The Story within the Story…Five persons who impressed me last year

Jan 01, 2017 News

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By Leonard Gildarie
The year 2016 was a most challenging one by any accounts. From the local political situation, to the

US elections and Donald Trump, to crime and the economy, the populace was inundated and more than a little worse for wear from the discouraging news.
Locally, we were faced with local government elections after two decades without one. We had two budgets presented and passed in one year.
We saw decisions taken to seize the concessions of BaiShanLin, a Chinese company that was under pressure for its activities, and Barama Company Limited relinquishing its forest concessions of 1.6M hectares, after 25 years.
Everywhere you turned, you heard complaints of how things were, and it appeared that the current financial problems facing the globe were going to place us in the same situation as our neighbours who are facing hell because of bad spending and too much reliance on oil.
The local government elections would have brought hope – with new laws and powers – that things would have changed in the communities.
Alas, I must be living elsewhere, as it appears that our council members of the municipalities and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils have still not come to grips with their new dispensation.
I want them…badly…to find their way in the new year. The annual internal elections for mayors and chairpersons have made it clear, as evidenced from recent events, that nothing is permanent. Performance is everything. Use the time to make it count.

Gold has done well, but rice and sugar, and the impending closure of Wales Estate, have created worry. We cannot continue on the same path of throwing away our tax dollars, but the impact of our decisions and lives of the affected have to be taken into consideration. That is why the decision for all stakeholders to meet to discuss the Wales Estate issue yesterday must be lauded.
We must sit at the table and talk. This country is ours and being the optimist that I am, I am confident solutions can be found.
The new year holds many promises and challenges, judging from the realities that currently exist. We must confront these and determine the best way forward for our dear country.
During the past year, we witnessed some exception individuals who helped make the news more bearable, and with their inputs, leadership and very presence, spurred positive outcomes that have impacted the lives of many.
I could not allow the new year to dawn upon Guyana without making mention of them.
Of course, there will always be those who argue that other persons have done more. And I will agree. Many have remained in the shadows, working quietly, without expecting praises or thanks. They have done it out of love and duty. I tip my hat to those folks.
Of course, these are my choices.

FIVE PERSONS
I have, with great difficulty, selected five persons whom I thought have done what Guyana

should sit up and take notice of.
In no particular order- the late Diane McTurk; former Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan; Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Godfrey Statia; Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, and Best Cop, Prem Narine.
I bet that not many Guyanese would know Diane McTurk. A Guyanese who was born in Region Nine, she was one of the most written-up persons in the conservation world. Known as the ‘Otter Lady’ and as the Jane Goodall to the Giant river otters, she has been described as a real-life Dr. Dolittle.
Unfortunately, Diane, 84, passed away last month, and the tributes were many for the owner of Karanambu, a 100-square mile former cattle ranch, in North Rupununi. She was written up in several magazines and has been honoured locally by the tourism bodies.
She received recognition two years ago at the Wilderness Explorers’ 20th Anniversary event.
Diane also offered refuge to injured or orphaned wildlife. Sadly, the animal that appeared most often was one of the most endangered: the Giant Otter.
By necessity, Diane became a world expert on the care and rehabilitation of this species. She raised over 40 orphaned otter cubs, returning most of them to the wild for a chance at freedom. She had been an integral part and legend in the Rupununi area, quietly contributing to charitable causes.

Though considered white, McTurk insisted she was Guyanese through-and-through with her family playing an integral role in the abolition of slavery. Her exploits and the way she turned her home into a sanctuary for animals left the persons who knew her in awe.
She had a quiet funeral last month, but family and friends are planning a memorial this month to talk about her work and love.

RIDING A BICYCLE
By now, Guyana would know about Sherod Duncan. He came out of the University of Guyana and took the bull by the horns to become Deputy Mayor of the capital city…no simple task. Before that, he was seen wearing a tie and picking up garbage.
He has also singlehandedly, in some instances, stood up to the established City Hall culture, challenging them on the parking meter project and other issues.
Perhaps two of the photographs that captured the imagination were with him dressing up in a superhero body-hugging rubber suit, visiting downtown stores and urging them to keep the city clean, and of him riding to work on a bicycle.

He hails from South Ruimveldt, a ward that is flood-prone. While he has resigned as Deputy Mayor, Duncan has reportedly signaled his intentions to use his council seat to fight for a better Georgetown.
At times, he cuts a figure very much alone, fighting an uphill battle. He is a breath of fresh air at City Hall, which continues to generate frustration with its performance.

TALKING THE TALK
Being of the younger generation, and Adam Harris would grimace at this, I am not too familiar with Godfrey Statia. As a matter of fact, I never heard of him until it was announced that he was the new Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Now, one may argue that this job is all about implementation of the policies and measures laid down in law when it comes to the collection of taxes. Nothing special…that it is his job.
I recently attended a press conference with Statia and the manner he rattled off figures and a deep knowledge of what prevails around the country had me thinking.
As head of GRA, he is sitting in the hot seat. GRA is not immediately known as a church. Corruption had been deep-seated for a long time and it will be virtually impossible to eradicate it completely. However, steps are being taken. Statia is talking the talk and seems to have a firm handle on the tax situation. He will be unpopular for some, as the collection of taxes is never one that is liked by the populace. We are going through tough times.
But his message is what has me sitting up and taking notice…all will be treated fairly when it comes to taxes. I will wait and see, but I am impressed.

CRIME FIGHTING

One of the biggest topics that concerned all Guyanese, local and abroad this year, was the crime situation. A number of gangs have been dismantled and some ‘bad hombres’ have been taken off the streets. More pockets of little gangs will rise up. It is how things are.
Two cops made the news in a big way during the past year and while we are still stuck in the woods, we have done well.
Wendell Blanhum, as Crime Chief, seems to be doing something that no other one has been able to…solve a number of high profile acts that have shocked and angered citizens.
We can talk about the cold case of Babita Sarjou, whose mother cried for justice until the case was reopened after more than three years and now her daughter’s husband is facing murder charges for allegedly burying her in his backyard.
Who could forget the carpenter who was murdered up in Berbice recently, allegedly at the behest of a rich, overseas-based Guyanese philanthropist? The matter was reportedly covered up to make it look like a road accident. Investigations revealed a cover-up and a shocking tale of attempted bribery and cruelty, as a society stayed silent. That matter is now before the courts with several persons charged and an arrest warrant for the philanthropist.
Of course, the murders of the two rice farmers in East Bank Essequibo, who burnt to death in their home after a home invasion, was also solved.
There are a number of other cases. Blanhum is not afraid to talk to the media too.
He seems to be doing something right, and while crime continues to be deeply worrying, the dismantling of a gang that robbed an accountant at Tower Hotel and a number of other businesses, is heartening.
And what about my Inspector Prem Narine? He was the man who doggedly worked a number of high-profile cases that deeply worried Guyana. He refused a $4M bribe for the Berbice murder of the carpenter and played an integral role in solving the Black Bush Polder triple-murder; murder of the Good Hope rice farming couple and the 2012 hotel pool murder. There are more.
Narine’s promotion from Corporal to Inspector, jumping one rank recently and being named Best Cop for 2016, were all well-deserved. With accusations against police for rampant corruption, despite what is being mouthed by some, the story of the Best Cop and his work behind the scenes, is a shining light when all seems dark.
Yes, there are many more who have stayed in the shadows and are genuine role models.
My hats off to you, with no slight intended.
A Prosperous New Year, Guyana!

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