The Alliance For Change (AFC) says it is both “alarmed and disturbed” by reports that the Mayor of the Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green has sought to blame Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan for “civil unrest” against parking meters.
According to reports, Chase-Green scolded Duncan on Monday (February 13, 2017) for what she said was taking misinformation to the public on the parking meter contract, and causing “civil unrest.” The issue emerged after a motion was proposed, by councillor Noelle Chow-Chee, seeking clarification on what the parking meter contract contained, since there were conflicting reports in the media.
The AFC in a statement today (Tuesday, February 14, 2017) condemned, the attack on Mr. Duncan which it said is by extension an attack on the party since Duncan is the party’s on this issue spokesperson and is fully endorsed by the party on this matter.
The political party which today celebrates two years since signing the Cummingsburg accord with APNU to form the governing coalition, calls on the Mayor to “immediately withdraw her accusations, offer an unqualified apology, and take a more conciliatory approach towards resolving the issue of the widespread rejection of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC)/National Parking Systems (NPS)/Smart City Solutions (SCS) indecent and oppressive contract.”
While reaffirming its commitment to the Cummingsburg Accord, the party says it “will not take lightly, disrespect and attacks such as that essayed by Mayor Green on its councilors, leaders or members.”
It further highlighted that it is the initial and continued secrecy, bad negotiating, lack of consultation with the people and poor implementation which are among the main reasons for the widespread rejection of the paid metered parking initiative.
As such, the Mayor along with the Town Clerk and those who were secretly involved in negotiating and signing off on this sordid contract who must take responsibility rather than seek to cast blame elsewhere, the AFC said.
