Jamaica’s multifaceted personality sparkles at election time. Oh yes, this is democracy grooving to a dancehall beat, bells and trumpets. In a single breathless day, there is an exciting panoply of sights and sounds, thanks to the omnipresent media. Let’s take last Thursday. In the morning, we read that Dr St Aubyn Bartlett would be replaced by Dr Sapphire Longmore-Dropinski as the JLP candidate for the Eastern St Andrew constituency. By evening, we see Dr Bartlett on the news saying that his supporters do not want him to go, so he may be staying.

The Observer website has photos of the PNP motorcade in Portland, with a lot of orange-garbed folk protruding through windows. On television, we see KD Knight swaggering on the campaign trail like a Jamaican John Wayne.

We hear Danville Walker explaining on morning radio that he saw a transport deficit for the Central Manchester police and asked Stewart’s to donate vehicles, whereupon MP for the area Peter Bunting sent up howls of protest. By evening, it is announced that the vehicles will go to the commissioner’s office for his decision on where they would be assigned.

We enjoyed a refreshing interlude when three young, fresh-faced candidates spoke on Cliff Hughes’ Impact about their resolve to make a difference. The luminous and energetic Paula Kerr-Jarrett, who will represent the JLP for the Eastern Hanover constituency, explained her belief that “to those that much is given, much is required”. As a daughter of privilege, the attorney-at-law is not your typical politician, but she explained that service had always been a way of life as she grew up in a home where her parents Chris and Michelle Bovell were fine exemplars of patriotic philanthropy. She spoke about spending time “listening” to the people and reflecting on their positive attitude despite their humble circumstances.

The two young PNP candidates were also inspiring. Mechanical engineer Leonard Green, who will be vying for the Western St Thomas constituency, and Dr Dayton Campbell, a doctor, who will contest the St Ann North West seat are accomplished young men who had humble beginnings. They were both born in the constituencies for which they are running, and in recalling their personal struggles, want to give a hand up to the residents in their respective areas. Dr Campbell, who is only 28 years old, is now studying for a law degree.

On the news, we saw the brilliant Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte announce her plans to serve Westmoreland, the parish of her birth. The former Mannings High School head girl is proving to be an energetic JLP campaigner for the Central Westmoreland seat. However, one should not underestimate the PNP’s jovial candidate Roger Clarke.

The new candidates, PNP’s Damion Crawford for West Rural St Andrew and JLP’s Collin Virgo for South Manchester, also acquitted themselves well on CVM TV’s Direct. Soon we will find out if the land of Bob Marley will embrace a Rastafarian representative. Like Dr Dayton Campbell, Virgo is only 28 years old.

Shakespeare must have witnessed our election cut and thrust to declare “all the world’s a stage”. On Thursday, Luther Buchanan, the PNP’s member of parliament for Eastern Westmoreland, also planned to apologise publicly to JLP caretaker Don Foote for tearing his shirt in a fracas during the 2007 election campaign. Later in the day, the plot thickened as we were told that there was a demonstration against Mr Foote’s representation by JLP supporters.

As we approach November 20, the second day of the JLP Annual Conference when we expect Election Day to be announced, we will be seeing much excitement and drama. Our prayers are with the brave members of the JCF as they work to keep the peace.

Howard Aris, our family hero

On a sad note, we heard about the death of that fine Jamaican, Howard Aris, who passed away suddenly while travelling with the PNP campaign in Portland. For our family, Howard Aris was a hero. When we were children, he volunteered to take my wheelchair-bound dad for physiotherapy at his Tangerine Place office. Mr Aris would drive to our home, collect my Dad, take him for therapy and drive him back home, refusing to charge extra. His expert care added many more years to our father’s life, enabling him to continue his accounting practice at home. We mourn with his loved ones and the sporting fraternity that he served so well.

Did that judge hear right?

How could someone who abducted and raped a 12-year-old child, beat her, put her in a hole and leave her for dead, be sentenced to only 12 years in jail? Perhaps the judge did not hear right. Perhaps he did not hear how the child climbed half-conscious, naked and bleeding out of that hole and crawled, crying for help until a Good Samaritan rescued her. Perhaps he does not know that she is still suffering from the trauma, having recurring nightmares that may haunt her for the rest of her life. As Peter Townsend rightly wrote in his letter to the Observer, we have to amend that law that does not give the prosecution the right of appeal.

UWI, UTECH honour our finest

Congratulations to seven of the Caribbean’s finest, who were honoured at the recent UWI and UTech graduation ceremonies. UWI’s recipients were: banker extraordinaire Minna Israel, philanthropist Earl Jarrett and Usain Bolt who received the Honorary Doctor of Laws ( LLD), while brilliant surgeon Professor Lenworth Jacobs Jr and celebrated writer Dr Erna Brodber received the Doctor of Sciences (DSc) and Doctor of Letters (DLitt) respectively. At UTech, the Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc) was conferred on renowned scientist, Senator Professor Emeritus Harold Ramkissoon and the Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) on insurance trailblazer, Oliver Jones, CD.

AFJ to honour Denis O’Brien, NY book launch

We look forward to two New York events this week. On Thursday, the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) will honour Digicel founder, the legendary Denis O’Brien for raising the bar on philanthropy, empowering thousands of Jamaicans with his passion for sustainable development. On Wednesday, it’s the launch of my book Souldance – many thanks to guest of honour Ambassador Audrey Marks, host Gail Moaney of Ruder Finn LLC, Dave Rodney and Anthony Turner of Images LLC, and co-reader David Heron.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com