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| Construction blocking access to cemetery
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Since late last weekend, much talk has been going around San Pedro
Town regarding access to the San Pedro Cemetery. In the past, the
island has experienced the problem of overcrowding in this eternal
resting place and, most recently, a Cemetery Beautification Committee
was established to make this area more aesthetically pleasing. Once
more though, the cemetery is the topic of controversy.
Upon investigation, The San Pedro Sun discovered that Aqua Marina
Suites, the owners of the building adjacent to the cemetery, approached
the Ambergris Caye Housing and Planning Committee (ACPC) for permission
to construct an overpass connecting the hotel with the building beside
it, which they had recently acquired. According to a representative
from ACPC, no application for construction was filed. As a result of
numerous complaints, on March 19th, a formal stop order was issued
requesting the owner to cease construction until the applicant submits
the proper documentation as requested by the Ambergris Caye Housing and
Planning Committee.
Word of these concerns reached the San Pedro Town Council, who
stated they feel that this overpass may eventually block the pathway to
the cemetery. Members are now actively collecting signatures on a
letter of protest from the residents of San Pedro regarding the closing
of the access to the beach, going east from Barrier Reef Drive. Once
the signatures are collected, the letter will be sent to Minister of
Natural Resources, Honorable Johnny Briceño, and Minister of Housing
and Trade, Honorable Cordel Hyde. The letter states that "the people of
San Pedro have used this pathway for countless years as an access in
this area of town, as well as the only access to the municipal
cemetery." They also request that "the pathway between parcels 1132 and
1134, be declared a public access to ensure future use by residents and
tourists of San Pedro Town." In addition, another letter has also been
sent to Minister Johnny Briceño and carbon copied to Minister Cordel
Hyde and Prime Minister Said Musa "respectfully requesting that the
project be halted until an agreement is made, subject the said pathway."
The San Pedro Sun further confirmed that indeed this area is the
property of Aqua Marina Suites. The area in question and the land that
now houses the new building next to Aqua Marina Suites was acquired by
the Government of Belize during their term in office (1994-1997) with
the hopes of expanding the cemetery. At the time, the neighbors in that
area were not in total agreement with this and the cemetery was not
extended. The following Government (1998-present) subsequently sold the
property.
The San Pedro Sun attempted to contact Mr. Edwardo Aguilar of Aqua
Marina Suites for comment on this issue but these calls were not
returned.
The San Pedro Town Council asks all residents of San Pedro who
object to this construction and have not signed this letter, to drop by
the office of the Town Council and do so.
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