Residents support Patmore’s bid to represent Trelawny Southern

WESTERN BUREAU:

Residents of Trelawny Southern have thrown their support behind former independent councillor, now prospective candidate for the People’s National Party’s (PNP), businessman Paul Patmore.

Patmore, who served as councillor for the Lorrimers division from 2012 to 2016, was named the PNP’s selection to run for member of parliament (MP) earlier this month.

The constituency was last represented by the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, who resigned as MP and Speaker of the House last year.

Patmore, the operator of a funeral home in a section of the constituency known as Lowe River, is the “welcomed choice for representation”, said Anthony Wilson, a resident of Ulster Spring.

“This is God sent from above because that man, Patmore, is a deliverer. You see up in Lorrimers division and South Trelawny overall, Patmore is the reason we have water,” Wilson said.

During his stint as an independent councillor, Patmore’s legacy project brought the water shortage being faced by residents of the Lorrimers division into sharp focus. His main project, which was dubbed the Paul Patmore Water Project, still lives on many years later.

This water project, according to Wilson, has cemented Patmore’s name into hearts and minds of people living in south Trelawny.

“You see, even with the yearly drought, we up here nuh really short of water because when Patmore was an independent councillor, he sorted out a system so everybody in the area can live off it now,” Wilson told The Gleaner.

“We know him as a man who can deliver and we have confidence in him because we know he will work,” he added.

Pointing out that Patmore had already secured a seat inside the Trelawny Municipal Corporation as an independent candidate, Wilson is confident that supporters of the two main political parties will “look outside of colour” and vote for the businessman.

“Of course, he will get support from both political parties. Remember that he is first man in Jamaica to run as independent and won because everybody voted for him, so the same thing will happen again. He is a man of his word. He is not just a mouthpiece and if you pay attention, you will realise that he does not do a lot of talking, but he is a man of action,” said Wilson.

Built strong relationships

Over in Albert Town, Terron Lee told The Gleaner that Patmore’s decision to throw his hat in the ring would have garnered support regardless of the political party he chose to represent.

Lee shared that Patmore, through his businesses, has built strong relationships with the people across the constituency.

The Trelawny resident believes that this will give Patmore some leverage in the next general election.

“I feel this is good for south Trelawny because he has proven that he is qualified to hold such a position. I am not biased, but he was also the one who helped me to go on the Wray and Nephew Contender when it first came out. Patmore is for the people,” Lee said.

“If people like you dem a go like you and support you, so he has that in his favour. We nah say Patmore is going to be the saviour, but he will get a lot of support and he will do what he can.”

At the same time, Lee explained that he is hoping that Patmore, should he be elected as MP, will introduce additional social development in the parish.

“Everybody a go say dem want road and water, but we really need some social programmes. We need some sports, music, and anything that occupy the minds of the youths. We want to learn skills and other things to uplift ourselves,” Lee shared.

While also speaking to The Gleaner in Albert Town, Sudino Grant said the support being thrown behind Patmore is also stemming from his community service.

“My family always talk that he is a good man who helps out whenever he can. Mi think him deserve fi be the next MP based on the work he has done. Mi get fi understand that sometimes when people pass away and their families are facing financial difficulties, he helps them out to bury their loved ones at a lower cost,” Grant explained.

At the same time, Marlon Phillips, a Clarks Town resident, spoke highly of the work that the businessman did during his term as councillor. Phillips pointed out that while he is not a resident of the Lorrimers Division, he has seen the improvements made in the area through the work of the businessman.

“I feel like Trelawny people should give Patmore a chance because he is a good person. I feel like everybody deserves a chance,” Phillips said.

Phillips further stated that, regardless of who becomes the next MP for Trelawny Southern, there is major work to be done, as he believes the constituency has been abandoned for far too long.

The Gleaner understands that the JLP’s Devon McDaniel will be contesting the Trelawny Southern seat. McDaniel served as MP for the constituency between 2002-2007.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com