The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

STILL in shock over the sudden death of Charles Maynard, FNM leaders have dedicated their efforts to win the North Abaco seat to his memory.

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis said he spoke to Mr Maynard just hours before his death, and the party chairman was completely focused on the fight in North Abaco, which he was spearheading.

“We were arguing about how many votes we would win by. Defeat was not in our vocabulary. God willing, all my efforts will go towards doing what Charles wanted to do – win this by-election,” he said.

An emotional FNM deputy leader Loretta Butler-Turner also said the party hopes to win North Abaco in Mr Maynard’s honour.

But while she urged her colleagues to make the contest a lasting tribute to their late chairman, Mrs Butler-Turner also emphasised that mourning the loss of a great Bahamian is more important than politics.

“I think it gives us the fortitude to try and dig deep and do this in honour of Charlie,” she said. “But I think it is only right that we first take time to mourn his loss, it is not just business as usual.

“We have lost an outstanding young man and politics being what it is I think it is important to remember that we are first and foremost human beings with great depth of feeling,” Mrs Butler-Turner said. “I know personally I am not looking at the political aspect, I am just mourning the loss of a great Bahamian.”

The FNM is deeply saddened by the loss of Mr Maynard, Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“Charlie,” she said, “was in my opinion one of the really dynamic young new leaders of our party and as we were re-grouping to move forward he was an integral part of that because of what he contributed over the last five years with his commitment, passion and tenacity.

“I am so saddened – I consider him like a little brother, that is just how I felt after working with him over the past five years, he was a man of his word and had great integrity.”

Mrs Butler-Turner said the party has yet to determine who will replace Mr Maynard as FNM chairman.

Speaking on the by-election, FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis, returning from Abaco yesterday said as the FNM co-ordinator for the North Abaco by-election Mr Maynard put a well organised structure in place and it will be a matter of the party working together and continuing his work.

As part of his legacy, Dr Minnis said Mr Maynard believed in being an advocate for the youth and the FNM will continue to support and build on the foundation he laid.

“The country, and especially the young generation,” he said, “would have lost a great supporter.

“I think that the country should definitely follow and implement programmes and ideas that empower young people, just like him (Mr Maynard) that is the future and most certainly the FNM will focus on that.”

Also expressing condolences, former prime minister and FNM leader Hubert Ingraham released a statement early yesterday morning saying that he was greatly saddened to learn of the tragically premature passing of Mr Maynard.

“Charlie was a fine Bahamian man, committed to being a part of the solution to the many challenges facing our still young country. Charlie brought enthusiasm, energy and passion to all his undertakings in both the private and public sectors. He had a biting wit and an infectious laugh which endeared him to all of us.

“Charlie had a wonderful future; he has so much more to contribute to our party and to our country. He will be difficult to replace and will be terribly missed,” he said.