The Tribune

RE: Gomez Frustrated by Govt’s Failure to Deliver

http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national-review/52844-gomez-frustrated-by-govts-failure-to-deliver

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Today’s National Review places the MP for Central and South Eleuthera, Damien Gomez, front and centre in the continuing implosion that aptly characterises the current climate within the PLP administration.

Despite the obvious, I commend MP Gomez for finally “speaking” in a meaningful way on behalf of Central and South Eleuthera.

More than halfway through the PLP’s current term in office, Mr Gomez has now spoken consistently about something other than his Ministry. Some may see this as too little and very late, but on one hand, I welcome any voice or opportunity that highlights the challenges and limitations prevalent in Central and South Eleuthera.

I thank Mr Gomez for lending his “angry” voice to the cause of those who elected him. Nevertheless, I must ask some pertinent questions on this matter and proffer analysis of the same.  

First, I must ask “Why is Mr Gomez penning a personal correspondence to Mr Christie regarding his very public mandate as an MP?”

Mr Gomez represents the people of Central and South Eleuthera and as such, would have served his constituents better, and possibly himself, had he done so passionately and consistently in the House of Assembly. It was, and is, of critical importance for those who have elevated him to high office to consistently witness his advocacy on their behalf in the most august of places: the Parliament.

Had this letter not found its way into the public sphere, how then would Mr Gomez’s constituents have known that he had spoken on their behalf and done so in such a passionate manner?

This brings me to my next question: “Was this letter strategically leaked to the press by the MP or his operatives?”

One must ask this question given the fact that Mr Gomez, while not politically savvy, is a very strategic and calculating tactician. After all, he is reputed to be one of the most intelligent and brilliant legal minds in the Commonwealth. By all accounts, however, Mr Gomez is very unpopular in Central and South Eleuthera and particularly among his party’s faithful. He has failed to show up for many important events in Central and South Eleuthera since elected, but is always present and accounted for where there is a party in his constituency.

It can be argued therefore, that Mr Gomez is attempting to make nice with his disappointed constituents and position himself to ask the good people of Central and South Eleuthera to re-elect him.

Finally, I must ask: “Why hasn’t Mr Gomez consistently sounded the alarm on behalf of Central and South Eleuthera in the most public way?” When I ran as Mr Gomez’s opponent in 2012, I prided myself on constantly highlighting the challenges and issues in Eleuthera, particularly the economic ones.

Despite the “Mr Bamboozle” hysteria, I remained steadfast and focused on advocating for the “glory days” of a thriving Central and South Eleuthera. Mr Gomez would have done well to turn up the rhetoric and hold his Prime Minister accountable as soon as the 100 days had expired with no tangible moves toward Eleuthera’s re-emergence.

Inaction on the part of the PLP government should have prompted Mr Gomez to not only speak up on their behalf consistently in the Parliament, but to seek to develop an alternate, incremental plan of action to move his constituency forward. 

A sudden second half emergence by Mr Gomez is commendable, but does not secure him a free pass. He must be held accountable at the polls along with the PLP government in which he sits. As a successful trial lawyer and civil litigator, Mr Gomez is skilled and adept at successfully representing his clients.

His impressive record of winning speaks to the fact that he has, in many instances, improvised and creatively manoeuvred to win when it matters! I see no reason why he could not have achieved this same level of success thus far in representing the “client” that is the constituency of Central and South Eleuthera.

His failure to do at this juncture simply means that this “client” must now make preparations to fire him.  

HOWARD R JOHNSON

Former FNM Candidate,

Central & South Eleuthera,

January 5, 2015.