The San Pedro Township Anniversary was celebrated in grand style this year with a splendid banquet at world renowned Elvi’s Kitchen offered by His Lordship Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the San Pedro Town Council.
In his welcome remarks Mayor Guerrero Commented: “From the onset of my election and my taking office, it was my desire to offer an official reunion with all past mayors and town councilors to express the town’s gratitude to all the former community servants, some of whom are still very active in community affairs.”
Mayor Daniel Guerrero honors key citizens for 28th Township Anniversary
Indeed all, except perhaps three past councilors, were present, one of whom lives abroad and one who has passed away. The Council expressed recognition to some one hundred persons present which included the group of councilors and spouses who brought San Pedro into Township status on November 27 of 1984 and all succeeding town councils. The Mayor expressed his happiness to see such an influential gathering uniting in full force to celebrate perhaps one of San Pedro’s most meaningful events ever in the history of San Pedro.
Invited Guest Speaker, Mr. Angel Nuñez expressed appreciation to Mayor Danny for bringing together such an elite gathering. He mentioned that it was a historic reunion because these were the finest persons that have served in bringing progress to San Pedro. Mr. Nuñez went on to show that indeed this progressive move for township commenced with the founding of the village back in 1848 when twelve Mestizo families settled on the shores of Ambergris Caye.
Hon. Manuel Heredia with invited guests, Mr. Efrain Guerrero & daughter Dali Guerrero, Mrs. Celi McCorkle and Mr. & Mrs. Claudio Azueta
Guest Speaker for the evening Mr. Angel Nuñez
A great moment in the history of Ambergris Caye was in 1868 when James Humes Blake purchased the island and he and his family provided employment to the villagers. Then there was the Chicle industry in 1890 followed by the logwood industry in 1900. The coconut industry in 1910 onwards provided much relief to the villagers and after its destruction by the hurricane of 1942, the inception of fishing in the 1940’s. Another significant event to celebrate was the establishment of a fishing cooperative in 1963by village leaders, and the introduction of tourism by Celi McCorkle in 1964. The founding of San Pedro High School was another milestone to celebrate and then the declaration of Township in 1984. All of these contributors to the progressive development of San Pedro got the applause of the gathering.
Special recognition was given to the first Mayor of San Pedro Town, Mr. Gilberto ‘Chico’ Gomez, who could not be present, but a recorded video interview was shown to the gathering in which he talked about the past, present and future of San Pedro Town. As a special gift to him, Mayor Guerrero mentioned that the Town Council will award Mr. Gomez with a check of $2,500 of which Area Representative Hon. Manuel Heredia added another $1,000 to that amount.
Other speakers for the evening included addresses by past Mayor Pedro Salazar, Mayor Elsa Paz and Mayor Manuel Heredia. The banquet also saw the distribution of appreciation awards to many for their invaluable service to the Town Council, to education, tourism, health, Lions, and early village councils.
Besides the very interactive participation of all invited guests, the banquet included music by Wil and Dale, kisses and awards by Miss San Pedro 2012 Miss Nayelie Puc, a superb buffet by Elvi’s Kithen and a complimentary bar by the staff at Elvi’s.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the Town Council deserve our appreciation for planning and executing such a wonderful and meaningful event in commemoration of the 28th anniversary of township for San Pedro. Kudos and ‘muchas gracias’. The official Township Anniversary Ceremony will take place on Township Day, November 27 at Central Park at 1p.m.
Mayor Guerrero’s message on 28th Anniversary of San Pedro Township:
San Pedro’s first Female Mayor, Elsa Paz addresses the invited guests
List of Awardees: (Full Gallery on Ambergris Today Facebook)
Mr. Efrain Guerrero Sr. – In recognition of his contribution to the development of San Pedro Town as Village Chairman
Mr. Enrique Staines Sr. – In recognition of his contribution to the development of San Pedro Town as Village Chairman
Mr. Abel Guerrero Sr. – In recognition of his contribution to the development of San Pedro Town as Village Chairman
Mr. Leonel Reyes Sr. – In recognition of his contribution to education in San Pedro, Town
Mrs. Martha Leslie – In recognition of her contribution to education in San Pedro, Town
Mr. Angel Nunez – In recognition of his contribution to education in San Pedro, Town
Ms. Lena Flores – In recognition of her contribution to education in San Pedro, Town
Mrs. Rosario Guerrero – In recognition of her contribution to education in San Pedro, Town
Mr. Emidio Acosta – In recognition of his contribution to education in San Pedro, Town
Mrs. Celi McCorkle – In recognition of her continued contribution to the development of the Tourism industry in San Pedro Town
Mr. Ramon Nunez – In recognition of his continued contribution to the development of the Tourism industry in San Pedro Town
Mrs. Flora Ancona – In recognition of her service to the people of San Pedro Town as a community activist
Dr. Otto Rodriguez Poly Clinic II – In recognition of its continued service to the people of San Pedro Town
Dr. Daniel Gonzalez – In recognition of his continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as a community doctor
Dr. Giovanni Solorzano – In recognition of his continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as a community doctor
Dr. Javier Zuniga – In recognition of his continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as a community doctor
Mrs. Nathalie Palen – In recognition of her continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as a community nurse
Mrs. Veronica Caceres – In recognition of her continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as a community Nurse
Mr. Enrique “Butch” Sabido – In recognition of his contribution to sports in San Pedro Town as the first sports broadcaster on La Isla Bonita
San Pedro Tour Guide Association – In recognition of its continued contribution to the development of the Tourism industry in San Pedro Town
Hol Chan Marine Reserve – In recognition of its continued contribution to the preservation of San Pedro’s Marine Environment
San Pedro Lions Club – In recognition for their continued humanitarian support to residents of San Pedro Town
Ambergris Today – For keeping San Pedro Town accurately informed as well as promoting the island both nationally and internationally
The San Pedro Sun – For keeping San Pedro Town accurately informed as well as promoting the island both nationally and internationally
Mr. David Marin – In recognition of keeping the island informed as host of the Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show
Mr. Eiden Salazar Jr. – In recognition of keeping the island informed as host of the Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show
Mr. Edmundo Castillo – In recognition for his continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as an employee of the San Pedro Town Council for 18 year
Mr. William Stevens – In recognition for his continued service to the people of San Pedro Town as an employee of the San Pedro Town Council for 22 year
