Come May 24, Independent Candidate Stephen Pollard is intending to have his name on the ballot, and is hoping he will be the one to unseat long serving Member of Parliament for St. Andrew, George Payne.
Pollard was one of the many prospective candidates who journeyed to the Treasury Department yesterday to pay their $250 deposit, the first step in his bid to represent the rural constituency.
Speaking to the media yesterday morning on the steps of the National Housing Corporation where the Treasury Department is currently located, Pollard, a retired lab technician of Orange Hill, St. James, said his goal is to bring a breath of fresh air to St. Andrew.
He made the comments as he expressed concern about much needed road works, choked gutters and dilapidated sporting facilities in the constituency. He said that over the last 24 years, 14 under a Barbados Labour Party government and the last 10 under the Democratic Labour Party, the constituency has been sorely lacking in many areas.
With just a few weeks to go before polling day, Pollard was questioned about if he was not entering the campaign too late, but he dismissed the notion, contending that some persons have entered later than he has in previous elections and were successful.
“People in this country say they crying out for change, so I will bring some change to St. Andrew for the people,” the 65-year old declared.
Pollard revealed plans to canvass the length and breadth of the constituency in the lead-up to May 24 and to hold a number of spot meetings in the St. Andrew communities. He said while he does not have deep pockets like other politicians, his commitment is no less and he is determined if elected, to work for the people and be amongst them on a daily basis, not only when election rolls around.
“I going to Parliament to work for the people, I ain’t going to Parliament to work for myself,” he maintained. (JRT)