Dear Editor,
It is often said that writers, especially those who write with a critical eye, are never without enemies, for in an effort to point out and rectify wrongs, those guilty of irregularities and improprieties will be hurting and bitter. Thus writers with blind objectivity invariably become easy targets.
There are nice people, we know, close friends who stumble and end up in the wrong. But for whatever reason there aren’t many people who possess the maturity to deal with criticism, which is understandable; it is part of our inbuilt, human nature to dislike being criticized or reprimanded.
But just why do we behave as if it’s criminal to be criticised when we all have our shortcomings, and are prone to errors? As human beings, our imperfections are part of the life process. Criticisms with no legs to stand on ought not to cause one to lose sleep, while on the other hand if they are well founded they ought to be taken in stride.
Editor, as I have learnt, there are two ways of doing a thing: a right way and a wrong way, and it matters not who is involved. But there seems to be a habitual practice of tossing aside standard rules and established procedures and principles, and instead replacing them with brazen, whimsical, unprincipled and, in some cases, disrespectful decisions.
There are just too many inconsistencies and inequalities abounding, too many pompous little Caesars. I make bold here to say what I was told: that the franchise for the last Linden Town Week celebrations was given out without the proposal being submitted to the Linden Mayor and Town Council, the body in charge. When the IMC Chairman asked to see it he drew a blank – and this was at a council sitting. Further, that there was conflict of interest involved.
Editor, isn’t a proposal for such an undertaking supposed to be submitted to the Mayor and Town Council by whosoever is vying for the franchise, to see whether their plans, events and activities are in keeping with the terms of reference set by the authorities. This is the kind of behaviour that fits the label ‘cowboy town.’ This reminds me of a teacher who was wont to say that a sum may have two answers: one may be right, one may be wrong, both may be wrong but both can’t be right. With respect to buildings, the erection of structures, renovations, extensions, etc, what goes on in the community stinks much more than the incessant dumping of garbage just next to the relocated ‘parliament’ – Hoppy’s shop on the Mackenzie Market Park. There seems to be no fixed requirement, standard or rules, which is the reason for the constant disputes, frustration, battles, bitterness, allegation of bribe-taking and sometimes, resort to the courts. The irregularities which many complain about in the M&TC are definitely not healthy. According to a councillor of long standing, the Linden M&TC has no bylaws governing the erection and renovation of buildings and as I understand it, only those who are not aware of this are badgered.
I’m not saying that laws are cast in stone, for I do believe that laws were made to serve people and not the other way around, so wherever necessary bending rules in critical situations is understandable, although it should be done in an open and impartial manner which should cause no ill feeling. But it appears everyone who gets into office always promises to change things, but instead things change them; thus there is a continuation of the irregularities.
Now to the Linden Museum: Recently, noticing construction work going on I stopped by to find out from the curator what this new addition is I see taking place. Boy, she was so happy about my curiosity. She told me that she was at loss herself and knew nothing; she just came one morning and saw work going on, but no one told her anything. She said what made matters worse and got her angry was that the window at the side of the building, the only one apart from that at the main entrance, had been blocked up, and on inquiring from senior members of the Tourism Board under whose umbrella the museum falls, no one could tell her. It is unthinkable that none of those heading the museum are aware of what’s happening.
Now, definitely this kind of scenario doesn’t augur well. The sister complained that she felt cheap after the way she was treated, and was offended by the disrespect shown to her, the only person there, when persons moved in and out doing work as if she was invisible. Editor, I think we need to be more refined and courteous in dealing with each other as a matter of respect. It does help us to get by better. Like me many residents on seeing the construction thought it to be an extension of the museum proper, for even as some understand and empathize with those having pressing need for spots to do business they are also of the view that the museum, small as it is, could well have utilized that space which had been used as a garage.
I need to mention that the Linden Museum of Industrial and Socio-cultural Heritage which is housed in the historic Recreation Hall built by Demba and which virtually belongs to the Linden community is in need of attention, and the sooner it is done the better, or else it will come apart. ‘A nation is alive when its culture is alive.’
En passant: 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of bauxite mining in Mackenzie, (Linden) Upper Demerara started by the Demerara Bauxite Company. Thus it would be nice to have the Linden Museum so organised to attract visitors and students from far beyond the borders of the community.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
