Two newcomers contest Port Loyola
With over four thousand, four hundred voters it’s the largest constituency in Belize City. It’s two major candidates, both first timers, have been working the division for several years. Tonight as part of our continuing series on “Elections ’98” News Five’s Patrick Jones takes a look at the political progress in Port Loyola.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, P.U.P., Port Loyola
“The main issues, Patrick, have to do with how do we provide jobs for our people and a sense of hope for a better future. I think what we are really looking at, is how do we break the culture of dependency? How do we break the culture of political patronage? I would prefer to teach somebody to fish rather than give them a fish.”
Anthony Martinez, U.D.P., Port Loyola
“I am telling my people that I will continue to deliver the goods and services that the people deserves to get.”
Q: “What is the number one thing you think facing the Belizean people right now that needs to be addressed?”
Anthony Martinez
“I think unemployment. I think we need to embark on a program to open more vocational training schools so that the unskilled people can get skills.”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“We’re talking about providing real, solid, good representation that gives accountability to people, that reaches out to people and that listens to them. You will see Dolores as the representative for Port Loyola and in Belmopan giving attention to people. You will see us listening to people’s concerns and you will see real responsiveness to those concerns and needs.”
Q: “Right now you’re Anthony Martinez the candidate. What will Anthony Martinez the representative, if elected, offer, not only to the people in your constituency, but to Belizeans countrywide?”
Anthony Martinez
“Well I believe we will need to embark on programs to create a lot of employment. And I think one of my main focus is to encourage at grass root level, vocational training and that will take this country out of the high unemployment problem.”
Q: “You’re a first time candidate, what do you think your chances are of winning?”
Anthony Martinez
“Man, I don’t believe in chances; I will win. And I think that basically the winning will come from the constant delivery of goods and services in Port Loyola including the paving of Faber’s Road, building of houses, etc. I think we have done a tremendous job in Port Loyola and the people are ready to ensure that they will elect another U.D.P. representative to the House.”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“I think I offer the competence; I offer the commitment. I offer the ability to really represent people, Patrick. I think my own experience, my own qualifications will make the difference.”
Q: “Both yourself and your opponent, Mrs. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, you’re both untested at national politics. What do you think will put Anthony Martinez over Dolores Balderamos Garcia?”
Anthony Martinez
“The continuous delivery of goods and service in Port Loyola. We no talk di talk, we walk di walk. We make sure we deliver in Port Loyola and the evidence is clearly there. It is simple: Port Loyola has been delivering the basic goods and service that the people of the division deserve and we will continue to do that. And I think that is the difference between me and my opponent.”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“I have felt that political gimmickry does not work. We all know that the project for that finance has not come from the pocket of that politician. We know that. And we know too that how it has come about has not come about in a good way. You know, if you have B.T.L., I doubt B.T.L. will be putting twenty thousand dollars into a project for political purposes in a highly charged campaign time, so that doesn’t bother me. I mean what we’re talking about, which is the abuse of tax payer money, is something that we have to get rid of.”
Since 1984 Port Loyola has been represented by the U.D.P.’s Henry Young, who is retiring from electoral politics.
