The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

MARSH HARBOUR - Today, as thousands of North Abaconians head to the polls to decide who will be their next member of parliament, both political candidates contesting the seat said they expect to be declared the victor.

Progressive Liberal Party’s Renardo Curry, who fell short by some 200 votes in the general elections to former Prime Minister and FNM leader Hubert Ingraham, believes that he is the “ideal candidate” who the people will choose over Free National Movement’s Greg Gomez.

“I feel very confident,” Mr Curry said. “We’ve spent enough time campaigning in this area – the whole constituency. They know that our message is well received so we’re pushing forward with this vision. The people are very receptive to what we’re saying so we believe that at the

end of the day, we will be victorious.”

Speaking with The Tribune, Mr Curry emphasised that, as “a son of the soil”, he is the best candidate to succeed Mr Ingraham, who held the North Abaco seat for 35 years before his retirement.

“The other candidate also is, but I think I’ve been here longer than him with the people, especially during this time with the recession just passed, and we’re somewhat still in recession. I’ve been with them through thick and thin. They know that I feel their pain and their hurt

so I think they’re going to be with me in the end.”

Mr Gomez, the FNM’s candidate, is also confident of victory.

“Monday is decision day for our people in North Abaco,” Mr Gomez said.

“I am grateful to everyone who saw through the web of confusion spun by

detractors of the FNM. I appreciate all of them who gave me a fair hearing to outline my vision for North Abaco.

“I am confident that when the polls close on Monday I and the FNM will

be declared the winners.”

Both candidates yesterday admitted their distaste for mud-slinging campaigning and “dirty tactics” that have reportedly been used since Mr Ingraham’s official resignation as MP for North Abaco and Prime Minister Perry Christie’s announcement that the bye-election would be held October 15. About 4,400 residents are registered to vote.

Mr Gomez, in response to tactics during the campaign said that “the people of North Abaco are decent, godly people.”

“Regrettably, this campaign has been a source of too much pain and division. Mission one for me will be a concerted effort to heal the wounds that have been opened.”

He emphasized that a victory today for the FNM “will send a very clear

and decisive message to the rest of The Bahamas: Just as the people of

North Abaco did, they too should not be moved by threats and intimidation.”

Mr Curry said: “I’m not at all for that kind of campaigning. You’d notice from the general elections, I’ve run a whole different campaign you know, as a child of God and a Christian. As a child of God, I

believe in speaking to the issues concerning things that really matter.

“I’ve never sought to go in the mud so to speak. I’m above that type of campaign and I’m not for it because I always encourage persons who will get involved, integrity is your number one thing and be respectful to others. And that’s why you see I have the kind of respect that I have

because I respect people.”

Mr Curry added that win or lose, he will not leave his people and will fight for their betterment regardless of the outcome.

“But losing is not an option. I feel very confident that I will win but

in any event, I’m here to fight for the people and I will do that,” he

said, promising to go to work on day one with focus on education, jobs

and local investment into the economy.