As Bahamians, let’s continue to build a better Bahamas; a nation where at the end of this upcoming electoral process - FNMs, PLPs, DNAs and Independents would work together to forge a brighter future for our young people

Let Calm Heads Prevail

by Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis


The Bahamas is approaching the election season, with numerous events, rallies and even family gatherings. I implore you, to let calm heads prevail during this season. We must remember, that we are all Bahamians and when the election is over, we must all still live together in this Bahamaland. It is not unusual for one home to have individuals who support different political parties but what is unusual for us, is for family members not to support each other, instead allowing political persuasions to affect our family bond.

We must continue to respect an individual’s right to speak, support and vote for the party of their choice, as this is the fundamentals of the democratic process at its best. We must bring out the best in each other; we should practice patience, hospitality and love. We should abstain from mud-slinging and personal attacks on each other because at the end of the day, we all want one thing, a better Bahamas. No one wants to live in a violent, unfriendly environment.

I was saddened by the news of one of Grand Bahama’s FNM candidates, Peter Turnquest’s daughter being attacked presumably by political opponents yesterday. This most unfortunate incident should not happen in our country and I wish her a speedy recovery. It is also my wish that in this Christian society, we would not encounter this type of event again as the election fever heats up.

As Bahamians, let’s continue to build a better Bahamas, a Bahamas where at the end of this electoral process, FNMs, PLPs, DNAs and Independents would work together to forge a brighter future for our young people.

Killarney does not support violence and personal attacks, and I ask all Bahamians to refrain from this destructive behavior.

Mar 18, 2012

The PLPs believe that their Urban Renewal policy, which is still in existence in a new form, is the answer to all prayers... They are fooling themselves... The social deterioration in this society is so deep that it will take more than urban renewal to bring it back to health

Crime should not be used by politicians

tribune242 editorial



IT would be a tragedy if this country's escalating crime were to become an election football.

Crime in the Bahamas has been steadily building from the politically violent sixties into the drug violent seventies and eighties until it is now hitting a crescendo in our time.

The PLP believe that their Urban Renewal policy, which is still in existence in a new form, is the answer to all prayers. They are fooling themselves. The social deterioration in this society is so deep that it will take more than urban renewal to bring it back to health.

"The government must send a clear and strong message to criminals that they will be swiftly caught and swiftly punished and I am not satisfied that this is being done under this present government," Opposition Leader Perry Christie told a press conference, called yesterday to discuss the escalating crime.

Maybe justice under this government is not swift enough for Mr Christie, but nor was it swift enough during Mr Christie's administration when the backlog of court cases grew out of all manageable proportions.

Under both governments -- PLP and FNM-- we have been complaining about the justice system. In our opinion it needs a complete overhaul.

So on this score, no fingerpointing can be justified.

The problem on our streets is obvious - most crimes are being committed by criminals killing criminals, all out on bail when they should be behind prison walls. And as the Commissioner of Police has often commented, the police can't be blamed. They do their part by arresting and taking the offenders to the bar of the court, where the lawyers with their crocodile tears bleat for their release, and the courts send them on their merry way to terrorise society. Witnesses could not be killed, if those who threaten them were in jail.

We hope that when the House reconvenes after the summer recess legislation will be introduced to curb the courts in its release of persons who could be a danger to society. When that debate takes place there shouldn't be a squeak from the Opposition about interfering with a judge's discretion.

The only way to cut down on many of these murders is to keep these persons with long criminal records in prison until trial -- not only for society's sake, but, as has already been shown by the number of their bodies in the morgue, for their own sakes.

And if judges will not exercise their discretion with this objective in mind, then legislation is the only solution. Society cannot have it both ways.

The same analogy can be drawn by the rules that now have to be followed when one travels by air. No one likes to be searched -- it is demeaning and interferes with a person's rights and freedoms. However, for the sake of safety, travellers are willing to relinquish some of their freedoms.

It is the same with the judiciary when one has to make a choice between the exercise of a magistrate's discretion and the mayhem on the streets. We can't have criminals laughing at the courts.

