The Tribune

By EMILY WILLIAMS

SINCE June 2013, after seeking the nomination in Marathon under the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) banner, I have been on the streets in the constituency, knocking on doors and speaking with people who live in the area.

I have been asking them how they feel about the many unfair circumstances we as Bahamians are faced with, in a country that is dubbed by many to be one of, if not, the wealthiest nation in the world, per capita.

We possess great wealth, not only in natural resources, but we are a people that are culturally proud and dynamic.

I started my campaign in the east, which borders Fox Hill, and have moved meticulously and strategically towards the west so that I cover every house on every street.

There are many homes, particularly in the eastern part of Marathon, that have highly enclosed gates because of the fear of crime. This makes door-to-door campaigning difficult in terms of reaching everyone, but despite the sometimes raging barking dogs, we manage to slip a DNA flyer in a tiny hole in the gate so that residents know that we were there.

With the election around the corner, I find that I have to linger in some areas more than others because there seems to be certain parts of Marathon that have a higher level of criminal activity than others. To keep things in context, I want to share a story about the area behind the Marathon Mall.

I have been working the Claridge and Peardale Roads over the past two months, and have been getting some negative reports about crime in that area. Many residents complain that they have asked previous and present representatives to fix certain boundary walls that young men use as getaway points so as not to be caught by the police.

I realise that this is a nationwide problem, but it must be addressed because Bahamians must feel safe in their own yards and homes.

About four weeks ago, I began my walk through Union Village. I was told by residents in surrounding areas to not go through that corner because it is a bad corner. These same residents cautioned me to make sure that if I insist on going through Union Village, I must make sure I have an army travelling with me.

Usually when I do walkabouts, its only my husband and me. My team is made up of a banker, a law student who works in a law firm, a young man who has no parents so he works long hours, a government worker who cannot be seen being involved in frontline politics, and some who desire to help but most of the time have to work.

Since this is the case, my husband and I have come to realise that most people in Marathon appreciate our efforts in being diligent, strong and determined to campaign in the area, even if at times it is only the two of us.

My husband is a pastor and I am an ordained evangelist, so naturally, people gravitate towards us asking for prayers. We have led families and, in some instances, individuals to Christ, so for us, politics is two-fold; it allows us to do ministry and it allows us to be agents of change in our country at the same time.

Union Village became my prayer focus and I sought the Lord for direction as to when to go through that corner. Four weeks ago I got the go ahead and so we went. The people were receptive and honest. As we walked, I saw a group of young men in the distance hanging out under a tree near the streets. I was a little hesitant but proceeded with caution.

After speaking with a young lady in front of her house washing her clothes, I felt relieved. She, along with other residents, expressed that crime was their major concern through Union Village. Nevertheless, they assured me that they were never attacked personally, but had witnessed a person being shot in the street near their home.

By the time I got to the young men, they were asking who we were and joked about how they thought we were Jehovah’s Witnesses.

I assured them that we were DNAs and joked back, asking them if they knew what was going on in our country. I pointed out to them that I was wearing a DNA T-shirt, but they all laughed and told me that they liked our bold DNA spirit.

They talked about not wanting to see any gold or red shirts in this election coming through their corner as if Union Village was their territory. I assured them that the DNA exists mainly to usher in a new Bahamas. They chuckled but were receptive.

I remember in particular the most talkative young man there - Antone Arty. His wife was the young lady I had spoken to earlier washing her clothes. He told me that he wanted to see change and how he was willing to give someone new a chance.

Two weeks later, I heard of a shooting through Union Village and ran out to purchase the daily newspaper. My heart dropped when I discovered that the victim was Antone Arty. I recognised the name right away because it is not common. I ran to my phone to WhatsApp his wife and gave my condolences.

I am really saddened by this. I didn’t know Antone personally but after speaking with him and listening to the complaints of residents about the high level and presence of criminal activities through that corner, I realised the need for more police presence in the area.

I also realise the need for the government to place more emphasis in dealing with crime in certain areas in Nassau and through certain corners in particular. A week later, there was a triple shooting through Peardale, where a child was hit by gun shots. The child survived the shooting but two men died.

Despite the shootings in the Marathon constituency, there seems to be a disconnect between the present representative and the rest of us. A few years ago, Ms Archer, an elderly lady, was killed in the very area where I live, Danottage.

At the time, another representative was in the House of Assembly representing Marathon, but there was no police presence in the area to make residents feel safe.

The present representative for the area should focus more on dealing with ways to curb crime within the Marathon constituency. The sad thing is, the area behind the Marathon Mall is where he got most of his support in the last election.

It’s because of the poverty that some experience in their lives, that they supported the Progressive Liberal Party government who said they believe in Bahamians, but do not.

A DNA government will seek to assist their representatives in helping to curb crime and to make residents feel safer in their yards and in their homes.

A DNA government will make sure that more strategic measures are put in place to ensure that all Bahamians enjoy a better way of life, no matter where they live in the Bahamas.

Antone Arty, I knew nothing about you, except the fact that you expressed that you wanted change in this country, and I believed you when you said you did. I am so sorry you did not live to see the change you spoke so passionately about sitting on top of that car that evening.

On behalf of the DNA, and the Marathon Association, we express our sincere condolences to your immediate family, your children and your grieving spouse. May your soul rest in peace.

Emily Williams is the Democratic National Alliance candidate for Marathon