And from central government to local government, Councilor Micah Goodin is currently in Barbados, attending law school at the University of West Indies. When the news broke, it was controversial since Goodin was elected to serve Belize City, not Cave Hill - where the UWI campus is.
Today we asked the deputy mayor if he feels Goodin will be able to properly execute his duties from abroad, and whether or not the other councilors hold any grievances.
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor, Belize City
"Councilor Goodin is still working at the City Council as a duly elected councilor. We had our first caucus meeting after the whole fiasco, that was held on Tuesday, which I chaired, and he was in attendance virtually. And it was fully engaged, fully represented, we had quorum and things went smooth. Now, we're in 2022 there are features and technology now that could make things easier for situations like these. As long as the councilor commits to being in attendance and contribute towards the caucus meeting then I see it as a smooth thing, I think he can handle both worlds."
Courtney Menzies
"But do you think he can effectively do his job while he's away?"
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor, Belize City
"His job as a councilor is to be in Caucus meetings, if you look at the City Council Act, that is what we're mandated to do."
Courtney Menzies
"But he has a portfolio."
Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor, Belize City
"Yeah, he has a portfolio and he can do that remotely, unless you are a councilor who likes to micromanage and want to be in the office, that's a whole different story. But passion dah passion, right, people voted for you and to me, once you keep that commitment, whichever way you get that done, you just have to get it done and for me, it's in the caucus room where your voice and you vote matters, that's where you have to make sure you're present at all times. So far I haven't heard any bickering or any rejection from any of my colleagues so I could safely say that everybody is smooth and onboard, I think at this point the work of the city and the residents kind of trumps everything at this point, all other problems."
Goodin's portfolio is E-Governance and Community Engagement. It is unclear if he got paid leave from the City Council - since that request had been voted down at a caucus meeting. But reports say the council were asked by the PUP secretariat to pick up the tab for his farewell party.
