THE Municipality of Rose Hall, in East Berbice-Corentyne, on Wednesday elected its sixth mayor in its 48 years as a township.

Chattergoon Ramnauth, 69, a former estate manager at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was elected unopposed after the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) councillor, Winston Hope, declined a nomination for the post. Ramnauth, who contested and won in constituency #8- Rose Hall Central East, is promising the ‘good life’ for residents as he outlined his immediate plans for the betterment of the town. Chief among them is the non-increase in rates and taxes, effective garbage collection, better drainage and improved accessibility through upgraded streets.

The elected mayor believes accountability to the residents is paramount and has promised to prepare and post quarterly audited financial statements throughout the town so that all can be aware of what the council is doing and be open to scrutiny. He has also issued a stern warning to defaulting proprietors that he will be looking to maximize on revenue collection so that he can execute his plans smoothly. He posited that with increased revenue collection, he will be able to make the town a spectacle to behold that others will seek to emulate.

His deputy will be Deonauth Harrinarine, a businessman who emerged victorious after securing 11 to 5 of the 16 votes against Sandra Chisolm of the APNU. The 16-member council is split 11-5 for the PPP/C and the APNU respectively. The fourteen councillors were sworn in and started performing their duties immediately. They include Arthur Allan Fraser, Roydel Morgan Lewis, Elvis Fitzgerald Punch, Vedwattie Ramnarain, Arjunen Sammy, Rikhram Srikishen, David Fraser, Quacy Cort, Winston Hope, Boybert Bisram, Gaitree Sheonarain, Ingram Veron Rodney, Dave Budhu and Sandra Chisolm.

Meanwhile, the APNU, in a statement read by Winston Hope, congratulated the mayor, his deputy and all councillors and called for inclusivity in the decision-making process and for the council to move away from high-handed decision-making that can be to the detriment of the people. “We of the APNU are here to work for the development of Rose Hall Town. We will support what we think are programmes that will benefit all the peoples and the town and not one set of people. We would like to see democracy, accountability and respect for the rule of law prevail at this council.” Mr Hope also urged that all decisions must get the blessings of the full council before being implemented.