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Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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SPTC claims it will no longer be tolerated

After several complaints from residents about unsightly garbage across the island, The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is at its wits end, and says the illegal dumping of garbage will no longer be tolerated. One of the worst scenes of accumulated garbage is in the Alta Mar Area, where garbage has begun to spill into the streets. Both residents and SPTC are concerned at the serious health risks the mounds of garbage can bring about. SPTC has stated that cleanup efforts across the island will begin promptly and if the culprits insist in illegal dumping, fines will be put in place.

According to the Councilor in charge of solid waste management, Kenrick Brackett, the council is issuing a cease and desist. "We will not tolerate the dumping of garbage wherever residents feel like. There are set dumpsites where people can take their garbage to be properly disposed of. For the past two and a half years STPC has been working tirelessly to try and keep the island clean. We are not going to take a step back and we will not tolerate the dumping of garbage. Garbage is a major issue in San Pedro and it will take the efforts of everyone to clean up this mess," said Brackett.

In a previous interview, Mayor Daniel Guerrero stated that the garbage being dumped in the Alta Mar Area in an empty lot across the street from the Ambergris Stadium was by SPTC collectors for sorting and were later to be transported for proper disposal. But that was not the case, as once the garbage was dumped it was never removed. As a result private garbage collectors begun to also dumped their garbage in the same area.

Brackett also discussed the use of household garbage and appliances for land fill. He stated that the practice is unsanitary and can lead to several issues in the long run. "People are somehow under the impression that household garbage and appliances should be used as land fill. While we cannot stop you if it is your private property, take time to consider how unsanitary that idea sounds. Do you really want to build your home over a pile of garbage?

Brackett also stated that the improper disposal of garbage can lead to epidemic outbreaks. Garbage attracts rodents that may carry disease into homes or infect pets. Also these sites act as breeding areas for mosquitos who are vectors of several disease including Chikungunya, Dengue and Malaria. "It's just not healthy to dump garbage anywhere. You don't want to have rodents and pests running or flying around in a residential area where your children play. That's a recipe for disaster," said Brackett.

Residents are encouraged to properly bag and dispose of their garbage. Brackett also encourages residents to report anyone seen dumping garbage along the areas in question.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun



A Fitness Plan for La Isla?

I am declaring that my New Year's 2015 resolution is to lobby hard, relentlessly, tirelessly, persistently and if necessary, annoyingly, for a HEALTHY Ambergris Caye. This island, our home, our love, our livelihood and our passion deserves a long, and HEALTHY life�yet we are slowly polluting her and the Caribbean waters that embrace her. If we, the stewards of this island, want her to live to a ripe old age then it is time to whip her into shape!

How did this problem begin in the first place? Years ago as the San Pedro community grew, the idea of filling swampland to make "land" to build on was the way to go. People where literally encouraged by the 'powers that be' to use garbage of every type to build was is now San Pablo, San Pedrito, San Mateo and other communities along the lagoon side of the island. From refrigerators to TV's to microwaves, appliances, mattress and everything in-between, folks turned their trash into treasured 'land'. And now, although many of our homes are settled on top of what was once a dump, the fill below continues to decompose and pollute our water levels.

Once upon a time everyone on the island used to have wells that supplied us with fresh, safe drinking water. Did you know that fresh water floats on top of salt water? That well water used to be our only source of fresh water (along with our rain cisterns) and it worked just great. Now most wells on the island, especially within San Pedro Town are contaminated and unfit to drink. HOW did that happen you may ask? Not only have the garbage landfills polluted them but our underground septic systems (don't even get me started on that) have leaked (leached) into the well-water levels for years.

You see, our island is like a giant sponge. Did you ever wonder where the hard core goes that is laid on our muddy streets? No matter how many times Town Council pours those rocks onto the roads it slowly disappears, sinking down into the earth! Sometimes I think we are rebuilding the island from the inside out! Our garbage landfill is doing the very same thing.

No matter where on the island someone is using household garbage to fill their land or illegally dumping it directly impacts the island's water system. It is like having a "pee zone" in a swimming pool�once it's in the water there's no controlling where the toxin spreads. All that matters is that it has entered the water, and there's no getting rid of it.

My 'fitness' plan for San Pedro is sure to make us ALL work up a sweat while we get her back into shape, but we HAVE to do if we want our island to survive and sustain us as we enjoy our lives in paradise.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,520
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Don't just threaten fines do it, the problem isn't going to stop without something in consequence and even then...

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,160
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Fat chance with elections round the corner

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,520
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I know Phil, I know, but it felt good to just say it anyway...

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,160
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100% agree with you.


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