BECAUSE SAN PEDRO DESERVES MORE....
BECAUSE SAN PEDRO DESERVES BETTER.....
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PUP 7......ALL THE WAY!!!!
UDP CITY AND TOWN COUNCILS IN TURMOIL!
(Stories Courtesy Channel 5 News @ http://www.channel5belize.com)
Christine Perriott asked to resign by Mayor Moya…
One day after the U.D.P. City Council kicked off its municipal elections campaign attempting to show some semblance of unity, Mayor Zenaida Moya finds herself once again at the epicenter of another controversy. This time there is plenty more drama and it surrounds the adversarial Human Resources Director, Christine Perriott who was asked by the mayor to resign. It is no secret that there has been bad blood between the two, and while Perriott says she won’t go her future at City Hall remains uncertain tonight. According to Perriott, the request was put to her on Friday and she was told that if she did not resign, the matter would be taken up in Cabinet. Perriott refused to step down and on Monday sent off a scathing letter to the Mayor accusing her of lying and alleging that Moya has been giving her a bad name and using her as a scapegoat for the mayor’s unpopular decisions.
P.U.P. candidates protest financial nondisclosure in O.W.
It is political season and around the country both the incumbent U.D.P. and the opposition Peoples United Party, are on the campaign trail for the March fourth poll. As the election heats up, the buzz words of transparency and accountability are resonating as audits of town and city councils are still pending and accusations of irregularities continue to surface. In the last showdown at the October, 2008 U.D.P. convention in Belize City, Mayor Zenaida Moya was accused of unauthorized spending. Today in Orange Walk, the U.D.P. controlled council was challenged for nondisclosure of overdue financial statements. Jose Sanchez, Reporting:The heavy rains early morning did not deter a group of Orange Walkenos from protesting the failure of the Town Council to release financial statements of the Council. The group marched midtown to the Town Hall to present a petition singed by over 2000 persons to the U.D.P. Mayor Ravei Gonzalez. There have been rumblings of financial irregularities for some time and with the recent revelation of a loan made by the council from a Pawn Shop with a whopping fifty percent interest, the protesters were energized.
Ramon Cervantes, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate:
“Since November fourteenth, I sent a letter to the mayor asking for disclosure of the financial statements and record from 2006 to presents. He answered me about the beginning of December in a letter stating that the statements have been published in a local newspaper; it didn’t give the edition, the date, anything. In other words, he told us go and find it if you want. I think this is ample time this is over two months and the people want to know. The loan from a pawn shop for nine thousand dollars and they paid at a rate of fifty-nine percent yearly interest. Now that loan, in addition to the loan being made at such a usurious rate, it was falsified also because the voucher said that the loan was made from and paid to the Orange Walk Business Association, which in the Business Association had no knowledge of it. Actually, it was a pawn shop they loaned it from so it amounts to falsification also.”
MEET YOUR PUP CANDIDATES
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Road to '09The People's United Party (PUP) presented their slate which will contest Municipal Elections on March 4th, 2009. Pictured below are (l-r) Ana Najarro Cal, Ian Pou, Debbie Spain, Mayoral Candidate Baldemar Graniel, Marina Kay, Andre Perez and Vianie Perez.
In the coming weeks, The San Pedro Sun will introduce to you all the candidates from all the parties that plan to contest the elections. Below find mini-bios of three candidates from the PUP.
Mayoral Candidate, Baldemar Graniel Baldemar Graniel is a 58-year-old “son of the soil.” Instrumental in the development of the island, Graniel served as one of the first councilors when the island was first named a town. As one of the first “political fire starters” on Ambergris Caye, Graniel had his hands full. Since then he has lead the troop as Mayor of San Pedro Town from 1992 – 1994. However, he was also a founding member of the San Pedro Lions Club, one of the leading community service oriented organizations on Ambergris Caye. As a member of the Lions Club, Graniel has served in the capacity of Lions President (1985 to 1986 and 1995 to 1996) but has also achieved the highest position within the Club and has lead the country’s Lions as District Governor.
During his terms serving the community, Graniel was instrumental in the development of the island, especially as it relates to the Boca del Rio Area. “At that time, Boca del Rio was comprised of London bridges and had no potable water to speak of. During the time we served, I worked closely with WASA (Belize Water Services Limited) and assisted in the implementation of the water system in that area,” he explained.
