Anthony Mahler, new standard bearer for Caribbean Shores
His slogan going into the P.U.P. Caribbean Shores Convention was “A new day for the Shores,” and when the votes were counted around six on Sunday evening at the Trinity Methodist School, Anthony Mahler handily defeated Joe Coye who had been the P.U.P.’s standard bearer for over twenty years and is a former minister of government and mayor. The official figures show that Mahler obtained seven hundred and eighty-four votes to Coye’s three hundred and seventy-seven while the third contender, Austin Waight, garnered sixty-three votes. As the Convention season rolls on for both political parties, the convention is of particular interest to political observers as it is the first in which the P.U.P. polled higher than the U.D.P. Carlos Perdomo, the current minister of defense and immigration, who held his convention last December, garnered six hundred and ninety-five votes compared to Mahler’s seven-hundred and eighty-four votes. On the other side of town, supporters of the United Democratic Party, cast their vote for a standard bearer for the Albert Division. Herman Longsworth easily won with four hundred and twenty three votes. He beat the incumbent Tom Morrison who received one hundred and ninety one votes. Area Representative Mark Espat turned the tide in the Albert constituency and has been the elected representative for three consecutive terms.
According to Ch5 archives, only 144 more total votes were cast in this PUP convention than the recent UDP convention for Caribbean shores. Yet the UDP convention was reported as “scanty turnout” for a division with some 5,000 registered voters, while the PUP convention coverage tries to make the argument that Mahler getting a mere 89 more votes than Perdomo is somehow an indicator? Neither standard bearer got the support of more than 15% of the electorate in this constituency in their respective conventions.
Changing the political landscape is about more than changing faces within a party. It is about the introduction of new ideas and a different vision and program for forward development. Belize has long struggled under outdated policies and politicians hell bent on either getting their own or on rubbing the backs of their cronies. Let’s hope that fresh new faces see the need for change at the core of these parties and agitate for change and the types of development that is meaningful to young Belizeans and future generations. Well done Mr. Mahler – the work only now begins.
While i do feel like Anthony is the better man for Caribbean shores for PUP over that land hog, i don’t know how far the apple falls from the tree bc they were all part of Joe Coye’s management team in the past elections. All of Anthony’s family all got land from the hog in the University Heights area, as well as scholarships abroad. I do hope that he isn’t like the rest of the PUP and just grab and dont help the people.
International: This is the time to find out what this candidate is all about, not after he is elected into office. Starting now, right now, looking into his background for experience, not just as a politician, but his over all understanding of the wider world. What has he been exposed to out side of Belize, such as matters of an economic nature, etc, etc. New face and big talk without experience means nothing. Note, a person cannot function above what he/she knows. since he does not know everything, he should have the foresight how to make choices that are of crytical nature. The great industrialist Henry Ford was asked what made him so successful even though he did not have a university digree?
His answer, I know how to chose those that have the knowledge to get the job done.To say the Belize is in need of good leadership, is an understatement of the day. However, if a person would admit that he/she does not know, then that could be the first step to achieving greater knowledge. But if I know my fellow Belizeans, this is an area where we come up short, humility; we know it all. Like the young man who could not be convince that he had no singing talent, is the same with the politicians. No leadership skills, and they will not admit it. Bye for now.
Thanks for the info Do it right.
Does his nickname WEEDY give a hint?