Purkiss up to the challenge in Hanover Eastern

WESTERN BUREAU:

Andrea Purkiss, who defeated two-term Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament Dave Brown to win the Hanover Eastern seat for the People’s National Party (PNP) last Wednesday, plans to make a name for herself in the political arena.

Purkiss says she plans to be both inclusive and transparent in her leadership, an approach she believes will make her a worthy representative.

“My constituents can expect transparency, and they can expect government resources to be spent where it ought to. They can also expect my presence and availability throughout the constituency to address any concern that they may have,” said Purkiss, who previously worked in the hospitality sector.

“I really and truly plan to zoom in on my accessibility because we won heavily in the hills, and I believe that it is essential that outside of the main constituency office, which is in Hopewell, my constituents in the hills ought to be able to reach me without having to pay taxi and bus fares to come to Hopewell,” she said.

With respect to the poor social conditions across Hanover Eastern, Purkiss said she will be giving urgent attention to improving the state of the roads and addressing the issues with water supply and other amenities.

She listed Maryland, Cascade, Pondside, Cove, Jericho, Copse and Chester Castle among the communities badly in need of improved road conditions. She is also setting her sights on getting a new bridge for Woodsville. The bridge in the community collapsed three years ago and is being substituted by a makeshift bridge created by the residents.

Having made her mark pre-politics as one with a philanthropic heart, Purkiss said she plans to have constant engagement with the members of the different communities, so that she is constantly up to date with the various issues that might require her attention.

“There are stakeholders that I will definitely engage, such as the church, schools and communities, as I have been doing a lot of talking since my campaigning began,” said Purkiss, a resident of Cascade in the constituency. “I have pulled myself out of poverty, and I plan to assist others to do the same.”

Purkiss entered the race late, as businessman Craig Oates had started campaigning in Hanover Eastern, but did not get the nod from the PNP hierarchy. Oates subsequently broke away from the PNP and joined the JLP, throwing his support behind Brown, while Purkiss was tapped by the PNP.

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