PLP Confirm Dr Ernest Peets As C#10 Candidate

May 11, 2017

[Updated] The PLP has announced that Rev Dr Ernest Peets will be their candidate for Constituency #10 Smith’s North in the upcoming general election, a seat which is currently held by Premier Michael Dunkley.

PLP Dr Ernest Peets Bermuda May 11 2017

“I want to pledge my commitment to Bermuda and the residents of Smith’s North,” Dr Peets said. “I believe together we can build a better and stronger Bermuda for everyone. I look forward to meeting the people on their doorsteps and listen to their personal stories.”

In the 2012 General Election, Premier Dunkley won the seat with 67.47% [618 votes], defeating the PLP’s Patrice Minors, who was the incumbent in 2012, and earned 32.53% [298 votes].

Results from Constituency #10 Smith’s North in the 2012 General Election:

10-OBA-Win c10 smiths 2012 bermuda election results

The General Election has not yet been called, however both parties are moving into election mode, and this is the third candidate announcement, following after Senator Renee Ming announced as the PLP’s candidate for Constituency #1 St Georges North, and Kim Swan announced as the candidate for Constituency #2 St. George’s West.

The announcement has just concluded, and we will have photos and additional information later on, and in the meantime, the live video replay is below.

The 11-minute live video replay is below:

Update 11.47am: Speaking at this morning’s announcement, Dr Peets said, “I am grateful to the Progressive Labour Party and to our Party Leader for their faith and confidence in me. I care deeply about my country, and my community, and I am excited about the opportunity to represent the needs of the people of Smith’s North, and to lend my expertise to the party and to the political arena.

“For those of you that don’t know me very well, you’ll find me to action-oriented, committed, open minded and accessible.
I have enjoyed a long career in human services. As such, I am well aware of the challenges facing regular Bermudians.

“Socially, our country has lost some of the fabric that has held Bermuda together. In my professional capacities, I have seen the erosion of some of the core values that bonded together our community. It is time to get back to basics and to identify the root causes of the anti-social behaviors plaguing our communities.

“I believe with my training and background that I am well versed and well trained to be an asset in the recovery, not just of individuals, but of our entire community. A community divided, a community made up of 2 Bermudas, is a community that will not prosper.

Rev Dr Ernest Peets PLP Bermuda May 11 2017 (2)

“I am new to political service but I knew when I saw my mother pepper sprayed on December 2nd, that was the moment I knew I could no longer sit on the sidelines.

“I could no longer watch as Bermuda slipped back to an era we thought long lost, where the privileged few wielded power over the rest of us to prosecute those standing up for Bermuda, to persecute those exercising their rights, and to exert violence upon them when they do so. I’ve found in my work and my life, that sometimes it takes an awful incident for us to truly realize the dire state of our collective situation.

“In the PLP’s Reply to the Throne Speech, we spoke about Bermuda’s problem with substance abuse and addiction. With more and more of our family and friends falling victim to this disease, we all must do a better job of aiding those who wish to break the hold addiction has on them.

Rev Dr Ernest Peets PLP Bermuda May 11 2017 (3)

“I look forward to being a part of a PLP government who pledge to re-evaluate the services available those struggling with addiction and/or alcohol abuse and one that is committed to providing much needed dual diagnosis services.

“I plan to canvass the residents of Smith’s North from Loyal Hill in the west all the way to Shelly Bay in the east. Smith’s North is a diverse constituency and I plan to canvass, and if elected, represent all members.

“Today, I want to pledge my commitment to Bermuda and the residents of Smith’s North. I believe together we can build a better and stronger Bermuda for everyone. I look forward to meeting the people on their doorsteps and listen to their personal stories. To the people of Smith’s North and all of Bermuda, I hope to earn your confidence and your trust and I’m certain I will learn much from you along this journey.”

Rev Dr Ernest Peets PLP Bermuda May 11 2017 (1)

In introducing Dr Peets, Mr Burt said, “The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party is an organisation whose membership is made up of a wealth of talented individuals from all walks of life. From lawyers to teachers, from bus drivers to entrepreneurs, from artists to doctors. What they all have in common is a commitment to a just, equitable and fair Bermuda; one that puts the needs of the many ahead of the wants of the few.

“One of those individuals is Dr. Ernest Peets Jr. who I am pleased to introduce as the PLP’s chosen candidate for the next general election in Constituency 10 – Smith’s North.

“Dr. Peets is a Certified Family Therapist, and an internationally certified Addiction and Drug Counselor. He has worked in a variety of human services environments including Corrections, Probation & Parole, Drug Treatment Court, and Therapeutic Communities [TC] where he honed his addiction and recovery skills. The PLP is committed to reforming drug treatment programs and dual diagnosis services in the penal system and Dr. Peets’ experience is an asset to us all.

