What’s Up with Belmopan City Council?

Sanie Cal

Mayor Sharon Palacio is not running for a second term in office as head of the Belmopan City Council, but the shenanigans at City Hall continue with the appointment of an Acting Mayor by the municipal leader.  This afternoon, the Department of Local Government issued a statement regarding Palacio’s nomination of Councilor Hope Amadi as Acting Mayor.  The release from the department states that the mayor has no power to appoint an acting mayor.  Based on Section Ten, Chapter Two of the Belmopan City Council Act, Councilor Sanie Cal is the duly elected Deputy Mayor of the council.  It goes on to say, “Deputy Mayor Cal is to act accordingly during the mayor’s leave of absence from November thirtieth of December sixth, 2023, further to the powers and duties conferred upon him as given under provisions of Section Ten, Chapter Five of the Belmopan City Council Act”.