If you've travelled to Punta Gorda, you probably know about the area called "One-Mile" - which is the seafront area entering the town. It is one of the nicest stretches of seafront you'll find, and there's also a small beach area that towns-people use to swim.
But now, one resident says it is under threat because a developer wants to build a restaurant and docking area there. Darius Avila who owns a hotel in the area told us more:...
Darius Avila, PG Resident - Hotel Owner
"I investigated with the mayor and he confided that he and the town council had agreed to the lease of the space to private individual who will put up docking facilities, apparently a grill and perhaps a restaurant and do other developments. Although the mayor mentioned that yes the public will still be allowed to use the area. The common sense of it is that once a private individual is investing in a parcel of land then he will want to see returns. I could see that public access will be restricted."
"Sometimes our leaders do not act in the best interest of the general public and we have to act as the general public accordingly to ensure that that doesn't continue to happen and I know that sometimes we as Belizeans tend to shy away from dealing with issues particularly when it has political implications, but at the end of the day that has to change. Mayor Fuentes is my very good friend, as a matter of fact we are always together, but I mentioned to him directly that if he continues to move ahead with this development then I will be the one to go up against him."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this a case of you just resisting because it directly affects your property and your investment?"
Darius Avila, PG Resident - Hotel Owner
"Well Jules, really the parcel of land is diagonal to my property, it's not exactly in front. Of course I have an interest seeing that my investment could be affected."
PG Mayor Anthony Fuentes told us he will comment on Monday.
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