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By the way this is not JZB.

Based on my understanding the Twon Board does not have anything to do with docks. The docks and permits are issued by the Ministry of natural Resources. They are the ones that generally do a physical inspection before granting a permit in conjunction with a letter of recommendation from the town.

NOBODY has the right to stop someone from coming and going on their dock! The right is basic Ingress and Eagress. Come and go and if you need to park for a short while that is just common courtesy. If the dock has a commercial operation on it that uses most of the dock and does not have the room then the person should understand and go elsewhere.

Queens beach varies in size depending on where you are. In some places it is 12 feet in others 66 feet.

I would never stop someone from coming and going. You can however decide to make your dock a non fishing zone if you like. That means that nobody can fish on your dock but you can't stop persons from pulling up and anchoring off your dock and doing it. However if someone decided to start using my dock for carting construction supplies that might damage the dock and did not tell me about it and if the law says I have no recourse then at that point I would simply pull up 200 feet of dock planks and if they really want to continue to use the dock then so be it.

Docks are a major investment and should always be treated with respect by everyone that uses them and frankly that is not always the case.

As for the I was born here and I have more rights then you that is complete BS. Anyone who lives here has to accept the laws and people that live here US, Canadian, Belizean, other.

As for I will fish park and do whatever I want I would say to the tarpon guy that he should try fishing on the dock over at Amigos Del Mar or Ramons and see what happens. They are Belizean and they will kick you off the dock in 10 seconds flat. On the other hand they will let you on to go swimming and hangout. It should be every docks owners right to decide if they want to have fishing or not and based on my understanding that is the case.

Beachboy: Building a 300 foot dock at the sandbar will not resolve any of your problems since the water is still not deep enough. Are you also planning on Dredging?

The law may be on your side but for someone who says they are honorable that is really not the way to do things. I am not concerned about the investment that the folks who actually own the dock have I am concerned about being a good neighbor. If I were them I would simply remove all the boards on the dock until you have your dock in place.

As for the personall vendetta's between you and Pedro those should be taken care of at the next boxing night and that way maybe one of you could actually make a few bucks off the other.

I would pay to see this and I am sure many other would as well. Lets say 6 weeks from today so that we can all come to the sandbar by boat.

As for the great service to Belizeans that the Ferry represents I am not sure that there is one.

which Belizeans are taking advantage of this service. Please don't make this sound like you have just done a deed that deserves to have you considered for sainthood.


I want to see a good clean fight.... Lets Get ready To Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumble.


Josh

When a legal controversy arises where there is a grey area we tend to examine similar judgements and resolutions to gain clarification. This is the basis of case law under the Roman systen which applies in Belize. Its use and interpretation differs greatly from the US or UK systems in application.

For example let us look at the Barton Creek access as an example.

The law of Belize states there is a 66 foot passage where water lies. i.e. a river or stream. Would this includes a stream say two foot wide. Of course not in practise, but here the access was for a stream only some 8 foot wide in parts opening up near to the site itself.

At Barton Creek the son of the land owner was charging $5 to gain passage to the entry of the site which was on his land. This was becoming a tidy sum of money so he fences off to the waters edge to prevent people gaining access.

This caused a nightmare situation where tour guides started slashing his tyres etc. Again a gringo implementing what he saw fit which caused financial hardship to many Belizeans who behaved in a way most gringos would find discusting.

However had the gringo respected the law of the land in the first place the behaviour would not have occurred. No prosecutions occured and the gringo had to remove the fence.

Passage is now allowed. What we all need to understand is the difference between common and statute law.

The basis of common law is what the people actually do in practise and understand to be correct. Much of the pier issue lies well within this understanding.

I agree that now is the time for a clear statute to be drawn up to clarify things once and for all.

It is also clear to me that there is no way whatsoever that that statute would prevent persons having access to the north side of piers.

The masses of this country do not have the money to all purchase and run boats So let us consider whether the legislaters would rule against this. Absolutely no way, it would cause riots.

Look what happened in Benque when the bus fares were increased buy one dollar. Novelos Buses were being stoned and pushed over in the riots.

What may be legislated is a docking fee as has been suggested. And let me make it clear that it would be the gringos who would be forced to do this.

When a permit to build a pier is issued the authorities look whether it will benefit the community at large by its approval.

It would appear to me that many people think just because they pay for something they can enforce issues which are outside the law.

Let me tell you in my experience if this issue was persued it would cause a situation in which no one would come out looking good.

