‘Putting people first’, Promising: Transparency . Equality . Accountability . Integrity
(l to r) Paul Lewis, David Osborne, Claude Hogan, Dr. Ingrid Buffonge, Gregory Willock.
By Warren Cassell
(l to r) Hon. Premier Donalson Romeo and Delmaude Ryan
Behind a theme of newness, “Putting People First – A Fresh Start” and against the background of failed promises, where the now Premier as party leader in his party’s introductory message refers to the preceding government, “a clear F, for failure…” the electorate of Montserrat’s spoke very clearly on Thursday September 11, 2014 when they elected seven of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and two of the outgoing Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) candidates to a new Legislative Assembly.
By 6 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2014, the following persons were declared as winners with their respective vote counts in descending order: Donaldson Romeo -1695, Dr. Ingrid Buffonge – 1,615, Paul Lewis – 1,507, David Osborne – 1,356, Joseph Farrell – 1,314 (MCAP), Delmaude Ryan – 1,185, Reuben T. Meade -1,140 (MCAP), Claude Hogan – 1,112, and Gregory Willock – 1,098. It was then clear that out of the 3,866 Registered Voters the 2,747 persons who turned out to vote bought into the “Putting People First” campaign employed by the Donaldson Romeo led PDM.
The top 17 positions were held by members of either PDM or MCAP making it pellucid that the electorate voted along party lines. This can be seen where PDM candidates held the top four positions, while MCAP candidates Jermaine Wade (876 votes), Colin Riley (866 Votes), Samuel Joseph (858 votes), Leroy Greaves (802) and Brenda Daley (742) took positions 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
By 2:30 a.m. when just over 50% of the votes were counted, the leader for MCAP Reuben T. Meade conceded defeat and in speaking with the panel covering the election results said, “Based on the trend it seems as if the PDM is all set to take victory in this elections. …The people have clearly spoken and we will have to accept what they are saying.” He also said that “based on the campaign from the PDM the people seemed to have bought into what they are selling…”.
Support for the Alliance of Independent Candidates dwindled compared with last elections as they took positions 22, 24 and 25 being Dr. Lewis – 468 votes, Claude Gerald – 275 votes and David Tuitt – 222 Votes respectively. Last election Dr. Lewis received 1000 votes while David Tuitt garnered 808. The top five independent candidates were Victor James who held the position of 18 with 657 votes, Crenston Buffonge 19 with 533, Geraldine Cabey 20 with 528 votes.
Joel Osborne, Norman Cassell, Alaric Lynch, Wilford Meade, Catherine Tuitt and Winston Pond, held the bottom 5 places. Other candidates who were unsuccessful were Independent Candidate Hylroy Bramble (105 Votes) and MCAP candidate Justin Cassell (525 votes).
(see election results table) The full results and their analysis may be viewed at www.elections.ms .
The tv and radio broadcast panel covering the results of the elections included TMR’s editor and political analyst Bennette Roach, Rose Willock and media consultant Chelston Lee, anchored; Peter White and former Financial Secretary John Skerritt, Clarice Barnes, and Eugene Skerritt. Deone Semple, Astley Henry led by Angela Estwick provided statistical data and reports of the activities with counting of the ballots, while Chelston at one time with Kafu Cabey reported on the activities and scenes in and around the Cultural Centre where the post elections activities took place.
Later during that coverage the Premier apparent appeared and made a brief statement, where he said he was calm and just trying to take in the moment. Shortly after the party chair Shirley Osborne also appeared and told the panel that the PDM which began as a community organization will remain that way which will provide the caucus of the PDM party.
Premier elect makes his first declaration, then goes to be sworn-in
At about midday on Friday, Premier-elect Mr. Donaldson Romeo appeared live on the Warren Cassell Show where he delivered his very first formal speech as the incoming Premier of Montserrat. In his speech the Premier elect said: “Beyond personal joy, collective gladness and sincere gratitude, I am humbled by the peoples support. The confidence that the people of Montserrat has given to the People’s Democratic Movement is a statement of mutual accountability. I am more fully persuaded that to achieve all that we have set out to do, our only hope is to stand with and for each other in both good and bad times. Winning the elections was an exciting experience but PDM is determine to deliver on our promised for all of the people of Montserrat at home and abroad.”
He went on to ensure that they intend to, “create new jobs, build decent housing establish high quality health care and emergency services resolve our access problem, revitalize our economy ….and use sports as an avenue for our young people to soar to build life skills.” Other PDM canidates also spoke on the WCS thanking their supporters and ensuring the public that they will in fact be putting people first.
Shortly after the Honorable Romeo attended a swearing in ceremony at 2 p.m. at Government House in Palm Loop, Woodlands. A large number of supporters and well-wishers and PDM were in attendance where the atmosphere was gleeful and threatening with immense hope as Montserrat’s ‘first’ elected Premier addressed the more than 200 persons gathered.
Premier Romeo’s first activity one of looking after the vulnerable
Shortly after being sworn in as Montserrat’s Premier, the honourable Donaldson Romeo demonstrated that he was serious about the People’s Democratic Movement’s theme of ‘putting people first’. In what seemed like an unplanned move, the Premier invited ZJB’s Viona Alexander-Smith, MNI Alive’s Editor in Chief Jeevan Robinson and Montserrat Reporter’s Warren Cassell to witness the presentation of a wheel chair to James ‘Slabbery’ Hogan in St. Peter’s.
James who has been housed in a temporary housing unit in St. Peter’s since 1997 is unable to walk as a result of an accident in the early 1960’s.
In a statement to the media, at James Hogan’s residence, the newly appointed Premier said all houses that are not hurricane worthy must be declared as shelters. He states that it is time for Montserrat to empty such shelters. In answering the question whether this was the part of “Putting People First”, the Premier said “absolutely, the man at the bottom must have hope.”
James Hogan was thankful for the wheel chair but stated that he won’t be able to use it outside of his home because of the slope of the land on which his house was built. Nonetheless, he informed the media that when he is relocated to a new home in Salem, as promised by Premier Romeo, he will be able to make use of the wheel chair. While grateful for the assistance, James contended that he was not seeking hand outs, as he tries his best to remain self sufficient through his fishing trade and carpentry.
see more pics here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152405536920852.1073741970.203080105851&type=1
