There is growing turmoil within the People’s National Party in the Dry Harbour division of the North West St. Ann constituency over plans by some members to replace the sitting councillor as the party’s candidate in the upcoming Local Government election. A group of comrades led by prospective candidate Philpot Mitchell is seeking to oust Councillor Arthur Clemetson on the basis that Clemetson is too old to run the affairs of the division. However many PNP supporters are strongly opposing the move and are threatening to do everything within their powers to express their discontent. The problem has been festering for several months, after Mitchell, a businessman, declared he would challenge Mr Clemetson. Things have become more intense in the last two weeks, when news broke that both men were interviewed by the PNP executive as prospective candidates for the division. When North Coast Times visited sections of the division on July 8, 2014; many people were openly concerned over the matter with some expressing their anger at Mitchell. They describe Clemetson as the best councillor ever elected in the division and the only one who can retain it for the party. Seventy-eight year-old Clemetson won the Dry Harbour division for the PNP in the 2012 Local Government election, after suffering two consecutive election losses. He was credited with transforming a JLP strong hold into a PNP haven. Many residents, including persons claiming to be JLP supporters, describe the attempts to remove the councillor as very unfair and most disrespectful. Well known PNP activist Alando James, also called Trasha, said despite his age Clemetson deserves the right to represent the division. “Well Mr. Clemetson is the man who fight hard over the years so that the PNP could win this division; and it is very unfair for anyone to just come and push him out. Him deserve more respect,” Trasha said. Another PNP activist, Sydney Blake, better known as Pressa, is advising the party not to try and remove Clemetson, warning that the move will spell disaster for the division and the constituency. “Mr. Clemetson a the most popular candidate throughout the constituency, because of how him deal with people. A him the people them love and it will be hell and powder house if them try fi push him out,” Pressa warned. When contacted, Clemetson declined to speak on the matter saying the party executive is dealing with it. Clemetson assumed however that he will remain the councilor for the division.
