By Juan Mccartney ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ juan@nasguard.com:
Two of the five men vying for the Elizabeth seat in the February 16 by-election are millionaires, while one is in arrears with at least two government agencies, according to their declarations of assets that were gazetted in yesterday's edition of The Nassau Guardian.
The wealthiest of the five candidates running is Dr. Duane Sands, who is running on the Free National Movement ticket. Dr. Sands, a heart surgeon who is chief of surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital, declared a net worth of $6.785 million.
Dr. Sands reportedly earns $455,000 per year and has extensive real estate holdings, as well as more than $3 million in equity in his medical practice.
The second wealthiest man on the list of candidates is Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) leader and business consultant Cassius Stuart. His net worth is listed at around $1.16 million dollars.
Stuart claimed to have more than $500,000 in real estate holdings, and about the same in the cash value of his life insurance policy. Stuart claimed an annual income of about $140,000.
Not too far behind Stuart is Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate and tax attorney Ryan Pinder.
The 34-year-old's net worth is listed at just under $750,000.
Pinder, who claimed to bring in $220,000 per year, has about $900,000 in real estate holdings, but claimed mortgages on those holdings in excess of $725,000.
National Development Party (NDP) candidate and orthodontist Dr. Andre Rollins claimed a net worth of about $142,000.
That amount should put Rollins at the bottom of the list.
However, Rollins claimed nearly $1 million in assets, but it appears that hefty mortgages are affecting his bottom line.
Rollins claimed that he brings in about $80,000 a year.
Workers party leader and taxi driver Rodney Moncur, whose net worth is reportedly $152,000, should actually place him fourth on the list.
But Moncur's assets are nowhere near those of the other candidates.
In terms of income, Moncur claimed that he brings in about $615 per year.
And unlike his counterparts, Moncur also listed the individual value of his personal property.
Among that property is a dictionary he claims is worth five hundred dollars, as well as assorted fruit trees valued at $386 dollars. Moncur also claims to be in arrears with the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) to the tune of $1,200 each.
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel said the asset declarations are necessary so as to ensure that nominees who are participating in the race disclose everything about their financial lives to the public.
"We want to make sure that the nominees who are running are people who we can look up to as honorable persons," Bethel said yesterday. "And they are required by law to make a declaration as to what their assets are when they nominate for Parliament. The important thing is that people should be honest with these declarations. That's the most important thing."
Bethel admitted yesterday that the system of disclosure is not foolproof. He said there is no mechanism in place for the Parliamentary Registration Department to find out if a person is bankrupt, which would automatically disqualify them from being a member of Parliament.
"Nobody is bankrupt as far as we're concerned," he said. "Unless the person has actually been declared bankrupt. So when the person presents himself to us, the requirement of the law is that he presents certain documents and once those documents are in order and he presents the nomination fee ($400), then he is accepted as a candidate. And once the returning officer accepts these documents, then the person stands nominated as a candidate for the election."
As far as the validity of the declaration is concerned, Bethel said, "We don't do anything to verify that."
"There is a commission of public disclosure and if anybody is to check into that, it would be that body," he said. "But definitely not us."
February 2, 2010
thenassauguardian
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts calls National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest's claims about 'PLP operatives' baseless
By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday challenged National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest to prove his claims that PLP operatives who do not live in the Elizabeth constituency are among the 700-plus new people on the voters register for that area.
"In our law he who alleges, must prove," said Roberts at a news conference at PLP headquarters yesterday afternoon.
"A minister is to be responsible, a minister is not to be reckless. A minister is not supposed to cast blame unless he has the facts and can justify what he is accusing people of. It is wrong morally, legally and otherwise to do something like that."
Turnquest, who is also the minister responsible for the Parliamentary Registration Department, told The Nassau Guardian on Sunday that he identified several of the people on the voters list as "PLP operatives" whose names are not supposed to be there.
"And I can assure you that as an FNM campaign worker for this election, we will not allow them to vote," Turnquest said.
Yesterday, PLP supporter and South Beach branch Vice Chair Ricardo Smith claimed that Turnquest approached him at a funeral and accused him of illegally registering to vote in the Elizabeth constituency. He also claimed that Turnquest threatened to have him arrested.
When contacted yesterday, Turnquest declined to address the issue further.
However, at the FNM's rally on Thursday, Turnquest told supporters that he confronted a PLP operative who he recognized as being on the register illegally and warned him against voting in the coming election.
Smith, who brought his voters card yesterday to the PLP news conference, denied being registered in Elizabeth.
"I'm registered in the Englerston constituency," he said. "I voted in polling division 15 (during the general elections). I still reside in the same place. I have no intention of voting in Elizabeth. I am not registered in Elizabeth. And I'm not in any way afraid of the FNM, Mr. Turnquest and whatever they intend to do in the line of intimidation in this election."
Roberts said a simple scrutiny of the register in Elizabeth would show that there are three Ricardo Smiths on the list. He said there's a Ricardo Allen Smith, a Ricardo Rolland Smith and a Ricardo Stephen Smith.
"It is clear that neither of these three individuals are Ricardo Bruce Smith who is seated here on my left," said Roberts pointing to Smith.
"The minister of national security who also has responsibility for the parliamentary registry has created a serious breach of his sacred obligation to the Bahamian people," said Roberts. "To make a baseless, groundless accusation when he simply had all the information available to him that he could've drawn a reasonable conclusion — and that conclusion [is] that this Ricardo Smith [is] not any of the three Ricardos that are registered to vote in the Elizabeth constituency."
Roberts said the process of identifying Bahamians who are rightfully registered to vote should be a simple matter for the government.
"Either you are a customer of BEC (Bahamas Electricity Corporation), you are a customer of the Water and Sewerage or BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company)," the PLP chairman said.
"The parliamentary commissioner has the ability to virtually check every single voter on the voters list throughout the commonwealth but we're dealing here today with Elizabeth."
He also said, "Mr. Tommy Turnquest decided for his own personal reasons to muddy the water by attributing blame to the PLP for having people deliberately register who are not residents of Elizabeth."
