By Egeton Newman, Freelance WriterSPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
AFTER FOUR years of problems between Central St. Catherine member of parliament, Olivia Babsy Grange, and three of the four Councillors in the constituency, the Councillors are now out in the cold. This follows a selection conference held on Sunday at the St. Catherine Comprehensive High School.
Long time an outspoken representative of the Hampton Green division, Knox Johnson, is now being replaced by 34-year-old constituency secretary, Terricia Palmer. Howard Charvis of the Homestead division is being replaced by high school teacher, Oneil Palmer and Aston Williams of the Crescent division is being replaced by 43-year-old businessman, Narice Grant.
In a well organised selection conference, Member of Parlia-ment, Olivia Babsy Grange, while extending the olive branch to the three rejected Councillors, said that they got what they deserved; "they have disrespected me, they have called me all sorts of names and they have done nothing for their divisions," Miss Grange said.
But Johnson, one of the most outspoken Councillors in the Parish Council, described the selection process as a "classic case of political hijacking and intimidation."
"I had forty persons for the selection process, but we could not vote, they have to stay downstairs," Johnson said.
Johnson recently told The Gleaner that if he was not successful in the selection, he would be running as an independent candidate in the upcoming Local Government elections. But, according to Miss Grange, "if they do, they know what is coming for them as they are still members of the party."
Charvis said that the selection process was one of intimidation. He said when he went to the St. Catherine Comprehensive High School, he came upon a team of supporters led by Miss Grange.
"Their supporters were all in green T-shirts marked 'One Order' and they were militant, and we decided not to participate," Charvis said.
According to the Councillor, he has never been disrespectful to the Member of Parliament, although she did not advise me about the selection conference, she has changed my executive behind my back and she has never helped me in the division over the past four years."
