Belize Times December 23, 2012 by Belize Times Press

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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SUNDAY December 23, 2012

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Issue No. 4827

Ugly Incident

MCC in a Mess!

at La Isla Bonita Residents claim brutality Belize City, December 19, 2012 San Pedro Police are back in the news and once more it isn’t for anything pretty. Three police officials are accused of viciously assaulting three residents of the island. The three officers, PC Mark Young, WPC Sherifa Young and a third person only identified as “Mr. Belisle”, are under investigation following a report of brutality. Despite the investigation, the officers continue on active duty. The alleged victims of the brutality, Ricky Jurado, Viannie Perez

and her partner, Elder Mauricio have been charged by Police. Reports are that early Monday morning, between 12:30am and 1:30am December 17th, Jurado and his fiancé Janina Graniel were socialising inside Tackle Box, a local club. While inside, Jurado noticed when a certain male individual went to his girlfriend and placed his hands on her waist, in an attempt to get her to dance with him. Jurado said he went to the male person and told

YaYa Marin-Coleman protests misuse of MCC Grounds

Pg. 31 Viannie Perez claims Police abuse

Pg. 4 photo by Ambergris Today

Minister’s brother totals GOB vehicle

Paul Faber Jr.

Pg. 3

Faber blasts Barrow’s record Pg. 3 CitCo Pawned BTL Park!!

Pg. 4

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Murders in 2012

UDP abuses public funds AGAIN TOP MODEL inside

Allan Gladden would have turned 17 yrs old on Christmas day

Belize City, December 18, 2012 Even with Christmas Day just a few days away, the streets of Belize are not safer. In fact, the deadliness of Belize City leaked unto the quiet community in Lord’s Bank this past weekend with two murders. Victims #139 and #140 of our

Pg. 31

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

PUP Marshals on the move! Belize City, December 17, 2012 The People’s United Party Marshal’s Service Corps has had a challenging year, with the loss of lives of several of its members this year. Despite the struggles, Marshal’s President Steve Latchman has worked tirelessly to keep the party unit together and active. One of those events, to conclude the year, was a Joint Meeting/ Social Activity held on Sunday, December 9th, 2012. The event held at the Log Cabins, which is located at Mile 68 George Price Highway in San Ignacio, was an

exchange gathering for members of the Eastern Caucus and Western Caucus, with the support of various PUP leaders. Over fifty members attended, taking part in a day of positive social activities. Marshal’s President Steve Latchman told the BELIZE TIMES that similar activities will be planned along with PUP Leaders for the northern and southern caucuses in early 2013. Latchman said that on behalf of his executive, he wished all members of the Marshall’s Corps a Healthy and Merry Christmas.

Hon. Joseph Mahmud and members of PUP Marshals during social gathering in Cayo

PUP Belmopan Holds Christmas Concert City of Belmopan, December 13, 2012 Residents of Belmopan, particularly children, had the joyous opportunity to enjoy a Christmas Concert organized by the PUP Belmopan Executive Committee. The concert was held on Sunday December 9th 2013 at the Civic Center. TalentMembers of the PUP Belmopan Executive ed individuals sang and danced to a wonderful audience. of them took the opporpan. During the event the children partictunity to encourage the The Christmas Conipated in a number of games and were PUP Executive-Commitcert was a tremendous visited by Santa Clause. They each retee to continue the work success. That was only ceived soft-drinks and a party bag. Also of enhancing the image possible due to the genin attendance were parents, and many of the Party in Belmoerous contribution of

Children enjoying the Christmas concert residents of the Division, members of the business community and services rendered by Party supporters. Deep gratitude is expressed to all those who

Corozal Bay Executive - Hard At Work By Roberto Pasos, Chairman, PUP Corozal Bay Executive One of the duties of a Constituency Executive Committee as stated in Article 6 Section 9 part (e) of the Constitution and Regulations of the People’s United Party is “to hold functions whether of a social or cultural nature with the dual purpose of serving the people and of raising funds to carry out the PUP’s work”. An example of such duties occurred on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the PUP Office on College Road, Corozal

LOCAL 21 Dec

Town by means of a Bar-B-Q fundraiser. Members of the Executive Committee supported by friends and supporters gathered at the PUP grounds to get the job done. The event was very successful. Funds generated will be used to help finance the highly anticipated Children’s Christmas Party in Corozal Bay that will take place on Sunday, December 23rd at the PUP Office. The sole purpose of this event is to “Serve the People” and in extension create a moment of happiness

to the less fortunate. Corozaleños are invited to join hands with the Executive Committee in order to offer a moment of joy, happiness and laughter to the children of Corozal Town. The committee takes this opportunity to thank all those that continue to support the Party in one way or the other in Corozal Bay and extend and open invitation to anyone who has the interest to join the struggle against the present oppressive government.

23 Dec

THE BELIZE TIMES serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continous newspaper. Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus

EDITOR

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd.

weather 22 Dec

helped to make the Christmas Concert a success. The PUP Belmopan Executive-Committee plans to make the Christmas Concert an annual event.

24 Dec

25 Dec

Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Faber blasts Barrow’s record Belize City, December 17, 2012 It comes as no surprise that convention delegates of Queen Square division, the Prime Minister’s constituency, boycotted Patrick Faber’s Deputy Leader campaign event held on Friday, December 14th. Three days earlier, on Tuesday December 11th, Faber was the guest on a live-aired morning show, on UDP Leader Dean Barrow’s privately-owned radio, when he launched an attack on the UDP leadership. Barrow would say only a fool or knave would attempt such a thing.

Minister’s brother totals GOB vehicle Belize City, December 23, 2012 Paul Faber Sr., who is the younger brother of Minister of Education Patrick Faber, refused to give a urine sample to Police authorities following a traffic accident which resulted in the destruction of a brand new Government-owned Isuzu D-Max pickup. The accident occurred around 4am on Saturday December 15th 2012. The use of Government vehicles is prohibited during weekends, as they are a way of wasting tax payer’s money. According to reports the vehicle, which was driven by Faber at the time, slammed into a bridge and then flipped over several times before landing on the road side, at the corner of Faber’s Road and the George Price Highway. Residents say the vehicle had been speeding. Following the accident, Faber and the injured occupants left the scene, taking the license plate marked BMP0043 with them and leaving behind the totalled pickup truck. Inside the vehicle, witnesses say they saw at least seven beer bottles and cans, a Government log book, fuel invoices and other documents. Four days later, the Police announced Faber’s arrest. He was charged for driving a motor vehicle without holding a Driver’s License, Failure to provide urine specimen and driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention. The vehicle is assigned to the Ministry of Trade and Investment. It is not known how Faber had use of the vehicle on a Saturday, and more disturbingly, at 4am. Explanation must also be given who authorised his use of a Government vehicle, if according to the Police, he is not in possession of a valid driver’s license. It is Government policy that only holders of a special license, which is provided by Government Vehicle Unit, are authorised to operate Government vehicles. The BELIZE TIMES understands Faber was the assigned driver to the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources before he was transferred to the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

Well it must have been Faber the fool, and in full form. According to Faber, the United Democratic Party’s record on advancing the women’s agenda and youth inclusion has been a miserable failure, and he laid the blame squarely on the UDP leadership. Barrow has been wearing the crown since 1998, following Manuel Esquivel’s resignation. Faber spoke condemningly of the UDP’s track record, claiming the ruling Party seemed to have a problem with stick-to-itiveness. “We have passed many resolutions, on women, on youth, but we never keep them,” vented Faber.

He then wondered aloud what the root of the problem was, saying “we haven’t been keeping our commitments, and you know where the problem is, it is with the leadership and that’s all I will say for now”. Faber claimed that he could do better if elected as the UDP’s Deputy Leader in the upcoming National Convention, instead of re-electing current Deputy Gaspar Vega. But Faber coincidentally forgot to mention that he has held a key position in the UDP since 2010, making him as guilty of failure as any other leader in the UDP. Faber seemed to have forgotten he is the standing Chairman of the UDP. The BELIZE TIMES understands from UDP insiders that key UDP members are angry at Faber’s statements.

