Friday, January 30, 2009
Politics on Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras
The following is a recap of a political forum put on by a group called "Island Friends" as detailed by it's President Judith Alred regarding one political parties take on the island and it's plans for the future.
ISLAND FRIENDS FORUM JANUARY 2009
At last week‚s Island Friend's Forum, National Party candidates Julio
Galindo (Mayor) and Romeo Silvestri, (Congressman) surprised us by
addressing issues known to be serious problems. In the USA, we have become
accustomed to hearing platitudes and wrangling over inconsequential issues.
Their frustrations were evident as they described the problems they see on
Roatan they say haven't been addressed, „Because, Julio and Romeo said,
Of the present administration's "Don't care" attitude. Romeo spoke of tourism being the number one business on the island and how it needs to be dealt with as such. The first imperative, they said, is the establishment of a government with authority and a plan, so as not to live
with arbitrary decision making. They described Zolitur as a work in
progress, but which needs funding money for its effective administration.
„By December this year we should have two cruises ship docks functioning,
bringing thousands of visitors each month, and we're not ready,‰ Romeo
said. „No planning for water, traffic control, personnel training, and not
one item to sell made on the island.‰ They mentioned problems with children
on the streets and the collapse of the school system with teachers who are
required to teach 200 days, not even in the classroom for 100 days.
Julio said that American Airlines has been considering a Miami-Roatan route
but are unable to come because of the unacceptable conditions at our
government hospital. „We need an urgent-care and fully equipped facility
with at least 75 beds, as required by American Airlines.
Jobs and education are the answers to crime, they advocated. Julio said,
We know where the stolen goods are sold, we know where the drugs are being
sold, we see the young children on the streets, yet nothing is done about
it. He told of many of the same thieves, caught over and over, brought
into the jail and released the next day. He spoke of the extreme poverty in
some areas, something not seen by him until more recently. The dumps could
be alleviated since we produce enough garbage combined with La Ceiba's
garbage to be sold to El Salvador, Julio said.
They explained that the purpose of the Zolitur census was to first register
native born Bay Islanders as well as permanent residents - those who can
document five years as a legal resident. Once these carnets are issued,
there will be a method to limit the number of non-residents employed
locally. Employers will be required to hire documented persons thus
providing a means to insure that persons earning income here are also
contributing to their local community. The need for job training was also
discussed and it was estimated that the current unemployment rate stands at
about 40% on Roatan. Julio told many stories of what he described as waste, neglect,
indifference, and corruption. He said over and over, „This has to change
for the island to become stable and to flourish.‰ He also stated that the
municipal government now receives around Lps.93 million per year. With
these funds and with the potential funding of Pepe Lobo‚s (presidential
candidate) help, Julio said that he could begin to accomplish the changes
needed. This came after stressing the need for a 20 year master plan;
something they insist will be the basis of their administration and can be
used as a model and guide for future administrations.
Both candidates spoke of their desire to form an advisory board consisting
of ex-pat residents in order to tap the underutilized talent here on
Roatan. As Julio described, „There are many with talents and expertise such
as engineers, community planners, environmental experts, computer gurus,
social workers, and medically trained persons that are presently being
overlooked.‰ They spoke of a paradox; foreign investment was welcomed, yet
outside knowledge is turned away.
During the discussion, they stated that tourism is currently the economic
engine of the island and with the present administration there has been no
accountability in solving the island‚s problems. „We must have
accountability, Julio and Romeo said. Both candidates say we must have
leaders who have a vested interest in solving problems, because otherwise
why would they be seeking office. Both of these men are in the tourism
business, and this, they stated is what motivates them to work toward the
best interests for the island economy and its people. Most importantly, tourism must be planned and protected, as well as promoted. They feel their vested interest in tourism is also in the best interest of the island. They said, „This makes us ideal for the job of
mayor of Roatan Municipality and Bay Islands congressman lobbying for local
interests at the national government level in Tegucigalpa.
During my introduction, I stated that the purpose of the Island Friends
Forums is the encouragement of thinking together. Island Friends does not
endorse political parties or candidates. We believe that open forums are an
opportunity to inform and enter into discussions, sharing information with
those who want to learn more about island doings, connecting the
communities together, and help those who want to take action.
Tuesday, February 10th Forum ˆ Liberal Party candidates Dale Jackson
(Mayor) and Dorn Ebanks (Congressman) ˆ at Plaza Mar Restaurant.
Sincerely,
Judith Allred
www.islandfriendsroatan.com
ISLAND FRIENDS FORUM JANUARY 2009
At last week‚s Island Friend's Forum, National Party candidates Julio
Galindo (Mayor) and Romeo Silvestri, (Congressman) surprised us by
addressing issues known to be serious problems. In the USA, we have become
accustomed to hearing platitudes and wrangling over inconsequential issues.
Their frustrations were evident as they described the problems they see on
Roatan they say haven't been addressed, „Because, Julio and Romeo said,
Of the present administration's "Don't care" attitude. Romeo spoke of tourism being the number one business on the island and how it needs to be dealt with as such. The first imperative, they said, is the establishment of a government with authority and a plan, so as not to live
with arbitrary decision making. They described Zolitur as a work in
progress, but which needs funding money for its effective administration.
„By December this year we should have two cruises ship docks functioning,
bringing thousands of visitors each month, and we're not ready,‰ Romeo
said. „No planning for water, traffic control, personnel training, and not
one item to sell made on the island.‰ They mentioned problems with children
on the streets and the collapse of the school system with teachers who are
required to teach 200 days, not even in the classroom for 100 days.
Julio said that American Airlines has been considering a Miami-Roatan route
but are unable to come because of the unacceptable conditions at our
government hospital. „We need an urgent-care and fully equipped facility
with at least 75 beds, as required by American Airlines.
Jobs and education are the answers to crime, they advocated. Julio said,
We know where the stolen goods are sold, we know where the drugs are being
sold, we see the young children on the streets, yet nothing is done about
it. He told of many of the same thieves, caught over and over, brought
into the jail and released the next day. He spoke of the extreme poverty in
some areas, something not seen by him until more recently. The dumps could
be alleviated since we produce enough garbage combined with La Ceiba's
garbage to be sold to El Salvador, Julio said.
They explained that the purpose of the Zolitur census was to first register
native born Bay Islanders as well as permanent residents - those who can
document five years as a legal resident. Once these carnets are issued,
there will be a method to limit the number of non-residents employed
locally. Employers will be required to hire documented persons thus
providing a means to insure that persons earning income here are also
contributing to their local community. The need for job training was also
discussed and it was estimated that the current unemployment rate stands at
about 40% on Roatan. Julio told many stories of what he described as waste, neglect,
indifference, and corruption. He said over and over, „This has to change
for the island to become stable and to flourish.‰ He also stated that the
municipal government now receives around Lps.93 million per year. With
these funds and with the potential funding of Pepe Lobo‚s (presidential
candidate) help, Julio said that he could begin to accomplish the changes
needed. This came after stressing the need for a 20 year master plan;
something they insist will be the basis of their administration and can be
used as a model and guide for future administrations.
Both candidates spoke of their desire to form an advisory board consisting
of ex-pat residents in order to tap the underutilized talent here on
Roatan. As Julio described, „There are many with talents and expertise such
as engineers, community planners, environmental experts, computer gurus,
social workers, and medically trained persons that are presently being
overlooked.‰ They spoke of a paradox; foreign investment was welcomed, yet
outside knowledge is turned away.
During the discussion, they stated that tourism is currently the economic
engine of the island and with the present administration there has been no
accountability in solving the island‚s problems. „We must have
accountability, Julio and Romeo said. Both candidates say we must have
leaders who have a vested interest in solving problems, because otherwise
why would they be seeking office. Both of these men are in the tourism
business, and this, they stated is what motivates them to work toward the
best interests for the island economy and its people. Most importantly, tourism must be planned and protected, as well as promoted. They feel their vested interest in tourism is also in the best interest of the island. They said, „This makes us ideal for the job of
mayor of Roatan Municipality and Bay Islands congressman lobbying for local
interests at the national government level in Tegucigalpa.
During my introduction, I stated that the purpose of the Island Friends
Forums is the encouragement of thinking together. Island Friends does not
endorse political parties or candidates. We believe that open forums are an
opportunity to inform and enter into discussions, sharing information with
those who want to learn more about island doings, connecting the
communities together, and help those who want to take action.
Tuesday, February 10th Forum ˆ Liberal Party candidates Dale Jackson
(Mayor) and Dorn Ebanks (Congressman) ˆ at Plaza Mar Restaurant.
Sincerely,
Judith Allred
www.islandfriendsroatan.com
Labels: Caribbean Islands, Roatan Honduras
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