-WINSTON SILL/Freelance Photographer
Family members and friends join Mr. Thomas (centre), and Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill (right), at the Development Bank and National Housing Trust (NHT) reception in honour of the Gleaner's Man of the Year, held at Parkway, Waterworks, St Andrew, last Tuesday.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
IT'S A good thing The Gleaner's 'Man of the Year' Kingsley Thomas is not one to get giddy-headed about accolades because by now he would be real dizzy.
Mr. Thomas was the centre of attraction and attention on Tuesday night as officials from both the Development Bank of Jamaica and the National Housing Trust (NHT), threw him a huge party at the Parkway Avenue home of grande dame Faye Pickersgill. Scores of people gathered to see, shake hands and chat with a man described by many as a hard-working public servant who gets results.
As the cameras flashed with his every move, guests positioned themselves to be captured on film with him. Others decided to have their pictures taken with a life-size cardboard figure of Thomas.
GREETED GUESTS
The gifts and the accolades kept coming relentlessly for Thomas, who went as far as to greet guests at the gate, showing his genuine appreciation that they had come to celebrate with him. As the praises poured in, some of the best quotes of the night were from Everton McDonald of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, who stated that "He (Kingsley) has left an indelible mark on the landscape of Jamaica," and Minister of Transport and Works Robert Pickersgill who opined that "(for him), retreat is not a policy and failure is not an option."
When it was time for him to reply, the laid-back attitude did not disappear. But then, why should it, from a man who regularly takes the microphone. He expressed gratitude at the outpouring of sentiments and humi-lity at all the good words. He maintained that the projects he spearheaded (especially Highway 2000 and Emancipation Park), were team efforts and thanked the many persons who contributed for their significant work. He jokingly praised the staff of the NHT especially for "putting up with him".
SOFT SELECTIONS
Up to the time for presentations, a keyboard soloist kept the evening mellow with soft selections whose notes and clefs
travelled on the evening breeze. After Thomas had made his reply, it was time for Dwight Richards and Friends to get the legs moving (and this time not because of the chilly wind).
They brought the audience back to the ska and rock steady eras while guests feasted on the tasty Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Jamaican dishes that Lorraine's Catering prepared. And Guilt Trip's sinful delights were the perfect enders.
