Dear Editor:
THE treatment meted out to the vendors by Town Clerk Royston King, who unashamedly seeks to justify a conduct that can be described as being bovine, must be condemned by all right-thinking Guyanese. In the Georgetown City Council they are by-laws that guide the conduct of business and these have their genesis in establishing and maintaining good human relations within society. King has responsibility as Chief Executive Officer for the day-to-day business of the Council, but this cannot be discharged on the basis of his gut feelings. The discharge of his duties must be consistent with application of the national laws, city by-laws and acceptable human conduct. Respect for these tenets will inform that the town clerk does not have the prerogative to walk around the town, observe activities and perceived violations, and order action be taken without due consideration for the consequences.
In the specific case of the vendors at Bourda Market, one has to be careful when dealing with a collective as against an individual. For in the case of the collective, it is totally wrong for actions to be taken against the collective on the perceived violation of a few. The engagement with vendors by the town clerk, though he is fully well aware that this group has established a union that represents their interest, indicates that the Council has no intention of conducting its business consistent with laws and to bring order to vending.
The position taken by Councillor Andrea Marks at Tuesday’s statutory meeting reminds the nation that some persons placed in elective office are prepared to handle issues guided by universally acceptable principles and precedence. It must be recalled that Ms. Marks, not then a councillor, was out there vociferously protesting the excesses of the administration of Town Clerk Carol Sooba.
Today that Ms. Marks is using her elective office as a representative of the people, to speak out against the excesses of the incumbent town clerk reflects a glimmer of hope that the wrongs of the past administration will not be supported in the present administration. This is a progressive step by Ms. Marks and the society needs to see more of if we, as a people, are going to have political growth.
When one accepts that laws are put in place to guide the conduct of man in society, the city mothers and fathers need to take note that these laws cannot be applied in the manner that violate the fundamental rights of vendors and citizens.The pronouncement that the town clerk is the Chief Executive Officer and has to discharge his duty is not doubted. What those who so remind us of are falling short of is reminding themselves that the town clerk has a responsibility to respect the rights of the vendors and uphold the laws, buttressed with a high level of civility.
The pronouncements by Mayor Chase-Green as reported in the media raise concerns as to what her tenure will be like when it comes to treating with people and demonstrating regard for their fundamental rights and freedoms. As mayor of the city, she was elected by the people to be in service to the people, and being in service to the people requires treating them with respect and dignity. She is urged to rethink and understand the role she ought to be playing and giving leadership to.
The vendors are an economic group in this society. They provide a service, livelihoods for themselves and family, and contribute to the revenue intake of city and national governments. In an economy where opportunities are limited, these persons could have sat on their laurels, migrated, or turned to a life of crime. That they chose to stay here and engage in productive endeavours and their legitimacy cemented by their payment of stall rental to the council are enough to see them being treated with deserving respect. The City Council must rein King in, given that his conduct will be seen as a reflection of the city mothers and fathers.
Regards
Lincoln Lewis