One of the questions posed to Wagner had to do with the source of campaign financing. The former mayor said that financing for their campaign is not an issue that he is responsible for or tasked to come up with. In fact, Wagner indicated that it is his party’s national entity that is tasked with coming up with the funds for their campaign. And as for the coverage of the campaign, Wagner said that while he could not walk the city’s over seven hundred streets to reach every household, they’ve covered quite a lot by splitting up in groups.
Bernard Wagner, Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P.
“I just do my campaign. That is essentially what I do. I can’t worry about funding, who fund the ads – that is from a national perspective. So I don’t get involved with that. I make sure my energy is focused on the campaign.”
Reporter
Have you reached all divisions now?
Bernard Wagner
“I’ve went to all divisions, I may not have went on all streets. That’s very tough – 700 plus streets but I’ve covered a lot of ground and by splitting up the teams we have been able to maximize our efforts.”
In tonight’s episode of Meet the Candidates, we visit the island town of San Pedro where the incumbent People’s United Party is vying for a second term in office as the town council. They are facing a new United Democratic Party municipal slate led by career educator Wilfredo Alamilla. There’s a lot to cover on the island but tonight you’ll get a chance to meet a few of the aspiring councilors.
The United Democratic Party’s Belize City Municipal slate launched its manifesto this afternoon. They invited reporters to the Battlefield Park in Belize City to announce the plans outlined in the manifesto. Giving consideration to the fact that, for the most part, paper-based manifestos are outdated and everything is now moving digital, they have also made the document available online. Nelma Mortis, the U.D.P. mayoral candidate, explained that the manifesto is based on three pillars.
Nelma Mortis
Nelma Mortis, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belize City
“Here is a sample of it. This is an unusual way of launching a manifesto but my team represents one that is innovative. We think about digitization, technology and sustainability. So our manifesto is built on three pillars, which is unusual and some people are still struggling to internalize what it is saying because it is not totally aligned with the traditional manifesto and the act of the city council. However, urban planning requires us to reflect on this triangle which looks at economic growth, environment, and lastly equity which looks at social access.”
Alisha Craig
Alisha Craig, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City
“This is our manifesto here. We decided to be a bit creative because the paper based one people look at it and get lost. So here at the back of the manifesto we have a QR code. So you take your cell phone, your camera out and you scan the QR code and it will take you to the link.”
Councilor candidates, Tyrone Louriano, Leon Guild and Samson Jacobs went into further details about the three pillars outlined in their manifesto. Louriano noted that financial relief through tax reforms will be a major part of their economic endeavors. Guild spoke to the plans his team has prepared to address environmental concerns in the city, while Jacobs spoke to how his municipal slate plans to ensure that there is equity in the distribution of resources across the city.
Tyrone Louriano
Tyrone Louriano, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City
“The first one we want to talk about that people have been clamoring on the ground is some kind of financial relief. We plan to achieve this through our tax reform and tax relief program that we plan to implement upon taking office. Also people have been worrisome about our ability to maintain integrity so we are going to do a full financial audit of the council which will then allow us to continue a bi-annual report through public forums and so forth. We also want to create economic growth through job creation and what better way to do this than to create festive events that people can afford to access on a regular basis. I know they have talked about the downtown fair but we want to make it so that it is a little more accessible and sustainable. Can you imagine walking with me through downtown Belize like Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen or when we go to Chetumal we go to the downtown area of the park.”
Leon Gill
Leon Gill, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City
“So we know that the mandate of the country, which is the streets drains and garbage, also public spaces like parks. So the streets, of course we want to continue the maintenance and upgrading the streets. When it comes to the drains we know that there is also a problem with flooding. Whenever the rainy season comes we have these inundations and it does a lot of damage. We have invested; past councils have invested in infrastructure to deal with the drainage. But all of these have failed us. So we are brining innovative ways to address the drainage situation affecting Belize City.”
Samson Jacobs
Samson Jacobs, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City
“A council that shows equity, it shows the buy in of everybody, all stakeholders and whatever resources we have it will be able to be shared amongst everybody equally, regardless of the race, culture, religion, sex, whatever. So, the first one we want to look at is fostering partnership, and we will look at the government and non government agencies, to help them with implementing their programs across Belize City. The second one will be promoting awareness and educator. As an educator myself I believe there is a lot more we can do for our at risk youths so that they can be able to benefit from us.”
