7 News Belize

The Burdens Of High Office Weigh Heavily On Bradley
posted (April 4, 2014)
So, as you've seen many times, Bradley has consistently told the media that the current sanitation charges are an unsustainable and unmanageable burden on the council. With many other no-win situations like that one in the sphere of municipal affairs, we wondered if the cumulative load of woe played into Bradley's decision not to enter his name as a mayoral candidate for the next election.

While we had the opportunity, we asked Bradley about it, and here's how he responded:

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"People always ask that question and I maintain this view that I can see myself going forward in the City. Of course these things do not make it easy. The job of being mayor is very difficult, we are in litigation a lot, there is a lot of problems that I have inherited. I do think that think that we have made in-roads in terms of the parks and the infrastructure, quality of life and in terms of reduction in crime - all of those things putting the financial house of the City Council in order and I have maintained to the media and to the public that the thing that I am chiefly concerned about is being able to deliver on our manifesto promises and services. From the very beginning, because you want me to go a certain way, which I haven't given a lot of thought to. I have maintained that we are about service, we are about cleaning house at City Council, and we are about delivering on core promises. Right now we are at 107 concreted streets. The city has 8 streets going on including Buttonwood Bay's Independence Drive, Seashore Drive, the extension of Vernon Street, the extension of Dean Street, West Canal, Castle Street - we have a lot of infrastructures going on, those things are causing headaches because we are coordinating with people in terms of traffic and business and all of those things. Those are the things which keep me up at night, those are the things that I am worried about - I am not worried about an election. I am worried about performance and being able to stand in front of every member of the city and tell them that I have done right by them and I have discharge my obligations to the fullest extent possible."

But as you heard, he still didn't answer the question of whether or not he intends to run. The media continued to press him on that topic, and he gave some revealing answers about his experience:

Rowland Parks, reporter
"The question is yes or no, are you going to run?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"It's not a yes or no question."

Rowland Parks, reporter
"Okay, I am sorry sir."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"We know that you've missed the deadline. Can you still apply to be mayor."

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"All of those are not things that I decide. You can ask me about Waste Control because I am the Mayor. You can ask me about streets; about drains, about property tax; trade license, you can ask me about anything that's in the portfolio of the mayor. You can ask me if it is my wish to run again and I will tell you yes. I think that we are making a difference in the city and every single resident of Belize City is telling me that they can see a mark in difference in the quality of life in Belize City versus two years ago. That is something that motivates me to go forward. But you are telling me about an election and I am talking to you about the continued work that we have to do in City Hall and I want to make that a priority and I want that to be my only concern rather than an election."

Reporter
"So you will run even though you miss the deadline to submit your name?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"I am telling you that the things that I am concern right now about are being able to finish all of our obligations."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"What will determine whether you run for either mayor or a constituent? What will determine?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"Time."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"Time will determine?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"Yes."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"At what point do you think the time will run out?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"You are putting this in a certain frame of mind that I am not where you are. I am at the point of doing a good job at mayor. I don't know how you interpret that but that is really what I am worried about. If I can see that I can continue to make the impact and work with my with team to do the effective work that we have been doing and we can make progress then I can see that going forward, but you are asking me about a date and I am telling you that we are worried about so many other things. When I drive around this city and I see the conditions in respect to how some of our people live and some of the infrastructure conditions which are under my responsibility - that's something that disturbs me as mayor and as head of the city. That's what I am worried about."

Reporter
"Have you gotten the feeling that this new responsibility is too overwhelming for you?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"Honestly it is, I mean it's not a nice feeling to be in court every single week. It's not a nice feeling to be saddled by debts that you inherited - it's not a nice feeling, but I can say that on a balance we are a City Council that is struggling in terms of our financial position, but within the context of that struggle we have made substantial improvements to the quality of life. When I go to BTL Park as I do every single weekend and I see families interacting out there and enjoying the space - that's something that makes me feel good because I know that I had a hand in improving and providing that space and improving the quality of life and feeling of security for residence, but it is a frustrating job."

Reporter
"But you knew that there was a deadline to submit your name."

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"Yeah."

Reporter
"So you internationally did not submit your name?"

Mayor Darrell Bradley
"Well I didn't submit my name. I don't think that it's a willful thing, but I didn't submit the application."

The deadline for Bradley to have put in his name for Mayor was Friday, March 28. Current mayoral candidates are current Deputy Mayor, BQ Pitts Jr., the past Deputy Mayor Dion Leslie.

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