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But, the release concludes, BGYEA, quote: "will sign an amended MOU with GOB once the…issues are satisfactorily clarified and agreed on."

New Standard Bearers Swept In At Convention

The political convention season continued this weekend, but this time both mass parities staged their conventions in the city.

And - on both sides of the political colour line - it was a battle between old and new - as Tom Morrison of the UDP tried to go for a third time as UDP standard bearer in Albert, while Joe Coye tried to go for a fifth time as PUP standard bearer in Caribbean Shores.

And though they were incumbents both Morrisson and Coye were coming off massive losses in the last general election. So would they be able to swing it, one more time? We went from camp to see if the old would give way to the new:..

Jules Vasquez Reporting
This week, Patrick Faber didn't have to fight off crowds - in fact there was hardly a crowd - the entire scene - populated with political personalities - was laid back and collegial - and that's because there weren't many voters.

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"I feel excellent Jules. I believe my supporters came out today, I saw lot of people who have promise to vote for me so I feel very good at this time."

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"I am extremely confident. We've won today, I don't know what the numbers are yet but we've won."

And seeing the area, you'd say the same thing: Herman Longworth's camp was clearly better outfitted - and better put together. He had a number of slick street signs, while Morrison was actually used signs recycled from the last general election

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"Jules clearly it's a case of big money spenders against a grass roots man who have worked hard in the division but money does have an impact especially amongst humble and poor people of the Albert division. I would tell you that lots of money has been spent. [Jules Vasquez - Not by you] certainly not by me."

Jules Vasquez
"Exactly, we recycle; we believe in recycle and so-on Jules. My opponent has spent lots of money. I don't know where all this money came from, it is said that it came from his northern bosses."

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"That's a pile of crap. What I spent - I spent out of my pocket. I will say that I had a couple of key people - family members especially who supported me, but I have no one else. I got no support from no one out there. Nobody gives a buck for conventions in these hard times especially to a new person. I put in hard work and that is what got me where I am right now."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"Like I said that millions of dollars are being spent by......"

Jules Vasquez
"Not millions, hundreds, thousands...."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"Many hundreds of thousands of dollars. I mean come on, you have seen the campaign and you could see the kind of money that was given out here today. I can point out people who were giving out the money. I have pictures of them."

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"I don't know anything about that."

Jules Vasquez
"You are not saying that it didn't happen?"

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"I will say categorically that I don't know anything about that."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"I am still not use to a situation where my opponent or people are spending big money in politics. It's just not right."

Jules Vasquez
"But Mr. Morrison the only people who talk like that is people who think that they will lose."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"No."

Jules Vasquez
"You think you will lose?"

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"We need to clean up politics in Belize."

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"We are working with a very tight budget. In fact you will know because we have put a commercial we couldn't afford to continue it. We had to stop it from airing, so we are on a very tight budget."

Jules Vasquez
"Should you have earned the loyalty of the party or maybe it's time that....."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"The loyalty of the people of Albert more important Jules."

Jules Vasquez
"But then at the same time you tried twice and you lost spectacularly."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"There is some truth to what you say."

Jules Vasquez
"The turn out I get the impression is near close to a thousand. You are still facing the stronger PUP candidate base on the last three elections in the country. How will you overcome that?"

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"Hard work Jules. You get in and you do what you have to do. Elections are won on the street. You get in and you sit and talk to people and you work, work, work and I am prepared to do that."

Tom Morrison, Two Time Std. Bearer
"My opponent - if he were to win would face some deep challenges that he would even understand where it comes from because Mark Espat do have a lot tricks and it takes a little time to learn those tricks and see how he put them together."

Herman Longsworth, Std. Bearer Aspirant
"There is a need for a new person in Albert. History has shown that. I won't try to knock anybody in Albert but the people have come out and they said that they want somebody new and that is what this is about. That is why I am here, it's not about Tom Morrison, it's not even about me, it's about Albert. People need a change in Albert."

Longsworth was right, he ended up beating Morrison 423 to 191, a margin, of more than two to one.

And while that event was low-key - across town in Caribbean Shores, the vibe was very different.

The atmosphere was charged, the competitors and the PUP were showing what would best be called swagger.

Candidates Anthony Mahler and Austin Waight greeted voters at the gate, while Joe Coye, going for his fifth run at the standard bearer's post looked upbeat - while his long time ally and Mahler's sister showed good sports-manship The chairman was all smiles as the crowd was steady and the spirit strong - the PUP was confident it would exceed the total 1,100 votes that the UDP had gotten in its convention in December.

