Hochoy trying to ride Robinson’s back

THE EDITOR: The “resurrection” of the DAC in Tobago for the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly election, is definitely an attempt by Hochoy Charles to bask in the glory of a legacy left by ANR Robinson. It is no wonder why two individuals approached the former Prime Minister/President (and were rightfully) rejected to play a part in their quest to retake this island from the present regime. Hochoy Charles has lost four elections consecutively in recent times, mainly because of his leadership style, some say dictatorial, others say tyrannical, but I’ll simply say undiplomatic. Does going under a new banner make Hochoy Charles a better individual? Sorry, but that is the man, he cannot change. Ironically though, Hughford McKenna thinks he is a better leader than the “high-handed” Orville London.

The DAC a defunct political party, who had the slogan, “Forward Ever Backward Never” back in the 70s is now being backward as ever by reneging on their own word, trying to resurrect the dead. However, in the real world the dead doesn’t come back alive. What can Hochoy Charles and Ashworth Jack do for Tobago today that the then DAC and NAR (of which they were a part) didn’t do for the past 26 years? If you compare the two, the PNM has done a significant amount during their first term as regards to development and infrastructure. The three new schools, the improvement of the public transportation and the tourism industry has certainly blossomed. The Medical Transcription Centre was built in record time at Signal Hill for the benefit of the youth and I can go on and on.

The construction industry has created employment for many, who didn’t capitalise on  it weren’t interested. Hence the reason there are so many skilled and unskilled labourers hired from Trinidad. Fortunately, the majority of Tobagonians are more mature and educated today compared to the times when they were blindfolded by one eyed men posing as kings. Certainly they will be able to make the comparisons and do the wise thing. Ashworth Jack in particular, attempted to insult the intelligence of right thinking Tobagonians on national television, with the foolish excuse that his regime had less to spend as opposed to the present. But the point is if you have little, you are supposed to spend it wisely, not squander it. The cost of living and building materials were also less then.

What Tobago is benefiting from now is the existence of the PNM led Central Government with a PNM led Tobago House of Assembly and as long as it remains this way we will always continue to benefit. The funny thing is that, some constituents are complaining that nothing was done in their constituencies. Yet they supported the same candidates and their party for years with very little to show. One example of this is the Roxborough area, which never had a PNM representative since the THA was created, but continued to deteriorate into a rusty unattractive sea-blasted community. Today the present regime is attempting to develop and enhance the area, but not without negativity from opposing forces. The interesting question is: What if the incumbent, Cecil Caruth is to win his seat and Charles and Jack lose theirs, would we see the former NAR leader as leader of the DAC? That is very interesting indeed. Hurry up with the Nacta poll.

GARVIN WALTERS
Tobago