Kaya for Albert?

Professional cyclist turned rising politician, Kaya Cattouse has her eyes set on Albert Division, several months after being voted in for a second term at the Belize City Council.  The P.U.P. councilor has expressed a formal interest in running against incumbent Area Representative Tracy Panton in the next general elections, that is if Cattouse is selected from within her party as a standard bearer.  This afternoon, we caught up with Cattouse and asked a couple questions regarding her future political ambitions at the constituency level.

 

Kaya Cattouse, P.U.P. Candidate, Albert

“I think that working at the local government level for the past four years has definitely motivated me to want to represent a smaller group of people on a larger scale.”

 

Reporter

“Now what made you choose the Albert constituency?”

 

Kaya Cattouse

“So, the Albert constituency has a lot of potential and, like I said, working at the local government level and walking around in that area, you can identify the needs of the people and so I identified opportunities that can be made possible to these people.  I’m a city girl, coming from Belize City, not necessarily from the Albert constituency, but this is the largest downtown area in the largest city in the country and there’s a lot that can be done, physical infrastructure and social infrastructure for the residents of the constituency.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“How would you respond to any detractor that says you’re not from Albert to begin with and that’s one of those constituencies where you have to have some kind of roots on the ground.”

 

Kaya Cattouse

“Who said that?  Who made that rule?  I don’t believe that you have to be [from] or were born in a constituency to be able to link and relate to the residents of that constituency.  I believe people in general have the same needs, regardless of the constituency that they come from.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“Who did you consult with, perhaps in your family or within your party for you to arrive at this decision to run in Albert?”

 

Kaya Cattouse

“Family and friends, I would say, and some of the of the ministers in the party.  I won’t get into calling any names as yet.”

 

Reporter

“But you do have allies, one assumes.”

 

Kaya Cattouse

“Definitely.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“What is the sentiment of Mayor Wagner?  I’m certain he has some kind of weigh-in on this decision or the outcome of this decision of yours.”

 

Kaya Cattouse

“Mayor Wagner fully supports me, one hundred percent.  He stands behind me fully and he’s a good man to have on your side.  I am very grateful and appreciative of the support of not only Mayor Wagner but all the ministers around us and the other councilors who are giving me that push.”