The Elizabeth seat became vacant when former Progressive Liberal Party MP Malcolm Adderley resigned from the House of Assembly on January 6. He also resigned from the PLP.
Tax attorney Ryan Pinder is running on the PLP's ticket, while Dr. Duane Sands is the FNM's candidate. Workers Party leader Rodney Moncur, Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) leader Cassius Stuart and National Development Party chairman Dr. Andre Rollins are also running.
Elections are expected to be held on February 16.
February 2, 2010
thenassauguardian
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday challenged National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest to prove his claims that PLP operatives who do not live in the Elizabeth constituency are among the 700-plus new people on the voters register for that area.
"In our law he who alleges, must prove," said Roberts at a news conference at PLP headquarters yesterday afternoon.
"A minister is to be responsible, a minister is not to be reckless. A minister is not supposed to cast blame unless he has the facts and can justify what he is accusing people of. It is wrong morally, legally and otherwise to do something like that."
Turnquest, who is also the minister responsible for the Parliamentary Registration Department, told The Nassau Guardian on Sunday that he identified several of the people on the voters list as "PLP operatives" whose names are not supposed to be there.
"And I can assure you that as an FNM campaign worker for this election, we will not allow them to vote," Turnquest said.
Yesterday, PLP supporter and South Beach branch Vice Chair Ricardo Smith claimed that Turnquest approached him at a funeral and accused him of illegally registering to vote in the Elizabeth constituency. He also claimed that Turnquest threatened to have him arrested.
When contacted yesterday, Turnquest declined to address the issue further.
However, at the FNM's rally on Thursday, Turnquest told supporters that he confronted a PLP operative who he recognized as being on the register illegally and warned him against voting in the coming election.
Smith, who brought his voters card yesterday to the PLP news conference, denied being registered in Elizabeth.
"I'm registered in the Englerston constituency," he said. "I voted in polling division 15 (during the general elections). I still reside in the same place. I have no intention of voting in Elizabeth. I am not registered in Elizabeth. And I'm not in any way afraid of the FNM, Mr. Turnquest and whatever they intend to do in the line of intimidation in this election."
Roberts said a simple scrutiny of the register in Elizabeth would show that there are three Ricardo Smiths on the list. He said there's a Ricardo Allen Smith, a Ricardo Rolland Smith and a Ricardo Stephen Smith.
"It is clear that neither of these three individuals are Ricardo Bruce Smith who is seated here on my left," said Roberts pointing to Smith.
"The minister of national security who also has responsibility for the parliamentary registry has created a serious breach of his sacred obligation to the Bahamian people," said Roberts. "To make a baseless, groundless accusation when he simply had all the information available to him that he could've drawn a reasonable conclusion — and that conclusion [is] that this Ricardo Smith [is] not any of the three Ricardos that are registered to vote in the Elizabeth constituency."
Roberts said the process of identifying Bahamians who are rightfully registered to vote should be a simple matter for the government.
"Either you are a customer of BEC (Bahamas Electricity Corporation), you are a customer of the Water and Sewerage or BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company)," the PLP chairman said.
"The parliamentary commissioner has the ability to virtually check every single voter on the voters list throughout the commonwealth but we're dealing here today with Elizabeth."
He also said, "Mr. Tommy Turnquest decided for his own personal reasons to muddy the water by attributing blame to the PLP for having people deliberately register who are not residents of Elizabeth."
The Elizabeth seat became vacant when former Progressive Liberal Party MP Malcolm Adderley resigned from the House of Assembly on January 6. He also resigned from the PLP.
Tax attorney Ryan Pinder is running on the PLP's ticket, while Dr. Duane Sands is the FNM's candidate. Workers Party leader Rodney Moncur, Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) leader Cassius Stuart and National Development Party chairman Dr. Andre Rollins are also running.
Elections are expected to be held on February 16.
February 2, 2010
thenassauguardian
Monday, February 1, 2010
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest: 'PLP operatives' registering illegally in Elizabeth
By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
With the by-election in Elizabeth just over two weeks away, campaigners upped their efforts over the weekend to win over voters and locate people who registered in the constituency since Malcolm Adderley won the seat in 2007.
According to Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, some of the 700-plus new people on the voter's register for Elizabeth are Progressive Liberal Party operatives who do not live in the constituency.
Turnquest, who is also the minister responsible for the Parliamentary Registration Department, told The Nassau Guardian yesterday, "I don't know that the department can identify them.
"I have identified them as PLP operatives, and I can assure you that as an FNM (Free National Movement) campaign worker for this election, we will not allow them to vote.
"What I do also say is that the Parliamentary Registration Department and its workers have gone out throughout the constituency knocking on doors to identify persons in the constituency who are on the register, so they have also been trying to find out those people who do not live in the area."
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday he knows of no PLP operative who has registered in Elizabeth who does not live there.
Roberts also said he is not aware of any FNM operative who has registered in the constituency but lives somewhere else.
"I understand that they (PLP campaign teams) are finding some people who we haven't been able to find before. They are still doing their work in trying to locate all of them," Roberts said.
Turnquest said he doubts that the problem of people from other constituencies having registered to vote in Elizabeth is widespread.
"There are just over 700 persons (who are new to the Elizabeth register); there are about 340-odd persons that have transferred in; there are about 360-odd that are new voters and there are a number of persons who are on the register who would have moved out more than six months ago," he said.
"They just haven't taken any initiative to take their name off the register. That doesn't mean that they're going to show up to vote. They are not legally entitled to vote in the by-election and I will presume that the vast majority of them have no intention of showing up to vote and breaking the law."
The Elizabeth-by election comes two years after the Pinewood Election Court challenge uncovered significant flaws in the parliamentary registration system.
The justices of the Election Court said the case had exposed "the most egregious failures in the parliamentary system."
"The parliamentary commissioner failed, for whatever reason, to ensure the integrity of the registration process in Pinewood," the ruling said.
"...This case also revealed that far too many Bahamians are willing to take an oath without regard to truth and their promises before Almighty God."
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel has said repeatedly that his department is doing all it can to ensure the integrity of the system as the first by-election in the country in a dozen years approaches.
Turnquest acknowledged yesterday that some challenges may arise because some of the Elizabeth streets are not named, but insisted that the Parliamentary Registration Department is committed to ensuring the integrity of the system.
