AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Environment Meeting for North Ambergris Caye 3,000 acres sale

There will be a public meeting on Wednesday December 12th (tomorrow) at the Lion's Den at 6:30 pm to discuss the government's decision to sell 3,000 acres of North Ambergris Caye to foreign investors. The San Pedro Business Association is against this sale.

I thought this was put to rest?

You mean you thought because the politician said, "don't worry no problem, I am not a crook", things where OK?

No, that was something else -related to, but not exactly the same subject.

You mean not exactly the same Pinkerton estate. Isn't it the land the ranger station stands on?

we cannot go to meeting - but if anyone goes and finds anything of interest please keep us all informed

Elbert, go to the meetings or read the minutes and the other messages from the SPBA - then you'll know what I am saying.

Thanks

This sounds like pretty much the same issue to me. with the exception of not having to dereserve anything.whats your take on that?
To Whom It May Concern:

The San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) wishes to express its strong opposition to the proposed sale of public lands as laid out in the House of Representatives Motion dated 16th November 2007. This Motion deals with the "Sale of Certain Lands In North Ambergris Caye Motion, 2007."

1. Mentioned in the Motion are 22,000 acres of land in North Ambergris Caye of which 3000 acres are being proposed for sale to "Caribbean Developers (Belize) Limited."

2. It is not specified either in writing or in survey map form exactly what the boundaries of the said 3000 acres are.

3. Some weeks ago strong public and conservation group opposition to the proposed sale of Bacalar Chico Reserve Lands resulted in the Government of Belize making the correct decision for all Belizeans, namely making the promise that the said lands would not be sold to any private group.

Our concerns are as follows: The vague nature of the Motion and the fact that no boundaries have been specified means that the same Bacalar Chico Reserve Lands could still be sold or leased to Caribbean Developers (Belize) Limited. In fact, we at the SPBA are so suspicious that this may be the case that we are requesting the following information and assurances from the Government of Belize and Caribbean Developers (Belize) Limited:

1. That a clear survey map of the 22,000 acres mentioned in the Motion and the 3000 acres portion being proposed for sale be produced for our inspection and indeed for the inspection of the People of Belize.

2. That a clear commitment be made by the Government of Belize assuring the People of Belize, in writing, that no part of the Bacalar Chico Reserve will be sold or leased to any private entity for any reason whatsoever. This is protected lands and is a vital part of the natural heritage of Belize. As a country we cannot just "talk the talk" when it comes to conservation, we must be seen to "walk the walk."

3. That no attempt will be made by the Government of Belize to change the boundaries of the Bacalar Chico Reserve lands in order to facilitate the sale or lease of said lands.

If the 3000 acres proposed in the Motion is indeed the same section containing part of the Bacalar Chico Reserve this means that the Government of Belize is selling good lands with high elevation and beach frontage on Ambergris Caye for $4000BZE per acre. Not only is it outrageous that protected lands be sold or
leased to private entities, it is also economic madness. This land, if it were sold correctly and at market value, would fetch at least 50,000BZE per acre on the open market and very probably much more for the beach front sections.

Here is the truth: The argument made in the Motion "the offer made by the Company is considered to be the most attractive and favourable to Belize" is not only incorrect from the point of the preservation of our natural heritage, it is also a horrible deal for Belize and Belizeans from a financial perspective. $150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million) dollars would be closer to what these lands are worth in financial terms if they did not form part of a national reserve. Of course, most Belizeans understand that, because these are supposed to be protected lands, this property is actually priceless and that no sale can be justified.

We unreservedly oppose the Motion as written. We unreservedly oppose the sale or lease of the Bacalar Chico Reserve Lands or any part thereof. Your urgent attention in this matter is much appreciated.

Sincerely,

The whole thing is quite shady. No one knows REALLY where this land is...govt won't provide a map. And supposedly there are another 5000 acres for sale in addition to these 3000. All together, a bigger plot of land than Belize City in size. Supposedly there is some sort of vote next Wednesday but maybe this transaction has already been completed?

