MHPM Holness Hails Impact and Contribution of Gary Spaulding

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says The Government and the Jamaica Labour Party are mourning the passing of veteran journalist and Senior Gleaner Political Correspondent Gary Spaulding.

Prime Minister Holness in hailing the life and work of Spaulding said, “I admired his professionalism and his fairness. His knowledge of the issues was excellent and over the years, you could always depend on him for an objective opinion. Jamaica has lost a dedicated and important contributor to national discourse and we the government recognise this loss”.

In extending condolences to the family of Mr Spaulding, especially his young children, the Prime Minister called on them to be proud of his rich legacy, “the heritage of your father is written on the pages of Jamaica’s history. His contribution to Jamaica will be read by many in the years to come and his name will live on in our consciousness. We pray for you and ask that your family can find comfort in this time of sorrow.

The Prime Minister also extended condolences to the management and staff of the Jamaica Gleaner, “I call on the staff of the Gleaner and journalists all over Jamaica to strive to ensure the legacy of Spaulding is preserved as that is the best way to honour his life”.

Commentary:

Further to forwarded release by PM Holness on the passing of political journalist Gary Spaulding, 53 … it would be remiss of me to not attach my personal tribute to a colleague, friend and long time associate.

We have been many trenches covering media events, especially of a political nature. Gary was a consummate media professional who was a walking reference manual on matters political especially on local and Caribbean current affairs.

Last Spoke

It was June 2, Thursday last at about 4:05 PM that we both departed at the same time from an assignment at the Spanish Court conference centre in New Kingston, Jamaica W.I. We spoke in the parking lot as we were leaving early to cover other events. The PM had just addressed the Export Conference on Food Safety as part of Grant Funding through an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union. Gary had “deadlines to meet” he told me. I would not have known it would have been the last time we would meet.

JLP Campaign

It is not unusual for journalists to be assigned to campaigns …. Gary and myself met from Montego Bay, Spanish Town to St. Thomas … all over Jamaica covering the very successful JLP campaign. We shared notes and views as we covered each other’s backs. Our relationship was a great one built over twenty years. I knew his family from Spanish Town … His children his wife. I am saddened at his passing.

May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine on him.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.