Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

AN IRATE group of trainers and assistant trainers, numbering more than a hundred, has written to the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) requesting that the March 30 elections, which returned Vincent Edwards as president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association (JRTA), be declared null and void.

Edwards, who defeated Frank Parham 43-8 to win a second term as president of the JRTA, has seemingly fallen out of grace with former key allies such as Richard Todd, who yesterday claimed last month's election disenfranchised more than a half of the licensed trainers and assistants at Caymanas Park.

"There were a lot of discrepancies in the process," said Todd. "There were a lot of things happening. A burly fellow was posted at the entrance, stopping trainers from entering," he said.

Contentious issue

Todd said the issue of paid-up members was also contentious.

"There should have been a list of eligible voters to know who was eligible. No list was provided. Some people thought it was $500 to be paid but were told not only was there an increase to $1,000 but also retroactive to four years when the last general meeting was held," he pointed out.

Todd said some members arrived with their $4,000 in hand but were turned back.

Todd has since written to the JRC, a letter bearing 105 signatures, requesting the commission's intervention.

Ruth-Ann Smith-Sutherland yesterday admitted receiving the letter and said she has spoken to Todd, promising the group would soon hear from the JRC.

However, Todd and other trainers said they were anxious to hear the commisison's official position.

"I wrote them a letter after Frank Parham and Harry Parsard asked for audience with the commission. They said they would write to Edwards but we got no timeline, this could be another five years," Todd said.

"It's almost a Mugabe situation. It's as if some people don't intend to leave office," he said, alleging that open voting took place on March 30.

Illegal elections

Meanwhile, Parsard, who was a candidate for the presidency but withdrew, described the elections as illegal, pointing to the unannounced increase in membership fees and the questionable appointment of first-vice president Dalton Lawrence.

"They have the right to meet and increase the dues but should inform us," he said. "They didn't do so by flyer or word of mouth and we were not aware either of the $4,000 retroactive because there has been no general meeting for the past four years."

Not licensed

Lawrence, Parsard said, was not a licensed trainer on election day.

"We did not see a list of eligible voters plus Dalton Lawrence was not a licensed trainer when elected. The constitution clearly states that you must have a licence and he got voted to the executive without a licence.

"I am sure that up to April 9, he did not have a licence. He should not have even been allowed on the compound that day," Parsard pointed out.

Smith-Sutherland yesterday admitted, to her knowledge, Lawrence was not a licensed trainer on April 30.

"My advice is that he wasn't an official trainer," she said.

Response soon

Meanwhile, the JRC general manager said Todd's letter and others of similar nature, regarding the election would soon receive a response.

"I personally called Mr. Todd and told him we would be responding to him shortly," she said.

Meanwhile, the trainers are up in arms.

"At the moment, we're thinking about forming another association. At no stage, will we accept this," said Todd.

"Over the past four years, since the former chief executive officer, Rose Campbell, was sent packing, due to the pressure of the trainers association, nothing has been done.

"That's my displeasure. Enough has not been done for the association since to benefit the livelihood of trainers. I have no problem if Edwards is elected fairly and squarely. What I need is a fair election," Todd insisted.

Edwards could not be reached for comment yesterday as he was said to be in a meeting at the JRC.