“No Fight,” Says Eluide Miller; Calls Reports Political Fiction

It is the fight heard around the country but seen by no one. And Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller is dismissing opposition media reports of an alleged physical altercation between himself and veteran councilor Allan Pollard, calling the claims nothing more than political noise during what he describes as the “silly season.” Rumors of a supposed fight between the two Belize City Council colleagues made rounds online this week, but Miller insists there was never any fist fight and says the council remains united despite attempts to portray internal division. Today, he responded directly to the reports and defended what he calls one of the most cohesive council teams Belize City has seen in years.

 

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor of Belize City

“There was absolutely no fist fight. So I want to debunk that statement off the top. Me and my colleague, we continue to be very respectful of each other despite any cloud they might want to cast over the council in terms of division. We remain extremely united. I have the support of my colleagues. I’m happy to be a member of this team. Shane, I have to share with you, and we say time and time again, not only myself or Mayor Wagner or fellow council members acknowledge that this is by far the most united Belize City Council team you’ve had over probably the past decade, right? And so we remain completely focused on the work that we have to do. Today is a reflection of our level of focus. We remain extremely committed in working towards those objectives we have to complete before the end of this term.”

 

Audit vs Accusation: Deputy Mayor Rejects Missing Cash Claims

 

And while unsubstantiated reports of a fight can be chalked up to political mischief, reports of missing funds are completely defamatory. Allegations making the rounds claim that seventy thousand dollars have gone missing, but Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller is calling that narrative completely false. He says there’s no missing money and no cover-up, pointing instead to strict financial controls and both internal and external audits that confirm the books are clean. Miller argues the claims are nothing more than politically driven attacks, surfacing as the political temperature begins to rise. So, what’s behind the accusations, and could legal action be next? Here’s how the Deputy Mayor responded today.

 

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“I also want to debunk the statement made in terms of missing finances from the council. It is absolutely untrue. It is a statement being made to cause distraction and to bring the council into disrepute. Belize City Council is not a political organization or simply a political organization. We are a well-respected organization. We are in the business of floating municipal papers, and we have a responsibility to our investors that we take extremely seriously. The Belize City Council recently underwent its annual Board of Survey on April 1st. We recently concluded the financial year, and we had our annual review with the Ministry of Local Government. We have our internal auditor that is supported by an entire team at the Belize City Council. We recently completed the financial audit for the financial year 2024-2025, and we are in the process of completing the one for 2025-2026- I know in line with our regulations and in line with the requirements of us being involved in municipal securities. And so we have both internal and external control measures to ensure that we manage the finances of the Belize City Council effectively. And so if there was any such occurrence, one of those mechanisms would have flagged it. It is certainly not the case. In case of this rumor that came out yesterday, we are already seeking the advice of our legal counsel to address it. As people not call this season simple seasons for no reason, right? It’s a heightened political season. And so especially the opposition, they tend to get extremely creative, right?”

 

City Administrator Must Resign to Run for Mayor

 

The race for Belize City Mayor is already heating up, and a new name is stirring the conversation. City Administrator Dr. Candice Pitts is now being mentioned as a possible PUP candidate. She hasn’t confirmed anything, but if she runs, she’ll likely have to step down from her post at City Hall. That sets her apart from other rumored contenders like Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller and Allan Pollard, who aren’t salaried council employees. There’s also a bigger picture; Belize City has had only one female mayor. Pitts’ entry could shift that narrative. We asked Deputy Mayor Miller today about the growing speculation.

 

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“She has not directly indicated that to us. As you have said it’s rumored. But the city administrator, just like myself, just like any other person who might be interested in participating in the clearly defined process under the banner of the People’s United Party, they have the right to do so. Of course, in terms of her employment at the council, if such a decision is made, it is something the council will have to deliberate on based on our regulations and our act. But we will cross that bridge if we ever get there. But just like myself and any other resident of the city, Dr. Pitts has the right to participate in that process if she so chooses.”

 

This evening Candice Pitts responded to our question on her candidacy saying her present focus is “fully on my responsibilities as City Administrator. Any future political decisions would be considered carefully and at the appropriate time”. The window for candidates to apply to run in the municipal elections for the People’s United Party is from June first to June Nineteenth.

 

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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