The Placencia Breeze

Residents Voice Concerns Over Big Resort Project

From A Channel 5 Belize Newscast. May, 2006

Residents of the Placencia Peninsula may be known for their laid back lifestyle but last night they defied the stereotype to rise up in opposition to what many believe is an impending ecological and social disaster for this rapidly growing part of the country.
The occasion was a public hearing called by the Department of Environment as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process to hear views on the proposed establishment of what would be the biggest resort complex ever constructed in Belize.
The project, known as Ara Macao, Spanish for Scarlet Macaw, involves over a thousand units of hotel and condominium accommodation, a four hundred boat marina, hundred and six thousand square foot casino and eighteen hole golf course, spread over six hundred acres near Riversdale at the north end of the peninsula.
Although the venue for the gathering was a small classroom in Seine Bight's primary school, when around three hundred people showed up, the meeting shifted to the parking lot.
Following a PowerPoint presentation on behalf of the U.S. based developer given by E.I.A. author Jose "Pepe" Garcia and various consultants, the public was invited to ask questions and offer comments.
And that's when the fun started. Despite a sometimes raucous atmosphere, most of the questions were serious and pointed ... and raised major concerns about beach access, erosion, pollution, social discrimination and employment. But most of the crowd's ire was directed at the sheer size of the project, which at completion would more than quadruple the present population of the peninsula. The sentiments expressed at the consultation will be considered by the National Environmental Appraisal Committee who will then vote whether to approve, disapprove or modify the developer's plans. In the end, however, the final say rests with the Minister of Natural Resources, Johnny Briceño.

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Ms. Louise Wade Appointed to National Police Compliant Board

May, 2006

Placencia’s very own Ms. Louise Wade has been appointed by Ombudsman Paul Rodriguez as the first local member in Belize to the National Police Complaint Board. The Board is made up of Ombudsman Paul Rodriguez, Superintendent of Internal Affairs Robert Mariano and Vice Chairman Godsman Ellis of the Human Rights Commission of Belize. The three members of the Board meet every month to review and investigate complaints made by citizens against police officers.
Ms. Wade is now the local Placencia representative to this Board. She is well qualified for this position having worked as a Paralegal in the United States for many years. Ms. Wade will take statements and obtain evidence from anyone that feels that their

rights have been violated by police officers. She will forward the complaints to the Complaint Board for their review and will be informed of the outcome of the investigation. In addition, Ms. Wade will have the authority to go to the police station and interview anyone that has been arrested, and if she feels it is necessary, request that the individual receive medical treatment. Finally, Ms. Wade will be authorized to review the case files regarding any complaints made to the Police Complaint Board.
One goal of the Complaint Board will be to eventually have local representatives in every District. Ms. Wade should be congratulated on being the first appointee. If you feel that your rights have been violated during encounters with the police, please see Ms. Wade and she will forward a formal complaint to the appropriate authorities. Remember, you have the right to make a complaint and have it investigated if you feel that your rights have been violated. Ms. Wade can be reached at 523-3120.

FIFA WORLD CUP ~ Scotia Bank Takes You There

by: James Cleeve Westby, May 2006

For most people, just attending the FIFA World Cup would be an experience of a lifetime – one to be cherished forever. For Scotia Bank customers every time they use their Master Card credit card they are entered into a country-wide raffle to attend the FIFA World Cup games in Germany this June. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on May 9th, which is a round trip ticket for two to experience the World Cup up close & personal.
With that in mind Scotia Bank – Placencia Branch decided to do a raffle of its own starting on April 3 continuing through mid June in respect to the World Cup. Any Scotia Bank Placencia customer who pays a MasterCard credit card bill, is entered into the raffle. A new winner is chosen every two weeks and wins World Cup memorabilia in the likes of a sports jacket, a soccer ball or t-shirt. So far I have had the privilege to assist Scotia Bank Placencia in choosing two winners - Steven Christensen and Cassie Dial… I can only wonder who will be next. For more information on this in house raffle and other Scotia Bank promotions give the Scotia Team a call. And good luck to that one lucky winner who has the chance and of a life time attend the FIFA World Cup Games.
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Tour Guide Renewals

May, 2006

The following tour guides renewed their licensing with the Placencia Tourism Center during the month of April.

New Licenses Issued
Brent Young

Expires April 10, 2007

Winsley Garbutt

Expires April 10, 2007

Alfonso Zuniga

Expires Feb 21, 2007

Anthony Eiley

Expires April 10, 2007

Glen Eiley

Expires April 10, 1997

Kurt Godfrey

Expires April 10, 2007

Dorianny Perez

Expires April 10, 2007

Placencia Fire

May, 2006

Six buildings on two adjoining properties were completely destroyed. Two houses on the Garcia family property that were lost were the homes of Leopold Leslie & Nazle Frutos, and Gwendolyn Garcia. On the Purple Space Monkey property the restaurant itself was lost, three gift shops – Denyse’s Original Jewelry, the Pottery Bazaar & Next Wave Sailing office, and Oscar’s, along with the Peninsula Cable office were completely destroyed. Oscar’s, which was the last to catch fire, was able to remove quite a bit of stock before the flames engulfed the building – none of the other businesses had the opportunity to do so. Two of the Purple Space Monkey employees who lived on the property Graham Cabral and Marilyn Beckstead lost all their belongings as well when their living quarters also burned to the ground.
An account at has been set in place by the Placencia Village Council to help the victims of this horrible fire - account #8831605 – the Placencia Village Council is also accepting donations of clothes, toiletries etc for these unfortunates.
While the people that lost their homes and belongings are in immediate assistance there are others who have also been adversely affected by this fire. The Purple Space Monkey employed ten people and the Pottery Bazaar/Next Wave office employed another, all of whom are now out of work. Denyse Rosa of Denyse’s Original Jewelry lost all of the tools and supplies that provided her with her livelihood. The newly opened Pottery Bazaar & Next Wave Sailing office also lost a large amount of irreplaceable stock.
Assistance from the fire stations in Independence and Dangriga eventually came but for the most part the residents of Placencia village had things under control by the time the help arrived.
It is more then apparent the peninsula is in need of its own fire control equipment. The Rotary Club of Placencia and the Village Council had already been researching possibilities of establishing a fire station before this tragedy occurred. Hopefully the path that will lead to that goal can be found quickly.
As a community we are fortunate that the fire spread no further and that no one was hurt or lost their lives. Something of this magnitude can not be allowed to happen again.
Once again clothes, household goods, food items etc are being collected for the victims at the Placencia Village Council office. Cash donations which will be distributed to those effected under the administration of the PVC can me made at Scotia Bank Placencia account # 8831576. For more information on what you can do to help call the Placencia Village Council office at 523-3396 or the Placencia Tourism Center at 523-4045.

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