Belize Times April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Issue No. 4740

SUNDAY April 17, 2011

Uncle Sam disgusted at Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

Defense Minister Carlos Perdomo

UDP’s SECRET MEETING WITH LORD ASHCROFT

Police Minister Doug Singh

Anthony Mahler Wins

Belize City, April 11, 2011 Reliable sources indicate to the BELIZE TIMES that Belize is on the verge of being unceremoniously unsubscribed from the critical military support it has been enjoying courtesy the United States Southern Command, and the move is as a direct result of the increasing violent crime and the Barrow Administration’s inability to come up with solutions.

We are informed that at a recent meeting between Belize’s Continued on page 4

Mahler pledges a new and better for Caribbean Shores

Caribbean

Shores See page 11

While Dean Barrow preaches war against the British peer, behind closed doors the UDP huddles in kinship with Lord Ashcroft

See page 35

Killer

Malpago

soar

cut out

See page 4

See page 35

fuel prices

past $12

CitCo

GANG WARFARE TURNS CITY STREETS DEADLY Belize City, April 12, 2011 When 29 year old well-known George Street gang associate, Avondale Fuller-Trumbach, was gunned down in broad daylight and amidst a huge

Continued on page 35

by BEL

Avondale “Hogbone” Trumbach

See page 15

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 17, 2011

PUP Leader welcomes FIFA President to Belize

Prometheus is Flying Solo Great shot, Times! Barrow looks absolutely at the end of his rope. But don’t be fooled one minute by the theatrics of the press conference and the measures being proposed by Barrow. First he admitted that he knows very little of criminal law, then he goes on to say that he is ‘flying solo’ in proposing these draconian measures that will infringe our sacrosanct constitutional rights. That’s right. No consultation with the Bar, with the scholars, with anyone.

Prometheus is flying solo. But it is all an act.

As was stated in another column, these measures are mere distractions being tossed

out there to allow time to pass and hopefully for the crime crisis to abate somewhat.

Barrow needed to look tough. Remember he has successfully courted the Chinese and their millions of dollars and now was facing a revolt. He knows that preventative detention and anonymous witnesses will never be supported by a rational-thinking Belizean population. When the measures fail, he will then turn around and blame others.

Stay on top of it. We will not allow Barrow to shred our Constitution for his own diabolical purposes.

Peace!

Mark Barry

How much more Mr. Barrow?

Dear Editor, The BELIZE TIMES headline for last week rightfully screamed “ABSURD” in reference to Dean Barrow and the UDP’s latest “anti-crime” response to the 33 murders committed by criminals who are wreaking havoc in our country since the year began.

Belize is no doubt facing a national crisis and has lost all confidence in this incompetent Barrow Administration in the face of the senseless and brutal murders of it citizens and the level on which the criminal elements operate with almost impunity.

Dean Barrow and the UDP have abandoned their “360 degree” Vision which should have enable them to attack the crime issue from all angles, and has instead implemented Restore Belize to help solve the gang problem which has recruited many of our poverty stricken and out of school youth.

Restore Belize comes off as a joke to thousand of Belizean who continue to suffer under Barrow as the unofficial poverty rate has risen to almost 50%, and the unofficial school dropout is over 60%. The doors of social and economic opportunities that Restores Belize should have opened for unfortunate Belizeans remain closed, and the program only provides a healthy pay check for the UDPs involved.

To complement the failed Restore Belize project, Dean Barrow, Doughy Singh and George Lovell created and unleashed the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU). A unit that is a CIA-sponsored private police, which is an entity unto itself in the Police Department, commanded by the husband of the country’s Director of Public Prosecutor. The GSU operates wearing ski masks and answers only to the Prime Minister. They conduct their operation mostly in the black ghetto areas in the Southside of Belize City where homes are rampaged at will, treating black families with no dignity, violating citizen basic human rights in the presence of their very young family members, who are terrorized by the very officials that are supposed to protect citizens from injustice.

This country has seen crime surge higher under Barrow and the UDP since they were elected over three years ago. “Boots” and his gang in Belmopan sit watching as the “BIG MAN” lands planes on our highways, supplying their cartel with drugs and weapons.

Belizeans should remember that as Opposition leader, it was Dean Barrow who called for civil disobedience. We have witnessed the UDP using these same gang members in violent actions against Belize and the PUPs. Back then as the Opposition, the UDP pretended to have all the answers to the country’s problem, and Dean Barrow was the SMARTEST man that lived in Belize.

Now having realized and confessed that the country is in a national crisis because of his government’s failures and having been pressured by the Asian community, His Royal Highness, His Excellency, Massa Dean Oliver Barrow wants to disrespect the commoners of this land with his draconian laws by detaining us for 21 days for merely suspicion of committing a crime and taking away our right to be tried by their own peers!

The action of Barrow is absurd indeed.

Those who will certainly be affected are the grass root Southside who are still waiting on Dean Barrow to deliver the “IMAGINATION of POSSIBILITIES”.

Don’t believe for once that only the criminal element will be affected by Barrow’s draconian laws. Barrow’s measure will surely be extended to Civil Servants, Union members, Opposition members and anyone who dares to expose, criticize and oppose Barrow bad government policies.

The people of Belize are suffering as the rampant corruption continues with Government Ministers. Innocent citizens are still being threatened and gunned down in our communities by criminals who are connected to worthless UDP politicians. Police brutality goes unchecked an unabated as the Ombudsman’s silence is deafening. Sexual violence on our young girls and boys is being perpetuated by the very leaders that we elected to represent us. Women are disrespected by the highest office in our government. There is a silent majority that cries for CHANGE from these failed policies of Dean Barrow and the UDP. It is time for the leadership of the National Trade Union Congress, the ‘independent’

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is in Belize to inaugurate the FFB’s goal project ll L-R Sepp Blatter, Bertie Chimilio, Hon. John Briceño & FIFA Official

From the ghetto streets

“How Things the Change” Dear Editor One morning I was sitting at my desk feeling a little board so I decided to take a little walk on Albert Street to see what was going on. As I was walking, something made me stop and think for a minute. It was very hot and dry that day so I went into the shade to cool off, and as I was doing that I started to look around and said to myself, “this is not how I remember Albert Street”. It showed me how things are changing and people are changing with it. Before the U.D.P. Government got into office, they were all about mouth and promises but soon as they gained power, everything started to change so fast that the poor Belizeans didn’t know what hit them.

Dean Barrow and his U.D.P Government have changed this country to the worst and worst of times and it cannot get any worst than that people. Everything that moves in this country feels the pain from this worthless government.

On Wave Radio you hear them tell us a lot of things that is going on with their government and the so-called good change they made for Belizean, but I think it’s a bunch of crap like the one they call laughing hyena and Mr. Woman fum fum. These dodo birds have changed to the worst. One likes to disrespect the homeless people on New Road and the other doesn’t like woman at all. What can I say? Dean Barrow has them like that.

Let me run it down to Belizeans what has changed from 2008. First Dean Barrow made sure his family became the first royal family of Belize. His family members got in top places to make millions upon millions, changed the law system, take over B.T.L., get into the oil business, give all government cases to his ex¬-wife’s law firm, build a new building across the street from his law firm

and drive around in fancy vehicle with their glass up so the poor Belizean can’t see them.

Every change Dean Barrow makes benefits himself and his family. On the other hand, the change that was made for the people of Belize was taking the cost of living higher, suffocating job creation, taxing Belizeans more, steering industries into crisis, boosting crime and not do anything about it, keeping more children out of school, and killing business. So you see the different types of changes Dean Barrow and his clueless government gave us.

Now it’s time for the Belizean people to make a change and vote out these non-govern gangsters out of office and restore this country back to the people of Belize once more and that is what the People’s United Party will do the next General Election. The people of Belize say enough is enough Mr. Barrow.

Until next week, Roberto Peyrefitte

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR

Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR

Doreth Bevans LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams STAFF REPORTER

Carla Bradley TYPIST

Rachel Arana press, the Churches, and NGOs to stand and lead their members. Get rid of Dean Barrow and the UDP from Belmopan before it is too late.

Sign, D.B.

Send your letters to: editortimes@yahoo.com

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

TO GET RID OF

CRIME

GET RID OF

BARROW!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP says “NO” to constitutionallyentrenched Preventative Detention Belize City, April 13, 2011 A team of legal advisors of the People’s United Party have come out strongly against the Barrow Administration’s proposed legislative amendments to support the introduction of preventative detention and trial by judge in murder cases.

The team led by former Attorney General Deputy PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca met last Friday, April 8th, to discuss the anti-crime measures recently proposed

by Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

Hon. Fonseca told the BELIZE TIMES that the team was waiting to hear Govern-

Uncle Sam disgusted at Barrow

Continued from page 1

Minister of Defense (former Minister of National Security) Carlos Perdomo and senior U.S. military officials, Perdomo was called out for the gross incompetence demonstrated by his Ministry and the Government to stem violence in Belize.

Under Perdomo as head of national security, the UDP Government had introduced “Vision 360”, the Harold Crook Analysis, then Operation Jaguar, followed

by Operation Jaguar Extended, but those poorly thought out and poorly executed initiatives failed miserably as the murder rate climbed to a record high 132 last year. Perdomo was stripped of the Police portfolio and now only handles Defense and Immigration. Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his new Minister of Police, Douglas Singh, introduced Restore Belize, the barbaric Gang Suppression Unit, and now recycled proposals for Preventative Detention, but crime has escalated even more.

Our source tells us the U.S. military official hammered Perdomo, telling him the reason there is a crime crisis in Belize is because of the policies of the Barrow Administration.

In the 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, the U.S. State Department also hammered the Barrow Administration for their incapacity to demonstrate a seriousness in the fight against drug trafficking and corruption.

The report noted that despite providing funding, and costly equipment including interceptor vessels and go-fast boats, “a lack of political will and corruption contribute to minimizing the effectiveness…of the efforts against traffickers.”

The United States is a partner in the battle against the narco-trafficking in the region. It has spent millions of dollars to develop the region’s capabilities in the fight, but it requires countries to demonstrate an equal willingness. But the Government has shown unparalleled incompetence and, we are told, Uncle Sam is now reconsidering continuing to provide funding for the floundering Barrow Administration.

ment’s official proposals on preventative detention, but it declared its opposition to the approach the Prime Minister was taking because it would entrench draconian measures into the constitution. If proven too heavy-handed, it could lead to serious problems since only a Government with a super-majority inside the House of Representatives can amend the constitution easily.

Under preventative detention, the Barrow Administration proposes the widespread lockdown of persons suspected of having committed a crime, or believed to have intended committing a crime. Those persons would be detained for anywhere between 7 to 21 days.

The concern is that “there is too much room for abuse”, cited Hon. Fonseca.

If modelled from the prevention detention measures proposed by the Barrow Administration in 2008, persons detained would include children, and

Hon. Francis Fonseca the detention could be done without the knowledge of their parents, guardians or attorney.

Another matter looked at by the legal team was Government’s announcement that the next Commissioner of Police will

Sunday, April 17, 2011 be a foreigner. Hon. Fonseca pointed out that while foreign personnel should assist the Police Department, there is no reason why highly-experienced Belizean officials should be sidestepped to give way to a foreigner.

“We can’t give up on our people.

With the proper support for them, they can get the job done,” said Hon. Fonseca.

The trial by judge proposal which would replace trial by jury was also objected to by the PUP’s legal team.

“This proposal goes against a fundamental component of the law – that everyone has a right to a fair trial and due process. The state is responsible to ensure everyone is given a fair trial, and that one is judged by his or her peers,” remarked Hon. Fonseca.

Barrow’s proposal is that murder cases will no longer be heard before a jury, instead only the judge. It reflects poor trust on today’s jurors, and Hon. Fonseca said the judgment is wrong. He said the focus should be on improving the prosecution of cases, starting from the basics such as evidence gathering.

The legal team has forwarded the findings of its assessment to the PUP Executive, for the Party to carve out a position. We will continue to follow closely.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

The tangled web of a spendthrift Government Belize’s economy is crumbling and the Prime Minister and his government are casting blame on everybody’s uncle, auntie and godmother. The Prime Minister is obviously a dunce on matters of the national debt which is unlike his Shakespearean prose.

In reality he and his Party came to office promising to “fix” an economy that didn’t need fixing. As he continued his spendthrift ways, he suddenly realized that the country has international debt obligations and that he had been elected to “fix” things, not to cast blame. Get real Mr. Barrow.

But there appears to be some disconnect. There are still a few in the Cabinet who were bold enough to mention in the few minutes that they devoted to the “debate” on the government’s budget, two weeks ago, that “this government is taking this economy on the way up….so that we can take the benefit of that growth and pass in on to the poor.”

The poor are left to imagine the possibilities with the agony of deficient expectations. Representatives of this government have either become delusional, seeing things through rose-coloured lenses, or simply clutching at straws and hoping that the electorate will once again buy their crap.

Financial analysts disagree completely with Barrow’s state of affairs. The economy AND the government are in a financial mishmash, to borrow from Mr. Barrow’s lingua.

“Belize’s fiscal accounts remain a long way from healthy” and as the government’s expenditures continue to rise and because of the inability of the government to increase revenue, the government’s debt ‘is looking a lot less healthy”, says the most recent report of the Business Monitor International.

BORROWING OUT OF DEBT However the Barrow government believes in borrowing itself out of debt which is unsustainable. At the rate that this government is piling up the national debt, it will, without a doubt, burrow the country into a deep and slippery back hole.

The UDP government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow has tried to use the super bond issue as a scapegoat for this government’s inability to stimulate growth. This is more like a red herring. Due to mainly the excessive borrowing of the Esquivel government between 1993-98 and with nothing to show for it, the incoming PUP administration had to move to consolidate its debt repayment. Simply put, there were a number of debts, loans or so-called bonds with several payment schedules. The then PUP government made the decision to lump all these loans into one basket so to speak. This made it possible for government to free up more money from the national treasury to stimulate growth and for more investment in the infrastructure. It worked, and Barrow admitted this.

