Dear Editor,
This is my response to an anonymous letter in the Kaieteur News on the 9th October, 2016 captioned ‘Waiting in vain for house lots in Lethem’ where the writer has made some serious allegations against myself and my office.
Editor, this writer obviously decided to put pen to paper without gathering the required facts. Please allow me to state what the truth is and set the record straight on this important subject. I have never, neither has the office of the Lethem Town Council received any invitation written or verbal in relation to land issues.
During the period the writer is referring to, which was around the 29th September,2016, I was in Georgetown attending to some important matters. On Friday I received a call from the Regional Executive Officer Carl Parker (who at the time was also in Georgetown). The REO asked me when would I be back in the Region to which I replied. He then said that upon his return he would arrange a meeting with stakeholders to discuss land for housing.
Editor, to date I have not received any correspondence or word to the effect nor am I aware of any meeting that has taken place. Now had this meeting been organised or communication received, the Council would have nominated a representative to attend in the absence of the Mayor.
During the Local Government Elections campaigning we told residents that we would be advocating for larger house lots and for residents from the age of 18 years old to be eligible for a house lot. This still stands as it was not a campaign gimmick but something I, as well as my fellow councillors feel strongly about.
Editor to date I have spent and will continue to use my own finances and vehicle to get the work of the council done until alternative measures have been put in place. The Lethem Town is a new town and our revenue base is small (same can be confirmed by our records). I am not like those fat cats who sit on their fat salaries while indulging in corruption, I am clean as a whistle and this writer will continue to write as long as I am standing up for what I believe which is honesty and principle. I urge them to provide evidence that I was invited to this meeting and I will bow.
I would advise the writer that the next time a situation like this arises, where they need any information they should make contact with the Town Council between the hours of 8:00-4:30 Monday – Friday, telephone 592-772-2028 to ascertain the facts instead of fabricating lies against this my office.
Further, I say let development continue
Yours faithfully,
Carlton Beckles
Mayor
