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In the end, Raymond Tim Kee—buffeted on all sides—chose to jump, as he resigned his post as Port of Spain mayor. However, according to a well-placed source, he was unlikely to be pushed.
(Courtesy Port of Spain City Corporation)
Even as Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and PNM chairman Franklin Khan called on Tim Kee to step down for his irresponsible comments after the death of Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya; and although the Mayor was not universally admired within his burgess, Wired868 was informed that the central party would have been unable to move him.
“Out of a possible 15, it would have taken 11 votes to get rid of him,” said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Tim Kee had about six or seven votes guaranteed, at least.”
But would the Port of Spain councillors and alderman not have been afraid to vote against the expressed wishes of their party’s leaders?
The source suggested that the Port of Spain city council was probably more unhappy with the party leadership than it was with Tim Kee.
“The comments from the Mayor were bad but, up until Thursday, the situation was still retrievable,” said the source. “But everything spun out of control on the weekend and somehow it seemed like the pressure was going to end up on the council to move a motion to get him out. I don’t think that was ever going to happen…
“Once the situation became a full out emergency, we would have expected help from the party to sort it out. At that stage, we needed the big guns.
“But nobody said anything. The attorney general and everyone else just left us out there to dry. And what they did say was unhelpful.”
Although Tim Kee promised to leave on Saturday, he was still gauging the support of his council up until Monday, as he mused over an about-turn. But Khan’s public statements were the final straw and he decided to step down.
Intriguingly, Wired868 was told that Tim Kee’s initial apology on Thursday—which attempted to defend his position—and his insincere promise to resign on Saturday were both penned for the then mayor by third parties.
However that allegation could not be confirmed.
Yesterday, Tim Kee was late to his own farewell party by either a couple of minutes or several days, according to one’s point of view.
(Courtesy Farai Hove Masaisai/Facebook)
He spoke for about 45 minutes on his life in the private and public sector and what he perceived to be his successes and struggles. He also singled out several city council projects that he hopes to see continue, which included a two level underground carpark at Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook, the introduction of parking meters and the redevelopment of City Hall.
Then, Tim Kee wished his former colleagues farewell, as they prepared for life under the former deputy mayor Keron Valentine, who, at 31, is now Port of Spain’s youngest ever mayor.
But, according to the source, Valentine might have been one of the reasons why the council preferred to keep Tim Kee.
“There are concerns about Valentine,” said the source, who refused to provide details. “A lot of people have problems with him too. Some people don’t like Tim Kee. But they prefer him to Valentine.”
Valentine will act as mayor for the next 30 days, after which time a mayor will be appointed. He will not automatically assume the position at the end of the period and the PNM can still bring someone else in.
(Courtesy Power 102 FM)
Tim Kee has not given a firm answer as to whether he will continue as treasurer. But there is no suggestion yet that his position within the party is in jeopardy.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
So what of the fact that the councillors interviewed totally miseld the public re Monday’s “deliberations” at a council meeting that never happened…as well as their story around the resignation process?? I typing this and thinking of just how short the media fell on this. Smh.
Raymond Tim Kee’s final departure be like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU3epxPjvG0
Tim Kee final walk he better walk out fast and give that young fella ah chance.
though we aspire for utopia,the journey is a rough one.it doesn’t mean to say that we must stray from such an ideal.we’re seeing that the brutal system of capitalism and by extension imperialism,got the masses on their knees….genocide,ecocide,slavery,colonialism,terrorism etc
though we aspire for utopia,the journey is a rough one.it doesn’t mean to say that we must stray from such an ideal.we’re seeing that the brutal system of capitalism and by extension imperialism,got the masses on their knees….genocide,ecocide,slavery,colonialism,terrorism etc
That’s just really sad.
I really wish the council had rejected tim resignation, but i guess the STIPEND is more important….they lack balls
They cannot reject a motion. Once he offers it, then that’s that.
Well all resigned thats all….they need balls !!
sigh….The Municipal Corporation Act is so easy to read though
Why would they resign salaried jobs because Tim Kee said some nonsense and get in trouble?
My source said the council would have refused to move a motion to remove him. Or, if one was presented, it would have failed.
That seems a damn strong statement all on its own.
Thats a full time job ?
Not salaried Lasana Liburd but stipends Cllrs are considered part-time .
It’s a salaried job Trini. You misquoting me. Like you auditioning for a media wok!
Stipend v salary. Tomato v tomatoe. Lol.
Well I prefer stipend because according to SRC the ‘salary’ remains at the current amt because we are considered part-time . To be fair to my colleagues on POSCC I am sure at no point was loss of stipend/salary a factor . Trust me we do not do this for $$.
Lasana Liburd u starting to sound like Vernal dey inno ???
Lol
parliament in this colonial backyard becomes a governing body in absentia….total wotlessness,lol
Wherever we look, it is hard to find examples of perfect of near perfect governance structures. I think it is more about what works in a particular setting within a particular culture.
Look out for a Dr. Lovell Francis vs Garcia or Rowley showdown.
they didn’t do sufficient research before choosing him, or think that the skeletons will stay in the closet.
