It would appear at least one of the streets in San Pedro Town may
soon be seeing some cobblestones. An appeal has been received by
Minister Ralph Fonseca from island representatives to release the funds
budgeted to cobblestone San Pedro Town streets and the minister has
responded accordingly.
Information received and printed in the February 6th, 2003 edition
of The San Pedro Sun, reported that this was a promise made by the
Government of Belize to upgrade streets in San Pedro Town for the next
two years (2003-4 and 2004-5).
Since that time, the opposition United Democratic Party won six of
the seven elected seats on the San Pedro Town Council, and therefore
was having an extremely difficult time receiving these budgeted funds
from a People's United Party central government. To facilitate the
disbursement of these budgeted funds, Ms. Nadia Tarrico of Mata Chica
Resort on North Ambergris Caye appealed to Minister of Finance and Home
Affairs, Ralph Fonseca on behalf of island businesses.
On November 10th, a reply was sent from the Ministry of Finance and
Home Affairs, signed by Minister Ralph Fonseca, to Ms. Nadia Tarrico.
It stated: We thank you for investing in Belize and for your continued
commitment to civic duty. The project to beautify and clean up San
Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye is indeed a worthwhile one. We agree that
for consensus, transparency, accountability and efficiency, the idea of
a "San Pedro Citizens Committee" is the best road forward. The
Committee should be comprised of private sector representation, Area
Representative for Belize Rural South, Town Council representative, the
Opposition Candidate for the area and NEMO.
This would facilitate the Government of Belize/Ministry of Finance
consideration to grant capital input funding for projects like the
continuation of the "cobblestone street" and ensure that ownership is
by real consensus. Once such a group has been formulated via
resolution, the Government and Ministry could be petitioned for the
necessary assistance.
Once again, we thank you for your continued interest in the
development of the community in which you live and have invested.
The letter was carbon copied to Mr. Hugh McSweaney - Financial
Secretary, Mr. Roy Cayetano, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of
Local Government, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Area Representative for
Belize Rural South, Elsa Paz, Mayoress of San Pedro, Patricia Arceo -
PUP Representative for Belize Rural South, and Jim Janmohamed - NEMO
Representative.
On Wednesday, November 26th, a meeting was held which was comprised
of the committee members suggested above plus Past Mayor Alberto NuŅez
Sr. and President Tom Vidrine of the Ambergris Caye Chamber of
Commerce. A letter of petition was drafted as requested by the minister
and it stated the following: With the rapid growth in population and
volume of traffic, our roads in San Pedro have now deteriorated beyond
our ability to maintain them with available materials. We represent a
cross-section of our population, and have joined together to ask for
your help.
As community leaders in civic, political, and business
organizations, we request your consideration in releasing the funds
that were previously allocated towards the paving of Pescador Drive
(Middle Street).
The committee has chosen James Janmohamed of NEMO as our Chairman
and includes the following individuals and their signatures below.
Please give our request your utmost serious consideration.
The letter was respectfully signed by Committee Chairman James
Janmohamed, Belize Rural South Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr.,
San Pedro Town Mayor Elsa Paz, Past Area Representative and PUP
Representative Patty Arceo, and Past Mayor Alberto Nunez. Signing on
behalf of the private sector of San Pedro Town was, President of the
Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce Tom L. Vidrine and Representative of
the Hotel Business Community, Nadia Taricco.
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