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Many plants were brought in by boat, and to date, 200 have been planted.
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Coconut palms now dot the beaches of San Pedro.
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The San Pedro Business Association’s (SPBA) November meeting had many items on their agenda some which saw arduous work being carried out over the weekend and through the week. Among the many issues discussed was the matter of housing for the Belize Defense Force soldiers, Coast Guard and Anti-Drug Unit. The issue was resolved with the financial assistance from its members and the general community, as well as by working in collaboration with the Government of Belize and two anonymous donors. Through these means SPBA managed to secure enough “dough” to purchase two houses which are pre-fabricated structures and will be fully erected within the week. The two houses will reside in the lot rented to SPBA by Cal and Amanda Syme. The Symes handed the property to SPBA at a rate of $1 a year for a term of five years, with the possibility of continuing the contract for five more years.
According to Chairman Elito Arceo through the past few weeks donations of linens, kitchen and household items have been generously handed over to SPBA to be used inside the homes once completed. One of the homes will house the sleeping quarters complete with 16 bunk beds while the other will be a “mess hall” with a kitchen and living room area.
Another point brought up at SBPA’s November meeting was the approval granted by the San Pedro Town Council, authorizing the Association to embark in a cleanup and replanting campaign. Over the weekend, on Saturday, with the assistance of four men, 200 eight month old palm trees were replanted along the beach from Boca del Rio to Tackle Box.
This weekend the work continues and it is Arceo’s hope that the remainder of the 300 plants will find their new home by the week’s end. One hundred of the trees were also donated to the South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (SACNW) which they will replant in their area.
Arceo commented that he hopes that residents will respect and care for the trees, “The trees will offer the beach some protection, but it will also help to beautify the area. I hope that people take care of them and will not destroy our hard efforts. The cleanup and replanting could not have been done, also, without the help from Councilors Nano and Severo Guerrero.”
Also announced in November was that in an effort to garner more membership, in order to have broader representation, SPBA decided to lower their membership fees. New members that wish to form part of SPBA will now pay $300 instead of $500. For further information kindly call (501) 226.4474 or Email:
[email protected].
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