Mayor Wagner says He’s Tired of Paying People’s Bills

In June of this year, the Belize City Council was issued a letter demanding payment to the tune of four hundred and fifty-nine thousand, seven hundred and twenty-four dollars. This letter came from Antonio Novelo, former owner of Novelo’s Bus Line. Novelo claims that the council never paid the amount owed to him after a court ruling in 2007. Previously in an interview, Mayor Wagner said that he was not able to find any proof of such a ruling, but agreed to pay the bill if it was proven to be legitimate. Today, when asked about the situation, Wagner questioned why the bill is being brought forward now and why he should be the one to pay.

 

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City

“That has been on the books from 2007. We are in 2024. 2027 I dih leave I don’t know who will pay it. You understand?”

 

Reporter

“You don’t know mayor but you did put out a release saying if that was real, you would address it though. I don’t know what happened, but you said you would.”

 

Bernard Wagner

“But 2007, why bring it 2024?”

 

Reporter

“They say that the attorneys are behind them.”

 

Bernard Wagner

“How many mayors you had before me?”

 

Reporter

“Two.”

 

Bernard Wagner

“Did they pay?”

 

Bernard Wagner

“They didn’t.”

 

Bernard Wagner

“So why would I pay?”

 

Reporter

“One claims that they don’t know about it even though they were the attorney for the other side.”

 

Bernard Wagner

“Listen to me, I’m tired of paying people bills.”

 

Reporter

“You’re tired of paying, but it is a bill.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So you’re saying because of, how old it is, it’s no longer legitimate?”

 

Bernard Wagner

“I have my legal people looking at that, but I don’t even have that in my head. Period.”