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The Belize Times
Established 1957
The Truth Shall Make You Free
21 FEBRUARY 2016 | ISSUE NO: 4981
www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00
Photos by Wil Maheia
GASPAR VEGA SOLD A VILLAGE!
Trio Villagers are being evicted by private land owner Pg. 3 “Pay First” Policy adopted by KHMH
FIX CINDERELLA PLAZA MR. MAYOR!
Pg. 7 Honduran woman murdered in San Pedro
Pg. 23
Pg. 2
Santander folds to Opposition pressure Pg. 2
BELIZE’S ECONOMY MORE DEPRESSED THAN REVEALED BY AUTHORITIES
Pg. 4
Shyne Barrow
Anwar Barrow
Mexican Juan Yapur wins 2016 DigiCell cycling tour
Pg. 10
Pg. 9
TOP MODEL
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Open letter to Mr. Rice Aflatoxin Expert
Belize City, February 12, 2016 It’s one of those rare occurrences when, under this Government, a rich company is defeated by the power of the people but this is what occurred last week when the Santander Sugar Group, a sugarproducing company with Guatemalan shareholders based in the Cayo District, folded to pressure mounted against a plan to use $12 million of workers’ money at Social Security Board to finance their project. SSB, it seemed, was prepared to hand over the money to Santander who needed the financing after one of their financiers copped out of a syndicated loan involving other financial entities including Belizean banks. The SSB Investment Committee approved the financing de-
A MESSAGE TO MY FELLOW BELIZEANS ... who understand the context of the “rice-aflatoxin” headlines that keep popping up in our local Belize news. Note that some things are best expressed in a language that only Belizeans would understand, i.e. our “social glue” ... the Kriol language. February 15, 2016 Boston, Massachusetts Dear Mr. conscientious, self-proclaimed philanthropist, public health and nutrition expert; Your persistent, self-serving, Belizean rice-aflatoxin scaremongering is not in the best interest of the Belizean public. As a Belizean health professional, I feel a sense of responsibility to weigh in on this matter, and put things in perspective. My fellow Belizeans, the real threat to your health is not, and has never been rice aflatoxin-related (liver) disease. Our biggest food threat is our near wholesale abandonment of many healthy traditional food choices in exchange for the highly-processed foods found in supermarkets. “Soh I really noh like how you come da my country, mek latta money from my people by profiting from your highly-processed food enterprise, and pan tappa dat, yuh di persist and di try tek my people fi fool.” The scientific and public health evidence is clear. Highly-processed foods and sweetened drinks, with their toxic trans-fats, artificial additives, and excess sugar are direct causes of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. These are the number 1 food-related killers in Belize. Belizeans, start eating more natural foods, avoid those foods that have labels on them (especially
!
18 Feb
2016
Santander folds to Opposition pressure
OUT
LOCAL
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THE BELIZE TIMES
spite the workers’ representative on the Committee, NTUCB’s Rebecca Suazo, disapproving of it. Last week opposition flared with the NTUCB President Marvin Mora publicly declaring their disapprobation, followed by the Opposition People’s United Party challenging Santander to prove it’s soundness by accessing the funds elsewhere instead of the workers’ savings funds. On Friday, February 12th, Santander’s Chief Financial Officer, Andres Ayau, announced that the company would discontinue its request for financing of $12 million from SSB as a result of the political controversy it created. “…it saddens us to say that this issue was politicized and given a negative connotation. Due to this
negative media coverage we decided to actually use another lender, an international lender, to cover that participation,” shared Ayau. Ayau also stepped out of jurisdiction in offering unsolicited advice to Belizeans on how they should treat matters involving Guatemala. He suggested that Belizeans “need to get over this”. According to Ayau, Santander will be inviting the SSB to finance its factory expansion project in the future. The Opposition and NTUCB spoke along similar lines, declaring that workers’ money should be protected at all times from any kind of risky investment. The NTUCB opposed the idea of using any monies from SSB for a foreign company.
“PAY FIRST” POLICY ADOPTED BY KHMH Belize City, February 16, 2016 The country’s only referral public hospital, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, has made a drastic policy shift from a public-led hospital to a for-profit one. Last week, hospital officials were on defense mode as they attempted to validate the imposition of new fees on the public. As of February 15th, Belizeans are paying more to access health care services. Non-emergency cases would go up by 150%, from $10 to $25 and physiotherapy clinic fees would climb by 100%, from $15 to $30. According to KHMH’s financial highly-processed foods). Start to grow more of your own food, even in the city. Home boys, start organize yourself in the community and start planting, raise your fowl, go fishing, and barter with your neighbours. No shortage of work to do. Who come from country and have land need fi go
director, the $25 dollars represents 32% of the total cost which will now be met by the public, while the Government covers the remaining 68%. Based on those numbers, the total cost would be about $83. Our checks at private hospitals show that for nonemergency services, Belizeans pay between $40 and $60. The question is how are the fees at KHMH higher when the health care services at the private hospitals are more efficient and advanced? KHMH’s financial director also alluded that KHMH will begin to adopt a policy such as the private hospitals in the United States, where patients must pay first, before they get medi-
20 Feb
21 Feb
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The Belize Times
Established 1957
14 APR 2013
|
ISSUE NO: 4840
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.bz
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$1.00
serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper. Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus EDITOR
back da country and plant. Stap di give people who no like unnu unu money. Deh no kay bout unnu. Stop being active participants in your own demise. Your health is your biggest earthly investment. Remember, “Your Doctor Can’t Make You Healthy.” Signed: Dr. Bernard Bulwer
WEATHER 19 Feb
cal treatment. Belizeans, welcome to the new KHMH, where you will die if you can’t pay. For the poor, the hospital will truly become Kill Him Murder Her.
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Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar
United States (USD): $ 0.50
Barbados (BBD): $ 1.00
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Sterling Pound Guatemala Quetzal CANADIAN DOLLAR (GBP): $ 0.34 (GTQ): $ 3.82 (CAD): $ 0.64
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21 FEB
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
Gaspar Vega sold a village! Trio Villagers are being evicted by private land owner Toledo District, February 16, 2016 When the Ministry of Lands presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was called a “hotbed of corruption” by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, we had no idea just how rotten it had become. Vega was eventually stripped of the land portfolio despite his all-too powerful stature in the UDP, and the skeletons have been piling out of the closet. There is yet another major controversy which points right to Vega’s term. This one involves the giveaway of almost an entire village to a foreigner. In 2014 South Korean national Sang H. Yin was sold 2,500 acres of land in the Toledo District. It appears the due diligence that normally takes place in the sale of lands was thrown out the window by the notnormal Minister because part of the land sold to Yin covers half of Trio Village and includes dozens of homes belonging to Belizeans. Those villagers are now staring at homelessness because Yin has told them they must vacate his property or purchase the land at $20,000 per parcel from him, or he will force them out. The village residents are mostly poor farmers who have been living on the lands for over twenty-five years. Now they have no one to turn to, as the Government has clearly favoured the foreigner and his money from the start. In an attempt to get the authorities to assist them, the villagers took to the streets in Punta Gorda
this week. Mothers and their children carried placards on the streets in a protest. They called out the new Minister of Land Godwin Hulse. It will be interesting to see Gaspar Vega’s response when asked about this issue. Will he once more not recall the 2014 land sale as he did recently in the Dark Knight controversy?
