A perceived lack of economic opportunities, proper garbage disposal and home ownership are some of the most pressing issues facing voters in next week's by-election.

And a step toward redressing these difficulties can be realised only if voters turn out in large numbers to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice.

Paula Cox, who with UBP hopeful Stewart Greenslade and NLP candidate Edwin Armstrong is set to contest the Devonshire North seat left vacant when former Opposition leader Frederick Wade passed away in August, issued this challenge at a PLP press conference yesterday.

Ms Cox, whose campaign has adopted the slogan "Make it Happen,'' said that Devonshire North was a wide ranging constituency with many open spaces and several closely knit areas.

She said: "I felt a great kinship toward all with whom I came in touch and empathised with their sufferings bought on by the slow recovery from the recession and the failure to address the issues that are destroying the social fabric of this Country.'' During her travels through the constituency -- which encompasses part of the North Shore, Middle Road, Happy Valley, Friswells Hill and Glebe Road -- she said she has met many persons who "are feeling the pinch economically'' because they feel they are being left out of the economic loop.

Some she said felt that their concerns were not being met, while others who were not home owners were finding it difficult to find affordable housing.

Consequently Ms Cox said they were forced to "double up'' and live more closely than was acceptable.

"These feeling are not unique to black constituents...some constituents noted that even though their children were better educated than themselves, the children could not afford to buy their own homes. Many were frustrated and going to live abroad.'' And she added: "If we want to seriously address this problem and put the beautiful back in Bermuda, we must stop making empty platitudes and get down to some serious work throughout the Country.'' Some ways to do this she suggested, are through meaningful training and educational programmes, rewards for hard work, and by following principles of fairness and justice for all.

"It is out view that genuine efforts to help the constituents of Devonshire North and Bermudians in general to help themselves, will not go unnoticed or unrewarded but will help to foster the kind of environment and community that will lead to a better Bermuda in which crime will become a no-win situation.''