They must understand that if they do wrong they will be punished -- swiftly and severely. And until their date in court, they will be incarcerated, not out on the streets pushing up the murder count.

In the meantime, this society has to be analysed as to what has gone wrong, what has caused us to move from a once courteous, decent people to what we see today.

To find a cure, we need parents, teachers, psychiatrists and a whole gamut of professionals to work together to try to save the next generation.

Persons complain that no one respects our institutions. That is true, and the reason is that many of the people who head them do not understand that in their positions they have to lead by example -- if they do not respect themselves, or their organisation, they cannot expect anyone else to have respect. Members of the House of Assembly should take note.

The breakdown of family life is our greatest tragedy - no father in the home, the mother out to work and the children left at home to join the village gang. In the old days when the mother was at work, the grandparents took care of the children.

Today children are having illegitimate children, so that when the young mother is at work, the grandmother is still young enough to hold down a job and so is the great grandmother.

As a result no one is at home to guide and correct little Suzy and Johnny. A great burden is put on the schools, not only to teach these little ones their ABC's, but also their manners, to point out what is right and wrong, and to make them understand that for every right there is a corresponding duty, and when they break the code, there are consequences, and those consequences can be serious.

Instead of pointing the finger of blame, these politicians should get back to basics. They should start with an examination of themselves, determined to lead by example, and then move on to helping society get back on course.

September 16, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Caribbean Blog International

We are Bahamians first whether we're black or white

Mrs. Nicki Kelly on the "dilemma for PLP's racist faction
Rick Lowe



Mrs. Kelly had a very thought provoking piece in her column for The Punch, Between The Lines, yesterday as usual.

She raised the valid point that the PLP now have two "white" candidates in Ryan Pinder and Clay Sweeting as well as Dr. Andre Rollins who has a white mother and a black father and this might be upsetting for the PLP's racist faction.

I wonder if the political class believe the Bahamian people think no further than race when they are voting?

Surely the population thinks about public policy, and whether it is good or bad for the country, more now than ever before?

If the "PLP's racist faction" can upset their parties apple cart because they have two white candidates and one half white standard bearer, the party does not deserve to win the government until its leadership casts them out or at least has the guts to face them down and explain they now live in 2011 and there is no room for that in their organisation.

We are Bahamians first whether we're black or white.

February 22, 2011

weblogbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

A lot of what Mr. Errington Watkins had to say in defence of Mr. Branville McCartney makes sense

Mr. Errington Watkins on Mr. Branville McCartney


By Rick Lowe




A lot of what Mr. Errington Watkins had to say in this Letter to the Editor in defence of Mr. Branville McCartney makes sense.

For example, he rightly claims; (a) it's Mr. McCartney's Constitutional right to seek to be Prime Minister of The Bahamas, (b) a politicians generosity with other peoples money should concern us all, (c) Mr. Hubert Ingraham is an astute politician, and (d) every FNM has a right to attempt to become head of that party.

Where Mr. Watkins, a self described floater, gets it wrong is when he suggests that a member of a political party should take on his colleagues in the court of public opinion.

Mr. McCartney is no doubt intelligent, ambitious, likeable and more, but that does not matter when you might have publicly offended the very ones you hope will help you achieve your goal within the political organisation you're aligned with.

Many PLP's are no longer in its ranks, and many FNM's are no longer welcome there as a result of taking their colleagues on in the press rather than winning them over quietly within their ranks. There is also the obvious point that one needs to be aligned with a major political party to become the country's Prime Minister. But of course Mr. McCartney has the right to leave the FNM, join the PLP or another party or remain a legitimate independent (i.e. not an independent that relies on a major political party not fielding a candidate against them).

In the final, maybe Mr. McCartney has every right to berate his colleagues in public, but as P.J. O'Rourke once said; "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences."

