UDP Unveils Nine Mayoral Candidates Ahead of March Elections

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has presented its nine mayoral candidates ahead of the municipal elections in March. Among them is incumbent San Ignacio and Santa Elena Mayor Earl Trapp, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term. He will face the PUP’s Aaron Mai.  During the presentation, Trapp spoke of his long-term candidacy and service to the twin towns and the works carried out.  

Earl Trapp, Mayor for San Ignacio / Santa Elena: “For four consecutive terms the people of the Twin Towns have entrusted me with the responsibility of leading our municipality. As I prepare to seek a fifth term I do so with a deep appreciation for the confidence you have placed in me and in our town council. There is a reason why the people of San Ignacio and Santa Elena have consistently placed their trust in our leadership. That reason is service, unity, it is commitment, it is dedication and it is in fact that we have remained present on the ground working day in and day out for the people of our community. We understand their concerns, represent their interests and to our utmost best to bring positive changes to our twin towns by being consistent, accountable, transparent and willing to accept responsibility.”

In Belize City, Jacqueline Willoughby will lead the UDP slate against the PUP’s Eluide Miller. Willoughby also addressed supporters during the presentation.

Jacquline Willoughby, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Belize City: “The conversation we must have is not only for the sake of politics. It must not be promises that disappear after Election Day. So let me tell you this. The Belize City Council candidates and I under the umbrella of the great United Democratic Party affectionately known as UDP 11 are bringing a new standard of leadership to the city. A standard that sees residents as stakeholders in the upkeep of our city, not mere pawns in a political game. We commit to being servants of the people, partnering with the residents to promote a cleaner, safer, Belize City which will ultimately benefit all of us. We commit to an accountable city hall where every councillor and I will be policed by the residents of this city to deliver services mandated by law and which we promise to offer. An honest city hall where we will disclose the management of finances and other critical business. Yet still, the people of Belize will have the right to ask “where is our money going?”

The UDP’s Belmopan mayoral candidate, Isidoro “Richie” Galvez, spoke about areas he believes need urgent attention and the work he intends to undertake if elected. Galvez will challenge incumbent PUP Mayor Pablo Cawich.

Richie Galvez, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan City: “Our team has spent the past few weeks brainstorming and discussing the initiatives that we would seek to implement when we are elected next March. Allow me to briefly share a few of the priority areas we have identified as needing urgent attention in the capital. Firstly, and this one is dear to my heart, it is our intention to ease the burden being carried by the local business community via the introduction of incentives designed to keep some money in their pockets. These will simultaneously target existing business houses as well as those in the start-up phase with a heavy emphasis on micro, small and medium enterprises. Secondly, we will zone in on improving delivery of traditional municipal services in areas where we have seen the city experiencing difficulties, namely refuse collection, infrastructure maintenance, neglected and overgrown properties and public space upkeep. Finally, with the city being so young in terms of its demographic makeup, it is our every intention to foster an environment where the youth of Belmopan have spaces and avenues created specifically for them to come to the forefront of pushing the growth and development of the city. That is not to say that the pioneers of the capital will be forgotten. No, not at all.”

The other UDP mayoral candidates include Dwayne Sampson in Dangriga, who will face incumbent Robert Mariano; Roberto Lopez in Corozal, against Mayor Rigo Vellos; and Leonard Carballo in Orange Walk, against the PUP’s Ladrick Shephard. Yusef Guerra will run in Benque Viejo, while Franklin Polonio will contest Punta Gorda against the PUP’s Maclovio Ack. The party’s candidates will now take their campaigns into the months leading up to the March elections.