Garwin Davis, Gleaner Writer

BROWN

Sheree Brown, business-woman and a protégée of former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, is tipped to replace Aloun Assamba as the parliamentary candidate for the People's National Party (PNP) in South East St. Ann.

An official announcement, PNP sources say, could come as early as next week. Ms. Brown, 32, reportedly has the support of a majority of the constituency delegates, including Seymour Mullings, former South East St. Ann Member of Parliament, and elder statesman of the party. Mr. Mullings was MP during the period 1972-2002.

"Comrade Sheree Brown has my full 100 per cent support," Mr. Mullings, who was also Deputy Prime Minister and Jamaica's ambassador to Washington, said yesterday. "She is young, talented and has a good rapport with people. She has done some work for former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and also has his support. I will personally be going down there to walk the constituency with her; to work closely on the ground with her," Ms. Brown was a part of Mr. Patterson's delegation to the United Nations in 2003 and remains a close friend of the former Prime Minister.

Contacted at her Pineapple, Ocho Rios, residence, Ms. Brown, who holds a master's degree in business administration, said she didn't want to pre-empt whatever decision the party was planning to make and preferred not to comment on the matter.

Dr. Francis Barnett, who was once seen as the heir-apparent to Mrs. Assamba, has since decided against running. He has also thrown his support behind Ms. Brown. "She has a lot of potential and is undoubtedly a rising star ... I support her whole-heartedly," he said.

Emphatic

Vinnette Robb, PNP councillor for the Calderwood division, was equally emphatic. "I support Comrade Sheree Brown two million and a half per cent," she said. "There is no way she can be beaten."

Asked whether the PNP wouldn't be at a disadvantage selecting a relatively unknown to run against popular hometown boy and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate Peter Fakhourie, Mr. Mullings said there was no such fear.

"We have never lost this constituency and we will not lose it with Sheree Brown as the candidate," he said. "This is PNP country and she will have very little problem bringing this seat home." South East St. Ann is the only constituency in Jamaica which has never been lost by the PNP in a general election.

Mrs. Assamba, who is also the Minister of Tourism, told PNP officials, including Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, several weeks ago that she will not be seeking re-election. South East St. Ann and West Portland, both PNP strongholds, are the only two constituencies that are still without PNP candidates.

Party General Secretary Donald Buchanan and PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill could not be reached for comment.