3 The Prime Minister and UDP Leader was not too impressed. Queen Square delegates viewed it as an attack on their area representative and have pledged to exact revenge on Faber when the right time comes. Boycotting his political dinner targeting Belize District delegates was just the start. A UDP insider told the BELIZE TIMES that even though eleven of thirteen constituencies attended (Port Loyola also snubbed Faber), many are only pretending to support him but are really listening to the Prime Minister’s advice in February 2013 Faber will be taught a cold lesson.

Ugly Incident... Continued from page 1 him to show respect for his girlfriend. Jurado said that upon exiting the club, he was confronted by the same male individual who was accompanied by others. A physical confrontation erupted, followed by the male person drawing out a gun and pointing it at Jurado’s face. What reportedly happened next is nothing less than terrifying. “So when we come out of Tackle Box they were like waiting for us right in the middle of the bridge and they started the altercation. That was when Mr. Young—both of them were under the influence of alcohol—just took out his gun, grab my neck and put his gun in my mouth. He threatened that he would kill me if I even move and I guess the other officer; the female officer was involved. She was shouting shoot that Spanish,” Jurado told Channel 5 News on Tuesday night. Jurado claims he was forced to the ground at gunpoint and then beaten. “My fiancé was the one that asked officer why are you doing this and that’s when the female officer assaulted her and started beating. It was two of them with my girl there and that’s when I tried to move away from the officer. But he choked me and I almost passed out. When he saw I was falling, that’s when he moved his hand from me and still put his gun at my head and walked me down the bridge,” he added. Two of Jurado’s friends, Perez and Mauricio, were walking along the street when they stumbled upon the alleged brutality. When they approached the men to ask what was going on they were reportedly assaulted as well. Perez said they were attacked when they noticed that she had a camera. “When he tried to give me the camera the police took it and one of the women—she said she is police but as I said they were not wearing uniform—so she hit me in the head with some kind of stick. And then from there as a defensive reaction I went on top of her and we struggled, fell to the ground and from there I just started feeling the hits in my head,” she said. According to a report in the Ambergris Today newspaper Perez received multiple cut wounds to the head and bruises on her body. The Police have launched an internal investigation, but the officers being investigated have remained in active duty. Perez said that when she went to make a report, she had to go to the hospital, but when she returned, she was charged for Obstruction and Wounding of WPC Young. Jurado and Mauricio were also charged with Assaulting a Police Officer and Obstruction. This case of alleged brutality has strained the already-tense relationship between the Police Department and residents in San Pedro even more. Confidence in the Police’s ability to carry out their work properly is fast-fading.

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

CitCo Pawned BTL Park!! Belize City, December 18, 2012 A recent audit carried out on the Belize City Council doing the worst financial period ever has revealed that the UDP Council under former Mayor Zenaida Moya and six current-Councillors was so strapped for cash that it even pawned out BTL Park, located on Princess Margaret Drive. According to the audit, carried out by Castillo Sanchez & Burrell, the BTL Park was used to secure a $3,695,444 loan taken out at the Heritage Bank Limited. This revelation is shocking. Until now, no member of the public was ever aware that the extent of the financial shenanigans of the Council was that it had used BTL Park, a public

recreational facility, as collateral for a loan. This was kept secret from the public, both by the past Mayor and Councillors. Even Central Government was aware, but they chose to protect the Council’s already battered image, rather than be transparent to the public. Apparently the Council’s financial worthiness was at junk status, and in addition to pawning out the city’s park, the Government had to gamble taxpayers’ money by providing a guarantee of $3,900,000, to obtain the funds from the bank. Of the Councillors who served under Moya, six were re-elected in the March 2012 municipal election: Dion Leslie, Roger Espejo, Phillip Willoughby, Dean Samuels, Eric Chang and Kevin Singh. These Councillors, who served during the council’s most disgraceful record, were likely aware

of the pawning of BTL Park, yet they hid the truth from city residents. Residents must demand answers from the Council. What was the reason for the loan? What was the money used for? Why wasn’t it made public? Under the loan agreement, CitCo has had to pay 15% interest rate and monthly payments of $71,066. The UDP Council also pawned out the Commercial Center, which had a mortgage value of $3,750,000 for a $1,000,000 loan and a $2,000,000 overdraft facility at Scotia Bank Limited. All these loans have never been fully explained to the Belizean people. But they have translated to more hardships for city residents, since meeting the financial obligations has meant squeezing taxes out of businesses and hardworking Belizeans.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

he maxim: “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” will not form part of the caroling on Albert Street this year. However, wise men will be humming the tune in satirical resolve. The irony of this morbid adage is that it is a conflation of two biblical sayings: “Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry” in Ecclesiastes 15 and “Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die” in Isaiah 13. Over the years there have been a number of jocular variants but surely there is no better summary of the rollercoaster which has become the commercialized Christmas in Belize. This is the thirty fourth yuletide celebration in Belize’s history. The spirit of excess is suppressed but stubbornly alive. That Belizean spirit is timidly peeking out from every home within this eight thousand eight hundred and eight seven square miles between the Sarstoon and Rio Hondo. Very few wish to be bothered by the deteriorating reality that was once British Honduras. We, as Belizeans, are for the most part conservative optimists. Slow to anger, trusting and, some would dare say, uncomplicated. At this time of year dowse us with spirits, ham, family and a healthy slice of black cake and you are forgiven - at least until “los Navidades” have morphed into the larvae of “maga-season”. Belizeans are single minded in our joys and prone to be pathologically sentimental. Our dimming sense of community still flickers in this part of December with a noticeably relaxed sense of self during these few days. The issues which depressed and stressed us for the previous fifty one weeks are all set aside for that one twenty four hours when we look at our children gleefully tearing apart gift wrapping. In those fleeting moments, we are lulled off into the bliss of our childhood Christmases. Christmas has always been a time of selective memory. It is a time when we let bygones be bygones and start afresh. This season of jingle bells, north poles and snowmen is a period of advent which matures into

the promises of the New Year. But no matter how active our selective memory is, reality “ain’t” going away. The previous fifty one weeks of 2012 under the UDP were not kind to Belizeans. The daunting national issues which will take a siesta for Christmas Day intend to ferociously attack us at the strike of twelve in the year 2013. The bad news is that the UDP, stuffed like a gluttonous imposters of Khris Kringle, will still be in office. Their admitted incompetence and failure are only due to become rancid in the New Year. The first gift that they have left under the national Christmas tree to be opened next year is the unresolved issue of health care for unborn and maimed mothers in our hospitals. But the wrapping around the UDP’s gift box labeled “crime” is huge. They managed to stuff one hundred and forty-four bodies into that present, generous were they to increase the number of murdered Belizeans from one hundred and twenty five last year. They used millions of tax payers’ dollars to wrap it with low quality ribbon they called “the Rejuvenation project, Poverty alleviation, CYDP and the Gang Truce”. It is made by the same draconian company who manufactures preventative detention, police corruption, government ordered executions, crime ridden areas, inferior 3% grade DPPs and the GSU. A little Merry Christmas statistics that caught us was the reminder that the UDP spent seven times more money on failed gang programs than they did on the Judiciary. Our research shows that the UDP Government is reported August 24, 2012 to have spent “over seven million dollars per annum on these programs.” Yet the entire budget for the Judiciary under Code No. 12 of the Estimates for Revenue and Expenditure for the Fiscal Year 2012/13 as presented in the House of Representatives was a miserly one point three million; including only $1,110 being allotted for training of the Judges while not paying a single cent in overtime for that same year. The numbers for the Police are even more depressing. Crime is a gift of the UDP that will keep on giving until they are out office.

