Mixed views about Benschop's chances for becoming Georgetown City Councillor
Saturday, 06 March 2010 22:20
Mark Benschop is hoping to become a councillor for Guyana's capital, Georgetown at the country's next Local Government elections that are widely expected to be held this year.
(This is an edited version of the programme that was broadcast on Saturday March 6, 2010, deleting offensive comments that were made against Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis. Demerara Waves sincerely regrets those comments, withdraws them unequivocally and apologises to Mr. Lewis)
Predicting a landslide victory, the treason-pardoned social and empowerment activist, who runs a non-governmental educational and aid-Foundation in Georgetown plans to find new and creative ways for revenue generation, beautifying the City and leisure.
While United States-based Political Science Professor, David Hinds welcomes Benschop's decision to throw his hat in the ring and being part of the political activism; he does not believe that Benschop stands a chance if he does not develop better relations with the main opposition Peoples National Congress Reform-One Guyana (PNCR-1G). Professor Hinds hopes that, at least, Benschop gets enough votes to elect him a Councillor.
TO LISTEN TO A PODCAST OF THE PROGRAMME, CLICK THE ARROW HERE TO PLAY AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS:
Political analyst and commentator for Demerara Waves, Lloyd King also believes that Benschop needs to cultivate working relations with the PNCR-1G and the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) rather than openly criticize them about his relations and perceptions about them.
But Benschop insists that Georgetown does not belong to one political party even in the face of the likelihood that the traditional Black vote in Georgetown being split among different groups. "It is very arrogant if anyone has said that," while adding that his Independent Party would not bow to any political party. He pronised fairness and equity in managing the City's affairs.
In what was generally a heated programme with both anti and pro-Benschop callers participating in the after-interview discussion, several of them queried whether many of the questions were relevant to his prospective candidacy.
Several callers cricticized him for attacking the PNCR-1G and on the other hand he was praised for having the courage to engage in political activism.
Other callers also queried why more details were not provided about Mr Benschop's plans and programmes for the City of Georgetown and who are his candidates. He did address these but only volunteered two candidates.
King explained that as a prospective office-holder, the interview focussed on various aspects of Benschop's profile; noting that around the world leaders' personal and other aspects of their lives come to the fore.
Demerara Waves assured all callers and listeners that we shall also be seeking tough interviews with incumbent President, Bharrat Jagdeo and prospective presidential candidates of the governing Peoples Progressive Party (PPP).
The views of our analyst and interviewees do not necessarily reflect those of Demerara Waves.
I do not believe the interview was balanced, or that those conducting the show were either. When someone who appears to be a moderator screams at a patriot like Lincoln Lewis and accuse him of destroying the TUC, thus skillfully and conveniently absolving the PPP from well publicized efforts to marginalize the labor umbrella, to me they have a hidden agenda. If demerarawaves is fair and balanced after that display yesterday, then I shudder when I imagine what bias and partiality might represent.
support Professor Hinds view that Benschop does not stand a chance to win the elections because he has a tendency of creating enemies. He is very negative and shade the truth. He was a PPP and when they kicked him out he tried to overthrow the govt that is why he was charged for treason. He has never owned up to his problems and everyone knows that the people of Georgetown know that he is hopeless to win any elections. Look at those who he said supports him, all societal rejects. Why not well respected persons. He was very foolish to criticized Eusi Kawana with unsubstantiated facts. Would you want a mayor who said that a booklet led to the murder of Waddell. Mr. Benschop, until you engaged your brains before opening your mouth then you can think of being a councillor but not mayor.The position of mayor is not for rubber thinkers like you.
Why do the PNC think that Georgetown belong to Afro Guyanese only, is this not racialism being practiced by the PNC and the Afro Guyanese in Gt,they are the ones crying wolf.When they are the ones that is practicing racialism agains the other racial grouping, George Town belong to all Guyanese and not the PNC. Samad
Whoever becomes the next mayor,as well as all who become councillors, my hope is that the rehabilitation of the wooden iconicic City Hall will be top of their agenda. We can't afford to loose another of our Wooden gems as we have lost the old New Amsterdam hospital.
Benschop doesn't stand a chance..this treason accused...wanna be political leader doesn't have the charisma..personality and calling to lead anyone....probably he can manage the Mandela Dump site...I personally believe he'll excel at that position
I so agree with you, he is a wannabe who, when he lived in America, would go to political campaigns, and depending on who it was, he would proclaim to be a member of that party," hanging his mouth where the soup was dropping"
I think the interview was unbalanced, and most of the questions were asked to smare mr. benschop name, for example the question about mark trusting cloths from some vendor and not paying. The way i have seen mark benshop dressed many times in public i am sure he did't buy those cloths on the street by a vendor, i want the host of the programme to grill ministers and PPP/C leaders the exact same way.
I opined that this attempt by Benschop at this time is at best premature. Of neccessity he really needs to grow up.Militancy is one thing but a mayor ought not to be combative and impertinent. I am certain that he'll mellow with age.This is certainly not his time.
I am really surprised at some of Mr. Benschop statements and about his political ambitions. I was an employee for Mr. Benschop, working from Sunday to Sunday for more about four months and was only payed for one month. During my tenure, Benschop would ahve changed more than four secretaries, owing to non payment of much deserved wages. It will be very simple task to meet with some of the people who would ahve worked at the Benschop foundation and let them say first hand what is was like working for Mr. Benschop. If you are incompetent with a small organisation, how can you manage something as big as the Georgetown Council. Old people say, talk half, left half.
i fairly believes that Mark Benschop deserves to run for mayor when it is all said and done everyonee had their chances of making the city a mess --apart from funding he is component regardless and also can collaborate and making it work this because these are all fazing comments!what are they going to do now steal his ideas!Mark has some great ideas which is just common sense!that both opposition and the PPP Government should have done
Predicting a landslide victory, the treason-pardoned social and empowerment activist, who runs a non-governmental educational and aid-Foundation in Georgetown plans to find new and creative ways for revenue generation, beautifying the City and leisure.
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Samad
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