Belize Times December 13, 2015

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

13 DECEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO: 4973

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

Pervert dentist given license in Belize

Dr. John Hall was convicted of injecting semen into patients’ mouths in the U.S.

GOB Spent $44M weeks before Nov 4th elections

Opposition members questioned the spending

Pg. 4 GOB refuses to hoist Belize flag near Sarstoon River

Pg. 19

Beware of Sugar Price Gouging!!

Pg. 8

John Saldivar

Pg. 6 UDP Senators derail Immigration corruption investigation

Pg. 3

UN Awards Maya Leaders Pg. 19

Pg. 9

TOP MODEL

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OPINION OUT A letter to the Shyne Barrow from the Bronx

!

Dear Editor, As a Belizean-American living in the Bronx Borough of New York City for almost three decades now, I am a part of one of the three largest Belizean emigrant populations here in the United States of America. The other two Belizean emigrant populations reside in the cities of Chicago on the East Coast and Los Angeles on the West Coast.

Unlike some of my Belizean compatriots, I pay very keen and regular attention to and interest in what goes on back home in my beloved Belize. I am an avid reader of the newspapers and viewer of the

television news. Admittedly, there are times when I want to just turn my eyes and ears away from the news because, by and large, the sounds and images are sad and depressing. This is perhaps the reason why some of the Belizeans here in New York and elsewhere don’t care much to tune in to the happenings back home. I, however, go back home to Belize frequently and must stay abreast of what’s going on, especially given the fact that most of my family members live there.

And so it was that, as I do religiously every night before I retire to bed, I pulled up the web transcript of 7NEWS and happened upon a news story that featured the washed up/wannabe rapper and pseudo-Jew Shyne Barrow, who now calls himself “Moses Levi Barrow”. Now, initially, I didn’t pay much attention to the headline; after all, it was about someone of absolutely no consequence. Nevertheless, I proceeded to read the story not knowing that I was in for one hell of a joke.

There he was, in typical showmanship, parading in front of the cameras as he “informed” the people of Belize that he, “Belize’s Deportee Extraordinaire” intends to succeed his beloved uncle, Michael Finnegan, not only as the Stan-

dard Bearer but as the Area Representative, for the constituents of the Mesopotamia Division. I kid you not when I tell you I had to contain my laughter and leave the bedroom as I surely would have disrupted my wife’s slumber. I also would have risked her wondering “da wich uman mi di sweet mee soh layt da nite”.

OUT The Government gets what it pays for

!

Dear Editor, You must understand that what your government pays for it gets. If you are paid to do something for the government, they will extract from you exactly what they have paid for. They have ordered 5 more years of absolute power. They have paid handsomely for that power by paying you for your votes. They have gotten what they paid for on November 4th, 2015.

When we understand that, then

PUP NOTICE

2015

Shyne for Mesop? Are you kidding me? As if it weren’t already horrible that the people of Mesopotamia have been represented, or should I say underrepresented, in the House of Representatives for over twenty years by the vile, misygonist Finnegan, now, his hare-brained Continued on page 21 we look at our education system, our health system, government financed institutions. Let us focus on our education system and see the kind of education that is being turned out.

Logic will tell you that if what is being turned out in those schools was not in accord with what the government wanted, then it would change it.

The bottom line is, the government is getting what they have ordered, they are getting what they paid for. They do not want your children to be educated. They do not want you to think too much. That is why our country has become so proliferated with drugs, alcohol, entertainment, and all other types of amusement that you can think of, to keep you entertained, so that you don’t get in the way of important people by doing too much thinking.

You better wake up and understand that there are people who are guiding your life and you don’t even know it. And all Belizean citizens, I think, suspect something like this is going on but we are all too busy trying to stay alive, and live our lives. After all, what can one person do about it.

One person can do nothing. But an educated nation can do much.

Charles Leslie Jr. A concerned and very worried Belizean

National Convention The People’s United Party will hold a National Convention on Sunday January 31, 2016 for the posts of: 1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

13 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

Party Leader 4 Deputy Party Leaders Party Chairman Treasurer Legal Advisor National Communications Director National Campaign Manager

14 APR 2013

|

ISSUE NO: 4840

6 Dec

$1.00

EDITOR

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD.

WEATHER 5 Dec

|

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus

The venue of the convention will be announced on a later date.

4 Dec

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Nominations for candidates for the above-named posts must be submitted in writing to the PUP Secretariat at Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City

by Tuesday December 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

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The Truth Shall Make You Free

7 Dec

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Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

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Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar

United States (USD): $ 0.50

Barbados (BBD): $ 1.00

Eastern Caribbean Euro (XCD):$ 1.35 (EUR) : $ 0.47

Sterling Pound Guatemala Quetzal CANADIAN DOLLAR (GBP): $ 0.34 (GTQ): $ 3.82 (CAD): $ 0.64

CHINESE YUAN (CNY): $ 3.14

Trinidadian (TTD) : $ 3.19

INDIAN RUPEE (INR): $ 31.31

13 DEC

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Senators derail Immigration corruption investigation “What may be perceived as corruption in one country might be perceived as a mistake in a bigger country,” claims Bank Manager/UDP appointed Senator Steve Duncan City of Belmopan, December 9, 2015 The David Nanes Schnitzer scandal has caused a major international black-eye for Belize, as another case of immigration fraud and corruption involving an international criminal has reared its ugly head under the Barrow Administration.

Unlike the first case involving South Korean national Kim Won Hong, much less is known about the Schnitzer case because there has been an apparent blockage of information from authorities on the investigations.

Schnitzer, an American wanted in Mexico for defrauding investors of millions of dollars, was hiding in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. He had obtained every type of Belizean documentation including nationality, passport, social security card, driver’s license, and even a voter’s I.D. under the false name “David

Godwin Hulse Banes”.

The incident points to serious corruption in the Government system, and once more places the microscope over the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality, where it is becoming clear that there are many major hidden skeletons.

One of the critical questions in relation to the Schnitzer case is who

signed his nationality certificate dated November 2012 that allowed him to obtain a passport and other identification documents. Was it Elvin Penner, who was a Minister of State illegally signing Immigration documents?

Opposition Senators Lisa Shoman, Anthony Sylvestre Jr., and Patrick Andrews attempted to start the process of getting immediate answers to Belizeans through a motion they presented at the Senate meeting for a Senate-led investigation, but instead of getting support from across the floor, the proposal was derailed by the UDP members, in what could best be described as a shameless act to cover up high-level wrongdoing in Government.

What was also deeply troubling were some of the statements uttered by the UDP members in relation to the Schnitzer fiasco.

Bank Manager, Steve Duncan, for example, claimed that “What may

03 3 be perceived as corruption in one country might be perceived as a mistake in a bigger country”.

Attorney, Aldo Salazar, argued that he does not see the public making a big deal out of the issue; therefore, he doesn’t believe it merits an investigation. “…in the absence of any perceivable public discontent, as I have stated, with the manner in which this issues has been handled, it is difficult for me to say that the motion can be considered as truly in the interest of the public and that we should allow those public bodies, public authorities, which have been vested with the responsibility to carry out their duties, to do so,” Salazar declared.

The UDP Senators were focused on keeping the Immigration skeletons inside the closet. When a division was called, the six UDP senators voted against the motion, while the three Opposition Senators voted for. The Opposition was supported by the Chamber Senator, Mark Lizarraga, and the Church Senator Rev. Ashley Rocke. The absence of a Union Senator meant there would be deadlock that would require the President of the Senate to cast a tie breaker vote.

Godwin Hulse, the current Minister of Immigration, chose not recuse himself from the voting.

4 04

THE BELIZE TIMES

Pervert dentist given license in Belize

Dr. John Hall under Police escort

2015

penter, was appalled at the result of the case at the time, and expressed disappointment that four months of jail time would put a dangerous sexual predator right back on the street.

She was right.

Ten years later, Dr. Hall has been found not only residing in Belize, but when it was actually his semen. on the verge of opening a clinic in Dr. Hall eventually pleaded guilty tourist mecca, San Pedro, Ambergris to the charges and chose a four-month Caye. imprisonment sentence rather than Oceanside Dental Clinic is the five years of intensive supervised proname of Dr. Hall’s new dental clinic. bation. One of his victims, Lisa CarIt was about to open its doors to new clients on Monday, December 7th, but the island’s Police interrupted the ribbon cutting after the Editor of the local newspaper, the San Pedro Sun, reported the findings of her investigations which was triggered by concerns raised by residents.

Dr. Hall’s Oceanside Dental Clinic is a legit business on paper. Using a false name, Robert Bob Hall, he obtained all the required documents including a dentist’s license from the Belize Medical The convicted U.S. national was regCouncil and official istered as a dentist by the Ministry of registration under Health (Pic courtesy San Pedro Sun) Continued on page 23

Dr. John Hall was convicted of injected semen into patients’ mouths in the U.S.

Belize City, December 8, 2015 The Belize Medical Council led

by Chairman George Gough is under heavy pressure to come clear after the board easily granted a license to practice to an American dentist who was criminally prosecuted for the highly unethical practice of injecting semen into his patients’ mouths.

