(EDITOR’S NOTE: My good friend Ta’Shar Cuccurullo posted this excellent commentary on Facebook that I absolutely had to share as a Guest Commentary with readers of my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.)
GUEST COMMENTARY: BY TA’SHAR CUCCURULLO
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama. October 14. 2023 — Now that Obie is gone, everybody wants the seat he once held. In fact, even I have been asked to run as an independent candidate. I dare not enter the arena because his shoes are too big for my feet!
But I say to anyone who is considering it, before you put your name in the hat to run for West, End, Grand, Bahama, think about this!
To any prospective candidate considering a run for West End in Grand Bahama, the community holds high expectations. They are in search of a leader who shares the vision of rejuvenating and revitalizing the region, akin to the previous candidate’s platform, only this time, they need it to become a reality, especially if you are not a kid from the soil! The constituents are seeking a comprehensive approach, encompassing the transformation of the area’s entrance, with the introduction of green spaces, vibrant cafes, educational facilities, and improved healthcare services.
Their expectations also extend to a dedicated commitment to the well-being of all residents, including those facing challenges such as learning disabilities and elderly citizens with unique needs. The community is looking for strong public safety measures, including a well-equipped law enforcement, firefighting capabilities, and efficient emergency services.
Additionally, the residents desire a bustling marketplace, offering a diverse range of goods, modern supermarkets, and facilities that support local fishermen. They yearn for access to entertainment centers, sports facilities, and opportunities for education for individuals of all ages.
In the realm of education, the constituents anticipate a re-education plan that ensures the younger generation remains current with the latest advancements, making them attractive candidates for employment.
Above all, the community is enthusiastic about initiatives that promote self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on external assistance. They are eager to provide warm hospitality to tourists and look forward to your assistance in creating opportunities for taxi drivers and local artisans.
In essence, for those contemplating a run in West End, Grand Bahama, prepare to embrace a comprehensive vision that encompasses economic development, education, and the welfare of the community. This is precisely what the people expect from their future representative.
Furthermore, it is essential to understand that the residents of West End are not merely interested in a candidate seeking fame or a title. They are seeking an individual who is prepared to hit the ground running, demonstrating the capability to turn promises into actions. The constituents are unwavering in their desire for West End to regain its status as the capital of this island, and they are determined to see this aspiration come to fruition.
Therefore, if you are contemplating a bid for office in West End, it is crucial that you can substantiate your commitment to these expectations. The people demand tangible results, not mere rhetoric.
Giving a few dollars here and there it’s not going to work anymore. The people will spend your money, and they will look for the right candidate for the job!
They don’t want someone who is only going to spend a few dollars now and turn his or her back on them after Election Day or someone who immediately changes his phone number and blocks everybody from calling him. No, they don’t need a person like that. They need a mover and a shaker! They don’t want to be the ones cleaning up the area; they want to be the ones building up the area!
I say to the People of West End, demand that your next leader be interested in you and your future and future of your children and their children. Don’t just accept anybody who wants to run; make sure the person can deliver.
To potential candidates, if you are not prepared to work tirelessly towards the revitalization of this historic region, it may be best to reconsider your decision to run for office, as the residents of West End are steadfast in their pursuit of making their vision a reality.
Let’s make West End Grand, again!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Having lived in Grand Bahama for 12 years before I returned to Washington, D.C, as the Press, Cultural Affairs and Information Manager at the Embassy of The Bahamas in 2013, I fully endorse the remarks and suggestions made by my good friend Ta’Shar Cuccurullo in this powerful and insightful commentary.
I had previously lived in Washington, D.C., for 21 years before initially returning to The Bahamas in 1992 after the Free National Movement (FNM), of which I was a founding member, in August of 1992 won 32 of the 49 seats in the House of Assembly to become the Government of The Bahamas.
I was a die-hard supporter of the PLP during the struggle for majority rule in the 1960s, but when the Dissident Eight — Cecil V. Wallace-Whitfield, Maurice Moore. Arthur A. Foulkes, Warren J. Levarity, James Shepherd, Dr. Curtis McMillan, George Thompson and Dr. Elwood Donaldson – resigned from the PLP in 1970 because they had lost confidence in the leadership of Lynden O. Pindling and subsequently established the FNM, I also left the PLP and became the founding Editor of The Torch of Freedom, the FNM’s newspaper.
At the time, my late brother, Simeon “Sugar B” Brown, who was three years older than me and was my mentor growing up at Stanyard Creek, Andros, was deeply involved in politics in West End, Grand Bahama, and he strongly criticized my decision to leave the PLP. Aside from him being a dyed-in-the-wool PLP supporter, his son, Simeon R. Brown, my nephew, was at the time the Member of the House of House of Assembly for West End.
I have provided this historical insight into Grand Bahama politics primarily because I strongly feel that the Candidate’s Committee of the PLP should give serious consideration to naming Samuel Brown, who is Simeon’s nephew and my grandnephew, as the candidate to fill the seat in the House of Assembly left vacant by the death of Obie Wilchcombe.
As a student at Grand Bahama Catholic High School, Sam was a perennial debating champion and he Is currently a successfully established lawyer. Because I believe that he can make tremendous contributions to The Bahamas in the political arena, I intend to vigorously support his candidacy to become the next Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini.
