7 News Belize

Hon. King Holds His Position
posted (May 14, 2015)
He has left it to area representative Mark King. Last night you heard him explain that he cannot prioritize the squatters because others have been waiting for land in Lake Independence much longer than they have. Tonight we have part two of that interview when we asked him if those at the top of the list are his staff, and campaign workers:...

Jules Vasquez
"These people have said that these names; Jason Edwards, City Councilor (former driver), Robert Edwards, Melissa Williams (who is your secretary), Julia Jimenez (who is your committee member), that they have been recommended by you as lease holders for the land they are on. How do you respond to that?"

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"I was very opened to you at the beginning of the interview that I made when the first land came out - I made 5 recommendations, not thinking it is where anyone of these squatters are right now. But I have also indicated to you that whether it is my people and the people in Lake I that applied for these lands that have not have lands for years. Boss, I will give it to Lake I people and my people are Lake I people, that have been living there for 20 plus years. Some of them 30 plus years. A lady called in this morning who I have on the list to get a land - 40 plus years. They will get it. I am saying the squatters will not get it - that's what I am saying. This is where squatting ends in my constituency. I am putting my foot down. I am being kind to them, but they won't come and tell us who will get these lands. Because if anybody deserves these lands; one, it's my people and two; it's Lake I people - that's where I stop it."

Jules Vasquez
"When you say your people, you mean UDPs?"

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"When I say my people - it's everybody that lives in Lake I."

Jules Vasquez
"No, but said two; it's Lake I people."

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"Jules, don't play politics with the thing man. Everybody that applies for a piece of land, which includes my people who works with me yes. All of them will be given - if the land becomes available."

Jules Vasquez
"The concern arises because you have this famous quote that is "UDP first, Belizean second and PUP last.""

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"I will completely change from that now and I will tell you that's its Lake I people first now. Simple as that. The squatters are not Lake I people. The Lake I people are the people who are living in 17 and 17B constituency of Lake I, who has been there and has applied for land for a number of years."

Jules Vasquez
"What you said in that controversial interview is a true thing in politics and anybody who operates in politics know, that you are obligated in a direct political way to help those who support you. That is how politics work."

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"I think I was very clear when I said Lake I people first and my people who have lived forever in Lake I, are Lake I people. So, my people, Lake I people are the same people."

Jules Vasquez
"Yes, but the people who you help first are the people who voted UDP Mark."

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"You can't get my tongue to hollered UDP first in this one, because in this one, I am telling that Its Lake I people who will benefit and it is Lake I people who will get land and yes they include some of my people. We can't have people getting hype thinking it's a lot of land coming. What is the government says we will use all of this land?"

Jules Vasquez
"But if any becomes available; Jason Edwards, Robert Edwards, Melissa Williams and Julia Jimenez will be the first to get."

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"I didn't say the first to get, but I said they will be included in all the people that have applied, because these people have lived in Lake I for quite a while or have been a part of Lake I for quite a while. They will be included in getting lands in Lake I yes."

Jules Vasquez
"But not just because they've been there quite a while. Because they are your people, your generals, your supporters."

Hon. Mark King - Area Representative, Lake I
"To bring it in conclusion in terms of what I am thinking Jules, to me, the point here is final. The point here is stated and overstated - squatting is illegal. That's it."

King said that he does not have any time frame for when eviction will be ordered - and he first needs the new authorized map of the area to figure that out.

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