Dr. John Hall has been residing in Belize for an indefinite period under the alias Dr. John Roberts Hall. He was issued a Work Permit and Social Security Card under that name. It appears that no one conducted checks on his background, but an easy and quick internet search reveals Dr. John Hall’s truly twisted medical history in the United States. In June 2005, Dr. Hall pleaded guilty to the criminal charges that he injected semen into his patients’ mouths while operating a dental clinic in Cornelius, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Dr. Hall had been under investigation since late 2004 after his employees became suspicious of his activities in the clinic and discovered five syringes containing semen in his room. They reported the matter to the Police. Court testimonies from seven patients confirmed that he misled them to believe that he was injecting cleansing liquid into their mouths,

13 DEC

13 DEC

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

5 05

EDITORIAL

I

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

t was a revelation when Prime Minister Barrow confiscated BTL and there was not a protest coming from the British Government.

Confiscation of private property is considered a no, no in today’s modern democracy, in particular for small, developing country and especially when it involves the profits and property of American and British businesses.

Prime Minister Barrow’s draconian move against the Belize Telecommunication Company was accompanied by personal, malicious attacks against the purported owner, one Lord Michael Ashcroft. Lord Ashcroft, it must be mentioned, is considered a highly-connected business magnate in Britain. He has close ties to the conservative government and extensive business holdings. Indeed, he played a major part in ensuring victory in the last general elections that saw his party become the government in the UK. Lord Ashcroft did not, apparently, seek the British government’s intervention in his little spot with PM Barrow in tiny Belize. Nor did the then British government summon, as they are obliged to do, the PM to assure him he had overstepped his tiny little power against the might of the British.

There exists between Belize and the British government a signed treaty which protects British investment against the type of action Barrow had instituted.

All this is to say that the British government had important plans in store for PM Barrow. To put it bluntly, Barrow is the British man in Belize.

Those who have watched Mr. Barrow’s antics have concluded that he is either a willing agent of the British or a willing pawn to do his bidding. When he plays along with the British he is allowed to get away with wrong doings in Belize.

No Prime Minister could have confiscated British property without even a slight censure. Neither could any Prime Minister in the Caribbean or Commonwealth have so blatantly misappropriated some three hundred millions dollars of Venezuela Petro Caribe loan for party political use. Such would have been the subject of BBC Special Report and lending agencies opprobrium.

No Prime Minister whose Head of State is the Queen would dare table constitutional amendments to give Police the powers to detain and imprison its citizens for ninety days without a charge or being taken to the courts. There would be howls of condemnations. The British said not a word.

In return, their man in Belize readily agreed to go along with all British proposals, and the Guatemalan claim to our country began to take a sudden new life.

No sooner had Mr. Barrow been elected in 2008 that the British showed him their blue…make that red, white and blue-print for the journey to the ICJ with Guatemala. This proposal, given the revealing name of compromise, was

hastily signed and put into force in 2008 without breathing a word to the people of Belize.

Large sums of foreign monies were made available to the Barrow government to conduct public information and education campaign, so there would be no 17 proposals and Heads of Agreement backlash from Belizeans when the ICJ serpent slithered into town.

Despite assurances, made publicly by our Prime Minister to the people of Belize that the government would stay neutral in the matter of going or not going to the ICJ, their promises were broken no sooner than they were made. The Minister hastily informed the nation he and his government would fully support going to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with Guatemala making claims against Belize.

These claims include claims to more than half of all our land territory, claims to large areas of our seas and most of our islands, and claims to rivers as well.

Without any notification to this nation or any prior approval, our Prime Minister signed, through his notoriously unsuitable Foreign Minister. The document they signed commits the people of Belize to holding a referendum on whether to go to the ICJ or not.

There is one other important matter which needs to be repeated. In 1993 the British came to the then government with a proposal to introduce the Maritime Areas Law in exchange for concessions for Guatemala. Mr. Barrow was seen to be the official most eager to support and promote the British proposals. He even accepted a British suggestion that he and then UDP Leader Manuel Esquivel join George Price (their sworn enemy) in travelling across Belize to promote the Maritime Areas Law. There is something suspicious about Mr. Barrow. And the Sarstoon River may be flowing with the answer.

Four weeks after the 4th November, 2015 general elections Mr. Barrow gave the instructions to start building the Forward Operating Base in Toledo. Ground-breaking ceremony took place this Wednesday with much fanfare.

Alas! The base will not be on the Sarstoon Island. It will be by the edge of the Sarstoon River, on the mainland.

How come?

Guatemala has forbidden Belize from putting foot on the Sarstoon Island. They have made it an absolute condition that the entry to Sartoon River is now their national territory.

This was officially transmitted from Guatemala to the Belize Government in writing months ago.

To date not a word has been said to the people of Belize by the Prime Minister.

We call on the Prime Minister to come clean on the apparent takeover of Belize’s national territory and the half of our national river – the Sarstoon.

06 6 Beware of Sugar Price Gouging!!

13 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

Bureau of Standards sleeping at the wheels Belize City, December 07, 2015 The Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture have passed new legislation which has approved a 50% percent increase in the price of locally-produced sugar to take effect on January 1, 2016, but consumers ought to watch out for attempts by greedy businessmen who have already illegally hiked sugar prices.

The price of sugar on store shelves should be not more than 50 cents per pound, at least for the next 20 days. The Government released a press release in which it issued a warning to merchants to “desist from adjusting retail prices” before the announced commencement date. But this warning has not been heard far and wide. There are already reports that at several stores countrywide, store owners are already adding the additional 25 cents, and selling sugar at 75 cents per pound. This is done so that they could make a few extra dollars in these hard business times.

While the Ministry of Com-

merce’s press release also warned that failure to comply with the regulated price control could result in imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine of $1,000, or both, there was no indication that the official consumer watch group would be make checks to ensure that the business places do not carry out this same illegal act and gouge sugar prices.

The Bureau of Standards appears fast asleep at the time, as reports of price gouging increase.

The Ministry also warned businesses not to hoard sugar stocks in an attempt to increase their profit margin when the new price takes effect.

The measure to hike the price of sugar was taken in order to increase the revenue from the sale of local sugar, at a time when European Union prices are on the decline. This revenue is shared between BSI and the cane farmers, and will mean that cane farmers can expect a few more dollars for their cane deliveries.

2015

Bark but no Bite!

GOB’s press release warning

The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, hereby informs the general public that effective January 1, 2016, Plantation White Sugar will retail at a maximum price of 75 cents per pound countrywide.

A Statutory Instrument has been signed by the Minister responsible for Supplies Control dated December 4th, 2015 to give effect to this increase.

The Ministry reiterates that this price change becomes effective on January 1, 2016 and merchants are hereby warned to desist from adjusting retail prices before the above mentioned date. Furthermore, Sections 15 and 16 of the Supplies Control Regulations requires every retailer of any priced controlled goods to display for public viewing a list of approved maximum retail prices as well as clearly mark the retail price on the packaging of such price controlled

goods offered for sale.

The public is also advised that there is sufficient sugar in stock and all parties along the distribution chain are warned not to hoard sugar in an attempt to earn a price windfall from consumers.

Failure to comply with the Supplies Control Price Regulations will result in imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months, a fine of one thousand dollars ($1000.00), or to both such term of imprisonment and such fine.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Christmas issue of the Belize Times will hit the streets Wednesday 18th, December, 2015.

Please be advised that advertisements must be in by Thursday December 17th, 2015.

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13 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

The Women’s Agenda I am now not a Woman in the House, and so I am renaming my jottings “My Perspective.”

Several friends and family members have encouraged me to continue writing. I am very happy to do so.

Congratulations are in order to the two women in the House, Tracy Taeger Panton and Beverly Castillo, and as well to the women in the Senate and to Vanessa Retreage, the Attorney General.

I do think that they all have their work cut out for them. And of course my commitment and efforts for women and children, as well as for persons living with HIV/AIDS and other vital social

issues will not cease.

Even in the mighty United States of America the work for equal opportunity and gender equality is far from over. I read recently that women in the USA are still being paid less for work of equal value to that of their male counterparts. Women are still last hired and first fired. Women get less for pay raises than men.

Women still bear a disproportionate share of family and social responsibilities, while men get the majority of positions of power and influence. This is glaringly so in our Belize.

I attended the most recent Recognition Ceremony for graduates of the University of the West

Indies Open Campus in Belize. It was a brief yet impressive affair at the Ramada Princess Hotel. I am particularly proud of Dr. Luz Longsworth, whose star is rising at UWI. She is head of the university’s Open Campus and also Acting Principal. I am also thrilled to have hosted my old law school colleague Karen Ford Warner, who works valiantly as Registrar of the Open Campus.

At the Recognition Ceremony, some forty-two women and TWO men received their certificates and diplomas!! Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles wished aloud that there had been more trousers among the graduates, and this phenomenon is something that needs attention throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean. I must point out, however, that so many women graduating from UWI and other universities does NOT mean that women are advancing throughout our societies. As mentioned, men still hold most of the power positions and receive more remuneration in jobs. But women have got to continue to contribute. The struggle must go on.

I believe that the women in the House need to keep vital issues front and center of our national agenda. I do not expect them to be quiet. The horrendous tragedy

07 7 at the Youth Hostel needs swift and proper answers. I am not at all surprised at the insipid release from the Mental Health Association, saying that this is not a time for pointing fingers.

If this is not the time for pointing fingers, then when?? Do more young girls have to die??

Belizeans are calling for those responsible to be held fully accountable. Let us get on with it.

I also do not expect for Lisa Shoman’s to be the only voice in the National Assembly for probity and accountability from those in posts of responsibility.

There is crying need for Social Security reform and for far better service from those within very many Ministries, especially the Ministry of Human Development, just to name two agenda items that are crucial for women. The Youth Hostel tragedy MUST NOT happen again. And the Police must be fully a part of the investigation.

