Trapp Seeks Another Term as Mai Launches Mayoral Bid

The political race in the Twin Towns is already getting interesting. Months before voters return to the polls, long-serving UDP Mayor Earl Trapp is preparing to seek another term at the helm of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council. But this time, the challenge is coming from inside City Hall. PUP Councilor Aaron Mai has launched his own bid for mayor, setting up a contest that could test Trapp’s political staying power and reshape leadership in the municipality. News Five’s Shane Williams has the story.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

For more than two decades, San Ignacio and Santa Elena have remained firmly under the leadership of the United Democratic Party. Mayor Earl Trapp has become one of the country’s longest-serving municipal leaders, overseeing what he describes as years of steady growth and development. Now, as another municipal election approaches, he’s preparing to defend his seat once again.

 

Earl Trapp, Mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena

“We will be having a convention within one month’s time and by then I should have my team together. We have about ten council members or applicants, so we’ll be determining who will run along with my team within one month’s time. And I’m excited and ready and willing to work. But like I said, the work has never stopped. It will continue.”

 

But the People’s United Party believes the time has come for a change. Current town councilor Aaron Mai says after six years serving on the council, he’s ready to lead the Twin Towns and believes voters are looking for a new generation of leadership.

 

Aaron Mai, PUP Mayoral Candidate, San Ignacio and Santa Elena

“The Twin Towns have been under the leadership of the UDP for the past twenty-one years. I have been the only PUP that has penetrated the town council in the past two terms. I personally, I love what they did to date. I believe we have to honor the past, but building a brighter future. I feel personally that the Mayor Trapp himself, has done well, but I think it’s time for new leadership. Younger vision is what we need, where we’re heading to and where we’re going to. I believe that the people are calling for change, and I believe that this time we got it.”

 

Mai’s candidacy also has the backing of former San Ignacio-Santa Elena mayor and current Cayo Northeast Area Representative Orlando Habet. While acknowledging Trapp’s years of service, Habet says no political office should become permanent.

 

Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo Northeast

“First kudos to current Mayor Trapp. He has been a very good politician keeping himself in that position as mayor. But I think that after a while people start looking at the situation differently. You can’t catch roots in a certain area. You have to move on. And he himself for his own health and for his family, he also has to think of moving on.”

 

But Trapp rejects the suggestion that longevity should be a deciding factor. He argues that experience and results, not years in office, are what matter most to residents.

 

Shane Williams

“What’s your reaction to those who say you have been here too long?”

 

Earl Trapp

Sir, it’s not about being here long. It’s about how effective and efficient you’ve been for this community. And I will always say, why fix what is not broken? Just continue the development of this community. If you can point out things that I have not been doing, you point it out, and I will explain to you why it have not or where we are with it. But you have seen so many developments. This has been the most progressive municipality in the country of Belize under my tenureship. So again, I leave it up to the people, and God will decide at the end of the day.”

 

For Mai, his message to residents is a new vision for the Twin Towns.

 

Aaron Mai

“They have seen what I have been able to do for the past six, six years as a councillor and imagine only what I would do when I become the next ma- when I become the next mayor of the Twin Towns.”

 

Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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