6 City Council senior managers sent the Mayor a joint letter of resignation yesterday. They are city administrator Sharole Zaldivar, finance director Dwain Davis, city planner Harry Smith, city engineer Robert Allen, human resource director Dale Trujeque, and public relations officer Kenny Morgan. The letter says that after reviewing caucus and other decisions of the council, they are of the view that the management team is not needed for the continued smooth operation of the council.
In a revealing interview conducted an hour and a half ago, the Mayor said that she can see where her managers are coming from. Still she says she was shocked when she got the letter yesterday.
Zenaida Moya, Belize City Mayor
"In terms of the letter when it came to me, I was shocked. I must say I had just come from a governance and transparency workshop and so when I got back to office yesterday morning, I was working quite nicely, dealing with my usual work, and then afterwards this letter was presented to me.
According to them it has to do with certain decisions and I believe the process of how some of those decisions are made. And that seems to be the crux of the matter. It was reiterated over and over, yesterday and today, that first of all it has nothing to do with all the councilors in terms of the decisions and caucus decisions. It has nothing to do with all councilors. But they do have some concerns as it pertains to some of the decisions and I believe some of the process that is done under particular portfolios."
Jules Vasquez,
So the managers don't per se have a problem with the Mayor?
Zenaida Moya,
"No. They made it abundantly clear Jules. Yesterday they said it. This morning they sent again a spokesperson of the group to let me know to reiterate their position that Mayor, this is not an indictment on yourself as Mayor. In fact on the contrary they made it abundantly clear that they respect me and they appreciate my position in terms of how I handle things as Mayor and that they feel very very good working with myself.
I would go on record to say and to tell my Belize City residents in particular that I appreciate the work that these directors are doing. I feel that it is not the easiest thing to be a head of department, a public servant and be a head of department. I know about it, I used to be one. And so I understand that when it comes to being in that position, first of all you look at your professionalism and there are certain things that you simply will not do or don't want to do. Often times however some people will go along with the program and some won't. and in terms of decisions that are made that may affect your professionalism or your integrity, sometimes you will have concerns and in this case I must say that seems to be one of the main reasons that these directors seem to want to clear up."
Jules Vasquez,
So these directors seem to think then that some of the councilors have run red?
Zenaida Moya,
"Again Jules again we would like to clear it up but this is just for the public. They have to understand that there will always be some persons that can get along with others more easily and for whatever reasons in this case I must say that upon dialoguing with the directors, clearly they don't have a problem with some councilors."
Jules Vasquez,
Who is the problem with, are you able to say that?
Zenaida Moya,
"Not at this time. I would prefer that we have the meeting. A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow for these things to be discussed and I am hoping that through discussions and dialogues, we will be able to resolve the situation. It would not be right for myself to simply just accept the letter without trying to sit down and see if we can work out something because clearly they are not doing it for the wrong reasons. I don't see them doing it for the wrong reasons. I see them trying to make a difference and that is what we want when it comes to good governance.
We want people that at all levels to be able to stand up and when they see certain things not being done correctly, do something about it. So in terms of reprimanding in anyway, even if they would be maintained, which that is what I would want, I would want them to remain at the council. I feel that they are good directors, I feel that they have been of tremendous help. They are my support, they are real support team. They are my right hand and so clearly, I am going on record, that I would not want any of them to leave."
Jules Vasquez,
Whose side are you on? Are you on your council's side or are you on the side of these managers?
Zenaida Moya,
"I am on both sides. I can't just take one side."
Jules Vasquez,
But you feel the managers are right. That is what I have heard from you, that the managers feel that certain things have to be done a certain way and you said they have experience, as do you, and that you support them in thinking that sometimes perhaps some councilors are not doing things the right way.
Zenaida Moya,
"Well Jules what I can say is that again it is not about being on anybody's side. It is about assuring that what comes out of this will be the best for the city. I will go on record to say that if we have good people working at the City Council, why should we just let them leave without trying to ensure that we do our best to keep them on."
Jules Vasquez,
The rumors say that in fact you had the managers' back and they have your back and that this is all a handset play, set by you, because some councilors don't agree with your plan for Belize Waste Control.
Zenaida Moya,
"Well Jules let me just say and people know me, or those who are close to me know, that I take my faith very seriously and so when I would say that I can put my hand on the bible and say that this has nothing to do with any Waste Control or any collusion in anyway with the directors. This is because I fear one person, one person, and that is God. And so I can actually put my hand on any Bible right now and say that that is not true. I absolutely did not know about it. I never spoke to any of the directors. They never gave me any indication that this letter would be written and again I can put my hand on the Bible and state that. And again, I fear God so I would never lie and put my hand on the Bible."
