Barrow chastised by Mayor Marconi Sosa

In a televised speech that lasted about an hour and thirty minutes and which was broadcasted live after 7:30 Tuesday night in Benque, UDP Mayor Sosa lashed out at Prime Minister and UDP Leader Dean Barrow and the UDP Government who, he claimed, have treated the town of Benque as if it were of little importance.

Mayor Sosa also said he was disappointed at the UDP Cabinet’s decision to appoint former Mayor Said Badi Guerra as Ambassador to Cuba. He has constantly accused Guerra of leaving behind a heavily indebted Council. Mayor Sosa said this was a “bad decision” by Barrow’s Cabinet. He added that he was aware there would be “black consequences” for his outspokenness that will affect his relationship with the UDP.

Apparently Mayor Sosa was duped by Dean Barrow and the UDP. They promised that if he helped to elect the UDP to Central Government on February 7th, they would give him all the support he needs. But no such thing has happened.

In fact, Mayor Sosa pointed out that he has received more assistance from his political opponents, the former PUP Government, than from the current UDP administration.

He announced that the PUP Government was generous to assist with a $120,000 loan to clean up the town.

“This is not something I am proud of mentioning,” remarked the Mayor, as he detailed the former PUP Government’s support, in contrast to the UDP’s neglect.

The PUP Government also provided another much-needed $105,000 in financial support for other projects.

In 2002, it was also the PUP Government which provided the $350,000 for the construction of a modernized Library and Computer Center. The UDP had the library cramped in the Town Hall, but Prime Minister Said Musa believed the students needed their own space to learn.

Again in 2002 it was the PUP Government who pumped millions of dollars in a new housing area in Benque Viejo Town, where low-income homes were constructed.

Mayor Marconi Sosa admitted that he was disheartened and was on the brink of giving up, but he wants to “fight” the duration of his Council.

Mayor Sosa also had several demands for the Barrow Government and UDP area representative Erwin Contreras. The first is that Contreras attends a meeting with the Town Council which will be broadcasted live on TV on Friday April 25th, the second is that the Central Government hand over the control of the Traffic Department to the Town Council in order for them to receive the revenues collected, the third is that the Benque Town Council receive a portion of the Government fees collected at the border, and the fourth is that Dean Barrow and the UDP stop treating the town of Benque as if it were insignificant.

While Mayor Sosa begged for sympathy from the residents of Benque, the truth in all this hoopla is that he has sat idly by as Benque has deteriorated and the people’s needs have been neglected. In fact the Mayor has cared little for his office and his responsibilities. If not then what excuse does he have for not calling an official meeting of the Council since July 2007?