AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye ALL ABOUT PALM BAY CLUB

About once a year, I do a Google search for Palm Bay Club . . . and today I just finished reading the 7 pages of bacnk-and-forth comments on this website. I am happy to finally see some new information and interest being shared.
I am also an individual who back in 1994 was enticed by the article in International Living which promoted the development of the Palm Bay subdivision . . . . . and without even visiting the property, I purchased one of the oceanfront lots (Lot #21). In 1997 I actually made a trip to San pedro Town and of course went up for a day to view my property. Since that time I continued to make my payments and finally about 4 years ago paid off the balance owed and was able to obtain the deed of reconveyance. For approximately three years (1996-1998)I took it on myself to publish a Palm Bay newsletter 4 times a year that I mailed out to interested Palm Bay owners. I initially got a list of owners from the McDermotts . . . . and personally mailed them my idea and asked each interested owner to pay $5 to cover cost of printing, postage, etc. for their 4 publications each year. It was my initial hope at that time to begin to form a Lot Owner's Association thinking that the subdivision development was at hand and would be happening within the next five years, as all marketing information seemed to project.
I think I actually put out 8 publications of the newsletter over a two year period . . . . but as time continued, we all seemed to hear less and less about the development itself and it became more difficult to get any info from the McDermott family. So as info and interest dwindled, I just gave up the ship as far as the newsletter went . . . . and for the past 10 years I just sort of continued to occasionally would think about my piece of land and thought someday my grandchildren would benefit from my 1994 investment. Back in 1994 I dreamed of building a retirement house on the property, thinking that by my retirement age, the "development" would have electricity, roads, etc. Well as we all know, none of that has occured . . . . so in 2003 when I did retire, I have ended up in Palm Springs, CA. So the bottom line for me is that someday I hope that one of my heirs will reap the benefits of that 1994 investment.
As I read this website, I couldn't help but wonder if some of you might be the same people who used to read my newsletter????
My name is Gary Pagano and I own Lot #21.
I also find it interesting to see the new Palm Bay Club website and read about "a new owner" (developer, caretaker, or whatever); however no where in the website does it give the name of any actual person . . . . . so I can't help but wonder if this "NEW" entity has any relationship to the MeDermott clan??
You would think if there was a new owner that the very first thing this individual would do would be to notify current Palm Bay property owners . . . . but to date I have never received any information about this "changeover". Would like to share more thoughts and info about Palm Bay with others. I'll check back to this website or anyone can email me at sunnyboy@dc.rr.com

Recently a individual purchased a many of the unsold lots from the original developer. Palm Bay has numerous owners. I have a lot up there. STILL my favorite part of the island. Huge future potential.

Wow! 1994, you should have bought the entire island!

SIN

Welcome Sunny Boy:

I am glad to see that the "winds of change" blew in such a key person to this forum. I created this thread hoping that people like you would show up. I am glad that such an influential person in the past has finally made it here. The more powerful we grow in numbers on this thread then the more chance we all will have of uniting together and getting something done. May our numbers keep growing until every lot member knows about this forum and how to get in touch with each other. Thanks again for discovering us. I hope you stay in touch on this forum. If you have a list of former lot owners you can click on this URL: http://people.yahoo.com/ and you can find the current address and sometimes phone number of these people. I assume most live in the U.S.? Anyway, if you need help you can private message me some of the lot owners and I can help you search for current addresses and phone numbers.

Sincerely, EL-777

Hey SIN and Eldorado: back when I did that newsletter, I had over 80 names of owners (and their mailing addresses . . . most lived in the US, but there were some owners in Europe, and I remember one living in India. Unfortunately, all of that info was discarded years ago when I "gave up" on the McDermotts and their vision. I still keep in touch with only two or three owners via email and I will let them know about this thread.

On the new PB website it states: Palm Bay Club has a new owner who is proud to have the opportunity to market this proven Ambergris Caye community. The new owner will begin work very soon on improving the subdivision's beachfront and existing interior roads by clearing and restoring them to a similar state as when the subdivision was developed.

Do you guys know WHO this new owner is?? I guess I am somewhat surprised that this new owner has not been in some type of contact with us original lot owners . . . . what better way to get us excited again about our investment??

His username on this forum is Jimbo2. He rarely posts on the forum. But you can find a post of his if you examine the contents found in the URL below:

//ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showprofile&User=9763

I'm not sure about the improvements and all. I know the person who purchased the remaining lots. I've emailed but haven't got a response back yet.

SIN

Sunnyboy: That is great. Can you ask them to come onto this thread and post their past experience and expectations for the future of their property and that of Palm Bay Club? It would be great to get all the Palm Bay Club members to post at least once on this thread. Thanks, EL-777

Sunnyboy - you have no idea how happy I am to see your name. I was one of those people who used to read your newsletter and I think I even contacted you years ago to find out what had happened to it. Well Gary, I still have not been able to get a response from anyone regarding the 2 lots I own in Palm Bay and due to personal illness had given up for a long time. Now I'm feeling better and realize that #1 I must certainly owe taxes on the lots. #2 The last correspondence I received had wrong information regarding the price I paid in relation to obtaining the titles. I responded to Gerry McDermott, whom the letter came from, and never was answered back. It was dated April 11, 2006. Does anyone have any suggestions? I own lots 48 & 49.

Jeanne

ELDORADO-777,
Just read your request for some input on Bacalar Chico so am putting in a few quick comments.
We aren't currently Belize residents but will be in the future. We make it to San Pedro as much as we can which has been just several times in the last year, work has been more demanding that we wish.
I talked to SIN on the phone in July but wasn't able to get together like I wanted, 2 weeks is never enough time!
Bacalar Chico is always a priority when we are on the island, we were up north twice on our last visit. One of the things that you said in one of your posts was about the "caretaker" of Palm Bay. There isn't anybody that has in the last several years or is currently "care taking" for the Palm Bay Club that stays on that part of the island so I'm not sure who that might be. The beach combers that are around most of the time weren't even there because of current coast guard patrols and of the area. There had been someone on our lot clearing and burning the bush and ruminants of there camp was still there. Recovered a great metal buoy they had found in camp. We also passed some surveyors on our second trip to the area as they left. They were staking a lot just south of ours and marking our corners for there reference. The beach front hadn't changed noticeably from the last visit with Gabbies palapa, JP's and the cabin next door to his being the only signs of structures in the area. There had been a lot cleared too but no other signs in the area. Didn't see the first full time resident!
I will try to check for more post about PBC on a more regular basis!
Loren
PS Hi Amanda!

hello im new to this wesite and forum im happy i found,, back in 1993 i bought three properties in palm bay club, i was on the island in july first time in a few years and was very impressed with all the building going on moving north from san pedro.
i feel we should gather as many lot owners as we can get together and start a association of some sort and start clearing lots and find a builder the more owners we have the better deal we may get,

thoughts please