“Dr. Peets private practice work at The Counselling Center focuses on family related work, specifically pre-marital, family counselling, divorce recovery and co-parenting. As he and his wife Julie admirably raise four children, his passion for our community is ever evident in his work.

“Dr. Peets commitment to our collective and individual physical and mental wellbeing is matched by that of spiritual matters. Dr. Peets is also the Pastor of New Life Church of the Nazarene, a post he assumed in 1999. He is an experienced therapist, a recently published author, also an Adjunct Professor at Nazarene Bible College in Santa Cruz in Trinidad & Tobago, where he teaches graduate level courses in Advanced Counselling Skills.

“More recently, Dr. Peets has joined the multi-disciplinary team at Child & Adolescent Services as a Family Therapist. Dr. Peets is also a Professional Member of the American Counselors Association, and the American Psychological Association.  A Sandys Secondary graduate, Dr. Peets holds a BA in Business from Howard University, an M-Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary and his Doctorate in Marriage & Family Therapy from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

“Dr. Peets has made quite the impression on the party and me personally through his energetic and enthusiastic involvement in party matters and contributions to making the PLP’s Vision 2025 plan work for all of Bermuda. I am convinced that this commitment will continue as he represents all the people of Smith’s North with integrity.

“Simply put, Dr. Peets represents the best of Bermuda. He is a man who has chosen to commit his life to improve the lives of others.”

Read More About

Category: All, News, Politics

Comments (54)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. aceboy says:

    So, given that the speech was addressed to everyone but me I won’t bother to watch it.

    Members of media, PLP executive, party members and gathered supporters….

    Nope. *click*

  2. Double S says:

    Diversity for thee, but not for me!!! – PLP mantra

  3. Des says:

    congrats cuz.. good luck sir

  4. puzzled says:

    “I saw my mother pepper sprayed on December 2nd”.

    Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord…

    • Onion Juice says:

      As a PEOPLE we have been fallimg for that line for 400 years and look where it got us.
      We’ve been waiting for the Lord for vengence, while the perpetrators have benefitted from our ignorance (lack of knowledge).
      STAY WOKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Alvin Williams says:

      Is that the same god that drown Pharaoh;’s army in the sea when he tried to return the Hebrews into slavery- Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord-indeed.

    • wahoo says:

      On December 2nd I saw democracy being blocked and people being used and I saw police being disrespected and taunted by law breakers.

  5. Francis says:

    Seems like a nice guy but if the PLP were serious they would run him in a seat he might win. Dunkley will retain this seat. Easily. UBP/PLP tricks again.

    • Wow says:

      Last I check the whole OBA is and will always be UBP!. Stop changing the name!!

      • Cowpoly says:

        Your both wrong, it’s the PLP/BROWN party. OBA is as much the UBP party as the EPL is full of English players….

      • inna says:

        Check again !

      • Passa Doe Bley? says:

        Some might say the new PLP is the old UBP. Jamal, Furbert, Swan and others.

        Some of us remember the UBP day. EVERYONE had a job, money and could travel often. the came the PLP. In 14 short years all that was gone plus hundreds of millions in debt that will take us decade to pay off.

        Even Dr. Peets and all his counseling experience along with God couldn’t make that go away.

      • wahoo says:

        Last I checked the OBA represents the diversity and the best interests of all Bermuda. Last I checked the OBA have been doing a lot and the last I checked the PLP can only complain, bend the truth and outright lie to my people.

  6. watching says:

    Well done!
    Dr Peets is a great candidate and I am very pleased to support.

  7. Real Talk(original) says:

    Great candidate!!

  8. Joe Bloggs says:

    “I could no longer watch as Bermuda slipped back to an era we thought long lost, where the privileged few wielded power over the rest of us to prosecute those standing up for Bermuda, to persecute those exercising their rights, and to exert violence upon them when they do so. I’ve found in my work and my life, that sometimes it takes an awful incident for us to truly realize the dire state of our collective situation.”

    Dear Dr. Rev. Peets, where do you stand on gang violence and armed home invasions? Those are also acts of violence against others are they not?

    • Onion Juice says:

      And if he wouldve ran for U.B.P. what would have been your sentiments.
      LMAO

      • Double S says:

        And if he would’ve ran for the OBA you would label him a surrogate.

        See how that works?

      • Passa Doe Bley? says:

        Onion Juice, if he had run for the OBA the message would have hopefully have been. We have a long road ahead and we can’t move forward if we are constantly looking back. We must all work together to rebuild the country because if we don’t WE ALL FAIL! We must all recognize that none of us are perfect. We have all made mistakes and we all continue to make, and hopefully learn from those mistakes.

