politics

Colón’s mayoral hopefuls outline plans for city

Security and the status of the city’s infrastructure are the two biggest concerns of residents.

Tow opposition candidates are vying to unseat incumbent Antonio Latiff of the PRD.

Diómedes Sánchez/LA PRENSA

open to change: Colón residents are hoping that the next mayor will be able to address some of the city’s major problems, most notably a high crime rate and lack of infrastructure.1095477

Colón's next mayor faces the prospect of bringing development and economic prosperity to a city that has lagged behind the country's capital in those respects.

Crime, a lack of potable water service in communities located on the city's outskirts, uneven garbage collection, an outdated sewage system and pollution are all problems that are facing the community.

The biggest problem, however, may be the chronic unemployment that has plagued the community.

For Guillermina López, the mother of four children, the priority of the new administration should be to strengthen security in the streets of the province. "Obviously, there is a lot of violence on the streets,” she said.

López added that it is also necessary to address the issue of poverty and provide job opportunities for recent high school graduates.

Erika Cover, a teacher, said it is important to develop programs that will help boost the city's struggling tourist industry, such as cleaning up public parks.

Incumbent Antonio Latiff, of the Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD), has promised to build a modern public market and improve public safety. Latiff also pledged to solve the city's garbage problem, which has been made worse by the location of a landfill within the city limits.

On the issue of security, he pointed to the curfew for minors that was instituted earlier this year, and said that he plans on reducing the size of the central government in order to stretch resources further.

Dámaso García, of the Partido Panameñista, explained that his campaign platform rests on three principles, improving security, reducing the size of the city government and spurring economic progress.

He also listed as a priority the construction of a new city hall and the preservation of the colonial architecture of the buildings in the old town.

Gustavo Pérez, a candidate for the Cambio Democrático party, said he would focus on stabilizing the income of the city. He pledged to invest in infrastructure and public safety, and to work with community representatives to ensure all of the districts benefit equally from improvements.

He also pledged to make the government more transparent by posting public projects and spending on a web site.