Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The
ThE BElizE TimES
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Belize Times The Truth Shall Make You Free
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Issue No. 4679
$1.00 www.belizetimes.bz
The Casualties of WAR! Barrow Cold & Clueless
Janay Moguel - Wounded
Glenstine Martinez - Dead Dorrell Williams - Dead Neville Thomas - Dead Gavin Zuniga - Wounded The Prime Minister of Belize Dean reality.’ He said that he has now been “The child, the young girl painful sense of having to deal in who I believe is 7 years old, is the a fairly immediate way with this Oliver Barrow was interviewed this week made aware that he will have to deal ‘in stepdaughter of my driver and so terrible depressing reality.” – Hon. by Keith Swift from Channel 7. This a fairly immediate way’ with the issue of is the first time in recent memory that crime. His words appeared meaningless it certainly produced for me a very Dean Barrow the PM has deigned to speak on critical and lacking in any discernible emotion. issues like crime and oil. It was not a good What will surely stick in the mind of interview for the leader of this nation. He Belizeans, though, is that it is just now, came across like a cold fish, uncaring and as we enter year two of unchecked and unfeeling. He seems to have lost sight of unprecedented violence and bloodshed the real issues plaguing his people. He in the city, that our Prime Minister came across as a man with little regard claims he now realizes that he has to do for the intelligence of the Belizean people something. The comments of the Prime and utterly comfortable in the belief that any and all of his utterances will be Minister were an insult to all those families left grieving for their loved received as the gospel truth. As a seven year old child, the ones, victims of the violence which innocent casualty of yet another shooting has overtaken the nation. Last year the in the city, faces the prospect of paralysis Economist named Belize the #1 murder for life, Dean Barrow in his interview hotspot in the world. Residents are could not even mention her by name. It paralyzed by fear, afraid to walk streets appears that to this robotic PM, young which have become dangerous and afraid Janay Moguel is just a statistic, and an to stay in their homes because even there unimportant one at that. His quote it is not safe. There have been thirteen reproduced above is ghoulish, insensitive shootings in the past week, with four and absurd. According to Barrow, it is victims dead. And that’s just in the city. Hon. Sedi Elrington Libyan leader only now that he is a little more familiar Gang warfare has erupted on our streets, Col. Muammar Gaddafi with the victim through his driver, that with the new weapon of choice a grenade. (Continued on page 35) he realizes a little more the ‘depressing
Why is Foreign Affairs Minister Sedi Elrington in Libya?
FIRE PERDOMO!
The government’s response to the latest surge of street violence has been as expected – absolutely nothing from the Police Minister Carlos Perdomo and meaningless words of cold comfort from his boss, Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Residents of Belize City have nowhere to turn, as the Prime Minister refuses to heed calls for the removal of Perdomo, and claims that he, Perdomo and the Police Department can do nothing more to provide any sense of security or safety to fearful citizens. The recent spate of violence, mayhem and murder reads like a lowbudget shoot ‘em up movie and the casualties of this war on the streets keep piling up. On Monday night, at around 6:30 guns blazed out death and terror
along Central American Boulevard. When it was over, a youth lay critically injured in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. (Continued on page 35)
. . . r e h et g o T e m o C
Remembering A Fallen Brother
On Tuesday, February 2nd, PUP Leader John Briceño and members of the Northern Caucus visited the widow and children of cane farmer Atanacio Felix Gutierrez who was killed by the police one year ago.
It's Time For The PUP!
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ThE BElizE TimES
Out Spoken Hell Hole!
FIRE PERDOMO!
Minister Carlos Perdomo and Police Commissioner Jeffries have not started 2010 on a good footing. Late last year, many Belizeans were shocked to hear Mr. Perdomo brag about lower crime rates. Whether those figures he quoted are real or imagined, Belizeans believe that 2009 was a violent year and that crime had gotten completely out of control. According to statistics coming out of the Police Department, 2009 was an incredibly violent year where 97 murders were committed, 30 persons were raped, 34 children were molested, 526 people were robbed and 150 motor vehicles were stolen. The New Year is just into its second month and the violence continues unabated. Channel 7 started off its news on Tuesday night saying that in 12 hours, 6 people were shot, 2 died and a teen aged boy was on life support. This is simply a continuation of what occurred in January when 5 persons were murdered. To add to all this, Belizeans are becoming more convinced that members of the Belize Police Department are involved in some of the criminal activities in Belize. This is a critical problem for Perdomo and the Commissioner, who must provide Belizeans with the assurance that the Police Department is in control of the situation. To now have to convince the people that the Police Department is not corrupt is an added burden in the fight against crime. In an interview on Channel 7 the Prime Minister stated that he believes that his Commissioner is doing the best job he can and is fully dedicated to his work. Likewise the Prime Minister supported his Minister of National Security. While he lamented the shooting of his driver’s seven year old step-daughter who is currently in the hospital with a gunshot wound that could result in her paralysis, the Prime Minister’s remarks could not have offered any comfort to his driver or their family. What has happened to the 360 degree approach to crime? Where is the action plan of the Crimes Control Council? Where is the effort to get the illegal guns off the streets? When will the forensic lab be put in place to modernize criminal investigations? A few weeks ago someone threw a firecracker (dynamite) over the fence at Anglican Cathedral College; the effect of that was that it drew out the media when it was being said that a grenade was thrown in the school. Currently 18 grenades are out there in the hands of civilians and the fear that one can be detonated on one of our school campuses is real. In the meetings of the Belize Association of Principals of High Schools, our high school principals are preoccupied with the issues of safety; they spend hours discussing ways to keep their students safe and must fight to protect them from the lure of gang activity. It used to be that our principals spent their time in meetings focusing mostly on curriculum development, the formation of their students and the development of the Nation’s youth, now they have the added burden of policing and keeping crime of their campuses. In any nation, the protection and safety of its citizens must be the first priority. When a state is unable to protect innocent citizens from life threatening situations outside of natural disasters, then the state has failed in its primary responsibility to its citizens. All measures must be taken for the safety and protection of civilians. Belizeans all across this country are reaching to the point of desperation, most of us now live in fear of the criminals and as a result lock ourselves inside our homes. Those who are victims of the violence are now looking beyond the police to solve crimes. Many have lost confidence not only in the police, but also in the ability of the system to convict people of criminal activities. In crime riddled areas, children are falling into violent activity at an earlier age. The Prime Minister must show leadership in this matter; the time has come for him to fire Perdomo and to take over the Ministry of National Security. Anything less would be an indication that the Prime Minster has abandoned his oath to do right by our people.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Editor The Belize Times Queen Street Belize City
Dear Editor, I write on behalf of all Belizeans who presently live in great fear and terror due to the crime situation in our country. It is really alarming when we sit during the evenings to watch the news and all we see are the reports of shootings, grenade explosions, hit killings etc. and all the violence taking place especially in Belize City. The talk of the town now is the whole crime situation and the inability of the security forces to deal with it. In addition people comment about the unwillingness of the Government to address this state of affairs and the incompetence that seem to pervade this administration in every sector. They just can’t seem to get it right! I am a student from one of the 5 other districts in Belize who had always dreamt of attending St. Johns Junior College to further my studies. This year I have decided that it is not in my best interest to do so. I am really afraid of going to Belize City. Just this week, after I learnt how passersby can be injured or killed, I realized how dangerous it can be to live in Belize City. Indeed, I pity those residents of our commercial capital. Not only do they have to live among the garbage but now they live in terror of bullets and grenades. Mr. Editor, I have now decided that I want to live and see my children and grandchildren grow and enjoy life as I have done. I will be staying where I live to further my studies as it is simply not worth the risk going to Belize City. Many of my neighbours comment that no one can pay them enough to even go to Belize City for a day! I am very sympathetic to you guys that have to go to that hell hole everday…I guess you do it because of the need to work! Sincerely, Ernestina Martinez
Questions to Ministers 1
Would the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance be willing to confirm or deny reports that his daughter billed GOB $2million in legal fees for just one case? And if that is so, would the Prime Minister be able to say if he intends to pay her?
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Would the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance please say if or when he will do something about the audit report which reveals serious corruption and millions of taxpayer dollars missing at City Hall?
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Would the Minister of National Security say when he will listen to the cries of all Belizeans, do the honourable thing and resign his portfolio so that a real man can take over the Ministry? And in the event of that happening, would his colleague the Prime Minister please say whether there ARE any real men in the UDP who can do the job?
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Would the Minister of Human Development please say if he has any intention of formulating any plan whatsoever to help the 43% of Belizeans who are living below the poverty line?
THE BELIZE TIMES DESKTOP PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Lucilo E. Alcoser
Mike Rudon
TYPIST
OFFICE SUPERVISOR
Rachel Arana
Fay Castillo-Mckay
PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR
Doreth Bevans
Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 224-5757
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PRINTER
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Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
If Da Noh Soh…
Mi bally Kim…
Mein I’ve got a lot of UDP shenanigans, bloopers and blunders to deal with this week, what I like to call my version of the dumb, dumber and truly asinine show. And speaking bout dumb, I happened to get a look at a blog featuring the first lady second wife in which she’s captured in a truly ‘special’ moment. Kim in an interview with a foreign journalist was heard to complain about the health system in Belize. According to mi bally Kim, in hospitals
around the country grown men who are sick are put into the same beds as babies and children because there is a chronic shortage of beds. Hmmm! She says that is bad because we don’t know the history of these men and they could actually be offenders of children. I think that the first lady second wife fell out of bed one morning, hit her head and came up with that there gem. Things are plenty bad in the health system, Kim, but that is one that I haven’t heard about. Methinks that when Kim was asked about problems in health she had no idea what to say so just pulled a ‘special’ thought out of her head. No wonder foreigners think we’re a backward nation and live in trees, when we got spokespersons like Kim talking crap. Jeez! It’s your husband, stupid! Maybe the journalist should have asked Kim about the $160,000 vehicle her husband bought for the Minister of Health, or the millions her husband is paying to his ex-wife and daughter in exorbitant legal fees. Wonder how many hospital beds could have been bought with that money? When Kim was out there relating all these horror stories, seems she should have remembered that her husband is the Prime Minister of
have given himself some $30,000 in salary advances from Town Council coffers. Hell, that’s not so farfetched because we know that the Mayor has a chronic
case of gambling fever and spends half his life patronizing the nearby casinos. What makes this case very interesting is that it is being discreetly pushed by none other than Pablo Marin, who has heard rumours that Campos is being looked at as his possible replacement in the very near future…If Da Noh Soh! The short list… Who seh dat the BTL Board lazy and sleck? Man, the Board of Barrow Telemedia Limited has been hard at work doing no good. Apart from
holding weekly meetings with different departments telling them that they have to come up with ways to get rid of Smart, the haggard COO has also been tasked with coming up with a short list. In case you’re wondering if that’s a list of new features, services or ways in which they can cut costs to customers, it’s not. Get that out your head. The list the Board has requested is a list of all employees believed to be supporters of the People’s United Party. Can you imagine that? The Board better get the sense quick, fast and hurry! Word is that the Union minus Paul Perriott has already got a glimpse of the political retrenchment axe in the distance and is strategizing as we speak, or as you read. And by the way, BTL employees are already being told that they need to be careful how they associate with employees of Smart. How stupid can the Board of BTL be? Very, very stupid for sure! It’s made up mostly of Barrow and FoBs and SoBs… If Da Noh Soh! They are listening…
the nation and the one to blame for the mess that the country is in. Maybe we’ll get a chance to ask these questions when we visit Kim in her new plush office on Coney Drive. A little bird in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that GOB will be paying for a, get this, Office of the First Lady on Coney Drive. Hmmm! Kim, maybe you could tell us how much hospital beds the monthly rental on your new office could buy, so that grown men wouldn’t have to be put into the same beds as babies and children. On Campos & Casinos… Reliable sources from up north tell us that Mayor of Corozal Town Hilberto Campos is currently the subject of an internal investigation. He is alleged to
The PUC’s space-vehicle has come under heat lately. According to the nutcases at the Commission, the vehicle which we are told cost $2.3million
will be used to monitor frequencies to ensure that radio stations are staying in line. Yeah right! Nobody believed that crap from the very beginning. Listen, radio stations use a handheld device similar to a walkie-talkie to monitor their
frequencies. That device can be bought at any Radio Shack in the USA for a couple hundred dollars. So the PUC paying $2.3million for a vehicle to do the same thing is just plain bogus. Don’t trust the government. Hell, Barrow has said that he supports eavesdropping on private calls and wiretapping. Hell, GOB just brought in a team of Israelis to train them in wiretapping and monitoring phone calls, texts, emails and chat messages. What more evidence do you need? Big ugly stepbrother Dean and little mutant stepbrother Carlos are listening….Dat das oh! Sipping at the sauce…
Word just reaching us is that Minister of National Security has placed a call to the top brass of the Police Department demanding a list. He wants a list of all non-functioning policemen in the Department. Imagine that – the nonfunctioning minister demanding a list of non-functioning policemen. Maybe he
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was something off with the deal. Here was this company offering apparently nice phones for just $29. What was the catch? Well boy did we find the catch. See, Drunken Minister’s nephew and the son of the Prime Minister/BTL Executive/Tech savvy business guru
Anwar are allegedly partners in a local company which sells cellular phones. As we understand it – they provide phones to BTL for $400 and BTL makes the switch for $29. It’s called the new improved fleecing of the Barrow Telemedia Limited. And hell, since we now apparently own BTL since it’s been ‘Belizeanized’ (sick joke), it’s called the fleecing of Belizeans, sans Vaseline…If Da Noh Soh! And then…
wants to put them on his special staff. Anyway, though, on a serious note it is alleged that when the minister made that call he was under the influence of, shall we say, his constant liquid companion. It’s damned dangerous when a minister in charge of a sensitive portfolio like national security makes his decisions while that liquid companion whispers in his ear...damned dangerous…If Da Noh Soh! Those privileged few… Remember the CEO at the Ministry of Housing, Rosalie Saldivar, the sister of Minister John Saldivar. She was sent
on fully paid study leave immediately after the UDP got into office and has not been seen since. Well everyone assumed that she was busy improving her intellectual capacity abroad, hard at work educating herself so she could come back and help to develop the nation, albeit at taxpayer expense. So imagine everyone’s surprise when it was learnt that Saldivar is pursuing her degree online. Nobody would have known, but she was spotted exercising on the Ring Road in Belmopan late one night and one thing led to another and an investigation turned up the truth. Mein this is just wrong – completely wrong. Fully paid study leave so she can stay home and pursue her degree online. What a sick joke…If Da Noh Soh! Make the switch… When the Barrow Telemedia Company started its switch thing in an attempt to screw Smart, I just knew there
And then there’s the passport thing. All sorts of rumours are floating around that the Drunken Minister's nephew and the PM’s son are big buddies in the UDP’s new economic citizenship programme. Translation – they sell passports, collect beaucoup bucks. We’ll leave this one alone for the time being, in the interest of acquiring proof in black and white, or red, as the case may be. But what is in dark will come to light, and we’ll have the full scoop sooner rather than later… If Da Noh Soh! Student for life… I wouldn’t want that sensitive bunch over at diet COLA/KREM to get antsy about the whole thing, but the University of Belize management is asking that Moses Sulph please stop
using a hat with a UB logo when he makes public appearances, because it’s an embarrassment to them. Apparently the man tasked with leading diet COLA’s campaign against wrongdoing is being taken to Court for using student government funds to purchase a motor scooter for himself. Ouch. Kinda takes the feathers out of diet COLA’s wings. Diet COLA – no caffeine, no calories… If Da Noh Soh!
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ThE BElizE TimES
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Ms Benita Ewan San Victor Village Corozal District Belize 2 February 2010
From the Desk of the Party Leader
The BDF - Celebrating 32 Years of Service to Our Nation Every Belizean should know the story of Sergeant Ramon Aguilar; it is one of courage, determination and is a testament to the quality of the Belizean soldier. For nine days the entire country waited in anticipation to hear any news on a lost soldier in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. So on October 16th, 2006, when Sgt. Aguilar was found by his colleagues safe and sound, all Belizeans were happy and proud of his determination and resilience. Sergeant Aguilar survived because he is a soldier highly trained in jungle warfare. He explained in a television interview that it was simple. He drank water from a stream, for food he ate Jute, frogs and even a snake and he sheltered in safe places. He applied the skills he learnt in jungle warfare courses and never lost faith in the belief that his colleagues would never abandon him in the jungle. Last Saturday, the Belize Defense Force celebrated its 32nd Anniversary, and while Belizeans still think of the BDF as professional men and women trained for war, the BDF is much more than that. In fact the mission statement of the BDF calls on this institution: “… to support Civil Authorities in the maintenance of Order in Belize and other duties as may from time to time be defined by the Governor General.” In 1994, then Prime Minister Esquivel asked the Governor General of Belize for assistance from the BDF to help patrol with the Police in the streets in Belize City. Since that time, our government has asked for help from the BDF countless times. Presently they are assisting the Police in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in maintaining order and help to protect our citizens and tourists. There is another request from the Village Council in Caye Caulker to help patrol the area along with the Coast Guard, the Belize Tourism Board and the Police. Of course, whenever a national disaster strikes, the BDF is the first to be patrolling our streets and helping with the rebuilding efforts. We have seen them in action during Hurricane Mitch and also in the Corozal district when Hurricane Dean hit the North in 2006. While they have helped us locally, the BDF has also assisted in the region. In 1994 during the civil unrest in Haiti, the BDF was deployed, first with Caricom and then with the United Nations to help restore law and order. Likewise, when Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras in 1998, the BDF was sent to assist in the rebuilding efforts of the beleaguered country. Presently, there are plans to once again send our soldiers to Haiti to assist after the devastating earthquake. Today the BDF faces many challenges; resources are scare, demand for their assistance increases both locally and internationally. The timely procurement of supplies and uniforms are not keeping pace with the needs as the force becomes more active and engaged. Internationally it’s even more difficult. The BDF has always depended on countries like the United Kingdom and Canada for assistance with training, equipment and scholarships. With wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, these countries are cutting back their international aid. Luckily, the United States government has been assisting with donations of equipment and scholarships. The BDF has a bright future; they are developing a National Security Strategy for Belize and working in strengthening regional and international security integration. It is also exciting that the BDF is working with Belizean youths to build a strong cadet system; they believe strongly in youth enhancement. At the same time, the Force is working to develop a positive resettlement plan for retiring soldiers. Soldiers are required to retire at 45 years; after soldiering for more than 20 years, many of our BDF soldiers have no marketable skills other than to be a security guard. That is why the BDF has started a program called “Development of Positive Resettlement Plan.” Under this plan, retiring soldiers are assisted in making career choices and being educated plumbers, mechanics, engineers and yes, as lawyers too. Our soldiers are highly skilled in their field; they are talented and well trained. The Belize Defense Force is an exemplary force. When I reflect on the contributions of the BDF, I am often reminded of something a former Minister, Jorge Espat, once told me about the BDF, he said: “It’s a pleasure working with such a highly trained and disciplined body like the BDF!” As we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the BDF, I join others in saying congratulations to our Commandant, Brigadier General Dario Tapia and all our soldiers who put their lives on the line for all of us.
Dear Ms Benita: The Northern Caucus of the People's United Party will always consider 2nd February as a day when all Belizeans must pause to remember the life of your dearly departed Atanacio Felix Gutierrez. His short yet meaningful life left us five beautiful children and for you we hope many happy memories. Atanacio, while a family man and hard working cane farmer has become a symbol for all of us who believe it is always right to stand up for what you believe in. He believed in the Belizean worker and died for this belief. On this the anniversary of his death, we the members of the Northern Caucus of the People's United Party would like to honour his memory with a token of our gratitude. We are therefore happy to present you with a $1000 contribution to be used solely as an education fund to assist you with meeting the cost of educating your 5 children. We hope that you will see this humble gesture as our way of doing our part to give back to a man and to a family that has given so much to our country. Please accept our warmest regards and our continued prayer for your success and for the life of your beloved Atanacio.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Belize Times
UDP Politics as usual
Bloody, bloody Belize… The last week or so in Belize City has seemed almost surreal, like some scene out of a bloody crime/gang flick. Certainly a far cry from what we used to call our jewel in the Caribbean, our pristine paradise and Mother Nature’s best kept secret. Well the secret is out, and now everybody knows that Belize is a very dangerous and deadly place to visit, and an even deadlier place to live. As recently as his last media and photo op, Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo insists that the escalation in violent crime is just a figment of our collective imagination, a perception which is far from the truth. How could things be the way you all say, claims the crime minister, when all OUR stats indicate that crime is way down. I wonder what the crime minister is saying now, when gunshots are ringing out on the streets every day, students and innocent bystanders are shot like blackbirds on the street and our youth are being gunned down in pools of blood. We have negotiated a truce, said the crime minister and his prime minister, but apparently they were as successful at that as they are at addressing the other issues in Belize. Since that truce, open warfare has been waged on the streets. I’m writing this relatively early in the week. Call me a prophet of gloom and doom if you will, but I have no doubt that there will be much more bloodshed before this paper hits the streets Friday morning. Our crime minister and our prime minister are clueless. They seem to think that allocating a measly $40,000 to renovating some sporting facilities in the city will address the problem. The community has lost all confidence in the Police; the criminals seem to be the only ones that are organized. When the Police do manage to get somebody in Court the chain of evidence is so messed up that they walk anyway. Our police investigators and the office of public prosecutions seem content to blame each other while criminals walk free. WE ARE MESSED UP. The crime minister needs to be removed from office, sooner rather than later. In fact, NOW would be a good time.