I like this idea.
but, I don't agree with the bipartisan angle. There is a single interest in government trying to pull this off before the elections get them ousted and they can't sell it.
so why protect them with a bipartisan protest?
Also if you think the sale is to raise money for government your being naive. What politician would go against the popular opinion to close a multimillion dollar deal and not be getting a huge personal monetary kick back?

True...but I think it's to let the government and more importantly, the investors know that we are willing to do anything (legal) to stop this. With the press there, these mysterious foreigner investors might realize that this development is not going to be as easy as buying the land from the government. San Pedro is going to have something to say about this...

agreed and its not outside the realm of possibility the sale could be reversed after we get current bad guys out of office.
I'm going to send my white shirt and pants to the laundry.

I'm posting this here because I got 'Blogger error' a couple of time when I tried to access Tacos Girls page.

Town Meeting
I was not able to go to the town meeting last night so I will leave you with what Rebecca had to say about it...

The San Pedro Business Association called a town meeting last night to discuss the potential sale of 3,000 acres of North Ambergris Caye by the Belizean Government. I attended and this is what I learned. A few weeks ago, the dereservation and sale of a chunk of Bacalar Chico was reversed but now it seems the government is looking elsewhere (outside of the national park) to complete this transaction with foreign investors. So far, the govt has been vague about which land they are looking to sell, but those at the meeting seem certain that it is the "Pinkerton Estates", land that was set aside years ago for infrastructure and for the future generations of San Pedro.

The sale price quoted ($4000bzd/acre) is a fraction of the market price which was speculated at hundred of millions USD at the meeting. Many (including the Mayor) asked, ..."if the government needs this money so badly, why don't they give the people of San Pedro the right to buy land that should be theirs" for hospitals, businesses, houses, facilities and schools for an island that has thousands and thousands of children and is growing every day.

It was tentatively decided that there will be a shut-down of businesses on Tuesday morning for 9-12. They asked that the people of San Pedro and its visitors wear white and join hands in the streets to protest this sale and to let the investors know that we are willing to fight this sale in every way possible. This will be a completely non-political event...no UDP, no PUP, just neutral white. Reef Radio will be broadcasting more information all week.

There is speculation that there is an additional 5.000 acres, (supposedly outside the reserve area, in the Pinkerton Estates), whose sale is also being negotiated by the government. No one is certain where either of these parcels lie as no map or diagram has been presented showing either area.

Thanks Elbert that should be resolved now I accidentally hit save draft instead of publish when I added on last bit to that post.

The Mayor believes that she should be able to pinpoint the 3,000 and 5,000 acre tracts on a map some time later today. If we can post the map we will.

The other night while listening to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve folks talk it came out that neighboring /nearby ares of sea turtle grass beds and mangroves need to be protected as well as whats in the reserve boundarys because destroying those that are near the reserve will have a negative effect on the reserve, so the HCMR folks want to protect areas near Hol Chan as well. The same logic would apply to The Bacalar Chico Reserve.

The shut down and protest will be on Tuesday from 9-11am. Make sure everyone signs one of the petitions that will be past around town over the next few days.

The protest regarding the 3,000 and 5,000 acres is not about the Bacalar Chico reserve area.

The shut-down was mentioned on last night's news.

http://www.7newsbelize.com/index.shtml#5

This link doesn't work, it just leads to the latest news each day.

Dec.18th 11:00 Central park, our Area Representative telling it like it is for the channel 7 news.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa3/elbertgreer/dec18-2018.jpg
President of the San Pedros Tour Guide Assoc., Billy Leslie asking what part of No didn't they get?
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa3/elbertgreer/dec18-2012.jpg
Still some confusion of the issue
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa3/elbertgreer/dec18-2024.jpg
:-)
Charles explaining the proper way to dress bipartisan."I got my red and I got my blue"
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa3/elbertgreer/dec18-2032.jpg

Check San Pedro Daily

And last buy not least, lets not forget the senior citizens with their supply of white shirts that biked from North Ambergris Caye to San Pedro to attend the protest.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa3/elbertgreer/dec18-2001.jpg

Is there anything people in the states can do? We are new AC property owners and if there is someone I can write to please let me know.

