Easton had the right image

THE YOUNG man I met at the Land Valuation Department in the early 1960s was debonair, articulate, confident and well groomed.

Easton Douglas was the ideal officer for this relatively new department charged with the tremendous task of mapping and valuing every parcel of land in the island for property tax purposes. In this exercise, credibility with land owners as well as a high level of professionalism were of critical importance. Easton had the right image.

He was not daunted by the long working hours, difficult terrain and variable weather conditions. He was strong, healthy and energetic, and endeavoured to meet performance targets at all times. He was meticulous in mapping operations and demanded high standards of performance from his team. He was intolerant of mediocrity and from the early stages of his career showed strong leadership qualities.

He was a man prepared for any eventuality on the road. His car was always in tip-top condition and he even provided a mat for wiping your feet before entering his car! On the home stretch, he drove behind his colleagues to render any assistance that they may need. He had the right tools and technical knowledge to deal with any mechanical problems.

It was obvious from his early days at the Land Valuation Department that Easton had clearly defined goals. Despite the rigors and demands of the job, he found time to sit successfully the qualifying exam and was awarded a government scholarship to undertake professional training in estate management (land economy & valuation surveying) in the United Kingdom. There he excelled academically, paving the way for subsequent awardees. He returned to Jamaica to pursue his career as a senior public servant and later as a minister of government.

Another side to Easton was his sartorial elegance, personal charm and agility on the dance floor. He further displayed his versatility when he represented Land Valuation in the civil service football competition.

Easton Wentworth Xavier Douglas will be remembered as a patriotic Jamaican who was determined to serve his country and to make a difference whenever and wherever he was called upon to serve.

EDWIN TULLOCH-REID

What was so amazing was that Easton had not acted because he realised that an acquaintance of his had been wronged, he acted because he realised that a human being had been wronged.