But three years later, Belize finds itself in a jam as a result of uncontrolled spending by the Barrow Administration. Despite some limited financial assistance from China and more recently from Russia, which has raised red flags, the relief, if any, will be temporary and the deficit will widen even more in the next twelve months. Worse, rising fuel prices at the pump will also have a further negative impact on the GDP, with an increase in the cost of goods and services to consumers.

EXCESSIVE SPENDING Rather than play the “poor me” blame game there are ways in which Mr. Barrow, as Finance Minister, can reschedule debt payments, reduce the excessive spending by his government (those expensive Prados and Lexus SUVs to start with), cut the drastic increase in personal emoluments in the public service as a result of having more political hacks on the government payroll and other not so invisible hustles.

Mr. Barrow has created his own big debt headache. He is being forced to spend more money on national security, not only to deal with the increase in violent crimes, but as a result of pressure coming down from the United States of America and Mexico.

But even so, this sort of investment is like throwing pearls to swine given the incompetence of his government and its obvious inability to abate the rising crime rate, starting with the corruption in his government.

Mr. Barrow may be too arrogant to beg for assistance which is different from begging for money. He has scoffed at the offer of assistance. The World Bank, the Oak Foundation and the Nature Conservancy have offered to provide relief on the national debt in a Debt-for-Nature swap. The offer has been on the Prime Minister’s desk for almost three years.

He has not acted on it. We know why.

MORE PRESSURE Added to all these scenarios, the oil factor is likely to put more pressure on the Barrow government. There is not much more he can scalp out of Belize Natural Energy in the form of taxes. His move, announced in his budget speech, to add gasoline to the list of items excluded from the General Sales Tax, may offer consumers a temporary reprieve and as a result limit demand but will add to the government’s cost. The private sector is angry by this move and it will further diminish the PM’s ability to consolidate his financial mess.

In short, Mr. Barrow, come off your pedestal, take off your rose-coloured lenses and look at the Belize reality based on the body of evidence. Admit mea culpa and step away!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Killer fuel prices soar past $12

By Carla Bradley Fuel prices soared to an all-time record high on Tuesday at midnight when the Government approved another increase at the pumps.

The price of Premium, which now is now shockingly beyond $12.00, is an affront to Belizeans who were promised by the UDP in their manifesto that they would keep fuel prices low no matter what, and by the Prime Minister Dean Barrow who himself pledged on na-

tional television news to Belizeans that he would keep fuel prices below $8.00.

It was all a lie! Today’s prices have premium gas up by sixty-four cents to $12.13, regular gas up by fifty cents now at $11.67, diesel up by 55 cents now at $10.97 and kerosene up by fifty cents and now at $8.77.

This is the second increase in a week. According to records, when the barrel of crude stood at $140 on the international market, premium was sell-

U.S. sex offender caught

hiding in Corozal

The American national is wanted in Massachusetts connection to criminal charges for the production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography

Thomas Donahue

Belize City, April 11, 2011 A man wanted by United States authorities in relation to a series of alleged sex offenses has been caught by Police hiding in Corozal.

44 year old Thomas Donahue was residing at a house located along the Santa Rita Road in Corozal Town, when Police conducted a raid. Authorities said they had received information from U.S. Embassy intelligence that a fugitive was evading them and residing in Corozal.

Donahue was found with a passport which showed that he entered the country legally on the March 11 of this year.

Life Sentences

expected for murderers Pipersburgh & Robateau

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 13, 2011 At their first trial which was in 2004, Leslie Pipersburgh, 34 and Patrick Robateau, 32, were convicted of 4 counts of murder and were each given 4 life sentences.

But at their retrial which ended on Thursday, April 7, they were only found guilty of the murders of KBH security guards, Kevin Alvarez and Fidel Mai. They were freed of charges of the murders of David Flores and Cherry Tucker on a no case to answer submission made by their attorneys Oswald Twist and Michael Peyrefitte when the prosecution offered no further evidence because the chief witness Gilroy Patnett was not available to testify.

The jury of 5 men and 7 women de-

Continue on page 33

ing at $11.76, almost $1.00 per gallon less than it is now. The price of crude is currently hovering at $105, which is $35 less than what it was some years ago.

This clearly means that we are paying more at the pumps even though crude is far cheaper.

Why Mr. Barrow? and possession of child pornography. If convicted Donahue faces up to 50 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was offering a $5,000 reward, but it is not clear if the Corozal Police will be able to seek the reward for their good work.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Newly Elected PUP Caribbean Shores Standard Bearer

ANTHONY

MAHLER

THANKS

ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE PUP CONVENTION LAST SUNDAY

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

FROM THE DESK OF THE

PARTY LEADER

Making Belize Cleaner In a time when our young people seem to have lost their optimism, it was very refreshing to see our young people on television actively involved with the Belize Audubon Society’s third annual “Walk for a Green Belize” effort.

The “Walk for a Green Belize” project is held annually, just before Earth Day, which will be celebrated worldwide on 22 April. This year’s project is being organized in an effort to raise our environmental consciousness through direct action--cleaning up the Western highway from Belize City to Guanacaste Park. Over 15 organizations and six hundred plus volunteers including primary elementary, secondary and University of Belize students along with scouting associations participated.

The organizers were amazed by the amount and variety of garbage that was picked up during the cleanup campaign.

In excess of two thousand 33-gallon bags of trash were collected. Quite remarkable were the amount of gel energy packets, typically consumed by cyclists;

Styrofoam plates, cups and empty bottles, assumed to have been thrown out of car and or bus windows.

Organizers at the Belize Audubon Society are pleased with the outcome of this exercise. In addition to a cleaner highway, they raised the civic consciousness among Belizeans, especially the youths who participated. Already they are thinking of next year and are planning to involve the Belize Cycling Association and the bus companies in the 2012 “Walk for a Green Belize” project.

While the Belize Audubon Society must be commended for their efforts to raise the environmental consciousness of Belizeans and assist in keeping our country clean, we Belizeans have a long way to go in keeping our jewel clean.

Although most Belizeans say they love their country, many of us don’t think twice when throwing our trash on the streets, in our towns and cities or on our highways. This is not a gesture of love, but a sign of slackness and a lack of civic pride.

It is unfortunate but we as Belizeans don’t seem to care enough to make the effort to keep our country clean. We all know that we can do better, for when Belizeans visit Chetumal, we do not throw trash on the street; we would walk a mile with trash in hand, if necessary, and always dispose of our garbage in the proper manner. We do this because there we obey the law and fear that if we do not; the Mexican police will come after us.

So why is it that we conduct ourselves in such an orderly way in Chetumal yet as soon as we cross the border we throw civic pride in the garbage instead of our trash? Of course there are some who will argue that we need to change the laws and make them stiffer.

The problem is that we have the laws in place but we need to enforce them.

For us to start to really appreciate and love our country, we need to start at home. We need to start by keeping our yards clean, our drains free of debris and we need to teach our children the importance of keeping our neighbourhoods clean. Likewise we must teach our children the importance of civic pride and cleanliness. Our schools must also play a very important role in teaching our young people to have civic pride.

We live in a beautiful country and we need to protect it and keep it clean.

As we prepare for the Easter holidays, many of us will be visiting the various areas of our country. Let’s start NOW and make the solemn promise that we will do everything possible to keep our country clean and beautiful. Let’s celebrate Earth Day everyday in Belize.

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PUP

defends onion producers The People’s United Party condemns the recent decision of the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) and the GOB to import thousands of pounds of onions at a time when local onion production has peaked to approximately three million pounds.

The PUP notes that the BMDC is marketing imported onions at substandard prices resulting in direct and unfair competition to hard working Belizean farmers. As a result, farmers are unable to market their product above the Cost of Production leading producers in the northern districts to face possibly losses of up to 50% of the total production or up to 1 million pounds. The financial losses can translate to approximately 1 to 1.2 million dollars.

The PUP condemns the actions of the BMDC and the Government and calls on GOB to take for immediate corrective measures: 1.

That the BMDC purchase onions from the local producers at a reasonable price above the cost of production 2.

That the BMDC compensates farmers for the losses as a result of antiagric development policy implemented by the GOB/ BMDC. 3. That the Minister of Agriculture be removed from office 4. That BMDC managing director be immediately terminated

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THE BELIZE TIMES

101 Reasons

against Barrow’s Budget

46

. Four days after being in effect, the 20112012 budget was exposed for lack of vision and political will to combat the root cause of crime.

Barrow had no money in it to boost the Police Department. . This budget fails to address Belize’s need to combat global warming by promoting incentives for solar, wind and wave technology. . Waste is exposed in Government’s propoor program as once again Human Development will be made to continue to degrade the poor and down trodden by exposing them all on Albert Street while the churches and NGOs could play a much humanitarian roll in distribution of the monies for the “pro poor” program. . Fifteen days into the budget, we are seeing an increase in the homeless sleeping on Queen Street and on New Road in front of the police station, also in Battlefield Park and on the steps oftwo major banks.

What is in Barrow’s Budget for them?

Not an aluminum cent. . Waste continues with Government’s Information Budget, which is used primarily for propaganda purposes and support of Wave Radio, the Guardian newspaper and another prominent UDP station. . Where is the foresight of a NEMO Disaster Fund that grows on interest to combat the Hurricane season from June to November? Every single year, we face heavy rains, flash floods cause by global warming? The answer - not an aluminum cent. . Only $300,000 set aside for Restore Belize. Is this only for salaries? So then where are the monies for the real Restoring Belize, if such a thing exists? Where is it? . Not one investor mentioned in the Budget.

Only a fly-by-night project with cohune oil, which Barrow has been singing about for ever so long. Where is the investment in Beltraide to bring strategic partners in investment? Where is it? Beltraide is but a mere shell of what it is used to be and for all interests and purposes is on ice with this budget. . This 2011/2012 Budget has a lot of talk but no bite. It is what Belizean folks call full belly telling empty belly, keep heart. It lacks vision or any serious change for a Belize that is in a new era. It reminds us of a man after three years in a dark room still searching for the light switch – while people perish for lack of vision.

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MORE TO COME NEXT WEEK

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Tom Morrison alleges vote buying

in UDP Albert convention

Belize City, April 11, 2011 Less than 620 voters (26.03%) of the total 2,361 registered electors (year-2008) took the time out last Sunday to participate in the UDP’s convention in the Albert Division, indicating that the ruling party has become an uninspiring bunch.

The convention was won by an unknown newcomer, but it is not him who is making the news. Instead it is the loser, Tom Morrison.

Morrison was defeated by 232 votes (423-191) but he claims it was the “big money” rolling in favour of his opponent that toppled him. “…it’s a case of big money

spenders against a grass roots man who have worked hard in the division but money does have an impact especially amongst humble and poor people of the Albert division. I would tell you that lots of money has been spent,” Morrison told the media.

Morrison, whose three consecutive general election attempts have been unsuccessful, said he could prove that vote buying had taken place because he took pictures of it.

While the allegation is another example of the UDP’s contempt for democracy, Morrison revealed that it happened with the consent and involvement of at least one big “northern boss”.

“My opponent has spent lots of money. I don’t know where all this money came from, it is said that it came from his northern bosses,” he said. The only recognised UDP “northern boss” is the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, who it is widely known, has been positioning himself as a heavyweight contender in the upcoming contest for UDP leader. Vega has been spending big on conventions, in an effort to influence the turnout, and outstand the other weaker candidate, Chairman Patrick Faber. For Vega, who is from OW, to come all the way to Belize City and exert influence is nothing less than punking Chairman Faber.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Woman

pleads guilty to trafficking almost ½lb of weed

Cherry Mae Flowers

Margaret Tillett Flores

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 13, 2011

By Roy Davis Belize City businesswoman Cherry Mae Flowers, 52, one of two women charged with drug trafficking 226.7 grams of cannabis, pleaded guilty to the charge when she appeared in the #7 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, April 11.

Magistrate Aretha Ford has set sentencing for Tuesday, April 26, so that the police can investigate and determine whether Flowers benefitted from the proceeds of drug trafficking.

The charge against the second woman, Margaret Tillett Flores, 50, was not withdrawn. Flowers and Flores were released on bails of $4,000 each.

The bust occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 11. The police went to Flowers’ house at 188 Neal Pen Road and reported that when they executed a search they found a black plastic bag containing the cannabis.

The penalty for drug trafficking is a fine of $10,000. A sentence of 3 years can be imposed with the fine.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

50 yr. old gets 7 years for burglarizing sister’s storeroom

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 13, 2011

By Roy Davis Anthony Rodriguez, 50, a self-confessed drug addict charged with burglary, was sentenced to 7 years yesterday by #8 Court Magistrate, Emmerson Banner, after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Banner, in passing the sentence, explained to Rodriguez that he was given the minimum sentence which makes it 7 instead of 5 years because of a new law which came into effect on February 9.

The burglary occurred on Sunday, April 10.

Rodriguez’ sister, Shirlee Cornejo, who resides at 24 St. Thomas Street, reported to the Police that he broke into her storeroom, located at mile 12 on the Northern Highway, and stole several tools, which included a Skilsaw and a Makita-brand grinder. She said the tools have a combined value of $1,440.

Police investigated the report and detained

Arthur Young freed of Escape from lawful custody charge

Anthony Rodriguez

Rodriguez. He cooperated with the police and as a result they recovered all of the tools.

Before he pleaded guilty, Rodriguez already has a conviction for burglary.

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 13, 2011

By Roy Davis Notorious street figure Arthur Young, 36, who was charged with escape from lawful custody, was freed of the charge today in the #5 Magistrate’s Court.

