Today, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) held it's annual general meeting.
In current climate dominated by the controversial developments of Stake Bank, Harvest Caye, and US Capital Energy inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park, the organization's members had much to discuss, since those items continue to appear steadily on the evening news.
One of the agenda items was to elect new members of APAMO's executive council, and today 7News dropped by after the election portion of the AGM, and we found out that there is a new chairman. According to best reports, the former chairman Edilberto Romero had threatened to step down shortly after he clashed publicly with forestry Minister Lisel Alamilla in late July; in the end he waited for the election which was imminent.
And so, today the Executive Director of APAMO made the announcement, and he also told us that the new chair comes at a timely moment:
Jose Perez - Exeecutive Director, APAMO
"Up to this point - the highlights of this year's meeting, has been the election of the new executive council. We had four vacant positions within the executive council and we've elected a new chairperson, a treasurer, and two councilors. The Chairperson is Mr. Anthony Hislop, he's the chairman of the Steadfast Community Orgnaization, the treasurer Mr. Gregory Choc from SATIM who has been re-elected as treasurer, two counselors is Ms. Christina Garcia from Yakchek and also Mr. Marshal Alamina from Swallow Caye who are two new members who have joined the executive council. Leaving the council is the past chairpeson, Mr. Hilberto Robero from Programme for Belize and Mr. Raymond Reneau from the Rancho Dolores Environmental group."
Reporter
"Now, Mr. Perez - at these AGM, when there's new change of leadership, probably have a change of vision. I spoke to the new chairman a while ago - he seems to be more in a mode of dialogue consultation rather than confrontation. As Executive Director, where do you see APAMO going from here with this new leadership?"
Jose Perez
"I think the election of a newly constituted executive council is timely in that right now we are about to finalize our new five year strategic development plan. Actually, this afternoon - two key items on the agenda is the revision of the adoption of 2013 - 2018 strategic plan. That plan has been in the process for the last two months and I believe within that strategic plan - the new approach is to advocacy, to lobbying government is spelt out there."
As noted in the interview, new members have replaced past chairman Edilberto Romero, and past council member, Raymond Reneau.
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