{"id":232116,"date":"2025-04-08T04:36:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=232116"},"modified":"2025-04-08T04:36:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:36:16","slug":"new-barbuda-council-headed-by-john-mussington-takes-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/new-barbuda-council-headed-by-john-mussington-takes-office\/","title":{"rendered":"New Barbuda Council Headed by John Mussington Takes Office"},"content":{"rendered":"
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John Mussington Elected Chairman as New Barbuda Council Takes Office Amid Calls for Unity and Resistance<\/strong><\/p>

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BARBUDA \u2013 April 8, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 The newly elected Barbuda Council convened its first official meeting at the Fisheries Complex on Monday morning, swearing in members and appointing leaders to various standing committees. John Mussington was unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Barbuda Council, with Nadia George, now the longest-serving female council member, selected as Deputy Chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting began with a word of prayer, followed by congratulations extended to newly elected members: Nicole Antonio, Melanie Beezer, Jacqueline Frank, Wade Burton, and Nadia George. MP Trevor Walker, presiding over the initial proceedings, emphasized the legal and constitutional authority of the Council under the Barbuda Local Government Act.<\/p>

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Walker responded to recent remarks by Prime Minister Gaston Browne suggesting a referendum to disband the Council, stating firmly that any constitutional change would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament\u2014a threshold the government does not currently meet. \u201cThe people of Barbuda voted overwhelmingly, and that mandate must be respected,\u201d he declared.<\/p>

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John Mussington, in accepting the role of Chairman, pledged to uphold the Barbuda Local Government Act and maintain continuity in defending the rights and identity of Barbudans. \u201cWe cannot ease up in this fight,\u201d Mussington said, urging colleagues to remain focused on delivering for the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council proceeded to elect chairs and deputy chairs for its nine committees:<\/p>

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