It has been decades of several tiers of deceit and procrastination geared to generate time-buying expectations

Khan promised that local government reform based on substantial devolution of authority to the regional corporations, using the failed and discredited Tobago House of Assembly model, would be achieved prior to the holding of the election on Monday

He even threatened to disband the Ministry of Local Government as redundant and render himself unemployed

Well that and God’s face we never did see, he now sitting comfortably in the energy tower

But the local government reform mantle is now passed to former San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein who will now reinvent the reform wheel all over Trinidad again

Not to be outdone, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has made local government reform the cornerstone of the PNM’s current local government campaign. It is the magic bullet, the panacea to cure all the ills of the regional corporations even though we all know that many rural-based ones will be starved of the requisite funding in these guava season days and nothing will happen or change

I am also reminded of the mantra chanted by the late PM Patrick Manning to the effect: central government would determine policies and local government will implement those policies. But while doing so repeatedly, he was presiding over the building of the $7 billion Government Campus and the waterfront project at which all government offices were to be centrally located in Port-of-Spain, including the Ministries of Works and Education

Even after one year, agriculture cannot make the much touted move to a new building in Chaguanas

The proposals to give Tobago increasing and greater autonomy are also in cold storage awaiting resuscitation

The new Licensing Office in Caroni built with $250 million of our money is slowly but pathetically disintegrating

STEPHEN KANGAL Caron

And what have I gotten in return? A society that is bordering on anarchy, crime-infested, bullet- riddled, lawless, overtaken every day by murders, savage brutal attacks on innocent people trying to eke out a living; taxi drivers, retirees, housewives, public servants attacked on a daily basis by cutlass and gun-wielding criminals, bold-faced, brazen, savage and inhumane, with no respect or regard for the law.

We are a society that is at its breaking point in tolerance and obedience, a society that is crying out for any help to be saved from inept governments, past and present.

And what are we to do as citizens when we are under constant attack from criminals and there is no recourse, no justice, no convictions, no sense of closure or comfort for anyone who has suffered at the hands of a criminal? Are we not even owed the decency of protection from our law forces, the reassurance of knowing that we can rely on the protective forces to respond to our calls, take action, investigate, convict, prosecute? We are a failed people, a failed society, a failed government, a failed country. When are we going to stand up and stand for ourselves, to say enough is enough, we are not going to stand for this anymore, we want our country back, our safety, our peace of mind, our sanity? How many more lives have to be lost, innocent blood spilt, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons killed before we come to realise that we have been abandoned by the powers that are supposed to protect us? Our psyche is permanently scarred, traumatised, fearful, worried, anxious, confined and trapped in fear. We are consumed by it, burdened by it, trapped in it, living in it, and there is a sinking feeling of hopelessness that we can never get out of it.

How do we raise healthy, carefree, happy children when we are forced from so early on to teach them about this fear and danger that are constantly present and lurking all around us, waiting for us, and can happen to us on any given day? Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, being followed home at night, being robbed and killed while doing our job, being held up in our homes.

Where really are we safe? Are we even safe in our dreams? Because even our dreams come to haunt us at nights.

Where is the justice in all of this for us? Who do we turn to when all have failed us? What is our recourse? Riots, marches, peaceful protests, taking to the streets in droves and multitudes to take back what belongs to us, to stand and be heard, our voices to shout out for some form of redress, action? To let this Government and all governments know that we are in control and need to pull back our country from the brim of destruction and anarchy? Until we as a people can find some solidarity to come together and take action, we are doomed.

C MURPHY via email

How does a citizen identify a police officer in plainclothes, especially as their normal arrogance ensures they do not condescend to identify themselves? The assailant who attacked the officer could legitimately claim he did not know that the man who was attacking his brother was a policeman. He would be justified in arguing that he saw two men beating his brother and intervened in his defence.

Repeatedly, police officers accost members of the public while in civilian wear, saying they are officers without providing proper identification, and expect the fact they are officers is enough. The public deserves better than that.

Police officers must be clearly identifiable without having to declare themselves so as to leave the public in no doubt as to their status before they can expect full cooperation.

The over-militarisation of the Police Service is a dangerous development which should be curtailed, the sooner the better.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH Carapichaima

Vice President of the school’s Parent Teachers Association, Felisha Isahak, said some parents placed the health and safety of their children above the benefits of remaining in one of the top performing schools of the Caroni district. “They have already started leaving and we expect that more will leave before the start of the next term if nothing is done to solve the problem.” After the PTA staged protests calling for the relocation of the school, Education Minister Anthony Garcia promised that the school would be relocated to the National Enrichment Centre in Carlsen Field “in a matter of days” pending the likely approval from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services. That approval was denied. Now, the school is back to square one in looking for another temporary location. “It is most unfortunate that we were turned down for the Centre, but it is what it is,” said Menon Boodan, Chairman of the Vedic School Board.

