PEOPLE in Newlyn have spoken of their shock after the ousting of three of the trust port authority's members.
Community leaders and residents have registered disbelief at the sacking of Nick Howell, Juliet Taylor and John Lambourn from their posts on the harbour commission.
Environmental campaigner Ruth Simpson told The Cornishman: "Like so many others, I was totally shocked by this."
The trio were asked to leave the commission by chairman Gilbert McCabe after a secret ballot on Tuesday, May 31.
He argued that the board could not move forward in "a united and cohesive way" with their involvement, and cited Article 11 of the rules governing the commission as supporting the move.
Fellow-commissioner Dave Munday resigned in protest the following day.
With four of the commission's 11 members gone within 24 hours, Newlyn has been rocked by the upheaval.
Mrs Simpson criticised Mr McCabe for not clearly explaining why the three were told to leave their posts.
"The chairman claimed the commission's actions would be transparent, but refuses to give a proper answer as to why these three commissioners were thrown out, and it is unclear whether proper procedures were followed," she said.
Questions
Town councillor Fiona Thomas-Lambourn, who represents the south ward which includes Newlyn, urged residents to react vociferously.
She said the trio were "free-speaking, community interested and worked hard for Newlyn and the fishing industry", and people should make their views heard.
"Please voice your opinions, ask questions, demand answers and transparency," she added. "The thought of Newlyn slipping back into bad governance and not progressing forward is dreadful."
Gabriella Nonino, who runs the Newlyn.info blog, also spoke highly of the three evicted members.
"Nick Howell, Juliet Taylor and John Lambourn have acted as the bridge between the desires of the community and the needs of the harbour," she said. "All three were on the forefront, tirelessly advocating the aspiration of Newlyn and pushing forward practical ideas for its future.
"Their dismissal still rings as unbelievable to many of us and the question we are asking is: why?"
Mr Howell said on Tuesday that neither he nor the others removed along with him had heard directly from the harbour commission explaining their dismissal.
"They haven't given any reasons yet as to what part of the constitution we are supposed to have breached," he said.
His words were echoed by Mr Lambourn, who said: "In respect of telling us what we have done, there will have to be a good deal more substance."
article copyright THE CORNISHSMAN