Eluide Miller was today unanimously elected by his fellow councillors to serve as Deputy Mayor for a second term.
And now that he'll be deputy mayor heading into next year's municipal elections, it seems to put him in prime position to succeed his father in law, current Mayor Bernard Wagner who has announced that this is his last term.
He said it is a vote of confidence from his fellow councillors:
Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City
"I feel a great deal of gratitude, right, which I owe to my colleagues on the council for their confidence that they have expressed in me once more by re-electing me as deputy mayor for a second term."
"And I think that to receive the unanimous support is something that I certainly don't take lightly enough. I am, of course, proud that despite being the youngest member of the council, my hard work and dedication and the genuine commitment that I bring to the council, that they have seen it and that they appreciate it."
"And I think that brings a great sense of gratitude to me. And I really appreciate the fact that I have been able to earn their respect and their confidence. I'm pretty certain that you all in the media would recognize that this is the most united that the belief city council has ever been."
"You don't see any use of internal friction within the council. And that is through targeted effort. That is true targeted effort on my part, on the mayor's part, on all council members' part to remain engaged and to remain focused on the job at hand and on the mandate that we were given by the residents of this city."
"And so I went into this election today, confident, confident, not knowing that all my colleagues supported me, knowing that I have showed my colleagues or I have given them reason to support me, right?"
"And I trusted that they would see my work, understand what I bring to the table, see my dedication that I have shown not only over the past year or two, but throughout my time at the council. I've been at the council for over seven years now."
"And so I went into the interday trusting that. And if a scenario came up where I had the opportunity to support Council Cattouse, I would have done so just like I did back in 2024 when we were first in office."
When asked about the strong possibility that he will offer himself for Mayor next year, he didn't give us a definitive "yes" but he said when the time comes he will be ready.
Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City
"Well, right now, I think my focus, as I shared with you, is on the responsibility that the city, the residents of the city, and my colleagues have entrusted me with. I have been re-elected as Deputy Mayor again, and I take that mandate very seriously."
"It is not something that I take lightly, and I understand that I will have to do my part over the course of the next year to ensure that we achieve those goals that we set out to achieve. And so there's a lot of work ahead of us."
"And my priority right now is serving Belize City to the very best of my ability between now and March of next year. Again, I have to highlight, though, that my journey has been a unique one through the Council."
"And so naturally, as you could imagine, there is a part of me that feels that I have to finish the story, right? At some point, I feel that I have to finish the story. I think when that time comes to have that conversation about the future, then I'll cross that bridge then."
"I will say to you that yes, it's crossed my mind. Yes, I have the support of my colleagues in that regard as well. But I feel there will be an appropriate time. And of course, there will be the appropriate process by which that kind of thing is determined."
"And so I just look forward to the continued support of my colleagues, the continued support of the party as well. And of course, the continued support of our city residents. I'm excited about the work ahead."
"I feel prepared. And like I said, when that time comes, I'll be ready."
At 29, Miller is the youngest councillor.