With the U.D.P. municipal slate’s manifesto now available to the public, there are questions as to whether or not incumbent Mayor Bernard Wagner and his team will be launching its own manifesto. With only seven days left before the elections, there seems to be none readily available. And, Mortis says, the P.U.P. is taking its voters for granted.
Nelma Mortis, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belize City
“We are a new team and personally I understand the demographics of the city. I believe that I will not take my people for granted. I am here to serve and in serving we give respect to our people. I think that is one of the problems of the People’s United Party, they take their voters for granted. So we made this and presented it to our people so that they can hold us accountable. there is another section to this that I spoke to the team that we will have to add which is something like a report card that we will check out once we have completed, so we can report back to the public. We said we are going to do this, this is what was done. This is what was needed; this is what we have completed. I believe you have to have a plan, if you don’t, you plan to fail. I have ten people who will hold me accountable. And I tell them call me out when they see something has fallen.”
Former Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez has been behind the Office of the Governor General since February sixteenth in an attempt to find out about the status of petitions that were collected from voters in Port Loyola to trigger a recall referendum in that constituency. Martinez is seeking the ouster of sitting Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior by way of a vote. However, that effort, it would seem, is being frustrated by the GG’s office. According to Martinez, on several occasions he was informed that there was no update on the status of the petitions, only to find out earlier today that the petitions were only handed over to the Chief Elections Officer a few days after he called a press conference on the matter.
Anthony Martinez
Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola
“It was disclosed this morning by the Chief Elections Officer that she had just received the petitions on the twenty-first of February. That was the day after we had the last press briefing. Now, ah wah tell yoh di real truth, what I find that to be. That is flouting the law. You, as the Governor General, you ascent all laws into play and have little things to do per day and all day to do it. I have some difficulty with that and I have difficulty, in my humble opinion, in the Governor General breaking the law. And I find that to be very delinquent, her office to be very delinquent, very disingenuous and totally dishonest. I will say this, numerous calls were placed to her office for which I believe as the person that launched the petition, my channel for answers is the Governor General’s office and when you say to me, your office says to me numerous times, the petition has not, yoh noh get wahn answer yet. You said, “No response yet on the petition.” When you know that you neva send di petition ova to the election, the Chief Elections Officer as the law mandates because the law says that the Governor General on receipt of the petition shall forward the petition to the Chief Elections Officer forthwith.”
According to Martinez, residents of Port Loyola are deserving of answers from the Office of the Governor General as to why it has seemingly flouted the law. He also says that all legal options are being explored in respect of consequences for breaking the law.
Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola
“The general public and especially the people of Port Loyola need, in my humble opinion, need answers to what happened there.”
Reporter
“So, now that you’ve learned this, will you take legal action?”
Anthony ’Boots’ Martinez
“Well, speaking with the senior attorney this morning, we are looking at legalaction because everything is time and money. But it’s not here nor there, but talking with Mr. Barrow this morning, there should be some legal recourse that we could take against the Governor General and her office.”
Reporter
“You would have to prove though how you had losses.”
Anthony ’Boots’ Martinez
“Now that’s another case… I am saying to you, breaking the law, breaking the law noh have some consequence? And ih noh matter what I say in terms of what happen wah happen and I maintain that. But I am saying we noh reach there yet. I am saying we are contemplating on the avenues for what recourse is there before the court for somebody breaking the law. There has to be some kind of recourse. So I am just saying that we’re looking on that. Me and Mr. Barrow, we spoke this morning and we’re looking at what it is, because nobody is above the law.”
Late this evening, the Government of Belize issued a release responding to the statements made by Martinez that bring the Governor General into disrepute. The release goes on to say, “our laws further mandates that it is unlawful for any person to bring the Governor General in her capacity into contempt, disrepute or disaffection. Whether one agrees or disagrees with this, the fact remains that this is what the supreme law of the country and the laws of Belize command. Recent statements made by Anthony “Boots” Martinez to the media scandalizing and bringing Her Excellency into disrepute are unwarranted, unprecedented and unlawful. The Cabinet has requested the Attorney General to provide advice on this matter”.