After the prosecution closed its case, having called several witnesses, Young’s attorney, Merlene Moody, submitted that he did not have a case

Continued on page 33

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

11

ANTHONY MAHLER

Wins Caribbean Shores

Anthony Mahler takes oath signalling the start of a new day for upliftment in Caribbean Shores

Mahler reached out to Joe Coye, who has built the constituency over 15 years

In true democratic fashion, Parks is allowed to vote at the PUP convention Austin Waight - a true PUP soldier

The A-Team cheerleaders

PUP supporters celebrate Anthony Mahler’s victory

Corozal South-West PUP Standard Bearer Ramiro Ramirez leads counting of the ballot

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Emma Hoare & Rebecca Rath win volleyball 3rd stop Belize City, April 10, 2011 Emma Hoare and Rebecca Rath upset the defending national champions Babsy Cadle and Esther Middleton in the finals to win 3rd stop of the Smart national beach volleyball tour on Sunday, April 10.

In Game 7, Emma and Rebecca won 218, 12-21, and 15-10 over Esther and Babsy to clinch the championship.

The tour continues with the men’s third stop at the Buttonwood Bay Park on Sunday, April 17.

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Rebecca Rath hits

Emma Hoare volleys

How they won:

Babsy Cadle serves

Shantel Arnold/Tisha Solis vs. Tichelle Solis/Brianna Lopez

21-13

21-15

Emma/Rebecca vs. Vivianni Avila/Kelsey Balderamos

21-6

14-21

15-7

Babsy/Esther vs. Arnold/Solis

21-9

21-17

Kelsey/Vivianni vs. Tichelle/Brianna Lopez

21-9

Esther Middleton hits

21-15

BDF & Hankook Verdes blast opponents with 9 goals San Ignacio, April 10, 2011 The Belize Defence Force and Hankook Verdes both enjoyed victories when the Belize Premier League football competition continued over the weekend, with the BDF blasting FC Belize 4-1 at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday, April 10.

Kristian Perez drew first blood for FC Belize in the 2nd minute of play, but Evan Mariano soon equalized the score for the BDF after 13 minutes for a 1-1 draw at the half. David Trapp added a 2nd goal winning in the 65th minute, and Richard “Cheety” Jimenez put the game on ice with a 3rd goal in the 67th minute. An autogoal in favour of BDF pushed the final score to 4-1.

Hankook Verdes also stunned San Felipe Barcelona 5-1 at the Marshalleck Stadium with Amin August scoring the 1st goal in the 24th minute. Leobardo Mendez added a 2nd goal in the 28th minute, while San Felipe’s Andrew Allen scored a consolation goal for the visitors in the 36th minute. A 3rd goal in the 43rd minute by Julian Maldonado pushed the lead to 3-1 at the half.

Amin August scored his 2nd goal in the 83rd minute and Marlon Mesa completed the rout with a 5th goal in the 88th min.

BDF’s Richard Jimenez & Evan Mariano

Belize beats Brazil & Panama in International cricket

Warren Anthony made 45 runs against Brazil

Suriname, April 11, 2011 Team Belize has been doing well in the International Cricket Confederation Americas Division 2 tournament in Suriname, by winning 2 of its 3 games.

Team Belize won over Continued on page 13

Kelsey Balderamos spikes

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

13

Belize beats Brazil & Panama

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

in International cricket Continued from page 13

On Sunday, Team Belize fell to the host team, Suriname, by 8 wickets in a match which was disrupted by rain.

Mykelt Anthony scored 32 runs and Conway Young contributed 13 runs for Belize. Keve Flowers and Kenroy Roca took 1 wicket each for Belize.

Team Belize met the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands on Wednesday.

Brazil by 166 runs to 90 runs on Monday.

Belizean bowler Dirk Sutherland was the Man of the Match, taking 4 wickets for 19 runs.

Belize had also won their first game against Panama last Saturday by the score of 87 runs to 81 runs, with 6 wickets to spare. The Man of the Match, Kenroy Roca, scored 16 runs.

Belize’s National Team

Top Shattaz triumphs over Lord’s Bank How they won: Friday Games: Elite Promos vs. Cancaras Garage

67 66

Elite Promos

Cancaras

Top Scorers: Stephen Hall, 30 points; Leonard Jonez, 16 points Elite Promos won series, and 1st place title

Junior’s MVP Javier Guttierez

Top Shattaz team was victorious

Top Shattaz vs. Lord’s Bank Bullets

80 83

Top Shattaz

Lord’s Bank

Top Scorers: Ian Lennon, Leroy Lauriano, 19 points; Darwin Leslie, Lennox Bowman, 16 points Lord’s Bank Bullets tied the series 1-1

Saturday Games: Top Shattaz vs. Lord’s Bank Bullets

87 73

Top Shattaz

Lord’s Bank

Senior’s MVP Leroy Lauriano

Top Scorers: Winston Pratt, 29 points; Lennox Bowman, 23 points Top Shattaz won series, and 1st place title

Awards: Junior MVP – Javier Guttierez Senior MVP – Leroy Lauriano

Other games: Suga City Gurlz vs. Las Flores Galactic Girls

7

Suga City

Triple B’s batters Little Swaggers 3-0 Punta Gorda, April 9, 2011 The defending women’s football champions, Triple B’s, posted a 3-0 victory over the Little Swaggers at the Toledo Union field in Punta Gorda Town on Saturday, April 9.

The win places Triple B’s as the leaders in the 2011 Delhart Courtney Cup women’s football tournament as it enters week one of the quarterfinals.

Sarah Arzu scored the first winning goal in the 1st half and added a 2nd goal before the half time break. Kara Kisling added a 3rd goal in the 2nd half for the 3-0 win.

Coach & Tournament organiser, Ladrick “Mad Bull” Shepherd

Orange Walk, April 12th 2011 The Top Shattaz team won the battle of the titans against the Lord’s Bank Bullets in a rebound Game 3 of the 2011 Youth Recreational Center basketball tournament, organised by Coach Ladrick “Mad Bull” Shepard, on Saturday night.

Top Shattaz won 87-73, defeating their formidable opponents to take the 1st place trophy and cash prize.

In the Juniors, Elite Promos beat Cancaras Garage in a tightly contested game which ended 67-66.

0

Las Flores

Goals by Tamarah Baptist (3), Dalia Mai (2), Noemi Magana, Karen Garcia.

West Girls vs. Bella Vista Latin Girls

2

West Girls

1

Bella Vista

Goals by Kimberly Perez, Shirley Codd, Maria Acosta

Triple Bs leads 2011 Delhart Courtney Cup

Corozal United FC vs. Pumas Auto Rentals

2

Corozal United

Noemi Magaña scored Suga City’s 5th goal

0

Pumas Auto

Goals by Miriam Villamil & Mindy Canul

Upcoming Games: Triple B’s vs. Little Swaggers, FFB Stadium, Saturday, April 16 Suga City Gurlz vs. Las Flores Galactic Girls, Louisiana Field, Sunday April 17 Bella Vista Latin Girls vs. West Girls, Bella Vista Field Corozal United FC vs. Puma Auto Rentals, Santiago Ricalde Stadium

Suga City girls

Sarah Arzu scored 2 goals

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

Brilliant

stuns Brave Union 375-83 Crooked Tree, April 9, 2011 Brilliant of Crooked Tree stunned Brave Union of Burrell Boom by the score of 375 runs to 83 runs in the SMART Harrison Parks National Cricket Competition in Crooked Tree village on Saturday, April 9, 2011.

Brilliant’s batsman Raynard Tillett batted the second century of this year’s competition, when he scored 112 runs for Brilliant and Landis Wade took 7 wickets.

Other games: Surprise vs. Bright Star

319 Surprise

65

Bright Star

Police vs. Unfinished Business

135 Police

61

Unfinished Bus.

Saillows vs. Strugglers

131 128 Saillows

Strugglers

Wicked Eleven vs. Sunrise

95

Wicked Elven

94 Sunrise

Upcoming Games: Surprise vs. Brave Union, Lemonal, Sat. April 16 Isabella Uprising vs. Brilliant, Isabella Bank Unfinished Business vs. Bright Star, Biscayne Village Saillows vs. Sunrise, St. Paul’s Bank

Old Master’s

Over-35

basketball results Orange Walk, April 12, 2011

By Laddrick “Mad Bull” Shepherd The Old Master’s Over-35 basketball tournament continued on Thursday April 7th in Orange Walk.

Here are the results: People’s Store vs. Dickerson/Sunny Store

49 48

People’s Store

Dickerson

Top scorers: Jimmy Smith, 10 points; Isaac Pascual, 25 points

Old Master vs. M&A Magics

54 40 Old Master

M&A Magics

Top Scorers: Harris Patten, 17 points; James Saunders, 21 points

Caribbean Old School vs. Rick’s Blocks and Tiles

54 32 Caribbean

Rick’s Block

Top Scorers: Albert Diaz, 14 points; Boxie Perrer, 12 points

ABL Swingers win Women’s Month volleyball champs Belize City, April 10, 2011 The ABL Swingers of Atlantic Bank won the volleyball championship volleyball tournament organized by the Women’s Department during the March Women’s Month.

The ABL Swingers won the championship final in a hotly contested battle against the Social Transformers of the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation.

The Pacesetters of the Youth for the Future won 3rd place.

Other participating teams in-

Sunday, April 17, 2011

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

ABL Swingers team

cluded the Sex Busters of BFLA, the WIN-Belize Bembes and Girls Power of the YWCA. Women’s Issues Network of Belize (WIN-Belize), the Young women’s Christian Association and the Belize Family Life Association add their congratulations to the cham-

pions, and acknowledge the contribution of the e-sponsors, Jex Trophies, who donated the 1st and 2nd place trophies and 1st place medals. The BFLA donated the 2nd place medals, and the Women’s Department donated the 3rd place trophies and medals.

O.W. Tech outlasts opponents in BTL U-15 & U-17 basketball Orange Walk, April 3, 2011 Orange Walk Technical won both the under-15 and under-17 northern regional basketball championships sponsored by Belize Telemedia, and so both teams advance to the national tournament to be held in Orange Walk Town on Friday and Saturday, April15 and 16.

The Orange Walk U-15 boys had blown away the Libertad boys 46-24 in the first final at the Andres Campos Community Center in Corozal Town on Friday night. The Orange Walk boys led all the way: 11-10 in the first quarter, 23-17 at intermission, and 29-22 in the third quarter.

On Sunday the Orange Walk Tech boys went on to win the Libertad boys 39-33 at the Orange Walk Multipurpose Complex on Sunday.

The Orange Walk U-17 team also blew away the Corozal Rebels 79-63 in the second final at the Orange Walk Multipurpose Complex on Sunday.

They had also won the first game 63-62 over the Rebels in Corozal.

O. Walk Tech U-17 are Northern Champs

O. Walk Tech U-15 are Northern Champs

Henry Moriera wins Weekend Warrior’s Cross Country Belize City, April 10, 2011 Team Zamir’s Henry Moriera from Orange Walk won the 2011 Weekend Warriors annual cross country race on the Western and Northern Highways in Belize City on Sunday, April 10, clocking a little over four hours on his 75-mile ride.

The race’s route was from in front of the La Loma Luz Hospital in Santa Elena to the Hattieville roundabout, through the bypass road to the Burrell Boom junction, and on to the Northern Highway to finish in front of M&M Engineering.

Team M&M engineering’s Liam Stuart was 2nd while Team typhoon’s Luigi Urbina of Orange Walk finished 3rd, Wilbert Jones was 4th and Team Santino’s Ernest Meighan was 5th.

Most of the Category B and C class riders had ridden from Roaring Creek, and Shaun Howard of Cleanmaster Systems team from Cayo won this 50mile race in 3:6:42. Howard out-sprinted Jim Scott to take 1st, and Halton Richie of British Caribbean Bank /F.D. Williams team took 3rd.

Luke Usher of the Fabrigas team rounded out the top ten, and was also the first “C” class rider to finish.

Ramon Moralez of the Typhoon team was 2nd place in “C” class, while George Gillett of BNE team was 3rd among the “C” class riders.

Henry Moriera won the 75-mile race

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

This Week’s

15 BELIZETIMES SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2011

see full color at www.belizetimes.bz

E-NEWS Lova Boy

on “Tornado” tour

The Prince of Punta, Belizean artist Danny “Lova Boy” Cacho will be hitting Belize for nine concert events to be held throughout various venues in April and May. Lova Boy, whose single hit “Tornado” has been increasingly popular with Belizeans at home and abroad, will be inside Club Malibu in Dangriga for his first concert on April 15.

On April 16, he will be hitting two spots inside Belize City, one being Palm Island.

A week later, Lova Boy heads to Placencia and San Ignacio, followed by San Pedro and Belmopan. To find out more you can follow at: http://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100000871562217#!/iamlovaboy

Mana

Kicks Off New

Album in Hollywood

Mana, the legendary and world-famous Latin rock band, is in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of their new album.

Fans lined up for blocks outside of Hollywood, Amoeba to celebrate the band’s new album, “Drama y Luz”, which has been five years in the making.

This will be Mana’s 21st album, since the band got together to produce its first music composition “Sombrero Verde” in 1981.

Collie Budz headlines in Newport

Reggae dancehall artist Collie Buddz will serve as headliner this Friday in the Newport Music Hall. Recently Buddz released his new single “Play Back” Buddz is on tour current and one of the highlights is the Spring Gathering which will also featuring artist such as Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Stephen Marley, Travis Barker and Mix Master Mike.

CATWALK FASHIONS

TOP MODEL

ANNA • • • • •

Diver/Masseuse Lives in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Libra Likes: Swimming, horse-back riding, music Career plan: Forensic specialist

16

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

17

UDP’s Cruel Rhetoric, Belize’s Harsh Reality Remarks delivered by Hon. Francis Fonseca, Freetown Area Representative, at Budget Debate for Fiscal Year 2011/2012 - March 25, 2011

The Budget Presentation of March 11, 2011 will most certainly go down as one of the most uninspiring, unimaginative, unremarkable and unfulfilling presentations ever made by a Minister of Finance in these chambers.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times before, I take no comfort in the Government’s failings. When the Belizean Government fails, Belize fails and when Belize fails, the people of Freetown and many of their brothers and sisters across our nation suffer.

