Heavy rains leave residents stranded
Like burglary, the flooding of certain Belize City neighbourhoods following heavy rains is hardly the stuff of headlines. But try telling that to residents whose homes have become Islands.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
One thing residents of Jane Usher Boulevard Extension certainly do not need more of is rain. The wet weather has turned streets into muck and yards into lakes. This morning, parents say because of the nasty condition, they had no choice but to keep their children home. It is estimated that a total of eighty boys and girls did not attend school.
Kareen Young, Area Resident
?My kids they can?t go to school the way they would want to. They have to stay in when it rains. We even have to put plastic bags on their feet. It?s like they have two shoes: a disposable one and their school shoes because they need something to protect their feet before they reach the main street. I have to carry my four year old who goes to kindergarten so that he could go. It?s terrible.?
Glenda Lopez, Area Resident
?For years now they said they would fix the street and they cant do it yet. This is happening for years now. Look right now it?s raining and it would get muckier.?
It is estimated that one hundred and sixty families are being affected by the deplorable conditions. Glenda Lopez, who has been living in the neighbourhood for about eight years, says they feel trapped and neglected.
Glenda Lopez, Area Resident
?We live like dogs the back here then. It?s like we live like animals back here. It?s swampy. My kids can?t even go to school sometimes. By the time they reach halfway they are already mucky all over. They look like dog or animal. It?s like back here they forget all about we you know.?
The residents have been calling on area representative Anthony ?Boots? Martinez to help them but Martinez says since he submitted a proposed budget to the House in February, the government has not given him any money to improve the Port Loyola Division.
Anthony ?Boots? Martinez, Area Representative
?We get zero not even a community vote I get for Port Loyola. Nothing, everything that I do in Port Loyola is basically from my salary and from my business.?
Jacqueline Woods
?And you are the elected representative??
Anthony ?Boots? Martinez
?I am the elected representative then you hear all kind of things are happening here and there. Furthermore, I am not asking that they do not put money in my hands, just deliver the services to the people of Port Loyola. This is a frustrating situation.”
The people say they are tired of the petty politics and only want to see their area improved.
Denva Wade, Area Residents
?We gone to the City Council five times and they told us they will come to do something. They will see; they will see and they never come and do nothing.?
Jacqueline Woods
?What you want to see done??
Denva Wade
?They could put some stones or rocks on the street so we could come out and come in. We also need lampposts because we need some light back here too.?
Anthony ?Boots? Martinez, Area Representative
?I think we get tired of this now but I will not stop. I will continue on. And failing nothing happens by next week then we would need to go picket the Prime Minister.?
Unfortunately, weather conditions are not expected to improve. Area residents living in prone flooded areas like the Port Loyola Division are advised that the country will be experiencing a lot more rain over the next two days. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
Efforts by News 5 to contact the relevant City officials were unsuccessful. In other weather related news the YMCA has asked us to inform viewers that the Jazz Fest “Moonlight Magic by the Sea”, originally scheduled for Friday night at the House of Culture, has now been moved to the Biltmore Plaza Hotel. Time for the event remains eight o’clock.
