Meet the Candidates for the Dangriga Town Council Elections
On March sixth, the electorate will go to the polls to vote for a municipal government in their respective city or town. Until then, the political parties are visiting with voters in their area and presenting their platforms on which they seek office. The U.D.P. team consists of mayoral candidate, Hubert Lucas and councillor candidates: Frank Caliz, Adlene Estero, Cindy Fajardo, Anthony Garbutt, Stephen Laurie, and Dwayne Sampson. The P.U.P. team consists of Mayor Robert Mariano and councillor candidates Martha Robinson, Gilroy Flores, Liberato Teul, Howard Flores, Howard Melendrez, and Hilberto Bernardez. In tonight’s episode of Meet the Candidates, we speak with the mayoral candidates and their teams from both major political parties.
Hubert “Alex” Lucas
Hubert “Alex” Lucas, U.D.P Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
“My name is Hubert Alexander Lucas. I’m the UDP male candidate for Dangriga.”
Marion Ali
“Yes, Sir. What are the issues that you are campaigning on?”
Hubert Lucas
“Some of the issues that we are campaigning on are proper drainage in Dangriga, proper streets, employment and more activities for the youths. I will go and solicit funds from Central Government and from other countries. I will become a partner with sister cities around the world so that Dangriga can be the envy of the nation.”
Robert Mariano
Robert Mariano, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
“The main accomplishment has to do with the amount of roads that we have paved. We have paved at least 18 streets around Dangriga during this short period of time. We have also opened 15 new roads around Dangriga, especially in the Rivas Estate, New Site and Wagierale area. Those were important to the people of Dangriga because the past administration had given out lots in those areas but the people didn’t have access to their own properties. So what we did was to open the lot so that they have access. We have dealt with the playgrounds.”
Dwayne Sampson
Dwayne Sampson, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Dangriga
“I run up as a third party [candidate] with the Belize People Front.”
Marion Ali
“Why have you joined the UDP in this round?”
Dwayne Sampson
“I decided to join the UDP in this round because when I look at the UDP vision and mission it shared the same sentiment as the philosophy that I carry for the people? We work for the people and that is why I decided that I will join the UDP.”
Marion Ali
What do you bring to the table?
Martha Robinson
Martha Robinson, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Dangriga
“I have years of leadership working with youth groups. I’m working with women’s groups. I work with the diaspora. I’m a past president for National Garifuna Council, Dangriga Branch.”
Marion Ali
And what would you like to see get done if you’re elected term?
Martha Robinson
“I need to work a little bit more when it comes to empowering women, women’s groups as well. I will work with them and make sure that they have more opportunities when it comes to entrepreneurship and so that’s why I’m looking at that.”
