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#42263 07/23/01 07:04 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
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For those of you who have been following our discussions on "nasty beaches" and my post about "dredging", please read the article in todays San Pedro Sun. www.sanpedrosun.net
This is another example of what really concerns me about the explosion of developement on AC. I just don't think bigger is always better. My dilemma is,being a "non-Belizean/non-SanPedrono", I am not sure how best to express these concerns to Belizeans. I have e-mailed the newspaper concerning the article and posed the question as to how much thought and study was given to this by the government before collecting there fees and issuing the permits. It seems alot of this gets done in Belize before anyone who might have concerns knows about it. Any of your thoughts on this would be appreciated. If any of you would like copies of the e-mails I have sent, I can be reached at [email protected]. I will be happy to forward them to you.

[This message has been edited by bywarren (edited 07-23-2001).]

Joined: Apr 2001
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That is really sad.
Unfortunately, while it may be ruining something we all think is great, it's really not up to us. Even if some of us move there, we will be denied voting rights from what I understand.
If the people of AC don't want this, then THEY need to contact their local government. Since you're living there bywarren, you may be able to begin a grass roots campaign, but most people may not be adverse to the resort. Many natives may see it as a job oppurtunity, and a chance to improve their situation. Although, those of us who have been there know better, sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees.
It is very similar to what happened in New Orleans when Harrah's came in. They opened, gave 3,000 people jobs in addition to several independent contracting firms getting business, etc. They closed, layed everyone off, did not pay their bills, and 5 years later re-opened, WITH the support of the laid off workers, and lo and behold, last week, they began lay-offs again. Meanwhile, property values rise, putting decent rent in the French Quarter and surrounding areas out of reach for most people who work in the French Quarter. It's very similar to what is happening in Vail. Unfortunaltely, it may happen to the people in AC. They will get service jobs at this hotel, but property values will rise, and their pay will not keep up with the rise in the cost of living. This will cause as much as a problem to the people of AC as the no doubt huge amount of dredging for this gargantuan resort will cause.

Joined: Mar 2001
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I agree Jeanne with everything you stated. I have already sent an open letter via the San Pedro Sun to the Hon. Patty Arceo expessing my concerns that every environment has it's limits as to how much it can support before more damage is done than good. I pointed out that I hoped someone in government was knowledgable on these issue and was giving as much consideration to this as they were to getting the permit fees and maximizing the amount of tourism and the dollars it brings.

Joined: Sep 2000
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It is inevitable and has been on the horizon for many years and it will happen in the near future no matter what.

The North end of Ambergris especially basil jones area Habaneros and punta Azul is marked for MAJOR development and it is just a matter of time and money before this area is developed.

The positive side is nothing may me taller than a coconut tree and they will be required to provide proper sewrage and infastructure.

unfortunately while many people who visit Ambergirs want to keep there little paradise to themselves the islanders and country need torurism dollars to improve all sorts of infastructure such as good medical care as 1 example.

Did you know that women still die from child birth on a regular basis here and that babies die needlessly because we have few or no incubators for premature births

this is basic stuff in western countrys but here we have a very long way to go, to come even close to the U.S another is education, and i could go on but the main point is just because it might not look good to those who are opposed to it it will improve the lives of many indirectly becaus eof the taxes and dollars bought in by these developments and tourism dollars.

I understand both sides and while i enjoy my little piece of solitude and paradise i know that I will soon have neibours and there is nothing I can do about it and if i did i would only be hurting the people who need help most by doing so.

