Mayor Trapp Says Structure Had to be Demolished; the Property Belongs to the Council

Earl Trapp

Just now you heard the August family complain that the structure built in the alleyway impeded the fire-fighters’ access to the burning house. It could have been worst had the fire not been contained because there are several homes next to each other. Well, as you’ve seen the residents took action and knocked down the structure. When we spoke with San Ignacio Mayor Earl Trapp told us that it is regrettable that the family’s house burnt down, but believes the demolition was necessary. He says the structure was sitting on Town Council property.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio and Santa Elena

“It had been affecting and inconveniencing the entire neighborhood because when they order like butane gas, the truck cannot go all the way in and sometimes they don’t want to sell and have to back the tanks all the way in. Secondly, it is a health issue whereby there are stenches when the septic are overflowing and the trucks cannot get to the back to clean it out. Again, when someone is sick and the ambulance needs to get to the back they cannot access and they have to inconveniences the sick person by backing him or her out and just making it more inconvenient. It is an issue that is being addressed and I hope that will get the cooperation of the general community and the person who allowed us to break the structure. It is an alley-way and the people need access. There is a law where so long as we need to acquire certain property for public purpose, we can do so. As a matter of fact, it is the property of the Council. So, I don’t think we did anything wrong.”
Andrea Polanco

“And the council will not have to pay the owner any monies?”

Earl Trapp

“No, no, no. The Council will not have to pay anything – but I can tell you that the council will join in with the concerned residents and the council will pay a part of the four thousand dollars and as well we do fundraisers to pay it back to this person.”