There is another well wrapped box which contains a toy which the UDP likes to play with it. It is the Judiciary which is in disrepair. The most recent example is of the Government provoking the Caribbean Court of Justice and treating them like the international creditors and bondholders. In this last exchange, the CCJ was intolerant of the contempt of the UDP Government and ordered that the money be put into a bank account forthwith. In every other level of the Belizean Court system the Government has tried to manipulate, corrupt or threaten our justice system. But in all their doings, the government has learnt the art of “re-gifting”. Re-gifting is an unflattering term of art which describes the action of a person who receives a gift for themselves re-wraps its and gives it to a third person. The UDP have practiced this to perfection with tax payer’s dollars. The major spin is that they take tax payers’ dollars, in the form of BTL, BEL and general taxes. Then they take large portions out for their personal usage in the form of legal fees to family members, crashed vehicles and unaccountable campaign funding. Then they turn to the populace and say: “You should feel good. We have done you a favor. When we, the UDP eat, you, the People, just shut up swallow and be happy that we are now your Masters.” 2013 will be a full year. We have the Bond payments in February for which Barrow, Mark Espat and other the UDPs have antagonized the international lending community and bondholders. The previous structure of the superbond was founded on a level of political competence and a successful policy that was growing our economy. While we listen to Gene Autry belching out, Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer, Belize should ask the UDP Government what is their economic plan for 2013? They simply do not have one. The debacle of the UDP’s failure is that a manageable bond payment structure is turning into a crashing catastrophe. The UDP have certainly made things worse and the Pandora’s box that they have opened, and now try to wrap as a gift for Belizeans this

Christmas, will never close. We have been given a heads up at BELIZE TIMES that in fact the Government has a very attractive increase coming up next year as well. The information is that UDP are actively considering an increase in taxes to a whopping 15%. This gift is an increase no one wants. The business community will be under significant strain as businesses throughout the country are already spinning from the failed economic policy which the UDP are hell bent on continuing. To the business community the months ahead will be very choppy. We at the BELIZE TIMES hear repeated complaints from shop owners and businesses who watch helplessly as this year sales are down and window shopping is up. There will be no relief or plan from the Government to help the business community who provide jobs which grease the wheels of our economy. The government’s failure in the economy is a gift we cannot return. The next present that the UDP have hidden in the back of the tree, hoping we will not see while we drink rumpopo is the fact of the referendum to go to the International Court of Justice in respect to Guatemala’s unfounded claim to Belize is upon us. The truth is that come this time next year Belizeans would have already voted in the referendum. The date for that referendum is scheduled for October 6, 2013. Ready or not. There is a bright side and a silver lining to all this. The fact is that Francis Fonseca and the People’s United Party are a beacon of hope. Belizeans can eat drink and be merry this December 25, because the days and artificial Christmases of the UDP are nearing an end. There are only three more Christmases left for the UDP then we, Belizeans, start to try to enjoy Christmas again. We at the BELIZE TIMES wish to paraphrase the Bishop in saying that we wish you fullness of joy, peace, health and prosperity for the New Year and the Holy Nativity. May our Lord, Savior, and Miracle Worker bless you and your family. Pray to Him that the destruction will end, so His boundless love will be injected in the veins of all Belizeans, and save us from all evil.

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Peace On Earth

By Bishop Dorick Wright, D.D. The Christmas Season is rapidly approaching. We hear the very familiar carols and we see our people hustling and bustling on the streets as they go shopping for the things they think they will need. In the midst of all this we hear the story of the birth of Christ. How Jesus was born and because Mary and Joseph had no place to put him he was placed in a manger. The evangelist tells us that the angels were heard singing, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of goodwill.” Peace is perhaps one of the most used words in our vocabulary. Because of the present situation in our

country, with all the violence and killing, we all want peace. Belize is no longer the peaceful country we once knew. No longer can we talk over our differences and be willing to forgive each other. I sometimes find it hard to understand how long some people can hold on to enmity. Not only do they hold on to enmity for a long time, but they never forget and when the opportunity presents itself to break even they are anxious to do the same. Many of our problems stem from this attitude. Jesus, whose birthday we are celebrating, taught us to forgive. He told Peter to forgive seventy times seven times. In the prayer he taught us we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. John the Baptist announced the coming of Christ and he said that we should prepare for his coming. We prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of Christ by forgiving those who have offended us. We can rid ourselves of all those sins we have not been able to let loose of. Let us start the year right and enjoy the Christmas by bringing peace among us. May your Christmas and New Year be filled with peace.

ader f our Party Le On behalf o the Fonseca and s ci n ra F . n o H mnited Party fa U ’s le p o Pe . entire ll Belizeans a ily we wish a

Blessed andas m Merry Christ and a ar e Y w e N y p p Ha you, your May God bless

elize!

families and B

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Christmas Message by

Anglican Bishop Phillip Wright

John, author of the Book of Revelation, says in chapter 1, verse 4 and following: “Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory

and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” The creator of the universe is also the king of the universe. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. His dominion stresses as far as the East is from the West, and into the deepest universe. He has authority over the entire created order. So for Jesus, who spoke much about the kingdom; who demonstrated, through word and deed, an authority consistent with the values of the kingdom: then it is only reasonable to conclude that he himself is the king. The Season of Advent, each year, reminds us of the need to prepare to receive Christ into our hearts – anew and refresh. Yet, we also know that we are no longer expecting a baby in a manger, but a king to return who will rule in our hearts and in the universe. The popular image of a baby, presented to us at Christmastime, can be misleading if we are not able to see the more important image of the man Jesus who grew up; who taught us how to live with each other; and who gave us the assurance that

by following him we will enter into the everlasting kingdom of his Father in heaven. It is on this Jesus that we must now focus our attention – especially this Christmas Season. Indeed, my sisters and brothers, the sweet little baby in the manger is now our king who tells us how to live: who shows us how to live. And his words to us must not be taken as mere suggestions - a list from which to make choices at our convenience. Rather they must be taken as commands that demand our compliance. They are commands that are true and trustworthy, deserving of our fullest allegiance. The vision of Daniel found in chapter 7, verse 9, of the book says: As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. And then Daniel has a further interesting vision. He goes on to say: 13 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14 To him was given dominion

7 and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed. The Church, of course, sees this latter part of the vision as a reference to Jesus himself. The kingdom given to our Lord is an everlasting kingdom, and so is his authority over our lives. Our celebration of Christmas is most importantly the celebration of the birth of the king of the universe. May we then seek to live our lives in accordance with the values and principles of his kingdom. Let us have the confidence that, even in the midst of all that seems contrary to these principles in the world today, we as Christians must press forward with what we know God demands of us. If the Church is to be the hope of the world, the hope for society, it will take Christians living the gospel as a witness to Immanuel – God is with us. Jesus has left us an example; we have no excuses. And may we indeed trust him as our king for he loves us with a love that defies all human comprehension.

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Honourable

Francis Fonseca

Freetown Christmas Party 2012

PUP Leader Hon. Francis & constituents during Freetown Christmas Party

Hon. Francis with young Belizean

Hon. Francis shares useful gifts with residents

Hundreds of residents shared the joy of the season at the PUP Leader & Freetown Area Representative Hon. Francis Fonsecaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Party

THE BELIZE TIMES

Christmas Message fromThe

Rev. Roosvelt Papouloute

District President – Belize/Honduras District of the Methodist Church

Isaiah 7: 14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 - Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. I invite you to read Isaiah chapter 7 in order that you may have a broader sense of the context of the sign prom-

ised by God in this prophecy. At the time referred to, the kingdom of Judah, under the government of Ahaz, was reduced very low. People were being killed in Judea, and carried away captives, including women and children, together with much spoil. A fortified city of Judah and his inhabitants were carried away captive to Damascus. In this critical conjuncture, need we wonder that Ahaz was afraid that the enemies who were now united against him must prevail, destroy Jerusalem, and the kingdom of Judah, and annihilate the family of David. For Ahaz and the people of Judah It was a moment of sorrow and pain, of great fear and anxiety. To meet and remove this great fear, apparently well grounded, Isaiah is sent from the Lord to Ahaz in order to assure him that his enemies should not stand. To encourage Ahaz, he commands him to ask a sign or miracle, which should be a pledge in hand, that God should, in due time, fulfil the predictions of his servant. On Ahaz refusing to ask

any sign, Isaiah 7:14 tell us; therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. The other place in the bible where this prophecy is also recorded is Matthew 1:23 “Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us”. In both contexts these words are rightly applied to the Virgin Mary and her son Jesus, for of no other can they be referred to. And only Jesus, our Saviour represents that message of hope and assurance of this prophecy. As we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel “God is with us”, let us celebrate knowing that in Jesus, God’s hand is on us, He is looking after us, He is caring for us. We celebrate knowing that in Jesus Christ God’s very presence is with us. Jesus is the living presence of the eternal and mighty God with his people. That is what God promised to the people of Judah. That is what Jesus is for us today, the living presence of God in our lives, homes, and communities. Both contexts, to which this prophecy is related, in Isaiah and Matthew, speak of difficult times. In both instances, scripture leads us to a God whose vision is to comfort and cheer us, to bring light in our darkness, hope to a hopeless people, and salvation to all. This prophecy, but more so the birth of Jesus, reminds us that God has a plan for us. And God’s plan is to save us from our enemies, to protect us from the evil that as-

