Area Representative

Following a meeting on Saturday, September 2nd by the National Party Council (NPC) of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Jazelie ‘Jaz’ Azueta was formally removed as Standard Bearer for the Belize Rural South (BRS) constituency. According to members within the party, this is the consequence of not supporting the protest held by Belize City members of the UDP in San Pedro Town on Thursday, August 31st, against the current People’s United Party (PUP) government. The decision to remove Azueta was not welcomed among UDP supporters on the island, and on Monday, September 4th, Azueta released a statement on her dismissal.

Students in North Ambergris Caye will no longer struggle with transportation. For families living ten miles north of San Pedro Town, sending their children to schools in the downtown area has been especially difficult. Following an agreement between island businessman Walter Moreno and the local authorities (San Pedro Town Council), a solution has decided. The deal entails that Moreno’s company Elite Transfers, transports the students to and from their schools and, in return, is receives fuel assistance. Moreno is transporting 15 students from the northern community.

The 44th Zone 59 Lions Club National Convention was held over the weekend in San Pedro Town, hosted by the island’s local Lions Club. The three-day event started on Friday, May 12th, when attendees and conventioneers reflected on the goals and objectives of Lionism. The convention saw the participation of all active Lion Clubs in the country from Belmopan City, Belize City, San Estevan, the host San Pedro and two recently installed branches in Sarteneja Village and Corozal Town. The annual event also included the participation of a special guest from Campeche, Mexico.

A portion of Blake Street south of San Pedro Town is under preparation to be cemented. This effort is part of rehabilitating a stretch of road leading to the marina area, a vital barge port further south of town. On Monday, May 8th, the section of Blake Street leading into the San Pablo area was blocked and is currently being prepared for cement. According to those on the ground, it is just the beginning of a larger project.

The co-management agreements signed with conservation partners last month (March) for a number of protected areas raised eyebrows in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, when it was revealed that the Bacalar Chico National Park, located north of the island, would be managed by the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD). This led the non-governmental organization (NGO) Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) to register its disappointment as they stated they had been working on a plan with government authorities to manage the protected area. In an official note released on Monday, April 3rd, they indicated that they were not consulted in such an important matter despite their interest in being part of Bacalar Chico's administration.

Belize could soon obtain a primary radar to improve its air navigation services. To ensure the acquisition of such critical equipment, the Belize Rural South (the Cayes) Area Representative and Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, the Honourable Andre Perez, traveled to Madrid, Spain, to sign an agreement for the aviation asset. The agreement was signed at the 250th Ordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central American Corporation of Air Navigation Services (COCESNA) held on Sunday, March 12th.

Island residents are growing concerned about the massive influx of Sargassum beaching on the coast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. In some areas, thick blankets of the well-known brown seaweed are over a hundred feet from the shore. Some stakeholders see the vast amount of algae as a threat to the tourism industry and are urging the respective authorities to address the issue. The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has responded by hiring more people to remove Sargassum from the most affected areas, like the beaches in the downtown area.

Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez clarified speculation that the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is no longer wholly involved in the day-to-day business of the transport department. The Mayor said that although a committee through the central government is involved to some extent, the island administration still collects and keeps all respective fees pertaining to this department.