Monday February 1, 2010
thenassauguardian
With the by-election in Elizabeth just over two weeks away, campaigners upped their efforts over the weekend to win over voters and locate people who registered in the constituency since Malcolm Adderley won the seat in 2007.
According to Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, some of the 700-plus new people on the voter's register for Elizabeth are Progressive Liberal Party operatives who do not live in the constituency.
Turnquest, who is also the minister responsible for the Parliamentary Registration Department, told The Nassau Guardian yesterday, "I don't know that the department can identify them.
"I have identified them as PLP operatives, and I can assure you that as an FNM (Free National Movement) campaign worker for this election, we will not allow them to vote.
"What I do also say is that the Parliamentary Registration Department and its workers have gone out throughout the constituency knocking on doors to identify persons in the constituency who are on the register, so they have also been trying to find out those people who do not live in the area."
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said yesterday he knows of no PLP operative who has registered in Elizabeth who does not live there.
Roberts also said he is not aware of any FNM operative who has registered in the constituency but lives somewhere else.
"I understand that they (PLP campaign teams) are finding some people who we haven't been able to find before. They are still doing their work in trying to locate all of them," Roberts said.
Turnquest said he doubts that the problem of people from other constituencies having registered to vote in Elizabeth is widespread.
"There are just over 700 persons (who are new to the Elizabeth register); there are about 340-odd persons that have transferred in; there are about 360-odd that are new voters and there are a number of persons who are on the register who would have moved out more than six months ago," he said.
"They just haven't taken any initiative to take their name off the register. That doesn't mean that they're going to show up to vote. They are not legally entitled to vote in the by-election and I will presume that the vast majority of them have no intention of showing up to vote and breaking the law."
The Elizabeth-by election comes two years after the Pinewood Election Court challenge uncovered significant flaws in the parliamentary registration system.
The justices of the Election Court said the case had exposed "the most egregious failures in the parliamentary system."
"The parliamentary commissioner failed, for whatever reason, to ensure the integrity of the registration process in Pinewood," the ruling said.
"...This case also revealed that far too many Bahamians are willing to take an oath without regard to truth and their promises before Almighty God."
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel has said repeatedly that his department is doing all it can to ensure the integrity of the system as the first by-election in the country in a dozen years approaches.
Turnquest acknowledged yesterday that some challenges may arise because some of the Elizabeth streets are not named, but insisted that the Parliamentary Registration Department is committed to ensuring the integrity of the system.
Monday February 1, 2010
thenassauguardian
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Five out of six to bid for Elizabeth by-election
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
FIVE of the six expected parliamentary candidates successfully submitted their nominations yesterday for the Elizabeth by-election -- but United Christian Love Revolution Movement hopeful Godfrey "Pro" Pinder missed out on the race.
Mr Pinder arrived just a minute before the nomination office at Thelma Gibson Primary School in Commonwealth Drive, Elizabeth Estates, closed at noon.
The nomination office opened at 9am with the Free National Movement (FNM) being the first to submit the nomination papers for their candidate, Dr Duane Sands, flanked by his brother Robert "Sandy" Sands, vice president of external affairs for Baha Mar, and government ministers Earl Deveaux, Tommy Turnquest and Dion Foulkes as well as FNM party chairman Carl Bethel. A throng of supporters dressed in bright red FNM t-shirts gathered at the Believers Gospel Chapel on Prince Charles Drive where they danced to music blasting from a nearby party truck decorated with giant posters of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and red, white and blue flags.
They walked in procession before the truck and were the first party to submit their candidate's nomination papers shortly after 10am.
As they left the building, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters had gathered outside, more than 100 people wearing yellow PLP t-shirts and waving pom-poms danced to the music blaring from loudspeakers on two trucks parked outside the school gates.
The supporters rushed into the school with candidate Ryan Pinder, who was accompanied by his wife and children, his mother and father, former Malcolm Creek MP Marvin Pinder, and party leader Perry Christie, chairman Bradley Roberts and MPs Brave Davis and Shane Gibson.
As Mr Thompson presented him with a receipt for the $400 fee and nomination forms with a list of five people in the constituency who had nominated him, Mr Pinder jumped up from the table and raised his arm in the air. The crowd of around two dozen supporters in the room cheered as he hugged and kissed his wife, mother and daughter, before giving the peace sign to the cameras and quickly changing it to the PLP "OK" hand signal.
Cheering
Mr Pinder was greeted by a cheering crowd in the school courtyard and National Development Party (NDP) candidate Andre Rollins -- who had been waiting to submit his nomination before the PLP went in-- asked Mr Pinder if he would engage in a live debate.
Mr Pinder backed away quietly without answering the NDP candidate, who walked into the nomination room with a plastic bag containing 1,600 quarters -- his nomination fee -- which Dr Rollins said represented the 1,600 votes he needs to win the seat.
The fourth candidate to nominate was Bahamas Democratic Movement leader Cassius Stuart who kept his entrance low-key with just 10 supporters wearing purple party t-shirts and calling for change.
Rodney Moncur from the Workers' Party was the final candidate to successfully submit his nomination at around 11am with six supporters at his side. Mr Moncur, sporting sunglasses and a suit, gave a speech outside the school gates slamming the FNM and PLP, and arguing how he is the right man to represent the people of Elizabeth as an activist and supporter of capital punishment.
United Christian Love Revolution Movement leader Godfrey "Pro" Pinder pulled into the school parking lot at 11.59am, and after asking Tribune reporters for directions to the nomination office ran to submit his nomination before the office closed at noon.
Although Mr Thompson kept the office open for Mr Pinder to return to his car and retrieve his nomination papers and his cheque book, he could not accept the personal cheque as legislation requires the payment be made in cash or by certified cheque. The attorney and parliamentary hopeful dressed in a suit, pink shirt and tie, solemnly returned to his car, declining to speak to the press any more than to say he had been in court that morning which was the reason for his delay.
January 30, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
FIVE of the six expected parliamentary candidates successfully submitted their nominations yesterday for the Elizabeth by-election -- but United Christian Love Revolution Movement hopeful Godfrey "Pro" Pinder missed out on the race.
