has
received many calls from islanders with concerns regarding certain areas in San
Pedro. These areas have become an eye sore due to the debris that has
accumulated. This newspaper set out to find out what is being done to remedy
this situation and was pleasantly notified of the
following. According to Councilor Vasquez, the San Pedro
Town Council will be implementing a new system to eliminate the garbage problem
on the island. In the next meeting of the Town Council, they will discuss the
possible purchase of two compactor trucks to be used for garbage collection. If
this is accepted, residents will have to put their refuse in garbage bags before
it is collected. Nevertheless, a trailer will be kept to use for bulk garbage
when necessary. As with the rest of the country, the San Pedro Town Council does
not foresee the privatization of garbage anytime soon.
A clean-up campaign has commenced in the San Juan area in
which 16 students and six town council workers, equipped with one truck and
tractor, are working to clear the area of debris. After the area is free of
garbage, 12 drums will be placed at designated houses for the use of residents.
The people are asked to build a stand for these drums so as to keep dogs or
raccoons from turning over their trash bins. The drums were a donation from Area
Representative Patty Arceo.
An area of concern is that of
absentee land owners whose lots are not taken care of. These have also become an
eye sore for tourists and residents. To this, Councilor Vasquez replied that
cases of this nature should be reported to the Health Inspector, Mr. Florencio
Acosta. He, in turn, is responsible for contacting the owners, advising them of
the situation. If nothing is done, the San Pedro Town Council should be
contacted to take care of this problem. In this case, the owners of the lot in
question will be liable for a fine and possible court action. The same applies
to live-in residents whose lots are unsanitary.
Now that the bulk of the debris from the hurricane has
been cleared, residents needing help to rid their property of larger amounts of
trash accumulated from the storm may contact the San Pedro Town Council for
assistance. Mr. Vasquez added that the daily garbage collectors are not
responsible for disposing of this type of debris but a call to the San Pedro
Town Council will get the job done. Although the Council is presently offering
this service, it is important to mention that discarded construction materials
are the responsibility of the owner or contractor. Other
sections of San Pedro, such as San Pedrito and Airstrip Areas are also being
cleared through a grant received courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism.
Councilor Vasquez assures the people of the island that
the San Pedro Town Council is very serious about this situation and hopes to
eliminate the current problems very soon. He also informs all residents and
businesses whose garbage is not being collected to kindly let them know by
calling 2198. Once again "Thumbs Up" to this hardworking crew.