I conclude by calling on the women in the National Assembly to work hard so that the women’s agenda is not downplayed in any way. Please, sisters, roll up your sleeves and begin your work for your constituencies and for the Belizean people on a whole.

08 8

THE BELIZE TIMES

GOB refuses to hoist flag near Sarstoon River

The Guatemalan military removed a Belizean flag placed by the BTV on Sarstoon Island

The UDP Government has allowed the Guatemalan military to take control of Sarstoon Island

Belize City, December 9, 2015 The Minister of National Security John Saldivar is trying his best to gain political mileage from an “official ground breaking” of a Coast Guard/Police outpost at the south-end of mainland Belize on Wednesday, December 9th, claiming that it is an act asserting Belize’s territorial sovereignty. But reports from several persons who attended the ceremony are that Saldivar and other senior Government officials in attendance kept looking above their shoulders, towards the sea nervously, as if to check if a Guatemalan military fleet led by Captain Tomas was heading their way.

The Ministry broke ground on the mainland, far away from Sarstoon Island and the southern

John Saldivar

channel of the Sarstoon River, which are the actual areas which the Guatemalan military has effectively occupied with a permanent military vessel led by the arrogant Colonel Tomas.

Colonel Tomas was the military officer who blocked and threatened over 150 Belizeans who travelled to Sarstoon Is-

land as part of a Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) on August 16th. Colonel Tomas told the BTV expedition that they were encroaching on Guatemalan territory.

A few days after the incident, the Guatemalan Government wrote the Belize Government to rail up about what they described as an “illegal incursion”. The official note also stated that “Guatemala asserts that until the Territorial, Insular and Maritime claim against Belize is resolved at the International Court of Justice it does not recognize the existence of borders with Belize and it considers that the River

13 DEC

2015

Sarstoon and the islet situated at its mouth as Guatemalan territory and therefore, any foreign national who visits without the permission of the Guatemalan authorities could be considered as illegal and are subject to Guatemalan law.”

This would explain why the Saldivar and other UDP Ministers, flanked by their closest military puppets, chose to carry out the ground breaking far away from Sarstoon Island, even though Belizeans were expecting that the Government’s outpost would have been on Sarstoon Island to demonstrate to the Guatemalans that we will not surrender any part of Belize.

But that is not what happened. Saldivar did not make it to Sarstoon Island.

To make matters even worse, confirmed reports are that Government officials refused to hoist a Belizean flag on the site of the ground breaking so as not to upset Colonel Tomas or the Guatemalan military.

The outpost that will be built will also not be operated by BDF, but only by the Coast Guard. This is something that Guatemala demanded. The Guatemalans have now demanded, in its latest official note to the Government that Belize not dares to disturb the illegal fishing carried out by many of their nationals inside Belizean waters. Saldivar could only say that he must consult his Cabinet before he responds.

Worth noting is that Prime Minister Dean Barrow nor Guatemalan’s ally in the Belize Government, Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington, attended the ground breaking ceremony.

13 DEC

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

Belizean Beauty

Marcainy

• • • • • •

TOPMODEL 09

Career Plan: Accountant Sign: Libra Favourite Food: Pasta Likes: Dancing Lives in: Belize City Fav. Quote: “Live life as it is your last.”

visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

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Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

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13 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

National Champs crowned at Sr. Table Tennis Championships

Belize City, December 6, 2015 The Belize Table Tennis Association (BTTA) held its annual Belize Natural Energy Senior table tennis championships at the Belize Elementary School auditorium on Sunday, with Zhi Chen, Samira Pott, Latrell Solis and Tyrone Tun, and Tyola Casimiro and Arturo “Tux” Vasquez coming out as national champs.

Zhi Chen won the Men’s championship 3-2 against SJC’s Latrell Solis who took 2nd place, while Yasser Musa and Tyrone Tun won 3rd place.

Samira Pott won the Women’s championship 3-2 against Belize Elementary’s Kelly Liu, who took 2nd

place, while Tyola Casimiro and Kayla Arnold each won 3rd place.

Tyrone Tun and Latrell Solis won the Doubles Championships 3-0 against Gabriel Guerrero and Arturo “Tux” Vasquez, who won 2nd place, while Samron Pott and Rohit Pagarani, and Yasser and Mishek Musa each won 3rd place.

Tyrola Casimiro and Arturo Vasquez won the Mixed Doubles championships: 3-2 against Kelly Liu and Terry Su who won 2nd place, while Samira and Samron Pott, and Yang Ling Chen and Kevin Chen each won 3rd place.

All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

winners received individual trophies from BTTA President Arturo Vasquez, who also announced that St. Joseph’s RC student Taye Parkinson had won the award for the Most Developed Young Player of 2015 and will be presented with the award at BTTA’s first tournament in 2016.

Tyola Casimiro & Arturo Vasquez, Mix Doubles champs

Gwen Liz & SCA advance to basketball nationals St. Creek Holy Angels RC girls champs

Stann Creek dominates volleyball nationals Belize City, December 4, 2015 The Stann Creek district champs, the Holy Angels RC School girls and the St. Matthew’s Anglican School boys, both from Pomona Valley, won the national primary schools volleyball championships at the Stars Gymnasium in Belize City on Friday.

In the championship final, the Holy Angels RC girls won 25-20, 25-22 over Toledo Christian Academy.

For 3rd place, the BES girls won 2518, 25-9 against the Chan Pine Ridge girls.

In the championship final for the male competition, the Pomona boys won 25-15, 26-24 over the Toledo boys.

3rd place went to Belize District champs, the Belize Elementary boys, who won 2519, 26-24 over Corozal district champs the Mary Hill RC School boys.

The winners received team trophies and individual medals. Pomona’s Mark Roches Jr. won the Most Valuable Player award while Pomona’s Switzvannie Salas was awarded the Most Valuable Player award in the female competition.

Belize City, December 5, 2015 The Gwen Lizarraga High School boys and St Catherine Academy girls will represent the Central Zone at the Secondary School’s basketball championships to be hosted by Escuela Mexico at the Andres Campos Civic Center in Corozal Town on Friday and Saturday, December 11-12.

The Gwen Liz boys advanced to the nationals after defeating Sadie Vernon 74-73 in Game 2 on Saturday. Gwen Liz won Game 1 on Thursday, 100-93 in overtime.

The Young’s Engineering Most Valuable Player award went to Keyvon Evans, while the Emory Bennett “Silent Hero” Award to Darnel Galvez.

Gwen Liz will challenge the Southern Zone champs, the Julian Cho Technical High School boys in Game 1 on Friday evening; while

the Northern Zone champs, the Muffles College boys, will meet the Western champs, the Sacred Heart College boys in the nightcap.

The SCA girls won over Maud Williams High School 22-20 in Game 2 of the finals. In Game 1 last Thursday, SCA blew out Maud Williams’ girls 41-12.

The Young’s Engineering Most Valuable Player to Celine Barrow; while the Emory Bennett “Silent Hero” Award was won

by Latifa Ferguson of Maud Williams.

SCA will challenge the Southern Zone champs, the Delille Academy girls in Game 1 Friday afternoon, while the Northern Zone champs, the San Pedro High School girls, will meet the Western champs, the Sacred Heart College girls in the nightcap.

SCA girls

St. Matthews Anglican boys champs

Gwen Liz boys

13 DEC

Panthers win Cayo senior basketball champs

MVP Daniel Nolberto scored 13pts

SPORTS 11

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

San Ignacio, December 5, 2015 The San Ignacio Panthers won the San Ignacio/ Santa Elena Basketball Association senior basketball championships sponsored

by BECOL 56-38 against Benque Power in Game 3 of the finals at the Falcon Field court on Saturday night.

MVP Daniel “Buddy” Nolberto led with 13pts, Johann “Cutto” Bermudez added 9pts, while Gareth Bermudez had 8pts and Vandel Fuller hit 2 long treys to add 6pts. Benque Power’s Brandon Flowers topscored with 11pts for his team.

Daniel Nolberto won the MVP award for the regular season and finals.

Christian Ambassadors win Cayo U-19 basketball champs

San Ignacio, December 5, 2015 The Christian Ambassadors won the San Ignacio/ Santa Elena Basketball Association’s Under-19 basketball championships sponsored by BECOL, by winning both games of the

finals at the Falcon Field court in San Ignacio over the weekend.

In Game 2 Saturday night, the Christian Ambassadors won 57-49 against Sacred Heart College, led

by Shaquille Crawford with 24pts and Clency Lopez

added 19pts. SHC’s Afrie Black led with 18pts.

In Game 1, the Christian Ambassadors won 4544. Clency Lopez won the MVP award for the regular season; while Shaquille Crawford won MVP for the finals.

MicRoe Light & Peace wins U-23 basketball champs San Ignacio, December 5, 2015 The Western Queens had won the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Basketball Association women’s basketball championships sponsored by BECOL: 34-27 against Belmopan Shocks in Game 2 of the finals at the Falcon Field court on Saturday night, November 28.

The Western Queens had also won Game 1: 44-30 on Friday, November 27.

Yesica Prom won the MVP award for the finals, and Belmopan’s Enid Dakers was voted MVP of the regular season.

Western Queens win Cayo women's basketball champs

San Ignacio, December 4, 2015 MicRoe Light & Peace of Belize City won the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Basketball Association Under-23 championship sponsored by BECOL, by a 52-42 win in Game 2 at the Falcon Field court in San Ignacio Town over the weekend.

