Wainwright McIntosh of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) earlier this month was elected the new Mayor of New Amsterdam, while Kirk Fraser, also of APNU was elected as the deputy mayor of the town.
APNU has eight seats on the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has six and the two sides seemingly plan to work in cohesion to improve the livelihoods of residents within the township.
McIntosh after being elected earlier this month stated that he will be working “assiduously” to ensure that residents are given “services due to them” stressing that the improvement of the garbage situation is one of the main tasks on the front burner.
According to McIntosh, an educator by profession, they are also planning to look at the drainage structure within the township.
“The drainage system within the township of New Amsterdam, we know for a fact the inability of staff of the New Amsterdam municipality to carry out their functions and responsibilities, which speaks to capacity building for the workers… When our staff are empowered they will be much better able to carry out their functions and responsibilities”, he said.
Touching on the administration, McIntosh said that he is looking to improve the interaction and engagement with residents stressing that he will be having an open-door policy allowing residents to approach him at any time.
“In addition, I’m asking residents to help me to ensure we hold staff accountable and I am saying this without fair and favour. Staff are being remunerated at the end of the month to ensure you the residents get the service you so deserve and so need and so from the town clerk right down I’m asking residents to help me to hold the staff, especially the administrative staff accountable for their stewardship.”
In terms of rates and taxes, McIntosh stressed that it is one of their plans to improve accountability and transparency as such they are looking to computerize the tax system to “make the technology work to residents’ advantage.” He said the idea is to allow residents to sign in online despite where they might be in the world to access their accounts.
“I’m also expecting to (engage) residents who are holders of lands throughout the township that are neglected, the Mayor and Town Council will be moving in the direction to holding you landowners responsible for taking care of those overgrown.”
On board
Furthermore, he stressed that he is hoping to have residents on board on every aspect of the council stressing that he is also looking forward to working with central government to facilitate developments within the town.
APNU Councilor, Jevaughn Stephens told the Sunday Stabroek that he wants to reassure citizens that he is prepared to work in their best interest and an inclusive manner. He stressed, that the election campaign is over and both sides of the house need to work together “As a councillor that is my intention.”
According to Stephens, who is a former Regional Health Officer of Region Six, residents have lost some amount of faith in the previous council as such the new council will now have to work very hard to improve that.
Touching specifically on issues, he said a garbage collection strategy must be developed as well as the drainage system. “We have to look at ways to make that drainage system work today.”
Stephens explained, that the drainage system is ancient as such with the increased infrastructure within the township including roads a comprehensive plan must be developed for the drainage structure to function at the highest level.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of the council working together with the Regional Democratic Council and central government to improve the drainage.
PPP/C Councilor and businesswoman, Carol Trim, when contacted by the Sunday Stabroek said that one of the most important things the new council needs to see is the financial and strategic plan “how the town is going to be run.” She said a five-year strategic plan must also be released to the residents of New Amsterdam.
According to Trim, while she was previously supportive of APNU and worked along with them at certain levels, she decided to throw her support behind the PPP/C at the recent local government elections because “I see that the PPP government has a strategic plan, I see the government has a plan in how they are going to execute moving this country forward.”
According to her, she would travel back and forth to Guyana but was not seeing any major improvements within the town. “It worsened in the last five or seven years… It has worsened, the garbage (was) not picked up, it was affecting me and my neighbours and community.”
Promenade
In terms of development within the town of New Amsterdam, she said that she is hopeful that the council can make available more parks and community places for the youths. “I want to see the esplanade ground transformed into a beautiful promenade.”
Additionally, Trim said that the garbage being dumped at the exit of the town needs to be looked at immediately. “It doesn’t speak well for the town to have the garbage there.”
Noting, that the collection of garbage is seemingly now being done in a more organized manner, Trim said that there is still room for development.
In May this year, President Irfaan Ali commissioned a new $45m pump in Tucberg Park, New Amsterdam, which has significantly improved drainage within the area which often floods during heavy rainfall. After walking through the township of New Amsterdam during that visit, Ali announced that a new pump will also be placed at Pitt Street which is also easily flooded.
Trim yesterday told the Sunday Stabroek that the pump has been a major help to the residents. “Since the pump was placed there it is working, the flooding has decreased, and even if there is some water it would quickly go away because in the past the water would stay on the ground for days.”
One of the youngest councilors, PPP/C’s Joel Amsterdam, 32, from Angoy’s Avenue stressed that a lot of infrastructure work such as roads, bridges, and better drainage is sorely needed within his area and the township as a whole.
“Central government is doing a lot of work but the council has not been doing anything”, he stated.
Amsterdam, a Level 1 cricket West Indies coach and coach for the Mount Sinai Cricket Club, added that capacity building and skills training is also needed within his community.
Noting, that a lot of youths are unemployed within his area, Amsterdam said that skills training would likely improve this.
He said that he will continue to advocate for improvements within his area as that was the driving force behind him getting on board to run for council.
