Holder states future plans

Dennis Holder, Democratic Labour Party’s candidate for St. Joseph in the upcoming general election, has plans to create an avenue to give persons in that constituency the opportunity to sell products they make to the public.

Holder spoke to the proposed market day and other plans for the constituency in the future as he addressed constituents and well-wishers on Sunday night at the opening of his constituency office at Blackman’s Development, St. Joseph. He told those gathered that the market day will occur every month end, and be held across the length and breadth of the constituency to ensure the entire constituency benefits, and the goal is to address the challenges people are facing in retailing what they produce.

“We are going to be erecting some tents and providing some stall space, so that when you have your tomatoes and your apples and your oranges; if you grow oranges, your breadfruits and yams, your sweet potatoes, you can bring them to market day and you can sell them to the good residents of St. Joseph. If you are a dress marker, bring your dresses that you have made to market day, sell them there. If you are a good baker bring your bread to market day and if you can make a good pudding and souse bring it to market day,” he said.

Holder added, “So we are providing an opportunity for the people of St. Joseph who are engaged in the making of things, we are creating an atmosphere for them to sell to the residents of St. Joseph and others will want to come and buy.”

The St. Joseph hopeful, who is seeking to unseat the incumbent, the Barbados Labour Party’s Dale Marshall, added that he is also looking to provide educational opportunities for persons living in that constituency. Holder, a former educator, is proposing that evening classes be started at Grantley Adams Secondary School. He said he has already started consultation on such with the relevant authorities, with the aim being to give persons the opportunity to pursue the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate in various disciplines through the Caribbean Examination Council, as well as competency-based qualifications in the form of the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications.

“No longer do we expect you to have to journey to Springer Memorial or down to St. Leonard’s to have these extra classes,” he contended.

He added, “We have plans for St. Joseph; we have intentions to move this constituency a little further and all I am saying is to give Dennis Holder the opportunity to make a difference for St. Joseph. Allow me that opportunity to make a difference; allow me that opportunity to see you to another level”.

The DLP candidate’s comments came as he also spoke of his lobbying efforts to have a play park erected at Blackman’s Development. He disclosed that his efforts have borne fruit, with the National Conservation Commission in conjunction with the Maria Holder Memorial Trust expected to put that play park in place. Holder noted that the NCC has also, because of his agitation, started work to repair the play park at St. Elizabeth Village.

Holder also spoke of work that was done on Joe’s River Bridge, and the subsequent construction of a new road to allow people access into and out of the Joe’s River area. The candidate added that in addition to the sidewalk currently being installed along that road, he is also cognisant of the need for lighting, and has been assured by the relevant authorities that such will be addressed soon.

Holder’s candidacy received a ringing endorsement from former Member of Parliament for the constituency Dame Maizie Barker-Welch. The 90-year old Dame Maizie, as she commended the DLP for the good work it has done over the last ten years, in spite of the worldwide recession, said she is looking forward to seeing Holder walk up the steps of Parliament.

“I would like to see this constituency start to grow again, because I tried my best when I was here. We have a good opportunity to help Dennis Holder make things happen in St. Joseph,” she told those gathered. (JRT)