APNU runs off successful primaries for Linden LGE candidates
Councillor Fern McCoy
Councillor Fern McCoy

…several new faces to battle in eight constituencies

OVER the weekend, residents of the eight constituencies in Linden turned out at polling stations across the town to vote for the their pick of the candidates who came forward to represent the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs). Dubbed the APNU primaries, representatives were giving a chance to be elected by their constituents, before running with other parties and independent groups on November 12th.

In respective order, from constituency one to eight, the winners for the Primaries were: Lawrence Simon, Stephen Massiah, Leroy James, Wayneright Bethune, Waneka Arrindell, Learna Calvan, Fern McKoy and Gary King. Among the new faces are: Simon, Massiah, Calvan and King.

In total, close to 400, voters came out to vote for their APNU candidates. Before the voting commenced over the weekend, candidates were required to debate in front of the electorates, present their plans for developing their constituencies and how they intend to implement those plans, as well as to share their manifestos. Besides, the candidates were required to build their support base by having 30 persons physically sign a document as an expression of support. The candidates also had to submit their background and past community work which showed how passionate they are about community development.
Region 10 Campaign Manager, Minister Valarie Patterson- Yearwood, said that the process gave the voter population within the communities the opportunity to select who they want to represent their constituencies at the upcoming LGE. She noted that proportional representation candidates, will be selected by the party. Those candidates who did not win in the various constituencies but their voter numbers were high, will be recommended for the PR list. She described the process as an orderly one and was most impressed with the high voter turnout, especially on the Wismar shore. “I am very happy at the turn out at the polling locations, particularly on the Wismar/ Christianburg side…it was heartening to see on both days we had heavy rain fall, but people braved the weather and they came out, the process was smooth and I hope it is replicated in upcoming LGEs and the 2020 general and regional elections.”

Constituency One hopeful, Lawrence Simon

Commenting on the new faces that were elected, Yearwood said that she is also pleased with this, as there must be an injection of new minds into development. “If you come with the same people over and over, you will not get change, we need young and vibrant minds and I am confident, that this will raise the level of service the municipality will give to Linden in the new term. I expect that the returnees will work with the young ones and to really meet the expectations of Lindeners.”

As campaign manager, Patterson said that at her very next meeting, she will put another plan in motion for the winning candidates to return to the communities as well as the possible PR candidates so that the residents can have a final say as to what are their expectations of them and how they can best serve their communities. Elected candidate for Constituency One, Lawrence Simon, is one of the new faces. He said winning was definitely a good feeling since he along with his campaign team would have put in a lot of work bringing awareness on the importance of voting. “It is an awesome feeling; it is now time to work harder to get a wider audience to buy in to my plans which are logical and workable. I believe that we do not have to depend on the government to give us everything, we can work together as a community, as a family to achieve a lot,” he posited. Simon said that his mission is to transform Amelia’s Ward into a model constituency.

Constituency Seven elected Councillor, Fern McCoy is one of the returning candidates. She was confident that she would have been voted back in, as she would have selflessly pushed for development, over the last three years in the communities of Blue Berry Hill and its extension, Andyville, Prosville, One Mile North and its Extension and the Wismar Housing Scheme. She described herself as a ‘go-getter’ and being proactive as helped her in making representation on behalf of her residents which is not only limited to the council, but at whatever forum she gets the chance to. Within the last three years she would have been instrumental in the installation of lights at the Wismar Housing Scheme Bridge and the Blue Berry Hill Bridge.

Replacements of lights were done at the One Mile Extension area as well as other communities except for Andyville and Prosville that are not yet regularised and do not have electricity. She was however instrumental in getting standpipes for Andyville, by making representation to the Managing Director of the Guyana Water Inc, Dr. Van-West Charles.
While LMTC cannot do capital roads, McCoy was able to get some roads in her constituencies patched until better can be done at the level of the RDC. Bridges were also repaired in the One Mile Extension area.

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