THE election for the new Constable of St Clement is to be a three-way fight after a surprise candidate was put forward at last night’s nomination meeting.
Senator Len Norman and Deputy Gerard Baudains were expected to be nominated and once their proposers had spoken a third candidate, Centenier Edgar Wallis, became the third nominee.
Maureen Hamel, who originally nominated Len Norman as a Deputy of the parish 25 years ago, put his name forward again last night as the new Constable. Mrs Hamel said that Mr Norman had represented the parish as a Deputy for 12 years and had gone on to serve as a Senator for a similar length of time.
His political career had included the presidencies of Social Security, Harbours and Airport, Housing, and Education.
Despite a busy and demanding political life, his involvement with the parish had included being a roads inspector, treasurer of St Clement’s Battle of Flowers Association, and he was currently management committee chairman of Le Squez Youth Club and patron of St Clement’s Sports Club.
Maurice Etienne, who proposed Gerard Baudains, said that he had lived in the parish virtually all of his life and had lengthy business experience. Mr Etienne said that during the last ten years Mr Baudains had served the parish well as Deputy, whether promoting parish issues in the States, helping parishioners with their problems or being active at parish assemblies. He had always worked closely with the honorary police and, if elected, he intended making the parish hall the heart of the parish once again.
Proposing Edgar Wallis, Alan Heard said that he had come to live in the Island 13 years ago and was married to Karen who was born in the Island. Mr Wallis was a supporter of the honorary system and had served as a Constable’s Officer and Vingtenier and was currently a Centenier who was interested in tackling problems in relation to speeding and youth issues.
His father had been a former Mayor of Weymouth for 40 years and so he was already familiar with the workings of local government, albeit in another area.
Sitting Constable Derek Gray, who is retiring after seven years in office, wished all three candidates well in the election, which, he said, would take place on Wednesday 15 October.
• Picture: Canddiates Centenier Edgar Wallis, Deputy Gerard Baudains and Senator Len Norman
Nominations:
Name: Gerard Baudains.
Address: Glen-Moor, Vieux Chemin, St Clement.
Occupation: Deputy of St Clement.
Proposers: Maurice Etienne, Graham Carpenter, Malcolm Ahier, Michael Allo, Charles Paling, Ian Cutter, Jennifer McMullon, George Gaudin, Edith Franklin, Graeme Bree.
Name: Len Norman.
Address: L’Abri, Rue du Hocq,
St Clement.
Occupation: Senator.
Proposers: Maureen Hamel, Trevor Le Sueur, Dr Allyn Reid, Brian Nibbs, Norman McNeice, Alan Le Breton, David Peacock, Dermot Troy, Jean Chapman, Lynne Hind.
Name: Edgar Wallis.
Address: Coast Road Stores, Grève d’Azette, St Clement.
Occupation: Shop proprietor.
Proposers: Alan Heard, Nicholas Blake, Paul Leggett, Kenneth Hill, Susan Pace, Alan Winch, Marilyn Breen, Avanos Biney, Gerald Vautier, Elizabeth Vautier.
Article posted on 18th September, 2008 - 2.55pm
