…new deputy mayor elected

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

VETERAN educators, Ms. Winifred Haywood and Mr. Wainwright Mc Intosh, are expected to effectively manage Guyana’s oldest township, New Amsterdam, following their election during the inaugural meeting of the council following the recent Local Government Elections.

The meeting was held at the Municipal Chambers on Wednesday afternoon. Ms Haywood, the 66th and 67th Mayor, is serving a second term, having taken over the helm from former mayor, Kirk Wynter, who demitted office on September 30, 2017, after serving for 17 months. Wynter, who has since migrated, is recorded as the shortest serving mayor in the New Amsterdam Municipality.

Wainwright Mc Intosh, an Education Officer seemingly new to local politics, was quick to thank his supporters and members of his constituency for having confidence in him. He pledged to work with them as a team. Their council, which includes eight new faces to sit around the horseshoe-shaped table, comprised of youth, whose abilities and skills are expected to have a transformational impact on the citizenry, resulting in increased participation in the next elections.

Only 38 per cent of the citizenry went to the polls on November 12. Many claimed they were dissatisfied with the delivery of services. At the Local Government Election, there were 4006 valid votes, and 63 rejected ballots. APNU secured 2335 votes, followed by the PPP/C with 1095, the AFC with 553, and the United Republican Party (URP) with 23.
Meanwhile, earlier, just after 10:00hrs, returning officer and Town Clerk Ms Sharon Alexander commenced the historical session during which period 14 councillors swore or affirmed their oath of office. Those who won their constituencies are: A Partnership for National Unity candidates Ms .Olga Stephens, Patricia Lynch, Winifred Haywood, Esan Vanderstoop, Wainwriight W.G. Mc Intosh, Keith Mayers; while People’s Progressive Party candidate Nalini Tahal won the seventh constituency –Overwinning/ Glasgow.

Further, those who, as a result of the elections, have become members of the town council are, APNU supporters, Kirk Karl Fraser, Polliann Shultz , Buster Wright, Sheantta Lambert; Alliance For Change member Quacy Adrian Isaacs; People’s Progressive Party supporters Zabarally Armogan and Dr Orville Grayson Halley. Meanwhile, following the respective elections, a finance committee was named with Ms Buster Wright , a retired teacher, being the chairperson with Ms Polliann Shultz ,a business woman as the vice chairperson, with the three committee members being kirk Fraser, Esan Vanderstoop and Patricia Lynch. Observing the hiccup-free event was Minister Nicolette Henry.