Chief Councillor Defends Local Government

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GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – Chief Councillor for the City of Freeport Council Frazette Gibson is taking exception to comments made by a former council member.

Gibson tells Our News she is disappointed in the former member’s comments and finds it’s insulting, as she claims the council is constantly doing its part to help better the community.

The local government official says she and her team have been in office for one year and so far, a food program, a backyard farming initiative and a hurricane preparedness committee have all been implemented.

She says the Wellington Ferguson Community Center was also re-opened.

Gibson says the future of the council looks very bright and she would like former Councillors to work along with them.

Our News spoke with the former City of Freeport Council Member Councillor Harold Williams who says he was not targeting any specific person or district in his comments.

He says he was generally speaking about the overall lack of interest in local government across the country, adding that going forward, he hopes government will look at increasing the stipend for council members.

Gibson admits there is a need for improvement in local government, as she says funding is a major factor that has decreased significantly over the years.

She revealed the council doesn’t get more than $800,000, and most of the money goes to salaries.