Ian Rene Augustine Jr. led with 21

Belize team off to World bodybuilding competition Belize City, December 9, 2015 A team of Belizean bodybuilding athletes will be travelling on Friday to the 2015 IFBB World Amateurs Junior & Masters Championship in El Salvador from December 11-14.

Representing the country will be veteran bodybuilder Clayton Greenidge, 2015 Light Heavyweight champ Oyinkro Akpobodor and 2015 Mr. Physique winner Aurel Lewis.

Yabra Veterans win Over-35 basketball championships

pts, Luis Barcelona added 13pts and Jay Palacio added 8pts, while Sherwin Garcia had 6pts. Spartans’ Khalil Bennett led with 15pts, Kevin Brown scored 13pts and Bryton Young added 6pts.

Luis Barcelona won the MVP award for the regular season; and Ian Augustine Jr. was MVP for the finals.

San Ignacio, December 5, 2015 Undefeated Yabra won the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Basketball Association Over-35 championship sponsored by BECOL, by a 47-32 win against Roaring Creek Special Effects in Game 2 of the finals at the Falcon Field court in San Ignacio Town over the weekend.

Yabra’s team captain Cassian “Russian” Flowers led with 14pts, Charles “Dunk” Armstrong added 11pts, Kevin Domingo scored 9pts, and Ian “AC” Augustine came out of retirement to score 5pts.

Roaring Creek’s Karon “Civic” Neal and Kevin Cruz scored 8ps piece, while Eddy Rowland netted 7pts and Sherwyn Garbutt added 5pts. Yabra had also taken Game 1, 58-43 on Friday, November 27.

Cassian Flowers received the Most Valuable Player award for the regular season; while Charles Armstrong was MVP of the Finals.

14

13 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between Stephen Watters and Gloria Watters (Jointly) and the said Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 501.740 square metres being Parcel 3108, Block 20 in the Belmopan Registration Section situate at No. 19 Tapir Street, Belmopan, Cayo District, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of STEPHEN WATTERS and GLORIA WATTERS (Jointly) DATED the 24th day of November 2015 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

13 DEC

2015

15

THE BELIZE TIMES NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given LOV17 LTD., HARISA TRADING CORP., IBEX VENTURES LTD., KALLIOPE FINANCIAL CORP., MIDA CONSULTING CORP. and STELLA ASSET MANAGEMENT S.A. all commenced dissolution on 2nd November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given FIRST FINANCE CORP. commenced dissolution on 4th November, 2015; and RAFAEL ALAIN of MMG Tower, 23rd Floor, Ave. Paseo del Mar, Costa del Este, Panama City, Republic of Panama, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given INTERPORT SECURITIES LTD. and OPTIMUM PROJECTS S.A. both commenced dissolution on 9th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given ELITE HOLDING GROUP INC., MANVEL LINE INC. and ELOISE UNIVERSAL S.A. commenced dissolution on 24 th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given AMANEL INVEST S.A. and FIDULINK SERVICES INC. both commenced dissolution on 25 th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given VANGURD TRADING CORP. commenced dissolution on 26 th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given FOLLET PROPERTIES INC., HAMILTON FINANCE LTD., and FOSTERVILLE SECURITIES LTD. all commenced dissolution on 10th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given AFTERTEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION, commenced dissolution on 11th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given KMART INTERNATIONAL S.A. and PURPLE RAIN ENTERPRISES INC. both commenced dissolution on 12th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given MASKINE LIMITED and DEWITT INVESTMENT LTD. both commenced dissolution on 27th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given CHARMELIO S.A. commenced dissolution on 30th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given LOFTHOUSE HOLDING LTD., FLIPROCK LIMITED, CHANSON CONTINENTAL S.A. and DELMARCO LTD. all commenced dissolution on 13th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given ESCALON LIMITED commenced dissolution on 16th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given FRONTIER MANAGEMENT LTD. and GELT INFINITUM CORP. both commenced dissolution on 20th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given FINICK RAL ESTATE INC., MELCANO GRUPPE S.A., SALAVIERNO GROUP LTD. TROY OVERSEAS LTD., WINARD ENTERPRISES LTD., ARDELIA PROPERTY HOLDING INC., CONNORS GROUP S.A., DOMALIAN ENTERPRISES LTD., ENOS FINANCIAL CORP. and GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE & PROJECTS CONSULTANCY LIMITED all commenced dissolution on 18th November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby SINA UNITED S.A. and SELDON HOLDING S.A. both commenced dissolution on 23rd November, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given ATOMIC OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED commenced dissolution on 23rd November, 2015; and Ms. Giulia Carrada of 99 Greenbay Road, Charlton, London SE7 8PX, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Companies listed below have been dissolved and duly struck off the IBC Register as follows: NAME OF COMPANY DOLTRIX INCORPORATED FUSION SHIPPING LIMITED STANDWOOD PROPERTY S.A. BEATTY FINANCIAL INC. LOV12 LTD. BEREA DEVELOPMENT LTD. TOMS SERVICES INC. ENHILL ENTERPRISES S.A. DURON INVESTMENTS INC. RAMA FINANCIAL CORP. FARNAM INVESTMENT LTD. IVORYFALL LTD. NEWUFOLEGA LTD. RACHAL TRADER LTD. ACTON BUSINESS CORP. MARY ASSOCIATED S.A. MARRATXINET LTD. ADWOOD OVERSEAS INC. TOBAGO SHIPPING AND TRADING COMPANY (BELIZE) LTD. WEALTH INVESTMENTS LIMITED PATTON GROUP LTD. V.P. FERRARI LTD. QUARTIER TRADING LTD. CONDELL HOLDINGS S.A. ORBIT ZONA LIBRE S.A. THARIN COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT LIMITED DENHOFF FINANCE CORP.

Date of Dissolution 3-Nov-15 4-Nov-15 5-Nov-15 5-Nov-15 7-Nov-15 11-Nov-15 11-Nov-15 11-Nov-15 11-Nov-15 11-Nov-15 12-Nov-15 12-Nov-15 12-Nov-15 12-Nov-15 12-Nov-15 14-Nov-15 19-Nov-15 19-Nov-15 20-Nov-15 21-Nov-15 24-Nov-15 24-Nov-15 26-Nov-15 26-Nov-15 27-Nov-15 27-Nov-15 28-Nov-15

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Ltd.

16

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that SONIA RAMIREZ is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Sonia’s Mini Shop”, situated at 81 Gristock Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that LUIS ALBERTO COWO is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Rafaela Shop”, situated at Trinidad Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CHAO YAO HUNG is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Chao Hung Store”, situated at 626 Belize Corozal Road, Palmar Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that MING REN LI is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Akihito Hotel”, situated at 22 Belize Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that OSCAR GUTTIEREZ JR. is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Cocina Sabor”, situated at South End Belize Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that WEINEN LAO is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Sunday Restaurant”, situated at Santa Ana Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that KEVIN BOWEN is applying for a renewal of a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Hour Bar”, situated at Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that JUANG DEN GONG is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Ring Store”, situated at Liberty Avenue, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAMON GALVEZ is applying for a renewal of a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “MJ’s Bar and Pool”, situated at 9 West Collet Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that MANUEL AUGUSTO BLANCO is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “San Estevan Multi-Service Station”, situated at San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ZHENGRONG KUANG is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Jan Kang Shop & Fast Food”, situated at 38 Iguana Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ENNA GUADALUPE ECK is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “L&B Cool Spot”, situated at Scotland Halfmoon Texas Road, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that NEELAM ISSRANI is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Sony Store”, situated at 44 San Antonio Road Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that BRIAN PATRICK SNAGG is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Ruba Bar”, situated at 135 Lord’s Bank Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that SYLVIA PATRICIA SANCHEZ is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “La Cabana Cool Spot”, situated at Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that GABRIEL GALLARDO is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Kali’s Cool Spot”, situated at San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

13 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

Notice is hereby given that JOSE SANCHEZ is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Sanchez Shop”, situated at Maskall Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAUL MAGAÑA is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Blue House Bar”, situated at 9 Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Ladyville, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

2015

Marvell Trading Limited #21,499 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Marvell Trading Limited:

a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 2nd day of December, 2015; and c) Cititrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

GREGERS PRODUCTION CORP. #78,470 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that GREGERS PRODUCTIONS CORP:

d) is in dissolution e) commenced dissolution on the 8th day of December, 2015; and f) Cititrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

Altobello Limited #101,172 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Altobello Limited:

a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 8th day of December, 2015; and c) Cititrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

NATIONAL AGGREGATES LTD. NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that JOE FUZY is no longer authorized by the Company to conduct any business on its behalf, including but not limited to, purchasing, selling, or handling of any products, dangerous goods, services or supplies.

Any business transaction or activity can be conducted in the usual manner by contacting Mrs. Carolyn Diaz at the office located at 1½ Miles George Price Highway, Belize City, Belize or at telephone number 222-5150 or accounts@nationalaggregates.com.

13 DEC

2015

The Petro Caribe Party is Over!

By G. Michael Reid Caribbean nations… have a good reason to be jittery, now that their rich uncle, Venezuela is in dire straits - Tony Best, CARIBnews magazine Sometime in 2012, the United Democratic Party was able to revive the Petro Caribe Program that had become dormant just a couple of years after it first began. The initial agreement which provided cheaper fuel to Belize was signed back in June of 2005 but there were problems from the very outset. The first fuel shipment, which arrived in November of that same year, remained offshore for some time before a few businessmen were able to construct storage facilities down south to accommodate the precious cargo. Esso, which at the time was the chief importer of our fuel, had refused to cooperate and give any ground since they were beholden to their suppliers up north.