February 19, 2011

weblogbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) seeks to resolve candidates dispute in the Kennedy and South Beach constituencies

PLP seeks to resolve candidates dispute
By BRENT DEAN
thenassauguardian
Deputy News Editor
brentldean@nasguard.com




The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has decided to appoint two 10-member committees to assist in bringing resolution to candidate disputes in the Kennedy and South Beach constituencies, The Nassau Guardian has learned.

The party made the move at its National General Council (NGC) meeting Thursday night at PLP headquarters, party sources said. Upset PLPs raised the issue that the proper process had not been followed, the sources said, leading to the ratification of candidates for those constituencies.

In December, the PLP announced Bahamas Nurses Union president Cleola Hamilton as its South Beach candidate and attorney Dion Smith as its Kennedy candidate.

However, the Kennedy branch recommended attorney Derek Ryan to the party and South Beach’s branch recommended attorney Myles Laroda. The PLP’s constitution calls for the appointment of committees when there are discrepancies between who the party selects as a candidate and who the branch recommends.

The PLP’s constitution says that when there is a conflict between the recommendation of the branch and the decision of the party’s candidates committee, a joint meeting should be held including the branch and 10 members of the NGC appointed by the party chairman in consultation with the leader.

That meeting would be charged with “amicably” resolving the matter and reporting to the PLP leader.

This had not been done when Hamilton and Smith were announced as candidates.

1/22/2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

FNMs against the Free National Movement (FNM) Government's Policy on the Proposed Sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC)

FNMs speaking out against party policy
thenassauguardian editorial


It was surprising to read published comments by two Free National Movement (FNM) members this week on the sale of the majority stake in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC).

Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney said he would wait to see the memorandum of understanding the government signed with CWC, as well as the details of the proposed sale, before he gives his support in Parliament.

“I cannot make a decision without having the facts,” McCartney said to The Nassau Guardian on Tuesday. “I don’t have all of the facts.”

The government has promised to make all the details of the proposed deal public before it comes up for debate in the House of Assembly.

“Once all the facts are in hand, I’ll be able to make a decision as to whether or not it’s the right thing to do or otherwise,” McCartney added.

FNM Vice-chairman Darron Cash, who is a former party senator, wrote a long opinion piece that was published in The Guardian on Monday. In it, Cash set out why he strongly opposes the BTC sale to CWC.

“I disagree with the government’s proposed action. I believe it is wrong for the country,” said Cash.

“This decision sells the country short. It is a betrayal of future generations, and like a bad stock on BISX—in which you have little confidence—the government is selling the next generation (my generation) short.”

Cash then used more than 5,000 words to explain why he disagrees with the deal.

Hubert Ingraham has run his FNM in a different manner than Perry Christie has run the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). PLPs have regularly criticized Christie and the party publicly.

Ingraham’s troops are not known for this behavior. From all accounts, Ingraham, like the late Sir Lynden Pindling, ensures order is maintained by inflicting painful political consequences for dissent. Christie’s followers seem to have little fear of him.

The FNM has had a tough time in the public relations war over the sale of BTC. The union movement, the opposition and some prominent church leaders have opposed the move.

That public relations fight becomes more difficult when FNMs join the public fight against the sale. When young party members question the party’s actions, or disagree with it, the party is weakened during a war.

The danger for the FNM is that these young members of the party can do more damage to it than the PLP.

The PLP has no credibility when it comes to the BTC debate. It too wanted to sell a major chunk of BTC to foreigners.

The PLP is only protesting the CWC sale in an attempt to cause trouble for the government in the run up to the next general election. The opposition is not concerned about the real debate that has emerged surrounding privatization policy and Bahamianization.

But when FNMs speak out publicly on the issue at the risk of being savaged by the party’s leadership, it appears as if the messenger attempting to convince the country of the wisdom of the CWC sale has turned on itself.

The FNM would be wise, for its sake, to conclude the BTC deal as soon as possible. More public dissent from within the governing party will not stop the deal, but it would weaken the FNM at a time when it is attempting to convince Bahamians it should serve another term in office.

