Former MP George Lyn hailed as a champion of the poor
Published:Thursday | July 18, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
Colin Campbell, the political figure who ran on the People's National Party (PNP) ticket in the December 2011 general election for North Central Clarendon, yesterday described the former Member of Parliament (MP) George Lyn as a grassroots politician who has left an indelible mark in the constituency.
Lyn, 81, died in the May Pen Hospital yesterday morning after a long illness.
The former MP suffered a stroke four years ago, and a heart attack about two weeks ago that sent him back to hospital. Lena Lyn, his wife of many years, was by his side when he took his last breath.
"The most outstanding feature of his tenure and beyond is the significant amount of personal resources he dispensed in solving the problems experienced by the people whom he served," Campbell said of Lyn.
Pearnel Charles, the current MP in the constituency, described his long-time political rival as an indefatigable champion of the poor in the constituency he represented for two terms, between 1993 and 2002.
"He was very sociable and, as such, is recognised in the constituency by a broad cross section of persons at all levels," said Charles.
"Indeed, he was much loved by the people across the political spectrum, as he went out of his way to help a lot of people."
VERY GENEROUS
Campbell, who challenged Charles in 2011, agreed.
"Being a rural constituency that is subjected to the gamut of natural hazards, Mr Lyn would take his tractor, get to work clearing streets, and do all he could to put people's lives back in order," he said. "He was very generous and even after he retired from active politics, his generosity was still visible in all spheres of life."
Lyn, who was an affable politician with deep rural roots, won the seat for the PNP in 1993 and again in 1997, before he was defeated by Charles in 2002.
He was always able to smile his way above the fray during even the most frenetic exchanges in Parliament when he sat in the chamber.
"Mr Lyn was very well loved by the constituents of North Central as a man of the people, who often solved their problems using his personal resources, including his heavy-duty equipment, as he was a contractor," recalled Campbell, himself a former parliamentarian and former general secretary of the PNP.
Lyn was recently honoured by the PNP as one of the parliamentarians who had served during the 75 years of the party's existence.
In extending condolence to Lyn's family and friends, Campbell said the constituency executive was committed to finding appropriate ways to perpetuate the memory of "this great Jamaican".