This one will be for Melvin Jones - Mike Henry

Mike Henry, Central Clarendon member of parliament, says that the anticipated victory by Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor candidate Tanya-Lee Williams in the April 27 by-election will seek to honour late councillor Melvin Jones.

"This one is for Melvin Jones," Henry told The Gleaner during nomination day activities. "In Central Clarendon, we have a team and the team remains constant; that is why I can feel what I feel," he said, adding that Williams represents the future - one that he is confident of.

Williams, who will be attempting to fill the shoes of Jones, who died on December 24 last year, expressed confidence that she would be "taking it home for the party".

"This is a JLP stronghold, but we are not going to leave any stones unturned," Williams said. She disclosed that she has already begun to campaign, which involves house-to-house visits and implementing social interventions.

"I am here to build on the legacy left by Melvin Jones and I am very confident. This has been a long time in coming. I have always been working in the backdrop of the Jamaica Labour Party," she said.

Pointing to mentors, Councillor Joel Williams and Mike Henry, Williams said she was well prepared for election day on April 27.

HANDFUL OF SUPPORTERS

Unlike the big-bang affair that heralded Williams' arrival, it was a stark contrast with Earl Blake of the People's National Party. Surrounded by a handful of supporters, he was ushered in for the nomination process by campaign manager Scean Barnswell, councillor for the Hayes division.

There was no lack of confidence, though, from Blake, as he told The Gleaner that he was not daunted and expected to create an upset and take the seat.

Blake sees himself as the person who will be "rescuing" the residents of May Pen North, as he said there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed.

"I'm living in the situation that they are talking about - bad roads, poor representation, no street lights - so many issues that are there to be addressed. There is no impossibility when it comes to God," he said, comparing the Israelites' days of slavery with conditions in the division.

"When people are in slavery, God puts people to take them out, and I know God has chosen me for the people," asserted Blake.