Interview with the Candidates
Q.: Why did you choose your particular party?
A.: Because I just believe it is a better party for the country in general.
Q.: Have you ever been a political appointee?
A.: I have served on the Trade Licensing Board and at one time was the
Commissioner of Streets.
Q.: Have you ever been active in any community activities?
A.: I was a village council member for San Pedro in the 1960's. I was a
member of the Lions for five years and past president of the Caribena
Fisherman's Co-op. I am also a past president of the San Pedro Football Club.
Q.: Have you ever held an elected office?
A.: I have been a member of the Town Board for the last three years.
Q.: Why do you think you would make a good representative for the people?
A.: I believe I am a good representative for the people because I care for
both the community and the people.
Q.: What do you feel is the most important part of your party's platform?
A.: I believe the entire platform of the PUP is important because it cares
for the poor as well as the rich.
Q.: What other projects do you want to see carried out or undertaken if you
are re-elected?
A.: There are several projects I would like to see undertaken; in particular
a civic center and a small hospital. My biggest concern though is to finish
what has already been started. I am concerned about lots that have already
been given out. The town of San Pedro should be able to find a way to fill
that property and make it liveable. It would make for a better San Pedro.
Q.: In the event that the Town Board is a split Town Board what problems do
you think you will face and how do you plan to remedy them? Rather, since
you are already an elected official what problems have you been faced with
and how have you dealt with them?
A.: It hasn't really made any difference to me as far as working ability is
concerned. I get along fine with the other party and they get along fine
with me.
Q.: Why did you choose your particular political party?
A.: Ever since I was young, in primary school, me and my friend Panny Arceo
used to be on the opposite side. I see both parties working and I like the
UDP Policy. At this point nothing can make me change. They are very fair
people who have been elected to serve. I believe that when you are a
candidate you must be dedicated and must put in your all. Before mayors were
barely around and you could never get to see them. The clerks were the ones
who did all the work and had to make decisions. I wanted to be in an active
party. It is not to serve a party but your people. The UDP supports these
policies and for me that is what distinguishes an UDP Town Board from a PUP
Town Board.
Q.: Have you ever been a political appointee?
A.: For nine years I went up for election. Every time I lost until the
people opened their eyes. I won and I was made mayor in the last election.
Q.: Have you ever been active in any community activities?
A.: I served many years with the Lions Clinic. One year as secretary, one as
president and three as chairman. In the Caribena Fishermen's Cooperative I
served nine years as president and 27 years as a director.
Q.: Why do you think you would make a good representative of the people?
A.: Basically I feel I have the potential and the capacity. I am a person
who has no barriers...I have no problem with colour or party. I am not a die
hard. If my party is wrong I will say it. Every one has the right to equal
service. I am very confident that we will be re-elected. We have finishing
touches we need to make on projects and certain policies to carry through.
If we are re-elected then we would have more time and more experience to
deal with these things.
Q.: What do you feel is the most important part of your party's political
platform and why?
A.: We are thinking primarily on education, especially of the lower level -
primary schools. The future of San Pedro is in the primary schools. Another
focus is on recreation for everyone but mainly for the youths. We want to
push a variety of different sports and we would like to build another
basketball court by the new park in Boca del Rio.
Q.: What other projects do you want to see carried out or undertaken if you
are re-elected?
A.: Our number one concern is the streets. They are in poor shape. Streets
are the priority. Another project we plan to undertake is an administrative
building where the police station is now. All those old buildings will be
torn down and removed. The police will move over to the town hall and we all
will move over there. And also if we are re-elected a civic center will be a
reality for San Pedro Town.
Q.: In the event that the town board is a split town board what problems do
you think you will face and how do you plan to remedy them? Or rather, what
problems have you been faced with being the mayor of this split town board
and how have you dealt with the those problems?
A.: We have had no problems, no, none with a split town board. When we were
elected Mr. Gomez resigned and that was a shame but we have never had a
problem with the opposition not attending meetings. They are present but
when it comes to the actual manual labour to be done and carried out, there
are problems. It is nasty politics when you don't participate. In the future
if they can be a part of certain committees and be more involved, that would
help. They have been isolated. People still have the tendency though, if you
don't belong to the party then you shouldn't participate. We should help
everybody. Help your people. If you are going to distribute land then do it
equally and don't worry about if he or she is UDP and PUP.