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THE BELIZE TIMES
A Financial Armageddon Contributed The Prime Minister of Belize has reportedly likened the current banking crisis facing Belize and the rest of the Caribbean Community as a “Financial Armageddon”. But one would not have thought so given the late start, at the beginning of the working week, of a Caricom Summit, or a talk shop, to discuss numerous issues affecting the Caribbean Community. Chief among them is the banking crisis in which American banks, due to stiff US banking regulations, cannot take the risk of having correspondent bank agreements with banks in the region that are perceived as being involved in money laundering and other illegal banking activities. The Governor of the Central Bank of Belize has been less dramatic than his boss saying instead that the Banking crisis “is more serious than climate change” and that it is one of the most serious threats to the region”(including Belize). The Armageddon and climate change analogies are both over-dramatized. But the point is taken: they are both man-made and, with due diligence, could have been avoided
Dean Barrow
were it not for arrogance. Is it not the role of the Governor of the Central Bank to regulate and monitor the banking industry in Belize and to work with the Government’s Financial Intelligence Unit to monitor money laundering and other irregular banking activities? It would appear that the Governor is like the rat who failed to mind the cheese and as a result the sky IS falling down. But worse, some of this money laundering has been carried out with impunity with the sale of state lands for dirty money.
While an early decision has been made at this week’s Summit to send a high level delegation to the US capital and to the United Nations to meet with State Department and UN officials, it would appear, at this point to be futile unless they are prepared to comply with US Banking regulations. The Prime Minister of Belize has already done so, thus putting the cart before the horse without first consulting with his colleagues within the Caribbean Community. Although he took his delegation with him, he travelled alone without his super-ego and his arrogance as he went panhandling for sympathy and forgiveness. He returned home with a lot-a lot of platitudes and no forgiveness. Hardly anymore could be expected for a Caricom delegation if they do not sign on to the United Nations Anti-Corruption Convention. And Washington appears to be in no mood for compromise. Belize could well be a liability for such a delegation. What the Prime Minister is perhaps now realizing is that while he is perched on his miniature pyramid, in the global scheme of things, Belize is but a microcosm and that with all his political bravado, he is insignificant in the wider
Corozal Free Zone is “dying”, says SSB Chairman Doug Singh Belize’s economy more depressed than revealed by authorities
Doug Singh
Belize City, February 15, 2016 Chairman of the Social Security Board Doug Singh has confirmed that Belize’s economy is in greater danger than the Barrow Administration is admitting. Belize’s economy is crumbling on multiple fronts. The correspondent banking crisis which could lead to a total disconnection from U.S. banks, with whom Belize makes majority of its business, is just the tip of the iceberg.
Last week, papaya growers and exporters Fruta Bomba and Belize Fruit Packers, both subsidiaries of U.S. company Brooks Tropicals, announced that they were moving their operations out of Belize. Fruta Bomba, which is based in San Joaquin Village in the Corozal district, has been facing distress for some time. The working staff
has been shaved down to barebones, and with the announcement last week, the remaining 250 employees are preparing to be out of jobs in a few weeks. But that is not the only bad news coming out of the northern district. This morning, Singh, who is a former Minister and member of Dean Barrow’s Cabinet and who currently heads the
21 FEB
2016 global corridors of power. The chickens are coming home roost. In November of 2012, the Prime Minister of Belize got into a row with the President of the Inter-American Bank. He tried to throw the IDB President under the bus for what the PM described as “a crass act of cowardice “after the IDB President failed to lobby the US Treasury, which subsequently blocked an IDB loan to Belize. The PM also had choice words for US Treasury officials. The Prime Minister will have to sign the United Nations Anti-Corruption Convention. When he does, he will have to put in place certain anticorruption mechanisms. Let’s start with the Integrity Commission of our parliament which he has made a feeble attempt to reconstitute. If and when he does, the flies will swarm. The US State Department’s report on Belize reads like a criminal rap sheet: money laundering, massive passport scandal involving Ministers of the Cabinet, the misuse of government funds for private gain, child labour, human trafficking and an increase in child prostitution. Unless the Prime Minister and his government repent we must be prepared to meet our doom. We are already on the way.
investment committee at Social Security Board, revealed that the Corozal Commercial Free Zone is on the verge of collapse. “…the Corozal Free Zone is essentially dying,” declared Singh, while appearing on the Wake Up Belize Morning show on Krem Radio. Singh explained that Free Zone investors had reached out to the Social Security Board for a $3m loan, but it was denied because the economic state at the export processing zone is bleak. The loan was reportedly to repair roads and infrastructure inside the free zone. Singh likened the infrastructure plan at the free zone to a home owner wanting to pave his driveway when his house foundation is crumbling. He said the plan was not wise since “businesses are closing down left, right and center”. The Free Zone has gone from a fledgling business hub for investors and exporters to a zone that is slowly winding up, tainted by reports of illegal economic activity.
21 FEB
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
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EDITORIAL
D
Hate vs. Hope
uring the past eight years of the Dean Barrow regime, Belizeans have experienced a terrible deterioration in their way of life and standard of living. Week after week, month after month, the price of food and household items at the grocery shops and supermarkets rose higher and higher. But wages for workers remained stagnant. Then we were all hit below the belt when the Prime Minister broke his promise not to raise taxes. A 25% increase in GST was imposed. The second act of betrayal came with the increase in fuel prices Do we remember the Prime Minister’s solemn pledge in the House of Representatives that he would not allow the price of gasoline to go above $7.00 a gallon? This dire situation went from bad to worse. The health of the people was the first victim. NHI was suspended and even the primary care benefits offered during the PUP administration were severely cut back. Now people will have to pay more if they want to access health care at KHMH. The older folks – all our senior citizens who sacrificed for their children and the nation were on the second list of victims of this heartless Barrow regime. Over 1,500 lost their modest monthly pensions from Social Security. But yet, the Social Security Fund has been fleeced for political projects. $50 million was used to pay for shares in the Barrow takeover of BTL. An additional $1.7 million (that we know about) was given to the UDP candidates to use for campaign expenses in a desperation bid to buy the March 7 elections. And most recently, even a foreign company can benefit from the people’s money. In the past eight years, unemployment rate rose from 8.5% in 2008 to over 30% in 2015. For the age group 16 – 30 the figure is more like 50% jobless. Agriculture and Fisheries have experienced tre-
mendous decline. The papaya industry is facing financial ruin. The rice farmers have lost millions of dollars because of the corrupt practices of the Ministry and the Marketing Board allowing imports of rice from Uruguay and imposing arbitrary price controls on the farmers. Meanwhile citrus and shrimp are experiencing major losses. High taxation and high interest rates at the Banks have brought business and commerce to its knees. Yes they are liquid, but who wants to borrow with interest rates of 12%-15%? DFC foreclosures on houses have driven scores of families out of their homes, with no aid from the Government. Now, the UDP Government is insistent on making a mockery of the teachers of this country. The Minister of Education Patrick Faber is pushing an agenda against the teaching sector that is borderline contemptuous and poorly clad disrespectful. But the teaching fraternity is a formidable one. These teachers that are being scoffed at, undermined and ill-treated like indentured slave hands are in contact with over a hundred thousand (100,000) students who are attending a total of 541 schools throughout the three levels of the education factory. Smart politics will dictate that the Government should show tremendous restraint from extending the full extent of their usual attack on our hardworking professionals in the classrooms. Today the disappointment and discontent is palpable. Belizeans across the nation feel robbed and cheated by this Barrow regime of deception. Life for the masses is “harder out ya.” More than ever the Belizean people need the People’s United Party to get its act together. With a new leader, the PUP will rise to the challenge. The new Party Leader Hon. John Briceno is committed to this. He has declared that it will take no less than “Unity, Hardwork and Hope” to return the PUP to Belmopan. We know the future is gloomy, but hope must prevail.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Waiting on the “Best” but…