No one would come out of this looking good as the gringos would be viewed as behaving in an unreasonable manner and from some gringos point of view the Belizeans would be viewed in behaving unreasonable.

Look how when the British soldiers started going to San Ignacio on R and R. These young men swanned into town with what was perceived as copious amounts of money and started getting the local girls pregnant etc.

No one considered the consequences. Then when one was found crucified on a raft floating down the Macal River everyone was up in arms.

It was obvious that something like that would happen from the start.

At the moment we have a controversial string but what everyone needs to appreciate is that the support I am receiving from the Belizeans and the pressure to persue this on their behalf is overwhelming.

Today I will endeavour to play Switzerland to resolve the issue as there is no benefit to anyone. The point has been made and I hope that a little education has been given to all of us.

Agreed, It is a benefit for workers who are north of the cut. South, I'm not so sure. Most of the constuction workers ride bikes or walk. Can they really afford $5 each way($7.50 in September ?) when they are making $30-$40 a day?

I don't think you understand..... Does the ferry going SOUTH benefit Locals Not north......
Please tell me how many locals have used it to go south for anything but getting a drink at the San Bar.

Whoa!

People like myself - are happy to learn about this new way of getting to the SandBar. Bumming rides from people gets old. :rolleyes:

Sounds like Beachboy has it figured out! 12 more sleeps!!!

better reserve 1A on that Ferry, TQ

Bingo!!

I have been involved in the application and issuance of several dozen peir permits of which the above remarks are based. Those are simply the general rules.

As for what actually happens that is not the point and you would certainly be correct in saying that for a few bucks you can get almost anything you want.

Changing this is up to the people who vote and they should voice their concerns.

Beachboy: everything you said in your post addresses nothing.

Basically what you said is that you are a crusader for the Belizean people and that what you are doing to the McCords is what should have been done and what every Belizean wants you to do.

This makes no sense at all. The law is made in a vague manner so that it can be interpreted in different ways based on the times and judges are the ones who interept the laws. Things change and I think that san Pedro is a perfect example.

This is nolonger the sleepy fishing village it once was and that is not my fault. It is the path that was choosen by the powers that be.

This island is experiencing growing pains and will most likely continue to do so for sometime. Docks, Traffic, zoning, the Master plan, etc, etc.

As noble as it would seem, I am not sure the pizza guy is the one who should be crusading.

In parting I would like to say that this board makes me angry almost everyday because there is always someone saying something strictly for their own personal gain under the guise of making the island better for everyone and more particualrly Belizeans.

Over the years Belizeans have stood up well to the onslaught of Gringos and they will most likely continue but, not through the use of prejudice.

Have a happy sunday everyone.

I have voted for the past 6 years and have every right to fight for any cause I feel appropriate.

I carry a high profile here on the Island and on the mainland more so. I certainly do not abuse my media position or wave my big stick on many issues.

We are working closely with the EMS to provide equipment storage South and with others on many other community issues.

I do however appreciate everyones stance on this specific matter.

JZB please read into my last post carefully you obviously have missed my point.

It is important for all of us to work and live together in harmony.

Happy Sunday All.

Sterling here from Island Ferry

Everyone take a deep breath for a minute. My stance is that we (IF) will operate by the letter of the law however I am certainly sympathitic to the home owner concerns. This is the first time we have been denied access to docks to pick people up. I have talked to Adam this morning and an alternative arrangement has already been made that should satisfy everyone.

As far as the persons on this board who suggested that Island Ferry doesnt help Belizeans I would like to draw there attention to the 0700 and 1700 runs whose passengers are nearly all Belizeans going and coming from work at reduced rates. Also we have introduced last year a special boat for picking up school children at extremely reduced rates. This run is basically being subsidized by Island Ferry FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE of meeting the needs of our comunity.

Island Ferry, as a company procedure, will stop business to allocate its full resources to handling medical emergencies that arise all to frequently on our island.

Island Ferry provides free transportation to doctors and police officers who require transport in the course of there duties.

Also, JZB, I have recently (amoung many other training opportunities I offer to my staff) sent four of my staff(all Belizeans) to attend week long comprehensive leadership/rescue courses to prepare them to handle emergencies at sea. These educational opportunities for my staff help Island Ferry to handle the type of emergancies that we will come across in the course of there duties. And as they leave Island Ferry for other employment on the Island they go with certification and mental tools that will make them a greater asset to other employers.

I hope this puts to rest concerns regarding Island Ferry docking arrangements at the Sandbar or any other misconceptions regarding Island Ferry's benefit to Belizeans.