A.A.Bobby Pottinger
Norman Grant
Cecil Goodridge
Andrew Clunis, Freelance Writer
THREE SLATES of candidates were on Wednesday announced for the contest for leadership of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) in elections set for next month.
In the hotly-debated matter at the monthly Board of Manage-ment meeting of the JAS at its Kingston head offices, the competing teams emerged under the leadership of incumbent JAS President, A.A. 'Bobby' Pot-tinger; St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies President, Norman Grant, and All-Island Banana Growers' Association representative on the JAS Board, Bob Miller.
The issue took centre stage at the meeting when JAS first vice-president Dr. Cecil Goodridge announced that he would be stepping down from the team led by Mr. Pottinger, which included Dr. Trevor Dewdney as second vice-president. Dr. Goodridge then indicated that he had consented to run for first vice-president to Mr. Grant, a move that the latter confirmed in the meeting. Mr. Grant also announced that Manchester businessman Anthony Freckleton would be his second running mate, for the position of second vice-president.
With all the excitement of the sudden announcements, Mr. Miller also threw in his hand with what he conceded to be an "outside team", so far comprised of himself for President and former JAS Secretary, William Morgan, the St. Ann parish representative on the Board, for first vice-president. This, he said, would make for an "exciting three the hard way" contest for the top positions in the organisation.
Mr. Grant said up to recently, his bid for the presidency was being endorsed by top officials of the JAS, including the president, who had not been inclined to seek re-election. However, Mr. Grant said all of that had suddenly changed.
Mr. Pottinger explained that the change had come about because some influential groups within the organisation were against the elevation of a person who had not served on the Board, to the position of President.
Mr. Grant, however, insisted that 'democracy should be the order of the day. Let us leave delegates to decide what is best,' he said.
Mr. Miller later shuffled the cards a bit more with an offer to co-operate with Mr. Pottinger following the departure of Dr. Goodridge from the President's team. Mr. Miller, who had recently advised of his plans to seek the top post, had been offered a nomination for a position as a direct member of the JAS Board, under the original slate of the Pottinger camp.
Dr. Goodridge, in explaining his position, opted not to seek the presidency because he felt he could better serve the agricultural sector in his new position as head of the regulatory arm of the Coffee Industry Board.
The 105th Annual General Meeting of the JAS, including election of top officers, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
