Nathalie Neita-Headley of the People's National Party (PNP), celebrates victory in the East Central St. Catherine constituency run-off for the People's National Party, yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
NATHALIE NEITA-HEADLEY, councillor for the Lauriston division, yesterday won the right to represent the People's National Party (PNP) in the next general election in the St. Catherine East Central constituency after defeating Alethia Barker 453 votes to 97.
The run-off took place at the Tulloch Primary School in Bog Walk, St. Catherine, and saw a 50 per cent turnout of delegates from the four divisions that make up the constituency.
The day's activities proceeded smoothly despite the inclement weather which caused some delegates to stay away. From the start, several persons who converged at the school gave overwhelming support for Neita-Headley and were dressed in T-shirts bearing her name.
After the polls, Mrs. Neita-Headley told The Gleaner that she intends to build on the 17 years that the PNP has held the constituency under the representation of K.D. Knight. Mr. Knight has indicated that he will be quitting representational politics at the end of his term.
"I intend to target the young people to see how much we can get jobs for them, training and other opportunities as they are the most vulnerable in the society and our future depends on them," Mrs. Neita-Headley promised.
Elsewhere, former Member of Parliament, George Lyn, defeated Dr. Neil McGill 192-17 to win the right to represent the PNP in North Central Clarendon. Dr. McGill is the current Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary. Senator Delano Franklyn will represent the PNP in that seat in the next election. Franklyn got 464 votes to beat Christopher Castriota (235) and Lewis Astron (70). Sitting MP, Dr. Morais Guy, got the nod from voters in Central St. Mary where he beat Senator Floyd Morris and councillor Hurley Taylor.
Dr. Guy picked up 320 votes to Mr. Morris' 120 and eight for Mr. Taylor.
In South Manchester, the sitting Member of Parliament, Michael Peart, easily beat back the challenge of Wensworth Skeffery. Peart polled 344 votes to Skeffery's 141.
- R.T.
