And while Senator Courtney is not aspiring for elected office, the two other PUP senators seem as if they may be vying against each other. Persistent and credible reports out of the PUP are that Senator Valerie Woods is contemplating a run against the PUP caretaker for the Albert Division, Senator Paul Thompson.
It's not yet confirmed and Woods has not submitted her name - but we know she has been canvassing heavily for support within the party. Woods grew up in the Albert division. For his part, Thompson might have expected some protection from a challenge since he was the campaign manager for the PUP City Council slate which pulled off a huge upset in the March 7th elections. But, that seems unlikely - as there are elements within the PUP leadership who are pushing for him to be replaced by a woman candidate.
Compelling, but still, it's all speculative and today, the divisional Chairman Oscar Arnold wouldn't say much:..
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Just be an endorsement, but now Albert has become the subject of fear speculation about who will be running there and who will emerge. What is the plan as the chairman for the Albert constituency convention?"
Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor - Belize City
"The convention date has been set at June 17th. I have a meeting with the general secretary and the chairman of the party to work out the logistics. There is a deadline for individuals to submit their applications, who want to run or to represent the great Albert Division. As it stands as of now, we don't have any applications that has come in. We have the caretaker who is Senator Paul Thompson and I have been made aware that there may be a contest that will be placed by an individual there. But until I can confirm that Jules, it would be irresponsible for me to say yes for sure there are the 2 people that are going to faceoff."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"June 17th is in 6 weeks. Is the timing staged and the chairman picks the time. Is the timing staged to preclude any challenge to the caretaker? In terms of that in 6 weeks it's hard for an outsider to come in and really make their way in a division."
Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor - Belize City
"No. It's not to preclude that. We also have a reregistration that's coming up in July and August and we must prepare for that as a constituency."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is it a matter of curiosity for you now that suddenly Albert is one of the most interesting and hottest divisions in the country?"
Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor - Belize City
"I don't know if you can say it's interesting and hottest thing, but thank you for the compliment as the chairman. But it's that time of season. Obviously the recent win of the team 11 for the PUP Belize City Council has given a lot of hope, given a lot of people a lot of energy to say you know what, we are coming back. That maybe part of the reason why the Albert Division is seeing this type of activity."
Reporter
"It appears that some people on the committee have not taken to well to this challenge as they have posted on social media already. Do you expect that it's going to get nastier, because they've already made some comments like 'oh, the other person who is challenging is link to Ashcroft or associate with people linked to Ashcroft.'"
Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor - Belize City
"I won't get into any innuendoes or hearsay. It's still developing. Like I said until we see the applications come in, then we will know which direction and how it will go."
Again, the convention is set for June 17th, and the deadline for the submission of candidate's names is expected to be four weeks before that date.
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