Mr Pinder arrived just a minute before the nomination office at Thelma Gibson Primary School in Commonwealth Drive, Elizabeth Estates, closed at noon.
The nomination office opened at 9am with the Free National Movement (FNM) being the first to submit the nomination papers for their candidate, Dr Duane Sands, flanked by his brother Robert "Sandy" Sands, vice president of external affairs for Baha Mar, and government ministers Earl Deveaux, Tommy Turnquest and Dion Foulkes as well as FNM party chairman Carl Bethel. A throng of supporters dressed in bright red FNM t-shirts gathered at the Believers Gospel Chapel on Prince Charles Drive where they danced to music blasting from a nearby party truck decorated with giant posters of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and red, white and blue flags.
They walked in procession before the truck and were the first party to submit their candidate's nomination papers shortly after 10am.
As they left the building, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters had gathered outside, more than 100 people wearing yellow PLP t-shirts and waving pom-poms danced to the music blaring from loudspeakers on two trucks parked outside the school gates.
The supporters rushed into the school with candidate Ryan Pinder, who was accompanied by his wife and children, his mother and father, former Malcolm Creek MP Marvin Pinder, and party leader Perry Christie, chairman Bradley Roberts and MPs Brave Davis and Shane Gibson.
As Mr Thompson presented him with a receipt for the $400 fee and nomination forms with a list of five people in the constituency who had nominated him, Mr Pinder jumped up from the table and raised his arm in the air. The crowd of around two dozen supporters in the room cheered as he hugged and kissed his wife, mother and daughter, before giving the peace sign to the cameras and quickly changing it to the PLP "OK" hand signal.
Cheering
Mr Pinder was greeted by a cheering crowd in the school courtyard and National Development Party (NDP) candidate Andre Rollins -- who had been waiting to submit his nomination before the PLP went in-- asked Mr Pinder if he would engage in a live debate.
Mr Pinder backed away quietly without answering the NDP candidate, who walked into the nomination room with a plastic bag containing 1,600 quarters -- his nomination fee -- which Dr Rollins said represented the 1,600 votes he needs to win the seat.
The fourth candidate to nominate was Bahamas Democratic Movement leader Cassius Stuart who kept his entrance low-key with just 10 supporters wearing purple party t-shirts and calling for change.
Rodney Moncur from the Workers' Party was the final candidate to successfully submit his nomination at around 11am with six supporters at his side. Mr Moncur, sporting sunglasses and a suit, gave a speech outside the school gates slamming the FNM and PLP, and arguing how he is the right man to represent the people of Elizabeth as an activist and supporter of capital punishment.
United Christian Love Revolution Movement leader Godfrey "Pro" Pinder pulled into the school parking lot at 11.59am, and after asking Tribune reporters for directions to the nomination office ran to submit his nomination before the office closed at noon.
Although Mr Thompson kept the office open for Mr Pinder to return to his car and retrieve his nomination papers and his cheque book, he could not accept the personal cheque as legislation requires the payment be made in cash or by certified cheque. The attorney and parliamentary hopeful dressed in a suit, pink shirt and tie, solemnly returned to his car, declining to speak to the press any more than to say he had been in court that morning which was the reason for his delay.
January 30, 2010
tribune242
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham: The Official Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is a confused, disunited bunch
By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor candia@nasguard.com:
Revisiting a theme he has used often in recent weeks, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham last night painted the Progressive Liberal Party as a "confused bunch, more disunited now than when they were last in office." Addressing the Free National Movement's first rally ahead of the February 16 by-election, Ingraham said with the loss of yet another MP — Malcolm Adderley — there has been so much confusion among the PLP that "they seek to confuse you with who is responsible for their former MP's exit from a divided and delusional party."
"Anyway, that's a conversation between the former MP and them," Ingraham said. "It's not our business to clean up their confusion."
He said when the PLP was in office, it proved to be a government of "national disunity, unsteady, unproductive and untrustworthy."
"They failed the test of good governance," he charged. "They will fail again given the opportunity.
"I believe that even many of their supporters are relieved that Hubert Ingraham and the FNM are in office during these tough and challenging times. They are relieved that things are getting done and that there are steady and safer hands at the helm. If you want to know Perry Christie's position on an issue, check the weather and see which way the wind is blowing. If the wind keeps shifting, so will he."
Ingraham said that while in office, the PLP accomplished very little, and out of office its members propose few sensible or workable solutions.
"They lack vision and unity. They lack a steady hand or clear vision for Elizabeth or the country," he said.
The Elizabeth seat became available earlier this month when Adderley resigned from the House of Assembly expressing his disillusionment with the leadership of the PLP. He also resigned from the party.
His resignation has thrust the country into election mode. In Elizabeth, trees and lamp poles are plastered with posters of the leaders of the two major political parties and the candidates in the race. This comes at the halfway mark of the Ingraham administration's third non-consecutive term in office.
"Since 2007, the FNM has provided more hope and help in difficult times, in half the time, than the PLP provided in good times in five years for both Elizabeth and The Bahamas," Ingraham said last night.
"In just two and a half years, under the most trying economic times in recent memory, your FNM government has delivered for you..."
But he said there is much more to do.
"Because no man is an island and no constituency stands alone in our family of islands, we are asking the voters of Elizabeth to help us to add to the halls of Parliament and our national team someone who, like your FNM government, has steady hands — yes, trusted hands — and a clear vision," said the prime minister, referring to Dr. Duane Sands.
"Because prevention is better than cure, we are offering Elizabeth someone who can help us to prevent those in opposition to us from once again dragging the country through another round of hopeless and helpless governance and scandal and shame at home and abroad."
Friday January 29, 2010
thenassauguardian
Revisiting a theme he has used often in recent weeks, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham last night painted the Progressive Liberal Party as a "confused bunch, more disunited now than when they were last in office." Addressing the Free National Movement's first rally ahead of the February 16 by-election, Ingraham said with the loss of yet another MP — Malcolm Adderley — there has been so much confusion among the PLP that "they seek to confuse you with who is responsible for their former MP's exit from a divided and delusional party."
