Showing posts with label Bamboo Town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bamboo Town. Show all posts

Monday, April 11, 2011

Branville McCartney says: ...move this, our beloved country, forward toward the future of empowerment that has been promised to us for almost 40 years

Branville McCartney
Press Release –
10th April, 2011



I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Right Honorable Prime Minister for his support and assistance over the years, particularly in support of me as the representative for Bamboo Town in 2007, as well as the Junior Minister of Tourism and Aviation and the Minister of State for Immigration. During my term, I represented the government and the Bahamian people to the best of my ability. I did those things that I believed were agreed upon by the present government. I know that I did my best. I have no regrets, and may have further comments in the future.

However, for now, I am humbled and honored by the overwhelming show of love and support that I have received from Bahamians of all walks of life, at home and abroad, particularly those in the great constituency of Bamboo Town, since my resignation from the Free National Movement.

In recent days, I have also been overcome with humility by the growing number of people who have come forward to express their interest in working along with me to move this, our beloved country, forward toward the future of empowerment that has been promised to us for almost 40 years.

I do want the public to know, as I noted in my address to the House of Assembly on the 23rd March 2011, that when I entered public life, I did so because I saw Bahamian families who were beginning to feel trapped and powerless in a society that appeared to be imploding all around them. I did so because I recognized a force of complacency in our youth, brought on by years of neglect and disrespect, which was draining them of all self- respect to the point that they were, and still are, failing out of society in larger numbers than ever before. I said that I was motivated by the idea that I could possibly be one of a new generation of public servants who could offer a clear vision of meaningful change and be that difference when it came to shaping the future direction of what is, potentially, the greatest nation in the world. I want the Bahamian public to know that my intentions remain the same and I remain steadfast and committed to that purpose.

As I also noted in the House of Assembly on that day, I remain steadfast to ensuring that our society, from Grand Bahama to Inagua, Long Island to Rum Cay, from Bain Town to my beloved constituency of Bamboo Town, will continue, on an even greater scale, to be a society free from the forces of complacency, oppression, insensitivity, bitterness, and self-doubt – a society where people will feel safe and secure both in and out of their homes; a place where people will feel like people again. As I continue my work in this vein, I again wish to thank the many people of our great country for their encouragement.

To the people of Bamboo Town and The Bahamas, when you next hear from me publicly, I will not be alone in presenting a real vision and mission plan for our country that will speak to your desires, your dreams, and your possibilities.

Like America, who against all odds elected its first Black President; like Trinidad, with its first female Prime Minister; and like Haiti, electing “underdog” musician Michel Martelly as President, it is my utmost belief that together, as a people united, Bahamians and The Bahamas, will join other countries around the world in redefining what is possible.

I ask all to remain encouraged and know that I am using my time away wisely and creatively to ensure that the next government of The Bahamas will be prepared to represent them well, by putting together a plan that will once again put people first.

I close with a paraphrased version of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

Therefore, do not lose heart. Although, as a country, outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. These momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal greatness that will far out-weigh all the troubles we are experiencing now. So fix your eyes not on what you see, but on what is yet to be seen.

Continue to keep me, my family, and our beloved country in your prayers.

Bahamas Blog International

Friday, March 25, 2011

Free National Movement (FNM) Bamboo Town Constituency Association on Branville McCartney’s Resignation

Bamboo Town Association Blasts McCartney Over Resignation


By IANTHIA SMITH



For months tensions boiled within the governing Free National Movement (FNM) party and after remaining silent on the issue for quite sometime now, representatives of the FNM Bamboo Town Constituency Association are speaking out about Branville McCartney’s resignation.

In a press release issued late yesterday the association said, "We wish to express our considerable personal and collective disappointment over the resignation of Mr. Branville McCartney from the FNM and the abrupt manner in which it was done."

The release went on to say that Mr. McCartney did not inform the executives of the Bamboo Town Association prior to his decision adding that they learned of his decision at the same time it was made public.

The association said having worked for his election to the House of Assembly and on his behalf in Bamboo Town, they would have expected the basic courtesy of prior notification and consultation.

"Mr. McCartney had numerous opportunities to inform the association leadership of his decision, even as recently as last Thursday night, when two of our executives met with him. He could have telephoned our association chairman immediately prior to his resignation," the release added.

"Many in Bamboo Town still do not understand his abrupt resignation from the Cabinet and now his resignation from the FNM. The philosophy, manifesto, policies and leadership of the FNM have not changed since Mr. McCartney was elected to the House of Assembly as an FNM, and joined Mr. Ingraham’s Cabinet."

The association said it is its view that the majority of FNMs in Bamboo Town, as well as the majority of residents in the constituency support the government’s creation of a new partnership between the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Cable & Wireless to create a cutting-edge telecommunications company that will move The Bahamas forward.

The associations’ members say they were stunned that when the big vote came in the House of Assembly, Mr. McCartney seemed more concerned about his own personal decision than the broader needs of the people of The Bahamas.

"We will continue to work for the new and better direction the country is moving in under the leadership of Prime Minister Ingraham and the Free National Movement," they said.

"The Bamboo Town Constituency Association is proud of the work our party has done under Prime Minister Ingraham’s leadership during the worldwide economic downturn.

"We pledge ourselves to ensuring that in the next general election Bamboo Town remains FNM country."

Mr. McCartney resigned from the FNM on Monday.

March 24th, 2011

jonesbahamas

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Branville McCartney - Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town says: ...that there are a lot of men in his area who are in need of jobs

Men In Bamboo Town Want Jobs
By Sasha L. Lightbourne:



It’s something you find in every community – men who are unemployed and looking for jobs – and certainly that was the case in Bamboo Town where several young men who are residing in the area said one of the things their member of parliament can do is to put on a job fair.

Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, Branville McCartney acknowledged that there are a lot of men in the area in need of jobs.

"We are trying to get a men’s forum together because we do have quite a number of men who are unemployed," he said.

"They feel despondent and frustrated so we are trying to get some persons in to talk to them like social workers and psychiatrists so I have to acknowledge that one of the areas I am having difficulty in is trying to get the young men involved in certain things."

Mr. McCartney said it is difficult to reach out to all the young men but because his Constituency is so large it is often hard to do so.

One of the men we spoke to in the area agreed that more jobs should be created in the area.

"I think one of the things Mr. McCartney can do is put on a job fair," Mr. King said.

"People have this misconception that young men out there don’t want to work and that is wrong. I got laid off last year and have been looking for a job ever since but it has been hard to find a job. Everyone is saying that they are not hiring because of the economy."

He explained that it is hard not having a job especially when you have a family to support.

"You have to look at the high crime rate in the country and wonder are these people just being nuisances or do they have no other choice," Mr. King asked.

"It’s hard out there. I just hope Mr. McCartney sees the young men in his constituency and will respond by assisting them. We are not looking for any handouts but we can find ways to create jobs in this constituency, only if that’s to cut grass then that’s what it has to be but something has to be done."

When we spoke to Mr. McCartney last week he told the Bahama Journal that several job fairs had been held in the past and there are plans to host another one later this year.

"We want to continue doing those kinds of things but the people have to come out and support it," he said.

"It’s expensive to put on those initiatives and then no one shows up. We also have regular community meetings as well as association meetings where we discuss these types of things with constituents so we can find out what the needs of the community are."

August 9th, 2010

jonesbahamas