Earl Trapp Vs Ramon Quiroz for San Ignacio/Santa Elena Municipal Elections

What was traditionally known on the political scene as the “Red Hills” in Cayo saw a complete one hundred and eighty-degree change at November eleventh general elections when the People United Party won all six seats in that district. With the municipal election less than three weeks away, we headed west today to find out what’s happening on the ground. A two-term U.D.P. mayor is re-contesting the election against a P.U.P. mayoral candidate who has lost to him twice before. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

The U.D.P. Seven team of five men and two women, led by sitting Mayor Earl Trapp, is confident that they will be returned to office on March third, keeping that municipality under the red banner. 

Earl Trapp

Earl Trapp, U.D.P. Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena

“You can see a progressive development within our municipality because we have been on the ground, we have been working hard. We have been out there with the people, mingling with the people, dirtying our hands with the people. This is not about necktie and long sleeve; we are out in rubber boots. The response has been overwhelming. I can tell you that impressively, we come to your house and the people would first of all say well before you guys say anything, let me congratulate mayor trap; I am very much proud of him and his team to have been able to accomplish so much. It is so obvious, whenever you walk the streets of San Ignacio and Santa Elena; it is evident that projects continue to be a part of our daily lives here.”

The P.U.P.’s Ramon “Monchi” Quiroz is putting in his bid for local government. But in his attempt, will he come out victorious?

Ramon “Monchi” Quiroz

Ramon “Monchi” Quiroz, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, San Ignacio/Santa Elena

“I used to complain about things I didn’t appreciate and seeing in this town, the twin towns. And I can say I got tired of complaining and now I got involved. The people kept coming to me and resonating with me and I have been listening. Public consultation is more important that trying to do things that will not impact the broader base. San Ignacio has grown so much; we have a lot of subdivisions and these people have been neglected. And I have never left them; I have always been dedicated and listening to their plea.”

But the Twin Towns, as a popular tourism destination, was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands lost their jobs, and families have become helpless. While on the campaign trail, residents are asking for improved quality of life. So what are the plans for either political slate? 

Ramon “Monchi” Quiroz

“In the first hundred days of being elected, there will be a local business bureau; that’s where it starts. You cannot just go and impose certain things because you need to generate income, yet there are so much ways of doing it without burdening your people. We have people from different walks of life in our team and they are the ones that are going to help me because this is not about micromanaging, this is not about only the mayor, Mayor Trapp. This is about working with the entire team and the party and the community; that’s the only way you will be successful at this.”

Earl Trapp

“Vote for me and my team for experience. In a time like this, in a time of COVID-19 crisis that we are going through, you don’t want to bring in someone who is feeling their way through, you don’t have time for that. You want experience, something that you already have on the table, something you already have on the pipeline but it is just a matter of continuation. We are a progressive municipality and we want to continue to progress; we don’t want to regress.”

Duane Moody for News Five.