Belmopan Candidates Ready to Unseat Incumbent John Saldivar
In the capital city Belmopan, the political parties and independent candidate are tying up loose ends in the last leg of the campaign. The campaign started with five challengers, but that number is dwindling. This Wednesday, those who are still in race will officially get on the ballot. The constituency includes the capital as well as a number of communities in its outskirts and has been a U.D.P. strong hold in past elections. This year, area representative John Saldivar, whose political career has been in turmoil due to the recent Lev Dermen scandal, is facing a tough challenge from the P.U.P.’s Oscar Mira. There is also independent candidate Anna Banner Guy, a former U.D.P. city councillor whose mantra is integrity. News Five’s Duane Moody was in the capital today to get a sense of the political mood.
John Saldivar
Duane Moody, Reporting
As many as five candidates have been readying themselves to contest the General Elections in Belmopan. The incumbent is the U.D.P.’s John Saldivar, whose name has been mired in scandal – most recent is the Lev Dermen money laundering scam for which Saldivar admittedly received tranches of money. But four hopefuls are seeking to unseat Saldivar and represent the country’s capital in parliament.
Running under the P.U.P. banner is retired military officer Oscar Mira. Mira has been working in the constituency for years.
Oscar Mira
Oscar Mira, P.U.P. Candidate, Belmopan
“It’s a time of a new era in politics in Belmopan. I don’t come any influential, political background, but I am here with my heart and giving it with my all, the same way I did from patrolling the border for over twenty years in the B.D.F. I am doing it because I believe and truly believe that I am here for the people. The campaign has been going excellent so far. I see it as an opportunity for myself to set myself apart from the rest. I have given years of service to my country; I have given years of service to my community here in Belmopan and I am back now in another capacity.”
There are three independent candidates that have thrown their hats in the ring. Patrick Menzies of the recently formed Belize Can Conservative Party says he wants to become a member of parliament and has religion at the heart of his campaign.
Patrick Menzies
Patrick Menzies, Candidate, Belize Can Conservative Party
“When the righteous governs or is in authority, the people rejoice but when the evil rules, the people mourn. How are the righteous ever going to govern, if you don’t give them a chance? And the other thing is, if you are hiring the thieves to watch the chicken coop and you tell your Christian brother, no that’s not for you – let them watch the chicken coop. I am for a public/private and disapora partnership. That concept will be the bedrock of my and our administration. We want to get Belizeans abroad involved. We are looking…I believe in smaller government and a more robust private sector.”
The only female in the bunch is a former U.D.P. Belmopan City Council, who has decided to run independently. Anna Banner Guy feels that apart from being a woman going up against the men, she is bringing accountability and transparency which the government desperately needs and the people are clamouring for.
Anna Banner Guy
Anna Banner Guy, Independent Candidate, Belmopan
“Looking at transparency, accountability – Belmopan voters are in dire need of a leader with integrity, with character and we are sick and tired of corrupt leadership. And so we have seen where both political parties who have been leading this country have had very high tolerance for corruption and Belmopan is really getting tired and the tolerance for corruption is getting very low.”
The fifth candidate who has expressed interest in running for the Belmopan division is attorney Arthur Saldivar. But as we found out today he is withdrawing for now. The Camalote resident is counsel for the Belize Peace Movement that has a legal suit before the Supreme Court in respect of redistricting. He says will not participate in an unconstitutional process.
Arthur Saldivar
Arthur Saldivar, Independent Candidate, Belmopan
“The intention is to run in Belmopan for 2020 in the general elections whenever those elections are constitutionally called. As you know Duane, there is a matter before the court presently. In fact we go to court next Wednesday, the twenty-eight of October, to deal with an injunction as it relates to this very same election that is being called presently. So instead of being a part of a situation that is going to be a fraud and a farce on the people, I will not subject my people and my supporters to that in terms of going through the process tomorrow. They will have to be some adjustments made, I believe, once the court has the matter and deals with the matter.”
Political machineries are fully oiled and all candidates believe that a change is coming to the capital.
Oscar Mira
“The sentiment is clear. John Saldivar needs to go. And if he hasn’t done the honourable thing and resign, then the people of Belmopan will have their say on the eleventh of November. That is what we get on the ground.”
Anna Banner Guy
“Voters are saying that they will make an effort to come out to the polls and to ensure that they cast their vote because they are saying that this is a change that they are looking for.”
Patrick Menzies
“This election isn’t between Menzies and Mira and Anna and Saldivar. This election is between communism, socialism versus democracy and freedom and your private and personal rights and your religious liberties. That’s what this election is about. It is between religious liberty, your personal freedoms and socialism, dictatorship taught to us by Dean Barrow – total dictatorship where a government changes the laws so that it can abide by what they want to do.”
Despite attempts to speak with the incumbent, our calls went unanswered. Duane Moody for News Five.
