Baldeo should be judged on positives and negatives

Oct 31, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
This is in reference to “Prominent Guyana-born Queens District Leader on federal corruption charges” (KN Oct 25). Baldeo is a man of enormous talent and political potential and it is most unfortunate that this political matter has brought him down. He had come across to me as brilliant but at times I felt he exercised poor judgments especially on this one for which he was indicted and arrested.
It is hoped that he will not be judged by the apparent indiscretions and mistakes he made according to the allegations in the indictment and that people will also look at the positive contributions he has made to society.
Baldeo has done some good things from which the community benefited. However, in seeking elective office, Baldeo has made several enemies (especially political opponents) who may have turned him in on allegations of violating campaign finance rules. The court will decide on Baldeo’s guilt or innocence.
I heard a lot about Baldeo’s negatives and perhaps he has not exercised wise temperament in some of his actions. But few have come forward to cheer the man for his positive contributions to the Guyanese and Caribbean communities.
I feel the public should not judge Baldeo or anyone else for that matter exclusively on negativities. We must also look at their positive contributions to society before rendering judgment.
I first met Baldeo some twenty years ago as a young lawyer in New York after spending some time in Florida where he also may have practised law. I was told he had become one of the youngest lawyers and a magistrate (at age 24) in Guyana before leaving for the U.S.
Like all of us immigrants to a new environment, he had struggled to establish himself and became a success story in the legal field. In the process, Baldeo may have rubbed shoulders wrongly with several community persons, former friends and even with some clients. But he became deeply embedded in community issues.
Also, he sought elective politics unsuccessfully running for City Council and N.Y State Senate and then winning a District Leader’s position for the Richmond Hill area. I admire his commitment and dedication in attempts to uplift the community of Richmond Hill.
Baldeo deserves a lot of credit for his community work especially over the last decade.
He has been one of a few who consistently lobbied for resources and defended the greater Richmond Hill community, when it was under assault, when others failed to step up to the crease to bat for the community.
I organized several events and Baldeo was there to make his input. In addition, I attended dozens of community events organized by others and Baldeo was there. Most recently he was at the candlelight vigil for the four teenagers who died in the Long Island crash a weekend ago.
He contributed financially to organize events and also gave his views on matters of critical importance to the community. At the last redistricting public forum with city commission in mid October, Baldeo led the community making a strong case for a seat for Richmond Hill.
I understand he spent his personal money, with contributions from others as well, to print placards and to hire a bus to transport advocates to the hearing site in Astoria.
In addition, last May, Baldeo joined myself, Vishnu Mahadeo, Ashok Ramsaran and others to pay the costs for a bus, tee-shirts, snacks, placards to make a case at Queens Borough Office for a state Assembly seat for Richmond Hill.
As an aside, very few know Baldeo is an avid cricketer, an outstandging batsman. Also, he used to pen a cricket column many years ago focusing on outstanding Guyanese cricketers.
Vishnu Bisram

Latest News

Baldeo should be judged on positives and negatives

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

KARCC hails 2025 Guyana-Suriname Group Ride a massive success

Cricket West Indies Launches Bold New Scouting...

Berbice Educational High CSEC Physical Education...

GSL 2025 to take place in July

Ken Harvey dominates GBA’s Pepsi/Michael...

Goal is Money survive scare on Opening Night of...

Features/Columnists

The burden of proof rests on the asserting party

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Straight talk

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Baldeo should be judged on positives and negatives

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]