Belize Times April 18, 2010

Sunday, April 18, 2010

The

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Belize Times The Truth Shall Make You Free

Chancey Vega SUNDAY APRIL 18, 2010

Issue No. 4689

$1.00 www.belizetimes.bz

Police Used to Brutalize Belizeans Villagers arrested by police

OC Joseph Myvette

Diagram 1

Gaspar Vega

As we go to press tonight, UDP supporters who attacked an elderly man in the village of Nuevo San Juan and then instigated a full scale brawl have still not been picked up by the Orange Walk Police, four days after the event. On Monday, the day after the incident, Orange Walk Police detained seven PUP supporters from Nuevo San Juan, including the elderly father of the new PUP Chairman, an elderly retired nurse and a female councilor. This move by the Police, (Continued on page 35)

Funny Business at Finca Solana‌

The Belize Times has received documentation which proves beyond a doubt that Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega is using his authority and portfolio to benefit friends and family. Currently our news team has been given access to hundreds of documents of land transactions in which

Minister Vega is dispensing the spoils to select UDP cronies, close friends and family. Some of the transactions are for parcels totaling hundreds of acres, some in reserves. In many cases, the land being gifted to the UDP select has been arbitrarily and illegally seized (Continued on page 35)

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Diagram 4

Party Leader John BriceĂąo outside Orange Walk Police Station waiting for release of villagers of Nuevo San Juan.

Are YOU Better Off Today?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Questions to Ministers

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WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

On Wednesday the Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission and well known UDP fanatic Alberto August was on the Love FM morning show talking about the Village Council Elections. It is not a common practice that the Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission appear on morning talk shows to speak about the conduct of elections; after all the management of elections in Belize is left to the Election and Boundaries Department under the leadership of the Chief Elections Officer, so the appearance in the media of the Chairman of the Commission and not the Chief Elections Officer is a practice that should be strongly discouraged.

The management and operations of elections in Belize is the legal responsibility of the Election and Boundaries Department under the leadership of the Chief Elections Officer. Since the change in the legislation that removed the management of village council elections from the ministry responsible for rural development to Elections and Boundaries, no Department, office or Board has the legal responsibility for the management of elections in Belize. That is solely the responsibility of the Election and Boundaries Department. The Chief Elections Officer is the person in charge of the process and the person who swore, on oath, to carry out these functions in the name of the people.

While the Constitution of Belize vests the authority for the “conduct of elections, referenda and all matters connected therewith," on the Elections and Boundaries Commission, the Constitution also states at Section 88 (14), under the Administrative Provisions of the Representation of The People Act, the Elections and Boundaries Commission confers its powers and duties on the Head of the Elections and Boundaries Department, the Chief Elections Officer who is responsible for administration.” In so doing, the Constitution, through the Representation of the People Act ensures that Elections are managed by a member of the Government Service fully accountable to the people.

As it relates to the composition of the Election and Boundaries Commission, the Commission is a body that comprises five members, three appointed by the Governor-General with the approval of the Prime Minister and two with the approval of the Prime Minister and the concurrence of the Leader of the Opposition. The Chief Elections Officer is not a member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

The effect of all this is that the Election and Boundaries Commission serves as a kind of Board of Directors, while the Chief Elections Officer, an individual employed in the Service of the Government of Belize and therefore accountable to the Government and people, is the professional paid to manage the department.

The Chief Elections Officer is accountable, by law, for the management of Belize’s electoral process. The Chief Elections Officer at the time of appointment must swear an oath to carry out the responsibilities of the office without fear or favour and to do right by the Belizean People. Any person who attempts to assume that responsibility is acting in a manner that is not in the best interest of the nation and is undermining our electoral process.

As bad as it was that the Chairman of the Commission would appear in the media on Wednesday to talk about the management of elections in Belize, his call to Love FM Thursday Morning further threatened the electoral process. Alberto August called in to LOVE to say that it was the PUP supporters who were disruptive during last Sunday’s incident in Orange walk. The Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission called into a radio station accusing PUP supporters of drinking and stating that it was the PUP who instigated the fight. August said all this in his capacity as Chairman of the Commission and in spite of the fact that the media showed footage of drunk and disorderly UDP supporters breaking the law and disturbing the work of the Police in Orange Walk. He also said this even though he was not present and without any proof whatsoever. Worse, the person who chairs the body that is supposed to be the lead arbitrator in the event of a challenge to any matter concerning these village council elections made these comments publicly. Ironically, not even the Deputy Prime Minister and UDP representative and the person who was in the area, has made such comments, yet the Head of the Election and Boundaries Commission felt the need to make such an announcement.

Alberto August, by his actions, has greatly compromised the integrity of the Electoral Process in Belize; he has overstepped his mandate as the Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission and is in clear breach of his office.

The Minister responsible for Election and Boundaries should ask Mr. August to resign as Chairman and appoint a Chairman with enough integrity to respect the Constitution of Belize and who will act in a manner that will ensure the integrity of our electoral process.

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Would the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance please state his position on contraband, since he was in Orange Walk when UDP supporters were guzzling down Mexican beer and he had nothing to say?

Would the Prime Minister of the missing Minister of National Security please say whether they feel that the political manipulation of police officers like what happened in Orange Walk is setting a good example for the nation?

Would the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance please provide an update on the BTL situation and say when, if ever, he intends to pay the previous owner of BTL any compensation for jacking the company?

Would the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance please confirm or deny reports that a retrenchment exercise if scheduled for June of 2010 and that is why his senior advisor is already claiming that public officers are lazy and incompetent?

Hypocrites of The Week

Our selection panel had thought to change the title of this column and actually did so last week, but our readers insisted that we continue to expose the level of hypocrisy which permeates the United Democratic Party. From the leader down, the rotten bunch of scoundrels on the government side have done absolutely nothing that they promised, have betrayed all the Belizeans who trusted them and still carry themselves as the guardians of some socalled light in Belize.

In this week’s issue, just days after the first round of village council elections, we must make note of the hypocrisy of two important men, Mr. Barrow and his sidekick Mr. Vega. These two are two of the most influential men in the country, the leader of the nation and his deputy leader. One would think that these gentlemen, being of such stature would be obligated to set sterling examples for the nation, striving to do right for all Belizeans, committed to the development and growth and prosperity of our little jewel.

That is what one would think, and it is true that both these men swore an oath on the bible and vowed to do right by all Belizeans without fear or favour or ill-will. But what they swore to do and

what they do are two very separate and distinct things.

On Sunday both the Prime Minister and his Deputy were present in Orange Walk when contraband Mexican beer was being slugged in huge quantities by UDP supporters.

They were right there when UDP supporters got progressively drunker off the contraband and started behaving unruly, taunting the Police and harassing other villagers. Neither the PM nor his sidekick moved a finger to restore law and order.

On Monday, the Deputy Prime Minister allegedly ordered the Police to arrest 18 PUP supporters from Nuevo San Juan after the PUP claimed resounding victory in that village. The story told by those villagers who were first attacked and beaten by UDP supporters and then victimized by the Police is a nightmare. But that is the reality under this bunch.

And the thing is that these are the guys who swore to serve all Belizeans regardless of political affiliation. Mr. Barrow and Mr. Vega deserve every bit of our scorn and condemnation for their hypocrisy in the service of their nation. But both men will pay the price, for Belizeans do not suffer hypocrites easily.

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR Mike Rudon

DESKTOP PUBLISHER Lucilo E. Alcoser

OFFICE SUPERVISOR

Fay Castillo-Mckay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR Doreth Bevans BILLING/COLLECTIONS Henry Mortis

PRINTER Oscar Obando OFFICE ASSISTANT Roberto Peyrefitte

Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 224-5757

Editor: 671-8385

TYPIST

Rachel Arana

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

If Da Noh Soh…

A free ride…

Apparently UDP Ministers have not received the memo informing them that the economy is officially in recession (translation – the country is in deep s@#t) and things really bad and we need to tighten belts and cut costs and all that. The idiots are still living first world lives at our expense. Hell, we paid so Minister Pig could party in Playa del Carmen with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehicle and 24 hour driver at his disposal. Now Minister Mini-Dean is on vacation, and we hear

that we’re paying for that too. The little Minister is supposed to be heading off to an official conference in Canada this coming weekend, but he wanted some alone time (well not exactly alone, if you know what I mean) in Chicago first. Sources in high places are telling this columnist that GOB is currently footing Minister Mini-Dean’s hotel bill in Chicago as well as paying him a per-diem allowance. Hey, if we were a rich nation with streets paved in gold, I wouldn’t give a damn, but we’re broke here, little man. You guys need to get the sense…If Da Noh Soh! Wait just a damned minute…

I felt a couple emotions this past week for Big Momma which I never ever thought that I would feel. One of them was a grudging admiration cause she sure does know how to lash out like a woman scorned, and she was

taking no prisoners when she bashed the PM for his decision to basically hand over land at mile 41 to Nigel Petillo to do with as he would. As much as I dislike the venomous superplus sized Senator, I agreed with her (please don’t hold me to this, I’m sure the feeling will be fleeting). Then a little while after, any feeling of admiration was washed away by a feeling of pity as the baldhead called WAVE in a fury and tongue-lashed Juliet (very tempted to make lurid comment here but will refrain). He raked her over the coals, basically telling her to get her facts straight before she opened her big fat mouth and dared to criticize his most glorious and omnipotent self. He went

on and on with the usually very vocal vixen (insert fat sow if you wish but I needed the alliteration to work) as she stammered and stuttered in between apologies and bouts of abject shame.

It was painful to listen to, really. For what it’s worth, big momma…I still think you were right. I think the baldhead did do it on his own without consultation and I think it is a decision which will come back to haunt him…

If Da Noh Soh! A Set Play…

In case you were wondering why big momma was dissing the baldhead when she is the president of his fan club, you should know that Mr. Vega and Mr. Saldivar have something to do with that. Both gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, feel that the bald Mugabe wannabe trespassed on their turf and they’re not taking it lightly.

Don’t get me wrong. Both Minister Pig and Minister Quitar don’t dare to

challenge DB to his face, but none of them are above convincing the senator to do their dirty work for them. Maybe big momma can tell us about those recent visits up north to Margarito’s mansion. Poor Juliet, not the brightest star in the sky on even the clearest nights, didn’t think her bally Deano would react the way he did, humiliating her in public like that. So bald Mugabe isn’t happy, big momma isn’t happy and ministers pig and quitar are snickering in their respective corners. That’s life in the UDP…If Da Noh Soh! What a jackass…

Alberto August to this humble columnist epitomizes the southbound end of a northbound mule, except that he’s not as pretty. That UDP fool called into Love this week in his capacity as Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission to state that it was the PUP giving trouble in Orange Walk this weekend. According to the moron, the PUP supporters were drinking all day and behaving unruly. He says that the Police reacted wonderfully in enforcing the regulations and the law. How stupid can he be? Even Channel 5 had the footage of UDP supporters slugging down 40oz Mexican beer at the UDP polling stations and flaunting it in the face of the Police because their buddy the ‘mero mero contrabandista’ was around. If Alberto August wants to be the propaganda mouthpiece of the UDP then he should invest in a bullhorn and walk the streets. He has no business in the Elections and Boundaries Commission…If Da Noh Soh!

Sir Manuel and Mr. Grenade…

The useless UDP figurehead has been given another title. Remind me to send champagne. The man who is best known for stagnating the Belize economy during the last UDP term in office is now Sir Manuel (must remind the Ministry to increase pay). Mr. Grenade was also scheduled to head up to Belmopan to receive his OBE (order of bomb experts, we believe) but was

a no show. You know how we like to snoop. Sources close to the grenade man claim that he was all set to stand in the spotlight when he received word from the baldhead that he’d better sit this one out. Seems Sir Manuel refused to receive his award if the grenade man would be receiving his award at the same time. Sir Manuel knows that there ain’t no way in hell Mr. Morgan should be awarded after he stood up in the House of Representatives and threatened to throw a grenade on the members. Yeah, he did that. When will Kenny learn? He’s been stung by the bald scorpion before when he was forced to cut off his dreadlocks. Sir Manuel is still much more important in the scheme of things right now, so Mr. Grenade had to stay at home, orders straight from Mr. Barrow…If Da Noh Soh!

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in his ear…If Da Noh Soh! Big ruction in tourism…

Mike Singh is going for the head of the barefoot minister, who he says is a nincompoop. You can take that to the bank. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Gach Guerrero was recently removed as BTB Chairman because he disagreed with the policy decisions of Singh. Singh wanted to

replace him with Anthony Hunt but the barefoot minister stepped in and gave the nod to Lindsay Garbutt. Hell, there’s even been a reshuffle of the sub-committees in the BTB as these two tourism morons jostle for power.

Laura Esquivel wanted to be Director, but Singh would have none of that and pushed in Seleni Matus instead, a move that is costing the BTB about $200,000 a year. Singh is now openly bad-mouthing the barefoot minister as he travels around the globe from Botswana and Ghana to Salvador and Nicaragua. It’s a royal mess. And while all that happens, tourism in Belize is going down the drain. Will anything ever work right under the UDP?...If Da Noh Soh!

PM to San Victor…

Back when the cane-farmers asked Mr. Barrow to come meet with them to resolve a serious problem at the victory, the baldhead said he was too busy to

Poor Marcel…

In his last appearance at the House of Representatives poor Marcel did everything but get down on his knees and kiss the baldhead’s feet (yuck!)

He was singing for his supper with a vengeance, a sickening falsetto. But it

come north. That was more than a year ago. But come north he did on Sunday, the shameless bugger, begging villagers from the north to support the UDP after he has ignored them since February 2008. But anyway, this was Orange Walk. Enquiring minds want to know if Mr. Barrow will have the balls to go to the village of San Victor to ask for votes when elections are called there. San Victor was the home of Atanacio Gutierrez, the cane farmer who was gunned down by Police after Dean Mugabe instructed them to use force. We hear the villagers are waiting patiently for Mr. Barrow but as much as we disgust the lizard-like leader, we wouldn’t advise him to go. He should ask Gabriel for advice on that issue.

We hear the drunken minister from Corozal went to San Victor to get a slate together and had to leave in a hurry after a machete sang sweet notes

didn’t work. He sang for his supper but is being force fed cyanide. We could have told Marcy that Mr. Barrow holds grudges forever. Ain’t no way the poor boy will get back into the good graces of D.B. WAVE Radio is now actively campaigning for the effeminate cheerleader Landy Burns.

Just last week Fonso, who has a lot in common with Burns, was talking about how much work Landy has done at the East Sporting Complex after it was neglected for the past two years

by Marcel. It couldn’t be more obvious than that. Personally I’d love for Landy Burns to run so we could get into some of that repulsive fellow’s past. Careful my cheerleader friend, we’re waiting for you…If Da Noh Soh!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Law and Order Must Prevail Dear Minister of National Security, What I saw and experienced in Orange Walk as a result of Sunday’s Village Council election and the way members of the Police Department behaved gives me cause to write this letter, especially when the Belizean people appear to have lost confidence in the police.

Regrettably my experience leads me to believe that there is blatant political victimization, intimidation and attempts to politicize the police department, a situation that will further erode our confidence in law enforcement in Belize.

During last Sunday’s village council elections in San Jose, Orange Walk there were clear signs that certain members of the Police Department were either acting on instructions or neglected to maintain law and order.

During the election, there were many supporters of the United Democratic Party disruptive and behaving disorderly.

Some were openly drinking alcohol in public, consuming contraband beer and some were throwing stones at their opponents. In addition there was obvious taunting and intimidation of the police.

In an attempt to keep the peace, I spoke with two Police Officers, including the Officer Commanding (O.C.), pointing out the offences and the problem that would result if the police did not take charge of the situation. One officer ignored me and the other claimed that since the people did not “buy the beer in front of the polling station, nothing could be done.”

While no serious incident occurred at the polling station, a troubling situation occurred later in the evening in Nuevo San Juan, a village the PUP won in the election.

Three persons who were apparently drunk viciously attacked the father of the newly elected Village Council Chairman Mr. Noel Blanco. As family members came to the defense of Mr. Blanco, a brawl broke out. Later the police would arrive and break up the fight; however the matter didn’t end there.

On Sunday night known supporters of Minister Gaspar Vega went to the Police Station and pressed charges against PUP supporters.

Late Monday evening, a full day after the incident, police returned to Nuevo San Juan and picked up seven villagers, including retired Community Nurse Sanchez and newly elected PUP council member Magdalena Blanco and placed them in police lockdown, “piss house,” While only PUP supporters were kept locked up overnight, none were charged until the following day.

After hearing allegations that Minister Vega has ordered these arrests, I personally went to the

Police Station to find out what was going on. Several attempts were made to ascertain what was going on, including calls to speak to the O.C. as well as a visit to his home.

Unsuccessful in this attempt, I finally spoke with the Commissioner of Police Crispin Jeffries (this was the first time in my life that I spoke with him) but received no cooperation.

With the exception of two ladies, all attempts to post bail for those arrested were unsuccessful.

Returning to the Orange Walk Police Station the following

morning, we discovered that four of the persons arrested who needed medical attention were not taken to the hospital because they needed a police medical form. Two of the four Belizeans got their forms.

Shortly after the police officer told us that his O.C. had called and told them that they were not to issue any more medical forms, resulting in two people remaining in police custody requiring medical attention. One full day after being arrested, all the people arrested were finally able to go to the hospital.

All this time, not a single supporter of the UDP was arrested, so that by the time counter charges were processed, it was after 6:00 p.m. and the police informed us that there were no vehicles to pick up the persons against whom complaints were made. While PUP supporters were made to spend the night in police lock up, those UDPs who started the fight and were involved were allowed to spend the night at home.

If we agree, Minister that no one is above the law then we must ensure that the actions of our people in law enforcement be carried out without fear or favour. In this connection I would like to offer the following

Sunday, April 18, 2010 recommendations: 1. That the Police ensure that the rights of every Belizean be respected at all times 2. That the law be applied equally.

3. Police Officers must not only be aware of the laws that govern elections, but must be prepared to enforce them fairly.

4. Any Belizean in police custody who is hurt should be allowed to seek medical attention at the earliest convenience.

Considering the escalating levels of crime and violence in our streets and because of the erosion of confidence in the police department, everyone needs to support the Police Department, but for this to occur the police must behave responsibly.

While I am sure that the majority of police officers work hard and put their lives on the line for us each day, their good will is being eroded by those few who disrespect the uniform and behave in a manner that damages the credibility of the institution.

It is my hope that all of us can do our part in making sure that we maintain law and order in our country.

John Briceño PUP Party Leader

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Politics as usual

Typical UDP… The United Democratic Party has become well known for their thuggish behavior during village council elections. Remember Trial Farm a few years back. So the events last week in Orange Walk come as no surprise.

What does come as a surprise to me is that the Police officials in Orange Walk, including my good friend OC Myvette who seems to have lost his sense of direction and responsibility, appear hopelessly and openly compromised.

On Sunday, UDP supporters were brazenly waving 40oz bottles of contraband Mexican beer in the faces of Police. A pickup parked near the UDP polling station dispensed the contraband beer by the buckets. The Deputy Prime Minister who has been called a contrabandista in the House of Representatives was there too, right in the thick of things. I’m not sure if something changed recently, but I believe contraband is still against the law. As far as I’m aware, public drinking is against the law as well. I would have thought that public drinking during an election which is always volatile and contentious would have been discouraged, at the very least. But it seems that the Police either did not care or could do nothing. I guess there is one set of laws for ordinary Belizeans and another set for UDP supporters, especially when Mr. Vega is around. Is that the case, Mr. Myvette? If the Police cannot even enforce these simple laws because of political interference, it is no wonder that crime is completely out of control. I am disappointed in my friend at the Orange Walk Police Department.

Gapi’s Law… Apparently there is a new law which supersedes the Constitution of Belize and all the tenets of morality and justice.

It’s called Gapi’s Law and it’s not very complicated (no surprise there) – The only rule is that everything Gapi says must be done. That’s it. See, on Sunday after the PUP won all seats in Nuevo San Juan, the father of the new Chairman was heading home when he was attacked by three UDP supporters and beaten.

