Secretary manager to be reprimanded over flag controversy

Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Secretary Manager of the St. James Parish council, Winston Palmer, is to be reprimanded for misuse of the colours of the Jamaican flag during the swearing-in of the Mayor of Montego Bay.

A probe was ordered into the matter after it was discovered that the colour green was omitted from a replica of the Jamaican Flag that was mounted as a backdrop at the swearing-in ceremony for Mayor of Montego Bay Glendon Harris.

The foul-up drew widespread criticisms from the Government, the Opposition and several civic groups about the disrespect for the country's national symbols.

And following that probe the local government ministry today announced that the Parish Council Services Commission is to advise the St. James Parish Council of the appropriate reprimand that should be issued to its Secretary Manager.

In a six page report to the minister of local government, Noel Arscott, the commission said it was of the view that there was a legitimate basis for concern that the Jamaican flag may have been misused at the swearing in ceremony.

And it says the Secretary/Manager should have displayed a greater degree of managerial control over the execution of the function.

The commission says through interviews with the parish council staff it learnt that the decorator, Denton Edwards was instructed to use black, green and gold in the décor.

But it says those instructions were not placed in writing.

The commission says the decorator was reportedly late in completing the job on the day of the swearing in and inadvertently left out the green he had intended to use in the backdrop.

According to the commission, the secretary manager and the procurement officer should have appreciated the significance of the missing colour.

But it says both reported they had noticed nothing amiss on the day.

The decorator, Denton Edwards, had said he was instructed to leave out the green by a Courtney Hume.

The commission noted in its report that Hume had presented himself to the secretary manager as having been sent from the Office of the Prime minister to attend to protocol at the event.

However, the secretary manager did not verify this as it is customary for a protocol officer to attend to public functions.

It was later revealed that Hume was not a protocol officer and he has since resigned as special advisor to Junior Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams.

The commission says the decorator had been invited to attend an interview but did not participate.

debbie-ann.wright@gleanerjm.com