New Mayor: Pain in the city

While describing the capital as a cultural hub, financial centre, and much-loved microcosm of TT, he also spelt out a different reality at ground level.

He said, “For in that deep love is spiritual and physical oneness we all share as we experience the depth of pain we all carry in our hearts as we see our home tear itself apart, as it has become a base of pernicious behaviours taking root in our backyard.” Martinez said the city faces very real challenges.

“They will not be easily solved in a short time frame,” the mayor said.

He said his administration will now start work on a ten-year plan to improve the capital, including creating strong and safe neighbourhoods; collaboration between residents, schools and businesses; and cooperation between the business sector and Government to craft a world-class city for all.

He said he’d bring his 14 years experience in local government and 33 years practice in financial services to fulfil his priority goal of improvement in the quality of life of local citizens. “My council and administration will focus on crime and security, sanitation, vending, the homeless, parking and traffic congestion, and for recreational purposes, create more green spaces in the city.” Expressing sadness over Banfield’s murder, Martinez said: “I think it was very horrifying to hear of this young girl’s death and how it had happened. It’s really sad. I feel saddened as the number one citizen that we’ve had someone lose their life in such a tragic way in our city. It’s sad and tragic that she has had to lose her life like this. However I’ll have to ensure that we do something about crime very seriously in the city and bring that sense of safety back to the citizenry so we could travel the city in day or in night and feel very comfortable”