Presidential park or presidential monument?

Mar 25, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
The media report that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council plans to create a Presidential Park on the Merriman’s Mall is a beautiful concept, given that it is reported the intent is based on the Unity theme. There is concern however, and it is hoped this is taken in the light it is intended to be, i.e. constructive criticism.
Guyana is 50 years old as an independent nation. In this period there has been nine presidents- Arthur Chung, Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddie Jagan, Sam Hinds, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Romatar, and David Granger. The diversity in the pool is seen upfront in race, gender and political affiliation. Digging deeper other diversity can be seen in academic record, age, accomplishment, family status, etc. More importantly to a nation still evolving and having to work through race, gender and political divisions, the former identifiers are considered higher on the totem pole.
Imagine changing the president every 5 years, 20 to 50 years down the line with a bust being placed in recognition of these persons, it can be envisaged what this area will look like. After a while the area, in addition to becoming cluttered, also opens itself to ridicule. It is more feasible and effective (cost and aesthetic) to look at creating a presidential monument which imposes symbols of race, gender and other. At a strategic place on this monument space should be dedicated to identify each president by name and period served.
To recognise the contributions of the presidents on the same Unity theme in a more constructive way, what can be considered of great premium to having our history accurately recorded and known through primary sources, is the establishment of a national presidential museum with designated areas dedicated to the work of the each president and upkept by the National Trust, or whoever is responsible for it.
There will be no weighing in on whether the decision had the input from the wider society and indepth ventilation by the council.
The Council also has to consider that even as it engages in this project whether it is honouring its liabilities to contractors and suppliers of goods and services. And it reasonable to deduce the council’s creditors may be concerned about the placement of priorities as they are denied their money to manage and develop their businesses and pay their employees. No one will fault the council for engaging in acts of beautification and environmental health, but the council has to be mindful that it is not perceived to be engaging in projects that are not well thought out, inclusive of being cost effective.
Merriman’s Mall is named in honour of a mayor of Georgetown. It may also be prudent to have some symbol on this mall in recognition of Mayor Claude Merriman, inclusive of the period served and some distinguished achievement of his tenure.
Minette Bacchus

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Presidential park or presidential monument?

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