PNM's lady vice chairman incumbent Donna Cox is focusing on her budget debate reply, rather than the challenge for her post by PNM colleague, Pennelope Beckles-Robinson. Opposition Senate leader Beckles-Robinson has submitted a nomination challenging Cox for the post in the party's executive election.
A former Arima MP, she is among several nominees for a handful of posts on the PNM?executive which are up for grabs in the party's October 28 internal election at the PNM's annual convention at the Grand Stand, Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Beckles-Robinson sought the post of PNM chairman in the last executive election but lost to Franklin Khan. Lady vice chairman is a significant post in the PNM's hierarchy.
In the absence of the chairman or vice chairman, the lady vice chairman is the next official to preside over events. It is a one-year position. Cox was mum yesterday when asked her views on the development. "I'm focusing on my budget debate reply for now but I?will comment later on," she said. Beckles-Robinson, an attorney, when contacted, said she was in court and would speak later on the issue.
Another Arima PNMite involved in the elections is former Fatima College principal and former T&T?Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) head, Anthony Garcia, who is contesting the post of education officer, currently held by Neil Parsanlal. The latter is contesting the post of youth officer (male). He is up against former Finance Minister Conrad Enill for education officer
Garcia, who has co-ordinated several PNM?East-West Corridor seats for the general election, is the lone PNM councillor on the Arima Borough Corporation. He was recently appointed to head the PNM's party school, the Eric Williams Institute.