Ralph Brown still lives with PNP
Published:Tuesday | October 5, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
It's been 11 long years since the venerable Ralph Brown, a former mayor of Kingston and stalwart in the People's National Party (PNP), passed away.
But with a cursory glance at the most recently prepared certificate of title for the PNP's Hope Road, St Andrew, headquarters, one would very much believe Brown was alive and kicking.
On the title, Brown's name is ensconced beside two living legends in the PNP - P.J. Patterson, a former party president and the nation's longest-serving prime minister, and Dr Paul Robertson, a former general secretary.
The latest version of the title declares that "Percival James Patterson, attorney-at-law; Paul Robertson, political scientist, and Ralph Eugene Brown, politicians all of 89 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, in St Andrew, are the proprietors of an estate as joint tenants ... ."
But why is Brown so alive in death and why does he still wield some measure of influence more than a decade after he was committed to the grave?
A chuckling PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill conceded that Brown's name as a trustee should finally be laid to rest.
It is understood that Patterson also wants his name retired.
Fortuitous observation
Pickersgill quipped that The Gleaner's observation was fortuitous as he planned to raise the matter at last night's executive meeting.
"It's true. The matter must be addressed," he confessed sheepishly.
Pickersgill said the party's constitution provides that the trustee shall hold office until death, resignation or removal from office by the executive committee.
"It is a fact that Comrade Brown is dead. It is also a fact that the two remaining trustees are in place and that is in keeping with constitutional provision," Pickersgill said.
Brown, rest his soul, has been deceased since 1999.
Pickersgill noted that Section 193 of the PNP constitution stipulates that the names of the trustees of the PNP are listed on the titles.
Section 193 adds that the property of the party, other than cash which shall be under the control of the treasurer, shall be vested in the trustees who shall deal with the same as directed by the executive committee.
There is a proposal that instead of the trustees the title should contain the names of the president, chairman and general secretary of the party.
But given the fact that Ralph Brown's name is still inked on the all-important document, what guarantee is there that the name of a dead president, chairman or general secretary will not be immortalised on the title of the PNP headquarters?