By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FIVE people are seeking the Free National Movement’s nomination for Central Grand Bahama in the next general election, a seat long considered one of the party’s safest.

Among them are Dr Trevor Johnson, businessman Darren Cooper, Bishop Ricardo Grant, and entrepreneur Johnyk Bevans. The Tribune understands a government employee is also vying for the nomination but declined to comment yesterday.

The interest comes after Iram Lewis, the sitting MP, resigned from the FNM on April 2 and joined the Coalition of Independents.

Dr Johnson, a 29-year-old professor at the University of the Bahamas and former Eight Mile Rock High School teacher, is seen as a frontrunner but declined to comment. He previously worked with the Disaster Reconstruction Authority and holds expertise in environmental science.

Businessman Darren Cooper confirmed he has applied to represent the constituency.

Mr Cooper, a former talk show host and president of the Rotary Club, said his advocacy for small business owners and experience leading protest actions in Grand Bahama make him a strong candidate.

“The constituency is made up of quite a bit of private subdivisions, and a lot of the subdivisions have developed challenges with service charges and the lack of proper maintenance,” he said.

He said he hopes to advocate for Grand Bahama broadly, not just his constituency. “Rather than being always the one with the bullhorn, making the noise, I realise sometimes change comes from within,” he added.

Bishop Ricardo Grant, who lives and is a pastor in the constituency, said he has submitted himself for consideration. “The constituency deserves to have a representative that is noteworthy of the constituents, given the track record of the constituency for the FNM,” he said, adding that his family roots in the area stretch “from Pinder’s Point straight to Williams Town.” He previously sought to be the MP in the West Grand Bahama and Bimini constituency.

Johnyk Bevans, a 37-year-old businessman from Pinder’s Point/Seaco Town, said he is running to improve representation.

“I feel we have been subjected to poor leadership,” he said. “People assume Central Grand Bahama is an easy win and don’t have genuine intentions to serve.”

Mr Bevans owns a barbershop, a construction company, and a bar and grill. He said residents were disappointed with Mr Lewis.

“He did not execute any of his plans. We could not see where the constituency funds were going, and it was frustrating,” he said.

He said infrastructural improvements and programmes to support young men are urgently needed. “We need to create opportunities for persons to thrive,” he said.

Residents told The Tribune they are paying attention to the contenders.

Eloise Miller said the right candidate should be committed to service. “I don’t know all of them, but whoever they put forward should be someone with not too much baggage and ready to work for the people,” she said. She believes Dr Johnson, Mr Bevans, and Mr Cooper “are young and energetic.”

“Darren can get the message out, and he stands behind what he says,” she said. “Dr Johnson, I know his family, and they are nice people. I met him and he seems to be a very nice gentleman who is coming forward, and he is young.”

Sammy Russell, another constituent, said he supports Dr Johnson. “He is well educated and community-minded, and a breath of fresh air. We want a candidate who can serve in the seat for another 25-year term in the constituency,” he said.

Mr Russell said Dr Johnson’s youth development work and his environmental science background make him a valuable addition to Parliament.

Kevin Wildgoose echoed the support. “I have known him for 15 years. He has always been involved in youth development and would always volunteer his time at the primary school he attended during breaks from college,” he said. “He is very intelligent.”