Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 06, 2014 Letters
Dear Editor,
I write on behalf of the citizens of Plaisance, who have become disheartened after reading the press release sent out by Minister Whittaker on Saturday 4th October, 2014 in relation the conditions of employment and selection of the overseer in the Plaisance/ Industry NDC.
Mr. Wittaker met with Plaisance residents, having some gullible villagers believing that his visit was to resolve the issues that plague the hurting residents. Instead, it seem as though the Minister had come with directives; or, simply put, came with his mind made up on whom he wanted as overseer, much to the disappointment of all present, hence causing folks to let Mr. Wittaker know that the villagers will not accept the person he had appointed, who, according to sources, was unsuitable and not experienced for such a position.
Plaisance remains resolute and awaits the appointment of Ms. Debra Mc Dowell as Overseer for the Plaisance/ Industry District Council.
I would like to show the double standards the Minister administrates with. If my memory serves me right, in 2012 – 2013, while dealing with the town clerk issue, Minister Wittaker was quoted as saying “certification is not the only criteria that is used when selecting an officer and that years of service was very vital also”.
This was in defence of his colleague and friend Carol Suba; yet in the case of Ms. Debra Mc Dowell, who served with distinction over fifteen years in various capacities in the council, Minister Whittaker propagates that certification matters most. The records also show that Ms. Mc Dowell has been developing herself academically over the years and holds a Diploma among other certificates.
Those who understand Management especially in Human Resources can probably volunteer a session or two to the learned Minister. I have now lost whatever confidence and respect I had for Minister Whittaker whom, I once described as the goodly Minister. It would be remiss of me if I do not mention that Ms. Mc Dowell has been serving in various capacities in the NDC and has always been an exceptionally good employee, causing the revenue of the Plaisance/Industry to ‘skyrocket’ under her watch and also having an increase in the payment of rates and taxes in her district. In all her years of service, at no time has her competence and professionalism been questioned; so why all the troubles now?
These are the reasons why she should be confirmed as Overseer of the Plaisance/ Industry District Council, rather than bring someone who has no knowledge of Local Government and the intricacies of the job.
Minister Whittaker would be more useful and show that he is a politician who is upright and serves the people if he used his energies in persuading the President and Cabinet to hold Local Government Elections. Again I say, Plasiaince remains resolute and awaits the appointment of Ms. Debra Mc Dowell as Overseer for the Plaisance/ Industry District Council.
Finally, the Minister came to Plaisance Friday afternoon and established that the two persons who turned up to the final interview were the questionable Orlando fellow and a young lady, Ms. Shevonne Wickham. I found two things inexcusable, apart from the Minister claiming lack of knowledge of Orlando’s character.
More appalling was that the Minister was not aware that Ms. Wickham is from Vryheid Lust, which is right next to Plaisance and what was embarrassing for the Minister is he claimed Ms. Wickham was not as certified as Orlando, nor was she certified for the job. I then introduced Ms. Wickham, who the Minister wasn’t aware was seated in the meeting, and asked her Degree International Relations from the University of Guyana.
The Minister was seemingly misled by his subordinates or were simply practicing the now prevalent ‘square peg in round hole theory,’ which is synonymous with the PPP administration. The Minister tried a ‘ball’ that I easily read and dispatched to the stand for six when he pontificated by saying Ms. Wickham may have a Degree but it was not relevant for the job she was applying for, so I then asked the Minister if his certification was relevant to his post as Minister of Local Government.
Before I end, I must say that Ms. Shevonne Wickham is by far more certified than that Orlando fellow, but they both have no experience at the NDC or Local Government levels. Finally, I say, Plaisance remains resolute and awaits the appointment of Ms. Debra Mc Dowell as Overseer for the Plaisance/ Industry District Council. I rest my case.
Shawn Austin
Concerned Plaisance resident
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