During the course of our lives we all have had those persons who have guided us with love and with tough love. At first, we may not see the value in the things that they say or did. Yet, as we mature, we begin to emulate the values that they painstakingly have instilled in us. More often than not, we do it without even realising their words are directing our paths.

Over the past ten years, many women have been my guiding lights, showing by example what it means to do for others in the community. You know those types of persons who can always be relied upon to fill in where and when needed, or to take charge when leadership is required.

Two of those women helped to groom scores of young persons over the past few decades. I was fortunate enough to count myself as one of them. By deeds and not words, they moulded myself and others.

Bermuda is blessed to now have two guardian angels in Anita Masters and Francine Simons.

We will miss them dearly.

Overseas Territories

There have been some positive developments in some of our sister Overseas Territories over the past few weeks.

In the British Virgin Islands, Minister of Transport Kye Rymer has launched a fleet of electric-powered trolleys for operation in the capital Road Town. These trolleys will be used to shuttle people around the city at no cost, thus cutting down on vehicular congestion and the amount of carbon emissions.

In Montserrat, the Government has signed an agreement to begin the construction of a major pier in Little Bay. This will allow for an improvement in port operations and the berthing of larger ships.

Anguilla now, for the first time in its history, has a direct American Airlines flight from Miami International. Previously, arriving tourists had to fly into neighbouring Sint Maarten and then catch a ferry or smaller aircraft to Anguilla. The aircraft being used allows for up to 70 passengers.

“All politics is local”

(Tip O’Neill)

The most effective form of politics is not via the media, sending out flyers or passing legislation. Nothing will ever beat one-on-one interaction between two human beings

Unfortunately, over the past two years, owing to the previous Covid-19 outbreaks, we have not been able to come out and visit door-to-door as regularly as we should.

With things settling down, we will be visiting different areas over the next few months.

We have also recommenced our Parish Pride Project, where we are clearing up overgrowth along the roadsides and painting the insides of bus shelters throughout Devonshire and Smith’s parishes.

Over the past few weeks, with the help of scores of young people, we have been able to tackle overgrowth along Vesey Street, Devon Spring Road, Green Acres and Roberts Avenue.

This upcoming week and weekend, we are carrying out some work in the following areas:

• Mary Prince Park/Devonshire Bay

• South Shore Road

• Middle Road by the squash club

This has proved to be a winning combination of the community getting spruced up and young persons earning community hours while learning to work as a team.

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in assisting, please feel free to reach out to myself (contacts below).

As always, we will provide gloves, snacks and water. Most importantly, there will be an abundance of community togetherness.

After all, that is what Aunt Nita and Ms Francine would fully expect.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com