Dear Editor,

AS a young resident of Linden interested in community development and politics, I took the opportunity several days ago to attend a meeting organised by a PNC/R member. Several local leaders were present, including the PNC/R leader and the leader of the opposition, Mr. Norton.

What struck me was the mayor’s visibly angry disposition as he angrily vented his disapproval of public comments made by a member he described as a leading party official. The official, he said, had made comments contrary to the mayor’s position on free tolls for the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge. When party leader Mr. Norton asked who the official was, the mayor said MP Figueira. To my surprise, the leader responded, “He is still an official?” and “No one has written anything about it.” Everyone remained silent until an old man responded that he would write a response.

Editor, what was interesting about that meeting (my first, I must add) was the apparent dislike some PNC/R local leaders have for MP Figueira, one of their own members and, frankly, the only PNC/R leader who does so much good for the people of Linden and Region Ten. He is very popular and well-loved by so many people, including me and my friends, many of whom benefit from his many distributions.

But what was striking was for the leader of the party, of which MP Figueira is a part, to question his position openly in such a public manner and basically encourage his party comrades to challenge him. The party leader and some local leaders clearly have an issue with MP Figueira, but why?

While the meeting continued, I took the time to Google what MP Figueira really said that got these people so worked up. Upon reading his opinion piece, I really didn’t see what the issue was. MP Figueira supported the toll fee, which everyone else did, including the party leader, and I saw that he provided some very good ideas, in my view, for the council to gain more revenue.

Mr. Editor, my experience at that PNC/R meeting was indeed a telling one, and as a young person, I see that the PNC/R party and its leadership have much healing and work to do. To bash and berate one of their own like that, without reason, one of their MPs who is the only one I have seen doing real work to help his community and offering solutions that could benefit it only to have his own party leader publicly try to discredit him to party members and visitors is unacceptable. This is clearly not a party I, as a young person, would want to be a part of.

I got interested in community work and politics because of what I say MP Figueira has been doing for years, but this is not the type of group I would want to be associated with any longer.

This party needs real leadership and to have an appreciation for its members and supporters and show gratitude for the people who are genuinely trying to do good.

Yours sincerely,
Concerned youth.