ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams said according to the Constitution, the basis for local government elections is social cohesion – uniting the people in their communities. Minister Williams made this statement during a Business Dinner hosted by Constituency #3 of Linden (Central Mackenzie) at the Watooka Club last Tuesday. The event was held in an effort to raise funds to support the constituency candidates Devin Sears and Leroy James in their run for Local Government Elections slated for March 18, 2016.

Minister Williams said at the local government level, candidates were positioned to understand their constituency and its problems. Further, the AG stated that LGE is designed to give citizens control of their communities. He reminded them that the Government was focused on building communities, hence the creation of a Ministry of Communities – a Ministry focused on uplifting and uniting people.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson; Members of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford; Interim Management Committee Chairman, Orin Gordon; Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Campaign Manager Sandra Adams, former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo and candidates for the other constituencies were among those in attendance.

Minister Patterson, in her address disclosed her plans for housing in the community, including her intention to create 2,000 house lots this year. The Regional Chairman, on the other hand, remarked on the fact that a number of investors were showing interest in Linden, especially in the area of tourism. He encouraged attendees to think “outside the box” when considering business opportunities.

Constituency Candidate Devin Sears highlighted the many plans for the development of Linden. These include working with the relevant stakeholders to reduce the economic gap; regularization of squatters; affordable housing; creation of policies which encourage sustainable farming; development of spaces for community parks; safe garbage disposal systems; enforcement of food handling and environmental practises and transparent accountability in the Mayor and Town Council.

The enthusiastic candidates assured attendees of their commitment to work.