But none of that reading between the lines mattered last night in San Pedro. Even though the Minister of Lands had gone on Reef Radio earlier that day and announced that government had cancelled the deal. Marin was no doubt hoping to take steam out of a town meeting organized by UDP area representative Junior Heredia. But that meeting went ahead, and what it lacked in combustion, it made up for in community concern. 7NEWS was on San Pedro.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
The Lion's Den in San Pedro Town was full to overflowing as townspeople came out to hear and be heard. They celebrated government's decision to nix the deal as a victory for the community.
Elito Arceo, President - San Pedro Business Assoc.
"The power of the internet, a few days ago, a Minister mentioned that Bacalar Chico was going to be sold and be de-reserved. Man the internet is very powerful. We got emails all the way from the UN, UNESCO and WWF. Our emails were coming from all supporting that we fight our government. I strongly feel
that this is not a blue or red issue. This is a San Pedro issue."
But some community leaders don't even think the battle is over.
Elito Arceo,
"Even though they have said they are not going to de-reserve it, we want to see it in writing that they will not de-reserve it. I don't want a press release. I want to see it in writing so that our reserves can't be de-reserved."
Elsa Paz, Mayor of San Pedro
"We want this in black and white. We had the Minister today at the Reef Radio saying that Bacalar Chico will not be de-reserved. We want this on black and white because as I can recall, I remember we had Hon. Johnny Briceno once at Reef Radio saying that there is no way that the government was going to sell that access road at Mar de Tumbo if you can recall and today it was sold. So we cannot take their words - it has to be on black and white."
And really what this community is calling for is the right to self-determination:
Billy Leslie, President - San Pedro Tour Guide Assoc.
"The other issue is one where there is not a lot of land left. We should set aside part of that Bacalar area for our kids."
But with so much land available for development on Northern Ambergris Caye, this community is going to have to remain very vigilant and very involved if it wants to make sure that the development it gets is the development it wants.
