By Ariana Gordon

CITY Mayor Patricia Chase-Green says City Hall is within its right to demolish illegal structures set up around the city and defended the bulldozing of the popular “Dread shop,” which had allegedly become a haven for a range of unsavoury acts over the years. She told the media just after the unveiling of the 50th Independence Anniversary Arch on Friday morning at Agricola, that the demolition of the “Dread Shop” located at the Stabroek Market area was a lawful act.
The Mayor of Georgetown said she is unaware of any injunction or ongoing court matter that would prevent City Hall from demolishing the “Dread Shop.”
On Thursday, Attorney Nigel Hughes called a press briefing at the dismantled location at Stabroek Market and lashed out at City Hall for breaching an injunction of the Court of Appeal, the highest court within the jurisdiction.
Hughes, who represents the owner of the “Dread Shop,” told reporters that the move by City Hall demonstrates that the Council has no respect for the rule of law.
“This has got to be the most outrageous act I have seen in a very long time,” remarked Hughes, who explained that a demolition crew from City Hall broke down the shop near the Route 42 minibus park in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
“The behaviour represented by the act of destruction here, is very similar to the same conduct that was complained about when Ms Sooba was the Town Clerk. But the issue is this: how can you breach an order of the Court of Appeal which says that this matter must go to mediation and come and destroy a building in total and complete disrespect and disregard for the Court of Appeal?” the attorney said.
However, Chase-Green denied any knowledge of an injunction or order to commence mediation with the owner of the “Dread Shop.”
“I am not aware of any injunction being issued against City Hall and its management, or the Town Clerk and owners of the ‘Dread Shop’,” said Chase- Green, who has been a member of the previous City Council.
The Mayor argued that City Hall has its work to do and will carry out its functions to the best of its ability.
She noted too that all illegal structures have to be removed and the Town Council has given notice to all those who occupy such illegal structures.
Additionally, Chase-Green defended the action of Town Clerk Royston King under whose permission the property was dismantled. She explained that City Council is not required by law to give permission to the Town Clerk to act in such circumstances.
“The Town Clerk has that right,” said Mayor Green. Asked by reporters whether she felt King was a rogue, the Mayor said “no.”
She argued in her Council’s defence that City Hall is not taking a big stick method towards the dismantling of the illegal structures and gave the assurance that notices were provided to all persons identified.
HAD TO STOP IT
According to Chase-Green, the location of the “Dread Shop” facilitated many illegal activities, including what is perceived to be the selling of narcotics.
“All types of lawlessness was going on there and at some time we need to put a stop to it… this city has to be restored and in the process, while some people will be offended, we still have to move forward and advance the city of Georgetown.”
Meanwhile, in a statement to the media, the Mayor and City Council maintained that at no time it was privy to any existing court action regarding the “Dread Shop,” nor was the “Council restrained by any order of court from interfering with the illegally erected structure in the Stabroek Market area.”
Also, the City Council noted that the area in which the “Dread Shop” was located fell within that which is described under the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 as council area.
City Hall in its statement to the media said the proprietors of the demolished shop “had been informed by the Council that they were required to vacate the said area and had been given reasonable and sufficient notice to so do,”
It was argued that the proprietors failed to bring to Council’s attention that their removal was before the courts in a matter to which the Council was not a party and of which Council was not privy.
“Had the Council been made aware of the existence of any court order or extant proceedings regarding the status of the “Dread-Shop,” the Council would have taken the fact into consideration in determining whether to remove the otherwise illegal structure.”
The City Council has committed to investigating the issues “thoroughly and will issue a subsequent statement” on the matter.
Owner of the property Anthony Forde told reporters on Thursday that he had not received any notice from City Hall, but noted that over the years, attempts have been made to break the structure he once owned.
“I don’t really know what happened , I ain’t get no notice, nothing at all; is this morning at 09:30 hrs somebody told me what happened,” he related.
The distraught man said former President, the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, gave him permission to remain at the site when the former leader held the portfolio of Prime Minister.
Forde is currently assessing all damage and his losses upon the instruction of Hughes, after which efforts will be made to have him be fully compensated for his losses.