1/13/2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

To Branville McCartney: Son, you must first learn how to follow before you can lead, or - You must learn how to obey before you can give orders

Learn how to follow before attempting to lead
tribune242 editorial




AT A TIME when this country needs all of its citizens to focus on pulling together to ride out a turbulent economic storm many have not ceased to be distracted by election fever.

Since the 2007 election hardly a day has passed without a reminder that the focus is -- not on the economy - but on the 2012 election. From what we hear -- other than a political clique, mainly PLPs who are yet to concede their 2007 defeat, and a group of young, inexperienced Turks in both parties who want to push their leaders out and take over -- the majority of Bahamians are sick of the political sabre rattling. They are worried about losing their jobs, their homes, paying school fees and utility bills -- at times like these the politicians are an unnecessary distraction.

The latest concern this week is that the FNM might not hold its promised national convention this year -- not because of tight party funds -- but because lawyer Branville McCartney might challenge Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for the leadership.

According to a letter writer to The Tribune, signed by one who says he is an "FNM supporter to change", Mr Ingraham is a man who says what he means and means what he says. The letter writer knows that being a man of his word is Mr Ingraham's sensitive button and in his letter he is pushing it hard with much flattery.

Says the "supporter for change": "We all came to know Mr Ingraham to be a man to his word, in fact FNM came to respect him since he was a man who spoke truth and lived up to his word. We know him to be a man who 'said what he means and mean what he says'. So since he promised, live on TV, that we will meet in convention on November 4, we expect him to continue to be the man who spoke truth. The question of funding for the convention is a mute point because Mr Ingraham could have anything he wants done, when he wants it. The Eastern Road will comply."

It is true, Mr Ingraham is a man of his word. However, he is not a fool, and even a man of his word has enough sense to lower his sails and change tack when a situation changes and he realises it would be folly to stick to a promise made in better times. The letter writer is obviously depending on the Eastern Road to finance a few days of shaking colourful pom-poms, spouting a lot of hot air from a platform, stuffing themselves with free food and enjoying fun nights in hotel rooms. Eastern Road residents are mainly business people whose first consideration will be on the economic constraints necessary for the times in which we now find ourselves. If they are the ones expected to fund this useless bash, we hope they will lock down their coffers, go home and direct their spare cash to where it can be of more use -- helping the jobless among us. These are serious days, and a convention at such a time would be out of order. It is now time that some of these young Turks got some sense and settled down to getting some experience in nation building before continuing their useless chatter about what they are going to lead.

Mr Branville McCartney, a lawyer, is the man being pushed to the fore in the FNM ranks. There is a group who are playing to his ego and trying to make him believe that he is the future saviour of this country. He might well be. We know nothing about him except the usual curriculum vitae issued to the press, and the fact that for a short time he served, but later resigned from the Ingraham cabinet. However, we now invite him to think back on the days of Julius Caesar riding in triumph through Rome's ancient city. While the crowds shouted "Hail Caesar!" the little dwarf at his side constantly tugged at his tunic, and reminded him: "Remember Caesar, thou art only a man!"

Today Mr McCartney's flatterers are tempting him into believing that he has better insight into the needs of this country, after limited experience in politics, than a man who has had broad experience for more than thirty years, both nationally and internationally. Many interpretations can be put on why Mr McCartney resigned from the Ingraham Cabinet, but it indicates to us that when the going gets rough, or things do not go his way, his inclination is to abandon ship. His day for leadership might come, but in our opinion he is still lightweight in the political arena, and his time is not now.

It might do Mr McCartney well to shut out the noise in the market place and consider the advice given by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian general and statesman, to his famous son Hannibal, who later crossed the Alps on elephants in a useless attempt to defeat Rome: "Son you must first learn how to follow before you can lead."

Another version is: "You must learn how to obey before you can give orders."

August 12, 2010

tribune242 editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Allyson Maynard-Gibson confirms decision not to run again

Maynard-Gibson confirms decision not to run again
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:



IN the wake of Allyson Maynard-Gibson announcing that she will not run again in Pinewood in the next general election, PLP leader Perry Christie says his party is having difficulty "balancing the old with the new" as it moves to pin down its slate of candidates for the election battle.