    • puzzled says:

      Only when it happens to you.
      Next question….sean, Donny?

    • Torch says:

      JB. did you read the bio. He’s been counseling those folks for years. you’re late. while others have been trolling the internet, Dr Peets here has been working to actually get people help.

  9. bdaboy says:

    ““I could no longer watch as Bermuda slipped back to an era we thought long lost,…”

    Oh please! You’re the very people who are actively fighting against equal rights for all Bermudians.
    Another plp fraudster.

  10. Symonds says:

    Negative comments again! Always think your people are the most suitable!

  11. Rocky5 says:

    Just remember the “… dire state of our collective situation.” when the PLP lost in 2012 & the “dire state of our collective situation WILL BECOME.” if PLP get re-elected in 2017!!

  12. aceboy says:

    “I look forward to being a part of a PLP government who pledge to re-evaluate the services available those struggling with addiction and/or alcohol abuse and one that is committed to providing much needed dual diagnosis services.”

    I’ll bet you do. Sounds like business will boom for you if the PLP get into power.

  13. PLPNA says:

    Sad that such a well qualified person has chosen to run for a party that is very similar to the US Republican Party esp. when it comes to foreigners, race, LGBT etc., etc.. Notice NOT ONE person from PLP have said ONE WORD about recent SSM Judgement!!!????

  14. Unbelievable says:

    Haha nice guy…truly…but now you know the PLP is NEVER going to endorse same sex marriage cuz Ernest here seems a part of Preserve Marriage.

    And cue the silence.

  15. Up D hill says:

    Who??? Never heard of him.

    • Smith says:

      Most UBP/oba hasn’t heard much in the last 4+ years. Now everyone in team UBP/oba is acting nice LOL. Dunk will call the election after Americas cupp or December. Can’t wait to remove him.

      • I shall not be moved says:

        They are acting as soon as America’s Cup begins then the 2000 or more people who are unemployed will magically have jobs, the wage gap will disappear, and this beast like system that they are the gatekeepers of will all disappear as if as soon as the America’s Cup starts it will be heaven on Earth.

  16. Breathe says:

    Quality candidate. Hold fast Dr. Peets because now that you’ve chosen this team the usual suspects will call you all sorts of names. Loyal Hill wake up and see the man of integrity who seeks to represent you.

    • Risk Mitigation says:

      Novice! What does he know about running an economy?

      • Shannon Fox says:

        You don’t need a background in economics or business to become a politician or parliamentarian. And for your information, if you want to judge Dr.Peets on experience and his area of study, he actually has a degree in Business which he obtained form Howard University.

  17. LongBay Trading Inc. says:

    What is in the air or the water at Alaska Hall and at PLP HQ?

    I just do not get it.

    Seemingly normal Folk go in through those hallowed doors – folk that are apparently accomplished, intellegent, educated and smart; and something happens to them in there and they come out spewing the same fake truth, fake news, fake stories with facts that are so totally distorted and manipulated as to be unrecognizable; so they now are totally morphed into an absolute clone as the rest of their new found (but mostly delusional) PLP/BIU/PC political allies and colleagues.

  18. Shannon Fox says:

    I believe Dr.Peets is a wonderful candidate. He is educated, driven, open minded, and his mind is swayed by any other force. He is someone this country needs in power for he can move it in a direction into greatness.

  19. karen says:

    This new candidate, has REVENGE IN HIS BLOOD, I joined after my mom was pepper sprayed, that’s says ALOT

    • Torch says:

      Karen he didn’t say anything about revenge. He wants to be an active participant in helping the community. Something he’s apparently done for years. It’s good to see decent people running for office.

  20. Up D hill says:

    Still never herd of him if this doctor is worth his salt he will quickly relize joining the plp is a mistake!

    • Shannon Fox says:

      how is it a mistake…it was his choice. people can say it would be a mistake for him to join the oba

    • Onion Juice says:

      We never heard of Cannonaire before he made a fool of himself.

      • Passa Doe Bley? says:

        What did he do that was so foolish in your mind? Was it that he took a ride on a jet plane that cost the people of Bermuda exactly $0? . Was that it? Because you never speak about Dr. Brown taking his jet ride on the Globalhue jet before giving them two multi-mition dollar contracts.

        Onion Juice? You still there or are you going to pretend that it didn’t happen.

        Don’t believe me Google it ! If I’m wrong, come back and call me a liar! I can post the links if you want.

      • Up D hill says:

        Plp make fools of themselves everyday ! You are one of them i am sure.

      • Anbu says:

        OJ. You are stealing our oxyen. Another old fart clinging to something none of us are responsible for. Keep it up mate. Your pressure is obviously up.