The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Please publish this open letter to the residents of Fort Charlotte:

Dear Resident:

I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to you for allowing me into your homes and your lives during this historic election campaign. You have allowed me and the Democratic National Alliance to do what no other has done before.

For those who supported my campaign in Fort Charlotte, thank you for doing what many others in our country may have been willing to do, but did not do. Because of your willingness to stand up for change, you have allowed us to make an indelible impression and a lasting impact on the political landscape in the Bahamas. As you know by now, we - you included - are History Makers! Together, we have begun to change the Bahamian political culture, and if you listened to the media yesterday, you would have heard how the DNA occupied almost as much of the conversation as both the newly elected government and the outgoing one. That is a tremendous feat for an organisation that will be celebrating its first anniversary in three days, and I thank you for it. We recognise that, in many ways, this is our 1962; our 1967 is right around the corner, and we will be working diligently to prepare for it.

Again, to our supporters and well-wishers, this has been a fast paced, grueling 11 months for all, and even though we did not achieve the victory that would have seen us become the next government of the Bahamas, as I suggested above, we have in many ways already won and are victorious. We know that many of you are depending on us to remain intact and relevant - the prevailing sentiment expressed to me in the hours following the election - and I want to assure you that we are determined, as an organisation, to stay with you and the large number of Bahamian people who have expressed a commitment to me and to the Party in the form of votes. I just ask that you remain hopeful for change, but more importantly, in the upcoming months and years, become more proactive and get involved in change.

Again, thank you very much for your dedicated support to the DNA. This has been a tremendous learning experience for me, one that I would not change for the world. It was a pleasure meeting and working along with all of you not only as a candidate, but also as your Chairman of the DNA. I thank you for allowing me this privilege. God willing, I look forward to an exciting five years working with you as the DNA continues on its journey to becoming the next government of the Bahamas.

God bless and keep you, and I wish you all a great Bahamian summer.

MARK HUMES

Nassau,

May 9, 2012.