Meet your Belize Rural South Standard Bearer Candidates

Belize’s General Elections are to be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Belizeans will head to the polls to elect their chosen constituent (new or incumbent) to fill 31 seats in the House of Representatives. Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and St. George’s Caye form the Belize Rural South (BRS) constituency. As such, The San Pedro Sun takes this opportunity to present the candidates vying to win the post of BRS Area Representative. Thomas Greenwood Jr. is running under the Belize People’s Front (BPF), while Andre Perez is running under the People’s United Party (PUP), and incumbent Manuel Heredia Jr. is from the United Democratic Party (UDP). Of the three candidates, Greenwood and Perez submitted their answers to our questions, while incumbent candidate was unable to meet our print deadline.

1. Name: Abner Andre Perez
2. Representing Party: PUP
3. Educational Background: Attended St John’s College High School and St John’s Sixth Form
4. What is your Political Experience? Have been involved in politics at the BYM level and then as Chairman in the BRS Local Executive and a member of the National Executive.  I was also a Councilor Candidate in Municipal Elections, then Mayoral Candidate in the last Municipal Elections.  My political work started when I was only a teenager.
5. What is your personal understanding of the term “Representation” and how do you intend to be a good representative for Belize Rural South, should you be elected? The PUP Motto is “Service Before Self.”  I am a firm believer of servant leadership.  This means that I plan to lead by example, and to serve the good people of Belize Rural South.  I will be their voice both in the House of Representatives and in the Cabinet.  I will serve BRS and represent their best intrests always.
6. What is your vision for Belize Rural South? I see a reduction in poverty and crime.  I see an increase in the employment rate through meaningful investment in the most important resource our people.  This must be done by investing in more education and our medical facilities and restoring our Tourism Industry to pre-covid levels.
7. If your party does not form the majority in the House of Representatives, how would you work to ensure that your constituency’s issues are addressed?Even if the PUP does not form government, the people of BRS will have a strong voice in parliament.  I intend to make the needs of my constituents known.
8. What do you see as the four most critical issues in Belize Rural South; how do you propose to address them, and in what time frame?Unemployment, Cost of Living, Housing issues, and Crime are the top four issues that the people in BRS are concerned about.  The PUP has developed a comprehensive plan to address these issues, and BRS has an important part to play in the development of Belize as has always been the case.  We are confident that the infrastructure needed to speed up development in our constituency will come under the PUP.
9. With elections less than a month away amidst a pandemic, what would you like to say to your voters? I would like to ask the people of the sister islands to come out to the polls early, to practice and cooperate with all the safety protocols established.  I would like to remind them that we have not received the investment needed for development of the Belizean Tourism Product nor for the people of BRS.  We have experienced neglect…just look at the conditions of our streets and the hospital and school that never materialized.  I ask for the chance to make a difference in BRS, to bring the development and change BRS deserves.
10. If elected, how do you plan to work with peers who may be of a different party? What efforts will you take to unify the House into an effective, cooperative team? All Members of the House are representatives of constituencies that elected them.  They are chosen democratically and must be respected.  I plan to honour the democratic process and reach across the aisle to work on issues of national interest.
11. Do you have a recovery plan for your constituency following the COVID19 Pandemic? We have developed a 100-day plan to address the most pressing issues.  This means we will continue the pantry programs, and plan government led initiatives and stimulus packages to help put our people back to work.
12. What do you believe to be your constituency’s best economic asset and how do you plan on developing it? Of course Tourism is the biggest industry on the islands.  However, the natural beauty that we have here is second only to our people.  We must continue to develop and train our greatest resource, our young people. Our young people are our greatest assets.

1. Name: Thomas Henry Greenwood Jr
2. Representing Party: Belize Peoples Front. BelizePeoplesFront.com
3. Educational Background: High School
4. What is your Political Experience? Mentored by Thomas Henry Greenwood Sr. Ex city councilman for PUP between 1987-1992.
5. What is your personal understanding of the term “Representation” and how do you intend to be a good representative for Belize Rural South, should you be elected? A proper political representative does what is right for the people of a community/country by what the people needs are always. You must always listen to your people first and foremost and fulfill the needs of those that entrusted you to listen to their needs, as a young growing democratic nation we can use many countries as examples to improve our nation in our own standards.
6. What is your vision for Belize Rural South?A booming eco FRIENDLY metropolis thriving with positive transformation for one and all. Equity.
7. If your party does not form the majority in the House of Representatives, how would you work to ensure that your constituency’s issues are addressed?To be a leader you must first learn to follow. In this case we must follow our peoples needs so we all become great leaders. Day in day out we would push for a positive transformation, transparency and accountability for our constituency and the country.
8. What do you see as the four most critical issues in Belize Rural South; how do you propose to address them, and in what time frame?Proper medical facilities, upgrading of schools and schools’ systems/sports/art/culture. Proper self SUSTAINABLY is imperative for a young PROSPEROUS developing country, eco FRIENDLY programs/businesses. Adding proper transparent security surveillance systems to protect life and property.
9. With elections less than a month away amidst a pandemic, what would you like to say to your voters?We as a people deserve the best because we have the best. In every aspect. The jewel belongs to us all, we can do and will do much much better now and futures to come. Our people are intelligent and resilient people.
10. If elected, how do you plan to work with peers who may be of a different party? What efforts will you take to unify the House into an effective, cooperative team? Full political reform as well as constitutional reform.
11. Do you have a recovery plan for your constituency following the COVID19 Pandemic? To start we must do our best to become fully self-sustainable islands e.g. Micro farming as well as large scale farming for the islands respectively. Preparing for future man made and natural disasters and pandemics. Secondly would be to educate ourselves and in educating ourselves we will be preparing for other future disasters man made or otherwise. Preparation of a people and a nation is preparation for a healthy PROSPEROUS future for all.
12. What do you believe to be your constituency’s best economic asset and how do you plan on developing it? Boosting our eco tourism friendly agenda. Organic farming is one way to boost the interest of healthy travellers.