This development reeks of the intimidatory and a desperate grasping at straws

Feb 28, 2019 Features / Columnists, Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I refer to the article titled, “City extends contracts with small garbage contractors” (SN February 26th). The following thoughts and comments are shared.
Fair is fair, and what is right is right. Also, there is that little something called sanctity of contracts. And now what is happening to the owners and operators of garbage hauling services, Cevons and Puran Brothers, comes over wrong, and is wrong by any definition and standard.
What could now be found defective in these contracts of some duration? If they were not deemed to be improper or egregious over the years, how come they are now?
I think this development of escalating to the Attorney General’s office for some sort of pronouncement, if not guidance, reeks of the intimidatory and a desperate grasping at straws in the hope of being told what is desired to be heard.
This is wrong in thinking; wrong in principle; and wrong in approach. It would be interesting to see how this escalation to the AG’s office turns out. If the determination is that there is a problem, then what? Hauling before the courts, as hinted (if not threatened)? Rescind unilaterally or otherwise evade financial obligations, as has been the norm for City Hall?
This is not a good way to do business; not a sterling example of governance seeking new heights. And even as I say so, I commend the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for their principled stands.
From all appearances, this hinges on the terms and conditions agreed to in prior arm’s length, good faith negotiations. More succinctly, the money matters.
I should like to believe that Central government, which was called upon previously to bail out to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, perhaps a hundred plus, would have done some level of analysis of the underlying contracts; and that it satisfied itself as to the merits and what was rightly due to the contractors.
So, it ponied up on behalf of a beleaguered City Hall and an overwhelmed citizenry. And yet, here is the unfolding equivalence of isolating the messenger and then stripping same in a desperate search for the goods, any goods that serves an unconstructive purpose. Now the AG’s office and possibly the courts are being recruited to give gloss to the palpably heavy-handed and low-minded.
Again, this is conducting the business of the strapped and trapped taxpayers in bad faith. It exhibits a patently Rusal pedigree. These tactics and whatever is the underpinning long-term strategy should be reconsidered early.
It is fine to appeal through renegotiation for reconsideration. This has to be done; is the required first step. There has to be a stop to doing business in the old ways. The better way, the recommended way, the way that always works is to: sit down, parley, get down to the nitty-gritty (fight hard but fair) and walk away with something that presents both sides with opportunity and basis for going forward together.
Do not try to bully the people; do not kick them in the teeth for own failures, incompetence, and corruptions. Give everyone the circumstances to give up something to get something. Stop the back door and scabs of small contractors (hope not friends and the old non-electronic linked-in crony network).
There must be a new era of ethical, and even classy, operations and a new spirit dedicated to the right way through new standards and unimpeachable values. Can we have it? I do hope that this is not alien and unacceptable to the mindsets still firmly ensconced at City Hall.
If not, then it is the same old ways with the old trash talk and the old dirty pileups outside and inside of an institution insistent on the unchanging and the unworkable.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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