INSIDE GRENADA
FEBRUARY 25, 2008
from the New National Party (NNP)


The New National Party (NNP) St. Andrew South East Constituency crossed its first hurdle in the candidacy selection for the next general election when key supporters on Saturday 23rd February, 2008, unanimously put forward Youth Development Minister Senator Emmalin Pierre as their choice of a Candidate to represent the Party.

Members of village groups from the ten polling divisions in the constituency noted how impressed they were with Senator Pierre’s performance as caretaker, a job she undertook on the recommendation of Prime Minister and NNP Political Leader, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, and other NNP stalwarts, some two years ago.

Her leadership skills caught the attention of the Party’s top brass particularly during the post Ivan reconstruction phase in St. Andrew South East.
Coming up unopposed, Mrs. Pierre was recommended by supporters as a true representative of the people whom any opposition contender would find difficult to contest. She was showered with words of appreciation for a job well-done to date. Mrs. Pierre was likened to having all the qualities of the Father of the Nation, the late Sir Eric Matthew Gairy.

Many who have been in contact with Mrs. Pierre remarked that she is a hard working individual, a woman who everyone loves, a friend, a mother, a sister, a nice lady and one who cares much about people. Currently, the Parliamentary Representative for St. Andrew South East is Hon. Kenrick Fullerton of the National Democratic Congress, who defeated Cuthbert McQueen in the elections of 2003. But according to the general view of the Constituents the Party and the Representative have abandoned the Constituency, forgetting they had a responsibility unto the people.

Since Fullerton resigned from the Upper echelon of the NDC he was found to be absent from the direct affairs of the Constituency and paid luke-warm support to obtaining benefits for the Constituents he were supposed to serve.

The Opposition NDC party wrangling surfaced over sentiments from Fullerton’s colleagues concerning an altercation with his wife, as it relates to him at the time being involved in an estranged love affair. Several supporters of the party were outraged at his behavior. On Saturday, supporters of the New National Party acknowledged that he had abandoned the people and commanded Mrs. Pierre to bring back the Constituency into the “house”, which they regard as a powerful symbol in distinguishing the Nation’s development and empowerment of people.

One supporter Cuthbert St. Louis is confident that Mrs. Pierre is made up of stern political muscle and with the example she has shown the Constituency of getting things done, ‘there’s a positive bright light shining at the end of the tunnel.’

Constituency Branch Chairman, Elias Jones stated that Mrs. Pierre is a very serious person, nice with people and is able to manage the affairs of the constituency. He is pleased that she has associated herself with the right political organization and Government that have done a lot for this country for all to be proud.

The occasion was witnessed by Mr. Dwight Horsford, a member of the NNP’s National Executive, who felt moved by the relationship between Mrs. Pierre and the St. Andrew South East constituents and reiterated his confidence in Mrs. Pierre as a true representative of the people. Senator Pierre was very emotional over the sentiments expressed and the recommendation made for her to go forward at the next polls, whenever it is called, to win the seat for the NNP. She, however, warned that ‘we have a very important responsibility unto our country and we, young and old, must do what is necessary to ensure our country is safe and protected for a secure future for our children and generations to come.’

Senator Pierre, born and bred out of a strictly community-oriented background in the little village of Adelphi in Birchgrove, St. Andrew on August 23, 1976, stated that her long term objective is working together with everyone to empower people to build their immediate communities. ‘The work that has to be done must be done together with all members of the community,’ outlined the Youth Development Minister. “The issue is not about elections only but the issue is about the development of the constituency and by extension the country. During the time I have been working here there wasn’t a day when I didn’t feel the presence of the people in the constituency. I want to say to you, that this is for you, your children and the entire community. This election is going to be critical for your future and you have to ensure that you take the election seriously and to do all that you can do for the NNP to be returned to Office, not just for yourself but for the entire country.” Mrs. Pierre explained.

The recommendation made by the NNP St. Andrew South East branch will now go before the party’s National Executive for ratification. At the recommendation meeting, Mrs. Pierre handed over cricket gears to three cricket teams, Mamma Cannes, Post Royal and Hope, currently campaigning in the St. Andrew’s Cricket competition.