Senator and former PLP cabinet minister Mrs Maynard-Gibson confirmed yesterday that she has declined a nomination from Mr Christie for the upcoming election, telling The Tribune she would like to give some younger candidates an opportunity to move up the political ladder.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with this newspaper, Mr Christie said the party which he hopes to lead into the next election has been inundated with interest from potential candidates hoping to receive nominations to run under the party's banner.

With an anti-incumbent movement growing throughout the world, PLP leader Perry Christie said that his party is faced with the same challenge as scores of people have been lining up to represent the PLP in seats that already have sitting Members of Parliament.

However, while having six or seven candidates vying for any given constituency, Mr Christie said that the party is having difficulty balancing "the old with the new".

Mrs Maynard-Gibson is the second member of the "old guard" of PLPs who it is suggested will not offer again for the party in the next election. PLP MP for Fort Charlotte Alfred Sears is reportedly in consultation with his constituents as to whether or not to offer for re-election for the area.

Nonetheless, Mr Christie told The Tribune he is pleased to see the enthusiasm from younger members of the party.

"There has been a significant increase in young professionals wishing to enter public life on our side. It is really refreshing and bodes well for the future. Our only concern is there is not an equal amount of interest from women seeking to enter politics."

Mrs Gibson, as one of the most prominent female members of the party - and the second in a year to reveal her decision to step down from frontline politics, along with former deputy prime minister Cynthia "Mother" Pratt - says she will now focus on her role as a "mentor" to others outside of politics.

"Over the past five years, in other areas of my life, I have been an advocate for mentorship and I serve as a mentor. I tremendously enjoy this and find it very fulfilling," she said.

She said her determination to allow a younger generation to play a bigger role in the party is in keeping with her father's philosophy "that it is important to step aside to allow room for younger people and to help them prepare and excel at leadership."

"I would like to help the PLP find the right mix of experience and youthful, able enthusiasm that will propel it to victory in the next General Elections," said the former cabinet minister.

Mrs Maynard Gibson was appointed senator for the PLP after running unsuccessfully for the PLP in 2007. She was defeated by the FNM's Byron Woodside, in a result that was ultimately challenged but confirmed in favour of Mr Woodside in an election court challenge.

May 18, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Ex-Progressive Liberal Party vice-chairman Melissa Sears is the focus of repeated attacks by PLPs on the Internet and in the political sphere

PLP 'bid to smear ex-chief'
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:


PLP operatives are allegedly continuing a vicious smear campaign against one of their own colleagues, The Tribune has uncovered.

Having recently resigned from her post as vice-chairman in the Progressive Liberal Party, Melissa Sears has become the focus of repeated attacks by PLPs on the Internet and in the political sphere.

In their messages, some party supporters have sought to sully the former vice-chairman's reputation and have gone as far as to cast a cloud of suspicion over her friendship with a sitting FNM Cabinet Minister.

Yesterday, a source close to Ms Sears actually distanced himself from the party's official messaging on the issue, claiming he did not want his planned statement on the matter to be associated with what "the rest of the party" was seeking to do.

Ms Sears, he said, will make any statement she feels is necessary if and when the time comes.

In the meantime, however, the vice-chairwoman's resignation is continuing to be used as a political football among two of the most prominent warring camps within the party.

The attacks against Ms Sears has left some within the organisation to question the amount of damage this issue will ultimately inflict upon the party.

It has also left others calling for a shift in the messaging of the PLP and a "much needed change" in the way "sensitive matters are handled."

As it relates to the attacks on Ms Sears' name The Tribune was reliably informed that a current PLP Member of Parliament was the actual genesis of those reports.

In fact, we were made aware yesterday that an operative within the party was successful in transmitting a lurid text message to the Cabinet Minister's cellular phone seeking to disguise the message as a legitimate one from the former vice-chairwoman.

