In last night's newscast, we showed you the press briefing that Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner hosted to discuss their concerns about the murder of Asher Saunders, which happened at the Pier 1 night club.
As we told you, Saunders was shot and killed following a confrontation between 2 gangs. Even with the police providing security, the shooter was still able to gun down Saunders.
There have been other violent incidents at Pier 1, and following last Friday's fatal shooting, the public began bringing pressure on the City Council to take action. The Mayor told the press yesterday, that they are taking a serious look at the Pier 1 business model, since it's a nightclub that sits on the BTL Park property. The public concern is that its presence there is causing the park to become unsafe for families and children.
During his discussion of Pier 1, however, the Mayor disclosed what he thinks an improper business relationship between the previous City Council Administration and the management of the night club. Here's what he had to say about that yesterday:
Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City Council
"Within their current lease agreement there is an obligation in there which speaks to the fact that the council will not be responsible for any damages to the facility, but we have record. I have black and white and when I speak, I speak specifically on black and white. We have record where after hurricane Earl, the UDP City Council choose to foot half the bill for the Hurricane Earl damages on the facility repairs. So we serve as an insurance company, the city council - only for Pier 1. The damages were $33,000, the council foots $16,000."
Well, sources have disclosed the documents to which the Mayor was referring to.
In the lease agreement between the previous City Council Administration and the management of Pier 1, it expressly states, quote, "The Council shall not be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever of any item or goods or things which may occur in the Licensee's booth or at the Park." End quote.
In a letter dated November 28th, 2016, weeks after Hurricane Earl hit Belize, a City Council representative wrote to Joseph Kee, who's part of the management of Pier 1.
The letter says, quote, "…Further to your conversation with Mayor Darrell Bradley…the Council has approved the below:
- 1. The Council will bear half the cost of $33,136… cents for repair of damages caused by Hurricane Earl, which totals to $16,567… this is payable on or before December 31st, 2016.
- 2. The contract for Pier 1 will be extended for another 10 years
- 3. Pier 1 will continue to belong exclusively to the Council" End quote.
We are told that no other business in the BTL Park which suffered such hurricane damages received a comparable compensation package.
Email
Print