OBA introduces Scott, Hunt and Roberts-Holshouser as new candidates

Text for statements at candidate press conference, December 1, 2011

 

Craig Cannonier

 

I am really pleased and proud today to introduce three candidates who have stepped forward to help get Bermuda back on track, where it is once again creating jobs, educating our children and making our streets and homes safer for everyone.

 

With me today are:

 

• Suzann Roberts-Holshouser, who will be the One Bermuda Alliance candidate in St. George’s South, Constituency 4.
• Donte Hunt, who will be our candidate in Hamilton West, Constituency 6, and
• R. Wayne Scott, who will be the OBA candidate in Warwick North Central, Constituency 27.

 

Before they speak, I would like to say a few words about each of them.

 

Suzann is passionate about Bermuda and the strongest advocate for children’s rights and healthy families. She also knows how to represent people; understanding their concerns, researching their issues and speaking in ways that get their needs addressed.

 

The people of St. George’s South will be well-served by Suzann.

 

Donte Hunt will bring the same attentive qualities to the people of Hamilton West. This is a big move for Donte, but we felt it served the party’s overriding goal to bring better government to the people of this country.

 

Donte has been a strong and consistent voice for change that supports strong and healthy family life, which is the foundation of a healthy society. In Suzann and Donte, we have two candidates who will work arm in arm for a better Bermuda.

 

R. Wayne Scott is no stranger to the people of Warwick North Central. Like all of us in the OBA, he believes Bermuda needs change if we are to grow jobs and opportunity for our people. Wayne is a man who also understands that good government starts with Members of Parliament whose first job is to represent the people.

 

He will make a great MP for the people of Warwick North Central.

 

Donte Hunt

 

Bermuda is in desperate need of a fresh start; a fresh start that will breathe hope into our hearts and yield opportunities for all.  

 

As a father and husband, I know firsthand the struggle many of us face today. I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that Bermuda moves forward to a place of peace and prosperity.

 

I am supported in my goals by my colleagues in the One Bermuda Alliance, who are equally committed to making sure Bermuda and its people flourish and succeed again.

 

The OBA believes Bermuda needs to change if we are to overcome the challenges Bermuda faces.

 

And it is for this reason, I have decided to answer the call of my party to move from Constituency 4 and run in Hamilton West, Constituency 6.

 

I have spent the past four years representing and serving the great people of St. George’s South. I have a real fondness for the times I spent with them. There were many successes and many good moments, but the need to put the OBA into a position to win the Government is paramount and I believe I can help that with this move to Constituency 6.

 

I am excited by it. Hamilton West is where I spent much of my formative years, but also where my wife was born and raised. Constituency 6 is also the home of much of my family as well as my wife’s family…not to mention it has an extra special place in my heart because it is where I lived when I first got married.

 

My time as a Member of Parliament in the House of Assembly has been focused primarily on the support and nurturing of all families. The OBA and I remain steadfast in our commitment to this agenda and to the task of getting this Island back on track where it is working better for our people.

 

I should add that Suzann is a caring, hard-working person who shares my hope to make sure families are safe and that the Government creates conditions that help people live productive and fulfilling lives. In addition, Suzann has strong ties to Constituency 4. I know she will be an outstanding representative.

 

Suzann Roberts-Holhouser

 

I am proud to stand beside Craig Cannonier, Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, and my colleagues, who, like me, recognize it is not enough to simply complain or sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to step forward to serve Bermuda and her people.

 

We are a team that is dedicated to getting this Island back on track where it is working better for the people.

 

I look forward to representing the people of St George's South, Constituency 4. It is where I live and where I serve my church as a Vestry Member and Licenced Eucharist Administrator.

 

My commitment to the people of St. George’s South is simple and straightforward: I will be there at all times to act on your concerns and to echo your views in Parliament and in the halls of Government.

 

I will fight for safer communities and safer homes. I will fight for and support policies that create jobs and grow paycheques, And I will fight for stronger, more dedicated efforts to give our children the education they need.

 

In 1998, Bermudians brought change to the Island though the ballot box.

 

In 2011, we can do it again.

 

The birth of the One Bermuda Alliance has made change possible. But it is up to you the voter to help change the direction Bermuda is travelling down under the current Government. 

 

Right now, I think everyone knows Bermuda is on the wrong path; saddled with problems such as the Government’s massive debt that hurting people every day.

 

You can see it in transportation cancellations that create problems for people, job lay-offs that hurt families and careers, overtime cancellations that hurt people’s ability to pay their bills, funding cuts to charities that are dedicated to helping people in need. The debt problem even extends to road surfaces breaking down because of lack of money to pay for their maintenance.

 

It’s time for change. We cannot stand still, do nothing different and expect different results.

 

Bermuda needs a fresh start, a fresh team to deal with the problems we’ve been saddled with and I am proud to be part of a team that is dedicated to restoring the health, strength and spirit of our people and our Island.

 

I look forward to meeting all residents of St. George's South during the weeks and months ahead, to listening to your ideas and recommendations as we work for change to improve your lives and the future of our Island home.

 

R. Wayne Scott

 

I am proud to be a part of a team that is committed to put Bermuda first, for this has been my mantra within Warwick North Central, Constituency 27.

 

Over the last 5 years, as I have worked within the Warwick North Central community, my primary message has been that it’s about the people, not me, period.

 

My role in giving service to the people is to represent THEIR views. I believe that many today in politics have lost sight of this simple fact. Representing the people is about them. It is NOT about you.

 

As Bermuda faces unprecedented issues with our economy and employment; challenges with crime and education - which are very closely related; and a need to rediscover what has always set Bermudians and Bermuda apart – what has truly made Bermuda “Another World”; we need leadership that is open, transparent and responsive; We need leadership for the people, dedicated to their concerns, their interests and their needs.

 

But to get that, we need change.

 

I put myself forward in service to the people of Bermuda, especially within Warwick North Central, with a commitment that it be about you.