For the first Deputy Mayor of the new town of Lethem, 19-year-old Maxine Welch, her age is an asset as it allows her to relate to the largest demographic of her municipality, the youth.
Welch, who was voted into her council seat by the residents of Lethem’s Constituency Three (Moco-Moco – Manari – Tabatinga Bridge to Third Street) told Stabroek News last evening that she is honoured by the confidence the council has shown in her abilities.
“I’ve taken on many challenges before and this is just one more challenge I intend to do my best to master,” she said.
According to Welch, her decision to enter the race was motivated by her firm belief in equality and her desire to serve the community in which she has spent her entire life.
“This is my home and I believe that everyone has a right to a voice here. Every decision I make will be made through consultation with my constituents. I know these people and they know me. I’ve grown up here, gone to school here and now I intend to work to improve our home,” she said.
Though she has a vision for her future, which includes medical studies and training in public management and diplomacy, she says that those will wait.
“I’m not leaving my Lethem for now. I have a huge task and I have to get it done. Right now, I will be focusing on making a meaningful contribution to this municipality. The people elected me as their representative in Constituency Three and I have to show them that they made the right choice,” she explained.
She identifies unemployment as a major issue facing the youth in her community and intends to work to see the development of a technical institute or programme geared towards offering young people the opportunity to develop marketable skills.
Welch’s vision is supported by the new Mayor Carlton Beckles. Beckles told Stabroek News that he and the council fully support Welch because they recognise that “she knows what she wants and is willing to work to achieve her goals.”
He sees her election as a huge step by the APNU+AFC coalition.
“We are showing that we believe that youth can lead in this country,” Beckles explained. He noted that throughout the campaign he had to defend Welch against complaints that she was too young and inexperienced.
“Some people even said we were running a beauty contest but anyone who has dealt with her knows she has great potential,” he explained.
He further noted that there is much to be done in Lethem, which requires a lot of infrastructural work.
“Lethem Hospital needs to be upgraded so that it can be a proper referral hospital for patients coming in from the health huts and centres in the outlying communities and we are looking to have the Moco Moco Hydropower station functioning so that our residents can have a reliable source of electricity,” Beckles said. He added that since Lethem currently does not collect rates from its residents, all of these developmental plans require the support of central government. (Thandeka Percival)
