LUCEA, Hanover — Neville “Bibby” Humphrey, an independent candidate who is running for a seat in the Lucea Division of Hanover is crying foul over bushing work currently being carried out in the division.

“I am calling foul, because a lot of bushing going on in the division is not the right way … People who are not elected are giving out work mainly in Johnson Town, Malcolm Heights, out by the “keep left” coming into Haughton Gardens,” complained Humphrey.

Humphrey, who is a former People’s National Party (PNP) member, is claiming that he is at a disadvantage in his efforts to gain a seat in the municipal corporation as one of his opponents, who is running on a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) ticket, is the one giving out the work.

“I am bawling foul. And I have good evidence that the work is being given by the (JLP) councillor candidate.

However the JLP’s candidate, Easton Edwards, who was once a councillor for the Lucea Division between 2007 and 2012, is refuting Humphrey’s claims.

“He needs to understand and know what he is talking about. I don’t give out work. And, he [Bibby] would have to prove and see me give out work. I don’t do those things. So, he needs to fence up his argument, right, and know his facts. I don’t go about giving out work because I am not a councillor. I am a councillor-in-waiting,” argued Edwards.

Edwards continued, “Until that time comes when I have authority to give out work, I don’t give out work. So, he needs to get his facts together before we can speak.”

Humphrey is one of eight independent candidates running for four of seven seats in the Hanover Municipal Corporation in the upcoming November 28 Local Government election. The four seats are in Hanover Western, while the other three are in Hanover Eastern.

— Anthony Lewis