And even after that all those sustained protests against the construction of the gas station, the developers insist that it is only a small group of residents who continue to complain loudly. The protestors insist that they are simply representing the sentiments of the silent majority.
We gather that part of the confusion is connected to a survey that was carried out by Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson. We understand that he got involved in this dispute to act as a mediator between the residents and the developers. The problem is that some of the residents feel frustrated because they think Ferguson's survey question completely missed the mark.
But, in a Zoom interview this afternoon, Juan Carlos Dussan, one of the shareholders of the company, and the person overseeing the gas station's construction, disagreed with that. He told us that he accompanied the surveyors when they were visiting the homes of the community members:
Juan Carlos Dussan - Shareholder/Representative for Developers
"You believe that we have lost the favor of the people from Seine Bight. We are not. We haven't lost the favor. We haven't lost our customers. The people in Seine Bight. The majority of the people in Seine Bight are not against the project. After the survey, it was demonstrated that the majority of the people for Seine Bight wanted the project. This is not my opinion. Before I can say, okay, this is my opinion, but what I am telling you is that 85% of the people are in favor."
Floyd Anthony Palacio - Seine Bight Resident
"I have to call out my Area Rep., the Honorable Rodwell Ferguson, and the so-called - there is this term - what they came to do here the other day."
Reporter
"Survey."
Floyd Anthony Palacio
"The so-called survey, that was a disservice to the people of Seine Bight. That was not a genuine survey. How it is that you will come to engage in a survey, and not even point out - because the issue is not really about the gas station. The issue is the location of the gas station. And to come and conduct a survey, without specifically pointing out that the issue is about the location is a disservice to the people of Seine Bight. And I am disappointed in my area rep. for that."
Reporter
"I understand that the question that was put to the people was whether or not they support a gas station being built in Seine Bight."
Floyd Anthony Palacio
"Yes, and that's an unfair question because that's not the issue. The issue is the location. That's the issue! And the Honorable Rodwell Ferguson is well aware of that."
Juan Carlos Dussan
"I do not share that opinion because I was there that day. I was walking. I was listening to the people because I was willing to accept that if the majority was against the project, I was going to stop the project. I explained, and I gave my word on that thing. To develop one gas station. I can tell you that the people are in support of the gas station."
As seen here, one resident had to re-assemble the survey document to show us the survey question. She tore it up in frustration.
Juan Carlos Dussan told us that he would have completely scrapped the project, had there been any signs that the supermarket's revenues declined, which they have not.
