Posted by Richard Malcolm on August 19, 2001 at 07:53:32:
In Reply to: Re: Briland's future posted by Richard Malcolm on August 19, 2001 at 07:06:40:
This topic is, believe it or not, foremost on minds of many Bahamians here.. not everyone by anymeans, but a significant number. The problem is we have no workable vehicle, or interest by
the higher level officials that allow an objective
approach to dealing with the situation. In most
places many of the social and economic facts would be brought to the forefront by media...a strong strong influence that politicans generally find themselves necessarily responding to. This unfortunately just does not exist in our world here.
Everyone likes to give their "credentials" so their comments will be considered. While that I feel is un-necessary, I must tell you that I celebrated my 50th year on Harbour Island this past may. The last 14 of which as a proud and
participating Bahamian (only) citizen. I married
16 years ago into a long established Briland
(gully) family...proudly and happily. I have
five children, three of which carry Bahamian passports...and two grand children who carry Bahamian passports. When I go down the street
dozens and dozens of youngsters hail me as
"Uncle Dick". I have served as an elected
official (Bd of Works)... as a national political
officer, hosted Prime Minister(s), Cabinet Ministers. Am an appointed Justice of The Peace,
and was recommended by the Gov't to be honoured by The Queen, which I was in 1999.
Having said all that... having done and experienced all that for 50 years I must tell
you that I AM STILL FINDING OUT THAT I REALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND! The trick here is to be aware
that I do not know it all... maybe only a fraction, and keep my brain and mouth shut
much of the time.
The point being that while we do see the problem of the future, there is so much buried social
infrastrucure... positive and negative that
those of us on briland.com dont comprehend
that our well meaning thoughts have no direction
to run. For that we must have the recognition and participation of Central Government higher ups
of what is happening here... or what we think WILL
eventually happen here. Unfortunately they have a tough job cut out for them and their priorities
have to be put in line. There is negative un-employment on Briland (we bring in hundreds of workers daily from Eleuthera). The local economy is booming like no one ever thought possible.
Things are not just good... THEY ARE GREAT!
Now take that fact, as a politician and/or Gov't
party... and it just does not work to hear how
terrible things are in Harbour Island,,,, when
these people have islands and comunities to deal with that don't even have electricity or schools, or clinics,etc yet!!
I am not letting them off the hook... but I do understand the problems.
The situation is two fold: 1. The middle age
group remembers when they grew up with no electircity in their homes (50's and 60's in many cases), when their toilet was outside, when running water in the house was rare.. when they had little or no contact with the "fashionable"
outside world.. when shoes were worn only on sundays etc. (Old time ex pats here would call those the good old days quaint days... Brilanders call those days misery, poor and uncomfortable) Now these mid agers pretty much vowed that if at all possible, they would like to keep their childrena and grand children growing up in the same circumstances. I suspect that
YOU & I would have much the same approach had it been us! Right? 2. While we have accomplished much,,, there is still little "worldliness" that has been experienced by
Brilanders. They have not been away that much.. to places similar that have experienced the fate we feel may take Briland. If they have been away the circumstances wre such that they did not go for this reason and just did not absorb what we think WE have absorbed due to our exposure, education, etc.
A few of us keep throwing the old request to Gvernment..( to two Governments now). Individually we get positive repsonse.. but little if any results.
It is a tough road and one we hope we can find a solution to before it is too late.
I could go on forever here.. so must curtail.
Parting commnent is that I hope you expats who have interest and possibly holdings here realize just how much LOBBY POWER you could have if yo could get it together. Don't forget there are now
upwards of 225 foreign owned homes here..all employng 1.5 persons full time... all paying
Real Property tax... most renting these houses
on the open tourist market... houses averaging
6 beds each. Think about it. Dick