The PUP crowd intervened and it turned into a ruckus fast. The police broke it up and told everyone to go home and calm down, no real harm, no foul! That was Sunday. But on Monday, Gapi’s Law took effect and the Police detained all the PUP supporters who they say were involved. Two women were also detained - a PUP councilor and an elderly retired nurse. The Police locked them down forthwith. Several of the persons detained needed medical attention, but adhering strictly to Gapi’s Law, the Police refused. PUP leader John Briceno stood vigil outside the Police Station overnight, requesting assistance for those injured. But nobody at the Police Station would budge, and as for my friend the OC? Well, Gapi’s Law dictated that he keep away from the station and not answer any phone calls and turn off all lights at his home so that it would appear he was not there. On Tuesday morning, 18 PUP supporters were taken to Magistrate’s Court and slapped with a staggering array of charges. Right after, some of them who were injured requested medico-legal forms from the Police so that they could in turn place charges against the other parties involved in the ruckus. Enter Gapi’s Law. Nobody seemed to be able to find any medico-legal forms. Then when they were found, apparently everybody realized that Gapi’s Law didn’t allow giving medico-legal forms to PUP supporters. Eventually my friend the OC emerged from the mist and joined in the search for the elusive forms. After meetings and calls and discussions and a lot of walking back and forth, the OC, realizing that he was looking a little stupid and a lot politically compromised, grudgingly handed over the forms. So then counter complaints were made against the UDP supporters involved in the altercation, but that damned Gapi’s Law stepped in again. The Police could not locate any vehicle to go pick up the UDP supporters against who the complaints were made. It all sounds funny, but it’s not. As we go to press none of the UDP supporters have been detained and the Commissioner of Police is mumbling something about recent injuries and not so recent injuries. Did we mention that Gapi’s Law applies to all ranks of the Police Department?

Crime is down?

I personally couldn’t be bothered to attend another police press conference anytime soon. As far as I am concerned, they are a waste of time and worthless.

This week the media learned that glory be, major crime is down a whopping 30% in the first quarter of 2010.

Everything’s down – murders are down, robberies are down, burglaries are down, theft is down, rape is down and carnal knowledge is down. We are living in a good country. Crime is down 30%. I’m happy to hear that, but maybe somebody forgot to tell the criminals. I think Mr. Jeffries is releasing bogus statistics and he will continue to do so. So why attend another press briefing? Whenever

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one is called, all we have to do is prepare the headline – Crime is Down – and just wait for the percentage figure. Following the trend of Jeffries’ stats, by next quarter crime should be down 60% and by the end of the year maybe we won’t have any crime in Belize. Get real! I won’t even bother to go into any histrionics on crime – people out here on the streets are crying every single day and it’s certainly not because crime is down.

Just a little reminder…

Perhaps if Mr. Jeffries wants to be helpful and do something a little more constructive than passing out bogus stats, he could go to Orange Walk and have a word with PC#550 Pedro Coy. Apparently Mr. Coy did not realize that the Leader of the Opposition is constitutionally elected and is deserving of respect as a high-ranking government official.

PC Coy was rude and insulting and went so far as to raise his baton in a threatening manner when the Party Leader went to speak to him.

That should not happen. Also, Mr. Jeffries, perhaps you can tell Constable Coy that he should not be threatening to lash out anybody when he meets them alone. Those words could very well come back to haunt him. I mean, we all know that the Police aren’t very popular right now…

Incompetence or Corruption…

Because of one action by Minister of Lands Gaspar Vega, Belizeans will now have to pay up to $7million to a businessman in Belize City. The long and short of it is – Mr. Vega decided to give title to a piece of land to this private businessman. The businessman, secure in the transaction, went ahead and filled the land and built up his warehouse and went about his work. But the land was in a reserve. According to the Chief Justice, the Minister should have known that, but he went ahead anyway. So where are we now? Well Belizeans have to pay back this businessman for his investment on the land. That could amount to $7million.

Let me repeat – Belizeans have to pay…me and you, not Gaspar Vega who messed up. I remember Mr. Vega swearing on his mother, poor woman, that he had not and would not give title to the land to the businessman. But everybody knows Mr. Vega is a liar, and a blasphemous one at that. He is like Mayor Moya in that respect, always swearing on people and to God and calling down all the names of all the saints while they do their nonsense. The question has come up – was the Minister just too stupid to know what he was doing (a distinct possibility since he’s borderline R-word)? Or were palms greased to ensure a green light? Whatever the case, it’s another $7million shackle around our necks, thanks to Mr. Vega! He has said nothing about it. Neither has Mr. Barrow. But then again, they don’t care since the money won’t be coming out of their pockets. We will be footing this bill.

Hold up just a minute…

What the hell is wrong with the UDP? Is it that they have their heads so far up their a$$es that they don’t realize that the stink is coming from them. At a recent meeting with the Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, UDP Chairman Doug Singh lashed out at the businessmen and women, telling them that they are all corrupt and they wouldn’t be able to make a dollar without running to ministers.

What the Hell! Then Mr. Financial Whiz Slusher tells the Chamber that public servants are lazy and incompetent and that is why government was not able to utilize a lot of their grant money to carry out projects. So let’s get this straight – according to the UDP the private sector is corrupt, the public sector is lazy and incompetent, police and customs are corrupt, doctors and nurses are lazy and the unions are non-entities. Hmmm! Seems like the only perfect people in Belize are Mr. Barrow and his motley crew.

Stay Strong…

I won’t belabor the point of village council elections, because we’ve got a long, long way to go. But congratulations and thanks are in order. Big kudos go to the PUP Leader John Briceño and all those who were victorious last week. We’ve been saying it for a long time but now the results are showing it. The PUP is on the way to Belmopan. The UDP will not last more than one term. Many many thanks to all our supporters who came out to send a message. Like I said, we’ve got a long way to go, so stay strong and keep the faith. The PUP is going all the way…

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THE BELIZE TIMES

PARTY PAGE

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BLUE MACHINE

People's United Party Moving Forward

Party Leader Tours PG & Stann Creek

Villages Council Elections Sunday, April 18, 2010

Orange Walk Trial Farm San Estevan Palmar San Antonio San Ramon Santa Cruz San Luis

Stann Creek Placencia Hopkins Seine Bight Maya Center Santa Cruz Silk Grass Sittee River

Toldedo Big Falls Boom Creek Cattle Landing Elridgeville Forest Home Santa Ana Aguacate Blue Creek Jordan Mabil Ha San Benito Poite Mafredi Santa Teresa

Belize District Bermudian Landing Caye Caulker Double Head Cabbage Flowers Bank Isabella Bank Rancho Dolores Scotland Half Moon Willows Bank Lemonal St. Paul's Bank

We Are The PUP

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETING DEVELOPMENT MANDATE

Belize has a population of approximately 390,000. Its population is highly dispersed throughout the country. As Belize is a small developing country it has the challenge of ensuring meaningful inclusion of its citizenry into the political process.

This is in part achieved via the local government framework and at the village level via the selection of leadership to represent the various villages. It is known that this selection process commenced over the past week with national village and community elections. This process is expected to conclude over the remaining 7 weeks. On April 11, 2010 elections were held in the Orange Walk North and Stann Creek West constituencies. Over the previous weeks there has been much public discussion and debate about the proper conduct of the election process for villages and communities and the role of the major political parties. It is important for the Belizean citizenry to understand the implication and function of the political institutional framework and why political parties cannot be divorced from the process of local government.

In Belize, local governance is the remit of village, community and towns and cities throughout the country. Their legislative mandate is one that charges these institutions with the responsibility of ensuring good governance and for the general improvement and development of their respective communities.

Village councils and municipal elections are conducted every 3 years; with general elections held every 5 years. Of the 31 electoral divisions approximately half

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or 15 divisions are comprised of rural communities, which are dispersed throughout the country. This reality therefore speaks to the synergies and collaboration that are required from area representatives and local government representatives. This recognition is paramount. It is inevitable and a necessity. Another challenge of course and that has significant impediment as to why the imperative of this cooperation is lost on governments is the fact of the overconcentration of area representatives in Belize City constituencies. It is easy to deduce then, why the general mandate of fostering and promoting community based development through an active participation in the political process seem to be lost on politicians.

Imagine then if one were to further argue that there should be no involvement of the major political parties in this process, this would give politicians an excuse to walk away from a significant mandate in the process of bringing development to village councils. This would be naĂŻve and would fail to recognize that the local government at its various levels is a microcosm of the larger political framework in Belize. Besides the two major political parties there will continue to be an increase in non-aligned individuals seeking public office.

Such a trust should continue to be actively promoted and supported, alongside, the meaningful participation of the political parties. However, the role of the political parties in the development process is one of greater facilitation not marginalization; in that they ought to elaborate and encourage community based development that seeks to promote an active participation of the citizenry by ensuring that policy development is geared towards pro-poor development and risk management and mitigation.

For rural communities that are the backbone of the agricultural sector it is imperative that farmers are so facilitated to ensure improvement of small farmers ability to supply global demand and exports.

As the election process continues over the remaining 7 weeks Belizeans need to bear in mind that the citizenry within the 191 villages and communities are those who are feeling the brunt of the economic slowdown and the effect of government policy or lack thereof in the promotion of recovery efforts. The resounding results from Stann Creek West clearly demonstrate the political maturity and understanding by the people to not be persuaded by high-paying television adds.

Belizean communities require more than all-weather streets and grass cutting from their area representatives. The development of community programs is a shared responsibility between community leaders and elected public officials. As the elections precede all persons should take a keen role in making certain that the engagement of area representatives are such that they are

not using the people for their own self interest but rather that they are reminded of their responsibility to the development of these communities.

This writer suggests that the most significant statement made

by Prime Minister Barrow in his commentary after the announcement of the results of the first round of village councils election is that if they were to lose significantly in these elections that it would by necessity indicate that a drastic change in direction would be need by his government. It is imperative on villagers to deliver such a message and in a resounding way send that message to the UDP government that Belize is bleeding and those villagers are the ones feeling the hurt.

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision – Helen Keller Gwyneth Sydney Nah Send comments to GwynethNah@gmail.com

Send your letters to the editor to:

mike_rudon@hotmail.com

8

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Our 60th Anniversary…Preparing for the Next Generation!

Carolyn Trench-Sandiford Party Chairman This week I spent a significant amount of time reflecting on the upcoming 60th Anniversary of the People’s United Party, and what it means to me, and what we as leaders can do to inspire our members, and subsequently a nation, to once again find hope and purpose. This steered my thoughts to my great grandmother Euphrezene Bowen Garnett better known as Frezene Garnett, and my father, Elkin Trench.

My great grandmother was so proud of being a member of the People’s United Party, and the movement towards Independence.

She was active in the United Women’s Group, and as she would laughingly put it, even if it meant behind the back of her husband. She used to regale us with stories of the meetings she went to at Battlefield Park that fired her up, of how outwitting the colonial governor became not only an obsession, but a purpose in life, which morphed into a passion, and her joyous elation of living history, with the achievement of adult suffrage in 1954[one person, one vote], self government in 1962 and independence in 1981. This cannot be mirrored or described. It was a feeling.

My great grandmother was originally from the Sibun area, born in 1898, and moved to Richard Sidewalk, now Richard Street, when it was a canal. They required a dorey to dock at their house. She never had a formal education, lived in a two room house with outdoor kitchen, toilet and bathhouse, did washing, cooking and ironing from time to time, but she understood that if as a people we did not chart our own destiny and did not have control over the affairs of our country, to manage our resources so that all of us can benefit accordingly, and if we did not break the chains of colonialism and mental slavery, and forge our own nation, we were forever destined to be relegated to being beggars in our own country, where a few would prosper, and the masses would be subjected to inhumane and deplorable living conditions.

My father’s world on the other hand, initially revolved around the General Workers Union, and later the PUP. He worked tirelessly unionizing workers, and advocating for better working and living conditions for them. As a member of the PUP, his loyalty to the Rt. Hon. George Price and the late Hon. V. H. Courtenay was unconditional and unequivocal.

In fact, as a university student returning to Belize for summers, and at the time questioning certain decisions of the government, the look I got was one of how dare you, and the traditional response was either “Mr. Courtenay told me so personally,” or “ Mr. Price told me so personally”.

He campaigned vigorously in the Collet Division on behalf of Hon. V.H. Courtenay. In fact, that period represented my baptism into politics. I

was a primary school student who was given flyers and instructed to give them out to people on election day and tell them to “vote for Mr. Courtenay.” I didn’t really know who Mr. Courtenay was, but I did it.

For my great grandmother, it was about ensuring that if not her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren would one day reap the rewards of her struggle, of their struggle, of their fight for equality, a just share of the wealth of this country and a better life. For my father, it was about the future of Belize, particularly the working class. Their issues were the issues of the Party. Anti-colonialism, pro-nationalism, workers rights, the concerns of the poor and the oppressed, of social justice. The vision was clear. It was rooted and anchored.

The course was plotted. For both of them, it was never about them, but rather about the next generation Undoubtedly the electorate of 2010 is different. They are more

educated, informed and free thinking.

This is an era of globalization and self centered materialism. But many of the challenges remain. Yes, political independence was achieved, but the vision remains unfulfilled. The poverty statistics, poor living conditions and crime and violence are glaring examples, and the Guatemala claim still hovers.

Thus national unity, economic independence and social progress must now be the next goal posts for realizing the vision, and around which the party and the country must coalesce. Yes, the strategies may have to change, and new ones adopted, but the vision and the philosophy must remain. The People’s United Party and a Belize of 2010 must partner once again to forward that vision which was cast in 1950.

This means that we as leaders must point the way to the vision, and inspire our party and country to travel in that direction. The vision must

become our common platform, and each of us must understand our role in achieving it, and why we must pursue it. For only so can the revolution continue….and only so will we be able to create a NEW BELIZE, which will bring to all Belizeans a better life and a just share of the national wealth……

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

Double Murder Shocks Fabers Road Community

Two more men were murdered this week. Both killings happened in front of #58 Faber’s Road in Belize City on Tuesday night. The victims are Kevin Lino, 23, the son of Dangriga Magistrate, Clive Lino, who was shot at point blank range in the left eye as he came out of a car along with Kevin Casanova, 26, the brother of Ryan ‘Fatback’ Young, who was gunned down not far from the same crime scene. Casanova was shot to his head and chest and tried to run up the stairs to his house but he was then shot in the back of the head. Both men had left Casanova's house in another friend’s car to buy food. The family believes that the gunman waited for Cassanova under his neighbour's house. People in the area say they heard about five shots go off and they sounded like they came from a powerful weapon.

Meanwhile, Kevin Lino's family believes he was at the wrong place at

Kevin Casanova the wrong time. Lino works at the same resort as Kevin Casanova in Placencia and was only in the city to visit with

Kevin Lino relatives. His death came as a total shock to his family, who describe the young man as a quiet person with only

a few friends. He too was supposed to return to work on Wednesday.

Cassanova had just returned to Belize City on Monday to see his two young children. He worked as a security guard in Placencia and was scheduled to return to work on Wednesday. His family says that he was a mischievous person and was not always easy to get along with, but that he had been trying to better his life. His family now has to cope with the loss of a second loved one in just two years. It was also in April of 2008 that Casanova’s younger brother, Ryan ‘Fatback" Young was killed in the same general vicinity.

Police have detained one person for questioning - that is a third person who was inside the car with the two victims.

That man, however, was not injured in the attack. There were reportedly two shooters, one who targeted Lino and the other Casanova, but so far no suspects have been detained.

Dangerous criminals at large and on the run

Four prison inmates out of five who escaped from the Super-max section of the Hattieville Prison on Sunday night are still at large. They escaped when prisoners Dennis Quilter and Terry Bainton made a small contraption to open the locks on their cell doors. They then came out and overpowered a guard and stole the keys from him for the main gate. Those who escaped are Terry Bainton, 30, Dennis Quilter, 35, Jose Luis Cocom, 30, Jose Melgar, 22, and Juan Melendez, 45. But Cocom was Terry Bainton apprehened the same day in Orange Walk. Residents in Lord's Bank have But according to Kolbe's CEO, also reported sightings of Quilter and John Woods, procedures were not Bainton. followed because the management is

Dennis Quilter looking at the possibility that the guard on duty might have been involved.

The escape was only a preview

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of what was to follow on Tuesday.

From as early as 7:00 that morning the inmates from among the 400 in the remand section began calling the media threatening to cause a riot, denying prison staff from accessing the compound and causing a lockdown.

Close to 50 police officers had to be called in and by 10:00 that morning the situation was under control. No one was injured in the process. The inmates were upset because stricter parole rules were introduced at the institution.

Before now, inmates could have been able to get out after undergoing rehabilitation and serving one third of their time. But now they have to serve at least half of their time.

10

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

More Murders – And They Say Crime is Down!

There were two more murders over the weekend, almost as if the criminals had taken a leave for the Easter break and have returned with a renewed mission to continue the senseless mission of obliterating their generation. The victims of this week's cold-blooded homicides were very young men.

The first, Kashif Jeffries, 24, son of media personalities Trevor Jeffries and Esme Anderson, was gunned down just prior to travelling abroad to purchase a vehicle as part of his livelihood, car-dealership. Jeffries was supposed to leave for Houston Texas last Wednesday but postponed his trip for Sunday since he found a cheaper ticket on the internet. He would have driven back down in the vehicle he had planned on buying and selling in Belize.

But he never made it. Instead of celebrating his 25th birthday this Saturday, his family will bury him.

The incident occurred at around 2:45 on Sunday afternoon as Jeffries stopped to visit two cousins on Levi Slusher Street in the Port Loyola area. A green Explorer pulled up beside him and two armed, masked men approached him and opened fire on him as he sat in his vehicle. Jeffries tried to reverse when he realised that he was under attack but never had a chance to escape. He

Kashief Jeffries

was shot multiple times and died on the way to the Karl Heusner Memorial.

The murder of Kashif Jeffries has left many people asking questions because he was never known to be a con artist or a criminal. He has been doing car-dealership at the Belcan Bridge for a few years and has never been known to get into problems with anyone. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, the same day he was supposed to turn 25. Police are yet to make an arrest in the murder.

The next murder occurred later that Sunday night in Roaring Creek Village. It claimed the life of 16 year old Raheem Velasquez, a father of a 1 year old daughter.

Velasquez was sitting on a cement fence near his home when a friend, Lorencio Ho Jr ran up to him from a dark alley in the village and told him that a group of guys they had

Raheem Velasquez

a "beef" with had just chopped him on the forehead. That was when Velasquez jumped on his

bicycle and went with Ho to the area to confront the men. But he rode right in the path of a barrage of bullets. Velasquez tried to run away but fell shortly after and died.

Family and friends say that he grew up with the group of guys with whom he had an ongoing dispute and that the tension between them sometimes got testy.

Velasquez was laid to rest in the village on Thursday. Cops had detained several suspects but so far haven't charged anyone.

Mr. Barrow says he paid his ex-wife Lois $1.5M because she's special

Then cut the allocation to the Police Training School by $1.5M

YOUR PRIORITIES ARE SUSPECT, MR. BARROW

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

Four Drown in Western Pines Tragedy

It will be a long time before the Morgan family at Western Pines will be able to recover from the loss of four of their family members, all to drowning last Thursday night. The four victims, expolice Sergeant fifty five year old Ranalda Morgan and her three grandchildren, seven year old Micah, ten year old Miesha and nine year old Maurice Morgan, all students of Biscayne Government School, all drowned after they went to a pond for a swim earlier that evening. Another grandson, five year old Michael, witnessed the entire incident and ran home where a neighbour found him sleeping on the verandah of his house and began questioning him. After much probing he explained that he saw his granny and his brother and sister drown in the pond. Little Michael was the only one who did not get into the water and that's how he lived to tell the tale.

Finding Morgan and her older two grandchildren was easier for Coast Guard personnel since they were close to the surface, but little Micah was at the bottom of the twelve foot deep pond and poor visibility that night prolonged the search for him. Divers had to use their feet to feel their way in the unlevel water bottom before they finally retrieved his body. A neighbour, Mr. Hislop had conducted several dives before to give them an idea of where little Micah's body was.

Many people from the area go

Two men believed to be Guatemalan nationals and armed with a grenade and a .22 pistol tried around 7:00 on Sunday night to conduct a repeat of one of Belize's largest armed robberies in history when they stopped a D & E Commercial bus heading from San Ignacio to Benque Viejo and held everyone captive.

