ANDREWS’ POLITICS OF CIVILITY WON RESIDENTS’ HEARTS

TIMOTHY ANDREWS’ STRATEGY WAS TO STAY AWAY FROM A SMEAR
CAMPAIGN.
He would eschew a politics of vilification.
It worked.
He was elected Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission.
Andrews told www.aroundtheregions.com that reviling his opponents was counterproductive
because, if his slate won, they would have to work with those afterwards as community
members.
“Why my team and I saw the big margin of victory, it’s because of our different approach. We
felt that we were going to do things differently. So instead of just criticising, we sought to
highlight what we intend to do while providing answers to many of the questions that residents
wanted answered,” Andrews said.
The newly-elected Toshao and his team crafted a strategy of civility contrary to the well-worn
scheme of demonising opponents as the country has grown accustomed whenever national and
regional elections roll around.
“This is a small community and we can’t be attacking each other without focusing on the
solutions to the problems. When the elections are over, we have to live and interact with each
other. Therefore, maintaining an, excellent relationship despite our opposing views is of great
importance,” Andrews counselled.
He believes this “unique strategy” resonated with residents of the centuries old community
located in the Mahaica River.
“Many persons saw the different style of approach that we took whereby we highlighted issues
instead peoples’ character and personality. This was successful as I kept reminding the voters
that I don’t see the other candidates as my enemies but as winners, as like me, they too have a
passion to see betterment within the community,” the Toshao stated.

Andrews said that he targeted the most influential residents within the village as he recognised
that winning their confidence will have a domino effect among those they influence.
He stayed away from making promises well-nigh impossible to fulfil choosing rather to focus the
smaller issues he can fix in his three-year tenure, such as some perennial infrastructural
shortcomings within his community.
“I am committed to improvement of roads and drainage within the village, the water system,
introducing some SMART classrooms in schools, having Wi-Fi internet being established in the
village so that we can use it to our advantage so that our youths will not be left behind,” Andrews
said.
“These are everyday things that affect our residents and that they would like to be addressed
regardless of who is elected as Toshao. I have given a commitment that during my tenure I will
seek to address,” Andrews said.
In the sporting arena the village leader has also given a commitment to help maintain both
cricket grounds, stressing that sport is of critical importance in further enhancing and developing
the community.
“Over the past year I realised that it is only during election time that persons who want to
become Toshao …readily come on board wanting to do this and do that. I have committed to
immediately have a (play) park so that we can have everything in order for the youths and
children,” he assured.
Andrews makes a living as a taxi driver, and the exposure he said has helped him better
understand residents’ struggles.
Andrews has three years to transform the 621.60 km 2  (240 sq miles) community making life
less burdensome for the 1600 residents living in the Demerara/Mahaica (Region Four)
formerly known as Pakuri now St Cuthbert’s Mission.