He has been declared the national patriot and the international airport has been named in his honor but unlike George Price – a national hero - Belizean history still hasn’t found a comfortable place for Phillip Goldson. And that is perhaps why the creation of a bust in his honor has been marred by controversy and took nearly four years to complete. And still, after its completion, no one quite knows where to put it. No one commissioned it but tonight the bronze bust sculpted by Steven Okeke is complete and in place. 7NEWS was there for this morning’s unveiling and Keith Swift has the many stories relating to this.

Keith Swift Reporting,
The bust was unveiled this morning at Market Square on Albert Street by NICH President Yasser Musa and sculptor Stephen Okeke. Musa says the bust is important because it will be an instrument of education.

Yasser Musa, President - NICH
“This monument will be a positive instrument of education, culture and art. But we the older people must be ready with the answers when our children pass and ask who is that man. We must have the courage to explain that Belize is a good country because of people like Mr. Goldson. We must have the knowledge to describe the character and substance of this great man. It must serve as a source of pride and inspiration. It must inspire historians and academics to write and research about a man like Phillip Goldson.”

Stephen Okeke, Sculptor
“It means an accomplishment to me because after such a long time and perseverance and support from a lot of people – I must say that some of those who were not support is because they were not able to see what it would look like. But now it is completed and everybody should put down their arms. Those who were against should put down their arms and let’s enjoy something good together.”

And while this morning’s unveiling is where the saga of the Goldson bust ended – it’s a long way off from where it started. 7NEWS was there in 2004 when Okeke started this grand enterprise – in his workshop on the Northern Highway. Back then he had no money but a great idea for a tribute to a man he says was great.

{May, 2004]
Stephen Okeke, Sculptor
"Since I came to Belize a lot of Belizeans have been saying some very great things about him and so I am appealing to the public for donations to help me complete a bronze monument I am making of Phillip Goldson. Of all the great things I heard of him, I think he is a deserving national hero that deserves a monument in his memory so I am begun making it and I am appealing for help."

But from there things went way off track – and Okeke threatened to stop it three other times, for funding mostly – leading him to solicit on the streets in July of this year.

[July, 2007]
Stephen Okeke, Sculptor
"We are not expecting people to put in thousands of dollars, every $5, every $1, every $10 counts. It is a community based initiative and of course these names will find themselves at the Archives Department just to make sure that when this job is done, you can look at it and say, you know what, I helped to make this happen.' It is something that deserves to be done and I think it should be done now."

But it’s here now: proud and tall and finished. Goldson’s family, the few who were invited to attend - were appreciative if not effusive. His niece Arlette Gomez watched the unveiling from across the street.

Arlette Gomez, Niece of Phillip Goldson
“It does pull at your heart when I saw them pull off the covering and everything. Of course, that is my uncle and he is one of the great Belizeans so it is an honor for us as a family to see something like this being done for him.”

Emma Boiton,
“For what Mr. Goldson did, nothing will ever be enough but it’s a good measure. I am happy to see the monument. It is essential for people to keep the memory of not so much of Phillip Goldson the man but of what he stood for, that he stood for the security of this country and it is essential that we always remember it.”

97-year-old Carlton Fairweather was Phillip Goldson’s friend for life; Goldson has passed but this old comrade says his friend would be pleased.

Carlton Fairweather, Close Friend of Phillip Goldson
“I am glad that he has been recognized for all he has done.”

Jules Vasquez,
Now you know Mr. Goldson was humble. He was a man of great humility. He didn’t want a lot of honors and a lot of praise. How would he feel to know he has this big bust image into the heart of the city?

Carlton Fairweather,
I am quite sure he would be pleased about it. I am quite sure.”

But while they are grateful for the acknowledgement, what his long time friends and family are not so dead sure about is the likeness.

Keith Swift,
The monument, does that look like your uncle?

Arlette Gomez,
“Uhm personally to me it is a true likeness of him but then again I am speaking from the family’s point of view and what I remember he looked like but it doesn’t seem like the true likeness to me.”

Violet Gomez, Knew Phillip Goldson
“The man did a beautiful job of what he did but to me that doesn’t look like Mr. Goldson but the job is well done.”

Jules Vasquez,
How long did you know Phillip Goldson?

Violet Gomez,
“From I born I know him.”

Willola Davis, Knew Phillip Goldson
“Mr. Goldson? It is not him, I have pictures of him. That is not Mr. Goldson but we have to accept it. It was done with good intentions so we accept it.”

Emma Boiton,
“Noh look like Mr. Goldson, it doesn’t look like Mr. Goldson.”

