On February 8, 2012 we, at the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, extended an invitation to all six political candidates for the Island of Eleuthera to participate in a proposed question and answer reception. Three of six candidates confirmed either verbally or via email, one communicated with a commitment to follow up with his party's leadership for authorization, and two did not respond at all.
Under the circumstances and remaining true to the Eleuthera chamber's goal of unbiased, informative and constructive mature dialogue, it is with great regret that the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce advises that the event has been canceled.
The format for the proposed event would have included all of the political candidates for Central & South Eleuthera and North Eleuthera who would be asked to respond to a list of business related topics which impact the start-up, operation and expansion of business in Eleuthera and The Bahamas. The goal was to provide an indication of the candidates' knowledge of the challenges businesses face, and how each candidate and/or political party would address these challenges if they were to be elected as a member of the governing party. The question and answer event was to be moderated by national and local press and the topics were to be supplied in advance for each candidate's consideration.
The questions, which are still very relevant as we move into the heart of the political season, were as a follows:
(1) Investment in Eleuthera
a. What means will you employ to encourage domestic investment for the island of Eleuthera?
b. How do you intend to attract foreign investment to Eleuthera?
(2) Enhancement of the Eleuthera business environment
a. What existing programs do you feel are beneficial to Eleuthera's businesses?
b. What new programs would you implement to improve Eleuthera' s business environment?
c. What programs would you implement to drive visitor stopover arrivals to Eleuthera?
d. How do you intend to create an environment to grow the fisheries industry and revitalize farming on Eleuthera?
(3) Expanded airlift into Family Islands directly from the U.S.
a. How do you plan to address this?
(4) Expanded and improved healthcare and Emergency Services
a. What is your understanding of the healthcare needs of Eleuthera?
b. How would you address these needs?
(5) Labor and training
a. How would you address the skills shortage faced by businesses throughout Eleuthera?
b. What is your plan for expanding tertiary education opportunities on the island?
c. What is your plan to improve primary and secondary education, as most persons would
agree that this would enhance the future labor pool on Eleuthera?
(6) Energy and technology
a. What is your view on the prospect of creating a third industry, should oil be found in The Bahamas?
b. How would you address the challenges businesses face with the escalating cost of energy and unreliable service, which plagues Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells today?
(7) Questions from high school students with the assistance of principals
It is hoped that throughout this season the candidates will address these issues and will inform the people of Eleuthera of their documented plans with respect to these important matters.

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