BPD/DPP breakdown… I hear tell that the Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Branker Taitt got married to a Police Officer the other day. I wish her all the best. No disrespect intended, but I also wish that their relationship is a lot more productive and cohesive than the relationship between the DPP and the BPD. Seems like every week on the news, there is word about alleged murderers walking free! Just the other day some very dangerous characters were let go off what was supposed to be an ironclad murder rap. When the word gets out (and it is out, believe me) that you can kill in broad daylight in the most gruesome fashion and odds are you will walk free, that’s a very, very bad thing indeed. As I understand it, the way things are supposed to work is that the DPP’s office is supposed to collaborate with Police investigators every step of the way – from the collection of evidence to the protocol governing arrest to the creation of an airtight case leading to conviction. Hell, we’ve all seen Law and Order. So why is it that when these young men finally have their day in Court, that is when we find out that the thing was messed up from the beginning. Why can’t we get this very simple thing right? I think that our DPP needs to be removed from office as well. She is a joke, her office has become a joke and the only ones who want her around are the criminals and the defense attorneys who laugh all the way to the bank. But we aren’t laughing. Big disrespect from the baldhead… Our youth ambassadors who attended an important heads of government summit in Suriname are very angry indeed. Apparently only four heads of government bothered to show up. Nobody is surprised to hear that our Prime Minister Dean Barrow did not bother to attend. That is big disrespect to our youth. Especially with the issues affecting them right now. I guess what the youth are saying is that Dean Barrow could have taken a week off to head to New York with his wife last week to receive a completely bogus award from people who certainly have no clue what he’s all about, but he was too busy to listen to his concerns. They are absolutely right. Dean Barrow had time for the glitter (a meaningless bauble In New York) but no time for the substance (the voices of our youth). Those wrong decisions will certainly come back to haunt him. Big respect to our youths who attended and to all youth ambassadors who have stepped forth to find solutions to the issues which affect them and affect all of us! Penner under attack Minister of Youth Elvin Penner was the victim of a vicious attack on a talk-show this morning, an attack from the wife of a senior UDP Minister no less. According to Diane Finnegan, he is an absolute waste of time who can do nothing for our youth and he needs to be removed immediately. Ouch! She claims that in his time as Minister of Youth he has visited Youth for the Future only once, and he has no idea what he’s doing. Now that’s a serious hit.
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See, it goes like this. When Dean Barrow wants to attack somebody, he uses Lois. Like when he wanted to attack Sedi but couldn’t in public, Lois was there like a vicious attack dog demanding to know how Sedi could have the audacity to stand up in Cabinet and refuse to apologize for calling the border between Belize and Guatemala artificial. It’s the same thing here. Penner is the victim of a hit from Finnegan through his wife. I mean, I agree that Penner is a joke as Minister of Youth and a joke as Minister of Sports. Hell, who wouldn’t agree? There is a serious unraveling in the UDP Cabinet. Ministers are fighting with ministers and its getting downright nasty. The bad part is that even when they were all getting along way back at the beginning, they did nothing for us. Imagine how much worse it will get now. Take a bus ride, flippin’ The UDP got into power, took a transportation system that was basically working and turned it ass-forward. That’s the long and short of it. For reasons ranging from political malice to nepotism to cronyism to incompetence to sheer stupidity, our whole bus system is messed up. There are not enough runs and the schedule does not work. Commuters are being left in terminals and on the roads. Employees and students are reaching to work and school late. There is a veritable riot at high traffic hours and there is a report that Police had to be called to the Belize City terminal last week when things got heated. Minister of Transportation Melvin Hulse does not ride the bus. His family members do not ride the bus. Just ask his daughter who has been accustomed to flying first class to the UK at our expense. Every time Melvin Hulse is asked about this problem, he claims that they will get it fixed in about a month or so. Somehow that month or so has been very elusive. He keeps talking about studies they are carrying out to determine numbers of commuters and peak times. How the hell long can that take? Melvin should realize that the frustration of commuters is reaching another level. That is not a good thing. He needs to get this right. A crying shame… I wish I had $10,000 to give to dialysis patient Jose Cruz. I would do it in a second. It makes me sad and frustrated and angry to hear about his plight, and to learn that two of his fingers have been amputated. I am sad because he is a man who has always fought for the rights of dialysis patients and now he is in so much pain and needs help urgently. I am frustrated because I wish I personally could do more for him and I know many Belizeans feel the same, but the $15,000 seems like an unlikely prospect because things are so bad for a lot of us these days. And I am angry because things are very bad for many of us, but they are very good for some people too. How hard would it be for Dean Barrow to give $10,000 to Jose Cruz? He would be giving the gift of life. How about Lois and Deanne and Anwar? What’s $10,000 to them? The very least they could do is give Jose Cruz a fraction of what they’ve gotten from all of us. Dean’s daughter Deanne just billed GOB $2Million. Compare that to the $10,000 that will save a man’s life. The world is round. The Barrows would do well to realize that. One of these days one of them will need something that all the money in the world cannot buy. UDP Animal Farm… The Chairman of the Village Council in Gracie Rock has been arrested and charged with allegedly putting his hands in the village’s cookie jar. The figure that he’s been accused of ‘pilfering’ is somewhere in the region of $9,000 or so. If he did it or not is not the point! The thing is that there was an accusation and the law acted swiftly. But some animals are more equal than others on this UDP farm, it appears. Why is it that Mayor Zenaida Moya is still allowed to sit in her office like some queen of the garbage heap? The audit report points to hundreds of thousands of dollars missing, maybe millions but Zenaida is still living in her multi-million dollar mansion in front of the sea. This UDP is bogus. This is only a game to them. Trust me, if Zenaida apologizes to Dean and assures him that his balls have been firmly re-attached, they will be sweet as pie again. Belizeans still want to know why the Prime Minister did not release the findings of the City Council Audit Report even when it sat on his desk for five months. And now that it’s come out, Belizeans really want to know if the Prime Minister will do anything about the corrupt mess in City Hall.
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PARTY PAGE
ThE BElizE TimES
THE BLUE MACHINE
Northern Caucus Meets
ODS Meeting held on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at Independence Hall
EVENT
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
BYM President Kevin Bernard donates sporting equipment to Santa Clara Football Team.
Diary of Events DATE
PLACE
TIME
Southern Caucus Meeting
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Independence Village
National Executive Meeting
Wednesday, February 10
Independence Hall
NA
Thursday Think Tanking
Thursday, February 11
Independence Hall
7:30pm
Budget Consultations
Tuesday, February 16
Orange Walk Town
ANNOUNCING
PUP National Consultations on 2010/2011 Budget (Coming Soon San Ignacio)
We Are The PUP
NA
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
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The Real Story of Belize’s Oil The recent brouhaha over oil revenues and Belize failing to secure its “fair share” of this precious and non-renewable resource has served to highlight the fact that while the UDP was in opposition, Dean Barrow knew everything and had all the answers. As government and Prime Minister, however, he has been remarkably clueless and negligent. Now the true story is being told and the picture is not a pretty one. From 2006 through 2007 oil revenues totaled $230 million. The last two years under the Barrow regime oil revenues will total over $400 million. Oil was discovered in Belize in mid-2005 and it was the Belize Times that broke the story. Within 6 months under the PUP an entire new industry was developed. Within a year or so the PUP administration was able to lay out concrete plans for further development that not only ensured that Belizeans would receive their fair share of the revenues from oil, but would also safeguard a portion of the money for future generations. The PUP administration brought in three experts from Trinidad and the United Kingdom and by August 2006 had enacted a 40% tax on BNE’s after expense income to increase our take from oil revenues. This along with royalties, a production sharing agreement, a 10% working interest in the company, and the 1.75% business tax made sure that a steady stream of money flowed directly into the Government’s treasury without killing the golden goose. That administration was cognizant that while the find was significant by Belize’s standards, it was less than the proverbial drop in the international bucket scheme of things. And at only an estimated 20 million barrels reserve, we face the likely prospect that in only a few short years it will be gone. This is why the PUP administration decided not to go for a bigger share immediately, but instead partnered with BNE to allow for the majority of the oil revenue to be spent on further exploration. When oil prices began to soar in 2007 the PUP administration under the able direction of Johnny Briceno readied a “resource levy,” a “windfall” tax that would have kicked in whenever world market prices exceeded US$60.00 per barrel. And they tabled legislation that would have implemented a Petroleum Trust Fund that would have done the following: (1) Oil revenues would have been accounted for separately and would not have ended up as Government’s
since the Spanish Lookout find 4 years ago, and no more oil in commercial quantities or at least anywhere near the quantities found there, have been discovered. Since we began extraction in late 2005, over 5 million barrels have been sucked from the reservoir, which leaves an estimated 15 million barrels. At the current rate of production of near 5,000 per barrels per day, the field will be exhausted within the next seven or eight years. At current oil prices, which are
Consolidated Revenue. This would have ensured that Belizeans would always know how much had been and was being collected, and how every cent was being spent. (2) 50% of revenues would have been saved for future generations and the rest would have been spent on a priority list that started with health and education. What has the Barrow administration done since taking office two years ago on February 8th, 2008? The short answer is little or nothing. They discarded the PUP plans and in so doing threw the baby out with the bath water. Instead of ensuring the enactment of the comprehensive legislation that the PUP had left in the pipeline, Barrow ignored that and too late sought to enact his own “Windfall Tax” at a threshold of $90 per barrel on the world market. We all know now that that was condemned to ignominy. What has Barrow done for the industry since then? Having failed to cash in when oil prices were soaring, Barrow then blessed BNE by ignoring the industry. He did nothing. To call it benign neglect would be charitable. We are all cognizant that the oil industry is a volatile industry and conditions and circumstances are ever changing so governments must always be watchful, alert and prepared. It is the sacred responsibility of government to ensure that this so far once-in-a lifetime find is maximized. There have been many other wells drilled
averaging US$75 per barrel, we can expect to gross “only” $2.25 billion more Belize dollars from the find. The UDP mouthpiece Guardian revealed in its last edition, in their headline article nonetheless, that it was only “in July of last year the government secured the services of a petroleum accountant.” This is a full year and a half after taking over the reins of power, an inexcusable lapse in judgment, even for an administration known for making bad decisions. BNE’s exploration agreement with the Government of Belize won’t end until January 1st, 2011, and you can bet your last dollar that BNE will MAXIMIZE its opportunities. The question to be asked now is if the Barrow administration recognizes, accepts and is prepared for the challenge? If the past is prelude to the future the answer is obvious.
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Case of Myrna Ferguson
The case of Myrna Ferguson v. the all powerful Minister of Works Hon. Boots Martinez is but the latest example of a UDP Gover nment intoxicated with power, arrogant and beyond question, and just downright CHANCEY!! Mrs. Ferguson is a Freetown voter who until recently resided in the Belama Area in a rented property. She owns a parcel of land at Olivera Street, Lake Independence, Belize City. She applied thru the office of her Freetown Area Representative Francis Fonseca to the Ministry of Housing for a new house to be built under the ongoing housing grant program. As required by the program, Mrs. Ferguson completed her application, provided contractor approved estimates, quotations, and invoices, and followed all the guidelines set out by the Ministry. She then waited for a response from the Ministry. In December of 2009 the Ministry approved her application and handed over to the Freetown Area Representative’s office seven (7)
purchase orders with respective values of $640.00; $4,557.07; $950.95; $5,691.76; $5,872.24; $1,579.71 and $1,061.16 for a grand total value of $20,352.89. The Freetown Office immediately contacted Mrs. Ferguson and handed these purchase orders over to her. Both the Freetown Representative and Mrs. Ferguson were very grateful to the
Ministry of Housing for the assistance provided to her. Under the program, the purchase orders are made out to specific business houses which the approved applicant is then to go to, to retrieve the materials and supplies approved. Having gotten her materials and supplies, Mrs. Ferguson would then turn these over
to her contractor, who had prepared the estimate of works, and he would proceed to build her three bedroom house as applied for and approved, and the Ministry of Housing would meet the cost of his labour. This is what should have happened, but what actually happened was quite different and demands some answers. Before Mrs. Ferguson or her Area Representative were informed of the approval of her application, and before any purchase orders were issued to her, the Minister of Works Hon. Boots Martinez, who sits on the housing grant approval committee by the way, contacted her to inform her that he would be building her house for her on her lot on Olivera Street. Mrs. Ferguson naturally welcomed this news, assuming that the house that would be built was the one she had applied for and which had been approved. She was wrong! Workmen proceeded to hurriedly construct a roughly finished two bedroom ply-cem house on 8 inch block posts and a plywood/hardboard interior. Mrs. Ferguson’s contractor estimates the value of this house to be $7,610.48. In addition, four loads of sand/clay were also placed in the yard prior to construction at a value of $600.00. Now, remember that Mrs. Ferguson's approved invoices were of a value of $20,352.89. But she never got the materials and supplies approved because Minister Boots sent his workmen to collect these items. He explained that because he had already built her house before she had gotten her invoices, she now had to turn over all the materials and supplies in exchange. No problem, if it were a fair exchange, but she was handing over materials and supplies valued at significantly more than the house being given to her which had been independently valued at $7,610.40. A raw deal for Myrna Ferguson! When Mrs. Ferguson complained, she was chastised, ridiculed and even threatened. Mrs. Ferguson’s case and treatment raises very serious questions. 1. Is it not a conflict of interest for Minister Martinez to be sitting on the housing grant approval committee and also be providing services to the ministry, whether or not he does it thru a "community business"? 2. Why are the contractors who provide the estimates for the applicants not being allowed to do the construction of the houses? 3. Why is Minister Boots not waiting for the Ministry to deliver the invoices to the approved applicants and for the applicants to then get and provide the materials and supplies that will be used in construction? 4. What happens to the materials approved and then taken by the Minister’s workmen? 5. Exactly how much money has been paid out by the Ministr y of Housing to Minister Boots’ community business? 6. Who is ensuring that what is approved by the housing committee is actually what gets built? In Myrna Ferguson’s case she applied for and was approved a three bedroom house; she got a two bedroom low quality home. Who will now correct this wrong and complete her home? Myrna Ferguson and the Belizean people deser ve answers to these questions. We call on the Minister of Housing to investigate this matter and provide proper, timely answers.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
Guest
ditorial
Pass the Ball, Pass the Ball, Pass the Ball… Stop the Ball February 7th is here. The second anniversary of the Barrow led UDP administration, and if this was any other country, the UDP government would have already handed in their resignation with heads bowed low, eyes cast downward in shame, and would have retreated into the political diaspora, never to be seen or heard from again. The recent developments in the city and country can now leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Barrow led UDP administration is bungling the management of our country’s affairs terribly, and has been doing so for the past two years, as it seems that anytime a crisis emerges, which is now the norm, rather than the exception, whether it is the economy, crime, cost of living, unemployment, Belize-Guatemala relations or health care, whatever, blame is assigned to who has the ball when Prime Minister Barrow says, with his hands over his eyes, “Stop the Ball”. Remember that game we played as children. Someone is blindfolded or covers their eyes with their hands, as they were not suppose to peek, and see who had the ball, and say … Pass the Ball…Pass the Ball…Pass the Ball…Stop the Ball. Who had the ball had to leave the game, until only one person remained! That person was declared the winner of the game. The fun of the game was the squiggling and squirming, for when you got the ball, it was treated as a hot potato. You would get burned if you did not get rid of it immediately. The latest death toll to be inserted on the Barrow led UDP administration record of achievement for a single killing operation, climbed to 3, shattering previous records set for similar time periods, as the family of a 19 year old young man had to make the excruciating decision to take him off life support, while a 7 year old girl lies in the hospital, with a possibility of being paralyzed for life, and two more persons have injuries of varying degree, all victims of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. How can the neighborhood in which you live be the wrong place to be? Without warning, the dreams of parents and of children were snuffed out as easily as throwing water on the flame of a candle or crushing a mosquito. In the case of the father of the 19 year old, his only son, his link to immortality, the person who would be joining him in his lifelong dream of a father and son plumbing business, was plucked away in an indiscriminate manner. In the case of the family of the 7 year old, a financial nightmare and an emotional rollercoaster is now their reality. Not knowing the future of their child, and to make matters worse, their
savings of $20000.00 is not enough to meet the escalating costs. They have to dig deeper, as this is an expense they did not plan for, and could never have imagined they would have to find. And as for the child, the possibility of a life in which she may never be able to walk again, play with her friends, walk to school and to church, to grow up and dance, and be a fun loving teenager and unleash her full potential to be a mother, and be whatever she wanted to be, is now her reality. She may never be the butterfly that emerges from the caterpillar, or the swan that tentatively at first, and later with confidence, majestically raises its
wings and flies into the sunset. And what does Prime Minister Barrow do and say when asked if enough is being done by the police department and the commissioner, he puts his hands over his eyes and says…Pass the Ball, Pass the Ball, Pass the Ball….Stop the Ball…..and looks around to see who has the ball…the commissioner….the Minister…..oh… it is the society…they are growing too fast… Did he cheat? Did he peek? [Hon. Dean Barrow, “I don’t think that we can ever do enough. The fact is that as the society continues to grow….” Channel 7 News February 3, 2010] Does the Barrow led UDP administration understand that there is a war going on in the streets of Belize, particularly south-side Belize City? And does the Barrow led UDP administration understand that passing the ball, while a game that children play, is not a game plan or a strategy for addressing the senseless killings that are occurring right before our eyes, each and every day? Can someone, can anyone explain to the Barrow led UDP administration that a commitment to work and a dedication to the job by the Police Commissioner is not what people want to hear right now? That people do not want to listen to how satisfied he is with the efforts of the Minister
9 when their children, their spouses, their brothers, their fathers, their uncles, their nieces and nephews have now become the main ingredient in the blood stream flowing toward the pool of collateral damage, their lives cut short, by the refusal of a Prime Minister and his government to admit that they are short of cogent and workable solutions, and thus cannot present a convincing and structured approach to reigning in a situation that is out of control. Rather than giving us hope, and taking responsibility as a leader, for the failure of the Minister of National Security and his UDP administration, and making a commitment to do whatever it takes to resolve a situation where solutions have eluded them so far; rather than projecting an image of confidence and authority as leaders do, and pointing the way forward to give comfort to and rescue our people from more pain and suffering; rather than, as a matter of urgency, convene a partnership with the People’s United Party and all stakeholders to put a stop to the downward spiraling of our country, the Prime Minister places his hands over his eyes and say Pass the Ball…Pass the Ball…Pass the Ball…. But very soon, it will be the people who, with wide open eyes, will say, when the ball is placed in Barrow hand…Stop the Ball…
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ThE BElizE TimES
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Mariposa'sKid's Corner "Belize Da Fu We" Districts
“501 KIDS’ CLUB”
Connect the Dots
Across
3. Andy Palacio is from this district. 6. This is the largest district in Belize.
Down
Color Me
Hello? y a s o Want t Mariposa atc: om mail mail. E club@g 501kids
Mi Nayba
Did you know that this month is Black History Month?
I didn’t know anything about Black History Month so my Dadi told me a lee bit. Dadi said it is celebrated mostly in the USA. It was started by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. He was the son of two freed slaves and although he came from a humble family and was not able to go to school regularly he worked hard to complete high school and then he moved on to study for three degrees all while working and studying. He was a teacher, historian, journalist and author. Dadi tell me that was no simple thing! He said I should know at that time black people were treated very badly by many white Americans. They felt black people were only meant to be slaves. Dr. Woodson thought that it was important for black persons to be educated and to show that we are smart and capable people. He also felt it was very important for Black Americans to know about their history, struggles and the work of other Black Americans and Black people in the rest of the world. That is why he created Negro History week, it was first celebrated in 1926, and it later became Black History Month. He is known as the father of Black History! Next week look out for our Black History Month Kid’s Corner! ANSWERS: 3. Toledo, 6. Cayo, 1. Belize, 2. Stann Creek, 4. Orange Walk, 5. Corozal
1. “Old River” the longest river in Belize is found in this district. 2. A village in this district shares its name with the capital city of Guyana. 4. The Mennonites who came to Belize in 1958 settled mostly in the Blue Creek area of this district. 5. The village of Calcutta is in this district.
In Just two years of the UDP
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
Clear the Land Cable Clear the Land Boutique Clear the Land Heavy Equipment Rental Clear the Land Construction Company Clear the Land Tilapia Producers Clear the Land Resort Clear the Land Real Estate Company Clear the Land Bus Company
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After two years of the UDP
Still No Kendall Bridge
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Corruption
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ThE BElizE TimES
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
in City Hall
The following are excerpts from the Auditor General’s Report on the Belize City Council, which was presented to the Prime Minister in September 2009 and which has lain on his desk for four months without any action forthcoming and without the web of corruption being made public. Each week the Belize Times will be providing more excerpts to reveal just how incompetent, corrupt and negligent this UDP Administration is… Keep Reading!
Cashbook (Revenues)
3.2 Inspection of the cashbook for the period April 2006 to December 2008 revealed the following unsatisfactory features: (i) Surplus cash was not paid in. This contravened Financial Order (F.O.) 81, which states in part “Any surplus found in official cash shall be immediately paid into Revenue Head & Miscellaneous Receipts, Subhead 2 Sundries and a report made to the Accounting Officer. “-----. Audit undertook the task of extracting the monthly surpluses and a total of $117,233.04 was arrived at as opposed to $2,761.91 stated on the reconciliations prepared by the Council for the abovementioned period. (ii) Shortage of cash was not dealt with in accordance with F.O. 601 which states in part. “Every public officer is in duty bound to bring to the notice of his superior officer without delay for notification to the Accounting Officer, any loss, shortage, irregularity, fraud, theft, failure or delay affecting the funds or property of government or for which government is responsible. The hiding of an irregularity or loss of any kind shall be subject of service disciplinary action against the officer (s) responsible.”--As with the surpluses, extraction of the shortages was done and the amount of $93,422.56 was found while the Council’s amount was $12,454.36. These are also listed at Appendix L. (iii) Monies were taken out of daily collections received by the cashier, and treated as “under deposits” at the end of the particular day. According to the Financial Manager, Dwayne Davis, these monies were utilized to make payments for services and purchase items. Analysis of the under deposits revealed that a total of $94,723.52 was used from collections covering the period 2006 to 2008 which was not brought to account in the Council’s record of accounts.
