The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE the euphoria of some Free National Movement members over the acquisition of Dr Andre Rollins and Renward Wells, some residents of their respective constituencies yesterday said they are not inspired to support the incumbent representatives in the next general election.

Dr Rollins is the Ft Charlotte MP while Mr Wells represents Bamboo Town.

A few residents of Ft Charlotte, clearly disenchanted with Dr Rollins’ representation, said his move did not change the fact that for most of this term he has been “invisible on the home front”.

When The Tribune visited the area on Thursday, lifelong resident Dennis Cooper responded to questions on Dr Rollins’ decision to join the FNM by asking: “Who is he?”

The 60-year-old resident, who was standing in a neighbour’s yard, said despite his political prowess, Dr Rollins has allowed his controversial attitude to take precedence over his work in the constituency that elected him.

“He is a good politician, he could speak and go at it with the best of them, but he is a poor representative, we hardly see him around here, we don’t feel any connection to him as a representative,” said Mr Cooper.

“Honestly, Rollins had his positives. Out of all the representatives in the House, he was the only one that stood up and spoke against the wrong the PLP was doing. That was a positive. It’s just sad that he couldn’t make himself known to the people in Ft Charlotte.”

Mr Cooper said he would support the return of former Ft Charlotte MP Alfred Sears to the area – a move he believes would ensure the PLP wins the seat.

“See, around here people love Sears for what he did for them, the type of person he was year-round in the community. We here in Ft Charlotte, we like our politicians to be for the people, here, around, accessible. Rollins isn’t like that at all, we only see him on the news, on the TV – when that was off, life is real and he isn’t helping us around here.”

When asked about Dr Rollins’ political future, Mr Cooper said he had “no chance” of re-election.

He added: “I would never vote for Rollins, no one around here would. It doesn’t matter who he comes with, he doesn’t stand a chance in Ft Charlotte.”

Deangelo Cartwright, a construction worker in his late 20s, said he worked with Dr Rollins’ 2012 campaign team. He said he has not seen the vigor and energy promised by the parliamentarian towards the community during the election cycle.

“Rollins is nothing more than a good for nothing politician ... a traitor,” said Mr Cartwright. “We don’t see him, it’s hard to say the last time we saw Andre Rollins around here.”

Asked if the FNM made a good move bringing in Dr Rollins, he said: “If he couldn’t help a party that brought him in and gave him a sure seat – how can you expect him to help a party that struggles in Fort Charlotte? He has promised us a basketball court since he took office and we still waiting.”

Mr Cartwright pointed out that as a party, the FNM has already started its canvassing of the Fort Charlotte community ahead of the 2017 general election in recent weeks.

He added that the party’s chairman, Michael Pintard, has led a number of initiatives in the community.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Mr Pintard said that the work came as a result of community groups reaching out to the FNM and requesting help with a number of projects.

He dismissed speculation that it was a preemptive strategy on his behalf to secure a nomination in the area.

Bamboo Town

Meanwhile, in Bamboo Town, residents interviewed applauded “the guts and moxie” of Mr Wells.

Shetira Hanna, a six-year resident of Bamboo Town, said she was proud of Mr Wells for quitting the PLP, but questioned his choice of the FNM.

According to Ms Hanna, Mr Wells would have been better served if he aligned his talents with the DNA and its leader, Branville McCartney.

“The PLP and the FNM have proven that they aren’t moving forward with the people in mind. Wells is a good man, he looked out for us around here and has done a great job. I would have liked to see him join the DNA and help what they are doing there.”

One man in Bamboo Town, requesting to be identified by the name “Stretch,” said that Mr Wells’ decision had more to do with respect and not political promises.

“I can’t fault him for it. I don’t think that he would last long with the FNM because they have a number of good options they can put in Bamboo Town. I frequent this community a lot; I know a lot of people around here. Wells was decent for the most part, he does what he can for the community and people like him as a person, but this move is strange.”

He added: “Politics is really funny now – people are hurting, no jobs, things are tough – these politicians are doing what they need to do stay around and that doesn’t always work best for the people.”

Mr Wells captured 39 per cent of the vote in Bamboo Town in the 2012 general election. In a four-way race, he beat out Mr McCartney, who was the incumbent MP at the time, FNM Cassius Stuart and Independent Craig Butler.

The constituency offices of both Dr Rollins and Mr Wells were closed on Thursday when The Tribune visited.

In Ft Charlotte, the constituency office appeared to have been closed for an extended period, as security shutters still covered most of the windows and the front door.

In Bamboo Town, an open sign was displayed but all doors to the building were locked. The office’s billboard, apart from displaying the office’s contact information, displayed a scripture - Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”