Focused on youth and improving constituency

A lack of opportunities and unemployment, says the Democratic Labour Party’s candidate for the St. George North by-election, Floyd Reifer, are the main challenges facing the constituency at this time.

Speaking to the media following a service at the St. Augustine Anglican Church, Market Hill, St. George, Reifer said constituents feel unheard and he is particularly concerned about the youth, noting that a lot of them are angry, and so he is on a mission to help them.
“I have some good ideas on how we are going to interact with them and things we can put in place to help them. I’m in discussions with a lot of them and they are feeling confident that I can get that job done and they believe in me,” he said.

He added, “As I said I have a lot of plans, it will involve young people. There are a lot of young people around the community, there are also the older folks around the community that are mentors, we want to involve them as well. So basically we want to rebuild the community spirit and the community life”.

Reifer, who was accompanied at church by his family, including wife Amanda, daughter Victoria and mother Orma, as well as the President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Verla De Peiza and first Vice President Ryan Walters, said he is determined to give the youth a voice and to listen to the people of St. George North, in an effort to ensure their concerns are addressed. The newly minted politician’s comments came as he is promised that over the course of the next few weeks he will be getting out into the community and interacting with as many of the constituents as possible.

“I’m going to talk to the people, I’m going to listen to the people. So I’m coming all through St. George,” an enthusiastic Reifer stated.
His comments came less than 24 hours after a mix and mingle at the DLP’s George Street Headquarters on Saturday evening, where he told those gathered that the country is in need of better.

“I am a humble youth from St. George, a proud husband, a proud dad and a Barbadian who will not be colour-blinded by noisy people shouting for more when we the people of St. George North are getting less... Do not look for big words from me, look for big works from me,” he stated.

He added, “My main concern is to help solve the problems that people experience in St. George North. I do not see a political colour, I see Barbadians who deserve better and with your help, will get better”.

Reifer made the point while referring to the robbery at the gas station in Charles Rowe Bridge earlier this year, contending that “This is not who we are. This is not St. George North”. In that vein, he maintained that the crime situation must be brought under control.

“We must call on Government and the Attorney General to pay attention to the problem of violent crime in Barbados. We all know the social ills that plague this country; that is why to sit and relax is a no, no. I am calling all hands to the plough,” he stated. (JRT)