Dear Editor,
On November 6, 2016 I made contact with Mr Colwyn Venture, enquiring if permission had been given to my neighbour (name provided) who resides in the building directly behind me to construct two concrete posts at the entrance of the right of way. I was informed that none was given by M&CC. If this had been so my sister and I would also have had to give our permission. He indicated that he would have someone look into the matter the following day.
On November 7, 2016, I was advised by Mr Venture to liaison with Mr Marlon Harris who told me that Mr Andrew Simon had visited and issued a stop work order. Nevertheless, work continued, and a gate was installed at the entrance.
On November 21, I visited the Georgetown City Council’s Engineer’s Dept and was informed by Mr Simon that a notice informing the neighbour of the illegal work would be issued that day. She would also be informed that she must seek permission from us (as the land is ours) and through the council. Further, this was to be done within 48 hours of receipt of the Notice, failing which, the council would take legal action. This has not happened.
On Saturday, March 11, 2017, both Mr Venture and Mr Harris made contact with me after I unsuccessfully tried to contact them in relation to construction work being done on the right of way. This land is part of our property, but we have to allow the neighbour ingress and egress.
My question to them was whether permission had been given by the city council to do any kind of construction on this piece of land. Both said that to the best of their knowledge this was not so. I did indicate that no permission had been given by my sister or myself.
Mr Harris came later that morning (as he said he was going to do) and verbally indicated all work on that land to stop until the neighbour presented to the Engineer’s Dept the permit which they said they had.
Despite the stop work order, work continued from March 11 to March 16. Your attention is also drawn to the fact that a stand pipe was placed on the said land in front of the water meter.
I visited the Engineer’s office on March 14, and spoke to Mr Simon requesting that he inform Mr Harris of the work which was done. Later that morning I spoke to Mr Harris and told him what I had said to Mr Simon. He indicated that he and Mr Simon would visit the location that afternoon. No such thing has happened from that date to present.
Am I not a taxpayer of this city and entitled to my rights? Is it because the neighbour was a past employee of the city council that action cannot be taken against her? Would I and others, be granted the privilege of carrying out remedial, construction, repair and maintenance work on our property without a paid permit?
Yours faithfully,
S A Persaud
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to City Engineer, Mr Colwyn Venture, for any comment he might wish to make.
