Road march for Belize City Council Nomination
In Belize City nominations took place at the Complex or Charles Bartlett Hyde building on Mahogany Street. And though it was just another nomination for the parties, well, the mood was indicative of the Election Day buildup. News Five’s Isani Cayetano spoke to the Mayoral Candidates.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A sea of red, the tidal wave of U.D.P. supporters parading down Mahogany Street shortly before two o’clock this afternoon, brought traffic along the busy thoroughfare to a momentary standstill as the procession made its way towards the Charles Hyde Building. The revelry of stalwarts cheering on the party’s candidates, slated for the upcoming Municipal Elections, in any other context, could have easily been mistaken for a victory rally.
Today, for others vying for a seat in City Hall, it’s simply Nomination Day, not a cause for celebration.
Stephen Okeke
Stephen Okeke, Independent Mayoral Candidate
“There is absolutely nothing to celebrate. I came here to apply for a job, the job to be the manager of Belize City so that we can turn the city around into a beautiful, productive and dynamic city we will all be proud to showcase.”
It’s an ambitious undertaking, offering one’s self for office in a political climate where cynicism is king; not to mention the public’s view of City Hall as a house of ill repute. U.D.P. mayoral candidate Darrel Bradley is intent on reshaping the image of 109 North Front Street.
Darrel Bradley
Darrel Bradley, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate
“People have weaknesses, people have flaws and people are corrupted. I can tell you that Darrel Bradley, I have an abiding faith in God. I’m a person of integrity. I have a plan. I know what I want to accomplish in City Hall and when I get there I will stick to that plan and I know that I will not be compromised.”
It’s a challenge for any nominee to maintain a sense of personal integrity let alone deliver on the party’s manifesto. Many promises have been made, some were kept and others were simply disregarded. It’s the sort of preconceived notion that has forced ‘Hard Punching Faggy’ Ferguson, a career photographer, to join a third party.
Robert Ferguson
Robert Ferguson, Councilor Candidate, VIP
“If ah run wid di U.D.P. people wah look right pan me when ah di campaign and say weh unu do eena di past six years and then I haffi heng down mi head and say nothing. Soh ah noh wahn da baggage. If ah run wid di P.U.P. then a haffi heng down mi head again because di last mayor pay ihself in advance X amount ah money. I noh even know if di people dehn get back dehn money yet.”
Taking the lead in getting its candidates on the ballots come March seventh was the People’s United Party. At ten o’clock this morning a procession of supporters, colloquially referred to as the Blue Tsunami, descended upon Mahogany Street. The throng; however, was easily eclipsed by the second major outfit that followed, proving to some that the P.U.P. ticket, led by Karen Bodden, remains an underdog going into the Municipal Elections.
Karen Bodden
Karen Bodden, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate
“I’ve been called to serve my people and it has nothing to do with how much money is being spent anywhere or how much resources or the lack thereof. I don’t think about resources as the key element in this election. I think about trustworthiness. I think about being able to listen to people and for people to by the vision that me and my team bring to the table.”
Among the somewhat unexpected aspirants is Phillip Henry. He is the only other independent candidate to join Stephen Okeke’s campaign. After several years of working under the current City Council, ‘Fawda’ has decided to toss his hat into the ring.
Phillip ‘Fawda’ Henry
Phillip ‘Fawda’ Henry, Independent Councilor Candidate
“Yes I was employed there but I’m a person of God. I don’t like corruption and there were so many corruption going on there at the Belize City Council and the people couldn’t know if somebody doesn’t blow the whistle. I stood up and I speak to the mayor and she wasn’t listening. She wasn’t listening so I decided that I don’t want to be there. There are so many corruption.”
And while the deluge of the red bore crimsoned Lake Independence this afternoon, party leader Dean Barrow says that even though the U.D.P. machinery is properly oiled it is not as well-heeled as that of the P.U.P. in its glory days.
Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
“We are relatively well off. We’ve never had the kinds of monies that, in the past, the P.U.P. used to have. I do feel though that what is responsible for today and what is going to be responsible for what I am sure will be a victory on March seventh is really the government efforts in terms of the pro-people policies.”
Whether those policies will translate into the deliverance of the United Democratic Party come Election Day is up to the electorate. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
Nomination day for the general elections will be held this Friday. In Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, it was decided that the March seventh Election Day will be a public and bank holiday.