“There is no way we can go back to Montrose because the health of the students and the teachers are our priority.” Menon said that the Board visited various potential sites, including the site of the Divali Nagar and Couva West Secondary. “We expect to get an answer from the NCIC (National Council of Indian Culture) tomorrow.” Even if the NCIC responds positively, however, the site would also need to be approved by the Ministry. With three weeks to go before the close of the school term, however, a quick solution appears unlikely.

Boodan shared that the Board will continue searching for another temporary location while also making strides on their long term plan to build a new school on land that was allocated to them in Petersville, Chaguanas.

He was speaking on Wednesday night at the People’s National Movement public meeting held at Bournes Road, St James.

Smith, a former DMRC chairman, said that before, any time you “sneezed” in Diego Martin there would be flooding. He praised outgoing chairman Kathy Ann Christopher and her team.

He recalled that during his time as chairman, the major complaint was flooding but they did little things that made “big differences” like raising some Water and Sewerage Authority pipelines, implementing a team to remove bamboo and digging fire trails and replanting trees. He also reported about their establishment of an early flood warning system.

Smith also said at Four Roads intersection , where about six people had been “knocked down”, a walkover would be built early next year.

He also reported that the Cocorite Fishing Depot was being worked on and also, they were working with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on the Carenage Fishing Village and also the establishment of a health facility at Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard.

Regarding issues among the youth , he reported they formed a youth scholarship programme and assisted youths in areas such as Covigne and Paramin. Smith recalled that young people in hotspots were taught chess and they also hosted vacation camps.

He also claimed there was a lot of corruption at the DMRC and in 2010 when the United National Congress took over “they went with the (ceremonial) gold chain”.

In his plea for people to come out and vote, Smith told supporters they should not take things for granted and to “see what happened with (losing United States presidential candidate) Hillary (Clinton).”

The ILP yesterday submitted an application for leave to file judicial review regarding the legitimacy of UNC candidate, Adrian Ali, contesting the Munroe Road/Caroni Savannah electoral district on the Chaguanas Borough Corporation in Monday’s local elections. They are contending he lives outside of the area and thereby does not meet the criteria for candidacy.

The application was filed and will be heard in the San Fernando High Court this morning for a judge to determine whether it is worthy of pursuing.

Asked how confident she was about a favourable court ruling, especially when the elections are only three days away, attorney Rekha Ramjit, the ILP’s political leader, said, “I can’t say exactly how the court is going to rule, we have to wait and see. We have made the application and we could only make the applications because we believe we have good grounds. However, it is a matter for a judge to decide and I don’t want to preempt what the judge has to say.

I do not want to claim victory before it is given or loss before it is given. I don’t want to do any of those things, I want the law to do those things.” Ramjit said the ILP’s first course of action was to write to the Elections and Boundaries Commission about the matter last Friday, but they received no response.

The ILP’s candidate for the Munroe Road/ Caroni Savannah electoral district is incumbent Simeon Mahabir, the sole representative for the party on the Chaguanas Borough Corporation. In 2013, he alleged that he turned down a $5 million bribe offered by the UNC to join their ranks.

Mohammed and the other board members, attorney and former prosecutor Lee Merry, and former chief fire officer Leslie Skeete were sworn in yesterday by Carmona at the Office of the President, St Ann’s.

Among the relatives witnessing the event were Mohammed’s father, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nizam Mohammed.

Shortly after the swearing in, Mohammed told the media, “the first order of business is to determine exactly the status of the appeals, and getting down to work as quickly as possible.” The new board was eager, he said, “to get the ball rolling, and work assiduously to try and clear any backlog if there is any, and get the process moving quite smoothly.” In brief remarks, Carmona noted that Mohammed, a former defence attorney, and Merry, a former prosecutor represented a balance on the board.

Both men in their previous capacities, he said, appeared before him while he served as a judge and as such he could vouch for their integrity as advocates before the court.

“I can tell you it amounts to the changing of the guards when one considers that the last chairman was Mr Israel Khan, SC, and now we have two young men of variant experiences and competencies, one in the defence world and the other a former prosecutor to adjudicate on a quasi-judicial body in the context of this whole issue of firearms by way of obtaining firearms licences,” he said. He recalled that in carrying out their duties, they did so with probity, civility, and respect for the court of law ensuring that justice was served at all times.

The President of China Xi Jinping, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and close to 100 editors from around the region were present at the inaugural China- Latin America summit held in Santiago, Chile.

President Xi, who was on his fifth visit to the region, declared that both China and Latin America must come to a firm determination to foster cooperation and face the current global challenges.

In January 2015, Xi proposed that Chinese investment in Latin America will reach $US250 billion and bilateral trade volume US$500 billion in the next decade. And with strong financial ties taking place between both regions recently and further investment on the horizon, Xi noted that the media plays a vital role in promoting good relations between the parties to ensure it is a win-win situation for everyone. “We must support each other mutually.

