By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Nominations for executive positions in the Grand Bahama Christian Council are underway, with elections set for May 13. Bishop Ricardo Grant, one of the six past presidents who are acting as the interim Council, said they will continue as advisers following the election.

“The constitution is being revised. We will act as a Council to the Council, or like an advisory board – we have not yet decided on a definitive name,” Bishop Grant said. “We would stand with the Council and we will be here to ensure we do not have any more unnecessary glitches within our parameter of powers in the GBCC.”

This new advisory council would conduct the vetting of all candidates nominated; ensure accountability among the leadership in the Council, and act as an adviser to the new slate of executives.

In March, the GBCC’s entire executive board was dissolved. A vote was taken to have the entire board removed following a rift among the executives when homosexual allegations involving the former Council president Rev Keith Meadows surfaced. Rev Meadows has denied the rumours.

Bishop Grant, who is leading the interim Council, said it was the first time in the history of the GBCC that an entire slate was vacated. He said that nominations are open until April 30.

Bishop Grant also noted that those churches that are not financial members can become so by the April 30 deadline to be eligible to vote in the May 13 elections. “We want the public to know that we stand encouraged about the future of the Council and where it is headed,” he said. He noted that the constitution is under review, with a view to making the Council stronger in the future.

“Certainly we want to speak to the fact that all applications and applicants will be under review and vetted by the now executive past presidents. There are requirements that need to be met in order to be considered for any executive position, and we want folks to be aware that we will ensure that those requirements are met so that the best leadership is put forward for the Council,” he said.

Bishop Grant said that vetting of candidates was not done in previous years. “It is not something that was done over the years as it should have been done over the years and certainly we see it as being necessary now.”

“We stand in to repent too because when we (past presidents) would have demitted office we stood back and allowed new incumbents to lead the charge and do what they see fit. But that did not help the process, and it did not allow for proper succession of leadership or accountability,” he said.

Bishop Grant said the council of past presidents will provide counsel for the new executives.