UBP in pledge to help the elderly
trumpeted by Election candidates.
And plans for the elderly, children and a greater role for the churches were underlined by a mini-slate of polling day hopefuls.
Warwick West candidate and Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Yvette Swan said next year had been designated the International Year of the Older Person.
And she said the UBP's Key to Partnership five-year plan included a host of freebies for the elderly, including prescription drugs and glasses and the UBP was looking at other financial needs of the elderly.
Dr. Swan said: "They are the people of this Country who have laid the groundwork for us because without them we would never have reached the position we are in now.'' She added the party had committed itself to a centre bringing all issues affecting the elderly under one room -- with a new director of services for seniors to be appointed.
And Dr. Swan said: "The key is these are real plans...which will make a real difference to our senior citizens.'' Minister without portfolio Kim Young said there was also a lot of discussion about children and child abuse -- whether sexual, physical or mental.
She added: "It's easy to say that children are our future and we have to support them. It's easy to say, but we have to make it happen.'' Mrs. Young said the UBP had introduced the Children Act, designed to provide a register of child abusers which employers could check before hiring workers with the young.
She added reporting of child abuse had become mandatory for professionals -- with whopping fines or a jail sentence of up to six months for false reporting.
Mrs. Young said: "We have also implemented a childcare subsidy to ensure the care of our children is not related to people's ability to pay for that care -- the welfare of our children must come first.'' Hamilton East candidate Angelita Fox added a partnership policy among Government, the churches and other service organisations would be boosted.
She said the churches already provide care for children and the elderly and counselling services.
Mrs. Fox said: "When we have a firm family foundation, then we have a successful community.
"Government is committed to strengthening the partnership and making it better -- expand the programmes churches have in place and create new programmes.'' She added the UBP wanted to "foster good community relations and allow us to produce productive Bermudians.'' And Mrs. Fox promised: "We're committed to give grants to continue the expansion of these programmes.'' Telecommunications Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards said social programmes had to paid for -- and insisted the UBP were best equipped to do that.
He added: "The difference between this team and the other would-be teams is that we have an ability to ensure a strong economy for Bermuda and that will provide the wherewithal for us to provide these programmes and plans in the future.''