Category: Politics

My October 7th, 2018 letter to P.M. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley,

Congratulations on your 37th Month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

You were spot on during your quest for the Prime Ministership when you told our country that transportation is a quality of life issue and encouraged us to dream of a 1-hour commute into the capital city.  37 months later, the commute is worse with its concomitant increase in fuel emissions, time wastage and the enlarging of our carbon footprint.

Here’s a question I suggest you pose to the Board of PTSC:

“How can PTSC double its ridership within 12 months and what non-monetary state support would be required?”  

Such a question would force the policy makers to think differently and design strategies from an end user perspective.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass 
Concerned Citizen

My September 7th, 2018 letter to P.M. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 3rd Anniversary as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

I wish to return to the theme of transportation and remind you of your stridency on the political campaign when you talked about Transportation as a quality of life issue.  My estimation is that the situation has got worse and without a specific plan, it will continue to worsen.  

May I suggest that you appoint an interdisciplinary team of locals to provide some solutions within 90 days.  You are very aware of Dr. Trevor Townsend and Dr. Rae Furlonge who have both written and spoken publicly on the issue and whom I am sure would respond to any call for public service.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass 
Concerned Citizen

My August 7th letter to P.M. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 35th month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Your government must be commended on the the recent announcement that you have approved a ban on polystyrene foam products by 2019.  While this is commendable, this initiative must be expanded to include all “single use” plastics.

 Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen

My June 7th, 2018 letter to P.M. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 33rd month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

My letters in April and May asked for an update on the establishment of the National Statistical Institute of T&T (NSITT) which I have not yet received.  The National Draft Development Strategy 2016/2020 refers to the Reform of the National Statistical System and promised:

“The national statistical system will be reformed to provide timely, reliable and accurate data for improved decision-making and targeted policy formulation. To this end, the National Statistical Institute of Trinidad and Tobago will be established”.

Other information in the public domain suggests  that the NSITT is on scheduled to be on stream in 2019 and I am asking for an update on the actual status.  Where can a concerned citizen see the work plan and be assured that this matter is on stream?  My interest in a well functioning data gathering institution is because I share the soundness of the following statement from your manifesto:

“Our approach to governance in our next term will be data based, scientific, holistic and evidence driven, paying due attention at all times to the need for compassion, sensitivity and the respect for the rights and freedoms of all citizens in all matters of state”.

I am once again requesting a response to my concerns.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen

My May 7th letter to P.M. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 32nd month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

My  April 7th letter reminded you of your campaign promise to make decisions on the basis of data and your commitment to improve/restructure/re-design the country’s Central Statistical Office.  I note that in February 2016, your good friend Dr. John Prince was appointed Chairman of the Cabinet-appointed task force for the establishment of the National Statistical Institute of T&T (NSITT).

I am requesting an update on the work of that Task Force.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen

My April 7th, 2018 letter to P.M. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 31st month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  

I refer to the following statement in the PNM’s 2015 manifesto:

“Our approach to governance in our next term will be data based, scientific, holistic and evidence driven, paying due attention at all times to the need for compassion, sensitivity and the respect for the rights and freedoms of all citizens in all matters of state.

I am writing to request an update on your plans for the re-structuring of the Central Statistical Office or the creation of a replacement entity.

Yours Respectfully
Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications

My March 7th, 2018 letter to Dr. Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 30th month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

My sincere congratulations to you on facilitating the work of the Equality Opportunity Commission and the launch of the “Guidelines to Sexual Harassment in the WorkPlace”.

I take this opportunity to remind you that the next important milestones are the Legislation and the implementation of Sexual Harassment Policy at all State Enterprises and Ministries.  

Let’s do this!”

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen

My December 07, 2017 letter to PM Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 27th month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Commendations to you and Caribbean Airlines Limited on the bold step of introducing the penalty for any change of flights on the air bridge.

The issue of sexual harassment has taken centre stage on the national human resource agenda. I am joining with other groups to ask you to take leadership on the implementation of Sexual Harassment policies throughout the entire public service and State Enterprises.  

AnsaMcal has an excellent policy which I am sure they would be willing to share with you.  Additionally gender sensitivity training would be needed in conjunction with the roll out of the policy.

I am suggesting the roll out of the gender sensitivity training and policy coincide with the celebration of “International Women’s Day” on Tuesday 8th March, 2018.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen

My November 07, 2017 letter to PM Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

Congratulations on your 26th month as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Recent activities have caused me to reflect deeply on the inappropriate use of the Priority Bus Route (PBR).  (My running group has been training on the PBR.) 

 Here are 4 situations which need urgent attention:

  1. Private citizens have encroached on the road reserve and built buildings, garages, walkways, businesses and in one case an attractive 5 ft hedge.  It means that they are using the PBR to access their homes and businesses. This simply adds to the congestion problem along the east/west corridor. 
  2. There is very little policing on the PBR so drivers use it as their private race track.  (I have witnessed this several times on either Saturday or Sunday mornings from 5:00 am.)
  3. Maxi drivers routinely wait at traffic lights for passengers causing obstruction at intersections.
  4. The arrival of a PTSC bus at any stop is like a suspense movie.  An easy fix would be the development of an “Ap” or installation of signs at the bus stops advising commuters of the arrival of the next bus even if it is in an hour.  This will be of tremendous value to our “over 60” citizens who choose public transportation.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)
MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen

My October 07, 2017 letter to PM Rowley

~ dennisedemming ~ Leave a comment

This is one of the letters which I have written to
Prime Minister Rowley over the past 5 years.

Dear Dr. Rowley

October 7th marked two celebrations: your 25th month in office and the seventh edition of TedxPortofSpain.

On our part TEDxPortofSpain has provided a non-partisan platform for ideas worth spreading and we can boast of having 60 talks on line by Trinidadians about Trinidad.  We have had more than one million views to date.  If we are unable to continue staging the annual conference, our legacy would be there in perpetuity.

On the other hand, your legacy after 25 months in office is illusive. I note that the report from the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) has been posted on the website of the Ministry of Planning and I know that Officers from the Ministry are on the media talking about vision 2030. Those are commendable efforts however they are no replacement for a clearly articulated vision by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.  They lack the power of office which only you can add.

In the absence of a clearly articulated vision by you, the population will continue to be uncertain.  I quote the biblical statement, 1st Corinthians, “If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for battle?”

My best wishes for your 26th month in office and I do hope that the tide will turn in your favour and that soon you will provide us with a vision which we could all follow.

Yours Respectfully

Dennise Demming (Mrs.)

MBA, BSc., Cert-Mass Communications
Citizen