DR. OMER Thomas, executive director of the Jamaica Bureau of Standards, launched his challenge for the leadership of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, yesterday. He presented his team which includes many times national and St. Ann champion farmer, Bob Miller, and Milton Murdoch, president of the Hanover JAS branch society. He also announced the theme of his campaign as, "Time for Action."
He said that his team was comprised of a cross-section of farmers and described his competitors as "political activists." Challenging Dr. Thomas are People's National Party Senator, Norman Grant, from the Kingston and St. Andrew chapter, and St. Thomas parish president, Rupert Scott, who is also actively involved with the PNP .
Dr. Thomas said that his team was "all-inclusive," and that the influence of political allegiance was destroying the association." "The JAS is not a political organisation by virtue of the pronouncements in its Constitution... and it should not be used as a platform for politics," he said.
A consultant in the science and business of agriculture, he was responsible for the concept of the proposed JAS Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) as well as the anti-praedial larceny plan. He promised to attract the young people back to agriculture, re-organise and energise the association, seek low cost credit for farmers, lobby for the improvement of farm roads and to educate consumers on why they should support local farmers.
The JAS triennial presidential election takes place on July 9 at the annual general meeting at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