The plan worked in the beginning when the two men got everyone, including the bus driver, 19 year old Ernesto Castillo Jr, to comply with their orders. The young but brave driver relayed to the media this week his firsthand terrifying experience when the man with the grenade held the weapon inches away from his face and warned him that if he tried to get anyone's attention on the highway, they all would be history.

The two culprits got onboard his bus at the junction by Clarissa Falls, near San Jose Succotz Village, Castillo said, just as he stopped to let off a woman and her children.

Their nightmare lasted for what he said seemed like an eternity as he accelerated the bus to speed past a dirt road he did not want the kidnappers to order him to take. As they sped by on the highway the robbers were busily helping themselves to the conductor's purse, which contained $784 in cash, and relieving the 25 passengers aboard of their cash and personal belongings. That continued for about ten minutes until the one with the grenade got enough and ordered his partner in crime at the back of the bus to hurry up while he scurried towards the front. He ordered Castillo to open the door but that was where their luck turned on them. A bold passenger sitting in a front seat positioned himself so that as the door opened he charged toward the grenade-bearing thief and stomped him through the door.

It was at this point that the sole robber left onboard, the one

with the gun became the victim of a brave crowd, including the bus conductor and the same man who stomped his friend outside. They attacked him with a vengeance and in the process the conductor (whose name has been withheld) had a knife on him and used it on the gunman. The man suffered multiple stab wounds that he later succumbed to while on the way to the Benque Viejo Town Hospital.

His handgun and the stolen money bag and stolen items were retrieved from beside his body on the bus floor where he fell fatally wounded. He has been postively identified as Guatemalan Wilson Paz Dominguez of Escuintla Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa Parcla El Jabil, Guatemala. Meanwhile, San Ignacio police have also said that additional manpower from the Belize Defence Force and police officers from Benque and San Ignacio have searched the area for both suspect and grenade but without success.

He did say that residents have reported seeing him before, but he is also believed to be Guatemalan.

All did not go without incident, however, as a young frightened 19 year old, Lucia Carillo, panicked and jumped through the back door of the speeding bus as it passed Hua Yong Supermarket on the highway in San Jose Succotz.

She remains in critical condition in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital with a fractured skull. A man who witnessed her jump and get hurt helped her to the San Ignacio Town Hospital, but he said she was not responsive to his attempts to get her attention.

While the busload of passengers were brave to have successfully taken on two armed men, especially one with a grenade, the incident could have easily resulted in mass casualty had things not gone their way. But D & E, owned by the bus driver's parents, Dorita and Ernesto Sr., does not plan to pull the bus

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to the pond, which is about a mile behind Western Pines, to bathe and swim. But they are aware that because it is man-made, its bottom goes from anywhere between 3 and 12 feet deep, with some parts having some steep drops.

Mrs Morgan and her grandchildren frequented the area and while only little Michael will be able at a later stage to tell how it

happened, many feel that one of the children may have drifted too far into the deep part of the pond and Morgan tried to save them.

When she was found, she was still clutching onto her eyeglasses.

For her husband, Albert Morgan Sr., it will be a challenge to return to an empty home, except for one grandchild, every day after work. His son Karl, who is Ranalda's son and the children's father, will also find it difficult.

Coupled with this great loss, the family just buried their son and brother, Albert Morgan Jr., who was stabbed to death during a domestic dispute with his commonlaw wife last December.

Ranalda Morgan served the Belize Police Department for 28 years and retired at the rank of Sergeant late last year. She wanted to open a shop with her retirement money but couldn't because she had to use it to bury her son in December.

run because it is one that most of their passengers need to get home to Benque and Succotz after shopping and working in San Ignacio.

But it does plan to enhance the safety of the passengers.

The largest highway robbery ever to be recorded in Belize's history occurred on the evening

of Saturday, May 2, 1998 on The Hummingbird Highway, just 3 miles out of the nation's capital.

It ended in the murder of a Belize Defense Force soldier and dozens of commuters robbed at gunpoint by eight men dressed in fatigues who escaped in bushes towards Guatemala.

Miesha, Maurice & Micah Morgan

Ranalda Morgan

Armed Robbery of Bus Foiled By Courageous Passengers

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

More Water Woes on La Isla Bonita

We boast La Isla Bonita on the international market as the number one tourist destination as part of Mother Nature's Best Kept Secret. But since the start of the Easter holidays, neither visitors nor residents of San Pedro have been able to take a good long shower.

It appears there's a major water crisis on the island and that has had a grave economic impact on hotels and resorts because a number of tourists cut their visits short and had to be reimbursed their monies.

Skeptics have forever been questioning the environmental impact of a large scale housing project, called Sugar Caye, situated to the left of natural wetlands where the island's sewer treatment ponds and the Belize Water Services storage tank is located. An area where mangroves once stood has been leveled and man-made canals now divide parts of the land.

The project is the brainchild of controversial Canadian investor, David Mitchell. Mitchell's project site is roughly two miles south of the centre of town and comprises 425 lots for sale.

But to create the space, serious dredging and clearing of the mangroves had to be done.

While the island welcomes investment and job provision, residents of San Pedro are wary that this particular project will be far more detrimental than it is beneficial. Their concerns first came about as no environmental impact assessment has been conducted to determine the impact on the sensitive marine eco-system. Just a few months ago a section of the island witnessed a sizeable fish kill they blame squarely on the project. Now with the shortage of potable water, they are again looking at the project as the cause.

While the residents await an EIA to

find out what is causing the changes in the area, the Belize Water Services has already washed its hands from taking responsibility for the water shortage at a press conference on Friday.

Alvan Haynes, Chief Executive Officer of BWS, led the discussion. He said they became aware of the problem just before the Easter holidays, made inquiries and advised consumers of the situation and that there would be low water pressure.

Haynes said checks proved that the ongoing shortage is the result of low supply from Consolidated Water Belize Limited, the private company in San Pedro that provides treated water to them.

And causing that problem are unexplained and unexpected clogged filter membranes at their plant.

Said Haynes to media representatives -"They are doing some extensive tests with laboratories in the states to determine exactly what the matter is, what type of material it is that’s fouling the membranes...the large one million gallon tank that’s on their compound has reduced to less than half of the storage capacity.” This is nothing close to the half a million gallons that the island uses in a single day. At the current rate, Con-

The principal and teachers at Saint Peter Claver Primary in Punta Gorda are threatening the government and the Catholic Management that if they do not provide safer classrooms they will suspend classes for three of the buildings with disintegrating asbestos roofing.

The roofs of the fifty year old buildings began displaying signs of deteriorating four years ago and have been causing health problems for teachers and students who complain of breathing problems and itchy skin.

But the ones in charge of the school, the Catholic mission and the government have done anything to fix the problem.

In fact, were it not for angry parents and teachers who informed the media after the school announced it would have to relocate the affected students back in the buildings, there probably would still not be any effort to correct the situation. But the stir caused the parties concerned to acquire some concern for the children and put

heads together to find a solution.

Initially the children were transferred to the SB Daniels Centre across the street on Main Street but the problem of space arose when high schoolers sitting the Caribbean exams were supposed to sit their tests at that same building. That was when the school said it would take the children back to the dangerous classrooms. Aside from the asbestos factor, the roofs are also decaying and are literally falling apart. Since he took over as principal 8 months ago, Marion Nolberto says he has made a conscious effort to address the problem, but without much success until this week when the news reached the media.

The situation is so acute that furniture that were polished just hours ago are quickly caked with films of asbestos particles and dust. It prompted Nolberto to put pressure on the government and the management, that they want new buildings by next Monday.

That is not a difficult task since renovations on one of the buildings is possible and two available school buildings in Dangriga can be transported and assembled by Monday. But whether that will happen and prevent suspension of classes is yet to be seen.

That is only a temporary solution. Advisor to the Toledo Catholic Schools, Fabian Cayetano says there is a five year plan to construct new concrete buildings to accommodate over 1,000 students. Funding for that project is still being worked out.

Asbestos Scare at St. Peter Claver

solidated Water Ltd is only able to supply BWS with 75,000 gallons. That represents less than one fifth of the required amount. The problem has pressed BWS with no choice but to reduce water pressure in the mornings and evenings.”

Clogging is something that does happen, according to Haynes, but after the engines and membranes are serviced, the water pressure usually goes back to normal. This time, Consolidated Water Ltd changed membranes twice but the problem remains the same. Haynes could not definitively say when the problem will go away, since it will most likely require huge investments to correct the situation and months to get it back to normal. And while this is not news anyone would want to hear, it makes San Pedranos and visitors to that number one tourist attraction realize that they will need to face some degree of inconvenience on a daily basis. In the meantime, until the test results are in, Haynes said that BWS has also recommended that work on the project cease.

The investment company, Sugar Caye Development, which is being fingered for the shortage and a recent fish kill in the DFC area right behind their dredging site, is also not readily prepared

to take blame.

Their Managing Consultant, Francisco Alvarado, is quoted as telling a local reporter that they are "looking at how we can assist them with our hydrology engineer that we have on staff, Mr. Panton, and any other assistance that we can give them in terms of it and to get to the bottom of this situation and solve the problem...they cannot really say it’s our project at this point. That is what their response is and this is quoting them from when we spoke to them in Cayman Island.”

If you were wondering why he mentioned the Cayman Islands, that's where Consolidated’s senior personnel are.

That is also the reason given why they did not have a representative present at Friday's press conference.

But Alvarado continued by saying that despite what people have been charging, they did conduct an environmental impact assessment before the project started and that the San Pedro Town Council has copies of that document. The developer behind this and other controversial high scale development projects in San Pedro, David Mitchell, has been said to be friendly with the San Pedro Town Council, and has made donations to them in the past.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

Kriol - English Jumble "E words" Twister

EACH EARTH EASIER EECH EEZIYA

EGZAMIN

EKSAIT ELBO ELBOW EMPANADA ENGLISH

13

501 Kidz Maze

EXAMINE EXCITE INGLISH PANAADES

ERT

Belize Da Fu We - Famous Belizean Women

Across 9. She became the Chairwoman of the PUP in 2008.

Down 1. In 1961 she was the first woman to run in a national election in Belize. She was also Belize's first female M.P. 2. She was elevated to Senior Counsel in January 2010. She is the first Belizean female ambassador to the USA and the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

3. When you are thinking of translating a Kriol word to English you will quickly refer to the dictionary she helped to compile. Think Kriol when spelling her name.

4. Her novels are set throughout various time periods in Belize. She is noted as being Belize's most famous contemporary writer. Her novel 'Beka Lamb' won the Fawcett Society Book Prize in 1983.

5. She was Belize's first Governor-General from Belize's independence to 1993. She was also the first woman in the Commonwealth realm to assume such a position.

6. In January 2006 she was formally appointed the first female judge of the Belize Supreme Court.

7. She is a former principal of Wesley Primary School and was also well-known for being an excellent piano teacher. Her piano school could be found on East Collet Canal between Allenby and Dean.

8. Every time you pick up last year's telephone directory you are treated to her talent as an artist. She moved to Belize from the USA in 1977 and has captured in her roughly forty to fifty oil paintings the people, life, culture, flora and fauna of Belize.

10. She is a former Minister of Defence and National Emergency Management and was sworn in the year 2003.

9. Carolyn Trench Sandiford 1. Gwendolyn Lizarranga 2. Lisa Shoman 3.

Silvaana Udz 4. Zee Edgell 5. Dame Minita Gordon 6. Michelle Arana 7.

Floss Casasola 8. Carolyn Carr 10. Sylvia Flores

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

Manager Charged For Alleged Importation of Ephedrine

Amin Fokrul

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 14, 2010.

Bangladesh native Amin Fokrul, 28, who has permanent resident status in Belize, was charged with importing ephedrine, a restricted good, when he

PUP Think Tanking Sessions Every Thursday, Independence Hall at 7:30pm

appeared in the #7 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, April 12. According to the allegation, on April 6 at the Philip Goldson International Airport Fokrul imported 15,000 Aflam pills each of them containing 400 milligrams and 15,000 Alvita pills, each containing 400 milligrams. The value of the items is $11,700 and the Comptroller of Customs is asking for $35,100, three times their value.

Fokrul pled not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the offence has become prevalent and Fokrul might be a flight risk because of his immigration status in Belize. But Fokrul’s attorney, Bernard “BQ” Pitts successfully put forward arguments to convince Magistrate Ed Usher that his client should be granted bail.

Magistrate Usher offered Fokrul bail of $12,000 on the condition that he surrender all his travel documents, that he produces proof of his immigration status in Belize, that he reports to the Clerk of Court every Monday and Friday and that his sureties be Belizean citizens.

Fokrul met bail.

His case was adjourned until May 17.

Two other persons, Fokrul Alam Salim and Afrar Miah, the owners of Belize General Pharma Supplies, are charged jointly with Fokrul but they have not been arraigned yet because they are out of the country.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Lord Found Guilty of Four Counts of Robbery

Carlton Lord Jr.

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 14, 2010 Carlton Lord Jr., 29, charged with 4 counts of robbery, was found guilty of each charge today in the #4 Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Aretha Ford sentenced him to 7 years for each count with the stipulation that three of the sentences are to run concurrently to the sentence he is currently serving and the fourth sentence is to run consecutive to the sentence he is serving.

The incident occurred at around 7:00pm on June 27, 2009,

at Endless Creation, a beauty salon located on King Street. Four women we r e i n t h e b e a u t y s a l o n w h e n Lord entered armed with a firearm.

The four were Deidra Lopez, 25, Nelia Alvarez; Malikah Wagner, 20 and Camille Perriott, 27. They all testified and identified Lord as the person who robbed them at gunpoint.

One gold ring valued at $145 was stolen from Lopez. Lopez said she would have lost her gold chain and cell phone but she threw them under a table when she saw Lord approaching with the firearm in his hand. One thin link gold chain was stolen from Alvarez. Lord stole $275 from Wagner and he stole one gold chain and a Motorola cell phone plus $60 from Perriott.

Apparently Lord made such a hasty departure that all the jewelry fell to the ground and the only items he took with him were the money and cell phone. Lord testified and denied he committed the offences.

He said he was asleep at his mother’s h o u s e w h e n t h e o f f e n c e s we r e committed.

But when the Police went to his house later that night they found him with Perriott’s cell phone.

Miranda is Third Person Charged in Attempted Robbery of Chon Saan Palace

Ernie Hyatt Miranda

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 14, 2010.

Ernie Hyatt Miranda, 28, the third person who was alleg edly involved in the attempted robbery at Chon Saan Palace on March 31, was charged with attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery when he appeared in the #1 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, April 12. Miranda pled not guilty to the charge. Chief M a g i s t r a t e M a r g a r e t M c Ke n z i e explained to him that the Court could not offer him bail because the attempted robbery was committed with a firearm. She remanded him into custody until May 6.

L a s t Tu e s d ay D e t e c t ive Constable Jer maine Mang ar and Jermaine Palacio were charged with the same offence.

Miranda’s troubles were not

over, however. He was taken from the #1 Magistrate’s Court to the #2 Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with common assault, to which he pled guilty. He was sentenced to 3 months by Magistrate Sharon Fraser.

The incident occurred on December 3, 2009. Miranda’s excommon law wife, Tiffany Francis reported to the Police that she was sleeping at her friend’s house on Flamboyant Street when she was awakened by a loud banging on the door. She said she realized that it was Miranda and she ran into her friend’s room and jumped through the window.

But Miranda was right there and he dragged her on the ground.

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

Mother Of Four Fined $10,000 for Smuggling Cannabis into Kolbe

Andrea Jenkins

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 14, 2010 Andrea Jenkins, 27, a mother of four who pled guilty to drug trafficking last Friday and was remanded into custody for sentencing yesterday, was spared a custodial sentence by Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Instead of sending Jenkins to prison Magistrate Fraser fined her $10,000 and gave her until June 30 to pay. If she defaults

on payment she will serve 3 years.

Before she decided on the sentence Magistrate Fraser heard pleas of mitigation from Jenkins’ attorney Arthur Saldivar and Jenkins herself.

Saldivar said that it was Jenkins’ first brush with the law and that she is the sole provider for her four children. Jenkins expressed remorse for what she did. Magistrate Fraser told her that the law allows her to confine and fine a person convicted of dr ug trafficking but she will only impose a fine. She explained to Jenkins that trying to smug gle cannabis into prison is a serious offence.

Jenkins was busted at around 1:00 p.m. on T hursday, April 8 when she went to Kolbe Foundation in Hattieville to visit her baby’s father. A body search was conducted on Jenkins which resulted in the discover y of a black plastic bag hidden inside her underwear. The bag contained 94 grams of cannabis.

When she pled guilty Jenkins said she took the cannabis to prison to give to her baby’s father who is an inmate.

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Parham and Miller Acquitted Of Attempted Murder

Derek Parham

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 14, 2010 Two cousins, Derek Parham and Francis Miller, charged with the attempted murder of Jermaine Jones, 24, who was stabbed 68 times, were acquitted of the charge yesterday in the Court of Justice Troadio Gonzalez.

The prosecution, represented by Senior Crown Counsel Yohhahnseh Cave, closed its case after the chief witness, Jones, testified and said he did not know who stabbed him. Cave made an application that Jones be deemed a hostile witness and it was granted. He put the statement to Jones which Jones

gave to the police and Jones denied that he gave Police a statement in which he identified the defendants as his assailants.

After the prosecution closed its case, having called only one witness, Justice Gonzalez directed the jury of 9 to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The incident occurred between midnight and 1:00 am on July 15, 2007. Jones in the statement he gave to the Police said he was at a party on Currasow Street and he was drinking with the defendants when they decided to go and buy cannabis at an abandoned house on Currasow Street.

Jones said he went upstairs of the building and knocked on the door. He went back downstairs when he did not get any response and when he told the defendants he did not get any cannabis they stabbed him, he said.

Derek and Francis were not represented by an attorney.

But although they were acquitted Derek and Francis were not freed. Derek is a remanded prisoner for a charge of murder and Francis is serving time of aggravated burglary, burglary and attempted suppression of evidence.

Tutor Charged With Aggravated Assault of 10 Year Old Female Student

Andrew Lord

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 14, 2010 Andrew Lord, 34, a tutor who resides on Elston Kerr Street, was charged with aggravated assault of an indecent nature upon a 10 year old girl, one of his students, when he appeared

685

in the #1 Magistrate’s Court. Lord pled not guilty to the charge. He was released on bail of $3,000 and his case was adjourned until May 17.

The incident occurred on Thursday, April 8, at the house of the child’s babysitter. The child, accompanied by her mother, went to the Police Station on Friday, April 9 and reported that while Lord was tutoring her he caressed her leg, thigh and back.

Lord was detained by the Police and was later charged after the Police investigated the report.

Lord’s relatives say that he is innocent and that the child made up the report. Lord has been tutoring children for some time now and it is the first time a report of this nature has been made against him. Lord’s relatives say the report has damaged Lord’s career and even if he is acquitted people will still believe that he is guilty.

It’s been days since the Kendall Bridge was washed away. How much longer must we wait for a new bridge, Mr. Prime Minister?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

More Blood on Your Hands, Mr. Barrow!

By: Mike Rudon Jr. For the love of God, Mr. Barrow – wait, change that just a bit – for the love of the Belizean people, if indeed the machine in your chest can manufacture even one iota of caring and compassion…get rid of Mr. Perdomo. Move him far away from the Ministry of National Security. We don’t care what you do with him – put him on the backbench, put him in your ministry as another advisor or take him home to water your plants and do other odd jobs.

We don’t care. Just don’t leave him as Minister of National Security. Belizeans are prisoners in our own country – afraid to leave our homes but afraid to stay in our homes. The streets are running red with blood. The police department has been reduced to a local version of the keystone kops.

Our people have lost all (ALL) confidence in the police department. We don’t trust them anymore. We don’t trust them to keep us safe and we don’t trust them not to hurt us. Absolutely nothing has gone right since Mr. Perdomo took over the reins of the police, Mr. Barrow. We challenge you to mention one thing (please, no bogus pronouncements allowed). Just one thing! Why, Mr. Barrow. Why do you continue to ignore the cries of the people, the screams of the mothers, the anguished sobbing of loved ones left behind, the palpable fear of citizens who feel helpless?

It was another bloody weekend in the city. Unofficially, four persons have been killed in the past few days.

