I am concerned about the Registry

21.JUN.11

Editor: I wrote two letters before this one about the conditions of the Registry, as a concerned Vincentian.{{more}}

Many years ago my priest told me that what I write must be truthful and then I have nothing to be afraid of. You know that the truth hurts, and then you have people who will stop speaking to you; frankly, I find that unnecessary. When one sees that something is wrong, he or she must say so. Criticism should make you better. No one is perfect. Anyone at sometime will have constructive criticisms. You just take it in stride. All I want to see is major improvements at the Registry Department, quickly. I want what is best for all of us at the Registry.

At one time, many years ago, at the Registry, there were workers who would smoke and drink and yet they were respectful to the general public; it was wrong to smoke and drink, yet today there are workers who think they are all bosses. No one wants to be told what to do; it seems as though supervisors cannot speak to them about improving their work standards and lifting their game.

There are some very good workers at the Registry, but you have others who would definitely get a failing grade. I am going to get more enemies for speaking the truth. One has to face the facts of life, and improve their game. I continue to reiterate that the Registry is the most important Department in the country, from the time you are born to the time of death; you have to interface with personnel at the Registry Department for one document or the other. This is why I keep stressing the importance and seriousness of that Department. It has been overlooked for too long, please, it is time for a change.

The closeness and cramped conditions force everyone to interact and come into some form of physical contact the walk-way to the Deputy Registrar’s Office is so small and yet there are two offices and two washroom facilities, male and female in that same space area. The space is about 2 or 3 feet, yet there are members of the public and lawyers’ clerks sitting on benches and doing search in that cramped and closed up area. The traffic to these two offices and the traffic to the washroom area make life most times unbearable.

Again, I am saying that the lawyers’ clerks need to be more responsible in handling these documents. Anytime you see documents on the ground, please draw it to someone’s attention. In the future, with the computerization of documents (deeds and suit files, remember these) it would become possible for lawyers to stay in their offices and phone the Registry Department and ask for some information on these computers and it becomes easily accessible and then you have to look for work elsewhere or be on the breadline. Are you following my logic?

A recommendation for the wise: When the prisoners are totally removed from the prisons behind the Registry, there is an ideal place for a new Registry building. The convenience remains for members of the public and all those who interface with the Courts.

Chow