Eight days ago, when the UDP Caribbean Shores Candidacy situation was all in flux we reported that Mayor Zenaida Moya was also interested in the open seat.
Many thought it unlikely or improbable, but it happened, alright! This afternoon - hours before the deadline - the recently returned mayor put in her paperwork to vie as a candidate in the Caribbean Shores Convention on December fourth.
That automatically made an already interesting race positively electrifying.
But, alas, like all great things... her candidacy ended before it started. That's because Moya's political godfather Michael Finnegan talked her out of it - and like any good "Goddy," he also offered her a consolation prize.
We caught up with the campaigning couple in the Mesopotamia division an hour ago.
Jules Vasquez
"Mayor Moya, we heard reports that you are running for Caribbean Shores; are you?"
Mayor Zenaida Moya - Running for Caribbean Shores
"I did submit my name, yes."
Jules Vasquez
"But I see you campaigning here on Dolphin Street, which is not Caribbean Shores."
Mayor Zenaida Moya
"Well, I've been speaking with Mr. Finnegan, and he has advised me that this area - I must hang in there."
Jules Vasquez
"So what's the game plan? What's happening, Mr. Finnegan?"
Hon. Michael Finnegan - Advised Moya Not to Run for Caribbean Shores
"The game plan is that I advised her not to deal with it, not to deal with Caribbean Shores. It's a very crowded area already, and the area has some very good candidates. It's the first time for a political convention that I have witnessed that caliber of candidates in one division for a convention. And another one wouldn't help it. She must wait her turn and stay in training for Mesopotamia Division."
Jose Sanchez - Channel 5 News
"So is this your campaign, or her campaign?"
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"This is my campaign; I am the UDP candidate for Mesopotamia Division, and I will be contesting the next General Elections for the Mesopotamia Division, for the United Democratic Party."
Jose Sanchez - Channel 5 News
"But you said that Mayor Moya will eventually inherit this division from you."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"I would very well like, and will want her to succeed me, but that is a matter for the voters of Mesopotamia Division."
Jules Vasquez
"However, she is in a particular predicament because when the life of this city council is finished in March of next year, her time is up because she is not running for mayor again. So then she is out of politics, so she needs to get a break. You are trying to secure her inheritance for yourself."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"That is very good for her. Between now and the next general elections, which will be 2018, she will be in top shape in this division, knowing the people."
Jules Vasquez
"But you want her to wait 7 years when she has an opportunity right now to go and 'mash up' Caribbean Shores."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"I advised her that I waited for 20 years."
Jules Vasquez
"Allow me to take a perverse interpretation. Suppose it is that you and Santi already have your deal that you will support him, and you can't let the man down now. So you have to tell him, 'Boy, I'll keep out Moya.'"
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"No, I don't have any deal with Santi."
Jules Vasquez
It's a pact that you support him."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"I don't have any pact. There were 3 candidates in the division; he's my friend, and he came and asked me to lend my support to him, which I did."
Jose Sanchez - Channel 5 News
"Mayor, it is our survey in the media that this area, Mesop would be for you."
Mayor Zenaida Moya
"Well, I've spoken to Mr. Finnegan, and eventually, that's what we're looking at."
Marion Ali - Love News
"Mayor, let me ask you this again, just so we get it candidly clear. You're running in Caribbean Shores, but you're campaigning here in Mesop?"
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"No, you've missed the point. She's not running in Caribbean Shores, that is plain simple English. And on that note, you're holding up the campaign, and I must-"
Marion Ali - Love News
"I just got that confirmed from a UDP office."
Hon. Michael Finnegan
"She's not running for Caribbean Shores. She submitted her application, and she was advised by myself to withdraw it, which she did."
And while they say it is withdrawn - we suspect that they mean in a notional sense, because, really, at the close of business at the UDP secretariat today her candidacy for Caribbean Shores was still registered and had not been formally withdrawn.
We'll have an update on it tomorrow...
