New Amsterdam Town Council offers poor public relations

Nov 21, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
From time to time I have been reading and hearing in the print and electronic media about the callousness of public official. I want to highlight the vindictiveness, unprofessional and unethical behaviour and attitude of officers attached to the New Amsterdam Town Council.
Early in July, I submitted my house plan to the building inspector Miss Frank of the New Amsterdam Town Council for approval.
Some time after the Mayor’s secretary, Miss Camille Reid, called and informed me that my plan was approved and so I must visit the New Amsterdam Town Hall and pay my rates and taxes. On July 27, 2012, I went with the intention of fulfilling my obligation. I was told that I will have to pay $7,550 as outstanding rates and taxes since the scheme was handed over to the municipality in 2011.
She told me to purchase a building inspection form which costs $2,200. I filled the form and was told that I will have to pay an additional $22,000 as building inspection and processing fees. I told Miss Reid that I did not have that amount but I will return to pay later. She agreed.
On September 20, 2012 I returned to the town hall to pay the required sum. As soon as Miss Reid saw me she began to shout and threaten me telling me that I took too long to pay hence I will have to pay a contravention of $15,000.00. Anyhow, I paid the amount of $37,000.( see receipt attached)
I was so shocked and humiliated by this lady’s behaviour towards me that I visited the Deputy Mayor to air my concern.
He assured me that I have to be refunded $15,000.00 since it was done arbitrarily and that nothing in the bylaws or rules or regulation stipulates that I have to pay ‘contravention’ and that Miss Reid ‘s action , behaviour and attitude were totally unacceptable, unethical and illogical since many citizens are not even attempting to do what I was doing.
I wish to mention that I witnessed a building inspector from the New Amsterdam Town Council publicly abusing and threatening a resident in the most humiliating manner just because he was casting part of his yard. Is that the culture of the officers attached to the New Amsterdam Town Council?
I thought that the first instance was an isolated case but the second tells me that the human relation facet of the officers of the New Amsterdam town council leaves much to be desired.
How can they solicit the trust and confidence of the citizens especially the residents of Glasgow Housing Scheme which recently came under their jurisdiction?
People are afraid to interface with these misfits.
If these officers are not sent packing or their attitude and behaviour are not changed New Amsterdam Town Council will always cry out for lack of funds and the once beautiful town will continue to retrogress.
Augustus Outar,
Vice Chairman
Glasgow Housing Scheme Development Association

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