Dear Editor,
Grand Bahama is a
wonderful place to live and raise a family. It has enormous potential for
further growth and development. Known as the industrial Mecca
of the Bahamas, Grand Bahama provides a location where tourism and
industry have the ability to thrive simultaneously. Currently, despite its
unlimited potential, Grand Bahama's economy is
struggling. Its residents are hoping and praying for relief.
As we enter the upcoming political season, residents of Grand Bahama and the Bahamas will hear dozens if not hundreds of
speeches, presentations, door to door chats about what every politician will do
for Freeport
and its ailing economy. However, this environment is no different from anywhere
else where democratic elections take place.
The question is why do we as voters fall prey to the sweet talk every election
season, without holding our politicians accountable to their pre-election
promises.
In the upcoming election, all registered voters will have the choice between
the Free National Movement, the Progressive Liberal Party and Democratic
National Alliance. This is truly an exciting time to be a voter in this great
country. Buts let's really look at the issues for Grand
Bahama. We want change, we want progression, and we want this
island to become the thriving commercial, touristic, industrial and financial
business centre so many have envisioned beginning with Mr. Wallace Groves, Sir
Charles and Sir Jack Hayward and Edward St. George. Two of the prior have lived
and died toiling to bring to reality the Port Authority's dream of
"Endless Opportunities" for every investor.
Sir Jack remains and with the St. George heirs and the new executive management
team, they are continuing to build the vision of Freeport. All must be acknowledged for their
commitment and contribution to the Grand Bahama
community.
As the political gloves are raised between parties, I beg you, don’t bring
political sweet talk, please respect your voters and come armed with facts,
strategy and a real vision of moving this island forward. Don’t come with empty
promises of jobs, development projects and bring only the bread crumbs that
fall from Nassau's
table.
Don’t bring vague and open statements that blame either the opposing party or
GBPA for Grand Bahama's woes.
GBPA is what Freeport
has and what it knows. GBPA and the Hawksbill Creek Agreement have proven its
value, not only for Grand Bahama but the Bahamas as whole. Good and bad,
triumphs and flaws, the Port has built the city of Freeport
and contributed enormously to the island
of GB for the past 55+
years at no cost to the Bahamas Treasury.
I watched with amazement, the ground breaking of the Bahamar project in Nassau, a project that could very easily have been
accommodated on Grand Bahama. I would dare to
say that the Port may have even granted land discounts and other concessions to
ensure it came to Freeport;
but we will never know. It could have easily created tons of opportunities for
Grand Bahamians locally as well as those working on other islands to come home,
find work and be reunited with their families. But this is not the case;
Bahamar sits comfortably in Nassau,
amidst numerous other thriving touristic developments.
Residents, as the politicians bring their sweet talk, let's hold them accountable
for their words. We know what we have, but we don’t know what we could get. We
must demand that all candidates bring solid, well thought out plans and a
formulated strategy that addresses all areas of GB's economic sectors, and how
each party proposes to improve Grand Bahama's
situation. Please respect us as voters and don't treat us like we're dumb.
However, at the same time, as voters let's not act dumb either.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Resident.
