Greene HE HAS been in the job for just under two years but already Errol Greene, Town Clerk of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, has received the commendation of both Jamaica Labour Party and People's National Party councillors for "turning around" the municipal authority.
While there are still cash flow problems, the KSAC has, under his watch, realised increased revenue collection in critical areas such as from barbers' and hairdressers' shops, from the five municipal car parks built in New Kingston and from the enforcement of the Places of Amusement Regulations.
Mr. Greene's approach to his job comes as no surprise, however, considering his financial and managerial background. The 45-year-old Town Clerk can be classified as a returning resident who spent 15 years at Merill Lynch, one of the foremost financial institutions in the United States.
In 1971, at 17, he went to work at the Public Works Department, shortly after leaving St. Jago High School, Spanish Town. He remained there for 10 years before leaving for the United States, where, for the next 15 years, he developed his financial and managerial skills at Merril Lynch. The Town Clerk holds a bachelor's degree in business and an MBA in international business and finance.
Already, he has transformed the KSAC into a more transparent, accountable organisation, a move that has not always been welcomed by some determined to maintain the status quo. But he's determined to "make a difference".
As chief executive officer at the KSAC, Mr. Greene holds the city's top administrative job. He expects 2001 to be much tougher than last year.
"I see 2001 as a continued challenge. As the economy shrinks it might be more difficult to go out and rake in the fees and what is there to be brought in," he said. But, undaunted, he has already looked at "creative ways" of dealing with the problems. These, he said, have already been discussed with councillors.
"We have to look at how we deal with the unemployment situation and public order. Our aim is to link the two...to give persons now unemployed, the authority to regulate the Litter Act," Mr. Greene said.
He explained that the idea is to train individuals as Litter Wardens and pay them a percentage of what they successfully prosecute. "In that way we would not be bothered with the perks that go with permanent or even temporary employment -- it would be strictly a pay-for- performance thing". While a feasibility study has not yet been done, he noted that if the wardens were paid even 50 per cent of what they collected, the KSAC would still benefit in an area it does not now benefit.
The city's CEO will also be looking to bring prime commercial properties on to the property tax roll this year and will be getting tougher on those guilty of building breaches. He admitted it was difficult to enforce some of the laws because of manpower shortages but said ways "must be found".
