Adrian Frater, News EditorWestern Bureau:
If P.J. Patterson's political legacy were solely dependent on the views of the young women in his Eastern Westmoreland constitu-ency, the outgoing Jamaican Prime Minister would be virtually assured of a favoured place in the nation's history.
"I would give him more than 90 per cent for his performance as Member of Parliament and as Prime Minister," said Enfield Primary School teacher Sharon Hamilton, who was 13 years old when Mr. Patterson became Prime Minister of Jamaica in March 1992. "I believe he has served extremely well in both capacities."
Like Ms. Hamilton, most of the young people in the predomi-nantly farming constituency, which spans communities such as Bethel Town, Darliston, Chester Castle and Whitehouse, hold Mr. Patterson, who they warmly refer to as PJ, in very high esteem.
"This man has worked tirelessly for this constituency and we consider ourselves fortunate to have this man representing us," said secretary Diana Drummond, a resident of Bethel Town. "While he might not be here all the time, he provides assistance for the farmers, he provides housing assistance, he has built schools, he has created sporting facilities and he has provided us with an excellent road network."
Full respect
In looking at Mr. Patterson's performance from a national perspective, Ms. Hamilton said his performance in terms of building roads, providing housing, em-powering young people, creating training opportunities, handling of national disasters and his even-handedness in distributing benefits, have earned her full respect.
"As prime minister, he is not biased, he caters to all levels of the society," said Ms. Hamilton. "You can't say that he gives more opportunity to the upper class or to his constituency. Everybody gets something, not necessarily equal amounts, but everybody gets something."
Casual worker Alecia Kerr, of Chester Castle, who was 10 years old when Mr. Patterson became prime minister, was critical of some aspects of Mr. Patterson's leadership, especially in regards to creating employment for young people, the high cost of education and the nation's crime problem. She nonetheless gave him fairly high marks, contending that he has done extremely well in other areas.
"While I have to praise him for what he has done in creating proper roads and training opportunities, I would be a lot happier if he had done more to ease unemployment among the youths," said Ms. Kerr, who graded Mr. Patterson performance at six out of 10. "I think he could have done better, especially in handling crime, which is out of hand."
true people person
Natalee Clarke, who is employed to the West Best Packaging Plant, in Darliston, which was originally started by Mr. Patterson before falling into private hands, thinks the Prime Minister is an excellent MP, who has remained close to his constituents, despite the monu-mental task of leading Jamaica.
"He visits the constituency as often as he can and he maintains close ties with the people down here," said Ms. Clarke. "Following Hurricane Emily, he made sure that the farmers here got the help they needed."
While tourism falls outside the scope of her personal endea-vours, Ms. Hamilton was full of praise for the lead role the Prime Minister played in bringing top-flight tourism to Westmoreland through the coming on stream of the Sandals Whitehouse property, which was opened earlier this year.
"Bringing tourism to this constituency is a big plus because it opens up so many other opportunities for the young people," Ms. Hamilton said. "Tourism is one novel way of exposing our young people to different languages and cultures. In addition, there is a training component for those who are ambitious."
"Except for possibly an improvement in the salary of teachers and the rising cost of living, which is making life so much more challenging, I have no problem with Mr. Patterson as my MP and Prime Minister of Jamaica," continued Ms. Hamilton. "I will always remember him as a true people's person, who served Eastern Westmoreland well."
Ms. Drummond, who had no reservation about giving Mr. Patterson a full 100 per cent for his performance as MP and 90 per cent as Prime Minister of Jamaica, thinks history will be kind to him for the quality of life he has brought to the residents of Eastern Westmoreland in the over 30 years he has served them in parliament.
Goat-Rearing Project
"His handiwork is everywhere. We have good roads, we have light and water, we have factories, schools and even a major hotel," said Ms. Drummond. "Only recently, he was here launching the Eastern Westmoreland Goat-Rearing Project to add another avenue to our agriculture."
Mr. Patterson, who was born in neighbouring Hanover, was first elected MP for Eastern Westmoreland in 1969 and except for the 1980 General Election when he lost to Ms. Euphemia Williams, he has been the people's representative in Parliament since.
