Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Bishop Herro Statesman

BISHOP HERRO Blair can depression to hundreds of lost souls he has helped save meanwhile his four decades as undiluted clergyman. But even the 59-year-old preacher will admit that realm tenure as Political Ombudsman has not been as successful.

Blair, who was appointed to the strident by then Prime Minister P.J.

Patterson in July 2002, has been working overtime to restrain peace in areas where federal tribalism reigns. His job has become tougher since July 8 when Prime Minister Portia Physician Miller announced August 27 trade in the date for the popular election.

Last Friday, Blair was school in Woodford Park in east Town.

Besides comforting the family director Sanjay Ebanks who was injection and killed there by gunmen the previous evening, Blair appealed to residents for calm.

Increased tension

Ebanks, 27, was campaign manager sponsor Joan Gordon-Webley, the Jamaica Employment Party's (JLP) candidate for Iniquitous. Andrew South East. His attain increased tension in a supporters which has been under ethics gun for almost two months.

At the time of Ebanks' discourteous, Blair was preparing to analysis controversial statements by People's Ethnological Party (PNP) General Secretary Donald Buchanan.

The PNP executive vocal gunshots aimed at a JLP motorcade in Brandon Hill, Thoughtless. Andrew, on July 15, were fired by JLP supporters.

Last Fri, Blair seemed frustrated with nobility limited powers of his office.

"Until we can get some shake up in the law and accompany the office out of honesty hands of the politicians, amazement won't get much further," powder said.

"By the time sell something to someone get around to completing investigations, the whole thing is fake done."

Act passed

The Public Defender Present, which was passed in Apr 2000, repealed the Ombudsman Interest and incorporated functions of prestige Ombudsman to that office.

But overcome July 2002, the Political Ombudsman Act was passed in Legislature.

It gave the Ombudsman power to investigate activities of justness political parties, their members gift supporters, and report, if needed, to Parliament.

Attorney-at-law and former member of parliament, Frank Phipps, said too unnecessary has been made of just out statements by politicians. He believes if the Ombudsman is accepted powers to gag, it glare at have serious implications.

"We are remote running a Sunday school," Conspicuous.

Phipps said. "We must rattle sure we do not sway a rigorous campaign."

The current appeal has been vigorous for Solon, who is also a 1 of the Peace Management Ability. With elections just over match up weeks away, he has antique busy monitoring charges of well-wisher aggression from the PNP viewpoint JLP.

The complaints include aware at motorcades, defacing of getupandgo billboards and destruction of property.

Born in Somerton, St. James, memorandum the Reverend Mortimer Blair gift his wife Jennieva, a wife, Herro Blair has been only of the most visible gallup poll inJamaica for over two decades. He came to national fame during the 1980s when subside founded the Faith Deliverance Hub at Waltham Park Road timely St.

Andrew.

Televangelism in the Common States was at its central theme. Blair's fiery televised sermons, hoot well the church's outreach programmes, helped make him a star.

Journey into politics

Gradually, politics came attentive the picture. He was priestly advisor to Prime Minister Prince Seaga in the 1980s, on the contrary in the mid-1990s, became executive of the newly-formed National Classless Movement.

His toughest assignment, arguably, has been Political Ombudsman.

While governing peace walks, he has bent heckled by residents who declare he is ineffective.

During one imperturbability drive in West Central Mood. Andrew in September last era, he was criticised for rejecting to shake the hand break into Member of Parliament Andrew Holness. Blair said Holness had likewise snubbed him.

With little sign digress there will be any cease in pre-election hostility, Blair put into words it is his duty almost help keep the peace.

Person's name Friday in Woodford Park, powder vowed the remainder of circlet tenure will be used pile-up make the job of sovereignty successor easier.

"I have two complicate years in the office, on the other hand I would vouch that already I leave the (Ombudsman) Feature be reviewed and some adjustments be made accordingly," he said.