 Charlie Rodríguez
CANDIDATE for MAYOR
OF SAN JUAN
|
HEAD
TO
HEAD
|
 Jorge Santini
CANDIDATE for MAYOR
OF SAN JUAN
|
| Neither myself,
nor La Fortaleza [government in power]. The agenda will be established
by the people of San Juan -- their needs and aspirations. I will
not delay in opening the doors of the Mayor's office once a month
so that the people can come to see me. As mayor, my commitment
is to visit citizens and communities in order to achieve among
them the solutions to their problems. |
If you were elected Mayor of
San Juan, who would dictate your agenda? You yourself? You with
the elected government officials? Just the government? |
The people, based
on their existing needs and in conjunction with the central government. |
| Honor words made
into pledges. Dedicate myself to administer the city with actions,
projects, works and real services, and not merely publicity images. |
If
you were Resident Commissioner now, what would you do differently
from Sila M. Calderón? |
Search for and
put into effect alternatives and actual efforts to solve the
serious problems that afflict the capital in many places, and
not unleashing a campaign of false hope. |
| I have been spokesperson
in the Treasury Commission of the House. I have also been spokesperson
for the majority and president of the Senate. These positions
of legislative leadership have provided me with the ability to
clearly understand how the Government and the private sector
function. Moreover, I've had the experience of administrating
a multi-million dollar budget and supervising hundreds of employees. |
Do you feel that legislative
experience gives any advantage to the person who aspires to be
Mayor of San Juan? |
Yes, in helping
to coordinate with the legislature the solution to the city's
important problems. But even more important is the experience
that we possess regarding San Juan's specific problems. |
| Yes. I have demonstrated
it, having under my direction senators and employees from other
political parties who can vouch for my respect, consideration
and search for consensus. Moreover, I have created groups and
organizations in which I have worked for the pro-active participation
of people who differ from me ideologically, but who are united
with me in the effort to improve the quality of life in Puerto
Rico. |
Do you consider nonpartisan
voters to be an attractive option to the New Progressive Party? |
Yes. I have been
firm regarding ideology, but also open, responsible and impartial
regarding the service that I have provided to the people, which
makes me a viable alternative for all political sectors. |
They [the PDP]
have been satisfied
with what San Juan has been during the last 12 years [under their
rule]. I share the dissatisfaction of a huge majority of San
Juan's people. San Juan needs a change from root to stem. I have
demonstrated the enthusiasm and the ability to achieve that change. |
What makes you more attractive
to the voters than contenders from the Popular Party? |
The fact that
I share with others a vision of change and of the future, that
I am the only one who is personally familiar with the problems
of San Juan, and that this is what people are looking for in
a mayor. |
| My aspiration for
the Mayor's Office is founded upon many years of academic, political,
legislative and administrative preparation. I know what must
be done to win, and afterward to administer and serve. |
What makes you more attractive
than the other primary mayoral candidate from the NPP? |
That I know and
come to listen to and to serve people of all the sectors of San
Juan, and I don't have to invent my candidacy. I am the people's
candidate. |
| To presume that
contention for the Mayor's Office of San Juan is a beauty contest
is to show a lack of respect for the intellectual capacity of
the Puerto Rican woman. |
Do you feel that you possess
better physical attributes than your opponent to help you capture
the feminine vote? |
It seems to me
that physical aspects are not what is really important, but rather
the commitment to serve which we have demonstrated. Certainly,
the capacity of the San Juan female goes far beyond merely physical
considerations. |
| That I am his friend. |
Honestly define your opponent's
greatest strength. |
A powerful internal
machine. |
| I detect a lot
of animosity in him. |
And, also answering sincerely,
what is his greatest weakness? |
That his surprising
aspiration [to be mayor] responds neither to the interests of
San Juan nor to the call of the San Juan electorate. |
| Luis A. Ferré
taught me to use reason to persuade and achieve consensus. From
Carlos Romero Barceló, I learned sincerity and consistency. |
Who do you consider to be your
spiritual sponsor or mentor? |
In life, it would
be my parents, because of the values they instilled in me. In
the professional realm, Alfonso Miranda Cárdenas, ex-professor
and ex-bureau chief, and in politics, the people, whom I listen
to, serve and obey. |
| Photogenic. |
Now, tell us what is the greatest
attribute of Sila María Calderón. |
Her surprising
ability to remain outside of the controversy without adopting
any firm positions, even though the people need them. |
| His honesty and
ability to manage many complicated things at one time. |
...and the greatest attribute
of Carlos Ignacio Pesquera. |
His honesty, ability,
professionalism and commitment to work in favor of the people. |
| He possesses a
refined sense of direction when it comes to reforming and changing
things that others couldn't. He has the ability to achieve his
goals. |
If you had to choose just one
virtue of Pedro Rosselló, what would that be? |
His vision of the
future, his bravery and commitment to the people of Puerto Rico. |
| He is unyielding. |
...and, on the other hand, if
you had to select one of his faults, what would that be? |
His work agenda
is quite accelerated in comparison to the slow rate of change
which we are used to under the Commonwealth. |
| I haven't thought
about losing. The people of San Juan have been waiting for [twelve]
years for a victiory and a Government of action. In the year
2000, we're going to give that to them. |
Finally, if you should lose,
what would you say directly to your opponent? |
That my belief
system, my party and the people can count on my support and the
support of my team in order to win a big victory in San Juan
in the year 2000. |
