‘I don’t want anybody’s position’ – says Linden’s Sandra Adams

Jul 24, 2014 News

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I don’t want position or power or fame. All I want is to see my people and my Region develop!

“The misconception out there is that I’m here to take away people’s position. I cannot take over from Vanessa or Sharma; I was not on the list. For Vanessa’s position, she had to be on a geographic list,” newly appointed APNU Regional Coordinator, Sandra Adams, declared.
Adams added that after serving the PNCR for 29 years, and even with her wealth of experience she is not ‘fighting for position’.
She expressed her disappointment and astonishment at the reaction of some of her party colleagues over her recent appointment.
“At the moment, stuff that is happening within the PNC/R is very disappointing, especially in Region Ten. I have served the party, from the age of 15 up to the time that I had to leave the country for medical attention in 2007.
“Now (that)I return to have people come out and protest, people who did not even know about me in the party- did not even know about the operations of the party, and what I would have done for the people of this Region, is disheartening and surprising.”
Adams said that she returned to the country in February after being given a clean bill of health by her doctor, and upon the insistence of her two sons, who wanted her back home.
“But with the passion that I have for this Region and its people I couldn’t sit, so I decided to consult with the Party representatives in the region and get involved.
My first discussion was with Mr Sharma Solomon. It was to be a meeting between myself, him and Miss Kissoon, but she did not turn up.
During the discussion, I offered my help and support and experience for this Region, but he told me that he was getting support and advice from other ‘places’.
Adams said that she later met with senior executives of the party, including David Grainger the leader, and others who knowing of her experience, spoke with people at all levels, including the North American Region arm of the party.
They all recommended her for the position of Coordinator for the Region, which is a constitutional appointment via the CEC.
“I was basically just coming to coordinate party activities, which would have led up to a Regional Conference. Since I came out of Parliament in 2006 there has not been a Regional Party structure.
“When I was in Parliament between 2004-2006 we had an interim, and we were preparing to go to another one, but for various reasons- elections and so on— that did not happen. So knowing of my experience, they said that that was my specific mandate, and advised that I work towards group reorganization, and rebuilding the party, including sub region 2.
“I was mandated to rebuild the entire structure, leading up to Congress, and then continuing to a Regional Conference.”
She added that the Regional Party Chairman, Vice chairman, Regional Secretary, Central Executive representative, and persons for other offices would have been elected there.
“At that point it does not matter who wins the party Chairmanship of the Region. If Mr Solomon wants to run, he is free to, once he’s nominated by a group- If I want to run, I’m free to, but my thing is not position- the misconception that is out there, is that I’m here to take away their position.
“I cannot take over from Vanessa or Sharma, as I was not on the list. For Vanessa’s position, she had to be on a geographic list, which only carries four names, and those names are Vanessa Kissoon, Renis Morian, Sharma Solomon and Stanley Collins.”
Adams said that on the regional list there are 28 names, and that her name was also not on that list. “So while persons are going around saying, oh the party put she fo tek away we position, it can’t happen, by no means, and the people around them should know”.
Additionally they are not elected Party officials of this Region; they’re appointed to positions, so just like how they’re saying that the CEC appointed me, they were appointed too. So my thing is what is the issue? We are all appointees!”
“Ridiculous,” Adams said, commenting on the issue currently ‘brewing’ with Vanessa Kissoon, where the perception is that the party brought Adams back.
Party Office Keys
“If I’m appointed Coordinator, it is obvious that I would have to use the party office, for my operations. So after the Central Executive endorsed my appointment, the General Secretary was instructed, to come to Linden and hand over the office”.
She said that the regional executive members were part of the meeting discussing her appointment, and later at a meeting called at the party office in Linden, with the General Secretary and Mr John Ace from Congress Place.
The General Secretary, Oscar Clarke, told those present, that he was tasked with collecting the keys for the Party Office, but as soon as the word” key” was mentioned chaos erupted. It started in the office and spread to party members that were outside waiting, Adams said.
“The behaviour was ridiculous and uncalled for, with members hurling abuse at both myself and the General Secretary.”
Adams said that she subsequently left, and the General Secretary waited in vain for three hours, to collect the keys.
He was then told by Ms. Kissoon that he would be given the keys at Deborah Backer’s funeral, but that did not happen, she said.
Later on June 20, when Ms Kissoon was asked for the keys, by the General Secretary, an altercation ensued, according to Adams.
‘All the staff of Congress Place later wrote statements about what transpired. This later prompted Leader of the Opposition David Granger to call a meeting, with some of the executives. A decision was then made to put Ms Kissoon on suspension, pending an investigation”.
A disciplinary committee was also set up, she said.
“I came back and said to the party, I want to contribute, but I don’t want position. And even if I did, it would not be possible, because my name is not on any list or anything- so what is the fight about?” (Enid Joaquin)

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