For nine months, he controlled the City Council's $4 million baby but tonight Belize City's traffic boss is out of a job. This afternoon Belize City's Traffic Manager Michael Godoy was fired from the City Council. Godoy was hired on July 1st of 2005 under the Fonseca led City Council and today Godoy got his marching papers from the new city council. And while it didn't surprise most that this very political figure was shown the door, he said it was news to him. He this evening told Keith Swift that he is a p-u-p, a proud one, but that shouldn't have cost him his job.
Michael Godoy,
"I was given a letter terminating my services as Traffic Manager. Your station might have been one of the station who did an interview with Mayor Moya, I think it must have been Jules who asked if they are going to terminate employees or dismiss employees. They said employees don't need to worry about it but those people who were out in blue shirts well that's another story. Well this is the story; I support the People United Party, I was out there in my blue shirt, and because I chose to do that, I have been terminated."
Keith Swift,
You were politically appointed.
Michael Godoy,
"I was not politically appointed. There was an advertisement in the newspaper, I applied for the post that was vacant in the newspaper, I went through the process of doing interviews; if I was politically appointed I would have had a contract."
Keith Swift,
Just before going to traffic you were running a radio station. What expertise in the field of traffic management do you have that would have secured you that job other than the fact that you proudly support the PUP?
Michael Godoy,
"Let me ask you a question, which of the members of the House of Representatives have the qualifications for the portfolios that there are holding? Which one of them does?"
Keith Swift,
That's neither here nor there.
Michael Godoy,
"The point I am making to you is this: dos it mean because I have not had a training particularly in traffic management that that would disqualify me from working, I have over twenty years management experience.
We need to differentiate one thing: yes I am a PUP. I wear that election day. At my job you can ask anyone of my employees if ever in asked anyone if they are PUP or UDE or if at ay job I did anything that would show that I support a particular party."
Keith Swift,
So you really thought you would keep your job?
Michael Godoy,
"It doesn't matter what I think in terms of if I would stay there or not, what is important is that the UDP is saying to you the citizens of this country that if you support a particular political party and you wear a particular political party shirt that you can't work in any government department, that you can't work. Is that right?"
Spokesman for the City Council, who is helping with transition, is Dale Trujeque. He this evening told us that Godoy wasn't fired because of his politics, he said Godoy was dismissed because the council decided they don't need him anymore. And if you are wondering who will replace Godoy, well Trujeque says that hasn't been decided yet and in interim the department will be run by senior personnel. Last year the Traffic Department brought in $4 million for City Hall and has about 60 employees.
And while the transition tremors gave Godoy a jolt in the old capital, the council in the new capital have also sacked a senior manager. The Belmopan City Council today issued a release stating that it has terminated valuation officer Vincent Pascasio. According to the release, Mayor Simeon Lopez informed Pascasio that, "the council did not have the confidence that (he) could operate effectively based on his actions and attitude towards the new council." Pascasio leaves with all emoluments due up to the end of the month, along with 3 months pay in lieu of notice, plus gratuity, vacation grant and attendance bonus as per his contract.
