By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
While Members of Parliament fondly remembered the late Sir Clement Maynard yesterday in the House of Assembly as a man dedicated to the development of the country, his nephew Golden Isles MP Charles Maynard questioned the Progressive Liberal Party's treatment of his uncle on several occasions.
Sir Clement was responsible for the construction of Gambier House — his then constituency office and community center — that later became the
PLP's headquarters. It was later renamed the Sir Lynden Pindling Centre.
Maynard said what happened to Gambier House was of great disappointment to Sir Clement before he died.
"There was a decision made by the member for Farm Road (Perry Christie) and his team to renovate and rename that particular building. Uncle Clement had no problem with the renaming of the building because Sir Lynden Pindling deserves any honor that this country or that party could possibly bestow on him," he said.
"However, in the process of renovation the plaque that was placed at that building when that building was first officially opened - that listed every single one of the committee members who had played a part in making sure that that building was constructed in the first instance - was destroyed and discarded."
The charge angered PLP members in the House. Party leader Perry Christie immediately rose to his feet to challenge the veracity of Maynard's claim.
"Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate, Mr. Speaker, the member speaking on behalf of the family and any sense of outrage they may have and observations he would wish to make. But it is not true," said Christie. "I've heard that point made before. I investigated that — it is not true, Mr. Speaker. They have the plaque, it was preserved, it is in the building and you could see it if you ever wish to come there." Maynard said the removal of the plaque disappointed Sir Clement because it represented the contributions of all of the people who helped to get the building constructed.
Raising another criticism of the PLP, Maynard said that he was not shocked that Glenys Hanna-Martin and Shane Gibson were the only two current PLP parliamentarians to attend Sir Clement's memorial last Saturday at Bahamas Faith Ministries.
"And so I know how it is when you love your organization and your organization might not love you as much," he said.
Beyond his criticisms of the opposition party, Maynard said his uncle's great passion was for the people he represented.
During the parliamentary tributes yesterday, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham remembered Sir Clement as a legendary representative.
"Sir Clement was a pioneer in pursuing constituency development long before it became fashionable. While most MPs waited for the central government to plan such works, Sir Clement was pursuing funding from outside government to develop a community center in his constituency," said Ingraham.
"Regardless of the heights he achieved, he always remained very grounded in his constituency and in meeting the needs of his constituents."
Sir Clement was the Minster of Tourism for nearly 16 years. Christie said that his accomplishments while in the Cabinet and as an MP had a great impact on the lives of many.
"Finally, Mr. Speaker, he understood that leadership was by example and he led by example," Christie said.
Current PLP deputy leader Cynthia Pratt said that she sought advice from Sir Clement when she was first elected to the House for the St. Cecilia constituency in 1997.
She said one of the things Sir Clement reminded her of was that she represented a people and those people should be her "priority".
Sir Clement died on October 2. He is survived by his wife Zoe and children Peter, Allyson, David and Clement III. He was predeceased by his son Julian.
Sir Clement was appointed government leader in the Senate in 1967. He served in the Senate for 15 months.
He was first elected to the House on April 10, 1968 and re-elected in September 1972, July 1977, June 1982, June 1987 and August 1992.
Sir Clement was a former deputy leader of the PLP and deputy prime minister of The Bahamas. He represented the Gambier and Yellow Elder constituencies.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
