Today's launch also gave us an opportunity to ask Dr. Candice Pitts about her political campaign in the Mesopotamia Division.
As the PUP Standard Bearer for that constituency, she's preparing to contest the next general election against the UDP's Shyne Barrow.
Now, as viewers are aware, Mesopotamia has been statically the safest seat for the UDP for a number of years under the tenure of the retiring area rep, Michael Finnegan. So, are Dr. Pitts and the PUP fighting an uphill battle in that division, or is this seat in play, now that Michael Finnegan is stepping down?
We asked Pitts for her read, and here's what she had to say:
Reporter
"Have you been warmly received by the voters of Mesopotamia, or do you feel like you're receiving resistance?"
Dr. Candice Pitts - PUP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
"I have not been receiving resistance. I would not characterize it as such at all. I think that the people of Mesopotamia have been very receptive, one, because we come with a level of work that is just very genuine and sincere about helping to develop this community, and helping to address the many, many concerns and needs of this constituency, which is one of the smallest constituencies, as you may know, in the City. But, every day, we witness the physical decay, and it's really just a stone's throw from the center of the city. It needs much development, and that is something that we're trying to address and contribute here."
Reporter
"Mesopotamia is considered a safe UDP seat. It has been for a number of terms. What's your strategy on trying to penetrate what looks like a UDP garrison in Mesopotamia."
Dr. Candice Pitts
"You characterized it as such, and I don't want to rob you of that opportunity to interact with the residents of Mesopotamia on that level, and to really find out how they feel. Because that is what we have been hearing on the ground. You may be surprised. You may think that its a stronghold. When you hear from the residents, you may be surprised."
We also wondered if she has mended fences with the leadership of the PUP since her public condemnation of the party last year.
That was back in May when she was expressing interest in becoming the standard-bearer for Port Loyola. The party's vetting committee ended up recommending Gilroy Usher Sr. as the candidate that the party should endorse.
Pitts complained bitterly about the decision in an open letter to Port Loyola voters. Among harsh criticism of the party leadership, she accused them of not encouraging women politicians to take a prominent role in the PUP.
And among those comments, she add, quote,, "What those members of the PUP have made vividly clear to me on May 2nd, 2018, is that: I am young; a woman from Port; of a particular race and therefore good enough to be in local government, but not Good enough to be in the National Assembly." End quote.
So, does she still have those negative opinions of the party? We asked, and here's how she answered:
Reporter
"When you were offering yourself for Port Loyola, you had accused the leadership of the PUP of placing a ceiling on your political career, that you were not being welcomed to go any higher than municipal government. Do you still hold that same view, or have you revised since?"
Dr. Candice Pitts
"I think that the party leader has made a great effort in trying to include women, more women, and also new blood in the PUP, as well as the political arena, here in Belize. I have been allowed to contest the general elections here as the PUP standard bearer in Mesopotamia. And also, it was through that effort that he had considered me to be one of the Senators of the PUP."
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