Dear Editor,
The old local saying, “Mout open, story jump out” came to mind on reading a letter in the Guyana Chronicle headlined ‘“Human derelicts” not to blame for the state of the City’ (November 30) written by Mr Thomas Reid. Was this a typical manufactured bit to assail the mayor and councillors?
First, the Mayor some time ago sought the cooperation of the relevant state agencies to deal in a humane and professional manner with the growing number of persons who roam the city, and fling things about as they seek for God knows what in garbage receptacles, etc. Anyone can observe their operations day and night around the city.
Let me give an example: A few weeks ago, thanks to an initiative by Mr Maxwell Thom of Wireless Connections, his staff and friends were mobilized, and with paint, scrubbing materials and tools they had the entire block including the parapet on Regent Street, east of Orange Walk scrupulously cleaned and cleared.
Within days, unsavoury characters dumped and transformed the area into ugliness. Within minutes after reading the letter by Mr Thomas Reid, the Mayor received a call from the wife of Rev Canon Oscar Basil complaining of the unsightly conditions in front of the Saint Barnabas Church − the area we had earlier made tidy and wholesome.
We need people to end this constant carping criticism of the mayor and councillors and get on board, if they truly are really concerned and wish to help. Perhaps Mr Reid can begin by picking a street, block or area that he and others can monitor to ensure its tidiness and cleanliness. Let us seek true ownership of the city.
But the essential point is contained in his last paragraph. “Get rid of the Mayor and cohorts so that the government can run the City.” That is the real story.
This is what this ‘return to democracy government’ is really after, even though by fair democratic elections, citizens decided who should be given the mandate to manage the capital. But from then a total disrespect for the will of the people is obvious. Instead we see signs of a Stalin communist style of total control of all aspects of our lives, while shouting this falsehood about ‘democracy.’
They deny the mayor and councillors assistance to widen the revenue base, and deny them the opportunity to discipline and identify good people to manage the city. They refuse to allow the Mayor and City Council to appoint officers to further their economic projects; seize a car park that was making money without notice; stop a monument which would have given some credit internationally to the mayor and councillors. The list is long. These are only recent examples of an attitude.
I can fill pages with examples. Nothing good can be done without money and management. Reform is being delayed because the state apparatus wants to retain total control of the city in order to manipulate, suffocate and dictate.
The trouble is the Mayor refuses to be dictated to, or to surrender.
Bet my five cents, the Chronicle will not publish this reply to Thomas Reid.
Yours faithfully,
John Green
Personal Assistant to the Mayor