Sunday, December 23, 2012

saults us daily, to be with us in our daily challenges, and to save us from sin. During this year ending, the world including our beautiful country of Belize has known some difficult times. For some of you, the year has been a time of difficult health problems, personal and family challenges. Others have lost their loved ones. Yet as individuals and as a nation we can say that through them all God was with us. For this we cannot but make of this Christmas a time of thanksgiving for God’s most special gift and faithfulness to us, and also a time of renewed hope in the God who promises to be with us to the end. Some of the events/ incidents that took place in our land from time to time place us within the experience of Ahaz and the people of Judah, experience of fear and anxiety, of sorrow and pain. But as John Wesley exclaimed on his dying bed, let us live with that hope and confidence, with assurance and hope that the “best of all is this: God is with us”. On behalf of the people called Methodist of the Belize/Honduras District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, I wish to everyone a blessed and peaceful Nativity Season. May God continue to be with us throughout the year 2013 and always.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Domingo Perez is applying for a Malt & Cider License to be operated at “Nohoch Mak”, Fort Cairns Market Square, Orange Walk Town under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Damacio Copo is applying for a Spirituous Liquor License to be operated at “Papa Gallo”, Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Eufemio Jimenez is applying for a Beer License to be operated at “Jimenez Shop”, Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Carmelo Castillo is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Castillo’s Cool Spot”, San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Laura Thompson is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “The Wet Lizard”, #1 Fort Street, Belize City under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Alfred Thuraiaiyah MBE is applying for a Liquor License to be operated at “ALFVIMA”, #28 Queen Street, Belize City under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Laura Thompson is applying for a Restaurant & Bar Liquor License to be operated at “The Wet Lizard”, #1 Fort Street, Belize City under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Paul Kerr is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “B&S Shop”, Burrell Boom Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Elizabeth Young is applying for a Liquor License to be operated at “Fender’s Bar”, #43 Handyside Street, Belize City under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Alcires Chin is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “The Price is Right”, Guinea Grass, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Rosamond Perez is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “E & R Grocery”, Rancho Dolores, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Sonia Elizabeth Mejia Alpuche is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Copa Cabana Cool Spot”, #148 Otro Benque, Independence Plaza, Orange Walk Town under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Lovinia Coleman is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Kali Mai Restaurant”, #1929 Barton Creek Street, Belmopan City, under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Chun Mei Liu is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Brother’s Store”, #15 Golden Drive, Lord’s Bank Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Zuo Wei Wu is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Jess Supermarket”, #25 Lord’s Bank Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Luisa Ramirez is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Tita’s Mini Grocery”, Guinea Grass Street, Orange Walk Town under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Noel Codd is applying for a Bar Liquor License to be operated at “Studio 54”, Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Maria Codd is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Carmelita Supermarket”, Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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 Mortgage under a Deed of Mortgage made the 10th day of March, 2011, between SHELLMA-DEAN MOSSIAH of Lot No. 50 Westlake, Mile 8 Western Highway, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in the Deeds Book Vol. 6 of 2011 at Folios 683 – 692, 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 LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 50 situate on the southern side of the Western Highway, Mile 8, Belize District and bounded as follows:- On the North for a total distance of 29.995 metres by Lot Nos. 54 and 55; On the South for 30.995 metres by Lot No. 48; On the East for 14.997 metres by a street; and On the West for 14.997 metres by Lot No. 51, containing 464.832 square meters of land as shown on Plan No. 2042 at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 6th day of December, 212. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

This Week’s

Sunday, December 23, 2012

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BELIZETIMES SUNDAY DECEMBER 23, 2012 13

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

TOP MODEL Scenes from

CATWALK Fashion Show 2012 Kassidy Height: 5’ 3” Career Plan: Nurse Sign: Aries Favourite Food: Italian Likes: Swimming, Fishing, Modeling and Fashion Designing • Lives in Belize City • Fav. Quote: “Good things come to those who wait”

photos by Will Moreno

• • • • •

Photo by Richard Holder

Happy Holidays from Catwalk

CATWALK FASHIONS What’s Hip...What’s Hot...What’s Now! Phone: 203-2936 / 620-7481 #148 Cor. Queen & North Front Streets Belize City, Belize

14 SPORTS 14

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DEC Sunday, December2323, 2012

2012

Bandits vs. Police in Premier League finals

Ralph Flores & Byron Usher challenge Glen Martinez

Police team

Belmopan, December 15, 2012 The Isidoro Beaton Stadium will turn into a battleground on Sunday, December 23rd, as Game 1 of the Premier League of Belize football finals comes up. The contenders are the Belmopan Bandits and Police United FC. Both teams won their semi-final matches the week before. Both teams braced their defensive Game 2 of each series ended in a nil zip draw at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium over the weekend. The Police is riding the sweeter victory crest into the finals. They defeated the Belize Defense Force 2-1 in Game 1 at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday, December 9. BDF’s sweeper Vallan Symns drew blood first when he scored in the 11th minute, but the Police’s Evan Mariano equalized in the 33rd minute and Trevor Lennon delivered the game winner for the Police in the 90th minute. The Bandits took down the Placencia Assassins at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium on Saturday night, December 8. Jerome “Jaro” James scored the game’s only goal. In Game 2, BDF just could not overcome. Police only needed a draw to qualify and they got it. Game 2 between the Placencia Assassins and Belmopan Bandits ended identically. No goals. Both teams have Isidoro Beaton Stadium as their home field, so all finals games will be held there.

Unstoppable SCA!

City champs win high school basketball nationals Independence, December 15, 2012 The St. Catherine’s Academy girls repeated as the high school basketball champs when the Independence High School hosted the national secondary school tournament at their brand new auditorium over the weekend. In the finals on Saturday afternoon, SCA outlasted Delille Academy 23-21. Gilda Estrada led SCA with14 points in the game while Indie Dixon tossed in 5

MVP Girlda Estrada goes up for a basket

points. SCA led 11-3 in the 1st quarter and 13-7 at the half. Delille’s Shayana Caliz scored 7 points and Moesha Enriquez added 8 points, but SCA maintained the lead 17-11 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Delille tied the score 21-21, but their hopes of getting the lead fizzled when Gilda Estrada scored SCA’s winning basket giving them the two point lead up to the final buzzer. Continued on page 15

SCA girls won 1st place

23 DECDecember 23, 2012 Sunday,

2012

BELIZE TIMES THE BELIZETHE TIMES

15 SPORTS 15

Compre boys defeat Ecumenical in basketball nationals

Stann Creek’s Brandon Castillo with a lay up

Unstoppable SCA!

