Monique Hepburn, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
MAYOR OF Savanna-la-Mar, Delford Morgan, says he will be submitting an application to the Eastern Westmoreland Constituency Executive to vie for Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's soon-to-be vacated seat, if he receives the green light from supporters.
"I am interested in the seat but I will only go as far as to make an application if the party gives me the signal that they are in support of my candidacy," Mr. Morgan told The Gleaner on Wednesday. "I am not looking to one single person for support but the entire body of people in Eastern Westmoreland."
The constituency has been in the spotlight since last month's sudden passing of Dr. Norman Buchanan, who was elected in August as the party's candidate to contest the seat, following Mr. Patterson's planned retirement.
SCRAMBLING FOR REPLACEMENT
'The situation created a void and has sent party delegates scrambling to find a replacement candidate. Senior vice-chairman of the constituency, Senator Noel Monteith, told The Gleaner on Tuesday that the Constituency Executive had not received any applications to vie for the chance to represent the party.
"We are waiting to see who will express an interest," said Senator Monteith. "It is open now for those who are interested and we are ready to see who will apply."
He said Prime Minister Patterson's retirement was inevitable and a move to fill the chairmanship position would be discussed on Saturday.
According to Senator Monteith, an executive meeting has been set for Saturday and Mr. Patterson, as the chairman of the constituency, will be in attendance. He noted that due to the fact that no formal expression of interest has been received, he did not forecast a decision being taken on the matter at the meeting.
