SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Two hours after its scheduled start time, Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation failed to get underway as councillors argued over whether a meeting chaired by Councillor Ian Myles (Jamaica Labour Party, Little London Division) on August 10 was legally convened.

Only a promise from CEO Marvalyn Pitter that she would refer the matter to the attorney general was enough to get the political representatives to let go of the issue and turn their attention to matters on the agenda.

Pitter’s initial assurance that the August meeting — at which only councillors aligned to the JLP were present — was indeed legal was rebuffed, leading to a number of sharp exchanges.

While Myles and other councillors claimed they wrote to the CEO for permission to host the meeting, others complained that they were not informed while others said they were advised then got a cancellation notice.

“In no way, shape, or form I’m gonna stand here and accept the minutes [of the meeting]. I am taking out a lawsuit. I am not in for this,” declared Councillor Danree Delancy (PNP, Bethel Town Division).

The August meeting had been specially convened during what would have normally been the summer break, to address issues including alleged use of expletives by Councillor Devon Thomas (PNP, Savanna-la-Mar North Division) during a heated July 13 meeting. It was at the July meeting that Delancy was ousted as deputy mayor and Myles voted in.

“I don’t have the time to sit here and waste time deliberating on whether or not the process was adhered to in its strictest form or whether or not councillors were informed [of the August meeting],” Myles said on Thursday.

He insisted that it was administrators’ duty, not councillors, to send out meeting notices, that notice was given for the August meeting, and there was a quorum.

In an effort to move the discussion along, the CEO stood to explain aspects of the minutes for the August meeting.

“The acting CEO spoke to the mayor and she was given the go-ahead to have the meeting. I rather stand by her and err on the side of caution and I’m going by the law because legal advice was sought,” said Pitter.

“You’re allowed to speak three times and you all have spoken three times on the matter. I am going by the by-laws. I am not a politician and this is not a political ball game inside here,” she told councillors.

But Councillor Lawton McKenzie (PNP, Grange Hill Division), who had walked away from the PNP on July 13 alongside Myles and Garfield James (Sheffield Division) then later returned to the party, erupted at the comment.

“You must proofread the minutes before it come out here! You are supposed to proofread it. Which law?” he questioned.

An obviously annoyed Pitter retorted, “I have never disrespected anyone inside here. We have the people’s business to do. That is what is important and it is not my law. I make sure I do my due diligence.”

In his attempt to get Thursday’s meeting started, Mayor Bertel Moore asked for a recess to discuss the issue with the councillors in a private meeting. However, councillors refused to move a motion.

Pitter then stood and brought calm to the room by promising to seek advice from the attorney general. She promised that the municipal corporation will be informed of the outcome.