Town Clerk issues notices of removal to Holmes St wharf residents

notices were issued. Nelson reasoned that with this course of action, the council will be free from future claims or charges in the future. “It’s not like the council is giving them permission to operate there, and in order to avoid future blame on the council should anything happen, I issued notices to those persons asking for them to remove,” Nelson said.

Some twenty-four households, made up mainly of unemployed or selfemployed single parents and extended families, including about fifty children, live on the wharf. The dwellings are surrounded by debris and access to these homes is via a narrow walkway which is made of a mix of water and concrete. There is little to no separation of the shacks and infants and children were observed traversing in the water without footwear. There was no proper garbage disposal system within sight.

Hazel Kerr, a 59-year-old woman who lives on the site told Stabroek News yesterday that she received the notice from the council last week. Kerr explained that she has been living in the area since she was 9 years old. She added that Mayor Mentore visited the area and told them that the letters were not issued by him and that a decision will be made at the level of the full council. The woman reasoned that relocation was not an issue but she is unemployed and will not be able to afford a piece of land.

Alan Wilkinson, a 75-year-old man explained that he has been occupying the space for 40 plus years. He said he would be grateful for a house lot since he was issued with the notice to vacate the area. The other residents to whom Stabroek News spoke and requested anonymity have made clear that relocation was not an issue for them and have expressed hopes that the issue will result in a favourable outcome.