Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
( L - R ) Ambassador Madge Barrett and Lisa Hanna. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE/PHOTOGRAPHER
WELL MY darlings, it seems that the expected retirement of Prime Minister Patterson, early next year, has set off a slew of other retirements and quite a bit of jockeying for the expected vacancies.
Frankly, Mr. Patterson's resignation can't come soon enough, but indeed, it will be quite sad to see a number of other officials go. The sad thing here being that these are indeed competent individuals.
Mind you, not that the same thing could honestly be said about Mr. Patterson, but then again, that's another story. Anyway, resignations there will be aplenty in the wake of his departure, as theirs is the principled position that the new Prime Minister deserves a new slate with which to work with, and so resignations will flow.
SPECULATIONS ARE RIFE
Now, one of those expected to go is the beloved Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, and already, speculations are rife as to who will be succeeding this esteemed gentleman. Now, it has been noised about in some circles for some time now, that indeed, Sir Howard, had voiced his intentions of going into retirement, from some time ago, but was persuaded to stay on and to make his retirement plans coincide with those of the Prime Minister.
Anyway, whatever the formula, the die is now cast and so the race is on in earnest to fill this vacancy and according to political insiders and other pundits, the shortlist has already been drawn up and among those making the cut for consideration includes: current Information Minister Senator Burchell Whiteman; glamour puss and protocol maven Ambassador Madge Barrett; style doyenne Ruby Martin; Former High Commissioner to London Ambassador Derrick Heaven; and Dr. Oswald Harding.
Dears, wait for this one, as indeed, it's far from settled as there is talk that at least one prominent businessman is also under consideration.
PROSPECTIVE G-G
Now, all the names mentioned are eminently qualified prospective G-G, but shouldn't the next Prime Minister be the one to make the appointment?
Ah, my dears, the more things change, the more they remain the same, but more anon.
Then on Monday the fabulously beautiful Cindy Breakspeare, celebrated her birthday, no party here however as the world famous beauty jetted off to Philadelphia to see her celebrated offspring Damian Marley, perform in that fab city.
And speaking of beautiful people - it seems its now official, businessman Richard Lake and Lisa Hanna-Panton, have been seen making the rounds on the social circuit and the buzz is the two are definitely an item.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
And, sweet-things, the invitations have been out for sometime now, and so there's really no more rooms at the inn, but pumpkins, this weekend its all about fabulous Negril and Hedonism 11, as the fab resort will be hosting the mother-of-all-Halloween-bashes, and children GM Richard Bourke promises it will be all that and then some as it will be double celebration with the hotel currently celebrating its 24th anniversary. This weekend will see a four-day and night bash, as the resort management will be pulling out all stops.
And so, Negril it is! In fact, for those who can't make the journey over to Negril, it will be all systems go over there at Hedonism 111, in Runaway Bay, near Salem, as it's all about their Halloween celebrations this weekend as well.
Now, for those in the know, the party for haute-society is definitely the Halloween do, the fabulously lovely and oh so wealthy Francesca von Habsburg will be throwing at her Alligator Head estate, in Port Antonio.
Dears, invites only here, and this promises to be a blast!
And speaking of the fabulous Mrs. von Habsburg, dears, the only place to be in Kingston on Wednesday night of this week was definitely Mac's Chops House, over there in New Kingston. Oh my word, was the place buzzing or what!
ULTRA RICH AND FABULOUS
Pumpkins it was and then some as international snob-society and jet-setters were out and then some.
Dovecakes, we are talking the ultra rich and fabulous here as among those spotted dining last Wednesday evening included: Francesca von Habsburg; Hugh Hart; Michael Lee Chin; Jonathan Goodman of Beale Bank; Stephen Facey; Pat Francis; Jon Baker; Janet Farrow; Peter Millingen and the fabulous Stacy Barbar; Louise Finnigan; Fiona McGloin; and Michael Edwards and his lovely wife Jackie, out celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary.
Dears, it was that kind of a night, steaming fabulousness and nothing but, with the rib-eye steak, done to order (medium-to-well), to die for!
Then me-daahlings, this one is too precious to ignore. Some people got invites, some didn't. When one guest called up to ask why she had received a telephone call inviting her, instead of the more formal written invitation some others had received, she was told the invitations were expensive so not everybody got.
Now, I put it to you!