This morning there were shades of the infamous 9/11 hijacking when reports circulated of a bus which was taken over by two men, one of them armed with a gun and the other with a grenade. The passengers fought back, and when it was all said and done one of the hijackers was stabbed to death and the other was forced off the moving bus. As this is being written, a female passenger is listed in critical condition after she opened the rear door of the bus and jumped out.

She was afraid for her life and made a choice which may end up costing her life. The plot of this tragedy sounds like that of a bloody action movie on television, but don’t hold your breath waiting for a battered Bruce Willis or Will Smith to deliver some memorable line. This is real life, not Hollywood. Real life, real blood, real people! This is the reality of our lives today.

Today there are persons literally afraid to go into the banks or business places or grocery shops. There are persons who are afraid to walk our main streets in broad daylight, since it seems that the criminals don’t wait for the dead of night to let loose their fatal barrages of gunfire. Entertainment spots are closing up early.

The only business doing well in Belize is the crime business, apparently.

Everything else is in bad shape.

It is frustrating at times to listen to Mr. Barrow speak on something like crime, on the rare occasion that he pulls his head out of the sand to comment. See, he comes across as someone who does not realize the extent of crime and how much it is affecting all of us. Either that or he just does not give a damn, since he himself feels relatively secure in his daily routine complete with escort,

guarded office in Belmopan and guarded mansion in Belize City. We don’t have the privileges of Mr. Barrow for sure. But we’re getting to the point where nobody is safe, not even the prime minister.

If Mr. Barrow were fully aware that crime is killing us (really no pun intended) and determined to lead, there are things which he could do.

He could remove Mr. Perdomo. Politics aside, Mr. Perdomo has not done the job which was expected of him.

The department entrusted to him is falling to pieces. There is more

than enough reason to fire him. But Mr. Barrow is not serious, not about crime.

Certainly if Mr. Barrow were serious about crime he would not have cut the budget allocated to fighting crime. That move has branded him either an ignoramus, a backward thinker or a fool – none of the characteristics we would like in a leader.

This is not the time to cut the crime fighting budget, Mr. Barrow. What is wrong with you? It is obvious that he is not serious about crime.

Mr. Perdomo is now effectively

a non-entity in the Ministry of National Security. Mr. Barrow is for all intents and purposes the man in charge. Since Mr. Barrow has decided to ignore the calls for Perdomo’s head, anything that goes wrong will be on his head instead. After this weekend, there is a lot of blood on the hands of Mr. Barrow. Maybe he will take notice. Or maybe he will just wash it off and pretend that it was a trick of the light. Mr. Barrow is good at pretend. The Belizean people are good at dispensing rewards and punishment when they are due.

Mr. Barrow is overdue for some punishment. We’ll see what happens.

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

PM FOR HANGING...But says it must happen within ambit of the law

Despite rising concerns by residents regarding the alarming crime rate in the Federation, "we should (not) behave as if we are animals," Prime Minister Denzil Douglas said.

Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.He was at the time responding to a caller on his Ask the PM show who suggested prisoners on death row be made examples by being hanged.

PM Douglas, however, explained while we do hang people, we can only hang people within the justice system.

"When people have been sentenced to hang and their rights to appeal have been exercised and the justice system is waiting for the appeals to be heard then you can’t hang them because they have a right to be heard if their appeal applications have gone in to the court system."

He reiterated that according to the

law, we do hang people but this can only be done within our justice system.

"We would be the first to be condemned if we were to take people up who have been sentenced to death by hanging for killing people and hang them while their appeals are being awaited," the PM informed.

Douglas warned that we have to be careful as "we can’t just simply take things that are radical that we think will solve the problem (as) at the same time you commit another crime in doing that as it is a crime if you hang someone, who within the justice should not yet be hanged; so we have to be very careful. "I know that the high crime rate are stresses; I don’t believe even though we may be challenged with this very difficult issue we should behave as if we are animals and (as if) there is no law in the land and do things which are illegal," he continued.

PM Douglas said we still have to operate within the ambit of the law as there is where an orderly society will continue to thrive.

"If we create disorder, we cause anarchy and we cannot allow that in this country as much as this government’s policy is to carry out capital punishment we have to do so within the ambit of the law," he said.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Costa Rica police rescue 15 Vietnamese slaves

A Cost Rican newspaper, La Nacio, reported that of 36 Asian workers, there were 15 Vietnamese, 13 Indonesian, 5 Philippines, 2 Taiwanese and 1 Chinese.

All of them were very thin and nearly exhausted. They are now being treated at a hospital in Puntarenas and will be sent home in several weeks.

Jorge Rojas Vargas, director of the Costa Rican Judiciary Investigation Agency, stated that these Asian workers were recruited by a fishing company in Puntarenas with a monthly salary of $250.

Since they arrived at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, the firm seized their passports and brought them to Puntarenas. They were forced to work on two illegal fishing boats.

Vargas described how these workers had to work 20 hour days and often were beaten by whips. They were provided with little food, so they were always

hungry.

Whenever the boats landed at the Puntarenas port, they had to work at construction sites. They were not paid even a penny.

“They had to live in extremely unhygienic conditions. This was inhuman working condition,” revealed Vargas. Director of Costa Rica’s Immigration Agency, Mario Zamora, concluded: “This is modern slavery.”

A group of nine Vietnamese workers reportedly jumped into the sea to escape from one of the boats. They hid in Puntarenas for two months before they decided to report the case to local authorities.

After two months of investigation, police raided the two ships and also two houses owned by the Puntarenas band on April 11. Some Asian workers had worked as slaves for at least two years.

Police arrested the firm’s director, a Taiwanese man, and the captains of the two boats, one of whom is a Taiwanese and the other is a Costa Rican.

Suspects claimed that they sent the Asian workers’ salaries to their families.

Costa Rica’s authorities termed this as a human trafficking case and the three suspects will face imprisonment sentences of between 8-16 years.

Wave of Protests Signal Frustration Inside Cuba Tens of thousands of people have marched in Miami to protest a recent crackdown in Cuba against dissident groups on the island. Cuban-Americans say there is a rising tide of resentment against the Cuban regime and the failure of promised reforms.

People dressed all in white filled the streets of the Miami neighborhood known as Little Havana for the march late Thursday. Many carried Cuban flags and chanted messages calling for freedom in Cuba.

Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan helped organize the event and led marchers in the singing of the national anthems of Cuba and the United States. Near the close of the march, Estefan said they had received word that a dissident group was also marching in Havana. "At this moment they are receiving violence again. They are joined with us here," she said.

News reports from Havana said Thursday that Cuban police dragged away several protesters from the opposition group known as ladies in white (Las Damas de Blanco). The group includes many spouses and other relatives of dissidents jailed in Cuba. They have held several marches this week to demand the release of loved ones and mark the seventh anniversary of a major crackdown

called "black spring."

Supporters of pro-democracy groups say other recent protests have taken place in Havana and in the countryside, suggesting that frustration at the government is on the rise.

University of Miami professor Andy Gomez says it is partly due to President Raul Castro's failure to deliver on his promises to improve the quality of life for many Cubans. "The level of frustration has continued to increase and yet at the same time, they are going through the worst economic crisis since the special period when they lost their subsidies from the Soviet Union," he said.

Pro-democracy groups also have

received a new boost from Afro-Cuban leaders, who traditionally were seen as a strong supporter of Communist policies. That image was shaken last month when black dissident Orlando Zapata Tamayo died, after an 85-day hunger strike in prison.

"Here we have a working class black man from eastern Cuba who was peacefully advocating change," said Orlando Gutierrez, who leads the Miami-based Cuban Democratic Directorate. "They imprison him and then, when he goes on a hunger strike, they deny him water for 18 days. They kill him, and people know that."

U.S. President Barack Obama

said Zapata Tamayo's death and the harassment of protesters was deeply disturbing, and he called for the release of political prisoners.

In Cuba, President Castro expressed regret for the death, but the incident sparked another wave of marches to protest the conditions of jailed dissidents.

Gutierrez says if marches continue in Cuba, the movement is likely to generate even more supporters.

"Cuba's pro-democacy movement, the ladies in white, they're going into the streets, they are talking to people, they are carrying out protests throughout Cuba. People are seeing these guys are the option, they are the alternative," he said.

University of Miami's Gomez says that frustration is also on the rise among Cuba's large youth population, especially university students concerned about their future in Cuba.

But he says Cuba's government has a history of quelling dissent before too long. "The question I ask myself is up to what point is the government going to allow this to continue, because it can get out of hand very quickly," he said.

Pro-democracy advocates say the United States could consider new measures as well, in an effort to push the Communist nation toward greater respect for human rights.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

Insert A A

TELL BELIZEANS THE TRUTH

Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega frequently calls on God when he talks about his own so-called honesty and dedication to Belizeans. He claims that his performance in the Ministry of Lands has been exemplary. He claims to always be looking out for poor Belizeans. He claims that he doesn’t worry about political affiliation but is guided by his own ‘good heart’ in dealing with land matters.

To listen to him, one would think that Mr. Vega is on the direct track to sainthood.

But Mr. Vega is a LIAR… Belizeans would like to know the truth about these large parcels of land which were given to Vega’s family members and UDP bigwigs: Martin Galvez Edmund Castro Helen Castro Michael Hulse Rosalie Gentle Roberto Montero Victor Perdomo Mr. Imer Hernandez Sandra Bedran Elizear Urbina Abel Silva

12.78 acres 24.814 acres 5.953 acres 5.03 acres 201.11 acres 311.04 acres 25.02 acres 100.07 acres 101.28 acres 927.13 acres 296.95 acres

Mountain Pine Ridge Petville, Orange Walk Drowned Caye, Belize District Southern Long Caye Young Gal, Cayo Terra Nova, Cayo Mount Pleasant, Cayo Mile 12.5 Western Hwy, Bze District Young Gal, Cayo Fresh Water Creek (Reserve land) Arenal Road, Cayo

While Vega is taking away land from poor Belizeans, he is giving away large parcels to UDP cronies. There are hundreds of land transactions like these.

Mr. Vega...

You Have Betrayed the Belizean People

Insert B B

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

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D Insert D

The

THE BELIZE TIMES

Belize Times ol

Sunday, April 18, 2010

ñ a p s E En

ditorial SIN TEMOR NI FAVOR

El miércoles, el Presidente de la Comisión Electoral y de Límites el conocido fanático del UDP Alberto August estaba en el programa matutino de Love FM hablando de las elecciones del consejo de aldea. No es una práctica común que el Presidente de la Comisión de Límites y de elecciones aparezca en un programa matutino para hablar de la celebración de las elecciones, después de todo la administración de las elecciones en Belice se delega a elecciones y Límites, bajo la dirección del Jefe Oficial de Elecciones, por lo que la aparición en los medios de comunicación del Presidente de la Comisión y no del Director de Elecciones es una práctica que debe ser fuertemente desalentada.

La administración y el funcionamiento de las elecciones en Belice son la responsabilidad legal de Elección y Límites, bajo la dirección del Director de Elecciones. Desde el cambio en la legislación que elimina la gestión de las elecciones del consejo de aldea del ministerio responsable de desarrollo rural para las elecciones y fronteras, ningún departamento, oficina o de la Junta tiene la responsabilidad legal de la administración de las elecciones en Belice. Eso es responsabilidad exclusiva de Elección y Límites. El Director de Elecciones es el responsable del proceso y la persona que juró bajo juramento llevar a cabo estas funciones en nombre del pueblo.

Si bien la Constitución de Belice provee la autoridad para llevar a cabo " las elecciones, referendos y todas las cuestiones relacionadas con dichas actividades," en la Ley Electoral y Comisión de Demarcación, la Constitución señala en la Sección 88 (14), en virtud de las disposiciones administrativas de la Representación de el people’s act, la Ley Electoral y la Comisión de Límites que confiere sus poderes y deberes en la director de elecciones y Límites, el Director de Elecciones, que es responsable de la administración.

De esta manera, la Constitución, a través de la Representación de el people’s act asegura que Las elecciones son gestionadas por un miembro del Servicio de Gobierno que rinda cuentas al pueblo.

Como se refiere a la composición de la Comisión de Límites de la elección, la Comisión es un órgano que se compone de cinco miembros, tres nombrados por el Gobernador General con la aprobación del Primer Ministro y dos con la aprobación del Primer Ministro y la concurrencia del líder de la oposición. El Director de Elecciones no es miembro de la Comisión Electoral y de Límites.

El efecto de todo esto es que la Comisión de Límites y de elecciones sirve como una especie de Consejo de Administración, mientras que el Director de Elecciones es una persona empleada en el servicio del Gobierno de Belice y por lo tanto responsable ante el Gobierno y el pueblo, es el profesional a cargo de la administración del departamento. El Director de Elecciones es responsable por ley para la administración del proceso electoral de Belice.

El Director de Elecciones en el momento del nombramiento deberá prestar juramento para llevar a cabo las responsabilidades de la oficina sin temores ni favores y hacer el bien por el pueblo de Belice. Cualquier persona que intente asumir esa responsabilidad está actuando de una manera que no es en el mejor interés de la nación y está minando nuestro proceso electoral.

Tan malo como lo fue que el Presidente de la Comisión apareciera ante los medios el miércoles para hablar sobre la gestión de las elecciones en Belice, su llamado a Love FM el jueves por la mañana pone aún más en peligro el proceso electoral. Alberto August hizo una llamada telefónica a Love FM para decir que fueron los partidarios del PUP los que fueron los perpetradores durante el incidente del pasado domingo en Orange Walk. El Presidente de la Comisión de Límites y de elecciones llamó a una estación de radio acusando a los partidarios del PUP afirmando que fueron los PUP quienes instigaron la lucha. August, dijo todo esto en su calidad de Presidente de la Comisión y, a pesar del hecho de que los medios de comunicación mostraron imágenes de los partidarios del UDP en estado de ebriedad, escandalosamente infringiendo la ley y perturbando el trabajo de la policía de Orange Walk. También dijo que esto a pesar de que no estaba presente y sin ninguna prueba en absoluto. Peor aún, la persona que preside el cuerpo que se supone que es el árbitro principal en caso de un desafío para cualquier asunto relativo a estas elecciones del consejo de aldea hizo estos comentarios en público. Irónicamente, ni siquiera el viceprimer ministro y representante del UDP, la persona que estaba en el área ha hecho tales comentarios, sin embargo, el Jefe de la Comisión de Límites y de elecciones sintió la necesidad de realizar el anuncio.

Alberto August, por sus acciones, tiene muy comprometida la integridad del proceso electoral en Belice; se ha excedido en su mandato como Presidente de la Comisión de Límites y de elecciones y se encuentra en clara violación de su cargo. El Ministro responsable de las Elecciones y Límites debe exigirle al Sr. August a renunciar como presidente y nombrar a un Presidente con la integridad suficiente como para respetar la Constitución de Belice y que actué de una manera que asegure la integridad de nuestro proceso electoral.

Desde el Ecritorio del Lider del Partido

LA LEY Y EL ORDEN DEBEN PREVALECER

Estimado Ministro de Seguridad Nacional, Lo que vi. y experimente en Orange Walk, como resultado de las elecciones del consejo de aldea del domingo y la manera en que los miembros del Departamento de Policía se comportaron me da motivos para escribir esta carta, sobre todo cuando el pueblo de Belice parecen haber perdido la confianza en la policía. Lamentablemente mi experiencia me lleva a creer que hay victimización política flagrante, la intimidación y los intentos de politizar el departamento de policía, una situación que mermará todavía más nuestra confianza en hacer cumplir la ley en Belice.

Durante las elecciones del domingo pasado en el consejo de la aldea de San José, Orange Walk había claros indicios de que algunos miembros del Departamento de Policía estaban siguiendo instrucciones o abandonaron por completo su tarea de mantener la ley y el orden.

Durante la elección, había muchos partidarios del Partido Democrático Unido exhibiendo un comportamiento disruptivo y desordenado. Algunos estaban abiertamente consumiendo alcohol en público, consumido cervezas de contrabando y estaban tirando piedras a sus oponentes. Además hubo burlas obvias e intimidación a la policía.

En un intento por mantener la paz, hablé con dos oficiales de policía, incluido el Comandante en Jefe (CO), señalando los delitos y el problema que se produciría si la policía no se hacía cargo de la situación. Un oficial me hizo caso y el otro alegó que, puesto que la gente no "compro la cerveza frente a la mesa de votación, nada se podía hacer."

Si bien ningún incidente grave ocurrió en el puesto electoral, una situación preocupante ocurrió más tarde en la noche en Nuevo San Juan, un pueblo en el que el PUP ganó las elecciones. Tres personas que aparentemente estaban ebrios atacaron brutalmente al padre del presidente del consejo de la aldea el Sr. Noel Blanco. Cuando miembros de la familia llegaron a la defensa del Sr. Blanco, una pelea estalló. Más tarde la policía llego y acabo con la pelea, sin embargo el asunto no terminó ahí.

La noche del domingo conocidos partidarios del ministro Gaspar Vega fueron a la comisaría y presentaron cargos contra los partidarios del PUP. Lunes por la noche, un día completo después del incidente, la policía regresó a Nuevo San Juan y arresto a siete aldeanos, incluyendo a la jubilada Enfermera de la comunidad Sánchez y la recientemente elegida como miembro del consejo del PUP Magdalena Blanco y las colocó en custodia policíaca, en la "carcel," Aunque sólo partidarios del PUP se mantenían encerrados durante la noche, no fueron acusados hasta el día siguiente.

Después de escuchar las acusaciones de que el ministro Vega ha ordenado estas detenciones, yo personalmente fui a la comisaría de policía para averiguar qué estaba pasando. Se hicieron varios intentos para saber qué estaba pasando, incluidas las llamadas para hablar con el OC así como una visita a su casa.

Sin éxito en este intento, finalmente hable con el Comisionado de Policía Crispin Jeffries (esta era la primera vez en mi vida que he hablado con él), pero no recibí ninguna cooperación. Con la excepción de dos mujeres, todos los intentos para pagar la fianza de los detenidos no tuvieron éxito.

Volviendo a la comisaría de policía de Orange Walk a la mañana siguiente, descubrimos que cuatro de los detenidos que necesitaban atención médica no fueron llevados al hospital porque necesitaban un formulario médico de la policía. Dos de los cuatro beliceños tenían sus formas. Poco después de que el agente de policía nos dijo que su OC había llamado y les dijo que ellos no iban a emitir ningún tipo de formas médicas, dando lugar a dos personas que permanecieron bajo custodia policial que requerían atención médica. Un día completo después de ser arrestado, todas las personas detenidas fueron finalmente capaces de ir al hospital.

Durante todo este tiempo, ni un solo partidario de el UDP fue detenido, cuando todos los cargos fueron procesados ya eran después de las 6:00 PM y la policía nos informó que no había vehículos para ir a arrestar a las personas contra las que se hicieron las denuncias. Mientras que a los partidarios del PUP se les hizo pasar la noche por la policía bajo llave, los UDPS que comenzaron la lucha y que participaron en ella se les permitió pasar la noche en sus casas.

Si estamos de acuerdo, ministro de que nadie está por encima de la ley, entonces tenemos que asegurarnos de que las acciones de nuestro pueblo en cumplimiento de la ley se lleven a cabo sin miedo ni favor. En este sentido, me gustaría ofrecer las siguientes recomendaciones: 1. Que la Policía garantice que los derechos de todos los beliceños se respeten en todo momento 2. Que la ley sea aplicada por igual.

3. Los oficiales de la Policía no sólo deben estar al tanto de las leyes que rigen las elecciones, pero deben estar preparados para hacerlas cumplir con justicia.

4. Cualquier Beliceno detenido por la policía que esté herido se le debe permitir que busque atención médica a la mayor brevedad.

Teniendo en cuenta la escalada de los niveles de delincuencia y violencia en nuestras calles y por la erosión de la confianza en el departamento de policía, todo el mundo necesita el apoyo del Departamento de Policía, pero para que esto ocurra, la policía debe actuar con responsabilidad. Si bien estoy seguro que la mayoría de los agentes de policía trabajan duro y ponen sus vidas en la línea para nosotros cada día, su buena voluntad está siendo erosionada por los pocos que no respetan el uniforme y se comportan de una manera que daña la credibilidad de la institución.

Es mi esperanza que todos nosotros podemos hacer nuestra parte para asegurarnos de que mantenemos el orden público en nuestro país.

