SHARMA Solomon and Vanessa KISSOON

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Former Member

Dear Editor,

Let me from the outset say that the statements circulating alleging financial impropriety on my part have no basis in fact. It is unfortunate the Region has returned to an era where those who disagree find being disagreeable an appropriate conflict resolution tool. In the three years serving as APNU-elected Regional Chairman and a member of the PNCR I have been accused of receiving millions of dollars from the PPP and other sources.

I can say to you this much: With very few resources given to me as Campaign Manager, Region 10 had the best showing for the coalition at the May 11 elections in terms of votes, turnout and reducing the PPP numbers. The people of Region 10 have stood tall and have been a formidable force against those who threatened our tranquillity and sought to trample our rights. Despite our political diversity on regional matters we have operated as One Region.

An understanding of how the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) functions would reveal the administrative line of authority starts with the Regional Executive Officer, who is the RDC’s chief financial officer and administrator of all executive duties. The Regional Chairman is the political head and presides over the council in developing policies, and deliberating on the execution of the programmes and the management of the region. The Regional Chairman represents the Region’s interests at national level such as on the Drainage and Irrigation Board.

During my stewardship every effort was made to keep government honest and accessible to the people. This was done through walk-abouts, community meetings, an open-door communication policy, regional media programmes and having the media present at RDC meetings. The RDC was manned by councillors from the PPP, AFC and APNU. These meetings were robust and none was spared scrutiny and accountability, including me.

The Rebuild Our Future Programme (ROFP) was conceptualised out of the cooperative spirit exhibited during our 2012 struggle and the need to keep it alive in furtherance of the Region’s development.

This programme included the burial of our three Martyrs on August 1, 2012 and some support for their families, also the rebuilding of One Mile Primary School, the establishment of the Linden Martyrs Monument Park and the establishment of the television station. The ROFP has a working committee and is administered outside of the day-to-day administration of the Region, is independent of this management and involves the participation of stakeholders. The money garnered for this programme is accounted for by a Professional Accountant of Wilson’s Consulting Service (Linden), deposited at Citizens Bank and audited by D Bahadur & Co. Chartered Accountants (Georgetown). This was at the insistence of the council which was made up of councillors of all three political parties.

There is no need to assassinate my character to justify to Guyana and the people of Region 10 the purported exclusion of my name from the Regional List. I have served the people of this Region with pride, integrity and humility, and in this information age my record is easily verifiable. I remain humbled and grateful for the opportunity presented to serve the people. Though some may think I am extinguishable, Region 10 and those who desire a politics of development and not a politics of destruction and tear down; rest assured you will hear from and see Sharma Solomon. I am Guyanese and will continue to play a positive role in the development of our people and this dear land.

Yours faithfully,

Sharma Solomon

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Former Member

Why the PNC treating Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon so bad? Just because they gat part coolie name?

6/11/155:03 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by VVP:

Dear Editor,

. Though some may think I am extinguishable, Region 10 and those who desire a politics of development and not a politics of destruction and tear down; rest assured you will hear from and see Sharma Solomon. I am Guyanese and will continue to play a positive role in the development of our people and this dear land.

Yours faithfully,

Sharma Solomon

As predicted, the PNC civil war is resumed. Sharma and Vanessa got excellent turn out in Region 10, delivering almost 17k votes to the coalition, with a margin of victory of 14k.

Had the Region 10 turn out been like waht it was in 2006, when the combined APNU AFC vote was under 11k, the PPP would have won. Note that the 6k fewer voters is more than the margin of coalition victory.

Note that Linden has also been known to be a hot bed of rebellion against the PNC, so cannot be taken for granted. In fact Burnham even tear gassed them, and tried to starve them out. This when G/town and the rest of Guyana (Buxton of course excluded) was cowed in fear in the aftermath of the Rodney murder when Burn was releasing his Dogs of War.

I hope that Granger knows what he is doing as Linden folks are made of sterner stuff than are G/town people. The PNC is also no PPP and those who feel excluded by its leadership can quite effectively makie noise if they see fit.

I hope for the coalition's sake that Granger doesnt think that he can impose some fossil on Linden in time for the LGE and think that they will blindly support. Hey they might even vote PPP out of spite, knowing that a Lindener PPP person is vastly different from one from the national PPP.

A comparison will be the fact that NYC and NYS have elected GOP candidates as mayor and governor, even though the state will NEVER vote for a GOP presidential candidate.

6/11/155:09 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by VVP:

Why the PNC treating Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon so bad? Just because they gat part coolie name?

Not a bit of it. This is the PNC civil war and Granger has not forgotten that the two of them ran him out earlier this year.

In fact he had to make peace with both to win the election as Region 10 is the most intensely PNC area in Guyana. They buried their hatchet in good faith. Apparently Granger hasnt.

This might be a huge error on his part. In 2006 a mere 11k showed up to vote and if they do so in 2020 the PPP will be bback, even if they spend the next 5 years engaging in infant like tantrums.

6/11/155:19 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by caribny:

Originally Posted by VVP:

Dear Editor,

Yours faithfully,

Sharma Solomon

As predicted, the PNC civil war is resumed. Sharma and Vanessa got excellent turn out in Region 10, delivering almost 17k votes to the coalition, with a margin of victory of 14k.

A comparison will be the fact that NYC and NYS have elected GOP candidates as mayor and governor, even though the state will NEVER vote for a GOP presidential candidate.

I think Regan beat Carter in NY bai. So what the deal between Granger and Linden?

6/11/155:27 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by VVP:

I think Regan beat Carter in NY bai. So what the deal between Granger and Linden?

That was 35 years ago and NY was not an especially liberal state then. As the old white ethnics have been replaced by more Hispanics and immigrants, it has become more liberal. But yet we still got Pataki, Giuliani and Bloomberg.

Granger better not be so arrogant to think that he owns Linden unless he selects people with strong ties to that town. They defied Burnham, and so will definitely defy him if he sends them some ageing idiot.

6/11/155:37 PM

Former Member

The Linden issue will be defused. Everyone will get a share of the pie. If Green can get award for being a freedom fighter, and all those unknowns became ministers, Sharma and Vanessa will get something eventually. Don't think Granger is that hateful.

Let's hold hands (black and Indians and others) and build the country.

6/11/156:20 PM