Sometime in 2011, Puma Energy bought out Esso’s interest in Belize and most of Central America and this paved the way for Venezuelan oil to enter Belize. The socialist regime of Venezuela has long been in the black books of the United States and our decision to turn our backs on the US in favour of Venezuelan oil might yet come back to haunt us.

We shall see what we shall see.

Petro Caribe was the brainchild of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez whose motives were not altogether altruistic. Chavez was determined to forge a formidable alliance with other Latin American countries in order to provide a counterweight to traditional American influence in the region. Chavez’s leftist socialist policies put him at odds with the US and their plans for Latin America.

Petro Caribe proved a way of avoiding international isolation.

When Chavez died of cancer in 2013, his successor Nicolás Maduro vowed to continue his policies and programs. Maduro is no Chavez however and has never enjoyed the approval and

THE BELIZE TIMES of rebounding anytime soon and while that is good news for consumers, it is bad news for those who depend on oil and oil money. Normally, lower oil prices would be good for motorists and farmers but here in Belize the lower prices have hardly been reflected at the pump. While gas prices have fallen to as low as BZ$3 per gallon in some parts of the US, our prices have only recently gone down some, but still remain ridiculously high at around $8 per gallon.

The Petro Caribe Program, if handled well, could have been a very good thing for Belize. It could have paid off our high interest debts, created new industries and helped local businesses to secure a good footing. Petro Caribe could have helped our local cane farmers to own their industry which would have given them more leverage to explore other markets. Instead, the Barrow government facilitated the handover of this vital industry back into the hands of multinational ASR; a subsidiary of the very Tate and Lyle from whence it came and to whom all our sugar is being sold. Citrus farmers could also have owned their own industry but instead, it is still majority owned by Banks Holdings of Barbados. Petro Caribe could have done wonders for Belize but all that it has given us are a few cement streets and a huge debt to bear. Had it been done right, Petro Caribe would have put

17

vowed to discontinue the program. Maduro remains President until 2019 but has basically lost all control and the power to make laws or forge policies. Here in Belize, our economy has been bolstered primarily by Petro Caribe funds and once that is gone, dog will truly eat our supper. As the Prime Minister has said, “it has been a wonderful run” but now, the game will change. The problem is that this government and its ministers have grown accustomed and addicted to expopularity that Hugo Chavez did. It had cess and old habits will die hard. Party long been understood that “As long as supporters are used to handouts and the Maduro is in office, the special initiamoney that was being used to pay crimitive can be expected to remain but if he nals to “hold it down” will be difficult to leaves office, then all bets are off”. Petro come by. The road ahead appears very Caribe has long been on political life suprocky indeed! port and analysts have been warning that Once the Petro Caribe program “Caribbean countries should begin to comes to an end, the government will think about the day when Petro-Caribe have to decide whether to continue may no longer be around”. buying fuel from Venezuela or return One senior Caribbean economic our market to the US. That will not be analyst recently noted that “Should there easy and will no doubt come with a high be an end to Petro-Caribe’s generous cost. While little has been said about it, concessions several Caribbean countries the fuel from Venezuela is far inferior to which are beneficiaries of its assistance, that obtained from suppliers in the north. would be in real financial trouble.” AcHaving put all our eggs in the Petro bascording to the analyst, recipient counket however, we must now be prepared tries like Belize would see a drastic reverfor the bitter harvest that we must reap. sal in whatever gains were made under I hate to say it, but I told you so!

Petro Caribe. He went on to state that The Prime Minister has already be“It would be a nightmare, too serious to gun to hint about the difficult time that is contemplate”. to come. The first casualty is the Christmas Cheer program and the announcement was made recently that there would be The first casualty is the Christmas Cheer program no ham and turkey this year.

Prices of goods will climb and the announcement was made recently that even higher and the first to there would be no ham and turkey this year. take the jump is sugar. The twenty-five percent raise was Prices of goods will climb even higher and supposed to take effect next the first to take the jump is sugar.The twen- month but many merchants are already implementing the ty-five percent raise was supposed to take new cost. Infrastructure has already slowed down coneffect next month but many merchants are siderably and employment already implementing the new cost. will once again plummet.

With high unemployment us in a much better position to handle the will come higher crime and no amount Since 2012, Belize has been purchastough times that are looming head. Most of press conferences or sweet talk will ing all its fuel from Venezuela, getting oil of the money instead has been wasted, be able to soften this blow. on attractive concessionary terms. The stolen or was simply shared out among There is only one way for us to actual price is still set at market rate howparty hackers and cronies. As Mark King weather this storm but that will take the ever because by international guidelines, famously noted, it was “UDP first, Belizcooperation and sacrifice from every sinVenezuela cannot undersell OPEC of eans second and PUP last.” gle Belizean. That will be difficult to ask which it is a member. The only advantage The recent defeat of the Chavismo for given that only a percentage of our is that we only pay a portion of the price government in Venezuela spells very bad citizens have benefitted from the bounty upfront and the rest is deferred to a long news for Belize.

Petro Caribe “has the of Petro Caribe. I wish I had better news term loan. proverbial sword of Damocles hanging but the reality is rather harsh. We have The deal is that the higher the price over its head”. The Opposition who now made our bed, now it is time to lie down. of oil on the world market is, the better takes control of their Parliament has long May Heaven help us all! the terms; the lower the price, the less favourable the terms become. If the price of oil is above US$40 per barrel then interest rate on our loan is an appealing: 1 percent and is payable over a period of 25 years. If the price falls below US $40 as it is now however, the interest rate doubles and has to be paid over a shorter term of fifteen years.

In 2014, large consumers like the US and Canada began producing more of its own oil and the decrease in demand drove the price of oil downward considerably.

Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia have refused to cut production which would quickly send the price of oil back up. Some conspiracy theorists believe that the US is somehow behind the fall in oil prices in an effort to bring pressure to bear on Venezuela. The Bolivarian republic depends heavily on oil which accounts for over 50% of its GDP and 95% of its total exports. Without high oil prices, Venezuela is doomed.

The price of oil is showing no signs

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 DEC

2015

Do black lives really matter, Belize?

By Micah J. Goodin In the last fourteen days more than fourteen men have been dragged before the courts and incarcerated. Of these fourteen men, all of them look like me, young and black. Interestingly there has been no outcry from society and not a single modicum of discussion on this phenomenon. Today I hope that my concern will spark relevant discussions in homes, offices and schools.

I do not know who is to be held responsible. It is not my objective to place the blame on anyone. I am simply trying to understand what is happening in our communities and within the Belizean Criminal Justice System.

I am simply trying to understand what is exactly happening to the men that look like me.

The charges laid on these men range from the possession of drugs to the possession of unlicensed fire-

arms, murder and rape. I am in no way sympathetic to anyone that has violated the laws of our land. Though I will agree that the structure of our Juvenile Justice System and by extension our Criminal Justice System is in need of urgent attention. There are many innocent men in prison and even more guilty men roaming our streets. However, I am not naïve to presume that each and every single person in prison is a saint.

Imagine that of the almost 1,500 men imprisoned at the Kolbe Foundation; more than 85% share a common African ancestry. This appears to be the unfolding of a great conspiracy. As I said I do not know who is to be held responsible, all that I know is that our young black men have moved from the belly of slave ships to the belly of the Belizean prison system.

It bothers me because I am black and the black Creole population is being rapidly reduced to a minority. It bothers me because the massive destruction of young black men as a result of urban violence is almost genocide. It bothers me because many black children will never see the faces of their fathers again. While I am here extremely bothered there is a society at large that remains unperturbed.

I am not discounting the tragedy faced by other ethnic populations. That is not my intention. I am merely at-

For Sale

By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 27th day of March, 2012, between MARY CARIDDI of Paslow Falls Area, Cayo District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 6 of 2012 at Folios 1121 – 1172, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land or lot situate along the Mopan River, Paslow Falls Area, Cayo District and being Block No. 9 (9.75 acres) of land the Lionel Balan sub-division survey of Grant No. 505 of 2007 comprising 20.86 acres of land and the Survey of a strip of National Lands comprising of 1.00 acre, situate along the Mopan River, Paslow Falls Area, Cayo District and more particularly delineated and described as shown on a plan dated 3rd September, 2007 on Entry No. 10732 Reg No. 17 and Final approval Granted by Ref No. LUA 91/07(28) recorded and registered at the Survey Department, Belmopan City attached to the said property TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 26th day of November, 2015.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

tempting to wake up a society that has become comfortable with the mass incarceration, slaughter and surrender of my brethren.

I remember my high school classmate Kent who was sentenced to twelve years in prison for being in the presence of an unlicensed firearm just months after graduation. He was unforgivingly incarcerated. I remember Kareem Clarke, a beacon of hope that was scraped from the streets because of a senseless Kunumunu. He was murdered. I remember the Vice Principal of Wesley High School that was allegedly caught in the possession of Cocaine. He impacted the lives of hundreds of students. If the allegations are true, he threw away all his progress and surrendered to the system.

In my last year at high school I was intrigued by gangs and gang violence and decided to pursue studies in Criminal Justice. For centuries Criminologists and Sociologists have struggled to understand crime. Hundreds of theories have been presented to improve our understanding of criminality.

