Don Alberto "Beto" Nunez of San Pedro
A Jack of all Trades, Don Alberto "Beto" Nunez was very knowledgeable of the land, the sea, local and world events, business, religion and politics as well. Born and raised in San Pedro, Don Beto, May he rest in Peace, departed this Island fully accomplished and leaving behind other roots, including Alberto Nunez Jr., Saul, Iracela, and Alfonso Nunez (+).
Don Beto commenced his adult life as a fisherman when locals were selling to foreign buyers who exported our produce. He played a key role in the organizing of the local fishing cooperative and was himself a successful lobster fisherman. Always looking to improve his life and that of the fishing industry, Don Beto ventured into deep sea fishing first, and then into shrimp fishing. When he finally got tired of the sea, Don Beto took on the challenging position as plant manager of the fishing cooperative in charge of purchasing, processing, packaging, and exportation. Not having a university degree, Don Beto relied on his good logic and common sense, responsibility, integrity, honesty and a passion for work to be successful.
The hard worker that he was, Don Beto could have retired accomplished and successful by age 60, but his love for his town and country would not permit this. He decided to enter electoral politics at municipal level. With his charismatic personality and his reputation as a hard and successful community activist, Don Beto easily won his first election into municipal government and went on t o win two or three more times. He served as Mayor of San Pedro with distinction and has gone on record as the Mayor with the best financial records and reports, accountability and transparency his hallmark. Many important developmental projects were achieved under his watch, including the acquisition of the entire North Ambergris land so as to bring it under government assets and for the benefit of all the people of San Pedro. It was Don Beto who dreamed out the idea of` cobblestone streets and commenced the concreting of streets using municipal funding as well as government subsidy.
Don Beto went to his Eternal Rest leaving a legacy as a loving and caring father, a courageous fisherman, a prudent and dedicated manager of the fishing industry, and a very accomplished Mayor of this municipality. The positive effects of his actions and decisions are still being felt today by his fellow Islanders as well as other recent comers who emigrate to San Pedro to make it their home. His roots have really gone deep making him a "Pride of San Pedro".
Photograph and text courtesy Angel Nunez
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