Fees Written off
9.6 For the year 2007, a total of $7,575.00 was written off from Santiago Castillo group of Companies’ accounts as a result of “Good Partnership” in supporting the Council. The authority was given by Councilor Leila Peyrefitte and was issued on work order number 42 of 2007 dated 25th September 2007. The pertinent accounts are listed below:
Could you indicate the kind of support that was provided to the Council by the Santiago Castillo Group of Companies that enabled them the privilege of having their balances written off ? In 2008, assessments totaling $41,750.00 was written off for the said group of companies by the same Councilor. A breakdown of the assessments that were written off can be seen below:
9.7 In addition, a number of other businesses were given incentives by Councilor Peyrefitte totaling $72,745.00 with respect to Trade License fee exclusive of the assessment vide a letter dated the 8th November 2007 and copied to the Trade Licensing Board. A copy of this letter is attached at Appendix XIII, while Appendix XIV lists the relevant businesses.
Dialogue with Leila Peyrefitte
9.8 In discussion with Miss Peyrefitte the Auditors asked her what sort/kind of support the Council received from Santiago Group of Companies that enabled them the privilege of having their balances written off. Her response was “When the new Council had taken over, she spent some time going over the assessments. She continued that Mr. Castillo had sent a letter (Audit did not see/find that letter on the files) requesting reduction to the aforementioned companies as a result of the letter received from Mr. Castillo. She further stated that this was done with the knowledge of the Mayor and was also discussed at the Council’s Caucus Meeting and therefore all members of the Council were aware of everything that she did in her capacity of Deputy Chairperson of the Trade Licensing Board and Councilor responsible for revenue.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Corruption
ThE BElizE TimES
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in City Hall
The following are excerpts from the Auditor General’s Report on the Belize City Council, which was presented to the Prime Minister in September 2009 and which has lain on his desk for four months without any action forthcoming and without the web of corruption being made public. Each week the Belize Times will be providing more excerpts to reveal just how incompetent, corrupt and negligent this UDP Administration is… Keep Reading!
Advance Register
13.2 Examination of the advance register for 200708 revealed that Philip Willoughby had a total of $1,800.00 outstanding as at September 2007. This was in respect of a medical advance of $6,000.00 dated 4.12.06 issued to him. The advance register showed where repayments were made in respect of several months; however no receipt/voucher numbers were inserted therein. To verify that the repayments were effected a review of the receipts/payments vouchers were undertaken. This revealed that repayments were made for the following months: His balance should therefore be $3,400.00 and not $1,800.00 as stated in the advance register. Your comments would be appreciated. No application form was found for Mr. Willoughby (no personal file existed for him) to indicate that an advance was approved to him. Also, no evidence was seen in the ledger as to how repayments should be made. It is to be noted that approximately two months had elapsed before the first repayment was made for said advance. 18.5 During the period 2006 to 2008 a total of $602,195.51 was spent for the hire of equipment and purchasing spare parts as shown below: This amount was noticeable high and when questioned, the Financial Manager informed Audit that “Most of the time the Council’s vehicles were down at the repair shop” therefore the need to hire heavy duty equipment”. In conversation with the Chief Mechanic, Ludrick Smith, he disclosed that no records were maintained for the Council’s vehicles and equipments, which had not been working and were repaired. This was the case, even though he had prepared monthly reports that were submitted to the Councilor responsible for Works to be used when the Council had its Caucus meetings.
Investigations carried out led to the disclosure that in 2008, the Minister of Works Anthony Martinez had offered to the Council free of cost the use of the Ministry’s heavy-duty equipments.
Your comments on the following would be appreciated: a. Was there a tender process whereby other individuals were made aware and were allowed to bid on the contract for the Cemetery? b. Why was there a need for more than one contract being issued for the filling of the Cemetery? Wouldn’t it have been cheaper had the contract been given to Windell Lemoth as he appeared to have given the better rate per load? c. Were there other contracts made for the Cemetery and or other projects? Payments were noted made to Cuthbert Bailey totaling $41,532.50 for Upkeep of Cemetery with $33,420.00 paid between April to October 2007 and $8,112.50 up to November 2008. Additionally, Helen Castro received $102,410.00 for Street Maintenance, Upkeep of Cemetery and Hire of Equipment. See details of payment in respect of both individuals at Appendix XXXVI
Pest Eradication Services
18.9 Ryan Swift received payments of $12,235.56 (for financial year 2006/07), $33,369.50 (for financial year 2007/08) and $12,697.72 (up to December 2008 for financial year 2008/09), totaling $61,895.48 for eradication services. No contracts were presented/available for this individual. According to the Financial Manager, agreement was made verbally between the Council and Ryan Swift to said services. A breakdown of the amounts expended is detail at Appendix XXXVII. The eradication services were carried out at intervals of 2 to 3 months. Could you indicate why there was a need for such services to be performed at such short time? It appeared as though the root of the problem was not solved as up to December 2008, there was still the need to have this service that obviously did not alleviate the problem. It is therefore now, of utmost importance that you inform Audit why the Council continued to hire the services of Mr. Swift when it was apparent that the problem was not being solved.
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ThE BElizE TimES
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
COURT NEWS Morning Glory Resident Remanded In Custody
Fernando Elijio
BELIZE CITY, Feb. 2, 2010. Fernando Elijio, 35, a plumber of #4414 Morning Glory Street who allegedly robbed two women at gun point, was charged with 2 counts of robbery when he appeared yesterday in the #6 Magistrate’s Court. Elijio pled not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Sharon Fraser explained to him that the Court could not
offer him bail because the offences were committed with a firearm. She remanded him into custody until March 22. The first robbery occurred at around 7:00pm on Wednesday, January 27. Monica Archer, 21, a sales clerk reported to the Police that she was walking on St. Thomas Street when she was approached by a man on a bicycle who pointed a firearm at her. She said the man stole her brown pocketbook which contained two exercise books. The second robbery occurred about 20 minutes later. Virginia Mendez, 41, an office manager, reported to the Police that she was walking by Farmer’s Market on Central American Boulevard talking on her cell phone when she was approached by a man on a bicycle. Mendez said the man pointed a firearm at her and stole her silver chain with gold cross medal. The Police who were in the area were alerted and they began to pursue the suspect who jumped into the river to try and escape, but was not successful.
Petillo Remanded To Prison on Robbery Charges
BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 2, 2010 Ronlee Petillo, 22, a delivery man of #28 Fabers Road, was charged with robbery when he appeared yesterday in the #1 Magistrate’s Court. Petillo pled not guilty to the charge. Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie explained to him that the Court could not offer him bail because the offence was committed with a firearm. She remanded him into custody until March 2. The incident occurred at around 12:40 a.m. on Friday, January 29. Danny Maskall, 25, an ex-BDF soldier, reported to the Police that he had just left Lion King Club located at the corner of King Street and Amara Avenue and was walking on King Street when he saw a man and a woman coming towards him. Maskall said the man was riding a bicycle and the woman was walking beside him. Maskall said the man got off his bicycle and threw it to the ground, then pulled out a pistol and pointed it at his forehead. The gunman then proceeded to rob him of his Motorola cell phone, half pack of cigarettes and $10, said
Ronlee Petillo
Maskall. Fearing for his life, Maskall said he knocked away the pistol with his hand then he punched the man and ran away. Maskall said while he was running he heard several shots being fired at him, but he was unhurt. T h e Po l i c e c o n d u c t e d a n investigation and on Sunday, January 31 they arrested Petillo and charged him.
Ghanaian Man Charged With Passport Possession Denied Bail
Lester Wugah
BELIZE CITY, Feb. 2, 2010
Lester Wugah, 36, a Ghanaian national working as a supervisor at BWEL Hattieville branch, was charged with unlawful possession of an Ethiopian passport when he appeared yesterday in the #1 Magistrate’s Court. Wugah pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution objected to bail on several grounds. One ground was that Wugah is not a Belizean and he might be a flight risk if granted bail. Another ground was that an investigation is still ongoing by Police and Immigration Officers. It was on the second ground that the Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie upheld the objection. She denied Wugah bail and remanded him into custody until March 3. The incident occurred on Friday, January 29. The Police reported that they went to Wugah’s work place and when they searched him they found him with an Ethiopian passport issued to Barbar Alazar Denici. Wugah was taken into custody and charged. In Court Wugah was not represented by an attorney. The maximum penalty for the offence is $500.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
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COURT NEWS Ex-Cop Freed Of Charge of Suspended Sentence for Woman Obtaining $30,000 by Deception Charged for Beating a Minor
Kendra Madrill
BELIZE CITY, Feb. 2, 2010 Kendra Madrill, 20, charged with harm in connection with the beating of her 11 year old cousin, Mark Waight, changed her plea from not guilty to guilty after the prosecution closed its case yesterday in the #6
Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Sharon Fraser decided not to give her a fine nor send her to prison. She gave Madrill a suspended sentence of 6 months on the condition that for 1 year, effective yesterday, she does not get arrested and charged for any offence. The incident occurred on May 12, 2009. Waight, a Standard IV student whose mother had died was left in the care of Madrill. Waight was at school taking a test and he was shouting out all the answers. For his punishment he was kept at school after school hours. When he went home Madrill began to beat him with a belt. When the belt burst Madrill began to beat him with her fists. As a result, Waight sustained bruises all over his body and his eyes were swollen. Madrill was initially charged with dangerous harm but the charge was reduced to harm.
Vidal Campos
BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 2, 2010
Former Police Constable Vidal Campos, 42, who was charged with obtaining $30,000 by deception, was freed of the charge when it was struck out today in the #5 Magistrate’s Court for want of prosecution because the case
file was not available. Campos’ case was set for its final adjournment on today’s date so when the prosecution could not proceed because the case file was not available Magistrate Albert Hoare struck it out. The charge was in connection with an allegation that on August 5, 2009, Campos pawned Lot #117 in Hopkins Village to Fair Brothers Pawnshop, located on Youth for the Future Drive, for $30,000 when it was not his property. Constantine Palacio had reported to the Police that the lot was the property of his brother who resides in the United States. Campos still has charges of auto theft and forgery for which trial is pending. The charge of auto theft is for a Jeep Cherokee which Campos rented from Varela Auto rental in Belize City on June 5, 2009, and he allegedly did not return it on the date he was supposed to.
Michael McKoy Fined BZ$20,000 for Failing to Declare US$51,118 BELIZE CITY, Feb. 2, 2010 Belizean American Michael McKoy, 52, who pled guilty to a charge of failure to declare US$11,118 US and a check for US$40,000.00 when he appeared yesterday in the #1 Magistrate’s Court, maintained his guilty plea when he returned to Court today. Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie fined him $20,000 and ordered him to pay the money forthwith. McKoy paid the fine
Michael McKoy
and avoided having to serve a prison term of 3 years. Financial Intelligence Unit legal counsel Mikhael Arguelles, who read the facts of the case in Court, said that at about 10:45 a.m. yesterday the Police, acting on information they received, went to the Customs Department where McKoy and the money were handed over to them. Investigations revealed that when McKoy arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport from California, he filled out a form which indicated that he had nothing to declare. But when McKoy was searched the money and cheque were found on his person. The money and check amounted to $102,236 Belize currency. The FIU indicated that the money will not be forfeited so McKoy will get back the money. McKoy indicated that he did not know that it was a crime not to declare the money.
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The Belize Times
Barbados PM has high hopes for sports tourism Published on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 By Gillian Applewhaite BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson has expressed the hope that revenues generated from sports tourism would "soon surpass those from the sun-sea-sand product that is currently under severe pressure from lower cost destinations". He made the statement on Sunday while delivering an address at the inaugural Sentebale Polo Cup. Thompson appealed to all those attending the event to help government achieve the goal by "pursuing excellence in whatever we, as a nation, do". He added: "This event and the other sporting events that take place at Apes Hill are helping to create an attractive, highly diversified tourism product that builds on the reputation we have established through cricket." The Prime Minister noted that Barbados was delighted to be the host venue for the first event of the annual Sentebale Polo Cup which was established to raise funds to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho receive the care, education and health which was taken for granted by other countries, including Barbados. He observed that persistent poverty had plagued Lesotho for decades, exacerbated in the last 20 years by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, Thompson pointed out that Lesotho had given a commitment to achieving several Millenium Goals by 2015, including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and
other diseases. Stressing that it would be impossible to achieve those goals without help, the Prime Minister told those attending the event that their generosity could mean the difference between life and death for generations of Lesotho children. "Please, therefore, help me and my government to make this inaugural event a highly successful one, and set high standards for succeeding events to try to emulate. Help us to make Barbados and the Sentebale Polo Cup synonymous with caring and sharing," he implored. Sentebale was founded by its patrons Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry of Britain in 2006 as a memorial to the charity work with children done by their late mothers. It has already helped over 3000 children through partnership work with 25 organisations including orphanages and special needs schools.
Prime Minister David Thompson, presenting the Sentebale Polo Cup trophy to HRH Prince Harry at Apes Hill Polo Club.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Guyana gold, gem miners protest tree felling rules
Published on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Reuters) -- Hundreds of gold and diamond miners in Guyana's main mining town on Monday protested against restrictions on tree felling proposed by the government as part of a $250 million forest-saving carbon deal with Norway. The protest in Bartica, located deep Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said in the Guyana jungle some 65 miles (105 timber operators are required to obtain km) from the capital Georgetown, was pre-approval from the Guyana Forestry the biggest demonstration yet against Commission before felling any trees. a low carbon development strategy by The same rule is to apply to miners. President Bharrat Jagdeo that includes Small and medium scale mining stringent mining regulations as part of companies, which are Guyanese owned its agreement with the Norwegians. and operated, fear the new rules will "The protest was unlike anything put them out of business and lead to a I have ever seen. Hundreds of people collapse of the industry. The government marched down the road and all businesses says their fear is misplaced. were closed; hardly any children were in "The government would not school," said Tarzie Ghanie, owner of support policies to regulate mining out the town's only TV station, TSS Channel of existence," says Dr Roger Luncheon, 5. the government's chief spokesman. In November, Norway pledged to "The interest is to have a balanced, pay Guyana up to $250 million by 2015 sustainable, exploitation of our natural to help save the England-sized forests resources," said Luncheon. which cover 75 percent of the South Last year, Guyana had one of its American nation's territory. best gold years. Small and medium size Monday's protest was led my small miners exceeded projections, declaring and medium sized mining operations. 305,178 troy ounces, according to the Larger mining companies looking for Guyana Gold Board. This represented a gold and diamonds in the English 17.2 percent increase over 2008 figure. speaking country of about 760,000 The projection was for 257,503 ounces. people include Canada's Guyana The gold board said gold exports for Goldfields and Sacre-Coeur Minerals. last year amounted to $281.68 million. Miners are allowed to cut trees in Next week, a commission with areas they work in. The new regulations representative from the government would oblige miners to give notice six and a miners group is expected to months in advance of the area they present a report of how to implement intend to clear trees. the proposed rules.
In Cuba, peso makes a comeback, pleasing customers
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Retail outlets selling everything in Cuban pesos are popping up across the country in what may be the government's first steps toward phasing out its unpopular two-currency system. The establishments opened the past year in a reversal of two decades of national policy that priced most goods and services in a dollar-linked convertible peso widely known by its acronym, the CUC. They have opened restaurants, pizzerias, cafeterias and pastry shops and set up areas across the city where they sell sandwiches, snacks and soda," said retiree Pedro de la Fuente from Guantanamo, the capital city of Cuba's easternmost province. "The population has welcomed this because before these things were available only in convertible pesos," he said. The change appears to be part of President Raul Castro's plan to make more goods and services available in pesos in a gradual transition away from the two-currency system, which he has pledged to eliminate. Since taking over from his ailing brother Fidel two years ago, Raul Castro has pledged to make daily life easier in the communist state, where the government tightly regulates almost all economic activity. He has taken steps to reform
Published on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 By Marc Frank
agriculture to increase food production, liberalize the sale of computers, cell phones and domestic appliances and free up the official media to criticize bureaucratic mismanagement. Cuba adopted the dollar as its second currency to prop up its economy, which spiraled into a deep depression after the Soviet Union, the island's benefactor for 30 years, collapsed in 1991. The dollar was eventually replaced by the CUC, which is pegged at a value of US$1.08 to one. Cubans have complained mightily about the two-tier system, saying it makes too many things unaffordable for them unless they receive dollars from relatives living abroad. The average Cuban salary is 440 pesos a month, the equivalent of 18 CUCs at the current exchange rate of 24
pesos to one. The epicenter of change is Santiago de Cuba, the island's second largest city, where far more peso outlets have opened than in other cities. "There is a special plan, where the party and government allocated Santiago a budget to remodel dozens of establishments and open new ones," a Communist Party cadre and administrator of various eating places said, asking her name not be used because she was not authorized to talk with foreign journalists. "The idea is for the population to feel good, to have the services they deserve, to be able to sit down in any restaurant, cafeteria or what have you and pay in pesos," she said. For the 50 percent of the population with some dollar income from family remittances, state bonuses, tips or other sources, the prices are often a steal, but they are only occasionally accessible to those not so fortunate. "At least I can go out to eat a few times a month in the money I'm paid with," said Carmela, a professor of nursing in the central city of Camaguey who earns 600 pesos per month. An informal survey in Santiago de Cuba found that at Ideal supermarkets,
much of what one finds in the convertible peso markets can be had for a price equivalent to up to 20 pesos to a convertible peso, still very expensive but a bit more affordable than the 24-to-one official exchange rate. Local fish stores sold a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of shelled oysters for 60 pesos, lobster meat for 50 pesos, crab for 15 pesos and salted fish for 50 pesos. At the restaurant Las Americas, a meal of pork, rice and beans, salad and a local beer or soda, cost around 35 pesos and in the evening the place was packed. The pizzeria down the street sold a large pie and beverage for 20 pesos to a full house, adding on up to 10 pesos for lobster, chicken, sausage or shrimp topping. A few doors away a fish restaurant did a brisk business offering a variety of grilled and fried dishes for between 30 pesos and 50 pesos. The peso establishments were well lit, clean and air conditioned, luxuries reserved for CUC-based eateries since the 1990s. That was not true everywhere -- in the eastern city of Holguin, for example, some remain dark, dirty and hot. The government has said little about the project or how fast it will move, but Raul Castro has told Cubans it will take several years to return to one currency.
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The Belize Times
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Haiti warned to brace for another big quake Published on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 By Mica Rosenberg
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) -- Haiti should be preparing for another major earthquake that could be triggered by the catastrophic one last month which killed up to 200,000 people and left the capital Port-au-Prince in ruins, experts say. Teams of geophysicists, who have been tracking movements in the fault line that slashes across Haiti and into the Dominican Republic, came to the nation last week to measure changes in the Earth's crust after the 7.0magnitude quake on January 12. Increased pressure on the fault after the quake could unleash another of the same size or bigger, although scientists acknowledge they have no way of knowing exactly when or where it will hit. "Faults are always waiting for the right moment but if another
earthquake gives them a little kick they go before their time," said Eric Calais, a professor of geophysics from Purdue University in Indiana, who is leading the seismology project in Haiti. Preliminary calculations by his group show the January 12 quake could be the "little kick" that sets off another temblor along the 186 mile fault where two regional tectonic plates have been scraping together for millions of years. More than 50 aftershocks, including one measuring 5.9 magnitude, have shaken Port-au-Prince after last month's quake. The US Geological Survey says the aftershock sequence will continue for months, "if not years", and "damaging earthquakes will remain possible in the coming months". Calais was due to take his findings to a meeting on Monday with President Rene Preval and the head of the United Nations mission in Haiti, in which he would stress the urgent need to rebuild the city's critical infrastructure safely and quickly. Haiti's government has announced plans to relocate up to half a million homeless quake victims -- many now camped out in rubble-strewn streets -- in temporary villages outside of Port-
au-Prince. But some experts suggest the whole capital should be rebuilt away from the dangerous fault line. Calais was part of a group of experts who warned Haitian officials in 2008 that there could be a 7.2 magnitude quake on the horizon. But Haitian officials said there was not enough time or funds to shore up the impoverished Caribbean's country's shoddy construction or take precautions, and in last month's quake, many buildings pancaked, their bricks crumbling to dust. "It's not too late. Now is the time to really get serious about this," Calais said. Over 200 years ago, when Haiti saw its last major earthquake, there were actually several temblors in a row, two in 1751 and another in 1770, Calais said. In one destroyed neighborhood in the Haitian capital, where people now live in tents made of bed sheets and sticks, curious children watched the scientists set up specialized global positioning systems. The devices, placed at different points along the fault, will gather data over three days and compare it to
information gathered over the past five years. But for all the precise measurements, there is no such thing as an exact science of earthquake prediction. Haiti's national geological survey offices collapsed in the quake, killing some 30 people inside, including the institute's director. This complicates future research in a country that has no seismic network, except for Calais' GPS monitors. "Scientists are blind when it comes to this earthquake ... We rely on data that is coming from stations that are far away," he said. "It's like if you go to your doctor and the only thing we can do is look at you with binoculars -- so the diagnostic would be pretty poor."