Do not be scared of T-shirts.. I hope that ll the people whom wore red know thats how they gonna swet after the udp makes it back into power. Do not be fooled. Take they stunking money which is your tax payers money and vote them out. Get ready caus ethey have it planned to punish you after they get in again.
Tek them money and vote the UDP out…
ONLY JESUS IS THE ANSWER!! NOT U.D.P OR P.U.P… ONLY JESUS!!!!
I was offered $50 just to come out with a udp shirt. I took they money and did it cause things hard out ya. but rest assure that just like many people out there, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THE UDP. The udp time is OVER!
@city kid…if things “hard out ya” it must not be so hard for you…cause you have a computer to be able to post your comment…my suggestion city kid..sell the computer so you dont have to take money from the UDP…sounds kinda fishy to me…that being said…the UDP is offering money left right and center..nothing new both PUP and UPD do it..but do you want to sell your soul…you decide…
well hell with unuh people. only god is above knoews who will be the members serving the people next month or so. upon the eyes of god, he is the one who knows how the government is working and if god permits the UDP will be serving the people again. so hell with unuh people. Because the UDP is doing good.
Belizeans remember that come March 7 you are making a decision for 5 more years. If you want to live in another 5 years of hell- no jobs, high crime rate, high cost of fuel, high cost of living, vote UDP!! The choice is yours!!!
Sexy, indeed the UDP are doing good, the Agriculture Minister family is doing EXCELLENT driving EXPENSIVE CARS BIG HOUSES the FARMERS are going BANKRUPT the rice farmers cannot sell their rice because the Corrupt politicians give import licence to import rice, onions, cabbages, etc. while the BELIZEANS FARMERS are producing the same!!! Minister John Saldivar bragging that his house cost over half a million DOLLARS and he doesn’t owe a penny to any lending institution/bank/credit union etc. The PM EX wife making MILLIONS, his daughter was given 2.5 millions dollars, his son selling telephone to BTL at 4 times the cost and is paid up front. His son is the biggest share holder in the boledo gaming company and the list goes on and on. I think sexy is just that sexy and DUMB!!!!!
look…uno go chap yaad and sell coconut wata hea..awoh!!
well, don, she might just needed to educate her on the facts for I agree with you…………..why do they need the expensive vehicle………..majority of them would not have ever buy a new vehicle with their own money soooooooooooooo away with the hypocrisy udp is worse in my eyes because they are doing exactly what we are TIRED OF……………………..we are rich untold says our national anthem but my god have mercy on a few continue to reap the riches listen this government will pay the price for their condescending behavior.
PEOPLE NEED TO BE HONEST IN BOTH PARTIES BUT THE SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE UDP AND THEIR SUPPORTER IS SICKENING, CHECK THE BELMOPAN COUNCIL AND U WILL FIND PEOPLE WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP PRESENT SERVING. WE ELECTED THE UDP TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOT TO POINT IT OUT TO US WE KNOW WHAT THEY WERE THAT’S WHY WE REJECTED THE PUP IN 2008. THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO BE ONE TO WATCH BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE LIKE ME WHO IS TIRE OF THE HYPE AND EMPTINESS AND RHETORIC WE NEEEEEED SOLUTIONS NOT EXCUSES AND THAT ALL WE HAVE BEEN GETTING………NOW MRS. BAILEY WILL BE REINSTATED WHAT HYPOCRISY OF THE UDP. ENOUGH OF THE NOISE AM WAITING TO FEEL THE ECONOMIC CHANGE THE
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES DREAM WE WERE SOLD 4 YEARS AGO……….IT REMAINS AN IMAGINATION INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T-SHIRT AND BIG VEHICLES DON’T VOTE
You mean to tell mi, dah whole crowd a pipple get paid, then made good on their promise fi come out juss fi $50 DALLAZ ?? Well, At least Belize Kruffy still Honest.
You go Ms. Bodden. You will have my vote. You show seriousness and that is what I am looking for in the next mayor. I am tired of promises. I need my garbage to be picked up regularly and my streets maintained and I want a clean city with nice parks for the school children. You come across as no frills kinda person and no lyrics and we need that right now.
Yes, teacher I agree Ms. Bodden talks from her heart and you can feel it. I have no doubt that she continue to reach others and leave them with the same impression. I live in the US but, if I lived in Belize she would definitely get my vote. Kudos to you Ms. Bodden!!!!! I wish you much success in all your political endeavors. You Definitely Stand Out, in the most positive way!!!