Lesson to learn: Once a dog sucks egg, it will always do so….give it time and it will make the opportunity….
Get ready for this one Lasana.
this problem is often the reason behind family feuds and it was further aggravated to an alarming extent after the rise of modern societies.people today are still faced by the persistent problem of the instrument of govt.failing to find the final and democratic solution to this political problem,many societies are bearing the burden of it far-reaching consequences and ramifications.
Apparently (they) not done with the destruction yet.
the house will crumble if it’s not on solid foundation…like las alturas
Sometimes it is good for a poorly constructed house to crumble once you can handle the fall out.
but agreed
but a good house can only stand on a solid foundation
the westminister
Ahhh… I do find that there are plenty examples of it not working very well for us.
I don’t think our biggest problem is the governance structure. I think it is that the “governed” don’t know what they want.
But I’m all for us creating our own hybrid that suits us better.
The Governed knows what it deos not want, that is why it keeps changing Govts.
The Powers that be should take note and not take anything for granted.
It’s time to make Mayors, County Council and Regional Corporation representatives elected officials.
Exactly…wdf is all this alderman about?
Aldermen are meant to add expertise to a council. Councillor so are elected and have to attend to their districts. Aldermen do not have a district and can put more attention to attending to the business of the council. With the introduction of Proportional representation, the number of aldermen is determined by the number of votes the party gets overall in the region. They are expected to voice of those who vote for them as well
Well in all my 50 years of existence here I’ve never seen that work. They just seem to be jobs for the boys…like some in the senate, who cant string a decent sentence together.
It’s up to the political party to appoint appropriate aldermen. I agree
lasana,do you feel this instrument of gov’t will work for the masses…let history be your guide
What instrument do you refer to?
You lie. That cannot be true.
Wish I was…
I feel I’m all “Tim Kee’d” out yes
Agree.
Me too.
Why is changing the name of the park assinine ?.
..Emotional ole talk. Some people rather the park be named after a colonial slave master than after a black freedom fighter and international icon of human and civil rights. Smfh..
I think a Trinidad or Tobagonian stalwart would have been most appropriate for T&T.
..Ok we could discuss that. But why is removing a slave-holding imperialist an ‘assinine” move? Some people just get carried away by their nonsense..
Has nothing to do with a black freedom fighter whom i greatly admire to this day. Have no problem with Nelson Mandela’s name being honoured in some way here but it could have gone to something newly built. Why are we trying to change all our history. If you don’t get it then it’s my turn to smfh.
..I don’t. Long live Mandela..
I don’t think it was asinine but I think they could have chosen somebody who actually had something to do with Trinidad & Tobago, or more specifically Port of Spain. King George V did. Mandela didn’t have anything to do with us.
Sorry Keith but he’s dead.
And to be fair, slavery was abolished long before George V was even born.
..Mandela had nothing to do with us? LOL. OK..
Ok what did he have to do with Trinidad & Tobago?
..They were all slavers and still enjoy a life built on slavery..
..I gone..
Another duck and run.
No need to chook fire. If people don’t want to argue don’t study them.
..Nah. Common sense. I face PLENTY more difficulty in my life – and survive, and win – than anyone on facebook could present…
When common sense bounces up nonsense…
Kenneth H. Ransome Jr. But why change it in the first place? We should at least attempt to preserve some of our history imho.
Regardless, I ‘love’ calling the park, Pompeii. Great memories at that park. I won quite a few races there. Hung out there breaking biche, playing cricket, football etc
Is there a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the city what did he do for us? Just asking
An equally valid question. But that square is a little more obscure I think. But yes, the answer is “nothing”. So we should find a Trinbagonian related person to name that square after.
Just imagine I was told that a PR firm did Tim Kee’s first “apology”?! Astounding. That firm should resign. Lol.
Have to wonder if he strayed from script as well..
Lasana, I agree completely that firm should resign.Totally incompetent! I actually thought it was staff at his Office who prepared that disastrous first press release and recommended on FB that he fire those responsible before demitting Office since he deserved better as did his successor.It also speaks to his judgement in accepting such poor advice.Ironically, if a proper press release had been issued then Mr Tim Kee might still be in Office today.
He made the comments …. he should have apologised, the firm isn’t incompetent. ….”His worship the honourable Tim Kee” is !!
The initial comments were horrible. But I think he might have survived if he offered a full and immediate apology and gave a sense that he recognised where he was wrong.
He did only one of those three things.
Maybe his pride kept him from doing the other two. Maybe bad advice as well.
Or maybe he is just stupid through and through. Or worse.
Saw the creeping arrogance of power in members of last government… Is it setting in with members of this government??
I think it is in the DNA of some of their officials long time. I can live with arrogance. But not mixed with stupidity or incompetence.
I prefer humility in larger doses myself, even when super smart!!
In this country, I will take results for a change however I get it yes.
Lasana if I’m being real I don’t think he could have actually offered a real apology because up till now …I don’t believe that he believes he said anything wrong. I think he recognised he offended people because of the kickback but in his mind he never realised the inappropriateness of his comments. If he did the whole “I won’t be crucified” statement wouldn’t have been made.
That’s the tragedy.
