WESTERN BUREAU:

A brawl between two suppor-ters of the governing People's National Party partially hijacked a National Executive Council (NEC) conference at the Anchovy High School, in St. James, on Sunday.

Party supporters were heard openly rebuking former Councillor for the Granville Division, Ms. Beulah Stephens, for engaging well-known political activist and staunch PNP supporter, O. Dave Allen, in a physical confrontation.

Beulah is wrong to have boxed Dave. She should never have done that. That is very rude," one supporter quipped, as others concurred. Dave is not the person to come here and make trouble. He would never do that. He is right to have retaliated in like manner," another supporter added.

The fracas

Supporters said the fracas started when Mr. Allen decided to vote in favour of former Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Gerard Mitchell, instead of voting for Michael Troupe, councillor/caretaker for the Granville Division.

"I do not wish to comment on the matter. Whatever happened between Dave and I is an internal matter and will be dealt with internally," Ms. Stephens told The Gleaner, when asked for a comment.

Asked to deliberate on the issue, Mr. Allen shied away from the question. Other party supporters were adamant, however, that the incident should not be reported in the press, fearing it could bring the party into disrepute.

New chairman

Meanwhile, the NEC in Region Six has elected a new chairman for the first time in 17 years. State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Youth and Culture, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, was elected unopposed. Region Six comprises the parishes of Hanover, Westmoreland and St. James.

Dr. McNeill has succeeded Labour Minister and Member of Parliament for South St. James, Derrick Kellier, who held the chairmanship of the region since 1989, as well as serving in two vice president posts in the party.

Minister Kellier was honoured by Region Six for his service, as the longest-serving chairman in the region and as a member of the PNP since 1965. He is among seven candidates vying for the posts of vice president in the PNP.