And while we had the opportunity, we asked Mayor Bradley about what will happen to his post as Mayor of Belize City. He was re-elected to that office 6 months ago, but he's now offering himself as the UDP Candidate for the Caribbean Shores constituency. We'll know the outcome of that election bid in 33 days, but is there a plan in place at City Hall should he be elected to higher office in the General Elections?
He told the press that the City Council had been planning for this for several months now:
Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council
"I don't want to be too over confident, but in one month I will be an area representative representing the people who I love in Caribbean Shores and I will continue as I have done for the last going on to 4 years serving the people of this city, because of course Caribbean Shores is part of this city and then also serving the people of the country. I have not thought about any other scenario."
"The scenario is really that I am focused on campaigning and winning that election. Councilor Leslie is hugely confident. He has acted as mayor before when Zenaida Moya took maternity leave from 3 months. You have other councilors within the Belize City Council who is very strong and transition is not something new. We are a democratic country. We've been a democratic country for 34 years and the law is very clear. If there is any vacancy in the office of mayor, the deputy mayor will act for a period not exceeding 90 days and within the period of 90 days there would be an election for somebody who will be the new holder of mayor. But I suspect that that person will come from the council and Dion Leslie has asked me and he has expressed for a long time that he is very interested in doing that and I am hugely satisfied that we have had conversations at City Hall. We have been working very closely as a team over the last 3 years and any number of them including and especially Dion Leslie could continue the race that we have begun and I think that he has the heart for the people of Belize City and he has the experience and the vision because we have been working together for the last 4 years."
So, what if he isn't elected as the Area Rep for Caribbean Shores? Well, as you heard, the Mayor is so confident that he will be successful, that he hasn't even considered the possibility of losing. Here's how he further explained it:
Daniel Ortiz
"Let's say the very worst scenario happens for you God forbid you lose. Do you go back..."
Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council
"I can't speak to that."
Mike Rudon, Ch5
"The transition at City Hall, would you go back to being mayor?"
Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council
"That's a question that I haven't even given thought to."
Daniel Ortiz
"You have the opportunity. You have the option of doing that."
Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council
"I want to be as clear as possible. I have no thought of that. I tell you this very clear; in terms of how I go about the delivery of responsibilities, I am very focused and goal oriented. At this particular point, our focus is 100% on Caribbean Shores and winning that seat and no other consideration."
Daniel Ortiz
"Would you be able to return to office as mayor if you lose sir?"
Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council
"You have asked me that same question and I haven't thought about that."
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