The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 400 eligible West Grand Bahama District voters could return to the polls next week for a runoff local government election for the Eight Mile Rock East Township.

Administrator Leonard Dames said the election will be held on February 11 at the Mt Zion Baptist Church Community Center from 8am to 6pm.

The runoff candidates are Shantell Forbes and Marvette Russell.  Of 400 registered voters, 131 persons cast ballots on January 23.  Both candidates each received 55 votes.

Ms Russell, a business owner and resident of Pinedale, is running for the second time, while Ms Forbes is a newcomer.

Ms Russell said her goal is to make a difference in her community.

According to Mr Dames, only registered voters in polling division 13 will be eligible to cast their ballots.

Mr Dames said the three additional townships in West Grand Bahama — West End Township, Eight Mile Rock West Township, and Pinder’s Point Township — have already met the required number of elected members.

A total of 12 members will make up the West Grand Bahama District Council. Nine have already been sworn in — some last Thursday in West End Township and others on Monday in Pinder’s Point Township.

Once sworn in, members in each of the four townships must select three representatives among themselves for the positions of chairman, deputy chairman, and a third representative to serve on the council.

Mr Dames said a swearing-in ceremony will be held on Wednesday for members of the Eight Mile Rock West Township. Once the runoff election winner is determined next week, a swearing-in ceremony will follow for members of the Eight Mile Rock East Township.

He also thanked poll workers, police and defence force officers, and all those who contributed to ensuring a smooth electoral process.

Cecil Thompson, consultant for the Parliamentary Registration Department, said the local government elections in Grand Bahama were a success.

“The returning officers, the presiding officer, and their teams did an extraordinary job during the local government election without any significant problems,” he said.

Elected in Polling Division 2 at Town Committee members were Constance Hanna and Sasha Williams; In Polling Division 3 were Keisha Adderley; Ericka Hield; Lena Knowles; and Anathasa Sears; In Polling Division 4 - Roy Brown and Shinique Dean; In Polling Division 7 were Kevin Burrows and Lorna Davis; In Polling Division 12 – Sellie Jones and Edmund Russell; In Polling Division 14 – Chinica Alviant; and in Polling  Division 10A – Larry Spence Wildgoose.