Venezuela students seek to keep heat on Chavez
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Relaxed on a bench on a placid, sunbathed university campus, student Roderick Navarro hardly looks a menace to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. But the 22-year-old languages student has emerged this year as one of the most visible faces of a protest movement that has brought a new wave of unrest to Venezuela's streets and irked Chavez in the run-up to a national election. Despite the calm of a Monday morning at the Caracas Central University, the bullet holes and burn marks at the office of the pro-opposition student federation that Navarro leads are a reminder of the volatile role played by Venezuela's youth. "The more they repress us, the more we will stay out on the streets," Navarro, in T-shirt and jeans, said between taking calls to organize a new round of student marches and to order hundreds of shirts for his fellow demonstrators to wear. Last week's student-led, antiChavez protests led to skirmishes with pro-government groups and security forces that killed two Chavez-supporting youths, and wounded scores of people. The largest protest drew about 3,000 people. The student protesters say Chavez is turning Venezuela into a dictatorship
Published on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 By Andrew Cawthorne under the guise of his 21st-century socialist revolution. Chavez says they are pawns, agitators and cannon fodder for rich "oligarchs" seeking to return to power. But with opposition parties sensing an opportunity to cut or overturn Chavez's majority in the National Assembly at September elections, the stakes are rising. The next presidential election also looms in 2012. Chavez has quashed numerous opposition campaigns against him during 11 years in power but his foes now believe his support base is being hurt by new factors such as unpopular electricity and water rationing, combined with chronic crime. "They blame it on the past government but they forget that they've been in power for 11 years," Navarro said. "The indignation levels at the moment are extremely high." Chavez remains popular in poor areas for his social policies, including free health clinics and schools. Analysts say electoral districts and legislation are skewed heavily in his party's favor, meaning the opposition will have
a difficult time taking power in the legislature come September. With the idealism of youth, Navarro thinks differently. "The democratic sector is going to win the National Assembly and we are going to recover an important space," he said, pledging students would be at the vanguard of monitoring voting booths and counting centers. His university is one of Venezuela's oldest and most politically active and the student body takes a central role in coordinating protests nationwide. He says the damage evident at his office is from an attack by a proChavez group last year. With opposition parties in frequent disarray over the years, failing repeatedly to dent Chavez's power base,
the students have emerged in the past three years as an important factor in the South American nation's volatile politics. They played an important role in defeating a 2007 referendum that would have ended presidential term limits. That was Chavez's sole electoral defeat since taking power and he managed to win a similar referendum in 2009. "We decided to turn ourselves into the protagonists of change and stop being spectators of the crisis," Navarro said. "We cannot criticize and criticize but not propose." Navarro said he and colleagues were hoodwinking authorities by pretending to organize gatherings on phones they know are being monitored but then using other means of communication to turn up elsewhere. "Creativity and surprise are our weapons," he said, laughing as he recounted how security forces filled a Caracas square last week for one march that never took place. Chavez, however, is convinced he will again have the last laugh. At the weekend, he mocked the opposition students for allying themselves with "reactionary" forces. "Most of the young people are with the Revolution," he said. "Not these young people who grow old before their time."
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Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Belize Times
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NATION BUILDERS
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
MS SUSIE VEGA
Elizabeth Pridgeon Ms Susie Vega, current President of the Orange Walk branch of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, has been a phenomenal force in the education sector of northern Belize – not only in her varying roles with the BNTU, but also in her capacity as a long-standing member of staff at the town’s high schools, and as an active member of the Orange Walk community. A t a n e a r l y a g e, M s Ve g a moved to Orange Walk with her parents and siblings, and enrolled first at La Inmaculada Primar y School, and then on to Muffles High School and St John’s College Sixth Form in Belize City. Upon graduation from St. John’s, Ms. Susie accepted the post of teacher at Orange Walk Technical High School, where she trained in a range of subjects including accounting, office procedures, English literature and Spanish. However, Ms Susie became increasingly aware that in order to better cater to the needs of her students, and to better prepare them for the future, she required further education herself, and in the late 1980s Ms Susie enrolled at the University of Belize in Business Administration. During her student years, Ms Susie was elected President of the Student Government Association, which was the beginning of Ms Susie’s public representational roles. Throughout her time as President, Ms Susie organised various fundraising activities, she raised various social issues to the debating arena, and she was instrumental in establishing regional communication between tertiary educational institutions across Central America and the Caribbean with the ambition of sharing ideas in order to improve the regional educational framework. Upon graduation from the UB, Ms Susie returned to her teaching post at Orange Walk Technical High School, where she completed ten years of service before moving on to Muffles Junior College to tutor in fi nance and accounting. Shortly afterwards, she once again relocated to the High School section of Muffles, where she took over a staggering amount of responsibility for teaching various subjects, including Accounting, Type-writing and World Processing, Literature, Social Studies, Spanish, Economics and Caribbean History. Alongside her teaching role, Ms Susie volunteered to foster in her students a greater appreciation of their cultural heritage, and she initiated Dia de la Hispanidad (Culture Day), which has since become a popular annual event for residents across Orange Walk, not just students of Muffles High
School. Ms Susie never lost sight of the importance of cultural revival and self-identification, and she believes a lot of her self-confidence is a result of the immense pride she feels in her Mestizo/Maya/Aztec roots. She is disturbed by the obvious signs of local youth being unable to connect to their ethnic heritage – signs such as inappropriate behaviour, dress, language and music – and her recommendation to Belizeans to overcome this hurdle is to turn to God in prayer – as a nation. Ever since her initial involvement in the teaching community of Orange Walk in the 1980s, Ms Susie has been a member of the Belize National Teachers’ Union. Since then, she has fulfilled numerous roles with the union, and has on numerous occasions been elected officer prior to her election last year as President of the Orange Walk branch. She is now the key coordinator for over 300 members from 39 schools across the district, and she represents her members on a national and international level, whilst creating discourse with other members and groups within her own district. Her role also requires her to stimulate communication between members through activities such as education week, teachers’ day and cultural conventions. Her ultimate aim is to stand up for the rights of teachers, and whilst she has had to overcome fear, bias and criticism at times, she knows that the subsequent fair and peaceful decision making processes are a worthwhile result of her hard work and determination. Despite her already hectic schedule, Ms Susie also enjoys membership to the La Inmaculada Choral Group, which not only performs in Church and elsewhere on a fortnightly basis, but is also currently hosting weekly practices in preparation for recording a CD of their church songs in mid-February. As if this were not sufficient in
the way of extra-curricular activity, Ms Susie is also an active member of the Belize Association for the Development of the Arts (BADA), with whom she is currently directing a cultural play entitled “Maya Stand Up” which should be performed in April of this year. Through all Ms Susie’s roles, s h e h a s t o u ch e d t h e l ive s o f hundreds – probably thousands – of
Orangewalkaños: not merely those whom she teaches, but her colleagues, fellow BNTU members, peers from choir, and actors and promoters with BADA. She has truly had a changing effect on Orange Walk town and has been responsible for numerous positive and developmental changes to the district. Her tireless work leaves her little room for improvement, other than fulfi lling her ambition to spend more quality time with her four children and their respective families. Anyone who is willing to sacrifice quality family time for the betterment of their local society deserves a medal. The best we can do – for now – is recognise her as this week’s Belize Times’ Nation Builder.
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Under a PUP Government
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First Female Speaker of the House First Female President of the Senate First Female Judge Implemented Polices for Gender Equality Established National Aids Commission National Plan for Children & Adolescents Non-Contributory Pension for needy women over 65 National Policy for Older Persons Policies Combating Domestic Violence
With a PUP Government... Belizean Women & Children Benefit!
With a UDP Government... Only Barrow Women & Children Benefit!
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Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
VOICES Village
from the
GRACIE ROCK Elizabeth Pridgeon Many people consider Gracie Rock to be home to the national youth Cadet Service Corps and not much else. But this couldn’t be further from the truth: Gracie Rock is a vibrant yet staggered village nestled between the Western Highway and the banks of the Sibun River, stretching all the way between mile 19 and mile 25 of the highway. The layout of Gracie Rock is such that neighbours may live literally miles apart, but there is still
an unlikely sense of community solidarity among residents. The church (of Anglican denomination) meets every two weeks, encouraging the congregation to foster a deeper sense of community spirit. The school also used to fulfil this purpose among younger generations, but since the UDP administration was elected into government, they closed down the village school and forced the young residents to attend primary school in Hattieville. [The school facility, which is in the same building as the church, remains maintained as much as possible by nearby residents in the hope that one day, villagers will have their prayers answered and will once again be able to educate their young within their own village environment]. Gracie Rock is a favourite bathing spot during the summer months, when the river runs clear and beautiful, and is easily accessible from the gently sloping banks that stretch the length of the village. Local residents also try to cater to this leisure traffic, offering a range of food and drinks for sale. At least one resident even acquires a licence to sell liquor during these summer months in order to better satisfy the demands of visitors. However, during the current winter months, extra sources of financial revenue are few and far between, and many residents struggle to make ends meet; the sale of vehicles,
their party in the last elections are now deeply regretting it. Whereas Mr Fonseca was already undergoing negotiations regarding structural repair and improvements to the Community Centre, for example, since the UDP
the decision: even though the Minister promised to attend, he made no such appearance, and allegedly has not set foot in the village since. The final word from the villagers is that they are willing to donate their
administration has taken power, no such discussions have been facilitated, and the Community Centre now lies in a near state of disrepair behind closed gates. Similarly, when the announcement was made that the school would be closed the villages united and requested a meeting with Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, to reconsider
time and resources to better the village, if only they receive similar support from the government. Which, sadly, looks unlikely, at least until 2013, when the villagers (almost unanimously) hope for a change in administration to a more “people-friendly” party.
land and household appliances is sometimes all that enables residents to survive these times. The village used to be well reputed as one of the agricultural strongholds of the Belize district, with plantations of citrus fruits, cassava, coco, yams and plantain planted alongside subsistence crops of rice, beans and corn. However, residents report that such far ming is principally
maintained by village elders, with younger generations showing a lack of interest in such livelihoods. Many younger families have moved from the traditional residencies beside the river, and now prefer properties lining the Western Highway, for improved access and infrastructure, despite relatively modern facilities even at the secluded village centre. Former Minister, Ralph Fonseca, during his term as Area Representative, facilitated the extension of electricity lines for village residents right up to the river, and the majority of the village’s 50-odd families now take advantage of this utility. However, despite modern facilities, many of the village residents sustain lifestyles which are still very much attuned to the cyclical rhythms of nature: villagers consider that there is a ‘season’ for everything, such as when the river level is low, deer, gibnut and ‘peccary’ are hunted and cooked: something which is frowned upon during the mating season for the animals during summer months. Residents express a concern that they are perhaps more deeply affected by climatic changes than other villages, and they still remember the fear that besieged the village in 2008 when the Sibun River burst its banks and the village was flooded for several weeks without any real assistance. Those villagers who voted against
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
Sober
Reflections Media Masturbation…
By: Mike Rudon Jr. On Monday morning driving into work I caught a bit of the Love FM talk show with Rene Villanueva Sr. and Ava Diaz. The hot topic was the transportation system, and one mother who called in was clearly furious, frustrated and almost in tears as she explained how difficult it is to get her son, a student, onto a bus to Belize City every Monday morning. Another caller right after spoke about all the students left on the road because of an inadequate number of bus runs and messed up scheduling. I don’t need to go into much details about the transportation chaos because everybody who commutes by bus knows that the experience can range anywhere from inconvenient and annoying to damned unpleasant and infuriating. I usually try not to get pissed off before 8:00am, but I had to make an exception as the talk show hosts agreed that the transportation system is messed up, and then immediately launched into ‘protect UDP/GOB mode.’ This morning the hosts blamed everybody but the Minister and chief policy-maker for the shambles – hell, even terminal managers got their dose. Melvin Hulse got a free pass, as usual. The hosts even attempted to deflect blame by claiming that the past administration had the same problem. Like we shouldn’t expect or demand anything from this crowd because of the past administration. That’s just plain bogus. Melvin Hulse appears regularly on Love FM’s morning show, where he is pampered, powdered, petted and treated with ‘love.’ A couple times when callers have ratcheted up the tension with complaints, Melvin’s response has been – yes, we know about the situation and have taken steps to correct it, so in a month or so everything will be under control. The thing is – that month or so hasn’t happened yet. Meanwhile commuters continue to bear the brunt of incompetence and political interference in the bus industry. Since the UDP got in they have turned the transportation system upside down to suit their own purposes. So don’t give me that crap about it not being the Minister’s fault, because it is. And don’t tell me that this isn’t the worst it has ever been, because it is. I’m getting a little pissed off at some elements of the media whose objectivity seems to have flat-lined and whose tenacity seems to have gone on vacation. From the tone of the callers to the morning shows these days, I think they’re getting
a little pissed off too. The thing is that under the previous administration, if the former PM broke wind the media was there to tell him what he had for lunch and to castigate him for daring to pollute the environment. Now this bunch of crooks and half-wits and no-wits has veritable diarrhea and nobody seems to give a damn. Even worse – the PM realizes that nobody seems to give a damn and is utilizing his free pass for all its worth. It’s just sick. Case in point – the City Council’s audit report! To put it as diplomatically as I can, the report tells the tale of a stinking mess of corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation in City Hall. Dem people tief! In just the first two pages, investigators turned up hundreds of thousands of dollars missing. There were no controls in place and our money was flying in and out of that place. There is cause at least for a criminal investigation; cause for immediate suspensions and terminations and I believe cause for the Mayor to be hauled out of that place in bangles and thrown into the piss-house. This article is way too short for me to even get into all the instances of missing money and corrupt practices, of sweetheart deals, bloated contracts and abused resources. It’s all there in black and white. We didn’t write the report. It didn’t come from the PUP. It’s not political propaganda. That report was delivered to the Prime Minister way back in September, five months ago. Maybe it sat on his desk, or maybe it is still gathering dust in a drawer somewhere. Maybe the PM got so busy coming up with schemes to make his family richer that he forgot about it. Who knows? But the thing is that despite the shocking nature of the report; despite the accusations against the Mayor and despite the fact that it is our money that was being pilfered and plundered by the UDP, Dean Barrow didn’t do s@#t. He still hasn’t done s@#t. With all that evidence in front of him, Dean Oliver still had the balls to stand in front of us and say that he was putting another tax in place so that we could pay the City Council more so that Zenaida could get more of our money to play around with. And you know what? The media has been silent, with the exception of a few. And this is just one example of many. Hell, I can understand the concept of a honeymoon after elections, but this has got to be the longest honeymoon in history. It’s been two damned years, people. Way past time to stop blaming the past administration for everything and way past time to stop giving the UDP a free pass. Hell, I’m not asking the media to crucify the UDP just for the hell of crucifixion. All I’m asking is for the media to do what it’s supposed to and get to the bottom of all this crap that’s bogging down our people. Jeez. Let’s start taking the UDP to task when it does wrong. Is that too much to ask?
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Strictly Personal Barrow is bogus!
By glenntillett@yahoo.com Hon. Dean Barrow, "These are the persons that have been elected, these are the persons that are completely autonomous. But there is a gold standard that the party has set for itself and that the party has set for all those that represent the party and it is the job of the party to hold the city councilors to that standard and it is a job that the party is capable of doing it, it is a job the party will do. I this afternoon want to charge this new Belize City Council with always coming clean with the media and with the public." - March 9, 2006. Channel 7 News “The responsibility that comes with the victory, of course, is for her Lordship and the members of the Belize City Council to discharge the trust that has been placed in them with absolutely rectitude. There can be malice towards no one and there must be justice to all. “When there are personnel changes that perhaps will have to be made, please be fair to all involved and ensure that there is due process. We cannot operate on the basis of partisanship.” - March 9, 2006. Channel 5 News The momentous occasion was the swearing in of a UDP Belize City Council and Mayor, the first after 16 years of PUP rule. It was the first major election victory under Barrow’s leadership of the United Democratic Party. It was a sunshiny day filled with promises of better yet to come. Dean Barrow and all the UDP hierarchy were in prominent attendance. In fact in my memory’s eye I can still see UDP economic miracle maker former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Manuel Esquivel front and center of the line of newbies. One of my people confessed to me the following day that she had voted for Zenaida whom she described as “a breath of fresh air” in our stale all-male political bastion. Why do you all keep criticizing the woman, she demanded of me. If she was a man you wouldn’t treat her that way.
No sweetie, I told her halfjokingly, if she was a man it would be worse. The woman knows little and cares little that she knows little. My dear friend had bought into the Zenaida/Barrow mystique. She could even say accountability, transparency and good governance without a hitch. And even though I tried several times to explain to her that it was transparency, accountability and meaningful participation for good governance she would only give me that fiercely pitying look she reserves for those who can’t help themselves before finding some place to say her mantra. There is no doubt that the Musa administration had disenchanted my good friend but in the sense that she believed that others had gotten what she had not gotten. I couldn’t figure out why she thought that others had been given what she thought was her entitlement but I do know that in her disenchantment she bit deeply from the apple and drank the Kool-Aid. By 2007 she would abruptly abort our discussions by simply stating that we (the PUP) were all thieves. Zenaida and Barrow would be Belize’s saviours. Together they would rule equality. I am unsure when exactly it was that doubts about Zenaida and Barrow had started to seep into her consciousness but it certainly wasn’t until after the 2008 General Elections. I suspect it is after Manuel Esquivel not only refused to endorse Zenaida Moya in the run up to the UDP council convention, but instead questioned her integrity and competence. My dear friend, you see, respects Manuel. She never liked him, but she respects him. These days the Golden Girl’s feet of clay are on full display, but Dean is no Nebuchadnezzar. He has sat on the 2006-2008 audit inspection of the Belize City Council report for months, and has yet, as of this writing to say anything. In my friend’s case they have been weighed in the scales and found wanting. The UDP castle is built among the sand. Mene Tekel Upharsin. The handwriting is on the wall. Barrow is bogus.
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
MR PRIME MINISTER WE RESOLVE THAT YOU MUST GO FURTHER FOR BELIZE!!
