Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Reid
WESTERN BUREAU:
PEOPLE'S NATIONAL Party (PNP) delegates from the St. James North West constituency will today cast their votes in the first stage of the selection process for a candidate to represent them in the next general election constitutionally due in 2007.
Two Montego Bay businessmen, Dr. Lennox Reid and Henry McCurdy are vying for the coveted position.
Voting takes place at Cornwall College on Orange Street, Montego Bay.
North West St. James is home to some of the most volatile communities in the parish, but Dr. Reid is confident that he is the man that will make a difference to the crime situation.
MULTI-SKILLED
The 45-year-old medical doctor whose life in the political arena spans over 30 years, started out in the field as a member of the PNP Youth Organisation, the PNPYO.
Born in Racecourse, Claren-don, he attended Vere Technical High School. A multi-skilled tradesman, he learnt plumbing, carpentry and masonry and became a master of the profession before embarking on higher education.
"I was hungry to uplift myself, so I attended night classes and studied biology and politics, preparing for a career in medicine," he told The Gleaner.
FULL SCHOLARSHIP
In 1982 he won a full scholarship to study medicine at the Faculty of Medicine Santiago, Cuba. He later did post-graduate studies in gynaecology and obstetrics.
His real love is agriculture, but he said he knew the people of Jamaica needed good medical care, so he opted for the latter.
In 1993 he moved to Montego Bay where he opened his first practice on Market Street. He has offices in Maroon Town, Berskire and Seaforth Town in St. James.
Dr. Reid said his main concern and mandate is sustainable development of the people in the communities he aspires to represent. "My greatest challenge is crime and violence, so one of my visions is to create formulas to remove this monster from the region."
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
He has promised to implement partnerships with the communities, the churches and the business sector in Montego Bay.
"The majority of the people in these communities are honest, law-abiding citizens who are looking for true leaders. I am offering that leadership that they are looking for."
He has also promised to tackle the unemployment problem.
Dr. Reid is an active member of the community. He is involved with Food Tor the Poor, the Cuban/Jamaican Friendship Association, Agape International Foundation of New York and serves as president of the Norwood Community De-velopment Organisation.
He is married to Dr. Maria Reid. The union has produced two children, a girl and a boy.
