Voluntary group Team Legacy which is seeking to win several seats on the Georgetown City Council at the March 18th local government elections, says it will focus on reviving the city’s “forgotten” wards.
The group formally launched its campaign and unveiled its plans at the Heavenly Light Church in Albouystown on Thursday. The candidates explained that, if elected, their plan rests on five priority pillars.
Michael Leonard, who is contesting in constituency 9 (Lodge/ Meadow-brook), said the pillars are community investments, youth transformation, security, environment and health, and improved development and delivery of services. According to him, the bedrock of the five pillars is ongoing consultation and conversation with the community.
Leonard, an entrepreneur, explained that the five pillars would provide an avenue to build the “forgotten communities” where they are contesting. He asserted that community investment and youth transformation would serve as a priority for his group as they believe that this would create a new atmosphere and breeding ground for development.
In terms of community investment, Leonard said for the past three years, businesses have stuck to the central part of the city even though opportunities lie in south Georgetown. Using the establishment of call centre TelePerformance as an example, he said that with similar opportunities, they would negotiate to have large companies occupy spaces within the southern parts of the city.
Leonard declared that such moves can change communities by providing jobs and building their local economy.
Saiku Andrews, who is contesting constituency 14 (South Ruimveldt Park/Ruimveldt Industrial Estate), added that the team would propose, negotiate for and make every attempt to bring such initiatives to the communities.
In terms of youth transformation, Leonard said it is an area that Team Legacy has a wealth of experience in. He said that they have been empowering youths over the years to look at the positive side of life rather than the negatives and to make their lives better.
“Youths need to transform the ways they think, the tools they are provided with and the culture and environment in which they operate,” he declared.
In terms of security, Leonard said they would seek to work with the Guyana Police Force to establish neighbourhood policing groups in all the communities to ensure that residents feel safe within their environment. As it relates to environment and health and improved development and delivery of services, Leonard indicated that they believe that changes in those areas would take place in time.
Meanwhile, the candidates said that Team Legacy is self-funded. Andrews, the owner of Andrews Supermarket, explained that the team consists of many entrepreneurs and, as a businessman, he believes in putting his money where his mouth is.
“It starts with us, we just don’t go and sell our vision, or dream, to people and ask them to first contribute to it. We as individuals make the initial investment,” he explained in response to how their campaign is being funded. He added that the team also has friends in business who believe in what they are doing and understand that “we are not liars and thieves or persons who are out to make a profit. And they have come on board.”
Pastor Eworth Williams, the chairman of the group, said Team Legacy is a young but growing community-based grassroots organisation. He explained that the group has been around since the 1990s but with local government elections coming around, they have decided to represent the people.
“We have been working with areas that is at a disadvantage in Guyana, enabling children and parents to realise their potential as well as raising us leaders,” Williams said as he explained their position on local government elections, which “has given us a platform to have our voice heard.”
Further, the pastor said, they have been operating to provide essential services and activities for all members of communities that are affected by conflict, isolation, poverty or whatever the cause of the situation might be.
“We work with the highest quality institutions and organisations because we believe each community deserve nothing but the best in terms of help and resources. We pursue our objectives through innovative programing as well, monitoring our activities of what we give to the
community,” he added.
Williams said Team Legacy is experienced in providing services to communities that are forgotten “We develop tailored plans, we create according to their need so every community is different. Each community has their plans. As a group, we strategise and create the programs. We support through various methods to encourage strength and address the weaknesses,” he emphasised.
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