Point Fortin pleads for Dillon

HOURS before six new candidates face the People’s National Movement (PNM) screening committee in the search for a candidate for Point Fortin, a serious lobby is taking place to give the incumbent MP a second chance.

A group of people who describe themselves as “die-hard PNM members” said they are not in favour of Point Fortin mayor Kennedy Richards Jr replacing Edmund Dillon.

Former executive member Wilbur Booker said on Wednesday, “Everyone has his or her time. This is not Mr Richards’ time.

"He is a young guy, ambitious – but his time will come. We supported his elevation from councillor to mayor and will support his elevation from mayor to MP. when the time is right.”

Dillon faced the PNM screening committee led by political leader and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on May 16, but the constituency executive was asked to field more candidates.

Adrian McKenzie said it would be unfair to “drop Dillon” before he can complete his plans for the constituency, when the government has not achieved all it set out to do.

He said there is no comparison between what he has achieved during his tenure and what other MPs had done.

“Under his tenure, the Mahaica Sporting Complex and the Techier Community Centre are almost completed. The ground has been broken for the construction of the long-awaited fire station and the hospital is almost complete.

“Six people cannot sit down in Port of Spain and make decisions for the future of Point Fortin. That is not right.”

Booker added to the list of achievements, saying areas that were without water and electricity can now tell a different story under Dillon’s tenure.

“On constituency days he will not leave that office until he sees every last person.”

Booker added, “Lots of prominent people in the constituency are calling me to put our position across.”

Businessman Christopher Chin Kong, who faced the screening committee five years ago, said the MP was “one of the good guys.

“He does not crave the spotlight. Whatever he does, he does it quietly and with humility. People ask him for help and he helps within his capacity.”

Retiree Frankie Mc Guire said he has a file of what was accomplished under the tenure of former MP Paula Gopee-Scoon, “and I have a file of what Mr Dillon has done, so nobody can say he did nothing.

“I think people are being deceitful where Mr Dillon is concerned. When a man is working, give him his just due.”

Phillip Ragoonanan, who was the campaign manager for Gopee-Scoon, said he is very impressed with what Dillon has achieved.

“The Point Fortin community thought it was a foregone conclusion he would have gotten the nod for a second term. He has not been rejected, but we are surprised by the request to find new candidates. I don’t think the people who are offering themselves have the experience to make the kind of contribution he has made.”

Hardware owner Bobby Persad said while he no longer lives in the constituency, he still runs his 30-year-old business in Point Fortin.

“Every one of my clients speaks very highly and favourably of that gentleman. They say he is one of the few MPs who has a lot of empathy, and they are unhappy that he may not be returned as their representative.”