It’s Official: Councillor Gary Greif to Contest U.D.P. Belize Rural South Division
It’s official….San Pedro Town Councillor Gary Greif will contest the U.D.P. convention against Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Junior as the party’s candidate for Belize Rural South. The approval of his candidacy came on Saturday via a phone call from the party chairman. Greif believes that the internal process of challenging a four-term rep is a healthy one. He told News Five today that it is good for the residents of Belize Rural South.
Gary Greif, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural South
“This past weekend I got a call from headquarters in Belize City that my application was met with no objection so we are going forward. I will be officially launching my campaign to get the chance to represent San Pedro and Caye Caulker, Belize Rural South in Belmopan.”
Duane Moody
“Sir you are going to go up against your cousin for this post that he has held for four terms. How do you feel about that?”
Gary Greif
“I think it goes to show that San Pedro is a tight-knit community and there are multiple individuals even inside the same family that want to represent the island and want the best for the island. On hearing Minister Heredia’s conversation with yourself this past Friday, he spoke to his opinion that my application was disrespectful. My grandfather, Efrain Guerrero, who is known as the backbone of the United Democratic Party here in San Pedro, taught me that a strong opposition is crucial to a strong democracy and not just party to party, but even within a party. So when I applied I did not see it as a disrespect to Minister Heredia, but as a respect to the democratic system that governs this party. I believe that within the party if myself and Minister Heredia go to convention, the people of Belize Rural South are to benefit because Minister Heredia has two years left in his term. If in this next two years, he decides to put on his game face and truly serve San Pedro and Caye Caulker because he knows he has to go to convention against me, then all the better for the residents.”