Ex-City Mayor Holds Firm

Darrell Bradley

When asked about the city administrator’s contract extension and raise of pay, Bradley told News Five that he believes in remuneration based on ability.  But when pressed with the present city council’s view on that decision, in the context of the mayor’s statement on Thursday which you just saw, Mayor Bradley seemingly lost his cool.

Darrell Bradley, Former Belize City Mayor

“I believe in meritocracy and I believe in a municipal service that’s entrenched.  When you look at the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, one of the things that it talks about is a merit-based public service.  So that when you are doing those things, to the average person it looks unusual.  Why you want this person to stay here?  But you’re actually not talking about that person, you’re talking about the public service of the municipality on a whole and one of the things that you should do is that you should create a more merit-based public service.”

Isani Cayetano

“Quickly, one of the charges here is that the city administrator has been rewarded handsomely for perhaps running the city administration into the red.”

Darrell Bradley

“I see Channel Five, and I’ve respected you Isani, but don’t play that game with me because I’ve always respected you as a media.  I’ve always allowed you the opportunity, any time you can, to question me.  You know one of the reasons, because you’ve texted me and I’ve not responded because I don’t want to mudsling against anybody.  One of the reasons why I did not give an interview before today’s date is because I deliberately did not want to criticize that mayor.  I deliberately didn’t want to do it.  You were elected mayor; you should be given a reasonable opportunity, a reasonable amount of time to prove yourself.  Then maybe after a year, maybe after two years or when you leave office there’s an opportunity for an assessment and for criticism.”