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There's a new sheriff in town in San Ignacio/Santa Elena - and that new sheriff is also the old sheriff, Mayor Earl Trapp - and he is putting the brakes on a BTB project introduced days before election.
The project was problematic from the jump - because it reeked of electioneering, and the UDP mayor wasn't even informed, much less invited. The PUP Mayoral candidate, Matthew Preston was the featured local politician at the event.
Well, too bad for the BTB because their horse was defeated, and Mayor Earl Trapp was elected for a fourth time on March 6th. Last night on Uncut, he disclosed that since the election result - the BTB finally found their way to his office. Courtney Menzies put the story together.
One week before municipal elections PUP ministers, area reps and council candidates donned their hard hats and picked up their shovels to break ground for a river park at the foot of the Hawkesworth Bridge in Santa Elena. Not even a month later, those plans have been washed away. Much like the park would have been during the next rainy season. It was being planned for the most flood prone part of the river bank, and Mayor Earl Trapp said that's because the pupae jumped at an electioneering opportunity without following the proper procedure, like consulting the leader of the town hall. Trapp explained on Uncut last night that the project just isn't viable as is.
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"I will tell you that I am not against development. I'm not against projects within our municipalities, especially as we are considered a tourism destination."
"The many residents depend on tourism in San Ignacio, but it has to be a viable project and one that would be resilient."
Jules Vasquez:
"You mean climate resillient?"
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"Yes, climate resilient. And I think."
Jules Vasquez:
"It's right on the banks of the river."
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"Mr. Jules, I have not seen any plan for this, so at this time I cannot support it Mr. Jules. I like I said, I had a BTB rep visit me today. Really? Regarding this same project."
Jules Vasquez:
"Why? Why would they come and visit you now?"
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"Mr. Jules I will tell you it's electioneering."
Jules Vasquez:
"I mean, did they forget that you exist?"
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"Mr. Jules, that was the part that it shocked me today. I still have a little strike in the back of my head for how it gives me a headache. When this rep came and told me that it was an oversight. Why I wasn't invited."
Jules Vasquez:
"An oversight that the mayor of the town..."
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"In the town where I am the mayor. Mr. Jules, I think they should have used something different than that. I mean, that makes absolutely no sense at all. Be more diplomatic and say that. You know what? It was electioneering. It was political."
Jules Vasquez:
"They were trying to win an election"
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"But you know what? Let us come back to the table man and let us reinitiate the project."
So what happens now with the river park? Well, the project has been put on an indefinite pause.
Jules Vasquez:
"So under your watch as it currently stands. This project is not happening."
Earl Trapp, Mayor SISE
"No Mr. Jules, we will need to take it to a consultation with the people yet. We need to take it to my council and then to the people."
The accompanying boardwalk had been planned for the foot of the low lying bridge.
