Turning to some politics now - two weeks ago - when we had the chance to speak to the Deputy Mayor of Belize City, Allan Pollard - we asked him what it's like being in a broke council. The council isn't spearheading any sweeping program of modernisation for the city, or paving any streets - heck! they can hardly keep the grass cut! Indeed, COVID induced revenue shortfalls and a national economic crisis have reduced the council to the very basics of municipal management - picking up the garbage, keeping the lights on and paying staff - basically a placeholder municipal government.
It's a long way down from what they had planned for when they were first swept into office in 2018. Now, into their second term - the national realities may be different, but the expectations are much the same. We asked councillor Pollard how he manages rising expectants against diminished resources:
