And so they want the Mayor to accept and honour their resolution – we’ll have her comments shortly, but first to the man at the middle of it all. That’s Deputy Mayor Phillip Willoughby. It’s hard to argue that he’s the most visible Councillor – but it seems Philloughby is not long for the post of Deputy Mayor. His fellow councillors outlined the case against him this morning and by noon – Superman cap and all – a crestfallen Philloghby told us if that’s what they want, he bears no grudge.
Laura Esquivel Frampton,
“We are not saying anything, Mr. Willoughby may or may not be fit to hold that post. It is nothing personal against Mr. Willoughby. He might have in fact been able to garner the votes with a full eleven people at the meeting. The minutes of the meeting shown that two councillors, one of them who is not here with us, asked the Mayor to please hold off that vote until more people were there. The Mayor refused that request and ordered that the vote continued. I am sorry, four councillors requested that the vote not be held and be put off to another time. The mayor refused that request and ordered that the vote go through. This meeting was held with the knowledge that three councillors were out of the country. I was on maternity leave, knowing that only 7 councillors could possibly make that meeting, we feel it was disingenuous to hold that meeting, to call for that vote, and the vote was called a whole month before it was due.”
Roger Espejo,
“So not only was it disrespectful but more importantly I wish to highlight that it was illegal.”
Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor
“I don’t know why it is maybe that Phillip Willoughby may not be competent enough to hold the post of deputy mayor for one year whilst my track record is there, I’ve proven myself, I am not begging for anything. It was voted upon and I accepted it. Now in any case if it is to this extent then what needs to be done needs to be done.
If it the deputy mayor or whatever else occurred, there is a process within the party to deal with these things. I would have never gone out there and jumped and do anything, I would consulted first. But you do what you have to do. This is what Phillip Willoughby is about. I am not about any tension with anybody. If we want to do this mek we deal with work, that is my thing.”
Jules Vasquez,
“You can’t change the fact that at the meeting where you were elected seven councillors were there and three voted for you. You were not elected with a majority vote.”
Phillip Willoughby,
“If you play a sport and you win by one basket you win. A win is a win.”
Jules Vasquez,
“But it is not a sport, it is a council and it is run by majority and you did not have a majority.”
Phillip Willoughby,
“Well fair enough and I think under the law it says that seven makes a quorum and 7 is what made it a legitimate meeting.”
Jules Vasquez,
“But the law also says you need a majority.”
Phillip Willoughby,
“Fair enough.”
Jules Vasquez,
“So would you accept that your election to Deputy Mayor was illegitimate?”
Phillip Willoughby,
“I believe that that is something for….well if 7 members want to bring back something then so be it. Who am I to say that seven members which is a majority cannot do something.”
Jules Vasquez,
“So but a resolution was taken by 7 councillors last night¸ they say the meeting was not properly adjourned, so they are saying 7 of them took a resolution and the effect of that is that right now under that resolution, if you believe it is valid, it is signed by 7 of them – you are not the deputy mayor today.”
Phillip Willoughby,
“Fair enough. That does not change the perspective or the outlook that Phillip Willoughby has not been working for the past four years. Being deputy mayor, that is neither here nor there for me. Whoever is the deputy mayor, I will work with and I’ll support.”
Jules Vasquez,
“But so are you the Deputy Mayor?”
Phillip Willoughby,
“Well if 7 of my colleagues are saying I not then I am not. But I am saying the work of the people continues, as deputy mayor or not as a deputy mayor. That has no bearing on my performance and that is what will stand.”
Jules Vasquez,
“You don’t hold a grudge against those councillors who stood up and publicly undermined you this morning?”
Phillip Willoughby,
“For what? The work of the people continues.”
Jules Vasquez,
“You’re prepared to work with all 7?”
Phillip Willoughby,
“Everybody.”
Jules Vasquez,
“And to respect their resolution as it was passed?”
Phillip Willoughby,
“Without a bone of contention because why will I get distracted with what’s being said, that will just deter from what needs to be done for the people.”
So that’s the end of it, right? Willoughby seems ready to walk away form the Deputy’s seat without a fight but not so fast, the mighty mayor Moya still has to weigh in. She was in fine, fighting form when we spoke to her this evening.
