The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. There have been many occasions where both Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Hubert Alexander Ingraham and Perry Christie talked about their political careers running parallel. They also talked about having some of the same experiences at the same time. Both were ostracized by the PLP. Mr Ingraham held his head high and moved on, but Mr Christie insisted on "swimming" back in a most unpleasant liquid. We all remember his famous quote. For the most part Mr Ingraham represented Abaco and Mr Christie Centreville/Farm Road. Both gentlemen became Prime Minister while representing the same constituency. Both, in their capacities had the power to do almost anything they wished for anyone, especially constituents, without question. They called the shots. I am somewhat baffled though, should both men be proud of their accomplishments. Does Mr Ingraham have any reservations about his representation and does Mr Christie have anything pricking his conscience? Using the explanation of the men who experienced almost the same things politically, took different directions, I would like to compare the achievements of both, only using their constituencies as a measuring stick. To be fair, all one has to do to get a better picture is to actually visit both constituencies. I visited both several times each. I want to know, how a man who served as prime minister, totally neglected his own constituency, for so long. Now I may be accused of being biased, but I double dare anyone to point to one thing that would say otherwise. The neglect of the Farm Road and Bain Town is too blatant to miss. Where is Mr. Christie's footprint in Farm Road? It is clear that the people who consistently voted for Mr Christie have been taken for granted. I have many friends in the Farm Road area, and I grew up in Bain Town. Mr Christie did not see the urgency to use the $100,000 to better his constituency so he returned the money. The good people of both constituencies deserve better. I am sure when they see what has and is happening in Abaco they should be able to compare and get "dead serious" about who to trust with their future. The PLP always say that the grassroots is their base. Is this one of the reasons why they insist on keeping the area and conditions to live in the same? Is this to solidify their base? It is high time for Farm Road and Bain Town to be brought into the 21st Century. The time is now. IVOINE W. INGRAHAM Nassau, February 3, 2011.