The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama resident Lewis Astwood Jr is seeking to run as the Progressive Liberal Party candidate for Central Grand Bahama in the upcoming general election.

Mr Astwood Jr is the son of former minister of works, utilities and immigration in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Lewis Astwood Sr, and the late Dorine Martin, a former maid at the Jack Tar Hotel, in West End, Grand Bahama.

He was educated in Grand Bahama, TCI and Canada. A committee to elect Mr Astwood Jr has been formed in Grand Bahama.

He is urging Bahamians to vote for individual men and women who they know will fight for policies that are in the best interest of Bahamians.

“Let us put politics aside for a moment. This is not about the PLP, FNM, or DNA. When we vote, we must vote for individual men and women who we know will fight for policies that will allow us to feed, cloth, shelter ourselves, and to live and work with dignity. This time, it must not be business as usual. This time, it’s about making available to all Bahamians the opportunity to move from poverty to prosperity,” he said.

Mr Astwood Jr said that Central Grand Bahama and Eight Mile Rock are long overdue for a facelift.

“I…pray that you would find some hope, strength, and courage to stand with me, walk with me, and fight with me for a better life for our families and ourselves. This is not the time to be weak in mind, body and soul.”

Mr Astwood Jr said he will never be afraid to fight for a better life for the Bahamian people.

According to a committee spokesman, Mr Astwood Jr is known in the Eight Mile Rock community, where he has helped many people.

“He has not just come on the political scene, but has been present for a number of years. He has done much for the people in the Eight Mile Rock area, which falls under the Central Grand Bahama constituency,” said the spokesman.

“We have been working throughout the community assisting the residents where possible. We hope that Lewis Astwood is the man to be elected for Central Grand Bahama in the upcoming general election. Not only is he a servant of the people, he is a leader with a vision.”

The committee believes that service above self should be heavily considered when candidates present themselves as representatives of the people.

A spokesman said: “While many are attempting to gain ratification to run in the upcoming general election, what should be considered most is: What have they done for the people they wish to serve?”

The spokesman stated that Mr Astwood Jr has spoken publicly in the past about a number of issues he would address if elected.

The committee revealed that Mr Astwood Jr has helped many through his food programme over the past nine years, as well as distributed clothing to needy persons in the Eight Mile Rock community.

“He hasn’t just started working in the community he hopes to represent. This is a programme that still exists today,” the spokesman said.

Mr Astwood Jr has also established an organisation, ‘Building Men for the Future (BMF)’ speaking to young men and women about how to become productive citizens of the country.

He established the first school for the blind in Eight Mile Rock, which was started in his own building. Mr Astwood Jr would pick up and drop off students to the institution.

The school has since been moved and is currently located in one of the rooms at Ruby Swiss Restaurant.

This story has been corrected - it originally stated that Lewis Astwood Jr was seeking to run as an Independent candidate.