Huge overdraft facility left unpaid by previous Orange Walk Town Council
Kevin Bernard
The Orange Walk Town Mayor, Kevin Bernard, came under fire soon after he assumed office for reports of dismissals at the Town Hall. But this morning, Bernard called a press conference to expose irregularities under the previous Town Council. Earlier this month, Bernard revealed that fifteen employees were hastily granted three year contracts shortly before the March seventh elections. Today, the mayor gave some insight on the financial situation they inherited at the council.
Kevin Bernard, Orange Walk Mayor
“At the end of March ninth, after paying out payroll and other expenses, we had a bank balance of ninety-eight thousand, forty-five dollars and ninety-three cents in the transport account. In addition to that, we found an overdraft facility which was not being serviced by the previous administration. That means that the council was a little over one hundred and ten thousand dollars in their debt and it stood at a hundred and eleven thousand, two hundred and seventy-nine dollars when we took over. As if that was not bad enough, we also found a letter from the Ministry of Finance, informing the previous council that the facility could have only been operated up to April first, 2012; this financial year, then it would have been discontinued. The ministry had instructed that the council pay off the overdraft of one hundred and ten thousand before April first 2012. That was not done and it has left us in somewhat a bad condition. What is surprising and what is more damning is that if the bank had taken their decision, they had the right to take out whatever monies we had in the transport account and pay off the overdraft which would have left us in a worst situation. We are currently opening discussions with the Ministry of Finance to see how, if at all, they can assist us with the overdraft situation and with other matters we have inherited.”
Well they should know that just like central government and national debt, a new town council has to assume the responsibilities of its predecessor in terms of debt.
instead of coming up with solutions he di start up wah blame game… the situation is on the table in front of you, start figuring out where to start fixing and turning the mess around with solutions. (maybe he need fi meet with Darrel Bradley)
there are many income generating solutions for each department esp TRANSPORT
Blame game are you serious. It is not a blame game but stating the facts of what is the current situation in Orange Walk. I am from Orange Walk and things like this affect us and must be brought out to light, transparency is important. And if you guys did not read correctly the council is already working on solutions. They are working my friend, and I am glad they informing us the citizens of Orange Walk what is happening we DESERVE to know.
Blame game are you serious, its not a matter of blaming but bringing to light what is happening, what the council is doing is informing the people of what is the current situation and I applaud this transparency. We the people of OW DESERVE to know what affects our town. And if you did not read correctly they are alreay looking for solutions, these people are actually working.
when i read this , i was expecting a dumb… comment from be real, also i am waiting to read the stupidness that will be written by alfonzo …….. in the bathroom paper the guardian.
I*’d be locked up if I did what the former OW Town Council did. Fair’s fair — they should be locked up, too.
This is serious, buton another note, I always bruk out inna laugh wen I see dis Orange Walk mayor. He look kinda jokey. lol. Anways on a serious note something has to be done
This is the sort of crap why our little country will never move ahead!
He is there preaching the gospel now but soon after he leaves office who ever comes in behind him will air his laundry.
Are there anyone left in Belize with integrity?
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes.
So we do have people with integrity — just that our actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes are completely different from what it should be.
Pple only care about themselves — they dont care about others. Ministers care about a few pple to get votes — when they get in the house its a different story.
The general public have to just find ways to fend for themselves — so in our twisted little country things are getting so bad that we just need a complete mind change — or a person with real vision and balls to set things right — all we need is someone to take the bull by the horn — and say enough is enough — we know who thief, we know the gangsters, we know the sprang heads and Drug Dealers it is not like they live hundred miles away — everyone is just arround the corner!!!!!
We just need a Commissioner with …… or a Prime Minister with …… or a Minister or national security with …… to deal with the problem.
AND THE CYCLE CONTINUES, PUDP, PUP LEFT THE COUNTRY IN A MESS, HERE COME UPD, INHERITED THE MESS, THEY SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO CLEAN THE MESS, I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN,
HERE COME PUP IN OW, INHERITING THE MESS UDP TOWN COUNCIL LEFT BEHIND,
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT GUYS!!! I AM TIRED OF THESE GAMES POLITICIANS PLAYING,
I AM TIRED OF HEARING,” BLAME THIS ONE”, “IT’S THIS ONE FAULT”, MADAS,
I WANT TO SEE ACTION, FIX THE DAMN STREETS, CLEAR AND OPEN DRAINS.
PLEASE STOP THESE STUPID PRESS CONFERENCE AND GET TO WORK, YOU DAMN PUDP
You know that’s the same things that happens every time. When we have people that come into office they begin blaming and calling out names that this one did this or neva do it. However, what i admire about this mayor we have in Orange Walk is that the man really honest and hey be real, no all politicians show you what is happening in the town with proof of it. They just tell this d happen but you never know if it is true. Come on, before we point fingers at them let us find ways that we as citizens of this country and of our beautiful suga city help to better off the position of the town council. PUP and UDP are the same thing da so dem seh, but one ting me know UDP no work at all fu di people and who can’t see that well shocks but da like how deh seh, deh no have worst blind man than di one weh no wah see. Keep up d hard work mayor, we vote fu you because we trust and believe you can make a change.