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I find it hard to believe it’s already been two years since I was first elected by you to be Chairperson of the Placencia BTIA. I will not be running again for officer, but will remain on the Board as Past President, as my New Year’s resolution is to spend this year being creative, my chosen field so many long years ago.
So much has happened in 2 years. It seems Placencia is at a critical crossroad in its major growing pains. We’ve had lots to contend with and I’d like to say that I’ve learned from this as much as I’ve contributed: in being an advocate, writing policies and position statements, interacting with the Placencia Police, contributing articles to The Placencia Breeze, being Webmaster to Placencia.com and PlacenciaBreeze.com, and also representing BTIA on the Board of SEA while it goes through its amalgamation pains, as well as being on the BTB’s Marketing Advisory Committee where I helped choose the new ad agency and watched the development of wonderfully creative work they create to promote Belize, as well as harping at every meeting on the need for LOWER AIRFARES.
I was very pleased to attend the last BTIA AGM in December and see Placencia so well represented in attendance, as well as having a 2-page PowerPoint listing of things we, as a chapter, have achieved in 2009. I found their mixers and meetings to be very valuable in schmoozing, for want of a better word, with the people in government who need to hear from us in a professional capacity. I lobbied whenever and wherever I could…in meetings, on planes, on the street. It’s a good way to find out the true nature of our visitors…and its better than any poll! And finally the Placencia ROAD….
I have learned that there's a definite disconnect between the Locals and the hardcore champions of the environment. Between the paradise-seekers and the true settlers. Even between the various ethnic groups who come here to serve villagers and visitors alike. We need to connect better with each other.
We need to find a common thread. How can we join together to embrace the inevitable development that threatens the true laid-back life style we know and love about this place to begin with? And have no doubt about it; we WILL experience tourism in numbers that will at times overwhelm us.
Unless we bind together. Work together. This year we will vote for a new Village Chairperson. Who here is up for the challenge? We’d better be prepared or we will be blindsided again by our apathy.
We need better schools. Better sanitation. Better infrastructure. Better accommodations. Better policing. Better Government support. We need a voice of someone who is with us…who can keep us informed. Who can ask government to help us in these times of recession. Who can get it done…for us!
This is the year the new Placencia International Airport will bring tourists in numbers we once could only wish for. This year our PM has promised us cruise ships.
How will we lobby against the inevitable without seeming to be just a bunch of whiners stomping our feet? Time is not on our side.
According to my Mother-in-Law Miss Tensie, locals used to make local dishes and sweets and crafts to sell to visitors. That's the kind of thing tourists come seeking…little things they can take away with them that are NOT made in neighboring countries. Can we do that again? We need shops that sell Made in Belize.
Are we too consumed with our petty differences to focus? Is Placencia doomed to be absorbed into mediocracy? I think not, and I will continue to fight the good fight in this village. Let’s continue to rally for:
Conservation = Goodwill
Goodwill = Publicity
Publicity = Visitation
Visitation = Spending Premium
Premium = More Conservation
Last but definitely not least, I’d like to extend a huge thank you on behalf of the Board, to Ellie and her staff Felisha and Lloydia…I’ve rarely seen people who work harder on your behalf.
And I thank you all for your support.
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