City champs win high school basketball nationals Continued from page 14 IHS principal, Omar Longsworth, presented the champs the 2nd and 3rd place winners with team trophies and individual medals. The Most Valuable Player award went to SCA’s Gilda Estrada who averaged 14 points per game. How they won? SCA vs. Belmopan Comprehensive – 31-22 Delille Academy vs. New Hope High School – 22-12 Compre girls vs. New Hope High – 16-14 (3rd place)

Delille Academy won 2nd place

Compre girls won 3rd place

Independence, December 15, 2012 The Belmopan Comprehensive School are the 2012 national male high school basketball champs, after ploughing past the Ecumenical High School boys 6249 in the finals. Compre led 13-10 in the 1st quarter. Akeem Watters topscored for Compre with 17 points, while Kevin Brown added 15 points and Nelson Middleton scored 8 points. Compre inceased their lead to 2919 at the half. Quinton Bowen led Ecumenical with 24 points, but Compre was hellbent on not giving the slightest chance to erode the lead. The game was 45-30 in the 3rd quarter. Despite Ecumenical’s Leslie Williams’ 10 points and Brandon Castillo’s 9 points, Compre kept their dominance until the final whiste. IHS principal Omar Longsworth presented the champs, 2nd and 3rd place winners with team trophies and individual medals. The Most Valuable Player was Compre’s Akeem Watters who had averaged 22 points per game. How they won? Belmopan Comprehensive vs. Sadie Vernon Technical – 45-43 Ecumenical College vs. San Pedro High – 45-33 Sadie Vernon vs. San Pedro High – 62-41 (3rd place)

Tuff e’Nuff gives up U-23 champ title to Belize Bank Bulldogs Belize City, December 15, 2012 Fans left the Bird’s isle disappointed on Saturday evening, December 15, as there was no Game 3 to the Belize District basketball Association’s under-23 basketball championship. Belize Bank Bulldogs won the championship unchallenged as Tuff e’Nuff of San Pedro were a no show for the scheduled game. The Belize Bank Bulldogs had taken game 2: 52-51 to tie the series at 1-1 after Tuff e’Nuff had won Game 1: 59-51.

Compre boys are champs

Ecumenical boys won 2nd place

Sadie Vernon won 3rd place

Hattieville Football Christmas Cup re-scheduled December 17, 2012 The 3rd Annual Christmas Cup 2012 that was scheduled for Saturday, December 15, 2012 in the village of Hattieville has been postponed due to the condition of the football field. The date is now Saturday December 22, 2012. The marathon will still accommodate two different age groups, U-13 and U-17. In the U-13 category we will accommodate six different teams and in the U-17 four category teams. Prizes will be presented to first and second place winners in each category and also to individual players. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. All teams that are still interested, kindly contact Coach Mr. Eulalio “Lalo” Coc at telephone numbers 6275790 to reserve your space. Remember, first come first served.

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Surrogate’s Court Rensselaer Citation The People of the State of New York, by the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: Alexander Levin, a beneficiary of the Edward Levin Revocable Trust, last known to reside in San Ignazio, Cayo District, Belize, Central America, and if such beneficiary be dead, then all of the distributes, executors, administrators, devisees and legatees of such deceased beneficiary and all persons who by purchase, inheritance or otherwise, have or claim to have an interest in this matter, derived through such beneficiary, executors, administrators, devisees and legatees and all other persons, if any there be, their names and domiciles and/or places of residence being unknown, and which cannot, after due diligence, be ascertained. A petition and an account have been duly filed by Rolf M. Sternberg, who is domiciled at 407 Cold Spring Road, North Bennington Vermont, 05207. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE, before the Surrogate’s Court, Rensselaer Country, at Troy, New York on January 22nd, 2013 at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, why the account of Rolf M. Sternberg, as Trustee of the Edward Levin Revocable Trust, should not be judicially settled.

NOTICE To Alexander Levin, The foregoing citation is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Robert Jacon, Acting Surrogate Judge of the Surrogate’s Court of the State of New York, County of Rensselaer, dated the 28th day of November, 2012, and filed with the petition and other papers in the office of the Clerk of said Surrogate’s Court at Troy, New York. The object of the proceeding is judicial settlement of the account of Rolf M. Sternberg, in his capacity as Trustee of the Edward Levin Revocable Trust. Dated November 28th, 2012. Edward J. Gorman, Esq. Attorney for Trustee Sternberg & Gorman, LLP P.O. Box 68 Hoosick Falls, New York 12090

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Christmas cheer in OW East Belize City, December 18, 2012 Hundreds of children gathered at Nature Park in Orange Walk Town to share the joy of the season at a Christmas Party hosted by PUP Orange Walk East Area Representative Hon. Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez on Sun-

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

OW East Area Representative Hon. Marco Tulio Mendez & OW Mayor Kevin Bernard distribute gifts

Santa spread the joy at the Christmas event

day December 16 2012. The children participated in friendly games before collecting treats, snacks and then formed a queue to collect Christmas gifts from Hon. Mendez and Santa Claus. The sharing of gifts

was also assisted by Orange Town Mayor Kevin Bernard and Deputy Mayor Josue Carballo and Councillor Ian Cal. The PUP Orange Walk East Committee wishes its supporters a Merry Christmas.

Oh Holy Spirit, you are the fountain head of all knowledge, who illuminates the pathway which enables me to reach my goal. You share your divine gift permitting me to forgive and forget past insults and injustices, and who are always at my side within reaching distance. I desire in this short supplication to thank You for all that You have done for me, and to assure You once more that I never want to be separated from You under any circumstance, no matter what the incentive. I want to be with you, I along with my loved ones cradled in your unending love. Thank you for your never failing kindness towards me and those I call my own. ( Prayer to be offered for three consecutive days; faith in the Holy Spirit will cause Him to respond to your request no matter how difficult the problem might be.) Publish prayer as soon as request has been granted. S.H.M.

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Recipe of the week Rum Popo (Belize Egg Nog)

Rum Popo is a treat most of us look forward to during the Christmas season. Are you new to making rum popo? Well, try your hand at this recipe. Ingredients: - 4 large tins Grace evaporated milk - 1 ½ cups sugar - ¼ tsp. nutmeg - 1 pt. Cuello’s spiced rum (add more or less to taste) - 12 egg yolks - 1 tbsp. vanilla - 1 tbsp. rose water

Directions: - Beat egg yolks with sugar in bowl. - Heat milk, but do not boil. - When sugar is dissolved, add half of the hot milk to the egg yolk mixture and return to remainder of hot milk. - Stir continuously over low flame for about ten minutes or until mixture slightly thickens (do not allow to boil). - Remove from flame, cool slightly, add rum, vanilla, rose water and nutmeg. Keep refrigerated. - Excerpt Belize Hospital Auxiliary Cook Book; Women lending a hand! 4th edition.

Happy Holidays!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Reid End of the world? By G. Michael Reid “In the final days of misfortune, in the final days of tying up the bundle of the thirteen (baktuns) on 4 Ahau, then the end of the world shall come and the katun of our fathers will ascend on high.” ~ The Book of Chilam Balam of Tizimin (Makemson) Well folks, this is it; the final week of the world as we know it! On Friday December 21th, all the Tuns, Katuns and Baktuns will run out of wheels, cycles and revolutions. The curtains will close, the lights shall go out and all matters material will reach their final culmination. I don’t know about you but I am starting to get downright nervous! Let me see if I can explain, in as few words as possible, a bit about this predicament presently presenting itself to us. I use this information also, as a backdrop to what I am really trying to say. One of the reasons that Belize became known as “Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret” was because of our rich Mayan legacy. The Mayas themselves might have been the best kept secret of modern times. It is fully acknowledged now that the Mayas were an extremely advanced and intelligent civilization; brilliant mathematicians, architects and astrologers. Interestingly enough, while much was made of Greeks, Romans and Egyptians of old, very little was discussed about the Mayans, until recently. In school, we learned about the Greek temples, Rome’s conquests and the pyramids of Egypt. The Mayans, like their temples only recently excavated, were pretty much buried in history. Somehow now though, the Mayan Calendar has become the most significant topic of discussion. The Mayans counted time by cycles of Baktun and Katun, in what was known as the Short Count and the Long Count Calendars respectively. Sometime around 1000 AD, when the Itzá and Mexican influences took hold of the Mayan world, the Mayan priests for some inexplicable reason, shifted from marking time by the Long Count Calendar (cycles of 13 Baktuns) to the

