The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SOME Marco City constituents are supportive and others are fuming over area MP Gregory Moss’ resignation from the Progressive Liberal Party.

Mr Moss’ departure has reduced the PLP’s parliamentary seats in Grand Bahama to two, bringing the party’s seats on the island on par with the opposition Free National Movement.

The Tribune went to Marco City and spoke with some residents about Mr Moss’ move. However, many of them did not want to be named for fear of victimisation.

One man – a resident of Marco City – was very upset with Mr Moss’s decision to resign from the party.

“I am a constituent of Marco City and I voted for Mr Moss; I didn’t just vote for him, I voted for the party,” said the carpenter who paused from his work to comment.

“He presented himself and his belief in the PLP leadership and in the party under Mr Perry Christie, and he gone and resign? I voted for him and the PLP.

“As a constituent of Marco City and a PLP, that is a slap in the face to the Marco City constituents and PLPs of this country.”

When asked if Mr Moss is doing a good job in the area, the man rated his representation as five on a scale of one to 10.

“I think he could do better,” he said.

Since 2013, there have been talks that Mr Moss could resign and sit in the House of Assembly as an independent MP after Prime Minister Perry Christie fired him as NIB chairman.

Mr Moss has also not towed the party line in a number of areas. He voted against value added tax (VAT) legislation and has said he would campaign openly against the constitutional referendum bills if they were passed in Parliament. He has also been critical of the PLP administration over the stalled development of Grand Bahama.

Another area resident who spoke to The Tribune said she is supportive of the controversial MP.

“He is a man for the people,” the woman resident, who did not want to be named, said. “He does what is right and assists constituents. It is his right to do what he feels and he feels it in his best interest to resign (from the party).

“I will still support him. He is straight forward and honest and that is something young people like me and others appreciate.”

Another resident of Marco City who resides near the food store in Lucaya described Mr Moss as a politician who is not afraid to go against the established regime.

“This was a long time coming and I expected this would happen; he is an independent thinker and he made his position known and I support him in his decision.”

The man said the resignation is a part of the democratic process.

“Even though he was selected by the PLP to run in Marco City, he is still the representative for Marco City. He did not cross the floor to become an FNM or decided to take a seat as a DNA representative; he is representing the people as an independent. It has happened in our political history and we have to respect his decision.”

Asked whether he would support Mr Moss as an independent candidate, the man said he would have wait and watch how the MP handles himself in the coming months leading up to the next general election.

“But, I say he is a man with testicular fortitude. He is grounded and, therefore, I wish him the best of luck in his future political endeavours.”

Grand Bahama resident Kendal Colebrook believes that Gregory Moss is to be commended.

“He stood up for the people as an MP should, because you know when you sign onto these parties you have to be loyal to the constitution of the party, but Greg Moss and (Ft Charlotte MP Dr) Andre Rollins have gone against the grain,” he said.

Mr Colebrook said he is expecting Mr Moss and other local MPs to stand up and speak out for hotel workers at Memories Resort and residents in settlements affected by industrial plants.

The Tribune was told there has not been an influx of calls to Mr Moss’ constituency office or widespread negative feedback so far over his resignation.