SOME constituents said they are prepared to give Randall Mitchell an ear to heard his plans to improve the overall quality of life in La Brea if he is elected as MP in this year's general election.
This even though Mitchell, the Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister, may be regarded as an unknown quantity in this PNM stronghold constituency.
These were the views expressed by some La Brea constituents on January 27, days after it was announced that Mitchell was selected as the PNM's La Brea candidate.
Newsday visited La Brea on Monday January 27, to get the views of constituents on the PNM's choice of candidate for that constituency. To date, the UNC has not named a candidate for La Brea.
A former San Fernando East MP (September 2015-August 2020), he was selected during screening at Balisier House, Port of Spain on January 23.
At Pt Dor Junction, La Brea, vendor Olivia Charles, 44, said she was not impressed with the performance of incumbent MP Stephen McClashie who was elected in the general election of 2020.
[caption id="attachment_1135325" align="alignnone" width="1024"] La Brea resident Olivia Charles said she was unimpressed with the performance of incumbent PNM MP for La Brea Stephen McClashie over the past five years. - Photo by Innis Francis[/caption]
McClashie, the Labour Minister, offered himself to be nominated as candidate but the party's screening committee rejected him.
Charles, who has been selling aloo pies and fresh juices at the junction since December, said, "For me, I don't find that he did much. She was concerned there were not enough opportunities for young people in La Brea.
"They could have some programmes for the youths to get them off the streets."
Asked if she knew about Mitchell, Charles replied, "I don't have any information about Mr Mitchell." Charles, who has lived in La Brea for 20 years, said, "The same thing I thought for Mr McClashie, I can say for Mr Mitchell. Let's give him a chance and see."
A man who declined to give his name said the last La Brea MP he had any significant interaction with was Hedwige Bereaux, the MP from 1991-2002.
The man said he sought assistance from Bereaux to do an engineering course, did not get any help, and had to do things on his own. He had no view on Mitchell's suitability or whether he could be a good MP.
The man, who also said he was a contractor, hoped whichever candidate comes seeking the vote of constituents would advance serious programmes to get young people involved in sustainable employment with companies based in La Brea and environs.
Craft vendor Ricky Thomas, 64, who has lived in La Brea for 40 years, viewed the background of a candidate as an asset to them being elected MP.
[caption id="attachment_1135323" align="alignnone" width="684"] MAGIC WEAVER: La Brea constituent Ricky Thomas, seen here weaving hats for sale, says he is willing to hear PNM candidate Randall Mitchell's plans for that constituency. He spoke with Newsday in Pt Dor on Monday. - Photo by Innis Francis[/caption]
"Their background shal
