Appoint CEO from Arima Corp

She said, however, that this action will only be taken if the Statutory Authorities Services Commission (SASC) does not heed its call for an in-house acting CEO to be appointed.

“We will move our resolution in council. We feel very strongly about this,” an adamant Morris-Julien told Sunday Newsday.

The mayor’s stance came a day after she issued a media statement saying she has appealed to the Statutory Authorities Services Commission (SASC) asking that it reconsider its choice for acting CEO of the corporation.

Her statement followed news that the “pending appointee” for the acting CEO position originated from another corporation.

She has recommended that a qualified senior officer from the Arima Borough Corporation “who has previous experience acting in the position and is familiar with the corporation’s operations and upcoming plans.” Morris-Julien, in the release, said proper leadership was critical for the borough “as it changes hands in the local government arena and requires institutional stability.” She has yet to receive word from the SASC about the issue.

Yesterday, she added: “The fact of the matter is that we are a new council, this is a new mayor and obviously we want a CEO with the institutional memory to continue with a course of action within the next two months.” Morris-Julien said those who have acted as CEO were already apprised of several major projects currently in the pipeline.

“We have Carnival, the clean-up.

We have the maxi taxi situation, several things that the people that are currently in administration, who usually act in the position, are fully aware of and support,” she said.

Morris-Julien said she had also spoken to Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein about the issue.

She said Hosein has vowed to “see what he could do from his end.” On plans to develop of the borough, Morris-Julien said the market was of critical importance.

“Mayors have come and gone with regards to the market and I have decided to ask every living mayor to join with me to get a solution to solve this issue,” she said.

The mayor said the borough also was in dire need of an administration complex.

“The sod-turned since 1973, three times and we still don’t have a place to call our own,” she said, adding that the corporation’s administrative staff was currently being housed in a section of the top floor of First Citizens Bank in Arima.

Morris-Julien said the inadequate accomodation has created health and safety challenges.

“So, we have to find a place. My plans for Arima are really to get those two things done, at least start the ball rolling.

Morris-Julien said she cannot do it alone.

“No matter what political party.

The only requirement is that you have to care for Arima and want the best for Arima and I need that support,” she said.