OWTC and NSC to Negotiate Fiestarama Contract

But one person who is not satisfied is Orange Walk Town Mayor Kevin Bernard. In an email, Mayor Bernard reminded Jones that “Fiestarama is a municipal fundraising event and revenues earned at this event goes right back to our community through educational opportunities.” Bernard is hoping that Jones would reconsider, but from what the NSC Director told the media today, it seems he is sticking to the five thousand dollars fee.

Ian Jones

Ian Jones, Director, National Sports Council

“We were supposed to have somebody in the ticket booth along with the town council personnel. The Mayor had them removed and had police station in the booth that our person could not be in the booth. After the first day, my staff locked the gates and the Mayor called and said “Mr. Jones for security reasons we do not cheque money on the daily. We deposit it. After the event we reconcile. I am giving you my words as soon as we reconcile the percentage will be paid to the sports council”. Now, like I am saying man to man if you give me your word on something, I won’t say that mayor I won’t believe you. Now I can say to him that I can’t take his word because his word and a signed document is not sufficient. It is not a public relations nightmare for me. It’s one for the orange walk town board. I am saying we have a signed agreement with the Mayor’s signature on it that I am expecting for the town council to live up their obligations. I am saying they still own the National Sports Council and based on experience of operating with them and seeing that they cannot live up to their obligations we are saying we will not credit you the facility again, we will not go into the same ten percent agreement.  You are to pay up front because for all I know if I say okay we’ll let you use the facility we might not be paid for another year.

This evening, Mayor Bernard told News Five that he along with Deputy Mayor Ian Cal, Councilor Fernando Sanchez and the town’s administration will be meeting with the Ministry of Sports, Patrick Faber and Jones to renegotiate the year’s Fiestarama’s contract. Bernard also told us that the outstanding balance has been revised in consultation with Jones. The debt owed by the council is now two thousand seven hundred and ninety four dollars for which a cheque has been prepared for pick up. Bernard says Fiestarama will take place as scheduled at the People’s Stadium.