The case of the place called 48 Baymen Avenue has been making news for the past two days and today we found that more than just headlines, it is making major political waves. The Prime Minister is out of the country but 7news has confirmed that a Cabinet crime subcommittee met this afternoon and - as a sidebar - they planned to discuss the actions of the Belize District Liquor Licensing Board. That's because the Chairman of the board has announced that they are taking the Ministry Of Local Government to court for judicial review of the ministry's decision to cancel the liquor license for 48 Baymen Avenue. Now, that means that the Liquor Licensing Board is basically suing the same Ministry that appointed them! It is some very odd political calculus but last night the Chairman of the Board Wilmot Simmons told us his board has been disrespected and they have no choice:
Wilmot Simmons, Chairman - Belize District liquor Licensing Board
"But again this is how it is, the Board is a legally constructed Board, the Liquor Licensing Board and we feel that when we take out our time from work and go there and make decisions that it should be respected and go through proper procedures. It's UDP against UDP which I don't like."
Well you can add one, two, or a few more UDP's to that fight because since that interview we have confirmed that at least two ranking ministers have expressed their extreme displeasure with the actions of the Belize District Liquor Licensing Board. One minister told us that if he had his way, the entire board would be moved. He says that's because those in the community signing the petition opposing the License numbered 100 while those in favour, numbered 30 - minus one he said for Roger Espejo who doesn't live on Baymen Avenue. He said the Board should have sided with the majority but did not. And that it is now taking the ministry to court - in his opinion - indicates that an entirely new board must be appointed.
But we're not there, at least not yet. Late this evening, acting Prime Minister Patrick Faber told us that the actions of the liquor licensing board were not discussed at that cabinet subcommittee meeting today, because they did not have time for other matters. So while the fate of the board hangs in the political balance, we note as well that WAVE Radio's "Fus Thing Da Mawnin" Show - whose hosts came out decidedly in favour of 48 Baymen Avenue yesterday morning, was not on the air at all today. Outspoken co-host Joe Bradley had suggested that those spearheading the opposition to 48 Baymen should, quote, "Go live on the moon." Joe Bradley is also the father of Darrell Bradley, a member of the liquor licensing board and the one who wrote the letter to the ministry as the board's legal counsel suggesting that it would take them to court.
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