Looking closer at the leadership rift within Indian Creek Village, we asked Deputy Alcalde Manuel Ack for his thoughts on why the community is not engaged in more peaceful dialogue in the face of dissenting views. Ack says the real problem lies in leadership. He believes the First Alcalde has refused to work with the village council, creating a stalemate that continues to divide the community. While he says everyone is relieved that Marcus Canti is safe, Ack warns that relief won’t be enough. Without cooperation and a willingness to meet halfway, he says tensions in Indian Creek will only keep climbing.
Manuel Ack
Manuel Ack, Deputy Alcalde, Indian Creek Village
“I work along with the village council. I am the deputy Alcalde. I know my role. I have been sworn in. My duty is to arrest people. To keep law and order and detain anybody that does wrong doing, but I am not departing myself with the village council. I am associating myself with what they are doing and I am happy with hat because they are doing development in the village. They have been putting culverts, streets, burying ground and school yards and football field. Those are what is going on. Other things we are thinking about in the community.”
Paul Lopez
“But why do you think there is not more peaceful solutions to disagreements? Why is there not more peaceful dialogue?”
Manuel Ack
“Because, the First Alcalde did not want to cooperate with the village council and with me because when first came in office, when we are sworn in, he has told me that whatever village council, he don’t agree with development in the community. He wants to be the overall boss.”
Pop Pushes Investigation as Chairman Urges Calm
Former village councilor Santiago Pop is urging authorities to fully investigate an audio recording already submitted as evidence, calling for its authenticity to be verified. Meanwhile, Chairman Choc is appealing for calm and peace within the community.
Santiago Pop
Santiago Pop, Former Village Councilor, Indian Creek Village
“Thanks that they have found the man safe, but to me the record he gave, the audio. Now the authorities need to see if that is the true evidence he is giving or he is only accusing us. What if they could have killed me and this person is safe?
Domingo Choc
Domingo Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek Village Council
“As the chairperson I don’t encourage anybody to do anything negative. And I encourage my council to be on the positive side and not to do anything. So I can put that on record. Myself, and my family, are no where to be found on anything doing any certain thing that will spoil our names. So I stand on that. I encourage my community t come together, work together. This is what I am up to, along with my council and this is what we want, to see development, peace. That is what we want.”
News Five will continue to follow the investigation into this matter.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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