MEET YOUR PUP CANDIDATES

Road to '09
The 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.

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 4^th 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 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

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)

As soon as Ambergris Today hit the streets last week, it began flying off the shelves and we knew it was due to the announcement of the PUP slate for next year’s town council election. The other big headlines were San Pedro’s first author and book launching, and the fabulous light boat parade but people kept asking our reporters why is it we did not carry any words from the candidates.

Councilor Candidate Andre Perez, Mayoral Candidate Baldemar Graniel, Councilor Candidate Debbie Spain

Ambergris Today immediately set out to request an interview with Mr. Baldemar Graniel, the mayoral candidate, and fortunately for us he conceded us an interview. We are conscious that it is too early to ask him about the platform and issues under which they will campaign, so we were careful with our questions.

Ambergris Today (A.T.) Mr. Graniel, the announcement of your name was a surprise to us, and most of San Pedro, I am sure. Why did you decide to run for this office?

Graniel: I decided because I am confident that I have a lot to offer to my town. I would not have joined the race if I thought I don’t have anything new or better. I have a good idea of where this town needs to go and how to get there. Right now the town is going ahead but at a great cost or loss.

A.T. Is that the only reason?

Graniel: No, I also decided to run because I know that I can win, because the people know that they will win with me also. I am not running for any personal interest. I am running for my people, and I mean Sanpedranos and all residents who deserve better.

A.T. It is said around the town that you had already retired from politics, so why again?

Graniel: I served many years as councilor and as mayor too, but I did not retire. I just did not run for a while, but I kept serving and governing the interests of my town. I was in charge of the Poly Clinic which is a big responsibility. As mayor I gained a lot of knowledge and experience, which I can use to continue my work for San Pedro because I see a lot of things going wrong with infrastructure, streets, parks, sale of lots to investors instead of to locals, poor investment development, traffic, accounts management and planning in general.

A.T. Are you sure, Mr. Graniel? Some people are saying that the reason you are running is that you did not want your daughter to run as mayor and that you did not want Andre Perez to run either.

Graniel: (with a big smile) I believe my daughter is as prepared, or better prepared, than me to run for mayor and if she wanted I would have supported her and not run against her. As for Andre Perez, I have a lot of respect for him as a responsible, hard working, intelligent and most important honest person and leader. If I did not like him, I would not run with him in my team like the other group who was promised to be beaten up and being chased out. I believe in teamwork. When I am mayor, every councilor will have equal voice and every San Pedro resident will be listened to.

A.T: What do you promise, Mr. Graniel?

Graniel: I promise hard work, communication, transparency, accountability, equality, respect and honesty. Is that enough? (big smile)
A.T. That’s not what I mean. What do you promise to the people?
Graniel: I repeat, all of what I said before (meaning all of the above last statement). I do not like to promise things. I see what the needs are and go to work. I can promise more cobblestone streets, classrooms, water, sewer, less crime, hospital, etc. but I prefer to see the needs first and go to work.
A.T. Have you always been a PUP?

Graniel: (huge smile) I have always been a Graniel because I believe in the integrity of my family. I have always been a PUP because I believe in the philosophy To Serve. I don’t change my religion or my party. I know some PUP’s have made mistakes but that is the individual and new leaders come and the job goes on. So I ask those PUP’s who were vex for errors of the past and left the party, to come back and be the PUP’s that George Price taught us. In every party there are people who make big mistakes. I make mistakes too but nothing scandalous and nobody in this world can point a finger at me and say I am dishonest or that I have mismanaged their business.

A.T. Thank you, Mr. Graniel for being so quick to accept our interview request.

Graniel. Thank you, Dorian for the opportunity to let the people know me. All Sanpedranos know me, but every resident should know that I mean good for everyone, not only the Blue’s. San Pedro is for all of us and all of us are for San Pedro.

Reprinted from the Ambergris Today Newspaper

Volume 10 - No. 49

Dated: December 18th, 2008