The return of the lottery to the City, installation of parking meters, and the introduction of a City radio and television station are among the plans of the six parties contesting the 15 Proportional Representation (PR) seats in Georgetown, to expand the City’s revenue base.

The candidates made their policies known on Friday at the historic Georgetown Debate, organised by Under the Tamarind Three Inc, a company headed by prominent attorney Nigel Hughes.

The forum, the first of its kind, broadcast live on the National Communications Network (NCN) and streamed on the Internet, sought to sensitise citizens, more particularly Georgetown residents of the importance of participating in March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE).

But more importantly, it was aimed at introducing them to the candidates contesting for seats on the Georgetown City Council and to hear from them their plans and policies to improve the current state of the City.

The candidates who participated in the lively debate were Dr Phillip Thomas of A Guyana Nation Builders Corps; Sherod Duncan of APNU+AFC; Mark Benschop of Team Benschop; Micheal Leonard of Team Legacy; Clayon Halley of Youth For Local Government; and James Cole of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

Unlike a normal debate, the candidates were not given the opportunity to challenge their rivals’ policies as they were only allowed to respond to questions from a large number of panelists drawn from a wide cross-section of society.

Duncan, the more fluent and informed of the candidates, told the well-attended gathering at the Threatre Guild that the City needs to expand its revenue base to effectively carry out its function.

He advocated for the return of lottery to the City, the installation of parking meters, especially in congested areas as well as the introduction of car parks and flood insurance to raise revenues. According to him, the City cannot effectively function on an annual budget of $2B with a population of some 265,000, and to buttress his point, he noted that the University of Guyana (UG) which has a population of 5,000 has a budget practically the same amount as City Hall.

RENT
The APNU+AFC representative also stressed that the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) should pay a rent for its polls on City reserves, and apart from this, the City must invests in modern daycare and health care facilities for working families and residents.

And in terms of keeping the City clean, Duncan noted that 70 per cent of solid waste in Geogetown is composite. This, he said, will be recycled if elected to office.

He also promised to ensure contracts are transparently awarded, and to bar City Councillors from putting in bids for City works. The young man informed the gathering that that he will adopt a consultative approach in his decision making, taking both the input of residents and Central Government into consideration, if the people choose him as their councillor.

Residents, he said can count on him for a clean, beautiful, and efficiently managed Georgetown. Benschop claimed that if the City establishes a radio television station, it can rake in about $80 million per year. He too called for the introduction of parking meters in the City but apart from this, he said the City will garner revenues through bill board advertisements and from bus sheds it will build if he is elected as a councillor.

NO PUPPET
Benschop, the livelier of the speakers, said while it is important that City Hall works with Central Government, he is firmly against the City Hall being a puppet of Central Government, drawing applause from the audience.

If elected, Benschop also promise to increase the salaries of City Constables and work with the Guyana Police Force to improve security in Georgetown. Security is one of several issues affecting Geogetown residents. Structures along canals in the City for years have been an encumbrance to the smooth flow of water, contributing to flooding in the City, and the question was put twice to Benschop what he will do to remedy the situation.

Benschop acknowledged that the situation is a problem, pointing out that he will work with the residents and explain to them that they have to be removed, but warned the panelist who asked the question that if he has a structure there, “you should move in advance”.

Meanwhile, Leonard also noted the need to expand the City budget by increasing its revenue base, and called for the establishment of toll stations for visitors to Georgetown. The Team Legacy representative also intends to work assiduously to address issues of transportation, domestic violence, hate crimes, security, and other ills confronting City residents.

Dr Thomas made similar promises, but in several instances, he did not respond directly to the questions posed to him, and appeared more intent to telling the audience with the A Guyana Nation Builders Corp was about.

He told the Threatre Guild gathering that if elected, he would raise funds for the City through various fund-raising activities and bonds, and would deal with poor parking and make Georgetown a major tourist attraction. Dr Thomas said he intends to consult with citizens on his decisions and would build on existing Government policies.

NO DISCRIMINATION
Halley of Youth For Local Government also spoke passionately about improving the current state of Georgetown and to make it a comfortable place for all of its diverse residents. He wants bigger fines for litter bugs and to stamp out discrimination against gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexuals in Georgetown.

He also intends to make a concerted effort to improve the lives of the disabled and provide support for those with social problems.

From all the speakers, James Cole of the PPP was the least impactful, and his attire appeared odd in the lights. Bedecked in red, his party colour, he looked dapper, but with the stage lights beaming down on his red outfit made him appear as though he was in an orange jump suit.

According to Cole, if elected, in the first 100 days, he will ensure transparency, accountability and greater efficiency in Georgetown. He said being a teacher for the past 20 years, churning out students of repute in society, he has what it takes to make a difference at City Hall.

From the responses of members of the audience, many felt that the debate was a healthy engagement, but some noted their reservation with Ravi Dev being a member of the panel representing civil society.

Dev, the leader of a failed political party called Rise, Organise and Rebuild Guyana (ROAR) has on numerous occasions been denounced by a wide cross-section of Guyanese and groups, including the PPP as an Indian racist and supremacist.

Less than two years ago, several influential PPP leaders recognising that his values would be helpful to their agenda, summoned him to perform duties at Guyana Times.

Hughes hailed the debate a success and promised to take it to all the municipalities.