Linden Town Week gets underway

Apr 25, 2017 News

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Linden Town Week was declared open, Sunday, by star athletes and Linden students, Compton Caesar and Shantoba Bright, to thunderous applause from a hometown crowd that was still hyped from their historic CARIFTA feat.

It was an opening with a difference. There were speeches laced with congratulatory messages to both athletes and coaches.
The consensus by many was that Linden on its 47th anniversary had something to really celebrate.
But before Ceasar and Bright officially declared the event open, the huge crowd that had turned out at the Linden-Georgetown bus park was well entertained with music, dance and poetry.
Adding to the evening’s repertoire of entertainment was the melodic sounds of the Guyana Police Force band, whose presence at the event was reportedly a first, in the 21 years since Town Day/ Week was introduced to Linden. The Sasca Heralders of the Seventh Day Adventist church also serenaded the audience with their angelic voices.
However it was not only about entertainment, as congratulatory and messages of serious import were delivered by Attorney General, Basil Williams, Region Ten officials, the Mayor of Linden and Mayors of Georgetown, Bartica and Corrivertown.
Attorney General Basil Williams in his brief remarks declared, “The last time I stood at this podium, was just before the elections, and I had more or less prophesized that when we won the elections the first thing we had to do for Linden was to restore the toll station.
“Do you remember that now? Is the toll station restored Linden? Remember how we lamented that we were down by the rivers of Babylon where we sat down and where those people tried to poison you? But you’re a resilient people and in no time you have resurged and I was telling the regional chairman. We come from a fine tradition- we have great culture, we’re academics the professionalism in sport… You are a great people-I’ve always loved this town of Linden.
“Linden, great things are in store for you, and it is a privilege for me to bring you greetings on behalf of his Excellency President Brigadier, David Arthur Granger, and the Government and the people of Guyana.
I must also extend heartfelt congratulations to the organizers—the Vybz group and also the past organizers for developing this vision and seeing it to fruition.
Williams exhorted the crowd to give themselves a round of applause as the Town was celebrating 47 years.
He also congratulated Lindeners on the hosting of the Town Week for 21 years. “This demonstrates the commitment of the people of Linden to the development of your Town and also your region.
“You understand the role of community and the spirit of development. This year’s Town week theme, “Reflect, Refocus and move forward with Unity and strength for our community development,” is a profound one!”
Williams said that the theme embodies the aspirations of a town committed to development by being willing to evolve to the changing times and speaks to people’s willingness to persevere against all odds, noting that the town is one that has seen “struggle, but yet you rise.”
Linden has much to celebrate, including rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructural works which were completed in 2016, he said.
He said that despite the progress made Government remains committed to work to ensure that the policy instituted development plan for Linden as outlined in the 2015 manifesto becomes a reality.
“Our vision remains that Linden must become the second administrative centre of Guyana, and the gateway to the south. We are fully committed to this town becoming an economic and tourism hub. Top of our agenda is a road from Linden to Lethem and this road is already in motion.”
Pastor Selywn Sills who delivered a feature address, explained the Town Weeks theme, which he said was a very strong one that was loaded, and that each word in the theme could provide an entire presentation. He, however, chose to look at only three things.
Wills noted that the ability to reflect is powerful because it not only affords the opportunity to look back but also to look in- introspect.
He encouraged residents that as they reflect that they should look at what they have and what we possess as a proud people.
“We Linden people are a people of a strong inner drive, and we are second to none- and I say this humbly.
“I have lived in Linden all my life and I’ve seen how our people have a inner drive like no other.
He alluded to the broad “skill base” that is diverse and unique with residents knowing to do almost any and everything.
Sills spoke of the resilience of the people, with the ability to bounce back and rally around each other.
“While reflection is good we cannot stay here, what we need to do is refocus!’
He exhorted, “I believe that we really need to look again at what we should be doing
We need to move forward, we have been looking around too long. We are a very powerful people and God sees us as a Special people, Linden is a special place.”
He told a story of a lion who grew up amongst its own and another who grew among sheep and acted like a sheep until he was forced to defend himself and stood up against the other lion. Sills exhorted Lindeners to be the Lion, and to stop playing around the sheep!

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