And Municipal season in Corozal is starting to heat up with three-time Mayor Rigo Vellos on the way to face a potential convention against newcomer Shajarie Rogers. Vellos was first elected in 2018 and has been uncontested but this time he might not win another nomination without a fight. In an interview with CTV3 Corozal Bay Area Representative Thea Garcia Ramirez says that "we shouldn't be a afraid of conventions"
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Corozal Bay Area Rep
"I have worked on Mayor Vellos first and his third campaign. I ran his first and his third campaign for him. So if he gets on a ballot this time, it would be his fourth term that he would be going for. Having really worked on his campaigns, I can say that he is a formidable candidate. But I also think that Mrs. Rogers-Shajari is also a very, very good candidate. She's very solid. She has a lot of work that she has done these past few years. And so I like the fact that we have solid people wanting to represent the PUP. That's what I'm glad for, that we have solid people with a track record of service. Shajari, like the mayor, has done a lot for her community, wants to aspire to offer herself for candidacy and to serve the people. As a woman, that she feels confident to put herself out there and put her name out there is already a win. We don't have enough women offering themselves for candidates in this country. And I would like to see more. So if applications actually start June 1st and 19th. And so I encourage women all across the country, go for it. Because as the Prime Minister is on record saying so many different times, everyone, including him, is open for convention when the time comes. We shouldn't be afraid of conventions. We should not take it personally. I think that there are a lot of wonderful candidates across this country that have a lot to offer and a lot to add. So especially women across the country, go for it. It's doable. Once you work hard and you go for it. I think this sort of democracy only makes the PUP stronger."
"I think that Corozalenos make up their own minds. I'll be honest with you. You can't tell Corozal and people, especially Corozal Bay people, what they want to do. They want to see work. They need to believe in you. And they need to believe that you can deliver on promises."
Applications close on June 19th.
