By Balford Henry, News Editor 
JAS president, Bobby Pottinger, makes a point with leadership contenders, Bob Miller and Senator Norman Grant,
to his left at the JAS board meeting,
Church Street, Kingston, last Wednesday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer.
THE JAMAICA Agricultural Society (JAS) has recruited former Director of Elections, Noel Lee, to guide next month's election of a new executive.
Mr. Lee, who quit as Director of Elections in 1993, will see that the elections are staged within the rules of the JAS Constitution. He told The Gleaner at Wednesday's monthly Board Meeting that he was currently familiarising himself with the Constitution. But, he will definitely be seeking to have the body drop the current process of candidates running in teams.
Three teams have already announced their decision to contest the triennial presidential elections. One lead by People's National Party Senator, Norman Grant, who also heads the 4-H Clubs. Another is a coalition of members of various opinions, headed by Dr. Omer Thomas, the head of the Jamaica Bureau of Standards, and also includes former Jamaica Labour Party Senator, Bob Miller, from St. Ann. A third team is expected to be headed by JAS St. Thomas representative, Rupert Scott.
In addition, there is speculation that current president, Bobby Pottinger, may yet seek a third term.
UPSET PLANS
Mr. Pottinger had earlier indicated that he wants to quit, but seems to be concerned that his absence could upset plans for the Society's national development programme, which includes formation of a marketing company, a tillage plan, farming on idle lands owned by the society, as well as working with the government on an urgently needed anti-praedial larceny policy.
Speculation that he might change his mind was further fuelled by his response to the announcements of intentions to succeed him at Wednesday's meeting. Mr. Pottinger warned the contenders, "The Lord said to Moses, you will see the Promised Land, but you're not going there."
Sources say that the president thinks that his presence may be crucial to maintain support coming from the business and financial sector for the society's National Development Plan.
Senator Grant suggested that a new position of Immediate Past President could be introduced, which would allow Mr. Pottinger to continue exerting some influence on the board without actually leading. Senator Grant has drafted board members Glen Harris and Kingsley Clarke to his team. Mr. Miller says his team has been actively campaigning for sometime now.
Three teams competed in 2000, headed respectively by Mr. Pottinger, Senator Grant and Mr. Miller.
At the end of the counting of ballots for the election, in which no voters' list was presented, Mr. Pottinger polled 172 to Senator Grant's 120, but the process was described as faulty and there were calls for a second poll.
This year's election is expected to highlight the Annual General Meeting at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston on July 9.
