Dear Editor,
MAYOR of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine has been re-elected Mayor of Georgetown, and it is as well that he has, because he has demonstrated leadership; a willingness to work with stakeholders in the broader interest of the City. Outspoken, and not afraid to take the bull by its horns when such necessitates, and has had to cross swords with some senior members of City Hall, on matters pertaining to being proactive about his municipality. He has a right to, because it is his responsibility, and the buck stops with him.

He is, by far, the youngest Chief Citizen to be elected to head the nation’s largest municipality, and came to the Municipal office at a time of controversy surrounding City Hall, regarding serious issues concerning workers being paid salaries in a timely manner; and a long list of debts that were reported to be owed by the City Council to such agencies such as the GRA, NIS, GPL, and GWI etcetera.

Of course, these debts have been accumulating, due to the non-payment of rates and taxes by numerous domestic property owners, many of whom would have converted their private homes into businesses, but still continue to pay the old domestic rate, if at all; and the billions from the business community, who continue to ignore their civic obligations, many at the behest of political influences.

Hypocritically, many of this very category expect up to date services from the City, in the form of proper sanitation, and garbage removal; to which they are daily contributors, often in a discriminatory manner – but not taking into account that there is a price tag for such services. And this is said without fear or favour, or prejudice based on the disregarding of the numerous pleas, and invitations from City Hall for these business and commerce owners to engage for the revision of payment schedules, or even amnesty, in which the principal is only paid.

The fact that municipal staff are no longer complaining about late salaries, for example, points to a Mayor who has been managing whatever finances are being received, given its limited remission to the City’s treasury and the many services that have to be fulfilled. Yet, he must understand that his biggest challenge still remains having to manage a city with scarce finances, because of chronic defaulters, and effecting measures for compliance with the huge debt owed.

For though one must agree that the city has been much improved in terms of its cleanliness and aesthetics, there is still a problem with its regular maintenance, such as cleaning drains and canals; and controlling the quick growth of vegetation on reserves.
The continuous challenge of what to do with the sad state of the nation’s largest cemetery, exemplifies the challenge of daily maintenance; and testifies that it will take a permanent cemetery staff and finances to daily maintain the place of the dead, as what obtained decades ago. No when-it- is-necessary strategy for maintenance of Le Repentir must suffice for the resting place of the departed, as has been of practice for quite a while. The cemetery must have its own staff, with all the supporting services.

But such a challenge calls for finances, which the City Council can only provide from Citizens respecting their obligations. In this regard, Mayor Narine must know, as one is certain he does, that no amount of Memoranda of Understanding with the Private Sector will suffice for any proposition of working together, unless there is an understanding on the part of that organization that the huge debts, especially owed by private businesses and commerce must be promptly paid, so that City Hall can proceed with proper and improved services to the City and citizens of Georgetown. This should be the major priority for the Mayor, in 2020. Congratulations Mr. Mayor!

Regards,
Carla Mendonca