And while hostilities and rivalries remain rife in the streets, Youth Minister Marcel Cardona says he wants to make a difference. Now in a ruling party with 5 ministers from the city’s south side, Cardona from Orange Walk East is probably not the person you’d expect to be going into troubled communities. But, though it may have been a long way from home, that’s just what he did yesterday. Now, those of us who visit Mayflower Street from time to time can tell you that an unfamiliar politician breezing through is not a welcome figure – in fact, veteran representatives pick their moments to make a visit.
But that hardly mattered to Cardona; to some extent the northern politician has made a career off not listening to conventional wisdom and that strong-headedness carried him into Bailar yesterday with Youth for the Future Representatives. Speaking with us today, he told us why he made the visit.
Hon. Marcel Cardona, Minister of Youth
“I think it is in my best interest for me to take a first hand look at what exactly what is going on in these areas of south side where there is so much crime and violence going on at this time. Having seen what I saw in the Bailar area and the other areas of south side, I believe I am better equipped to lobby hard my UDP government for more funding for youth activities.”
Jules Vasquez,
Are you being a tourist there or do you really want to make a difference?
Hon. Marcel Cardona,
“I take my responsibility very seriously and accordingly I believe yesterday’s trip into that area is significant from the perspective of how much importance I am giving it. It is simply a matter of reaching out to people and making them understand that you are not their enemy, but you are here to work along with them.”
Cardona also visited the Yabra area.
