The Prime Minister is very adamant that the unilateral appointment of the Governor-General was in accordance with the Constitution. That may very well be so, but it would seem to me that common decency and courtesy dictated a certain level of communication with the Opposition, especially in a matter such as this in which national consensus is important.
Further, the Prime Minister has also sought to assure us that Professor Hall is "eminently suited" for the job, but no information has been disclosed to the society concerning the criteria which were used to judge the eminence of the qualifications. Surely the necessity of having guidelines for posterity would not have been lost on the Prime Minister, even as he considers his legacy!
Could we therefore be informed of
these criteria?
S. Richards, Kingston 10
THE CRITERIA
Is there a set criteria for determining who should be appointed to the office of Governor-General of Jamaica? I find the choice of Professor Kenneth Hall to be somewhat questionable. While I have no doubt about his leadership abilities, there are other persons who, because of their overall contribution to their profession and to the country, are more deserving of this job.
If the PM felt that someone from the halls of acadaemia should be given the opportunity to serve the country as G-G, Professor Barry Chevannes would have been a better choice in my opinion. Not only is Professor Chevannes a household name throughout Jamaica, but his service, various national appointments, volunteer social work and prominence as a sociologist, researcher and author, make him an eminently more suitable choice. However, as the die has been cast, I congratulate Professor Hall and wish him all the best in his new role.
Patrick A. Gallimore, pagalley@hotmail.com, Kingston, Via Go-Jamaica
CONGRATS
On behalf of the Chancellor Hall fraternity I want to extend congratulations to Professor Kennneth Hall on his appointment as Governor-General of Jamaica. Once again Chancellor Hall has shown that it can produce men of great distinction. Professor Hall, you have now joined the list of exemplary leaders who have graduated from that noble institution. You have a tremendous responsibility but I know you will stand brave and tall. All shall hail Chancellor Hall.
Deanall 'Vendor' Barnes, dbarnes75@yahoo.com, Hall Chairman(2000/1)
