Dear Editor

IT seems difficult, if not impossible, for some of the imperceptive and deceitful leaders at City Hall to practise the virtue of honesty, even if for just one day.

The most recent example of their dishonesty is the declaration that President Granger’s recent visit to City Hall is the first by a Guyanese Head of State in more than twenty years. They know that they are lying, but I guess they are hoping that people’s memories are short or convenient, like theirs.

I would like to state, at the outset, that I do not wish to detract from or devalue the importance of President Granger’s visit. It was a most commendable and exemplary gesture on his part, particularly at this time when the Council is in the midst of several scandals and is mired in controversy. He has shown considerable leadership, gallantry, and good sense, as the Council seems very insular and directionless, and is in need of the guidance which he is providing.

But the facts are the facts. First, on March 19th 2009, President Bharrat Jagdeo, in the company of Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall; Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; and Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, graced City Hall with his presence, where he announced that the Government would be providing the Council with 120 million dollars in assistance, five computers for its Information Communication Technology strategy, and two vehicles to aid the work of the Constabulary Department.

On August 10, 2011, President Bharrat Jagdeo again visited City Hall and offered to the Georgetown City Council a financial bailout of 215 million dollars to relieve the Council of its unending fiscal crisis.

President Jagdeo again did not go alone, but was accompanied by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh; Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, and Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, where the Councillors and staff of the municipality were allowed to interact with the Government team and express their ideas, problems and recommendations.

Why then would the Council pretend as though this never happened? Barefaced dishonesty will get neither the old-timers (Councillors) nor the capital city anywhere. How can we trust them to lead the capital city when we can’t even trust them to just speak the truth? And of course Royston King would never stand to correct them! What an insolent group.

Regards,
AMBER VALENTINE