But while that fire got put out, another type of fire could be kindling within the PUP. It's down to a snub of the Party's 65 elected municipal leaders, none of whom were invited along on Prime Minister Briceno's five-day state visit to Mexico, earlier this month. That trip was loaded with 12 government gliterati including ministers, CEO's, wives, and assistant
Making up a delegation of 9.
This afternoon we asked Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, whether he saw it as a snub. But ever the diplomat he claims that while he would have been ready and excited to be part of the conversation he can appreciate that the meeting was at a state level.
Cherisse Halsall
"Now, sir, I wanted to ask you about Belize's state visit to Mexico was a big trip. I think about a dozen delegates, but not one representative from any of the municipalities, not yourself. The mayor of Belize City, the man who many say, shot the first shot in terms of the overall victory of the PUP. Do you feel disrespected at all?"
Mayor Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City
"No, I am a. I'm a person who, wants to be a part of the solution and I can understand or probably appreciate where the group or the delegation felt that it was at the state level. I could appreciate that. But certainly, at the city level, we would have been excited to be a part of the discussion. I went to Chetumal tomorrow when they launched their free zone in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. And it is those type of activities that really. That really bring cities together and we are the local government arm. We are the closest to the people, a city. The City Council local government is always closest to the city, to the people, and we can never forget that fact that the local government serves as they are the voice of the people each and every day. We have people come into the city hall who are locals who want to talk with the mayor about my street, about my business investment, about a new business idea. So we are always connected to the people and it would serve any government well to be able to continuously connect with the local municipality. Connect with the local government to have that bridge, a trust, and having that ear on the ground."
