Residents of Flagstaff Hill, Long Circular Road, Port-of-Spain, expect very little to change with regard to their lifestyle now that Anthony Carmona is President.Carmona was officially sworn in as T&T's fifth President on Monday. For Flagstaff residents, the man who has been living there for over 20 years, is the same "personable and friendly" man who has interacted with them over the years.
When T&T Guardian visited them yesterday, many expressed how proud they were of Carmona.A family (a man, his wife and another female relative), who wished to remain anonymous, said they were fine with it because "he has been living (at Flagstaff) continuously."The 48-year-old man, laughingly asked if the President was comfortable with the residents, when asked if they expected things to change at the gated community.
Ministers and diplomats, the family said, have lived or are living at Flagstaff and so they were used to having dignitaries around.Describing Carmona as a someone who "would meet you and come and talk to you for hours," the family said they did not expect much change, possibly except having to ask permission from Carmona's security.
While the residents acknowledged they would no longer be able to simply knock on his door or call him Anthony or Tony anymore, they said Carmona was "always approachable" and was proud of him becoming President.Eniola Felix, a 24-year-old Flagstaff resident, also said she was fine with Carmona as well as his entourage.She said: "It as an honour to have him here. I am proud of him being a part of the Flagstaff community."
Felix added she expected nothing to change and described him as a "very personable" individual and "easy to talk to."Another female resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, said she felt safer with the increased security. She said: "His presence offers extra security for the residents."She added that Carmona staying in Flagstaff until the President House is repaired showed that he was "of the people."