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Last Updated: Mar 6, 2017 - 6:43:38 PM |
 Remarks Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis, M.P. Leader of the Free National Movement Launch of FNM Candidate, Hank Johnson for South Eleuthera; North Palmetto Point, Eleuthera 7:30 P.M., Friday March 3, 2017:
Fellow F-N-Ms, South Eleuthera:
It is always wonderful to be with the good people of South Eleuthera.
The doctor is in the house.
I’m here in Eleuthera to help deliver twins.
We won North Eleuthera last time and narrowly lost South Eleuthera.
This time we are going to win north and south, with two sons of Eleuthera.
I need your help delivering these twins.
The PLP and your MP promised you many things last time.
They delivered precious little of what they promised.
The PLP were so neglectful of you that Damien Gomez had to complain in public about how the PLP abandoned the people of South Eleuthera.
The PLP have taken you for granted.
They will continue to take you for granted.
If you want change, you have to vote FNM.
South Eleuthera:
You saw the rude and disgraceful gesture Perry Christie made?
It is unbecoming of anyone in public life, especially the prime minister.
He is setting a bad example for our children and young people.
The pressure is getting to Christie.
He knows that the PLP is in trouble.
He knows that constituencies like South Eleuthera are going to vote FNM.
Emperor Christie thinks that he is better than me and you.
Perry doesn’t think people like me and you are good enough to lead our country.
He thinks that only some women can birth a prime minister.
His gesture was saying: to hell with anyone who doesn’t agree with me.
Christie behaves and talks like he’s king of The Bahamas.
The Bahamas is a democracy.
We don’t have a king.
He no longer believes that he has to answer to the people, which is why his government is so unaccountable and non-transparent.
He thinks he can spend up, and waste the VAT money, without having to account for his actions.
He behaved like a child with temper tantrums when Alfred Sears ran against him for the leadership of the PLP.
He has little respect for the Bahamian people.
FNMs:
The name Eleuthera means freedom.
This is the place where the Eleutheran Adventurers came.
They came here to find a place free of persecution; a place where they could enjoy religious and political freedom.
The FNM, whose name includes the word freedom, is the party of freedom and democracy.
People forget that before the FNM came to office, many Bahamians were afraid to speak their minds.
In the interest of freedom of speech, it was the FNM that freed the broadcast media, so that Bahamians could freely express themselves.
You know, even though ZNS likes to advertise itself as the “People’s Station”, it really should be called: the “Propaganda Station”.
Because of our commitment to democracy, it was also the FNM that introduced local government to the Family Islands in our first period of reform.
In the next era of reform, which I will lead, the FNM will further empower local government.
We will utilize local government as a serious partner in Family Island development.
FNMs; South Eleuthera:
The FNM has the most dynamic and diverse set of candidates of any party in this election.
I keep reminding people that Christie has been in Parliament since 1974, before many people here in Eleuthera were born.
He doesn’t know when it’s time to go; he doesn’t know how to bow out gracefully. Perry Christie believes he should be Prime Minister for life. He is a very arrogant man, who leads an arrogant government. He believes God made The Bahamas for PLPs.
He never got the message that the Bahamian people are tired of politicians who hang on for life.
Emperor Christie believes that he has been the best prime minister ever in the history of The Bahamas. He believes he has done a wonderful job.
Christie is living in a world of make-believe.
The PLP does not have a record to stand on.
In the FNM we are distinctly different.
A new FNM government will take that VAT money and use it for the people, because it’s the people’s time in South Eleuthera.
We got the message in the FNM, which is why we are presenting a dynamic and diverse new slate of candidates.
It is my pleasure tonight to welcome the FNM’s change agent and standard-bearer for the South Eleuthera constituency in the person of Stephen Hank Johnson, who hails from North Palmetto Point.
Hank is an accomplished community leader with 19 years of experience in Local Government.
He was Chairman for South and Central Eleuthera.
Hank is a natural born leader. He’s a motivator and inspires other people to action.
Hank has been the Chairman of the FNM Constituency Association Central and South Eleuthera from 2013 to now.
He has helped to get more than 300 people registered as FNMs.
Hank is committed to preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of Eleuthera.
He has been Chairman for the Palmetto Point Homecoming Committee from 1998 to the present.
The Homecoming events helped to boost local businesses, and increased tourism to Eleuthera.
Hank served as Chairman for the Township of Palmetto Point from 2013 – 2017.
He helped to acquire the community's first fire truck, and annually organizes Christmas events for children and seniors.
Hank was Chief Counselor for Eleuthera from 1998 to 2017.
He was instrumental in having one of the buildings on Cupid's Cay turned into a ferry terminal and office space for local government offices and meetings.
Everyone knows that Hank is a hard worker and a man with many talents.
He is a third phase electrician, a licensed realtor, a certified air conditioning and refrigeration technician and a certified plumber.
A man of faith and good works, Hank has performed considerable community service.
