My Refuge Radio’s Independent Candidate

Richard Smith

Earlier in the newscast, you heard from the U.D.P.’s Michael Finnegan. In addition to the big red, the list of independent candidates making a bid in the upcoming general elections continues to grow and there’s another name being added today. He is Richard Smith, the Director of My Refuge Radio and he is no stranger in Belmopan where he has announced his candidacy. Smith told News Five, that as an independent candidate, he is not the least bit intimidated by the two major political parties because he has met many frustrated voters since he started campaigning last week. He has chosen a platform of teamwork to bring change to the Capital City.

Richard Smith, Independent Candidate, Belmopan

“I am looking at team work, bringing people together. Every time we vote, it’s a political government, rather than a national government and so I feel like my candidacy can bring a unity in bringing team work, people working together. Everybody talks tourism but they have not done anything for tourism in Belmopan. I believe I will make a dent to pioneer tourism in Belmopan; two is provide quality health care for all Belmopanese and surrounding the Western Regional Hospital; and three I believe it’s time for Belmopan to have a municipal police service, not Cayo South. We must divorce ourselves from Cayo South and so by getting in there, I want to encourage Belmopan to think Capital, to think growth, to think the unity coming together to engage and to advance Belmopan as a city.”

Delahnie Bain

“Have you been out there campaigning as yet and if you have, what has that been like so far?”

Richard Smith

“I have been campaigning in the Belmopan area and U.D.P.s are frustrated with their own, P.U.P.s are frustrated with their own and many who are on the bench have no interest to vote because they’re just frustrated, many turn off their TV and radio because they’re just tired of the same old, same old. So when I present my candidacy, it wasn’t anything to twist because I am saying to them, I am not going to buy any vote, if you are serious about the city, let’s do it together. It’s been very good response, I think I stand very good chance as a third party. Now is the time that third party should get in and take their stand because of the dissatisfaction of voters at this time.  One of the downfalls of our nations is that our politicians are buying votes and it’s crazy money, wild mismanagement. With my candidacy, we’re not going to do that. My campaign budget so far is nine thousand dollars that comes from one of my buses. I sold my bus and put that money because where my mouth is my money will be also and I am committed to transformation of the city and I believe now is the time. So I am saying to Belmopan go green and stay clean.  I’ve been working in Belmopan. Everybody know me;  I work with police, Transport Department, the golden citizens, the elderly, schools always call on me for service. Everybody knows me so it’s just to know that my name is there. If they are serious about making a difference then they know who Richard Smith is and I am for real, I am legitimate. We can make a difference in our country, Belize and this is the time that I’m standing up for a cause.”