“Elections ’98”: Belize Rural North
It’s a part of the country that a century ago represented the heart and soul of the nation. Today the villages of the Belize River Valley, many of which are in the Belize Rural North constituency, are attempting a comeback. The question is which representative will lead it. Patrick Jones spoke to two of them.
Denton Belisle, U.D.P., Belize Rural North
“The issues I’m campaigning on in Belize Rural North are twenty four hours electricity for those villages that don’t have it, water supply, potable water supply systems, improved roads and streets for the villages and jobs. Most important of all, jobs for our youths. Those are the four main areas that I am concentrating on.”
Max Samuels, P.U.P., Belize Rural North
“In the Belize Rural North, the main issue is bread and butter, translating into jobs. The Rural North is in a very depressing state right now. Economically people are hurting. More so since the past five years and we need to get something done to help the people in the area economically.”
Q: “Your opponent in the elections on Thursday is a deputy leader of the People’s United Party, what is the one thing you think that will put you one step ahead of Maxwell Samuels?”
Denton Belisle
“Well I think my record of achievement over the last three years when compared to Mr. Samuels’ achievements in the ten years, that he has been active in politics in Belize Rural North, will be the main difference that voters will decided to vote for me instead of him.”
Q: “Mr. Belisle is untested in the national level of politics, does that make it easier for you to beat him, you having been to the House of Representatives?”
Max Samuels
“Well that is quite likely, but we are not taking anything for granted. We are working right up to the wire.”
Q: “You’re no stranger to electoral politics. Do you think you’re ready to take on the functions as a minister in a U.D.P. government, should your party be successful?”
Denton Belisle
“Well to be very frank with you, I am new to electoral politics. I only got into politics three years ago when I was nominated as the U.D.P. political office for Belize Rural North. But I am well prepared to take on the functions of any government office in this country including the office of Prime Minster if this should happen in the future.
My background is in development. I have a very wide and varied background in management and economic development which bodes well for any position which I might hold in a future U.D.P. government.”
Q: What is the one thing you think that will put you one step ahead of your opponent, Denton Belisle?
Max Samuels
“Work. We’ve been working with the people and for the people in the past couple of years. We continue to do so up to the present time.”
Denton Belisle
“As a representative in Belmopan I will be there to represent the people who elect me to the House of assembly. That is the primary focus that I will have: representing my people. Any office that I hold will have to be secondary to that. I will look after the interest of the people of Belize Rural North first at all times.”
Max Samuels
“I have a track record in the Belize Rural North. Even though I wasn’t elected between 1989 and 1993, we were able to do quite a lot in the division and we will continue to do that work. People are looking forward to this. Countrywide we will support the manifesto as presented by the party leader. Actually we have our own mini manifestos for the various sub-areas. You know there are seven polling stations in Belize Rural North and we have a manifesto which deals with specific issues, things that we will do for those individual areas. We will make sure that we carry out those which are in conforming to the national manifesto.”
Don’t forget to tune into Channel Five and Love FM on election day for complete live coverage.
