Email

Print

Mayor Elsa Paz of San Pedro made a call to the Island's Reef Radio during a talk show hosting members of the coalition, to express her support for the initiative. A day later, Vice-President of Oceana, Audrey Matura-Shepherd is praising Mayor Paz's declaration of support and calls it a bold and decisive action that will give important momentum to their cause. Matura-Shepherd says the Mayor' backing is already reaping benefits for the coalition in a petition drive to collect signatures.

Audrey Matura-Shepherd, Vice-President, OCEANA
"We know that there are about 147,000 voters in this country and we know that if we want a referendum we would need at least 10 percent of that so with 15,000 if it was the petition to seek a referendum 15,000 would be a good figure. So our minimum would be 15,000 signatures and of course we would want the whole 147,000 voters out there to sign this petition. But we are already in the thousands and we're not releasing our figures yet because we are just amazed at the amount of people who call in and they are asking us why don't we have a website where they can download the forms in our area and get signatures. So very soon as we start tallying we'll let you all know."

Jim McFadzean
"And now this weekend it's the Lobster Fest in Caye Caulker and Placencia, those are the only two places where you all will be collecting signatures?"

Audrey Matura-Shepherd
"Well also we have been told that in San Pedro our affiliates are trying to organize a "hands across the sand" in San Pedro but what we were told after we had our meeting in San Pedro on Tuesday night and after the Mayor gave her interview last night on the TV station, our counterparts called us this morning and say they cannot finish stop photocopying the petition forms. Even the businesses are collecting it because they say they are so proud they their Mayor has heard their voice and is taking their stand and so everyone on the island who has some kind of influence or connection is trying to get petitions signed as well."

This weekend the coalition will be participating in Hands Across the Sands, a global initiative that brings people together from all over the world who oppose offshore drilling by "Joining Hands Across the Sands". The event is designed to get people visibly involved in sending a message to their leaders that they do not want offshore drilling in their waters.