McKenzie
Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter
DESMOND MCKENZIE has resigned from the Senate to focus on his new role as Mayor of Kingston.
Mr. McKenzie's resignation, which becomes effective today, leaves a vacancy on the Opposition benches.
Speaking in the Senate yesterday, Mr. McKenzie revealed that he has written to Governor- General, Sir Howard Cooke, informing him of his decision to quit the Upper House.
The Mayor thanked Government and Opposition Senators for the support and guidance they offered him during his brief stint in the Senate and promised that he would use the experience to help him carry out his functions as Mayor.
"I want to assure this honourable chamber that I will be taking the book of knowledge and understanding of this noble institution to the office of Mayor of Kingston," he said to loud applause from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
In comments wrapped in humour, Leader of Government Business, Burchell Whiteman and his opposite number, Anthony Johnson, offered their congratulations to Mr. McKenzie on his new assignment and wished him well in the conduct of this duties.
Following the October 2002 General Election, Mr. McKenzie, who is also the councillor for the Tivoli Gardens division, was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga.
With the JLP having won the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) in the June 19 Local Government elections, Mr. McKenzie was elected as Mayor of Kingston by his colleagues. The new responsibilities have, ostensibly, forced him to give up the Senate seat.
However, his departure from the Senate means the JLP will now have to find a replacement.
General Secretary for the JLP, Dr. Ken Baugh told The Gleaner yesterday that Mr. Seaga "will make the announcement soon" as to the replacement for Mr. McKenzie. He added that the decision was exclusively that of the leader and therefore he had no details about who are the persons being considered for the post.
However, sources within the JLP tell The Gleaner that Generation 2000 (G2K), the group of young professionals associated with the party, has been lobbying the leader to appoint Norman Horne, a vice-president of the group to the Upper House.
G2K was successful in pushing the appointment of its former chairman, Dr. David Panton, as a Senator following the 2002 General Election. With the group playing a critical support role in the party's massive victory in the June 19 Local Government elections, sources say it is now using its clout to secure the appointment of another of its members.
Russell Hadeed, the JLP's spokesman on public utilities, is also one of those being considered by Mr. Seaga for the Senate seat.