For the great majority of Belizeans, Mr. Speaker, these are the worst of times.

Each and every week and month, they face great uncertainty and anxiety.

• How will we put food on the table today?

• How will we keep the lights on?

• How will we keep the stove burning?

• How will we keep our children in school?

• How will we pay the rent or mortgage this month?

• What if I get sick? Where do I turn?

• Will I be able to find a job this month?

• For those fortunate enough to have a job, will my employer be downsizing, cutting back? Will I lose my job or have to take a pay cut?

Mr. Speaker, this is the reality that is Belize in 2011 under this UDP Government. These are real concerns of real Belizean families all across our nation. This 2011/2012 Budget provides no answers to these Belizean families.

It offers them no plan, no solutions, no opportunities to improve their lives. It offers them NO HOPE Mr. Speaker.

It is in the face of this harsh, sober reality that our Prime Minister, on March 11, 2011, declared “Success”, Mr. Speaker. He expressed “Satisfaction” and in his own words stated, “Pretty much all we undertook to do last year has been done”.

What cruel, empty rhetoric, Mr. Speaker! Where is the evidence to support this success? Where are the results to justify this sense of accomplishment and satisfaction? Where are the jobs? Where are the results of the Pro-Poor Programs? How much credit was made available to small businesses? Where is the evidence of the containment of Crime & Violence?

If the Prime Minister has it, he needs to produce it and share it with the Belizean people because out here in “Real Belize”, ain’t nobody seeing it or feeling it.

Mr. Speaker, as he did last year, this year, the Prime Minister highlights Social Protection Initiatives/Pro-Poor Policies, access to credit, job creation and fighting crime as central components of his budget.

Well, Mr. Speaker, any objective analysis of the performance/outturn of last year’s budget will glaringly reveal that the Prime Minister has no standing, no credibility on any of these areas.

My colleagues have made these points but they bear repeating. Under his government’s Pro-Poor Program in last year’s budget, the Prime Minister allocated $1M to the Apprenticeship Program under the Ministry of Education. Well guess what was actually made available to the Apprenticeship Program - $50,000. That’s right - $50,000. RHETORIC: $1M, REALITY: $50,000. And this year, the allocation has been cut by 50% to $500,000.

Then, there’s the Ministry of Human

Development’s Single Mother’s Program, last year’s allocation: $100,000, actual funding: $50,000. RHETORIC: $100,000, REALITY: $50,000.

The Food Pantry Program for the elderly poor and marginalized women and children – budget allocation last year: $1M, actual funding: $10,800. EMPTY RHETORIC: $1M, HARSH REALITY: $10,800.

And the most tragic “whap” of all was the so-called Conditional Cash Transfer Program, much touted and hyped up by the Prime Minister and his Ministers last year - “… supposed to target the most deprived and disadvantaged …”, he said.

Well, guess what, budget allocation: $4M. But what did the Hon. Prime Minister, as Minister of Finance, actually make available for the program? Answer: $30,000!!

That’s right, $30,000!! EMPTY/HOLLOW RHETORIC: $4M, PAINFUL REALITY: $30,000 $1M was budgeted for the renovation and construction of health centers; however, only $53,000 was made available.

And while they couldn’t find money for the poor, Mr. Speaker, they surely found it for new vehicles ($1.2M), for traveling ($1.4M) and for their other pet projects.

This year’s budget, Mr. Speaker, offers more of the same empty rhetoric Turning to Job Creation, Mr. Speaker, we understand fully well why the Prime Minister did not want to have the question of Unemployment put to him. You see, he only likes to talk when he has something to boast about. Well, there is nothing to boast about regarding the job situation in Belize today. The people who promised us 5000 “new” jobs, 6% annual GDP growth, cheaper utilities and a lower cost of living “NO MATTER WHAT” have delivered NOTHING – NADA!!

Instead, thousands of Belizeans have LOST their jobs or have been forced to earn less pay for fewer hours as they join the ranks of the Underemployed.

Mr. Speaker, we can’t get an answer from the Prime Minister but local economists and statisticians offering an independent, objective view put Belize’s Unemployment rate today at around 17%.

For women and youth, it is a crisis situation with Unemployment projected to be around 30%.

It would be laughable. were it not so tragic, that the only jobs program established under this year’s budget is a jobs program for fifteen (15) “high energy” gang members to work in the rural areas of three districts.

Well, Mr. Speaker, we have no problem with positive interventions aimed at quelling gang violence but where is the jobs program for the thousands of Belizeans who have LOST their jobs over the last three years?

Where is the jobs program for the hundreds of UB and Sixth Form graduates who are out each and every day beating the pavement in search of a job that will provide them a living wage?

Where is the jobs program for the hundreds of single mothers who are living in despair and hopelessness and have no where to turn?

Where is the jobs program for the young people graduating from high school whose families can no longer afford to send them to UB or Sixth Form?

Where is their jobs program, Mr. Speaker?

And what about the much touted Cap. III projects which were supposed to stimulate the economy and create

jobs? Again, Mr. Speaker, NOTHING – NADA!! Just EMPTY RHETORIC and again, in this fiscal year, more of the same.

Badly needed Capital Expenditure under the Cap .II and Cap. III budgets for FY 2010/2011 for some $45M failed to be activated, failed to stimulate the economy, failed to create jobs.

And where is the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) so critical to Job Creation? Last fiscal year, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister reported that FDI had fallen by 50%. Well, this year, it has fallen by 90% amounting to a shocking low of some $13M. Mr. Speaker, this is down from some $235M in 2008. No one wants to invest in Belize under this petty, vindictive, arbitrary UDP Government, Mr. Speaker.

This UDP is BAD for BUSINESS and BAD for BELIZE!!

The Education budget now stands at some $195M, 90% of which goes to Salaries, Travel, and Materials & Supplies, Mr. Speaker. This leaves very little for new initiatives, too little to create the opportunities for meaningful, structural change in our education system. We need to address this imbalance and to find creative ways to get more value for our education dollars.

The budget for Youth is even more disappointing and clearly reflects the Government’s lack of commitment to Youth Development. The Dept. of Youth, the Belize Development Center, the Youth for the Future Secretariat, the National Youth Cadet Services Corp (NYCSC) and the Conscious Youth Development Program (CYDP) all have a combined allocation of $2.8M in a National Budget of some $900M. With a growing youth population that’s facing new and difficult challenges in their personal lives, we have to do more and better for our young Belizeans.

Directly linked to this lack of commitment to and investment in our youth is the issue of Crime & Violence, Mr. Speaker.

The Prime Minister has changed Ministers but there has been no change of direction, no new plan, no new consensus on the way forward.

What has happened with the recommendations of the Crooks Report? We’ve heard nothing.

Operation Jaguar has gone quiet and Restore Belize, so far, has been more show than substance. What targets have been set for the program and how is its success being measured and reported on to the Belizean people?

Mr. Speaker, fighting crime requires resources, planning, training and leadership. All Belizeans have a stake in this fight but Government and the Ministry of Police & Public Security must lead the way and inspire confidence in the process. Regrettably, they are still failing to do so.

The last twelve months have been very difficult and challenging for our Freetown community.

Many more have been added to the unemployment roll. Many more have lost their homes. Many more have lost their land, their scholarships.

The Freetown Education & Opportunity Center opened in 2003 and forced shut by the Ministry of Education last year, re-

mains closed, denying hundreds of young Freetown residents access to computer/Internet, tutoring, books and positive recreational activities – What a SHAME on this UDP Government!!

Similarly, the Belama Health Center has been closed for two years.

The Belama Land Development Project, which provided some 150 lots to deserving first-time landowners, has been savaged and ravaged by greedy UDP representatives who want lots in the area.

Belama Phase IV has become the favorite stomping ground for the Hon. Minister of Works, the Member for Port Loyola who has already taken over a number of lots and has constructed houses on a least two lots so far. There are lots taken away from good, hardworking Freetown residents.

It is my understanding that the lots have been divided up among UDP representatives, each getting five (5) lots to do with as they please. This is scandalous, Mr. Speaker and I say to them and to those they are proposing to give those lots to, family members included, LEAVE the people of Freetown’s land ALONE. That is THEIR land for THEIR families and we will get back their land for them no matter how long it takes.

Equally scandalous, Mr. Speaker is the condition of the streets and drains in Freetown - broken, clogged and stagnant.

The only good news is that the incompetent UDP gang at the Belize City Council is in their sixth and final year of office.

Next year, this time, the residents of Belize City will be free of them and we can get on with the work of rebuilding and cleaning up the Old Capital.

Mr. Speaker, we are here thirteen days after the Budget Presentation not to “assassinate truth and eviscerate principle” but rather to expose EMPTY, CRUEL RHETORIC and to give voice to the harsh reality of life in Belize in March of 2011 under this UDP Administration.

This budget is not anchored in any vision or plan to move Belize forward rather it is an anchor around the necks of the Belizean people and nation, weighing us down and denying us hope, growth and opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and his Ministers may be free to fly but when they look around from their first class seats, the plane is empty. They are no passengers onboard. The Belizean people have been left behind.

For all of the above reasons and so much more, Mr. Speaker, I CANNOT and DO NOT support this budget for Fiscal Year 2011/2012.

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

Lake I squatters resist GOB’s intimidation

Belize City, April 5, 2011 Over 300 squatters in the Gungulong area in the Lake Independence Division, who are threatened with eviction by Government and who are subjected to police intimidation, held a meeting of their own this past Sunday to organize themselves in charting a way forward.

The squatters, many of whom have taken up residency in the area for almost a year now, feel as if though their only means of acquiring a plot of land is by squatting because all other efforts have failed. Now their position on staying on the land is steadfast and they are not about to move. When the police, heavily armed and numbering close to 20, showed up to manhandle them one of them remarked, “Dis dah Belize.

If people could come yah and strong land, why we who born yah can’t?

We noh di move!”

Last week Thursday the government sent out heavily armed officers to block off the western entrance to the settlers’ homes. For several hours they were prevented from entering

the road to where they had cleared out and set up their dwellings and it wasn’t until night set in and mosquitoes were having their full effect that the police packed up and drove off, allowing the weary settlers and their young children through. The next day they did return, albeit in fewer numbers, and the aggression was not so blatant. The warning coming from Eastern Division Police Station remained, however, that if anyone was seen in the area they would be arrested and charged with trespassing.

Police arrived along with an officer from the Lands Department with documents stating that they have illegally settled on crown land.

The government plans to push through a road and construct a bridge that will connect Lake Independence to the Belama area on the north side of the city. They also plan to build a bus terminal, all this while ignoring the immediate needs of the people, many of whom say they have tried and tested the system the legal way, without any success, of getting any kind of access to land.

19 yr. old chopped on his head with machete Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Residents of Georgeville on the Western Highway are calling on the higher echelons of the Police Department to do something urgently to discourage the youth in the village from retaliating after a man was seriously injured in a machete fight on Tuesday night.

Travis Sutherland, 19, was sitting under a house not far from the basketball court along with a friend when two men rode past his cousin, Earl, who was sitting alone in front of the court.

The riders turned back and produced machetes which they used to attack Earl. When Sutherland and his friend saw what was transpiring right before them, they went to Earl’s aid and that was when the machete men turned on Sutherland, who suffered a deep gash to the head.

He lost so much blood that he has been listed in a serious condition and has no recollection of the incident or other things more pertinent to life. He is expected to live, but doctors say he

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Travis Sutherland

will need a lot of rest and therapy in order to make a full recovery.

The residents are worried that the chopping might escalate into a major war between two groups of youths in the village. Ever since a murder took place a few years ago, they have been uneasy because a few squabbles have ensued since and threats were hurled from both sides. They are now asking senior officers of the Department to do frequent patrols in the village and to talk to the parties involved.

While they wait for the police intervention requested, cops in San Ignacio have one man in custody awaiting charges.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

19

20

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 17, 2011

mylegacyb4mypeople says: April 12, 2011 at 10:35 am True Barrow is way over his head in taking on this job either that or he is much much more corrupted than any one can imagine, since he had plans to distribute the criminals throughout the country it would be obvious that he has a close relationship with them and know who they are but yet he allows them to run freely in the city instead of cordoning off these areas where he knows these criminals are and smoke them out their holes, imagine how many illegal firearms would be confiscated by doing this he just got to make a general statement to the citizens that the government is at war with the criminal elements in the country and that the government is not able to protect innocent citizens during these times however it is a sacrifice that needs to be made and that all citizens should be vigilant as we undergo this eradication. Remember, My Legacy B 4 My People. c says: April 13, 2011 at 9:59 am he promised cheaper fuel! I don’t care about politics but when you are elected on promises you have to keep them… Barrow you are a SOB!!

Belama Resident says: April 11, 2011 at 11:29 am UDP AND DOUG SINGH have no respect for police officers, after one was shot at the Belama Station it is still not fully operational..with lights, proper roof, security cameras ..50million of our taxpayers dollars for BTL and they can’t fix a roof for a Police Station..Imagine the Possibilities!!!!!

West submitted on 2011/04/09 at 6:55pm I am tried of this incompetent, ignorant, government . As citizens of Belize, we must act now! we must use the social network called “facebook” to over throw this “wanna be dictator” form our precious jewel. If the citizens of Egypt succeeded, why can’t we? Yes, my people stand up and act now before it is too late. ivan cal Submitted on 2011/04/09 at 10:01am deab barrow is not good for prime minister he is destroying our economy and country,he should resign and go dedicate himself to his LAWFIRM’.he is a disgrace to our Nation.