"Anyway, that's a conversation between the former MP and them," Ingraham said. "It's not our business to clean up their confusion."
He said when the PLP was in office, it proved to be a government of "national disunity, unsteady, unproductive and untrustworthy."
"They failed the test of good governance," he charged. "They will fail again given the opportunity.
"I believe that even many of their supporters are relieved that Hubert Ingraham and the FNM are in office during these tough and challenging times. They are relieved that things are getting done and that there are steady and safer hands at the helm. If you want to know Perry Christie's position on an issue, check the weather and see which way the wind is blowing. If the wind keeps shifting, so will he."
Ingraham said that while in office, the PLP accomplished very little, and out of office its members propose few sensible or workable solutions.
"They lack vision and unity. They lack a steady hand or clear vision for Elizabeth or the country," he said.
The Elizabeth seat became available earlier this month when Adderley resigned from the House of Assembly expressing his disillusionment with the leadership of the PLP. He also resigned from the party.
His resignation has thrust the country into election mode. In Elizabeth, trees and lamp poles are plastered with posters of the leaders of the two major political parties and the candidates in the race. This comes at the halfway mark of the Ingraham administration's third non-consecutive term in office.
"Since 2007, the FNM has provided more hope and help in difficult times, in half the time, than the PLP provided in good times in five years for both Elizabeth and The Bahamas," Ingraham said last night.
"In just two and a half years, under the most trying economic times in recent memory, your FNM government has delivered for you..."
But he said there is much more to do.
"Because no man is an island and no constituency stands alone in our family of islands, we are asking the voters of Elizabeth to help us to add to the halls of Parliament and our national team someone who, like your FNM government, has steady hands — yes, trusted hands — and a clear vision," said the prime minister, referring to Dr. Duane Sands.
"Because prevention is better than cure, we are offering Elizabeth someone who can help us to prevent those in opposition to us from once again dragging the country through another round of hopeless and helpless governance and scandal and shame at home and abroad."
Friday January 29, 2010
thenassauguardian
Friday, January 29, 2010
Bahamas: Elizabeth by-election candidates
DR DUANE SANDS
FREE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
FOR the next 19 days the FNM candidate in the Elizabeth by-election plans to canvas the constituency to convince voters that he is the best man for the job.
In the meantime, Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune, the FNM "has a lot more work to do" to weed out ineligible voters who may be able to vote in the by-election although they no longer live in the area.
On the campaign trail, Dr Sands said he has been surprised by how many Bahamians are barely making ends meet. He has also been put off by a small number of greedy voters who demand money or goods in return for their support.
Dr Sands said the topmost concern of constituents -- aside from crime and unemployment -- is fair and accountable representation.
He said his time in the area revealed that many constituents have low expectations from a representative, something he feels is due to the representation the constituency had over the past six years.
"We're going to go out and talk to every single registered voter that we can get to and hear what their concerns are," Dr Sands said, ahead of the FNM's rally last night and nomination day today.
"Our strategy is to demonstrate to people that the FNM and Duane Sands would be a much better alternative and that we could offer better governance."
"(Voters') expectations have been diminished in part because they've been let down. Many of the constituents are not demanding a pound of flesh. They have a reasonable expectation that their concerns are listened to, and want accountability, availability, and access to government," he said.
His party is also still focusing on limiting possible ballot tainting due to a loophole in the voter registry which may allow residents who no longer live in the Elizabeth constituency to vote.
"Even the Registrar General has alluded to the fact that this is a huge challenge even for them and we are obviously trying to make sure that there is a proper correlation between the register and what we find on the ground. I expect that as we get closer to February 16 we would have made some headway in identifying some of the people who ought not be eligible, but I doubt that it's going to be perfect," he said.
Campaigning in Elizabeth, Dr Sands, a noted heart surgeon, said he has been struck by how many Bahamians have to endure financial hardship.
"While I happen to see people at their worst in the hospital, Bahamians are really struggling, and as you enter their homes and see them as they are it (adds to) the immediate need of restoring hope," he said.
The Elizabeth seat was held by Malcolm Adderley, who resigned from Parliament and the PLP last month. Although the PLP won the constituency two terms in a row, their last win was a narrow one of only 45 votes over the FNM.
More than 4,000 voters are expected to cast their votes in the by-election on February 16.
RYAN PINDER
PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY
Mr Pinder said the response to the "hectic and fast" campaign the PLP has so far mounted ahead of the February 16 by-election has been "extremely positive".
The tax attorney said he will move in a motorcade with PLP supporters and leaders from the party's Elizabeth Headquarters at around 9.30am tomorrow, making it to Thelma Gibson Primary School by around 10.30am to nominate.
"It's very encouraging. I'm in the area every day meeting with residents. I've certainly been able to speak with a lot of the constituents and the response has been very positive and encouraging," he said.
"We had a mass rally (Wednesday) night, thousands and thousands of people were there. At the opening of the Prince Charles (party) headquarters we had in excess of 1,000 people show up. The energy level in the area is very high."
He added: "Elizabeth's concerns revolve around the difficulty with the Bahamian economic situation, there's a high level of unemployment in Elizabeth just like throughout country. There's a real concern that there's not an opportunity to succeed in business and there's a real entrepreneurial spirit but many feel they don't have the right opportunities and programmes and platforms to succeed. They are also concerned about the crime rate in the country and particularly in the constituency," said the candidate.
With regards to the concerns that some people who were registered to vote in the constituency in the last election have since moved out of the area but still appear on the register - making it possible they could vote despite not living in the constituency - Mr Pinder said the party has been "on the ground meeting with constituents night after night seven days a week" and he is confident that by election day, February 16, the party will have a strong handle on who is and is not entitled to vote.
CASSIUS STUART
BAHAMAS DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
Mr Stuart said the BDM's effort to win over the Elizabeth constituency has "been going very well" but complained that the party encountered some "disturbing issues" as went around the constituency knocking on doors.
"These guys (FNM and PLP campaigners) have been playing extremely nasty. FNMs and PLPs have been telling constituents I dropped out of the race. What they are finding out is that more and more people are tired of the PLP and the FNM and so they are telling them I dropped out. I want to let people know I'm still in the race and I'll be nominating (today)," said Mr Stuart.
