The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FORMER PLP Chairman Andrew “Dud” Maynard yesterday criticised his former party for failing to recognise the contributions of past politicians.

Mr Maynard affirmed his family’s alliance with the Free National Movement at a press conference announcing a sporting event to be held in his late son Charles Maynard’s honour.

Mr Maynard said: “I’m happy to be in a party that is like the party I was in for years, until it changed to the new PLP. I don’t mean when they announced the change, before that.

“[Charles] was a sincere and committed person, and that’s what I remember the original PLP as being. People like Cecil Wallace-Whitfield and Arthur Foulkes. You people are too young and you’re missing your life because you never heard Arthur Foulkes speak.

“It would make you cry when Arthur emphasized certain things,” he recalled, “that’s the sort of commitment and feeling we had for one another in those days, and I’m glad to see that the FNM is carrying that on.”

The FNM will host the memorial track and field classic next month as part of its annual Family Fun Day.

Participants will get an opportunity to race against party politicians, most notably the Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner, and play games named after historic public figures.

Dr Minnis said: “Even in Opposition, our party continues the challenge of strengthening democracy in our country. And so the fight goes on, but we will never forget what happened on that wonderful day in August 1992.

“As we come together to mark the 21st  anniversary of the Free National Movement’s historic victory on August 19, 1992, we will use this opportunity to also celebrate the life, legacy and spirit of our former Party Chairman and brother, Charles Maynard who passed away almost one year ago on August 14, 2012.”

Dr Minnis maintained that his party will continue its commitment to the development of sports.

“In this same regard, as I did in both my previous role as a medical doctor and as minister of health,” Dr Minnis said, “as Prime Minister, I will continue my commitment to the promotion of physical and mental fitness for Bahamians of all age groups. At a time when high incidents of non-communicable diseases continue to plague our country  and threaten our long term viability as a regional power, we have to make the development of physical, mental—and I might add spiritual health—a high priority.

He said: “Our commitment as a political party, as it would be as a government, would be a proactive focus on the front end. Good living, good health and prevention. It is our hope and plan that the Family Fund day will be a giant step in the right direction in achieving these objectives.”

Mr Maynard encouraged the party to continue to provide a platform for young people to contribute to national development.

He said: “Our family now understands the difference between the FNM, the old PLP, and the new PLP. The PLP never recognized people like this, never recognized their contributions.

He added: “Fortunately I was never a fella who was looking for recognition, but I’m very happy that (FNM) recognized Charles’ contributions.”

Mr Maynard said the former FNM chairman was his most determined child, and that his perseverance did not go unnoticed by executive leadership.

Mr Maynard said: “(Charles) didn’t shut up until he got heard, he wanted to be heard, and a lot of times he brought out things that they weren’t thinking of. So I say, it will be good for the FNM to continue to hear young people. Let young people work in the system and make their contributions.

He added: “I would like [Charles] to be remembered as he is being remembered, as a sincere and committed politician.

The Track and Field Classic will be held at the old Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on August 17.