On August 14, just over 30 per cent of the electorate voted in the local government elections electing councillors of their choice.
But while many are new faces will be entering to serve, the mayors of Port of Spain, San Fernando, Point Fortin, Chaguanas and Arima will be bowing out of service.
Sunday Newsday spoke to outgoing mayors about the challenges they encountered and the achievements they were able to makes as they prepare to pass the baton over to new officeholders. Outgoing San Fernando Junia Regrello was unavailable for comment when contacted.
Outgoing Port of Spain mayor Joel Martinez hands tied with limited powers
“The mayor takes all the blame at the end of the day, but a lot of times the mayor is not responsible for it and it is an agency that is run through a ministry that has responsibility for it, Hopefully those agencies will work in tandem with the city and we will get better service to the people of Port of Spain.”
Martinez indirectly admitted that although he somewhat unsuccessfully addressed the issues facing the city’s residents and businesses, he’s comforted that his team had made progress.
After he was sworn in 2016, Martinez promised to focus on crime and security, sanitisation, flooding, illegal parking and vending along with homelessness and recreational spaces in the capital city.
On Friday, in a sit-down interview at City Hall with Newsday he spoke about obstacles to deal with homelessness after he realised he had limited powers in this area.
[caption id="attachment_1032310" align="alignnone" width="683"] Outgoing Port of Spain mayor Joel Martinez -[/caption]
In 2020, an unsettled 2016 court matter between the Port of Spain Corporation and a homeless man stood in the way of the reopening of a temporary homeless shelter at Riverside Plaza. The mayor refused to hand over the keys to Anthony Salloum, founder of the NGO Homeless Assistance Office – a complainant in the matter – unless Salloum agreed to drop the court matter.
Social Development and Family Services Minister Donna Cox had to intervene. And after month of mediation and discussion the shelter was opened. But up to Saturday, only one resident occupied the space.
The Ministry of Social Development has jurisdiction over homeless services, and collaboration with various agencies, businesses and embassies to find alternative solutions is the problem, Martinez said.
Still, he said the corporation will remain committed to resolving this issue and is hopeful about ongoing collaboration with the minister.
Vending was another area that required attention but while registered vendors generally complied with regulations, Martinez complained that there were unregistered vendors who were difficult to control.
Martinez also shared his vision for making Charlotte Street only accessible by pedestrians to create a organised space for vendors. This, he believed, would contribute to the revitalisation of Port of Spain and encourage economic growth in the city.
He was unable to achieve this at the end of his term.
