Dear Editor,
There seem to be three councils at Linden that apparently look after the interest of the people of that community. They are the Regional Democratic Council; Mayor and Town Council and Linden Salvation Council. Recently, the Linden Salvation Council has taken the lead in bringing about the salvation of Linden, through the mouthing of great economic activities that Linden stands to gain through the leadership of our great leader who is also a goodly doctor, and the champion of the earth. By some stroke of irony, heavy rain fall and caused major flooding at Linden, (not the first or second time), under the administration of our great champion.
The great leader travelled to Linden to sort things out. Standing tall by his side is his Linden spokesman and Chairman of Linden Salvation Council, Mr Phillip Bynoe. Chairman Bynoe once again, while people’s homes were under watery siege, took the opportunity to thank Mr President, for granting a pardon that saw him escape a trial for an act of treason against the same government he is now full of praise for. An excited and elated Mr Bynoe went on to talk about the great things the PPP, under the stewardship of Guyana’s Muhammad Ali, has done and will be doing for Linden. The future of Linden suddenly appeared secured and prosperous, as the community waded through foul waters to hear them.
It is chairman Bynoe’s observation that there are still a few Lindeners who only want to spew hate against the PPP and its great leader that I am most surprised at. Who was he referring to? Why is he making such statements? Why is he now the voice of Linden’s salvation? How effective can he be in his new underlying project of pulling off a spectacular of selling 2011 voters of Region 10 to the PPP?
The last question is most important! I first realised that intention when Chairman Bynoe invited me to a meeting at the Linden Constabulary Hall last November. My first observation was how packed to capacity the hall was. Mr Enigma still had the touch. The meeting was called by Linden Salvation Council to stop Robeson Benn from dismantling the structures of small businesses. It is important to note that a decision was taken days before the calling of that meeting that the Minister was not going to go ahead with the plan. Mr Bynoe knew this. However, he told the audience that his council, by any means necessary, will stop Mr Benn from interfering with the lives of Lindeners.
He went on to state that Robeson Benn was the problem not the PPP. He stated that the PPP had two rising stars who cared so much about Linden. They were Robert Persaud and Irfaan Ali. He attempted to qualify his point, mentioning a small project that had to do with a well somewhere at Wismar, that Irfaan Ali made possible. I was a bit confused by this strange departure from the subject matter. I did not know yet, that approximately half of the executive body of LSC, were members and activists of the ruling PPP. The Vice Chairman of Linden Salvation Council, is Andrew Forsythe, who is also the PPP Regional Chairman and party organiser/activist at Linden.
Andrew was sitting at the head-table as Phillip whipped up the crowd gathered into a frenzy. It was only when people got excited and started to talk about demonstrations and putting their children to lead the protest from the front that he intervened. He stood up and explained that a decision was already taken days before on not removing the structures of small businesses at Linden, and there was no need for people to be worried.
I was shocked but my mind was racing. I was trying to rationalise what was going on. I made my enquiries later. My conclusion is troubling. Mr Bynoe’s pardon came at a price. The PPP, in all its troubles, intends to convince the world that they are a government supported by all; as we identify the ills of the government, its ineptitude and the stifling of communities that are not their traditional support base. The PPP intends to take Linden through the securing of the majority of votes come 2011. Mr Bynoe is the instrument being used to achieve this end. The dangling carrot of economic turnaround, the promise of job security and trade from Brazil coming through Linden that will empower Lindeners may not be too much in causing a swing towards the PPP. I will not be surprised if other non traditional bases are being worked upon.
Why would Mr Bynoe tell a group of Front-line businessmen at Linden that his LSC, is already in discussion with some international investors who will invest in building a state-of-the- art mall to replace what is presently there. He told them they will have to sell their grocery and jewellery stores etc, and when the structure would have been completed they would be allowed to rent to continue their businesses. Sounds like early campaigning to me.
Do the Regional Democratic Council and Mayor and Town Council recognise the LSC as a legitimate organisation to handle the economic development of that region?
Lindeners will not be hoodwinked. We embrace any development, long overdue, that will come to our community. We reject promises that are not intended to be realised. Our votes will not go to the PPP. Lindeners must see the macro picture of the destruction of Guyana under Mr Jadgeo. After so many years in power as president, why does the champion of the earth, have to travel to Linden, to assure residents that his government cares. I will tell you. Words with no action. A picture opportunity to secure votes from a town languishing in poverty.
Yours faithfully,
Norman Browne
