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Rose's Bar and Grill in Caye Caulker denied liquor license over a street side grill

The Caye Caulker Village Council Chairman Alberto Villanueva said that while the establishment is renowned internationally and is a favorite among tourists, Arceo's establishment is only one of many that have been asked to make some adjustments. Villanueva said that the neighbors near Rose's Grill and Bar have complained about the smoke from the grill, and that has forced Roses-Grill-and-Bar-LL-denied-2them to take action."In his case last year he was given notice that he needed to relocate his grill. So last January he was to have relocated his grill and that hasn't been the case. So the new liquor license year came up and we had bonafide concerns from neighbors that the smoke has been an issue in whatever direction the wind is blowing. They have asked, they have expressed their concerns. Us, as the local authority we have taken those concerns; we've told him that it is an issue he is faced with and we just asked him to relocate the grill. We are in no way shutting him down and we have also served him notice that if he relocates the grill, he is entitled to his liquor license. We are not shutting the restaurant down; we do not have that power, he is free to serve his food and non-alcoholic beverages. This is solely a liquor license issue. It's based on not one complaint but numerous complaints. We don't have medical documentation for smoke inhalation or the long term effects of smoke. I don't think there is any research in regards to that for the neighborhood or for Belize for that matter but we believe that you cannot be inconveniencing your neighbors. Making money or a profit at their expense; we are looking at the well being of the entire neighborhood as well," explained the chairman.

But while the Chairman said the neighbors have been complaining, Arceo has gone ahead to get signatures from all but one neighbor who have indicated that they have no problem with the restaurant's grill. For that reason, Arceo believes that he is being targeted because of politics. "I remember when elections were going on with village councils. I went totally against Albert Villanueva and he knows that very well. This is the result because I approach the liquor license board and they all tell me the same thing, this is a personal issue. This has nothing to do with the people complaining, the neighbors already signed that they don't have anything to do with the complaining of this establishment. I have gathered more than four hundred signatures throughout the island and I make it my issue that all my neighbors around me sign it and they are right here, these are my neighbors. These are my direct neighbor," said Arceo. The only neighbor who had issues with the smoke from Arceo's grill is Miguel Neil. In speaking to The San Pedro Sun, Neil explained that that the only concern his family has is when the wind changes direction from time to time. In that instance said Neil, the smoke becomes a concern for his newborn. He said however, that since he had a cordial meeting with Arceo that matter is in the process of being resolved, but at no time did he approve of the council's action to deny Arceo a liquor license.

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

I lived down the street from a fried chicken store many years ago. I understand how this may be a problem, however Mr. Arceo claims to have approached all his neighbors save one and nobody had a problem. The one he did not contact told the SP Sun to have resolved any problems that may have existed. Furthermore Mr. Arceo claims to have signatures from these folks and many others.

I still ask if smoke is the issue why can't that issue be addressed by venting the smoke above the buildings rather than closing down a business employing 15 people and providing a valued service to tourist? Mr Villanueva's proposal does not address the alleged problem and ultimately puts 15 people out of work!

Mr Villanueva is running the politics of CC like the US congress where what little happens fails to address or resolve anything, and puts citizens out of work. He says Mr Arceo can continue to run the restaurant, but cannot serve alcohol. How is this solving the smoke issue? It is clearly a power position.