Graham Weatherford

Published On:Monday, April 19, 2010

By MEGAN REYNOLDS

Tribune Staff Reporter

mreynolds@tribunemedia.net

FORMER radio talk show host, entrepreneur and life-time resident of Montagu Graham Weatherford has announced his plans to run as an independent candidate in the next general election to address traffic, crime and education in his constituency.

The 41-year-old father-of-two going after the seat held by Minister of State for Social Services Loretta Butler Turner said he will draw on his extensive professional and personal experience to offer Montagu the best possible future.

This will involve donating his $28,000 annual parliamentary salary towards the education of local youngsters, and supplementing that with the $100,000 annual budget allocation for the constituency to send a selection of LW Young Junior High School students to the Florida Power and Light Company where they can be trained in solar energy systems and return with the ability to install solar panels at homes and businesses to help reduce the country's $1 billion fuel bill of 2009.

"I'm not going to paint the sidewalks if I can train 20 people in solar systems," Mr Weatherford said.

"They can make millions of dollars switching home by home, and getting rid of people's light bill and making everybody rich."

But the number one issue for Mr Weatherford is reducing the traffic congestion in Montagu as it affects those who live and work in six constituencies east of his own constituency.

The Village Road resident is not, however, supportive of the plan for Montagu Foreshore developed by a steering committee and currently under government review as he said it did not involve everyone in the constituency, and employed the expertise of people from outside of Montagu instead of local architects who could be used to design a proper facility for fish market vendors, public toilets, and a ramp capable of launching six to ten boats at a time.

When he moves on to address crime, Mr Weatherford, owner of Sure Alarms, said he would install alarm systems at every home in Montagu for free to drive burglars out of the area.

And he will remain connected to his constituents by launching the world's first virtual constituency office online, the aspiring MP said.

His motivation to represent the community stems from a genuine desire to improve the area and the lives of local people outside of the governing Free National Movement (FNM) and opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

"I really don't care about those two parties," Mr Weatherford said, as he pointed out how the leaders of both parties were once Independent.

"Being Independent lets you move towards the right man, or woman, not the party.

"There are a select few Bahamians who are seeking public office, which is indeed a matter of trust; however, there seems to be an attitude among some who are elected to office, that they are above accountability, and that they should be in office on the merit of their parents' or grandparents' legacy, or some other social promotion scheme.

"Therefore as an Independent candidate I offer to serve the needs of the people of Montagu with my creativity, talents, passion and character which enable me to speak and serve on behalf of the Bahamian people."