3 U.D.P Candidates Faces Off Against 1 P.U.P Candidate in Port

Port Loyola voters are in for a unique race! On March twelfth, they’ll see three U.D.P candidates on the ballot – the only division with that many U.D.P hopefuls vying for the seat. All three are aiming to defeat the People’s United Party’s incumbent, Gilroy Usher Sr. It’s definitely one of the races to watch. News Five’s Paul Lopez has been on the ground, chatting with all four candidates. Here’s his report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The political race in Port Loyola is really heating up. Three United Democratic Party candidates are challenging the People’s United Party incumbent, Gilroy Usher Sr., who is seeking a second term after his first win in the 2020 general election. So, who will come out on top?

 

Gilroy Usher, P.U.P. Candidate, Port Loyola

“It was a tremendous honor to serve the people of Port Loyola. I want to say thanks for giving me that opportunity. In serving them I have been able to address a number of things, land, housing, educational opportunities, improvement of sporting facilities and promotion of small businesses.”

 

In an interesting twist, Gilroy Usher will be going head-to-head with his son-in-law, Phillip “Superman” Willoughby, who is one of the three U.D.P candidates in the race.

 

Phillip Willoughby, U.D.P Candidate, Port Loyola

“People will look and criticize my marriage. Paul I think everybody suppose to celebrate a marriage. It is a union before God and man. I don’t know if they would rather see the type of politicians run around, frolicking around, messing around.”

 

Willoughby emphasizes that his candidacy is all about addressing residents’ needs. He took us to the home of Brenda Usher, a local resident, who passionately voiced her frustrations about the poor condition of her streets.

 

Brenda Usher, Port Loyola Resident

“Oh, I nuh healthy, ih nuh healthy. I beg mih area rep. I don’t know if dah the area rep fih fix it, or the city council. But I know somebody need fuh come help we, because we the tek lick dah back yah.”

 

Phillip Willoughby

“The houses from the Esquivel era, the three-bedroom, two-bedroom houses were the best of the best of UDP at the time. That is what I want to bring back to the people of Port Loyola. That is what they deserve. They need and deserve their land. They need and deserve their homes.”

 

During the Esquivel era, Anthony “Boots” Martinez, one of the three U.D.P candidates, had the government write off homes for owners facing financial difficulties. However, Martinez is now facing heavy criticism from his opponents over the current condition of those homes he built during his time as a four-time area representative.

 

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, U.D.P Candidate, Port Loyola

“In thirteen years I have built over five hundred houses, cement and wood houses for the residents of Port Loyola and they don’t owe N.O.T.H.I.N.G, nothing. What is important, your services. If you notice I didn’t single handedly call nobody. I didn’t mention on person I build a house for. I will mention things that happened in the community across. Like for example, from Fabers, by the long barracks, corner of Ceasar Ridge Road to the George Price Highway was cemented under my tenure. Nurse Finely, Allan Pitts Gill Street where Mr. Usher has his office. So I left the area under good standards. I took Port Loyola from a poor constituency to a semi-middle class as we speak right now.”

 

Career Educator, Dr. Nelma Mortis, is the only woman in the Port Loyola race. She emphasized that her approach isn’t about exploiting residents’ struggles for political gain. Instead, she invited us to meet in an office to discuss her vision for the constituency.

 

Nelma Mortis, U.D.P Candidate, Port Loyola

“I see a lot of environmental conditions. There is a need for job growth in the constituency and additional to that, there is need for more social interaction with the environment and people in there. I am very confident in this we in, because the people of Port needs a change. The people of Port has been neglected by my direct opponent, Mr. Usher. Mister Boots Martinez has completed my task and he needs to retire gracefully. And, Mr. Willoughby does have good intention, but he seems to be a little bit laid back and tardy in his approach to doing the work as to what should be done.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.