By McPherse Thompson, Assistant Financial News Editor 
Campbell
A CONSORTIUM led by Rose Campbell, president and chief executive officer of the state-owned Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), has been engaged in negotiations for the acquisition of the Trident Hotel in Portland, according to information reaching Wednesday Business.
Details of the deal have not yet been worked out, but the hotel's owner, Earl Levy, confirmed that negotiations were taking place. "Lots of people have expressed interest in the property, but nothing has been done yet," said Mr. Levy, in a telephone conversation.
TEAM OF INVESTORS
Miss Campbell herself was not available for comment, but she is understood to be putting together a team of investors, mainly women, to acquire the picturesque luxury hotel.
The CTL chief executive is expected to relinquish her position at the island's sole horse racing promoting company later this year. In September 2001, five members of CTL's board passed a resolution to dismiss her, but she was retained following the intervention of Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Omar Davies.
The Trident Hotel was placed on the auction block twice last year but was withdrawn on both occasions at the eleventh hour after reaching accommodation with the Half Moon Hotel, with which it had a dispute.
Trident has been described by travel writers as "a piece of architectural genius" and is regarded as the most picturesque hotel on the island's north coast.
The hotel, which has 26 villa suites and rooms and sits on 14 acres of land, was built by Mr. Levy, one of Jamaica's leading architects.