One such theory is the Anomie or Strain Theory which was founded by Emile Durkheim and expanded upon

by Robert Merton. This theory suggests that society doesn’t provide equal access to the tools and resources necessary to live the ideal/ dream

life. Therefore when people fail to achieve their dreams through accepted means like hard work and studying then they use criminal means. Rising unemployment, inaccessible education and poverty are the backbone of this theory. The Government of Belize has successfully failed in three of these areas.

Another important theory is the Rational Choice Theory which suggests that people make decisions to commit crime by looking at the opportunities before them, weighing the benefit versus the punishment, and deciding whether to proceed or not. This theory in essence says that there is always a choice to make.

I have never worn the shoes of any of the men recently incarcerated.

I do not know their stories. I do not know if the social conditions they faced were so overwhelming that they had no other choice but to break the law. I do not know if they are innocent or guilty. I am no judge and I am no juror.

I don’t know who is to be blamed for this trending incarceration of young black men. I do not know when it started and if it will ever end. I do know that my brothers must begin to take responsibility for their lives. I do know that they must stop surrendering to a system designed to break them down and keep them broken.

13 DEC

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

House of Rep. & Senate question spending of $44M weeks before Nov 4th elections City of Belmopan, December 9, 2015 The Barrow Administration has exposed some of its dirty election deeds. The UDP Government spent $44 million dollars from the dwindling Petro-Caribe loan funds in the weeks leading to the November 4th general elections. The revelation came via a supplementary budget which Prime Minister Dean Barrow took to the House of Representatives on Friday, December 4th for approval.

Only in Belize does a leader of a country spend millions loosely, then seeks official permission for the spending.

There could not be a proper debate on the spending because the non-transparent Government did its best to provide the least of details on how the millions were actually spent. It offered a general account that would not even pass the most basic of accounting tests, only indicating that some millions went towards infrastructure works, more millions to BIL operations, and some millions more towards flooding alleviation.

But the truth is that the $44 million really served as elections money for the UDP. Was it this money which funded the UDP’s mattress frenzy in some constituencies, or free-for-all sand giveaway by the UDP in Collet, or lastminute and hurry-up street works in

areas of Belize City, in an attempt to sweet up voters in the days leading to the elections?

These are the questions that were asked by Opposition members of the House on Friday.

“I note Mr. Speaker there are several items dealing with flood assistance. A total of $4,378,000.00 spent on flood assistance. That’s an extraordinary figure. I supposed that explains why all these mattresses were circulating all over the place just before the election. Why refridges and stoves and plywood and everything else was circulating.

Yes, Mr. Espejo was circulating those things as well in the Fort George division, but it didn’t help him. The government is boasting that it bought the election. This is what they are doing today. It’s boasting that they bought the election. And just look at how they treat the poor rural constituencies. Only $20,000 assistance for the small farmers, but 4.3 million for so called flood assistance,” remarked Rt. Hon. Said Musa, former Prime Minister and Area Representative for Fort George.

The UDP members of the House, loud-mouth Patrick Faber, Mr. Artificial Sedi Elrington and the

Finny one had no shame in admitting that they did use the money for mattresses and sand sprees.

Finnegan, whose political tenure is winding down after decades of keeping Mesopotamia in poverty and strife, demonstrated why he deserved to go long ago, when he urged the Opposition members not to complain but to join the UDP in the Petrocaribe wasteful spending. “…get up and join us and get up and get your share of what is happening in Petrocaribe,” Finnegan said in his old, debilitated voice.

He was challenged by PUP leaders Hon. Jose Mai (Orange Walk South), Hon. Michael Espat (Toledo East), Hon. John Briceno (Orange Walk Central) and Oscar Requeña (Toledo West), who revealed that they have continuously requested Government resources for their constituents, but their appeals fall on deaf ears.

Hon. Requena accused the Government of spending inequitably.

“What we are asking for on this side is that we want equity in the distribution and the use of any funds that are allocated to government. I want to go on record here, if people in Belize City can receive televisions, if they can receive mattresses and refridges, what happened to the people of Toledo West? I will stand up for my people

Maya Leaders Alliance Receive Prestigious UN Award Belize City, December 9, 2015 In September of this year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced that the Maya Leaders Alliance of Belize had been selected to receive the prestigious Equator Award, in recognition of their community and sustainable development efforts to protect nature and strengthen the planet’s resilience in the face of climate change.

Last week, leaders of the MLA Cristina Coc and Alfonso Caal joined 20 other winners from around the world in a special trip to Paris, France where the United Nations Climate Change Conference was taking place. The conference called for the involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities to assist the world reach its collective climate goals.

On December December 7th, the Maya leaders stepped onto the stage at the Mogador Theatre to receive their award and applauses for their work in Belize.

“These winners show what is possible when indigenous peoples and local communities are backed by rights to manage their lands, territories and

MLA leaders Cristina Coc & Alfonso Caal receive Equator Prize Award

natural resources,” said Helen Clark, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

While on stage, the producers of the award ceremony showed a special video infomercial capturing the challenges and achievements of the Maya people and their leaders. It noted the Government’s refusal to respect the rights of the Maya to customary land use, despite landmark court victories in which those rights were asserted.

The winners were chosen from a record 1,461 nominations from across 126 countries. The Equator Prize is unique for recognizing collective action, rather than individual achievement. Winners each receive US$10,000 to support their work.

19 any day because that is the inequity and the injustice that we have to fight and we continue to fight.

We must also provide assistance for our people in our constituency.

Because people in Golden Stream, people in San Vicente, people in San Benito Poite are all the same Belizeans just like Queen Square, just like Mesopotamia, just like Collet and they deserve to be treated the same. It is all a hustle and this is the problem that I have. This the problem that the people of Toledo West, the people of the south have a problem with this government, because there is inequity, injustice, hustle and corruption on that side Mr. Speaker,” declared Hon. Requeña.

Hon. Mai pointed out that the Government should be ashamed to admit to spending $44 million for election bribery, while in the agriculture sector the farmers in the northern belt who were negatively affected by severe drought only received a few thousand dollars in Government assistance.

On Wednesday, December 9th, the supplementary budget also went before the Senate, and only the UDP members seemed to be in a jolly mood about the Government’s lack of accountability.

New UDP senator Aldo Salazar obliterated all hopes that he would not be just another political puppet when he got up to speak and approved the spending, saying that he sees nothing wrong going on. It appears the he left his conscience outside the halls of the national assembly.

The other UDP senators’ (Godwin Hulse, Steve Duncan, Carla Barnett, a Patrick Faber-look-alike and act-alike named Macario Coy and Francine Burns) political nakedness was clear for all to see.

Fortunately, the Opposition and Business Senators provided objective discussion over Government’s spending.

“We don’t know what it is that any of this has been spent on. Today we are being asked to approve 44.7 million dollars.

How can we know what was spent and on what projects?

How can we know if we have received value for money? What was delivered for 44.7 million dollars? To who, where and for what? Those are the questions.

Where is the transparency?”

Senator for Business Mark Lizarraga asked.

Opposition Senators Lisa Shoman, Patrick Andrews and Anthony Sylvestre Jr. also raised concerns about the supplementary budget’s lack of information, indicating that the Government would be engaged in fraud if it couldn’t properly account for spending of the people’s money.

The Church Senator Rev. Ashley Rocke voted in favour of the supplementary budget. There was no Union Senator in attendance.

The Government, by virtue of its majority in the House and Senate, passed the supplementary budget.

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2015

13 DEC

2015

A letter to the Shyne Barrow from the Bronx Continued from page 2 nephew wants to carry on the pain and misery? Honestly, it would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad.

It was quite obvious that Shyne conducting a walk thru in Mesop that day was staged and I wasn’t the least bit surprised that Jules Vasquez rushed over to cover the charade. Let’s agree, people, the newsmonger that he is, Jules would interview monkeys if they could talk and say, “Long live the UDP”. What he featured on his newscast that day was essentially the unofficial launch of Shyne’s campaign in Mesop.

Now, we need not wonder why the sudden interest in electoral politics on the part of Shyne? We, Belizeans are able to see and smell opportunists from miles away and an opportunist is certainly what Shyne is. To use a famous phrase of his beloved Uncle Finnegan, even Blind Eye Jamesy can see that Shyne has one ambition and one ambition only and that is to return to the Great US of A and particularly here to the “Big Apple”. In Belize and, especially in Mesop, everyone knows that Shyne’s wish to represent the people will only serve as a means to his selfish end.

In an effort to endear himself to the people of Mesop, Shyne recently posted a photo on Facebook of himself in his teenage years standing in front of his childhood home on Currasow Street. No doubt, this was merely a publicity stunt aimed at projecting himself as a “Son of Mesop”, one of the boys from the hood if you like. What this son of the Armani Suit/Rolex Watch-wearing Prime Ministerial father needs to show the people of Mesop, however, is the opulent lifestyle he currently enjoys and flaunts. In his interview with Jules, Shyne boasted about the coming of the “Barrow Dynasty”, spoken like the true son of a modern day dictator.

Well, I have two messages which I wish to convey, first, to my Belizean brothers & sisters in Mesop and, second, to Mr. Shyne: To my brothers & sisters in Mesop, I strongly urge you all to REJECT, RESIST & REFUSE. REJECT that fraudster named Shyne and his attempts to speak on behalf of you.

REFUSE to have him take you all for “Cunu Munu” like his Uncle Finnegan. RESIST all the niceties that he will throw at you.

