Approximately 30 interested parties representing a wide range of island enterprises attended the scheduled "showdown". After a short briefing on Chamber projects, and a rundown of Chamber's actions regarding the "outrageous" trade license increases, ACCC President Tom Vidrine introduced San Pedro Town Administrator Alberto Villanueva Jr.

    Mr. Villanueva began by "cutting right to the quick," explaining that as Town Administrator, he did not represent any particular political party and would not respond to any political accusations. He stated that the SPTC employed a trained evaluator, Marion Mejia, who had used an accepted method of assessment to establish the fee increases. He stated that, according to the law, the formula to be used was 25% of the annual value of the business (the dollar amount of one year's rent). Despite this, the SPTC was only charging 2.5 - 5% of the actual rental value or far below what the law allowed. He then relayed a message from Mayor Elsa Paz which emphasized that Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. had no involvement whatsoever with the established Trade License fees.

    The Town Administrator next referenced Chapter 66 and 66S of the Laws of Belize regarding the Trade Licensing Act, focusing on the appeals' process. He reminded those present that any appeals regarding Trade Licensing fees must be made ten days from the date of notice. He suggested that any such appeals be directed to Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord, in care of the Belize Judicial Court on Bishop Street in Belize City. In light of the current protest, when pressed about the issue of the ten days, the Town Administrator stated he would talk to the Mayor regarding an extension of this time period.

    Mr. Villanueva went on to explain that the previous structure appeared to have no uniform rate and some businesses had not been assessed for six years or more. Therefore, many of the same types of businesses were paying different rates and the new rate of assessment was an average of all similar types of enterprises. Mr. Villanueva stated that, in fact, his office had discovered that there were several businesses that had never paid a trade license fee that would begin paying this year.

    The Town Administrator then reviewed the $69,000 "subvention" that the town receives annually from Central Government. He explained this related to about 3% of the town's annual budget last year and that this figure has not been increased for nearly twenty years. He stated that the increase in trade license fees would go far in paying for the planned improvements to the town's infrastructure, especially streets, which alone would cost at least 35% of the budget.

    At this point, those gathered questioned the fact that street vendors and taxis do not pay the same fees as every other business. ACCC members and others attending the meeting also asked for: 1) a copy of the documented rate structure, 2) a list of all businesses, 3) copies of the assessments for the current and past year, 4) concessions on the appeal process (waiving the 10% late fee if not paid in 30 days), and 5) accountability for what this increase in town funding will be used for. The general consensus of those at the meeting was that everyone agreed an increase was needed, but they wanted to make certain it was fair.

    In answer to these requests, the Town Administrator stated he would bring all these issues to the Mayor's attention. He further promised that a statement would be printed in the next issue of the newspaper.

    Following the meeting, it was learned that the Mayor issued an extension to the appeals process. It was stated that anyone wishing to appeal a trade license fee would have 20 days from Monday, January 19th to issue his or her protest. Also, copies of the rate structure and assessments for the past two years were to be provided to the Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. The Town Administrator informed The San Pedro Sun that appeals were already being heard as of Monday afternoon.