When I noticed how the Astoria Hall was packed with both NDC & NNP people and the same thing happened at Medgar Evers College where I observed that large numbers were unable to get in to attend the Town Hall Meeting held by the NDC Chapter in New York area, I concluded that is evidence that Grenadians have the ability to come together for the advancement of the Nation of Grenada. That was an expression of the love of the people for Grenada and I sencerely believe that will be transformed into love for one another. There were tremendous rejoicing at both event. When the Prime Minister Tilman Thomas and the Hon.Prime and Hon. Simmons entered the Astoria Mnanor Hall everyone stood to greet them with enthusiasm and listened to the National Anthems of both the United States of America and Grenada while in standing position. I saw that as a stepping stone to healing the Nation of Grenada with Love of Jesus, and stopping some of the hate that I suspect is now raging in many parts of Spice Isle of Grenada. You can easily get that kind of feeling when you read parts of the Grenada News Paper.
At the Astoria Manor celebration the Prime Minister expressed his surprise of becoming the leader of the Nation of Grenada and pledged that he would do his best to make Grenada a better place for its people. He thanked all those who had work so hard, especially the NDC support chapter in Brooklyn, to bring about his success in winning the July 8 election. He stated that with the condition in which he found the government it would take some time to correct what should be put in order. Without the excellent support from abroad he accepted that he could not do so well as he has done for victory. In doing so he praised his wife for the outstanding help she gave him to arrive at his political goal. His accomping delegates, the Hon. Prime, representing Carriacou and Petit Martinique and the Hon. Simmons for St. Andrew representing youth, art and culture, claimed that their well-planned hard work enabled them to win.
The Town Hall Meeting at Metgar Evers College seemed to have been an outstanding success. It began with entertainment put on by Quake USA: a combination of singing and dancing that were filled with inspiration and enthusiasm. Then Prime Minister Thomas, Hon. Prime, and Hon. Simmons made presentations of plans for the improvement of the Nation of Grenada after which the people were permitted to ask questions. Hon. Simmons addressed the people on Youth & Culture which were merged. Among the things he mentioned are the strengthing of institutions, coaching in Physical Development, publicity of scholarships so that everybody will have the opportunity to put in his application, Act to be introduced to make these privileges possible, swimming pools to be made available for the youth. The Hon. Prime from Carriacou spoke on governmental affairs, among which he included direction & vision, the distribution of lands, the allocation of grants. Here he revealed that there were people who had lands, but they were given more of that while others were left without any lands. There would be an investigation on that, and perhaps those who were not entitled to lands may have to return what they received. The government is also looking into grants that were given where it should not have been permitted.
According to the reporting of the various Grenada news papers, there seem to be some uneasiness, tensions, frustrations, hate, dissatisfaction taking place in certain areas in Grenada today. To overcome all these national disturbances the love of Jesus is needed among the people so I asked the question: what can be done to change this kind of situation which is not good for any sound development in Grenada? The Prime Minister respond to the question by stating his administration has just taken over the government, and he is working to see that justice is rendered to all the people. It will take time for him to collect the necessary information to enable him to solve whatever problems are facing the nation. I also asked the question about how we can use China and the World Bank Nations to help us to develop Grenada industrially,especially in agriculture and other areas. I did not mention exactly these nations. But the Prime Minister stated that we can join certain Caribbean Unions, involving Trinidad and other nations that may resemble the European Union of Nations. Both the Astoria Manor celebration and the Town Hall meeting at Metgar Evers College are events aimed at uniting Grenadians with other people for our advancement. Rev. Matthew Rae
