Rotary Club of Placencia

November  2006

Placencia, Belize ~ 03 November, ‘06                  RE: Fire/Medical Project

The Rotary Club of Placencia has teamed up with the Placencia Village Council, Placencia Water Board and the Placencia BTIA to acquire land, and to build a fire station and trauma/evacuation center on this land.
During 2005, the Placencia Rotary Club decided to undertake a community project to establish fire protection and improve the level of medical service available on the peninsula. We anticipate that this project will span a period of 3 to 5 years and that certain changes will occur depending upon the rate of development on the peninsula.
In May of 2006, the Rotary Club commissioned a study: “A Fire Plan for the Placencia, Belize Peninsula” which was written by Fire Chief (& Rotarian) Ken Lane of Brentwood, Tenn. The plan is very complete, 27 pages with photos of various equipment, and offers suggestions on how to proceed with the project. The Plan calls for 4 fire stations along the peninsula to house fire trucks & equipment. Some of the trucks & equipment may be donated by Rotary Clubs in the United States and Canada, and will be acquired as the peninsula is able to provide secure structures to store them. At various times during the implementation of the plan, training will be provided to the personnel involved.
For the past 6 months, Rotary, along with our partners, has been working with GOB to secure a parcel of land adjacent to the Placencia Air-Strip. During Lobsterfest 2006, the Hon Johnny Briceno promised this parcel of land to the Placencia Village Council to be used for this fire/medical facility. This is a huge step towards our goal of building a fire station & trauma/evacuation center. The Placencia Rotary Club has set up an account at Scotia Bank (consisting of various fund-raisers and donations) specifically for this Fire Project through which we hope to acquire a matching grant.
To make this project a success we need the support of all the members of our community financially and otherwise. We solicit your input and suggestions and wish to keep you all informed as we go along.
Please let us know if you would like to receive a copy of the Fire Report via e-mail gcbevier@yahoo.com. We plan to have a public awareness meeting soon and will be contacting you personally to notify you.

Sincerely yours,
Luci Wallen (Director of Community Service)

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JUMBELAYA Carnival Band 2006 Independence Day Parade

 November 2006

After months of planning and hard work, the Placencia Jumbelaya Carnival Committee can finally take a break. We believe we had yet another successful parade. As per usual, the involvement of businesses and individuals form this community, helped in making this event a success. This years’ parade included: the Progressive Youth of Placencia, the Pom Pom Juniors Girls, Jumbelaya Juniors and Senior Masqueraders, citizens on parade, a float from the Placencia Tourism Center, and a float with a Belize Pinwheel, Jumbelaya float.
As with planning any function or activity there are always some section that is not to the satisfactory of all. Our main objective is not to please anyone, but rather to put out an event as was promised. The misconception that this event makes money is certainly a “MYTH”, we apologize for any masquerader(s) or parents that were not satisfied for whatever reason or the other, we want everyone to know that we welcome constructive criticism and really would appreciate such remarks, complaints, or suggestions to be forwarded to us via-Email- itateyouup@yahoo.com. Putting aside any negative vibes, we believe that our 2nd Annual Carnival Parade was what we promised and we enjoyed this function as we planned and in so saying we feel that everyone, masqueraders, citizen parading and those waiting on the side enjoyed the day as well. Anyone wishing to become a part of Jumbelaya as (a) Masquerader (b) Committee Member or otherwise can contact Ms. Therese Bernard at Tel: 503-3019 - 600-6090 or at Mr. Bruce Mossiah via e-mail at itateyouup@yahoo.com  for information on becoming a part of the New Massive Management Committee for 2007 Jumbelaya Carnival Band, we are open to new ideas and more than welcome all new suggestions. Also we would like to activate a progressive fundraising committee. Any person(s) interested in taking up the challenge, get an early jump start.
We would like to thank all our sponsors for this year, these include: Mr. Howell Garbutt, Shari and Gary, Turtle Inn, The Inn at Robert’s Grove, Trade Winds, Mrs. Lucy and Wallen’s Supermarket, Mr. Stan Hunter, Mr. Bunnie, Bowen and Bowen Ltd, Purple Space Monkey, Sea horse Dive Shop, Sandi Johnson, Candy Powers, Mrs. Maria Cabral and Crow’s Nest, Placencia Water Board, Placencia Village Council, King Music Belize City, D.J Tambran Music outlet Belize City, Sugar Reef Lounge, Lance and Veronique McKenzie and Caribbean Tours, Dianni’s Guesthouse. Special thanks to Lola of Lola's Art and the Costume Creation work force, Byron, Rafael, Samuel, Nichelle and Paul all you guys played a really important part in this years’ success of the Carnival Parade. If we missed anyone thank you as well we look forward to your help next year once again, look out for early activities for Jumbelaya 2007 and keep on being a part of community development and involvement and remember that September time in Placencia is Jumbelaya Time.

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