As a member of the community, Graniel also assisted in acquiring the island’s first water pump. “We used to operate with bucket brigades. We were still a village and we worked hard in getting a pump to assist in the extinguishing of fires.” Helping his brother out, the Graniel brothers operated the first water taxi and water ambulance on the island.
Today, Graniel is still part of the San Pedro Lions Club and as such, has acquired the position of Director for the San Pedro PolyClinic (a Lions venture). Through his directorship, he has been a liaison between the Government of Belize and the Lions to get the best benefits for the health of the community.
Today, Graniel is still part of the San Pedro Lions Club and as such, has acquired the position of Director for the San Pedro PolyClinic (a Lions venture). Through his directorship, he has been a liaison between the Government of Belize and the Lions to get the best benefits for the health of the community.
A father of four, Graniel seeks the betterment of the community and through his decades of experience plans on bringing out the best that the island has to offer.
Ana Najarro Originally from Salvador, Ana Najarro has lived in the country of Belize since she was two months old. Her family first settled in San Ignacio and Najarro moved to San Pedro 12 years ago. Since then she has established herself as a successful businesswoman. Her first job on the island was as the assistant chef at Fido’s Courtyard, but today, the 28-year-old mother proudly runs her own businesses, namely Dianita’s Deli and Marcito’s Store both located on North Ambergris Caye.
As a strong woman in business, Najarro has understood the importance of budgeting. “Knowing your revenue and expenses, makes you understand and realize the way to move the business forward. As a voter, there are many things that one would like to get accomplished. However, not realizing the budget we may be quick to criticize. As such, being at the council will help me realize the way to move the island forward.”
Coming from Salvador, Najarro has found a desire to assist her fellow countrymen in any way that she can. She has served as Advisor on the board of the San Pedro Salvadoran community for the past seven years. Helping, volunteerism has always been in Najarro’s blood. Through that desire, she has taken part in the Red Cross and in the various radiothons that have been organized to help those in need.
“I understand that helping people does not necessarily mean getting involved in politics. In something that people consider ‘dirty’ but it only gets that way because of the players involved. If it is looked at it positively, then it does not have to be dirty. It is all a matter of keeping the best interests of the people at heart.”
Andre Perez Established as the proud owner of Casa Pan Dulce and Agua Dulce, Andre Perez is recognized as a savvy entrepreneur. A father of three beautiful girls, Perez, originally from Orange Walk Town, made Ambergris Caye his home 12 years ago. Casa Pan Dulce has grown leaps and bounds and Perez has become a respected figure in the industry. Protecting the rights of the 38 bakers countrywide, he has been named President of the Baker’s Association. As President he has been the liaison between government officials, bakers and consumers. When the flour crisis struck, Perez was instrumental in the negotiations between the present administration and the bakers; in the end the consumers benefitted.
In San Pedro, Perez was one of the founding members of the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) where he served as Vice President for three years. Through the efforts of SPBA in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council, the cobblestone projects came to fruition. Perez also formed part of the Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce and worked hard to integrate the local business community in their ventures. “As part of ACCC we wanted to bridge the gap and include the local businesses.”
With eight years banking experience, Perez is certain that he can work hard towards the benefit of our community.
SAN PEDRO MAYORAL CANDIDATES PREPARE FOR UPCOMING ELECTION
Municipal Elections will be held on March 4th and Mayoral and Councilor candidates are campaigning in an effort to get the support of the electorate. As a result Love FM has embarked on a “know your Mayoral candidate” initiative that will cover all nine municipalities across the country. We begin today with San Pedro. Incumbent United Democratic Party Mayor Elsa Paz along with her six councilor candidates are contesting the election for the third consecutive term. She is being challenged by former mayor Baldemar Graniel for the People’s United Party. We asked Graniel about his participation in this election:
Baldemar Graniel; PUP Mayoral Candidate for San Pedro Town
“I have been quite separated from politics for a while but seeing how things are going in my beloved San Pedro I think there is a lot to be done. I decided to go in and try to do something about it because I think that we are being neglected by this present town council.”
Graniel says he and his team will also focus on the overall improvement of San Pedro and this also includes infrastructure if they are elected.
