Interviews and photographs by Cathy Richards
This week we asked the man woman-in-Linden to share their wishes for 2010. These were their reactions.
Errol DeSouza – businessman: ‘My wish for 2010 is to see all the people of Linden and Guyana put aside ethnic differences and live as one people. It is time we forget petty squabbles of who this is and who is that. The Father created us as one people and he made us like the flowers in the gardens; varied shapes, sizes and colours just to beautify the earth. It’s time we put the development of Guyana as a priority and for us to accomplish this we have to come together as one. So I am praying that we would put aside the petty squabbling and stop looking at who do how much in how [many] years and let’s do what we must for this country. And that’s my wish. What happens for the country would definitely benefit every region and in that case my hometown Linden would be a better place.’
Michael Hercules – customs officer: ‘While Linden is my home, I am presently stationed at Lethem, where I am in charge of operations there. Because of my strategic position, I see the things that come from Brazil, most of which passes straight through Linden. And as residents of Linden, we don’t even have the slightest clue of the magnitude of the things that pass through this town. Ninety-nine percent of the things that pass through Linden go straight to Georgetown and businessmen then have to go all the way to Georgetown and purchase these very items and bring them back to Linden to sell. So I am hoping that we could seize the opportunity to capture things right here in Linden before it goes to Georgetown. It would also be good to have the municipality and other regional leaders look at even having Linden being the main port for the buses that travel in and out of the interior locations. In my view, if we should focus on these areas within a very short period we could see an economic boom in Linden and Region 10 as a whole and that’s my wish for Linden for 2010.’
Arlette Kellman – resident: ‘I would like to see progress in every area of this town and Region 10 generally. I am particularly concerned about the water system here in this town which is very poor. It’s not up to standard at all. Right now, where I live and in many other areas, persons have to be buying water for consumption purposes. They would tell us to boil water but whenever you do get some water through the taps it is so deplorable that no matter how much you boil [it], you are so scared to consume it. Some attention also has to be placed on tidying up this place. There is too much garbage piling up all over and as individuals we have to start taking the responsibility of ensuring that we keep this town clean. It would be good also to see some attention being placed on the improvement of the roads across this town. So, those are some of the things I am looking for.’
Cheryl Waithe – Habitat Linden: ‘My wish for 2010 is a new Mayor. We want to see new changes in the municipality and from the perspective of pedestrians, better management in the usage of the road. As an individual, I would like to see the community developed in such a way that it becomes a safe haven for our children and even for adults in the community.’
Dawn Bishop – teacher: ‘My wish for 2010 is for more industries… [And], in that way, jobs could be created and [the] unemployment rate will be reduced drastically. Concerning the financial sector, if we could just get another bank to be established it would mean so much for business people and residents on a whole. I am one who does not believe that Linden is a depressed place. Linden is on the rise and many things are happening here. With more investment, Linden can be a glory place for all.’
Samantha Downer – VCT officer: ‘I wish for 2010 more upgrades to the roads. I think we, as Lindeners, we could have it maintained once it’s being done in the correct way. And, of course, more job opportunities for young people. So, I think having more jobs for young people would be great.’
Shannon McKenzie – visitor: ‘For 2010, do something about the water. Because I’m in Linden for a month now and the water has been coming brown all the time. So that’s all I want to be done, right now. Linden is a beautiful and friendly place but lots must be done in the water sector.’
Collie Hercules – national football striker: ‘I want to see more done for Linden, in the sense [of] Linden people being proactive and trying to put themselves in line for what are going to be benefits with the road to Brazil, [and] the [Takutu] bridge. Stop complaining. Let’s get our ideas together and start making plans so we can benefit. Linden people can benefit in the whole.’
Brian Joseph – businessman: ‘What I hope to see next year in Linden is the Linden business community coming together as a group with ideas and a plan as to how they can benefit from the Guyana-Brazil road. Up until now, I don’t think there is anything substantial out there, in terms of Linden on a whole being the main benefactor of this road. So, I hope that in 2010 the Linden Chambers of Commerce and all the businesses in Linden would come together so they could pool their resources, so that Linden could benefit significantly from this Guyana-Brazil road.’
Troy Nelson – sportsman: ‘My wish in 2010 is to be a more successful person financially, spiritually. And I’m hoping for sports to develop more like football, some more money being involved in the game, ‘cause I’m hoping that situations, like the controversy that we had in this Kashif and Shanghai [football tournament], I hope that it would be cleaned up ‘cause I would see it as the most controversial Kashif and Shanghai. I’m hoping everything goes good for 2010 and let’s have a better year. I’m also hoping to see our wages go up and employers step up their game. That’s all I’m hoping for.’
Gordon Alleyne – overseas-based Lindener: ‘I would like to see more foreign investment in 2010. The town needs a lot of economic boosts and that can come from foreign investment in business. I would like to see a recycling plant in this town for all the bags and plastic bottles that I’m seeing around the place. That would bring jobs. It would get other businesses recycling after that. I would also like to see a big clean-up by the Town Council of the drains. This is easy work. In 2010, people from Linden should participate more in the Town Week. I have seen where people from Georgetown come here and make money and walk away with it and the people of Linden don’t put out enough effort. I wish the Lindeners the best for 2010.’