Tweet
Geace Jackson wins.
-
Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe. Thomas Paine -
Rest easy boss. Yuh cousin in regardless of who wins!!!
btw - I am rooting for him!!!"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -
On your mark! Fiery JAAA vote runs off today
On your mark! Fiery JAAA vote runs off today
BY DANIA BOGLE Observer staff reporter
Thursday, November 29, 2012
TODAY is decision day in the eagerly anticipated election for posts in the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
The historic ballot — the first time three candidates will be running for the top position of president — is expected to see the incumbent Dr Warren Blake facing strong challenges from Olympian Grace Jackson and lawyer Lincoln Eatmon.
JACKSON... on a mission for change
EATMON... we are not just willing to talk... we can walk the walk
BLAKE... shares the credit of improving the JAAA's asset base to $83 million
The vote is set to take place at this evening's annual general meeting slated to start at the National Arena at 5:00, while voting is due to start three hours later.
Approximately 377 voting members — from across the local athletics landscape including athletes — will decide who will lead the local body for the next four years.
Running on Blake's ticket are Kingston College principal Dave Myrie for the post of first vice-president, athlete Michael Frater for second vice-president, and current general secretary Garth Gayle as well as Deon Hemmings-McCatty and Vilma Charlton.
Eatmon has on his slate Ian Forbes, Alfred Francis, Edward Hector, Bernie Panton, Julette Parkes and Barcelona Olympic Games double medallist Juliet Cuthbert.
Jackson, the 1988 Olympics silver medallist and the first female ever to run for the highest post in the local body, has on her team Dr Jon Jones for general secretary; Cathy Rattray-Samuel for assistant secretary; David Riley and Dr Paula Dawson as executive members; Dr Neil Gardner for fourth vice-president; Maurice Wignall for director of records, and Joseph Taffe for treasurer.
Jackson is hoping to draw candidates from the other two slates to fill her executive should she be victorious, while two other independent candidates — Olive McNaughton and Dwight Cunningham — are also running for positions on the executive body.
This has been one of the most contentious and potentially fractious election campaigns, which in one case threatened to blemish the reputation of one of Jamaica's track and field icons Donald Quarrie over charges and counter-charges between himself and veteran coach Glen Mills.
It has called into question the selection of athletes for past Olympic Games and World Championships as well as the current deal the association has with sport gear manufacturers PUMA, while one candidate — Frater — is facing the possibility of expulsion by his training club (MVP Track and Field Club) should both he and Dr Blake win their respective seats.
While all three candidates have placed athletes' welfare high on their lists of priorities, Eatmon has also promised greater transparency and sweeping changes to financial, administrative and coaching structures within the first six months of his term if elected.
"We are not just willing to talk... we can walk the walk," he said.
Jackson is anticipating the full support of those who did not run alongside her should she be elected. She is, however, aware that her gender has perhaps played a role in her not being selected to run the association during last year's emergency vote following the death of former president Howard Aris.
But this time around she believes her support base is stronger, and underlined her path with a five-point action plan unveiled on Tuesday under the theme: "On a Mission for Change."
The five objectives are: To develop a comprehensive athletes' support programme; structure the national junior championship programme to foster post-secondary school development; strengthen the existing organisational structure; develop a wide-ranging programme to certify coaches and officials, and develop an effective innovative and comprehensive marketing and rebranding campaign for increased sponsorship.
Dr Blake, who has had the benefit of being on the past Howard Aris administration since 2004, has taken credit for many of the collective achievements of the last eight years, including "improving the JAAA's asset base from $18.9 million in 2004 to approximately $83.3 million at present".
His own plans for the four years include floating an international bond to raise funds for the association and naming an international ambassador.
"We have to be united if we are to go forward," said Blake.
Meanwhile, at least one local club — the MVP Track and Field Club, which boasts some of the country's star athletes including Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Asafa Powell — has not indicated its selection for president, as it will be voting across all three slates.
"All three slates have some competent people," MVP president Bruce James told the Jamaica Observer recently, adding that the club will be making its decision on the candidates most suitable for each post.
Powell has, however, categorically stated that he will be supporting his teammate Frater.
"He is going in it and he is going well. We need someone young and smart and someone who is in the game and has been through all the struggles. I think that's what we were lacking. No one was there who knows the pain of the athletes. Michael... is someone who will support the athletes' welfare," Powell said.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz2Dcx3WJDF"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
-
1. If Joseph Taffe is the fellow I knew at Grace, Kennedy and Caribbean Terrace then he would be a good man to protect the purse strings.
