The debate by city councillors on the composition of the delegation that visited Cuba late last month brought to the fore the varying degrees of mistrust which exists within the three political parties represented on the council.

At Monday's statutory meeting this was in evidence when Good and Green Guyana (GGG) councillor Gwen McGowan queried from Mayor Hamilton Green how the members of the City Council team were selected. "Every member of this council should be given an equality opportunity to go on such trips," she said, adding that the few councillors who remain throughout meetings do not get such chances.

Her sister GGG member councillor Pat Chase-Green complained that she was not invited to Mayor Green's press conference during which he reported on the visit. She was also concerned over not receiving a copy of the 'chief citizen's' report which is usually circulated to councillors after such trips abroad on council's business.

"What were the criteria used for selection", she asked, describing the lack of communication as a discourtesy.

A contrite Mayor Green apologised noting that he had asked the Town Clerk to circulate his report before the meeting with the media.

As councillor Chase-Green held on tenaciously by telling the Mayor that he has been working too long on assumptions the 'chief citizen' could take it no longer and called on his party member to "shut up" and take her seat. She refused and objected to her leader's tone of voice.

Councillor Chase-Green wanted to know why the secretary of the council's international committee, Mr. Wayne Orderson was included on the delegation. "There are other officers who should have gone," she said citing the council's Public Relations Officer.

Former People's National Congress/R Mayor Ranwell Jordan expressed consternation over Mr Orderson's inclusion. He was not in favour of his selection although he is vice-chairman of the international relations committee of which the Mayor is chairman.

Councillor Jordan said as far as he knew the only officer designated to be part of the team was the Town Clerk, Mrs Beulah Williams who had declined, citing pressure of work. GGG councillor CML John, referred to a 'round robin' document which was taken around to councillors by Mr Orderson for their signatures, approving the visit, but he insisted that as far as he knew the officer to be part of the delegation was to be the Town Clerk.

The intervention by deputy mayor and chairman of the Finance Committee councillor Robert Williams, set the cat among the pigeons, with the disclosure that it was a suggestion from the leader of the PNC/R group, councillor Oscar Clarke that the team to Cuba should comprise politicians, one councillor each from the three political parties represented on the council.

Round robin dropped

With this suggestion the round robin was no longer needed and the next stage was the selection of the politicians, who turned out to be councillors Patricia Woolford, of the PNC/R, PPP/C councillor Fitzgerald Agard and leader of the GGG and Mayor, Hamilton Green.

These disclosures by the deputy mayor sparked another round of acrimonious debate around the horseshoe table. GGG councillor Harold Kissoon expressing disagreement with the selection of councillor Woolford said she is among those councillors who consistently leave statutory meetings before the agenda is finished. In her absence no one came to her defence.

Councillor Agard, after explaining that he was not selected by the mayor said when he saw the round robin before it was withdrawn he was unaware of Mr Orderson's inclusion, pointing out that he had sought permission from the leadership of his party to be on the delegation. But the leader of the PPP/C on the council was stopped in his tracks by another councillor from his party Rocky Mann, who bluntly told him "you are not my leader". The 'chair' was forced to call for order.

Unsatisfactory work

Both Mayor Green and his deputy, councillor Williams are unhappy with the way in which the contractors are going about the rehabilitation of the Stabroek Market. "It is of poor quality", said the 'Chief Citizen'. "Many things are being done at the market and the council must get answers."

The Deputy Mayor said sensitive decisions are being taken by the contractors which are not known by the council, referring to a conflict with the stall holders in the market over the installation of meters.

The stall holders want to have individual meters installed but the city engineer told the statutory meeting that in the past some persons were caught stealing electricity. The grouping of meters will not give them easy access, the city engineer concluded.

Etcetera

The vendors are out

The City Constabulary seems to be holding the line on Regent Street with constant patrols, but what about those cross streets which lead to Regent Street in the heart of the business area? Some attention is also needed on Robb street. A beefed up constabulary ought to be able to keep the itinerant pavement and street sellers in check during the Christmas season.