Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Despite being home to one of the world’s major tourist attractions, the Pitch Lake, La Brea has long grappled with high unemployment and underdevelopment.
Now, with Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell set to represent the constituency as the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate in the forthcoming general elections, constituents remain divided on whether his leadership will bring meaningful change.
Mitchell was announced as the candidate after an internal screening process on Thursday night, where supporters of both Mitchell and his opponent, Jermel Pierre, gathered at the party’s Balisier House, Port-of-Spain headquarters.
Pierre, 32, serves as the chairman of the PNM constituency in La Brea and is well-known in the area. His supporters included former La Brea MP Hedwidge Bereaux, who served as MP for 16 years from 1991 to 2007.
When Guardian Media visited Rousillac, Vessigny, and Three Hands, La Brea, on Saturday, over a dozen residents shared their opinions on Mitchell’s candidacy.
Patsy Ramsawak, of Rousillac, said, “I cannot say anything because I don’t know him. I don’t know what he will do for the area or bring forward for the area. I want to see him provide more jobs for the young people. Unemployment is high in La Brea.”
Kishendath Bissoon shared similar sentiments, saying, “They not helping nobody, watch at the place. Lots of unemployment. I don’t think he will make a difference.”
At the La Brea Junction, food vendor Alice Craig also expressed scepticism, saying she would wait to see how Mitchell performs.
“Maybe he will do something, but I can’t say because I don’t know who the person is. My worker here says she knows him, and he is good, so I will wait and see.”
She added: “We need work here in La Brea. Jobs are hard to come by, and we need better roads. I wish him good luck and hope he does something good for us.”
Nineteen-year-old Odell Passe, who was riding a bicycle along Three Hands, La Brea, also lamented high unemployment rates. He noted that La Brea was once a bustling town in generations past and expressed hope for change.
“I don’t know Randall Mitchell. I would like him to do plenty of things, fix the roads,” Passe said.
Another youth, Kintay Trim, expressed dissatisfaction with the choice of a candidate from outside the constituency.
“I don’t know Randall Mitchell. I have never seen him in La Brea, and I have no hope in this person. I have been around Jermel Pierre, and I could vouch for him, but I don’t know why they have to choose someone from outside for us. I would rather put my hope in someone we know,” Trim said.
Meanwhile, Kawa Charles took a more optimistic stance, saying, “Everybody should have a fair chance to try to bring better to the village. I am hoping that Mr. Mitchell brings better so that everything will work out for the village and the community.”
Mitchell also had avid supporters. Hyacinth Webb expressed pride in Mitchell’s selection.
“I feel proud that a man from my own heart will be there to represent us. He is a great man, and I feel confident we will get what we want for this coming year. I hope we achieve everything we want in life with Mr. Mitchell,” Webb said.
Other supporters said they would vote for the PNM regardless of the candidate.
Resident Ann Francis said, “Whoever comes into the party, once it is PNM, I will vote. It doesn’t really matter who or what they are.”
Former MP Stephen Mc Clashie, Brighton/Vessigny councillor Jillon Lewis and Christopher Encinas, an alderman at the Siparia Borough Corporation, were the first three people to be screened for La Brea. However, all three were rejected, and the La Brea constituency executive was later instructed to search for more candidates to widen the pool of nominees. The constituency chairman Pierre and Mitchell were later screened, with Pierre promising to work with Mitchell after losing out to him.
Guardian Media reached out to Mitchell for comment on Sunday and we are awaiting his response.
