Questions for the Candidates - Central and South Eleuthera, Bahamas General Election 2026

Questions for Candidates 

Central and South Eleuthera - 2026 Bahamas General Election 

With The Bahamas general election called for May 12th, Our Governor’s Harbour is asking all candidates standing in Central and South Eleuthera to respond publicly to the following questions regarding the proposed J Resort Development. These questions reflect the concerns of residents, long-time homeowners, and community members across Governor’s Harbour and Central Eleuthera regarding the proposed J Resort large-scale development proposed by Jeff Jacobs. 

We insist that any development in Governor’s Harbour be proportionate to the scale, character, and values of a Family Island community. We are asking candidates to tell us where they stand. We asked that all candidates respond by May 8th. All responses received will be published in full on this page.

Responses Below (Updated May 10th, 2026)

Clay Sweeting (PLP)(incumbent) - Awaiting Response

Philippa Kelly (FNM) - Response received via direct message

Philippa Kelly has stated that she cannot support anything that "threatens or compromises the beauty, safety, and cultural heritage of Eleuthera" and that she does not support the J Resort project. She has openly expressed this position publicly. On April 7th, 2026 she published a public statement on Facebook stating that "casino tourism may work in other parts of The Bahamas, but Eleuthera is different" and that "development must enhance our communities, not change them into something unrecognizable."

Bekera Grant-Taylor (COI) - Response received via direct message

Bekera Grant-Taylor acknowledged receipt of our questions and shared her general campaign platform. On the J Resort development specifically, she stated she needs to revisit the information and will follow up. We are awaiting her formal response to our candidate questions.

Character and Scale of Development 

Q1 Jeff Jacobs, a Reno, Nevada-based developer, is proposing what he has publicly described as the largest tourist-oriented development in the history of Central Eleuthera, including a casino, mega-yacht marina, boutique hotel, golf course, and more than 350 vacation residences. Do you believe this scale of development is appropriate for Governor’s Harbour? Why or why not? 

Q2 What specific commitments will you make to ensure that any development approvals in Governor’s Harbour reflect the scale, character, and infrastructure realities of our community, and support the kind of sensible, proportionate development that Eleuthera’s residents have consistently said they want? 

The Casino 

Q3 Particularly in light of independent community research showing the casino to be the most polarizing and culturally misaligned component of this proposal, with focus group participants across all areas describing it as inconsistent with Eleuthera’s identity as a nature-based, family-oriented destination, will you oppose any gaming license approvals for this project without a dedicated, standalone community consultation on the casino specifically? What is your position on a casino on a Family Island? 

Developer Track Record 

Q4 This developer has a documented history of stalled and undelivered projects in Reno, Nevada, where a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment district promised nearly a decade ago remains largely unrealized. Are you aware of this track record? Does it affect your confidence in the developer’s ability to deliver on promises made to the people of Governor’s Harbour? 

Transparency and Disclosure 

Q5 Are you aware of any Heads of Agreement, memoranda of understanding, or Bahamas Investment Authority approvals already granted in connection with the proposed J Resort development in Governor’s Harbour? If so, will you commit to making those documents public? 

Q6 Independent research found that 75% of Eleuthera residents felt opportunities to learn about and provide input on this development had been insufficient, and that 49% did not trust at all the information provided by the developer and government agencies. What will you do specifically to close this information gap? 

Community Consultation 

Q7 Will you commit to a formal, enforceable community consultation process, beginning before any Heads of Agreement is signed, that clearly defines how and by whom the consultation will be conducted, with real weight in decision-making, prior to any further approvals for this project? 

Beach Access and Crown or Government Land 

Q8 Will you commit to ensuring that all public beach access points in and around Governor’s Harbour, including all access points along French Leave Beach and in particular the central access point closest to the Governor’s Harbour community, remain fully and freely accessible to Bahamians, with access commitments written into any agreements with the developer as binding and enforceable conditions? 

Q9 Are any parcels of Crown Land or Government Land, including but not limited to the former navy base and Cupid’s Cay included in or adjacent to the proposed development footprint? If so, will you commit to a full public accounting of any such land before any approvals are granted? 

Environment and Existing Regulations 

Q10 Will you commit to ensuring that a full, independent Environmental Impact Assessment is completed and made publicly available before any development approvals are granted? Independent research found that 70% of residents had little to no confidence that environmental safeguards would be adequately enforced. How will you guarantee that they are? 

Q11 Recent land clearing activity near Governor’s Harbour has raised serious concerns about compliance with existing environmental regulations. Will you commit to ensuring that all existing regulations concerning land clearing and environmental damage are fully enforced, and that violations are investigated and addressed without delay? 

Social and Economic Impact 

Q12 Large-scale developments bring not only benefits but documented social and economic costs to host communities, including increased traffic, noise, crime pressures, strain on utilities and public services, displacement of local businesses, and housing affordability impacts. What specific protections will you seek for Governor’s Harbour residents against these impacts as conditions of any government approval? 

Jobs and Economic Benefit 

Q13 Independent research found that 86% of residents regarded meaningful Bahamian ownership, leadership, and contracting as very or extremely important. What specific, enforceable commitments will you seek from the developer regarding Bahamian employment, contracting, and community reinvestment as conditions of any government approval? 

Our Governor's Harbour is a community-led initiative representing residents, long-time homeowners, and friends of Governor's Harbour and Central Eleuthera. 

www.ourgovernorsharbour.orgClay Sweeting -- PLP (incumbent)