In speaking with the "hundreds" of residents he has thus far been able to encounter on the campaign trail, Mr Stuart said he's found that they are concerned primarily about crime.
Other issues raised include the two "shanty towns" within the constituency's borders and infrastructural problems such as a lack of speed bumps and street signs. Flooding and traffic congestion in the area are also concerns.
Mr Stuart called out the FNM for allegedly "using government resources to aid their candidate".
"If you go in Kool Acres Drive, the Ministry of Works has equipment out there now paving roads, so we want to make that known.
"It is very unfair, you're using power of government against other candidates," he claimed.
GODFREY PINDER
UNITED CHRISTIAN LOVE REVOLUTION MOVEMENT
Despite recent professional tribulations (Pinder was suspended from practicing law by the Bahamas Bar Council earlier this month following a complaint from a former client, but has appealed the suspension), Mr Pinder said he is ready to "ask Lizzie to be my valentine" in the February 16 by-election.
The colourful candidate said that thus far his campaign, launched after he announced the formation of his Love Revolution Movement earlier this month, has been "going marvellously."
"Basically I'm love in action," said Mr Pinder, whose manifesto states his desire to set up "Love Universities."
The would-be candidate claims he plans to send a love poem to "the lady of every household" in the constituency in his bid to woo Elizabeth into his camp.
"I'm going to touch everyone in a very, very nice way," he stated.
Yesterday Parliamentary Registrar Errol Bethel said that "as far as he knows" Mr Pinder's recent professional issues should not affect his ability to nominate.
RODNEY MONCUR
WORKERS' PARTY
DESPITE meagre campaign funding, Workers' Party candidate Rodney Moncur thinks he will overcome the political heavyweights in next month's by-election in the Elizabeth constituency.
He launched his campaign on January 7, a day after former MP Malcolm Adderley resigned from Parliament.
Without the money to hold mass rallies, run ads or blanket the area with posters, Mr Moncur gets up before sunrise every day to knock on doors and lobby for precious votes.
His group of about a dozen supporters spends most of the day in people's living rooms and on porches getting to the core of residents' concerns.
Chief among these complaints are high unemployment levels, rising crime levels, while the government's recent suspension of its education loan programme came in third place on their list of concerns.
While he tries to sway voters with minimal resources, Mr Moncur accused operatives of the two major political parties of running dirty campaigns.
He charged that the PLP and FNM are "exploiting" constituents with money woes by offering them liquor and jobs.
"The PLP and FNM have resorted to some of the most unethical forms of campaigning that I have ever seen. They are keeping the men drunk, that kind of thing," said Mr Moncur.
"I think the FNM and PLP in a very ungodly manner are exploiting the poor -- they call it campaigning, I call it gangsterism."
Like FNM candidate Dr Duane Sands, Mr Moncur has also been moved by the disparity between the "haves and have-nots" in the Elizabeth constituency.
"As you move through certain areas of the constituency you can see the economic desperation and the hardship," he said.
"I went to a Haitian community off Joe Farrington Road and they are living in abject poverty. And these persons are supporters of the PLP and FNM but they are living in squalor."
If he wins, the activist is prepared to sacrifice his time to be a man for the people, working out of an office in Elizabeth every day and foregoing other employment.
"I will go to work at my office in Elizabeth every day, they would be my employers, as opposed to the other candidates who will return to their law practice, medical practice or other profession. The candidate who is elected as a representative should report to his constituency office every day and if the salary is not sufficient he should not seek office."
Up to press time, Mr Moncur said he had raised most of the nomination fee with a final donation of $80 expected to arrive last night.
DR ANDRE ROLLINS
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY
THE newly formed National Development Party and its candidate Dr Andre Rollins are hoping to finally part the sea of red and yellow - colours of the FNM and PLP respectively - at the upcoming Elizabeth by-election.
The NDP hopes that voter frustration with the established parties will sweep Dr Rollins into the House of Assembly.
Although in its infancy, the NDP believes that its message and policy platform will sway many voters.
Dr Rollins was elected as the party's candidate in the Elizabeth by-election after a public political debate and primary election - trials which other political parties shied away from.
A newcomer to politics, the 34-year-old dentist feels Bahamians are ready for a change, starting with their political representatives.
His party's approach to the race has been to offer more accountability.
Without the money for rallies or other election gimmicks, Dr Rollins hopes that each candidate's message, not campaign funding, will be the deciding factor in the hotly contested race.
Whether he wins or loses, Dr Rollins plans to continue to hold both major parties to account, criticising them when appropriate.
"If you don't do the job that you were entrusted to do we are not going to show any fear or favour. We are going to go straight down the middle whether you are FNM or PLP," he told The Tribune recently.
Dr Rollins beat out NDP member C Rashad Amahad at Wednesday's event. Both men took blind questions from the audience and moderator Judy Hamilton.
At the primary, Dr Rollins urged supporters to be optimistic that the underdog can be victorious at the by-election polls.
Dr Rollins served as president of the Bahamas Dental Association from December, 2004 to December, 2009. He is a founding member of the NDP, formed in October 2008.
January 29, 2010
tribune242
FREE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
FOR the next 19 days the FNM candidate in the Elizabeth by-election plans to canvas the constituency to convince voters that he is the best man for the job.
In the meantime, Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune, the FNM "has a lot more work to do" to weed out ineligible voters who may be able to vote in the by-election although they no longer live in the area.
On the campaign trail, Dr Sands said he has been surprised by how many Bahamians are barely making ends meet. He has also been put off by a small number of greedy voters who demand money or goods in return for their support.
Dr Sands said the topmost concern of constituents -- aside from crime and unemployment -- is fair and accountable representation.
He said his time in the area revealed that many constituents have low expectations from a representative, something he feels is due to the representation the constituency had over the past six years.
"We're going to go out and talk to every single registered voter that we can get to and hear what their concerns are," Dr Sands said, ahead of the FNM's rally last night and nomination day today.
"Our strategy is to demonstrate to people that the FNM and Duane Sands would be a much better alternative and that we could offer better governance."
