Dear Editor,
A few days ago, we were struck with the very sad news of the passing of Ms Deborah Jan Backer. Sentiments expressed by those who knew and interacted with her reflected on the charm and the grace with which she managed to go about her daily tasks, in and out of the National Assembly.
For us, at City Hall, where she served as a city councillor for three years from 1994, the late Ms Backer will be remembered for her active involvement in assisting workers at the Georgetown municipality.
In 1996, Ms Backer seconded a motion moved by the late Councillor Desmond Moses, for employees of the council to be given land to build their own homes. The motion read:-
“Whereas there are over four hundred and fifty (450) employees of the Mayor and City Council who do not have homes of their own
“And Whereas many of those employees have large families who are at the moment living with different relatives
“And Whereas many of those employees spend several hours of working day, on a daily basis, in search of house and lands
“And Whereas the Council’s work is affected to a great degree
“Be It Resolved that Council approves in principle the allocation of lands it owns, and which can be used for residential purposes to employees of the Municipality
“Be It Further Resolved that this Council pursues urgently dialogue with the Minister of Housing for the allocation of house lots for employees of the Mayor and City Council.”
Although the council was unable to achieve that project, it raised awareness of a crucial need of council workers. This encourages council to do a similar project in another area – Guyhoc – by the late Deputy Mayor, Robert Williams. That project is now with the Ministry of Housing.
Ms Backer’s intervention was vital to the interest of our workers. More particularly, it represented the care she had for them. This is an important observation because the nature of the tasks our workers are called to do, sometimes earns them very ugly remarks and unkindness from people who do not appreciate the vital role they play in maintaining the city. The poor state of the city’s coffers and the truncated training of workers interact to promote poverty and despair among some workers, who believe that they could not own their homes. Ms Backer underscored her view of the importance of city workers and the need for the council to do more for them.
We remain grateful for her contribution to the council and the city as a whole.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, children and those who loved and cared for her. Dominus vobiscum.
Yours faithfully,
Royston King
