It's Debatable!

(below) Jones on his way to igniting an explosive controversy while Trenton (partially hidden) left and Quashie (right) sit unexpectantly.

A night on which eloquence of speech and creative ideas to tackle perennial problems saw all three Lecture Theatres of the Roy Marshall Complex filled with optimistic students,ultimately ended in controversy. After a promising start had been made by the uncontested candidates Jimesha Prince (Secretary) and Cristopher St.Hill (Medical Sciences Rep.), keen debate for faculty representative positions ensued. Humanities excited the crowd with spirited presentations by their candidates Donnya D. Piggott,Christina Katrina Smith and Joel Barrow.The battle continued into their question and answer segment with the ladies seemingly to be on top.In our opinion Humanities and Education Rep. will be a close race.
Pure&Applied represented by Mikhael Dulal Sealy, Abigayle Sealy& Azonya Giselle Vanloo and Law with Donia Fuller &Johanna Daniel were well presented, however they did not match the level of interest caused by Social Sciences. Social Sciences hopeful Ahsa De Suza was perhaps the most impactful presenter of the night, instantly commanding the attention of the audience.Her booming voice,posture and dramatic hand gestures leads one to easily envision her on campaign trails for years to come.Mario"Babbit"Carter responded well in recapturing listeners after De Suza's dynamic presentation and while Reymonson Seale made a good effort, at the debates "So Sci "was essentially a two horse race.

The lone Union Committee candidate Greg Scott was absent with excuse however, the other committee chair debates where closely fought affairs.Both Aurelia Bruce and Justin"Smoove"Luke gave good accounts of themselves while there is no clear choice for G.C.C between the incumbent Akil Dowridge,Damien Fanus and Marcus Green who illicited crowd response via distribution of green pieces cloth to the audience during his speech. Janique-Ka John was the self-proclaimed "clear choice" for P.C.C incorporating a slide show into her presentation,the only candidate to do so, while the incumbent Andre Layne encouraged voters to "Make the right choice."

(above)Students & candidates look on keenly from a packed LT2.

Emerging from the somewhat low-key Vice Presidential debates as favourite ,would have to be the ever-popular Damien "Figgy"Belgrave over perennial guild election candidate Ryan Dalrymple.

Then it had been the moment all had been waiting for but it was at that moment that all went awry.Quincy Jones allegedly asked to speak first, breaking the established protocol of first name alphabetical order of the proceedings up to that point.It was all part of a diabolical plot by Jones who abused his opportunity to speak on the platform to lambaste his fellow candidates before announcing his withdrawal from the Presidential race.Bearing the brunt of Jones venom, was current Vice-President Odwin "Don Trent" Trenton.Such criticisms led Jones to endorse Kenrick Quashie before leaving the stage shortly after after being cautioned by the Returning Officer Kezron Walters, who encouraged him not to engage in "character assasination."Quashie was next to the platfrom and began by saying his notes where no longer neccessary as he would speak from his heart,much to the jubilation of his supporters all clad in red matching the tie and waiscoat under his black suit.The odds seemingly stacked against him, Trenton was pensive before taking to the podium.With the help of vocal support scattered across the now considerably emptier LT's some time after 12.am, the incumbent VP negotiated his way through the quagmire prepared by Jones and emerged as a legitamate challenger to the "debate crowd" favoured Quashie. In a lengthy and sometimes chaotic question and answer, both candidates handled themselves relatively well though some may have felt their queries went unanswered.

With the debates fading into history, several candidates enquired of the R.O Walters into the presentation of Quincy Jones given its content and his conduct and what action
if any, can be taken before or after the ballots are counted in today's March 9 Election Day.

The night tossed up many questions,some genuinely addressed, others neatly brushed aside, but the biggest unanswered question at the end of the night for us :"Is Quincy Jones still a presedential candidate in the 2011 Guild General Election." Mr. R.O the floor is open for answers.