This message, it was said, would then have been posted online to embarrass Ms Sears and the Minister; destroying any possibility for the fledgling politician to ever return at any level of influence in the PLP.

It is understood that this message, has been forwarded to the relevant authorities to ascertain its origin for further investigations.

These attacks, along with others, have left some right-thinking PLPs disgusted with the way the party has handled the resignation of Ms Sears.

Instead of seeking to coax the party supporter into re-thinking her decision, it was said that some within the organisation immediately went on the offensive and tried to "ruin her politically."

Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Erin Ferguson, the political commentator and TV show host said that having known Ms Sears for a few years as a native Grand Bahamian himself, he was disappointed in the way the party was handling this "great young talent."

"This is just another example of the PLP displaying their ability to misuse and mishandle excellent young talent in the Bahamas.

"Melissa Sears has shown she is grounded in family, church, and community, and she is certainly a woman that serves as an example to any young woman as to how to go about serving your country as a good citizen. It's unfortunate in my opinion that she has been put through the political wringer of the PLP," he said.

Mr Ferguson added that countless other young people have been put through this unfortunate process and many others have refused to even engage these political parties as it is an "absolute waste of time."

April 29, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamian Voters Call for Answers and Updates on Issues of National Importance in The Bahamas

Even Supporters of The Ruling Progressive Liberal Party - PLP are Also Conceding that The PLP Government of Prime Minister, Perry Christie has to Do More to Improve its PR

Bahamas: Voters Want Answers 

 

 

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

25 August 2005

 

Many Bahamians are anxious to hear from Prime Minister Perry Christie on a number of issues of concern, including the much discussed Petrocaribe oil deal, the liquefied natural gas proposals, the decision to remove Sir Stafford Sands from the $10 bill, and the government’s progress in establishing a national health insurance scheme.

But his illness, which struck back in May, coupled with the traditionally slow summer period means that the Prime Minister has been off the front pages for weeks.

In January 2004, Mr. Christie started what he promised would be a quarterly ‘meet the press’ event where reporters could pose questions to him on a variety of issues.  But it was an initiative that was short lived.  In fact, nearly six quarters have passed without the event taking place again.

Mr. Christie also has made no national addresses for the year.

The Prime Minister had promised after returning to work nearly two months after his slight stroke that he would hold a press conference soon to address a number of issues of national importance that arose during his illness.  But that too has not happened as yet.

There are other issues that some people want an update on.  For instance, after much talk about the redevelopment of Bay Street, the transformation has still not started, leaving some merchants asking why.

Speaking about the planned downtown overhaul at his party’s last convention in November 2003, the Prime Minister said, "We have to change and we have to do so without delay."

But that was nearly two years ago.

At that same convention, he also announced that work on the Heads of Agreement for the $2.5 billion Ginn investment project for West Grand Bahama was being finalized.

"I have assured the Ginn group that my government is committed to bringing the project on line as speedily as possible," Prime Minister Christie said at the time.  "We have therefore agreed to complete a Heads of Agreement as quickly as possible so that this project can be underway early in the New Year."

But the New Year of 2004 came and left, but there has still not been any Ginn deal sealed.

The need for better public relations on such matters is something some Bahamians pointed to on Wednesday.

PLP’s are also conceding that the government has to do more to improve its PR.

 

Only recently PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby said that it’s a shortcoming the government needs to address.

For Bahamians waiting to hear from the Prime Minister, the concerns are varied.

"I would like to see [the Prime Minister] report on the Petrocaribe oil deal because I am not getting sufficient information from [Minister of Trade and Industry] Leslie Miller," said Jacob Rolle, a teacher at Central Andros High School who was on Bay Street on Wednesday.

"Another point is I am very apprehensive about the dealing with the president of Venezuela and his connection with Cuba.  I don’t think the U.S. would like us to be involved with those two dictators so we have to be very careful how we move ahead with friendly relations with those two countries."

Ricardo Mackey, who also teaches at the Central Andros High School, said rising oil prices continue to be a major concern and he too would like to hear what the Prime Minister has to say about Venezuela’s plan to sell fuel to the region at significantly lower costs.

