NOTWITHSTANDING a low key awareness about the activity among Georgetown residents, vendors, and the regular man on the street, Town Clerk, Royston King says the recently held Georgetown “City Week” celebrations was a successful one.

According to King, he was very pleased with the support it received.

“The week of activities was very successful, the idea behind the event was really to tell the story of Georgetown from different perspectives,” King said in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

“I think we got the support we were looking for. Some events we had to reschedule because of the time, but I am very pleased with the support we got. We had the support of the people, particularly the business sector, we got huge support from the business sector. We really had the support of various stakeholders, what we are in the process of doing right now is tidying up our accounts to make a full report to the council with respect to all the activities and how much have been our takings.”

Though a few activities still remain to be completed, the Mayor and City Council “City Week” was expected to run from August 19 – 27, celebrating Georgetown’s 175th anniversary as a city. The event was touted to cost some $19M, however City Council maintained that the money was from donations and not a single cent was spent from the Council’s coffers.

The celebrations involved a host of activities several of which were held at the Stabroek Market Square, others were held at varying locations across the city and at least three of the occasions were ticketed events.

“We started with a massive clean-up exercise which underscored the importance of a clean and healthy city. We involved everybody… we focused on local communities as well as the central Georgetown. We also focused on the religious aspect with a special thanksgiving service at the cathedral; at that service a lot of history was mentioned. We had edutainment, where we had nights at the Stabroek Market Square, with entertainment on various aspects of our city. We had a calypso night, a night for comedy, we had the one man bands. We had the Mayor’s dinner that was a high point,” King related.

However, out on the streets and in some communities many around Georgetown generally had no knowledge of the celebrations, while others who did notice the events could not make it to attend.

“What is City Week? Now I’m hearing about this City Week,” remarked South Ruimveldt resident, Leslie Sobers Jnr.

At Citi Barbershop on the Avenue of the Republic not too far from the Stabroek Market Square, the barbers were all clueless about the event.

“I have no idea [what is City Week]. Yea I noticed the stuff [at the Stabroek Square] but I had no clue what it was about,” commented barber Vijai Narine.

On Regent Street, vendor Anthony Mohammed did not attend any of the events, however he did hear about the celebration over the radio.

“They didn’t come around and tell vendors anything though,” he said.

Selling as a vendor at Bourda Market for the past seven years, M. Singh was among those who thought the money could have been put to better use. He too, vaguely knows about the celebration, noticing the activities at the Stabroek Market Square
“From we went round the big market we see them had some things deh. I think was just a waste of time, they should’ve looked after things at the market before they do something like that. They can’t get proper security out hey yet. Is everyday somebody getting rob,” Singh said.

“City Week”, apart from commemorating the city’s milestone, was expected to foster closer relationships among employees through sports and cultural and other forms of social activities; to provide an opportunity for the business community to showcase locally- produced items; to help the council form better alliances with other critical stakeholders; and to improve the council’s corporate image.

King says the objectives were achieved, even if on a small scale.

“Though modestly, we were able to achieve those objectives, we were able to achieve all of the objectives,” King said.

This was the first time that Georgetown has ever embarked on an even like this. Some think it may be a nice stepping stone but could still use some work. A few taxi drivers outside of Demico thought the initiative was a nice one, but the event still left a sour taste with many as they were inconvenienced whenever an event was held at the Stabroek Square.

“I don’t really think it was bad but the location was bad because [it] was a whole heap of confusion out here. I was here but the moment it start I had to go away because you couldn’t get parking and all kind a things,” said Eon Topping, also a Georgetown resident.