Michelle-Ann Letman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Labour Party candidate for the Rae Town division, 'Rosie' Hamilton, accepts local government election day documents. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Relaxing at home yesterday, clad only in a green T-shirt, the injured Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor, Rosalie Hamilton, was still recuperating from the bullet wound she received two weeks prior to Wednesday's local government elections.

The single bullet pierced her right breast and travelled across to the left side, just below her heart, where it is still lodged. She was discharged from the University Hospital of the West Indies Hospital last Saturday.

"This is the second time in my life that I have been shot by gunmen. The first was in December 1995 when gunmen shot me five times in my head. I went to death's door and came back," said Ms. Hamilton, who was successful in Wednesday's election, winning the Rae Town division, a second time for the JLP.

'Rosie', as she is affectionately called, was celebrating her victory, watching a repeat programme on one of the local television channels, while speaking with the Gleaner news team. She was having breakfast in bed.

Responding to questions as to who and why they wanted her dead, Ms. Hamilton said she knows that the recent attack on her life was politically motivated.

"My election campaign was fought as if it was a general election campaign. My opponents wanted my seat badly," said Ms. Hamilton.

No fear

While not saying who wants her dead, Councillor Hamilton has shown no signs of fear or feeling intimidated. Pointing in a westerly direction, she said the men who shot her hang out not far from where she lives on Gold Street in the Southside community of central Kingston.

The 49-year-old mother of three said her political career began 33 years ago while working as a polling clerk. She was influenced by her father, who she described as a "diehard Labourite".

Her dream is for the violence to one day end in central Kingston, a volatile inner-city community that is named among the 142 hot spots across the island. Several persons have been killed or injured there over the past three months.

Residents with whom The Gleaner spoke said there have been sporadic shootings almost every night, despite a strong military/ police presence in sections of the community.

Unemployment and poor housing are among Ms. Hamilton's main concerns. She believes the only way out for her constituents at this time is a better education for all, especially the young people.