OW Mayoral Candidate on the Campaign Trail

U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate Yvette Lui Torres says that she is the victim of a political attack, timed to affect her run up to municipal elections in just two weeks. Torres and her team want to unseat Kevin Bernard and his team which were installed in Town Hall just three years ago. Bernard controls one of just three municipalities held by the Opposition People’s United Party. We’ve tried on various occasions to do the traditional pre-election interview with Torres…but with no success. So today we pressed, and she relented. Mike Rudon was in Orange Walk and has that story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

This morning’s court appearance probably wasn’t UDP Mayoral candidate Yvette Lui Torres’ shining moment, but she made the most of it, with supporters at the ready to lend color and background vocals. She told us that in general, the response to her candidacy has been overwhelming and she is confident of victory on March fourth.

Yvette Torres, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk

Yvette Torres

“We are a team that bring forth dedication, integrity and most of all, it is all about Orange Walk Town and its people and that is the transformation that Orange Walk rightfully deserves and this UDP seven team will deliver on march fourth because the people will be the ones that will vote for UDP seven, and that is what we are all about, Orange Walk Town and its people. And over the past nine months we have been campaigning and the overwhelming support we have been getting from the people is that they really want a change, a positive change and that is what we’re bringing to the table. Under my leadership I can safely say that we’re going to restore integrity and respect and honor. Our community is in dire need of progress and development, and under my leadership I can assure you that I am the woman to be your Mayoral candidate on March fourth. Vote for Yvette Liu Torres.”

According to Torres, she and her team have been campaigning on three main platforms.

Yvette Torres

“We will work together with the people first and foremost because the Orange Walk Town Council administration belongs to the people, so we will have an open door policy…transparency, and also that we need a better governance…and that is what we are bringing to the table. When it comes to revenue and taxation, whatever we receive it will be interjected in our community, and we will also partner with our local government for any infrastructural development that needs to be taken care of, and thirdly, we will be getting funding from different organizations that will assist us to exercise and execute all our projects and programs that we have in our manifesto.”

Torres and her team will be going up against a PUP team which is at the end of its first term in municipal office. We asked her to grade the performance of that team, since she wants to replace them on March fourth.

Yvette Torres

“At this point in time, the people are clamoring because they are dissatisfied with their administration of how they have been governing our Town Council, so that is what is the main focal point, and we can all see…you look around how Orange Walk looks…it has never been abandoned and neglected by this Orange Walk Town Council and that needs to be taken care of by Yvette Liu Torres and her six Councilor candidates. Thank you.”

Reporter

“So the points would be infrastructure? Would it be integrity? You are saying that the people are clamoring for a change, that there has been bad administration of Town Hall…in what aspects?”

Yvette Torres

“As I said before, the aspects of the governance of how they have invested and mismanaged the funding and it has not been seen tangible in our community. So they want to see a difference and that is what I bring to the table. Thank you.”

Reporter

“One final question…I notice in your manifesto there is a point that you are going to refurbish Central Park. You have come under some criticism for that because Central Park is at the final stage of being refurbished. Could you explain that main point in your manifesto?”

Yvette Torres

“That is a rehabilitation project. When we talk about refurbishment, if there are any cosmetic changes or alterations that need to be done…that is what we talk about refurbishment. Thank you.”

With that, Torres left with supporters in tow to hit the campaign trail…with only two weeks left, time is of the essence. Mike Rudon reporting for News Five.