7 News Belize

Mayor Dodges Contempt Proceedings, Again
posted (July 17, 2013)
7News has been closely following a case filed by the Belize Waste Control, where they were pressing for Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley for contempt in relation to an unpaid arbitration award of 2.3 million dollars.

As we've reported, this is a debt owed for several years, and Waste Control became tired of the City Council not making any attempt to pay the money, so they initiated proceedings before Justice Michelle Arana for Bradley to be cited for contempt to force his hand. The mayor was risking, seizure of his or City Hall's assets, a fine, or being sent to jail.

At every adjournment of the case, Waste Control's attorney, Fred Lumor, exited telling the media that all the proposals by City Hall to pay the debt was unacceptable, and that they were forcing him closer and closer to start the contempt proceedings, which he was very reluctant to do.

Today was the very last chance that he was giving the Mayor to come with a decent proposal, and apparently Bradley delivered. For the first time since this matter came before the court, Lumor exited and told the media that BWC and City Council came to an amicable resolution. Here's how he explained it:

Fred Lumor - Attorney for Belize Waste Control
"We just signed points of agreement before the judge so we have resolved the matter so there is no need to proceed any further. The only outstanding issue is that we are going to sign a formal agreement containing the points of agreement. Once that is done we will return to court sometime in the year and withdraw the application that we have filed to site the Mayor for contempt. The settlement involves Belize Waste Control taking a reduced payment than the $2.3 million dollars awarded as the damages and in return the City Council is going to put in place some enforcement measures to stop the illegal garbage collection in the city, especially commercial collection and then address some other aspects of their contratual obligations - so in a nutshell that is what we have done."

Daniel Ortiz
"What do you mean when you say illegal Sir?"

Fred Lumor
"Illegal - there are some individuals who are not licensed by the Belize City Councils who go from business premises to business premises and also involving setting educational institutions - they collect garbage and they are not sometimes dumping them outside or at the land fill - they dump them on the Western Highway creating problems. So City Council is going to identify those people and stop them from getting involved with the contractual relationship between my client and the Council."

Reporter
"You said that it was at a reduced amount - can you tell us more or less what it is?"

Fred Lumor
"Can I keep that confidential."

Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City
"We were able to come to an agreement in relation to a sizeable reduction on the on the judgment debt. We are also coming to terms in some areas - the council recognizes that it has to do better which is in regards to the situation with arrears, in regards to certain other disputes that have always plagued the party. I think one of the significant things which is a positive for the residents of Belize is that there needs to be better coordination between the company and the City Council as it relates to the efficiency and time, cost effective collection of garbage. A lot of things that we have done with the settlement involves setting up greater partnerships, mechanisms for coordination's and we are committed to doing that for the benefits of residents of Belize. What we did today is that we entered into an agreement in front of Justice Arana and this agreement has to be finalized."

Daniel Ortiz
"For you personally - the good news is that that hearing for you being sited in contempt is now dead."

Darrell Bradley
"Well the issue now is that beyond being sited for contempt as a public officer and as a governmental body - it concerns us if there is a court order, we are always mindful to respect the rule of law in our country. So even not withstanding the contempt proceedings there was a judgment that was entered and it is our obligation as a public entity to make sure we are living up to our obligation."

Bradley promised that as soon as the final terms of the settlement are signed, he will make them available to the public.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize