Hillsborough - The second phase of consultations on a proposal to re-introduce local government in Carriacou and Petite Martinique begins on Friday, March 27, with discussions expected to include a focus on a model document prepared by Professor Simeon McIntosh of the University of the West Indies. Friday’s consultation, which begins at six o’clock in the evening, will be held at the Petite Martinique Roman Catholic School. The series of consultations, being spearheaded by the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, is in keeping with an election promise of the National Democratic Congress. The party, which now forms the government, had pledged to re-introduce local government to Carriacou and Petite Martinique to meet the “uniqueness’’ of the islands, as well as their “special needs (and) challenges.’’ For the local government discussions, the twin-island constituency has been divided into five zones – North, North West, North East, Central and South. After Friday’s session at the R.C. School in Petite Martinique, the next consultation will be on Tuesday, March 31, at Dover Government School. It will be held in the North West Zone which comprises the villages of Petite Carenage, Dover, Windward, Bogles, Belair, Cherry Hill, Belvedere and Limlair. The people of the North East will then have an opportunity to give their feedback on the issue at the Mt. Pleasant Government School on April 1. Residents of the Central Zone – consisting of the town of Hillsborough, Beausejour and surrounding areas – will meet at Resource Centre on April 2 to share their views on local government. The consultation culminates on Friday, April 3, in the South Zone at the Harvey Vale Government School. The model document and draft bill prepared by Carriacou-born Professor McIntosh emphasize that ordinary citizens are fair judges of public matters and that local government will provide wider and more direct participation in government, especially in deciding what issues are of priority in the development of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The Grenada government is hoping to implement the draft bill early in 2010. From: Deanna Isaac, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs INSIDE GRENADA NEWS