Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson receives a hug from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller during the North Trelawny People's National Party (PNP) constituency committee awards ceremony and banquet in Trelawny on Saturday. Mr. Patterson, former Minister of Government, Desmond Leaky, and former Mayor of Falmouth, Joseph Wright, received citations in recognition of their service to the PNP. - CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WESTERN BUREAU:
FOR CARVING a monument of distinguished service to the people of Trelawny, The Most Hon. Percival James Patterson shared the limelight with Desmond Leaky, a man of extraordinary qualities, and Joseph Wright, a cornerstone of the People's National Party (PNP).
The three, former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Mr. Leaky, former Member of Parliament and Government Minister, and Mr. Wright, the longest serving mayor of Falmouth, were honoured at a $5,000 per plate awards banquet, which received immense support from persons, some representing the diaspora, last Saturday night.
Organised by the North Trelawny PNP constituency committee headed by Member of Parliament Dr. Patrick Harris, the event was staged in the ballroom of the Starfish Resort in the historically rich parish.
The three outstanding Jamaican men's combined service to public life spans more than a century. "One hundred years in anyone's life is worthy of the highest praise, but more importantly is the quality of the innings," remarked Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller of the solid achievement of the three.
LAUDED FOR FORESIGHT
"Your distinction is praiseworthy, you have played well and the number of goals you have earned shows the highest ideals of political leadership," added Prime Minister Simpson Miller.
Custos Roylan Barrett, first citizen of the parish, commended Mr. Leaky for building socialism and the PNP's vision in Tre-lawny after he became the first MP to represent the party in 1972 elections.
Dr. Harris lauded the former PM for his foresight, "As the infrastructure Prime Minister who declared that Kingston was not Jamaica, and brought justice to the people of the parish by insisting that Greenfield Stadium should be built in Trelawny," he remarked to a rousing round of applause.
The former mayor was noted for his organisational skills, character and political strength.
The event was attended by Ambassador Dr. B.K. Bryan; Consul General for Jamaica in New York, Patrick E Beckford; diaspora representative, attorneys-at-law, Clayton Morgan and Irwin Clare; Glen and Dorothy Miller; Senator Noel Sloley; Mark Campbell; master of ceremonies, Doris Parchment; Vincent Heath; Chwani and Garfield Gourzong; Elaine Coleman; Elaine Chen; Althea Blagrove; Chen Wen; Jacqueline Green; Han Song; Shen Lin; Mrs. Audrey Barrett; Genevieve Leaky; Hyacinthia Wright; Dwight Jeremiah; Mona Stephenson; Colin Campbell and Sybil Sinclair.
The duo, Ossie D and Stevie G, injected much more than life into the event.