Take advantage of technology and show the world what reality is in both countries,” he expressed.

He added that the media should be objective but assist in kindling enthusiasm and use the opportunity to cooperate and innovate.

The Chinese leader stressed that the only way for China and Latin America to trust each other is through mutual learning.

He believes one way of achieving this objective is for the media to conduct joint projects and declared he is welcoming more media into his country to set up stations there. He said exchange programmes are also essential so journalists can report first-hand on what they see and hear rather than rely on foreign reports.

He pledged to have 500 journalists from Latin America and the Caribbean working in China in the next five years to help improve the reporting on both sides.

Alicia Barcena, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said China’s presence in the region is indicative of its friendly relations with Latin America.

In a passionate speech laced with political meaning, she said more trade agreements need to take place, “This is the time to build bridges not walls. We share in your vision.” Zhang Tiezhi, Editor- in-Chief, Cankaoxiaoxi of the Xinhua News Agency, one of 32 media leaders who spoke at the summit, believes the biggest challenge to bilateral relations is the lack of mutual understanding due to the language barrier and media in both countries not investing enough to report accurately on each other’s region.

“One consequence of that is that some people in Latin America believe in the ‘China threat theory’ and fear Chinese investment,” he stated.

He said “both Chinese and Latin American media have the responsibility to report more about each other, and show their true situation comprehensively, objectively and independently.” Sun Yusheng, vice president of CCTV in China spoke of the need for Latin American media to not lean on Western media for information on China.

He believes Western media companies regularly shine a negative light on both regions and gave examples.

CCTV currently has 70 stations globally with more than 40 in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, which he argues is testament to their keen interest in being a truly global news agency. He noted following the incident involving US swimmer Ryan Lochte lying about being robbed in Rio at the 2016 Olympics, several Western media rushed to castigate the Brazilian government.

Instead, he said CCTV used surveillance footage and field interviews to show the truth to the Chinese audience. He said the 2010 calamity where Chilean miners were trapped underground for two months following an earthquake, instead of focusing on the accident, CCTV shone the spotlight on the intense rescue efforts of the Chilean Government.

He also cited a documentary done by CCTV America titled ‘Post-earthquake Health Care in Haiti’ displaying Haitian’s optimism for the future which won an award for Best Coverage of Continuing News Story at the New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards “unlike Western media’s obsession with Haiti’s poverty, backwardness and abject suffering.” He acknowledged that “Western media voices are louder” but says if Latin America and China collaborate they can get their stories told too and benefit each other.

Jorge Edgar Olmos Ortiz, Chief Editor of Telesur, Venezuela, was stern in his address, delving into the link between politics and the ills plaguing society.

Batson expressed concern over the rise in pedestrian road deaths as the number of fatalities now stands at 39 for the year which accounts for 30 percent of the nation’s road fatalities.

According to reports, Warner, a pre-school teacher, was attempting to cross the Priority Bus Route near St John’s Road, St Augustine, when she stepped out onto the road and into the path of a PTSC bus. She was killed instantly.

A coroner’s inquest has been launched into the circumstances of her death, and investigators are trying to determine if there was any form of negligence on the part of the driver.

In an interview with Newsday, Batson, in his capacity as an officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, extended his deepest condolences to Warner’s family, noting that Warner’s death came one day after the United Nation’s world remembrance day for traffic victims.

“The United Nations considers pedestrians particularly vulnerable during road traffic accidents, as deadly force is transferred to a pedestrian’s bones and vital organs, resulting in several cases in a gruesome death,” Batson said.

“Vehicles have a bumper and a chassis which could crumple under the impact and still save lives.

“Pedestrians have no such protection.”

The Northern Football Association (NFA) will host its knockout final between RSSR, a Beetham-based team which was founded by activist Ruthvin Charles and named after football legends Russell Tesheira, Selris Figaro, Noel “Sammy” Llewelyn and Reynold George.

RSSR will face Alcons in today’s final, with the winners guaranteed a jackpot of $25,000.

Kick off time is 7.30 pm and the NFA has promised through its match sponsors to have giveaways for the crowd, an MVP (Most Valuable Player) award and music to help create a typical Trini atmosphere.

On the road to the finals, Alcons defeated Premier Division League winners Maple, while RSSR overcame First Division League winners Cultural Roots – ensuring multiple champions in the NFA this season.

Minister of Sport Darryl Smith, along with Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) executives have been invited to witness the match, which will be played opposite Jerningham Avenue, near to the vendors stalls on the Savannah.

Public interest is high among the northern football fraternity and president of the NFA, Tony Harford, is optimistic this event will spark greater use of the Queen’s Park Savannah for sport during the evening and night-time periods.

Harford also praised his team for successfully hosting 87 matches so far this season – on time and on scheduled.

The NFA will complete its 2016 schedule with the Savannah Cup, starting on Tuesday.

For more information please call 378-8795.