Constituents in Hamilton West want their elected representatives to give their area a boost by cleaning it up after the General Election.

And that means stepping up the war against drugs, fighting crime and "fixing up the neighbourhood'' in Hamilton West.

The Royal Gazette spoke to several constituents who on November 9 will cast their ballots for either United Bermuda Party Health Minister Wayne Furbert, the UBP's Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess, the Progressive Labour Party candidate Arthur Hodgson or his running mate, Randy Horton.

Connie Butterfield said drugs were the real problem in Hamilton West and pointed to a certain group of young men who needed specific attention.

"Drugs are a real problem, especially those young men who hang out at the Seventh Day Adventist Church.'' And nothing was being done, she claimed, except for talking about it.

"I have been down here for nine years and I have seen them outside there almost every day. I heard that they are going to do something about them but when is the thing.'' Mother-of-two Lori Davis echoed her worries.

"The battle against drugs is my main concern. I have two children, one ten and one 15, and beating drugs is my main thing.'' But she noted: "That's not just in Hamilton West, that's all over the Island.'' Fellow constituent Millicent Hill agreed. "Drugs are all over Bermuda, not just here. It is a bad problem.'' Lee Todd pointed to crime as his chief worry and recalled a personal experience.

"One night I left here (Shelly Bay Plaza) after picking up something at the pizza place and someone threw a rock at me.'' And when it came to voting time, he would be looking for politicians backed by a higher power.

"I tell you one thing. What politicians need is God in their lives to direct them in their decisions. Without His guidance and direction, they are all heading down the wrong path.'' Tanya Hollis directed her concerns at the physical state of the area.

"What I am concerned about is making Hamilton West a better neighbourhood -- fixing it up. It's not so much beat up but it could definitely be better.

There are not too many places in Bermuda that look as bad as some places around here.'' Ms Butterfield agreed: "Yes, people are getting don't-carish, even around their own houses.'' But Ms Davis disagreed: "I do not think the parish is particularly run down.

I think Hamilton Parish is a great parish.'' Meanwhile Gregory Lambe said he felt the answer lay in helping the youth in the area, and this was what he wanted from the politicians.

"What I would like to see are some constructive ideas to help our youth.'' They needed to be treated positively if they were to get out of the gang mentality and back on track, he stressed.

"Once you can get the young people saved and on track, by loving them and giving them attention -- I mean, love conquers all -- then you can work on the other things.

"You have to get rid of the gang mentality and encourage young people to be one, no matter whether they are black or white.'' He pointed out that the area had the facilities, in the forms of churches, schools and sport fields, which would allow the youth to target their energies elsewhere.

But it had to be done on a regular basis, he said.

"We have the ideal facilities for competition so the youth can be competitive and not need that gang thinking. Instead of getting them together once a year, we got to get them together once a week.

"It will get them straight. Then all the house breaking and thieving will be done.'' A new homeowner in the constituency, who declined to be named, said something had to be done soon.

He pointed to the trouble he had experienced in trying to rent his property.

"I am a recent home owner in the area and I have come face to face with a lot of issues. A lot of potential tenants do not want to live in this area.'' And this meant that as a homeowner he could not collect the rent his property was worth.

Gregory Lambem Lee Todd