Trisha Submitted on 2011/04/08 at 11:41pm I have been a resident in Belize for only four years, so I was hesitant to express an opinion on this subject until I read this article with which I am in total agreement, by the way. You cannot deal with crime until you understand its causes. Simply putting a lid on it, like one might do with a saucepan, will inevitably cause the pressure to build until it forces its way out. I see, now, that the Prime Minister is considering implementing a form of ‘Pre-Crime’ (like the movie, ‘Minority Report’) which will round up potential trouble-makers for a cooling down period, after which, I suppose, they will be released back into the community, duly cooled down, to sin no more.

Belize is a wealthy country! At least, it could be, were it properly governed. It could be were the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ not so wide. It could be if its youth was not subjected to twenty-four hours a day propaganda from our neighbor to the north extolling the virtues of a consumerist lifestyle which is in the final stage of collapse.

Where is the Minister of Culture? Shouldn’t he be fighting the corrupting influence of a U.S. society which makes a virtue of self-indulgence and instant gratification by reinforcing and promoting Belize’s own, rich culture, even if no one seems to know where the name, ‘Belize’, came from? What is the Minister for Employment doing to improve job opportunities for the youth of this country. When will the Government spend more time seeking investors than it does giving away the store to foreign interests?

Initiatives, like ‘Operation Jaguar’, are nothing more that window dressing; an attempt to convince the public that the Government is doing something. Globalization has produced a world in which there is no longer a job waiting for every youngster upon their leaving school. With increasing commodity prices, many countries are experiencing riots. We are facing difficult and serious issues, in a world that is growing more troubled with each passing day, and they require serious and committed individuals to address them, not cronyism and fine words.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Strictly Personal Barrow is bogus

By glenntillett@yahoo.com “The problem with the Tinting regulations is that it was NOT thought thru clearly! ...don’t get me wrong, I understand the reasoning behind it but instead of adding more cumbersome quality of life legislation to the books, they should have first looked at ways to strengthen the ENFORCEMENT capabilities of the ones we DO have! ...It’s just another example of this administrations stumbling, bumbling

Mr. Barrow won’t have any words of condolence, sympathy or comfort for the people who care about Kirk Belisle as a person they knew, and there’s little new with which he can come before the nation and say that will have any credibility with us.” ways!

“I mean for heavens sake! – We can’t even enforce the existing laws on littering, vehicle operation, licensing and inspections etc, loitering, drinking in public, bicycle riding on walkways, riding 2 persons on bicycle, underage drinking, etc etc - We can’t even enforce ANY of these and more, and they wanna add ANOTHER?!?!

“Instead, they MAY wanna look at ways to mitigate the kind of lackadaisical, “devil may care, attitude that permeates all levels of our society but especially in this case, in our enforcement authorities and their capabilities!

THAT is the problem! …lack of the will ….and the ability …. to enforce!!!!

“Do you know how many people have been charged for littering in the last 20 years? ONE!!! A guy in Dangriga some years ago! Do you know who will be the most blatant abusers of the NEWest tinting regulations?? The GOB Ministers who have the blackest of tints on their vehicles!

“Again, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised however, because this administration is surely been garnering a reputation over the last 3 years for stumbling from one crisis/issue to another without any semblance of orderly thinking.

“What you can count on them for, and what they are famous for however, is to be longwinded, vociferous and lengthy on words but short on any kind sober, strategic and coherent thinking ability!!” – facebook post, Tuesday, April 12, 2011 For just us plain ordinary folks resident here in the Jewel, Belize is a frustrating and confounding place to be these past few years, but particularly the past year. As another of my bookies put it: “The cost of living is going up and the chance of living is going down.”

I was painfully reminded of that when I got a glimpse of a photo on the news of a taxi driver who had been shot because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, if you can call just being a few blocks from home but stalled because of car trouble, the wrong place the wrong time.

I was not “friends” with Kirk Belisle, and did not know him more than to occasionally exchange pleasantries and opinions on sports. In fact if my recollection serves me right, he once gave me a lift home in his cab after a dance at Bellevue and on the way we had a fairly spirited exchange about our respective Belize semi-pro basketball teams.

He seemed a hard working guy, and he didn’t appear to have any bad habits as far as I could tell. Belisle used to operate what we call an after-hours taxi service. Late at night, especially on weekends, when the other regular drivers had quit, he would hustle jobs at the nightclub and dance spots.

The story is that Belisle had car problems and his vehicle stalled out a few blocks from his home in Lake I late Saturday night, early Sunday morning.

A group of young men who were his neighbours came over to help him.

The story of the Good Samaritan is supposed to be an object lesson in the kindness of strangers, and why we are our brothers’ keepers but our lives here in Belize has been turned upside down by the escalation in murderous violence, and the decreasing ability of those in authority to stop it. Kirk Belisle’s murder is the reversal of the

tale of the Good Samaritan.

While attending to his mechanical problems he was shot in the back of the head by a lone gunman riding by. He was not the intended target – apparently one the Samaritans who clustered around him to offer assistance was, and who instead brought death.

My fellow bookie says it best: ““The cost of living is going up and the chance of living is going down.”

Kirk Belisle was working harder than ever to make it, just like the majority of the rest of us. The cost of living just keeps going up, and our odds of making it keeps going down in equal proportion. It’s hard to remember when that trend was the other

21 way round. And it is hard to imagine the possibility that it will be reversed again anytime soon under this Barrow administration.

Mr. Barrow won’t have any words of condolence, sympathy or comfort for the people who care about Kirk Belisle as a person they knew, and there’s little new with which he can come before the nation and say that will have any credibility with us.

He could, however, leave now, before there are more Kirk Belisle’s, and give someone else a shot at attempting to reverse this lethal trend.

I repeat: “The cost of living is going up and the chance of living is going down.”

Shout it out loud: Barrow is bogus.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

REALITY CHECK! BELLY DIH BAWL AND PEOPLE DI DEAD OUT YA!

BY: Carla Bradley It is now the remix of the National Anthem in Belize to hear people saying that “life is hard in Belize”; unfortunately, it is getting worse day by day, press conference by press conference, and bad decision by bad decision. The government has launched their “pro poor” policy and has squeezed out a 6 million dollar budget for this policy yet they only spent a skimpy one hundred thousand.

It is sad to see that this government say it is “pro poor”, when they seem to be more “pro self ”.

In every corner of our jewel people are suffering, parents, single mothers are searching for a way to feed their children publicly, and hopelessly. The people of Belize beg the government for assistance and all they can say, to paraphrase it without the insults and disrespect is “it’s hard and money is hard to come by”.

Our streets are in deplorable conditions and are scented with the rawness of homeless garbage.

Jobs have dried up since 2008, single mothers are thrown into desperate unemployment, and vulnerable babies are out of school, hustling on the streets to help their families.

All these are symptoms of the ever declining economy of our country. Crime has boiled to an all time high, getting worse as each rape, home invasion and murder goes by. Of late the black hole scapegoat has been the ominous “Gangs” who are blamed everyday for these senseless killings. But is it really only gang rivalry that is the cause of the soaring crime in our country?

This question was asked of Belizeans in different areas of our country. Those interviewed said that while some of these killings may be as a result of gang rivalry, not all are. The people believe that the reason the crime has escalated in this country is because the poverty level has increased, with over 148 thousand people in poverty in our country. Look behind than number, at the faces of those thousands of empty three year old

stomachs. The empty stares, the hungry nights and the desperation of abused single mothers.

The list goes on, no jobs, high cost of living and lack of education have been contributing factors to the rising crime in our country.

So far in 2011, we are on 36 murders. Seven of these murders occurring between April 1-12, less than two weeks. Comparatively, in the 2009 statistics, there were a total of 8 murders for the entire month of April. When placed beside the numbers for this year, it becomes a sharp pinch of reality.

This is where our country is heading.

The government has been pretending to try “something” with all these new units and operations in the police department: such as Jaguar, Restore Belize and the new gang suppression unit. Still they have not been able to address the single most important national issue of crime in our country. I wonder if this UDP government has ever asked the question why these ideas are not working. It is because this is not their problem.

The problem is that the people of Belize need jobs; they need to feed their children and if the resources are not there, they will do what it takes so that at the end of the day their families are taken care of.

I am not defending the gangs of Belize, but think about it, our youths join the gangs and sell drugs and do what they think they need to do to earn a living. They do not want possibilities, they need opportunities. As a US slogan ran “it is the economy, stupid”.

If jobs were present then they would not be forced to turn to illegal operations. Rather than wasting millions of dollars in these fruitless programs, which in reality only give way for abuse of power, why not spend it on youth capacity and skills building programs.

How about programs that can teach these youths a trade, so that they may earn an honest living. There are other alternatives, which we as a country can utilize to address this spiraling situation instead of suppressing human rights. This policy seems to be an attempt to fight crime with more crime. This is not a “pro poor” budget; it is a budget that “perpetuates poverty”. The alarming situation at hand will never be resolved because it is beyond this UDP government’s skill set and not within their interests.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Poverty, Crime and Violence….…..

By Carolyn Trench-Sandiford – Deputy Leader People’s United Party - Belize

T

he recent news headline of the unprecedented lengthy sentences given by the Supreme Court to sex crime perpetuators was welcomed by most Belizeans. Two men were convicted of crimes of carnal knowledge and rape against an 8 year old child and a 21 year old young woman respectively, the former involving the father of the child, a case of incest.

Unfortunately, this judgment is rare, despite the fact that over the past years, there have been an increasing number of reports on the news of cases of incest involving children, many never making it through the court system for many reasons. However, what is more troubling is that most cases of incest involves family members and have never been reported.

As a planner, I am trained to address contemporary political, social, economic and environmental issues, concerns and challenges through a multidimensional and holistic review and analysis of the history, existing situation and emerging trends of not only one’s community or country, but of other communities and countries which share a common history, to determine the trajectory of the community or country under review.

A simple conversation I had with a lecturer Maureen Webber when I was a student in Jamaica brought about the reason for writing this article. She had asked me about Belize.

This was the decade of the 80’s. Of course I lauded my country. I spoke of the culture and other wonders of the Belizean landscape. At that time, the population was half of what it is today, a mere 150000 people, and our value system of respect, discipline, self worth and hard work was a part of my life.

I also spoke of walking into the grocery store across or up the street, as it was either at Mr. Miguel or Mr. Novelo, and standing at the counter with a list, and reciting its contents while holding a conversation about family. Traffic lights were not in use, and a murder was big news. It was

talked about for months. I mentioned policemen who carried batons only, and the community’s intrinsic role in nurturing the child.

Buses were only taken to travel from Belize City to the districts, as everywhere you went was in walking distance.

Taxis were used mostly for funerals, airports or special occasions. When I finished, she shrugged her shoulders and looked at me and said, “sounds like Jamaica 20 -25 years ago”. Today, I see a Jamaica of 25 years ago as I live in Belize 25 years later, and I remember the experiences as a resident and a student often.

And while they have influenced and shaped my thinking in many ways, there is always that component that you do not wish to see in Belize.

While my first ride in a mini bus was a classic all by itself, others are of going to the bank to open an account, and confronted by security guards with safety vests and the biggest guns I had ever seen; of buying food to eat, and having to place my hand through a grill bar of a shop operated by a person with Chinese features; of watching the news each night, horrified at seeing the graphic images of murder and mayhem and of wars between police and gangs. I recall barely escaping a drive by shooting in Mona where I lived. It was culture shock.

In addition, as an undergraduate student in the field of planning, most of my work was in marginalized and poverty stricken communities, and I was exposed to a way of life I had never witnessed before. It was one characterized by abject poverty, fear and hopelessness, organized crime and violence, gang culture, social dysfunction and political partisanship.

One recollection was going into a community and being asked if I was a Labourite or a Nationalite. I was previously told to say I was a Nationalite.

It appears that my advisor was on target, as I was allowed to enter. I later understood the question to refer to an affiliation with either the Jamaica Labour Party or the People’s National Party. Unknowingly, I was in PNP territory.

Another incident that still is with me, is when doing a survey of living conditions, I entered a yard with one 12 feet by 12 feet house and found that 31 persons lived there and nobody was gainfully employed. They said they took turns sleeping, so the yard was a hive of activity 24 hours 7 days a week, and the scene of outside washing, cooking, gambling and weed smoking intertwined with chil-

dren playing was a scene I became accustomed to.

I have read the Country Poverty Assessment Report of 2010 which shows an increase of poverty from 33 to 43% of the population in 8 years with 14 % more vulnerable to becoming poor and the Dr. Herbert Gayle Report which points to the proliferation of gang enclaves and culture and the dysfunctional environment of inner city communities fueled by poverty and the absence of family, security, social and economic support systems.

I feel the fear of our citizens regarding their safety, as they see a murder committed every 2 days now.

When you add this to the nauseating reports of rising incest, child abuse, teenage prostitution and exploitation,

23 and read an article published in the Jamaica Observer two years ago entitled “Crime Triggers Incest”, I see a frightening and dismal future for Belize and one that is unacceptable, and which must be of concern to all of us.

As a Party, this state of affairs must be a part of our discussion. It must signal to us the urgency of creating a new political, economic and social order to eradicate poverty and bring about social progress, and to provide for homeland security of country and people. Only so will we break the cycle of perpetual subjection of our people, and only so will we transition to Phase II of the revolution, and a NEW BELIZE will be born, to bring to all Belizeans a better life and a just share of the national wealth.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Water crisis forces Cayo School to reduce class time Santa Familia Village, Cayo District, April 11, 2011 Facing a water shortage crisis, the Santa Familia RC Primary School has been forced to cut down on their students’ class time as of today Monday, April 11.

There is currently no potable water at the Santa Familia RC, even though the school is outfitted with proper water pipes.

When the faucets are turned on, only hot air blows out. The school children do not have access to safe and clean water, nor do the toilets have access to water for toilet flushing, cleaning or hand washing. As a result, the school will only teach its almost 300 students for only half day.

The action, though drastic as it places education under threat, has been taken primarily as a health measure to ensure that the students are safe despite the water crisis. The school administration has done its utmost best to ensure that students have some drinking water, but the financial costs have made it impossible for them to continue doing do so for an entire day every day. The school’s calls to the Ministry of Education and Area Representative Elvin Penner have gone unheard.

