TRIBUTES began to flow yesterday after businessman and popular community leader, 62-year-old Leon ‘Junior’ Barrett died early Monday morning in an accident on the Soesdye/Linden Highway.

It was just after 05:00 hrs and Barrett was taking his 60-year-old wife, Paulette, for medical attention in Georgetown when he lost his life while driving his motor car.
Regional Chairman of Upper Demearra/ Upper Berbice, Mr. Sharma Solomon, on Barrett’s passing, said: “His qualities included one who stood to his word and, come what may, he was one of the councillors who was passionate about the people in the outskirt communities, particularly the welfare of the Amerindian people.
“These type of qualities are hard to find as he was willing to speak his mind on what he believed. He was one of the most aggressive councillors you could meet and not only Linden but the Region has lost a very good son.”
President of the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), Mr. Avery Trim remarked: “This is a big blow to the Club. It was shocking and disturbing news about his tragic death. Everyone knows the quality person Junior was. His integrity was unmatched but such is life and condolences to his wife and family members from the MSC.

Was forthright
Barrett was Vice-President of the MSC and Trim added: “He did not mix matters and was forthright in what he felt was right and just.”
The police at Linden are continuing their investigations into the fatality but reports said Barrett swerved into the back of a laden lumber truck, which he, apparently did not see, while ascending the Kara Kara point of the roadway.
It is assumed that Barrett was talking to his wife as he saw a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction and failed to negotiate past overhanging logs in the tray of the truck, which obscured his vision in the morning mist.
As a result of the foggy conditions which prevailed at the time, he frontally slammed into the protruding timber that caused him to suffer serious injuries to his head, face and body.
His wife, Paulette escaped with minor injuries to her head and, soon after Barrett was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, about six doctors battled, in vain, to save him but he succumbed to the multiple wounds, particularly to his head.
Barrett was a well known Linden person who served as a Regional Democratic Councillor representing A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and a Board Member of the Linden Utility Services Cooperative Society Limited, as well.
He was co-owner of Bryan’s General Store in Mackenzie Market.
His son, Seon related that his mother said she and his father were talking normally as they were headed to the city.
But, after observing oncoming lights, she said his father could not see that another vehicle was in his lane and, by the time he realised it, the horrific crash had already occurred.