Broken leg, car accident put damper on JLP’s Portland candidates’ campaigns

By: gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com

Image caption: The injured right leg of Jamaica Labour Party councillor candidate Rosemarie Lindo.

Eastern Portland:

Two first-time candidates of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in Eastern Portland were involved in separate incidents that almost derailed their campaigns as they seek to become directors at the Portland Municipal Corporation.

In the first incident, about 4:30 pm Saturday, JLP candidate Rosemarie Lindo fell while walking down a slope in Anchovy Gardens, Port Antonio, where she had gone to look at a roadway that was undergoing repair.

“I had provided some material and gave other assistance to workmen from the community, who were repairing a roadway, and I decided to visit the area to see how they were doing,” she said.

“It is not a road that can accommodate vehicular traffic, and as I attempted to walk down the slope, I fell. I was rushed to hospital, and following an X-ray, it was revealed that my right ankle was broken in two places. I am feeling some discomfort, but this will by no means derail my campaign. I will do surgery on Monday, and I was told that I’ll be off my feet for six weeks.

“My vehicle has recycling seats, so I will still be able to go into the varied communities, but I won’t be able to walk or visit any household. But I have a competent team that can continue the work and take charge of the campaign. I am on a quest to see to the needs of the people and to improve the basic infrastructure in the Prospect division,” she concluded.

Lindo is schedule to face off with the incumbent, Wayne McKenzie of the People’s National Party (PNP), in the Prospect division on February 26.

In the meantime, in the second incident, about 9 p.m. Saturday, another JLP candidate, Emile Rodney, was involved in a three-vehicle collision near Allan Avenue in Port Antonio after, reportedly, he swerved to avoid hitting another motorist, who had drifted into his lane.

Rodney, who was driving a Mitsubishi Lancer motor car, first slammed into the back of a vehicle that was travelling in front of him before the back of his car swung around, hitting another vehicle.

Although no one was injured in the accident, the first-time candidate is expected to absorb the cost of repairing the three vehicles.

Rodney will seek to unseat veteran councillor Dexter Rowland in the February 26 local government election in the Port Antonio division.

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