And while the mayor defended Councillor Kwan, have those internal moves led to tension between Wagner and the City Administrator, Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt?
As we reported lats week, she went on a three week leave starting on Monday, following a particularly rough caucus meeting. In an email she sent to the mayor, she pointed out that during that meeting, he expressed his dissatisfaction with her work performance. She added, quote, "My adherence to the Accounting Regulations and General Administrative Rule seems to have created a level of discontent with the members of the council. Following your blunt and direct evaluation of how I carry out the roles and functions of the City Administrator, I believe it is best for everyone if I take some time away…" End quote.
Sounds like major beef brewing between Mayor Wagner and CA Garbutt. But, ever the politician, Wagner says it's the opposite really - everything is just peachy.
Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"Absolutely no truth to that, the point is that the City Administrator requested vacation leave, she is due vacation leave. The minutes of the caucus will really- we have been a very transparent council, you can go on our website at any time and see the minutes of those caucus meetings and you will see within the scope of those minutes is that what transpired in the caucus is not what your informant said to you, or what sources said."
Courtney Menzies:
"So you're not looking to replace her any time soon?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"She has a contract up to ending of March 2024, we have always been a council that believes that we will not give any city administrator any council outside our term of office and so when our term of office concludes in February of 2024, hers concludes in March just to give her that transition period for any new city administrator that the new council may want to bring in but that's way down the road."
Courtney Menzies:
"But the reports are that in that very particular caucus meeting, her performance was very harshly critiqued by yourself and maybe other members of the council."
Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"I wouldn't want to get into speculation and innuendoes and suppositions, the point is that the minutes of the caucus will- within a few days you will see what really transpired and I ask you to bear some patience with us on that."
Reports suggest that while the CA is away, a 25 year old has been put to hold over in her post.
