Albert Green takes charge of agriculture branch

Educator Albert Green on Thursday took control of the Kingston and St Andrew Association of Branch Societies (ABS) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

Supported by first vice-president Thomas Mayne and second vice-president Lansford Moore, Green, who had campaigned on a theme of strong leadership with vision and integrity, was however denied the thrill of victory, when the anticipated battle royal with Norman Grant fizzled.

Grant, whose tenure as president of the ABS ended on June 12 last year, turned up at the grounds of the Jamaica Horticulture Society in Hope Pastures, St Andrew, but threw in the hat, declaring he would not contest the elections, since the necessary constitutional due diligence had not been observed.

The new officers were duly elected two hours after the scheduled 10 o'clock start of polling, and the executive sworn in with immediate effect. When the Gleaner news team turned up to witness the polling, President Green was already basking in his new position and, having accepted congratulations, was in the process of networking with delegates about the way forward. The atmosphere was a mixture of relief and celebration, the mood one of anxious optimism among delegates who had played a key role in the heralding of a new dispensation for their ABS.

"From the elections are held, he (Green) takes over. The constitution states that when you lose, you go. The day you win you take office, JAS President Lenworth Fulton told The Gleaner, dismissing allegations by Grant that the day's proceedings were unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Grant on Thursday claimed ignorance of what had transpired in his absence.

He told The Gleaner via telephone: "I have worked hard with the JAS over a long period of time. I don't wish to have any friction with members or to bring the society in any way into disrepute. The JAS has been a wonderful organisation and my position is that it is bigger than anybody."