Aikman’s candidacy may prove expensive for U.D.P.

Monday’s official release by the U.D.P. that it will hold formal talks with Derek Aikman on his political future have aroused a wide range of opinions and emotions on both sides of the political fence. While Aikman himself has not publicly commented on the meeting, scheduled for Thursday, his political opponents have pointed out that the resurrection of Derek may prove to be an expensive proposition for the U.D.P. Not only will any campaign he wages be a costly one but under his contract with the City Council Aikman must resign his post as City Manager once he declares his candidacy. Presumably at that point the party would make up his lost paycheck, but their financial woes won’t necessarily end there. Whichever candidate is pushed aside to make a way for Aikman — likely Mike Godoy in Fort George or Marisa Quan in Freetown — he or she will likely demand a hefty reward to ease the political pain.