7 News Belize

New City Council Sworn in for Belize City
posted (March 11, 2009)

A week ago they were voted into office with a convincing majority at the polls and today the new Belize City Council was inaugurated. It was without the history and genuine excitement of their first inauguration three years ago, but two government Ministers, a couple ambassadors, and a good number of supporters turned out to usher in what the UDP hopes will be a new era of leadership under the once embattled but now re-elected Mayor Zenaida Moya. Keith Swift was there and has the story.

Keith Swift Reporting,
Each neatly dressed in varying shades and styles of red, this evening Mayor elect Zenaida Moya and the ten elected Councillors filed out of city hall and onto the big stage on North Front Street for their formal inauguration into office.

Mayor Zenaida Moya, Taking Oath
“I Zenaida Victoria Moya duly elected as a member of the Belize City Council do solemnly swear that I shall at all times to the best of my ability, exercise the powers and perform the duties of my office in the best interest of the residents of Belize City in accordance with constitution, laws, and regulations of Belize and Belize City so help me God.”

And following Mayor Zenaida, the ten Belize City councillors – five of them returning and the other five new – repeated the oath. Mayor Zenaida Moya says the air of celebration this afternoon was because it was a hard fought battle which she won.

Mayor Zenaida Moya,
“I feel like a five star general who has faced the full blast of the critics of our United Democratic Party and the critics of Zenaida Moya. And through all of it, I feel like a champion with only political scars and not loss of limbs.

And while that’s a good political speech, Moya concedes there is work ahead for her new council.

Mayor Zenaida Moya,
“Definitely the financial situation is one whereby we have to ensure that we deal with new revenue streams and we beef up the collection efforts, not adding anything new, no new taxes or anything but just ensuring that whatever is to be collected is collected so we can get more work done. So that is definitely one of the key areas we want to ensure. We want to put in place in terms of the garbage collection, we want to ensure that the city new amendment to the trade license, that in fact we work with the respective business owners to once and for all put in place a mechanism to have a smooth picking up or collection of the garbage. And definitely I would also say that in terms of overall services to the residents of Belize City, we definitely want to move to an even higher level.”

And to make sure they do, Minister of Local Government Gabriel Martinez warned that big brother in Belmopan will be watching.

Hon. Gabriel Martinez, Minister of Local Government
“As a collective unit will be a review of the annual plans in relation to local revenue projections to ensure that you will be able to meet your goals and objectives. Councils, not just Belize City, need to make realistic and achievable plans of activities for the year and determine appropriate revenue sources to improve financial sustenance. Making these plans is one thing, living within them is another. However the council must have the resolve and will to do just that.”

Mayor Zenaida Moya,
“I feel that there are certain improvements that will be made so I don’t think we need to move to that level however if at anytime there is a need to get further institutional strengthening, I certainly will welcome it.”

Keith Swift,
The Prime Minister has however stated that it isn’t a matter of if you need the help, you will get the help.

Mayor Zenaida Moya,
“Well again that is something that will have to be discussed and the Minister of Local Government brought it up and again he reiterated that it is only something that will be necessary only if it is absolutely necessary.”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow who spoke at the first inauguration three years ago was noticeably absent. As the Chairman of CARICOM, Barrow is attending preliminary meetings related to the 20th intercessional meetings which will open tomorrow. And if you are wondering what will be the portfolio assignments – those will be decided at the council’s first meeting later this week or early next week. The Deputy Mayor will also be elected at that meeting.

Again the councillors newly sworn in today are Erick Chang, Andrew Faber, Laura Esquivel, Dion Leslie, Leila Peyrefitte, Kevin Singh, Dean Samuels, Wayne Usher, and Phillip Willoughby, and Roger Espejo. Five of them are returning councillors and the other five are first termers.

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