2.Something in the above quote I am not getting. Does this mean if Frater is elected and Blake loses MVP is saying ebryting curry?It has called into question the selection of athletes for past Olympic Games and World Championships as well as the current deal the association has with sport gear manufacturers PUMA, while one candidate — Frater — is facing the possibility of expulsion by his training club (MVP Track and Field Club) should both he and Dr Blake win their respective seats.
3. Jon Jones should be found a place!
Wishing when the dust settles after this everyone pulls together for the good of the athletes, our T&F and Jamaica!"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
-
Who will win? - Jackson, Eatmon challenge Blake...
Who will win? - Jackson, Eatmon challenge Blake for JAAA presidency
Published: Thursday | November 29, 2012
Jackson
Blake
Eatmon
1 2 3 >
Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer
The next executive body to marshall the country's track and field for the next four years will be elected today at the annual general meeting of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) at the National Arena, starting at 5:30 p.m.
More than 370 delegates are eligible to vote in what is expected to be a tension-filled National Arena, as incumbent Dr Warren Blake and his executive will be under pressure to continue at the helm.
Blake will be challenged by former JAAA first vice-president Lincoln Eatmon and Olympian Grace Jackson, who is hoping to create history by becoming the first female to head the JAAA.
Delegates are expected to turn out in large numbers as Blake, who took over the reins following the sudden death of former president - the charismatic Howard Aris - a year ago, has come under severe pressure because of his leadership style, with him being accused of being too laid-back.
Only recently, in interviews on television and radio, one of Blake's executive members, vice-president Donald Quarrie, blasted the president for what he termed "lack of vision" and vowed not to support him at today's election.
Interestingly, the Olympian was removed from Blake's slate for the election. Quarrie accused Blake of removing him because Racers Track Club president Glen Mills said if he was on Blake's team his club would not offer its support at the election.
Watts could face pressure
One man expected to come under pressure will be treasurer Ludlow Watts, who was the manager of the Jamaica team to the Olympic Games in London. Last March, a letter from Blake to Watts was leaked to the media. It inquired why Watts did not inform about critical information surrounding the JAAA, and requested answers.
Watts will be challenged by the veteran Bernard Panton from the Eatmon slate, who has served the JAAA in this capacity during the leadership of Adrian Wallace and Patrick Anderson. Joseph Taff will vie for this post on the Jackson ticket.
two-way fight
Although Jackson is well respected in Jamaica and the world in the sport, it looks a two-way fight for the top post between Blake and Eatmon, as both teams have strong candidates and it should be a close fight.
Unlike previous years when voters go for an entire slate, word on the road is they will not be going this route this time as there are excellent individuals on all three slates.
However, this is not a certainty, as the elected president's backers could give his team full support, as there is a feeling that with the level of controversies and finger-pointing preceding the election, a mixed slate could generate problems among the executive.
Besides Jackson and Quarrie, there are three other members of Blake's present executive who have 'jumped ship' and will be running on the Eatmon ticket. These are Alfred 'Franno' Francis, who will vie for first vice-president against Kingston College principal Dave Myrie; Edward Hector, vice-principal of Holmwood Technical, who will go up against Olympic 4x100 metres relay gold medallist Michael Frater for the third vice-president; and director of records, Charles Fuller, who will go up against Ewan Scott from the Blake team and former athlete Maurice Wignall from the Jackson team.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports1.html"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
-
Wat time a di elecshon?“Life is a system of half-truths and lies, opportunistic, convenient evasion.”
- Langston HughesComment
-
-
The meeting kick-off @ 5:30pm."Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
-
Blake wins! - Raynor
Dr. Blake retains presidency of the JAAA 177 ahead of Eatmon 128. Jackson polled 28 votes. http://t.co/kwVFufBg
...The Gleaner:
Latest News »
Dr Warren Blake returned as JAAA president
Blake polled 177 votes to beat his nearest rival Lincoln Eatmon, who got 121 votes, and Grace Jackson, who polled 28."Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
-
Blake by a long shot 177
Eatmon (sp) 121
Jackson 28“Life is a system of half-truths and lies, opportunistic, convenient evasion.”
- Langston HughesComment
Comment