PROPOSED DRAFT RESOLUTION TABLED BY THE PEOPLE OF BELIZE TO OUR PRIME MINISTER, OUR LEADER OF THE OPOSITION AND OUR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT DESIGNATING ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE INCLUDING CRIME AND POVERTY. Whereas we are cognizant of the fact that incidences of the committal of serious crime is not unique to Belize or to our region of the world. We the citizens of Belize nonetheless feel that the significant escalation in the reporting of serious crimes is untenable. We are made further aware of the fact that this is not a party political issue simply by reviewing the statistics presented by the Police Department over the comparative period January to June 2008 and 2009. ( www.police. gov.bz) Whereas the citizens of this nation, via the various forms of communication, have declared that this crime situation is unacceptable and that it poses a serious problem to the economic and social development of Belize and that it further impacts on the State’s ability to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of Belize, the supreme law of Belize. There is now an outcry, amounting to a national consensus on the need for a national response, to be taken to address this state of escalating crime in Belize. Whereas the citizens of Belize are cognizant of the provisions guaranteeing the protection of fundamental rights and freedom as enshrine in the Constitution of Belize and uphold the rights and various obligations, including recognizing that the enjoyment of these rights and freedom by any person does not prejudice the right of others or the public’s interest. These principles we hold as being fundamental to the posterity of Belize as a nation. These entitlements include protection of: “(a) life, liberty, security of the person, and the protection of the law; (b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; (c) protection for his family life, his personal privacy, the privacy of his home and other property and recognition of his human dignity; and (d) protection from arbitrary deprivation of property” (Chapter 4 Section (3), Laws of Belize). And further whereas, we affirm our beliefs in the democratic process and in the role of Government, as exemplified in our various elections, we indicate that we are equally aware that the Constitution of Belize “requires policies of state which protect and safeguard the unity, freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize; which eliminate economic and social privilege and disparity among the citizens of Belize whether by race, colour, creed or sex; which protects the right of the individual to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which preserves the right of the individual to the ownership of private property and the right to operate private businesses; which prohibits the exploitation of man by man or state...” (Chapter 4 (e), Laws of Belize) And whereas we the citizen of Be-
lize now call upon the Government in compliance with its obligation under the Constitution of Belize to spearhead, organize and to intensify the fight against crime, in a comprehensive way by using our Parliament to propose a Bill in the House that gives the designation of matters of national importance to issues that are deemed to require citizen and cross party support, for a comprehensive and sustained resolution. We further believe that the terms and detail of such a Bill could be worked out via a White Paper presented by the Government. This Bill shall include matters related to our territorial integrity, national security, crime, poverty, education, health, HIV and AIDS and issues relevant to the development of our human and natural resources. We believe that such a declaration / designation of the crime situation will signal fully the Government’s intention to approach the matter of crime with the greatest of political will. Such a move would embrace the views of the Opposition and civil society into a social partnership on matters of national importance. Such a move could transform Belize and politics as we know it. The call we make therefore; is for government to embark on the development of a comprehensive restoration/recovery plan that speaks to the reduction of crime and poverty in Belize. This will be accomplished in part by the GOB or indeed any member of the House sponsoring of a Bill for an Act that identifies issues, including crime and national security, that are deemed to be of national importance and which affects all of us and can best be solved via a national response. It would enable the derivation of sensible policies to be developed for the long term on each of these areas with the designation, leaving our politicians and Parties only to argue how the people’s targets would be accomplished. We further call on the Government of Belize to publish a White Paper that should further identify an appropriate mechanism within the House of Representative, A Special Select Committee of the House / Parliament tasked with developing a truly comprehensive restoration/recovery plan that will respond in a holistic way to addressing the root causes of crime and poverty in Belize and that would not exclude speaking to State compensation of the citizenry for wrongful deaths etc. The importance of this is that such a Select Committee would have the authority to consult widely and benefit from those already involved in efforts to stem the crime wave. This Committee will be able to consult the churches, non-governmental agencies, government security agencies, ministers and to call all area representatives to speak on these issues on behalf of their constituents, especially on the south-side of Belize but countrywide. There silence are deafening as people fall; imagine the effect that this could have if politicians would condemn these crimes publicly and denounce as unacceptable the senseless killings of Belizeans. This would in effect amount to declaring a zero-tolerance on serious crimes, by all our leaders. This approach could lead to GOB attracting the adequate level of financing to compliment its own allocation to addressing serious
crimes and poverty in a national manner. Whereas we have heard for calls for the setting up of committees before, such a Select committee of the House should, however; be properly funded to carry out its work and to develop a comprehensive plan. It shall have timeframe for deliverables in the short medium and long term and it shall indicate clear responsibilities for execution, clearly defined goals, verifiable indicators and accompanied by a monitoring and evaluation mechanism. This evaluation should be so set up as to be interactive and have citizens’ participation. We are aware that too many times the police department faces serious financial constrains that impact on their ability to effectively perform their duties to serve the citizenry of Belize adequately, but with this kind of national initiative and attention those excuses could be erased. We are also aware of the imbalances in the human resources present to defendants versus that utilized in the detection and prosecution arm of the government and we suggest that as a matter of national importance, this needs to be addressed, in order that the balance of justice tends in the direction of protecting our citizenry. We the citizens of Belize therefore resolve that the Members of the House of Representatives of both sides undertake to visibly unite behind the need to bring to an end these senseless murders and other serious crimes. This can be done by publicly commit-
ting to work for the passage of a Bill that attaches a designation of national importance to the reduction in serious crime; by establishing a Special Select Committee of the House tasked to develop a comprehensive National Security and Economic Plan and further commit to provide as a national priority the funding for this Plan. Only through the manifestation of such commitments by our representatives will Belizeans feel confident of their choice. End!!! The above draft resolution is presented in recognition of the gravity of the crime and poverty situation in our country. The approach of presenting these ideas in the form of a resolution is to enable the general public to provide comments and or amendments and for then to CUT OUT THE RESOLUTION from this newspaper and forward it with your opinions to our leaders in the House of Representative, for there action. This draft resolution is being offered solely as a complimentary approach to addressing the crime and poverty issues and is premised on the responsibility placed by the Constitution of Belize on the State to provide protection of our fundamental rights and freedoms. Every effort, therefore; must be made to return Belize to a state of normalcy. God bless us all.!!!!! Godwin Sutherland I Email comments to: godwin12@ hotmail.com PEACE – People Engaged Against Crime & Exploitation peaceBelize. blogspot.com
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
J. A. Rebel
UP
ThE BElizE TimES Minister; in Corozal they call him “Dos Mujeres un Camino.” Pablo has brought disgrace to the health system. Get this - Belizeans thought that former UDP Health Minister in Orange Walk Ruben Scampos was bad; Pablo beat the man to the race. Then the one in Toledo, the contraband Minister, he claims that he knows nothing about the fool his government is doing in the national parks down south. Guess what, Finnegan went on record to call his Cabinet colleague “a liar.” Speaking about Finnegan, remember the bukut you used to talk about in the House of Representatives? Hmmmm! Belizeans are taking that in San Pedro, both knocking their bukut without mercy. That bukut chests claiming that it is their project. is getting big ger by the second. Nonsense! Let’s set the record straight Remember Patrick she used to put once and for all - the monies used on her drama queen dress and in the for the cobblestone project in La Isla name of “the poor people,” chastise Bonita came as a grant also negotiated the former government. Where is by the previous government. Then the drama queen now? Looks like businesses donated big checks to she still in hiding from the teachers the Mayor (no account given by and the Belizean public. Wait man, the Mayor) so that the cobblestone we noh ready fi juk u outa da cave project would continue. Then comes yet. Talking about cave and stuff; the Gapi Beggar the land grabber - he is caveman looking Minister Elrington no less a fool than any in the UDP would not accept our border line is and more a fool than some. He as REAL as the critical conditions claims that under his watch the Lands Belizeans are facing. Department is under control. Fool Two years ago the UDP promised di talk Gapi, but da no fool di listen! Belizeans that if elected, utilities We all know how that department is would go down. The UDP promised making Gapi, his chosen few (include that if elected, they would bring down Montero here) and Gapi’s family rich. the cost of living “no matta what!” Next in line comes the escort of The UDP promised that there would all the fools, the 360 degree Police be ZERO (as in Barrow’s middle Minister. He, Perdomo, claims that name) corruption under their watch. crime under his watch has gone down. The UDP promised that under their Hahahahahaha! Is he living in Belize? watch Belizeans would be able to In the words of Mayor Paz the upstart enjoy a better quality of life. The UDP one, “Perdomo is living in a world of promised that they would create more his own and smoking it green.” jobs, more opportunity for education Then the electrician turned Health and improve the infrastructure of this
Thanks for Wrecking Belize
This week marks two years since 25 incompetent UDP fools were elected to offi ce headed by Dean ‘Zero Bembe’ Barrow. It has been two long years of mismanagement, corruption and failure of this UDP government, a government that promised a different Belize. Barrow and the UDP promised a Belize where the most glowing and golden of possibilities would turn into realities, guess what? It’s not flipping so! T he UDP is g ood at selfmasturbation, taking credit for all projects negotiated under the previous government. The tilapia Minister is ready to smile for Fortunato’s camera and take credit for the Social Investment Fund projects. The clueless fish minister is so dumb that he doesn’t realize that those projects were negotiated thanks to the good work of the previous administration. Then the barefoot so called “son of the soil” and the always drunk Mayor of San Pedro are always ready to cut ribbon for the cobblestone project
26 country. After two years in office, the UDP has landed us on the reef. The only one with a better quality of life is the Royal Barrow Family (include rejected Lice). Never before has Belize seen the cost of living so high. Rice has gone up and so have sugar, beans, flour and even more so fuel. The Barrow administration r uined the Corozal Free Zone, stressing out investors and driving them out of Belize. As for our infrastructure, never before has our streets, highways, cities and towns been in such a deplorable condition. Fonso talk about the UDP is not to be blamed for the increase in poverty. It doesn’t matter in which way, shape or form you, the UDP and the PM put it. Barrow and his government are responsible for all the factors that contributed to the increase in poverty. What the UDP and the PM did not realize is that Belmopan was made for people with BOLAS. You cannot have a bunch of fools running a government. Belmopan was made for REAL MAN. The worse part of everything is that Belizeans gambled five precious years of Belize’s future; five years that will go down as the worse of the worst. The good part of everything is that Belizeans only have a few months to start striking out the UDP. Village Council elections will give Barrow and his government STRIKE ONE. For this week, I say congrats for wrecking Belize! Congrats for making more Belizeans poor. Congrats for having Belizean suffering! Congrats for making the lives of ordinary Belizeans miserable. Thanks for wrecking Belize. Thanks for nothing.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Belize Times
A Selfless Act
Open Door Believers Chapel receives a donation
by Carla Ayres Musa At a time when our media outlets are flooded with news of shootings and death, it’s a breath of fresh air to see an act of pure benevolence, one that reminds you that all is not lost and that good people do exist. On Saturday January 30th, three Belizean organizations bore witness to such an act at the Chateau Caribbean when a couple from the United States visited. Two decades since their first visit, one that motivated them to start His Servants Ministries (HSM) in Kentucky, Dr. Fred Martin and his wife Marti are able to give back to the people who inspired them. In selling their house in Punta Gorda, the Martin Family selflessly donated some of the proceeds to local organizations and hosted a celebratory dinner for the members and their families last Saturday. For the past 20 years Dr. Martin and his wife have been visiting Belize, helping our citizens through Open Door Believers Chapel, the
New Commandment Band and the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) in Punta Gorda and Belize City. The Martins have helped Belizeans throughout the country while fulfilling their missionary work and spreading the word of God. As with all foreigners who visit Belize, the relationships they formed quickly blossomed, making acquaintances more like family. The Martins purchased property in Toledo where their son Rick lived with his wife and their baby boy until about 2008. Since the purchase they have visited yearly, sometimes bringing groups of volunteers and sometimes alone, visiting their family and touching base with their new found Belizean friends. Their work and mission spanned across the country of Belize, taking them as far as Guatemala and then even facilitated visits to the U.S. for a few members of these fortunate organizations. “Persistence is the price tag to
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achievement,” said Dr. Martin, as he referred to his first visit to Belize during which he decided to drive down to Punta Gorda, “we all know how the roads were back then!,” he said. But Dr Martin’s persistence paid off and the trip was successful. The journey between that first visit from Kentucky in 1989 and back to Belize in 2010 has been a gratifying one for the family. In the past 20 years, the Martins and His Servants Ministries have helped build a resource center in P.G, trained employees at BCVI and given the New Commandment Band the opportunity of a lifetime
down here and, it’s still working over at the NEC.” This contribution has made it possible for people in wheelchairs to access surgical treatment at the National Eye Clinic in Belize City, a two-story building which previously posed a challenge for these patients. Their deep devotion to God and his word took them to a Church in Punta Gorda. Of his first time meeting the congregation at Open Door Believers Chapel, Dr Martin said, “We walked into a church down South and didn’t see any young people. When we asked where they all were, they directed us to Open Door where we met all these bright
to go on tour in the U.S. Dr Martin, a retired optometrist who owns an optical company in the U.S., has contributed not only to BCVI but to the country of Belize, in medical supplies, glasses and equipment. “I remember Joan calling me and mentioning that she needed an elevator! I thought, I don’t deal with elevators!? Nevertheless, we found one and managed to get it
young faces.” The groups convened to not only celebrate a generous donation, but a friendship that will last decades more. It is thanks to this type of support and these acts of kindness that non-profit non-governmental organizations like BCVI and Open Door can fulfill their work, helping people throughout Belize – both medically and spiritually.
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
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Belize #1 Sports Page
C.C.C. girls win thru to NSSSA football championships
The Corozal Community College girls won pride of place to represent the Northern Division at the national football championships to be hosted by the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (N.S.S.S.A.) and C.C.C. at the San Andres campus next Friday and Saturday February 12-13. The CCC girls became the Northern Division champions at the regionals hosted by Bishop Martin High School at the People’s Stadium on Saturday, January 30. The Orange Walk Technical High School girls won the opening game of
the tournament 1-0 over the defending champs, the San Pedro High School girls. The Orange Walk girls held the island girls to a nil-zip draw through regulation time and 5 minutes of overtime. But when the San Pedro goalie Cristina Flores brought down Orange Walk captain Claudia Escalante inside the goal area, the referee awarded the OW girls a penalty which Escalante converted for the 1-0 win. The C.C.C. girls had won the 2nd game of the day 2-0 over the New Hope High School girls of Orange Walk Town. Flor Carcamo and Yolanie Oh led the C.C.C. offensive backed up by Mindy Riverol and
C.C.C. boys win thru to NSSSA football championships
The Corozal Community College boys blasted the defending champs, the San Pedro High School boys, 3-0 in a penalty shootout at the regionals hosted by Bishop Martin High School at the People’s Stadium on Saturday, and in so doing won pride of place of representing the Northern Division at the national football championships to be hosted by National Secondary Schools Sports Association (N.S.S.S.A.) and C.C.C. at the San Andres campus next Friday and Saturday February 12-13. The San Pedro boys had won the opening game 4-0 against the Belize High School of Agriculture boys from Orange Walk west. Jesse Smith had outrun the BHSA defenders to drill home the 1st goal in the very 1st minute of play. The BHSA defense tried to contain the islanders’ attacks, but a few minutes later Smith ran through the defense again, and served the ball across to Jonathan Esquivel for the finish to lead 2-0. Jesse Smith added a 3rd goal as the islanders took a 3-0 lead into the half time break. In the 2nd half, the San Pedro sweeper Abimael Trejo made it 4-zip before the long whistle. In the 2nd game, the C.C.C. boys overran the Orange Walk Technical High School boys 2-1. The C.C.C. boys took the game to the Sugar City half of the field from the getgo, with Walter Gonzalez taking the pass at kickoff to serve to Josue Esquivel who pushed the ball up for Eloy Romero to beat the Orange Walk goalie Darrel Novelo, lobbing the ball over his head into the empty net for a 1-0 lead up
to the half. In the 2nd half, Jian Teck equalized for Orange Walk, but not for long as CCC’s midfielder Wilfredo Lopez scored the winning goal for the 2-1 win. In the finals, Wilfredo Lopez again gave the C.C.C. boys a 1-0 lead when he converted a penalty after the islanders brought down C.C.C.’s Anthony Acosta inside the goal area. C.C.C. refreshed its offensive line-up in the 2nd half with Josue Esquivel, Joel Cruz and Shamir Quan replacing Lopez, Otoniel Ruiz and Sergio Pott. San Pedro’s sweeper Abimael Trejo and defenders Franklin Aranda, Manuel Munoz and Christopher Mejia dug in and closed up shop to hold off the C.C.C. attacks for the rest of regulation time, while Samuel Figueroa lobbed a long kick over the head of C.C.C.’s errant goalie Evelio Ake to make it a 1-1 ball game. No quarter was asked and none given in the 2 overtime periods, and the game went into a penalty shootout. C.C.C.’s Josue Esquivel, Alvan Correa and Jordan August all converted their kicks, but alas for San Pedro, their first kicker missed the goal altogether, and Evelio Ake redeemed his earlier misdemeanors by coming up with two magnificent saves to shut out the islanders 3-0 in the shootout. N.S.S.S.A. president Benedicto Ramos was on hand to present the championship trophy to the C.C.C. boys; the San Pedro boys claimed the 2nd place trophy and the Orange Walk Tech boys got the 3rd place trophy. C.C.C.’s Evelio Ake won the Most Valuable Player award.
Shamilee Zuniga on the wings and Anahi Riverol and Yamilexi Nunez at midfield, and Flor Carcamo soon scored the first goal to give the C.C.C. girls a 1-0 lead at the half time break. The New Hope girls could not contain the C.C.C. offensive as Anahi Riverol drilled home a 2nd goal in the 2nd half to clinch the 2-0 win. In the championship final, the C.C.C. defenders Dianellie Cabral, Nellie Mena, Yadiri Cawich and Teedi Gomez shut down the Orange Walk Tech girls’ attack led by Cindy Hendricks and Claudia Escalante. Shamillee Zuniga found an opening to blast in the first winning goal past goalie Cristina Flores. Minutes later Yolanie Oh brought it on the right flank and set table for Flor Carcamo to finish, but the Orange Walk defenders Sarah Rios, Yanira Chan and Lillian Magana triple-teamed Carcamo, giving Shamilee Zuniga the space to get off another shot that sailed over their heads into the right corner of the goal.
Unable to equalize in the 2nd half, the Orange Walk girls conceded the 2-0 win at the final whistle. N.S.S.S.A. president Benedicto Ramos was on hand to present the championship trophy to the C.C.C. girls, the Orange Walk captain Claudia Escalante claimed the 2nd place trophy and the 3rd place trophy went to the San Pedro girls. Ramos also presented the Most Valuable Player award to C.C.C.’s Mindy Riverol.
Gwen Liz girls No. 1 seed into CSSSA football playoffs The Gwen Liz girls lead the 2010 Central Secondar y Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) female football competition, concluding their regular season with 10 pts from 4 wins and 1 draw, after they drew with Pallotti High School girls at the M.C.C. grounds last Wednesday. The game was
interrupted at the half time due to a lack of lighting at the M.C.C., and since finishing it would not affect final playoff standings, it was called a draw. Pallotti’s Athanee Alford had struck the 1st goal for the convent girls in the 1st minute of play, but the Gwen Liz girls regrouped and Anatashia Waight evaded the Pallotti defense to drive in the equalizer before half time. The Wesley College girls also posted their 2nd win, 2-0 over the St. Catherine Academy girls last Friday. Wesley’s speedy forward Zelyse Tucker ran thru the SCA defense of Ashley Pelayo, Inga Woods, Diedra Gill and Aaliyah Williams to blast
in the 1st goal past a hapless S.C.A. goalie. SCA’s Leanne Murray, Alexis Rosado and Kianna Gordon tried to get an attack going with the help of midfielders Aimee Vasquez, Christiane Rodriguez and Katherine Maradiaga, but Wesley still led 1-zip at the half time break. SCA’s Kursha Pollard came off the bench and into the ball game in the 2nd half with every intention to equalize the score and secure a win, but the Wesley defense led by Kathleen Sabal hung tough, while midfielder Ruby Jimenez lobbed a long free kick almost from midfield that beat SCA goalie Carlisia Petillo to ice the 2-0 win. The S.C.A. girls did better in a 3-0 win to eliminate the Edward P. Yorke High School girls last Wednesday. Kursha Pollard struck the winning goal and Christiane Rodriguez surprised the goalie with a free kick that sailed over her head and into the back of the net to make it 2-0 before the half. In the 2nd half, Christiane Rodriguez struck again from another free kick with a long lob that beat the goalie for the 3-0 win.
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ThE BElizE TimES
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Belize #1 Sports Page
TUBAL Institute boys No.1 in CSSSA football
The undefeated TUBAL Institute boys lead the 2010 Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) football competition, concluding their regular season with 20 pts from 6 wins and 2 draws, their 6th win coming from a 2-1 win over the St. John’s College boys at the M.C.C. grounds on Monday. Ivory Copious scored first for Tubal in the 1st half, but SJC’s Melhem Hernandez tied the score at 1-1 early in the 2nd half. Tubal’s John King outran the SJC defense to drill a 2nd goal past the SJC goalie for the 2-1 win. The Ladyville Technical High School boys are ranked No.2 seed entering the playoffs with 18pts after completing their regular season with 18pts from 5 wins and 3 draws when they drew 1-1 with the TUBAL Institute boys last Saturday. Keynan Bennett scored for TUBAL and Tyrone Parchue equalized for Ladyville. It was TUBAL’s 2nd draw; they had battled to a scoreless draw with the Gwen Liz High
School boys last Thursday night, The Ladyville boys had scored their 5th win 1-0 against the Wesley College boys last Tuesday with a single strike by Jael Ottley, but David Ramos got benched for the Tubal game when he was sent off with a red card. The Wesley College boys clinched their No. 3 berth in the playoffs with 15 pts when they drilled the Sadie Vernon Tech boys 3-0 for their 5th win on Monday night. Khambrel Blease scored a hat trick, tapping in the 1st goal from a corner kick; then he headed in the 2nd to finish another corner kick, and drilled the ball past the goalie for his 3rd goal. The Wesley boys got the easy bye to their 4th win when the Nazarene High School boys forfeited their game last Saturday. The Sadie Vernon boys qualified to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed with 14 pts from 4 wins, after they drilled the Anglican Cathedral College boys 2-0 last Friday, on 2 strikes by Leroy Nunez.
Grace Primary boys win Belize City basketball champs
The Grace Primary boys upset the up-to-then undefeated Stella Maris School boys to advance and win the Belize City primary schools basketball championship against the Caye Caulker RC School boys last Thursday. Allan Coc top scored with 7pts as he led the Caye Caulker boys to a 16-13 win over the St. Martin de Porres School boys in last Wednesday’s playoffs; Clency Lopez led St. Martin’s with 6pts. Malcolm Nunez led the Grace Primary boys with 18 pts when they
eliminated the Stella Maris School boys 36-31 in We d n e s d a y ’s playoffs. Jamaal Cherrington led Stella Maris with 17pts. The Grace Primary School boys drowned the Caye Caulker RC School boys: 29-27 in the championship f i n a l . Tr e vo r Jones led Grace Primary with 15 pts, Elwin Staine drained in a trey to add 10pts. Marcello Ventura led Caye Caulker School with 10 pts, Charles Hinks drained in 2 long treys to score 6pts, Christian Magana added 2 buckets and Osmin Arana had 3 pts. The Grace Primar y boys will challenge the rural sub-champs, the boys of Burrell Boom Methodist School in the district finals on Tuesday, February 2, while the Caye Caulker boys will take on the rural champions, the boys of Our Lady Of The Way RC School from Ladyville.
BES girls win Belize City basketball champs
The Belize Elementary School girls upset the up-to-then undefeated St. Martin de Porres girls 9-6 to win the Belize City primary schools basketball championship last Thursday. Zoe Mao led the BES girls with 3pts; Karina Habet scored the final bucket, while Adreanna Panton and Simran Hotchandani also scored a bucket each for Belize Elementary. Gilda Moguel and Janelle Grinage
scored three points each for the St. Martin girls. Gilda Moguel had led St. Martin de Porres with 8pts when they stomped the Queen Square Anglican School girls 18-0 in the playoffs on Wednesday. Janelle Grinage and Colleen Thompson added 2 b u cke t s e a ch a n d Alexandra Tillett tossed in the last bucket. Balika Meighan had led Belize Elementary School with 4 pts when they eliminated the St. Luke Methodist School girls 4-2 in last Wednesday’s playoffs. Jenelly Lamb scored St. Luke’s 2pts. The Belize Elementary girls will challenge the rural sub-champs, the La Democracia Government School girls in the Belize district finals on Tuesday, February 2, while the St Martin’s girls will take on the rural champs, the Burrell Boom Methodist School girls.
