The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the St. Andrew South West Constituency, Sylvester Quarless has spoken highly of the leadership qualities that his party is bringing into local politics.
Quarless, whose candidacy was launched two weeks ago at Carlton Junction, St. Andrew's, said his party has adopted a style of leadership that is needed in Grenada after "several scandals and failed projects, and empty promises" by the current administration.
"The people of Grenada are tired of arrogance, we are tired of deceit, we are tired of lying, we are tired of wastage, we are tired of corruption, we are tired of mismanagement, we are tired of benefits going to a chosen few, and most of all, we are tired of intimidation because of one's support for a particular party," said the former Government Information Officer.
Quarless spoke out strongly against the politics of division that is now being practiced in Grenada by the Keith Mitchell-led government.
He said this country has reached a stage where brothers and sisters are fighting, long-time friends are becoming enemies, and people are becoming scared of wearing certain colours, just because of politics.
Quarless gave assurances that an NDC government in office will not entertain the current pattern of behaviour.
He was full of praise of the party's political leader, Tillman Thomas whom he described as "a true leader" and a person who is true to his words.
"He (Thomas) is very modest, he is approachable, he is competent, he is down to earth. Tillman facilitates team work, willing to dedicate responsibility, willing to let his colleagues grow in stature, and above all, he is incorruptible", said Quarless.
"Throughout the region, he (Thomas) is known as Mr. Integrity, the man who is willing to suffer in defense of good governance," he added.
Quarless who is trying to unseat Social Security Minister, Yolande Bain Horsford in the upcoming general elections sought to promote himself as a team-player who is prepared to listen to the cries of his constituents.
He spoke of residents in St. Andrew South-west being faced with inadequate health care and high cost of medication.
According to Quarless, if elected to serve he would give attention to community health care as the first measure towards preventative health care. "One of NDC's priority areas, as a government, will be to upgrade the (Princess Alice) Hospital and make it fully functional with X-ray and laboratory facilities," he told the large gathering.
Quarless short-listed the priority areas for the constituency as being housing improvement, education, youth, sports, culture, infrastructural development, and tourism.
He also called for the people of Grenada to become self-sufficient and stressed the need for the spirit of entrepreneurship to be encouraged among the people.
According to Quarless, his party's manifesto will place emphasis on education and training, and will also show how help would be given to entrepreneurs to access capital to invest in their own businesses.
"To our farmers and fisherfolk who produce and yet have no market for their produce, I want to bring hope. To the mothers who cannot provide a single bus fare for their children to go to school, I want to bring hope. To the elderly who need health care and housing, I want to bring hope. To the young people who cannot find meaningful jobs, I want to bring hope," he said.
The former government employee said he would not be a candidate who slanders and casts aspersions on other people's character. "This is not Quarless. This is not what Quarless is about. I believe in dealing with real issues and offering genuine solutions to problems facing my people", he said.
"To this end I refuse to comment on the Prime Minister's attack on my character and integrity. Desperate people say desperate things, and he is a desperate man. He is showing fear of the wind of change," he added.
At his party's convention last month, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell who formerly held the portfolio of Information Minister took a swipe at Quarless by accusing him of not having made an honest day's work in his life.
Quarless was on the staff of GIS from 1979 to his retirement in the latter half of last year.
