The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

NORTH Abaco hopeful Ali McIntosh said she is encouraged by the support she received from constituents and confident it will “turn into votes” come by-election day.

The Bahamas Constitution Party leader also admitted that although she is a “disciplinarian to some degree” she still has the compassion necessary to relate to young voters.

“This would be the second time I’m putting my name on the ballot for the consideration of the people of North Abaco,” she said. “I’ve had a great deal of time to mingle and stay with the people of North Abaco and I feel I’m getting a very good response. I’ve been visiting many church services, interacting with people.

“I think the campaign is positive. I feel very good. I trust it will turn into votes on October 15.”

Noting that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham held the seat for 35 years, Ms McIntosh said she is not concerned his popularity might create a challenge to herself and the PLP candidate.

She said: “A lot of people have been very committed to Mr Hubert Ingraham in their vote prior to now. Probably if he ran again, they would vote for him again,” she said. “But that doesn’t necessary equate to an FNM territory.”

Remarking on the FNM contender for the constituency, Ms McIntosh called on constituents to “reject” Greg Gomez.

Mr Ingraham delayed his retirement to facilitate Mr Gomez’ ability to run after announcing he wanted Mr Gomez to be “considered like the other four candidates.”

At the time, Mr Gomez did not meet the constitutional requirements to run for public office as he lived in the United States and did not move back to the Bahamas until August 2011.

Ms McIntosh said this scenario has created “concern on the ground” in North Abaco.

She also responded to claims her conservative outlook may be a stumbling block – particularly for young voters.

The party leader said she has extended experience working with young people and is aware of their needs, especially in terms of education and employment.

“I am not liberal, I’m more conservative, but I have worked for the last 18 years, since 1995, on the board of the National Committee for Youth Renewal and Revival. The primarily objective was young people,” she said.

“I believe that I know what their issues are. Some of their issues we have dealt with for the past 18 years. Young people usually are concerned with just a few things . . . I’m a disciplinarian to some degree, but I’m also compassionate. I know young people.”

Her overall vision for North Abaco should she win the seat, is to bring the constituency to its “full potential” in terms of agriculture and fisheries.

She said North Abaco has “great potential” for further development in those industries which might ultimately allay the country’s dependence on food imports.

“We’re going to have to be able to expand all of those ideas – including the option of processing plants for not only fishery products but also agriculture,” Ms McIntosh said. “The objective is not just the development of Abaco, but how do we feed ourselves as a nation. Importing food or bringing in food is not exactly a sustainable idea.”