The People’s United Party (PUP) executive committee in San Pedro Town released their manifesto (political mandate) should they get elected in the next municipal election slated for March 2015. The manifesto launching took place on Monday November 3rd at their local headquarters located on Pelican Street. Present to witness the release of the manifesto were members of the local executive, including PUP town council candidates and Orange Walk Mayor Kevin Bernard.
The manifesto documents address 15 points that are relevant to issues affecting the island. The areas, including ‘Cleaning House’ through transparency and accountability, Taxes, Streets and Infrastructure, Master Plan for Housing and Planning, Garbage Disposal, Sports and Youth Activities, Social issues and Women’s Affairs, Technological Advancement in Administration, Bridge, Traffic, Development and Protection of the Environment, Partnership with the People, Safety, Education and Health.
San Pedro PUP Mayoral Candidate Giovanni Solorzano and his councilor candidates with the exception of Omar Guerrero, and the PUP Belize Rural South (BRS) Standard Bearer Elito Arceo each presented on a topic. They highlighted the need for a change following 12 years of local governance under the same administration, the United Democratic Party (UDP). “I believe it is a feasible and realistic manifesto that can be accomplished,” said Solorzano.
Amongst the list of priorities that the PUP is promising is to conduct a comprehensive audit of the San Pedro Town Council within 60 days if elected. Despite being demanded by the electorate, an independent audit has not been done since 2007, when Elsa Paz became Mayor. She ordered a complete audit by the Auditor General for her predecessor’s term former PUP Mayor Alberto “Beto” Nuñez and nothing incriminating was found. However, no audit has been held for the near 12 years of office under the UDP; first by Paz, and now by current Mayor Daniel Guerrero.
Also on the list of promises is for the formation of a municipal police unit operated and financed by the municipality. This says Solorzano “will complement the work currently being done by the San Pedro Police,” which he said is “understaffed and not properly paid.” The talk of a municipal police unit is something that has been in discussion by both political parties but has never been able to materialize.
If elected the PUP also promises to revise the tax systems, including catering to online business, revamping the garbage collection system, building a municipal morgue, upgrade the dilapidated streets and turn the parks into a child friendly area.
Guest Speaker Mayor Bernard congratulated the PUP 7 team, indicating that they are moving in the right direction. “We need to work together as Mayors to ensure that San Pedro can improve. With the Mayors from the south, the north and the west, we can join forces to ensure that the quality of life of our people improves. Not because we will be faced with the challenge of having a UDP central government means we cannot have a perfectly good PUP town council. If Orange Walk Town has been able to function in such atmosphere, then San Pedro can do the same and even better,” said Bernard.
The release was presented to a small group of about 13 earlier in the evening. The PUP did a second launching later in the night to a wider membership of the party. The local PUP executive said that the manifesto was put together with the input of local residents and the various stakeholders.
Share
Read more
