Linden to get Junior Mayor

DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Succession planning is being taken to new heights in the mining town of Linden. One lucky young persons will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shadow the sitting Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell for a year.

The initiative is called the Junior Mayor’s Project and it was launched at the opening ceremony of Linden Town Week 2018.

The laudable initiative is intended to train young persons and impart knowledge of local governance.

“What we have found in our entrance into the Mayor and Town Council is that we were not prepared for what was happening. We had little knowledge. And so, this year, we’re starting the junior mayor project,” Mayor Arrindell explained.

The Linden Mayor said that several fourth form students were given a booklet on local governance to study after which they completed a composition which was judged and the best selected. These persons are currently preparing for a debate from which the winner will become the Junior Mayor.

Mayor Arindell explained, “They have to go back to their schools and hold discussions with other students.  They have to help establish a system of student governance. Following which they will debate each other and one of them will become Junior Mayor for one year and they’re going to be entitled to walk with the mayor, and to also help us strengthen local democracy in our schools.”

The initiative allows the Junior Mayor along with Linden’s Mayor and Town Council staff and councillors, to visit all high schools in the town and hold discussions on local governance, the roles of councillors, the roles of municipalities, and how the residents can give back.

Arrindell is hopeful that the council will be able to provide a stipend to the Junior Mayor in order for them to conduct a project in their school or community.

 

By: Stephon Gabriel