best regards

Gaz cooper www.divebelize.com

Joined: Jun 2001
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Lets face it folks, I have been going to AC for 30 years and have seen the transformation. I just returned from what I consider will be my last trip there. I saw blatent commercialism, dusty roads with taxis that would run bikers over hundreds of golf carts ect, ect. Prices for everything are for the .com ers. I guess Im' just a little past Jaguars Disco, Barefoot music, petting sharks and crowds. I'll take the nort end of the island that is still hard enough to get to and keep the daytrippers
south of Rocky Point. However, the casino will bring unwanted popularity up there, so
what do you do? Same thing I'm doing roll with the punches or go find something somewhere else that has not been discovered yet. Good Luck and bring the mosquito dope!
The Casinos in Mississippi gave the Gulf Coast another breath with jobs and tourists
improved schools, and property values.
Dammed if you do or don't. Progress? Too many people in the world? What do you do for a living? Have you benefited from progress?
What have you prostituted to get where you are? Pleae help me I think I'm confused.
Bud

Joined: Mar 2001
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Good points, Bud. You are not confused. The confused are the ones that think that this kind of developement is positive progress. The ones that can't look past the $$$ signs.
The ones that feel this is inevitable and will be good for the people of Belize. I quote from the newspaper article, " this totally self-supporting project includes a 25 year corporate income tax exemtion as well as well as duty and sales tax exemptions". Gaz, I would like to know what the Belize Government's definition is of "proper sewage and infrastucture". And as far as not being taller than a coconut tree, it has been a long time since I saw a coconut tree as tall as the new Fountain Blue Hotel in San Pedro. I truly wish all of the people of Belize the best. I have enjoyed the country and appreciate being a guest there. But, I do not feel Belizean's are acting in there countries best interest when they accept this kind of progess hoping that it will better the country just because it brings in $$$ now and not giving more thought to the possible long term adverse consequences and costs of these actions. I know tourits come and go and leave their money behind. But, building more hotels does not guarantee that there will be more tourists coming than going.

[This message has been edited by bywarren (edited 07-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by bywarren (edited 07-25-2001).]

Joined: Sep 2000
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Well ,I am not surprised by this.There have been rumors about this for many months.I own property up in Basil Jones which I purchased three years ago.The main reason I bought way up there was because of the total isolation and beauty there.When I visit the property and walk the deserted beaches the first thing I notice is NO FOOT PRINTS IN THE SAND,NO JET SKIS NO PEOPLE.Sure there is crap on the beach,all beaches have that but that's what makes beach combing interesting.Ever walk Padre Island Sea Shore?But my point is "progress" is here.I have mixed feeling about this development.It will probably bring the needed power and water.That will come now no matter what.But with that you pay the price such as foot prints in the sand ,jet skis,noise and people.I bought up there to escape from the rat race but knowing full well "progress" will come someday.I guess someday is here.But with that property values will increase drastically.Guess someday I'll sell out and sail away.The future is here.Once there is one more will follow.I would not be surprised to see another town spring up there close to the old airstrip in years to come.

Joined: Mar 2001
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A couple other points I feel a need to address specifically to you Gaz. I do not feel your comment "many people who visit Ambergris Caye want to keep their little paradise to themsleves" applies to those who care enough about Ambergris Caye to use this forum in a positive way to call attention to what consequences might come from the actions we are discussing. I genuinely hope the consequences will all be good. But I am not that much of an optimist. And, I hope you do not mind me sharing with others your reply to my e-mail asking if you would be willing to contact some of the tour guides to see if they would provide transportation in a clean up effort. Your reply being that you were too busy with your business at this time. I am glad you found time to enlighten us on the medical and educational needs of Belize. And I do enjoy reading your comments and being able to click on your web site.

Joined: Oct 2000
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We all knew progress would happen, as far back as 1996 the Belizean Government was entering into agreements with Dolphin International to develop a $65 million resort and airport. Just because Dolphin went under, that isn't going to stop the concept.

The good news is with the reef being so close to the island on North Ambergris Caye, boat traffic can never be the same as the busy waters of San Pedro. Hence the beautiful barrier reef that attracts all the visitors (and us) and also helps protect the island from storms, will protect the north end from the boat traffic.

I own land at Basil Jones too and when my wife and I move there we will still find our bit of paradise even with the inevitable progress and change. The reef will protect us.


Rick
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 139
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I BELIZE,where in the Basil Jones area do you own?

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