By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NEVAR Smith, one of the Democratic National Alliance’s candidates for Grand Bahama, has decided to resign from the City of Freeport Council to pursue frontline politics.

Mr Smith - one of the youngest political candidates in the upcoming general election - made the announcement on Wednesday in Freeport, surrounded by family and friends.

“I’d like to inform the wider community, in particular the community of East Grand Bahama, of my decision to resign from all of the positions I currently hold in City Council with immediate effect,” he said.

Mr Smith held positions as a council representative for East Grand Bahama, deputy chief councillor and acting chief councillor at the City of Freeport Council District.

“My resignation comes as a result of me being nominated by the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) as a candidate to contest the next general election. Even though the Local Government Act does not dictate that councillors do such a thing, this has been the precedent set by those that came before me and such a move would stand to encourage the impartial stance that Local Government councillors should take when carrying out their duties,” he said.

Mr Smith said he has “made it a point to serve the residents of the community with the highest level of integrity, and consistently do what he thought was in the best interest of the council.”

In July, Smith was one of three Grand Bahama candidates announced by the DNA. He is the party’s candidate for Marco City. Also ratified were Leslie Lightbourne and Elkena Pinder, the DNA candidates for Pineridge and East Grand Bahama, respectively.

Supported by his family, pastor, and close friends, Mr Smith said the moment represented the closure of one chapter in his life, and the beginning of a new one.

He noted that serving as a local government councillor in the City of Freeport District for the last two years has been “one of the greatest honours of my life to date.”

“I have learnt a lot and also grew a lot as a leader. I gave it my best shot and I’m very proud of the contributions I’ve made while in council. I will forever be indebted to the people of East Grand Bahama for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to serve them in this way. I trust that they understand and accept my reason for doing this, and I have no doubt whatsoever that the remaining councillors will do us all proud for the rest of their time in office,” he said.

Mr Smith thanked DNA Leader Branville McCartney for the opportunity to serve as the DNA’s candidate for the constituency of Marco City.

“Just as I’ve served the residents of East Grand Bahama with integrity, compassion and with a spirit of excellence in council over the last two years, I look forward to doing the same thing for the residents of Marco City should they give me the chance to be their next Member of Parliament,” he said.

Mr Smith is the son of Lionel and Clarice Smith. He has one sister, Nivea Smith, an outstanding junior and national track athlete.