One Bermuda Alliance Hosts Public Forum
The One Bermuda Alliance hosted a Sandys South Town Hall last night [Oct 17] at the Dalton Tucker Primary School. Topics of discussion included crime, the economy, employment, education, senior citizens and more.
The panelists were Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier, Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards, OBA MP Louise Jackson as well as OBA candidates Toni Spring, Jeff Baron, Andrew Simons and Leah Scott. They all appeared to speak off the cuff, without prepared speeches.
Toni Spring said that teachers were now operating under great duress, and said that some students were not getting support from home. She said that the OBA will tell the truth about education and will start students out on the right foot.
Talking about the need to deal with Bermuda’s prison population and its re-entry into normal society and the workplace, Ms Spring said that all prisoners should be taught to read and write before they are allowed out of prison.
Speaking on the topic of education, OBA Leader Craig Cannonier said that the OBA would have remedial and homework help classes on offer after the end of the regular schoolday.
Candidate Andrew Simons said that when he was canvassing he was asked a few times “How can we trust you?” Mr Simons said that the OBA would exercise good judgment if they were the government.
OBA Leader Craig Cannonier said the current leaders of the country are “getting away” with a “mess,” and also noted that the OBA would publish its platform soon.
It appears people are just about meetinged out. That or appathy is rampant.
No the OBA is just not popular lol dont lie to yourself
I know from personal experience that Toni Spring is an excellent, and passionate teacher. So believe her when she says she will do all she can to boost education in Bermuda.
Wow the majority black face are sitting as panelists. So much for winning the next election OBA = UBP. Try changing the name a few more times.
Like you Truth?
lolol where is all the blacks that support them?
Black OBA supporters are hiding at home for fear of being labeled an “Uncle Tom,” or worse, by the desperate, out-of-control plp. Thank goodness when you vote, you vote in secret.
Change is coming….
To be honest I dont think the oba have a clue on what to do, they are just playing with peoples fears…that in itself is a tragedy.
The PLP are actually the ones playing on fears. CHANGE is needed and NOW, so the OBA is the much needed CHANGE for ALL of Bermuda!
And just what change are they offering…care to elaborate
What are the PLP offering? more of the same? Standing Strong for who, how?
Does Standing Strong mean ignoring the mess we are in, spending more and not making tough choices, dividing the community?
To be honest I don’t think the PLP have a clue what to do, they are just playing with peoples fears…that in itself is a tragedy.
Works both ways right except that the PLP are the present Government and have the power right now to make any changes they see fit to try and improve Bermuda. We continue to see very little of substance from the PLP, just a lot of hot air.
The P.L.P has implemented plenty change and upliftment for the people of Bermuda…the people of Bermuda need to pull there own socks up, and start to rely on other things they have been blessed with and not just theyre ($) which is how alot of people in Bermuda class themselves over others.
I have seen the P.L.P. stare us through many obstacles while being chastised along the way by the oba as well as ubp, who fight them at every turn, instead of working in toe to help everyone.
Just because you are the opposition you dont have to oppose every idea the P.L.P bring forward..
If you are the average PLP member then this Island is F@#*ED.
A follower , non thinker , White bad , Black good F@%k you.
Get With the program .
barracuda…your name says everything…you dont see any shiny coins fallin so you are agitated
what get with the program of being angry and abusive like you?…thats not me,nor am I fazed by color,like yourself.
you have shown your age an immaturity, grow up!
So many fs. Y YOU MAD? LOLOL
I was specifically referring to the dire economic situation Bermuda finds itself in. The PLP were at first denying it was even happening and now having accepted that it is here refuse to do make any meaningful changes to get this economy moving. A major issue is that the business community holds no confidence in the present Government and until that changes very little will improve. The PLP have an uphill battle to win the trust of the business community and the general populace because they did not guard the Public Purse well and have had a rocky relationship with the private sector. They can only blame themselves.
The dire situation is world over, no government really had a true understanding just how deep it was,and the government is making strides to create more growth for bermuda.The business community needs to work more with government,its a two way street you know that as well,the government does have a good working partnership with the business community, they are both working to ensure stability in a very unstable world at the moment, like all governments are doing ,to create stability.
