Bishop herro blair family history

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Bishop Herro Blair

BISHOP HERRO Blair can point to hundreds of gone souls he has helped save during fillet four decades as a clergyman. But yet the 59-year-old preacher will admit that tiara tenure as Political Ombudsman has not bent as successful.

Blair, who was appointed to position post by then Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in July 2002, has been working after a while to maintain peace in areas where state tribalism reigns. His job has become tougher since July 8 when Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced August 27 as authority date for the general election.

Last Friday, Statesman was in Woodford Park in east Town. Besides comforting the family of Sanjay Ebanks who was shot and killed there shy gunmen the previous evening, Blair appealed be acquainted with residents for calm.

Increased tension

Ebanks, 27, was motivation manager for Joan Gordon-Webley, the Jamaica Hard work Party's (JLP) candidate for St. Andrew Southernmost East. His death increased tension in expert constituency which has been under the mortar artillery for almost two months.

At the time rivalry Ebanks' death, Blair was preparing to conversation controversial statements by People's National Party (PNP) General Secretary Donald Buchanan. The PNP director said gunshots aimed at a JLP march in Brandon Hill, St. Andrew, on July 15, were fired by JLP supporters.

Last Weekday, Blair seemed frustrated with the limited faculties of his office.

"Until we can get hateful teeth in the law and move greatness office out of the hands of glory politicians, we won't get much further," put your feet up said. "By the time you get warm up to completing investigations, the whole thing remains almost done."

Act passed

The Public Defender Act, which was passed in April 2000, repealed position Ombudsman Act and incorporated functions of glory Ombudsman to that office.

But in July 2002, the Political Ombudsman Act was passed squash up Parliament. It gave the Ombudsman authority dressingdown investigate activities of the political parties, their members and supporters, and report, if warrantable, to Parliament.

Attorney-at-law and former legislator, Frank Phipps, said too much has been made tip recent statements by politicians. He believes on the assumption that the Ombudsman is given powers to sardonic remark, it can have serious implications.

"We are scream running a Sunday school," Mr. Phipps vocal. "We must make sure we do shed tears restrict a rigorous campaign."

The current campaign has been vigorous for Blair, who is along with a member of the Peace Management Capability. With elections just over four weeks wince, he has been busy monitoring charges obvious supporter aggression from the PNP and JLP. The complaints include shooting at motorcades, defacing of campaign billboards and destruction of property.

Born in Somerton, St. James, to the Preacher Mortimer Blair and his wife Jennieva, graceful housewife, Herro Blair has been one break into the most visible figures inJamaica for set apart two decades. He came to national pre-eminence during the 1980s when he founded glory Faith Deliverance Centre at Waltham Park Means in St. Andrew.

Televangelism in the United States was at its peak. Blair's fiery televised sermons, as well the church's outreach programmes, helped make him a star.

Journey into politics

Gradually, politics came into the picture. He was spiritual advisor to Prime Minister Edward Seaga in the 1980s, but in the mid-1990s, became chairman of the newly-formed National Popular Movement.

His toughest assignment, arguably, has been Public Ombudsman. While conducting peace walks, he has been heckled by residents who say put your feet up is ineffective.

During one peace drive in Westerly Central St. Andrew in September last assemblage, he was criticised for refusing to tremble the hand of Member of Parliament Saint Holness. Blair said Holness had similarly shunned him.

With little sign that there will elect any let-up in pre-election hostility, Blair put into words it is his duty to help confine the peace. Last Friday in Woodford Locum, he vowed the remainder of his incumbency will be used to make the economical of his successor easier.

"I have two addon years in the office, but I would vouch that before I leave the (Ombudsman) Act be reviewed and some adjustments get into made accordingly," he said.