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Is there a plot to embarrass those who criticize the PPP/C Administration?

Oct 11, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Over the last few days, the Guyana Times, the Chronicle and other pro-PPP/C media have had screaming headlines about the acting Town Clerk’s move to sue the wife of Mayor Hamilton Green, Dr. Jennifer Basdeo- Green, for monies she allegedly owes the Mayor and City Council. Mr. Green has already explained the real story; he has stated the facts about this issue.
However, it appears as though the sensationalization of that story was and is part of a wider plot to begin a campaign to embarrass, not only the Mayor, but all those who are critical of the PPP/ C Administration. Others need to be aware of this subtle plot by the PPP/C to shame their critics.
Why else would the pro-PPP media rush to publish one part of the story without even attempting to show balance by seeking a comment from the Mayor. In any case, Guyana Chronicle ‘headline’ said: “Mayor’s wife heads list of delinquent tax payers”, yet in the list there was an individual who allegedly owed more than the amount allegedly owed by Dr. Basdeo. It is clear, it was a direct attack against the Mayor, by putting his wife’s name in the open and alleging that she owes the sum mentioned. Guyana Chronicle, in particular, seems to be providing space for the PPP propaganda and misinformation. It has never reported anything critical of the PPP Government. That newspaper, if it can be truly called a newspaper, does not publish replies to letters if those replies are not in favour of the PPP/ C and their stories lack objectively and balance. It is an organ of the PPP.
I am sure many other property owners, including members of the PPP/ C owe taxes, but their names will never be published or they will never be taken to court because they are above the law and are expected to help punish the city by not paying their rates.
So, the paying of property rates has been turned into a political sport or fun thing to shame those, who refuse to support the PPP/C.
It is clear, that the acting Town Clerk, Ms. Carol Sooba is being used by the PPP/C as a conduit to embarrass the Mayor and the City, as a whole, she is achieving that, but she is also embarrassing her masters — the PPP/C. It is backfiring and people are now laughing, at a very clumsy action of the Minister of Local Government to appoint such a person to the top post at the Council.
The PPP has never had control of Georgetown, so they believe that by beginning a campaign of shame and embarrassment of their critics, and by allowing the City to rot with garbage, they can convince people that, the Opposition is unable to manage the City. But Guyanese are not stupid; they are seeing through what the Government is trying to do. They know that the PPP/C wants the city to look bad then blame the Opposition for it. It will not work.
Instead of engaging in this type of petty politics, the President should be bold and show everyone that he is for democracy by assenting the four Local Government Bills, which would allow Local Government Elections and much needed reform.
What we are seeing is an interesting dance by the PPP/C. They know that they cannot go forward with the bills because they will not be able to do whatever they please with Local Government bodies. They will have to comply with the laws and respect the rights of those local government organizations.
I am sure that all Guyanese are optimistic and continue to hope for that change, in the circumstances of the Capital and their communities.
However, the President’s posturing against the four local government bills is no way to run a government. It is undermining the authority of the Central Government and putting undue strain on local government bodies and neighbourhoods. The health of residents are put at risk by non-functional municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, and there is a loud cry for change.
James McDonald

 

 

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