We are twelve days away from the March sixth municipal elections. In tonight’s installment of Meet the Candidates we take you to Orange Walk. On Wednesday, the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party nominated seven candidates each. On March sixth, residents will get to decide whether they want the P.U.P. to continue leading the town or if there will be a change in the political makeup of the municipal leadership. We spoke with a few of the candidates on both sides. Here is what they told us about themselves.
Alondra De La Fuente
Alondra De La Fuente, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I have been advocating for the youths through the Belize youth movement. I am currently the Belize Youth Movement chapter president in Orange Walk and I strongly believe that youth development, youth enhancement and youth activities are needed in our community so that they can find healthy lifestyle activities and be involved in initiatives that would cater for their social, emotional development and also physical.”
Allen Yu
Allen Yu, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I am someone that likes to learn how the system works, how things work. How do we collect our garbage, where do we go, how do you get your streets done. I like that type of stuff and seeing the good work that the previous mayor was doing, now Minister Bernard I saw that he is like an inspiration. I enjoyed the work he did, despite being the opposition, despite getting no help from outside, he made Orange Walk what it is right now and I saw that I want to do something like that.”
Ladrick Sheppard
Lardrick Sheppard, P.U.P. Incumbent Mayor, Orange Walk
“I was a councilor from since 2012 under then Mayor Bernard. So, I had nine years of preparation to get me where I am. So when I get on that seat in 2021 when I was elected as mayor I told everybody that I was going to work along my team. That is exactly what we did. We have done a lot, revamped the parks, cleaned the drain, streets, no other council overall, no other counsel has done seventy-five streets in basically three years.”
Marina Gongora
Marina Gongora, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I have been with the U.D.P. for over fifteen years. I actually enjoy meeting people because when you are in politics you meet all sorts of people. At this point in time I decided that we need people with good qualities, people who have made a name for themselves to come out and show people that we have people who care and can make a difference. “
Kendle Esquivel
Kendle Esquivel, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“I have seen many instances where people need help, people are being left on the side by the people in power and I think that one of the reasons that inspire me is that we need to find something to do to assist the people. I am not thinking about new building and new bridges, nothing like that. I have a passion for the society to bring back the humane aspect of society, to take care of the people.”
Enrique Carballo
Enrique Carballo, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk
“I think the people from Orange Walk need a change and want a change. I think this council has been in the council for twelve years and the pressures are not much. The political pressure is not there. What we are feeling is that the people need and want a change.”
Orange Walk Town stands out as the sugar capital of the country. The country’s oldest sugar mill operates just outside of the town’s limits and many of the residents who work in the industry are from the town. And so, it is fair to say that sugarcane farmers make up a significant percentage of the voting population in the town. But, it is yet to be seen how recent tensions in the industry will impact the upcoming municipal elections. A viable sugar industry is, however, not the only thing that Orange Walk residents except of their leaders. At the municipal level, there are needs for proper drainage, streets, family-friendly activities, playgrounds and parks to name a few. There is also an expectation that their municipal leaders act with transparency and accountability. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the political landscape in Orange Walk Town leading up to March sixth.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The People’s United Party has maintained control of the Orange Walk Town Council for just over a decade. Incumbent Mayor, Ladrick “Mad Bull” Sheppard is seeking re-election. He boasts that no other mayor across the country has achieved what he and his team have been able to do over the past three years.
Ladrick Sheppard
Ladrick Sheppard, P.U.P. Incumbent Mayor, Orange Walk
“We need the people to understand we want to work for them. That is why we are aggressive from the get go. Nobody cannot say we started working last minute. You cannot do seventy-five streets in two days, that is impossible. Showing that we are capable of getting the job done. This council was well prepared. Minister Kevin Bernard left us there and we continued that plan. But we cannot accomplish this goal except to work as a team. I always tell everybody, when you combine your work together you can get more done.”
But, UDP mayoral candidate, Enrique Carballo is not buying Sheppard’s pitch. Carballo says, residents are telling him on the campaign trail that they are ready for a change. Orange Walk is considered a P.U.P. stronghold, having four P.U.P. ministers operating in the district, three of them in the municipality. However, Carballo says that does not worry him.
