INSIDE GRENADA JANUARY 29, 2008 by Lloyd Noel If the above headline is accurate, or even not far off, we all have to learn that people matter more than things, that attitudes are more important than acts, that the spirit of the Law must be lived and not merely the letter, that if our hearts are in the right places everything else will fall in line. The politicians of all shades and opinions are all on the rampage, as it were, and all the stops are being pulled out and all the nice sounding phrases are hitting the headlines and airwaves on a daily basis. The race is clearly on-going, although the starter’s bell has not been sounded as yet. It could be that the Barbados election results have truly raised the election temperature in the Spice Isles - to the extent that the incumbents must be feeling very un-easy, when they consider that the "Owen Arthur BLP"very definitely had a far better performance record than the "Keith Mitchell NNP " - over the same period. Of course, it cannot be doubted that the Barbadian electorates are far more democratically matured than their counterparts in Grenada. But then again, that truism could very well be the catalyst that the Grenadian voters need to emulate, to push and even propel them to higher heights. The gates are wide open, and the attraction to enter overwhelming. But, be all the foregoing as they may, people can be so fickle and easily tempted to ignore even the most recent past - that with politics and very desperate Politicians, anything can happen anytime. So that as things stands currently, no one, or no group or party, should take anything for granted and become complacent and over confident. I saw a report where the P.M. at some meeting in the Country-side last week, was quoted as saying that he would not give Tillman Thomas a little shop in the country to run, never mind the Government. And I saw and heard him extend that to a "salt fish shop" at his party convention. The Barbadian ex-Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, was quoted as saying during the Election Campaign in "Bimshire", that he would make sure the DLP under David Thompson never assumes or wins another term of office in Barbados. After January fifteenth, when the Votes of the people came out of the Polling Stations - the end result is that the same David Thompson is now the Hon. Prime Minister of Barbados, while the same Owen Arthur has been so humiliated that he cannot even face his people as Leader of the Opposition and his BLP. The Lesson here, Mr. Prime Minister of the NNP supposedly invincible lot of yes men/women - is that he who laughs last, laughs best, on the one hand; and on the other hand, the Voters of Grenada may very well feel and demonstrate - like those of Barbados - that they have come around to wanting a little Country "shop-keeper" to lead his team in managing the affairs of their nation-state. And that is because he exemplifies very solid integrity, honesty and transparency, a total absence of greed for more and yet more ill-gotten gains, and above all else no traits of subversive or corrupt tendencies. And if I may repeat the sentiments expressed by the new Prime Minister of Barbados - when the issue of the popularity and leadership quality of a Prime Minister was raised - parliamentary democracy does not require or need a dictator leader to make it function. What it really and trully needs, is a sincere and conscientious Leader, who can lead his team of competent and qualified Equals - by his example, and dedication, and Commitment to serving his people as the first among Equals. But to go back to the signs and activities that seem to suggest that Elections must be nearby, and sooner rather than later the people will be called upon to say "yea or nay" to letting the progress continue; or to say - "you have done what you have done, we have had enough, and now we need a change". The NDC has had its Candidates in place for some time now, because many thought the Elections would have been called towards the end of last year. That could not have taken place, because the NNP was having serious problems to get the people it wanted to contest on an NNP ticket to accept the offer. It seems that at long last they may have secured a full slate in readiness to go to the Polls, and the Prime Minister has even requested the OAS representative in Grenada to have that body provide observers for the up-coming elections - whenever they are called. Roads and Bridges that have been completed almost a year ago, for the World cup in 2007, are now being officially opened and Televised for public viewing - no doubt to show the progress in action. Since people cannot eat that lot, the programme proposed in the Budget estimates to provide food baskets for the poor and needy - to help them get around the escalating Cost of Living - is about to get on the road in February. But the complaints and objections are already building up - that distribution of the vouchers for collection, is only taking place at NNP offices Island wide - and therefore, since every person who shows up to get vouchers may not all qualify by whatever standards are being used, it is very obvious that the party supporters would be given preferential treatment. The funds for providing the food baskets would be coming from the Treasury - not yet campaign funds, which the grapevine news have indicated would be limitless, from those new-comers who have their particular interests to protect and preserve, so clearly the distribution of those vouchers should be seen to be fair and transparent, by being distributed from public offices by above-board public servants. And to add to those road projects that are only now being officially televised, there are a number of major coastal retaining walls along the Western Sea Coasts, among others, that have been on the back burners since Ivan and before, but all at once they have come off the drawing boards and constructions are on-going. Bully for those workers on those jobs, who have not been working especially, and can now see where the school books and bus fares and lunch bags would be coming from this new year. Even the grass-cutting gangs are on the job, even before the road-side bushes are ready for cutting in some places; and the Imani young persons temporary employment programme is being increased - to get more young people off the streets and liming blocks, or wasting away their hard earned talents sitting around at home doing very little or nothing at all. We can all say in unison - praise the good Lord at long last, all the fore-going are sorely needed. But judging from past experiences, and the poor record of those in authority to put into practice the many grandiose schemes they are very good at mouthing, it is very obvious that the Election fever is hotting up, and the Campaign pot (I nearly said plot) is definitely on the boil as "D-day" draws closer. That "D" could be the on-set of our new "Destiny", or the "Dawning:" of a new day, or even the punishment for missing the boat by "Default" - but whatever it turns out to be, in due course of time, that result "Depends" on each and every one of us. And if we fail, by neglecting our patriotic duty and solemn responsibility - we do so at our own peril. But taking all the fore-going into consideration, and making all the allowances I can see cropping up in the un-certain times ahead - I am still of the very firm opinion that we would not see an Election in these Isles before June of this year. Not only have all those projects on the road and road sides to be completed - as a means of show-casing that progress is continuing; but the risk cannot be taken to go to the polls, and encounter the winds of change blowing through the Spice Isles, and leaving those unfinished projects as ready-made examples of good succeeding over evil, and proof by the people that they had made the right choice by changing the controllers - even though they had started all those useful projects. What is more, in my view, with the Winds of change having blown so strongly in Barbados - where the BLP had clearly been doing a very good job as politicians go, and yet encountering the changing mood of the voters - I cannot see our Prime Minister, whose pride and joy is the National Stadium built by those Chinese for the World Cup, taking the even bigger risk of not being in charge when the Australians visit Grenada for those Two one day Internationals against the West Indies in May. That occasion would be his twin crowing glory, and far more cherished than anything else he had pioneered while in the driving seat - the World Cup matches in Grenada in 2007, and the first International matches since then. And since the Prime Minister must realise by now, that the said Stadium is most definitely a glaring white elephant - that will be a continuing economic millstone around any Government fiscal neck - he may very well not mind at all losing to the opposition, after the Australians visit - and thereby leaving them to fight up with that on-going economic liability down the road. If, and when, the opposition should take over the reins of power, with the strangulating huge National debt already suffocating meaningful development, the Stadium maintenance and regular local use thereof, where entrance fees can only be minimal, would be a heavy drain on scarce funds in the Treasury. To the extent that very conscientious decisions would have to be made - to either hire it out to all and sundry to pay for its up-keep, or simply retain its white Elephant status and leave it to deteriorate with the passage of time. But than again who knows - because those Chinese Nationals from the Mainland were always closer to the NDC Opposition, they may very well agree to fund the Stadium Maintenance for the NDC - from their private Companies profits in the local Construction Industry. Because I feel sure they have not forgotten, nor forgiven the NNP authority for the humiliation they suffered just before the 2003 General Elections. Elections may be nearby, but the aftermath resulting therefrom can live on to haunt us for many a day to come, by the looks of things.