Dear Editor,
I read Mr Orrin Gordon’s (Linden IMC Chairman) response `Digicel project received bipartisan support from Linden IMC’ (SN October 25) to my letter that you graciously published on October 22, 2014 `Location chosen in Linden for Digicel rehab centre not appropriate’. I anticipated Mr Gordon’s response since he telegraphed his intention in a recent Statutory Meeting of the Linden Town Council. I braced myself for an intelligent, issue-based response, but instead the readers and Linden Community are subjected to this mostly uninformed attempt at a personal attack.
It is useful none-the–less because it made it more evident why the Linden Community seems to drift from one crisis to another without a sense of direction, collective vision or informed leadership.
Mr Gordon in his own words claimed leadership of the two specific actions/decisions in question. The ownership of the first decision on the location of the bar/facility adjacent to the garbage dump is instructive. I first engaged him on that issue in an email and stating, “I intend to mount a campaign to get the Town Council (IMC) to reverse this decision”, and that “I expect that my detractors will use this in their tirades, but so be it”.
In his response, by email, Mr Gordon claimed that his hand was tied and blamed the decision on the Council, (I quote from his response) … “Go for it Sam. It took me two hours and even notes from the admin staff not to budge. There was no back up and the move had bipartisanship in it. The initial effort was for the GT park. This is what passes for town management and policy directives. These are the reasons why the act has to be revamped. So that if the Mayor is executive he is responsible. I should not be blamed for a collective decision when I totally abhor it. There was a fight between Hoppie and the plantain man with cutlass and spade-so I am told. I stayed clear because it rankles the spirit”
My previous letter detailed the nepotism underlying the IMC’s decision and related my objections; I see no need to go further. I do note, however, Mr Gordon’s sense of accomplishment in instructing the administration “to dismantle, decommission, and sanitize the area”. The bar is now 70% complete and there is no evidence of the “rubbish bin” being dismantled, decommissioned or sanitized. And, it should be noted that, an unpaved/unlined area that has been subjected to leachate from garbage (including dead animals) from the market, adjacent restaurants and households for years cannot be sanitized by simply spraying disinfectant. It is a technical and costly exercise; one that would involve excavation, decontamination, replacement of material and lining/paving. If this is not done, one can expect the operator and patrons of the bar to be subjected to the residual bacteria and gas emissions.
This proposed dismantling, decommissioning, and sanitizing of the area does not however, even start to address the larger issues of waste management and environmental crisis, centred on the market area.
Editor, the fundamental issue separating our positions, the IMC Chairman’s and mine, is an informed appreciation of the economic, social and environmental importance of the Linden River Front: The Linden River Front is bounded by the Mackenzie Bridge to the South, Hymarra Creek to the North, and extended 100 metres from the Western and Eastern Banks of the Demerara River.
The Linden River Front is a unique microcosm of the issues and challenges facing the Linden Community. These include traffic concerns, environmental degradation, land-based contamination of the river and the marine environment, drainage and flooding, waste management land-use planning, issues associated with the unemployment and underemployment of adult males and youth, drug trafficking, touting and noise nuisance.
The River Front includes the three banking institutions, nursery, primary and secondary schools, the two municipal markets, eight churches and religious institutions, all of the boat crossings and the Mackenzie Bridge, most of the restaurants and bars, all of the pharmacies, the Linden Museum, the EBECC, the Town Council and RDC offices, all of the car parks, the bauxite processing plant and the outfalls of eight creeks and drainage systems. The erosion problems along the foothills, at Half-Mile, Victory Valley, Blueberry Hill and Amelia’s Ward are reflected in the discharges to the Demerara River within the River Front.
The land along the Linden River Front comprises the most valuable real estate in Linden.
My vigilance and drive with respect to the Linden River Front is inspired by the sense that the creation of a healthy, sustainable Linden is dependent on informed and enlightened solutions to the challenges of the River Front.
Editor, allow me the space to illustrate the evolution of the branding of the Linden River Front.
In 2007 I offered my services, as an engineer, environmental and project management specialist, to LEAP “ to help that organization enhance its effectiveness and achieve the goals and objectives ” . At that juncture, downtown Linden was a decided mess; there was constant flooding, traffic congestion, residents walking on the streets, garbage was everywhere and the businesses were complaining and failing. I proposed the Main Street Development Programme, a business-centred programme aimed at improving commerce through enhancement of the environment, aesthetics, and infrastructure. It was suggested that Co-op Crescent be included also.
