User:Political pirate

Local Government in the Bahamas

Local Government in the Bahamas was only introduced in 1996. The nation was divided into 23 districts. After the first term, (term limits are 3 years) they made an additional district, The Hope Town District. Local Government is based on the British system.

I will use the Hope Town District to demonstrate as an example of how Local Government works in the Bahamas.

The Hope Town District Council began in 1999. It is made to represent three cays in Abaco, Bahamas. It has 7 members, three from Hope Town, three from Man-O-War, and 1 from Guana Cay.

The first Hope Town Council consisted of : Suzanne Bethel, Scott Patterson, and Kevin Albury from Hope Town. Roy Russell, Arthur Elden, and Richard Roberts from Man-O-War. Glenn Laing was the lone representative for Guana Cay.

The people do not elect the Chief Councillors and Deputy Chief Councillors, the people only elect persons to the Council, the Council members have to amongst themselves, elect a Chief and Deputy.

The first Council elected Roy Russell of Man-O-War to serve as Chief Councillor and Suzanne Bethel of Hope Town to serve as Deputy. Mr. Russell did not serve long however. He insisted that the main council office(each town represented has an office) be held in the town of the sitting Chief Councillor. The Central Government did not agree and stated that it should always be in Hope Town, the largest town in the district. He and the other Man-O-War Council members, resigned in protest, after 3 months, and this left Man-O-War unrepresented on the Council for about 1 year.

Suzanne Bethel would take the position of Chief Councillor. Man-O-War, a year later, would have three persons appointed. The government appointed Antonio Albury, Harcourt Thompson, and Jimmy Albury to serve the remainder of the term.

In 2002, Local Government elections, would follow the nation's general elections just a month later.

The new Council members elected would be, Jeffrey Key, Diane Bethel, and Roscoe Thompson for Hope Town. Walter Sweeting, Antonio Albury, and Roy Russell for Man-O-War. Glenn Laing was re-elected for Guana Cay.

Walter Sweeting was elected Chief Councillor, and Jeffrey Key was elected Deputy.

Antonio Albury was forced to resign in the first year of this council's term for awarding himself the garbage contract and therefore left a vacancy once again for Man-O-War. Haziel McDonald would be appointed and serve the remainder of the term.

In 2005, Local Government elections came again.

Elected were Wayne Hall, Robert Malone, and Roy Cash for Hope Town. Jeremy Sweeting, Christopher Albury, and Joseph Albury in Man-O-War. Glenn Laing was re-elected in Guana Cay.

In previous elections for Chief Councillor and Deputy Chief Councillor, in this District, the choices was unanimous and no election was needed. However, 2 candidates arose for the position of Chief Councillor and 2 candidates for the deputy. Wayne Hall and Glenn Laing each vied for the Chief and Jeremy Sweeting and Roy Cash threw their hats in for the Deputy.

Wayne Hall and Jeremy Sweeting were the victors and serve currently as the Chief Councillor and Deputy Chief Councillor for this District.

Chief Councillors - Hope Town District

Mr. Roy Russell                1999, Ms. Suzanne Bethel             1999-2002, Mr. Walter Sweeting            2002-2005, Mr. Wayne Hall                 2005-

Deputy Chief Councillors - Hope Town District

Ms. Suzanne Bethel             1999, Mr. Glenn Laing                1999-2002, Mr. Jeffrey Key                2002-2005, Mr. Jeremy Sweeting            2005-