Ending months of speculation and rumors, on Wednesday, June 11, Prime Minister and Leader of the United Democratic Party, Hon. Dean Barrow officially announced that Mayor Darrell Bradley will be running as the mayoral candidate for the UDP.
PM Barrow explained that an understanding has been reached with councilors Bernard Pitts and Dion Leslie which allows for Mayor Darrell Bradley to go up as the UDP candidate. The two councilors had expressed interest in running as mayoral candidates in the upcoming UDP convention. They have now withdrawn their applications and Mayor Bradley will go uncontested.
In addressing the press conference, Prime Minister Barrow described Mayor Bradley’s accomplishments as phenomenal and his decision to run for the UDP as a boon for the party and residents of Belize City.
Also addressing the gathering was councilor Pitts who stated that he supported the mayor heart and soul. He noted that there is no one that can say that the Belize City Council has not delivered on 90% of its manifesto promises and added that the ship has been sailing sternly.
For his part Mayor Bradley explained that he was pleased to be in the company of excellence in Belizean society. He noted that it was a difficult decision which he had to make as to where he goes in politics. He regretted the uncertainty during the time before his decision but he said that his decision was guided by what was best for Belize City.
So far what is best for Belize City is indeed a second term of Mayor Darrell Bradley. He noted that 1 of 3 streets in the city have been paved or upgraded thanks to the “unwavering support of the Prime Minister.” He said that it may not have been perfect implementation but the transformation is evident. The council’s efforts, he said ,has been able to “light a fire in the community” where there is now an increasing number of constructions taking place across the city and where the BTL park is seeing an increasing number of visitors. “There is no rational reason to upset the ship,” he stated.
As for the upcoming municipal elections, Bradley was firm in saying, “I am not concerned about the municipal elections, I am concerned about the great work taking place.” The great work will continue as it was announced that 9 more streets will be concreted in the city. Among these will be St. Charles Street, St. Matthews Street, Magazine Road, Castle Street, Lancaster Street, Amara Avenue, George Street , West Street, and the entire length of Princess Margaret Drive. All told, there will be an additional 2.8 million dollars invested in this second phase of the promised 10 million dollar investment by Central Government.
Speaking about the investment, Hon. Dean Barrow noted that while Belize City may be getting a large investment, the other municipalities are not being left behind. Corozal will soon commence the concreting of Philip Goldson Highway from the entrance of the town to Santa Rita to the tune of 4.4 million dollars. Eight million dollars will be invested in the same highway from the entrance of Orange Walk town to Trial Farm village. Dangriga will see the paving of Ramos Road and Ecumenical Drive. San Ignacio is seeing the paving of Bishop Martin Street along with others. Belmopan too is currently undergoing through the paving of a number of streets. Three million dollars will be invested in the road from the bridge on the Island of San Pedro leading up to Northern Ambergris Caye. Punta Gorda too is seeing the second phase of concreting taking place on West Street. Benque Viejo has also seen a 1 million dollar investment in roads.
All in all, the announcement of Mayor Bradley’s second bid is accompanied by news of municipal work driven by Central Government; all to make life better for residents across the country.
