Witter considers return to St Elizabeth Parish Council

Garfield Myers

Thursday, January 19, 2012

BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth - UNDAUNTED by defeat in the recent parliamentary elections, former Mayor of Black River Franklyn Witter says he is "contemplating" a bid to return to the St Elizabeth Parish Council in local government elections which is expected before the end of March.

Asserting that he was "still interested in representational politics" Witter told Observer West he would be prepared to offer himself in any division in the southern half of St Elizabeth "if my party (Jamaica Labour Party - JLP) so desires".

Witter who had served South East St Elizabeth as Member of Parliament since 2007, lost to the People's National Party's (PNP) Richard Parchment in the parliamentary elections on December 29.

Prior to his time in Parliament, Witter was parish councillor for the Junction Division - serving as chairman of the St Elizabeth Parish Council and mayor of Black River from 2003.

Witter sought to put to rest unease among some Labourites in the Southfield Division following talk in political circles that he intended to challenge the chosen JLP candidate for that division, Gregory Myers.

Witter told the Observer West yesterday that he had no intention to challenge anyone and would only put himself up for election if asked to do so by the party.

"The party would have to initiate the process, they would have to ask me to contest," Witter told the Observer West.

In the Southfield Division, Myers has been selected to succeed his father, veteran parish councillor Shirley Myers who has signalled his intention to retire from active politics.

Witter suggested that "vacancies" may arise in JLP- controlled divisions in either South East or South West St Elizabeth. But checks with incumbent JLP councillors by the Observer West yesterday suggested there were no current openings.

Rumours that Mayor of Black River and councillor for the Pedro Plains Division Jeremy Palmer had decided to walk away from representational politics were scuttled by the man himself when the Observer West caught up with him.

"I never told anybody that," said Palmer, "of course options are always open, but there is an overwhelming call from my division for me to go back and the whole party machinery wants me to go back. I am now inclined in that direction, I have considered it and I am inclined to go forward as a candidate.

"That is my position at this point in time because I think I have a role to play in public service and a continued role in the St Elizabeth Parish Council which has a vital part to play in the public life of this country."

Myers and Palmer apart, two other JLP councillors in southern St Elizabeth Cetany Holness (Junction Division), Derrick Sangster (Mountainside Division) all told the Observer West they intended to contest the upcoming polls. Donald Simpson (Malvern Division) could not be reached for comment, but JLP sources say he too is intending to seek a second term.

The other divisions in the parish's southern half, Myersville, Black River and Brompton are currently held by the People's National Party (PNP) and are considered "safe" for that party.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

Witter considers return to St Elizabeth Parish Council