CASTLETON, St Mary — Accountant and Seventh-day Adventist preacher Wayne Campbell has once again thrown his hat into the ring for the People’s National Party (PNP) as he seeks to wrestle the Castleton Division in the St Mary South Eastern constituency from the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Lenford Danvers.

Danvers has represented the division — considered one of the JLP’s two strongholds in the constituency — since 2007, when he defeated the PNP’s Claude Latouche 1,377 to 780.

In the 2012 election Danvers beat back a challenge from Campbell, taking the division with 1,134 votes to 954.

Four years later Campbell was replaced by the PNP’s O’Neil Roye but Danvers trounced him 1,295 to 903 votes.

Now, Campbell is making a second attempt in a face-off reminiscent of the biblical battle between David and Goliath.

“The feeling on the ground has changed. Many of his supporters and supporters from the other side are adamant that time has come for better representation,” Campbell told the Jamaica Observer.

In his view, better representation includes community development and providing the skills needed to make young people ready for the world of work.

Campbell said he believes in education and that it pains him to see what he describes as the underutilisation of community centres within the division.

“The young people are lacking in skills and training. I hope, with intervention, to have those who can do so matriculate with subjects and be able to apply for the police force or the army. Also, [I would like to see] the two community centres introduce skills training. Welding will be done through HEART/NSTA Trust as the equipment is already there,” Campbell told the Observer.

He said he had consulted with his church family and received their blessing to re-enter the political arena. He maintains that they are of the view the Church should be more involved in politics by being a source of representatives who have integrity and are honest. He pointed to himself as an example.

“The people in the division know I don’t make promises and build false hope. They know when I can do something it will be done by me. The electorate is tired of broken promises,” he said.

He promised that if given the nod to represent the people of Castleton he will make the lives of the elderly more comfortable.

“I have a soft spot for the elderly and children. It pains my heart to see the elderly from deep-rural Castleton struggling to get to the post office in Castleton. Many have told me that when they receive their pension, the fare to and from is costly, therefore they end up with little or nothing from their pensions. I will ensure a bus system that picks them up from their destinations and back,” Campbell said.

He noted that health care is also an area of concern.

“The clinic opens once per month and the elderly have to seek medical attention in Annotto Bay and Port Maria. Many do not have the resources to do so. I would place a medical doctor in the area, where their office is open twice or three days per week. Furthermore, I will help to supplement the cost for them to seek medical care,” Campbell vowed.

And he had a few words of advice for his opponent.

“Representation should not be about the individual. You should have the people’s interest at heart — not what you can do individually,” he said.

Campbell is convinced that victory will be his on February 26.

“If you want community development, someone who you can trust, then vote for Wayne Campbell,” he appealed.