thanks krehfish !!!
makes sense Harriette. there are several viewpoints on this issue. Thanks for noting a very important perspective.
San Pedranos Protest Town Clock
The controversy over the clock tower in downtown San Pedro continues to rage. Today at noon, a protest was held to demand that Mayor Elsa Paz abort the project immediately.
The San Pedro Branch of the Belize Tourism Industry Association has also lent its voice to the howls of protest.
And while we can see that a fair number of residents really don't want the clock, Mayor Paz - who is not seeking re-election - is not fazed.
She told a local radio show on San Pedro today that the majority of people protesting are not even registered voters, and for the protest to move her, it would have to record 1,500 registered voters. Of course that didn't happen…but still, the controversy continues.
Channel 7
San Pedro residents protest construction
At noon today, a demonstration was held in San Pedro where Mayor Elsa Paz is adamant about the construction of a town clock. Many are not totally against the mayor's project, but a clock in the middle of the road in the congested down town area, has many furious including the business community, the BTIA and Belize Water Services. No less than the San Pedro Sun, the island's newspaper, organized the protest which didn't have the numbers that would make the mayor blink. News Five's Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The construction of a town clock which, when completed, will also double as a community information device in the center of Barrier Reef Drive near downtown San Pedro is the subject of contention for residents and business owners on the island. The project is the brainchild of Mayor Elsa Paz and Richard Headrick of Ramon's Village Resort. While the idea of a town clock is well received protestors who converged on the proposed site this afternoon are up in arms over its location.
Mukul Kanabar, BTIA President, San Pedro Chapter
"There are many reasons people have sided for being against this. The reasons most often cited are one: no public consultations was held, two: the location in the middle of the busiest street in town."
Mukul Kanabar is the president of the local chapter of BTIA in San Pedro. He, like many others, vehemently opposes the erection of the town clock here. On the ground is a gaping hole surrounded by construction material, as well as several concrete beams cordoned off by strips of caution tape. Today residents have gathered by the dozens, placards in hand, to voice their discontent.
Protestor
"The mayor without consultation with the constituency of San Pedro or elsewhere in Belize has given prime real estate in front of Central Park to be used for the purpose of advertising for one privately held US Company. That company is Headrick's and they own a sign company and so the concern is not so much that they're donating the clock but that number one the mayor said that the clock was donated with stipulation that it be placed in the middle of the street. I find that to be a reprehensible, dictatorial stance for somebody in politics to take without consulting the constituency."
The proposed structure, once completed, will cost a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It will be the second of two advertising jumbotrons in town, similar to one adjacent to the airstrip. According to Mayor Elsa Paz, during an appearance on Reef TV this morning, she is not prepared to listen to a minority that is against the project.
Elsa Paz
Elsa Paz, Mayor, San Pedro Town
"I would not listen to a small group. As I said we are six thousand, more than six thousand voters and out of that Aiden three thousand would go and cast their votes. So I would like to see a demonstration. If I see a demonstration of one thousand five hundred voters which is fifty percent of San Pedro going out on that demonstration today I will say okay we need to listen to the people. We need to listen to the people and do what they want [us] to do."
Despite the fact that there was considerably less than fifteen hundred protestors in the heart of town at midday a petition has been launched to garner that total in signatures. Among the many concerns shared is the lack of egress on either side of the structure to allow for the passage of large vehicles, specifically in the case of an emergency.
Patty Arceo
Patty Arceo, Former Area Representative
"The mayor, she is stating that there is enough drive space on both sides and as you all could see there's not enough drive space right here. But I think she's following [in] the [foot]steps of the mayor from Belize City putting signs all over the place. I mean people have the right to put [up] there signs but it's where you put it Location! Location! Location!"
The construction site, News Five understands, sits atop a water main and Belize Water Services Ltd. has equally objected to the town clock being placed here.
Mukul Kanabar
Mukul Kanabar
"We have heard those same reports as have we heard concerns about whether or not fire and other emergency vehicles, personnel will be able to traverse this street once the structure is completed. As you can see it leaves very little room here."
Paz maintains that the controversy surrounding the project is non-political.
Elsa Paz
"A lot of times people take these projects as a political issue which is wrong, you know, because politics will always be here but this is not a political issue. This is a community project and I am here to listen, to listen to all the comments."
In a letter written by Richard Headrick to Mukul Kanabar he insists that; "the electronic portion of the clock tower will be to provide the current temperature and public service announcements, special events and festivals that take place in San Pedro." Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
Construction began a week ago and the town clock is expected to be completed in six weeks.
Channel 5
AmbergrisCaye.com 
