Local Government Month was launched on Monday, March 10, 2025 with flag raising ceremonies throughout Grand Bahama.
The launch took place as The Bahamas simultaneously celebrated ‘Commonwealth Day’ with countries around the world.
Local Government Month, which was organized by the Department of Local Government, was held under the theme “empowering communities and enhancing productivity: a new era in local governance.”
Flag raising ceremonies were held across the island — in Freeport, Eight Mile Rock, and East Grand Bahama. Leading the ceremonies in Freeport, held on the grounds of the Regent Centre, was Chief Councilor Kendal Culmer and Administrator in the City of Freeport, Preston Cooper.
Also present were the newly elected local government Councilors for the City of Freeport, as well as Junior Councilors from Sister Mary Patricia High School.
Chief Councilor Culmer noted that local government was established on March 8, 1996, with the objective of closing the gap between resident constituents and members of parliament.
“As councilors, our goal is to help better our respective communities, to make the living environment better and to rid communities of social ills,” said Culmer. “So, we would like to see more people take part in the process of deciding who will be local government representatives.
“This term, we plan on exceeding every other council that was there before us: We are going to go out there and do the best we can and prove that local government can fill that gap between the residents and the MP.”
The entire month of March has been declared Local Government Month and the flag raising ceremony on Monday was just one of many activities planned to celebrate the month.
On Saturday, March 8th, a Women’s Recognition luncheon was held at the Stone Crab Restaurant. On Tuesday, March 11th, the “local government in action” exhibit was opened in the C.A. Smith building. March 14th will present the passing of the gavel ceremony from the old Council to the new, in the City of Freeport. There will be a special church service for all Council members on March 16th at the Church of the Ascension Anglican church. And on March 29th, the City of Freeport Council will sponsor the distribution of breakfast to the elderly in the district.
Preston L. Cooper, Administrator, City of Freeport District encouraged full participation in the activities celebrating Local Government Month. “It is no coincidence that the Commonwealth Day theme is ‘together we thrive’,” said Administrator Cooper.
“Let us embrace our theme. This is indeed a new era for local government. We now have junior local government councilors, something we’ve never had before. This indicates evolution and growth. We now have an opportunity where we can partner with the private sector to assist us in the realization of projects we want to do for the further improvement of our communities. Local government will be that vehicle to be able to push things forward to make the lives of our citizens better.”
Moderator for the flag raising ceremony in Freeport, Alexander Williams, who also serves as a consultant to the government, noted that democracy without local government is missing the pillar of originality and strength. Referring to local government as that segment of governance that is closest to the people, he said local government ought to be more responsive to the people, for the people.
“We cannot confuse local government with central government,” he admonished. “They are two separate entities. The Bahamas is one of those countries in our region that has not yet had local government enshrined in the Constitution. But eventually, we will get there. But it is important that we celebrate local government in our country.”
