By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM DEPUTY Leader Loretta Butler Turner “cried shame” in the House of Assembly today, after being denied the opportunity to pay tribute to FNM Chairman Charles Maynard before the business of the House began.

To show her disapproval of the decision, Mrs Butler Turner did not enter the House until 11:30 — just in time for tributes to Mr Maynard.

“I stand here this morning with a very heavy heart on behalf of the people of Long Island and FNMs everywhere. I was very saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of my friend , my colleague, my chairman. One who I referred to as “lil bro” and who in tun referred to me as “big sis’. I wear him on my heart today,” she said.

“I am disappointed that the request of my leader asking that this House permit for the other business to wait, so we could have gotten a chance to bring tributes to one who resided as a Member of Parliament for Golden Isles in this House and one who stands as chairman of my party, that the request was turned down so we can listen to contributions of Ministers.”

“And so, Mr Speaker, on principle I personally took the stand that I would not come in here until such time that we would be allowed to bring tribute to Charlie Maynard.”

Mrs Butler Turner said Mr Maynard changed the lives and inspired many Bahamians and that was shown as hundreds turned up for a last minute memorial service in his honour.

“In a very impromptu memorial service, hundreds of Bahamians came to Mackey Street at the FNM headquarters, where we had fellowship and reminisced and members of the FNM reflected on the life of a great Bahamian,” she said.

“It is with sadness that I rise today to remember and mourn the death of and express gratitude for the life of Charles Maynard. I offer on behalf of the people of Long Island, my family and the FNM condolences to Charles’s wife, his three daughters and his parents.”

FNM Chairman and former Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Charles Maynard died early Tuesday morning.

Mr Maynard was serving as the co-ordinator of the by-election campaign in the North Abaco Constituency and was driving with Party Secretary General Michael Foulkes in the area of Blackwood, heading into Dundas and Murphy Town, at about 12.30am when he fell ill and collapsed. He died shortly afterwards.

He was married to Zelena Maynard, formerly Neymour, and was the father of three children.

He was 42.