a good friend of mine came up with a great and fair minded idea a few years ago. Ambergris Caye should be able to retain 20% of the stamp transfer tax it currently sends to Belmopan on real estate transactions. That would be a good start.

On a somewhat related note: I was passing through Belize International Airport security the other day. One of the security girls asked me where I was going. I told her San Pedro. She INSTANTLY and SERIOUSLY said "I HATE San Pedro."

I suppose she's a very junior part of the machinery of the Government of Belize but there is ample evidence to suggest such an attitude goes right to the top at GOB. It doesn't bode well for the island.