"Right now there’s a concern about gas prices in Nassau…something needs to be done about that because gas only goes up in the Family Islands, it never goes down whereas gas fluctuates in New Providence," Mr. Mackey said.

He added that civil servants also want to hear specifics from the Prime Minister on planned salary increases given that the cost of living continues to increase.

"I think we need to find out what’s going on," he said.

If he could hear from the Prime Minister, Mr. Mackey said he would also like him to report on the status of the national health insurance scheme, something that was a part of the PLP’s platform when it was elected to office in 2002.

"I think it would be good if we have this kind of medical plan," the Andros schoolteacher added.

Darnell Finlayson, a straw vendor, has something closer to home on her mind.  She said that she would like the Prime Minister to speak directly to straw vendors about when a new straw market will be built on Bay Street.

The old market was destroyed by fire in September 2001, nearly four years ago.

"We need our straw market back because [the makeshift one] is in a bad condition," Ms. Finlayson said as the rain poured around her.

"The floors are flooding.  The tourists can’t walk inside.  They’re getting all wet.  It needs to be in a better position for the tourists.

Four years is enough time to build our market and I don’t know why we don’t have our market back, but Prime Minister, we really need a market back for our guests."

Across the street, Anthony Gibson, a manager at Diamonds International, said he too would like to hear from the Prime Minister as it relates to a timetable for a new straw market.

"I know there have been many promises made to the [vendors].  I have been in [the market] and I have seen the conditions these people have worked under.  Right now, this is the rainy season, only God one knows how they make it in there," Mr. Gibson said.

Mr. Gibson also raised the issue of Petrocaribe.

"What I really think we need to look at right now is this gas situation," he said.  "What I think is that we need to go full force ahead and get this thing on the run."

Allan Whyley, a retired Bahamian, also has Petrocaribe on his mind.  He said that it’s one issue he too would like to hear the Prime Minister speak about.

"The Petrocaribe accord has been so politicized.  To comment on it intelligently, you have to know more about it and we don’t have that," Mr. Whyley said.

He also noted that the Prime Minister earlier in the year announced that the government would have approved one of the liquefied natural gas projects before the end of January.  But that never happened.

Mr. Whyley said Bahamians want to know from the government what it intends to do about the proposals on the table.  He hopes that the Christie Administration rejects them.

"I really don’t want the government to approve LNG," he said. "I think [Mr. Christie] needs to make a statement about LNG.  These are issues that need to be addressed, but there are more immediate things happening with the small man that need to address. The government needs to say exactly what is reserved for Bahamians in this economy because I see foreigners coming in here and doing everything."

Lionel Carey, who said he was one of the chairmen of the former Vanguard party, said he like many Bahamians would like to hear an update on LNG.

"In the U.S. if they don’t want that in their own country, I think that’s a lesson for us.  We have tourism and we have to be sensitive about anything that could affect it in a negative way," said Mr. Carey, who now works in the Ministry of Housing.

Mr. Whyley, meanwhile, said that the immigration issue is also one that many people are concerned about.

"That’s something that really needs to be addressed seriously," he noted.  "What is happening?  Don’t the people deserve to be brought up to date?"

But not everyone thinks the Prime Minister is being too quiet on issues of national importance.

Mark Symonette, a law student, said various Ministers have been doing a good job at reporting on what has been going on in their individual portfolios.

"There are a number of issues that are outstanding," Mr. Symonette said.  "But I feel that the Prime Minister is doing an excellent job given the economic and social climate that we are in.  I think we must remember that the Ministers of the government are appointed to handle their portfolios and I think they are doing an excellent job also.

"They are reporting on their particular portfolios so I don’t see a need for the Prime Minister to get involved in every issue."

While a guest on the Love 97 Programme "Jones and Company" nearly two weeks ago, former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Clement Maynard said that the government appeared to be falling down in reporting to the public on what it is doing.

It’s something he indicated needed to be addressed.