Elvia Vega-Samos Vs Hilberto Campos for Corozal Bay!
And it is now official – Elvia Vega-Samos is the P.U.P. standard-bearer that will be going head-to-head against Hilberto Campos of the U.D.P. for Corozal Bay. The division was left vacant by former area rep, David Vega, who died one month after being elected to the post. The by-election will be held simultaneously on March third and will see some five thousand four hundred and ten registered voters go to the polls to select who will represent them at the House of Representatives. News Five got exclusive interviews with both candidates on the campaign trail in the Bay.
Duane Moody, Reporting
The race to elect a replacement for former Corozal Bay area representative David “Dido” Vega is on. Over the weekend, his sister and former campaign manager Elvia Vega-Samos was officially endorsed by the P.U.P. in a ceremony in that northern municipality as the standard-bearer for the party. Vega-Samos is a teacher, a wife, and a mother of two children.
Elvia Vega-Samos
Elvia Vega-Samos, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Corozal Bay
“I truly believe I have the skills necessary to represent the people of Corozal. I have been asked before; you know Elvi, is that what you really want? And my answer has always been yes. I know it is a difficult job, but I know that it is not impossible. I am ready to serve the people because it is all about service to the people. I know the ills in our society; I know that much can be done for Corozal.”
Vega will be going up against former Corozal Town Mayor Hilberto Campos, who is no stranger to politics, having served four consecutive terms as mayor under the U.D.P. banner. Campos is confident, despite the air of abandonment amongst residents left behind by his political predecessor Pablo Marin. So following a mere one month under a blue area rep, will the Bay return to the U.D.P.?
Hilberto Campos
Hilberto Campos, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Corozal Bay
“It gives Corozal Bay the opportunity to go back red in such a short time. And I have to mention that this present administration had no honeymoon with the people; they gone straight into war and we have seen the different events unfolding before our eyes. We are talking about the epic levels of nepotism within the ministries, we are talking about salary cuts, about the pantry programme being ended and I can go on and on and on. But the people, most importantly, in Corozal Bay will be giving the opportunity to someone that has served them in the past and did serve them well.”
So why would the over five thousand registered constituents vote for Vega or Campos?
Hilberto Campos
“Leadership that is willing to make their voice be heard in Belmopan, especially at a time like this. We all know the hardships we are going through and Corozal Bay is no exception to the rest of the country. I don’t want to say what the past area rep did or didn’t do. I will tell you one thing that Hilberto Campos is Hilberto Campos. It’s not that I am just throwing my hat into this race. I have already a relationship with the Corozal Bay voters. It is something that has been going on ever since 2006 when first elected. And we have been listening to the cries of the people. They said everybody fi win; hardly anybody di win – especially dah Corozal.”
Elvia Vega-Samos
“Corozal is still the second poorest district in the country and that needs to change. We need to bring ideas, new things to Corozal, more job opportunities, education. We need to empower our people. Many times people believe that a leader is somebody that has power; no, a true leader is someone that can empower others. I know my brother has given me that foundation, walking along with him, campaigning with him, and I have been told that it is sympathy votes that I am looking for. In no way I am looking for sympathy votes. I bring so much to the table. Being a woman, I know the hardships that women have in our society, the double standards in our society, and I am willing to stand up for women and for everybody in our community.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
