COMMUNITIES Minister Ronald Bulkan’s letter to Georgetown Mayor Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green on a matter of law in conducting Council’s business — specifically the removal of vendors from Bourda — is timely.For quite some time now, City Hall has been getting bad press. For some apparent reason, criticisms of some decisions taken by the Council at the behest of its councillors, or the Town Clerk acting on his own, are being viewed as attacks and not wanting the Council to do its work.

It cannot be overstated that every right thinking person wants Georgetown to return to law and order, aesthetics and environment. Where the controversy lies — which some in City Hall seem bent on ignoring – is in the manner in which they are going about making decisions. When there is absence of regard for laws and by-laws and respect for people, acrimonious relationships and non-cooperation inevitably follow. This is a point that citizens have been trying to get across to City Hall. It is hoped that, with the minister’s intervention, albeit some may say overdue, good sense would prevail.

Local government is the most basic form of democracy. After citizens had, for more than two decades, been denied the right to elect their leaders, when this was restored in March, citizens went to the polls and voted.

Lest it be forgotten, there was much clamouring, locally and internationally, to restore local government democracy. Many felt — particularly for Georgetown — that the PPP/C Administration had deliberately implemented policies to undermine the local government authority. Those policies had seen the city falling into disrepair and earning the sobriquet the Garbage City. Coming out of this experience, which also had to do with petty political partisanship, the showing the PPP/C received in the March polls was a resounding signal of rejection for what it had done, real or perceived, to the Council the past years.

This newspaper has editorialised on the management style of the Town Clerk and the Council, calling for a humane approach to getting things done; being mindful of the laws, by-laws and rights of all involved in framing and guiding decision-making. This is done in recognition that a different approach to governance is needed if a nation with historical experiences of division, mistrust and repressive practices is to live up to the motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

National unity and social cohesion can never be forged and achieved when persons are not treated as equals and with deserving respect. Also, conceptualisation, development, and implementation of policies, programmes and actions should not be done without regard for due diligence and laws. It is believed that the City Fathers and Mothers at heart have the best of intent and desire for the development of Georgetown. This is applauded, supported and encouraged.

Further, it is the belief that Mayor Chase-Green and Town Clerk King should take Minister Bulkan’s letter through the lens of providing needed guidance according to the laws in conducting the business of the Council. Sober thoughts and the good intentions behind this letter must prevail.

There is no need for a Letter to the Editor or press statement from City Hall’s Public Relations Department as follow-up to the Minister’s letter. What is needed is realignment by the Council, consistent with the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, upon which the minister based his advice.

The avoidable conflict between the councils and clerks in the discharge of duties and responsibilities, while more manifest in the Georgetown municipality, is not singular to the capital. The Linden Town Council and other local government authorities are experiencing difficulties in understanding and respecting the divergent roles of policy makers and administrators. Though understandable, given the newness of most office holders, similar intervention is needed to nip it in the bud.

Faith in the local government system must be ensured, given its importance in society. When persons are empowered with knowledge, they are more inclined to manage better and be held accountable by their counterparts to so do. City Hall is being piloted in the right, and it is hoped that past distasteful experiences are now behind us.