IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER, Jamaica Labour Party candidate for St. Catherine Central, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, and her People’s National Party opponent, Rohan Silvera, show each other some love along Brunswick Avenue in Spanish Town, yesterday.
Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Wednesday | August 8, 2007
Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer Spanish Town, St. Catherine:
If the display of friendly rivalry in Central St. Catherine is anything to go by, then the August 27 general election is likely to be a peaceful one.
It was a sight to behold Rohan Silvera of the People's National Party (PNP) and his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rival, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, holding hands, with the former wiping perspiration from the latter's forehead.
In fact, the candidates went as far as to travel in the same vehicle for parts of the journey.
When Ms. Grange got to the nomination centre at 74 Brunswick Avenue, there were hundreds of green-clad persons shouting "showa! Showa!" At this point, Mr. Silvera returned to his vehicle and his supporters.
Stand-off
At the gate, however, there was a stand-off between security personnel and Ms. Grange after they refused to allow more than 10 persons to enter with the candidate.
Ms. Grange argued for some time with personnel at the office, telling them not to disrespect her since she was being cooperative.
The issue, Ms. Grange explained, occurred because of a breakdown in communication.
"We had a meeting and it was agreed that we would be given 10 plus or five others and now this is what it has come to. You need to do more than this," said Ms. Grange.
She then paid her $3,000 nomination fee and became one of the candidates officially nominated to represent their respective parties.
In general, there was friendly rivalry shown by supporters and leaders of the major political parties who were in agreement that peace would be maintained in the upcoming election.
The police reported no unusual occurrences, apart from the pile-up of traffic caused by the jubilant supporters of both parties.
Candidates' professions
Candidates representing the two main political parties - the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) - are drawn from a range of professions. A breakdown shows the following:
For the PNP
Nine lawyers
Ten educators
Six medical doctors
Three dental surgeons
One veterinary surgeon
Five farmers
Eleven businessmen
One communication consultant
One social worker
Two accountants
One investment banker
Two company directors
Two managing directors
One insurance executive
Two engineers
One building contractor
One minister of religion
One industrial relations specialist.
For the JLP
Nineteen businessmen (one woman included)
Ten lawyers
One filmmaker
Five medical doctors
One veterinarian
One agriculturalist
One minister of religion
Two trade unionists
Seven company directors
One company president
One publisher
Two farmers
One engineer
One life underwriter
One architect
One insurance consultant
One project manager
One marketing representative
One marketing consultant
One building contractor
