– with area ‘rep’, Councillor Fern McKoy

COUNCILLOR for Constituency Seven, Fern McKoy believes that being elected to serve in 2016 has allowed much to be done by way of development in those communities for which she is responsible.

Those communities at reference are Blue Berry Hill and its Extension; Andyville; Prosville; One Mile North and its Extension; and the Wismar Housing Scheme.
McKoy may have been a municipal councillor for nine years, but the most fruitful she feels are her last three under a new Council, since she would have been able to execute many of the projects she’s always wanted to. Whether it was through funding from the Council, the Ministry of Communities or her own pocket, she got the job done, because, in her eyes, she’s “a go-getter”, and the development of her constituency is all that matters. She also believes that it is her sworn duty to serve selflessly and diligently. Being proactive, McKoy says, has helped her make representation on behalf of her residents not only at the level of the Council, but at whatever forum the opportunity presents itself.

WORKS COMPLETED
McKoy related that her very first call of duty after being elected was to thank the residents for voting her in, and promising them to work assiduously for their betterment.
Today, she believes she would have fulfilled that promise many times over, in spite of the many setbacks along the way, simply because she did not have the means at her disposal. Among her many accomplishments to date is the installation of lights along the Wismar Housing Scheme and Blue Berry Hill bridges after she realised that those areas were very dark at night and posed a danger to residents.

She was also instrumental in having those street lamps that would have gone bad replaced at the One Mile Extension area as well as other communities, except for Andyville and Prosville, which, because they have not yet been regularised, do not have electricity. She was, however, able to get stand pipes installed at Andyville, by pleading the community’s case with the CEO of Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Dr. Richard Van West- Charles.
And while the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) does not have the authority to do capital works, McKoy was able to get some roads in her constituencies patched up until better can be done at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Bridges were also repaired in the One Mile Extension area, while the “speed humps” on the Blue Berry Hill access road were lowered somewhat since residents were complaining of the damage they were causing their vehicles.

The Christianburg Wismar Secondary School’s access road is currently under repair, while repairs to the access road to the teachers’ hostel have been completed. Eroded areas in the communities were also made level, as best they can. Said Councillor McPhoy, “I am a person always on the ground and looking to see what is to be done in my constituency. “Even though I was a Councillor before, a lot was done for my community. I am a Councillor that has the interest of the people at heart; I am always trying to make it possible, and to see what can be done.” She was also instrumental in getting scholarships for some youths within the Constituency, while she helped others become involved in training programmes. She also saw to the launching of a sewing project, and by the end of the year, she will have seen to the construction of a community centre.

In collaboration with the Community Development Council in Blue Berry Hill, a block-making project is also expected to be rolled out. “In all my communities,” she said, “I have great interest in what goes on. I am at every meeting, and I even render assistance on occasion, even if it’s from my own pocket. “I don’t have a job, but the way I look at it, as a Councillor, serving my people is a job; it’s my sworn duty.”

STILL TO COME
While what was done was considered a lot, there are still many projects on McKoy’s agenda to be completed such as a play park in Blue Berry Hill that has already started. Several roads are also still to be done, and the regularisation of Andyville and Prosville is still to be completed. One of her major challenges is getting the support from the level of the administration at LMTC, since she would have submitted for funding for a number of projects, but they are not being executed. “I could have done a lot more that was promised, but for the lackadaisical attitude of the administration,” McPhoy said, adding: “A lot of recommendations and projects were sent in to the Council, and it is now up to the administration to execute. But it is not happening; not the way we would like it to.”

RESIDENTS SAY
Residents of Andyville believe that Councillor McKoy would have done her best in serving her constituency and making representation for the communities. “Councillor McKoy has been ‘foot-and-foot’ with us, giving us the support as we try to get regularisation; she has assisted us a lot in getting things done,” said Michael Green, one resident.

And according to Amelia Bourne of One Mile Extension, Councillor McKoy would have been instrumental in lighting up the community and in assisting in whatever way she can. “She is very proactive; always at the meetings, and I think that is good leadership,” Bourne said.
For Tiffany Lee of Blue Berry Hill, Councillor McKoy has done a lot for the community; always making representation; always lending a helping hand.

McKoy believes that Local Government Elections (LGE) was a window of opportunity for betterment for the residents of Linden and not only her constituency. As she compares her service during the Interim Management Committee (IMC) years to post-2016, she believes that far more was done through democratic renewal. “With our government now in place, we are getting more assistance from them, and ensuring that our residents have a better living standard,” McPhoy said, confident that she will be voted back in come November.