EG, you are going a little too far now

10.MAY.11

Editor: Come on, EG, you are going a little too far now, man. Get real, my brother.{{more}}

I listened to your radio show (for a while) this morning and could not believe my ears. I actually heard you say the recent flash flood did absolutely no damage to Georgetown. To ensure you believe what you were saying, you repeated it several times.

Before we go on, let me re-establish that we know each other. I was introduced to you in Georgetown one evening about 40 years ago by Cecile Charles. I lived and worked in Georgetown as a Police Officer – Clerk, Eastern Division, under three Officers i/c the Division, headquartered in Georgetown – then Inspector Aldrick Williams, ASP Theophilus Jackson and ASP John Woods.

Some of my very close G’town friends were John Stay, Carlos (the tailor), ‘One Man’ Balcombe, Ancilla Balcombe, Rex Fraser, Patty Warren, the Morrises (they boarded me), Stanley, Walter Child and his family, Louise Corke, Charles Jones, George Corke and his parents; “Parpa Lou”, John Daisley, Pat Daisley, Maude from Chili, Sandra (Brownstown) and the Russells (shop keepers). I had close relatives (first cousins) – the Williams – at Byera, so I also frequented that village.

EG, I even remember who you used to lime. LOL. And by the way, when I was transferred back to Kingstown as Clerk, Central Police Station, a second time around, I left “Sugartown” with one of its most beautiful daughters. LOL again.

Some of my best days were spent in Georgetown: Cricket, Calypso and community work as a founding member of the Georgetown Cultural Organization, under Walter Child; the dances at Spotlight Stadium. Even as a Police Officer, I supported the Georgetown Bishop’s College students’ demonstration, and wrote the calypso “We Want Better Conditions” for the student march.

Now that I have reminded you I know Georgetown (proper) and the surrounding villages inside-out – as any Police Officer working in a district for close to three years should – let’s get back to what you said on your radio show today.

You (EG) claimed no damage was done to Georgetown, except for some water that went into a few homes. You further said the claim of severe damage to Georgetown was made by the Prime Minister to fool people overseas to beg for aid. Additionally, you stated the only place where there was mud and trees piled up was at the Georgetown Park, and they were deposited there by workers.

Now, E G, let’s deal with your three claims individually:

1. No damage was done to Georgetown(proper): EG, it is generally known Georgetown is (incorrectly) referred to as that area from Mt. Younge bridge to Rabacca. Mt. Younge, Corbeau Town, Park, Caratal, O’Brien’s Valley, Langley Park, Basin Hole, etc. are all (incorrectly) seen as parts of Georgetown (proper). People (who live outside Georgetown) even (incorrectly) refer to Chili, O’Brien’s Valley and Dickson as Georgetown.

EG, thanks to modern technology, you are no longer able to fool Vincentians at home and in the Diaspora. Hence, the failure of the last four demonstrations and foolish attempt to highjack Parliament.

Before 10:00 a.m. on April 12, photo slides and still photos were already posted on Facebook and Utube showing the damage done to Georgetown and the surrounding areas. Then came the API and SVG TV video clips showing graphically the logs, the mud, the water in the homes. Man, I even remember some of the houses shown in those videos and photos – Jones building, and Russell’s building, which also houses the shop.You can carry out your nit-picking to satisfy your political agenda and call that area Caratal, but you know most Vincentians call that area Georgetown.

2. “… of severe damage to Georgetown was made by the Prime Minister to fool people overseas…”

I refuse to dignify such nonsense with a response.

3. “…the only place where there was mud and trees deposited was at the Georgetown Park, and they were put there by workers…”

EG, according to what I heard on the various radio stations, including Nice Radio, the mud, silt and fallen trees deposited in the yards and up against houses were removed and placed on the Georgetown Park, as a temporary measure to clear the homes of debris in the shortest possible time. I suspect the heavy trucks could not be allowed over the damaged bridges as well. I also heard on one of the radio stations this morning that most of the stuff had already been removed from the Georgetown Park, over the weekend. Volunteer truckers were credited for the wonderful community spirit shown.

EG, the election is over. The ULP was re-elected for a third five-year term, which ends in 2015. No demonstration, picket, fake injury or hooliganism could change that. The people have spoken.

Take the lead from Sir James Mitchell. Listen to your “Eskimo” friend. Stop your dotish talk and join the reconciliation process in the interest of unity and the development of SVG. Let’s try to end the divisiveness. Let’s put an end to political tribalism. My heart still feels the joy of seeing Prime Minister Gonsalves and Opposition Leader Eustace in one of the API’s video caring together for the residents affected by the flood. Seems like Cocoa and natural disasters are kick-starting the National Reconciliation process. That’s good!!

EG, you have been busted once more!!! Do we have to wait for the “Broadcasting Standards Code” to get you to wise up?

Withdraw the nonsense you spouted this morning and apologise to the residents of Georgetown and the nation now. Let us move on.

The “Eskimo” sends Peace and Love.



Wade Kojo Williams, Sr.