Dear Editor
THIS communication is informed by the publication in the national news media of two letters pertaining to the Parking Meter issue – one by Raquel Thomas-Caesar on the 24th January, 2017 and a response by Mark Benschop (team Benschop) on the 26th January, 2017.
In particular, I wish to focus on Thomas-Caesar’s statements that only Councillor Sherod Duncan has voiced his objections to the Parking Meter Project in contrast to the passive acceptance by the other Councillors.Mr Editor, a cursory perusal of the Council meetings and minutes of both August 31, 2016 and September 13, 2016 will capture the pro-active participation and myriad interventions of Councillor Alfred Mentore. (The minutes of these meetings are available to the public and for public consumption and further, these discussions were not held in-camera). Therefore, to contend that all Councillors allowed the project to proceed unchallenged is far from the facts.
Ms Thomas-Caesar further questioned the motive of Councillors as to their commitment, loyalty and duty of care to their respective constituents. Suffice it to say, this is not the case. For my part, Mr Editor, permit me to chronicle some of the interactions of Councillor Mentore with reference to his pivotal involvement and responsibility for intervening as a Councillor in the Container Fee issue between Crown Mining and the City Administration of Council. This intervention role by me caused a lot of friction at the then time, but benefited the Council thereafter with us moving from a collection rate of $500,000.00/monthly to a quantum increase of $12,000,000.00 – $15,000,000.00/monthly.
Coupled with this singular turn of events, Councillor Mentore also spoke extensively and provided inputs on the following matter inter-alia:- Booting fee, storage fee, towing fees, parking fees/tariff – Councillor Mentore advocated the reduction of these fees and the need for legislation and the necessary by-laws governing the introduction and implementation of these new laws.
Duration of Smart City Solution’s contract with the view that the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) “owns” the Venture on the expiration of the agreed contract term of 20 (Twenty) years;
· The removal of any exclusivity granted to Smart City Solutions vis-à-vis garage parking spaces — whereas the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) is the only authority for approving such garage parking with no consent needed from Smart City Solutions;
· And many other conditionalities and ramifications of breach of contract.
Mr Editor, having regard to the constraints of the foregoing, it is rather unfortunate that Ms Thomas –Caesar, someone for whom I hold the greatest of respect and a friend within my constituency, did not first give me an opportunity to clear up any uncertainty, but rather paint the entire council’s membership with a broad brush . This is while not recognising nor acknowledging the sterling contributions of Councillors Alfred Mentore, Ron Persaud Noelle Chowchee and others .
Regards
Councillor Alfred Mentore
Constituency – 4
City of Georgetown