Fonseca’s Sixth Versus Flowers’ First Bid in Freetown

The race is heating up as candidates in the general elections extend their campaign hours in these final days. In the Freetown Division, the contest is between the incumbent, P.U.P.’s Francis Fonseca, and U.D.P.’s Doctor Abraham Flowers. Both candidates kicked off their campaigns several months ago, each with their own views on the key issues for the area. Marion Ali spoke with both candidates and filed this report for News Five’s “Meet the Candidates.”

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

An exciting showdown is set to unfold on the north side of Belize City on election day. In the Freetown Division, the contest pits PUP’s Francis Fonseca against UDP’s Dr. Abraham Flowers. This marks Fonseca’s sixth bid in Freetown, having defeated all his previous challengers. On Nomination Day, Fonseca told News Five that his strong relationship with constituents has kept him in office, even during times when the PUP was out of power.

 

Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown

“I’ve been very, very honored and fortunate to have the support of the people of Freetown for five consecutive general elections. For me, it’s all about my working relationship with the people of Freetown. Over those, you know, twenty plus years, I’ve been able to build a relationship that’s based on trust and confidence and working with the Freetown voters and residents to try to address their needs and concerns.”

For Dr. Abraham Flowers, this is his first run for political office. He shared that since he began canvassing the area last November, the response from the four thousand and eighty, registered voters has been mixed.

 

Dr. Abraham Flowers

“Some people are very kind. All right, and we have that back-and-forth conversation while on the other hand, I’ve also received some negative reception with people just shouting, “Oh, I’m P.U.P.” and literally they would actually close their doors in my face. But you know what, as mentioned, that ain’t going to discourage me. I’m going to keep on fighting because I strongly believe that the people of freedom deserve a way better chance.”

Fonseca emphasized that his campaign has never been about money, and he operates on small budgets. Regarding the issues facing the rapidly growing division, he noted that they have remained consistent over time.

 

Francis Fonseca

“People are always are looking for more employment opportunities. We want to deal with the infrastructure in the area, in Belama, in King’s Park. People are of course concerned about the cost of living, concerned about crime – all of these issues, education, health, all of these are things that are concerned with the people of Freetown and we have always been able to work with them to try to address those issues.”

 

The issues that Doctor Flowers has prioritized have to do with more social assistance for the elderly and for single mothers.

 

Dr. Abraham Flowers

“Kings Park has a very high percentage of elderly and with that high percentage of elderly actually comes different needs, which means to say medical and under medical you have equipment medication also rehabilitation programs and also we can talk about social programs for them. And after I did the Belama Phase One, I went home to home, I’ve realized that it actually has a high percentage of single mother as well. So with single mother comes problems as well. And some of the questions that comes to mind is that do these mothers have the finance to pay rent for the kids to go to school? The proper program for tutorial for these kids. So if and I pray to God if I’m elected back here Then these are some of the problems that we actually want to fix and address in the in the coming years.”

 

Flowers acknowledges that with so little time left before election day, he won’t be able to visit every household in Freetown. However, he hopes residents have been keeping up with his initiatives since he started working in the area. He also plans to continue his projects after election day. Marion Ali for News Five.