There is some consultation now ongoing in Nassau with a view to the introduction of Local Government for that island. I listened to C.B Moss as he talked about Local Government reducing crime, that may be so in his view but personally, I think he has missed the marked. Local Government was introduced in the family islands including Grand Bahama by the F.N.M Government after the "92" elections. Despite some glitches and snags, for all it's intents and purposes it has been successful. Local Government was developed to put governance directly into the hands of the people in the various community. Under the portfolio of Local Government the responsibilities for minor repairs to school property, roads, community upkeep such as cemetery maintenance, bussing for students, bus stop shelters, garbage collection, community projects such as summer programs, after school programmes, junkanoo development, clean up projects in all communities, licencing boards, school boards etc has been removed from the Central Government and given to local officials. This move may prove beneficial for Nassau as the wheels of government tends to move rather slowly. A prime example would be the garbage problem that is plaguing Nassau at the moment. Each district would be responsible for it's own collection with contracts being granted after bids are tendered, which would alleviate the need for Ron Pinder to complain about all the vehicles being broken down, it would also create jobs and pump money directly into the community. Looking at the results of Local Government in Grand Bahama, I think that Nassau would benefit greatly.

Yeah I dont see how local government will affect the crime rate at all.

Good for our Democracy local govt is.
If urban renewal can work...so can local govt.

Give the Capital local government. The maintainance of Nassau should no longer be a national consern in Parliament. Let Nassuvians get involved in their own community for once instead of the Central Government.

might be nice, if only it were to give nassau an idea as to the hell they've been putting the out islands through since the advent of "local government." they're supposed to send back ten percent of what we send in in terms of what we earn in hotel room taxes, in way of our operating expenses, but we've been lucky to see even five percent sent back for management costs. suck teeth.

"local government" without actual training of local council means nada in terms of protection of environmental resources, actual business management of an ongoing budget, care of schools and local projects. without money, we can't do squat, unless we separate from the whole experiment the way that abaco has.

I heard the Minister on the radio saying that they do not have a green paper becasue they want to get the views of the people as opposed to shoving a proposal down people's throats, yet he says in the next breath that local government in Nassau will not be able to levy taxes or rasie funds. Suppose that is what the people want though? Which is it Minister because sounds like the government has a positon but does not want to share it.

This is a good move. and this should stregthen our Democracy, along with freeing up our Cabinet Minister's to do other things!

We need a good feeding ground for Top Politicians aside from the Senate.
Local Govt is a good training ground, and feeder source for aspiring politicians.

A Local Government for Nassau must raise taxes to run a city this big.....and the minister should know this. Or are they prepared to take a huge chunk of the bugdet to Nassau and its environs? I'd like to hear the PM's words about this (no matter how hawty his vocabulary may be ;) )

for years i have wondered why nassau didn't have local government..

I posted on another thread concerning local govt. My concern about local govt is that the people who want to offer for election are not necessarily capable of running their area. They are often elected because of politics, family, friends or what "you going to do for me". The persons who would do a better job are not interested! I have seen persons go from respected community leaders to hated outcasts because of local govt. One decision that does not please the majority..and you're GONE! Local govt. means giving up a lot of time. If you can't afford to to do this, you're in trouble financially! And the budget is seldom enough to do more than monthly maintenance! What has also happened is that if local govt. says no to a proposal..no big deal, just go directly to central govt. It will probably be approved!!