Kenny Douglas: Residents of Sandy Point, Fig Tree and La Valle lack moral and political leaders; promises transformation

Appearing at his first St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) press conference Wednesday, the candidate for St. Christopher 5 (Sandy Point, Fig Tree and La Valle), Kenny Douglas said his decision to become as a candidate comes at a time when the community is lacking moral and political leadership."

"I come at a time when my constituency is yearning for someone who genuinely cares about people more than politics. I am here because I have responded to the overwhelming many who feel disappointed and neglected. I will step up, make the sacrifice and I will serve. And if I say that I will serve, if you know me, Kenny Douglas of Sandy Point, then I will give the people my all," he said at the SKNLP's monthly press conference.

"Each of us, in our own lives, will have to accept responsibility for something - for instilling a sense of achievement in our children, for adapting to a more competitive and robust economy, for strengthening our communities and sharing some measure of sacrifice. My being here is me doing my part; taking a greater share in the responsibility for the success of the people of Sandy Point, Fig Tree and La Valle," Kenny Douglas, the former St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba said.

He said the task was enormous and admitted he cannot do it alone and in his own strength and called on the residents of St. Christopher 5 to assist in transforming the community.

"I want to be part of setting high standards for our schools and provide the resources that they need to succeed. I want to be part of raising a renewed army of teachers, doctors, nurses, and policemen, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. I want to make college more affordable for the people of Sandy Point and make an investment in our young people so that they will become researchers in agriculture, cures for cancer and more, so that they can help to open new frontiers of national development and empowerment. And, I want to make housing truly affordable and accessible for every Sandy Pointer and every resident of Fig Tree and La Vallee. That is my solemn pledge," said Kenny Douglas, an educator, coach and sports enthusiast. He said he is committed to become involved in ending poverty in his community.

"This generation must end poverty in Sandy Point, Fig Tree and La Valle once and for all. Every single person willing to work should be able to get training that leads to employment and earn a living wage that can pay their bills, and afford child care so that their children can have a safe place to go when parents go off to work. Join me, and let us be the generation that says right here, right now, that roofing programmes should not be for a select few and that there is a better alternative to a Poverty Alleviation Programme that picks and chooses the friend and families of certain politicians, and parades you in Pall Mall Square (a former slave market) now known as Independence Square.

He also made a commitment to fight to be the generation that finally tackles the present health care crisis and escalating crime.

"The former Labour Administration under Rupert Herbert gave Sandy Point a modern medical facility (Pogson Medical Center). This will be the centre around which Next Generation Policies and activities will revolve. Together, we can control health costs by focusing on prevention, by providing better treatment to the chronically-ill, by training more of our people, and by using technology for greater efficiency and effectiveness," said Kenny Douglas.

On the issue of crime, Ambassador Kenny Douglas said that for too long there has been silence to criminal occurrences in the communities, with no word of assurance from those who should be representing the residents.

"I am here to create a generation that confronts crime. Politics does not have to divide us on this issue anymore - we can work together to keep our constituency and our country safe. We can work together to bring criminals back to a life away from crime, and keep young people from getting into crime in the first place. I have the leadership skills and I have the love and the interest of people a heart. I always did," said Kenny Douglas, who boldly stated:

"I will not keep it a secret. I will not whisper. This is why I am here. To bring forth a new generation of leadership, a new generation of policies, a new generation of thinking, a new generation of service to the people of Sandy Point, Fig Tree and La Valle. And, I will work hard, everyday, to earn your trust and confidence."

He pointed out that prior to the last general elections, the present Parliamentary Representative, Hon. Shawn Richards made many, many promises.

"I expect the next time around to be no different. History has proven that after the election was over, and the rubber hit the road, all those promises faded from memory, and their close family and friends moved in and got filthy rich, and the ordinary people were turned away, disappointed, and left to struggle on their own," said Kenny Douglas.

"That is why the campaign I have started cannot, is not, and will never be, only about me. It must be about you. It must be about what we, all of us, can do together. This campaign must be the occasion and the vehicle of your hopes and your dreams," said Kenny Douglas, further pointing out that "for us to succeed, I am asking for your time, your energy, your partnership and your advice."

"This campaign has to be about reclaiming our values as Sandy Pointers, restoring our sense of common purpose, and realising that few obstacles can withstand the power of our collective voices calling for change, calling for better representation," he said.