Who best to succeed Custos Barrett?

Saturday, November 21, 2009 7:33 AM

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Western News

Mark Cummings asks the questions

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Come December 14, Custos of Trelawny, Royland Barrett will demit office, after occupying the position for 17 years.

Agriculturist and businessman Paul Muschett

Undoubtedly, the 70-year-old Barrett, who has worn many hats, will be sadly missed due to the tremendous contribution that he has made to the development of the parish over the years.

An attorney, a real estate developer as well as a local historian, Custos Barrett served as a parish councillor for the Falmouth division from 1974 until 1981 on the People's National Party's ticket.

The Founder and Chairman of the Falmouth Restoration Company, a non-profit organisation for the restoration of the buildings in the town, Barrett has been a Justice of the Peace since 1979.

He also served as President of the Trelawny Cricket Association for five years and is founder and first president of the Cornwall Bar Association.

Winston Tomlinson, general manager of the Trelawny Cooperative Credit Union

Barrett served as chairman of the Long Pond Sugar Estates Limited from 1989 to 1993, and of the successor company, Long Pond Estates Limited, from 1993 to 1996.

A firm believer in community life and quite knowledgeable on Trelawny's history, Custos Barrett's exit will leave a void in the parish.

Consequently his replacement is going to have a large pair of shoes to fill.

So far, the names of three persons have been bandied about as Custos Barrett's likely successor.

Jonathan Bartley, former mayor of Falmouth and sitting Jamaica Labour Party councillor for the Wakefield division.

They are:

* Agriculturist and businessman Paul Muschett;

* Winston Tomlinson, general manager of the Trelawny Co-operative Credit Union; and *Jonathan Bartley, former mayor of Falmouth and sitting Jamaica Labour Party councillor for the Wakefield division.

However, a usually reliable source told this column that in recent days the race has been narrowed to between Muschett and Tomlinson.

It is imperative that whoever succeeds Custos Barrett next month builds on his legacy.

At a time when the parish is positioned for major infrastructual development, the new Custos will have to step up to the plate and exhibit good leadership skills.

This column would like to wish Barrett's successor a productive stay at the wicket, particularly in these challenging times.

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