Denise Clarke, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU -
MANY residents in Central Westmoreland have apparently thrown their full support behind their Member of Parliament, former Water and Housing Minister, Dr. Karl Blythe. Business leaders on the other hand are bit more cautious.
Dr. Blythe resigned on Thursday in the wake of a damning report from a special investigative commission into the operations of the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC), which suggested that he acted improperly in his role as a minister. The report from the four-member commission indicated that the Minister routinely interfered in the day-to-day management of Operation PRIDE Schemes and ignored Cabinet policy.
However, constituents interviewed expressed solidarity with their M.P. saying he had not done anything wrong but had a genuine interest in the welfare of those he represented.
"I believe that his actions were in the best interest of the people," said Camille Beckford, a teacher who lives in the constituency. "He has my full support and I have confidence in him as a leader."
"That man did a whole lot a work in the area. He is a good man," said one man who did not want his name published.
However, civic and business leaders in the constituency said they did not know enough about the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
"I don't want to comment at this time," said Roy Hutchinson, businessman and board member of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC). "I don't know enough about it...except to say I am terribly disturbed about what happened but I don't want to comment further."
Barbara Stewart, former president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce described Dr. Blythe as a hardworking MP, and asked for a speedy resolution to the NHDC issue, so that he could resume duties as a representative of the people.
"He has been doing a lot of work not only in the area but also in his Ministry. I sincerely hope that the whole matter can be sorted out to some extent where the actual work can continue," Ms. Stewart said, adding that she would reserve further comment until the matter was resolved.
The Minister's resignation was welcomed in other circles as the right thing to do considering the circumstances. However, some remained reserved in their comments as to whether the accusations against Dr. Blythe had affected their confidence in him.
"I think it is the most appropriate thing to do at this time under the circumstances," said Richard Perry, businessman. "I know the man personally, and I would hope for his personal advancement that it doesn't have any further implications..."
Mr. Perry said the MP's alleged actions would affect his confidence in him to some extent, but added that in his opinion, Dr. Blythe meant no harm.
"There is a right and a wrong way to do things and I just think there was some amount of indecent haste which lead to that sort of dilemma," said Mr. Perry.
Community leader and businessman Norman Anderson expressed similar sentiments, and further suggested that the Minister may have been advised incorrectly.
VOX POP
Kenneth Richards, driver of Chantilly Gardens: "Dr. Blythe shouldn't resign. He is one of the greatest men that God ever created on the earth for poor people. We need him. We don't want him to leave at all. I think he should take back his resignation. He is a godfather to us."
Vernon Arnett, carpenter: "So far, he shouldn't resign because we need more people like him to uplift the community and to see that things work in the right manner. The people in Savanna-la-Mar like him and he should be there for them."
Josephine Harvey, vendor: "I would like Dr. Blythe to remain. He is a nice man you know and we support him all the while - you understand? We love him, so we would a like him to go back to the Ministry."
J. Heather Smith, of Savanna-la-Mar: "I don't think Dr. Blythe should resign, but maybe because of the rumour that is why he has resigned, maybe to make his name stand clear. He has done a lot and very much a lot. Well Jesus came on earth. He did a lot yet people criticised him. A man is just a man. He did his best."
Camille Beckford, teacher: ""Personally, I feel that Dr. Blythe was in a hot seat and he has never been known as a man for confusion, so knowing this is election year, he acted out of concern for the party. Not wanting to blight the party's future, he resigned to clear the party's name and not bring it in any disrepute."
