Twin Towns Honor the Mayors Who Helped Shape Their Growth

Before San Ignacio and Santa Elena became the bustling Twin Towns we know today, there were leaders who helped shape that growth one decision at a time. Today, the Town Council paused to recognize that legacy, unveiling its Roll of Past Mayors during a special ceremony. The tribute honors former municipal leaders whose years of service helped guide the development of the community and lay the foundation for what the Twin Towns have become. News Five’s Shane Williams was there and has the story.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

It was a gathering of generations of leadership. Former mayors, current town officials and community members gathered today at the San Ignacio Santa Elena Town Hall to celebrate the men who have guided the Twin Towns through decades of growth.… including Cayo’s oldest living Mayor, Don Hector Silva who served from 1960 to 1963 and is still always ready to share stories from the past.

 

Hector Silva, Former Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena

“ We didn’t own these lands. These lands belonged to Melado, and we bought them for forty thousand dollars. Unbelievable. Forty thousand dollars. I arranged payment for 1,420 acres of land that extend one mile around, forty thousand dollars. Could you imagine? Mr. Price hurry tell Fonseca, pay them with your salary, with my salary, with everybody’s salary.” 

 

The ceremony’s biggest moment came with the unveiling of the Roll of Past Mayors, a lasting tribute to the leaders who helped guide the growth of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. It was a moment of reflection and recognition, as the Town Council honored decades of municipal leadership and service to the Twin Towns. Among those present was Orlando Habet, the first directly elected mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, who now serves as the Area Representative for Cayo Northeast.

 

Orlando Habet, Former Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena

“It was surely an honor to be recognized, and I applaud the mayor for organizing this award ceremony and the unveiling of the plaque with the various mayors that have served since 1958 to the present. I felt also deeply honored because I was the first directly elected mayor by the people in 2000 when the legislation was changed. I think all of us have an opportunity to serve, but you have to have that calling also because it is time that you give to the community, sacrifice, especially with your – with the time that is not given to your family and friends.”

 

For Trapp, the occasion was more than unveiling a plaque. It was about recognizing the foundation laid by those who came before him because every administration has left its mark on the steady transformation of the Twin Towns over the years.

 

Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena

“Some of us don’t live a healthy lifestyle because of the dedication to what we have to do here in our community. But yes, it’s important that we always put time aside to honor and acknowledge people that have contributed towards the development of their community and country by extension. I want to say that I really and truly admire Mr. Hector Silva for his, for the age that he has and still being as sharp as a pin, and for have been able to see what he have done over the years for this country, I admire him truly. I use him as a mentor.”

 

The Roll of Past Mayors recognizes thirty-one men whose leadership helped steer the municipality through different stages of growth, from Hamid Musa in 1958 to the Twin Towns’ current and longest-serving mayor, Earl Trapp. Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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