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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Remarks
By
Bradley B. Roberts
National Chairman
Progressive Liberal Party
Installation Meeting
Stalwarts Harbour Island, Bahamas
15th August 2015
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Perry G Christie;
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Philip Brave Davis;
Deputy Chairman BAIC Clay Sweeting and Next MP for North Eleuthera;
Party Officers, Stalwart Councilors, Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is always a joy to be here on Harbour Island the birth place of my mother’s dad Theophilus Randolph ‘Hoppy’ Albury who was born in Sept 1896. He was a School Master and traveled around the islands of The Bahamas in the employ of the Department of Education. He believed deeply in his heritage and left behind a photo of his dad William Baltimore Albury who was born here on Briland in 1878. I am very proud of my Harbour Island family legacy.
Our esteem Prime Minister Perry G Christie can share with you his dear Mother Naomi Christie nee Allen proud heritage of Tapum Bay Eleuthera dating many generations. Eleuthera and Briland is directly tied to the highest office in our land.
I wish to offer my warm and personal congratulations to the good people of Harbour Island for Briland having recently been voted BEST ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN by Travel and Leisure Magazine!
This is indeed a prestigious and well deserved award!! I congratulate all hospitality and tourism related workers and urge you to jealously guard your wonderful heritage.
I wish to pay tribute to the PLP Women here on Briland who reenergized its Branch in April 2014 and is currently chaired by Jessie Brooks with Juanita Percentie as NGC member. I encourage the Women to continue to press on through aggressive recruitment; preaching the tenets of the PLP and tirelessly advancing the national issues affecting women and children.
I offer congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the Stalwart Councilors of the Harbour Island of the North Eleuthera constituency for your years of tireless service and for consistently putting both party and country above self. Given the highly political and tribally divisive nature of small island politics, being a front line soldier must be challenging and requiring much courage. So those who remain faithful and loyal to the cause are a special breed of men and women of valor who worthy of our honour and praise. Again I say thank you for your many years of selfless service.
I am delighted to salute this latest group of warriors being installed as Stalwart Councilors on our great Political Organization.
I encourage you to continue the good fight; have faith, confidence and tenacity and may Almighty God continue to direct your path.
It cannot be overstated that Stalwart Councilors are the bedrock and anchor of the Progressive Liberal Party. Stalwarts form the decision making body that is responsible for ratifying the policies of the party outside of a national convention and they provide much cohesiveness and leadership within their individual constituencies all at the same time. This august body therefore plays a significant leadership role in both the national and local political life and development our country.
Stalwarts routinely recruit new members by preaching the value systems of the PLP and pointing out on a daily bases how the policies of the PLP have not only created the modern Bahamas, but continue to positively impact the lives of literally thousands of Bahamian families to this very day. Its value and message of social justice has stood the test of time.
They do so without compensation, at great personal sacrifice and without being told to do so. They continue to shoulder on because they sincerely believe in this social movement that is the PLP and its ability to transform the lives of ordinary Bahamians.
The title of Stalwart Councilor is evidence of your commitment to the ideals of the PLP and its cause of fighting for the poor, the weak, the voiceless, the displaced and the dispossessed because a country is only as strong as its weakest links.
It is the highest honour this iconic organization can confer on any of its members so Stalwart Councilors are the caretakers and gatekeepers of the Progressive Liberal Party. They protect the party’s legacy and keep the party on course and true to its core principles. When in high office, Stalwart Councilors hold the feet of its leaders to the fire based on campaign promises and on matters of public policy as it relates to the policy’s alignment with the core values of the party
I am fully aware of the power supply challenges here on Briland and will invite DPM Davis to address the issue.
For all intents and purposes, we are in election season and I ask that you organize yourselves into an even tighter and closer grouping, reaching out to the communities of Harbour Island and North Eleuthera. Politics is local and like any other business, personal relationships are invaluable assets to a successful candidacy as they build mutual trust and respect over time. I encourage you to go door to door with your putative candidate. Offer of your strength, time and talents to strengthen your political machinery. The last two elections were decided by 500 votes so take nothing for granted; EVERY VOTE COUNTS.
Many of you are quite aware that the Parliamentary Commissioner has announced that the current voters’ register expires in November of this year, returning officers and other senior government election officials are being trained so it is not too early to begin your voter registration drive.
My office remains open to assist any and all who require the intervention of the national party’s leadership; it is a well-known fact that I have an open door policy.
On behalf of the office of the National Chairman, my executive team and the Progressive Liberal Party, I again congratulate the new Stalwarts of Harbour Island of North Eleuthera of Constituency; I thank you for your service and may Almighty God continue to bless and guide you as you continue to place national service and country above self.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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