Finance Minister Eugene Cox, the ruling party's candidate for district 36, has some 30 years behind him as a Sandys North representative.

A retired Belco executive and engineer, he was born and raised in Sandys, is widely respected as a senior statesman and is an active member of the St. James church.

He is married and has three adult children - Education Minister Paula Cox, and sons Jeremy and Robert.

Mr. Cox spoke briefly yesterday about his canvassing of the district and said that efforts had focused initially on getting people properly registered.

“Many people today have realised that we need a second term to finish,” he said.

He spoke of a backlash among the constituents, against negative propaganda directed at his party.

“People are getting annoyed and they are the ones proposing that we have a second term.”

He shied away from responding directly to his opponent's criticisms on the youth issue. While in Opposition they had lobbied successfully to get public access to Daniel's Head and the then UBP Government had agreed for a time to provide a building for a youth centre, he said.

“It didn't last that long because the buildings were required for other things. But there are three youth centres in Sandys now and I think for anyone to claim there is not enough facilities for the youth is not really fair.”

Still, he said, the problems required a community effort and parents were key. “People are not being brought up, they're being dragged up.”