Bermuda College worker Gina Spence Farmer has been selected by the UBP to take on Cabinet Minister Dale Butler for the marginal Warwick North East in the next election.

The Opposition hope Mrs. Spence Farmer?s home roots might tip the balance in seat 25, which the PLP won by 38 votes in 2003 when Mr. Butler beat lawyer Mark Pettingill.

Mrs. Spence Farmer was born and raised in the Khyber Pass area, went to school at Purvis and Warwick Sec and served as a post lady for some 15 years in Warwick.

She now serves as the Bermuda College?s curricular activities co-ordinator.

Asked if his opponent?s local connections could tip the balance, Mr. Butler, who is Community Affairs and Sports Minister, said he would stand on his record.

?I don?t have any Warwick roots,? he said.

?I am a town boy serving that area extremely well since 1998. I think that?s why they re-elected me. I have worked exceedingly hard.?

Mr. Butler said he regularly canvasses the area and follows up on concerns, even though it isn?t always appreciated.

?I am stopped on the sidewalk and show up Saturday morning and they say it?s the wrong time,? he said.

Mr. Butler said he has already booked a meeting for Tuesday night on the issue of road bumps to curb speeders and is now sending out invites.

Ironically, Mrs. Spence Farmer used the same venue Mr. Butler will use ? Bright Temple AME Church ? for her inaugural speech as the UBP?s Warwick North East candidate.

She touched on the topic of road safety yesterday saying the people of Warwick were involved in 244 collisions last year with 96 injuries.

This year she said the pattern has been continuing ? and two deaths have already occurred.

She said she has been canvassing and listening to concerns about housing, crime and safety in the area.

She said: ?There is a solution. First of all, I believe in the power of God. I believe in the power of community and I believe in people.

?I have seen the times, and been a part of communities that come together with one goal in mind ? to take their communities back.

?I think in particular of the community action groups that sprang up about ten years ago in indignant response to the outbreaks of crime and drugs in their communities: ORCAG (the Ord Road Community Action Group) and WARSHAG (the Warwick, Spring Hill Action Group).

?And I think those times are here again.?