By Sue-Ann Wayow
AS members of the new Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP)-led Tobago House of Assembly (THA) were being sworn-in came word that the People’s National Movement (PNM) chairman of the Tobago Council has resigned.
Stanford Callender resignation took effect on Wednesday after Monday’s humiliating defeat when the PNM only won one seat in the 15-seat THA.
In a press release by the party on Thursday, PNM’s public relations officer Laurel Lezama Lee-Sing stated that Callender has served the people of Tobago under the PNM banner for more than 35 years.
It listed several political positions such as Opposition Senator, Government Senator and Parliamentary Secretary. In 2001, he successfully contested the Tobago West seat and was subsequently elected as Member of Parliament. He was also appointed a Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister from December 2001 to May 2010.
Lezama Lee-Sing said, “Mr Callender’s commitment to the PNM is immeasurable. He was instrumental to the development and formulation of the PNM Tobago Council, an idea that was germinated in the early 1990s and came to fruition in 1998.”
Callender also served the Tobago Council in several other capacities.
“Widely regarded as a trusted elder, many in the PNM frequently sought Mr Callender’s wisdom and counsel. Throughout his tenure, he remained humble, dedicated, focused and rational. On behalf of the officers of the Movement and the membership of the party, I extend sincerest gratitude to Mr Callender for his decades of yeoman’s service to party and to country, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” Lezama- Lee Sing said.
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