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Short Count of Calendar (cycles of 13 Katuns). The Mayans did not consider the number 13 as being bad luck but instead, considered it a very sacred number. Of course, it doesn’t really matter which Count we go by, both Long and Short expire this coming Friday. December 21st, which also happens to be the Winter Solstice after which the modern Christmas holiday is fashioned, will also this year mark the sacred day of Ahau, which according to the ancient Maya is the end of all time. The Mayan calendars which began in the year 3,114 BC (believed by Mayans to be when the current ‘world order’ was created) and which progressed in 144,000-day cycles (now where did I see that number before?) expires this very week. The long and short of it, according to the Mayans, is that it will literally be the end of days. Of course, we would know much more about the Mayans and their incredible history and predictions had not some over-zealous Catholic bishop by the name of Diego de Landa taken it into his own hands to destroy practically the entire written history of the Maya. On July 12, 1652, truly “a date that lives on in infamy”, said Spanish Friar conducted a “book burning” in which he reportedly destroyed some 5,000 idols, 27 hieroglyphic scrolls and countless other written recordings of the Maya world. Landa declared that the writings contained the “work of the devil” and were preventing the Mayas from accepting Christianity. I will hold my tongue on this matter but any student of history cannot help but be fully incensed at the audacity of that idiot. For the most part, not much is being made in these parts about the warnings of the Maya. There are some people however, who are taking it to the extreme and the stories run the gamut, from the ridiculous to the sublime. Known as Mayan apocalypse converts, these people have for a long time been stocking up on supplies and preparing to hunker down in bunkers in time for Friday. In America, it was recently revealed that the mother of Adam Lanza (not sure what relation to the book burning priest) who entered a primary school and murdered 29 primary school children and their teachers, was herself an apocalypse convert or survivalist as they are also known. Nancy Lanza, who the crazed lunatic also killed before driving to the school to commit his ghastly deed, had been stockpiling food, guns and ammunition for what she believed was the coming end of the world. It was apparently some of the very guns and ammo that she was stockpiling that her 20 year son used to wrought his devastation. While the American media has been doing a commendable job holding down

hysteria and panic, there is no doubt, many people who are still getting antsy. Public concern has been running so high that the U.S. space agency, NASA, had to set up a special website in an attempt to allay people’s fears. The agency says it has taken more than 5,000 questions from people, some asking if they should kill themselves, their families or their pets. One woman wrote: ‘I am so scared. My only friend is my little dog. When should I put her to sleep so she won’t suffer when the Earth is destroyed?’ Some enterprising individuals have actually formed a company and are accepting payments to care for people’s pets after the apocalypse. Of course, the panic is not limited to the states but is actually worldwide. Russia is reporting a mad rush to buy candles, canned food and other emergency supplies. In France, authorities have decided to close the entrance to a mountain where people have been flocking to by the thousands causing concerns about mass suicides. Mayan doomsday believers say the mountain will be the only place intact after December 21st. Believers say a magnetic force surrounds the ‘mystical’ mountain where the top layers of rock are supposedly older than the lower ones. True or not, the mystique has drawn tens of thousands of visitors this year alone.

The leads me to the main point of my article; Belize is seriously missing the boat on this phenomenon. Belize was practically in the middle of the whole Mayan empire and our forests are dotted with relics of the Mayan past. Why have we not capitalized? Instead the government or our tourism department planning events was getting ready to rent out Xunantunich for two weeks. Turns out those organizers were scam artists and our tourism people were left with egg on their faces. Mayan sites in neighboring Guatemala and Mexico will be booming with concerts, mass weddings and end of the world parties. Billions will be spent by tourists to be a part of the whole Mayan hoopla. Where does Belize fit in? Instead of planning and capitalizing, our tourism minister has been busy meddling in Police Affairs and transferring officers who don’t dance to his tune. Our Prime Minister has spent most of his time tending his affairs abroad while the rest of his clowns have been busy running contraband across the border. He, who fails to plan, plans to fail and Belize, we have failed miserably in our planning for this one. A wise man once stated, “If you wake up and see confetti across the street, you will know that the parade has passed you by”. Sorry folks while everyone else will be partying like there is no To-Maya on December 21st. We as usual, will be at the airport awaiting our bo

Traders and Logistics Inc. (“the Company”) Pursuant to section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and notice is hereby given that Traders & Logistics Inc. has been dissolved and has been struck off the Register as at 13th December, 2012. CITITRUST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Registered Agent

Marcasia Ltd. (“the Company”) Pursuant to section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and notice is hereby given that Marcasia Ltd. has been dissolved and has been struck off the Register as at 9th December, 2012. P.O.S. Belize Limited Registered Agent

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Home Economics

Tomato-based Industry – A Belizean Dream by Richard Harrison Tomato is a vegetable-fruit that can be grown year-round in Belize. Belize can produce a large surplus of tomato, using a fraction of the land used to produce corn, however it would have to develop green-house tomato production and/or expand irrigated systems production to make this happen. In 2007, the US imported ONE MILLION metric tons of tomato, amounting to about US$1 billion. In that year, the US consumed around US$1.3 billion of fresh tomato, and about US$1.2 billion of processing tomato. In 2007, Mexico exported around

domestic industry into great risks, having taken on significant commercial debt to invest in Belize. VERENA FOODS can sustainably compete regionally if it was allowed the domestic market space to supply around 50% of the domestic demand of tomato-based sauces. At that scale, its cost of production would allow it to compete within CARICOM, USA and Central America, with tomato ketchup, unique tropical fruit/spice flavored BBQ sauces, pizza sauces, spaghetti sauces, salsa casera and salsa dulce. HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED? Firstly, the company needs to source

ONE MILLION metric tons of tomato, earning around US$1.2 billion, supplying close to 90% of US imports. That same year, it imported around 48,000 metric tons, at a cost of around US$48 million. That same year, Trinidad & Tobago, which supplies much of the CARICOM market for tomato-based sauces, imported around 2000 tons of tomato paste. Barbados imported around US$1.3 million of tomato ketchup, mostly from Trinidad. Tomato is approximately 50% water, so that two pounds of fresh processing tomato can theoretically yield about one pound of industrial tomato solids. If Trinidad used fresh tomato to substitute all its imported tomato paste, it would need about 8 million pounds of tomato. Belize currently produces about 10% of the tomato-based sauces that it consumes, and imports the rest from CARICOM (Grace Kennedy), USA (Hunts, DelMonte, Heinz, Kraft), Guatemala (Regia, Crilla, Grace), Mexico (La Costeña, La Anita), and a few smaller quantities from other destinations. The total consumption is estimated at around BZ$1.5 million per annum. In short, tomato can be big business for Belize, both domestically and regionally. VERENA FOODS is currently the only MANUFACTURER of tomato-based sauces in Belize, and started operations in 2002. The company grew rapidly when it had a development concession, and when the import-duty on finished imported competing products was at 20%. In 2010, the Government of Belize used its discretion not to renew the development concession and lowered the import duty on competing imported products to ZERO. This forced VERENA FOODS to raise its costs and lower its prices, thus destroying the value that was being created....putting this nascent

its raw materials duty free, as does the companies in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Guatemala, with whom it must be able to compete. It currently pays around 34% on its packaging materials in duty and taxes, yet its competitors pay ZERO. This could be achieved by amending the Customs Tariff Law so that imported input material is zero rated of import duty. It would achieve the same thing as having a development concession, except that it would not be politically driven and discretionary, and it would not make our industry appear to be heavily subsidized with concessions. This would make the investment climate much more attractive, with competitors on a level playing field. Secondly, the company needs some breathing space in its domestic market. This can be achieved by temporarily increasing the import duty on finished competing products to the CSME-allowed bound rate of 60%, gradually reducing it over five years back down to 20%. This will allow the company to rapidly take up the 50% of domestic market demand that it requires to scale up its production and lower its unit-cost-of-production to levels that will allow it to compete sustainably in the export markets. This small, nascent industry does not have the resources to invest at levels to compete in export markets from the get go. It has to build its war chest from profit flows over time. Thirdly, the company needs to upgrade its plant, automation technologies, quality certification, development of distribution channels and brand development. It can only do this from profit flows earned from expanding its domestic market base. Profit flows will be optimal, and sufficient to achieve these goals in record time, should the previous two recommendations be adopted. It will take more than a lifetime to achieve these goals, if the government of Belize continues on

its destructive path of recklessly opening the Belize market to imports….without consideration for nascent domestic industries…refusing to defend the countries interest within the treaties that we have signed…demanding no reasonable degree of reciprocity from its trading partners. VERENA FOODS currently import industrial tomato paste to process its sauces. However, it has the know-how to substitute at least 50% of its tomato solids, using locally grown tomato. At 50% of market share, substituting 50% of tomato solids with fresh tomato, its demand for locally produced tomato could reach 1.5 million pounds per year. This quantity could explode once the company is successful at exporting. With a demand for so much tomato, investments in green-house and fully irrigated tomato production would become very viable, so that Belize could produce surplus tomato year-round. This could transform the entire landscape of vegetable production in Belize, because green-house technology can increase

