Mayor says allegations against her are false

A News Five team is just back from La Isla Bonita where the shooting death of a police corporal took place before dawn this morning at the hands of a sergeant. We’ll have a full blown report on this story, but first we start with the ongoing public spectacle at City Hall. Belize City Mayor, Zenaida Moya Flowers fought back today ferociously like a wounded tiger at seven councillors who took a public stand against her on Wednesday. It was no holds barred and the mayor pulled out proof suggesting that the councillors were not entirely truthful when they called a press conference to make allegations against her. The Councillors, Roger Espejo, Laura Esquivel Frampton, Dion Leslie, Leila Peyrefitte, Kevin Singh, Andrew Faber and Eric Chang issued a statement in which they referred to a caucus on Tuesday at City Hall.  According to the Councillors, when Leslie brought up the issue of the election of Philip Willoughby as the Deputy Mayor, Moya Flowers stormed out and they stayed behind to pass a resolution on the matter.  But the Mayor showed video recordings of the Councillors leaving the building at around ten minutes to seven on Tuesday evening.  As was admitted to by both sides, the meeting ended a few minutes before seven because the Council was scheduled to hold a public meeting at seven o’clock that evening.  The tapes she presented show the time at the top left corner when the Councillors all filed out of City Hall just before seven, mostly using the main entrance while Councillor Dean Samuels went through the back.  Moya says given the timeline, the Councillors could have never stayed behind to agree on and pass any resolution that night.

Zenaida Moya Flowers, Mayor, Belize City

“It was stated they stayed in there and they went through and they carried on the meeting and that a resolution was passed.  Well you know, thank God for cameras.  We installed cameras a while back during this term just to ensure that we know what is happening around the Council.  I have asked the City Administrator to kindly look at the cameras because I know I was telling the truth.  I said but you know what, dah still seven ah dem.  People might say dat dehn di tell di truth, who know? I looked at my watch to look at the time because we had a live broadcast meeting that was to have started by seven o’clock.  I told you I looked at my watch.  It was about two or three minutes before – normally I keep my watch five minutes ahead so that I could arrive on time. I look pan mi watch, boom, shix I said I have to hurry go over.  That is when they bring up the resolution which I already told you they should have done it properly and followed the laws.  They should have sent it to the City Administrator so we have enough time for it to be tabled properly.  But nonetheless, mek wi goh with what they said that they went ahead and a meeting continued.  Councillor Samuels said that he was right there and no such meeting continued and no resolution was signed. The door opened, here it is, here is the time, six fifty one.  Now remember, they deh deh, talking whatever and so forth.  I noh know weh he di point up eena Dion face bout.  I have no clue what that’s about.”