The independents have their say on the ballot paper
And while nomination day activities dominated the media in Belize City, in the districts, the two main political parties were also presenting their candidates to the people. Here’s the final list of the People’s United Party candidates: in the North, Valdemar Castillo in Corozal North; Vildo Marin in Corozal Bay; Florencio Marin in Corozal South East; Dr. Gregorio Garcia, Corozal South West; Servulo Baeza in Orange Walk North; Dave Burgos in Orange Walk East; Johnny Briceño in Orange Walk Central and Ismael Cal in Orange Walk South. In the Belize District, Maxwell Samuels is running in Belize Rural North, Patty Arceo in Belize Rural South and Ralph Fonseca in Belize Rural Central. Ainslie Leslie in Cayo North, Mario Castellanos in Cayo Central, Agripino Cawich in Cayo South and Kendall Mendez in Cayo West. In the south, Sylvia Flores is running in Dangriga, Rodwell Ferguson in Stann Creek West, Marcial Mes in Toledo West and Mike Espat in Toledo East.
For the United Democratic Party, the candidates for area representatives are as follows: Nemencio Acosta in Corozal North; Carlos Castillo in Corozal Bay; Servando Samos in Corozal South East, Gabriel Martinez in Corozal South West; Phillip De La Fuente in Orange Walk North; Elodio Aragon in Orange Walk East; Miguel Urbina Junior in Orange Walk Central and Julian Padron in Orange Walk South. In the Belize District, Felix Sutherland is running in Belize Rural North; Manuel Heredia in Belize Rural South and Colin Gillette in Belize Rural Central. In the West, Dean Williams is running in Cayo North, Rene Montero in Cayo Central, John Saldivar in Cayo South and Erwin Contreras in Cayo West. In the South, Chiste Garcia is contesting in Dangriga, Glenn Eiley in Stann Creek West, Dennis Usher in Toledo West and Eden Martinez in Toledo East.
And while the two main political parties dominated the sights and sounds, all over the country independent candidates were also making sure that come March fifth, their names will appear on the ballot papers. In the North, the We the People Reform Movement is being represented by Felipe Tzul in Corozal North; Roy Rodriguez in Corozal Bay; Hipolito Bautista in Corozal South East; Lucillo Teck in Corozal South West and Erwin Sanchez in Orange Walk South. In the West, Ivan Roberts is running in Cayo Central, while in the South Michael Flores is contesting Stann Creek West, Ian Caliz in Dangriga, with Leonardo Acal in Toledo West. And in Belize City, Percy Reynolds is running in Port Loyola. According to National Coordinator, Francis Gegg, who is challenging Said Musa in the Fort George division, their mission remains unchanged.
Francis Gegg, National Coordinator, We the People
“We’ve been saying that we’re gonna contest this election and we’re here to do that. We just want the people the be aware of the fact that we’re in the race and we’re gonna give it a good run for the money.”
Other independents include the Elrington brothers, with Wilfred running in the Pickstock Division and Hubert contesting Lake Independence. Like the Elringtons, other Belize City independent candidates are confident the public will embrace them as their area representatives.
Patrick Rogers, Independent, Lake Independence
“I came back to Belize fi help mek things betta, noh fi tek weh anything, noh fi mek it worse, but to make things better. I tried making money, I realised that the only way you make money is towing the party line, be it red or blue. I never tow any line, I always as a man, think through things carefully and keep my guiding principles in front of me, knowing that once it feels like the right thing to do, then normally it is the right thing to do. Running red or blue doesn’t feel like the right thing to do.”
Sydney Fuller, Independent, Albert
“I’ve been campaigning since 1998. I only halt for a while because of what Dean Barrow did to me. I had to go back to my people and discuss the situation with them. Once I got that confirmation with them and I committed myself to go, I just continue on my campaign from there.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What has the response been like?”
Sydney Fuller
“It was very good. The people didn’t like that happened, they voted for me in a…I was a duly elected candidate, and he went ahead single-handedly and removed me. And I would like to make that clear. And every time I get on the media I am going to make it clear, because he is the man that do that to me. But the response has been great.”
Dr. Paul Jones, Independent, Collet
“Well I think this is the only answer this time for the country. The time for Belize is for less politics and more leadership.”