Contributed We’re waiting on the best. We were told its coming. In the meantime First Caribbean Bank packed up and left. We lost correspondent bank relationships. We lost our shrimp industry. We lost most of our banana production. We lost Fruta Bomba. Citrus export is plummeting. Farmers are struggling to survive. Oil is done. Petrocaribe is done. Sugar-cane is in trouble. The Commercial Free Zone is dying. The cost of everything continues to go up. Crime is spiralling AGAIN. Tourists are being targeted. We’re being blacklisted by everybody. GOB has raised taxes on fuel, punishing Belizeans. But Social Security wants to lend OUR money to Guatemalans. So we’re waiting on the best to come, but we’re punishing while we wait. The Santander thing is hard to believe, even for this government which has done some pretty hard to believe things. Belizeans work all their lives contributing to Social Security, and when they retire, at a time when they need support the most, SSB gives them a ridiculous pittance. RIDICULOUS! There are people getting $125 a month from Social Security. The money paid to retired Belizeans hasn’t gone up in decades, even though the cost of living has gone up time and time again. But the Social Security Board felt it okay to take $12M of our money and lend to a Guatemalan company. Not a Belizean company, but a Guatemalan company. What would happen to OUR money if that Guatemalan company goes bankrupt or closes its doors? How will the SSB recover it? And besides, ever since Santander came to town this government has been boasting about this $150M direct foreign investment. They lied to us. This isn’t direct foreign investment. The money for this facility came from Belizean domestic banks. There’s something off here. PUP
leader John Briceño hit the nail on the head when he said – the company is either strong enough to borrow an additional $12M from commercial banks or it is not. If it is not, then the SSB should not give them this money. The PUP leader is also right when he says that the Ministry of Agriculture has been sleeping at the wheel. I remember when corn and soybean farmers from the Orange Walk District lost close to thirty million because of the drought. The Ministry didn’t even know until the story ran on the news. Then they jumped up and started running around, doing analysis and compiling stats. Even now the farmers are still suffering because the Ministry is not willing to help. How is it that so much is going wrong in agriculture and nobody seems to know anything? Papaya production has been declining for a long time. Fruta Bomba has been in trouble for a long time. But the Ministry says it didn’t have a clue until two days ago. And it can do nothing to help. In every aspect of agriculture we are in serious trouble. But you know what the truth is? This government doesn’t care about our farmers! The UDP could have pumped some of the Petrocaribe monies into our productive sector because any fool can tell you that a country develops if there is food security. Instead the U.D.P. spent the money on road construction contracts for cronies and political rallies. The people of Belize cannot eat roads. Now the money is done, the roads are breaking up and WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. The price of oil is at $27 a barrel. All over the region pump prices for fuel are between $2.00 and $3.00. But we are still paying $7.00 to $9.00 because the government wants to punish us for its bad decisions. What is happening is bad. But my friends…the truth is that the WORST is yet to come under this UDP administration.
NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given SING FINANCIAL LTD., AWAS LTD. and SANDY HILL PROPERTY S.A. all commenced dissolution on 12th February, 2016; 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 ROVAN INVEST CORP. and WINGFIELD CONSULTING INC. both commenced dissolution on 15th February, 2016; 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
21 FEB
2016
21 FEB
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
07 7
Fix Cinderella Plaza Mr. Mayor! Belize City, February 16th, 2016 Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has been caught trying to run away from doing his job. In the rush to the general elections, Mayor Darrel Bradley and the Belize City Council spent somewhere between $50million and $60 million in pouring cement on streets in Belize City. Most of the money was spent on streets in the Caribbean Shores area, where Bradley had planned, months prior, to run for political office. This is a twisted story about one man’s ego that cannot be forgotten. In the rush to cement away Belize City, Mayor Bradley’s cement programme apparently overlooked Cinderella Plaza. This important traffic artery in Belize City is in a total mess. Some months before the November 4th election, the area was dug up as Ministry of Works hired engineers repaired the underground drainage. Once that was finished it was expected that the Plaza would be fixed up back again. After all, the area is an intersection for six major streets, including the always busy Freetown Road. But once it was covered with dirt, the area was abandoned. A few weeks ago, Bradley commented that he was depending on the Ministry of Works to use their resources and make the necessary repairs to the area. “…it is a major woe for residents,” lamented Mayor Bradley. As if he forgot that he was still the Mayor he remarked, “The Cinderella Plaza is a major access way and we need that area to be repaired and to be fixed. I’m confident that we are pushing them in relation to completing that as soon as possible.” The “them” in the Mayor’s comments should really be him and the City Council, but he was diverting responsibility to the Ministry of Works. Well, a Ministry rep responded to the Mayor’s antics this week making it clear that the Ministry will not budge as the city streets (except for Central American Boulevard and the highway sections) are the responsibility of the Belize City Council. The response has triggered a nasty back and forth with the Mayor who apparently loves to quarrel. He is adamant that the Council is not responsible. The drama is not want residents of the area want to hear. The dusty, potholed intersection has become a hazard for residents and businesses. Two restaurants are nearby. The Cinderella Plaza Taxi Association operates from the exact location. The taxi drivers said they were misled to believe that the inconvenience would only be temporary, but now they realise that they were tricked.
PUBLIC AUCTION SALE BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the time as listed. At No. 19 Tapir Street, Belmopan, Cayo District on Monday 29th February 2016 at 2:00p.m. 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 this 3rd day of February 2016 All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738
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21 FEB
THE BELIZE TIMES
2016
While UDP politicians live large, Belizeans struggle with hard times Belize City, February 15, 2016 Why is it that everything in our country seems to be going wrong? Why is it that we seem to be going backwards instead of forward? Our politicians can drive the latest fancy SUVs with heated seats, just like politicians in first-world countries. Our politicians can live lives of plenty, and build homes all over the place, and maintain sweethearts, and throw posh parties and fly first class just like politicians in first world countries. But in everything else we are a struggling third-world country, far behind other countries. Our transportation system is a joke. Fifteen years ago we had comfortable buses with a ticket system and a regular schedule. Morning commuters used to get juice and johnny cakes and could watch a movie on the bus. Today travelling by bus is a nightmare. There is absolutely no system in place. Buses are in deplorable conditions and just reaching your destination without incident is a good thing. Schedules are a mess, with hundreds of commuters fighting to get home. There are not enough buses, no ticket system, no supervision, no regulation. Every bus at night is packed full of standees. Imagine if there would be an accident.
Condolences
Of course the Ministers don’t give a damn. They don’t have to travel on buses. Their families and sweethearts and friends don’t travel on buses. Nobody cares. And those of us who can’t travel back and forth in fancy SUVs with drivers have to get home. So we suffer. Backward instead of forward! Our approach to crime and crime-fighting is no different. These Ministers don’t care that every time you turn around these days there’s a murder, or a body found, or a robbery, a shooting. Foreign nationals and tourists have been targets this year. Belize is being hailed as one of the most violent regions in the world. Even ABC has weighed in with a documentary blasting Belize since one of their producers, Ann Swaney, was murdered here while on vacation. We got upset at some of the things ABC said but most of it is true. When our young men are shot dead, we throw them into the back of a pickup truck and cover them with an old blanket. We don’t have body bags. We don’t have a proper vehicle to transport our dead. We don’t have proper facilities to store our dead, or examine our dead. All we have are little ‘pilinky’ morgues, and not in all municipalities either. When somebody is killed in San Pedro at night they put them under a step by the Police Station until a boat can bring them into the city the next morning. The FBI invites our people to their state-of-the-art facilities abroad for the best training in fingerprinting and forensics, and then they come here and WE HAVE NOTHING. The old goodfor-retirement Henderson is running our Forensics Department. But there is no equipment, no real lab, no facilities. It’s a sick joke. A simple test to check if a substance is blood takes a week. DNA testing can take months because we need to send samples abroad. Ballistics testing is a whole other mess. But our politicians live large. Other countries laugh at how backward we are. Is it any wonder that our con-
Attention Belize City Marshalls People’s United Party Chairman Henry C. Usher expresses condolences to the family of the late
Don Modesto Samos on his passing. May his soul rest in peace.