“My plans are to work according to the needs of the people. The people just need to tell me what they need, what your priority is and we will work on that. We have street and drains, parks and parks and beaches and as a tourist destination we need to ensure that our town in clean. Better solid waste and garbage management and better management of the accounts. We have not had the budget of the town council reported to us. We used to have a simmer program for the youths, nothing like that is being done on their budget for this year or last year. We need to improve education and the health facilities here on the island too.”
“I know that I can accomplish a lot more than they have accomplished. We are working as a team for the last two years so I am asking the community to come out on March 4 and vote PUP seven.”
PUP ENDORSEMENT CONVENTION A HUGE SUCCESS!
(PUP 7...WILLING, READY AND ABLE!)On Saturday, January 10, the People’s United Party (PUP) Belize Rural South Constituency held its Endorsement Convention to present their team of 7 contesting the upcoming Municipal Elections on the island of San Pedro.
(Mayoral Candidate, Baldemar Graniel "Don Baldi")
Leading the team is long-time political veteran and former Town Councilor and Mayor, Mr. Baldemar Graniel. The team includes candidates: Ana Najarro Cal, Andre Perez, Debbie Spain, Ian Pou, Marina Kay and Viana Perez. Running on a slogan of being “Ready, Willing and Able”, the PUP 7 seeks to unseat and replace the present UDP councilors who have formed the San Pedro Town Council for the past 6 years. 
(PUP 7, WILLING, READY AND ABLE)
The endorsement convention featured key speakers such as Party Leader Johnny Briceno, Acting Secretary General, Servulo Baeza, former area representative Patty Arceo, former standbearer, Mel Spain, Senator Eiden Salazar and Chair of the United Women's Group, Martha Carrillo was held at the Angel Nunez Auditorium.
(Party Officials and Main Speakers)
(Key Speaker, Party Leader Johnny Briceno)
(Acting Secretary General Servulo Baeza officiated the Convention)An estimated 400 supporters and friends greeted candidates and party officials while joining in the strong and loud chant of "PUP...ALL THE WAY!!" 
(Former Standbearer, Mel Spain presented the Welcome Address)
(Former Standbearer, Mel Spain presented the Welcome Address) 
(Former Area Representative, Patty Arceo)
(Senator, Eiden Salazar)
(Chairperson, United Women's Group - Martha Carrillo)
(Masters of Ceremonies, Jorge Aldana)More pictures of the convention will be posted shortly....
MASSIVE PUP ENDORSEMENT CONVENTION!!
THE DYNAMIC PUP 7
CORDIALLY INVITE ONE AND ALL TO
THE MASSIVE PUP CANDIDATES ENDORSEMENT CONVENTION
WHERE? - ANGEL NUNEZ AUDITORIUM
WHEN: SAT. JANUARY 10TH AT 7PM
COME LISTEN TO PARTY LEADER:
JOHNNY BRICENO
&
DEPUTY PARTY LEADERS:
MARK ESPAT &CORDEL HYDE
MUSIC, FOOD AND DRINKS GALORE!!!!!!!!!
COME BE A PART OF THE NEW FORCE FOR CHANGE!
PUP7 ALL THE WAY!
VOTERS REGISTRATION DEADLINE!
JANUARY 10TH -DEADLINE
FOR FIRST TIME VOTERS REGISTRATION!
REGISTER TODAY!
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
PUP CANDIDATES START CAMPAIGN IN SAN MATEO
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The seven candidates for the People’s United Party (PUP) have hit the ground running. Announcement of the slate was recently made and according to Chairman and Candidate Andre Perez, “we were eager to start talking to the constituents to find out what their issues were.”
One of the areas most affected by lack of government support, according to Perez, is the San Mateo Subdivision which was the area of greatest concern for the candidates. The conditions in which the constituents are living are to some extent deplorable and the PUP Seven were there to hear the cries of the people.
Mayoral Candidate Baldemar Graniel, along with Marina Kay, Ana Cal Najarro, Ian Pou, Andre Perez, Vianie Perez and Debbie Spain spoke to individual household members ensuring to take time to discuss the possibilities that a new administration might bring. “We are not promising to fill in the entire area as has been previously promised but yet nothing has been done. The priority for these residents is to get proper road access and that is one of the issues that we will be tackling,” commented Graniel.
The road to elections in March 9th have already started to get paved. In the near future, all candidates will be presenting their agendas.(Story and pics courtesy The San Pedro Sun newspaper)
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