To, you, Shyne, I say you ought to be ashamed of yourself for wanting to ride the backs of the people of Mesop in an effort to achieve your selfish ambition. The nerve of you to stand in front of the camera and pretend as if though you genuinely care about the plight of the people of Mesop. How dare you make a mockery of our people much like you made a mockery of Judaism when you had visited the “Holy Land”. I’m no leading authority on Religion but for the latter, you surely will be made to account.

I just had to laugh when Shyne declared, with almost absolute confidence, that he will be the next UDP Standard Bearer for Mesopotamia in the next general elections. I laughed because, as much as Uncle Finnegean may be telling him otherwise, he will have to challenge the disgraced Ex-Mayor of Belize City, Zenaida Moya for the spot. As everyone in Mesop knows, Uncle Finnegan has been grooming his protégé, Moya for some time now. If there’s anything Shyne ought to note about his would be contender, it is that Moya, in her famously explosive interview, had exclaimed, “Somebody doesn’t have any balls”. Now, as the offspring of that “somebody” whom Moya had referred to, Shyne may want to remind himself of the idiom “Like father, like son”.

In closing, I wish to recommend to the wannabe rapper that he gives up on his quest to return here to the US. Here on the streets of New York, the only memory person around here have of you is that you cowardly shot a defenseless woman in her face. No one even remembers you as “Shyne the Rapper” because you never were a rapper and you never will be a rapper. For crying out loud, Vanilla Ice had greater success. Heck, that white dude could have even danced. You’re stuck with Uncle Finnegan son because, when it comes to Uncle Sam, you ain’t welcome no more homie.

Signed: Karl Benjamin Belizean-American living in the Bronx

21 Youth hostel deaths were avoidable tragedies

THE BELIZE TIMES

By Gilroy Usher Sr. On Saturday November 28, 2015 three teenage girls: Elizabeth McKoy, 14, Ana Carlos, 16, Shadisha Arnold, 16, met a horrible death when they were trapped in Shadisha Arnold Anna Carlos Elizabeth Mckoy a raging inferno at the Youth Hostel at Mile was burnt down seven months rebellious.

21 ½ on the George Price earlier by a teenager to protest Highway.

When Elizabeth, Shadisha and treatment at the facility. The inThe Youth Hostel was Ana were placed in lockdown a few cident should have made it obvibuilt to provide rehabilitation Saturday ago, no one ensured that ous to the management of the service for young persons, they were properly searched to prehostel that the institution needespecially teenagers who vent them from having anything in ed a fire extinguisher; neverhave problems with discitheir possession that could be used to theless, like many other needs pline or are the victims of harm. That was just another huge viosuch important equipment was emotional, social, physical, or lation of protocol for the wellbeing and never obtained. sexual abuse in their homes. safety of the staff and teenagers.

The institution apparently This requires that those at A lot of persons from top manbegan to lock up teenagers the helm of the Ministry of agement to the low-level employees with a padlock on the iron door Human Development, startknow of the many outrageous things of a small room as a form of ing with the Minister Antaking place in the police, immigrapunishment. Once in lockdown thony Boots Martinez and tions, and lands departments. The the teenagers were also denied the employees at the hossame is true about the Youth Hostel. tel who enjoy working with all privileges. This injustice was But our society is plagued by a culture teenagers and who realize compounded when no one of silence. that they must put the best made sure that the key for the When thirteen babies died in the interest of the persons unpadlock was always at a handy neonatal clinic at the KHMH due to der their care first 24 hours location and that the padlock negligence an investigation concluded per day throughout the year. used was working properly in that no one in top management was Achieving that goal has been the event of an emergency. responsible for that catastrophe. Toseverely undermined with What a way to reform young day based on the code of silence at the hiring of a number of people! Warehousing people or the Youth Hostel, you can bet your last persons due to their political treating them as sub humans penny that the investigation will clear connection rather than qualihas never been the solution to all persons of absolutely any responfication. their problem. That only makes sibility for the horrible death of those One of the buildings such persons more angry and three young ladies at the Youth Hostel.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT

A BIG LIE Government lied to Belizeans by saying it will build the Forward Operating Base on the Sarstoon. They tried to give the impression that a base would be built on the Sarstoon Island. We were later told there were too many mosquitoes.

The Government held a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday 9th December for the base. The site chosen is not Sarstoon Island, but on the mainland of Toledo, at the mouth of the Sarstoon River.

We are surprised, but should not be, by the coverage of Channel 7, which has allowed itself to be duped. They should have left that kind of propaganda to Love FM. Guatemala has made it abundantly clear, and in writing as well, that the Sarstoon Island is part of Guatemala and they will enforce Guatemala’s rights and laws regarding it. They have also, by words written and by their deeds, taken full control of the whole of the Sarstoon River. They told the Belize Government in writing they will enforce their laws and that they only allow BDF to use the river as a matter of courtesy.

Belize cannot fly its flag on the Sarstoon Island. Belize cannot build any military base or anything on the island.

On Wednesday’s farce, the Minister of Security said not a single word about the Sarstoon Island. He did not say it is part of Belize’s territory. Instead, his carefully prearranged script was about the usual haw, haw of illicit drug trafficking and human trafficking. This sounds pretty much like their masters voice.

Channel 5 coverage was a bit more skeptical and more realistic than 7. The Channel 5 reporter did ask several questions about why on the mainland and not on Sarstoon Island. Isani Cayetano received the usual fool fool answers.

Belize’s media is not doing a thorough reporting and coverage of what has been unfolding with the Sarstoon River and the Sarstoon Island. Guatemala has gone beyond the traditional situation of staying over on their half of the Sarstoon River.

Belize has lost the Sarstoon Island and its half of the Sarstoon River which from 1859 has always been part of our national territory.

Since June 2015 it has become clear that the Belize Government has no stomach for tackling this most serious encroachment and loss of national sovereignty.

We were taught that the time to save our country was before we lose it. Our portion of Sarstoon River and all of Sarstoon Island is gone.

Just like that.

GOD AND MAMMON It is written-“you cannot serve God and mammon”.

The writing comes from the Bible, Matthew, Chapter 6 verse 24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon”.

Those words come from Jesus.

In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 16 verse 13 it is written in similar words.

To Christians, the word mammon refers to money, and riches.

In Belize, the churches are represented in the Senate by being allowed to recommend a priest, pastor, or church leader

to be a Senator. For the churches to be officially part of the law-making process needs to be reviewed and discussed.

The next few years will bring great challenge to Belize. As poverty increases, as it surely will, so will crime. As crime increases so will oppression, police brutality and the increasing imprisonment of poor people.

As the government becomes more desperate and embark on suspect activities, the churches will be drawn into their matters by their representative Senator voting for or against. The so-called homosexual agenda will be coming to town, full throttle. This will be a great challenge to our church leaders. The Patrick Faber led gay agenda for our schools is already printed and awaiting introduction to students.

The Prime Minister and his Special Envoy wife are committed and hooked on Oak Foundation Money (mammon) and Oak has already been allowed to penetrate the University of Belize, the nation’s highest learning institution.

Seems like each time the Senate meets they are called upon to approve more loans by the government, although Belize is deep in debt with little to show for the squandered millions.

What are the Churches doing in the Senate?

Two leading Church leaders, one Anglican, another Methodist, have both accepted recommendations from the Prime Minister for British awards. Those awards are steeped in colonialism and should no longer be countenanced in a nationalistic country. Belize has a law whereby national honors and awards can be showered on favored citizens. Instead we mock ourselves with “member of the British Empire”, “Officer of the British Empire”, and “Knight Commander of the British Empire”. There no longer exists a British Empire.

The Senate of Belize is not a high or highly respected institution. It is designed to be a farce. The ruling UDP party has the majority of Senators and they ALWAYS vote for whatever the government desires.

They have voted against holding an enquiry into the Elvin Penner scandal and crime.

They have voted in favor of the weirdest law ever passed- the Petro Caribe Loan Act in which the government trampled upon the Constitution and Finance and Audit Act for the purpose of pilfering and abusing three hundred million dollars from Venezuela.

Why are the Churches still taking part in the Senate?

Last Friday, the House of Representative exposed the government’s grave abuse when it rubber-stamped the spending of millions of dollars stolen from the public and used exclusively by and for UDP politicians to get elected. Why are our priests and pastors represented in the Senate which is designed to rubber-stamp approval of this crime against the people and taxpayers?

Each year the UDP politicians rob the taxpayers of Belize for party political purposes. The classic example is the legalized theft of millions of dollars for “Christmas Cheer”. This money is divided up among all 31 UDP politicians to buy votes in their constituencies. It matters not that many of them are not elected in the constituencies.

They are still given the money for bribing voters.

Why are our Churches a party to these things? It matters not if they vote yeah or

nay, they are a part of this wicked system.

The Senate should be removed from the Sanhedrin.

Ye cannot serve God and serve the Senate.

ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY Tuesday 8th December was International Anti-Corruption Day, sponsored by the United Nations. The U.N. says corruption is “a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries that undermines democratic institutions, shows economic development and contributes to governmental instability”.

Belize is one of the countries affected by corruption.

The UDP government is soaked in corruption. In all its forms.

What a much better country we would have if we had a government which would not tolerate even a whiff of corruption.

A government where there is an active and effective Public Accounts Committee and an Integrity Commission with a staff which investigates all those bulging bank accounts of Ministers and crooked public officials. A government in which no family members of Ministers can get bloated contracts and special treatment.

But also! It ain’t going to happen.

