The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia,net

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco – North Abaconians are having mixed feelings on the outcome of Monday’s historic by-election which saw the Progressive Liberal Party recapture the seat held by the Free National Movement for 35 years.

Residents throughout the various communities, whether on the job or at home, were talking about Renardo Curry’s victory over FNM’s Greg Gomez and Bahamas Constitution Party’s leader Ali McIntosh.

The Tribune spoke to some of the residents who were not afraid to voice their opinions on the bye-elections and whether or not the new member of parliament, who is to be sworn in next week, will make a good representative for the constituency.

Elliot Burrows of Murphy Town, who is a pastor, believes Mr Curry “will do good” for the area after being given a second chance at the polls and winning.

“Yeah, I believe Mr Curry will do good,” Mr Burrows said.

“Now he has the opportunity to do what he have to do. I can only speak based on what he said. So if he do what he say he would do, then everything will be good.”

With that being said, the pastor said the FNM’s Gomez could have also have done good for the constituency had the results been reversed and the FNM had won.

“I had no problem with Gomez. I believe if he did win, he would have done good the same in my opinion because both of them grew up in the same area, both seem to have a level head on them. They want to try and do something for North Abaco so if Gomez did win, it would been the same in my opinion.”

Murphy Town’s Dudley Stuart said he was not surprised by Mr Curry’s defeat over Mr Gomez. In his opinion Mr Gomez was not the right candidate for the job.

“Last night’s victory was no shock. Nobody know who this Greg Gomez fellow is. We know Mr Curry. I know him from he was a little boy growing up and he been working with the community. I know he will make a good representative for us.”

A woman from Central Pines, who goes by the initials RS, said even though she voted FNM in the May 7 general elections, the bye-election on Monday was different due to not liking the FNM’s choice candidate.

“Well I’m not surprised by the results because I know Renardo Curry and the people know Renardo Curry. They don’t really know Greg like that and even when you see him, he’s not as personable as Renardo is in my opinion. Mind you I voted for Mr Ingraham in May because he do a lot for North Abaco whether you want to admit it or not.”

“But this bye-election, people know Renardo Curry more than they do Greg Gomez so it was obvious that PLP was going to win.”

A resident from Dundas Town, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared their view on the outcome of the bye-election, believing that there might have been intimidation and victimization.

“From they hit the ground I knew they (PLP) won it. I’m hearing about victimisation and it might be true, I think it is but that is something you have to be able to prove. You just have to be careful not to let people wearing your party colours, if you’re not wearing them and boasting, people won’t know who you are.”

When asked if the FNM’s loss was due to the former prime minister’s influence during the campaign she said, “It was not a factor.”

“Apparently when the PLP hit the ground, and the FNM realized how difficult campaigning was, Mr Ingraham was called in for help because the FNM’s were only voting red because of him and what he had done.”

She said at the end of the day (Monday) it was not enough and the party lost the seat.