Mayor Moya trounces Anthony Michael
It was the mother of all conventions that ended months of a nasty and bitter campaign with Mayor Zenaida Moya at the epicenter of the City Council’s political turmoil. She was bruised and then battered and the cards were clearly stacked against but when the counting and tallying of the over six thousand ballots started, Moya took an early lead that she maintained throughout the night and into this morning at the Belize City Centre … And News Five’s Kendra Griffith was there when the official announcement of the winning slate was finally made. Here’s how it went.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
This morning a crowd of candidates and party supporters gathered around the table were the results were being compiled, eagerly awaiting the official word from the secretariat. They got what they wanted just before nine when party chairman Doug Singh went on record.
Dough Singh, Party Chairman, U.D.P.
“With respect to the Mayoral race, we are pleased to announce that the candidate Mr. Anthony Michael received 2,916 votes. Ms. Zenaida Moya received 3,961 votes.”
For incumbent Mayor Zenaida Moya, the official results were no surprise and she had already claimed victory over an hour before.
Zenaida Moya, Re-elected as U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate
“I am feeling very good. I am thankful to God, I am thankful to the people of this Belize City. I am, thankful to all my campaigners, my campaign team, to my advisors.”
Kendra Griffith
“In the weeks leading up to this election you’ve been taking hit after hit, what do you think accounts nonetheless for your victory?”
Zenaida Moya
“I believe consistency and having a very close relationship with the residents of Belize City. In whatever way I can meet with them, I’ve been there, it doesn’t matter the event, a personal event; lets say a party or whatever event, a graduation, it didn’t matter; a sporting event, it didn’t matter, I was there and always with the people and I think that close relationship built up over the past few years has really helped to cement a very good relationship.”
Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael was disappointed, but gracious in defeat.
Anthony Michael, Lost Mayoral Bid
“Yesterday, a nation, a city came out at the City Centre and the people in true form, true Belizean, decided who they want to be the mayoral candidate and councillors for the United Democratic Party. For that I am grateful. We live in a beautiful country, Kendra. We are in the game of politics. When you enter politics you are prepared to win, you are prepared to lose. But as true Belizeans, as a true politician that I am, I will serve my nation in whatever capacity my people want me to serve.”
When the top ten councillors were announced, the slate was a combination of five incumbents and five newcomers.
Doug Singh “Coming in at the tenth place, Miss Leila Peyrefitte. Her total vote is 2,321. We have Mr. Dean Samuels. His total vote that he received is 2,337 then Mr. Phillip Willoughby with 2,440. Then we have Mr. Kevin Singh, who was the upset at the very end at 2,442. Then we have Mr. Roger Espejo at 2,462, Mr. Deon Leslie at 2,466, Ms. Laura Esquivel at 2,641, Mr. Andrew Faber at 2,756. The second highest goes to our first time Chinese Candidate, Mr. Erich Chang, and Mr. Usher, the previous Deputy Mayor, Mr. Wayne Usher got the top score at 2,979.”
Wayne Usher, Will Run on U.D.P. Slate
“One person I met not too very long ago, said these words. He said Mr. Usher, you have been handsomely rewarded. And I think that sort of captures what has happened because of my loyalty to the mayor and because my support for her, the Belizean public out there have decided that listen, let’s reward this fellow for staying the course, so it makes me very satisfied.”
Eric Chang, Will Run on U.D.P. Slate
“I am feeling great. This is a great victory for Belize I believe.”
Roger Espejo, Will Run on U.D.P. Slate
“I feel vindicated, victorious. We worked hard yesterday and thank God, first of all, and to all my workers and supporters and the Belize City voters who made this possible. This is your win Belize City, this is your win Belize City, this is not our win, this is for Belize City.”
And with that first win now under their belts … the next move for the slate is to present a united front come March 2009.
Anthony Michael
“The U.D.P. will be victorious. I will gather my troops, I will gather my supporters and my campaigners and we will mobilise for Mayor Moya and the ten other people and the United Democratic Party which I proudly serve.”
Zenaida Moya
“We’ll see what happens, I will definitely hold out my hand to try and work out whatever differences we may have.”
Wayne Usher
“I would do my best to unite all of us. We are the same party, we are affiliated with the U.D.P. and I will do my endeavor best to unite all of us, those who have strayed and we will move forward with renewed vigor and energy that has been displayed here today.”
Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
Incumbent councillors who did not make the slate include Hyacinth Latchman, Calvert Quilter, and Gilroy Middleton. The term of office of the current Council expires on March first, 2009.
Some things worthy of note: Prime Minister Barrow made a token appearance in the morning proceedings and left. His message of congratulations was delivered later. Moya’s defeat is a slap in the face of the Former Leader and Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel who came out in strong support of Anthony Michael. Laura, his daughter, who previously topped the polls, did not show as strong support this time round. Moya will have to work with at least four councillors who publicly opposed her. Her opponent, Anthony Michael, will now have to look for a constituency to remain in electoral politics.