February 16, 2016 President of PUP Marshalls Service Corps Stephen Latchman invites Belize City Marshalls to a very important meeting to be held on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 at 10:30am sharp at Independence Hall. Our entire Marshalls National Executive team will be present to join in our discussions and decisions as together we move forward in unity.
viction rate is close to 0%? Every day you hear about accused murderers walking free. Our prosecutors are hopelessly overworked. They can’t even keep track of cases. You know why? Instead of investing in a proper, well-staffed and effective prosecution system this government prefers to give all the money to certain private attorneys. Mostly with
surname Barrow, including the brother of the Prime Minister who has made millions and millions, while our prosecutors have to juggle an overwhelming workload and criminals walk free. Our country is a mess. The frustration of the people is growing. That is a dangerous thing for this UDP government. They said the best is yet to come. But they lied.
INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED #14,189
(“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 INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED: a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 16th day of February, 2016; and c) Cititrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company. P.O.S. Belize Ltd. Registered Agent
21 FEB
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
Belizean Beauty
Nancy
• • • • • •
TOPMODEL 09
Career Plan: Attorney at Law TOP MODEL Clothing and Sign: Leo Accessories Favourite Food: Pizza provided by Likes: Dancing CATWALK FASHIONS Lives in: Belize City Fav. Quote: “Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from the negative.”
visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times
Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City
10 SPORTS
21 FEB
THE BELIZE TIMES
2016
St. John’s Anglican girls & St. Martin’s boys
are city basketball champs
Belize City, February 12, 2016 The girls of St. John’s Anglican School and boys of St. Martin De Porres RC School won the Belize District Primary Schools basketball finals at Birds’ Isle on Wednesday, February 17. The St. John’s Anglican girls won 13-1 against the St. Martin de Porres girls as Taliyah Hyde scored 4pts for St. John’s, and Shantel Flowers scored 9pts for St. Martins. The Belize Elementary won 3rd place 11-2 over the Muslim Community girls, led by Aaliyah Herbert scoring 7pts and Sanna Rowland scored 2pts. Bonnie Udoye scored the only basket for Muslim Community. The St. Martin’s boys won the city championship 25-22 over the BES boys. Martin’s Elijah Gabourel scored 13pts, Tyreck Solis 5pts; while Evan Welch and Lyndon Gentle scored 4pts apiece. BES’ James Courtenay scored 8pts, while Eric Williams added 6pts and Alex Ariola - 4pts. The St. Joseph’s RC School boys won the 3rd place game by the St. John Vianney RC Schoolboys’ forfeit. Both the champs and 2nd place winners will represent the city at the Belize District primary schools basketball finals at Birds’ Isle on Wednesday, February 17.
Dean Hemmans & Samira Pott – too fast to handle Belize City, February 13, 2016 Dean Hemmans and Samira Musa Pott won the City Run Xpress’ “Fastest Mile”, organized in association with Karen Rosito/ Nutrition for Health on the Marine Parade and Newtown Barracks to the finish at the BTL Park in Belize City on Saturday morning. City Run Xpress presented both 1st place winners in with a trophy and a gift bag from Dutch Lady and Seven-Seas courtesy the San-Cas Group. Men’s open 1st - Dean Hemmans (5:56) 2nd - Jaheed Smith (6:04) 3rd - Rasheed Pollard (6:05) Women’s Open 1st - Samira Musa-Pott (8:25) 2nd - Nicole Solano (9:01) 3rd - T’Jahrri Yearwood (9:44) Juniors 10-16 years 1st - Preston Samuels (8:05) Oldest runner 1st - Elston Allen (16:50) Youngest Runner 1st - Cassie Samuels (11:40)
Samira Musa Pott - 1st FEM
All winners
St. John’s Anglican girls
St. Martin’s Elijah Gabourel scored 13pts
St. Martin’s boys
Mexican Juan Yapur wins 2016 DigiCell cycling tour
Belize City, February 14, 2016 Mexican rider Juan Manuel Yapur of Team Yapurland won the DigiCell 4-day cycling tour held in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Belize on the George Price Highway last Thursday to Sunday, with the 5th stage being a 90-mile ride from San Ignacio Hotel to Benque Viejo and back to the finish at Leslie’s Imports in Belize City. Yapur placed 1st in the Elite and Over 35 Masters Category, winning the $1,200 top prize, trophy and DigiCell package In the Female race, a 47 mile ride from Roaring Creek to Belize City, 1st place went to Alicia Thompson of Team Belize Bank Swoosh. 2nd place went to Gabrielle Lovell of Team DigiCell 4G. Elites 1st/1st Masters Over-35 – Juan Manuel Yapur (8:55:50) 2nd – Joel Borland, Team DigiCell 4G (8:55:59)
Top 3 Masters
1st Belizean, Joel Borland
Juan Manuel Yapur wins DigiCell tour
Top 3 Females
21 FEB
2016
SPORTS 11
THE BELIZE TIMES
Excellence & Western Eagles Open 2016 Cricket Tourney Lords Bank, February 13, 2016 The Excellence Cricket Club from Double Head Cabbage and the Western Eagles from Rancho Dolores both posted big wins when the 2016 Harrison Parks cricket competition kicked off in Lords Bank and Sand Hill last Saturday. Excellence defeated the Central American Health Science University (CAHSU) Medicos 83-77. The Double Head eleven batted first and Earl Weir led, hitting 3 fours and a six to score 25 runs before he was caught, while Vernon Stephenson also hit a six to score 14 runs. Rydell Thompson scored 7
Mexican Juan Yapur wins 2016 DigiCell cycling tour Continued from page 10 3rd – Chris Harkey, Team Starlight (USA) (8:56:00) 4th/2nd Masters Over-35 – Brandon Cattouse, Team C-Ray Road Addikz (8:56:08) 5th – Byron Pope, Team Benny’s Megabytes (8:56:25) 6th – Nissan Arana, Team Westrac Alliance (8:56:38) 7th/3rd Masters - Over-35 – Robert Liam Stewart, Team Western Spirit (8:57:01) 8th - Tarique Flowers, Team Benny’s Megabytes (8:57:01) 9th - Giovanni Lovell, Team DigiCell 4G (8:57:04) 10th Joel Vanegas, Team DgiCell 4G (8:57:20) King of the Hills Best Climber - Ron Vasquez – Team Western Spirit (8:57:50) Juniors – 63-mile ride from Central Farm to Belize City 1st Ernest Bradley, Team SMART Zoom 2nd/1st Youth - Shaun Codd, Team Westrac Alliance 3rd - Anthony Lewis, Team Westrac Alliance 4th - Brian Sutherland, Team Cabral/Marin 5th/2nd Youth - Gian Lino, Team Cabral/Marin 6th - Juhawi Ysaguirre, Team Cabral/Marin 7th - Ernest Banner, Team Big Shep 8th/3rd Youth – Andre Belisle, Team Cabral/Marin 9th – Joshuan Fraser, Team WKC Strikers 10th – Sherwin Requena - Team WKC Strikers
runs before he was run out and Andy Dominguez managed 6 runs before he was given Leg Before Wicket. Jawahar Bharath and Jaswath Rudraraju led the CAHSU defense, taking 3 wickets apiece, while Nanjeeph Yadav took 2 wickets. The CAHSU bowlers took the last 6 wickets for 7 runs to hold Excellence to 83 runs all out, even including 12 wides and 9 byes. It seemed the CAHSU Medicos had the game in hand and could easily equal the score, but Excellence bowler Sydney Martinez was in top form, taking 6 wickets! Prasanth hit 3 fours to lead the CAHSU batting with 19 runs, while Hem Kumar hit 2 fours for 14 runs, and Indrajith Nedumaran hit a four to score 12 runs. Jervis Wade took another 2 wicket and Kemar Garcia took 1 wicket so that even with 15 wides and 2 byes, the Medicos only scored 77 runs, all out! The Western Eagles were really letting the ball fly as they batted a 223149 win over Sand Hill Bright Star in Sand Hill. The Eagles’ captain Dirk Sutherland walloped 5 sixes and 3 four to score 49 runs, while Jason Joseph hit 4 sixes and 5 fours to score 41 runs. Herman batted 5 sixes and a four to score 37 runs. Jason
Pakeman also batted 20 runs as the Rancho men scored 223 runs all out. Bright Star’s A.Dominguez took 4 wickets, Marlon Rhaburn took 3 wickets and Kevin Dawson took 2 wickets. When Sand Hill came to bat, the Eagles took the 1st wicket for zero runs. Kendis Moody led the Sandhill batting hitting six and 3 fours to score 28 runs, while “Bungie” Gideon hit 2 sixes and a four to score 20 runs. Marlon Rhaburn hit a six as he scored 17 runs, and Kevin Dawson hits 3 fours to scored 14 runs. Alec Lewis hit a six as he scored 11 runs, but the Eagles’ bowlers Jason Benjamin and Y. Pook took 4 wickets apiece to hold Bright star to 149 runs all out.
