Municipal elections are in March of 2009 and it is convention season for the United Democratic Party which controls all 8 town and city councils. But with a massive mandate at the polls in February, it seems the party’s biggest challenges are from within. Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael wants to unseat Zenaida Moya in Belize City and it is even more interesting in Belmopan where Khalid Belisle wants to unseat incumbent Mayor Simeon Lopez. Khalid Belisle has come, it seems, almost out of nowhere but he is presenting a serious challenge to a sitting mayor and he has major executive backative. Keith Swift was on the campaign trail in Belmopan with the candidates today.

Keith Swift Reporting,
Khalid Belisle just turned 27. The young upstart has a degree in computer science and no political experience but he wants to be Belmopan’s next mayor.

Khalid Belisle, Candidate for Belmopan Mayor
“I am the best candidate in this race at this particular time because I believe we do have a vision for Belmopan that we want to execute. I know I have the energy, the drive, and the commitment to make sure that we move Belmopan forward. This is where I was born Keith, this is my hometown, there is no place more important to me than this little, I don’t know how many square miles that we call Belmopan.”

But to be Mayor, Khalid has to dethrone this man – Simeon Lopez, the incumbent.

Simeon Lopez, Belmopan Mayor
“We’re being challenged from within, basically because of the fact that some people cannot get their way, how they want. They want their way with the council.”

And that “people” is actually a person, Area Representative John Saldivar who handpicked Belisle and is openly supporting him. Mayor Lopez says there is no love lost.

Simeon Lopez,
“The Area Representative for Belmopan constituency has told me blankly that he feels like he is beating his head against a wall and so he is going to change his council; he put us there and he is going to remove us. I don’t know if that is the right statement, I think the people put us there and the people will remove us.”

Keith Swift,
What went wrong?

Simeon Lopez,
“Well as I said, he wants to have his own way and we are the duly elected representatives of the Belmopan City Council and when he couldn’t get his own way, there are certain things we couldn’t agree on and if we can’t agree on it he doesn’t seem to want us there. But he thinks he can remove us but the people will decide that.”

And that decision will be between Simeon and Khalid. The two have history. Simeon used to teach Khalid mathematics. But now they are political adversaries. Simeon says he has one thing his former student doesn’t have – experience.

Simeon Lopez,
“The people of Belmopan are mature voters, they are thinking voters, and they would like some people in the City Hall who are experienced in running a city and who have the integrity to make sure that everything is transparent. I don’t know if I can say that about my opponents at this time. Inexperience is on their side. Khalid, well I don’t know if he has ever has a job before. I don’t know except working the computer in the office of the Area Representative. I don’t know how outgoing of a person he is so when it comes to experience I definitely have that over them.”

But Khalid says his inexperience and youth is a good thing.

Khalid Belisle,
“I can offer myself to the city of Belmopan completely. If it takes being at that office at five o’clock until eleven o’clock at night I can offer that. It is something that the other campaign is using against me, my age and my lack of experience but I think it works in my favour because I can be there, I can make the commitment, I don’t have a wife, I don’t have any children, I can be here for the city of Belmopan 365 days each year.

I think we need someone who can keep up with the growing pace of Belmopan. Belmopan is becoming a very fast pace city and in fact we need someone in City Hall who can keep up with what’s happening in Belmopan, be in touch with what’s affecting the lives of the residents of this city and so that’s why I said yes, I believe I am cut out for the job.”

Keith Swift,
Do you think Mayor Lopez has done a good job?

Khalid Belisle,
“I certainly believe he has done as best he could. We could have done better in certain areas as far as being proactive in seeking the funding as necessary and seeking support and we are from the same party and so I won’t go any further than that.”

Keith Swift,
But you think you can do a better job.

Khalid Belisle,
“Certainly. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so.”

Keith Swift,
How important do you think it is that you have the support of John Saldivar?

Khalid Belisle,
“Well it is certainly important and the reason why I believe Mr. Saldivar is supporting me, and he has stated it several times, is because he would want someone and a council on a whole that he believes he can work with. I believe the relationship between himself and the present council has deteriorated to the point that we are not going to move Belmopan forward anytime soon unless we have a council that can work hand in hand.”

But 22 year old Eugene Brown plans to throw a wrench in both Simeon and Khalid’s plans. He is a sitting councillor and also wants to be the UDP’s nominee for Mayor.

Eugene Brown, Candidate for Mayor
“I feel that my endorsement comes from the people, comes from God, and I have the support of my family. I feel that once those three are in tact, I have the support I need.”

Keith Swift,
Why are you challenging Mayor, do you think he didn’t do the best job possible?

Eugene Brown,
“Well I wouldn’t want to put it in that term but yes that is my sentiment, I think we could have done much better. I feel that we could have been organized in the budget. I feel that we could have spread the resources to all aspects of the City Council in terms of tourism, whether it be women, development, beautification – any other thing that benefits the city. I feel that we could have invested more in those portfolios.”

So there are three candidates and three interesting days to go. Reporting for 7NEWS from Belmopan, Keith Swift.

The Hon. John Saldivar told us today that he will stay above the fray and will let the people decide. We should note that in addition to the support from John Saldivar, Minister of Education Patrick Faber was campaigning with Khalid Belisle yesterday. Mayor Simeon Lopez told us Prime Minister Dean Barrow has endorsed his candidacy. All three mayoral candidates have full slates of 6 councilors. The candidate will be chosen on Sunday.