23 significantly the efficiency, quality and competitiveness of strategic vegetable production in general. Belize could go on to export surpluses into the winter vegetable markets in the USA. However, the processing of Belize tomato into sauces would be the anchor of the industry, providing a limit against losses, by processing the vegetables before they are lost to wear and tear and spoilage in the market. This is the concept of a wholly integrated product-market chain. Belize is a country where tomato prices currently float between US$0.10 to US$2.50 per pound, where tomato quality and availability is very inconsistent. A wholly integrated tomato industry of the kind described here, would allow for a stable year-round price, much higher and consistent quality, generating surplus for exports, with enough to supply at least 50% of domestic processing needs, creating at least 500 direct jobs in farming, transporting, processing, administration, distribution, marketing and sales….and another 500 indirect jobs in advertising/ media, accounting, legal, computer, repairs and maintenance, customs and brokerage, freighting and shipping, health certification and monitoring, banking and insurance, human resources development, mechanics, plumbing, engineering, etc etc. This is a Belizean’s dream. Is it too much to ask for? Richard Harrison is a local businessman and investor in the manufacturing and service industries. Send comments to harrisonbz@yahoo.com

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UB Faculty & Staff Association calls for UB probe Belize City, December 19, 2012 The BELIZE TIMES has obtained a copy of a letter from the Interim-President of the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Association, Allison Crawford, sent to the Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Minister of Education Patrick Faber, calling for an investigation into the University. In the letter, Crawford, who sits on the UB Board of Trustees, also writes complaining of what

Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Gilbert Flowers is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Moonlight Cool Spot”, Double Head Cabbage, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Remembering Mrs. Eva Swift

she calls “irregularities under the same Chairmanship of the Board”. The Chair is held by Imani Fairweather-Morrison. “The faculty and staff feel that they have tolerated too much from the Board of Trustees, and are fed up with the way the Board is operating. The Association believe that the Chairperson is abusing her authority and is micromanaging the University which is in violation of the Board Code of Ethics and the UB Act that trustees must avoid interference with personnel and administrative matters. The Board members are ineffective and clearly do not know their functions in adhering to protocol and procedures…”, charged Crawford. The Interim-President challenges the Education Minister to intervene in the matter and also called on the Prime Minister to appoint an Independent Commission to investigate the UB Payroll Audit Report.

From Dr. Francis Smith

Who passed on December 20, 1998 It’s that time of year again, That we all enjoy so much. A Season of joy and laughter, A time for kisses and hugs. But, Christmas without her, Can never possibly be the same. But we carry an angel within our hearts One so precious, who has her name. An Angel forever watching over us, At Christmas time and over the year. Although she can’t be here anymore, Inside our hearts she is so very near. There is no special present for her, Wrapped under our Christmas trees. But we have a greater gift to give her: All the love we still have for Ma. Christmas time without Ma here, Could not ever possible be the same. But in her we had that precious Gift, And the memories and love, will remain. The late Mrs. Eva Swift is fondly remembered and missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

27 ARTPAGE Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

23 DEC 27

2012

The Nativity in Art By Yasser Musa Perhaps one of the most timeless images of western culture is that of the Nativity. In Christian Art it has been a key subject since the early 4th century. Most of the artistic depictions of the Nativity are based on narratives from the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Every year during the season of advent many people construct a version of the Nativity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are five Nativity scenes by different artists over time that I consider my all time favorites. Giotto di Bondone’s (c. 1267-1337) (illustration 1) take on the Nativity is full of deep theological symbolism. He uses the presence of the ox and ass, created by tradition’s speculation upon the animals that may have been present in the manger, as the figures of the Old and New Testaments. With their gaze of adoration they stand in contrast to those who will not see the greatness of this Child before them, something which the Blessed Virgin, with her sad and longing look, seems to anticipate. Her act of giving the Christ child points to the terrible sorrow that she will come to know at her son’s passion and crucifixion. Giotto depicts the nativity as a scene of intense human drama, capturing the serenity of the sleeping Joseph, the joy of the angels, and the somber Virgin. In 1999 Pen Cayetano painted “Silent Night” (illustration # 2). According to the artist “the painting shows a transformation of the original birthplace in Bethlehem to Hopkins Village in Belize. Christ is born in a dorey at the seaside of Hopkins, father and mother Garifuna. Mosquitos are singing around instead of angels. Christ was born poor, but he is a Messiah.” Cayetano draws us to the drama with his use of intense light near the baby. His gestural style of painting elaborates on the spectacle being revealed. This picture is one of the best Nativity scenes I’ve

seen. Chinese artist He Qui’s take on the Nativity (illustration #3) is done in a more modern way giving emphasis to color using blue to surround the intensity of the moment. The African American artist Romare Bearden (illustration #4) depiction of Madonna and Child c. 1973 is a strong example in my mind of a scene connected to the Nativity. It utilizes the classical portraiture construct to illustrate the love Mary has for her baby. Just the tilting of the heads offers us an insight into two distinct features of humanity. Mary’s downward tilt indicates a nurturing spirit while Jesus’ upward bend offers hope and warmth. The Nativity (illustration # 5) scene by an unknown artist was made in 2011. It is a 21st century interpretation of the central moment that countless artists have tried to capture.

VACANCY BELIZE CREDIT UNION LEAGUE LIMITED The Belize Credit Union League invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the vacant position of Development/Compliance Officer. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing technical and developmental support to affiliated credit unions to assist them to improve operational efficiency and comply with regulatory guidelines. Education and other requirements: • • • • •

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentration in finance or accounting. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and automated accounting systems. Previous working experience with banking software would be an asset. At least three years working experience as an auditor Self motivation and excellent communication skills.

Job Summary: Review and analyse financial reports of credit unions and report on their progress towards achieving standardized financial ratios; monitor credit unions’ compliance with statutory requirements and Board approved policies and procedures, and facilitate training in identified areas; conduct specialized internal audits as the need arises and assist in the management of credit unions under the League’s administration. Salary: Negotiable Applicants should send a letter of application along with their resume and two letters of recommendation no later than 4:00pm on Friday 18 January 2013 to: The Executive Director Belize Credit Union League P.O. Box 397 Belize City, Belize.

THE BELIZE TIMES

Adults, Children, Christmas and Belize

C list.

hristmas is quickly approaching and many look forward to this pleasant time of the year. We can see houses lit up, snowmen smiling on roof tops, reindeers, and even Santa Claus appearing in people’s yards! This is one of the most anticipated times of celebration, especially for the children, who are anxiously waiting for Santa to bring that exact gift that they have on their wish

