I am writing this letter in response to an article in the SN March 7, 2010 entitled ‘NDC defends sale of Nandy Park playground’ (read Republic Park instead of Nandy Park). This playground is the Lance Gibbs playground which GHDC planned and constructed for the Republic Park housing community.
I together with the Republic Park community vehemently oppose the illegal attempt at conversion of the Lance Gibbs community playfield into a private commercial entity. We are asking the Minister of Local Government Kellawan Lall to reverse this illegal process forthwith.
The community of Republic Park made several attempts to develop the playground, including ploughing up the entire playground. On each occasion, the Eccles /Ramsburg NDC refused to cooperate and allowed the project to revert to a dangerous state of bush where criminals and vandals have preyed on the citizens and their property.
I mobilized the community of Republic Park, hired a sports architect, who developed a plan to provide a modern playground for the community (plan is available). Because of an earlier request from President Bharrat Jagdeo to assist in mobilizing the youth of the area, I took the plan to President Jagdeo since he had promised to provide finance.
He subsequently agreed to provide half of the finance asking us to provide the other half. I related to the NDC these discussions which I had with President Jagdeo.
The Region 4 office also has possession of the plans. I had given them to Mr Clement Corlette who told me that he was in communication with the Chairman of the Eccles/Ramsburg NDC. Mr Clement Corlette had to deal with a complaint which I made about the behaviour of the Overseer (Mr Sugrim) and the Chairman (Mr Khan).
In general, the entire community is mismanaged – vacant lots, drains, roads, abandoned cars, playfield, no notices for property taxes, and so on.
Again, the Republic Park community needs to have the Lance Gibbs Community Playfield for the children, the senior citizens and for the total development of the community.
Yours faithfully,
Ivor S Mitchell
