George Town UDP rallies troops

Friday, April 30, 2004

In an effort to bring together the party’s faithful members and recruit new members, the George Town chapter of the United Democratic Party (UDP) held an open meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, 27 April.

Called to order by Edlin Myles, the George Town Party Chairman, the meeting’s goals were to inform the crowd of 30 about the aims and objectives of the UDP and to begin the initial phases of forming three essential committees: membership, fund-raising, and public relations.

Mr Myles also told the crowd: “Within the next two to three weeks we want to make a full declaration of candidates for the November elections. Here in George Town we are seeking a minimum of three seats in the assembly.”

One member of the audience, attorney Lloyd Samson, said: “I am a new member of the party and I have been invited to join tonight’s gathering. I wanted to check it out and see what’s it’s all about.”

He asked how best to answer questions citizens interested in the party may have about the UDP.

Billy Reid, the UDP Chairman, responded: “You can inform them of the party’s aims and objectives, but perhaps after 1 July you can go into more detail about where the party stands on certain issues. The budget will be done by 30 June and then we’ll be better able to point to our accomplishments.”

His sentiments were echoed by Lewis Ebanks, UDP Treasurer, who added: “The executive council of the party considers George Town of strategic importance.

“This is not to say that it will be receiving special treatment, but we are looking at the voting here with that in mind.”

Several people in the audience commented that they were there “to observe” and that they were “curious as to what it is all about.” They asked to speak anonymously.

Two audience members were Jamaicans living and working in Grand Cayman who felt it was important that they understand how this election might affect their lives on the island.

Mr Myles also reminded those present: “We need people to be more than just signed up to be members of the party.

“That just doesn’t cut it. We need people to do more for the party. The UDP has several projects in place and winning this upcoming election will allow us to see them to their fruition.”

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