Tonight, OJ Elrington, the UDP standard-bearer for the Freetown Division in Belize City is at the center of a land dispute with one of his would-be constituents. She is claiming that he is trying to use his influence as a politician to block her dream of becoming a first-time homeowner.
Crystal Gillett Michael, who works as a healthcare professional, says she over the course of the last few months, she's been building her home on a property in the Belama Phase 4 area of Belize City. She says that in September of last year, she managed to get her finances in order to build her house, after going to the Lands Department to apply for a lease.
According to Gillett, everything was going according to plan until she was recently contacted by Elrington who demanded that she stop the construction of her home. He asserts that she is using a piece of government land that is reserved for a community resource center. The two sides concede that this piece of land is one of only two parcels that are government-owned in Belama. What they can't agree on is whether or not Gillett is to be allowed to acquire it.
Gillett asserts that Elrington was well-aware of her intentions to acquire this piece of land to construct her house. She says even he offered to write a recommendation letter to the Lands Department to help move her lease application along.
From her perspective, he is now suddenly very interested in the land, and he is trying to use his influence to unfairly take it away from her. Here's how she explained to us why she stands to lose approximately $50,000 in investment because of this land dispute:
Crystal Gillett Michael - Aspiring Home Owner
"Growing up, you know that you go through your struggles, and I always wanted to build a house more than anything else. I wanted that more than anything else in my life. And so, I tried to find when land would be available in the Belama area because they said that all the other land unavailable. I found out that a lot was available, and so, I went and applied for it in June of 2018, a lot that was available."
"I was glad. I got the opportunity to apply, and they asked me how soon I intended to build my home, and I told them like in a year's time. This was long before OJ came around to say that he was running in this area. So now, we met because my brother and sister even work for him."
"Somewhere down the line, he offered to give me the recommendation to put along with my application that made long before I met him."
"So, he was fully aware. He knew where this lot was. He knew that I intended to build my house there."
"Now, when my house is almost finished, October 15, I saw a text from him, saying to call him."
"And now, he will tell me that I can't build there because he is planning to put a constituency office there. Now, this man knew a long time ago. He gave me the recommendation before the house started."
"If he knew that he wanted to use that lot, he could just say, well, maybe you can apply for somewhere next. I don't know why he is doing this, but to me, it just a bad mind. Why will you wait until my house is almost finished to come and tell me that I can't build there? So, obviously, I think he is just trying to take advantage of me. It's just an example of a vile and arrogant man trying to take advantage of a single woman."
"I think he's just trying to take advantage of his power. I said, well, I have to do what I have to do, and let people be aware of this. You have to expose people like these."
"Whatever measures, I have to take - I mean, I think the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister need to look into things like these. This is "chancey". I am not a problem person, and I was trying to avoid all of this. I didn't even want to do an interview. I am not into these kinds of things. I don't like "scenery"."
We sought comment from Elrington about Crystal Gillett's allegation. You'll remember how she insists that he knew very well about her lease application for this land and that he is suddenly now interested in it for this resource center. Well, from his perspective, she is the one being disingenuous. He asserts that he made it clear to her that this land was already reserved for a public purpose, and that it wasn't available as a residential house lot. According to Elrington, she stubbornly pushed ahead, forced this confrontation, and he must now make a stand. Here's how he explained why:
Orson "OJ" Elrington - UDP Standard Bearer, Freetown
"She reached out to me. She asked for a recommendation for her to get a piece of land. Like everyone else, I believe that we should do everything in our power so that people can acquire a piece of land. So, I told her that I do not know of any piece of land which is available in the area. The only piece of land which is available in the area is reserved for a community resource center for the constituency. She said that she believes that there is some other piece behind or something. I said I do not know of that, Crystal, but I can give you a recommendation so that you can get any other piece of land that is available. That is something that I do for all constituents that make the request."
"When she tried to explain to me where the land was, that she wants to get, I told her, Crystal, that piece of land is reserved for the community center. She insisted that it was not the one I was describing, it was some other one. A few weeks later, I went and I notice that she had put - not the foundation, but the stilts to put the home on. I immediately called her. I expressed how upset I was because I had explained to her in detail that any property but that property can be used. It's a simple thing. Even though she is a supporter, I cannot allow her personal wants to supersede the need of the community. The community does not have a resource center, and it needs a resource center."
Reporter
"I understand her counter-stance is she feels as though she is well within her rights, and that you are basically a "chancy" politician trying to take away her life's dream. That's the way she's framed it, sir."
Orson "OJ" Elrington
"I am the person that - her very application - go and check. The application to the Lands Department, her recommendation comes from me. So, how come I would be stopping her dream when the very recommendation she seeks to support her application with for the piece of land comes from me? I was absolutely clear. You cannot - any other property; there are only 2 pieces of property that are owned by the Government in the Belama area. One is reserved for the community center. The other is reserved for a sporting facility."
Reporter
"Are you concerned that your counter-position may not be accepted by voters, and that this particular situation backfires in your face?"
Orson "OJ" Elrington
"I am about principle, and I believe that once you do what you know is right, then it does not matter what is any backlash."
And in an attempt to bolster Elrington's case against Crystal Gillett, one of her own sisters has come forward to say that Crystal is wrong and that she knew that this piece of land had a public purpose. Her family members are - shall we say - good UDP supporters, and they are completely against her taking a stand against Elrington on this issue.
Here's how her sister explained why she is in the wrong here:
Tracy Gillett - Crystal Gillett's Sister
"Mr. Elrington had informed us. As a matter of fact, he called my family. He called us separately and informed us that that building and that land was to be used for the community center. He informed my sister, long before she started building my home, that his intention was to build a community center for the constituency. He's not taking advantage of her. I can't agree with that."
Reporter
"So, you're saying that she knew long before."
Tracy Gillett
"Yes, she knew long before. I just think that Crystal wants to have her own way, and she will do anything to have her own way. That's how I see it. She's being a bit - for a lack of a better word - stubborn and rebellious."
We have seen a written notice from Lands Commissioner Wilbert Vallejos, dated December 23rd, today's date. It asserts that the Land's Department has become aware that she is "illegally occupying" the land, and that she must cease and desist her construction, and vacate the property. Failure to comply will result in her being prosecuted, according to this notice.
Gillett told us that she was approached this afternoon by officials from the Ministry of Lands who came with this notice. She told us that she has pleaded her case to them in this initial instance.
Of important note is that according to Elrington, one of the street captains on his campaign team was also interested in this piece of land and that he had to be firm in his refusal.
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