Western Eagles’ Pook took 4 wickets
DHC Excellence
Wesley College girls lead softball competition
Gwen Liz team
Gwen Liz’ Jerema Pollard scored 1 run
Wesley’s Kristy Terry scored 2 runs
Wesley team
Gwen Liz boys lead high school softball
SJC team
12
21 FEB
THE BELIZE TIMES
BSI/ASR Crop Review - Week 10
2016 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 28th day of December, 2013, between BEVERLY BRENDALEE PEREZ of #6 Arizona Road, Ladyville Village, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit as Instrument LTU-201400092, 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. (February 8, 2016 to February 14, 2016) Cane milled – 48,711 tons Total cane milled since start of 2015/2016 crop: 437,929 tons Total cane milled in the same period in 2014/2015 crop: 507,959 tons Difference in this year’s crop: -70,030 tons Sugar produced – 4,807 tons Total sugar produced since start of 2015/2016 crop: 39,325 tons Total sugar produced in the same period in 2014/2015 crop: 61,261 tons
day day
Grinding rate – 6,959 tons of cane per day Average grinding rate since start of 2015/2016 crop – 6,256 tons of cane per Grinding rate in the same period of 2014/2015 crop – 7,256 tons of cane per
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 freehold interest in all lot, piece or parcel of land situate in Laydville, Belize District being a portion of Grant No. 88 of 1952 and which said lot is numbered 6 as shown on the said Sub-division Plan dated 27th June, 1993 made by H.D. Flowers, Licensed Surveyor and recorded at the Lands Registry in Belmopan in Entry No. 565 Reg. No. 2 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 3rd day of February, 2016.
Juice purity – 85.70% Average juice purity since start of 2015/2016 crop – 84.04% Juice purity in same period of 2014/2015 crop – 88.31% Mud levels in cane – 4.87% Average mud level in this year’s crop – 4.94% Mud level in same period in 2014/2015 crop – 4.00% Tons Cane per Ton Sugar (TC/TS) – 10.13:1 Average TC/TS since start of 2015/2016 crop – 11.14:1 TC/TS for same period in 2014/2015 crop – 8.29:1 Sugar level in cane – 96.20% Average sugar level since start of 2015/2016 crop – 95.43 % Sugar level in the same period in 2014/2015 crop – 95.30% Factory Time efficiency – 98.59% Factory efficiency since the start of 2015/2016 crop – 94.41% Factory efficiency in the same period in 2014/2015 crop – 97.51% BSI Comments - Factory performance was good with 48,711 metric tons milled for the week. - The cane price estimate is based on a Tons of Cane per to Tons of Sugar of 9.5 and to date it is 11.14. Hence, the importance of maintaining efforts to improve cane quality. -
There is a planned maintenance stop scheduled for February 24, 2016.
Data compiled from Daily and Weekly Factory Reports prepared by BSI.
MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.
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 ANDRE ANTHONY YOUNG and JENNA MARIE YOUNG (Jointly) of the one part and HRCU of the other part. 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 568.910 square metres being Parcel 3232, Block 16 in the Caribbean Shores/Belize Registration Section TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ANDRE ANTHONY YOUNG and JENNA MARIE YOUNG (Jointly) DATED this 4th day of February 2016 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738
21 FEB
13
THE BELIZE TIMES
2016
PUBLIC AUCTION SALE FOR ORANGE WALK DISTRICT Licensed Auctioneer Noel J. Codd will sell the following properties at the time and places mentioned below ON Wednesday February 24th, 2016 AT 8:00 a.m. on site
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being block 4 Parcel 3871 Orange Walk Town Registration section. The subject building is 1,260 square feet containing 5 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2 livings rooms and 1 kitchen area being the Freehold property of Juan August.
AT 10:30 a.m. on site
All that lot, parcel or piece of land in Orange Walk being Registration Section Orange Walk Town Block 4 Parcel 1911. Property contains 4 bedrooms, 2 Full bathrooms, Living, Kitchen and dining area. The building is also comprised of 1786 S.FT. Being the Fee Simple property of Ana B. Castillo.
AT 1:00 p.m. on site
ALL that piece or parcel being Block 4 Parcel 421 Orange Walk Town Registration Section, Orange Walk District and containing 711.11 square yards as shown on R.I.M Subject property is located in front of the B.S.I. football field. Property belongs to Amory Jacobs
ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25TH, 2016 AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES AND TIME AT 8:30 a.m. on site
AT 8:30 a.m. on site
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, IN TRIAL FARM being Registration Section Trial Farm Block 4 Parcel 762, Orange Walk District, Belize. The property contains 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, living, kitchen, and dining area being the freehold property of Benjamin Torres.
ALL THAT piece or parcel being lot # 101, LUSIANA FARM WEST WHICH IS NOW PARCEL # 3939, ORANGE WALK TOWN REG SECT BLOCK 1, Located Corner Guanacaste Street, Louisana Farm West, Orange Walk Town. Holding 2 bedrooms one bath, living dinin and kitchen area. Property for Fernando & Emilia Ayuso.
AT 11:00 a.m. on site
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 1045.045square meters being Lot 648 situated in Trial Farm village, Orange Walk District. Property is vacant lot. Being the Fee Simple property of Melbourne Rodriguez
AT 1:30 p.m. on site
AT 9:00 a.m. on site
ALL THAT LOT PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND BEING PARCEL 284/1, TRIAL FARM REG. SECTION BLOCK 4, O/ WALK. Property contains 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, Living and kitchen area. Property for Lisandro Vargas
AT 9:30 a.m. on site
All that piece or parcel of land being lot No.72 situate at the corner of Evelyn & St. Peter Street,Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District. Being Block 4 Parcel 1618 Orange Walk TownRegistration Section, Orange Walk District and containing 479.3 square meters. The subject building is a 2 storey concrete structure. Main level having 8 bedrooms, 1 part-bath,and living area. 2nd level 3 bedrooms,2 full bath, family room, laundry room, living, dining and kitchen. THE LOWER FLOOR IS USED AS DOCTOR’S OFFICE THE UPPER AS RESIDENCE. BUILDING IS IN VERY GOOD STATE being the Freehold property of Ricardo Fabro
All that piece or parcel of land containing 645.890 s. m.3744 Cor. Palmar Boundary Road & Macal River Street, Orange Walk. The Subject Building comprises 1,360sft. The same is occupied as a family home of 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms, complete with kitchen, dining & living room spaces. Being the freehold property of Roger Tun.
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, IN Orange Walk being Registration Section Ann Gabourel Block 4 Parcel 1814. The house contains 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, living, kitchen and dining area being the freehold property of Levy Blanco.
