The first ever Mayor and Deputy Mayor of new town Bartica were elected yesterday, when the Town Council held its first meeting after the March 18th local government elections.
Having only gained status as a town this year, Bartica does not yet have a Town Hall. Therefore, it was at the Bartica Community Centre that Gifford Marshall, who was the only nominee, was elected Mayor and Kamal Persaud, who was also the only nominee, duly elected Deputy Mayor.
About 100 Barticians gathered at the community centre to witness the proceedings, which also saw Kenneth Williams being named Head of the Finance Committee.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Marshall said he was elated to be elected as mayor and to be a part of an historic election, especially in Bartica. “I am happy that the Barticians came out and showed their support. I am happy with how the voting went as well. There was no second nomination and everybody even from the opposition gave their support,” he said, while adding that he is ready to work with the people. “This council should operate like the cabinet and represent our people and not the party. If there is a project and a supporter from BIGA or PPP has the knowledge on it we are going to work together,” Marshall stated.
He said that the first thing he plans on tackling is the waste disposal problem that the community faces. “We have a disposal problem and it is something we must make a priority. Our dumpsite is a health hazard and we have to address it and can’t wait until there is an outbreak,” he said.
There are also plans to work on the municipality’s airport to encourage more local flights as well as regional ones.
“We want to build a model town hall that reflects a green town,” he said, while noting that the building he envisions has to be equipped with state-of-the-art solar panels and underground parking lots. He said that while he knows it would be an expensive project to undertake, he knew it was possible with the support of central government and stakeholders. He also pointed to the need for better roads with bicycle and pedestrian paths and focusing on finding jobs for the young people.
Deputy Mayor Persaud heaped praises on the voters for allowing her to be a part of history. “Bartica is a new town and being the first Deputy Mayor feels great. As a single parent and with challenges over the years, it is a great accomplishment and the opportunity to serve my community,” she said, expressing her love for her community. Persaud reiterated that the first thing on the agenda would be addressing the garbage situation to encourage healthier practices in the community.
“… We want to have better parapets and regularised roadways and later on ensure we have proper access to utilities such as internet, telephone service, electricity, and water,” she said.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Jurepha Fernandez, the only representative on the council from the Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA), said the focus should be to think of the community as a whole and to work together. “Moving forward, I think that at the end of it all we should have been able to operate and put our differences aside for the betterment of Bartica. As the representative for BIGA I am one but I am still one and I have no negative expectations from the coalition and the Mayor,” she said, while adding that she hopes that all Barticians will work together and that the councillors will live by the oaths they took.
In the First-Past-the-Post contests, APNU+AFC won eight constituencies and the PPP/C won one. In the Proportional Representation contests, APNU+AFC won six seats, PPP/C won two seats and BIGA won one. (Dhanash Ramroop)
