Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce - closing a chapter

Press Release – Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce - May 5, 2011 - The Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce came into being with the signing of documents on November 7, 2002 and was registered as a Non-Profit Organization December 17, 2002. The first officers were Tom Vidrine, Boatyard; Malcolm Hitchcock, Fido’s; Melanie Paz, Amigos del Mar; Keith Newton, Palapa Ventures; and Debbie Sharko, Iguana Gardens Apartments. We would like to thank these people (and others) for bringing this important organization to San Pedro Town. During the time of organization, a multitude of talented and thoughtful people gave leadership and direction to much needed subjects for our town. Accomplishments were many. They addressed beautification of the town, safety issues on the water and streets, safety of the citizens in working with the Police Department and national issues of importance, among others.

As personal agendas changed, the San Pedro Business Association splintered off to cover issues which they felt they were more in tune with. Mr. Vidrine continued to head ACCC, but a leadership role for a long time takes its toll also. June 2010, Tom decided to step down. He was also leaving the country for an indefinite time. At a moments’ notice, the roll of Acting President was given to me as the First Vice President. Sadly to say, it was during an extremely busy time for me while working on the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Project. My dance card was full; I was not in a position to lead the Chamber. Although we tried to restart it over the last few months, no one else has agreed to take the Presidents’ position and form a new slate of officers. The San Pedro Business Association is, however, discussing merging with the Chamber.

Times have changed and the Chamber is now calling it a day for now. It is a good organization – a prestigious organization – for any town to have. When it is time and the need is there, leaders will again come forth to start anew. A quote from Chris Emmanuel last week was, “Make experience the only success and you will never fail”. He talked about the fact that we all like to win, but sometimes you have to accept losing as winning at times. To “embrace failure and see the wisdom from our efforts……and see the beauty of doing our best in all situations.”

The Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce was a winner. We did our best. Thank you San Pedro.

Very Sincerely Yours,
Jan Brown, Past Acting President

At the final meeting, Rebecca Arceo from the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) attended and invited members from both organizations to attend a meeting on Wednesday May 11th, 4pm at El Divino. A discussion will be held regarding the possible merging of the organizations into the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce.

Exploring Marco Gonzalez...

The entrance to Marco Gonzalez Maya Site has been greatly improved thanks to the hard work and dedication of Jan Brown and crew. "London Bridges" have been set up leading to the site, where, on our arrival, we observed students from both Wilmington, NC, and London, England packing up a recently recovered skeleton, uncovering another set of bones, clearing some of the area, and a few taking notes.

This perfectly intact bowl was recovered recently,

and is a great find for the students on this dig.

Great slabs of stone were discovered in a nearby wooded area.

The skull of one of the skeletal remains before it is fully packed for moving from the area.

Another skeleton was discovered, and students have begun unearthing it.

Dr. Scott and Liz Graham.

There are tons of broken pottery all around, on the way to the site, at the site, and in the surrounding areas. According to history, the Mayas ritually broke their pottery every year.

There is a lot to be done to prepare the site for visitors en masse, but each step is a thrill, and each new discovery brings the public closer to its history. For the moment, the site is open to archaeology students and experts as it is prepared for public viewing in the near future.

Student Footbridge into Marco Gonzalez Maya Site

Press Release – Marco Gonzalez Committee – June 14th, 2010 – The Marco Gonzalez Maya Site at the south end of Ambergris Caye will play host to 23 students starting on June 23rd. Arriving from the University of London, England, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA, the students will have a treat in store for them when they make the journey into the Maya Site. This is very tongue-in-cheek, as their treat is a “London Bridge” footpath on which to walk. Marco Gonzalez is basically an island in the middle of the southern end of the Caye. It is surrounded by marshland and mini lagoons. Even in the best of the dry season, it is a treacherous trip to make to reach the high ground of the actual archaeological site due to step-off holes of quicksand-like muck!

Around the first of May, Jan Brown, Chairman of the Board of the NGO Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Project, hired Luis Cabral to undertake building a footbridge for the students at the request of Dr. Elizabeth Graham, UL. Dr. Graham knew the difficulties in reaching the site when she and her archaeological party dug there in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Now, she and Dr. Scott Simmons of UNC will be able to take their 19 students into the site thanks to the efforts of Luis and his great crew. While working at the site, the students will be doing research on soil, water and doing light excavations.

The bridge building has been an arduous task indeed. This area had been dry for some time, however shortly after starting, the island received upwards to 13 inches of rain. This made the going very rough, but thanks to the perseverance of the tough and determined crew, they have made it a full quarter of a mile from the road to the site and finished just as the first of the guests arrived today, Thursday, June 17th.

For all the hard work, the Board of Directors for Marco Gonzalez would like to thank Luis Cabral as well as Julio, Kalaka, Carlos, Junior (Kendrick), Eliceo, Mark and Ramon. Others helping with delivering lumber and supplies is Joe Lawrence of Athens Gate/Pelican Reef Villas, Julio for hauling and helper Mike. Used lumber was donated from Gary and Cory McDermott, Giovanni Marin and Gabby, Ernie Olmstead of Capt. Morgan’s, Wally Nunez, Castillo’s Hardware warehouse site, Tom in Tres Cocos, Eddie Ancona of SP Wood Shop and many yards and construction sites needing to be cleaned up. Special thanks to Matt and Bonnie Fowler of Mr. Joe’s Grocery for the daily supply of water and ice for the crew.

About the bridge? “It ain’t pretty, but it’s functional”, says Ms. Brown. “Just wait until we get the real thing in!”