GRANGE HILL, Westmoreland — Lawton McKenzie, who is hoping to represent the Grange Hill Division, was the first independent candidate to grace the Anglican Church Hall in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, following a downpour last Thursday. He pledged to campaign on his experience as he looks to contest the February 26 local government election.

With a smile on his face McKenzie walked into the churchyard, clad in blue; most of his supporters were dressed in rose pink.

When the representative from the Electoral Office of Jamaica officially announced the opening of the nomination centre McKenzie walked into the hall with his head held high.

Neglected by the People’s National Party (PNP) which he served for years, McKenzie inked a deal to represent the people.

“My expectation is to return to the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) in fine style to complete some unfinished job,” he declared.

“The first [time] I ran was a magisterial recount and then the next election after that, I won by 800 and odd,” he boasted.

He had a few words for members of the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“I have a few ministers, like “Babsy” Grange, Desmond McKenzie and Edmund Bartlett, to ask them to complete the promises that they have made to me. It’s not about making me win; it’s about what is due for the people,” McKenzie insisted.

“Edmund Bartlett promised me to repair the clinic road, and I’m relying on him as a friend…, and as a man of the soil from Westmoreland, to ensure that the sick can go to the clinic,” the businessman told the Jamaica Observer.

Among those he will face is the JLP’s Basil Thompson whom he defeated 892 to 842 in 2016.

McKenzie broke ties with the PNP in July and went independent with turncoat councillors Ian Myles and Garfield James of the Little London and Sheffield divisions, respectively.

Myles and James then crossed the floor to the JLP; however, McKenzie, who declared himself a die-hard Comrade, later returned to the PNP.

But when the PNP unveiled its candidates for the local government election he was left out. He later made the decision to run as an independent.

On Thursday PNP vice-chair for the Grange Hill Division Clover Williams told the Observer that McKenzie was unfairly treated.

“The leader [of the PNP] was ungrateful and he didn’t communicate with McKenzie [about any issues with] his performance. He only accepted this man [Warren Lyttleton] because he is the caretaker for Western Westmoreland. They didn’t give [McKenzie] his last chance to prove himself as the best councillor for Grange Hill,” Williams argued.

People’s National Party candidate for the Grange Hill Division Warren Lyttleton being lifted by his supporters outside the nomination centre in Grange Hill on Thursday. (Photos: Kimberley Peddie

After serving as McKenzie’s secretary for more than 20 years, she believes he made the right decision to run as an independent candidate.

Even with Lyttleton and the JLP’s Basil Thompson both drawing large crowds on Thursday, Williams is still confident that McKenzie will win on February 26.

“He has a big chance of winning due to his performance, and the people love him. They said he is the only councillor that will do good for the people of Grange Hill,” she reasoned.

Meanwhile, Haile Mika’el Cujo, another independent candidate vying for the Whitehouse Division in the parish, is hoping to capture residents’ votes with his plans for education, constitutional reform, and availability of potable water.

CUJO… I am confident that I will be able to do what needs to be done for the people

“I was nominated today for the Whitehouse Division at about 11:45 am; I am confident that I will be able to do what needs to be done for the people in that division,” he said.

Two other independent candidates also nominated for Westmoreland were attorney-at-law Don Foote and Aaron George Williams.