And turning now to politics, there was an interesting development in Orange Walk East today. That's the division where the UDP is having a convention in a few days' time on February second. And last week, aspirant Elodio Aragon Juniour was dogged by allegations that his father, former area representative Elodio Sr had snatched up an abandoned piece of public park land as his private property. Add to that the fact that the title for an adjoining basketball court is missing, and you had the key elements for a land grab scandal.
The interesting part is that the Aragon attack was allegedly orchestrated by fellow UDP's - from the rival camp in this hotly contested convention.
So today, Aragon had to move smartly to gain distance from a toxic political situation. But he couldn't very well renounce his own father. So how did he play it? That's what Jules Vasquez went to Orange Walk to see:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
Guadalupe Park, it's been in a state of ruin for decades, but recently it became the site for a different kind of sport: political football. And this morning Elodio Aragon Junior tried to score an equalizer after losing points when it was alleged that his family was guilty of a land grab with public lands.
His brother Adin - who runs the adjoining Hi-5 nightclub has the lease for the land that formerly housed the park - after it was handed over by his father Elodio Aragon Sr. - who first built the adjoining sports center in 1986.
Elodio Aragon, Sr., Former OW East Representative
"I thought that I should apply for this land after 30 years and do something with it that will benefit not only the sports center and Hi-5 but the entire public."
"We are going to build a free parking lot so that the people from the sports center who come for events, people for Hi-5 could use it and avoid the jamming of traffic on the street."
But that plan never came to fruition and now it's become a political liability. Aragon Jr says he's gotten them to give it back, for free:
Elodio Aragon Jr.
"I have since asked my brother for that piece of land in question to be reverted back to the government of Belize, which he has agreed to do so and has done so in writing. I have also asked the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for land that this piece of land be placed under the Ministry of Sports so that it can be used for the benefit of all."
And as of Thursday evening, it's been signed back over to the Ministry of Natural Resources. And the price to government for that?
Elodio Aragon, Sr., Former OW East Representative
"And to answer your question directly about wanting compensation - we don't want any compensation because if you get $1,000 or $10,000 - it will be said that it is $25,000 or $300,000 that we got. So before we get tangle with that kind of thing - we are saying we don't want any compensation. We are prepared to give that up - yes."
Now, the undercurrent here is that the issue was brought to the fore by Orlando Burns, the former UDP Standard Bearer in Orange Walk East:
Elodio Aragon, Sr., Former OW East Representative
"Mr. Burns have something wrong in his mind - not correct and he is campaigning for Mr. Constanza and he is trying to use everything - he has timed it and the week before last week and this week, to do everything to get the people from the east to turn against my son here."
Elodio Aragon Jr.
"The mere fact that this issue was brought us at this point in time was as a direct result to try to smear my campaign. We all know in the east exactly where this originated, we understand and we know what it is being done."
But, politics aside, the mayor says they want the park:
Kevin Bernard, Mayor Of Orange Walk
"It's good news Guadalupe Park is being returned. It's good news for the people of Orange Walk. However returning it to the Ministry of Sports will have the same problem we are facing right now with multi-purpose complex and the people's stadium. When you want to have events it is also being politicized. Let us ensure that if is going to be returned for public purpose - return it to the municipality."
But, regardless of who gets the title, what's going to be done about the shabby condition of the facility - well today was the day for political promises.
Kevin Bernard, Mayor Of Orange Walk
"Well of course Jules, it has been return to the government of Belize. We as a council we try our best as well to try to bring back this park."
Elodio Aragon Jr.
"This Orange Walk East Sports Center will definitely be developed and it will not look in this state and condition as it is today."
Aragon Sr says that he doesn't know when the Lands Department will transfer the land to the Sports Council - but that is a matter for government since he has handed it over.
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