He has helped to build and repair homes for seniors and the less fortunate throughout The Bahamas.
He has been church youth leader and PTA Fundraiser Chairman for the Windermere High School.
FNMs, South Eleuthera:
I need Hank Johnson by my side as we work on behalf of the people of South Eleuthera.
The FNM will repair the dock in Rock Sound.
Your hospital needs to be completed and properly supplied.
As a former Minister of Health, I know about getting things done in health care in The Bahamas.
The doctor is in the house, and this doctor will serve you well in government.
We are going to build a major administrative complex for Eleuthera, so residents in this area can access basic government services, like passports, without having to travel to Nassau.
The FNM is offering bold new policies, like a revolution in renewable energy, which will make a world of difference in Family Islands like Abaco.
God gave The Bahamas plenty days of sunshine.
It is my mission to lead the charge for a revolution in solar power.
We will launch a solar power initiative that will help thousands of Bahamians to power their homes and businesses with solar energy.
We will partner with the Island School in our ambitious program for sustainable and renewable energy.
I also want the Island School to help with the transformation of education in Eleuthera and The Bahamas.
We intend, over time, to transform teaching and learning in the government-operated school system with an emphasis on hands-on and experience-based learning, as well as technical and vocational education.
On behalf of the FNM, I have already committed to easing the access of education at the tertiary level for all qualified Bahamians from the Family Islands by underwriting the costs providing suitable living accommodations for qualified students from areas such as South Eleuthera.
Students will also be given a stipend to assist with living expenses.
Young People of South Eleuthera:
One of my key initiatives will be a program for young Bahamians, like young people in Eleuthera who want to become entrepreneurs and business people.
I want to take those millions spent on Carnival in Nassau and invest those funds to empower a new generation of young entrepreneurs.
We will launch a major youth entrepreneurship program that will help to develop the skills of thousands of young entrepreneurs.
We will help to equip thousands with business and management skills, such as:
· how to save and handle money;
· how to re-invest and scale-up their business;
· how to market their products and services.
Change is coming to The Bahamas.
South Eleuthera:
The Future of the Family Islands is high on my agenda for reform and modernization.
I want Eleuthera a model for Family Island development.
Some years ago, the FNM issued a statement on Family Island development.
Let me quote from what we said at that time.
“The Family Islands not only have a great future; they are also a part of a great future for our Commonwealth.
“They are not simply ‘out’ islands to be taken care of by the central government; they are integral to a more vibrant 21st century Bahamas.”
“The Family Islands will increasingly help to dynamize our economy and create greater wealth for the entire country.”
“The length of The Bahamas from north to south is greater than the length of Florida.”
“It takes longer to fly from West End, Grand Bahama to Mathew Town, Inagua than it would take to fly from Miami to Tampa Florida – and back!”
“And it would be the same distance as flying from West end to Miami five times.”
“An FNM government will put in place policies which help our Family Islands to preserve what makes them unique while taking advantage of their unique strengths.”
“While we will enthusiastically seek international partners to help us achieve our vision we will be the ones directing the course and setting sail to chart new horizons in Bahamian history.”
“So that our island heritages are preserved and enhanced, the FNM will promote sustainable development and increased Bahamian ownership of and participation in development projects.”
“There are at least six pillars of our strategic vision for the family islands:
(1.) Governance and citizen participation;
(2.) Infrastructural enhancement;
(3.) Environmental protection;
(4.) Economic development;
(5.) Social development and cultural preservation and;
(6.) Security and safety.
“The FNM transformed Family Island administration, governance and public participation by instituting a new system of local government.”
“After years of obvious success and the need for some fine-tuning it is time for this democratic experiment to be enhanced.”
“The FNM will conduct an extensive review of the local government process to evaluate its successes and problems.”
“A part of this review will be the convening of a national local government conference which will bring together local government leaders and Family Island administrators to discuss changes needed in local government legislation.”
“Based on these recommendations and the overall review process, the FNM will enhance local government legislation and administration.”
“We will also continue to professionalize Family Island administration and governance with additional resources for training, technical assistance and technology.”
“The FNM will work with local leaders to promote a culture of planning and preservation.”
“As the FNM forges ahead with ambitious plans for family island development we will always remember the need for extensive consultation with family islanders.”
“The days of imposing projects on the islands are over.”
“Not only must there be genuine consultation with the people, there must also be direct participation by the people in the cultural preservation, environmental protection and economic development of their communities.”
South Eleuthera:
The FNM has the team, the vision and the plans to form the next government.
I want South Eleuthera and Hank Johnson to be there when we form the next government.
I need you to register as many people as possible as quickly as possible. We have plenty work to do.
Let us be about the people’s business because, “It’s the People’s Time.”
May God continue to bless the good people of South Eleuthera and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Thank you South Eleuthera and good night.
God bless our Bahamas, and God bless the wonderful people of Eleuthera
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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