Clarifications of issues in Lethem

Oct 17, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor;
I respond to a letter in your newspaper dated 2016-09-22 captioned: Political Warning to President Granger. Firstly our investigation of this letter has found that there is no one by the name of Patricia Camildo living in Lethem Town or St. Ignatius Village, while we do have Camildos who are supporters of the APNU.
Secondly, to say there are no visits by APNU Ministers and Regional Officials of the party is misleading given that there were twenty eight Ministerial visits to the Region, along with local officials of the party.
As recent as Friday 15th – 17th September, 2016 there were visits to South Rupununi by Ministers and local officials.
Thirdly – St Ignatius is an Amerindian Village like any other Amerindian Village, while they didn’t invite us to their village celebrations other villages did, however one point to note is that under the same leadership of the village we were denied the use of the Benab to hold a public meeting while we were in opposition, instead we were given the sports ground at the 11th hour.
The now opposition was given said Benab recently to host its Regional Conference. Fourthly the APNU leadership of Region # 9 has been more that forth coming with its information to its membership and supporters.
I will not divulge more on this but we have evidence to prove same. We have come to the conclusion that this letter writer is a ghost writer setting out to create confusion and uncertainty in the Government.
In the letter of 9th October, 2016 captioned ‘Waiting in Vain for House Lots in Lethem,’ the writer has made some serious allegations against myself and office.
This writer ignored the facts.  I have never, neither has the office of the Lethem Town Council received any invitation written or verbal in relation to land issue.
During the period this writer is referring which was around the 29th September, 2016, I was in Georgetown attending to some important matters.
On Friday I received a call from the Regional Executive Officer Carl Parker (who at the time was also in Georgetown).
The REO asked me when I would be back in the Region to which I told him that I projected that I should be back by Saturday 11th September, 2016. He then said that upon his return he would arrange a meeting with stakeholders to discuss land for housing.
To date I have not received any correspondence or word to that effect, nor am I aware of any meeting that has taken place. Now had this meeting been organised or communication received the Council would have nominated a representative to attend in the absence of the Mayor.
During the Local Government Elections campaigning we told residents that we would be advocating for larger house lots and for resident from the age of 18 years old to be given a house lot.
This still stands as it was not a campaign gimmick but something I, as well as my fellow councillors feel strongly about.
I have spent and will continue to use my own finances and vehicle to get the work of the council done until alternative measures have been put in place. The Lethem Town is a new town and our revenue base is small (same can be confirmed by our records).
There is also letter in the Wednesday 28th September edition of your paper, captioned, “Complaints about Mayor of Lethem.
This writer is out on a mission with a pack of misinformation and in some cases blatant lies.
The park in contention was started by me while I was the chairman of IMC, after a request was made  by Mr. George Henry a Councillor who resides of Culvert City supported by some  signatures of no more than sixteen residents of Culvert City. Council started to clear the area after seeking assistance from Mr. Dalip to do same by donating the service of his equipment. The few sections of rides mentioned by the writer are rejects from the J.E Holiday Park that were supposed to be dumped.
However, Councilor George Henry asked for same and used his own finances to weld and paint these items which were installed in the Culvert City Park.
Council commenced upgrading of the Culvert City children’s park recently by the way of enclosing same, built four apartment sanitary facilities, built a Benab and excavated twelve inches of soil that was replaced with sand since the area is extremely rocky and not friendly for one’s feet.
Solar lighting is in the possession of the Council for this park; soon to be installed. Apparently, this writer does not live in Culvert City since I have visited this community three times within the last two weeks.
One of these visits was for the purpose of setting up a Community Development Council (C.D.C) that will assist with the management and development of their constituent.  Presently, Councillor Henry is seeking donations for equipment for this park.
As it relates to the J.E Holiday Park, work is being done in phases due to the availability of funding since there is a cost attached to everything. The development of these parks is in progress.
Every time there is a successful Ministerial visit to this Region and Town a letter comes out; first, after the Minister’s visit to South Rupununi and now after the visit of two Ministers – the Honourabe David Patterson and the Honourable Raphael Trotman – where a very successful public meeting was held. At this meeting, I outlined the developmental plan.
Carlton Beckles (J.P)
Mayor of Lethem

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