San Pedro

In terms of per capita income San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, is by far Belize’s richest municipality. But the island paradise still faces problems not unlike the nation’s lesser endowed towns. As the only council with a split membership — currently six one in favour of the U.D.P. — the race here figures to be the country’s closest.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
For the past four months, a friendly but fiercely competitive battle for political dominance has been waging in the island town of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

Supporters of the two major political parties tell News Five the race will be tight between incumbent United Democratic Party Mayor, Elsa Paz, and former People?s United Party Mayor, Alberto Nunez.

But at high noon today we found both mayoral candidates lamenting a low voter turnout at the island?s only polling station: San Pedro High School.

Elsa Paz, U.D.P. Mayor, San Pedro
?Last three years during this time, we already had like maybe fifty percent, but now it?s very low, it?s like twenty, twenty-five percent. So we are asking right now on Reef Radio, we were just announcing to the voters to come in and make their votes, because it?s been very slow.?

Janelle Chanona
?Do you take that as a good sign or a bad sign, low voter turnout??

Elsa Paz
?I think it?s a bad sign for the morning, because usually in the morning we get more voters. But I think what is happening is that most of the voters are working right now, so I think this afternoon it will be much more stronger in voting.?

Alberto Nunez, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate
?It?s going slow. Voters are coming out very slow.?

Janelle Chanona
?Are you taking that as a good sign or a bad sign??

Alberto Nunez
?Well, I don?t know what to say about that. (Laughs) I couldn?t tell you. Probably … we would like the voters to come and cast their votes.?

Over the last decade, San Pedro has been governed by both parties. The issues here are similar to the rest of the country: street maintenance, quality of life, crime. This afternoon both Paz and Nunez hope that their years of service will make them a part of San Pedro?s future.

Alberto Nunez
?I?ve been telling people that, that I?ve been Mayor for six years previous to now and that I have some experience you know, which I can be of?in the best interest of our voters.?

Janelle Chanona
?What is the main issue you think people are concerned about here in San Pedro??

Alberto Nunez
?Well I think it?s the streets and some drainage you know, in some areas.?

Janelle Chanona
?How will you go about making life better here??

Alberto Nunez
?By getting these things done, fixing these problems like the streets and drains and then crime too is an issue here in San Pedro.?

Janelle Chanona
?Some people might be saying, well you had your six years to try to do something, maybe you don?t deserve another three. What would you tell them??

Alberto Nunez
?Well during my term I did what I could. San Pedro is a fast changing community, so three years ago it was a big difference from now. The crime rate has increased a lot, so it?s a tougher situation, but I guess we can handle it.?

In her three year tenure in San Pedro, Mayor Paz has been involved in several significant projects around the island … including a new basketball court in the Boca del Rio area, and most recently, she and former P.U.P. senator Barry Bowen worked out a financing arrangement to construct a bridge to connect the north and south of the island. That unexpected partnership just might swing more votes in the U.D.P.?s favour.

Elsa Paz
?Two of the major projects is the Pescador Cobblestone Project and lately we just inaugurated the first bridge ever in San Pedro, and that?s very good for the island. Those are the two major accomplishments that we did during our term.?

?I feel relaxed, because I know that during my term I have accomplished a lot and that makes me feel relaxed. I feel very confident that we are going to win this election because of the canvassing that we have been doing house to house.?

San Pedro has also produced a single independent candidate. Ernesto Caliz thinks his chances to become a councillor are good.

Ernesto Caliz, Independent Councillor candidate
?The people talk about it … they want something different. And I thought always that I could make the difference. We have the potentiality, we have the people, and the people they are going to do it.?

Janelle Chanona
?You want to tell me anything else Mr. Caliz??

Ernesto Caliz
?All what I have to say is just keep up the spirit of this movements. And you can hear throughout the whole country you have different groups rising and I think we have to keep up the momentum.?

Janelle Chanona
?With the independents??

Ernesto Caliz
?With the independents … I think that?s very healthy for our democracy.?