U.D.P.’s Gapi Vega Leads Multitude in OW Procession
The candidates for the ruling party were nominated in the afternoon. Clearly they were well-oiled financially and the atmosphere was festive. The Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega led the crowd and is hoping to break the P.U.P. stronghold in the district. Duane Moody looks as the red tidal wave in the north.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Last, but not least for Nomination Day in Orange Walk were the four candidates of the ruling party. A wave of red flooded the area outside the police station as hundreds of persons clothed in their gears, hoisting U.D.P. flags gathered. The numbers were almost double what was seen earlier this morning and Orange Walk North area rep. and Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was first to be nominated.
Gaspar Vega, U.D.P. Candidate, OW North
“Very positive, confident. There’s a lot of trust; there is an open line of communication between me and them and we have nothing to hide from each other.”
Reporter
“Do you expect that your party will be returned to office for a third term?”
Gaspar Vega
Gaspar Vega
“For sure, every single confidence in my heart.”
Reporter
“But you specifically, there is this perception that you will remain undefeated. Is that the sentiment on the ground as well?”
Gaspar Vega
“The sentiment on the ground now is that the northern region—that is Orange Walk and Corozal—is on its way to repeat 2008.”
Reporter
“Sir, there are three other candidates who have been nominated to contest in your division. What is it that you are going to the people with this time?”
Gaspar Vega
“One thing…Vote for Gapi Vega; that’s it.”
In the east, former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Elodio Aragon Junior is expecting to beat out the P.U.P.’s Josue Carballo and the B.P.P.’s Doctor Javier Reyes to capture that division for the U.D.P., which is currently held by the retiring P.U.P.’s Marco Tulio Mendez. Aragon Junior says he is confident that the electorate is ready for a change.
Elodio Aragon Jr.
Elodio Aragon Jr., U.D.P. Candidate, OW East
“I feel very good. I see the support from the Orange Walk East division is here and it is not only here in numbers, it is here in spirit and it is here with the determination to see a U.D.P. candidate for the Orange Walk Division and that makes me very proud. It’s very clear in the Orange Walk East division. We have a P.U.P. elected representative that has abandoned the east. But now there is great hope; there is great hope for a new person that will deliver for Orange Walk East and the work has already begun. Mister Elodio Aragon Junior and his team and the people of Orange Walk East will make it happen come November fourth.”
Reporter
“Sir, one of the issues that we have been hearing is land access for the people of the east. What is your plan to address some of those issues that are raised in the area and particularly as it comes to lands and access to it?”
Elodio Aragon Jr.
“Well definitely in all areas, you will find that there are issues and yes, in the Orange Walk East division there is a need for land. We have already began to work on that; I have already gotten the government’s approval to do a subdivision in Carmelita Village that will yield up to two hundred lots. That is already in progress; work has already begun in there to come up with the survey plans.”
Guadalupe Magaña Dyck
In this northern municipality, a female and newcomer to the political scene, is also running under the red banner. Guadalupe Magaña Dyck, a resident in the Orange Walk South division, believes that she can do better than sitting area rep, Abelardo Mai.
Guadalupe Magaña Dyck, U.D.P. Candidate, OW South
“I really feel good; it’s something that I have been waiting for, it is something that I want to lead my people, do what is best for them and make sure I bring development and transform Orange Walk South.”
Reporter
“You are running in one of the biggest divisions here in Orange Walk, one of the areas with the most voters who would be eligible to vote in this election. What are some of the feedback that you are getting from the people?”
Guadalupe Magaña Dyck
“It’s my first campaign and they are happy. They are happy that it is a woman now and a woman that is going to lead—the first one in the north—and they are happy. They are ready for a change and a just for the last couple of months that I have been in, they have seen the amount of work that I have done. I am action and I am gonna continue transforming Orange Walk South.”
Reporter
“Can you defeat your opponent?”
Denny Grijalva
Guadalupe Magaña Dyck
“Yes, I will defeat him. He has been there for eight years, has done nothing. And from the short time that I came in, I came in with that energy and drive to work for my people, I have them in heart and that’s what I am doing.”
Also officially nominated today was Denny Grijalva for Orange Walk Central. Following the nomination process, the crowd moved to in front of the Banquitas House of Culture for a rally. Duane Moody for News Five.
