Town meeting in Belmopan
On November twenty-fourth Belmopan residents, including those from the surrounding areas of Salvapan, San Martin, Mopan and Las Flores will vote in the first referendum to decide if they want Belmopan to become a city. While most seem to like the idea of having their own city council, there are concerns that since the community is so small — with only about six thousand people — how will they raise enough revenue? This week Cabinet agreed to continue the annual subvention of two hundred thousand dollars and even add one hundred thousand more. However, Cabinet also indicated that even if the voters opt not to change the town’s status, property taxes will be levied beginning in April. On Thursday night the Prime Minister Said Musa held a town meeting with citizens. Among the questions: will the subvention be given even if the United Democratic Party were to win the city council elections? The issue of incorporating the surrounding communities was also raised.
Inez Sanchez, Resident
“Can a guarantee be made in the laws of the country that there is a percentage of the budget that the Central Government will give whether it’s the same party or not? So that with whatever taxes they collect the administration can run the city.”
Said Musa, Prime Minister
“You need not fear if you want to vote for a U.D.P. city council, because they would get the appropriate subvention just as they would get under a People’s United Party city council.”
Anthony Chanona, Resident
“We’re used to seeing one part of the city. You drive in to San Martin, Las Flores, Salvapan, you see the hundreds of children coming out of that area into the city to be educated and going back to a less favorable condition. Do we want to take that sort of social cancer into the twenty-first century or do we want to bring these people in along with us and build? If we don’t address that sooner or later the problems in Belize City and the decay of crime are going to visit Belmopan.”
The public meeting was held at the Belmopan Civic Centre.
