It's the hot button Punta Gorda issue that's made it to the national stage and stayed there for months now. It's yet another gas station being built in what the towns people call the Y, a picturesque sea front property where for years families would sit with their kids before plunging into the Caribbean sea's crystal clear waters.
All that is now changing because the property has been sold and development of a gas station, one that many have rallied against, is well underway. I've spoken to Mayor Ashton Mckenzie about the issue on several occasions and he has always maintained the the problem lies in a lack of zoning. And yesterday when I caught up with him down south he told me that he's given the "Toledo First Movement" recommendations for an urban planner
And even told them that if they want to campaign for proper zoning laws he's ready to join them.
Ashton Mackenzie, Mayor of Punta Gorda
"With regards to that particular development as I have mentioned in the past, they are a lot of intricacies and of course me as mayor I take oath that I will serve everybody in a manner that is free and fair. When you win you take oath, it doesnt matter the color of the person, their economic breakdown, their religious preference - that you will serve them equally and I have told people while this is a matter that is near and dear to my heart and in my mind, because PG I was born here and I trust me when I die, I will bury here. I love my community, but at the same time we have a country that is govern by guidelines, that is govern by rules. This particular individual has clearance from the central building authority, which is the supervisory body to our building unit and all the building units in the country, in addition to that the department of environment, you note Mr. Mejia has been saying oh it's an environmental issue, then bring us the facts, show us the data, there was a soil test that was conducted by Geo-tech Belize, there was an environmental assessment that was done and none of the findings show that such a proposed development that the area is not conducive to that, but like I tell you that is the facts. That is what the facts are showing. It's not Ashton Mackenzie, that is not my position. That is what the facts are saying. Now in addition to that the town has no zoning regulations. I have echoed to the Toledo First Movement, if you guys are really interested in advancing and protecting the future development of our country proper planning etc., then why is it you don't start at the root of the issue. Zoning regulations are important. You have them in Belmopan, San Pedro - we don't have any here in Punta Gorda. I had recommend to them a particular consultant, give them his name, his information - he has a master's degree in community planning and urban development who could have helped them. Let us start at zoning. I will join you all in this process, because at the end of the day as a responsible leader, I am mandated to ensure that the proper protocols and stuff are put in place, but if all we will do is get up and do name calling and not really analyze situation and the root of the issue then we are not making any sort of progress."
