Mayor Moya moving on

Zenaida Moya

With just a week before the March seventh Municipal Elections, a new mayor is expected to take over city hall. Today, News Five caught up with two-time Mayor Zenaida Moya, who is winding down her duties. Moya ascended quickly to fame and fell from grace just as quickly when she became the first sitting mayor to be criminally charged for Uttering Upon a False Document. These days, she has been mostly away from the spotlight but when we spoke to her, Moya described her tenure as long but fruitful. And while she will be exiting city hall in a matter of days, Moya says she remains positive and is looking forward to continuing her political career.

Zenaida Moya, Mayor, Belize City

“I feel that over the past six years, it has been a wonderful experience. There is a lot that I set out to do along with my council, there is a lot that we did and a lot more that needs to be done. I think that looking around Belize City, it was wonderful to try and get certain things done. As we leave office, some of the areas that I feel very pleased about, that as people drive along they will say ‘hey, it’s Zenaida and her team did that’ I am somebody that like certain projects that people will term  ‘feel good projects’ because I am a visual  person as well, so I like beautiful stuff. And so as they drive along, they will see all the bus sheds bright, and people will be using that and that is a functional tool.”

Andrea Polanco

“Looking back at your last two terms, is there anything that you would change; that you would do differently looking back—gaining from all the experience that you’ve had?”

Zenaida Moya, Mayor, Belize City

“Yes. I will tell you that whilst we have had public meetings, monthly meetings with the people and we did go out into the ten constituencies so that it was more at their backdoor so to speak, I believe it would be maybe since they don’t come out at night; and probably the new mayor can do this is hold quarterly sessions with the media and inform the residences what is being done. So as to encourage them more and let them see how more impactful it would be if they would not litter the streets and keep in front of their yards clean because that would mean the savings of twelve million dollars over that term that they can have tens twenties more of the Albert and Regent Streets and a couple hundred more of rehabilitation streets if they would just deal with that particular aspect.”

Andrea Polanco

“Over the last two terms again, the residents of Belize City; they have invited you into their homes—you’ve gotten to know them. Now that you are going to be leaving office in less than a week, is it emotional for you?”

Zenaida Moya

“Yes it is emotional. I am going to be frank with you, I’ve been at different events and I don’t want to think about it, but a lot of people come and hug me and cry and it’s emotional because they actually appreciate what I have done and they believe I’ve been a strong woman and all that. I don’t want to get emotional, but it’s a mixed reaction for me because I am excited about the future. I am excited about moving on in another area.”

Andrea Polanco

“And finally I must ask, will we be seeing Zenaida Moya in politics again, in Belize?”

Zenaida Moya

“Most definitely. I believe that that will happen. I believe that if everything goes well, yes I will run again. I will run however, please god, as an area representative and I have no doubt that when that time comes, I will get the support of the residents of that particular division. But I have no doubt that I will remain in politics and I am working closely with an area representative who believes in me and who has been opened about his confidence and his want for me to take over his area when he retires. So I feel pretty good that that will happen.”