BAAA tryouts prep athletes for Central American Games Belize’s best athletes strutted their stuff to win gold and silver medals when the Belize Amateur Athletic Association held tryouts at the People’s Stadium last Saturday to select a national team to represent the jewel at the upcoming Central American Games to be held in Panama from April 8-18. SCA’s Emma Hoare of St. Catherine Academy won all 3 throwing events: shot put, discus and javelin, taking the gold in the shot put at 8.55 m. Natisha Oni won silver at 6.68 m and Ocean Vellos won bronze with 6.54 m. Emma threw the discus 22.77m for gold, while Natisha Oni won silver at 18.40 m and SCA’s Sojourner Truth Smith won bronze at 15.45 m. Emma won more gold hurling the javelin 20.77 meters. Sojourner Truth Smith threw 19.56 m for silver and Natisha Oni won bronze at 15.82 m. E.P. Yorke’s Arden Pou won gold in the male shot put and javelin, hurling 11.40 metres for gold. Justin Awe threw 11.23 m for the silver and SJC Jr College’s Keyraan Gabourel threw 8.89 m for the bronze. Pou won more gold in the javelin, throwing 43.70 meters. Justin Awe won silver with a 35.96m throw and Martin Flowers threw 34.03m for the bronze. Justin Awe threw the discus 28.96 metres for the gold, while Keyraan Gabourel threw 25.50 m for the silver and Christian Martinez threw 20.88 m for the bronze. Jeovanni Sutherland clocked 4:44.73 to win gold in the 1,500 meters, Denroy Nembhard ran 4:44.85 for the silver and Victor Martin ran 4:56.27 for the bronze. UB’s speed-freak Kaina Martinez
burned up the track to win gold in the 100m in 13.90 seconds. SCA’s Leanne Murray ran 13.96 seconds for the silver, and Marquisha Velasquez ran 14.01 seconds for the bronze. Mark Anderson clocked 11.23 seconds to win the 100 metres, ACC’s Glanford Chimilio won the silver in 11.83 secs and Gwen Liz’s Steven Bradley clocked 12.09 secs for the bronze. Anderson also won gold in the 200m in 23.56 seconds, Steven Bradley took silver with 24.46 secs and Shawn Gill clocked 25.00 for the bronze. SJC Junior College’s Tisha Solis won gold in the 200m in 28.53 seconds, Irecie Reyes son silver in 30.22 seconds and SCA’s Leanne Murray clocked 30.26 for the bronze. E. P. Yorke’s Tichele Solis dominated the 400 metres in 1:16.37 for gold; SCA’s Kursha Pollard took the silver in 1:20.37. Pollard also won gold in the 800 metres in 2:55.03, SCA’s Shanice Joseph ran 3:07.11 for the silver and SCA’s Shanice Skeen ran 3:54.19 for the bronze. Tricia Flores won gold in the long jump at 5.67 metres, Kaina Martinez took the silver at 5.61m and Tichele Solis leaped 4.97 for the bronze. Tricia Flores won gold in the triple jump at to 10.80m while Tichele Solis, the silver at 10.68m. Joel Wade won the men’s triple jump at 13.10 metres, while Evan Thompson hopped 12.88 for the silver and Alvin Tillett took the bronze at 12.72m. Ashton Bowman won g old in the 400m in 59.01 seconds, with Eric Vellos clocked 1:06.96 for the silver and Joshua Torres, 1:07.61 seconds for the bronze.
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ThE BElizE TimES
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Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures
Just a few weeks ago the Guardian Newspaper’s headline read “Truce.” Like the many truces that have been attempted between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the one in Belize among warring gangs was short-lived. In fact, over the last few days the violence has erupted like a volcano that had been dormant for a long time. This latest eruption of violence has resulted in twelve shootings, leading to thirteen injuries and four fatalities. It is an understatement, when I say Belizeans especially those living on the south-side of Belize City are living in fear. I wonder if the type of violence we are seeing these days was happening on Seashore Drive (Prime Minister’s street) what would be the response by the Police! I guess the poor and indigent are expendable and are not worth protecting. It is crystal clear from the interview that the Prime Minster did with Channel 7 last night that the Barrow Administration has no clue how to keep our country safe. They are blind to the fact that the criminals on our streets today are more organized and entrenched in the fabric of certain neighborhoods. Organized crime is often defined as a systematic, unlawful activity for profit. Most of the criminal organizations in Belize today are a far cry from the small-scale predations of the Bloods and Crips in the mid Eighties. Today, criminal gangs operate within a structured hierarchy and keep their illegal operations tight. In the United States for example, when gangs become organized and systematic in their criminal actions they said to be engaged in racketeering. This is where we see Belize going right before our eyes and right under the watch of the Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo. The security of our nation is too important to have such an impotent man in charge! I guess nothing will change since the Prime Minister believes that the Police Force and the Ministry of National Security are doing a good job. The reality is that the criminal element has gotten a lot more organized but yet the Police continue to utilize antiquated policing practices that have them tripping over themselves. Today’s criminals also have connections in high places (Belmopan) and seem to always be one step ahead of the Police Department. The criminal element in Belize depends in part on support from the society in which it operates. Therefore, it is frequently expedient for it to compromise some of society's upright members —
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especially people in the judiciary, police forces, and legislature — through bribery, blackmail, and the cultivation of mutually dependent relationships with legitimate businesses. Thus a racket is integrated into lawful society, shielded by corrupted law officers and politicians — and legal counsel. In Belize, criminal organizations source their revenue from narcotics trafficking, extortion, robbery and prostitution, among others. I ask the question: How is it that the most powerful politicians in Cabinet are all from the south side and they are allowing the systematic extermination of our people to take place? The answer is that some politicians in Belize have gotten involved with criminal elements just like Jamaica and now they have opened a Pandora’s Box that has unleashed hell all throughout this country? Crime has to be attacked from several different angles, one of which is the legislative process. In 1970, the United States Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Congress's aim back then was to neutralize the deleterious
effects of organized crime (basically, the Mafia) on the US economy. The RICO Act was and is still used by law enforcement to bring down the “Dons” of a criminal organization. Racketeering is any activity that is deemed to be an unlawful activity in which organized criminals are involved. For example, the Mafia family's long-term involvement in illegal activities constitutes a pattern of racketeering. The government can therefore prosecute the Dons under RICO and send them to jail — even if the person never directly participated in criminal behavior. The Don can be incarcerated because he operated a criminal enterprise. On a much smaller scale, this is exactly what is going on in Belize. The “Big Man” on the block has somehow been able to brainwash others, many of them young men between the ages of thirteen and twenty to do their dirty work. While the black youth on the south side continue to kill themselves on an almost daily basis, the “Big Men” controlling them live a life fit for a king. Like the surge in Iraq, Belize’s hoods need a surge that will help to
stop the lawlessness on the streets. If New York City can reduce its murder rate from over two thousand per year to just under three hundred per year, then our Police Force can deal with the one hundred or so criminals holding Belize City and the country hostage. The Police needs to lock down the hoods and become a thorn in the side of the criminals. They have to be proactive instead of being reactive. It appears that the Police Force believes that they have done their jobs when they arrest a criminal while their main objective is to prevent crimes from happening. The prevention of criminal activities can only happen if there is a presence of Police Officers in “hot areas.” Crime and violence have become a norm in Belize, especially the South Side of Belize City and there is no end or even a reduction in sight. I guess it takes a Minister or one of their immediate relatives to “drop” before the Government takes this escalating situation seriously. I hope that it does not happen but if it does, they will get a sense of what the hundreds of families have been feeling over the last few years. We’ve got to get serious before it is really too late!
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Belize Times
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Belize Times
The Casualties of WAR!
(Continued from page 1) Urban terrorism has become a Belizean buzzword for the very first time. Just two days ago a mother stared down at her son’s bleeding body on the street after he was shot by what appears to be a fourteen year old boy. A family cried as they pulled the plug on their son, another victim of the recent shooting spree. There are many stories. Many rivers of tears have been
shed and much blood has been spilled. And the Prime Minister can stand in front of the nation and say that only now, since he knows somebody who is related to the victim; only now has he become aware of the ‘depressing reality’ in Belize today. And the Prime Minister went even further in his interview. When questioned about the Police, he says that he is satisfied
Fire Perdomo
(Continued from page 1) Dorrell Williams, 19, has since passed away, after his family made the difficult decision to pull the plug from the life support machine that was helping him alive up to yesterday. But Williams was not the only victim in Monday night’s carnage on Central American Boulevard. A 7-year-old girl, Janay Moguel, suffered a gunshot wound to her shoulder and is still hospitalized. Late word is that the innocent victim may never walk again. Her grandfather, Steven Rhamdas, 64 was also a victim of the gunmen’s indiscriminate shooting. But that was not it for Monday night. At around 10:30pm Ralton “Shabba” Usher was on Central American Boulevard near the junction of Neal’s Pen Road in front of 88 Shopping Center, when according to a police report, a van pulled up and one of its occupants opened fire. Ralton “Shabba” Usher would die about one hour later in the operating theater at the KHMH. At sunrise the following morning, Glenstine Martinez, 33, was washing his van that he uses in his tour guide business. A young man rode up to him on a bicycle and said a few words then rode
off. According to Glenstine’s mother she saw the young man come back, but what she did not see was that he was packing a handgun. The young man fired two shots at close range hitting Martinez in his face. He fell down dead in front of his mother. A fifteen-year-old minor has since been charged for Martinez’s murder. Life in Belize has become much more dangerous under the UDP. Citizens are afraid to walk our streets and because of a new phenomenon called home invasions, they are afraid to stay in their homes. The Minister of National Security has done absolutely nothing to reassure residents that safe days are anywhere in the future. Instead of presenting any plan to address the situation, or even demonstrating the will to deal strongly and decisively with the problem, the crime minister and the prime minister claim that they are doing all they can, so we’ll just have to live with it. Belizeans will tolerate no more games from the Prime Minister, no more double-speak, no more evasion of the issues. How many more Belizeans must die? Carlos Perdomo must be Fired Now.
with their performance and they have done all they can. So, according to the PM no blame for the inability to address the crime wave rests on their shoulders. When the Prime Minister was questioned about his Minister of National Security, who many people believe is a total waste of time he expressed his support for and confidence in Perdomo. So, according
35 to the PM, no blame for the inability to address the crime situation rests on Perdomo’s shoulder either. Belizeans are now asking who the Prime Minister holds responsible for the crime situation. Throughout this early 2010 crime spree, Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo has remained mute. The Belize Times expresses its condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this bloody era on Belize’s streets.
They Are Listening to YOU!
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The
ThE BElizE TimES
Whip
Hypocrite of the Week
Deliriums of Success He must be kiddin/ Or maybe dah some kind of fever His mind must be skidding This man is a great deceiver He says it is two years of success Where, is anyone’s guess Dah who he di try impress? Baldy’s mind di digress The people di go hungry All a we di get angry Look man we no got no job Dat is why we di join the mob Shyne said daddy was missing It is the people daddy now dissing Buay you lucky you had mommy the gem We have to sit and take Lice’s phlegm We neva smell success, but Deanne done well Man, she get excess, her wallet di swell And Anwar did well, look at all he possess The two year swell got him permanent effervesce As for Lice, good gracious she got the stash She roll the dice, and pull the cash This Lice, nothing could she abash For her the rest of us dah lone thrash This Prime Minister he got this Deliriums success He really believe himself, me thinks he has transgress But all we have had is two years of hardship and woe He has nothing else to show. Government killed a cane farmer To him the killer was a charmer I never seen the baldy calmer Like when he told the widow your problem partner Two years of successful murders Due to government blunders Two years of grenades that blow like thunder Two years of success, he calls his blunders Two years of people dying from renal failure Two years of children dying from lack of cure Two years suffering Belizeans have had to endure Two years of hardships forced to inure In two years he has made us so artificial Sedi and Barrow gone crazy with Gaddafi they made friendship official this whole matter has turned hazy Everything wrong Delirium turning full dementia We have to hold strong Barrow’s sanity is in absentia
insert A37
This week there could be no more consummate hypocrite than that cold fish Dean Oliver Barrow. I only wish on this occasion that the award, in addition to recognition in the paper, included a public flogging or some other sort of substantial humiliation. Dean Oliver, in addition to being a hateful, heartless and absolutely coldblooded character, takes hypocrisy into another realm. In a recent interview, he was asked about GOB’s take from oil revenues, which works out to an atrocious figure of just about 17.4 cents from every dollar. The first thing is that the Prime Minister in the interview wouldn’t even admit to the figure which was revealed by his Petroleum Department head. Barrow claimed he doesn’t know what the true figure is. What a liad sucker! How could the head of the nation and the Minister of Finance claim that he doesn’t know exactly how much we are getting from the oil? How stupid does he think we are?
Then Dean Oliver starts going on and on about how he can’t do anything to improve our take because there is a signed agreement with the company and of course he can’t touch that because it is sacred. Oh, and he also would never do anything to mess with the company to increase how much Belizeans get because he doesn’t want to send the wrong message to investors and affect investor confidence. The Prime Minister can’t be serious. What a load of bull. Although you wouldn’t know it to hear him talk, this man going on and on with utmost sincerity about binding agreements and investor confidence is the very same man who got up one morning and took away a private company from the biggest investor in Belize, all in the blink of an eye. He didn’t give a damn then about agreements and investor confidence. By all appearance, all he cared about then was finding even more lucrative positions for his ex-wife and son while at the same time indulging a petty grievance against a British billionaire. Certainly that is all that’s come from the hijacking of BTL so far. Dean Oliver Barrow is a joke. He says one thing and does another with such regularity that everybody is now starting to take notice. Remember his promising to bring down the cost of living ‘No Matta Wat’ just before the price of everything skyrocketed? Dean Oliver Barrow is not only this week’s hypocrite – he is a truly hateful man who not content in running the ship of state into the reef is apparently doing his best to tear it to pieces.
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The Belize Times
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
A Clear Lack of Insight and Reason
Recently the leader of Our Nation, in his wisdom, decided to meet with the leaders of gangs in our country. To some, it would equate itself with Present Obama holding a meeting with Al Qaeda members living within its country, with the hope of restoring peace, or the Mayor of Texas meeting the Contrabandistas, or Drug Lords of Mexico hoping to gain trust. This move although borne with good intentions, I hope, has led to other questions being asked by our fellow Belizeans like: why doesn’t the Prime Minister meet with persons who are selling Crack Cocaine in the City and nieghbouring towns? Or why doesn’t the Prime Minister meet with persons who deliberately drive drunk on major roads? Or why doesn’t the Prime Minister meet with the Guatemalans stealing Xate in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve? Ah! Those were the questions spun out of one incident where those that are astray are trying to lead us astray. The Gangs in our Society, Belize, are no different than the thugs we see walking the streets every day hoping for a job and praying not to get one. There are some who we try to help and when I say we I refer to the working men and
women in our society who in an effort not to get robbed or jacked would offer a penny or two or a little job here and there. Now there is a word for individuals who commit crimes, who don’t work, and I don't want to sound rude but there is the proverbial BUM! or the scum of the earth, Bottom Feeders and in raw creole, Laazzyy R.....s. So we as Belizeans have understood who these persons are. They are the full spectrum of what we ought not to be or become. Everyday we strive to teach our children to not become like these individuals and we reward those who manage to
get out of the circle in search of new life- a more productive lifestyle. Then we have the leaders of our Country. Blessed with wealth, education, logic and good reasoning (or at least one of the four, we would hope). One would think they would instead meet with the businessmen and women of our society and encourage moving forward in these trying times. Or with children in the high school to boost morale and impart a firm promise to the development of our educational system. No. we have a bright man stooping to the levels of Gangs begging them to stop violence. What will come next, Gangs telling the police where to patrol and how many guns to carry? A recent news release featured a councilor telling the Belizean people that the gangs wanted the basketball court painted. What else have they asked for behind closed doors? Permission not to be searched, or to be left alone in dark alleys with side arms. The whole issue of this illogical and quite frankly unreasonable act begs speculation of a lack of insight and the absence of common sense. Are we negotiating with terrorists? One person indicated quite frankly that if the PM
had the opportunity to have all the gang leaders together in one room, why didn't he just lock all of them up? There is provision for acknowledging and professing to be a gang member. The law has legislation that attacks gangs and those who belong to it. And now we, as a society, men and women and children, are even more afraid of these thugs simply because they did not get the attention of the Social Officers or the Youth Development Officers, or the Police, or the justice systems - they commanded the attention of our Prime Minister. So much so that they got him out of his office and into a location where we paid for the conference, (by we I refer to tax payers), we paid for the Prime Minister’s time; we also paid for the fuel to take him there along with paying for his driver. To what end; to meet with thugs? Thugs who are not contributing to the turning of the financial wheels or the labor force, thugs that rob, kill and plunder. Not to sound alarming but this sound like the birth of Organized Crime. When have our hardworking men, women and children, become second grade citizens to criminals, who warrant the personalized attention of the person we elected to run and govern our country?
tor, businessman and PUP supporter which in the end directly and negatively impacts the livelihoods of the stevedores at the Port. Of course, the timing could not be worse for these poor Belizeans who are struggling to make ends meet in this time of crippling economic hardships. The UDP’s continued attack
is two pronged – they have ruined the economy, driving it into a recession with cost of living through the roof; and at the same time they are taking away opportunities from Belizean workers. The UDP has shown that it can and will go to the line when it comes to malicious political victimization.
UDP Politics Affect Poor Belizeans rectly in the political collaboration between Russell Longsworth of Caribbean Shipping, Minister of Transport Melvin Hulse and Ports Commissioner John Flowers. BATSUB, it is understood, was not even consulted in the matter. At press time PBL and BATSUB representatives were meeting to resolve the matter through discussions and an exchange of information. British Army supply ships have been calling and unloading without incident at PBL several times per year ever since the port was privatized. The Belize Times is convinced that the move was politically motivated, a misguided attack against a local inves-
Belize City, Thursday, February 04, 2010
As we go to press today a British Army supply ship still lies moored in Belize’s harbor, trapped by a deliberate strategy by the Barrow administration which targets those it has declared its enemy. It is the Anvil Point’s first trip to Belize this year, and it was forced to lie offshore when its shipping agent Caribbean Shipping refused to pay standard fees to stevedores for it to be unloaded at the private Port of Belize Limited, and instead obtained a directive from the Belize Port Authority that they believed authorized its unloading at the Cucumber Beach Marina at Old Belize. In that way, the poor Belizeans who work at the dock facility loading and unloading ships would be cheated of the opportunity to earn a little more. The management of the Port of Belize Limited, however, quickly sought and got an injunction preventing it from being unloaded anywhere else. Ports of Belize Limited CEO Reynaldo Guerrero told the media, “The Port of Belize is the only legally authorized port to operate here, meaning within the limits of what the Port of Belize actually is. It cannot continue to unload at Old Belize because of an injunction that had been served on the three parties, which is Belize Ports Authority, Caribbean Shipping Agents, and the Old Belize.” Representatives of PBL believe that the responsibility for the mess lies di-
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Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
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DOMINGO FEBRERO 7, 2010
ThE BElizE TimES
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insert C 39
The Truth Shall Make You Free
Perdidas de guerra!
"La niña , la niña que creo que es de 7 años de edad, es hijastra de mi chofer y por lo que sin duda ha producido para mí un sentido muy doloroso tener que tratar de una forma bastante inmediata con esta triste realidad terrible". - Hon. . Dean Barrow El Primer Ministro de Belice, Dean Oliver Barrow fue entrevistado esta semana por Keith Swift de Canal 7. Esta es la primera vez en la historia reciente que el PM se ha dignado a hablar sobre cuestiones críticas como la delincuencia y el petróleo. No fue una buena entrevista para el líder de esta nación. Él vino a través como un pescado frío, indiferente e insensible. Se encontró con un hombre que parece haber perdido de vista los problemas reales que padecen a su pueblo. Se encontró como un hombre con poca consideración por la inteligencia del pueblo de Belice y totalmente cómodo en la creencia de que todas y cada una de sus palabras será recibido como la verdad del evangelio. Mientras una niña de siete años, la víctima inocente de otro tiroteo en la ciudad, enfrenta la posibilidad de una parálisis de por vida, Dean Barrow en su entrevista no podía ni siquiera mencionarla por su nombre. Parece que para este robot PM, la niña Janay Moguel es sólo una estadística, y otro poco importante en eso. Su cita reproducida arriba es macabra, insensible y absurda. Según Barrow, es sólo ahora que está un poco más familiar con la víctima a través de su conductor, que se da cuenta de un poco más la "realidad deprimente." Dijo que ahora se ha hecho consciente de que tendrá que
tratar " de una manera bastante inmediata "con el tema de la delincuencia. Sus palabras parecían sin sentido y carente de cualquier emoción discernible. Lo que seguramente se pegará en la mente de los beliceños, sin embargo, es que es precisamente ahora, cuando entramos en el segundo año de la violencia sin control y sin precedentes y el derramamiento de sangre en la ciudad, que nuestro Primer Ministro afirma que ahora se da cuenta que tiene que hacer algo. Los comentarios del Primer Ministro son un insulto a todas las familias que quedaron llorando a sus seres queridos, víctimas de la violencia que ha superado a la nación. El año pasado el economista llamo a Belice el punto # 1 de asesinatos en el mundo. Los residentes están paralizados por el miedo, miedo a pasear por las calles que se han vuelto peligrosas y tienen miedo de quedarse en sus casas porque allí no es seguro. Hubo trece disparos en la última semana, con cuatro víctimas muertas. Y eso es sólo en la ciudad. La guerra entre pandillas ha estallado en nuestras calles, con la nueva arma de la elección de una granada. El terrorismo urbano se ha convertido en un término de moda de Belice por primera vez. Apenas hace dos días una madre se quedó mirando el cuerpo ensangrentado de su hijo en la calle después de ser baleado por lo que parece ser una chico de catorce años de edad. Una familia lloraba mientras desconectaba a su hijo, otra víctima del tiroteo reciente. Hay muchas historias. Muchos ríos de lágrimas se han derramado, mucha sangre ya se ha derramado. Y
Te Estan Escuchando!
el Primer Ministro puede permanecer al frente de la nación y decir que sólo ahora, desde que conoce a alguien que está relacionado con la víctima, sólo tiene ahora que tomar conciencia de la "realidad deprimente en Belice en la actualidad”. Y el Primer Ministro fue incluso más lejos en su entrevista. Cuando se le preguntó acerca de la Policía, dice que está satisfecho con su rendimiento y que han hecho todo lo posible. Así, de acuerdo con el PM no culpa de la incapacidad para hacer frente a la ola de crímenes recae sobre sus hombros. Cuando el Primer Ministro fue interrogado sobre su Ministro de Seguridad Nacional, que mucha gente
cree que es una pérdida total de tiempo que expresó su apoyo y su confianza en Perdomo. Así, según la PM, sin culpa de la incapacidad para abordar la situación de la delincuencia se apoya en el hombro de Perdomo tampoco. Los Beliceños están pidiendo que el Primer Ministro se considere responsable de la situación de la delincuencia. A lo largo de esta ola de delincuencia a principios del 2010, el Ministro de Seguridad Nacional, Carlos Perdomo ha quedado mudo. El Belice Times expresa sus condolencias a las familias de aquellos que han perdido la vida en esta era de sangre en las calles de Belice.
