In the broad matrix of town council elections, the UDP sees Dangriga as a seat where it has a strong possibility of victory. The slate is led by popular media personality and community activist Frank "Papa" Mena. He's a legitimate candidate, but this week the PUP is hoping to capitalize on fractures on his councilor ticket. First, according to UDP leader Dean Barrow, prospective councilor Dean Serrano asked to step down because of a rumour circulated in Dangriga which claimed that he had been having sexual relations with his daughter, a frown woman who was living with him. Serrano told Barrow that she had been set up by the PUP to do this.
That was in December, and then again last week, the party had to remove the name of another prospective councilor because it turns out he had an undisclosed criminal record. In a party questionnaire that each prospective candidate is asked to truthfully fill out, Augustine Sabal told the party that he had been arrested but not convicted. Well it turns out that he was convicted for a drug offence in 1999. Though an appeal suspended the sentence, the record of conviction stands and based on that, Barrow says he decided that he had to be removed.
Though the PUP have taken it as a prime opportunity to strike at what appears to be a weakened and divided slate, Barrow remain s upbeat. In fact he told us that the slate has been strengthened by the departure of both candidates and he pointed to their replacements. Serrano was replaced with musical promoter Barbara Noralez and Augustine Sabal was replaced by his brother Harry Sabal, who holds a master's degree. Though a convention was held, the UDP formally presents its slate in Dangriga on Friday.