And it did - and it was all in Mahler's favour, and he was brought in on the shoulders of supporters as he beat Coye by a margin of more than two to one, 762 votes to 373 - a big boost win for the first time standard bearer candidate.

And while one of Coye's supporters liked like he wanted to settle a score, the momentum of the moment overtook all things and Mahler says he's ready for what's next:

Anthony Mahler
"Like I say it's a new day for Caribbean Shores. The work has just started. Carlos Perdomo, we are coming for you."

Reporter
"You have beaten Mr. Coye and beaten him so convincingly."

Anthony Mahler
"Well, the people have spoken. I mean Mr. Coye has been there for 15 years and so they want new blood, they want new direction, they want new energy and I feel good about it."

Jules Vasquez
"Have you reached out to Joe Coye who you beat today?"

Anthony Mahler
"Obviously, the man has been the foundation for Caribbean shores for the last 15 years and I would be stupid if I would turn my back on him. in fact I want to reach out to him, I've reach out earlier today and say after this is over at 5 o' clock you and I are still friends."

Still friends, but Coye was nowhere to be seen as Mahler took the oath - or as he was carried away on a wave of support.

A Massive Cleanup Effort

And while the politicians did their thing on Sunday, Saturday was for the environmentalists, as multiple units of volunteers were deployed all along the western highway as part of the Belize Audubon Society's third annual "Walk for a Green Belize" effort which is held to highlite Earth Day.

The cleanup campaign began at 6:00am at the Constitution Park in Belize City and had the participation of over 600 people from fifteen embassies, businesses, associations and schools. Volunteers picked up garbage along the Western Highway from Belize City to Guanacaste National Park at the Belmopan junction.

It was work! And at the end of it, the hundreds of do-gooders had collected approximately 2,000 thirty three gallon bags of garbage from the roadside..

Motorists, bus drivers and riders, cyclists, joggers and others that traverse the highways are encouraged to maintain the cleanliness by making a conscientious effort to keep the roadways clean.

Earth Day is April 22nd .

Another Rally Against Violence

And while Audubon was cleaning the western highway - an inspired Police officer want to clean to spiritual superhighway. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Diane Hall who says the country is in the middle of a 'spiritual war' and by her reckoning only thru divine intervention can crime become a thing of the past.

Well, there's lots of folks who feel that way, but this senior cop is doing something about it.

Hall who heads the Police Prosecution branch says she woke this morning with a calling from God to gather the wider Belizean public in a national moment of prayer:

Jim McFadzean
"How did this initiative came about?"

Diane Hall, Assistant Superintendent of Police
"Well this morning as I was getting ready to come to work - that just came over me that this is something that I need to do."

Jim McFadzean
"You don't believe as a commission officer of the police force that the police alone with their new aggressive efforts will be enough to stem the tide of this increasing crime that's been spiraling out of control?"

Diane Hall, Assistant Superintendent of Police
"I don't think so and that is my opinion. I think we need God intervention like I mention."

Jim McFadzean "You are not concern that you are going to get flag from your fellow officers or even the government administration?"

Diane Hall, Assistant Superintendent of Police
"Well this is not to go against the government, I am sure the Prime Minister and Ministers of government and all the leaders of this country are frustrated with this crime situation and I am not here because I want to bring down anybody. I think this is a calling from God for me to do."

Jim McFadzean
"So tell us about the plan?"

Diane Hall, Assistant Superintendent of Police
"I am planning to do a walk on the 8th of May with all the churches. I want to invite all the churches to come together in this effort and to fight against this battle that we are going through right now and I want it to start at 2pm on the 8th of May but I need to do some fine tuning and invite the churches from the entire nation to come together in Belize City because it's not only a Belize City problem it's a countrywide problem."

Jim McFadzean
"Many churches have done their own individual efforts, I can recall the Protestants attempted to buy back some of the guns off the street and of course there have been other limited effort in an attempt to bring awareness to the existing situation with crime, but nothing seems to be working. Are you concern that your effort might be one of those that will just be by the wayside?"

Diane Hall, Assistant Superintendent of Police
"I am certain that other churches might be praying for this nation but I think when we come together as a group - we can make a difference."

The National March and Rally to Heal Belize, is scheduled for Sunday, May 8th at 2 P.M.