Sitting City Councillor Junior Garrett will take on electrical contractor Andrew Ramcharran and carpenter Ramchandra Kissoon at the March 18 local government elections in Constituency Three.
Garrett is contesting for the ruling APNU+AFC Coalition, Kissoon for the opposition PPP/C and Ramcharran for the Benschop for Mayor group. The biggest vote getter on March 18 will claim a seat on the council. Constituency Three comprises Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Prashad Nagar, North East and North West Campbellville.
Garrett feels his experience on City Council will work in his favour, while Ramcharran wants to serve as he is concerned about the flouting of building codes among other issues. When contacted, Kissoon said he was busy.
Garrett’s name was not listed on the Proportional Representation (PR) list, which means that he would not be able to return as a councillor if he loses in the First Past the Post (FPTP) voting. He explained that this time around he would be working for his position as councillor. He stated that in years gone by persons were chosen without working for their position. It was because of this that he chose not to have his name on the PR list.
Garrett who served as acting Chairman of the Finance Committee and has been a councillor for 14 years, explained that his name is well known in his contesting constituency and he is confident that he would be given a second chance to improve the community he has been a resident of for the last three decades.
Questioned on his thoughts of persons from his constituency who are of the opinion that he has been on the council for years, has not done anything for his community and should not be given a second chance, the accountant responded that individuals had to vote based on their own judgment. He added that many people didn’t get to do anything for their community based on how the council operated under the previous government. “This is a new government now and things have changed, so I believe things will be done… Look at what happened after elections; persons got up and voluntary went in to trenches and cleaned without any money,” Garrett said. “Campbellville, like Georgetown, had been neglected and town council could not have done certain things because of lack of finance… The political structure at that time was preventing development of the capital city.”
Garrett, who also served on the Information and Communication Technology Procurement and Investment Board said that during his years as councillor he has been able to provide service to the council by improving its accounting.
He said he was elated to see young people taking the opportunity to become leaders of their community, but opined that as an experienced elder in society, persons like him are needed. He said that persons with experience are the ones who would mould the young minds into making positive decisions.
He said that once he returns as councillor he would work to improve the city finances by looking to increase revenue generation. He stated that evaluations would be needed as four-storey buildings should not pay the same rates as a two-bedroom house. He also said he would be looking staff welfare and maintenance of the cemetery along with the municipality’s markets.
In addition, “We will start doing the drains, parapets and alleyways within a week. We would be responsible for the maintaining of those drains and parapets.” Outlining some of his plans, he added that he would be looking to mirror the recreational park on the Merriman Mall in sections of his constituency.
Ramcharran, on the other hand, has a chance of sitting on the council once his group wins a percentage of votes in the PR voting.
An electrical contractor and consultant, Ramcharran said he has seen the need for representation at city council for his community and in the field of building codes. He pointed out that for years, people have been constructing without observing building codes and ethics. He noted that the buildings in some areas are built too close to one another. He stated further that individuals have begun to operate mechanical shops in several areas of his constituency without any form of licence being obtained from the city to operate. This, he pointed out, was a result of City Hall’s incompetence to function efficiently over the years.
He posited that people cannot be penalized if they were never told anything but he would recommend strongly that they be served with notices and given a time span to rectify breaches. “I would want the City Council to work with them at intervals to ensure they are making provisions to enforce the changes so we can have uniformity,” he stated.
He also said there should be a standard design for construction of bridges as regards the height width and design for different residential and commercial areas and guidelines must be followed. Ramcharran said he would be an advocate to ensure that favouritism is not encouraged as the rule must be the rule.
Ramcharran who has worked on projects such as the Giftland Mall, Caricom Secretariat Annex and the rehabilitation of the Theatre Guild, said he got in to local government politics as he wants to see a change in City Council.
Apart from the areas mentioned, he said he would also push for the city engineers’ salaries to be raised and for them to be equipped with the necessary tools to competently carry out their duties.
Further, Ramcharran pointed out that he plans to make strong recommendations to improve security within the communities. He said he wishes to see every street equipped with street lights to aid in the fight against crime.
His action plan includes working with stakeholders engaging in meetings to have them share their ideas so that they can have fruitful discussions with win-win results.
The newcomer to the local political arena, indicated that he is willing to make compromises in order to facilitate development in all sections of the city. Given the fact that the other elected councillors will also have to fulfil their promises, he plans to tackle it as a team.
He said the city was neglected for too long and it was time that a fresh batch of leaders take over. When asked how he would deal with having his intentions of creating a better community hindered by persons who are power drunk, he said he would simply resign. “If the councillors are not working for the people I would resign. My aim is help and give back to persons but if I can’t do that I would let them know and resign.”
