Dear Editor,
In my personal and official capacities, I have over time written to, and pleaded with the government, to save one of our historic wooden buildings – City Hall.
In a letter to President Ramotar dated October 31, 2013, I made it clear that if my involvement presents the government with a problem (for whatever reason) that I’m prepared to have absolutely nothing further to do with the effort to restore, and as is now the case to rescue City Hall, in order to get the job done.
Even as their installed Town Clerk seems to be doing everything to cause detriment to the welfare of this historic building. I give only the following examples:
She has installed A/C units for her extra comfort, which stick out towards Regent Street damaging the visual integrity of this heritage structure whilst also being a hazard.
The advice of experts is to add no new electrical equipment to this building, but without consultation this was done, while failing to implement certain measures to prevent further deterioration of City Hall.
On that score I make a plea asking the media to help by reprinting the SN editorial of Jan 20, 2013 titled ‘Save City Hall.’ As a nation let us identify projects that go beyond personalities and politics and folly. City Hall belongs to all of us and the state machinery must move to save this charming historic edifice – delay is dangerous.
I call upon all citizens who are culturally elevated and who appreciate the beauty of City Hall. When visitors come to a city those huge steel, glass and concrete buildings and some concrete boxes do little to enhance the location, even though they may demonstrate wealth and development. Buildings such as City Hall, St George’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Kirk, Castellani House, State House, the Brazilian Ambassador’s residence, the Red House, the Prime Minister’s official residence, the Canadian High Commission building, among others, add charm to the capital and make the city a tourist attraction. Pity the nation that fails to protect and preserve its national treasures.
A people and any sensible government would not just talk the talk, but walk the walk.
Abraham Lincoln a former US President talked about the sin of silence.
Finally could the media and patriots break their silence on this matter?
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
