These are hard times for the City Council, as it struggles to keep current with its commitments to pay the garbage collectors and city sweepers....but tonight there are reports which say that even in the grip of a financial pinch, the Council has decided to, or is considering, increasing salaries of the Mayor and her Councillors. To give you a better understanding of where this puts us, we need to backtrack just a little. On October fifteenth, at a Prime Ministerial Press Conference, UDP Leader Dean Barrow said: “on the question of the Mayor’s salary, it was agreed that the resolution of the Council which had fixed the salary at $6,000 per month was and is a valid resolution and that is what must govern going forward.”
But going forward for a month only, it seems. Because 30 days after the Prime Minister said that, the Council met on Friday November 14th. And best information suggests that the majority agreed to re-instate the Mayor’s three-thousand dollar a month allowance – bringing her monthly salary to nine thousand dollars. You will remember that’s the same allowance which was the subject of so much contention and public fighting within the Council before the convention.
But this time it went down – we understand – without great dissent or upheaval. And why the sudden unanimity? As we understand it, Councillors would also have their allowances increased by $300 a month – as sort of an “I scratch your back – you scratch mine” compromise – even as the council is on its back in terms of meeting its commitments. And while that is the report no one could tell us with certainty if a resolution approving it was passed. And that’s why we asked the Mayor today. We met her at the official opening of the bridgefoot gazebo. And while the mood was breezy and the day was cool, the line of questioning was red hot.
Jules Vasquez,
Did the council and the Mayor increase their salaries by a resolution taken last week Friday?
Zenaida Moya, Mayor of Belize City.
“Jules I am not aware of that. Again positiveness Jules, positiveness.”
Jules Vasquez,
Mayor it is a simple question: are you getting paid $3,000 more per month by Council resolution?
Zenaida Moya,
“Jules I will not go ahead and speak into….”
Jules Vasquez,
But you’re accountable Mayor you have to
speak for it.
Zenaida Moya,
“Jules you will not get me into this.”
Jules Vasquez,
But is it a fact?
Zenaida Moya,
“Jules again the decision by my Council, we will be meeting to discuss different matters and I really don’t want to get into it. Today we’re discussing this. Jules…today…public money what I want you to deal with, I want you to speak about what will happen about our $20 million. Tell me about that, tell me about the $10 million, tell me about the $20 million.”
Jules Vasquez,
This is such a dodge Mayor. Are you getting an increase of $3,000 per month?
Zenaida Moya,
“Jules whatever salary I get, I’ve worked hard for it.”
Jules Vasquez,
That is David Fonseca’s salary, he is the most disgraced Mayor in the history of this city.
Dean Samuels, City Councillor
“You get your answer on that Jules.”
Jules Vasquez,
But you all realize you’re answerable and accountable because you’re only covering because councillors got an increase as well.”
Dean Samuels,
“I know nothing about that.”
Jules Vasquez,
You’re not getting a stipend of $400 per more a month?
Dean Samuels,
“I don’t know nothing about that Jules. You have to get that answer down the road. That’s allegation Jules.”
Zenaida Moya,
“That’s it, that’s it.”
The Council will meet again on Monday and by then we should know if a resolution was passed.
