday announced the revocation of the permit resulting in event promoter Adion Peart questioning the actions of the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

In an unusual move, Mitchell, who is also chairman of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, asked councillors to vote for or against the letter revoking the permit during the monthly meeting of the municipality.

Manchester councillors voting over an entertainment permit on Thursday (Photo: Kasey Williams)

This led to a debate among councillors on Thursday, some of whom objected to the proposed venue citing traffic concerns on Grand Market night while others asked that the event be allowed on Main Street with stipulated conditions.

However, the debate became heated when Councillor Anthony Bryce (People’s National Party, Newport Division) interjected during a point made by minority leader Councillor Omar Miller (Jamaica Labour Party, Craighead division).

Bryce had tried to raise a point of order, but was interrupted by Miller when the latter explained that it was not done correctly.

“What is the point of order?” Miller asked.

Even though both councillors were told by a gavel-pounding mayor Mitchell to “stop the cross talking”, the tense exchange continued.

Mitchell then put the matter to a vote which resulted in nine councillors voting for the revocation to be upheld, two against it and two abstained.

Peart told Observer Online that while he is disappointed in the outcome of the municipal meeting, his lawyer has written to the municipal corporation over several concerns.

“Another issue that is of major concern is when you look at the number of events that receive permission on the same night within the town itself, it is ridiculous. I saw an event held on Sunday at the back gate of the hospital in the parish council parking lot, so this raises questions as to how the parish council does their approvals for the places of amusement in terms of permits being issued,” he said.

“My attorney is standing solid on this one,” he added.

–        Kasey Williams