While the neglect has placed the education of hundreds of children at risk, the entire village of Santa Familia has also been stranded and left to cope with the water crisis.

The community has easy access to running water from the Mopan and Belize Old Rivers, but because it does not have an adequate water system to store, treat and distribute the water ef-

ficiently the provision of water is unreliable and unsafe, at times non-existent. Residents complain incessantly that water access, at times, only lasts for a few hours.

Others say when water flows it contains heavy sediments, and is not good for use.

The residents are frustrated, and even bitter, because whether they get water or not into their homes, they are required to pay their water bills regularly.

The area representative has been promising assistance for the past three years but none has arrived so far. In fact two Sundays ago, Penner met with villagers and promised to put in place a new water tank and water meters, but hope was flushed down when Penner admitted that none of the pledges could materialise until the end of the year. Upon hearing this, villagers walked out of the meeting.

The Village Council is also offering little hope for residents.

The Council is in disarray with three members having resigned, while the important issues in the community have been left unattended. In fact, some residents blame the Council for the water crisis. It is believed that the Council, at the direction of the area representative, allowed several UDPconnected owners of commercial farms to access the water at the expense of the residents’ use.

The Barrow Administration’s inability to spend a few thousand dollars to mend the water crisis in Santa Familia is evidence of its real commitment to rural communities and the education of our children.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Why our voices will not be heard!

By anthony sylvestre Dean Barrow is a ’wuthless’ Prime Minister.

Now, there are many, many, many things I can write about to illustrate this point and which the Belizeans know well: the most known of course is his nepotism and double standard to his family and friends, and cold, callous treatment to the rest of Belizeans.

I will, however, this week write about how he has screwed us over and taken from us a very, very important right; a right which would have given all Belizeans who are registered voters the power to let their voices be heard in the debate about the preventative detention. A right which would have empowered all registered voters to vote “yes” or “no” to this preventative detention that Barrow is proposing.

This is a right, those of us from the Southside of Belize City, more than any other Belizean, will appreciate. For it is us on the Southside of Belize City, more than any other Belizean, who experience the wrath of the unprofessionalism of the security forces (to put it euphemistically) – who stop and harass many of us without any cause; who disrespectfully , arrogantly and ‘faceyly’ stop and search us in this side of the city; who talk down to us and bawl at us when they stop and search us; who treat us like ‘dawgs’ and subhumans when they stop and search us; who run up into our homes disrespectfully, arrogantly and ‘faceyly’; who routinely abuse their power, discriminate us, profile us and belittle us; who pick us up, take us to the station and leave us there for 48 hours and have no reason to.

Yes, we would have wanted our say. We would have wanted our voices to be heard by the ballot on whether we think the security forces who have wronged us many times, should be given greater power; an incomprehensive power to lock us up for 14 days without charging us.

Those of us who have experienced this wrath of the unprofessionalism of the security forces would cer-

this preventative detention which will shred our constitutional right and give the police the constitutional power to lock up any Belizean for at least 14 days, without charging him. Should we not as Belizeans at least have the right to tainly have wanted to exercise that vote “yes” or “no” on such a funright. Our family members, friends damental and draconian change and neighbours would have wanted to our sacred constitutional right? to exercise this right to tell the gov- Well, we had this right before the ernment by the ballot that we either Dean Barrow and the UDP came agreed or disagreed with that draco- to power in 2008. It has been taken away and so now Barrow and his nian proposal.

Now, it is not every member UDP will just pass this law as they of the security forces who abuses have the supermajority.

Barrow will say here (as he has their power and in a heavy handsaid with the offshore drilling refed way; but there are bad apples in the force, a fact which Barrow, Singh and Commissioner Jefferies has conceded. That is enough to gall any Belizean to know those bad apples will have this incredible power. It is cause for us to have been allowed that right to vote on this matter.

But we will never get to do that, thanks to Dean Barrow.

As the first thing he did when he came to power, Barrow took away this right of ours when he repealed the Referendum Act. In 1999, a year after they came to power, the PUP had passed into law this Referendum Act. One of the progressive and important features of this law was the mandatory requirement that before any government could tamper with any of our constitutional rights, that government first had to ask us in a referendum whether we agreed or disagreed with that.

Now, it is mindboggling to me now, as it was in 2008 when Dean Barrow did away with this law, why would any seriously progressive and democratic leader want to take away such a fundamental right from us Belizeans. Why would any leader refuse to let the people have a say on whether their constitutional right should be shredded, chopped, diced up or taken away altogether?

But that is exactly what Dean Barrow did! He made all kinds of crazy and spurious arguments why he had to do it; his chief one being that the Referendum Act was unconstitutional (that is, unlawful). But you know, they say truth crushed to the earth will one day rise again.

A group of citizens had challenged Dean Barrow’s actions to do away with that referendum requirement. When the case reached our highest court at the time, the Privy Council stated clearly and unequivocally that Dean Barrow was talking nonsense.

So, Dean Barrow tricked us all back in 2008 and did away with the referendum requirement.

Now he wants to bring into law

25 erendum): “Unnu could still have unnu referendum. Unnu just have to work for it now and get 10% of the registered voters in the country to sign a petition”. It is a ridiculous suggestion to make, of course, because by the time citizens organize themselves and get those signatures, Barrow would have long shredded our constitution and inserted the draconian preventative detention.

We didn’t realize back in 2008 when Barrow took away our right to a referendum that that action was the foreshadowing of a dictator in the making. We are however now feeling pain of this dictator.

26

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Juana Maria

By Roy Davis, Unpublished Dear Mary Jane About you I can’t complain ‘Cause when I was blue You made me feel so fine To write this rhyme Your pungent aroma Is really a breath taker Stronger than any perfume Or any flower In its bloom Which is why I have to give you room You raise my self-esteem You make life for me More than just a dream ‘Cause you give me Positive meditation To help me Work the right plan If you think This is about a woman Then you’re wrong Actually, It’s about marijuana Also called weed or ganga En Español “la mota” And scientifically Cannabis sativa In medication You’re number one Exactly What the doctor Should order In order to make I A better man ‘Cause you’re the cure For Asthma Bronchitis Tuberculosis And the arresting officer For Glaucoma Hypertension And Diabetes You are certainly The tree of Wisdom That some attribute To King Solomon ‘Cause it brings humility Stability Peace of mind Each and every time But despite Your impeccable Characteristics The system made you One of its misfits Shouldering you with illegality For the love of money The charge may be possession Drug trafficking for sure If its 60 grams or more For which you can be fined And or confined To pay the penalty If you’re found guilty But although I know There’s the possibility Of a penalty If I’m caught Dear Mary Jane You and I will never part ‘Cause you’re a part of me And a part of my art.

THE BELIZE TIMES

27

Write to us at: editortimes@yahoo.com

The Life of a Student

By Lucia Moguel Contrary to popular belief, the life of a student is not easy. Most people believe that we have no worries, no problems and no stress. People think that we have it easy and that we do not know anything about life. However, this is not entirely true for most of us. School requires great amount of time, dedication and the avoidance of negative encouragement.

We have to go to primary school for nine years and then to high school for another 4 years. After this odyssey, we are finally given the choice of deciding whether to continue studying and enter college or simply to drop out and find a job. This is when dedication and perseverance come into the equation. If we intend to have better standards of living in the future, we choose to expand our knowledge and skills so we decide to embark on the tedious journey to enter the depths of college. But not all is squander. The long, arduous years spent in school pay off well. We are now blessed with the opportunity of obtaining a good, stable job which will hopefully provide us with enough income to live in the precarious world that the government has created. If not, we will just have to find other alternatives, but nothing can substitute the power of knowledge.

The real question is: what makes school so laborious?

Time is not the only factor.

School is not about just reading a book, going to class, getting a test or a quiz and passing it. It also entails doing research, projects, presentations, assignments and reports.

The best part is that we have 5 – 8 subjects, thus, all the work is multiplied. Teachers have the bad habit of leaving all their presentations until the end of the semester; it’s like if all the teachers are synchronized. This just adds to the tremendous amount of work that we, the students, have. Due to the close

proximity of the deadlines, most of us are forced to undergo restless and slumber less nights in order to ensure a passing mark. I can now dare to ask, do we have stress?

Apart from the academics, we have to learn to live with the pressures and dangers of the undergraduates. The external world gradually influences our perceptions and behavior towards life. It distorts the sense of identity and replaces your values with everyone else’s values. School can be a hazard but it can also teach us how to prevail and coexist with all these menaces. It is because of the people that we go to school with, that we are introduced to different flavors. However, there are two sides to the coin; these ideas can lead to our demise or they can enhance our existence and lead us to our glory.

Every day we are introduced to common practices carried out by the great majorities, but just because “everyone” is doing it is not a valid reason to say that it is a good act. They carry out such acts because there is nothing better to do, or so they claim. They will introduce good valuable people into their murky game; humans are envious. Nonetheless, we can still find few, a very scarce few, which will help you throughout school life. These are friendships that will last a life time.

School is a double edged blade. It is great in order to alleviate a person’s thirst for knowledge and it sure does assist those that aim for the skies in order to reach their goals.

Nonetheless, this grandeur comes at a price; one needs to have the will and the determination to accomplish one’s education. Moreover, people become exposed to other’s influences and become slaves to the conformist ideology. One can easily fall prey and be absorbed by the masses. School can be a hazardous environment for anyone, but we must work with what we have and make the best of it for nothing in life comes easy.

A Youth Agenda Part IV – How can we get there?

By: Shamir Alpuche - BYM Corozal District Coordinator For over a month now, discussions have been taking place in the BELIZE TIMES as to how our country can address the needs of the young people. It started off with the President speaking on the National Youth Policy, Development through Education, and how we can boost employment for the young people. Following his article, the Vice President of the BYM made his input and discussed further on how young people can become real stakeholders of economic growth, and he also discussed in details how our Leaders of Government should tackle the issue of Crime affecting our young people. Last week, the District Representative for Orange Walk wrote the third series and discussed a very important point, where he mentioned the need for Legislators to legislate a Youth Act, Establish a Youth Fund and the need to involve our youths in Governance. This week I lend my support and continue the discussion on four key areas which we in the BYM believe should be of importance in the national development of our young people.

In the previous PUP administration, the Government of Belize under the Minister of Natural Resources and now Leader of the People’s United Party issued over 60,000 lots and titles to new land owners. A lot of young people benefited from this initiative, but immediately after the UDP Government came into office, they went on their rampage and fulfilled their only kept election promise which was to QUITAR lands from deserving Belizeans, and this included lots of first time young land owners. To address this issue, there should be a focus on Youth Land Ownership. We believe that a new PUP Government should establish a simple land tenure mechanism geared for our young people so that we can access land titles and housing opportunities. This is one area where we put wealth in the hands of the Belizean people.

Another area we can build on the Youth Agenda is to focus on youth development through culture. A new PUP Government should support the revitalization of Belizean culture as a means of self expression, development and boosting our nation-

al identity. Government should also advocate for young people to be able to access the proposed Art Fund that was passed in the last administration. In addition, Government should support the participation of youths in cultural programs. Government should focus on the African and Mayan History Studies program in our Universities and extend it to all Universities throughout the country.

In previous articles written by the President of the BYM, he also touched on the issue of our at-risk-youths and how we should address that issue. In addition to that, I believe that Government should provide greater support for our marginalized Youth. Government needs to institute additional interventions to address the challenges faced by youth and in particular outof-school, youth living or affected by HIV/AIDS/STD’s, youth in the minority and youth with disabilities. Government should also promote non-discriminatory policies toward youth in the minority, youth with special needs and/or mental and physical disabilities.

Lastly, we need to recognize positive youth leaders in our country. There is the need to establish a Youth Award scheme mechanism for in-school and out-of-school/unattached youth who through personal and community effort excel in their outstanding social responsibilities and volunteerism, thereby improving the conditions of youth in the country; or those who excel in expression of culture, academics, and creativity. Recognition should also be given to youth who excel in volunteerism, community service; outreach programs, academic performance, and maintain a quality environment. In addition, recognition should be given to youths whose leadership embodies role model for other youth; and lastly we must recognize youths by supporting them to attend local, regional and international conferences.

If Government is serious enough to involve our young people in these initiatives, then this is the only way we can really take this country forward and as a people.

28

THE BELIZE TIMES

Happy Earth Day! April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day and our planet just wants some love!

What do you do to help save our resources every day?

Do you turn off the lights when leaving a room?

Are you unplugging electric appliances you are not using at the moment?

Do you turn off the water tap while you are washing your hands or bathing?

Are you recycling things?

Do you plant trees or flowers?

Are you helping to clean up your neighbourhood?

Well if you are not doing any of those things it isn’t too late to start!

Š Disney Kaboose.com

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

More truth: Church or Kingdom?

T

he human is the most intelligent being on the face of the earth. Many times we are compared to animals and are even accused of being somewhere at the current end of the evolution chain, with our origins being inside some animal. Well I haven’t found a monkey yet that was capable of creating electricity, or would prefer to drive to work than to swing from tree to tree! Animals somehow seem to be satisfied with who they are and are not known to be found trying to mimic other animals! Humans on the other hand, many times seem to be insecure and unsure of whom they are.

We are always trying to be like someone or comparing ourselves with someone else. We never try to compare the principles (keys) we use, with those used by successful people. Instead we compare what we have with what they have.

All over the world, in every tribe, every nation, every tongue and every people we all seem to be looking for the same thing but no one seems to be finding it! As humans we look after our basic needs for living; food, shelter, health, while looking for something or someone to worship!

What makes us different from the animals? What are we looking for? Well the answer is that man is looking for what was stolen from him, that which was given to him by his manufacturer in the first place. That thing that Jesus brought back and returned into our hands “Dominion”!

