From St Margaret's Bay, to Hope Bay along the photogenic Buff Bay strip into the hinterland of Balcarres, Shrewsbury and Fruitful-vale, the talk is politics.

In busy Buff Bay, town centre for the hundreds of banana and coffee farmers in the Spanish River and Swift River valleys, there is a carnival-like atmosphere.

On Friday afternoon amid the blare of campaign town criers, adorned with posters and party flags, people spoke candidly about their concerns.

Infrastructural development

The main issues are infrastructural development, specifically roads and water, market for crops and employment opportunities.

Coffee, the residents say, continues to be a thriving crop in the hills, but the poor roads makes transporting it to market difficult.

Farmer Alfred Bender, 63, tells The Gleaner, that cash crops like carrots, bananas and other staples grow well in the area, but farmers are having difficulties selling them.

"All the campaigning won't help if we can't see an improvement in these areas," he says, pointing to the number of food stalls around with no buyers.

Like most small towns in Jamaica, Buff Bay is well supplied with bars, and those who are gathered, express their view about the electoral process and their expectations.

Adrain Clarke, 23, is looking forward to joining the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and has no interest in voting.

"I won't vote, not even if them buy me. I vote twice already and nothing has improved," he said sceptically.

In Shrewsbury, first-time voter Kevin Wallace, 19, is anticipating exercising his franchise.

Youth employment

"It's head-on man, it's tight. What I like is how the people dem unite and you don't have to be afraid to show you support. I am not working and I hope the member of parliament will create the possibility for some youth employment," Wallace, who wore an orange arm band on his left hand, said.

Nikeisha Orr is 28. She has already voted twice and says she is not grounded in any party, but will vote for the representative who will provide opportunities for young people.

"I like what Mr Vaz started, he is setting up new recreational facilities, building a school, and I hope he will re-open the old boxing plant, which has been closed for decades," she said.

Vaz of the Jamaica labour Party (JLP) and Kenneth Rowe of the People's National Party (PNP) are contesting the March 23 by-election, which many pundits say will be a humdinger.

lovelette.brooks@gleanerjm.com

West Portland concerns

Roads

Water

Market for crops

Employment opportunities

Youth programmes