"(Voters') expectations have been diminished in part because they've been let down. Many of the constituents are not demanding a pound of flesh. They have a reasonable expectation that their concerns are listened to, and want accountability, availability, and access to government," he said.
His party is also still focusing on limiting possible ballot tainting due to a loophole in the voter registry which may allow residents who no longer live in the Elizabeth constituency to vote.
"Even the Registrar General has alluded to the fact that this is a huge challenge even for them and we are obviously trying to make sure that there is a proper correlation between the register and what we find on the ground. I expect that as we get closer to February 16 we would have made some headway in identifying some of the people who ought not be eligible, but I doubt that it's going to be perfect," he said.
Campaigning in Elizabeth, Dr Sands, a noted heart surgeon, said he has been struck by how many Bahamians have to endure financial hardship.
"While I happen to see people at their worst in the hospital, Bahamians are really struggling, and as you enter their homes and see them as they are it (adds to) the immediate need of restoring hope," he said.
The Elizabeth seat was held by Malcolm Adderley, who resigned from Parliament and the PLP last month. Although the PLP won the constituency two terms in a row, their last win was a narrow one of only 45 votes over the FNM.
More than 4,000 voters are expected to cast their votes in the by-election on February 16.
RYAN PINDER
PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY
Mr Pinder said the response to the "hectic and fast" campaign the PLP has so far mounted ahead of the February 16 by-election has been "extremely positive".
The tax attorney said he will move in a motorcade with PLP supporters and leaders from the party's Elizabeth Headquarters at around 9.30am tomorrow, making it to Thelma Gibson Primary School by around 10.30am to nominate.
"It's very encouraging. I'm in the area every day meeting with residents. I've certainly been able to speak with a lot of the constituents and the response has been very positive and encouraging," he said.
"We had a mass rally (Wednesday) night, thousands and thousands of people were there. At the opening of the Prince Charles (party) headquarters we had in excess of 1,000 people show up. The energy level in the area is very high."
He added: "Elizabeth's concerns revolve around the difficulty with the Bahamian economic situation, there's a high level of unemployment in Elizabeth just like throughout country. There's a real concern that there's not an opportunity to succeed in business and there's a real entrepreneurial spirit but many feel they don't have the right opportunities and programmes and platforms to succeed. They are also concerned about the crime rate in the country and particularly in the constituency," said the candidate.
With regards to the concerns that some people who were registered to vote in the constituency in the last election have since moved out of the area but still appear on the register - making it possible they could vote despite not living in the constituency - Mr Pinder said the party has been "on the ground meeting with constituents night after night seven days a week" and he is confident that by election day, February 16, the party will have a strong handle on who is and is not entitled to vote.
CASSIUS STUART
BAHAMAS DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
Mr Stuart said the BDM's effort to win over the Elizabeth constituency has "been going very well" but complained that the party encountered some "disturbing issues" as went around the constituency knocking on doors.
"These guys (FNM and PLP campaigners) have been playing extremely nasty. FNMs and PLPs have been telling constituents I dropped out of the race. What they are finding out is that more and more people are tired of the PLP and the FNM and so they are telling them I dropped out. I want to let people know I'm still in the race and I'll be nominating (today)," said Mr Stuart.
In speaking with the "hundreds" of residents he has thus far been able to encounter on the campaign trail, Mr Stuart said he's found that they are concerned primarily about crime.
Other issues raised include the two "shanty towns" within the constituency's borders and infrastructural problems such as a lack of speed bumps and street signs. Flooding and traffic congestion in the area are also concerns.
Mr Stuart called out the FNM for allegedly "using government resources to aid their candidate".
"If you go in Kool Acres Drive, the Ministry of Works has equipment out there now paving roads, so we want to make that known.
"It is very unfair, you're using power of government against other candidates," he claimed.
GODFREY PINDER
UNITED CHRISTIAN LOVE REVOLUTION MOVEMENT
Despite recent professional tribulations (Pinder was suspended from practicing law by the Bahamas Bar Council earlier this month following a complaint from a former client, but has appealed the suspension), Mr Pinder said he is ready to "ask Lizzie to be my valentine" in the February 16 by-election.
The colourful candidate said that thus far his campaign, launched after he announced the formation of his Love Revolution Movement earlier this month, has been "going marvellously."
"Basically I'm love in action," said Mr Pinder, whose manifesto states his desire to set up "Love Universities."
The would-be candidate claims he plans to send a love poem to "the lady of every household" in the constituency in his bid to woo Elizabeth into his camp.
"I'm going to touch everyone in a very, very nice way," he stated.
Yesterday Parliamentary Registrar Errol Bethel said that "as far as he knows" Mr Pinder's recent professional issues should not affect his ability to nominate.
RODNEY MONCUR
WORKERS' PARTY
DESPITE meagre campaign funding, Workers' Party candidate Rodney Moncur thinks he will overcome the political heavyweights in next month's by-election in the Elizabeth constituency.
He launched his campaign on January 7, a day after former MP Malcolm Adderley resigned from Parliament.
Without the money to hold mass rallies, run ads or blanket the area with posters, Mr Moncur gets up before sunrise every day to knock on doors and lobby for precious votes.
His group of about a dozen supporters spends most of the day in people's living rooms and on porches getting to the core of residents' concerns.
Chief among these complaints are high unemployment levels, rising crime levels, while the government's recent suspension of its education loan programme came in third place on their list of concerns.
While he tries to sway voters with minimal resources, Mr Moncur accused operatives of the two major political parties of running dirty campaigns.
He charged that the PLP and FNM are "exploiting" constituents with money woes by offering them liquor and jobs.
"The PLP and FNM have resorted to some of the most unethical forms of campaigning that I have ever seen. They are keeping the men drunk, that kind of thing," said Mr Moncur.
"I think the FNM and PLP in a very ungodly manner are exploiting the poor -- they call it campaigning, I call it gangsterism."
Like FNM candidate Dr Duane Sands, Mr Moncur has also been moved by the disparity between the "haves and have-nots" in the Elizabeth constituency.
"As you move through certain areas of the constituency you can see the economic desperation and the hardship," he said.
