Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (second left) addresses stakeholders of the tourist industry as Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Cecil Davis (left), the minister's wife, Carmen Bartlett, and son Edmund Jr. look on.

(From left) New Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, and her husband, Howard Johnson, and the minister's wife, Carmen, in a celebratory mood.- Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Once again, the thousands of lights that embroider the city of Montego Bay provided a fitting backdrop for the scene at the exclusive Silent Waters Villa in Great River last Saturday night.

New Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, was celebrating his victory at the polls and his entrance into a position he had remained passionate about for several years.

The new minister was extremely fortunate, as, along with the exclusive and fabulous view from the imposing Balinese villa, was a large group of socialites, family, Jamaica Labour Party stalwarts and several vital partners from the tourism industry.

With approximately 200 guests buzzing with merriment and exhilaration, he used the opportunity to thank his management team for "fighting with me from as early as 1976".

He assured stakeholders within the industry that he planned to change the landscape and face of tourism in the second city.

Deeply appreciative of the team's effort, Minister Bartlett said he stood in front of them because of their tremendous sacrifice and outpouring of love over the years. At the same time, he reminded all present that the future of Jamaica rested with tourism.

"I am honoured and humbled to be given this industry at this time, having been thrown in the shaft to drive the jobs and the foreign exchange that the country so badly needs."

Playing the perfect host was the minister's wife, Carmen, supported by their son Edmund Jr., brother Devon Dobson and wife Janet, who flew in from Florida for the occasion.

Among those being hosted were Silent Waters' Jean Lawrence, John Kearney and Christine Gayle, Mark and Candace Hart, new Water and Housing Minister, Dr. Horace Chang; United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson and husband Howard; former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and wife Violet, Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Cecil Davis; Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce president, Pauline Reid, Mark and Paula Kerr-Jarrett, Paola and John Byles, Lloyd B. Smith, Latoya Johnson, Allan Vanriel, Darien Henry, Chris Hylton, Winston McKane, Denise and Winston Dear, Sam James, John Christian, Godfrey and Odette Dyer, Walter Elmore, John Swaby, Lionel Reid, Denny and Veena Chandiram, Clive Taffe, Bert Wright, Calvin Samuels, George Johnson, Robert Russell, Allan Gotting, Fennella and David Holland, Brenda Taylor, Andrea Balfour, Aaliyah Sylvester, Delroy Bucknal, Pino, Mark and Simone Maffessanti, Victor Lowe, Heather Weir and Ted Ruddock, Dermott Meaney and Dermott Connelly.

(From left) SuperClub's vice-president, Sam James, businessman Godfrey Dyer and Turn Key Productions' Walter Elmore in conversation.

Devon Dobson, brother of Edmund Bartlett, and his wife, Janet, came all the way from Miami, Florida, to celebrate with him at the reception.