Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for St George North Floyd Reifer last night delivered the contents of a constituency manifesto outlining his plans for the constituency, if elected on November 11.
Declaring that the plan was “a vision to take St George North forward”, he told the political mass meeting at Market Hill that it was built on three main pillars – the youth, the people and the community
He said the ten initiatives he put forward are aimed at improving lives.
“I will actively lobby to remove all outdoor pit toilets, because we must improve the lives of every constituent. This is the 21st century; every constituent in St George North deserves to live in dignity and have a good quality of life. I have already started working with agencies across this country and talking with non-profit organisations to address this matter,” Reifer announced.
“When I become your representative, I will actively lobby for road repairs. We all know in St George North how horrible the roads are – Airy Hill, Market Hill, Bel Air. The roads ridiculous and people got to change their shocks and tyres in these hard economic times. That is not fair. People got to cut through bush to get to their homes and there are no streetlights.”
Insisting that “money follows great ideas and . . . people with integrity and credibility”, Reifer said he will create safe spaces for young people to excel.
“I will be lobbying for improved and safe community facilities. Our young people must have access to safe spaces like community centres where cultural activities can take place, where our young people can participate in wholesome educational activities in performing arts, music, dance, drama, sports,” he said.
Reifer also plans to establish a youth scholarship trust, not only to assist in academics but also vocational skills.
“We must appreciate that all kinds of people make up this country. The Uplift St George North programme will create opportunities for the youth sports and cultural enthusiast,” he explained.
Additionally, Reifer said he would introduce an after-school kids homework and reading club with free Wi-Fi hotspots at key points in the constituency, noting that there were still several households without Internet access and children without computer devices.
However, the cricket coach stressed that he would not only focus on the youth.
He spoke about programmes targeted at the most vulnerable and the elderly and differently abled.
“I will launch a helping hands project – a fund that will provide assistance to those vulnerable constituents. I will work hand in hand with our community and social groups. I will collaborate with places of worship in this constituency to make sure that food banks are adequately stocked. No woman, man, or child should be hungry in this constituency. It is a basic human right,” he insisted.
“I am committed to introducing a home care programme. This programme will assist our senior citizens with getting their groceries. These are the people who looked after us and we must look after them now; not only our elderly citizens but those who are differently able.”
Reifer told the meeting that given the blow to employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, job creation was a priority.
“I intend to launch a back to work initiative. This is intended to find creative ways to help our people find employment and feed their families. COVID has been devastating on the workforce. I will make sure that out of this crisis the people of St George North equip themselves to meet the new realities of the new norm,” he said.
The DLP candidate also unveiled his plans for small business people in the constituency.
“The Start-Up St George North programme is very close to my heart. It is designed to support entrepreneurship and small business,” he said.
“The pandemic has left the country facing 40 per cent unemployment with youth unemployment at an all-time high. My aim is to work with teachers responsible for skills training and CVQ programmes, not only for [participants] to secure job training and attachments with businesses in St George, but also to equip them with the skills and know-how to run their own businesses.”
He also made reference to the constituency resource bank and directory which he mentioned at his first political meeting. That bank and directory will serve as a database of every business and service provider, tradesman and tradeswoman in St George North.
“These are our plans – you spoke and I listened. This plan is about big works, practical solutions, addressing real needs . . . ,” Reifer told the crowd. (IMC)
