Latest update April 14th, 2026 12:38 AM
Royston King is wearing the King’s new clothes
Dear Editor,
Re: M&CC Should Cease Hoodwinking the Public Forthwith!
In the words of my late mother, who was devoid of a secondary education, but nevertheless ensured all of her children, subsequently benefitted. “Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other, are all the same” Editor, within this context, I find it extremely amusing that the Council’s Town Clerk, along with probably the world’s longest serving Mayor, have at last found their voices. As such, two crucial areas of public concern under the auspices of the M&CC are as follows:
i) ”City Hall suspends vending along section of Merriman Mall” (SN:05-01-06).
ii) ”Town Clerk Royston King had expressed concern about the deposit of sludge in these canals” (K.N. 06-01-16) Caption: “Sludge buildup in canals to be addressed in short order – GWl boss”
For public edification how long has Mr. King been employed by the M&CC? This I ask in relation to the aforementioned, since what is regrettably absent, is extensive research. Wherein vending on the Merriman Mall has been ongoing for decades now, likewise the deposit of sludge in the canals. By the way wasn’t revenue generated from vending on the Merriman Mall? As a consequence, was there ever a situation where a substantial amount of money was ever set aside for sanitation? Was it compatible to income against expenditure?
Meanwhile to designate the Merriman Mall, as a recreation facility, between Cummings Street to Orange Walk, is nonsensical. Suffice it to say the rectangular area, inclusive of the skating rink, cannot accommodate a full size basketball or volleyball court, much less the basic amenities to facilitate seated spectators, scorer and referee. Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to rehabilitate the existing run-down infrastructures of the Burnham Courts (basketball and volleyball); Parade and St. Stephen’s Grounds, along with those that fall directly under the auspices of the M&C.C? With the non-collection of revenue from vending, where would additional monies emanate from, for maintenance? In relation to the buildup of sludge, it’s the result of filters being washed on a nightly basis, the perceived waste from the process is then discharged into the city’s drainage system. When I was an employee, way back in the 70’s sludge was deposited into the drainage system, from the washing of filters and the periodical “desludging of the sedimentation tanks”. This had to be known to the M & C.C, which at the time was responsible for the collection of water rates, from the GS&WC. Consequently, it’s extremely good to hear that “a recycling process will be done shortly, to reuse the waste water”. Hats off to the recently appointed G.W.I, C.E.O Dr. Richard Van West Charles for this timely innovation! Why the sludge was never diverted away from the sewage system for drainage, over the decades that could have been facilitated is anyone’s guess?
Maybe, the King with his “new found clothes” can provide the answer if he cares to. By the way does the M&CC have the technical expertise to deal with the specifics of erecting a basketball and volleyball court on the Merriam Mall? Since the erection of two basketball backboards, markings with proper paint is necessary; along with the requirements for volleyball. Would two changing rooms, in addition to a sanitary block be constructed? The sun about to set and in the process brings the curtains down on His Worship, Mayor, Hamilton Green, in March, when local Government Elections is convened. At least the restoration of Parade Ground, benefitting the school children from St. John’s College, Christ Church, Bishops, St. George’s, St. Agnes and Private Schools in close proximity should be a “front burner issue”, moreover, with the reintroduction of physical education, within the school’s curriculum. For over two decades, it was left in a poor state; compliments of the M&CC. For a few years “heavy duty equipment for the Miners Week of Activities” was displayed there. And the Council use to garner revenue. It is time for a “moral and a spiritual revival!” Charity begins at home!
Lester Sealey.
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.