Will the City Council ever be financially viable again?

Jul 14, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Over the past year or so I have been following the dilemma of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown as they battle with their financial woes, and I was wondering when they will come out of this situation, or what is required to make the council financially viable once again.
There has been a thorough investigation, and recommendations put forward by a committee headed by Keith Burrowes, and there is still the problem, coupled with the fact that persons within the Council seem to be doing what they want to do, and there seems to be no means of ensuring that the limited finance, which has to somehow pay a large staff, is utilized in the proper manner.
I base my argument on the following:
Recently, one Councillor was heard lamenting that telephone bills for some departments were very high and this included cell phone calls made, in addition to the fact that people were being asked to work overtime in some departments and these payments exceed their basic salary.
I can attest to this. There is a section in one of the departments where there are about four (4) staff members who sit and do little or no work during the day and to my understanding these people are qualified and have been working with the Council for a number of years.
Could not these four (4) persons’ skills be utilized on a daily basis, thereby easing the amount of overtime that is necessitated from time to time? I am sure that this would cut back on the amount that has to be expended in that regard.
Secondly, because of the financial situation of the Council, it is indeed reflecting on the environment of certain sections. Recently I visited the Personnel Department which is housed at the bottom flat of the Mayor’s Complex and was perturbed by the conditions which staff members have to work in on a daily basis. The area is poorly lit (only about two lights are working), very hot and because of old files and other documents, the atmosphere surely is not conducive to the workers and visitors. Surprisingly, the same area houses the office of the Occupational Health and Safety Officer.
How ironical it is that one who is concerned and deals with occupational hazards is part and parcel of such occupational disorder on the part of management of the Council and works in an area that is not environmentally friendly.
Thirdly, I know of a staff member who has encountered some problems pertaining to the job and an investigation is being carried out. To my surprise, that person has to report every day and sit in a particular department doing nothing until the investigation is completed. What a shame and a waste of resources to be sitting there aimlessly… moreso in an unfriendly environment.
I do believe if there is proper management of financial and human resources as well as equipment within the Council, there is likely that there can be a fiscal breakthrough and a more effective entity running the city. Finally, if there is not unity among the staff members, then the Council will never go forward. It’s time that all work together, and where there are square pegs in round holes they must be removed and placed in the right hole.
Garfield Boston

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Will the City Council ever be financially viable again?

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