And the council is trying to cure its low season revenue shortage by floating a municipal bond. Last week Monday, the Prime Minister disclosed that the Mayor had visited him to ask for support which he pledged. But, on Thursday when the press caught up with the Mayor at the opening of Universal Hardware - he didn't want to go into details - and things went downhill after that:..
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City
"It's a short term municipal paper where we believe that floating this bond will straighten out or cash flows seasonal problems that many councils have been facing for years. We believe that the short term paper gives us that ability to meet both short and long term commitments."
Reporter
"How much are you looking at?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City
"It's currently around 4-5 million."
Reporter
"Exactly how are you proposing to service it?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City
"We will be servicing it through new revenue streams that we have identified."
Reporter
"Would you care to explain that?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City
"I can't comment on that currently."
Reporter
"Last week Friday the council was immobilized because fuel was not being dispensed by your supplier. Meaning you were unable to pay your supplier and they stopped you from getting fuel. You are not aware of that?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City
"Let us talk about this issue here at Universal Hardware."
Reporter
"You are the mayor of Belize City sir."
Bernard Wagner, Mayor - Belize City
"You've ask for an interview. I didn't know you were coming down this road."
Reporter
"You are the mayor of Belize City sir."
That voice you heard was the City's New Communication Manager. We should note that there was absolutely nothing out of form with asking an elected official about other subjects of public interest at an appearance for another event. If that didn't happen all the time, and every time - half the interviews you see on the news wouldn't exist.
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