The government is now saying that when they won (stole) the elections the people support what they are doing. Wow! NANES-NOW HALL Ministry of Health again. Pablo Marin again.

Who appointed the “Medical and Dental Health Board which is to diligently oversee the licensing of doctors and dentists?

Political appointment again.

Now, a certain Robert Bob Hall, whose real name is John Hall was duly licensed to mess around people’s mouths and teeth.

He was opening his own dental clinic, a convicted criminal.

How could a person who is convicted in the USA and all the information is on the internet, get a license to practice in Belize?

In the case of the now infamous David Nanes, he was able to get citizenship papers. His Belizean nationality was signed during the time the Prime Minister appointed two (not one) Ministers at Immigration with equal authority to sign citizenship papers.

Which one of those two signed Nanes’ documents?

MAYBE 500 Belize has been asked by Costa Rica to help with a humanitarian crisis. There are over four thousand Cuban refugees in Costa Rica.

Belize can take five hundred of these brothers and sisters easily. We can ask for farmers, fishermen, persons with skills and with families. Cubans are hardworking and industrious. The refugees in Costa Rica are human beings who are suffering.

Belize can help. Poor as we are, we can take in many of those Cubans. They will work and soon become productive and be a part of our country.

Where is our humanity? Where is our Christianity?

THRONE SPEECH Lost on most Belizeans was the “Throne Speech” delivered by the Gover-

13 DEC

2015

nor General at the first sitting of the National Assembly.

In Britain, the opening of the new Parliament is done with the Queen attending and reading a speech prepared by the elected government. The Queen uses words like “my government” and “my Prime Minister” and “my Ministers”.

At the ceremonial opening of the UDP third term, which is already indicating it will be the disaster term, the Governor General was using words such as “my government”.

The Governor General is not the Queen. Belize’s government is not his government. He should be saying “Her Majesty’s government” and “Her Majesty’s Prime Minister”.

Thirty four years after independence we are enduring this stupidity of Colonialism. Imagine, Belizeans bowing down to a foreign Queen, whose British government is hell bent on appeasing Guatemala by pressuring Belize to give up territory.

Thank goodness for George Price and the PUP, they ain’t no colonial flunkies.

When Said Musa was Prime Minister, he changed the Constitution so that Ministers and public officials do not swear allegiance to the Queen and the British. We swear allegiance to the people of Belize.

Francis Fonseca was Chief of Staff to the Cabinet and Prime Minister and was a strong proponent of making this change.

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY Thursday 10 December was International Human Rights Day. We have to say, right off the bat, God be praised that we are in pretty good shape compared to many nations in the world.

There is no genocide going on in Belize. No war, no disappearance of citizens.

The BDF and Police are not widespread abusers of the human rights of our citizens. The Courts in Belize can still order the release of persons wrongfully imprisoned.

But there are growing problems with government becoming abusive towards its opponents (witness GSU treatment of peaceful protest recently) and the ongoing arbitrary cancellation of land leases.

The Police, more on their own than any policy or law, are the number one violators of the human rights of Belizeans.

Unlawful detentions at police stations, false arrests, illegal entry on private property, confiscation of cell phones and holding of vehicles, illegal listening on phone conversations are some of Belize’s problems.

The government treatment of mentally challenged persons is atrocious. British lawyers did a review of the prisons last year and their findings are an indictment on our justice system, the Minister of Prisons and his government.

Belize has no mental hospital.

The treatment of the Maya people in Punta Gorda is another disgrace on the government.

The Courts are beginning to give the impression they are not championing the rights of citizens. Persons who sue government for serious violations, including rogue officers shooting citizens, get small awards. Some magistrates send citizens to prison for bailable charges and they speak and act disrespectful to citizens.

The gun laws and marijuana laws highlight the insensitive nature of the government.

Belize has a human rights organization but they need to be much more active.

13 DEC

2015 VACANCY

A vacancy exists for a WORKER at Belize Indian Restaurant located at 87 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize. Call 652-9504 for more information. Serious inquiries only.

VACANCY A vacancy exists for GYRO & DONER MASTER CHEF. Must have minimum 5 years experience and food handler’s permit. Contact 628-7766. Serious inquiries only.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that RAUL MAGAÑA is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Riverside Patio”, situated at Commercial Center, Regent Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that WEIBO LIANG is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Long Lucky Shop”, situated at #85 West Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that YVETTE McFADZEAN is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Disco Paradise”, situated at Double Head Cabbage, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that GILBERT FLOWERS is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Moon Light Cool Spot”, situated at Double Head Cabbage, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CHAO GUI CAO is applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “Everyday Supermarket”, situated at 15 ¾ Miles Hattieville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ANNA MCKAY is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Anna’s Lunch Box”, situated at 111 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAJAUL ISLAM and SHEIKH MASUD are applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “East Canal Grocery and Laundry”, situated at 176 East Collet Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Barrow leaves on 6-day vacation

Belize’s Rising Debt

Belize City, December 10, 2015 Prime Minister Dean Barrow once again departed the country today to attend a medical appointment and to go on personal leave with his family, according to a release from the Belize Press Office.

The release did not say where the Prime Minister went, but our best guess is that is one of his favourite vacation spots, Miami or Savannah, Georgia.

No Prime Minister has taken as many vacations as Prime Minister Barrow has.

No Prime Minister has been to Miami and other glitz and glamour destinations on personal vacation as Prime Minister Barrow.

No Prime Minister has ever dared to leave the country behind in times of hardship and economic crises as we are currently facing. Only Barrow.

According to the Government’s release, while Prime Minister Barrow is away, the country will fall under the grips of Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega for four days, and then Minister of National Security John Saldivar will become Acting Prime Minister for two days.

November 26, 2015 Standard & Poor’s, an international credit rating agency, has raised red flags over Belize’s rising debt.

S&P forecasted in a November 25th report that the Government’s debt will rise sharply in the upcoming months. It cites that debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio will increase to 75% in 2015, from 66% in 2014.

The report also notes that Belize’s fiscal obligations has risen steeply due to increased spending for electioneering done by the Barrow Administration in the months leading to the November 4th snap general elections, a 13% public sector wage hike and hundreds of millions of dollars as compensation payments to the former owners of Belize Telemedia Limited and Belize Electricity Limited.

In the case of BTL, a pre-payment of $162 million was negotiated between Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Lord Michael Ashcroft. The final payment will come following arbitration proceedings and it is expected to be between $300 and $600 million more.

S&P noted that the increased debt and weaker fiscal position has increased the economy’s vulnerabilities against growth prospects, and lead to a decline in the international reserves to less than $400 million.

S&P will continue to monitor Belize’s economic status and will be updating their forecasts over the next few months.

The report caught the attention of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who issued a press release to record the concerns of its private sector members.

Pervert dentist given license in Belize Dr. John Hall was convicted of injected semen into patients’ mouths in the U.S. Continued from page 4 the Dentist Act on June 23rd 2015, exactly fifteen years after he was criminally convicted in the United States.

Just two weeks ago, on November 18, Dr. Hall was granted a San Pedro Town Council’s Trade Licensing Board Business Certificate for his newest business “Belize Health Connection Limited”. A few days later, an Oceanside Dental Clinic business sign was erected outside one of the lofty apartments at the Four Sisters Plaza on Pescador Drive owned by former UDP Mayor Elsa Paz and her family, ready for business. He shared apartment space with the UDP headquarters and the Elections and Boundaries office.

The San Pedro Police Department has launched an investigation into the issues behind Dr. Hall’s issuance of a Social Security Card and Work Permit under the fake name, John Roberts Hall, while his temporary registration was granted under the name Robert Bob Hall.

HIGH LEVEL COVER UP This latest scandal is not just about the serial incompetence of Government authorities who failed to conduct due diligence. It is also about the authorities’ attempt to cover up the wrongdoing.

According to the Editor of San Pedro Sun newspaper, Tamara Sniffin, on November 30th they had alerted the Director of Licensing and Accreditation, Englebert Emmanuel, of the reports.

Emmanuel confirmed that “Dr. Hall” had indeed received a license from the Belize Medical Council, and promised

The apartment which houses the Dental Clinic also houses the UDP Headquarters

to investigate the controversial allegations.

The Sun contacted Emmanuel once more on Friday, December 4th, and he told them that investigations were still ongoing and that, so far, they had found nothing wrong with Dr. Hall. The dentist had apparently supplied what appeared to be authentic documents and glowing recommendations for his license.

Emmanuel promised that they were conducting a thorough investigation. He also committed to directly contacting the USA Dental Board to cross-check if the dentist in question was the same dentist who had been stripped

of his license in their jurisdiction.

Emmanuel, it has been reported by the Sun, urged them not to go public with the issue until they completed their investigation, warning that it could be potentially damaging to the integrity of reputation of the dentist, the Ministry of Health and Belize Dental Council. All indications are that the Sun demonstrated good faith in the interest of the official investigation and did not go public with the issue.

On Monday, however, upon learning that the dental clinic was preparing to open despite her reports to authorities, the Sun’s Editor Tamara Sniffin, went to the Police Station to file a report. The senior officer at the station, Assistant Superintended, Henry Jemmott, reported that he was totally unaware of the situation.

ASP Jemmott mobilised his officers who detained Dr. Hall for questioning, discovering that he had provided falsified information to obtain his license. The Police have launched a full investigation since.

Important questions must now be answered by Emmanuel of the Ministry of Health, and Gough of the Belize Medical Council.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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2015