John Briceño Líder del PUP

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Ex presidente tico va a juicio Agentes alertaban a Zetas durante persecución de Cobán a Huehue por corrupción Cinco años y medio después de su renuncia como secretario de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), el ex presidente costarricense Miguel Angel Rodríguez irá a juicio hoy miércoles acusado de dos delitos de enriquecimiento ilícito como parte del caso conocido como ICE-Alcatel.

Junto a Rodríguez, de 70 años y que gobernó Costa Rica entre 1998 y 2002, figuran como implicadas otras ocho personas. El ex gobernante enfrenta penas de entre tres a seis años por cada delito.

El caso se remonta al 2001 cuando la empresa francesa Alcatel (hoy AlcatelLucent) ofreció dádivas a funcionarios y políticos para asegurarse una millonaria licitación por la compra de 400,000 líneas de telefonía celular para el Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).

El escándalo se destapó en el 2004 y motivó la renuncia de Rodríguez a la OEA en octubre de ese año. Poco después retornó a Costa Rica donde fue esposado y bajado del avión frente a las cámaras de televisión. El ex gobernante estuvo unos meses en prisión.

Rodríguez fue involucrado por su entonces amigo y ex miembro de la junta directiva del ICE, José Antonio Lobo, quien alegó que el ex mandatario le exigió un 60% del soborno de Alcatel, por lo que le giró poco más de 800.000 dólares. Lobo es testigo de la Fiscalía, por lo que no figura entre los acusados.

El inicio del juicio fue dilatado principalmente por esperar el final de otro proceso por corrupción al también

ex presidente Rafael Angel Calderón (1990-1994) por pagos indebidos en una compra de equipo a la Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS).

En ambos casos figura como acusado el ex presidente de la CCSS Eliseo Vargas, quien en octubre del año pasado recibió una condena a cinco años de prisión, la misma impuesta a Calderón, que se convirtió así en el primer ex gobernante condenado por corrupción. El fallo está en apelación.

Antes del juicio, la Procuraduría de la República alcanzó una conciliación con Alcatel y recibió una indemnización de 10 millones de dólares, aunque la acción civil por daño social alcanza 52 millones de dólares.

Por los mismos hechos, en setiembre del 2008 fue condenado en Estados Unidos el ex ejecutivo de Alcatel para Latinoamérica, Christian Sapsizian, quien confesó haber pagado 2,5 millones en dádivas a funcionarios costarricenses, aunque no se dio a conocer si mencionó a Rodríguez.

Sacude sismo de 5.6 al Distrito Federal

El temblor se produjo en momentos en que el ministro de Salud daba en una rueda de prensa sobre gripe porcina CIUDAD DE MÉXICO.- Un sismo de 5,7 grados de magnitud en la escala de Richter sacudió hoy a la capital mexicana y provocó el pánico entre la población, en medio de la alerta sanitaria por el brote de gripe porcina, causa probable de la muerte de 149 personas.

El temblor se produjo en momentos en que el ministro de Salud, José Ángel Córdova, ofrecía una rueda de prensa para dar el último parte sobre la situación sanitaria, y obligó a suspender operaciones durante unos minutos en el aeropuerto internacional de la capital.

Una fuente del Servicio Sismológico Nacional informó a Efe la magnitud del

movimiento telúrico y aclaró que tuvo su epicentro en las costas del estado de Guerrero, en el sur del país.

Fuentes de Protección Civil de Ciudad de México consultadas por Efe indicaron que hasta el momento "no tienen reportes de daños personales ni materiales" en la capital.

Sin embargo, muchas personas salieron de los edificios en que se encontraban, asustadas por el temblor.

Debido al sismo, a las 11.48 horas locales (16.48 GMT) fueron interrumpidas las actividades en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Ciudad de México, "para verificar que las pistas se encuentran en buen estado", dijeron a Efe fuentes de la terminal.

Trece minutos después fueron reanudadas las operaciones, después de que se vieran afectados con retrasos catorce vuelos, de los cuales tres fueron desviados a aeropuertos alternativos.

El sismo, algo relativamente frecuente en el país por su ubicación sobre la falla de San Andrés, se produce en instantes en que la sociedad mexicana, sobre todo en la capital y sus alrededores, sigue preocupada por la alerta sanitaria decretada por las autoridades debido a la propagación de la gripe porcina.

El virus podría haber dejado hasta ahora 149 muertes, según estimaciones oficiales, mientras que 1.995 personas han sido hospitalizadas con problemas de neumonía grave en el país, de las cuales 776 permanecen internadas.

El Juzgado Undécimo de Primera Instancia procesó a tres ex agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), acusados de otorgar información que durante meses permitió la fuga de integrantes del grupo criminal denominados Los Zetas.

Agentes alertaban a Zetas durante persecución de Cobán a Huehue Tres integrantes de las filas policiales fueron capturados ayer, luego que las investigaciones de la Fiscalía de Delitos Administrativos establecieran la participación de estos en una serie de comunicaciones con los integrantes de Los Zetas, sicarios del Cártel del Golfo.

Los agentes fueron aprehendidos en las regiones de Salamá (Baja Verapaz), Izabal y la ciudad capital; según fuentes judiciales, uno de los implicados en ese hecho se dio a la fuga, debido a que se filtró información de su captura.

INFORMANTE El Juzgado Undécimo Penal escuchó esta mañana al primero de los agentes capturados por proporcionar información confidencial a los Zetas; fue identificado como Noé Vásquez Alvarado, ex integrante de la División de Análisis e Investigación Antinarcótica (DAIA) de la

PNC. La Fiscalía de Delitos Administrativos del Ministerio Público lo sindicó de una serie de llamadas y mensajes de texto a personas que integraban la citada asociación criminal y que operaban a nivel departamental.

Según la acusación, Vásquez se comunicó vía telefónica con un integrante de Los Zetas, a quien tenía registrado en su celular únicamente con el número "70". Se le comprobó un mensaje de texto en el que advertía: "Hay salida con destino hacia Cobán a las 4 de la mañana".

Otro mensaje enviado al mismo contacto fue: "Mi gente ya está de regreso en la capital, está libre el camino".

El MP concluyó su hipótesis el 5 de marzo de 2009, cuando, en un operativo que concluyó en un enfrentamiento armado entre agentes de la PNC y presuntos integrantes del grupo de los Zetas, fueron aprehendidos trece hombres, incautadas varias armas y celulares, entre ellos el de "70", a quien Vásquez enviaba mensajes de texto.

El enfrentamiento tuvo lugar en Cobán (Alta Verapaz), Quiché, Sololá, Totonicapán y Huehuetenango, y concluyó con el fallecimiento de dos agentes de la PNC y las capturas de varios integrantes de esa banda criminal.

CACHETES Junto a Vásquez, fueron también aprehendidos los ex agentes Aurelio Rodrigo Hernández y Javier Enrique Tista Cahahuí, vinculados por los mismos hechos.

La Fiscalía afirma que los sindicados también se comunicaban con integrantes de los Zetas para informarles las fechas y horas en las que se realizarían requisas en el Preventivo de la zona 18, con lo cual buscaban alertar a Juan González Díaz, alias "El Cachetes", jefe de la citada banda criminal.

"Mañana habrá requisa, avísenle al jefe", citan los documentos que la Fiscalía utilizó para acusar a los sindicados, a quienes les imputó los delitos de revelación de información reservada, procuración a la impunidad o evasión, y asociaciones delictivas.

Haití y Venezuela encabezan lista de países más peligrosos Haití y Venezuela son los país más peligrosos para los ejecutivos de multinacionales, mientras que Costa Rica se mantiene como la nación más segura de la región para las empresas extranjeras, según un informe sobre seguridad divulgado hoy por la revista Latin Business Chronicle.

El estudio, elaborado por la consultora FTI Consulting, sitúa a Haití (puesto 19) en la cabeza de la lista de los peores países, seguido de Venezuela (18), que sube un puesto en falta de seguridad pública y peligrosidad, y Honduras, que repite su posición (17).

A excepción de Venezuela, que empeoró, todos los demás

países mantuvieron su calificación anterior.

"La grave crisis económica, junto con los apagones y las interrupciones del suministro de agua y alimentos, así como la polarización política y la grave inestabilidad jurídica, han contribuido a una espiral de secuestros, violencia y extorsiones" en Venezuela, señaló Frank Holder, director del FTI Consulting.

Una situación de deterioro creciente en la seguridad pública que sitúa al país suramericano como el segundo más peligroso de América Latina para las multinacionales.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

BDF leads Caribbean Motors Cup football

The undefeated Belize Defense Force is No.1 in the Caribbean Motors Cup football competition run by the Belize Premier Football League, with 23 pts from 7 wins and their 2nd draw: 2-2 with Georgetown Ibayani at the MCC garden on Sunday.

Orlando “Lichy” Jimenez and Clifton West led the BDF attacks with the help of midfielders Dennis Serano, Evan Mariano, Gilbert Swazo and Denmark Casey Jr, while the BDF defense Vallan Symns, Khalil Velasquez, Jerome Serano and Michael Martinez made the Ibayani

offense work.

“Lichy” Jimenez gave the BDF a 1-0 lead when he drilled the 1st goal past the visitors’ goalie Elias Pelayo in the 15th minute.

Darwin Castillo and Alexander Peters led the Ibayani offensive with the help of midfielders Kenroy Arthurs, Mario Villanueva, Luis Torres and Vicente Acal, but they failed to impress the BDF goalie Woodrow West who kept them at bay for the first 30 minutes of the ball game.

Darwin Castillo scored the Georgetown squad’s 1st goal when he finished a play created by Allan Flores and Kenroy Arthurs.

Stung into action, the BDF tried to regain the initiative with Clifton West picking up a pass from Michael Martinez and blasting in a shot, trying to catch goalie Pelayo off guard, but Pelayo proved up to the challenge, diving to make the stop.

Castillo delivered the Georgetown boys 2nd goal in the 39th minute when he and Bernard Linares worked in tandem to whip-saw the BDF defense left then right then left again to give Castillo the opening to embarrass Woodrow West a 2nd time and the visitors led 21- at the half time break.

The Georgetown squad had brought down the hammer on the BDF, who now squirmed as they sought to get out of the trap, as the BDF coach Jose Palmiro Salas introduced Paul Nunez to replace Evan Mariano.

Georgetown’s Allan Flores, Karim Peters, Bernard Linares and Kishane Pech tried to shut the door on the BDF, but their salvation came when Pelayo fouled Clifton West when he came out of goal to clear the ball on an aerial attack.

The referee ruled penalty and the BDF sent for sweeper Vallan Symns, who converted with aplomb as the BDF squeaked out of the jaws of defeat with a 2-2 draw.

Ralph Flores gave the Toledo fans cause to cheer when he blasted in the winning goal in the 54th minute for the Paradise Freedom Fighters to hand FC Belize their 2nd loss: 0-1 at the Toledo Union field on Sunday.

Neither Hankook Verdes nor the San Pedro

Sea Dogs could gain the advantage as the “Green Machine” battled to a nil-zip draw with the islanders at the Ambergris Stadium on Sunday.

BRC Blaze are cellar dwellers no more, posting their first win of the competition 2-1 against Corozal Shanaiah at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night. BRC’s Randy Ramirez scored the 1st goal in the 77th minute, but Israel Clavel tied the ball game at 1-1 in the 90th minute. It looked like BRC might be posting their 2nd draw, when Ranulfo Alvarez scored the winning goal for the Belmopan squad in injury time. Shanaiah has now been relegated to the cellar with 4pts, as Blaze has the better goal differential.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Maria Chang Eagles blowout Mysfits 54-30 –Sparks lead 2-0 in Digicell female basketball

The Maria Chang Eagles posted their 1st win of the Digicell “Balling for Life” women’s basketball competition, blowing away the Mysfits 54-30 when the competition continued at the Belize City Center on Friday night.

April 9.

The Mysfits held their own in the 1st half led by Glenda Torres who scored 15 pts, but the Eagles’ Shirley Codd shot 18 pts as she led the Eagles to a 19-18 lead at the half time break.

Mysfits’ Candice Neal tossed in

6pts, Denise Street added 5pts and Anna Pinto chipped in 4pts. But they had to answer to the Eagles’ Anna Thurton who scored 9pts and grabbed 14 rebounds.

The Eagles’ Clarencia Jones also played big in the paint, grabbing 13 rebounds and tossing in 4pts. Tiffarah Swift helped with another 14pts and Jennifer Maher added 9 pts for the Eagles’ 54-30 win.

The Sparks had also won 48-29 over the Mysfits in their first outing in

Game 2 of the female competition.

Sheryn Nunez scored 7 baskets for 14pts and added 4 free throws to lead the Sparks with 18pts. Glenda Torres had led the Mysfits with 16pts, but the Sparks were up 28-8 at the half time break.

Enid Dakers added 8pts to the Sparks’ score, and Melonie Tasher and Kara Kisling each tossed in 6pts.

Mysfits’ Anna Pinto had chipped in 4pts, while Candice Neal had drained in one trey and Kenya

Brown, Denise Streete and Kelsey Roches each scored one bucket.

The Sparks won Game 1 of the competition 48-34 ag ainst Maria Chang Eagles. Dakers and Sylvia Clarke led the Sparks with 13pts each; while MelonieTasher tossed in 9pts and Sheryn Nunez added 6pts.

The Eagles’ Tiffarah Swift had scored 9pts, while Shirley Codd and Anna Thurton added 6 pts each, and Abby Halliday and Bianca Mcfadzean each added a bucket.

Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs rule in Digicell Jr basketball NHI’s Dennis Brown scored 10pts and Luis Young and Egbert Martinez each chipped in 7pts, but Rebels’ Roger Reneau’s responded with 10pts, Jamal Harris added 7pts and John Diaz added 4pts for the 95-57 win.

The undefeated Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs posted their 4th win in a 96-36 blowout of the Youth Hostel boys to lead the Digicell “Balling for Life” junior basketball competition at the Belize City Center on Sunday.

Matthew Young drained in a long trey and rammed home 2 dunks to lead the Bulldogs attack with 25 pts; the Bulldogs were up 21-4 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Alejandro Baptist added another 22pts and the Bulldogs were up 46-15 at the half time break.

Luis Barcelona hit a trey to finish with 10pts, while Kachief Thomas and Raheem Gaynair tossed in 9pts each.

Youth Hostel’s Stannis Thomas and Darren Longsworth scored 12pts each, and Jason Gentle and Raheem Mariano each tossed in 5 pts, but the Bulldogs had romped to a 73-23 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Bulldogs’ team captain Sherwin Garcia and Raheem Staine chipped in 4 pts each for the big win.

The undefeated Orange Walk

Running Rebels posted their 2nd win 95-57 against NHI boys 95-57 in Game 2 of the day. Randy Usher led the sugar city boys with 24pts to put the Rebels up 15-10 in the 1st quarter. NHI’s Raheem Franklin tossed in 20pts to keep his squad in the game, but Rebels’ Omar Tesecum added 20pts, as the Rebels led 37-26 at the half.

Michael Martinez scored 14 pts and Marcel Richards added 13pts for the Sugar city squad to lead 66-38 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The Truckers edged by the Ghetto Ballers 77-75 in Game 1 of the day.

Truckers’ Oliver Solis led with 21pts.

The Ballers’ Albert Tasher shot a game high of 43 pts, but the Truckers were up 17-14 in the 1st quarter.

Truckers’ Steven Wade added 20pts and Stephen Smith tossed in 13pts to lead 39-32 at the half.

Truckers’ Kadeem Tam added 10pts, while Deron Sanchez chipped in 5pts and Dijonne Ramclam and Kenyon Tillett had 3pts each for an 11pt lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The Ballers had not given up the ghost and with Clive scoring 8pts, and Jason Vasquez and Kadeem Courtney adding 6pts each in money time, the Ballers tied the score to lead 71-70 in the final minutes. Jaleel Arnold, Wade and Solis toughed it out to regain the lead for the 77-75 win.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

San Pedro Tigersharks upset UB Jaguars 92-72 in Digicell senior basketball

The up to then undefeated UB Ja g u a r s g o t u p s e t 7 2 - 9 2 by t h e San Pedro Tiger Sharks, who had 2 losses in Friday night’s shocker of the Digicell “Balling for Life”

senior basketball competition at the Belize City Center.

The Tigersharks had recr uited some US impor ts: Ivan Jackson, who drained in 5 treys as he led the island boys with 30pts, Gene Myvett of Team Belize which won silver in Cancun was good for a trey and a couple of dunks as he finished with 23 pts, while Stretch Marcellus played big D and finished with 10pts.

Winston “Air Jun” Pratt led the UB attack with 3 buckets in the 1st

quarter, and Ryan Zuniga, Richard Soto, Dar ren Bovell, and Tyrone Castillo tossed in more buckets so that the Tig ersharks’ 14-13 lead seemed manageable at the end of the 1st quarter.

UB’s Leroy and Farron Louriano, Jorret Jones and Claude “Too Tall” Jones entered the ball game in the 2nd quarter; team captain Stephen “Muerte” Williams drained in a long trey, but Jackson and Gene Myvett were also hitting treys to lead 43-33 at the half.

Tigersharks captain Lester Cadle was hot, draining in 3 treys to finish with 11pts.

UB’s senior senator Richard Soto

led the dons with 15pts, while Farron Louriano, Pratt and Bovell each scored 10pts each, but Tigersharks’ tight defense broke up UB’s passing game and the Tigersharks had opened up a 20pt spread by the end of the 3rd quarter.

T i g e r s h a r k s ’ D o u g Pe n d l a n d chipped in 7pts and Sheldon Williams added 6 pts for the 92-72 win.

The undefeated Belmopan Bandits posted their 2nd win 94-84 over B r o th er s H a b et B er g er B oys o n Sunday.

Bandits’ captain Aubrey Lopez led with 33 pts and Jay Chavarria drained in 2 treys to add 20pts as Bandits led 27-16 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Berger Boys’ Greg Rudon and Delhart Dominguez each scored 3 treys; Rudon finished with 23 pts and Dominguez with 17pts but they were down 34-51 at the half.

The Bandits’ big center Kirk “Cheng o” Burg ess dropped in 2 treys to add 16pts, and the Belmopan boys led 74-53 by the end of the 3rd quarter.

The Berger Boys scored 31 pts in money time as they tried for a comeback with Elsworth Itza tossing in 16pts. Lennox Cayetano added 7pts and Fenton Noralez chipped in 6pts.

Dorian Jones and Shane Lino each scored 7pts for the Belmopan boys and Mark Wagner added 4pts for the 94-84 win.

St. Martin’s girls & Central Christian boys win thru to Belize City primary schools softball finals

The undefeated St Martin De Porres girls will take on the Holy Redeemer RC School girls in the Belize City primary schools softball finals, while the Queen Square Anglican School boys will take on the Central Christian boys’ at the home of softball at the Rogers Stadium on Wednesday, April 14.

The Holy Redeemer RC School girls were ranked 2nd in the B division with 3 wins and 1 loss, but they took out the up to then undefeated St John Vianney RC School girls 11-1 on Monday. The cathedral girls collected 11 hits off the pitching of Vianney’s Trina Robinson.

Jada Parchue, Shanice Neal and Sade Pook each rounded the bases twice, while Danika Blake, Zhanelle Cadle, Ashanti Zuniga, pitcher Tyra Moreira and Kayla Arnold came home once. Only Matura scored for the Vianney girls The St. Martin’s girls eliminated the Salvation Army school girls 9-2 in Tuesday’s semifinals. The Martins girls collected 9 hits off the pitching of Akeshia Lucas and led 6-0 when Janelle Grinage, Diandra Betson, pitcher Gilda Moguel, Danalyn Magdaleno, Shaneka Augustine, Natasha Anthony, and Shanique Ferguson came home in the

1st inning. Grinage, Betson and Moguel came home again in the 2nd inning to lead 9-2 after Ashley St Claire and S. Rowland scored for the Salvation Army.

The Queen Square boys led by Pitcher Devaun Zuniga won 12-0 over the Salvation Army School boys in Monday’s semifinals. The Queen Square boys collected 12 hits off Salvation Army pitcher Luis Acosta, as Trey Gentle, Adolpho Pavon, Jayson Anderson and Ashton Moody came home in the 1st inning, and Gentle, Devaugn Zuniga, Pavon, Devin Parham, Moody, Emerson Hamilton, Traus Williams and Ervin

Hamilton came home in the 2nd ining for the 2-0 win.