You’re living in La-La Land if you believe what you posted.
most of us (black people) don’t bother with the town hall meetings and polictical rallies….Its our vote that counts. If you care about your country more than party polictics, vote OBA
typical idiot….you do not speak for all Black people!
I do, and i say vote OBA.
well you do not speak for me.you sound like an old old slave owner you stil is trying to control black people.
What do you know about slavery???
you are just ignorant! you have no respect, people like you are a bad example
Ask the OBA/ubp.
Exactly.
Stick to washing cars Donte!
Why don’t I ever hear about these things going on?
Maybe it’s because the PLP take down OBA advertising whenever it’s put up. lol
Bernews, why is it that there are no video or audio or copies of speeches? The other party’s meeting was very well covered and documented on your site however this one seem light.
As noted in the article, no one used prepared remarks hence there are no copies of speeches to be had. We asked them to be sure, and did not receive any. We only have one cameraman who does an outstanding job 7 days/nights a week but cannot cover 2 events at the same time obviously..unfortunately we had to miss the meeting at Vasco which we also wanted to cover last night. However please always feel free to send us any Youtube links and we will add them..
Bermynews–you do an excellent job !some that have more do far less…with what you are working with I love it!
How ironic they show up for a town hall meeting unprepared to speak, yet they accuse the PLP of not having a plan or being unprepared to rule.. I hope this isn’t a sign of how they would run the country if elected.. Ill be honest I voted PLP in the last election which was my first time voting, but I’m undecided at this point.. I refuse to make an uneducated vote so ill wait to see the OBA platform before I make any decisions.. I’ve yet to see a OBA candidate canvassing my neighborhood but I have spoken with my PLP candidate.. I will not allow scare tactics or prophets of doom and gloom sway me either as I know anyone can complain but few can offer realistic solutions. If there platform lacks any social conscience then they will not get my vote but if its balanced between the needs of business and the community then they can win my vote… I refuse to vote for change just for change sake and as the opposition u will have to win my vote by proving our ideals align if not…. Need I say more?? Ill be waiting to see my OBA candidate………
Read the article! The OBA were not “unprepared.” Unlike the scripted plp boiler-plate propaganda READ by plp candidates, the OBA candidates spoke off-the-cuff on their feet, and made a lot of sense. Look it up if you don’t know what it means.
WOW!!!!! I think u just help me to make my mind up Mr. Elitist thank u.. Sorry if my interpretation of “speaking off the cuff” is speaking unprepared.. I just figured it was the same as to ad lib or to say the first thing that comes to mind which to me is to speak unprepared.. Why call a town hall meeting where u expect to have a crowd and are trying to convince people to vote for u yet come unprepared to speak, or “speak off the cuff?” I take it u feel your intellect is superior to mine as to why u felt it necessary to say “look it up if u don’t know what it means.” I personally took that as offensive and elitist of u infer to say the least. U reinforced many peoples belief that the OBA is a party of the elite and its followers which I prefer not to be a part of as I despise people who think like that.. 3 questions I will have when/if I ever see the OBA candidate at my door will be.. (1) Do they believe that we could have survived this global recession without incurring any debt? (2) What do they intend to cut so they can balance the budget? (3)If so then how many more people would be unemployed and be without any form of Government assistance as a result of these cuts? Although I have a vague idea what the responses will be I refuse to make an uneducated decision like the idiots that THINK there “street wise” but really don’t know S#!T! Pun intended.. Its supporters like u that do the party no justice and have put me and many other YBM off from this party with your ignorant elitist mentality.. I was only expressing my opinion but I suppose your inability to repect others opinion coupled with your superiority complex just couldn’t resist showing your true nature.. #ThankUJackAss
I know Toni Spring from her time at Northlands and over a decade at Sandys Middle School. She was strict but an excellent teacher to many students most of us in society have given up on. She has tons of experience and is very passionate. At least she has some ideas and knows what she is talking about!
Town Hall meetings are okay, but you better start knocking on some doors.
Dont wait to the last minute…you have heard”a little to late”
OBA I said I will give you my vote but I still need to see your candidate for my area.
You are right. This election will be won or lost on the doorsteps of the nation. I hope the OBA realize this….
No PLP candidate has ever knocked at my door. Ever. That’s in the past 15 years.
I have no idea why.
Um…because they can win by stirring emotions without ever getting off their ass…