AT 9:00 a.m. on site
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, being Registration: Ann Gabourel Block: 4 Parcel: 1247/1. The property contains IA 26’ X 24’, 2 BEDROOMs, BUNGALOW DWELLING HOUSE being the leasehold property of Felix Rejon
AT 9:30 a.m. on site
AT 2:00 p.m. on site ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 348.33sm being BLOCK 4 PARCEL 1473 ANN GABOUREL REGISTRATION SECTION. Located at #49 Yo Creek & San Joaquin St., Orange Walk Town. The Subject Building is a one storey concrete bungalow with a gross floor area of 1971sft, including open area. The same serves as a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom residence with kitchen/dining and living room areas. House was originally constructed in 1998 and renovated in 2011. House is 50% tiled, plastered and painted. There is also a second structure within the lot that is currently used as a store room. Property of Edison & Rosita Johnson.
AT 11:30 a.m. on site ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 1040.4 s. m. being Block 4 Parcel 12 Trial Farm Reg Sec. Land with structure the freehold of Ismael Teck.
AT 10:00 a.m. on site All that lot, parcel or piece of land, in Orange Walk being Registration Section Orange Walk Town, Block 4 Parcel 4255, Orange Walk district. The property has 775 square feet and contains three bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a living, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Dr. Jose Lahera.
NOEL J. CODD Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District Tel: Office: 677-5184 cell: 624-5184 Email:noelcodd@yahoo.com
14
THE BELIZE TIMES
21 FEB
2016
Continued from page 13
ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25TH, 2016 AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES AND TIME AT 10:00 a.m. on site
ALL that piece or parcel of land being Block 4 Parcel 1946 Orange Walk Town measuring 1199.638 sq yds. being the Freehold property of Ricardo Fabro.
ALL that piece or parcel of land being BLOCK 1 PARCEL 499 SAN ESTEVAN REGISTRATION SECTION in San Estevan Village, Orange Walk Town. Land measuring 461.9 S.M. Building:Concrete bungalow house with 3 bedrooms, full bath, living, Dining, Kitchen Area and laundry room. Being the Freehold property of Eudaldo & Macaria Patt.
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 464.454 s. m. being lot no. 3235 CABBAGE STREET, Orange Walk District, Belize. The house contains 2 bedrooms, living, kitchen and dining area. The house has an outdoor facility being the Freehold parcel of Martin Jimenez.
AT 10:30 a.m. on site
ALL that piece or parcel being Block 4 Parcels 623,624,625 & 631 orange Walk Town 2054.41 square meters Orange Walk Town Registration Section. Vacant Land. Being the freehold property of M.V. Imports Ltd
AT 1:00 P.M. IN FRONT SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. Orange Walk Branch on Thursday February 25th, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PEICE OF LAND, IN ORANGE WALK being Registration Section Ann Gabourel, Block 4, Parcel 2755 being the freehold property of Van Clarke.
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 20acres being BLOCK 4 PARCEL 65 DOUGLAS RURAL REGISTRATION SECTION. Located in San Jose/San Pablo Village being the Freehold property of Vicente Escalante.
ALL THAT piece or parcel being BLOCK 4 PARCEL 428/1 SAN JOSE/SAN PABLO REGISTRATION SECTION containing 1646.7 square meters being the Leasehold property of Miguel Briceno.
ALL THOSE THREE pieces or parcel of land containing 1,719.013 s.m. being Registration Section Indian Hill East Block 4 Parcel 514,515,516. Ishwar Mahbubani
ALL that piece or parcel Being Block 1 Parcels 228, 229, 230, 231 San Estevan Registration Section. Land measuring 657.1 sm, 710.8 sm, 641.7sm, & 729 sm respectively in San Estevan Village, Orange Walk. 39 x 39 feet Concrete bungalow structure: 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath, lkitchen, dining and living room. There is also an open shed, which is used as an additional kitchen & washing area. Being the Freehold property of Wilber & Erica Vega.
AT 11:00 a.m. on site
ALL THAT Being Block 4 Parcel 3706, Orange Walk Town Registration section being Registration Section Orange Walk Town Block 4 Parcel 3706, Orange Walk District, Belize. 3 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, living, kitchen and dining area being the freehold property of Ester Vargas.
Fee Simple Property BEING PARCELS 157 AND 158, DOUGLAS REG. SECTION BLOCK 1, ORANGE WALK. LOT 158 CONTAINS 1045.159 S.M. AND IS THE CORNER LOT ON ROADSIDE. LOT 157 CONTAINS 1040.57 SQ. METERS AND IS THE INSIDE LOT FOR WHICH THE STREET IS NOT YET OPENED. BOTH LOTS ARE PRESENTLY IN ITS NATURAL STATE. Property of Erica Cabral
All that piece or parcel of land containing 522.5 Square Meters being Registration Section Orange Walk Town Block 4 Parcel 879, Orange Walk District, Belize. Land only being the freehold property of Pabel Torres
ALL that piece or parcel of land containing 2160.701 square meters. being Registration Section Indian Hill East Block 4 Parcel 523, Orange Walk District. The property currently hosts a one storey structure which is unoccupied. Being the Freehold property of Roberto Santos
Lease property being lot no. 309 Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District, containing 1200.467 sqyds Two storey concrete structure; 2400 sqft Main: 1 living, dining, kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 2 bath rooms,laundry room Second Level - 80% completed: 1 living room, dining, kitchen , full bath, 4 bed rooms being the Leashold property of Primitivo Chan ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Parcel 206/1 Block 1 Miller’s Bight Registration Section containing 36.7 acres being the leashold property of Apolonio Ramirez.
All that lot, piece or parcel of land being parcel 510/1. REGISTRATION SECTION: SAN JOSE/SAN PABLO BLOCK: 1 PARCEL: 510/1. The Building is a 2 bedroom bungalow house. Being the leasehold property of Edwin Patt
ALL that piece or parcel Being Block 1 Parcels 485 & 486 San Estevan Village Lots Layout, Orange Walk and containing 1084.1 square meters (parcel 485) and 1018.6 square meters (parcel 486) respectively. Land only Property of Amelio Cansino. ALL That piece or parcel being Parcel 188 Block 1 San Jose/San Pablo Village.Containing a one storey concrete bungalow with a gross floor area of approximately 700sft. Holding 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living/ kitchen area.Being the Freehold property of Otilio Cacerez & Macedonia Chi.
NOEL J. CODD Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District Tel: Office: 677-5184 cell: 624-5184 Email:noelcodd@yahoo.com
@Noel Codd Auctioneer
21 FEB
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
PUBLIC AUCTION SALE FOR COROZAL DISTRICT
15 AT 2:00 p.m. on site
Licensed Auctioneer Noel J. Codd will sell the following properties at the time and places mention below on Friday February 26th, 2016 AT 8:30 a.m. on site
ALL that lot, parcel or piece of land, being Parcel No. 2163, Corozal North Registration Section, Block 1, Corozal. Located in PORT SAUL AREA. Holding a bungalow concrete house with 2 bedroom, one bath, living/dining/kitchen area. Land Measuring Approx 575.52 SQ YDS. Being the Freehold property of Roque & Maria Martinez.
AT 10:30 a.m. on site ALL that piece or parcel of land being Parcel 2157/1 Block 1 in Corozal North situate in Hall’s Layout, College Road, Corozal Town Land - 727.06 sqyds, Building 47.5ft x 32.5ft-split level concrete house, Main level holds 5 bedrooms, 2 full bath, 1 kitchen and living room. Second level 2 bedrooms and a storage area. There is also a 13ft x 15 ft single building in the yard being the leasehold property of Ezekiel Gilharry.
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, BEING PARCEL # 1450/1 CONSEJO ROAD S.E REG SECTION BLOCK 1, COROZAL District being the Leasehold of Jose Cawich
All that lot, parcel or piece of land, in Corozal North. Being Registartion Section Corozal North, Block 1, Parcel 868 and 869, Santa Rita Layout, Corozal Town, Corozal District. The building contains 1,395 square feet on the main floor and 930 sqare feet on the second floor.The building is made up off 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a laundry, a living kitchen and a dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Mohan and Asha Thani.
