Dear Editor,

If Urban Renewal was so great, wonderful and rewarding under the Christie administration – [2002-2007], why did the respective communities and its so call concerned residents, business owners and pastors abruptly ceased to be active and kind after the PLP lost in 2007? 

The award winning programme under the Christie government has proven itself to be an elaborate gravy train and a hoax. 

I have been with the government’s Urban Renewal Programme since 2008, and I have found out that in the respective districts of which we serve, they are filled with people who are chronically dependent on the administration for their every need.  They are not interested in togetherness, and doing excellent things for themselves and their neighbors. 

Divisiveness is the order of the day, and politics is the official religion and driving force in the lives of dwellers in the respect Urban districts. 

Pastors are too political to notice that their constituencies and flock need them; and residents are too occupied with messing-up one another, instead of being industrious and considerate citizens. 

We in the Urban Renewal Programme are essentially community facilitators.  We are in the particular areas to help residents to better themselves and their surroundings.  We are not room service waiters; nor do we subscribe to the notion that Bahamians must be spoon fed by their Members of Parliament and government. 

Our vision is to make a lasting impact on those to whom we serve, and to motivate them to be enduring citizens of the peace and prosperity.  When we would have moved on, our desire is to leave in place durable programs like the after school initiative, the seniors association, the employment assistance scheme and others that are eternally embraced by the various communities, and their motivated and useful residents. 

When the PLP lost the general election of 2007, almost everyone involved with Urban Renewal, and helping their communities in a so called positive light just vanished in the thin air.  

It’s wickedness and corruption on the part of those individuals; especially pastors!  

This is the reason why the country is in its deplorable state; people today are not genuine and most of us are only concerned about ourselves period.  

Now, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is talking about Urban Renewal 2.0 if they win the next general election.  Not so fast Messrs Keith Bell and Dion Smith, Mrs. Hope Strachan and company.

We have not finished talking about Urban Renewal 1.0 yet.  

Why is it for example, that certain police officers were given their walking-papers after the Free National Movement (FNM) won the 2007 general election for their unacceptably corrupt contributions to the Christie award winning Urban Renewal Programme?  

Why is it that every bank account concerning the award winning Urban Renewal Programme was closed by May 03, 2007 by crooked operatives?  How much money was involved and what happen to those funds?  

Yes, Urban Renewal 1.0 is still live until the public is fully appraised about its dirty secrets under the Perry Christie administration of 2002-2007.  
 

Yours etc,  

Dennis A. Dames