Interesting tidbit at www.udp.org/bz
Look in the Letters section, Open letter to the Manager SSB. 3rd paragraph.

Seems there was a rather large sum of money loaned on the Belize Odyssey Ltd.

Think this might have anything to do with the about face of the minister?

Check it out.

Northwest side is garbage dump. Where is this resort, Sunset Bay in relation to dump?

From what I can see, Sunset Bay is not a dump compared to how many locals live. If you call that a dump, then most of us on the island are living in a dump and extreme poverty. Go see for your self airstrip road with all the shacks. The streets where the large Joseph family live. The pile of dump and tree stumps that the Village Council trucked to the end of their road since Hurricane Keith two years ago and it still remains today despite repeated pleas to have it cleaned so as not to have the kids open to all the diseases that are borne in these type of places.
Area Representative did find it justified to fill in the westside beach in that area (big supporters of Area Rep)with beautiful white dredged sand. The now prime land got promptly claimed by the same family and they even built a cement government house on it (Anglican project which was meant to go to the poor) and they couldn't have done so without the Area Rep's approval. This beautiful white sandy beach sits next to swamp land where many locals still live in their shacks and the dumpsite at the end of the road.

A real fact that people are presented with is how to access their lots particularly on the Southend. This is a real problem that will not go away. And discussing it here in the open is a good sign, not that I believe it will achieve anything as politicians don't listen to the people's concern very well.

Some serious discussions are in order and the problem must be addressed by the government officials and compromise and a solution must be found to the benefit of all parties concerned. I know many locals who have bought land there so it is not just a 'gringo' problem.
The Vegas seem unwilling to compromise. The government must then find a solution even if it means building a road parallel to the airstip and along the Vega fenceline. That seems to be a viable solution to me and another fence can be put up to act as a barrier between the airstrip and the road that runs parallel to it. It really doesn't seem like something so mind boggling that you would need Einstein to solve and I am sure the costs could somehow be worked out by the land owners.

The problem is the lack of interest by the politicians or the fact that most of them are so 'wishy washy' that to get one to make a decision is like pulling teeth unless of course you have the $$$$ to bribe and make it worth their while.

Remember the politicians are the same ones that will come and make your life miserable if you trim a mangrove in your yard, but see no problem in cutting down hundreds of them if it is for Patty Arceo's - Puesta del Sol subdivision. So the message is Politicians and those who brownnose them are above the law. Hell, even some gringos brownnose politicians, take the fat one in the big pink golf cart as a prime example.

So why don't we address the real problems facing the island,(no fire station yet, dredging, victimization if you oppose ruling party, much needed infrastructure on north side and current village and the list can go on and on.....) So few people are willing to stand up and voice their concerns, those who don't live in fear, if everyone sits around and pass the problem off to someone else, nothing will ever be accomplished that will enable change for the betterment of the island. We're in the new millineum and really we should have no need to fear our politicians. We are a democratic country after all.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it"

I am one of the "gringos" having a house at the southpoint of caye caulker. Sometimes I am wondering about this message-board. I know that this board and the meanings which are written here are not representativ for the whole Islanders. That´s the reason why I never did use this message board before. Now I decided to use it because I got the feeling that things are changing and some people like to spread a kind of worriment between Islanders and Gringos.
We Gringos do not take out any money from your community but instead we pay the same ammount of tax like all the others. We did invest some money to help to keep the local economy running, by emploing locals to built houses, by buying hardware and anything else whe need to live while we are on the island. We reccomand your beautyfull Island to friends in order to encourage them to go to CC for vacation (if they do, they also spend money for accomodation, food and fun, this helps also to keep the local economy running).
Talking about the acces to the southpoint. It is not only Gringos who own land south the airstrip, but also locals. So it is a problem for the whole Island. I am also wondering why some people always try to devide the island into three communities - the village, the north and the south. CC is one single Island and people should take care about the whole Island. If the north part of the island need some infrastructure it is a question for all people living at the island. Dont seperate yourselve. If you like to keep or create a good infrastructure and economy for CC you have to take care for the whole Island. I know the most of the Islanders have no problems with Gringos unless they behave in a good way. My opinion is, that is much easier and better to work and stay together. But it´s not only a question about economy and money, but also of the way how people live together and how they treat people. When we decided to built a house at CC we had the feeling, that people did like us. That´s 6 years ago and anytime we come to CC we still have the same feeling. I am sure, that the most "Islanders" feel the same way they did before. So don´t let some people destroy this positiv atmosphere.
It´s not easy to explain opinions in a foreign language, and my english is not as good as it should be. But I hope you understand the meaning.

HJL

You are right HL. Many 'gringos' have come to the island and lived harmoniously with the locals and show respect for the islanders and the culture and do try to work together with us in the community. These 'foreigners' for lack of a better word should also receive respect in return and I know quite a few who have earned and receive much respect. Take MaryJo & Tom for example.

So why exactly is the community not accepting this fine offer? Free land and money to build a sporting field seem like something not to pass up.

The politician who went back on his word is a bad politician. Local or no the road should connect, eminent domain should have taken care of it. Did he get bribed???

Maybe the people that raised the money for the football field can use the money to help with the extra road extension and to bring the electricity. Have they thought about that?

This issue seems to be a major sore spot between the island inhabitants.
I'm not sure if you could pay me to buy land on CC. If I have to put up with political red tape and ill feelings from the community, it kinda spoils the whole "Paradise" experience, wouldn't you say?

Not my idea of a great neighborhood.
I guess it would be too much to ask for all to be happy for one another, get along, help each other out and try to live in some level of harmony? LOL

Caye Caulker needs a bowling alley or something for people to do with their time.

Cheers!

you know what they say...

an idle mind is the devil's work

Devil's Work Shop

LOL....exactly!

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