Vieques mayor: No plans to develop marina in residential area

By The Star Staff

Vieques Mayor José “Junito” Corcino Acevedo denied Thursday that the municipal administration has plans to develop a marina and a boardwalk in a residential area of the Martinó sector.

Likewise, the mayor clarified that Edwin Velázquez and Ernesto Rodríguez, residents of that sector, have ignored the requests of the Puerto Rico Land Administration to complete the procedures to remain in their residences.

“I want to make this clear: the municipal administration of Vieques has no plan to expropriate the residences of Mr. Velázquez and Mr. Rodríguez to build a marina, a boardwalk or any other structure,” Corcino said. “That is not correct. When I held a meeting with one of these citizens I was clear on that, even, to illustrate our commitment to have their homes and the corresponding documentation up to date, I showed them a concept of a project that had been [proposed] for development in that area 20 years ago and I told them that I did not agree before and not now. Those are the facts.”

“The reality is that the Land Administration has made countless efforts so that these people bring their properties up to date. Even more, the municipality provided them with the resources to support their efforts, including the advice of one of our lawyers,” the mayor said. “They were guided in all aspects and we placed ourselves at their disposal to continue assisting in their efforts. We have always wanted to help them and we will continue to do so.”