If “Humility in Service” could be returned to our country, this would be a much better place. I guess I will continue to live in hope rather than die in despair.
Tell you what. I was told a PR firm did Tim Kee’s initial public “apology.” He paid for someone to do that nonsense?
Astounding.
That’s a worse use of money than when the prisoners who escaped last year bought the grenades that didn’t work.
Hahaha
hear nah…Chabeth nearly make mih wish i wore Depends yes….hahahahahahahahaaaa
I guess the statement of intention to resign was done by a different firm because that statement was good
I do PR and cannot believe someone advised him to do that.
Who money spend on it though? Tim Kee’s or the city’s?
He better get a refund!
I dont do PR and still cant believe “professionals” wrote that
An “apology” with a “but” when dealing with an irate mob is never wise.
I wonder what the “P” and the “R” in that PR firm stood for?
To be fair to the PR firm/consultant, he may not have taken their advice completely. I’ve experienced that, too. At that point you just sit back and say “I told you so” in your mind.
No way.. he could not have paid for that nonsense.
You lie. You are a liar. You are lying.
Sadie Tidd better he did pay me yes.
We short on forex Vernal
Oh shimps …. true!
It hadda be TT$ but multiply by 8 now..just to make sure.
Whaaa???
That the council could be in support of such backwardness is reason enough for all of them to step down.
Tim Kee tried to resign from resigning. Lol. Btw what the hell he really did for Port of Spain beside change the name of King George V park to Nelson Mandela Park which was just as assinine as his statements last week.
There was not going to be any implosion Kenneth. This was always a done deal. They could say whatever they want the PRIME MINISTER spoke. Lee Sing stood up to the OPPOSITION LEADER. Huge difference. Elections are due in October, they know where barley grows and so does Tim Kee. All posturing after the fact.
Hmmm. But being prime minister doesn’t give Rowley special powers though. How would it have been different in a real sense?
Lasana Liburd their is a tremendous difference between PM and OL. They power and prestige that goes with being PM is far greater.
That’s obvious Lyndon Pk Williams. I asked “in a real sense”. In other words, the constitution doesn’t suggest that his command is different as prime minister.
So I’m just curious as to how he might have brought that “power” to bear in this scenario.
Either oust him or you won’t be even be screened as a potential candidate in the upcoming LGE.
But he could have done that as opposition leader too Chabeth. Maybe the proximity of the LGE makes it a different landscape as opposed to when he tussled with Lee Sing.
Maybe proximity and maybe because an ousting of Lee Sing would have seemed more personal?
Lee Sing criticised Rowley publicly. It would have seemed petty. Tim Kee caused public outrage.
Right. But how would he have forced the corporation if they were disinclined to do so? I was hoping to get from ideas off Zen or PK. But like they’re afraid to spill the beans on those weapons of mass destruction. Lol.
Lasana, the difference is not in Rowley’s constitutional powers.. it’s with his political clout. With Lee Sing he had to wait and then Lee SIng felt the weight of his political clout. As PM in a LGE year he gets anything he wants. They dare not oppose him or they run the risk of becoming another Nylon Hypolite.
Ok. I suppose the council would have been reminded of that in no uncertain terms.
Ask Dr Amery Brown, he knows too well.
Less than one month ago, on the issue of parking for the CIC fete at Nelson Mandela Park….the council openly defied and voted down the mayor’s decision. So not buying that the council was unanimously behind his worship.
Did you read the story Arnold? It is much more complex than what you suggested. Nobody said anything about being unanimously behind anybody.
You can get false impressions if you try to judge a story from its headline.
Lord fadda. What info are you seeking Savitri?
??
Hahahahaha
Lol..Dr Amery Browne! You been in this political game a long time..tell the folks here what it feels like to stand up for your beliefs only to get shot down…some go quietly, some make a noise.
Lol. Everyone in Wired 868 should know what that’s like by now. I’m not sure that anyone in this city council saga was really standing on any principle though.
true but was referring to wider innuendo….
Well, that innuendo was not in this thread. And not from the source of this story either.
Note I never used the word principle, for a good reason. Not all will stand on principle esp when they’re not done eating yet. But seriously, we really need to start demanding that some of these dinosaurs buy a comfy recliner and go line up in the bank every month to cash their pension chqs.
Yes Savitri dear…and I carefully used the word, for good reason as well. But seriously I think some of those demands have begun.
Lyndon Pk Williams yesss dat is true. One the pm talk dats it
But Rhoda, are they right to feel abandoned?
Well, Rowley did fail to remove Lee Sing. So there is precedent.
But God knows what the public would have made of this if the city council defied the wishes of its leadership.
There shall be sequels on various subjects. I think our lonnnnggg overdue social evolution has begun.
Quite right – only ‘God knows what the public would have made of this’ … but we will never know – we can only speculate and ‘use our imagination’, ent?
My goodness, PNM almost had an implosion. Deceased PNM stalwarts stirred violently in their graves, I am saddened to say, that their gravestones shook.
Scary stuff. Time to join the 21st century TT.
The PoSCC would have found itself beleaguered. Because they clearly too damn lewd and vulgar in terms of their thinking.