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Courtney Menzies has both sides of the story.

Almost one year ago, the PUP's mayoral candidate in the twin towns, along with two Cayo area representatives and the Minister of Tourism broke ground for what would be a boardwalk in San Ignacio.

The UDP mayor was notably absent and later he complained that he wasn't even invited - and that his council was never consulted about the project nor does he approve of it.

But, the project went forward, and over the weekend, the ribbon was finally cut at the inauguration ceremony. Both Orlando Habet and Anthony Mahler spoke about the excitement of this new venture for Cayo and all its visitors.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"I'm truly excited about this project, this is a truly beautiful area, a beautiful space in the Cayo district and in San Ignacio and we believe that this could create a combustion area for people to meet, for people to entertain, for people to socialize, for people to have a good time. I'm excited about it because it's one of the first truly boardwalks to be built in the entire country of this size and we're going to extend it in phase 2 and 3 so we have more exciting work to do and we look forward to partnering with the Town Council and Honorable Landy as we move further on this project."

Orlando Habet, Area Rep., Cayo Northeast
"One thing that I can say is that in just about two months from now on the 9th of March for the Ruta Maya, people will be crowded on this boardwalk witnessing the start of the annual Ruta Maya event so I think it is something beneficial for our community. Certainly we had some naysayers that said it wouldn't have withstood the floods, well it withstood the second largest flooding event in the last fifteen to twenty years, and here we are on this boardwalk today."

But even with the boardwalk open to the public, the controversy hasn't subsided. Mayor Earl Trapp wasn't present, and instead sent a councillor in his place - who said the council was not consulted. And Minister Habet took that opportunity to call him out.

Orlando Habet, Area Rep., Cayo Northeast
"I think that the mayor has to come out truthfully and saying that they were not invited to participate in the consultations, which they were, we have to be truthful. If we will collaborate and we will participate in activities together then we have to come to the public and say, listen, this is what has been happening, we have been working together, and what they do and what we do is for the benefit of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, for our communities, for our visitors from the villages, and Belize on a whole and also our foreign visitors. So I think that going forward, we have have planned a second and a third phase and so we want to bring the mayor and his councillors to be part of it, certainly."

But today, Mayor Trapp explained that he was down south for a meeting, which he had already committed himself to. However, he reiterated that his council was not involved in the process.

Earl Trapp, Mayor of SISE
"My basic and simple request is that we need to operate that collectively. The council along with Minister Habet. He is saying that he consulted with me and Mr Polanco. No meaningful consultation took place. Meaningful whereby the council would have had its input, the people would have had their input, and the minister would have had his input. No meaningful consultation."

"In 2019, the council had an agreement with Belize Tourism Board to construct something of similar nature but on Santa Elena side on the higher part where it wouldn't have been affected by flooding. That would have been thrown on the table if we would have come to the table to have a meaningful discussion or consultation."

"I'm willing to work but for anything to operate there, it has to be in full compliance with the licensing act. First of all, if it's a business, it requires a bathroom, it requires washbasin and those things cannot go directly into the river, the waste, so that would be a drawback in them acquiring a trade license."

And he pointed out some of the issues he believes the boardwalk will have:

Earl Trapp, Mayor of SISE
"The fact that the project is so next to the river, a bathroom cannot be put there, anymore bathrooms cannot be there. Already we are plagued with grey waters and waste waters from the different business downtown and more up on the hill. The river is already plagued with waste water from the sewer system. It is not safe for people to use the river immediately in front of that so called boardwalk. You go and swim there, the next day you come out, you have itch."

"Again, the fact that the place is so dark, it's not safe for people to travers that area so it will take a lot more work before anything can happen in that area. It's my humble opinion that being of the political season, the minister just tried to grapple his way through to get financing for this project just immediately in front of the river and again, just trying to get something done."

Trapp added that he is willing to work with the minister if he is properly consulted.

Earl Trapp, Mayor of SISE
"If you look around Cayo Northeast, nothing has been done through his efforts. I have not seen anything substantial through his efforts in Cayo Northeast. Again, we should be responsible leaders, we should be mature leaders, and learn to appreciate and respect each other."

"I hope that he will humble himself, come to the table and discuss the way forward and a true way forward in the best interest of our community."