Julius and Ramon in Cayo South Campaign

Over seven thousand voters are registered in the Cayo South division where both political parties have flooded the area with party colors and flags. First time aspirant who is also the national campaign manager for the P.U.P., Julius Espat, is hoping to unseat the incumbent, Ramon Witz. News Five’s Andrea Polanco was in Roaring Creek where the campaign is in full swing.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

In the constituency of Cayo South, particularly the village of Roaring Creek the red and blue lines have been clearly drawn. Incumbent Ramon Witz and Julius Espat were hot on the campaign trail today, knocking at every door. In the constituency, jobs and infrastructure are priorities.

Julius Espat, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo South

Julius Espat

“Our people need employment; we need to give back pride and unity to the families and that is our mission—to create jobs. The P.U.P. is the only party in the history of Belize that has been able to drive an economy and create jobs. The U.D.P. was given a mandate in 2008 to do precisely that and they have failed miserable and we are here to make sure that when we reach government that is our number one priority—not only for Cayo South, but for the country of Belize. Secondly; education. The rural communities have been left out for generations and we now need to spend time with them and give our children a future. I am a product of what education can do; it gives you the ability to compete out there in the world. I want to be able to give the children of all these people that opportunity. There is no reason why the urban cities should be better than rural communities and I will fight for that to the end.”

Andrea Polanco

“Mr. Ramon, you have had the opportunity to meet with your constituents over the last four years. Now you are on the campaign trail again. What are some of their concerns? What are some of the things that they would like to see done should you be returned to office?”

Ramon Witz

Ramon Witz, U.D.P., Standard Bearer, Cayo South

“The continuation of the repair and maintenance of streets; the issuing of more lots. In fact next week we’ll be issuing almost a thousand residential lots throughout Cayo South including Roaring Creek—the more inclusion of the people. Yes as I have said in a previous interview, this new term there will be a Ramon Witz with changes. I want to make adjustments, I want to ensure that there is inclusion from every single individual who is a part of the army that makes things happen in Cayo South.”

And while they were visible today canvassing in the village, both candidates say they have been on the ground long before the elections were called.

Ramon Witz

“I have been in touch with some investors and in fact within the next few months, I want to see more job creation in Cayo South with the construction of a silo in the division; that will create employment. And also we are working together with other investors to ensure that we expand and make the opportunities available for many of our people in terms of job opportunities. As you may recall as well, many people in Cayo South are taking advantage of this new company that will be coming forth in the Belmopan area where they will be able to work with them—a company similar to that of Ready Call.”

Julius Espat

“We have been on the ground for over a year. It is my belief—I am an architect by training and we plan before we build. We have been planning this campaign for over a year and it is organized. I have been on the ground for over a year. right now it is just a matter of keeping in touch with people. We are not in crisis mode—the other side might be in crisis mode. We have an organization in place and an organization that will sink Ramon Witz. And I am sending a message to Dean Barrow, Cayo South will come for you.”

Witz says he has been providing lots for the people of Cayo South, but Espat says he is taking a different approach.

Andrea Polanco

“Now you speak of lots and other things that you have been doing. You say that some of those will materialize in the upcoming week or weeks. are these things that you are just throwing in because you are near elections and you want to get the voters to vote for you?”

Ramon Witz

“Absolutely not. Absolutely not. The work has been continuous. Lots have been given out: in Cotton Tree Village, we issued almost three to four hundred lots. That didn’t happen just the other day; that happened about a year ago. This one that we’re going to give out next week has been in the pipeline for some time now but because of the process, it has taken a while. Thank goodness that they are ready now and that’s what we are going to do.”

Andrea Polanco

“We heard on numerous reports—some confirmed; some unconfirmed—that Mister Witz have been giving away lots and helping people with medical bills. Those are the reports. How do you match up to that when at election time a lot of people looking for a little handout? You know; Julius if you give me a hundred dollars, I gwen go vote for you. How do you match up to that?”

Julius Espat

“Well it’s a problem when you follow somebody in the wrong reasons. He is following what the P.U.P. tried to do in 2008. And you know what happened in 2008? The P.U.P. was sent a message by the people of Belize; we don’t want unu money. They wanted a change. They got the change, but the change has been so disappointing that that same effect will come back to haunt the United Democratic Party.”

All that aside, the incumbent says he has been working for Cayo South, but Espat disagrees.

Ramon Witz

“One of the things I do not do is make promises. What we have done in the last four years are many things. From the Nazarene Primary School getting additional classrooms here in Roaring Creek, the paving and widening of the highway through this village—that’s another accomplishment. The fixing of the different sporting facilities—that’s another accomplishment. And we are talking only about Roaring Creek. The issuing of lots to the very needed residents—that is another accomplishments. And I can go village to village for you. The accomplishments have been many.”

Julius Espat

“The first question I need to ask is Ramon who? Ramon Witz was given a mandate in 2008. The day after he won he disappeared until now; two week before elections. So Ramon who? My campaign is not against Ramon. Ramon’s problem is the revenge that the people of Cayo South will put on him for neglecting them for four years.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Andrea Polanco.