They take on the Central Christian boys, led by pitcher Miguel Delgado who won 12-1 over the Division A leaders St John Vianney RC School boys on Tuesday. Delgado allowed no hits in the 1st inning, while the entire Central Christian diamond rounded the bases in the 1st inning and three boys scored twice. The Vianney boys scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but time ran out and the score reverted back to the last complete inning, with Central Christian leading 12-0.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

CHAMBER TO CITRUS: WHAT’S NEXT?

Contributed by Norris Hall The most recent citrus spat has simmered down - for now. During the ruckus, an Executive of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked: What’s next for the future of the industry?

While the processors, Citrus Products of Belize Ltd. has a clear vision on the future of the industry, the major antagonist and a former Managing Director of Belize Foods Holdings, when presented with the Chamber’s question, went mute during the final minutes of a radio talk show.

Given the history of this major industry, it is more than likely that rows will resume given the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) penchant for frivolous law suits on issues, real or imagined, choking-up the Courts’ calendar and costing the Association thousands of dollars in legal fees. This is money that the CGA from all indications, could otherwise have used for beneficial extension work and other meaningful interventions such as assist growers in fighting the deadly citrus greening disease now affecting our industry. Instead it now finds itself almost, if not completely, bankrupt. This then begs the question – if CGA doesn’t have the money, then who is bankrolling them and in exchange for what?

Some old mandarins in the CGA continue to insist on imposing their narcissism in furthering their successful attempts to control the industry. Their very long track record of employing the tactics of causing disruptions and obstructions have plagued the industry to the verge of virtual collapse.

They have appointed themselves flies-in-ointment of the industry or as nothing else but spoilers. As recently as at the last Annual General meeting of the CGA, there were allegations of voterigging with some documented evidence directly involving politicians who are not members of the CGA but have close connections with a particular large grower. This then begs another question – are the mandarins acting independently or in close association with others wanting to relive the old days of ownership and excesses?

A recent landmark ruling by the Supreme Courts will have an earthshaking effect on the annual nonsense and divisiveness which have for years been plaguing the industry. It will also significantly impact other industries or associations governed by similar legislation, among them, the sugar industry. In a challenge to the Citrus Act, one of the largest producers in the industry, Mr. William Bowman, along with a handful of other big growers, told the Court that they should not be compelled to be members of the CGA in order to obtain a producers licence. The Courts ruled in their favour.

This move has given strength to an alternative association, Belize Citrus Mutual, which was formed earlier this year out of frustration and misgivings in relation to the CGA. The implications are significant for the industry, but more so for the CGA which has provided very little support or mature management within the industry.

They are no longer the exclusive monopoly club therefore they must now work hard to become relevant to their membership and show something in return for the cess they have happily collected over the years.

Since the Court’s ruling, there have been major defections from the CGA, mainly from the commercially oriented growers who are the lifeblood of the industry. Small farmers are beginning to follow. Contributing to these defections

are the double standards being imposed on the CGA by a former Chairman and a Managing Director of Belize Food Holdings Ltd. who, in July 1998, raked in millions of dollars in profits by selling non-productive citrus farms they owned, in effect to themselves, on behalf of BFHL when the company was about to be bought by the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

Evidence has also surfaced indicating that a former General Manager of Salada Foods, who is now the serial plaintiff for the CGA, while hiding behind a cloak of righteousness, was doing his level best to suppress prices to most citrus farmers while offering to another, prices “over and above the regular price paid to other growers” as per the price formula agreement.

There is also a litany of other inequities recorded that happened in Alta Vista when it was home to BFPL and its predecessor company. These are now beginning to haunt the CGA, given the current profile of its Board of Directors and that of its investment arm the CGA Investment Company Ltd. (CGAICL).

Recently there was a move, seemingly politically motivated, whereby the Minister of Agriculture, his CEO and the Area Representative, attempted to have the citrus cess paid by citrus growers, now be collected by government and given directly to CGA. This move backfired as it would have posed yet another Constitutional challenge with a very likely major embarrassment to the government.

There are now serious attempts to revisit and “provide updated arrangements for regulating the citrus industry and to repeal the Citrus (Processing and Production) Act.”. A new Citrus Industry Bill is in the works. There are good reasons for a revamping of regulations in the industry. Shallow politics is not one of them. The Prime Minister has made a commitment to prop up the CGA. This could be easier said than done, at least for now, for a cashstrapped government and in the light of the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Both farmers and processors would be advised to closely monitor the process of new draft legislation with their full long term implications. To start with, the new legislation must recognize that the industry is privately owned, both growing and processing, and therefore government intervention must respect the constitutional rights of private investors.

While the government has indicated that it wants to do a balancing act in the very best interest of the industry, it would be a major error to further politicize an industry which had virtually destroyed itself with its own internal politics and idiotic arrogance which continues.

The CGA, from all indications, continues to be myopic, now bordering on blindness, of its own situation. The books indicate that it is virtually bankrupt. It has not adequately accounted to its members on how the first $4 million-

plus that it received in dividends from CPBL was spent. It is not in escrow.

Now it is fixing for yet another fight over citrus prices for this year’s crop.

It also has its own direct debts to the European Investment Bank (now beginning to look like a gift), and to the Belize Social Security Board (which will most likely not be entertained as a gift by the SSB) to be concerned about. The CGA also appears to be aloof with regards to the reality of its debt obligations to CPBL’s Bankers and to the strategic investors under the Investment Agreement.

Among its numerous law suits, mostly pending, it has had zilch in rulings in its favour. A Supreme Court Judge is expected to soon make a ruling on a case taken to the Court by the CGA challenging the Share-Purchase Agreement (SPA) on the removal of certain Directors from the CPBL Board. It is a matter that could have been resolved through arbitration. This is provided for in the SPA. A meeting of CPBL shareholders will be held later this month when this issue should be resolved, at least in part, providing that the CGA is prepared to honour a breach of contract. All indications are that it will not be able to do so unless one of its gift horses shows up and prancing obnoxiously.

At this time, with only a few weeks left for the CPBL meeting, it would perhaps be in the best interest of the industry to have judgment delayed by the Courts in this case until such time when it will be muted only to serve as precedence.

A member of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is close to growers concerns, has offered some suggestions which could lead to a kibosh of mistrust and cynicism.

The Chamber Rep. concedes that the CGA must accept agreements negotiated on its behalf by the Committee of Five and representatives from CPBL for the sale of shares in CPBL. For its last hope for survival, he commented, the CGA must remove noxious elements whose agenda is not in the best interest of the industry but rather for power

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and control. He also commented that the CPBL should now be less gong-ho on further investments and should begin to consolidate its investment portfolio in the best interest of its shareholders and in meeting its debt obligations.

Under the Share-Purchase Agreement no dividends shall be paid unless CPBL realizes net profits, or not before 2015.

Some investors have indicated that this could be subject to review based on the performance of the company.

An official of CPBL has indicated that the company, having completed its initial investment thrust is now focused on returns from these investments consistent with the company’s investment strategy. However, he affirmed that there still has to be some more push for a bigger share of the regional and international markets.

Many growers now feel that the recent fight started by the CGA against the CBPL and Banks Holdings, the Strategic Investor, could seriously damage the industry and has dampened investor confidence. However, officials of Banks Holdings Ltd. have indicated that they remain optimistic that they could have an amicable relationship with the CGA despite the CGA’s attempt to disparage their image abroad.

Most citrus growers say that they recognize that the current management team at CPBL has been fulfilling its mandate and that there is no justifiable reason to remove its Managing Director.

The imbroglio and harshly unethical conduct by a few who are angry over losing their influence or their rapidly deflating egos, as the citrus industry tries to remake itself, is now leading to defections from the CGA to Belize Citrus Mutual, a recently formed group of more hardcore and pragmatic growers who are really the lifeblood of the industry along with a solid core of small farmers who are fed up with the annual manipulative tribal charades staged by the CGA. Citrus growers could do themselves some good by extricating themselves from the quagmire and old grudges, hate, malice and the narcissism which have been plaguing their Association for far too long. The core of the problem is not the fight between the Association and CPBL, it is within the Association itself.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed by the writers in the opinion section of the paper are not necessarily the views of the paper or of the People’s United Party. These columns are intended to generate healthy discussions on issues affecting our country today, and as such our writers are allowed greater freedoms.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

What If… The people of Belize are reeling from lick after lick after jab after lick…and we’re told the worst is still to come. Mr. Barrow has deliver on none (NONE) of his promises. NONE! And he has made absolutely no apology for not delivering. He just makes another promise and moves on. Every department of government is messed up, from lands to works to health to housing. The streets are running red with blood. Tourism

By: Mike Rudon Jr. What if we were one People’s United Party, far removed from this nonsense about factions and fractures? What if we were one People’s United Party, free from useless distractions and able to focus much more on granting ease to the many thousands of Belizeans who support us and many thousands more who are desperately in need of somewhere to turn? What if all our bright minds and committed hearts worked from one playbook, striving toward one goal with one dedicated servant of the people to lead us? What if petty gripes, bitterness, malice and monumental egos were shunted away in the pursuit of something bigger, something better?

I don’t think that would be wishing for too much. If the PUP can get it together, and I have full confidence that we can, the UDP would be scattered before us like so much dust in the wind.

That’s how powerful a united PUP is… that is how fleeting and insubstantial the UDP is showing itself to be.

See, the United Democratic Party’s leadership is made up of stupid people, and that’s being charitable. Earlier on, many of us could be heard to say that the Prime Minister was the only intellectual in the den of dodo-birds. I still think he is not a stupid man, but a series of decisions which he has made leave one to question the firm grasp of the screws in his head. A couple of them may have been jarred loose driving over the potholes in Belize City. Seriously, very few people can say with all confidence that they still believe in Mr. Barrow and all that he stands for.

As I’m writing this I’m listening to a recording of WAVE’s morning show and Mr. Barrow is chewing out Senator Juliet Thimbriel for daring to suggest that the decision he made concerning the lands at mile 41 was wrong. He comes across as a man not all there, if you know what I mean, like the demands of office have taken a toll on his nerves. One of my old, old aunties used to drink Sanatogen tonic by the quart and said she did it because it settled her nerves. She sure seemed a lot more rational and calm and less delusional and hysterical than Mr. Barrow. Perhaps he should buy a bottle.

My gripe has always been and remains that the United Democratic Party is handing us back the country on a damned platter. They are messed up and have messed up in so many ways.

is a mess. The economy is in recession. Unemployment is up. 43% of Belizeans are living in abject poverty.

Children are dropping out of school because they cannot afford education.

We are messed up. This government under Mr. Barrow has messed up everything.

About the only thing the Barrow administration has done with amazing verve is fire and victimize people they believe to be supporters of the People’s United Party. Our people have lost their land, their jobs and in many cases their homes. That is the reality out here. And yet they continue to fight for us, with us because they are confident in the knowledge that the people’s United Party can and will do better.

In the village council elections our people came out in numbers and sent a message. Down south where the PUP won 40 out of 49 seats, the message to the UDP is that the people have gotten enough. No more. The message to the PUP is that our people still believe in us, believe in the message which is being sent out by Party Leader John Briceno. People believe in what he stands for.

Sunday, April 18, 2010 I get pissed off when people bring their petty agendas into the game and disrupt the game plan. I’m pissed off for myself and for all those soldiers who aren’t afraid of getting dirty and taking hits for love of the party. I maintain that we soldiers carry more weight than the petty agendas of a few.

The needs of our many supporters and Belizeans in general far outweigh a few with division and mischief on their minds.

Some people will be pissed off at this and I’ll take my share of licks, but it is something that needs to be said.

We’re being sidetracked by some really stupid but costly bickering and it needs to stop. I think that sometimes the Party Leader is perceived as too nice, but it would be the greatest of follies to mistake his kindness for weakness.

His strength is in mediation and seeking input from all rather than chopping wildly with a sharp machete. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with picking up that old machete from time to time, and I happen to know that the Party Leader spent quite some time in the cane fields and hasn’t forgotten the art of clearing away useless brush.

Take that for what it is.

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25

THE BELIZE TIMES

Strictly Personal Barrow is bogus!

by glenntillett@yahoo.com I hardly envisioned when I wrote the first “Barrow is bogus” column four months ago that I would still be at it now, that it would take on a life of its own, and that my faithful readers would demand that I do not stop until I had mined this unfortunately rich vein until it was arid and sere.

Each week I see so much more I want to wax politically on but somehow my perspective always returns to the disappointments that the promise of Dean Oliver Barrow’s ascension to Maximum Leader is visiting on us all daily.

On the aptly named April Fool’s Day the increase in the General Sales Tax kicked us in the rear pockets where we keep our wallets and almost immediately we “heard” that it would not be enough to fill Barrow’s deficit because once again he had miscalculated.

Simultaneously the price of oil on the futures market edged up near the US$90 per barrel benchmark reminding us that it was at that price the now mythical “windfall” tax is supposed to kick in, but alors and alas for Dean Barrow at least, it started to edge back down.

With a gallon of premium gas now $9.95 per gallon at the pump we are all braced for it to hurdle $10.00 in the next round of hikes.

What we never seem ever able to prepare, however, is escalating prices of ever ything at the stores and shops. It is a psychologically wearing experience that ultimately produces a sort of “life-fatigue.” Where will it stop, you wonder, and will it ever get better?

Just this week PUP Chairman Carolyn Trench Sandiford reminded me that Barrow and the UDP had pledged that if elected they would LOWER GST. I know, you think I am making this up because even in retrospect it seems impossible that anyone could’ve been that reckless and we would’ve still voted for them.

The reality, however, is that on January 10th, 2008 Dean Barrow and the UDP solemnly pledged that they would lower GST and on April 1st, 2010 he not only did just the opposite and increased the tax, but the prospects are good that this is not the only time he is going to increase the GST. Awesome, as my girls would say, it just takes your breath away.

Even in the midst of my contemplation of these and other things bogus about Dean Barrow it hit me that I had overlooked perhaps the

greatest example of them all. And it struck me because last Friday evening I met some kids reading my column by lamplight way in rural Toledo West.

I am sure that the village I was visiting along with PUP Party Leader Johnny Briceno Dean Barrow has never visited. It was an inspiring experience to meet two kids - I figure they were about 10, 12 years old, who actually thought that reading a newspaper on a Friday evening was entertaining.

I am sure the fact that the village didn’t have electricity, hence television, may have something to do with it, but hey, I am a writer and I love readers.

I was also pretty sure that unlike the majority of children and students in Dean Barrow’s constituency, these young persons, a boy and a girl, had

every reason to be optimistic about their own and their village’s future.

See, in my view Barrow is bogus because in seven terms as the area representative for the Queen Square division he has yet to have built anything at all. Since he became the area representative in 1984, the area has gone steadily downhill.

It is difficult for me to see why anyone would want to vote for Dean Barrow as the area representative for Queen Square when the people there are worse off now than when he started.

If Dean Barrow should run again, and is re-elected, he would become one of the longest continuously serving area representatives in Belize’s history, tying Florencio Marin, Sr., I think.

But it is not the people who actually live, no suffer in Queen Square who’ve decided that they want Dean Barrow to represent them. No siree, it is a bunch of Belizean Americans who are flown in every election to vote for him. They don’t live in Belize, they just vote here.

They don’t have to live amidst the

Sunday, April 18, 2010 neglect and squalor, amid the jackers and the gun shots. They don’t have to watch their young men shooting one another dead with regularity while their area representative, the most powerful man in Belize, does nothing.

It is even worse when you consider that he is joined by three other UDP representatives whom he has made powerful Cabinet ministers, and none of whom are political novices: Finnegan is a four-time area representative, while Faber and Boots are both two-term representatives.

Queen Square is no better off for Dean Barrow’s record long stewardship and he is so bogus he doesn’t even have the decency to resign.

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

J. A. Rebel

THE BELIZE TIMES

UP

Election Drama in the north!

Last week I had the opportunity to witness the election process in various villages in the Orange Walk district.

As I had anticipated, almost the entire Cabinet was on the ground to save the bacon of the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. The big shots included PM Dean Barrow, his ex-brother in law Housing Minister Michael Finnegan, Health Minister Pablo Marin (AKA Dos Mujeres un Camino), Pablo’s shadow Free Zone CEO Raul Rosado, the always drunk Local Government Minister Gabriel Martinez and the lost and found Corozal North Area Representative Nemencio “El Menzo” Acosta.

The presence of these senior ministers flooding into the northern villages is an obvious sign that the UDP is going all out for the village council elections. But it goes further than just visiting these villages; big bucks were flowing out of the UDP pockets in an all out attempt to buy over the villagers. Some of the villagers got boxes of groceries, many held on to the blue notes and others settled for ice cold Mexican beers. The long and short of it is that Gapi and his crowd was shelling out money hand-over-fist to ensure a UDP victory.

While I noticed big bucks given out in the public, I also noticed the outright political support given to the UDP by various elements of the Orange Walk Police Department and officials of the Election and Boundaries Department. In San Jose Village, the Elections and Boundaries Department refused to demarcate the boundaries for polling stations.

The officials went out of their way to bend over and allowed the UDP elected ministers to walk in and out of the polling stations. The UDP Ministers were allowed to approach voters as a last campaigning strategy.

The UDP affiliated candidates were also allowed to campaign up to the absolute last minute. When the PUP affiliated candidates brought this to the attention of the Elections and Boundaries Department, they instructed the Police not to allow them (PUP affiliated candidates) near the polling station.

In regards to the alcohol consumption, since the opening of the polls in San Jose village, the Police were continuously made aware of the consumption of beers (all contraband) under the UDP tents that were within the polling station area. Even the Opposition Leader Honorable John Briceno approached the Officer in Charge of the Orange Walk Police De par tment and he blatantly responded by saying, “no one is selling alcohol out here!” The duty of the OC was to arrest or at the very least remove those consuming alcohol from around the polling station area.

That set the precedent for various confrontations instigated by both

elected UDP parliamentarians and high ranking officials of the UDP. Following a cordial chat between Honorable John Briceno and Michael Finnegan, the supporters of the UDP standing next to the Deputy Prime Minister threw missiles at the PUP Leader. That incident unfolded before the eyes of the high ranking officers including OC Joseph Myvette. When PUP Leader John Briceno approached a constable (PC#550), that constable

was insulting and even raised his baton in a threatening manner. One of the PUP Leader’s supporters reminded the officer of his duties, to which the PC responded, “I will lash you up when I catch you by yourself.” If it was not for Inspector Tillett things would have gotten out of hand since OC Myvette out rightly refused to address the issue.

The police ignored their duties and responsibilities and UDP supporters obviously saw it as a green light for them to do as they pleased. That led the UDP supporters to storm into the homes of newly elected village council members in another nearby village (San Juan), but that is for another story.

It is sad that ruling politicians have influence over those conducting the elections and those entrusted to ensure that law and order prevail during the election process. There are two things I would like the Prime Minister to explain. Why is it that the government is allowing government vehicles to be used by the UDP to transport their supporters and voters as was the case in Orange Walk last week? Didn’t the Prime

26 Minister announce earlier this year that Belizeans have to “tighten up” because the government was broke?

So why aren’t our government leaders willing to “tighten up” their own belts as was recommended by the Chamber of Commerce? The second thing that rings in my head is - where was PM Barrow and his lame Cabinet when the caneros up north were in crisis? Why is it that he is all too willing to visit the north now? I want to see if the PM and his colleagues will have enough cojones to shake the hands of the family of murdered canero Atanacio Gutierrez in San Victor Village during their village council campaign. Let us wait and see how that will turn out.

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

27

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Dolores Villagers Reject Mr. Quitar Dolores is Belize’s westernmost and southernmost recognized settlement, just 2 miles east of the Belize-Guatemala border and fifty-five miles by dirt road from Punta Gorda Town.

The remote village has been home to eighty families for several decades now, who make their living from subsistence farming, rearing chickens and pigs, and hunting.

The conveniences of modern life have yet to intrude too much on its traditional ways. There is no electricity, and water is supplied to single stand pipes in each yard or lot along the main road through a gravity fed water sys- having seen him before, had drivtem that pipes it straight from a en into the village and planted catchment on a hill overlooking the village.