I listened to the news last night, and must say that I was put out that the interviewer would imply something to the effect that there were so many gringos participating, and that somehow that meant that we were demonstrating for a false sense of entitlement. How dare they? I am not a born Belizean, and will not be a citizen for a few months, I do not have any children past present or future who will claim entitlement for any land here, nor will I. I march because this island is important to me, the people, the community, and the future of the children here. What the GOB is doing is wrong...selling land out from under its citizens who work hard and will try to tame the beast called "progress".

It is easy for those in Belmopan to encourage growth, growth, growth, as the cash cow called Ambergris keeps pumping money into their coffers and pockets ...(the last time I checked AC provided 72% of the GNP for Belize) but we who call this place our home, have a more realistic approach to growth and development. We want to see septic systems and utilities to areas that are already develooped; hospitals and schools for the people already living here; and protection of the eco system that keeps this island alive. All of these things we know we must do before we have large areas of the island being dredged and filled, having waste pumped into the surrounding waters...

I do not feel as though I am entitled to any land on this island for myself or anyone in my family. But the San Pedranos are, they are my family and my friends, and I march for them and their heritage.

"In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, but I did not speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade-unionists, but I did not speak up because I was not a trade-unionist. Then then they came for the Catholics, but I did not speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak up."
-Rev. Martin Niemoller

Shuffles - this gringo comment made me wonder who thinks all Belizeans have dark skins? Rather racist I think.

I did not read anything about "dark skin". Where do you come up with this racist theory? I did not see the news report, but it it sounds like the only racist implication might be on their part.

Some people believe that the term "gringo" refers to white, middle class, north American vistor/ex-patriot residents.

Many born San Pedranos have light skin, blue eyes and blond or red hair. There are few dark-skinned San Pedranos.

Of course if you look at the ethnicity of Belizeans as a whole - there is no set "colour" for Belizans.

I think I will look at that statistics report and see if there are any recent reports on ethnicity.

Thanks Amanda - that was my point exactly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gringo

I still don't get your point, Scubaldy. The only reference I could see to "dark skin" or "racists" is in your post. Who are you accusing of this?

Actually very interesting reading the different definitions for the word "Gringo":
In Central America it is mainly used for US citizens.
In Uruguay it is mainly used for English and Russian people.
In Brazil it refers to foreigners from any country.

In Belize I have seen black people being referred to as being gringo, where white people from foreign (non-US) origin didn't qualify for the gringo category.

The word Gringo comes from "green coat" and originated during Mexican-American War of 1846-48, in reference to the American soldiers and the green color of their uniforms. It must have been the Green people then. Guess this Blue guy was innocent this time: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=5843725

Warren
On the news the other night it was stated that many of the people marching were not Belizeans. So how would then tell just by looking???

Gringo, Belizeans, who cares, the people that marched and expressed their opinions should all be applauded. What the government is doing is wrong! I'm a gringo but have spent hundreds of thousand of dollars on the Island. The government is crapping on the people that live on the Island, Belizeans and Gringos alike. They have no clue or give a damn less about the impact it will have. The Belize government seems to enjoy "biting the hand that feeds them". Sorry about the spelling, but you do get my drift.

Scubaldy, your post addressed suffles and it could have been taken that you were commenting on that post as opposed to the news broadcast. I agree the news broadcast implied a bias against non-Belizeans. That not being racists, just a prejudice against foreigners.

Interesting...
When i was living in El Salvador they told me that the word "gringo" is from the war time..
When US army was (is) active there, some locals would say "green go" home, which changed easely to gringo...Just my 2 cents
If I got a dollar for every time they called me a gringo...lol

Get over it guys, Your Gringos!
Government is trying to sell our islands beauty for personal profit before it leaves office.

What!!! Elbert, voice of reason????

Wow. It must be Christmas or something.... LOL