Genesis 1:26 And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

The word “Dominion” is that word for which six billion people are seeking every day. God said we could and would have dominion over the earth and everything that is on the earth! He wants us to have that! The only missing element from this dominion is the human as we were not given dominion over other human beings. This word means to tread upon to rule! See many times people would ask, if he is God then why did he allow this to happen or that to happen? The answer is because he has given us dominion!

Let me prove my point with one story from Genesis 4:1-10. God came and spoke to Cain knowing what was in his heart to hurt his brother Abel.

You and I would have done something about it. We would have warned the parents or advised Abel not to go in the field with Cain. I was appalled to see God walk away leaving Cain to exercise his dominion by disobeying God and slaying his own brother! I’m sure there are many other stories you could think of where you would have preferred God to interfere with the dominion he gave to man. This is why God commands us to pray without ceasing, as when we pray we invite and give him legal permission over this dominion. Because of this dominion humans have the power to decide the fate of animals. Cows for example are fenced up and after a period of time their lives will come to an end by the decision of a human and not because of old age or sickness. Don’t feel bad. Every time you eat bbq ribs, pork, or the national dish ‘rice and beans with chicken’, it is an exercise of dominion.

We dominate the trees, by using them to make furniture, we determine their life span and where we will plant them and how they will grow. We use some for food and others for shelter while some beautify our houses and gardens. We dominate the earth by drilling out oil, digging out dried up minerals called iron or metal to create energy, vehicles, stoves, books and the list goes on.

Well the real problem starts when we become slaves to the things that we were created to dominate. It is then that all hell begins to break loose and we end up with malfunctioning, disastrous communities! Instead of dominating the leaf, the leaf now dominates us. We become addicted to ganja and cocaine which comes from leaves. Now, a leaf tells us when we will eat, and how much we will eat, where we will go, where we will work, what kind of job we will be able to hold!

Instead of dominating the earth now the earth dominates us. We sit in front a one eyed monster that tells us what is right from wrong and guides us how to live our lives! We sit in front of slot machines and gambling tables, and now things that came from out the earth, which we should be dominating but now dominates us!

Because of constraints I must stop here but will close by saying some people do have dominion in some areas of their lives and none in other areas.

Like a famous singer who is on drugs, or a boxer who bites ears, or an actor who cannot hold his marriage together! I call that partial dominion! Well my friends, God wants us to have total dominion; over the earth and every creature, fish, and bird and over our own bodies.

Stay with me and next week I’ll attempt to show you God’s plan in ensuring that man can enjoy this dominion and live like little ‘Kings’ on the earth!

Until next week God bless!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Eulogy Dotsy Chanona “Joy drenched me when You, God: said ‘Come inside my house.’

Now my feet stand within your gates planted upon your wholeness.: On Saturday night, April 2, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. Dotsy Chanona heard God’s words “Come inside my house” and Dotsy very quietly, died. Surely at this very moment her feet stand planted on God’s wholeness. We imagine her freedom as she is now released from the wheel chair to which she had been confined for the last phase of her earthly journey.

This beautiful woman known as Mummy to her eight children, Carolee, Al, Maureen, Tommy, Anthony, Margaret, Elizabeth and Robert was born in Belize City on February 6, 1922, to her parents, Bertha and Alvan Woods.

She lived her life in the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Canada. On her return to Belize from Canada, she and her husband, Ernest, went to live on Blue Mountain Ranch on the Hummingbird Highway. It was at this ranch that Ernest and Dotsy gathered the family for celebrations and quiet times. After her husband’s death, the ranch continued to be Dotsy’s home and the place that drew family and friends around her.

When her health began to fail, Dotsy found a home with her daughter, Carolee. Here she was faithfully and lovingly cared for by her children. She continued to be the elegant and gracious woman she had always been. Her loving children, realizing that her life was shortening, gathered around her more frequently and Dotsy liked nothing better than this.

She and Ernest had nurtured a close-knit family, which not only celebrated with one another but also met to discuss their common challenges and to work toward solutions. Spouses were an important part of these gatherings.

As grand children grew into adults, they too became an important part of this family. This says much about Dotsy and her capacity to create a loving community. The circle of love grew wider around her including her caregivers as well.

Even as her physical health diminished and this became more evident, Dotsy remained alert and interested in the life around her. She did not miss the nightly news, and continued to enjoy attending public and social events.

Dotsy’s spirit was constantly nurtured by daily scripture readings, the rosary, Mass and the prayers and spiritual books that family members shared with her.

Recently I visited a small restaurant in Placencia where the owner spoke gratefully of her days in Mrs. Chanona’s Home Economics classes at St. Catherine Academy. These were her favourite classes, the woman said, and it was there she learned to enjoy what she now does – creating a pleasant atmosphere and providing good food for customers.

Dotsy was a great cook who influenced many family members to try out new dishes, and those who did, always waited expectantly for Mummy/Granma’s approval.

She was the matriarch, around whom the family in its many generations gathered. There is a wonderful photograph taken last year of a smiling Dotsy sitting up in bed surrounded by her eight children. Her legacy is Jesus’ own legacy – “Care for one another”.

Her children hold many memories of their mother. Here are a few they wish to share: an incredible witness of a “woman for others”.

- her needs and desires were always second.

- a mother who insisted that first things come first, such as one’s relationship with one’s spouse, and the right of children to be raised in a Christian home.

- a person of great flexibility, adapting to the many changes that her life brought. as one who possessed a unique respect and appreciation for others.

- a mother who became a friend sharing with her children the love of beautiful gardens, books, recipes, and all of God’s creation.

- a mother who took pride in her children’s achievements, loved and spoiled her grand children, and who was always there for them.

- a compassionate and sensitive woman who had a very special gift of making each and every one of her children, grandchildren, and great grand-

Sunday, April 17, 2011

children feel very special. In her children’s words: “ What a gift our mother was! What a huge heart that knew no bounds. Even in dying Mummy continued to show us her profound love, gave us the strength to say goodbye and to know that our ever loving God was waiting for her with open arms.”

What more can children ask for than to have been known and cared for, and to belong. The ability to live life well and to contribute to the well-being of this planet is usually the harvest of a healthy and loving home-life, and that home does not just happen. It is created and brought forth by much labour and pain and by much love and laughter.

As we pause today to remember this gracious and elegant lady, we look to the fruits of her life – her children, grown into responsible, caring adults. This we can see. There is much in a life that is not visible to the eye. It is in her children and her children’s children that Dotsy’s goodness lives on.

So we say Good bye to this woman whose 89 years of life brought goodness to many. As I read once in an e-mail, it is the dash between the years that really matters.

1922 – 2011 Those 89 years that the dash signifies have created many memories for many people. Those 89 years now bring Dotsy to her God and God’s final invitation: “Come inside my house.” And Dotsie’s response: “Now my feet stand within your gates planted upon your wholeness .” We will miss you. Rest in God, Dotsy.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Activist says

“Lef di fone lone�

John Brackett

Belize City, April 12, 2011 Since March 3rd 2011, John Brackett could be seen protesting the use of cell phones while driving in school zones.

In an interview with the BELIZE TIMES, he stated that he would be satisfied for now if the banning of cell phone use in school zones was passed.

Brackett, who belongs to the Citizens for Safety organization, believes that cell phones are too much of a distraction in these areas, where there is a great chance of an accident.

He has been campaigning for the last 5 weeks and intends to push the agenda as far as he is able to. He hopes to gain the interest of Government Ministers, councilors and everyone, in order for this law to be passed. He believes this is a serious issue and will not stop until it is addressed.

When asked why he decided to do this protest, his said he has made observations over the years, and the texting and talking on cell phones while driving has increased all over the country, placing not only the person doing it but everyone around him/her in danger.

Citizens for Safety hopes to garner the support of the Belizean public in this fight for safety in our school zones.

Almost 7,000 students sit PSE

Belize City, April 11, 2011 On Monday April 11, 2011 students attending primary schools sat the examination that helps to determine which high school they will attend and it puts their knowledge to the test.

Almost seven thousand kids sat the PSE this year, a two hundred and ninety-five increase from last year. The Science and English were taken on Monday, while the second part will be taken on May 9th.

PSE results are critical assessment criteria for high schools when considering admitting students into their schools.

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

en Español La enmarañada red de un Gobierno derrochador La economía de Belice se está desmoronando y el Primer Ministro y su gobierno culpan a todo el mundo, al tío, tía y madrina. El Primer Ministro es, obviamente, una analfabeta en materia de la deuda nacional que no se parece en nada a sus prosas de Shakespeare.

En realidad él y su partido llegaron al poder prometiendo “arreglar” una economía que no necesitaba arreglo. Mientras continuaba sus hábitos de derroche, de repente se dio cuenta de que el país tiene obligaciones internacionales de deuda y que había sido elegido para “arreglar” las cosas, no para culpar. Ponga sus pies muy bien en la tierra Sr. Barrow.

Pero parece que hay cierta desconexión. Todavía hay unos pocos en el gabinete que se atrevieron a mencionar en los pocos minutos que dedicaron al “debate” sobre el presupuesto del gobierno, hace dos semanas, que “este gobierno está llevando a esta economía a incrementar.... para que podamos tener el beneficio de ese crecimiento y pasárselo a los pobres. “ Los pobres se quedan imaginando las posibilidades con la agonía de la deficiente confianza. Los representantes de este gobierno siguen delirantes, siguen viendo las cosas a través de lentes color de rosa, o simplemente se aferran a la esperanza de que el electorado vuelva a comprar su basura.

Los analistas financieros no están de acuerdo completamente con el estado de los asuntos de Barrow. La economía y el gobierno están en una “masa confusa financiera” prestando la lingua del Sr. Barrow.

“Las cuentas fiscales de Belice les falta mucho para categorizarlos como saludables” y como los gastos del gobierno siguen aumentando y debido a la incapacidad del gobierno para aumentar los ingresos, la deuda del gobierno “esta muy poco saludable”, dice el informe más reciente del Business Monitor International.

NECESIDAD DE LA DEUDA Sin embargo, el gobierno de Barrow cree en continuar endeudandose para salir de deudas, factor que resulta insostenible. Al ritmo que este gobierno está acumulando la deuda nacional, hundira, sin lugar a dudas, al país en un agujero resbaladizo y profundo.

El gobierno UDP del Primer Ministro Dean Barrow ha tratado de utilizar la emisión de super bonos como chivo expiatorio de la incapacidad de este gobierno para estimular el crecimiento. Esto se parece más a una Cortina de huma. Debido a todo el excesivo endeudamiento del gobierno de Esquivel entre 1993-98 y sin nada que mostrar a cambio, la administración entrante del PUP tuvo que mudarse a consolidar su pago de la deuda. En pocas palabras, había una serie de deudas, préstamos o bonos denominados con fechas para pagar.

El gobierno entrante o sea el PUP tomó la decisión de agrupar a todos estos préstamos en una sola canasta por así decirlo. Esto hizo posible que el gobierno liberara más dinero del tesoro nacional para estimular el crecimiento y una mayor inversión en la infraestructura. Esto fue muy eficaz y claro que funcionó, inclusive el Sr. Barrow tuvo que admitirló.

Pero tres años más tarde, Belice se encuentra en un atasco como consecuencia de los gastos no controlados por la Administración de Barrow. A pesar de la ayuda limitada financiera de China y, más recientemente, de Rusia, ha levantado banderas rojas, el relieve, en su caso, será temporal y el déficit se ampliará aún más en los próximos doce meses.

Peor aún, el aumento de los precios del combustible en las gasolineras también tendrán un impacto negativo sobre el GDP ( por sus siglas en Ingles), con un aumento en el costo de los bienes y servicios a los consumidores.

GASTO EXCESIVO En lugar de jugar al “pobre de mí” (jueguito de a quien inculpar), hay formas en las que el Sr. Barrow, como el ministro de Finanzas, puede reprogramar los pagos de la deuda, reducir el gasto excesivo por su gobierno (los costosos Prados y Lexus SUVs para empezar), cortar drásticamente el aumento de los emolumentos personales en el servicio público como resultado de tener más “hacks” politicos en la nómina del gobierno y otras “movidas” no tan invisibles.

Sr. Barrow ha creado su propio dolor de cabeza. Él se ve obligado a gastar más dinero en la seguridad nacional, no sólo para hacer frente al aumento de los delitos violentos, sino como resultado de la presión que viene de los Estados Unidos de América y México. Pero aún así, este tipo de inversión es como tirar perlas a los cerdos, dada la incompetencia de su gobierno y su obvia incapacidad para abatir la creciente tasa de delincuencia, empezando por la corrupción en su gobierno.

El Sr. Barrow es demasiado arrogante para pedir ayuda que es diferente a pedir dinero.

Se ha burlado de la oferta de asistencia. El Banco Mundial, la Oak Foundation y The Nature Conservancy se han ofrecido a proporcionar alivio de la deuda nacional en un Canje de deuda por naturaleza-. La oferta ha estado en el escritorio del Primer Ministro durante casi tres años. Él no ha hecho nada al respecto. Sabemos por qué.

MÁS PRESIÓN Sumado a todos estos escenarios, el factor del petróleo es probable que ponga más presión sobre el gobierno de Barrow. No hay mucho más que pueda exprimir de Belize Natural Energy en forma de impuestos. Su movida fue anunciar en su discurso sobre el presupuesto, añadir gasolina a la lista de bienes excluidos del General Sales Tax, esto puede ofrecer a los consumidores un alivio temporal como resultado de la demanda límite, pero se sumará al costo del gobierno. El sector privado está enojado por este movimiento y esto disminuirá aún más la capacidad del primer ministro para consolidar su lío financiero.

En resumen, Sr. Barrow, bajese de su pedestal, quitese los lentes color de rosa y vea la realidad de Belice basado en la evidencia. Admita “Mea culpa” y ceda el paso!!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Life Sentences expected for murderers Pipersburgh & Robateau

Continued from page 6

liberated for less than 3 hours before it found Pipersburgh and Robateau guilty of murders of Alvarez and Mai. Pipersburgh and Robateau will be sentenced on Friday, April 15. Since the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lyn Vidal, did not request the death penalty the sentences will more than likely be life imprisonment.