AT 1:00 p.m. on site
AT 9:00 a.m. on site
ALL that piece or parcel being Block 1 Parcel 282, situated at No. 96 5th Street North, Corozal Central, Corozal Town, Land measuring 669.91 SqYds, Building - Concrete bungalow structure containing 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath, kitchen, living room, dining room, and office being the Freehold property of Froylan & America Gilharry.
AT 10:00 a.m. on site
ALL that piece or parcel being Block 1 Parcel 682 Libertad Village Registration Section, Corozal District Land: 10,811.87 s. y Building is a two storey concreted dwelling - Main level contain 3 bedrooms, 1 full bath, kitchen, dining, living and laundry room, Second level is incomplete. According to the owner it has been sub-divided into 4 large lots. There is also a thatch house on the property a open trench that may have been initial work for a swimming pool. Being the Freehold property of Herman Botes.
All that lot, parcel or piece of land, in Corozal North being Registration Section Corozal North Block Parcel 2146.The building is 1050 square feet it comprises of 4bedrooms, 2 Full bathrooms, a living, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Teleford Flores.
AT 11:00 a.m. on site
AT 9:30 a.m. on site
ALL that piece or parcel of land being Corozal Central Registration Section Block 1 Parcel 278, located at No. 8th Street North, Corozal Town, Corozal District. Land - 505.33 sq yds. Building - One single storey bungalow house with 1 bedroom, 1 bath, living, dining and kitchen area. The original house is 21 X 31 fully complete, with an extension that is considered 40% completed and measuring 17 X 31 being the freehold of Abimael & Monica Catch.
AT 2:30 P.M. IN FRONT OF SCOTIABANK (Belize) LTD. Corozal Town Branch on Friday February 26th, 2016
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, BEING PARCEL # 31 Block 1, PARAISO/ SANTA RITA REGISTRATION SECTION. Building:2 ½ storey with 5,013 sq. ft. with Main:- 2,294 sq. ft 2 Bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 part bath, with kitchen, dining and living room areas and laundry room. Second:- 2,077 sq. ft. 2 Bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 part bath, with kitchen, dining and living room areas and laundry room. Third:-642 sq. ft. and is used as an additional living room space being the freehold of Ramesh Buxani Co Ltd
ALL that piece or parce being Block 3 Parcel 614 Sarteneja Registration Section, Corozal District. Vacant land measuring 1106.8 s.m. being the Freehold property of Juan Perez.
AT 1:30 p.m. on site
All that lot, parcel or piece of land in Corozal North Registration Section, Corozal North, Block 1 Parcel 846. The property contains 3bedrooms, 1 Full bathroom, a living, a kitchen and a dining area. On the second floor there are 3 bedrooms on the first floor 1Full bathroom, a living, a kitchen and a dining area. The house comprise of 1200 Square feet. Being the Fee simple property of Guadalupe Anderson.
AT 11:30 a.m. on site
ALL that parcel Sarteneja Registration Section, Block 3, parcel No. 348/1 COROZAL. Structure is a mix concrete bunglow with addition at the top, holding 3 bedrooms, bath, living/dining/kitchen areas. Property of Ariolo & Diana Samos
ALL that piece or parcel being Parcel 62 Block 1 COROZAL CENTRAL REG. SECTION. Located at No 3. 4th Ave Corozal Town. Building is FULLY CONCRETE, DWELLING COMPRISING OF A PARTIAL BASEMENT WHICH CREATES A TWO-STOREY. Measuring aprox. 1800 sq ft. Property of Albertico Gongora
NOEL J. CODD Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District Tel: Office: 677-5184 cell: 624-5184 Email:noelcodd@yahoo.com
16 Continued from page 15
THE BELIZE TIMES
21 FEB
2016
ALL THAT piece or parcel being PARCEL 539/1,SANTA CLARA/ SAN ROMAN REG. SECTION, BLOCK 1, COROZAL being the leasehold property of George Moralez.
All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1, parcels 302 Libertad Rural, Registration Section. Only being land is the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
Fee Simple Property being PARCEL # 552, LIBERTAD VILLAGE REG. SECTION BLOCK # 1, Corozal District, Belize. THE PROPERTY IS A BIG AND LONG LOT containing 1799.63 S.. IT IS DEVELOPED WITH 2 HOUSES. THE 1ST HOUSE IS A TWOSTOREY WOODEN AND CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH 5 BEDROOMS, 1 FULL BATH, KITCHEN, DINING AND LIVING. IT MEASURES ABOUT 2100 SQ. FEET. WHILE THE 2ND AT THE BACK IS WOODEN WITH A CONCRETE, BACK ADDITION WHICH GIVES IT SORT OF AN L - SHAPED and HAS ABOUT 1300 SQ. FEET. IT HAS 3 BEDROOMS LIVING DINING AND KITCHEN. PROPERTY OF EMILIO & MELVA SARMIENTO (EMILA & BALDOMINIO MONTEJO)
All that piece or parcel containing 1.17 Acres being lot 5 situate approx 10 1/2 Miles On the Belize Corozal Road. Land Only being the freehold property of Noguera Sugarcane Derivatives
All that piece or parcel containing 639.4 Square Meters, being Registration Section Grants Land Block 1 Parcel 322/1 Copper Bank, Corozal District. The property is appraised under the assumption of good marketable title in fee simple volume 28 of 2002. The property in review has a single family bungalow residence with a gross square footage of 980 sq ft at ground floor and 260 sq ft at first floor and land 639.4 S.M. being the freehold property of Sarah Cobb
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 2995 sm being Block1 Parcel 141 San Andres/ Ranchito Registration Section. The Subject Property houses 3 structures. Building No.1 is 1,200sft. and is occupied as a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home complete with kitchen, dining & living room spaces. Building No.2: concrete two storey structure of 1,920sft. Each floor is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom space each with kitchen, dining & living room spaces. Building No. 3 is aq 1,200sft. structure with floor & walls in place only Freehold properties of Armando Martinez and Ervin Rancharan.
All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1 Parcel 221 Libertad Rural Registration Section. Building is 1410 square feet. Contains 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, a living, kitchen and family room. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
Leonardo Folgarait Properties ALL THAT LOT PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND BEING PARCEL 28,CAROLINA CALCUTTA REG. SECTION, BLOCK 1, COROZAL containing 907.43 SQUARE YARDS. THE PROPERTY IS IN KEN’S LAYOUT, AN EXPANSION OF XAIBE VILLAGE AND IS FIVE LOTS OFF THE MAIN ROAD. Building is a one storey concrete structure with 1 bath, living dining and kitchen area. Property is designed for more bedrooms but is not complete. Fee simple property of Valentin Nicholas
ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, IN SAN ANDRES/RANCHITO being Registration Section San Andres/ Ranchito Block 1 Parcel 792 Corozal District. The building contains 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living, and kitchen area being the Freehold of Jeorge Zetina
All that lot, piece or parcel land being Block 1 Parcel 129 Paraiso/Santa Rita Registarion Section. Land with frame structure. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
ALL that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1 Parcel 225 Libertad Rural Registration Section. Land with frame structure. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
4 PARCELS OF LAND ALL that lot, piece or parcel being Block 1 Parcel 93 Libertad Rural Reg Sec. Land only. Being the Fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait ALL THAT LOT PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND BEING PARCEL 57/1, BUENA VISTA REG. SECTION BLOCK 1, COROZAL. Containing Approximately 1310.6 S.Y. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS NEAR CENTRALLY LOCATED LOT IN THE VILLAGE AND TWO STREETS PARALLEL TO THE NORTHERN HIGHWAY.Holding a two storey concrete building: main level has 1 bed room, living and dining area. Second level has 3 bedrooms, living, dining and kitchen area. Leasehold property for Florencia Pott
All that lot, piece or parcel being Block 1 Parcel 93 Libertad Rural Registration Section. Land only. Being the Fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
ALL THAT pieces or parcels of land being 1 Parcel 120 containing 50.2 acres Parcel 97 containing 14.798 acres, Parcel 95 containing 62.79 acres and Parcel 86 containing 88.16 acres situated in Libertad Rural Registration Section cane land only being the Freehold properties of Armando Martinez and Ervin Rancharan.
