Observer column for MON 25
FEB 2013
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
Professor Errol Miller’s encouragement last week was like a
cool drink of water on a hot, dry day.
“We
are a country in which we exaggerate our problems,” he declared. “Things are
not as bad as they are said to be.”
Prof
Miller says that although we get a great deal of criticism about corruption
from developed countries, Jamaica
is no worse than many of them.
Is this man joking?
Doesn’t he know our plight? But
the continuation of his address was a very good answer: “We don’t fully understand and recognise what
a unique people we are,” he told us, and continued: “I have confidence in their
innate intelligence.” He is right. Even as some are cursing the darkness of our
debt, remember that there are others like the Professor, who continue to burn
the midnight oil to tackle our problems.
It is not a time to give up, but a time to look up at diligent visionaries
like the Professor, and follow their lead.
Accolades rang out as Government and Opposition leaders, ECJ
commissioners and the ECJ-EOJ islandwide team last week honoured Errol Miller
for 12 years of superlative service as chair of the ECJ. In his reply he observed that we should not
judge folks by their address. “There is
nothing our people cry out more for, than for justice,” he said.
Prof gave us an important lesson when he named his three
predecessors the Late Professor Gladstone Mills (who wrote that revealing book
about his term in office, ‘Grist for The Mills); Peter John Thwaites and
William K. ChinSee. “I came, I saw and I
have great respect for those who have gone before,” he said. “I honour their sacrifice – we must not throw
out what others have built.”
Indeed, the Electoral Advisory Committee, the ECJ’s
predecessor, was the house built by the JLP and PNP in 1979 when the parties
were led by two of our fiercest political adversaries, Edward Seaga and
Michael
Manley.
Yet, they put partisan feelings
aside to agree, in Prof Miller’s words, that “a party will never use its
majority to impose its will”.
Since then, nominated members of the JLP and the PNP have
collaborated with selected independent members to hone an electoral system so
fine, that it has become a model even for developed countries. The synergy among ECJ members was evident at
the Jamaica Pegasus last Wednesday, as they were of one voice in their appreciation
for the leadership of this great Jamaican, Professor Miller.
JLP Senator Tom Tavares-Finson noted, “Not one of us ever questioned
his decisions as he shared with us his vision of a nation he so clearly
saw.”
He marvelled at the Professor’s
intellectual capacity which was described in the ECJ citation presented by
independent member Hon Dorothy Pine-McLarty: “A brilliant educator, indeed a
veritable ‘walking encyclopedia’, Professor Miller has the uncanny ability to
recall details of meetings and discussions conducted in the distant past, and
his knowledge in mathematical and statistical matters baffles the ordinary
mind.”
PNP MP Dr D.K. Duncan lauded Prof Miller as “one of the most
distinguished patriarchs of the ECJ … fondly called ‘The Emperor’ by some
members, and leaving a legacy of which all Jamaicans can be proud.”
Dr Duncan opined, “The ECJ is the kind of
model that our political culture should embrace… if we can break the back of
the problems of our electoral system, then Jamaica can solve our other
issues.”
Opposition Leader Andrew Holness said he “had to cope with
[Prof Miller’s] independence, but it was easy because of his competence,” and
quoted him: “I know I am doing something right when both the JLP and PNP are
criticising me.” Minister Phillip Paulwell who represented PM Simpson Miller
spoke of his “absolute devotion, fairness, equity and innovation” and of the ECJ
model as one to be used for wider public service where we can have discussion
on national issues “drained of political hysteria”.
ECJ independent commissioner Dr Herbert Thompson remarked
that the professor had given “12 years of quality time” and through his leadership,
“the differences at the table did not lead to disrespect.” Humility is also the hallmark of a fine leader. Director of Elections Orrette Fisher lauded
Prof Miller’s “unquestionable benevolence …his willingness to seek and take
advice…he was the tallest person I have ever met, after my father.”
Last Wednesday we got some good lessons in leadership from
those who were led by Professor Miller. They
beg the question: how are other leaders measuring up?