Leslie Pipersburgh & Patrick Robateau The murders occurred on June 18, 2002. Alvarez ad Mail were shot and killed at the Bowen and the scene in a Coca Cola truck with the Bowen compound on Slaughterhouse police in hot pursuit. The chase led to the Road during a robbery of the company’s Coral grove area where Flores and Tucker money by Pipersburgh and Robateau who were in a car parked near to the sea side.

The couple were shot and killed while they were both employees at the time.

Apparently the security guards came were in the car.

Pipersburgh and Robateau fled to for the money to make the deposit earlier Mexico and they were brought back to than the robbers had expected.

Arthur Griffith, the supervisor who Belize about one month later.

Pipersburgh and Robateau gave statewas tied up in the restroom after the robbers had stolen the money, testified and ments from the dock. Pipersburgh admitidentified Pipersburgh and Robateau as ted that he participated in the robbery but claimed he left the compound before the the persons involved in the robbery.

Alvarez and Mai were shot in the shooting started.

Robateau denied that he was involved warehouse. A third security guard, Karl Ventura, was shot but he survived. He tes- in the robbery and the shooting.

The prosecution was represented by tified that it was Robateau who shot him senior Crown Counsel Yohhanhseh Cave. and Alvarez.

Pipersburgh and Robateau had apKarl’s brother, John Ventura, testified that he witnessed a struggle between pealed their first conviction and it was security guard Virgilio Requeña and Pip- dismissed by Belize Court of Appeal. But ersburgh. He said Requeña ran when Ro- when they appealed to the Privy Council their appeal was allowed and a retrial was bateau came and put a gun to his head.

After the shooting, the robbers fled ordered.

Arthur Young freed of Escape from lawful custody charge Continued from page 10 to answer to.

According to the allegation, on February 14, 2011 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Young prevented police constable Mariano Chun from executing the law by escaping from lawful custody. But the evidence revealed that Young was with police constable Tamara Humes when he left CIB office and walked through the door.

Moody submitted that there was no evidence that Young was detained and that he had escaped from lawful custody.

Young had gone to CIU office to sign in, as is required of all deportees, and that was when police constable Walton Banner told him that he was

Arthur Young

wanted for questioning in the police’s investigation of a murder.

Magistrate Albert Hoare upheld the submission and dismissed the charge against Young. But as soon as Young left the court room, he was redetained by the police.

Young was charged with escape from lawful custody when he went to Queen Street Police Station on February 21, 2011 to sign in and inquire what he was wanted for.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT TORNADO WILL HIT PALM ISLAND SATURDAY Palm Island , one of Belize’s best entertainment spots will be ram jammed this Saturday night. The man himself will be appearing. This is big. Mr. Lova Boy, Danny Cacho in person.

Who is Lova Boy? He is the man burning up the music scene and blowing away all the competition with his music video and fast tempo punta rock. His song is amply titled “Tornado”.

Lova Boy is a Belizean from Dangriga. His music video is of a high quality and he features some Belizeans and the Belizean flag. But its the lyrics of Tornado and it is his powerhouse dancers that run things. Tornado is a hot, fast tempo. But Lova Boy also alternates the tempo with a slow groove in between the hot moves.

All the young people speak highly of Lova Boy’s production. The song “Tornado” has become so big that it has turned into a dance. There are now dance competitions taking place in Belize which are done specifically to Lova Boy’s production. “Slow Tornado! Slow Tornado! --Faster Faster Tornado” OIL COMPANY MAKES SIX MILLION EVERY HOUR The financial report for Shell Oil Company had revealed that every hour they rake in 1.6 million British Pounds (£1.6 million) which is about six million Belize dollars.

Belizeans got hit Tuesday night with another increase in the price of oil. Even Kerosene went up. Every time the price of Premium, Regular and Diesel goes up the cost of living in Belize goes up.

Just recently a plate of food at the vendors around the City and the Chinese Restaurants was $5.00 it’s now $7.00 and $8.00. You can get a plate at the Chinese Restaurant for $6.00 and $6.50.

The cost of living in Belize is becoming unbearable. It’s like almost every month the shops and the stores add on and add on. Which brings us to this point: Police Officers, Public Officers, Teachers, Nurses and BDF soldiers are in desperate need for an increase in their salaries or to put it in Union terms a cost of living adjustment. So the question is why are the Unions so deafening silent?

SPEAKING OF UNIONS Why have the Unions said nothing about the forced transfers that were imposed on four Heads of Government Departments?

The Director of Immigration Gareth Murrillo was removed and placed at another department as the Director of Transport. Ruth Meighan, Head of Elections and Boundaries Department, was removed and placed as Director of Immigration. Dorothy Bradley, the Accountant General, became the Head of Elections and Boundaries. Marilyn Ordonez was removed as Commissioner of Income Tax Department and made Accountant General.

At one time Heads of Government Departments were placed in a category similar to Permanent Secretaries, now called Chief Executive Officers. This meant that they were politically appointed by the Prime Minister. The law was changed and Heads of Departments were

removed and placed in a category where their appointment, promotions and discipline will be similar to that of all other public officers. They come under the Public Services Commission.

Whoever is Accountant General cannot be made Commissioner of Income Tax nor can an Immigration Director be made a Transport Director.

Cow do not belong in horse gallop. For example, Marilyn Ordonez is a career Income Tax officer. All her trainings and years of experience are in the field of Income Tax and taxation. The Accountant General has a totally different training and experience. Likewise for the Director of Immigration. Mr. Murrillo is a career Immigration officer. All his training and experience is in the Immigration field.

Public transport is a totally different speciality.

It is this same of hap-hazzard thinking which has Assistant Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie unable to be the Police Commmissioner and is instead sitting behind a desk in Belmopan as the CEO in the Ministry of Defense. While a career soldier, Major Lovell is fumbling his way around as the CEO for the Ministry of the Police. So a horse is responsible for cows and a cow is responsible for horses.

We wonder who is responsible for the sheep and who is responsible for the goats.

No wonder a foreigner was being secretly recruited to come to Belize and become Chief Magistrate and another foreigner is going to come and become Commissioner of Police.

Perhaps a foreigner should come and be the head of the Teachers’ Union and Public Officers’ Union because those unions sure ain’t cutting it.

STEPHEN OKEKE Stephen Okeke says that Belize is in social crisis and that the crime problem is one of the manifestations of such a crisis.

There is much wisdom in this insight. No wonder we are not making much progress in the fight against crime.

Until we tackle the social ills and issues we can never get to the root causes of crime. So guns and jails and brutaility and curtailing constitutional rights cannot solve social problems.

PATRICK FABER ATTACKS CORDEL HYDE In the Budget debate that wasn’t a debate on the budget, the Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber took time out to single out Hon. Cordel Hyde for personal attack and chastisment.

It didn’t sound good on radio and it looked even worse on local television.

A Minister of Education of all portfolios using words like “punk”, ”punk out” , “chicken” and even insinuating the Zenaida Moya infamous description of what her party leader lacked.

In real life Patrick Faber is like a Lay Reader. As a transient Minister and Area Representative he has to conduct himself at a higher level than how he behaved at the last sitting of the House. Plus a little of criticism from the Amandala should be taken with a more mature and open mind. Of course, Creole say it is the hog weh get lik bawl out, so maybe the Hon.

was hurting. But as a Minister of Education such an open violation of the very rules that govern the speeches and behavior in the House is unbecoming.

Plus, we would advise to tread carefully making that type of personal attacks against the Hon. Cordel Hyde.

BELIZE BANK STAFF Some months ago staff members of the Belize Bank, Albert Street Branch gathered at a yard of a person in need.

The Bank staff gave up their weekend in a community spirited effort to help construct a house for a person in need.

This is the kind of spirit that can help to heal Belize. Those who can must help those who can’t. Those who have are to assist those who have not.

There are many organizations and groups in this country who can help the elderly, the disabled, mentally ill, the homeless, the sick and the hungry. A lot of us can give a couple hours on weekends to visit institutions, repair unsafe stairs and floors, carry food, show love, show more love, show much more love.

CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO A whole new area of law was opened up in the Orange Walk Magistrate Court recently. According to the talk in legal circles, bail submissions dealing with case law were brushed aside and bail denied to a Bank Manager when the Magistrate made a creative ruling.

Based on what the lawyers told the media, the legal grounds for granting bail had no bearing because the Magistrate read the preamble which is the standard form on all legislations and used the

Sunday, April 17, 2011 words to create new offences which are not in that law.

If we understand it correctly, every law and every amendment to a law will say “this is a law to do A and B and all matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”. ‘All matters connected therewith or incidental thereto’ means that the law which was passed to regulate traffic for example will provide for 1 way streets and no parking areas and there may be other matters in that law which may have to do with traffic officers and the ticketing of persons who breach the traffic rules. So the law will say this is an Act to regulate the flow of traffic, establish no entry areas and no parking areas and “for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”. The use of those words are specifically to explain that the law contains other things inside.

The Crime Control Act which denies bail lists the offences for which Magistrates cannot grant bail. Those offences which are listed are specific and no court can use any means to add another offence which the law makers did not specify.

Denying bail to Belizeans is becoming a hallmark of the UDP government. It is a bad legacy. When the Prime Minister was speaking of preventative detention and trials without jury he publicly stated that he would get the Attorney General to speak to the Judges. This is chilling and frigthening.

It is already increasingly the view of some that there is interference in the decisions of Magistrates by the government.

Under the UDP not even the Judiciary is sacred. Think about it.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Malpago

CitCo

cut out

by BEL

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 The latest embarrassment for the constantly disgraced UDP Belize City Council came this morning when an employee of the Belize Electricity Limited walked up to the its office on North Front Street and cut off their electricity supply.

The BEL employee then went over to the Council’s Commercial Centre near the Swing Bridge and did the same, and to the Mile 4 location and repeated the drill.

The bill is said to be somewhere in the vicinity of $30,000, and the quick and fast, and expected, reaction from City Hall was that they were cut out for bills purportedly owing to BEL dating back to 2003 when the PUP were in office. But everyone knows that no one consumes that kind of energy in one month, at least not in Belize, not unless it’s a huge multi-purpose company in the business of manufacturing steel or zinc on a mass scale. To make matters worse, City Hall cannot even provide the records to support its claim that the outstanding balance dates back to PUP days.

What is also interesting is that BEL would allow a customer who owes a bill

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP’s SECRET MEETING WITH LORD ASHCROFT Belize City, April 11, 2011 For an entire two weeks, as Belizeans continued to live under constant fear of being shot, robbed or maimed due to the increasing violent criminal activity, and were struggling to find ways to manage through the high cost of living and hard times, UDP Mayors were shamelessly away on a first class trip to the other side of the world.

The destination was London, and the purpose was supposedly to attend a Commonwealth conference.

Usually, the meeting is attended by a single representative of the Mayor’s Association, but this time, knowing that they are in their last term of office, almost the entire crew of incompetent Mayors booked their flights and off they went, at the cost of Belizean tax payers.

Apart from a few days of meetings in air conditioned conference

rooms, the Mayors were taken sight-seeing and on a tour of Tate and Lyle Sugar Company in the United Kingdom. It turned out to be a waste of time and simply a field trip as none of the Mayor officials appealed for greater assistance for the sugar industry, or for hard working cane farmers of the north.

Most interesting is that in the two weeks of splurge and squandering of taxpayer’s money, the UDP Mayors held a secret tea session with Lord Michael Ashcroft, the same heavyweight whom the Prime Minister and UDP Leader Dean Barrow claims to be at war with.

While the UDP and Barrow vilify Lord Ashcroft in one breath locally, in the other inside secret halls and foreign locations, they huddle with the Lord as if they are just one big happy family. It is well known that Barrow worked as Ashcroft’s attorney for many, many years, and the UDP received campaign funding in past elections.

as outstanding as $30,000, to continue to enjoy power supply uninterrupted for eight years! Incredible! Sorry City Hall, try again. Belizeans suffer BEL’s wrath and get cut out less three after their due dates to pay bills and for sure, the amount is not even a single-digit fraction of CitCo’s bill.

The staff must be commended as they had to work in discomfort until City Hall managed to call BEL and work out

payment. Less than an hour later, the same BEL employee showed up to remove the embarrassing red tags off the meters and restore the power supply. The City Council, strapped for cash, despite its millions of dollars in head tax collections from cruise tourism and government subventions, have pledged to pay the bill. At the rate City Hall is going, one is left to ask “What will they mess up next?”

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GANG WARFARE TURNS CITY STREETS DEADLY Continued from page 1 crowd in one of the busiest areas of the city, it was clear that the gang warfare in the old capital had reached a new, deadly level.

It didn’t matter to the gunmen that Conch Shell Bay, the popular fish market on Vernon Street, was filled, as it normally is on a weekday afternoon, with onlookers and regular pedestrians. That didn’t stop the attack, and when armed men surfaced aiming their weapons at the vehicle Trumbach was sitting in, shots were fired and the innocent crowd scattered in terror.

Witnesses of the attack have told the BELIZE TIMES that they heard at least ten gunshots.

When the smoke cleared, Trumbach lay inside his vehicle with gunshot wounds to his body. Medical authorities rushed to the scene, and transported the victim to the hospital, but he didn’t survive.

This latest killing is believed to be the latest in a series of acts of gang warfare in the old capital.

On Saturday night, Enrique Trapp was killed by a gunman as he hung out with friends through Taylor’s Alley. Less than three hours later, taxi driver Kirk Belisle was found dead on La Croix Boulevard. Belisle was heading home when his vehicle shut down in front of a Church. As he tried to figure out the problem, with the aid of neighbors, a vehicle with gunmen inside drove past. Shots were fired at the group, and Belisle was shot dead.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, April 17, 2011