First publish in The Tribune, in the column Young Man's View, on Friday, July 02, 2010
By ADRIAN GIBSON
ajbahama@hotmail.com
WITH THIS, my final column in a three-part series on Long Island, I'm hopeful that I've pricked the conscience of Long Islanders to demand much more, embrace suggestions to solve the myriad of challenges facing our community and to further commit ourselves to building that piece of rock from which we were hewn. Long Islanders are dissatisfied with being malignantly neglected and seemingly being seen as a mere afterthought.
What is the proposed development plan for Long Island?
Today, beyond the economic and infrastructural drawbacks, Long Islanders must take on the Herculean task of tackling the social issues facing a young and technologically-savvy face book generation, coupled with an annual exodus of young people.
Indeed, there is hardly any long-term, sustainable economic development or growth throughout the island, apart from a few low-paying hotel jobs where residents–particularly those in the north–complain about being paid less than $100 for a full-week's work. Where is the Department of Labour? Where are the unions?
Moreover, as previously noted, a concerted effort must be made to clamp down on those businesses and holders of liquor licenses who unconscionably peddle alcohol and tobacco to the island's juvenile population, cultivating a group of young alcoholics and nicotine abusers whose addiction puts them to the fast track to becoming the island's social dregs.
While discussing the island's youth will be the focal point of today's column, recognition must be given to a letter sent to me some time ago, by one Gordon Major, railing against the appearance that Long Island has been left off the short list of islands pegged for improvement (s) and necessary infrastructure.
According to Mr Major:
"Long Island has always supported the governing party even when it was unpopular to do so. Furthermore, the record reflects that every facet of our country has been influenced by Long Islanders with particular reference to the number of parliamentarians, successful businesspersons, the intelligentsia and work ethic of its people. Regardless of the appreciable contribution (i.e. financial, intellectual, cultural, etc., etc.) by Long Islanders to the growth, advancement and overall success of The Bahamas, Long Island remains barely accessible.
Concerns
"Much to the resident's detriment, the representative may not feel 'empowered' to raise the cry or concerns together with the fact that Long Islanders are too proud to ask for assistance in fear of being deemed dependent or needy," he said.
"Each and every Long Islander," he said, "should note that almost $22 million of joint funding provided by the European Union and Government of the Bahamas is being spent on the 300 souls which inhabit Acklins Island and 37 souls which inhabit Rum Cay. While they are Bahamians and are no less deserving of infrastructure, surely Long Island would have been a better more logical choice for these investments. However, this begs the question as to whether Long Island and its people are any less deserving? Or has the traditional support of the governing party caused Long Island to be taken for granted and left off the list of real and present concerns?"
"Notwithstanding, other potential projects which may bear fruit for Long Islanders and which the Government needs to ruminate over, may comprise of a Cruise Terminal at Clarence Town (Princess Cays), a mini-hospital, focused strategic development of boutique resorts, expansion of duty free allowances for Long Islanders who want to build second homes, incentives for those going into business in the family islands, greater marketing for the existing rental properties and the ability to receive cable television at the northern and southern regions of Long Island. The economic activity created by such infrastructural projects would allow the island to grow," he continued.
I am hopeful that the Long Island Association (LIA), now headed by my former college lecturer and newly-elected President Dr Ruth Sumner, would become more visible on the island, agitating for development and more opportunities for Long Islanders. The role and purpose of the LIA must be to unite Long Islanders living away and encourage them to focus their attention upon Long Island and its progression.
Whilst schools on Long Island are not faced with frequent occurrences of the gruesome violence, parental negligence and overwhelming challenges commonly associated with New Providence-based educational institutions, there are instances where police assistance is warranted and wayward activities, such as the writing of graffiti on bathroom/classroom walls, are shared traits among some students, notwithstanding their location.
In a letter inviting Officer-in-charge of the Long Island police department Walter Evans to partner with his school, with its application being "by no means limited to the NGM Major High school," that school's acting principal (my former geography teacher at the North Long Island High school) Endal Adderley encouraged the enhancement of the island's communities with the collaboration of the police and the island's educational institutions.
Band
Mr Adderley writes: "Firstly, the Police Department was charged with developing a community band in the Long Island District by the former Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson about ten years ago. Several attempts were made but none were successful. I would invite you to contact the powers that be and see if this project can be revived as this school and the community has had no sustained music programme for decades. This would auger well for the involvement of the youth in positive social activities.
"Secondly, the development of a Police Cadet programme or Police Club should be promoted to foster a positive police and community spirit. This would certainly help in developing a cadre of potential police officers and responsible youth leaders, especially among the young men. The involvement of police officers who may have a specific athletic skill or other talent will be welcomed on our campus.
"Thirdly, an early intervention plan to deal with at-risk males can be collaborated with your department through the guidance counselor in order to avert the need to refer boys to the Simpson Penn school or some other institution. Also, a clear directive on how the police can assist us with community service or mentoring for students who are deemed 'at-risk' can be helpful in providing an alternative for the local education system in concert with the Administrator or Circuit Magistrate.
"Fourthly, the Police Department is welcomed to attend the school to promote any of its initiatives or programmes so that the teachers and students can be more aware of the role of law enforcement in the school and community. For example, fire drills, emergency evacuation drills, road traffic rules and regulations and all other related social and legal matters that affect children and teachers alike can be effective tools to enlighten us. The role of law enforcement in the society is an important topic in the Social Studies and Civics curricula in particular. Knowledge is the light that removes ignorance.
"Finally, the Police and the PTA can develop a partnership through which parents and guardians are informed of the legal ramifications of the at-risk and irresponsible behaviours of all of the stakeholders involved.
"This is a critical issue that should be addressed in order to develop a law-abiding community. Many minor issues that can otherwise be averted can be resolved if that partnership is developed."
As noted in this column last week, there is a need for a greater centralization of education at the secondary level. The policy of centralization of secondary education in the Family Islands dates back to 1965 when the Crooked Island Central School was commissioned. Although this was an experimental project, the concept of centralization has been readily recognized as a feasible alternative in attempting to meet the need and growing demand for a better-quality education than that which was being provided in the scattered, short-staffed and ill-equipped all-age and community schools that littered the Family Islands.
Schools
Endal Adderley and I share concerns that programmes, human resources and infrastructure are being illogically duplicated between two small high schools (combined population of about 350 students) when resources could be better utilized by amalgamating both entities into the much-hyped, promised and seemingly ditched central high school.
At present, North Long Island High has never been officially named, leaving little resistance to naming a newly-constructed central high school–likely situated in the Bight settlement–as the new N.G.M. Major high school.
As noted by Mr Adderley, this has worked at the L.N. Coakley High school in Exuma as well as in Grand Bahama, where students travel from as far away as Sweeting's Cay and West End to Freeport. The facilities that now house both high schools can be converted and used as government complexes.
As a salt-of-the-earth Long Islander, I encourage Long Islanders to remain steadfast and hardworking and robustly insist that MP Larry Cartwright pursues more opportunities for Long Islanders because, as noted by Gordon Major, no one realizes that you are hurt unless and until you cry out!
