Dear Editor,
Please permit me to respond to a letter in the September 28 edition of Kaieteur News, captioned ‘Complaints about Mayor of Lethem’.
This writer is out on a mission with a pack of misinformation and in some cases blatant lies; I can understand very well why they would request their name be withheld.
The park in contention was started by me while I was the chairman of IMC, after a request was made by Mr George Henry, a Councillor who resides in Culvert City supported by signatures of no more than sixteen residents of Culvert City. Council started to clear the area after seeking assistance from Mr Dalip who donated the service of his equipment.
The few pieces of equipment mentioned by the writer are rejects from the J E Holiday Park that were supposed to be dumped. However, Councillor George Henry asked for same and used his own finances to weld and paint these items which were installed in the Culvert City Park.
Council commenced upgrading of the Culvert City children’s park recently by the way of enclosing same, by building four apartment sanitary facilities as well as a Benab. It also excavated twelve inches of soil which was replaced with sand, since the area is extremely rocky and not friendly to one’s feet. Solar lighting is in the possession of the Council soon to be installed in this park.
Apparently this writer does not live in Culvert City since I have visited this community three times within the last two weeks. One of these visits was for the purpose of setting up a Community Development Council (CDC) that will assist with the management and development of their constituency.
At present Councillor Henry is seeking donations for equipment for this park. As it relates to the J E Holiday Park, work is being done in phases in accordance with the availability of funding, since there is a cost attached to everything.
The development of these parks is a work in progress. Never before were there so many recreational facilities being developed and upgraded. This is what the writer should look at and try to assist us in soliciting donations, rather than criticize me and the council for a few rejected items that can cause injury to the children.
Editor, there are persons who are writing in disguise. Every time there is a successful ministerial visit to this Region and town a letter comes out, first after the Minister’s visit and now after the visit of two Ministers, Mr David Patterson and Mr Raphael Trotman to South Rupununi where a very successful public meeting was held. At this meeting I outlined the developmental plan which was well received by the residents.
Further I say, let development continue.
Yours faithfully,
Carlton Beckles
Mayor of Lethem
