Seven vie for post as Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission

SEVEN PERSONS WILL VIEW FOR THE TOSHAO’S POST in the predominantly
Amerindian community of St Cuthbert’s Mission located on the Mahaica River in Region Four
(Demerara/Mahaica).
Incumbent Toshao, Ms Beverly Clenkian, the sole female, is again on the ballot for the May 2
polls following the April 17 nominations. The other nominees are: Mr. Timothy Andrews; Mr.
Timur Feerreira; Mr. Neil Henry; Mr. Alvoro Simon; Mr. Paul Andrew and Mr. Julian Kattow.
Clenkian and her six male challengers have begun campaigning in earnest to secure the 740
votes needed to win the top position from the anticipated 1500 community ballots expected to be
cast to choose the Toshao and Councillors to run the Mission’s affairs for the next term.
Clenkian, an educator by profession, made history by becoming the first female Toshao of the
community.
She is widely expected to win re-election.
Many have praised her new and innovative initiatives implemented in the past three-year term
which has helped advance and enhance the community founded more than two centuries ago
under the name Pakuri.
It is still primarily a logging community.
The Toshao (Chief) is provided with a monthly stipend by Central Government
Clenkian is heading into next month’s polls brimming with confidence of her re-election
dismissing her six male challengers as mere contestants with “no real base of support”.

“The residents have urged me to run again and I am going to give it another term as I would like
to complete some of what I had started. I am determined that based on the support that I am
getting thus far I am confident that I will win the post again and the residents are confident of my
ability to run this place effectively,” she said.
For next month’s elections, 30 persons have been nominated to compete for 12 places on the
Council. The 12 and the Toshao will comprise the 13-member Council.
Meanwhile, those running for a seat on the 13-member Council underwent a one-day training on
their anticipated roles and responsibilities in the post.
“The training was timely and useful, but I would have preferred to have more time so that those
who are now seeking to be elected for the first time would have a better understanding on what is
expected and needed, while more importantly, becoming (more) knowledgeable on certain
community-related issues and concerns,” a candidate for Councillor said.