battlegrounds in tomorrow's general election, The Royal Gazette today looks at Sandys North.

Sandys North, which stretches from Dockyard to Somerset Village, has virtually been a safe seat for the Progressive Labour Party from 1976 when veteran MP Mr. Eugene Cox won a by-election.

But Mr. Cox's twice-victorious partnership with Mr. Lionel Simmons was broken up when Mr. Simmons was among those expelled from the PLP who went on to form the National Liberal Party.

Mr. Cox voluntarily stepped down in 1985 due to business commitments and allowed his daughter Paula, who had just returned from college, to run.

Hopes of a family dynasty evaporated as constituents threw their support behind two older "Somerset guys'' -- United Bermuda Party candidates Mr.

Edward Bailey and Mr. Colin Pearman.

The pair, who lost their seats to Mr. Cox and political newcomer Mr. Dennis Lister in the 1989 election, are hoping to represent the constituency again.

The race is an interesting one, particularly since Mr. Simmons, who acted as a spoiler in both the 1985 and 1989 elections, will not be included.

It will basically come down to which pair of the "home-grown'' Somerset men, constituents believe will address their concerns and represent their interests best.

Sandys North residents are very politically aware, candidates told The Royal Gazette , and they are not to be taken for granted.

The PLP candidates believe the people of Sandys, who gave the party a parish sweep in 1989, are ready for a change of Government.

The UBP hopefuls, on the other hand, believe residents have enough confidence in them to bring them back.

Both sides agreed that what constituents want most is to see drugs, education and activities for youth addressed on a national and local level.

"If you were to list the concerns of residents in order of priority, the number one issue would be drugs at the Royal Naval Field, number two would be drugs at the Royal Naval Field, and number three will be the same thing,'' Mr.

Pearman said. "That has been the greatest concern among constituents.'' Noting that both he and Mr. Bailey have worked closely with some of the young men who frequent the area, Mr. Pearman said it was obvious that the men needed direction.

Mr. Bailey said, if he was re-elected, he would personally push for either Social Services or the National Drug Commission to hire trained counsellors or "street workers'' to be placed in the area -- as is the practice in some US cities.

"This will allow them to get to know the youngsters and place them in employment, especially as the construction industry picks up again'' Mr.

Bailey said. "I know most of those boys and they are not bad.

"Some of them gravitate to the area because there doesn't seem to be anywhere else to go in Sandys. Some of them simply lack self-esteem.'' But Mr. Bailey, who praised Salvation Army's Capt. Mark Cunningham for visiting with young men and taking them hot meals every Thursday evening, said solving the problem requires Government and community effort.

Both Mr. Cox and Mr. Lister agreed. And Mr. Lister praised the work of the anti-drug community group, Sandys Against Drugs.

But they stressed the problem was directly linked to a lack of jobs and a lack of things for the young men to do.

This could only be addressed by changing national policies on Immigration and employment.

And this, they added, required a change in Government.

"The people overall are concerned about the economy and jobs,'' Mr. Cox said."But their concern is also linked with Immigration policies because many of them are concerned about getting their children educated only to return home and not get jobs. And sometimes they see some (foreigners) brought in with less qualifications and experience.'' Mr. Cox said some Bermudians return with qualifications and little training because it is difficult for them to get training overseas. This, he said, is where the need for training in Bermuda comes in.

On education, Mr. Cox said: "People feel that Government has dilly-dallied on education reform''.

And affordable housing was still a concern for some residents, he said.

"Some people are hurting because they are insecure and have difficulty meeting rental demands or if they have a home, they are struggling to pay the mortgage even though they may have two to three jobs.'' But Mr. Bailey said he believed: "Somerset overall is extremely happy because the housing crisis we did have seems to be resolved''.

And he said Somerset had "model schools and all the sporting facilities that it needs''.

Mr. Cox, however, said: "People want constructive activities that will give their children guidance and supervision, especially when they are forced to work late. They want somewhere their children can be happy while they (parents) are working to provide for them.'' The future use of Daniel's Head was also a concern of residents, the UBP candidates said.

Sandys North Candidates -- Ed Bailey, 44, barrister (UBP); Eugene Cox, 64, Belco vice president (PLP); Dennis Lister, 34, grocer (PLP); Colin Pearman, 58, funeral director (UBP).

Election Hall -- Somerset Primary School. Electorate -- 2,123. In 1989 election Eugene Cox (PLP) 768; Dennis Lister (PLP) 683; Ed Bailey (UBP) 547; Colin Pearman (UBP) 526; Lionel Simmons (NLP) 259.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION