Who Pushed for Hangar Barricades? Mayor Says He Can’t Recall

So, who really pushed for those barricades at the Hangar? For the City Council to approve them, the petition from residents had to be discussed in a council meeting. But here’s what we’re asking, who brought it to the table? We asked Mayor Bernard Wagner, hoping to get a name. His answer? He can’t recall. The mayor says it was a collective decision by the council. Here’s how he explained it.

 

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“And again, by and large we have still made people to access the area by foot. You can access the area. It is not closed of the public. So all this hullabaloo about locking it off to the city, in my view is not really so.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Was this a matter discussed in caucus ahead of the decision?”

Bernard Wagner

“Of course, remember this came to us from 2022. So it has been a back and forth deliberation. Nothing hard and fast, but serious deliberation and at the end of the day we heard the voices of the residents in that area.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Who brought it to caucus this time around?”

 

Bernard Wagner

“I can’t recall. I think collectively it was a group decision.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is your thoughts on the area being placed in the hands of private landowners? Is it something you would consider or support int eh future?”

 

Bernard Wagner

“We have been there since 2022 and that area is eroding. Climate change is impacting that area significantly. I can recall we had a meeting with the late Louis Leslie and he was pleading to us as the city how we can put in a wall there. But we don’t have the financial capabilities to do that. So we said we would leave it at that and see how we can get the residents who live in that area to come up with a solution to that area?”

 

Paul Lopez

“So, is it that the responsibility is being left on the residents to fix the wall?”

 

Bernard Wagner

“It is always a government and city council responsibility, but it is about meeting common ground with he residents and city, but at the end of the day people deserve quality of life.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Could there be another solution to the security concerns outside of barricades or putting the area into the hands of private landowners?”

 

Bernard Wagner

“All of those have be tried before  and it has not worked.”