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<span style="font-weight: bold">News Source: OTGNR - </span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Confirmed : Embattled St Ann Par...n (Observer)...</span>
OCHO RIOS, St Ann -- Embattled Mayor of St Ann's Bay Ivan Anderson -- who is facing fraud charges -- has resigned from his post as chairman of the St Ann Parish Council on a request from the People's National Party (PNP).Anderson announced his resignation yesterday morning, ahead of today's council meeting where he was expected to face a vote of no-confidence, brought by Jamaica Labour Party councillors and several of his PNP colleagues. Ivan Anderson The resignation became effective on Monday.He later told the Observer that his decision to step down followed a meeting with officers of the PNP last week."It is the wish of the party's integrity commission," Anderson told the Observer. "I know that when the case is completed, I will be vindicated. But based on what the party is saying, and the integrity commission, I have decided to resign.""I don't want to go against the wishes of the party," added Anderson, who last month took leave from his mayoral duties.Yesterday, Secretary Manager of the council, Clinton Gordon confirmed that Anderson's resignation letter was delivered to him on Monday and that the resignation took effect on the same day.Gordon said based on Section 93, subsection 2 of the Parish Council Act, PNP councillor for the Calderwood division and Deputy Mayor Vinette Robb assumed the chairmanship of the council.Anderson was last month charged with fraud after he was accused of failing to turn over over part proceeds from a land transaction. He was placed on a $500,000-bond when he appeared in the St Ann's Bay court on December 21. He is to return to court on February 1.It is alleged that Anderson sold a parcel of land in Manchester for $8 million on behalf of a relative who was living overseas, but failed to turn over $5 million of the sum in August.The matter was reported to the Brown's Town police and after an investigation a file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a ruling.Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn subsequently ruled that Anderson be charged with fraud.Yesterday, Anderson said he would remain the PNP councillor for the Brown's Town Division and that he would vigorously challenge the allegation against him."I am going to focus all my energy now on my case and my division, but I will rally back," he declared.It is not clear if a deputy mayor will be selected from among the JLP councillors today. JLP councillors account for half of the 16-member council.During a special meeting last month, the JLP served notice to move the no-confidence motion against Anderson after their suggestion to have a JLP councillor named deputy mayor was rejected by the PNP.http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...70176579692238
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Confirmed : Embattled St Ann Par...n (Observer)...</span>
OCHO RIOS, St Ann -- Embattled Mayor of St Ann's Bay Ivan Anderson -- who is facing fraud charges -- has resigned from his post as chairman of the St Ann Parish Council on a request from the People's National Party (PNP).Anderson announced his resignation yesterday morning, ahead of today's council meeting where he was expected to face a vote of no-confidence, brought by Jamaica Labour Party councillors and several of his PNP colleagues. Ivan Anderson The resignation became effective on Monday.He later told the Observer that his decision to step down followed a meeting with officers of the PNP last week."It is the wish of the party's integrity commission," Anderson told the Observer. "I know that when the case is completed, I will be vindicated. But based on what the party is saying, and the integrity commission, I have decided to resign.""I don't want to go against the wishes of the party," added Anderson, who last month took leave from his mayoral duties.Yesterday, Secretary Manager of the council, Clinton Gordon confirmed that Anderson's resignation letter was delivered to him on Monday and that the resignation took effect on the same day.Gordon said based on Section 93, subsection 2 of the Parish Council Act, PNP councillor for the Calderwood division and Deputy Mayor Vinette Robb assumed the chairmanship of the council.Anderson was last month charged with fraud after he was accused of failing to turn over over part proceeds from a land transaction. He was placed on a $500,000-bond when he appeared in the St Ann's Bay court on December 21. He is to return to court on February 1.It is alleged that Anderson sold a parcel of land in Manchester for $8 million on behalf of a relative who was living overseas, but failed to turn over $5 million of the sum in August.The matter was reported to the Brown's Town police and after an investigation a file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a ruling.Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn subsequently ruled that Anderson be charged with fraud.Yesterday, Anderson said he would remain the PNP councillor for the Brown's Town Division and that he would vigorously challenge the allegation against him."I am going to focus all my energy now on my case and my division, but I will rally back," he declared.It is not clear if a deputy mayor will be selected from among the JLP councillors today. JLP councillors account for half of the 16-member council.During a special meeting last month, the JLP served notice to move the no-confidence motion against Anderson after their suggestion to have a JLP councillor named deputy mayor was rejected by the PNP.http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...70176579692238