– falsifying others in letter to Indigenous Minister

A People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Region 10 councillor has been accused of collecting a total of 176 signatures from residents of Speightland, Linden, under false pretense, as well as falsifying the signatures of some. The signatures were reportedly attached to a correspondence berating the conduct of Kevon Lorrimer, the Community Development Officer (CDO) attached to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

The letter, along with the attached signatures, dated September 3, 2019, was sent to the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, and was signed by Gem Narine, PPP Regional Councillor and Chairperson of the Speightland Community Development Council (CDC).

It was copied to the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian; Commander of ‘E’ Division, Ramesh Ashram; and CDC Officer, Denise Belgrave. In the letter, Narine reportedly asked Minister Allicock, on behalf of the residents of Speightland, to intervene in a conflict that stemmed from the community’s heritage celebration that was held on September 8. Narine said the event, which was hosted by the Speightland Logging and Agriculture Cooperative Society (SLAC), is usually held by the CDC; however, this is the second year it has been hijacked by the SLAC.

The letter focused heavily on Lorrimer, who is also the secretary of SLAC. According to Narine, Lorrimer has been abusive and disrespectful to the residents of Speightland and the CDC.

She alleged that during a meeting on September 1, CDC Officers Byron Kendell and Denise Belgrave encouraged the CDC and SLAC to settle all issues relative to heritage celebration. But, instead of attempting to resolve the issues, Lorrimer attacked the council and its chairperson, the PPP councillor further contended. She has asked the minister to sanction Lorrimer and report the matter to the police.

But when Guyana Chronicle contacted Belgrave on the allegations, she said that Lorrimer said nothing in her presence. “During the time we were there, he didn’t say anything, while we were there,” she said.

Attached to the letter were a total of 176 signatures. However, when shown the letter, some of the residents, who had signed onto the document, said Narine, in acquiring their signatures, made no mention of any dispute. They were reportedly told that their signatures were needed for the establishment of a heritage committee.

Deomatie Singh was shocked when she saw the content of the letter her signature was attached to. “They said they want it concerning forming a heritage group, not anything about this,” she said. Another resident Britney Nelson said she was also fooled, explaining that Narine had informed her that the letter was intended to get residents involved in the heritage celebration. “They said it was to form a heritage group, last week Tuesday they came and I’m feeling really bad that my name is here because I didn’t agree to this,” she said. Asked whether Lorrimer had been abusive and disrespectful to the residents of the community, Nelson responded in the negative. “I have known him years now and he is very helpful,” she said.

Geneva Persaud on the other hand, whose name was on the list, said she never signed onto the document. Her relative, Jim Persaud’s signature was also reportedly falsified. She is considering legal action against Narine.

In perusing the list, this publication observed several names recorded more than once and written with the same handwriting. Residents also alleged that the names of children below the age of 17 were also placed on the list. They opined that the entire operation was politically motivated, since Lorrimer and Narine are affiliated with different political parties. Residents also related that the CDC is null and void and representation for development in the community is not being done.

When this publication contacted Councillor Narine, she rubbished the allegations and said that she never misrepresented the purpose for collecting the signatures and never falsified any signature. “There is no body that could come and stand up in front of me and say we force them and say that is what we are doing. That for me is an allegation, I don’t agree with it. That is a total lie,” she told this newspaper.

Lorrimer explained that the heritage celebration was organised by a sub-committee of SLAC, because the CDC has been dysfunctional. According to him, the allegations are politically driven due to the fact that he is a former PPP Region 10 Executive. Lorrimer resigned from the party earlier this year citing personal discrimination and marginalisation against Linden. He is now the Chairman of the Region 10 Guyana Action Party (GAP) – a partner within the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The Speightland Heritage Celebration 2019 drew one of the largest crowds compared to previous years. Present were Minister Allicock and Minister of State Dawn Hastings- Williams. A one-year permit was handed over SLAC to utilise a plot of land near the waterfront as a playground. This newspaper was reliably informed that days after, Opposition Parliamentarian, Bishop Juan Edghill, visited the community and told the residents that the permit was not legal since the government is operating in an interim mode. He reportedly encouraged residents to protest against such moves made by the APNU+AFC in their community.