New Amsterdam Town Week 2013 was officially launched on Sunday under the theme “Embracing Our Diversity, Uplifting our Community”.
The week of activities is being promoted by staff of the New Amsterdam Municipality. The day’s activity commenced with a parade from Marks Bridge to State House, where the official ceremony was held. At Main and New streets, Mayor Claude Henry took the salute and congratulated the COFONA Junior Band for their involvement in the parade.
Speaking of the oldest town in Guyana, Mayor Henry said after 122 years, the town had 63 mayors, all with a common dream.
“We dreamt that the town would continue to be beautiful, well zoned, free of crime and such like. We dreamt that our waterways are free from garbage. We all had a dream that our road shoulders will be free from garbage. We had a dream that persons will pay their rates and taxes on time so that we can provide the necessary services that we need to provide to you.”
Behave responsibly
Meanwhile, Mayor Henry called on citizens to behave responsibly at the street fair on Saturday, which will be the highlight of the week of activities.
Among the activities planned were floodlight football on Tuesday, a concert on Wednesday, flood light cricket on Thursday and a domino competition billed for Friday.
Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) Public Relations Officer Imran Sacoor said the chamber wants to see business improve during the celebration.
Lots to celebrate
“Whenever we have town week in New Amsterdam, we see an influx of business coming from regions as far as Region 10. We see people from Linden coming. We see people from Georgetown coming and when they come, they don’t just come for a one-day vacation, they spend money within the town. It is very important because events like these allow people to come together and to showcase the various businesses that they offer and at the same time to be able to sell the town to the wide community.”
Region Six Chairman David Armogan said while there is need for a lot more development, there is a lot to celebrate. There is an increase in economic activity during the town week.
“The other good thing is that it helps you people to come together as a unified body. When we go out to celebrate Town Day on Saturday or when we take part in whatever activities that have been arranged, we go there as New Amsterdamers, not as members of political parties, social organisations, religious organisations, we go there as a people, as a people of New Amsterdam.”
He said the town week provides a common ground for celebration and called on all to do some introspection and “ask where we were, where we are and where we are going”.
