Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (left) congratulates Prime Minister-designate Portia Simpson Miller during yesterday's weekly Cabinet meeting at Jamaica House. - CONTRIBUTED
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine
SEVERAL RESIDENTS of Woodhall District, St. Catherine gave their stamp of approval on People's National Party (PNP) president-elect Portia Simpson Miller, a daughter of the community who is slated to become the country's next Prime Minister.
In true country spirit, the people greeted The Gleaner news team on arrival in the area.
"Yes man, she was a daughter of the area. Mi know har from she born and watch har grow and mi really glad she get a start fi do sumting fi Jamaica," remarked Lorenza Lawrence at his shop in Barton Square. "She was Mas Teddy daughta, mi remember her straight."
Other persons echoed the sentiments of Mr. Lawrence.
They remembered Mrs. Simpson Miller as the little girl who used to eat a lot of cane.
According to Granville (Busta) Francis, Mrs. Simpson Miller was "a very mannerly person and one who would go far".
He expects the community to be better served with her in power.
Another man, Ray Parker, who spoke with great passion, said he got the vision several years ago that Mrs. Simpson Miller would become Prime Minister.
"I believe that she will allow the men to get jobs to take care of their families and this will work good for all of us," he said.
The two-apartment structure in which Mrs. Simpson Miller grew up is currently unoccupied, but still being treated as a special place by residents who said they hoped she would restore it to its former glory.
