New MP plans to tackle perennial problems in Hanover western

Western Bureau:

Attorney-at-law Heatha Miller-Bennett, the member of parliament-elect (MP) for Hanover Western, does not plan to be a missing person (MP) representative because, as a native of the constituency, she is well aware of the issues which persist in the communities. Miller-Bennett, a newcomer to representation politics, who won the seat on a People’s National Party (PNP) ticket, said she wass inspired by the resilience of the people and wanted to play a pivotal role in helping to develop the various communities through addressing some of the social ills.

“When I returned home some 11 years ago (after completing studies), I realised that a number of things and situations across Western Hanover had made no improvement; like the condition of the roadways, (and) the scarcity of a potable water supply in several communities. And so I decided that the people of the constituency need some good political representation,” said Miller-Bennett.

“I am from a family of service, and so it is in my DNA to serve,” noted Miller-Bennett. Her father, Fredricous Miller, served as the councillor for the Green Island Division in the Hanover Parish Council for several years, once rising to the rank of deputy mayor.

“He was one of my loudest cheerleaders. I saw him work (when he was serving), I saw how he served the people, and so I decided that I want to do the same, but at a much higher level.”

LOW-HANGING FRUITS

In the recent general election, Miller-Bennett went up against fellow attorney-at-law, the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Tamika Davis, who was seeking her second term in office. She defeated Davis 6928 to 5887, to become one of the 19 women to have been elected to served in the nation’s parliament.

Miller-Bennett plans to make an immediate impact by targeting the ‘low-hanging fruits’, which she said she had observed during the more than two years that she spent on the ground campaigning and listening to the concerns of the residents.

Among the issues to be reviewed within the first 100 days are the perennial flooding situation in Lucea, which has been impacting the Lucea West River; the Riley Bridge; the condition of the Venture Gutter; the lack of access to potable water in several deep rural communities; and poor garbage collection.

“I will be working very closely with the Hanover municipality to take on an extensive cleaning programme to correct some of those issues,” she said. She added that community centres and playing areas are also slated for immediate attention.

“So, we want some aesthetic programmes and some youth development and empowerment programmes throughout the constituency as well,” she said.

Miller-Bennett said that with the general election now history, she planned to be an effective representative for all her constituency. She said that despite being a member of the Opposition, she is willing to work with all the government agencies and entities to ensure the best representation possible.

“My duty is to ensure that the people of Hanover Western, who elected me, get the kind of representation they deserve, and so I am open to working with the government, because the people of Hanover Western should not suffer, because I represent another party (than) that which is in government,” she said.