The concerns of Pembroke East Central residents ranged from widespread complaints about housing and drugs to specific issues relating to disabled residents and drainage problems.

Ursula Dunlop complained that there were no adequate programmes for handicapped children.

"(Government) does nothing for me, and this election is a farce -- I'm raising a 27-year-old handicapped child on my own,'' she said.

"And Government does nothing for handicapped children, they don't even have a summer programme -- it's sad.'' Sister Imetra and Sister B said more needed to be done to finance poor people trying to start up businesses.

"If we're getting ready for Independence, then we have to be prepared to do things for ourselves -- we need to have flea markets and open markets, not wait for someone to give me a job,'' said Sister Imetra.

And Sister B questioned whether it was necessary to support a particular party in order to have concerns addressed, stating: "Do you have to vote for PLP or UBP to be treated right?'' Sister B also called for more low-income houses, care for the elderly, and day care.

"The houses need to be fixed up so people can live in them... if you have the money to fix up the house, you should be allowed to live in it,'' she said.

And both women called for rehabilitation for drug addicts.

Alfred Butterfield, a Parson's Road resident, said Parson's Road needed to be "straightened out''.

"The road is too narrow -- they said it was to slow down traffic, but I think it's caused more accidents,'' he said.

He also complained about flooding and drainage problems around his residence on Perimeter Lane.

Mr. Butterfield cited housing as a major concern, and criticised recent mortgage initiatives as being unrealistic.

"I pay a lot of money for rent and I live in Government housing -- Government isn't supposed to be in competition with the private sector,'' he said.

"I'd like to own a house, but 10 percent of $400,000 is $40,000 -- and it's impossible to get that much money one-time.

"They need to take that into consideration...and allow people the option of renting to buy,'' he added.

Reginald Paynter, another Parson's Road resident, said he was most concerned about jobs and wages.

"The minimum wage rate should be raised, and they need to give more job opportunities to people across the board,'' he said.

Mr. Paynter said he was generally happy with his neighbourhood, but said he wanted more information about what changes would occur, and whether the Island would become impoverished if the PLP won the election.

He said Bermudians should not be taxed coming through Customs, and exempt companies should not be taxed as an incentive to give more opportunities to locals.

Eugene Eve lives on Till's Hill and he wants to see derelict houses renovated.

Mr. Eve said he would also like to see housing in the area cleaned up -- noting that people often slept on his doorstep at night.

He was also concerned about the Hospital Insurance Plan, and stated: "Why is the cost so high? I'm paying out of my pension.'' R.A. Golden is an 87-year-old Parson's Road resident who said he was irritated by "a lot of young byes riding their bikes at nighttime with no lights -- it's got to be stopped''.

"These people up at the House of Assembly are only talking a lot of garbage,'' he said.

"They need to bring back the law like in the 1950s and put some Police around here. If a fellow gets out of hand, put a bullet in his hip -- that will stop him real quick.'' Sister b R.A. Golden