Barrow didn't have to use his new Spanish language powers to settle the ongoing disputes between the UDP town boards and central government over celebration money. After much public railing-up by the mayors, the government's handpicked recipients have handed over the celebration money, or most of it. Except in Corozal, where political boss Vildo Marin has formed his own celebrations committee because the current chairman wanted to downplay the 21st. Well today Corozal Mayor Hilberto Campos told us that even without Marin's money, the tenth was a success, as will be the 21st.
Hilberto Campos, Corozal Town Mayor
"We haven't received a copper. Both ninth and the tenth festivities went ahead without a single copper from the committee. I think you all know already that the Hon. Vildo Marin imposed his chairmanship on my committee that we had formed and we were mature enough to allow him to do that because he said it was traditionally that he used to do it.
So we went ahead and we took it to the meeting and we wanted to have a unified celebration, unity is the main thing that we are proposing in my town and nevertheless things went bad because of his way of carrying out things. I don't know what he is used to but I understand that a committee is there so we make decisions and not having the chairman impose anything on you especially if you are trying to promote unity.
So practically up to the tenth, after the tenth, we haven't received a single copper from the twenty five thousand dollars we were supposed to be having for the September celebrations. We had the full support of the people, the tenth was the biggest in I would say at least ten years and we got commended by a lot of people because they know the situation, they are well aware. I know that you can't fool Belizeans anymore."
After raising $25,000, the Orange Walk Town Council still has not decided if it will use government's money which was late in coming.
