Yesterday, The Belize City council had an internal election for new Deputy Mayor. Second term councilor Micah Goodin and first timer Kaya Cattouse eyed for the post. In the end it wasn't even close - Goodin won with a margin of 7 to 3.
Today he told us why he feels especially proud to be deputy:
Micah Goodin - Deputy Mayor, Belize City
"Personally this is a huge achievement for me, this is a huge achievement for my community because young boys like me don't grow up and become the deputy mayor of Belize City and so it is a sacred opportunity to do what is right and serve my people to the fullest of my abilities. In terms of my colleagues and in terms of the party, it provides a huge opportunity because I have grown up in the party, I have come up through the ranks of the party and so I am able to bridge whatever gap that may exist within the party and the council. In terms of the mayor and myself, that's water under the bridge. In any democracy, descent is a healthy part of democracy as long as that descent is philosophical and ideological and not personal."
Jules Vasquez
"I understand you got 7 votes and your opponent Kaya Cattouse got only 3, what is this resounding margins and an indication to you within the council, especially after the little friction that had emerged, yes you said you are beyond it, it's not personal, these things happen but at the same time it's a vindication of sorts."
Micah Goodin
"That's how you look at it, I look at as it exhibits the confidence that my colleagues have in myself."
Jules Vasquez
"The argument can be made that you're ascent to deputy mayor was instrumental by your powerful minister level friends, the powerful minister level friends called in their favors and say, we want Micah win this."
Micah Goodin
"That's what you've heard? I haven't heard that but you probably know more than me."
Jules Vasquez
"That's what I heard but is that the case that you have some powerful ministers in your corner and that they called in a few favors because they want their bwai look good."
Micah Goodin
"It's not secret I am the next generation of PUP leaders, I do have strong ties in the party but I am also competent and capable and I'm qualified, I'm a leader Jules and tried and true."
Jules Vasquez
"Explain your relationship with Anthony Mahler because I've seen you post some time ago, they were fixing streets in Pickstock but you were like Pickstock the fix street, you're a city councilor, I thought you were doing it for the council, you all have a very close relationship, I hear you have the man picture in your office."
Micah Goodin
"*Laugh* Jules I don't know is feeding you this sort of information my brother but myself and all the leaders of the party are extremely close, especially in the city."
When we interviewed Goodin, he was delivering pantry in the Mesop area - tune in tomorrow to hear if he plans to challenge Shyne Barrow in that constituency.