The only modern building, a ferro-concrete structure, houses classrooms for Our Lady of Sorrows RC Primary School, the teacher’s quarters and a health post. Some homes have wooden plank sidings and two boast of metal zinc roofing. Most though, are sticks, thatch and earthen floors.

The sound of a conch shell horn summons the men of the village to a meeting in the simple one room wooden community center, formerly the school house, with the alcalde and some visitors. PUP Party Leader Johnny Briceno, accompanied by former Toledo East area representative Mike Espat and others, have trekked the many miles to visit and bring news.

Nearly forty men crowd into the small room to listen and ask questions. On their way from their homes and farms the men had to pass a white wooden sign lettered with red painted words that read: “PRIVATE PROPERTY NO TRESPASSING” almost in the center of the village. For those who know these Ketchi Maya and their traditional communal beliefs it is as incongruous as a billboard advertizing cable television or Viagra.

It is the issue of today’s meeting. In the past PUP administration John Briceno as Minister of Land had had the two thousand acres surrounding Dolores Village surveyed and delineated in a parcel to ensure that the village’s residents could continue their traditional use. He had done this in 2006 and today he and Mike Espat had brought the authenticated map to reassure the villagers that this had been done.

Some time earlier this year a man they did not know, never

PUP Think Tanking Sessions Every Thursday, Independence Hall at 7:30pm

the “PRIVATE PROPERTY NO TRESPASSING” sign, after informing them that he had bought the land from the Government of Belize and it was now his private property. In their own quiet way the villagers had inquired of their area representative Hon. Eden Martinez and he had informed them that indeed, this was so.

The villagers were at a loss – how could this be so? Hadn’t the Belize Supreme Court ruled that this was their communal land?

Hadn’t the PUP government ensured that they could continue their traditional way of life?

The message from the Leader of the Opposition and the People’s United Party Leader Hon.

Johnny Briceno was a simple one.

No one can come and claim your land. Go take out that sign and throw it away. The next time Mr. Monsanto or anyone else comes here and says that this is their land you must say to them, no, this is our land and we will fight to defend it. Next week an attorney will come from Belize City to help you prepare an application for an injunction against this arbitrary taking away of your rightful property. Be prepared to stand strong, be prepared to fight for your right.

Indeed as we drove out of that quiet remote village after the meeting had ended, the sign was gone.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES you voted to keep on the streets of Belize City.

After church on Sunday, I overheard a group of middle aged sisters checking amongst themselves as to whether they had been consulted in Gordon’s “yes” vote. They were devoutly in search of the truth. Let me save you ladies the hassle, we were not consulted.

Interestingly and in a snappy response to another church sister’s are conscience votes. It is a barom- weak defense of Gordy, we were reeter for the government to know minded of the story of Zacchaeus if each of the represented sectors in the Gospel of Luke 19:1-10. I resupports a policy decision of the alized afterwards that this is a most Upper house. It is called democracy, telling symbolism of what should stupid! If you vote yes “mi bally”, have been done. the Government will think that the In that scripture Jesus was passChurch agrees with its decision. ing through Jericho on his way to Watch ya, Stap talk stewpid- Jerusalem when he looked up into ness, Gordy. The truth is that based a sycamore fig tree and saw a man on your crippled line of “mi bally” called Zacchaeus. Now, Z was a big quality argument, you will be voting shot publicanus which is the bible “yes” for all bills because the Sen- day equivalent of a superintendent ate can’t really “stop” any bill. What of customs or Tax Commissioner. are you doing there? Leave!!! If you The story goes that Jesus called to don’t section 64 of the Constitution the youth by name and invited himtells us how to remove you. We do self to Z’s house. Taken aback by not need a church version of Bertie the audacity and measure of Jesus’ Chimilio. address to him, Z repented of acts What makes this such a grossly of corruption and vowed to make ironic infraction is that of all the restitution for them. social partners, the church should Now the sycamore tree, be the moral leader against unchris- climbed by Zacchaeus, in the cultian and immoral bills. You heard ture of that time, was considered the Unions begging for a delay, us- "unclean" because the fruit it proing such words as “unconscionable” duced was fed to pigs. The theologiand “untenable” to refer to the tax cal translation is that the calling out noose. The Opposition stood and of the tree was an alter call for condemanded that in the name of God, trition. Jesus’ bellowing moral authe bill be condemned. Even Father thority guaranteed conversion. The Hulse made his shotgun-wedding Christian thing for Gordy to have style vote with a forced “no”. done was to call “Zacchaeus” out But to throw undiluted vinegar the unclean sycamore tree of this into our wounds, Gordy had the tax budget and by the force of the unrepentant gall to backtalk and say that even if he had voted no, the president would have had the casting vote. Boss, that was exactly the same reasoning that allowed Pontius Pilate to wash his hands and turn over Jesus of Nazareth to be crucified by blood hungry heathens whipped into a frenzy by politically insecure religious leaders who preferred to see murderers like Barabas continue their terror.

And Barabas surely has been set free. This is a budget that is choking a justice and public security system that is completely under siege. The less money the justice system gets to fight crime the more murderers walk the street. So, voting for a bill which hacks the budget for the Police is caving in to the frenzied chants for Barabas, the murderer.

In the past few weeks, the religious community has taken some bitter assassinations: one being a Deacon of the Adventist Church and the other a devout Muslim who attended Friday service the day before he was slaughtered. Hey, Gordy, it is the very people you should be representing from the Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association of Churches who are being murdered by the Barabas that

The Senator and the Sycamore tree

In search of TRUTH

John 8:30-32 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.

Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” Mat-

thew 7:15-16 I had to clean out my ears.

What is next? Truly, what is next?

Imagine that on March 30, 2010, the senator who is supposed to be representing the religious voice of this nation voted to support an oppressive and profane bill. A budget and tax law which even he himself confessed (afterwards and when it did not matter of course) was “a big blunder”. Save it Pharisee!

I crouched over my am/fm radio squeezing the foil paper on the antenna and listening to this confused savior. He was either on a sadistic frolic all his own or the Forrest Gump style top button of his shirt was cutting off circulation to his brain. Man, at one point I had to pinch myself wondering if he was singing for his supper by scolding the private sector senator like a good house slave. I personally was waiting for him to eventually burst out like the stock character of blackface minstrels saying “and unnu know masa ain gone like dis, me no wah get inna trouble. Slave revolt? Whu-rah? Nuh me!!”

Normally he has a partner in crime, but the Chamber and Business sector must have violently threatened the immaculately conceived Senator from the private sector, because his body language and conviction was like a street rogue who was caught by policemen going up-stop and told to come off his bike; let out the air in his wheels and walk his bike in the right direction.

Gordy did put in work against his holiness Mr. Hulse, though, by scoffing: “The same business people want infrastructure in place for them to perform, and that costs money…You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Tek dat Father Hulse!

Gordy’s sinfully fallacious argument is that “the Senate really has no constitutional power to stop the implementation of a budget…once the House approves the Revenue Appropriation Bill…” Hmnnn…

Inna small change, what he is saying is that it makes no sense for him to vote “no” because no matter how bad the law is, the Senate has no remedy for resistance. Look yah. Principal, moral high ground and righteous stances are the most powerful political tools. The voice of the people is the voice of God. All Power is to and of the people.

Know that.

The reality is that the Senate is a rubber stamp. No two ways around it. I know this. You know this. Mr. UDP Cabinet Sect. knows this but the votes in the senate then

PUP Think Tanking Sessions Every Thursday, Independence Hall at 7:30pm

29 spiritual prerogative to cast out the demons scratching inside the chambers of the bill.

Gordy’s “aye” vote is a reminder that political crushes and alliances may go deeper than religious moorings. The prohibition against the overlap of these two institutions - church and politics - would otherwise have begotten a just objective in the Senatorial appointment on behalf of the Church but without supervision, Gordy is what we get.

The fact that ethical convictions are rooted in religious faith does not disqualify them from the political realm. Therefore the converse is equally true, as they do not have secular validity merely because they roll off the tongues of recovering UDPs screaming religiously authority. This is an unconscionable bill and all Belizeans including the Church were to have been standing on the same righteous side, instead the Pharisees continue to plot to crucify the Belizean body of Christ.

So we pray, forgive him Father although he knows of what he has done…

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THE BELIZE TIMES

S

PON DI GULLY Survival off the Land

D E

people live off the land. They plant their corn and rice utilizing the traditional slash and burn system. Each family works five acres of land annually. Then the next year, they proceed to slash and burn another five acres of land. This is repeated each year. At the end of the fifth year, the families return to slash and burn the first five acres of land.

It is hard work, but every member of the family helps out, must help out as that is how food is put on the table.

But the villagers’ mode of survival

By anthony sylvestre Take a right off the Southern Highway some 14 miles from Punta Gorda and the journey starts on the bumpy, unpaved, narrow road that takes you through the Ketchi villages of Santa Teresa, Mabilhox, San Lucas, Corazon, Otoxha and then finally, Dolores. Life here is perhaps what Belize City must have been ages ago. There is no electricity in these villages; no BEL lampposts in sight and the most elaborate building is the village school. Houses are traditional Mayan homes of bush planks and the roofs are masses of thatch. There are no indoor bathroom facilities; there are no cement or board floors. The earth is the floor and villagers cook over open fire.

BUT, there are no sporadic sounds of gunshots breaking the silence here.

The villagers explain that before the roads were built, the journey through the thicket in the villages and over the Temash, Moho and Sarstoon Rivers took over a week. Today, the sojourn to the most southern Ketchi village takes less than a day. After an hour and a half trek in the rugged terrain from off the Southern Highway, we finally arrive in Dolores.

Dolores is a village of about 80 families, one of the larger villages in the area spanning some 2000 acres. It is one of the oldest and most remote villages in the Toledo District, situated some 50 miles southwest of Punta Gorda and two miles from the Belize/Guatemala border. Part of the village is said to be in the reviled adjacency zone. You can see from a distance, the mountain top which the alcalde points to and which he says is Guatemalan territory.

The original founders of Dolores were Guatemalan Qe’qchi Mayas who settled in the area towards the end of the 1800s seeking farmlands. They were already in the area when the Cramer Estate Company was establishing a coffee and cacao plantation. The Company was in need of labourers so these families went to work for the Cramer Estate. However, after only five years in operation the company closed down and left. The people remained behind and established the village of Dolores around 1920.

There are no jobs in the village; the

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mike_rudon@hotmail.com

off the land is being threatened.

A logging license has been granted to a big landowner to cut trees in of all places, the village. The landowner already has over 16,000 acres of land adjacent to the village. But yet, he has been granted a logging license to fell trees in the village.

So far the big landowner has cut trees in three areas within the village parameters. The trees are then churned out to the sawmills, producing lumber that is whisked off for sale.

True, some form of employment is being created for those who work for the big landowner. But that of course, is only temporary. At the same time, the villagers’ ability to survive off the land is permanently being lost. The same land in the village which the big landowner is engulfing to fell trees, is the same land the 80 families need to slash and burn so that they can plant crops for their survival. The big landowner is saying too, that he actually owns the land on which the village sits. He is now demanding that the villagers vacate the land.

It is a clash of villagers’ right to survive and quest for profit that is

Sunday, April 18, 2010 brewing in the remote village of Dolores. The villagers say that the area representative and the government have refused to intervene on their behalf. They do not know what the future has in store for them as the big landowner has been acting very bombastic, threatening villagers that they must move off the land.

It seems incredulous that a village which has a history that goes back to the end of the 1800 can be literally erased from the map of Belize because of the greed of a big landowner and government is doing nothing to redress this situation.

As the former area representative for Toledo East (the constituency within which the village is situated) Mike Espat says: All these people want to do is survive off the land. But it seems that in Belize today, that is not a right again.

PUP Think Tanking Sessions Every Thursday, Independence Hall at 7:30pm

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

Políticas UDP, como siempre

Típicos UDP...

El Partido Democrático Unido ha llegado a ser bien conocido por su comportamiento abusador durante las elecciones de consejo de aldea. Recuerde Trial Farm hace unos años. Así que los acontecimientos de la semana pasada en Orange Walk no sorprenden a nadie. Lo que me sorprendió fueron los funcionarios de la policía en Orange Walk, incluyendo a mi buen amigo OC Myvette que parece haber perdido su sentido de dirección y responsabilidad, pareció irremediablemente y abiertamente comprometido. El domingo, los partidarios del UDP estaban agitando botellas de cerveza mexicana de 40 oz. descaradamente de contrabando en los rostros de la Policía. Una camioneta estacionada cerca de la estación de votación UDP repartía la cerveza de contrabando por los cubos. El Viceprimer Ministro que ha sido llamado un contrabandista en la Cámara de Representantes también estaba allí, justo en el centro de todo. No estoy seguro de si algo ha cambiado recientemente, pero yo creo que es el contrabando sigue en contra de la ley. Hasta donde yo sé, beber en publico está en contra de la ley también. Yo hubiera pensado que el consumo público durante una elección que es siempre volátil y contencioso debiera de haberse desanimado, por lo menos. Pero parece que la Policía o bien no asistía o no podía hacer nada. Supongo que hay un conjunto de leyes para los beliceños ordinarios y otro conjunto para los partidarios del UDP, sobre todo cuando el señor Vega está cerca. ¿Es ese el caso Sr. Myvette? Si la Policía no puede ni siquiera hacer cumplir estas leyes sencillas debido a la interferencia política, no es de extrañar que la delincuencia este completamente fuera de control. Estoy decepcionado de mi amigo en el Departamento de Policía de Orange Walk.

Ley de GAPI ...

Al parecer hay una nueva ley que reemplaza a la Constitución de Belice y todos los principios de moralidad y justicia.

Se llama Ley GAPI y no es muy complicada (nada sorprendente) - La única regla es que todo lo que GAPI dice debe de hacerse. Eso es todo. Mira, el domingo después de que el PUP ganó todas las sillas en Nuevo San Juan, el padre del nuevo presidente se dirigía a su casa cuando fue atacado y golpeado por tres partidarios UDP. La multitud PUP intervino y se convirtió en un rápido alboroto. La policía los separo y dijo a todos que vuelvan a sus casas y se tranquilizaran, no hubo daño real, ¡no hubo falta! Eso fue el domingo.

Pero el lunes, Ley GAPI tuvo efecto y la policía detuvo a todos los partidarios PUP que dicen que estuvieron involucrados. Dos mujeres también fueron detenidas - un concejal PUP y una enfermera jubilada de edad avanzada. La policía los encarcelo inmediatamente. Varias de las personas detenidas necesitaba atención médica, pero con estricto apego a la Ley GAPI, la Policía se negó. El líder del PUP John Briceño estaba en vigilia frente a la Estación de Policía durante toda la noche, solicitando ayuda para los heridos. Pero nadie en la Estación de Policía se movió, y ¿en cuanto a mi amigo el OC? Bueno, la Ley GAPI dictaba que permanezca alejado de la estación y que no contestara ninguna llamada de teléfono y que apagara todas las luces en su casa de manera que pareciera que él no estaba allí. En la mañana del martes, 18 seguidores PUP fueron llevados al Juzgado de Paz y se les acuso de una asombrosa variedad de cargos. Inmediatamente después, algunos de ellos que resultaron heridos solicitaron formularios medico-legales de la Policía para que a su vez pudieran poner cargos en contra de las otras partes implicadas en el alboroto. Introduzca la Ley de GAPI aquí. Nadie parecía ser capaz de encontrar cualquier formulario medico-legal.

Luego, cuando se encontraron, al parecer, todos se daban cuenta de que la Ley GAPI no permitió dar formas médico-legales a los partidarios del PUP. Finalmente, mi amigo el OC emergió de la niebla y se unió en la búsqueda de las formas difícil de encontrar. Después de las reuniones y las llamadas y conversaciones y un montón de caminar adelante y atrás, el Comité organizador, al darse cuenta de que se estaban viendo estúpidos y muy políticamente comprometidos, a regañadientes, entregaron los formularios. Así que las quejas en contra de los partidarios UDP involucrados en el altercado se hicieron, pero la maltita ley de GAPI intervino de nuevo. La policía no pudo localizar cualquier vehículo para ir a buscar a los partidarios del UDP sobre los que se habían formulado las denuncias. Todo esto suena divertido, pero no lo es. Hasta este momento ninguno de los partidarios del UDP han sido detenidos y el Comisionado de Policía ha murmurando algo acerca de las lesiones recientes y no tan recientes lesiones. ¿Le hemos mencionado que la Ley GAPI se aplica a todos los rangos del Departamento de Policía?

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simplemente esperar por la cifra porcentual. Siguiendo la tendencia de las estadísticas de Jeffries, la delincuencia debe tener el próximo trimestre una reducción del 60% y para finales de año tal vez no tendremos ningún delito en Belice. ¡Seamos realistas!

Ni siquiera se molestó en ir a cualquier histrionismo sobre la delincuencia - la gente aquí en las calles están llorando todos los días y ciertamente no es porque el crimen se ha reducido.

Sólo un pequeño recordatorio...

Tal vez si el señor Jeffries quiere ser útil y hacer algo un poco más constructivo que publicar estadísticas falsas, podría ir a Orange Walk y hablar con PC # 550 Pedro Coy. Al parecer el Sr. Coy no se dio cuenta de que el líder de la oposición es elegido constitucionalmente y es digno de respeto como un funcionario gubernamental de alto rango. PC Coy fue grosero e insultante y fue tan lejos como para levantar su batuta en una forma amenazante cuando el Jefe del partido fue a hablar con él. Esto no debería suceder. Además Sr. Jeffries, tal vez usted puede decirle al Constable Coy que no debería de amenazar a alguien que lo va a atacar cuando lo encuentre a solas.

Esas palabras podrían muy bien volver a perseguirlo. Quiero decir, todos sabemos que los Policías no son muy populares en este momento ...

Incompetencia o corrupción ...

A causa de una acción por el Ministro de Tierras Gaspar Vega, los beliceños ahora tendrá que pagar hasta $ 7 millones a un empresario de la ciudad de Belice. El largo y corto es que el Sr. Vega decidió dar título de un pedazo de tierra a este hombre de negocios. El hombre de negocios, con la seguridad de la transacción, siguió adelante y llenó la tierra y construyó su almacén y siguió trabajando. Pero la tierra estaba en una reserva. De acuerdo con el Presidente del Tribunal Supremo, el Ministro debería haber sabido eso, pero él siguió adelante. Entonces, ¿dónde estamos ahora? Bueno los beliceños ahora tienen que devolver a este hombre de negocios para su inversión en la tierra. Eso podría ascender a US $ 7 millones.

Repito – los beliceños tienen que pagar... tú y yo, no Gaspar Vega, quien metió la pata. Recuerdo al señor Vega jurando por su madre, pobre mujer, que no había dado el título de la tierra al hombre de negocios. Pero todo el mundo conoce al señor Vega y saben que es un mentiroso, un blasfemo por cierto. Él es como la alcaldesa Moya en la materia, siempre jurando sobre personas y jurando ante Dios y llamando los nombres de todos los santos mientras ellos cumplen con sus tonterías.

El interrogante que se plantea - ¿fue el demasiado estúpido para saber lo que estaba haciendo (una posibilidad distintiva ya que este ministro esta en la línea divisoria de la palabra-R)? ¿O era que las palmas de sus manos estaban bien engrasadas para garantizar que la operación se realizara (que también es una clara posibilidad de considerar que estamos hablando)? ¡Otros US $ 7 millones agrilletados a nuestro cuello! ¡gracias al Sr. Vega! Él no ha dicho nada al respecto, ni el Sr. Barrow. Pero, de nuevo, no les importa ya que el dinero no saldrá de sus bolsillos. Nosotros tenemos que pagar la cuenta.

Deténgase por un minuto... ¿Qué diablos le pasa al UDP? ¿Es que tienen la cabeza tan adentro de sus c$ %os que no se dan cuenta que el olor viene de ellos? En una reciente reunión con la Cámara de Comercio el jueves pasado, el presidente del UDP Doug Singh criticó a los empresarios y empresarias, diciéndoles que todos son corruptos y que no serían capaces de hacer un dólar sin correr a los ministros. ¡Demonios!!

