Constituency #6 “Scrapes” for Change
~~Adz:Right~~Basseterre; St. Kitts - In Newton Ground last night June 3, 2008, another historic “Change We Can Believe In” was also witnessed at the Public Meeting held by the People’s Action Movement (PAM). For the first time, residents expressed a desire for positive and meaningful change in Constituency # 6 – the Parliamentary seat occupied by Prime Minister Douglas.
In response PAM called a new candidate willing to work for this change with Constituency #6 residents, Mr. Junie ‘Scrape’ Hodge. The former police officer spoke about the mistreatment of local farmers and the difficult position that ex-sugar workers continue to suffer due to the Douglas Administration’s mishandling of the agricultural sector. Mr. Hodge further noted a disregard to agricultural workers where the Douglas Administration gave the most lucrative part of the past sugar industry – The Scenic Railway- to a foreign entity.
In addition to PAM’s aim to empower agricultural workers by paying the full support still not received after closure of the sugar industry, Mr. Hodge concluded that first on the agenda when elected by the people of Constituency #6 is to provide a fence to protect children at the primary school from oncoming traffic and to construct a pavilion for the sports field in Newton Ground.
PAM Political Leader Mr. Lindsay Grant continued by addressing the urgent need for financial management in government and its connection to the empowerment of people in St. Kitts and Nevis. Due to the increasingly high national debt under the Douglas Administration, Mr. Grant spoke about our reduced ability to stock necessary medicines at the hospitals and difficulty to now receive assistance during the sharp rise in the cost of living. Mr. Grant assured that a new PAM government would put money back into the hands of everyday people through prudent financial management of the economy.
In conclusion, Mr. Grant cautioned residents to register and confirm on the voter list- Constituency #6 replied, “For the time for Change is now!”
The next Public Meeting will be held on Thursday 5th June 2008 in New Town.
