By Keril Wright,
Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
MAYOR OF Montego Bay, Councillor Hugh Solomon, has officially announced his intention to run as the People's National Party's candidate in the St. James West Central constituency.
This comes amid reports that he was being urged by factions in the PNP's western camp to go after the seat, which was being eyed also by past Mayor Arthur Gilchrist and Deputy Mayor Gerard Mitchell.
Mayor Solomon reportedly wrote to the party heads earlier this week, outlining his intentions to seek the candidacy, just days after Mr. Mitchell announced at the monthly meeting of the PNP constituency executive that he no longer wished to be considered.
Arthur Nelson (PNP), constituency chairman and Member of Parlia-ment for the constituency, will not be seeking re-election in the next general election. He said yesterday that the mayor had officially announced his intention to be the PNP's candidate.
"The mayor has written to the party to officially indicate his interest and I support this move," Mr. Nelson told The Gleaner.
Neither Mr. Mitchell nor Mayor Solomon could be reached for comment however Mr. Nelson told The Gleaner that Mitchell advised the constituency executives on Saturday that he was withdrawing, as he did not wish to promote disharmony in the party.
"He said he had considered the matter and was doing so in the interest of unity," Nelson said.
According to party sources Mr. Mitchell is now Mayor Solomon's campaign manager and was with him on Monday as he kicked off his campaign with a tour of Granville, one of the four communities in St. James West Central.
The race is now on between Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Solomon as according to Mr. Nelson no one else has come forward so far.
Mr. Gilchrist was Mayor of Montego Bay for nine years and was councillor of the Mt. Salem/Salt Spring Division in the constituency. Mr. Solomon succeeded him in 1998.
