After
a dormant period of about four months, plans are to resume construction of the
San Pedro Lions Inter-Community Hospital very soon. At a recent meeting of the
Board of Directors of the San Pedro Lions Club, the committee firmly stated that
they will push for the completion of the hospital's first phase. This was also
unanimously agreed to at the last meeting with "Friends of the Hospital" in
early June where the completion of the existing structure was discussed. At that
meeting, Area Representative Patty Arceo offered the services of architect
Philip Thurton, to aid Mr. Darrell Cloud with a set of detailed specifications
and plans required by many who wished to donate. The plans have now been
finished and studied by the members of the Lions Club and other concerned
parties. The Belize Rural South office has also
requested the signature of Lion President Alex Eiley as a final step before
receiving the $200,000 from government. In the agreement it states the following
conditions for the disbursement of the funds: (1) Expenditures should be
consulted and agreed to by both parties, (2) a monthly report should be
submitted to the Area Representative and (3) the committee should consist of
four representatives of the Lions Club and the Area Representative.
Chief fundraiser, Lion Ramon Nuñez also reiterated Caye
Chapel's commitment of matching or exceeding the amount to be donated by
government for the completion of the hospital. This will be the second sizeable
donation from Mr. Addington as he very generously contributed $100,000 to the
initial construction of the hospital. Mr. Nuñez also mentioned several friends
from the US who are collecting donations to help with this project. Presently,
the San Pedro Lions Club is negotiating with Mr. Armando Graniel of Graniel's
Cabinet Shop to oversee the construction of the building as Mr. Darrell Cloud
has fallen ill and is unable to devote as much time as he previously did to this
project. The club has also agreed to accept
an offer from Larry Addington of Caye Chapel to hand over financial management
to Mr. D. Michael Fox of Fox Business Services. Mr. Fox has agreed to donate
part of his services with the remainder provided at Mr. Addington's expense. Mr.
Fox has vast knowledge in this field and would be able to give a more detailed
account of the finances to anyone who desires to see them.
With plans on the table, and transparency and accountability established, it
appears that the much-needed San Pedro Lions Inter-Community Hospital will soon
be a reality. Anyone wishing to give their recommendations or donations towards
this project may do so by contacting any member of the San Pedro Lions
Club.
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