Insert D 40
The
The Belize Times
Belize Times ol
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
ñ a p s E En
UDP Políticas, como siempre
Sangriento, sangriento Belice… La semana pasada, la Ciudad de Belice ha parecido casi surrealista, como una escena de un crimen sangriento de película de pandillas. Ciertamente, muy lejos de lo que solíamos llamar a nuestra joya en el Caribe, nuestro paraíso de aguas cristalinas y el secreto mejor guardado de la Madre Naturaleza. Bueno, el secreto está afuera, y ahora todo el mundo sabe que Belice es un lugar muy peligroso y mortal para visitar, y un lugar aún más letal para vivir. Tan recientemente como en la última conferencia de prensa, el Ministro de Seguridad Nacional, Carlos Perdomo insistió en que la escalada de los delitos violentos es sólo un producto de nuestra imaginación colectiva, una percepción que está lejos de la verdad. ¿Cómo podrían ser las cosas de la manera en que todos dicen, afirma el ministro de la delincuencia, cuando todas las estadísticas indican que la delincuencia NUESTRA va hacia abajo? Me pregunto lo que el ministro de la delincuencia está diciendo ahora, cuando los disparos están sonando en las calles todos los días, estudiantes y personas inocentes son disparados como blancos de tiro en la calle y nuestros jóvenes están siendo asesinados en charcos de sangre. Hemos negociado una tregua, dijo el ministro del delito y su primer ministro, pero parece que tuvieron tanto éxito, al igual que las demás cuestiones en Belice. Desde esa tregua, la guerra abierta se ha librado en las calles. Estoy escribiendo esto relativamente temprano en la semana. Me pueden llamar un profeta de la muerte y la oscuridad, si se quiere, pero no me cabe duda de que habrá más derramamiento de sangre antes de que este documento llegue a la calle el día viernes. Nuestro Ministro de la delincuencia y nuestro primer ministro no tienen ni idea. Parecen pensar que la asignación de unos míseros 40.000 dólares a la renovación de algunas instalaciones deportivas en la ciudad solucionara el problema. La comunidad ha perdido toda confianza en la policía, los delincuentes parecen ser los únicos que están organizados. Cuando la policía se las arregla para conseguir a alguien en la corte, pero la cadena de evidencia es tan desordenada que siempre salen libres. Nuestros investigadores de la policía y la oficina de la Fiscalía parecen dispuestos a culpar a cada uno de los delincuentes, mientras que otros quedan en libertad. ESTAMOS FREGADOS. El ministro de la delincuencia debe ser destituido de su cargo, lo más temprano posible. De hecho, ahora sería un buen momento.
Desmoronamiento del BPD / DPP ... He oído decir que la Directora del Ministerio Público Cheryl Lynn Branker Taitt se casó con un oficial de policía el otro día. Le deseo todo lo mejor. Sin faltar el respeto, pero también espero que su relación sea mucho y más productiva y coherente que la relación entre el DPP y el BPD. Parece que cada semana en las noticias, no hay palabra acerca de los presuntos asesinos que salen libres! Justo el otro día unos personajes muy peligrosos se les dejo en libertad después de lo que se creía era una convicción segura en un caso de asesinato. Cuando la palabra sale (y que está fuera, créanme) que uno puede matar en plena luz del día de la manera más espantosa y las probabilidades de que usted vaya a salir libre son muy altas, eso es algo muy, muy malo. Según tengo entendido, se supone que la oficina de la Fiscalía del Estado debe colaborar con los investigadores de la Policía en cada paso del camino - desde la recopilación de pruebas según el protocolo que rige la detención a la creación de una caja hermética que conduce a la convicción. Demonios, todos hemos visto el programa de televisión la Ley y el Orden. Así que ¿por qué es que cuando estos jóvenes tienen su último día en la corte, es cuando nos enteramos que la cosa estaba en mal estado desde el principio? ¿Por qué no podemos hacer esta cosa simple bien hecha? Creo que nuestra DPP debe ser removida de su cargo. Ella es una broma, su oficina se ha convertido en una broma, y los únicos que quieren estar a su alrededor son los criminales y los abogados de la defensa, que se ríen todo el camino hasta el banco. Pero nosotros no nos estamos riendo. La gran falta de respecto del pelón... Nuestros embajadores de la juventud que asistieron a una cumbre de jefes i de gobierno en Suriname están muy enojados. Aparentemente, sólo cuatro jefes de gobierno se molestaron en aparecer. Nadie se sorprende al escuchar que nuestro Primer Ministro Dean Barrow no se molesto en asistir. Esta es una gran falta de respeto a nuestra juventud. Especialmente con los temas que les afectan en estos momentos. Supongo que lo que los jóvenes están diciendo es que Dean Barrow tuvo una semana libre para dirigirse a Nueva York con su esposa la semana pasada para recibir un premio completamente falso que seguramente no tiene idea de lo que se trata, pero él estaba demasiado ocupado para escuchar sus preocupaciones. Tienen toda la razón. Dean Barrow tuvo tiempo para el brillo (un adorno sin sentido en Nueva York) pero no tiene tiempo para la sustancia (las voces de nuestros jóvenes). Estas decisiones erróneas sin duda se volverán en contra de él. Gran respecto a nuestros jóvenes que asistieron y a todos los embajadores de la juventud que se adelantaron a encontrar soluciones a los problemas que les afectan y nos afectan a todos! Penner bajo ataque El Ministro de la Juventud Elvin Penner fue víctima de un ataque de una malvada en un talk-show esta mañana, un ataque ni mas ni menos que de la esposa de un ministro UDP. Según Diane Finnegan, el es una absoluta pérdida de tiempo que no
puede hacer nada para nuestra juventud y que tiene que ser eliminado inmediatamente. ¡Ouch! Ella afirma que en su tiempo como Ministro de la Juventud, el ha visitado Youth for the Future una sola vez, y él no tiene idea de lo que está haciendo. Ahora esto es un golpe serio. Véase, que esto va así. Cuando Dean Barrow quiere atacar a alguien, él utiliza a Lois. Como cuando se disponía a atacar a Sedi pero no en público, Lois estaba allí como un perro feroz atacando, exigiendo saber cómo Sedi podría tener la audacia de ponerse de pie en el gabinete y se niegan a disculparse por llamar a la frontera entre Belice y Guatemala artificial. Es lo mismo aquí. Penner es la víctima de un golpe de Finnegan a través de su esposa. Quiero decir, estoy de acuerdo que Penner es una broma como Ministro de la Juventud y una broma, como Ministro de Deportes. Demonios, ¿quien no estaría de acuerdo? Hay una grave desintegración en el Gabinete UDP. Los ministros están luchando con los ministros y esto se está volviendo desagradable. Lo malo es que aun cuando todos fueron recibiendo a lo largo de camino de vuelta al principio, no hicieron nada para nosotros. Imagínese cuánto peor se percibe ahora. Tome un paseo en el autobús patas para arriba El UDP llego al poder, tomo un sistema de transporte que básicamente trabajaba bien y lo puso patas para arriba. Esa es la larga y corta de esta situación. Por razones que van desde la malicia política de nepotismo al amiguismo, de la incompetencia a la estupidez, nuestro sistema de buses de la actualidad esta todo jodido. No hay suficientes y los horarios programados no funcionan. Los viajeros se están quedando en las terminales y en las carreteras. Los empleados y los estudiantes están llegando al trabajo y la escuela tarde. Hay un verdadero tumulto en las horas de alto tráfico y no hay un informe de que la policía tuvo que ser llamado a la Terminal de la Ciudad de Belice la semana pasada cuando se calentaron las cosas. El Ministro de Transporte Melvin Hulse no viajar en el autobús. Los miembros de su familia no viajar en el autobús. Pregúntele a su hija que se ha acostumbrado a volar en primera clase al Reino Unido a nuestras expensas. Cada vez que se le pregunta a Melvin Hulse acerca de este problema, afirma que se areglara en un mes o algo así. De alguna manera ese mes o así ha sido muy difícil de alcanzar. Se sigue hablando de los estudios que están llevándose a cabo para determinar el número de viajeros y las horas pico. ¿Por un demonio cuanto tiempo puede tomar? Melvin debe darse cuenta de que la frustración de los viajeros está alcanzando otro nivel. Eso no es una buena cosa. Tiene que entender lo que esta pasando. Una vergüenza... Me gustaría tener 10.000 dólares para dárselo al paciente de diálisis, José Cruz. Yo lo haría en un segundo. Me pone triste, frustrado y enojado al oír hablar de su situación, y al enterarme de que dos de sus dedos han sido amputados. Estoy triste porque él es un hombre que siempre ha luchado por los derechos de los pacientes en diálisis y ahora está en mucho dolor y necesita ayuda con urgencia. Me siento frustrado porque quisiera personalmente poder hacer más por él y sé que muchos beliceños sienten lo mismo, pero los 10,00 dólares parece un escenario poco probable, porque las cosas están tan mal para muchos de nosotros en estos días. Y yo estoy enfadado porque las cosas están muy mal para muchos de nosotros, pero son muy buenas para algunas personas también. ¿Qué tan difícil sería para Dean Barrow darle $10.000 a José Cruz? Le estaría dando el don de la vida. ¿Qué hay de Lois, Danne y Anwar? ¿Qué son $ 10.000 a ellos? Lo menos que podrían hacer es darle a José Cruz una fracción de lo que han recibido de todos nosotros. La hija de Dean,Deanne sólo cobrará 2 millones de dólares del Gobierno de Belice. Compare eso con los $ 10.000 que salvará la vida de un hombre. El mundo es redondo. Los Barrow harían bien en darse cuenta de esto. Uno de ellos un día necesitara algo, que todo el dinero del mundo no puede comprar. La granja de animales del UDP ... El Presidente del Consejo de la aldea en Gracie Rock ha sido arrestado y acusado de presuntamente haber colocado las manos en la lata de las galletas de la aldea. La cifra que ha sido acusado de "robo" es en algún lugar de la región de 9.000 dólares más o menos. Si lo hizo o no, ¡no es el punto! Lo que pasa es que hay una acusación y que la ley actuó con rapidez. Sin embargo, algunos animales son más iguales que otros en esta finca del UDP, que es lo que parece. ¿Por qué es que a la alcaldesa Zenaida Moya todavía se le permite sentarse en su oficina como una reina de la basura? El informe de auditoria apunta a que cientos de miles de dólares hacen faltan, tal vez millones, pero Zenaida sigue viviendo en su mansión de varios millones de dólares frente al mar. Este UDP es falso. Esto es sólo un juego para ellos. Confíen en mí, si Zenaida pide perdón a Dean y le asegura que sus bolas han sido firmemente re-adjuntadas, que será dulce como el pastel de nuevo. Belice todavía quiere saber por qué el Primer Ministro no dio a conocer las conclusiones del informe de auditoria del consejo de la ciudad de Belice, incluso cuando lo tuvo sobre su escritorio durante cinco meses. Y ahora que ha salido, los beliceños realmente quieren saber si el Primer Ministro hará algo sobre el lío de corrupción en el Ayuntamiento.
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El Bejuco DESPIDAN A PERDOMO! El Ministro Carlos Perdomo y el Comisario de Policía Jeffries no han empezado el 2010 con buen pie. A finales del año pasado, los beliceños se sorprendieron al escuchar al Sr. Perdomo alardear sobre las tasas de criminalidad más bajas. Si esas cifras que citó son reales o imaginarias, los beliceños creen que el 2009 fue un año de violencia y que la delincuencia había llegado a estar completamente fuera de control. Según las estadísticas publicadas por el Departamento de Policía, el 2009 fue un año muy violento en que se cometieron 97 homicidios, 30 personas fueron violadas, 34 niños fueron agredidos, 526 personas fueron robadas y 150 vehículos fueron robados. El Año Nuevo esta sólo en su segundo mes y la violencia continúa sin cesar. Canal 7 comenzó sus noticias en la noche del martes diciendo que en 12 horas, 6 personas fueron asesinadas, 2 fallecieron y un adolescente estaba en respiración artificial. Esto es simplemente una continuación de lo que ocurrió en enero, cuando fueron asesinadas 5 personas. Para añadir a todo esto, los beliceños están cada vez más convencidos de que los miembros del Departamento de Policía de Belice están involucrados en algunas de las actividades delictivas en Belice. Este es un problema crítico para Perdomo y el Comisario, que debe proporcionar a los beliceños con la garantía de que el Departamento de Policía esta en control de la situación. Ahora tienen que convencer a la gente de que el Departamento de Policía no es corrupto, esto representa una carga adicional en la lucha contra la delincuencia. En una entrevista en Canal 7, el Primer Ministro declaró que cree que su Comisionado está haciendo el mejor trabajo que puede y está plenamente dedicado a su trabajo. Asimismo, el Primer Ministro apoya a su Ministro de Seguridad Nacional. Si bien lamentó el incidente de la hijastra de su chofer de siete años de edad que se encuentra actualmente en el hospital con una herida de bala que podría dejarla paralizada, las declaraciones del Primer Ministro no ofrecieron ningún tipo de consuelo a su conductor o a su familia. ¿Qué ha sucedido con el enfoque de los 360 grados a la delincuencia? ¿Dónde está el plan de acción del Consejo de Control de Delitos? ¿Dónde está el esfuerzo de conseguir sacar las armas ilegales de las calles? ¿Cuándo se va a establecer el laboratorio forense para modernizar las investigaciones criminales? Hace unas semanas alguien lanzó un petardo (dinamita) sobre la cerca en el Anglican catedral college, el efecto de ello llamo la atención de los medios de comunicación cuando se decía que una granada fue lanzada en la escuela. Actualmente, 18 granadas están ahí afuera en manos de civiles y el miedo que una puede ser detonada en uno de los campus de la escuela es real. En las reuniones de la Asociación de Directores de Belice de las escuelas secundarias, los directores de escuelas secundarias están preocupados por las cuestiones de seguridad, que pasan horas discutiendo maneras de que sus alumnos se sientan seguros y hay que luchar para protegerlos de la tentación de la actividad de pandillas. Solía ser que los directores se pasaban el tiempo en reuniones centradas principalmente en el desarrollo curricular, la formación de sus estudiantes y el desarrollo de la juventud de la nación, ahora que tienen la carga añadida de la policía y de mantenimiento de la delincuencia en sus campus. En cualquier nación, la protección y la seguridad de sus ciudadanos debe ser la primera prioridad. Cuando un Estado es incapaz de proteger a los ciudadanos inocentes fuera de situaciones de riesgo de los desastres naturales, entonces el estado ha fallado en su responsabilidad primordial de sus ciudadanos. Todas las medidas deben adoptarse para la seguridad y la protección de los civiles. Los Beliceños en todo este país están llegando al punto de la desesperación, la mayoría de nosotros vivimos en el miedo de los criminales y como resultado nos encerrarnos dentro de nuestras casas. Aquellos que son víctimas de la violencia están ahora mirando más allá de la policía para resolver crímenes. Muchos han perdido la confianza no sólo en la policía, sino también en la capacidad del sistema para condenar a las personas de actividades delictivas. En las zonas plagadas la delincuencia, los niños están cayendo en la actividad violenta a una edad temprana. El Primer Ministro debe mostrar su liderazgo en este asunto, ha llegado el momento para que Perdomo sea despedido y que se haga cargo del Ministerio de Seguridad Nacional. Cualquier otra cosa sería una indicación de que el Primer Ministro ha abandonado su juramento de hacer el bien a nuestro pueblo.
Tormentas y Capitanes Decía el abuelo que las tormentas demostraban que tan buenos o cuan pendejos son los capitanes de barco... La tormenta económica que se ha desarrollado globalmente y que ha afectado a nuestro Belize es una de esas tormentas.. Y nuestro capitán ha fallado... y vilmente… Las industrias cítricas y cañeras se encuentran por los suelos. La zona libre a una paso de la quiebra total… la industria papayera se encuentra en problemas y muchos de los empleados ya solo cuentan con empleo a tiempo parcial… Y nuestro primer Ministro y su gobierno celebrando 2 años de éxitos económicos. “Como un gran éxito los primeros dos años de su gobierno”, así lo expreso el pelón a su periódico partidista… Quizá tenga razón: su ex mujer, su hijo, su hija y demás familia han sacado sumo provecho de esto dos últimos años. Los ministros no se quedan atrás. Los trances conocidos de terrenos nacionales pasan del centenar… Los trances de materiales para construcción del ministerio de vivienda son una vergüenza que solo palidecen con las atrocidades cometidas en el Ministerio de obras publicas… “Los ministros no tienen la puridad de Santo Simón”, así lo declaro el Primer Ministro. Lo que le falto agregar es de que él es la esencia de la perversión y la corrupción que se han desencadenado en el gobierno y el país entero. La pobreza de los Beliceños se extiende, la gente está sufriendo y el primer ministro y su gobierno se felicitan a sí mismo por un trabajo bien hecho…. El Capitán nos está guiando hacia los arrecifes, Sálvese quien pueda…
Bochornos del infierno
Los impuros (por su jefe así nombrados) en junta de gabinete han sido notificados de cambios en el infierno. La incógnita los mata porque aun no se les ha dicho de cual ministerio seguirán chupando pozole… Para nos, aquí afuera, no importa lo que será, porque nosotros seguiremos comiendo con el dedo el atole… Los corrompidos sus contiendas han comenzado, las peleas hasta con los gatitos se ha entablado.. En el norte al gordito Akierman de la Zona libre, para fuera Nemenso lo ha señalado, pues que gordito más igualado, el tamal a Nemenso le quiere quitar. Nemenso de paso a Rosado se quiso bailar, pero el consuegro de aquel es más pesado y Nemenso lo tuvo que aceptar… Total esa madre de la zona pronto se va a acabar, ¿Qué importa a que imbécil se lo vuelvan a dar… A Perdomo lo tiene que evacuar, Pero el pelon no ha decido si al flojo de Finny o al loco de Flippin se lo ha de dar… El pelón ha pensado en hacer de los casinos una constituyente ya que varios ministros en el ente, pero causo más problemas porque muchos de los gatos quieren ser regente. Colorin Colorado ¡Este Pelon y sus gatos incompetentes durante estos pasados dos años nos ha rete fregado!
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Mi Amiga Kim...
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
Si No Es Así…
Hombre tengo un montón de travesuras del UDP, deslizones y errores para esta semana, lo que me gusta llamar, mi versión de la pantomima, tontos y realmente estúpidos. Y hablando de peleas tontas, se me ocurrió echar un vistazo a un blog de la primera dama, la segunda esposa en la que capturó su verdadero "momento especial". Kim en una entrevista con un periodista extranjero se le oyó quejarse del sistema de salud en Belice. Según mi amiga
Kim, en los hospitales de todo el país a los hombres adultos que están enfermos se les pone en las mismas camas con los bebés y los niños porque hay una escasez crónica de camas. ¡Hmmm! Ella dice que es mala porque no sabemos la historia de estos hombres y que en realidad podrían ser molestadores de niños. Creo que la primera dama, la segunda esposa se cayó de la cama una mañana, se golpeó la cabeza y se le ocurrió esta gema. Las cosas están bastante mal en el sistema de salud Kim, pero esta es una de la que no he oído hablar. Me parece que cuando a Kim se le preguntó sobre los problemas de salud, no tenía idea de qué decir por lo que sólo se sacó un pensamiento "especial" de la cabeza. Los extranjeros estarán pensando que somos una nación atrasada y que vivimos en los árboles, desde cuando conseguimos portavoces como Kim que habla puras babosadas. ¡Dios mió! Es tu esposo, estúpida! Tal vez el periodista debería haberle preguntado a Kim sobre el vehículo de $160.000 dólares que su marido le compró al Ministro de Salud, o los millones que su marido está pagando a su ex esposa y a su hija en exorbitantes honorarios legales. Le hubieran preguntado ¿cuantas camas de hospital se podrían haber comprado con ese dinero? Cuando Kim estaba allí afuera hablando sobre todas estas historias de
terror, parece que debería haber recordado que su marido es el Primer Ministro de la nación y la culpa por el desastre en que el país se encuentra. Quizá tengamos la oportunidad de hacerle estas preguntas cuando visitemos a Kim en su nueva oficina de lujo en Coney Drive. Un pajarito en el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores afirma que el Gobierno de Belice pago para que ella pudiera conseguirla, imagínese esto; la Oficina de la Primera Dama en Coney Drive ¡Hmmm! Kim, ¿podrías decirnos cuántas camas de hospital se pudieran comprar con el alquiler mensual en su nueva oficina, para que los hombres adultos no tengan que ser puestos en las mismas camas como los bebés y los niños? Acerca de Campos & Casinos... Fuentes confiables desde el norte nos dicen que el alcalde de la ciudad de Corozal Hilberto Campos es actualmente objeto
de una investigación interna. Se alega que se le han entregado unos 30.000 dólares en anticipos de sueldo de las arcas del
Ayuntamiento. Por un demonio, que no es tan descabellada, porque sabemos que el alcalde tiene un problema crónico con los juegos de azar y pasa la mitad de su vida patrocinando a los casinos aledaños. ¿Qué hace que este caso sea muy interesante? es que está siendo discretamente empujado nada menos que por Pablo Marín, se han escuchado rumores de que Campos está siendo considerado como su posible sustitución en un futuro muy cercano... Si no es así.. La lista corta... ¿Quién dice que los miembros de la junta directiva de BTL son descuidados y perezosos? Pero hombre, la Junta de Barrow de Telemedia Limited ha estado
trabajando duro para hacer nada. Aparte de la celebración de reuniones semanales con los distintos departamentos donde les dicen que tienen que encontrar maneras para deshacerse de Smart, el desganado director de operaciones también se ha encargado de darles una lista corta. En caso de que usted se está preguntando si eso es una lista de nuevas características, servicios o formas en que puede reducir los costos a los clientes, no lo es. Quítate esa idea de la cabeza. La lista que la Junta ha pedido es una lista de todos los empleados que creen que son partidarios del Partido Unido del Pueblo. ¿Puedes imaginar eso? El Consejo debe obtener el mejor sentido rápido, rápido y dense prisa! Se dice que la Unión de trabajadores menos Paul Perriott ya tiene una visión de la política de reducción en la distancia y de estrategias que están ya hablando, mientras usted lee. Y, por cierto, los empleados de BTL ya saben dijo que tienen que tener cuidado en cómo se asocian con los empleados de Smart. ¿Qué tan estúpidos pueden los miembros de la Junta de BTL ser? Muy, muy estúpidos por seguro! Se compone principalmente de Barrow y Fobs y SoBs ... Si no es así! Están escuchando... El vehículo espacial del PUC ha sido objeto de calor últimamente. Según los chiflados de la Comisión, el vehículo que nos dice un costo de $ 2.3million se utiliza para controlar las frecuencias para asegurar
que las estaciones de radio se queden en la línea. ¡Seguro que si! Nadie creía esta porquería desde el principio. Para escucha música y emisoras de radio se utiliza un dispositivo portátil similar a un walkietalkie para controlar sus frecuencias. Este
dispositivo se puede comprar en cualquier Radio Shack en los EE.UU. para un par de cientos de dólares. Así que el PUC pago $ 2.3million por un vehículo para hacer lo mismo es simplemente falso. No confíe en el gobierno. Demonios, Barrow ha dicho que apoya a las escuchas de las llamadas privadas y escuchas telefónicas. Demonios, el GOB trajo a un grupo de israelíes para capacitarlos en las escuchas telefónicas y la vigilancia de llamadas telefónicas, los textos, correos electrónicos y mensajes de chat. ¿Qué más pruebas se necesitan? Grande y feo hermanastro Dean y mutante hermanastro Carlos están escuchando.... Si no es así!
