Orientation for new Tunapuna/Piarco councillors

Those present included new chairman, Paul Leacock, and Vice Chairman, Onika Haynes. Representatives first toured the corporation’s headquarters at Centenary Street, Tunapuna, then boarded mini-buses to visit the corporation’s premises at Macoya which included the Transport, Stores and Disaster Management Units. At the latter, disaster coordinator, Rishi Siew, demonstrated, via a television monitor, real-time accounts of regional weather systems and earthquake activity. He disclosed that since the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that startled Trinidad in early December, this country has experienced 120 other earth tremors, detected by equipment even if unfelt by the human senses. Siew said his unit’s role includes monitoring activity at the “Big Stage” of the Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, at Carnival.

After the tour, councillors and aldermen received their briefing packages, had lunch and then heard a lecture by Independent Senator Stephen Crease, himself a former local government official.

Leacock, who served under his predecessor, Edwin Gooding, as former vice chairman, told Newsday the council is now easing into a continuation of the past pattern of works.

“I was mentored under his (Gooding’s) leadership, and therefore a lot of what we’ve started to pursue was already in train.” He noted the challenge of getting workers to settle down now after Christmas, but have found the staff to have a quite willing approach. “The CEO has been working well with us. She has some concerns about how things are done but we are working through the issues, and we are headed in the same direction.” He said it’s great to have a council comprised of relatively young persons. “We are finding ways to get them to understand what the process is. This orientation really should be the first step in setting them in a direction for how the council functions, what are the departments, and who your contacts are,” Leacock said.

“Some of them have had a baptism of fire.

For example Councillor Candice Allain came in at our elections in the week of rains in Paria.

So from the day after elections, she would have been in Madamas and Paria, crossing large areas of landslips, going out to meet with the children and the community, and she’s done a great job. A few others had issues too. Councillor Josann Moses in her area in Aripo, Councillor Judy Garner had some flooding, Councillor Samuel Sankat had some flooding.

Councillor J-Lynn Roopnarine had a fire in her area. Councillor Josiah Austin had two rooftops blow off. It’s been quite a challenging first month but we are doing well and are looking forward to continuing the work, as a team. Although we may represent different parties we are here for the people of TT.” Leacock said the council had a nice mix of freshness and experience.

“The vice chairman (Haynes) has had 11 years of service at local government - seven years as a councillor and four as an alderman. We have six returning councillors who have three years service.” Other councillors had served in two councils ago, he said, including Councillor Roopnarine.

“So we have about six people who are genuinely new. They are young and vibrant and bring their professional lives.”