And while you can argue about the faithfulness of the rendering, most passers-by on the streets could hardly care. Officially, he may be a national hero, but the question we heard on the streets was “Phillip who?”

KS: You know who that is?
Man#1: No idea.
KS: It is Phillip Goldson. Do you know who he is?
Man #1: No.
KS: You went through high school; and never heard of Philip Goldson?
Man #1: No.

Man #2: No idea, no slight idea.
KS: Guess then.
Man #2: No kind of idea.
KS: It is Phillip Goldson.
Man #2: It favors Musa a little bit.
KS: You know who is Phillip Goldson?
Man #2: No.

KS: You can’t guess who it is?
Man #3: Nah.
KS: It is Phillip Goldson.
Man #3: Nah, its not Phillip Goldson.
KS: Yes it is.

KS: You know who is that?
Man #4: Mr. Colville Young.
KS: No, it is Phillip Goldson. You know who is Phillip Goldson?
Man #4: Not really.

KS: You want to tell me who is that?
Woman #1: It looks like Phillip Goldson.
KS: It looks like him?
Woman #1: Yeah but I don’t know why they put him there because someone will run into him.
KS: What would you tell your child if they ask who is Phillip Goldson and what he did for Belize?
Why is he so big?
Woman #1: I don’t know. I can’t say that. I haven’t heard anything about Goldson from since I was small. I heard nothing about Mr. Goldson.

And those who did know it was Phillip Goldson – weren’t so sure why there was a bigger than life bust of him on Albert Street.

KS: You know what he did for Belize?
Man #5: Well I am not sure what all he did but coming up he owned the airport of Belize right?

KS: You know what he did for Belize?
Woman #2: Not really.
KS: One thing?
Woman #2: All I know is that they named the airport after him.

Woman #3: Oh that is Phillip Goldson?
KS: Heard of him?
Woman #3: Long time. I just heard when they inaugurated the airport.

Man #6: To me it looks like Phillip Goldson but why would they bring that in the city right here – somebody will crash into that. Why don’t they take it to the airport which they named the man after.

And that’s what the City Council is asking, or more like with whose authority is it there? Stephen Okeke and the City Council’s public relations manager Kenny Morgan squared off today about the placement of the bust at Market Square. Kenny Morgan says the City Council doesn’t have a problem with Phillip Goldson – it has a problem with Stephen Okeke and his refusal to follow protocol.

Kenny Morgan, Belize City Council
“Keith Mr. Goldson is definitely the foremost hero in this country. He is, and a lot of people seem not to be remembering that Mr. Goldson was an opposition figure. I have no problem with him being awarded the highest respect Belizeans can give and I am sure I can say it for the Mayor who herself is an opposition figure, we want to see Mr. Goldson respected and awarded all the accolades a national deserves but it should be done in the right way.”

Stephen Okeke,
“Mr. Morgan is bigger than the Mayor. The Mayor called me yesterday and said to go ahead. Mr. Morgan is still debating that the Mayor doesn’t have authority to give that permission.”

Kenny Morgan,
“Mr. Okeke, point blank in no convoluted terms told me he does not want to even talk to me and he will not pay the fees. Mr. Okeke said those words to me this morning.”

Keith Swift,
Gentlemen aren’t we bigger than this?

Stephen Okeke,
“The City Council should be paranoia and should be bigger than this. They should behave better than this. I have spoken with Mayor Zenaida Moya and it is up to Mr. Morgan to go to Miss Moya to find out if this is true or not. What he is doing is not professional and that is not the way to go about it.”

But that was a sour note at the end of what most say was a historic morning.

Rowland Parks,
“I don’t think it desecrates its memory as much as it points to the immaturity of the leadership at the City Council because right now we are in the midst of closing of the old year and there is no way better to close out the old year than to begin to pay attention to our heroes and people who have made significant contributions to this country and Phillip Goldson is certainly one of those persons.”

Man #7,
“Well the man is a real Belizean. The man stood up for black people’s rights and thing. I know the man was a politician also so I think that is a real good spot for them to put the man.”

Woman #4,
“I think it is a good thing to do because Phillip Goldson left a lot in Belize and I think we should give back to him in some kind of way.”

And because Phillip Goldson was so many things to so many different people – there will perhaps never be the perfect bust – but this one comes close – now if we could only agree where it would be best placed.

The Goldson family members say they didn’t attend the launch because they weren’t formally invited. Okeke of course disputes that. No word yet on where will be the monument will be permanently placed. Okeke says he isn’t sure how much the bust actually cost.