Smart, yo sólo sabía que había algo malo con el acuerdo. Aquí estaba esta compañía que ofrece aparentemente buenos teléfonos por sólo $ 29. ¿Cuál fue el truco? Bueno chico no nos encontramos con la captura. Véase, el sobrino de un ministro borracho y el hijo del Primer Ministro/ Ejecutivo de BTL/Tech experto/gurú de negocios Anwar al parecer son socios en
Bebiendo la salsa... Palabra cierta que nos llega es que el Ministro de Seguridad Nacional ha hecho un llamamiento a la cúpula de la Policía de exigir una lista. Él quiere una lista de todos los policías que no funcionan en el Departamento. Imagínese esto – el ministro que no funciona esta exigiendo
una empresa local que vende teléfonos celulares. Ellos vendieron los celulares a BTL por $400.00 y tal como lo ve BTL los “cambio” a $ 29. Se llama la desplumada mejorada de Telemedia. Y al infierno, ya que ahora, aparentemente que BTL es de nosotros porque se ha 'Belizenado' (broma de mal gusto), se llama desplumar a los beliceños, sin vaselina... Si no es así! Y entonces...
una lista de policías que no funcionan. Tal vez él quiere ponerlos en su equipo especial. De todas formas, aunque, en una nota grave que se alega que cuando el ministro hizo esa llamada estaba bajo la influencia de, digamos, su compañero de líquido constante. Es gravemente peligroso cuando un ministro a cargo de una cartera sensible como la seguridad nacional hace sus decisiones, mientras que le susurra su compañero líquido en el oído... maldito peligroso... Si no es así! Los pocos privilegiados... ?Recuerda que el director general del Ministerio de Vivienda, Rosalie Saldívar, la hermana del ministro, John Saldivar fue
enviada a estudiar con todos los gastos totalmente pagados inmediatamente después de que el UDP se metió en la oficina? y no ha sido vista desde entonces. Bueno todo el mundo asume que ella estaba ocupada mejorando su capacidad intelectual en el extranjero, trabajando arduamente en la educación de ella para que pudiera regresar y contribuir al desarrollo de la nación, aunque sea a costa de los contribuyentes. Así que imagine la sorpresa de todos cuando se supo que Saldívar está llevando a cabo su grado por Internet. Nadie lo hubiera creído, pero fue descubierta haciendo ejercicio en la carretera de circunvalación en Belmopan una noche y una cosa llevó a otra y de una investigación apareció la verdad. Hombre esto está mal - completamente equivocado. Estudio vacaciones totalmente pagadas para que ella pueda quedarse en casa y seguir su carrera por Internet. ¡Qué broma de mal gusto... Si no es así! Hacer el cambio... Cuando la empresa Telemedia de Barrow comenzó su campana de haga el “cambio” en un intento de destruir
Y luego está lo de los pasaportes. Hay todo tipo de rumores que flotan alrededor de que el sobrino del ministro de ebriedad y el hijo del PM son grandes amigos en el nuevo programa del UDP de la ciudadanía económica. Traducción que venden pasaportes y recoger dólares descaradamente. Saldremos de esta sola, por el momento, en el interés de la adquisición de la prueba en blanco y negro, o rojo, según sea el caso. Pero lo que es en la oscuridad saldrán a la luz, y vamos a tener la primicia completa más pronto que tarde... Si no es así! Estudiante de por vida... No me gustaría que el grupo más sensible a la dieta COLA / KREM se pongan nerviosos con todo este asunto, pero la administración de la Universidad de Belice está pidiendo que Moisés Sulph por favor deje de usar un sombrero con el logo de la UB cuando hace apariciones
públicas, porque es una vergüenza para ellos. Al parecer, el hombre encargado de la campaña principal Diet Cola contra la maldad está siendo llevado a los tribunales para el uso de los fondos del gobierno para comprar una moto para sí mismo. Ouch. Como que le quita las plumas de las alas de la Cola de dieta. Cola de dieta - sin cafeína, sin calorías... Si no es así!
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Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
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Mike Singh’s Political Appointee for Tourism?
We are now in the second month of the New Year and approaching the two year anniversary of this UDP government with no clear way forward for leadership in the tourism industry. In November of last year, it was made public that the BTB was not going to renew the contract of Mrs. Tracy Panton as the country’s Director of Tourism. Advertisements for the vacancy were placed in the newspapers with a first deadline and then it was extended for a second deadline of December 14th since the board (one assumes) was not satisfied with the first round of applicants. The second round of applicants apparently has not pleased the Board or CEO Singh. We now know that last week the BTB paid for Seleni Matus to fly in from Washington DC for an interview for the job. That’s right! CEO Mike Singh, the Minister of Tourism and the Board of Directors of BTB have totally disregarded the tendering process and went outside of the list of applicants they received which we understand to have a few qualified, locally based Belizeans to do the job. Hmmm- sounds a lot like the same mess that got the KHMH board in trouble which resulted in a Commission
of Inquiry because they too disregarded a tendering process and began to “hand pick” persons to do their bidding. So why go abroad to Washington, DC for Seleni Matus? Well, she does work with Conservation International which has done a few conservation tourism projects in Belize. The most recent was in 2008 for an Action Plan for the better management of the cruise sector. Of course under the UDP government, nothing has been done with that plan. So perhaps CEO Mike Singh, the Minister and the BTB Board of Directors are thinking with her at the helm, maybe finally something will happen? But then, does that mean once again priority focus and energies of BTB will be placed on the cruise sector? So who exactly is looking out for the overnight group who are spending more and staying longer? More heads on beds
mean more jobs for Belizeans and more tax revenues for the government. Seems pretty straightforward to us! Matus is also very dear friends with Joy Grant, now Ambassador in Belgium but former Executive Director of Programme for Belize. Matus worked at PfB under Joy Grant’s tenure. See the UDP connection? In addition to that, Matus is also perceived as more aligned with UDP than with PUP due to her friendship with the Singhs and Channel 7 Vasquezes. So we are back to providing job opportunities to friends and families of the UDP which is probably the only accomplishment of the BARROW administration. In addition to this, she has been able to access grant funding for conservation projects through OAK Foundation and has a good relationship with Oak Foundation’s Belize representative, Imani Morrison and is familiar
with IDB processes and personnel in Washington. So, perhaps the thinking is that she can help access grant funds for the financially strapped BTB and perhaps help out with the IDB tourism project since Noel Jacobs (who is the paid Project Manager) is too busy with his private consulting jobs for PACT, COCESNA and NICH, etc. Is a political appointee who is close to Mike Singh the answer to tourism woes? The industry is suffering in product development, marketing and institutional capacity to manage it all. With a significant drop in accommodation tax due to less than normal arrivals and low occupancies, whoever is appointed as Director will have to be strong enough to ensure things are done very differently at the BTB and can withstand the political environment? From what I hear, Seleni Matus is a real softy entering a lion’s den. We will see how long she lasts. The country cannot afford anymore political appointments that are paid lucrative packages to just attend cocktails and rack up frequent flyer miles. Mike Singh is enough! It is about time we get very serious about this country’s development and stop messing with the politics.
ers, the program had to be cemented in quality. He went on to say that the BNTU supported the process of amalgamating schools but said that it should be done in a way that would maximize resources and one of its objectives should be smaller classes and should not result in unemployment for teachers.
The BNTU also supports the development of a school inspectorate, and wanted training for school managers. He expressed the Union’s concerns in regards to violence in schools, especially by parents and students against teachers, and said they stood ready to join efforts to address violent crime.
BNTU issues ultimatum
BNTU President Jaime Panti The Executive Committee of the Belize National Teachers Union called a press conference at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon at the Belize Institute of Management to address their support for and their objections to several issues arising from the proposed revisions to the Education Act. But perhaps the most dramatic news was when BNTU’s President Jaime Panti issued a clear ultimatum to the Government of Belize. “I am calling on the government of Belize,” said Panti, “to address the issue of the collective bargaining agreement. Since two thousand and eight they have been dragging their feet and staggering the process. I am demanding on behalf of our members and BNTU gives us in the next week to come an answer. If not we will take drastic measures.” Panti further explained that: “Our collective bargaining agreement was submitted in two thousand and eight. They were not satisfied because of the costing. We re-submitted it in two thousand and nine, and up to this stage we have not received any answer. That contravenes our agreement as established in the tripartite agreement. That’s disrespectful to us; we do not take it lightly. We have been very patient so I am demanding on behalf of our members for government to address our collective bargaining agreement in the next week or drastic actions will be taken.” The collective bargaining agreement is an omnibus agreement between the Government of Belize and
Education Minister Patrick Faber the members of the Public Service Union of Belize, the Association of Senior Service Managers as well as the Belize National Teachers Union, and the last one expired in 2006. In the 2005 the unions led several strikes against the Musa administration and despite several offers by that administration, were reluctant to return to the negotiating table when the agreement expired. They preferred to wait on the advent of the Barrow administration that they overtly supported during the 2008 General Elections campaign. Earlier in his presentation Panti had addressed several other issues. He said that while the BNTU supported the revision to the Education Act and Training Bill, it was proposing that a set of criteria be developed for the appointment of the Chairman and that stakeholders be allowed to nominate persons for the position. The BNTU is also recommending that the Ombudsman, not the Solicitor General, head the Appeals Committee. Panti was firm in declaring that the wording of the Act regarding teachers who have communicable diseases be reworded so as to prevent stigmatization. He was even more demonstrative, however, in declaring that the BNTU wanted the rules regulating the use of corporal punishment to remains as is, warning that the entire system could collapse if the rules were changed at this time. He said that while they supported the efforts at training Belize’s 5,000 primary and secondary schools teach-
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ThE BElizE TimES
Nation Under Siege
SHOOTING INCIDENT Acting upon information received at 1:45pm on Thursday 28th January 2010, police visited the KHMH Trauma Room where one Lewis Kerr, 17 yrs, of Belize City was seen suffering from a single gunshot wound behind the right ear. Initial investigation revealed that the victim was infront of his house (along with other persons) when two male persons riding separate bicycles came from the direction of Gibnut Street – a gunshot was heard which caused the said injury. Police are looking for a suspect pending investigation. SHOOTING INCIDENT Acting upon information received at 10:20pm on Thursday 28th January 2010, police visited the KHMH Trauma Room where one Mark Lopez, 44 yrs, of Belize City was seen suffering from a single gunshot wound to the left lower back. Initial investigation revealed that the victim was at a restaurant on Orange Street when several gunshots were heard. The victim is in a stable condition at the KHMH as police continue to investigate. MISSING PERSON MARIA CRISTINA COWO, of the Corozal District reported that on 26/01/10 her daughter namely FLOR CIELO COWO, left home and have not yet returned. FLOR is of Mestizo descent, about 5ft 3inches in height, brown complexion, medium built; weight 130lbs with straight black hair. Police are investigating. MURDER Acting upon information on Friday 29th January 2010, at 7:50pm, police visited an apartment room situated on the third floor of a three storey concrete house located at No. 16 corner Orange and West Street, Belize City, where they saw the lifeless body of NEVILLE THOMAS JR., 53, businessman, with multiple gun shots wounds. Initial investigation revealed that on Friday about 7:35pm the victim was at his room when a person entered and fired at him causing the fatal injuries. The body was transported to the K.H.M.H. where it was pronounced dead upon arrival. As police continue to investigate a suspect is in custody for questioning.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE
MR. ELWIN SMITH, of Belize City, reported that sometime between the hours of 2:00pm and 3:10pm on Friday 29th January 2010, his grey in color 1987, two door pickup truck bearing L/P C-12899 was stolen whilst parked on East Canal. MISSING PERSON MS. ANNA SHABAZZ, of Belize City, reported that on Saturday 23rd January 2010, about 8:00pm her daughter DONESE FERMIN, 17, her baby son namely MALIQUE FERMIN, 1 year 6 months old, both left home to an unknown destination and so far, their whereabouts are unknown. DONESE is of brown complexion, slim built, about 5’ 3” in height, weighs about 115 lbs, and was last seen wearing a purple blouse, blue short jeans pants, and a black slippers. MALIQUE is of brown complexion, weighs about 26 lbs, and was last seen wearing a red T-shirt and brown shorts. Police are on the lookout for a person of interest for questioning.
SHOOTING Acting upon information received at 8:10am on Sunday 31st January 2010, police visited the K.H.M.H. Trauma Room where GAVIN ZUNIGA, 27, of Belize City, was seen suffering from a gun shot wound to the right upper back and BERNARD FELIX, 24, was seen suffering from gunshot wound to the right upper arm. Initial investigations revealed that at approximately 8:00am both male persons were at the Basketball court on Euphrates Avenue when a man stood on the street infront of Cairo Street and fired several shots towards the direction of the basketball court. Both victims are admitted to ward in a stable condition. As Police investigation continue two male minors are detained by police pending investigation in regards to the shooting incident. MURDER On 29/01/10 at 10:45pm, acting on information received Police visited an area in Roaring Creek Village where the body of a dark complexion male person (wearing a blue ¾ jeans pants, a blue shirts and a black stocking on his head) was seen lying face down with a large cut wound from the right side of the cheek to the lower back of the neck. The body was identified as one KEITH SAMBULA, 29, of Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District. Investigation revealed that on said date between 9:30pm and 10:00pm the victim was socializing in the village with friends when he got into a misunderstanding with one of them. As a result he was fatally wounded and thrown on the river bank. Police have since detained four men (all of Roaring Creek Village) pending investigation for murder. SHOOTING INCIDENT MR. DANNY MASKALL, 25, of Belize City reported that at approximately 12:40am on Friday last he left a bar located at Corner Amara Avenue and King Street and was walking on King Street when he observed two persons, one was riding a bicycle and the other a female walking in the opposite direction towards him. The male person then threw his bicycle on the pavement, took out a hand gun and pointed it at complainant’s forehead and proceeded to rob him of personal possessions. Fearing for his life he knocked the male person’s hand with the gun away from his face hit him and ran away. Thereafter the gunman fired shots at him, he escaped unhurt. As a result of police investigation police on 31/01/10 arrested and charged RONLEE PETILLO, 22, of #28 Dean Street, Belize City for the crime of ROBBERY. SHOOTING INCIDENT Acting on information received on Monday police visited # 7B Glenn Street Belize City where they observed a minor, 14, suffering from gun shot wounds (left and right foot). Initial investigation revealed that the minor and two brothers were sleeping were sleeping at the upper flat of a two storey wooden house when they were awaken by the sound of the front door being stomped open. Thereafter, two dark-skinned male persons (one with dreadlocks) opened indiscriminate fire at them luckily only one person was received injuries. Police are conducting an intensive investigation into this brazen shooting.
MURDER Belize City Police are investigating the murder of Ralton Usher, 31 yrs of Doris Brooks Street, Belize City which occurred on 1.2.10 in front of 88 Shopping Center at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Neals Penn Road. USHER received multiple gunshot wounds to his body after a van passed by and his occupants fired several shots injuring him. SHOOTING INCIDENT Police are investigating a shooting incident where four persons were injured: Darrell WILLIAMS Jr., 19yrs, of Central American Blvd. received a gun shot wound to the left eye, Steven RHAMDAS, 64yrs, of Central American Blvd. received a gun shot wound to the left palm and Jenny MOGUEL, 7yrs, Belizean Student received a gunshot wound to the left upper shoulder and Robert HOWARD, 27 yrs of Corner Vernon and Patridge Street, Belize City received a gunshot wound to the center of head. Investigation revealed that on 1.2.10, RHAMDAS and MOGUEL were crossing Central American Blvd when several shots were fired injuring them, WILLIAMS who was inside his yard at corner of Central American Blvd. and Trinity Street also received injury during the shooting incident. Robert HOWARD was riding a bicycle in the area where he received the said injuries. Police investigation continues. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT On 1/2/10 a 16 yrs male student of Ladyville Village, Belize District accompanied by his mother of same address reported that on 31/01/10, whilst standing on Cemetery Road waiting for the Ladyville bus, he was approached by a brown complexion male person on a bicycle that pointed a .9mm pistol and fired one shot towards him. The said person then pulled the trigger several times but the gun misfired. Police are investigating BURGLARY On 31/1/10 Bonny BELANGER, 35yrs, of Intelco Drive, Belmopan City reported that on 30/01/10, someone was burglarized her house and stole an assortments of jewelries valued at $11, 000.00bcy. Police are investigating MISSING PERSON On 01/02/10, Iver MENDEZ, 39yrs, of Roaring Creek Village reported that on even date his daughter Ivonie MENDEZ, 16yrs, left home en route to school and has not returned. Ivonie is about 5’ 4” in height, slim built, brown skin complexion, sharp nose, brown eyes, narrow face, and short curly black hair. Police are investigating. ROBBERY On 1/2/10 James WITTY, 32yrs, of Sawai Street, Dangriga Town reported that on even date whilst in front of Amigo’s cool spot situated in the Benguche area delivering bread, he was approached by a short dark male person with a rag covering his face who placed a black object resembling a firearm to the right side of his head. He was robbed of a black waist bag which contained $1500.00bcy and a cell phone valued at $125.00bcy. Police are investigating.
Sunday, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
SHOOTING/MURDER Reference shooting incident that occurred on Central American Boulevard on the 1/2/10, on 2/2/10 Darrell WILLIAMS Jr. succumbed to his injuries whilst undergoing treatment at the K.H.M.H. ARSON Police are investigating a house fire that occurred on 02/02/02 where a house and its contents situated at #4450 Haulze Street, Belize City was completely destroyed by fire. Silvia AUGUST, waitress and owner of the house reported that on 01/02/10 at 10:00pm, she properly secured her plycem house and went to spend the night at her sister’s home and at 3:00am on the 2/2/10, she was informed that her house was on fire. INCEST/CARNAL KNOWLEDGE Independence Police are investigating a case of incest in which a 16year old female minor reported that her grandfather, 66, a Honduran farmer of Cowpen Village had sexual intercourse with her. She further reported that she was also engaged with sexual intercourse with her boyfriend during the summer of 2008. As a result Police arrested and charged the grandfather for the crime of Incest -and are looking for the boyfriend pending investigation.
POST MORTEM Reference fatal road traffic accident that occurred on the 31/1/10 on the Southern Highway, on 02/02/10 a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Chaddie VALERIO, 29yrs, of George Town Village where at the conclusion Dr. ESTRADABRAN certified the cause of death to be acute brain and head trauma, due to the road traffic accident. POST MORTEM On 03/02/10, Dr. ESTRADABRAN conducted a Post Mortem Examination on the body of Neville Thomas Jr., 53, where cause of death was certified as Cardiac Syndrome, due to Heart injury and due to multiple gun shot wounds to head and thigh. POST MORTEM On 03/02/10, Dr. ESTRADABRAN conducted a Post Mortem Examination on the body of Ralton USHER, 31yrs, where cause of death was certified as Trauma shock and Multiple Shock due to multiple gunshot wounds to head and thigh. BURGLARY Police are investigating a burglary that occurred on 01/02/10, in which Zen Si CHE, businessman of Burrell Boom Village reported that his business place was burglarized. Stolen were a safety box containing an undisclosed amount of money, (2) boxes of .9mm live rounds, phone cards, (2) cell phone, (4) Belizean passports and other personal documents. ROBBERY Belmopan Police are investigating a robbery that occurred on 03/02/10, in which Dwayne ARTHURS, a heavy duty operator of Roaring Creek Village, reported that whilst grading the Young Gial Road with a government grader he was held up at gun point by three Hispanic male persons who stole the grader and some personal items from him.