Secretary Manager to be reprimanded over flag controversy

The secretary manager at the St. James Parish Council is to be reprimanded for his alleged role in the misuse of the Jamaican flag, at a civic ceremony in the parish in March.

Winston Palmer will be advised shortly of the likely action to be taken against him, by the Parish Council Services Commission, who carried out a probe into the misuse of the flag.

These are among several recommendations put forward in a six page report released today.

Local Government Minister, Noel Arscott, had ordered the Parish Council Services Commission to investigate the role and responsibility of the secretary manager and his staff in the matter.

There had been a firestorm of protests since it was reported that the green had been left out of the flag, and the space blackened at the civic function.

In it’s report, the commission also recommended that at least one senior officer in each parish council will be required to attend protocol training courses.

Parish council employees will be sensitized about Jamaica’s national symbols, and how to properly arrange for and carryout official functions.

In addition, the commission has instructed Mr. Palmer that he needs to display a greater degree of managerial control over parish council functions.

A three-member team from the local government ministry carried out the probe.