Mayor Tim Kee had no authority and no right to do what he did. The park was named by the Government of T&T back when King George was our monarch. It was not originally named by the PoS Corporation. It represents an historical significance and should not be interfered with.The renaming is a disrespect to the British Government and to the royal family particularity Queen Elizabeth whose grandfather it was named after, and who is head of the Commonwealth, a Commonwealth that we are part of.
One does not honour someone and then take it back. This is in fact what was done by taking away the name of King George. It's like giving a gift and then asking for it back.There are other places that could have been selected as suitable for Mr Mandela. The real reason for naming parks, buildings and alike, after historical places and people, is to preserve history, so that we will not forget.
Are we now in danger of having the Queen's Park Savannah and Oval renamed? Are we in danger of having Memorial Park renamed? Are we in danger of having Woodford Square and Lord Harris Square renamed?
Now that the park has been renamed, what if 20 years down the road we then rename Mandela Park? Would that not have defeated the purpose of naming it after him in the first place? I am totally disappointed with the PoS Corporation for having taken this decision by themselves. Can they refer to themselves as emancipated?The mayor needs to rethink this decision and revert the park to its original name.
R Romeo
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