The Tribune

MINISTER of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government V Alfred Gray announced that the second phase of the Local Government Junior Council Programme will begin on Monday, January 7 at the RN Gomez All-Age School in the Berry Islands.

“The Local Government Junior Council Programme was first launched in Bimini with the students of the all-age school there in 2006, when the first group of Local Government Junior Councillors was sworn-in,” Mr Gray said at a press conference yesterday. “Over the years, the programme has grown and expanded to now include 11 schools in nine Local Government districts.”

Mr Gray also congratulated the “movers and shakers” in his ministry, particularly LaShanta Fowler and Sindy Gay, for leading the ministry’s effort in organising the programmes throughout the Family Islands.

They are supported, he said, by Family Island Administrators, Local Government Councillors and programme co-ordinators, who train and supervise “these future Local Government leaders of our country”.

“For their collective efforts, I am eternally grateful,” he said.

Minister Gray said the government has always fully supported the programme, now contributing $80,000 a year.

The election and swearing in ceremony in the Berry Islands will be repeated in Exuma at the LN Coakley High School on January 9.

The programme will then move to San Salvador on January 11, and to Freeport and West Grand Bahama on January 14 for ceremonies at the St George’s, Jack Hayward and Eight Mile Rock High Schools.

Junior councillors will be sworn in at the South Andros High School on January 21, the North and Central Andros High School on January 23, and at the SC Bootle High School in North Abaco January 24-25.

Mr Gray said the spirit and competition of the elections are “as exciting and aggressive as general elections in the Bahamas”.

As a result, he said, campaigning has already begun in the islands and the officer in-charge has advised that candidates will make their election speeches just prior to the vote.

“As minister, I wish every candidate well and will remain in the centre of opposing sides, since it will be my glad duty to work with and support those elected for the ensuing year,” Mr Gray said.

“As minister responsible for the programme, I encourage all Family Island Local Government districts to prepare for their inclusion, as the programme expands over-time to all of the Family Islands.