Tensions and Threats on the Mesop Campaign Trail
Shyne Barrow
It wouldn’t be election season without tensions between opposing political candidates. As you know, campaigns are in high gear and transfer close on Monday so political candidates are rushing to get residents registered to vote in the upcoming election. Well, there is some tension brewing in the Mesopotamia Division. The issues appear to be between the P.U.P.’s Candice Pitts’ campaign workers and U.D.P.’s Shyne Barrow’s campaign workers. It has come to a head today when those involved filed police reports against each other. Tanise Smith, the P.U.P. campaign worker in the division, alleges that she has been threatened by Shyne Barrow’s workers. She says that even Shyne Barrow has been verbally attacked her. Here’s what she shared about what transpired.
Tanise Smith, P.U.P. Campaign Worker, Mesopotamia
“The first time and the first incident was on Tuesday. A young man came and said that Shyne woke him up out of his bed and so he came to see who is Tanise Smith. And when he saw that it was me, he didn’t do anything. Thank God the councilor was out here. Ms. Candice was out here to see everything in her vehicle. But he didn’t leave it like that. He went for two other young men who walked by me and said, “Miss you can’t de come and tell Shyne anything out yah enuh or you can’t di come di disrespect Shyne because listen what will happen; he could send somebody out here who will bust your face or punch you down and you will have to run for one of those Westmoreland boys.” I didn’t have a talking with the young man because I don’t know the young man from Adam nor Eve. I don’t know him and I don’t have anything against Mr. Shyne. I di do the same thing Mr. Shyne is doing – to bring people to register but he di bring people to register arrogant way.”
Tanise Smith
Reporter
“Have you worked in the political arena before?”
Tanise Smith
“Yes, many years.”
Reporter
“Is this the first time something like this is happening in your area?”
Tanise Smith
“Yes. ma’am. I neva have that with Mr. Finnegan no day and I work all my years for PUP. I neva have this problem with Mr. Finnegan and I nuh know weh his nephew come from.”
We reached out to Shyne Barrow for comment on the matter, but he declined. We note that two of Barrow’s campaign workers, Andy Alford and Mike Logan, made police reports against Tanise Smith and P.U.P. Mesop Standard Bearer Candice Pitts for common assault and threats.
