watsayu
05-30-07, - 05:35 PM
As an Eleutheran, son of the soil. I was very proud of my home boy. Alvin A. Smith this morning. Smitty held his ground with Bernard Nottage, he did not yield an inch…
I was even more delighted with a single resolution; his salary was increased to approximately $108,000.00 per annum.
Mr. Smith is well deserving of it. In 1991 he came to Mr. Ingraham and asked Mr. Ingraham if he could take the FNMs banner in Governors Harbour Constituency. That year her ran against the PLPs evil man - Phillip Bethel. Well Alvin did not win, but the PLP lost the government. Alvin was made a Senator and also Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
In 1997, Alvin took the FNMs banner in the new North Eleuthera constituency against Peter Bethel. Alvin won that year by a large margin, with over 900 votes. He was made Deputy Speaker and served also a Chairman of BAIC, and several other positions.
2002, as the incumbent member of parliament for North Eleuthera, Mr. Smith won North Eleuthera. On the National level, the FNM suffered a crushing defeat to the PLP. Mr. Smith was elected leader of the opposition, a post he held so as to enjoy the popular support of his other elected members and thus to follow the counsel of the leader of the FNM who did not have a seat in the house of assembly.
Alvin was loyal to the purpose; he took the blows and remained as faithful to the party like none other.
I recall once at a meeting with Mr. Ingraham and we were discussing Alvin. Mr. Ingraham made the following commitment to us – Alvin’s supporters. He said that Alvin was two years away from getting his teachers pension when Alvin came to him to run for the FNM. Of all the seats, Alvin wanted to run in his home town against the PLP giant, Phillip Bethel.
Mr. Ingraham said he told Alvin, that the election of the FNM was not a sure thing and he could be giving up a lifetime pension. With a little pause in his voice Mr. Ingraham said that Alvin said to him, Sir I have faith in you and as such I am prepared to be on your team. He told us that with such confidence expressed in him, Alvin has always remained loyal and faithful and never, ever even had the slightest indication of self interest. For this I recall Mr. Ingraham saying that Alvin Smith will always have his faith and confidence because Alvin has always had faith and confidence in him, Hubert A. Ingraham.
As one who worked as a foot solider for Alvin in 1992, a campaign manager for the campaign in 1997, an advisor to the campaign in 2002 and 2007, it did my heart well to see him sitting as speaker, he seems a natural for the job.
What is more, the new pay that he will receive ($80,000.00 per year as speaker and $28,000.00 as MP) is well deserved.
Congratulations Smitty and May God continue to bless you and your family.
I was even more delighted with a single resolution; his salary was increased to approximately $108,000.00 per annum.
Mr. Smith is well deserving of it. In 1991 he came to Mr. Ingraham and asked Mr. Ingraham if he could take the FNMs banner in Governors Harbour Constituency. That year her ran against the PLPs evil man - Phillip Bethel. Well Alvin did not win, but the PLP lost the government. Alvin was made a Senator and also Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
In 1997, Alvin took the FNMs banner in the new North Eleuthera constituency against Peter Bethel. Alvin won that year by a large margin, with over 900 votes. He was made Deputy Speaker and served also a Chairman of BAIC, and several other positions.
2002, as the incumbent member of parliament for North Eleuthera, Mr. Smith won North Eleuthera. On the National level, the FNM suffered a crushing defeat to the PLP. Mr. Smith was elected leader of the opposition, a post he held so as to enjoy the popular support of his other elected members and thus to follow the counsel of the leader of the FNM who did not have a seat in the house of assembly.
Alvin was loyal to the purpose; he took the blows and remained as faithful to the party like none other.
I recall once at a meeting with Mr. Ingraham and we were discussing Alvin. Mr. Ingraham made the following commitment to us – Alvin’s supporters. He said that Alvin was two years away from getting his teachers pension when Alvin came to him to run for the FNM. Of all the seats, Alvin wanted to run in his home town against the PLP giant, Phillip Bethel.
Mr. Ingraham said he told Alvin, that the election of the FNM was not a sure thing and he could be giving up a lifetime pension. With a little pause in his voice Mr. Ingraham said that Alvin said to him, Sir I have faith in you and as such I am prepared to be on your team. He told us that with such confidence expressed in him, Alvin has always remained loyal and faithful and never, ever even had the slightest indication of self interest. For this I recall Mr. Ingraham saying that Alvin Smith will always have his faith and confidence because Alvin has always had faith and confidence in him, Hubert A. Ingraham.
As one who worked as a foot solider for Alvin in 1992, a campaign manager for the campaign in 1997, an advisor to the campaign in 2002 and 2007, it did my heart well to see him sitting as speaker, he seems a natural for the job.
What is more, the new pay that he will receive ($80,000.00 per year as speaker and $28,000.00 as MP) is well deserved.
Congratulations Smitty and May God continue to bless you and your family.