Jamaican Dancehall Artist, Demarco, is in Belize, and he's here as the headline performer at the Belize City Council's Christmas Concert, which started a short while ago.
Today, at the invitation of City Hall, Demarco, gave a motivational speech to the students of Youth Apprenticeship Program, coordination by Dianne Finnegan.
7News stopped by and spoke him about the concert, and what those attending should expect:
The concert has already started, and later on, we'll show you a little of the fireworks display.
AND while City residents should have fun at the free concert, we wondered does City Hall have its priorities in order? After all, they have hundreds of thousands of dollars in arrears but can afford to bring in Demarco? We asked the Deputy Mayor about it today:..
Jules Vasquez
"How would you answer the criticism that you are paying for a Jamaican artist to come when obviously the City has other pressing needs; you have sanitation arrears, you have a sanitation judgment payment that is due today December 20th. Are your priorities in order?"
Bernard Pitts, Deputy Mayor - Belize City Council
"Our priorities are in order. In regards to the issue the payment, that has been taken care of. In regards to the artist, the lineup was selected that way simply because we wanted to encourage more people to come out. We have top Belizean artists in this lineup. It's simply a part of putting on a good show and we do have preference here in Belize to entertain international artists. It's not really an issue per say."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you able to say how you are paying for Demarco? I heard US$15,000."
Bernard Pitts, Deputy Mayor - Belize City Council
"Well, that is not true."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it US$10,000?"
Bernard Pitts, Deputy Mayor - Belize City Council
"I won't comment, but that is something to make a noise about."
Jules Vasquez
"But it is public funds."
Bernard Pitts, Deputy Mayor - Belize City Council
"Let me be frank with that. In regards to the entertainment portion of this show, it was sponsored by the business community, primarily Digicell 4G, Bowen and Bowen, Cariled and so on."
Jules Vasquez
"To put it right, tax payers' money isn't being used to pay for the Demarco appearance?"
Bernard Pitts, Deputy Mayor - Belize City Council
"No, it's not tax payers' money."
The mayor today confirmed that private sponsors paid for Demarco's visit.
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