“I am not worrying about that P.U.P. stronghold. I am confident that with our campaigning and the team and the people receiving with us with great reception and the concerns, I feel we have a great chance of winning this, definitely. “
Reporter
“But If this happens, you get into office, how will you execute your plans under a P.U.P. central government?”
Enrique Carballo
“If that should happen, municipal bodies have enough autonomy to do whatever we want to do in the town. Now if the central government is serious about development then I believe we can work hand in hand, because we are Belizeans. Central government has a responsibility to develop our toen our villages and our country as a whole.”
Prime Minister John Briceño’s Orange Walk Central constituency exists within the Orange Walk municipality. And, incumbent Mayor Sheppard does not shy away from the fact that the town council gets a significant amount of financial support from the prime minister.
Ladrick Sheppard, P.U.P. Incumbent Mayor, Orange Walk
“Hand in hand work, the Prime Minister comes with us and he even gives us a percentage of his money so that we could invest it in the town. When he is out doing his job as a prime minister, we are the ones in Orange Walk Town taking care of it. We just invested four hundred thousand in a park. It is called the Phillip Alvarez Park. WE have one of the most beautiful parks in Orange Walk in the entire country, I can boast about that.”
But, Carballo says that it will not stop him from pushing his vision for the town, if elected.
Enrique Carballo
“My vision for Orange Walk is for a flourishing, inclusive, environmental friendly and a town for progress and that will only be done with the people of Orange Walk.”
According to P.U.P. councilor candidate, Alondra De La Fuente, a newcomer to politics, while there are activities in the municipality to engage youths, residents are demanding greater investments into youth initiatives.
Alondra De La Fuente
Alondra De La Fuente, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Orange Walk
“One of the top things I have heard during the campaign trial would be for us to have more initiatives for youths, things like brining back summer camps, things like bringing back youth enhancement, sporting in our community. We already have those established in Orange Walk but we need to get the youth community more involved and this can be done through different entities and youth groups in our community.”
On the other hand, Kendle Esquivel, a youth himself, says Orange Walk residents are clamoring for municipal leaders with the willingness to serve.
Kendle Esquivel
Kendle Esquivel, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk
“In the past many people have promised and have not kept their promises. I believe I am one of the persons that can change things. I want to do things that serve people. I bring the willingness to serve. I don’t want to serve myself; I want to serve the people. I know that it is a hard task and a challenge. It iill be a hard task and I believe that with the help of our leaders, it will be a fair job.”
As we reported at the top of our newscast, a well-known street figure was executed in the Jane Usher Boulevard neighborhood on Wednesday night. The deadly attack on Troy Hyde, which also claimed the life of fifteen-year-old Lamisha Moody, came just a few weeks ahead of the March sixth municipal elections and it is believed that his murder is gang related. Earlier this week, former Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez raised concerns about citizen security in that part of Belize City considering that polling stations for two adjacent constituencies have been designated along Faber’s Road. Those constituencies are also homes to rival gangs that may come into contact with each other on Election Day. Here’s how Martinez puts it.
Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola
“This issue is with Elections & Boundaries and the Chief Elections Officer’s recommendation as to have a polling station da Port Loyola. Excelsior being a polling station da Port Loyola. My number one concern is citizen security, but apart from that, Excelsior High School is separated by a fence with St. John Vianney and Excelsior High School sits in the Queen Square constituency. Two thousand and nine people are asked from the Jane Usher Boulevard area to go to Excelsior to vote. One thousand, four hundred and forty people need fu pass through the same area fu go da Muslim School fi vote. One thousand, six hundred and odd people who vote in Queen Square are asked to go to St. John Vianney to vote. Yoh cyant get wahn hundred yard line, wahn hundred yard barrier from Excelsior to St. John Vianney, so da weh kinda case yoh wah have. Then yoh have the healthcare facility, the health clinic right beside Excelsior. My main concern, though, da with di various gang rivalry issues within the area. Yoh have Gill Street, yoh have LBC, yoh have Sunset, yoh have all kinda thing. My main concern da citizen security. I hope that the Chief Elections Officer would really consider citizen security. That’s my main concern.”
