Bodden Town establishes district council

(CNS): Residents in the Bodden Town community are being encouraged to take neighbourhood matters into their own hands by joining with their newly established district council. From upgrading the Nurse Josie Solomon Senior Centre and restoring the Savannah/Newlands Playfield the council said it is working on the issues that impact the local area. Part of the UDP manifesto local MLA and Health Minister Mark Scotland applauded the members.

“I am particularly pleased with the fact that my district’s council is already out there making a difference,” the Minister said.  “It meets the requirement of my party’s manifesto which called for a council to be established in each district. TheBTDC serves as evidence that we don’t need bigger government to succeed. What we really need are civic-minded citizens such as these, who work together for the greater good.”

One of those civic minded individuals Mario Rankin chair of the Bodden Town District Council (BTDC). Said the main objective was to boost the district’s social development through targeted activities and projects. In essence, we want to create a better, safer, working and living environment for all,” he said.

Rankin said members would serve as a point of contact and report to the executive committee on the needs and concerns of their specific neighbourhoods. “They have completed a Red Cross Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) course, enabling them to more accurately evaluate community needs and risks,” Rankin explained.

Speaking about the Savannah playing field Rankin said he hoped it would be open for this year’s district heritage day festivities in November. “After that, we hope that it will become a popular venue for birthday parties and other functions. Also, we hope to see our young people out there again, playing sports and taking advantage of the basketball court,” he added.

 For more information on the BTDC and its activities, contact Harilyn Bodden on 949-2931 or at harilynbodden@hotmail.com. Or call Mario Rankin on 943-3338, 925-6919 or email him at Mario.rankin@yahoo.com. Richard Christian can be reached at 925-5361 or at richard_c_christian@hotmail.com