"I went to a Haitian community off Joe Farrington Road and they are living in abject poverty. And these persons are supporters of the PLP and FNM but they are living in squalor."
If he wins, the activist is prepared to sacrifice his time to be a man for the people, working out of an office in Elizabeth every day and foregoing other employment.
"I will go to work at my office in Elizabeth every day, they would be my employers, as opposed to the other candidates who will return to their law practice, medical practice or other profession. The candidate who is elected as a representative should report to his constituency office every day and if the salary is not sufficient he should not seek office."
Up to press time, Mr Moncur said he had raised most of the nomination fee with a final donation of $80 expected to arrive last night.
DR ANDRE ROLLINS
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY
THE newly formed National Development Party and its candidate Dr Andre Rollins are hoping to finally part the sea of red and yellow - colours of the FNM and PLP respectively - at the upcoming Elizabeth by-election.
The NDP hopes that voter frustration with the established parties will sweep Dr Rollins into the House of Assembly.
Although in its infancy, the NDP believes that its message and policy platform will sway many voters.
Dr Rollins was elected as the party's candidate in the Elizabeth by-election after a public political debate and primary election - trials which other political parties shied away from.
A newcomer to politics, the 34-year-old dentist feels Bahamians are ready for a change, starting with their political representatives.
His party's approach to the race has been to offer more accountability.
Without the money for rallies or other election gimmicks, Dr Rollins hopes that each candidate's message, not campaign funding, will be the deciding factor in the hotly contested race.
Whether he wins or loses, Dr Rollins plans to continue to hold both major parties to account, criticising them when appropriate.
"If you don't do the job that you were entrusted to do we are not going to show any fear or favour. We are going to go straight down the middle whether you are FNM or PLP," he told The Tribune recently.
Dr Rollins beat out NDP member C Rashad Amahad at Wednesday's event. Both men took blind questions from the audience and moderator Judy Hamilton.
At the primary, Dr Rollins urged supporters to be optimistic that the underdog can be victorious at the by-election polls.
Dr Rollins served as president of the Bahamas Dental Association from December, 2004 to December, 2009. He is a founding member of the NDP, formed in October 2008.
January 29, 2010
tribune242
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Philip Davis' former campaign general - Ezra Kelson Russell plans to challenge him in next election
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
A FORMER campaign general for the Progressive Liberal Party's deputy leader Philip "Brave" Davis has announced his intention to challenge the MP in the next General Election, claiming the area has suffered far too long without "good and qualified representation."
Ezra Kelson Russell said that "God willing" he will be the next Member of Parliament for Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador because he is the "man with the plan."
In his former capacity as the chairman of Mr Davis' election campaign in 2007, Mr Russell said he has no time to "bad mouth" either the PLP or the FNM as his intention to run has nothing to do with "bad blood" or any grudge with the area's current MP.
"I am coming with a mission, to represent the good people of Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. The people here have suffered for too long. They say that Brave doesn't have a house in the area, he doesn't live in the constituency, and a lot of his supporters are upset that they don't see him. They are telling me that Ezra if you do not run, we will not support the PLP and Mr Philip Brave Davis in the next election," he said.
Having already met with religious leaders on the island and their many civil servants, Mr Russell said he has considerable support in the area having been the "front man" for the PLP in the area for decades.
As such he said, if he were to be successful in a general election, he would use his influence in the House of Assembly for the betterment of Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay by providing better linkages and avenues for cultural tourism. In addition, Mr Russell added that he would create a proper sporting facility in the far flung islands that would improve the lives of the children, as well as upgrading the many now derelict government offices.
"I live in Cat Island. The people here can find me to talk to me or meet with me on a daily basis. I live in the constituency. I know what the people are going through. They can identify with me because I go through their same pains on a daily basis."
The prospective candidate said he will be travelling to San Salvador on February 9 to begin his campaign, having already done a roll call on the island to feel out his level of support there.
"I am a people person. We are independent people. We think in and outside the box. And we don't have no time to smear nobody. The government and anybody else should be thinking of taking care of its people. It is the government's job to make sure the infrastructure is there. That is all we want. And I will ensure that we get it," he said.
Attempts to reach Mr Davis for comment on this matter were unsuccessful.
January 26, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
A FORMER campaign general for the Progressive Liberal Party's deputy leader Philip "Brave" Davis has announced his intention to challenge the MP in the next General Election, claiming the area has suffered far too long without "good and qualified representation."
Ezra Kelson Russell said that "God willing" he will be the next Member of Parliament for Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador because he is the "man with the plan."
In his former capacity as the chairman of Mr Davis' election campaign in 2007, Mr Russell said he has no time to "bad mouth" either the PLP or the FNM as his intention to run has nothing to do with "bad blood" or any grudge with the area's current MP.
"I am coming with a mission, to represent the good people of Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. The people here have suffered for too long. They say that Brave doesn't have a house in the area, he doesn't live in the constituency, and a lot of his supporters are upset that they don't see him. They are telling me that Ezra if you do not run, we will not support the PLP and Mr Philip Brave Davis in the next election," he said.
Having already met with religious leaders on the island and their many civil servants, Mr Russell said he has considerable support in the area having been the "front man" for the PLP in the area for decades.
As such he said, if he were to be successful in a general election, he would use his influence in the House of Assembly for the betterment of Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay by providing better linkages and avenues for cultural tourism. In addition, Mr Russell added that he would create a proper sporting facility in the far flung islands that would improve the lives of the children, as well as upgrading the many now derelict government offices.
"I live in Cat Island. The people here can find me to talk to me or meet with me on a daily basis. I live in the constituency. I know what the people are going through. They can identify with me because I go through their same pains on a daily basis."
The prospective candidate said he will be travelling to San Salvador on February 9 to begin his campaign, having already done a roll call on the island to feel out his level of support there.
"I am a people person. We are independent people. We think in and outside the box. And we don't have no time to smear nobody. The government and anybody else should be thinking of taking care of its people. It is the government's job to make sure the infrastructure is there. That is all we want. And I will ensure that we get it," he said.
Attempts to reach Mr Davis for comment on this matter were unsuccessful.
January 26, 2010
tribune242
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