Well, there is also the adult’s view on Christmas. They enjoy the season as much as the kids due to the fact that it brings back many joyful memories! But for adults there is also a clear understanding that the children are expecting these gifts from Santa. They know that Santa doesn’t exist and someone has to purchase these gifts for the children! So for parents there are a couple of other preparations that go into the season. So, here is the pattern: the children expect gifts, and the adults purchase the gifts. But after a while we all grow up and become adults, and the receiving of gifts begin to slow down as the adult now transforms into the giver of gifts. This is where I would like to take off in this article and address our country Belize. I am concerned about the fact that our country is still suffering from a mendicant mentality and so we consistently want to borrow from our neighbors! We have over thirty years of independence, meaning we are long time adults and should be working for our wages rather than borrowing them. We cannot continue to function as children during the Christmas season without a clear sense of responsibility and just keep looking for hand me downs. We cannot continue to blame a super-bond, or crime, or lack of job opportunities for the situation Belize finds herself in. It is time to grow up Belize. It is time to start our own business and cease to depend solely on grants from abroad. We are called a third world country and seem to be fine with that, but the problem is that the trees do not know this so they still grow, producing wood that can be used to make a variety of things. The seeds do not know that we are a developing country, so they still come out and produce trees and fruits of all kinds that can be turned into various foods and drinks for consumption and exportation. The ground does not know that we are called a third world country so it provides a fertile environment for the seeds and even pushes out oil and gold! When will we begin to look seriously at the resources that God has given to us and begin to use them to our advantage? We must first take our minds away from looking for hand me downs as this mentality is devastatingly blocking our view and causing others to take advantage of us. Have you ever seen someone with great intelligence just waste away on the streets because of substance abuse? You would look at him or her and say, “That’s just a waste of potential!” Belize is full of potential! We have so much at our disposal but leave it for others to come and take advantage of it, while we suck our thumbs hoping for a ‘Christmas gift’, throwing a tantrum when we don’t receive it, and resorting to blaming others for our current condition while all our resources lie dormant! As I write I can’t help but think of a country I heard of where their main religion worships animals that we in Belize use for food on a daily basis. The people in this country are dying from hunger yet these (cows) walk around like kings. The people prefer to worship them and would rather die from starvation than to have a good meal. Here in Belize we are not much different, we have oil in the ground but don’t know what to do with it. We have xate leaves growing freely; in-fact, they are many times harvested by our neighbors and sold on a regular basis, but our citizens cannot access them as they are reserved. Our neighbors come inside our borders with utensils from out of their kitchen and mine gold in our country; they come and fish in our seas, but yet we go internationally and ask for grants and for loans! Why can’t we see what our neighbors see in this jewel that draws them to us in an overwhelming fashion? Belize you are a rich country! Begin to see for yourself what God has given to you. It’s time to grow up. There is no Santa, and you are no longer a child, but you are thirty one years old! Begin to Produce! You can do it! Grow up Belize, Grow up! Until next week, God bless!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Killer Heels By Dr. Francis Smith Many women are sold on high-heeled shoes because of the perception that it enhances professional appearance, creating a classic poise and walk. In high-heeled shoes, posture changes so that the back is arched with the buttocks sticking out provocatively, the pelvis and chest are thrust forward, and the calf and thigh muscles tighten, giving a firmer and more youthful look. But high-heeled shoes and aging are the biggest factors leading to foot problems in women. Aging affects your feet With aging your feet spreads gradually, becoming wider and longer because of the years of standing. Your arches fall or flatten, joints on your feet and ankle become stiff and the natural padding under your heel and forefoot becomes thinner. You may feel like you are walking on pebbles. High heels damage your feet High heels are shoes with a heel 2 inches or higher. In high heels your foot slides forward in your shoe, redistributing your weight mostly under the metatarsal heads (ball of the foot), creating unnatural pressure points and causing abnormal standing posture. The Achilles tendon or heel chord shortens, there is gradual flexion contracture of your knees and an increase in the lordotic curve of the lumbar spine (lower back). Shoes that are too narrow or short, especially the pointy-toed styles will most likely lead to corns and calluses, hallux valgus (bunions), and claw, hammer or mallet toes. High heels can also cause overworked or injured leg muscles, degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, low back pain and you may lose your balance and fall off your heels, fracturing your ankle, giving the orthopaedic surgeon some business. It can also cause corns and calluses, toenail problems, hammer, mallet or claw toes, bunions, tight heel chords, pump bumps (growth of a bony area on the back of the heel), pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia), Morton neuromas and stress fractures. Advice for buying good footwear • Use wedge heels no more than an inch and a half high with shock absorbent soles and support for the medial arch of the foot. • Your feet may swell throughout the day. Purchase shoes toward the end of the day to ensure maximum comfort. • Feet can grow as we age, so have your feet measured every year. Make sure you stand while having your feet measured, because the full weight of your body will expand your feet. • Do not buy a shoe based only on the size. The size may vary from brand to brand and style to style. It is important to try on shoes, and then to purchase the one that fits the best, regardless of the size. • You should have a finger’s width or at least 1/4 inch of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. Make sure that this distance is measured from your longest, not largest, toe. • Purchase a shoe that conforms to the shape of your foot (i.e. curved or straight). • Do not buy a shoe that needs to be stretched by the salesperson, or requires pads to keep your feet from slipping. • Gauge proper fit by how the shoes feel when you try them on. Sizes can vary from one manufacturer to another and from one style to another. • Compare the width of your foot with the width of your shoe by standing next to the shoe in your bare feet. Avoid shoes that are too narrow for your feet, no matter how much you like them. • Many people have one foot that’s larger than the other. Try on both shoes before buying. • Select material that breathe and allow flexibility, such as leather or nylon mesh. Stay away from shoes with seams across the toe box, which can rub. • If you simply must wear high heels, buy high heels with an extra thick sole under the forefoot which decreases the pressure on the ball of the foot. • Save high heels for special occasions only and wear comfortable shoes for commuting to and from work.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012

MCC in a Mess! BTL Corporate Greed Knows No Bounds

Belize City, December 18, 2012 Despite warning from football officials that the holding of a dancehall concert at Belize City’s premier football field, MCC Garden, could cause serious damage to the pitch, Belize Telemedia Limited arrogantly went ahead with their plans. Hours after the show, the football officials had been vindicated. The MCC Grounds were left in a total mess! The pitch, which has hosted a few international friendlies, looked like a pig sty, muddy and in no condition for play. Garbage was scattered all over. Outside the grounds, a group of protesters led by social activist YaYa Marin-Coleman and the President of the Football Federation of Belize, Vicente Ruperto, were wrapping up their overnight protest. They had braved the chilly night outside the MCC with protest banners, while the concert was being held

144 Murders... Continued from page 1 unofficial count were both from Lord’s Bank. 69 year old Otto Jorgen Petterson was shot dead inside his shop on Saturday, December 15th. He was shot in the chest by two male persons, who ambushed the store. A day later, the victim was a youth whose life was cut short. 15 year old Dayne Bodden Jr., a student of Ladyville Technical, was shot while riding his bicycle towards his home. Reports are Bodden was mistaken for someone else. Bodden was murdered ruthlessly. He was shot in the left ear, the chest and on the right knee. Belize City recorded four more murders over the past days, three of them on Wednesday night. The unofficial murder count is now 144. 16 year old Allan Gladden, who would have turned 17 on Christmas Day, was gunned down on Patridge Street around 6:30pm on Wednesday night. He was shot by a gunman on a bicycle twice on the head. Less than 2 hours later, 19 year old Raheem Requeña was fatally shot on Kut Avenue. And a short while after, shots rang out once more in the city when 15 year old Reynaldo Garrido was killed on East Canal. 22 year old Guishany Wagner was shot in the downtown area on Sunday afternoon. He was shot right in front of the Salvation Army primary school located on Orange Street. That is also near the infamously known Taylor’s Alley, where Wagner used to hang out. Police sources say the beef between Taylor’s Alley and George Street is resurfacing. In addition, the weekend had five other non-fatal shootings and a stabbing.

THE BELIZE TIMES

After Friday night’s concert sponsored by BTL, the MCC looked like a pig pen

inside and the MCC grounds trampled. On the banners, they had messages to the persons responsible for the disaster declaring “Minister look what you’ve done 2 MCC Grounds”, “Who owns the MCC” and “You are destroying it from our youth. Save the MCC”. Reports to the BELIZE TIMES are that the concert cost several hundred thousand dollars. It featured a row of expensive international artists and disc jockeys. A few local artists made it on the night’s agenda, but they were only paid crumbs compared to the Jamaican singers. Belizeans paid a whopping $70 to attend the show. Belize Telemedia Limited, the telephone company owned by the public through the Government of Belize,

coughed up the monies to pay the artists. Monies that could have been better used – to improve the very same MCC grounds – were instead used to feed one company’s corporate greed. The Football Federation of Belize did the right thing. They had written a letter of protest to the National Sports Council, days before the concert. The letter basically said, “Save the MCC”. No one listened. Little did the FFB know that the National Sports Council had already signed an agreement, secret to the public, with Belize Telemedia Limited. In that agreement, the Council gave consent for the use of the MCC. No consideration for the conditions of the grounds or the players seemed to have been given. This is not first time that UDP officials have abused their authority. Several weeks ago, the National Institute of Culture and History’s had planned to hold an international festival on the field. This plan was challenged by the FFB and NICH was forced to find a new venue.

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, December 23, 2012