Recently there has been much concern about public pronouncements regarding funds raised by donations and which are under the control of the Portmore Municipal Council. As a Member of Parliament for communities within the Municipality, I find this situation untenable. The allegations are yet to be substantiated by an examination of the relevant facts by an independent body.

Therefore, after having extensive discussions with both Mayor Keith Hinds and former Mayor Mr. George Lee, both gentlemen have agreed on the following:

• All public allegations on the subject will cease immediately pending the completion of an audit being done by the Local Government Division of the Office of the Prime Minister.
• The parties agree to submit all concerns to a two-person mediation team to be chaired by Mrs. Karen Kennedy, principal of the Portmore Community College and a member of the Portmore Citizens Advisory Committee, who will be support by an auditing specialist.
• If these mediation efforts fail to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of the parties, any of the parties reserves the right to further pursue the matter through the courts.

It is hoped that this course of action will ameliorate any undue undermining of anyone's integrity in the absence of all the facts. Furthermore, it will allow all useful energies to be focused on attending to the tremendous challenges before the Portmore Municipal Council and its communities.

Contact:          Mildred Diedrick

MP's Special Assistant

                        (876) 939-7068