Mixed views as Linden prepares for mayoral elections

As the time winds down for Mayoral elections within the Municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC), Councillors have expressed mixed views about the process and their intentions come Thursday, December 8.

So far, Mayor Carwyn Holland remains unopposed, and while some Councillors have expressed interest in having him re-elected, others have clearly stated their intentions to not vote in his favour.

Councillor Devin Sears, who also serves as Head of the Communications Committee, told Guyana Times that with regards to the Mayoral elections, there are mixed views as it relates to Holland being re-elected. He noted that in every leadership role there must be criticism and opposition; however, he maintained that whatever decision is made on Thursday, it will be in the best interest of the town.

While he noted that there is still a lot of room for development, he said over the last eight months, the Council has been working tirelessly to regain the trust of the people of Linden.

“Heading into the [December] 8th, we have been working very hard as a Council and administrative staff to ensure that we have a smooth flow and of course, that democracy prevails through it all… Like in any governing system there are always challenges. We’ve had external challenges, we’ve had international conflicts, but nevertheless we’ve overcome it and we’re at this point where we want to move Linden forward. It will not be an easy task even if the Mayor is to change,” he said.

Meanwhile, Councillor Derron John said the Mayor should be given another opportunity to continue the works which he has initiated, and assured of his willingness to work in the interest of the town, regardless of the outcome.

John explained, “I believe Carwyn Holland should be given a fair chance since he was not given a chance to serve a full year and should complete what was started.I will be willing to work with whoever the majority votes for. But let it be known, I’m not aware of any other contender for either post. What I know, whoever it is, the job is full time according to (Chapter) 28:09.”

However, Councillor Lennox Gasper who has been at loggerheads with the Mayor for some time now has made it clear that Holland would not get his vote; he pointed to Councillor Rawle Friday, who serves as Acting Mayor in Holland’s absence, as his preference. According to Gasper, Friday’s leadership is much more cohesive and productive than Holland’s.

He said, “Councillors now have to choose who they will put as Mayor to continue for 2017… I’ve already decided that I’m not voting for Mayor Holland and I’m not promoting myself for Mayor, no, but there are enough competent Councillors. And I’m saying let the process be fair, let the process be democratic, let the process be transparent. Don’t try to manipulate Councillors to vote in favour of. Let the Mayor come and show what he has done. In my recollection, 2016, from the 18th of March to date, the Council of Linden did not produce anything.”

Councillor Neola Rogers said the election presents a wonderful opportunity for Councillors, noting that the “young” Council would have been involved in the process of learning over the past eight months.

“I think Mayor Carwyn is an excellent leader and I look forward to working with him more. So I’m definitely voting for our current Mayor. I think he has a bright future ahead of him and so I look forward very much to working with him,” she stated.