AMIDST cheers and celebrations, staffers of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) paid farewell to Mayor Hamilton Green, who charged them to “embrace change as you co-operate to build a greener, greater, and better Georgetown.”Green, who has served as the Mayor of Georgetown since 1994, on Thursday made his final mayoral address at City Hall to staff and councillors, some of whom might be re-elected. Citing government’s mandate to deliver a “good life” to all Guyanese, Green challenged staff members to be more efficient and to consider those words while they execute their task as M&CC workers.

“The road to getting Georgetown to where it is today was not easy,” he said, as he outlined the challenges he had faced during his tenure as mayor of the capital city.

FAITH IN NEW GOV’T
Green expressed faith in the new government when it comes to co-operating with the council in order to get the work done and enhance the city. He urged staff members to do their utmost to get things done, and to rest assured that they are in good hands despite the probable changes within the council.

Green said he would not be a candidate at the LGE, but would sit back and relax with his wife and six daughters and let the new faces take charge, given that he has already “vindicated” his position as the Mayor of Georgetown.

He said he would now place more emphasis on his role as Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and would take some time to write and enlighten the youths of today about how Guyana went about achieving its Independence.

Nevertheless, he said, once the need arises, he would always be willing to lend a helping hand to the M&CC and contribute towards its success.

Green called on the populace to go out and express their democratic right by voting for whomever they deem fit to be councillors in the various constituencies.

His sentiments were followed by the farewell speeches of councillors, some of whom had served for more than 15 years on the council. They also expressed gratitude at being afforded the chance to work alongside Mayor Green.

The Youth for Local Government (YFLG) group also extended heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Mayor, Deputy Mayor Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green, and all M&CC councillors.

“We would like to single out Mayor Green and Mr. Oscar Clarke; these two gentlemen have held the fort at the M&CC for years. You have been through good times and bad times, and when the going got tough, you stood your ground and fought for what you believed in, and we appreciate that,” relayed a statement from the Youth for Local Government.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES
In bidding farewell to the Mayor and Councillors, Town Clerk Royston King highlighted that the work of the Mayor has, over the years, been remarkable; but, he said, it is time to “break the boundaries of human possibilities at City Hall.”

He recalled the number of drainage works, rehabilitative exercises, the Merriman Mall development, and a host of other initiatives which over the years were spearheaded by the Mayor and councillors.

He stressed the importance of the innovation of new projects and ideas that will be geared at creating a better Georgetown as the legacy of the Mayor is perpetuated. This, however, will only be possible with the co-operation of the staffers, King noted, as he echoed the sentiments of the Mayor and charged the staffers to embrace change and work towards a better Georgetown.