An end to the bitter fight in sight?

Mckesson Garrett, head of the Belize City branch of the Belize Ex-Services League, told Amandala today that a decision handed down by Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel, mandating the Belize Ex-Services League to hold elections which would include the general membership from the various branches across the country, rather than two representatives per branch, could restore stability to the organization and bring the kind of unity that they have not enjoyed for over a decade.

Garrett said that in advance of that biennial meeting, due to be held next month, at which members should vote to elect “fresh blood” to govern the organization, the Belize City branch will host a meeting of its 60 or so members.

That meeting is due to be held at Canada House on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.

The Belize City branch and the executive management of the League have been locked in a bitter dispute for years.

Garrett said that the Belize City branch was being charged rent unfairly, because the building belongs to the ex-servicemen who use it. He said that the Belize City branch had decided to pay $300 a month to the League, to help with expenses, but when a new executive took over, they said that that the Belize City branch was being charged rent.

According to Garrett, as soon as he assumed leadership of the Belize City branch in 2013, they were issued a bill for thousands in arrears – that was just before they were locked out of the building, he told us.

He said that the fight has been affecting the veterans, all in their 60s and 70s, who should be enjoying camaraderie rather than discord.

Garrett said that they are hoping that the upcoming elections would bring “new blood” to the league.

“Even a child could understand where we are coming from. We want to work with the executive and help in building the Ex-Services League. That is all we are asking for,” he said.