Human resource official Cherrie Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, daughter of late PNM Senator Nathaniel Crichlow, was among nominees screened yesterday by the PNM for the Lopinot/Bon Air seat. PNM general secretary Ashton Ford confirmed yesterday’s screening continuation at Balisier House for that seat and others in the East-West Corridor.
Crichlow’s father had served as a PNM senator for ten years over periods between 1963 and 1986 and was the first president general of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (which current PP Senate Vice President James Lambert now heads), as well as serving in other aspects of the labour field
Other Lopinot/Bon Air nominees were businessman Waldron Louison who PNM officials said was among those PSA members involved in the 2011 fracas at PSA headquarters with PSA leader Watson Duke. Also screened for that seat was public sector workers Jervon Abraham. Listed for screening for Cumuto/Manzanilla were vice-chairman of the Sangre Grande Corporation Barry Lochan, David Alphonso (Sangre Grande corporation alderman) and insurance executive Litty Molino.
Listed for screening for St Augustine were businessman Nirvan Balkissoon, company director Alisha Romano and project manager Jermilla Cato. PNM officials have remained silent on recently reported hints that senior magistrate Lucina Cardinez-Ragoonanan was among frontrunners tipped for the San Fernando East seat held by former leader Patrick Manning.
Ragoonanan is the wife of PNM frontliner Harry Ragoonanan who played a main role — among others — in PNM activities since advent of the current Keith Rowley administration. Meanwhile, Port-of-Spain South hopeful, former city mayor Louis Lee Sing, who intends challenging incumbent Marlene McDonald for candidacy for the seat, has continued lobbying and meeting with party groups in Duncan and Piccadilly Streets, Port-of-Spain, and Woodbrook.
He started doing that while awaiting on word about screening for the seat. He recently wrote constituency chairman on the issue, seeking information on all party groups, PNM chairmen and secretaries in the area. Lee Sing said in his letter his request was in keeping with PNM leader Keith Rowley’s announcement there would be equity and fairness in the screening process.
Lee Sing said the Port-of-Spain South chairman responded to his request, saying there was no screening yet for that seat and when that was on, he would be notified of party groups. Lee Sing was not available for comment yesterday on why he sought the information. But PNM Port-of-Spain South sources said there had been long-standing concerns about “ghost party groups” in that constituency and they hoped that would not be an issue in the screening exercise.
Port-of-Spain South chairman Jean Elder was unavailable yesterday and incumbent McDonald said she had “absolutely no comment “ and did not know about any “ghost party groups.”