The campaigning for a candidate to represent the People’s National Party in the Dry Harbour Division in North West St. Ann has ended in a defeat for sitting Councillor for the division, Arthur Clemetson.
The new candidate who will face the polls in the upcoming Local Government election is 48-year-old businessman Philpott Mitchell.
Mitchell scored a clear victory over Clemetson and the other contender businessman Vance Clarke.
He received 72 votes to 27 for Clarke and 16 for Clemetson, who has been councillor for the division with Discovery Bay as its largest town, since 2012.
Voting took place at a special delegate conference which was held at the Discovery Bay All Age School in St. Ann, on Sunday October 5, 2014.
Speaking in an interview following the vote, Mitchell said he was elated and thanked the people for their support. Mindful of the rift which the campaign has caused within the ranks of the party supporters, Mitchell said he will be reaching out to Councillor Clemetson to support the work on behalf of the people and that he will also be working closely with M.P. Dr. Dayton Campbell to maintain the party’s strength in the division.
He is also planning to launch a football competition in Discovery Bay soon and is looking at other areas in the division that need to be addressed.
Meanwhile Clemetson told The Times that he did not wish to comment on the results until he had done a full review of the figures. Clemetson will continue to represent the division in the St. Ann Parish Council until an election is called.
Local Government elections are due next year.
