Minister Bulkan seeks clarification from Regional Chairman

Feb 18, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The following is a letter sent to Mr. Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Chairman of Pomeroon/Supernam. I am request publication of said in your newspaper. The letter follows: I am puzzled by your public pronouncement, made via a post on your Facebook page at 22:01 hrs on 2017.02.05. As you are aware, your post states, “The decision to bully vendors along the Anna Regina roadside “to remove” is not one made by the Mayor and the “majority” of Councillors of Anna Regina Town Council.
No decision to remove vendors was made by the Council at its Statutory Meeting or at any other forum of the Council. We shall stand strong in support of the vendors and all working class people! Acts of dictatorship, like what is happening in Georgetown will not manifest itself here in our peaceful Region. There is no space for actors like Royston King here! . . .”
The Facebook post was quoted in a report in another newspaper. The newspaper report also stated the following: Ramdatt added that the People’s Progressive Party will stand strong in support with the vendors.
Mr. Ramdatt, the minutes of statutory meetings of the council indicate the contrary. The following are indicated by the minutes:
1) On the 7th of April, 2016, it was approved at a statutory meeting that no permanent structure be allowed on the Anna Regina Roadside.
2) On the 4th of August, 2016, the council decided at a statutory meeting that it was approved that all permanent structures be removed within seven days. Additionally, the minutes of the meeting of April 7 were adopted without alteration regarding the relevant matter.
3) On the 1st of September, 2016, the said approval was iterated. Again, the minutes of the meeting of August 4 were adopted without alteration of the decision.
I therefore require that you clarify:
1) On what basis or authority do you speak for the Anna Regina Town Council (ARTC)?
2) On what authority do you base your interference with the workings of the ARTC?
Mr. Ramdatt, be informed that you are a public officer who is expected to act within your mandate and authority, in the interest of citizens. Your position as Chairman is not a political office, but a public one. While you may, of course, speak in favour of the PPP as a private citizen; by virtue of your office, you represent the interests of all the citizens of the region.
Therefore, you may be reasonably expected to confine your pronouncements to areas within your ambit. Similarly, one may expect that your actions, utterances and decisions would be guided by the needs of the citizens whom you represent rather than partisan interests. Chairman, I am of the view that your actions in this matter are unprofessional. I am further of the view that you tread on a slippery slope in politicizing your office.I urge that you change course and act with professionalism and dignity within the limits of your authority. I await your clarification.
Ronald Bulkan
Minister of Communities

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