Baker in court; neighbour claims too much smoke

The trial of the baker versus his neighbour began in the Supreme Court today, the climax to a situation that has divided residents of Corozal town. Sixty-two year old Eugene Eck is suing seventy-three year old Rafael Velasquez for more than twenty thousand dollars in damages to his health and property, caused by the smoke of Velasquez’s business: La Victoria Bakery on Fourth Street North. Testifying this afternoon, Eck told the court that despite an increase in the height of the bakery’s chimneys, he and his family have developed respiratory and other health problems and have had to pay out additional monies to maintain their home because of the constant smoke. Velasquez, through his attorney Dean Barrow, has suggested that Eck is exaggerating the condition. The two sides have lived beside one another for over twenty years. The trial continues tomorrow before Judge Christopher Blackman. Representing the Eck family in court today was Tanya Longsworth of Young’s Law firm. La Victoria Bakery has been operating in Corozal for more than forty-five years.