One day the LEAP Programme Manager (PM) and I were in discussion as we looked over the Wisrock/Amelia’s Ward Bus Park that was full of craters and in total disarray. The PM asserted that something must be done. With the promise of support of from LEAP, the Town Council was engaged. I proposed and designed the current layout of the Bus Park, including the two passenger sheds.
Subsequently I was given an assignment to negotiate an agreement with the IMC Chairman to develop the Bandstand Area. This was necessary because, according to the LEAP’s PM, “it was impossible to get anywhere with Mr Gordon”. At that time, there was only a basic sketch/outline of a plan to develop a recreational facility and park that was prepared by Mr Fredricks. I expanded that plan and prepared a project document that included a Design Criteria, Terms of Reference, Fact Sheet and a layout. The design criteria stated that the recreation facility must be family-centred and celebrate the riverine environment. The proposed plan included a children’s play area, landscaping, a conference and exhibition centre with an outdoor, riverside restaurant, a horticultural nursery, and a miniature golf course.
We now have the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition and Conference Centre (EBECC). The landscaping was not completed because of disagreement with the landscaper; LEAP decided against the restaurant; the golf course was not promoted because the land was promised to the Legionnaires.
The conceptualization of the of the River Front was evolutionary: It became apparent, at the time, that the Hymarra Access Road, being planned by LEAP, along with the Bandstand Park, and the Wisrock/Amelia’s Park defined a unique “operable area/unit”. In response, and to facilitate branding of the concept, the Linden River Front Programme was promoted.
A Boardwalk was proposed for Co-op Crescent, from the Mackenzie Market to Church’s restaurant. The existing Riverwalk was designed and constructed instead, at a cost of about $18M, because some residents objected to spending the estimated $60M for the boardwalk. A similar Riverwalk was proposed and designed for the Western Bank but was not completed because of contractual delays.
My proposal for the upgrade of the drainage system in Central Mackenzie was aimed at addressing the frequent flooding and to create additional parking over the drains. I conceptualized the plan and provided the layout. LEAP’s acceptance of the proposal resulted in the $41M Drainage Upgrade Project.
Editor, the above summary certainly debunks the assertion made in Mr Gordon’s letter, (I quote), “This tantrum like proclivity has never helped us and except for the LEAP-sponsored rip rap on Co-op Crescent and the EBECC (Mr. Wright was consultant), we have had no other movement of this vaunted Riverfront development”.
With respect to the YMCA/MHS ground, the IMC Chairman should first ensure that he has the facts before he attempts to impugn someone’s ability and character. The $5.8M awarded for the development of the YMCA/MHS ground is only channelled through the Linden Fund Trust. That organization, of which I am proudly a Trustee, is not the “owner/executor”. This was agreed to by the Managing Committee because it had no legal basis or authority.
Mr Gordon is forgetful, duplicitous and/or disingenuous. I quote from his recent email to REO Hilliman of the Region 10 RDC, on which I was copied, “There are several organisations involved with the YMCA ground which include Linmine Secretariat, MHS, M&TC, Linden Fund Trust, YMCA et,al. Seeing that the LFT is spearheading the exercise the group can agree on which account the funds can be transferred into”.
While I have been assigned the role of project manager I am guided by the knowledge and experience of the committee members. And, incidentally that committee includes some fairly prominent and respected members of the Linden Community; Horace James, Nelson Bakker, Wainwright Bethune, Victor Wright and Principal Roberts. No funds have been disbursed to-date and the committee collectively decided not to engage equipment operators without a sense of when the funds would be available.
I suspect that there is some purpose to Mr Gordon’s reference to my brother, Victor Wright. I will only state that my brother and I work very closely with each other, we meet and consult daily, and are both guided and inspired by the community spirit and generosity of our late parents, William and Hyacinth Wright. Maybe the IMC Chairman should ask Victor what he, as a returnee, thinks of the Gordon-led Council and their stewardship of the town of Linden.
The location of the Rehabilitation Centre at the location along the River Front is clearly not appropriate to many residents of Linden, as will be confirmed by the petition being prepared for submittal to the IMC.
This will be my final letter on this issue. Mr Gordon can do as he pleases with the “petard” that he has so clumsily prepared.
Yours faithfully,
Samuel Wright
Linden