Representative for the Seventh District, and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, recently outlined a number of initiatives for the district at a public meeting at The Stickit in Long Look.
These initiatives include: the Food Pantry, Unemployment Register/ Programme, Modern Fishing and Farmers’ Market, Fishing and Farming Statutory Authority, the passing of the Cannabis legislation, Fat Hog’s Bay Harbour Project, Brandywine Bay Development Project, Ongoing Cleanups, Programme to Advertise District 7, Businesses, Social Home, Market Stalls at The Stickit, Junior High School, expansion of the Youth Empowerment Programme, sidewalks at YEP, Launch of the District Council, Long Look Methodist Church Murals, Paraquita Bay Road Works, and the Revitalized District 7 Response Team.
Hon. Wheatley opened by telling residents, “Thank you to the people of the district for the opportunity to do what I always dreamed of doing from the time I was a little boy – to help people.”
He went on to talk about the difficult times being experienced due to the floods of August 2017, devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and now the global COVID-19 pandemic. Hon. Wheatley said that it was time to be “our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers” and emphasized that the district needs more investment.
As such, the Food Pantry is presently located at the District Office, in the Leando Frett Building (formerly Elite Superette). The pantry will allow for persons to register and receive the food assistance they need; needs which were increased during the recent lockdown. Hon. Wheatley acknowledged Autland Heavy Equipment for the donation of a freezer for the pantry, along Darkie Lettsome, Ali and Clyde Chalwell, Bouncer and the Roti Man, for meals assistance, which helped to feed persons during the lockdown.
Al Pickering was also thanked for his monetary donation used towards buying water for residents during that time. The Unemployment Register/ Programme, once launched, is meant to address the unemployment in the district by creating a database of persons in need of jobs. He acknowledged Philip Fahie, a resident of the district, for creating the online database. The database will also allow persons to register their businesses. Hon. Wheatley announced that Cabinet had approved land for the building of a Social Home in the district and will speak more about this project at a later time.
Other plans foreseen for the district include: Social Programs, Job creation, Road Works, Youth, Hurricane preparedness, Business, A District Council and Brandywine Bay Committee.