Entonces el señor financiero genio Slusher dijo a la Cámara que los funcionarios públicos son perezosos e incompetentes y por eso el gobierno no fue capaz de utilizar una gran parte de su dinero de la concesión para llevar a cabo proyectos. Así que vamos a entender esto - de acuerdo con el UDP el sector privado es corrupto, el sector público es perezoso e incompetente, la policía y las aduanas son corruptos, los médicos y las enfermeras son perezosos y los sindicatos no son entidades. Hmmm! Parece que los únicos perfectos en Belice son el Sr. Barrow y su variopinta tripulación.

¿La delincuencia ha disminuido?

Yo personalmente no me molestare en Manténganse fuertes... asistir a otra conferencia de prensa de la policía No voy a extenderme en el punto de en cualquier momento en el futuro. En lo que elecciones de los consejos de aldea, porque a mí respecta, son una pérdida de tiempo y sin tenemos un largo camino por recorrer. Pero valor. Esta semana los medios de comunicación felicitaciones y agradecimientos están en se enteraron de que gloriosamente, la gran orden. Grandes elogios van para el líder del delincuencia ha bajado un impresionante 30% PUP John Briceño y todos los que salieron en el primer trimestre del 2010. Los asesinatos victoriosos la semana pasada. Lo hemos están hacia abajo - se han reducido, los robos estado diciendo durante mucho tiempo, pero han disminuido, el robo se ha reducido, la ahora los resultados lo están mostrando. El violación se reduce y el conocimiento carnal PUP está en camino a Belmopan. El UDP no está abajo. Estamos viviendo en un buen país. La delincuencia ha disminuido un 30%. durará más de un término. Muchísimas gracias Estoy feliz de oír eso, pero tal vez alguien se olvidó de decirles a los criminales. Creo a todos nuestros seguidores que salieron para que el Sr. Jeffries dio a conocer las estadísticas falsas y que continuará haciéndolo. enviar un mensaje. Como he dicho, tenemos un largo camino por recorrer, así que ¿Por qué asistir a otra conferencia de prensa? Cada vez que nos llamen todo lo permanezca fuertes y mantengan la fe. PUP siempre hacia adelante… que tenemos que hacer es preparar el título - La delincuencia ha disminuido - y

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Si No Es Así…

Un viaje gratis ...

Al parecer, los Ministros del UDP no han recibido la nota informándoles de que la economía está oficialmente en recesión (traducción - el país está en profunda m @& r #a) y las cosas están malas de verdad y hay que apretarse el cinturón, reducir los costos y todo eso. Los idiotas siguen viviendo la vida de primer mundo a nuestra

siguió y siguió con la zorra que suele ser muy vocal (inserte gorda grasa o lo que usted desee, pero necesito la aliteración para poder trabajar) como balbuceó y tartamudeó entre disculpas y combatiendo la vergüenza absoluta. Fue doloroso para escuchar, de verdad. Pero por lo que vale, mamá grande... Sigo pensando que tenías razón. Creo que el calvo lo hizo por su cuenta sin consultar y creo que es una decisión que volverá a perseguirlo... Si no es así…!

Un Set de Juego ...

En caso de que se preguntan por qué mamá grande estaba insultando el calvo cuando ella es la presidenta de su club de fans, usted debe saber que el señor Vega y el Sr. Saldívar tienen algo que ver

costa. Demonios, pagamos para que el Ministro cochino pudiera irse de fiesta a Playa del Carmen con el vehiculo del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y con conductor a su disposición las 24 horas.

Ahora el ministro Mini-Decano está de vacaciones, y nos enteramos de que estamos pagando por ello. El pequeño ministro se supone que se dirigió a un conferencia oficial en Canadá este fin de semana, pero él quería un poco de tiempo a solas (no así exactamente solo, si sabes lo que quiero decir) en Chicago en primer lugar. Fuentes en las altas esferas están diciendo a este columnista que es el GOB el que esta pagando la factura del Mini-Decano del hotel en Chicago, así como pagándole un estipendio diario. Oye, si fuéramos una nación rica, con calles pavimentadas de oro, me importa un bledo, pero estamos aquí en la quiebra, hombrecito. Ustedes necesitan abrir los ojos... Si no es así…!

Espera un maldito minuto...

Sentí una par de emociones la semana pasada por Big Momma que nunca he pensado que sentiría. Uno de ellos era una admiración a regañadientes porque ella seguro arremetió como una mujer despechada, y ella no estaba tomando prisioneros cuando ella golpeó al PM por su decisión de entregar la tierra, básicamente, en la milla 41 a Nigel Petillo para hacer lo que que quisiera.

Por mucho que no me guste la venenosas senadora tamaño súper-plus, yo estaba

de acuerdo con ella (por favor, no me sostengan, estoy seguro que la sensación será efímera). Luego de un rato después, cualquier sentimiento de admiración, fue arrasada por un sentimiento de piedad cuando el calvo llamo a WAVE en una furia y le dio una arrastrada de lengua a Julieta (muy tentado a hacer comentario aquí espeluznantes, pero me abstengo). Él la arrastro sobre las brasas, en el fondo le decía que obtenga las cosas claras antes de que abra su gran boca gorda y que como se atrevió a criticar a su más glorioso y omnipotente. Él

con eso. Ambos caballeros, y utilizo el término vagamente, sienten que el calvo aspirante a Mugabe entro ilegalmente en su territorio y no lo están tomando a la ligera. No me malinterpreten. Tanto el Ministro cochino como el Ministro quitar no se atreven a desafiar a DB a la cara, pero ninguno de ellos están por encima de convencer al senador para hacer su trabajo sucio por ellos. Tal vez mamá grande puede decirnos acerca de las recientes visitas a la mansión en el norte de Margarito. Pobre Julieta la estrella más brillante en el cielo no es la más clara, incluso por la noche, no creyó que su Bally Deano reaccionaría como lo hizo, humillarla en público de esa manera. El calvo Mugabe no esta feliz, la gran mama no esta feliz y los ministros cochino y quitar están riéndose en sus respectivas esquinas. Así es la vida en el UDP ... Si no es así…! ¡Qué imbécil...!

Alberto August a este columnista humilde le parece el lado sur de una mula que va hacia el norte, excepto que no es tan bonito. Este tonto UDP se puso en Love esta semana en su calidad de Presidente de la Comisión de Límites de Elecciones y dijo que los que estaban dando problemas era los PUP en Orange Walk este fin de semana. De acuerdo con el bobo, los partidarios del PUP estaban bebiendo todo el día y se comportaron rebeldes. Él dice que la Policía reaccionó maravillosamente en la aplicación de los reglamentos y la ley. ¿Qué tan estúpido puede ser? Incluso el Canal 5 tenía las escenas de los partidarios de UDP exhibiendo cerveza mexicana de 40 oz.

En los puestos electorales del UDP y hacer alarde de ello en la cara de la Policía porque su compañero “el mero mero contrabandista” estaba allí. Si Alberto August quiere ser el portavoz de propaganda del UDP, entonces debe invertir en un megáfono y caminar por las calles. Él no tiene nada que ver en la Comisión electoral y de Límites... Si no es así…!

economía de Belice en el últimos plazo del UDP en el cargo es ahora Sir Manuel (debe recordar al Ministerio de aumento salarial). El Sr. Granada, se programó

para dirigirse a Belmopan para recibir su OBE (Orden de expertos en explosivos, creemos), pero no se presentó. Ya sabes cómo nos gusta que sean escuchados.

Fuentes cercanas a la pretensión del hombre granada que estaba listo para estar en el centro de atención cuando recibió la noticia del calvo que sería mejor quedarse en casa. Parece que el señor Manuel se negó a recibir su premio si el hombre granada iba a recibir su premio en el mismo tiempo. Sir Manuel sabe que no hay ninguna manera en el infierno que al señor Morgan debería de concedérsele después de que él se levantó en la Cámara de Representantes y amenazó con lanzar una granada a los miembros. Sí, lo hizo. ¿Cuando va Kenny aprender? Él ha sido picado por el alacrán calvo antes, cuando se vio forzado a cortar sus rastas. Sir Manuel sigue siendo mucho más importante en el esquema de las cosas ahora, así que el Sr. Granada tuvo que quedarse en casa, las órdenes vinieron directamente de Barrow ... Si no es así…!

PM a San Víctor...

Antes, cuando los cañeros le preguntaron al señor Barrow que se reunirá con ellos para resolver un problema grave en la victoria, el calvo dijo que estaba demasiado ocupado para venir al norte. Eso fue hace más de un año. Pero vino al norte el domingo, el cabrón descarado, pidiendo a los aldeanos del norte para que apoyaran al UDP después de que él los ha ignorado desde febrero del 2008. Pero de todos

modos, se trataba de Orange Walk.

Mentes inquisitivas quieren saber si el señor Barrow tiene los huevos para ir a la aldea de San Víctor a pedir votos cuando se convoquen las elecciones allí. San Víctor fue el hogar de Atanasio Gutiérrez, el productor de caña que fue abatido a tiros por la policía después de que Dean Mugabe les dio instrucciones para usar la fuerza. Oímos que los habitantes del pueblo están esperando pacientemente a que el Sr. Barrow llegue, pero tanto es el disgusto del líder lagarto, no le aconsejaría ir. Debe pedir a Gabriel para que le aconseje al respecto. Oímos que el ministro borracho de Corozal fue a San Víctor para obtener una lista juntos y tuvieron que abandonar a toda prisa Sir Manuel y el Sr. Granada... después de que un machete les cantaba Al mascaron de proa inútil del UDP notas dulces al oído... Si no es así…! se le ha dado otro título. Recordarme de enviar champaña. El hombre que es Gran bronca en turismo ... más conocido por el estancamiento de la Mike Singh quiere ir por la cabeza

del ministro descalzo, de quien dice que es un imbécil. Usted puede llevar eso al banco. No hace falta ser un genio para entenderlo. Gach Guerrero fue retirado recientemente como Presidente de CEL por estar en desacuerdo con

las decisiones políticas de Singh. Singh quiso reemplazarlo por Anthony Hunt, pero el ministro descalzo intervino y dio el visto bueno a Lindsay Garbutt.

Demonios, hay incluso un reajuste de las sub-comisiones en el BTB ya que estos dos idiotas de turismo compiten por el poder. Laura Esquivel quería ser director, pero Singh no quiso saber nada de eso y empujo a Seleni Matus en cambio, una decisión que le está costando al BTB unos 200.000 dólares al año. Singh ahora abiertamente habla mal del ministro descalzo, mientras este viaja alrededor del mundo en Botswana y Ghana a Salvador y Nicaragua. Es un desastre real. Y mientras todo eso sucede, el turismo en Belice se va por el desagüe. ¿Alguna cosa nunca funcionará bien bajo el UDP? ... Si no es así…!

Pobre Marcel...

En su última aparición en la Casa de Representantes el pobre Marcel hizo todo, pero ponerse de rodillas y besarle los pies del calvo (¡yac!) Él estaba cantando para su cena con una venganza y un falsete repugnante. Pero no

funcionó. Cantó para la cena, pero está siendo alimentado a la fuerza de cianuro.

Podríamos haber dicho que el señor Barrow guarda rencor para siempre.

No hay ninguna manera que el pobre muchacho se pondrá en contacto en la buena voluntad de DB, Wave radio esta ahora en una activa campaña a favor de la afeminada porrista Landy Burns, que se coló en la puerta de atrás (¿entiendes?

- Jaja ¡me mata!) La semana pasada, Fonso, que tiene mucho en común con Burns, estaba hablando de la cantidad de trabajo que Landy ha hecho en el Oriente con el Complejo Deportivo después de haber sido descuidado durante los últimos dos años por Marcel. No podría ser más obvio que eso. Personalmente me encantaría que Landy Burns corriera para que pudiéramos entrar en algunos detalles de un pasado repulsivo y destacar algunas cosas que sucedieron en un camino oscuro no hace mucho tiempo.

Cuidado mi amigo porrista, estamos esperando por ti... Si no es así…!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Belize has sun, surf, secrecy and low taxes Reprinted from: The Vancouver Sun

By Fred Langan, Financial Post

Belize is one of the great secrets for Canadian retirees. The Central American nation copied some of its neighbours, such as Costa Rica, to attract people who want to retire there.

To establish residency, you simply have to be over age 45 and have US$2,000 a month in income. A Canadian retiree can vote in Belize, but must buy health insurance.

And there is no tax on foreign income.

Belize has a form of banking secrecy that protects people with deposits there. Authorities won't report simple tax evasion but they will honour tax pacts with other countries and will co-operate with foreign authorities on cases of fraud or money laundering.

There are five big banks in Belize, one of them the Bank of Nova Scotia. Another is Belize Bank, which used to be owned by Royal Bank of Canada.

Many people think Belize is an island. While it has hundreds of islands, 108 of them uninhabited, it is squished between Mexico and Guatemala. It is the only English-speaking country in Central America.

One of the great things about Belize is that it's so empty. It is about the same size as El Salvador, about 21,000 square kilometres, but has just 300,000 people. El Salvador has seven million people.

For Canadians, getting there is a bit of a hassle. Canjet has one direct flight a week from Toronto, otherwise you have to transfer through the United States or Mexico. The main airport at Belize City seems to be carved out of the jungle.

San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, is the main destination for about 70% of the tourists who come to Belize.

A growing number of visitors are discovering the bargains there on condos and beach houses.

"Belize is where Cost Rica was 30 years ago. It's the ground floor when it comes to buying beachfront real estate," says Bob Dhillon, a Calgary businessman who owns Costa del Sol, a 1,214-hectare development, near San Pedro. A beachfront house there recently sold for US$1.6-million.

But you can still buy an 800-square-foot condo on the beach in Belize for US$250,000. Real estate prices are still recovering from the recession.

After San Pedro, the most popular spot for tourists is Caye Caulker.

It is much quieter and laid back than San Pedro and a paradise for divers.

However, Belize is more than beach. It is also has a number of Mayan ruins, and there are jungle resorts accessible only by river boats, and almost 40% of the country is made up of national parks.

The jungle is home to the jaguar, the largest cat in the Americas, though you would be lucky to see one.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Chancy Vega

THE BELIZE TIMES

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(Continued from page 1) a UDP source tell us, was prompted by instructions from Deputy Prime Minister and Orange Walk North Area Representative Gaspar Vega.

That report has been corroborated by several independent sources within the Orange Walk Police Department, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity.

The behavior of the Orange Walk Police, including the Officer in Charge Superintendent Joseph Myvett, has fueled speculation that in this incident and others, there has been political manipulation by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Leader of the Opposition John Briceno, who heard the news of the detention of the villagers late in the evening, told the Belize Times that he immediately travelled to the Police Station to get some answers and to try and secure bail for the residents of Nuevo San Juan. His

particular concerns, he told us, were for the elderly man who had received injuries when attacked by the UDP supporters, as well as the retired nurse and female councilor. According to Briceno he was given the runaround for hours and could make no headway.

Attempts to reach OC Myvett on his cell-phones were in vain, as he did not answer. A visit to the home of Mr. Myvett was fruitless. Several of the villagers in lockdown had received injuries in the altercation on Sunday, but Police refused to take them to the hospital for medical attention.

At midnight, hours after a call to the Commissioner of Police, the two women were let out of lockdown and allowed to go home. On Tuesday morning, a total of 18 PUP supporters from Nuevo San Juan were led over to the Magistrate’s Court, where they were read a variety of charges including harm and wounding.

Leader of the Opposition John Briceno, who remained on the scene on Tuesday, told the Belize Times

that he was stonewalled by O.C. Myvett, who seemed unwilling for some reason to provide the injured villagers with medico-legal forms.

After hours of stalling the forms were finally issued and the villagers who had been injured in the altercation filed counter-charges against the UDP supporters from Douglas who had instigated the attack. Coincidentally and conveniently, the Orange Walk Police Department could not locate a vehicle to g o detain the UDP supporters. Apparently they still have not been able to locate a vehicle because late Thursday night, the Belize Times confirmed that there has been no move to pick up the UDP supporters even though complaints have been filed against them.

T he behavior by the Police perhaps should not be surprising against the backdrop of the recent village council elections. In San Jose on Sunday UDP supporters were drinking contraband beer in the open at the UDP polling stations.

Public drinking is against the law, but the Police seemed blind to the UDP lawbreakers. They also seemed deaf to the taunts and insults of the UDP supporters under the influence of that contraband beer. It was only when Inspector Tillett arrived on the scene that there seemed to be some adherence to law and order.

A t a p r e s s b r i e f i n g by t h e Commissioner of Police Crispin Jeffries on Wednesday, a question about the events of the weekend in Orange Walk was posed by the Belize Times. The Compol did not deign to answer, claiming that the situation was political and he had no wish to get into a back and forth.

By all appearances, there will be no justice dispensed in Orange Walk, and the UDP supporters who attacked the elderly man and instigated the brawl will not have to answer for their actions. At least in Orange Walk, it appears that there are a different set of rules and laws for the UDP.

(Continued from page 1) from previous landholders, sometimes without their knowledge.

The documents on this page clearly demonstrate the intentions and actions of the dishonourable minister of lands. These particular three parcels are located in the area of Finca Solana in Corozal, directly in front of the sea (diagram 1). According to reports received, Minister Vega arbitrarily removed these seafront parcels from their owners, as they were apparently intended for special dispensation.

Parcel 1-6-1817 (see diagram 2) was removed from its previous owner and given to Derek Gillett, a well known UDP financier and high level campaigner. His parcel measures 675.24 sq. metres. Parcel 1-6-1819 (see diagram 3) was removed from its previous owner, also without notification, and given to no other than our favourite minister of health Pablo Marin. His parcel measures 1806.924 sq. metres. And parcel 1-6-1816 (diagram 4), the largest of the three, was wrested away from its previous owner and given to Diana Rosado. For those

who may not know, Diana Rosado is the daughter of the Minister of Lands. Her parcel measures 2080.505 sq. metres, all of it prime seafront property.

As our readers can see, land certificates were issued for all three, all on the same day, August 6, 2009.

These are only three cases of many which demonstrate the true character of the Minister of Lands. In these three cases, the previous owners were not even notified that their lands were being taken away. In one of the three, when the landholder tried to get on his land,

he was stopped by the Police and told that the land no longer belongs to him so he would be trespassing.

The Belize Times has not been able to verify if the parcels of land were issued as grants or if money changed hands, but one report is that the three pieces of prime seafront property were handed over for the measly sum of $1500 each. This newspaper would also advise the three new landowners to tread carefully, as we have been advised that the previous landholders are seeking redress in Court.

cripples business for them.

Since Tuesday night, motorists are now paying $9.95 a gallon for premium. That's almost $10. for one gallon of fuel! So if you are required to travel everyday and drive an 8 cylinder vehicle, well you might want to contemplate changing it for a smaller one. The price of regular gas did not change but kerosene did go up significantly - by .32 per gallon. So housewives who still use kerosene stoves and lamps must now cough up $7.04 if they want to finish that family dinner in time

for lunch hour.

T he constant increases in fuel prices have been occurring too often for comfort and the government has to power to offer some ease in the suffering, but so far they have not elected to do so.

Last year Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced publicly that if the prices went over $7 per gallon he would consider some type of relief in terms of government's take on fuel taxes. But it appears that he has removed that promise from his memory. Just another Barrow lie!

Funny Business at Finca Solana…

More Fuel Increases

It didn't take the government one month after they raised the General Sales Tax by a whopping 25% before they came back and belted the Belizean people with another burdensome increase. Fuel prices are up again and now it has even the people who make money off the business of transporting people, bus operators and taxi drivers, digging deeper to find that extra few cents for every gallon they buy. But not only that - they can't get back that difference when they collect their fares because it

PM’s Law Firm Targeted

It is still not clear what, but something strange happened this morning in downtown Belize City, more specifically at the threestory law firm co-owned by the Prime Minister, Dean Barrow.

Someone hurled some kind of projectile, or fired a bullet that broke through one of the louvre windows at the office sometime around eight o’clock this morning, the same time that employees were arriving at work.

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The projectile was so powerful that it also shattered and exited louvers on the other side of the building. But the good news is that while it is still a mystery what happened, no one was hurt. And all Police could find when they ar rived was broken glass from the window on the second floor.

That makes them believe that it could quite possibly be a bullet that was fired and it penetrated the entire width of the building and probably landed somewhere outside the other window.

Prime Minister Barrow went to the scene for a brief period to see the damage but left shortly after as he and his wife had to travel to Chicago.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 18, 2010