All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1, parcels 302 Libertad Rural, Registration Section. Only being land is the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1 Parcel 53 & 54 Corozal Central Registration Section. Building is 1615 square feet 2 storey building. Lot 53 houses a radio station and studio at the top and a television studio at the bottom. Lot 54 has an out toilet, concreted courtyard/dancehall with a portion of a kitchen/bar. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait
Continued on page 23
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2016
Weed Views By G. Michael Reid In a recent appearance on Krem’s Sunday Review, Chairman of the Social Security Board Doug Singh exploded a bombshell that proved the perfect “red herring” to his cause. Singh was there to answer questions regarding the twelve million dollar loan to Santander but wound up taking the conversation in a completely different direction. A new purpose has been found for the marijuana issue and look for it to be tossed around much leading up to the next general election; whenever it is called. Singh has already warned that while a proposal has been forwarded and was approved by cabinet that it might take several years for any real action to be taken. Look for such action to be timely and politically convenient. According to a 2010 Population Census, Belize population is comprised of over sixty percent young people, mostly under the age of 25 years old. In this age group in particular, support for address to the marijuana is high. These young people can either already vote or will be eligible to do so in the near future. Make no mistake, the benefits or detriments of marijuana use are of far less concern to these politicians than victory in an election. I have long made known my stand on this issue and that is that small amounts of marijuana should at the very least, be decriminalized. Alcohol is far more dangerous than weed and its use accounts for the deaths of thousands of people each year. It is suggested that cannabis kills nobody, although Willie Nelson once claimed that a friend of his died
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tives. In a recent interview with President Obama, an interviewer suggested that “...if you legalize marijuana it would be the biggest part of your legacy.” In response, Obama replied that the topic should not be a priority. “Let’s put it in perspective” said Obama, when a bale of cannabis fell on his “Young people, I understand head. this is important to you. But you Fun and joke aside, the effort should be thinking about climate to decriminalize or legalize marichange, the economy, jobs, war juana should be distanced from and peace. Maybe way at the botpolitics and approached from a tom you should be thinking about rational and socially responsible marijuana”. standpoint. While I am in favour A recent article from Atlantic of the decriminalization of marimagazine suggest that: “A senjuana, I am not so naïve where I sible point can be extracted from cannot consider and respect the this mess. If a genie appeared to views and concerns of those who a young person and said that with are opposed. I agree with those a single wish they could either who suggest that we should legalize marijuana, end climate move cautiously and responsibly change, assure a strong economy, toward the complete legalization or bring about a peaceful planet, it of this substance. A comment by would indeed be wrongheaded to long time columnist Ann Landers prioritize legal marijuana. But that has long stuck in my mind when isn’t how politics works”. The point of this essay is that while it is all good and well to adLet us look at corruption, unlawful enrichdress the marijuana issue, we cannot allow it ment by politicians, incompetence in our to distract us from the public service, domestic violence, more pressing concerns poverty and the shortcomings in our of the day. The issue of what to do about marieducation and healthcare systems. juana must also be taken Only then should we pay any mind to out of the political realm and not be allowed to be issue of marijuana. used as a political football or any red herring to distract from the important mattem in practice, Governor of Coloshe suggested that “marijuana ters of the day. Let us look at corrado John Hickenlooper referred use makes dreamers of potential ruption, unlawful enrichment by to it as “commonsense”. Jamaica achievers”. As a former user and politicians, incompetence in our recently became the first Caribabuser of marijuana, I can attest public service, domestic violence, bean country to legalize marijuana to the validity of this statement poverty and the shortcomings in for medical and religious purposes and believe that my previous exour education and healthcare sysand citizens there are allowed to perience gives me some authority tems. Only then should we pay possess as much as 60 grams to speak on the matter. any mind to issue of marijuana. without the risk of arrest. It is inI smoked a lot of marijuana in That will work itself out; the rest evitable that Belize will go in this my youth and only finally and fully will take much doing on our part. direction but indications are that gave it up when I began working May GOD bless Belize! it will be fraught with political mofor the Police Department. I realized that it would be wrong for me to be using marijuana while representing a department that was locking people up my doing the exact same thing; after all, my hypocrisy does have bounds. I must say that I have not regretted my decision to discontinue using marijuana and sincerely believe that I have been more clearheaded in my choices and more constructive and productive in my living. I remember quite often during my time of getting high, when I would have work to do and found it way too easy to procrastinate. A release from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, an association dedicated to treating people for addictions, recently warned that “One of the recurring themes we hear from the youth we treat is regret - of wasted time, lost opportunities, squandered talent, impaired memory, reduced performance and disinterest in healthy activities”. Again, while I do support the decriminalization of marijuana, we cannot afford to ignore the warnings those who have done extensive studies on the subject. Scores of celebrities throughout the world have been coming out admitting to using marijuana and this has certainly helped nudge the US toward legalization or at least more lenient penalties. In fact, no less than 14 presidents including the last three, Bush, Clinton and Barak Obama, have admitted to having smoked weed and even using cocaine. Four states have completely legalized marijuana use and citizens of those states are allowed to buy marijuana in stores. Taxes from the sales are used to build schools and after seeing the sys-
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21 FEB
THE BELIZE TIMES
MY PERSPECTIVE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia
Incredible Misogyny We are in the Season of Lent now. Just last week there were Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans, and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Trinidad. Trinidad J’Ouvert and Carnival Tuesday are loved, and are considered by many to be one of the greatest street celebrations anywhere. I have witnessed the excitement, the music, the pageantry of the event in Port of Spain and at the Queen’s Park Savannah where the huge music bands pass as thousands participate in “playing mas.” And I agree that it is hard to beat. Very sad news emerged on Ash Wednesday last week when the dead body of a reveller was discovered in the bushes at the
Savannah by a homeless person. It was that of a woman who was clad in her Legacy Band carnival costume. The body had not yet been fully identified, nor all the circumstances surrounding the death brought to light, when Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee got on his soapbox pontificating and decried the lewd and crude behavior of women at Carnival and, according to him, the vulgarity that takes place. He was referring of course to the mostly bikini costumes worn by women who play mas. He suggested that by dressing in a revealing costume and dancing, that somehow she was responsible for her own death. He intoned: “The woman has the responsibility to ensure that she is not abused.” (!!) The tragic slaying of a young
woman is no time at all to pontificate. Literally thousands upon thousands of men and women jump up in Trinidad’s Carnival, most of them dressed in skimpy yet gorgeous costumes. Many people could not understand how the Mayor could blame the victim. She turned out to be Japanese professional musician and pannist (steel pan player) well-loved Asami Nagakiya, 30 yrs. She had participated in Carnival for many years, after falling in love with Trinidad and its people and revelling and playing mas various times. One newspaper report was titled: “Outrage in Trinidad After Mayor Blames Carnival Killing on Her Lewd Behavior.” And sustained international outrage it was indeed. There was a roar of outrage at the Mayor’s victim blaming and his suggestion that there can be impunity for crime because of how the victim dresses. Ms. Nagakiya had been strangled, and she may have been raped. The Mayor’s attitude was incredible, insensitive, and sexist. It seemed that the killing to him was less an outrageous crime and more an embarrassment to the city. But he did not expect the fallout. By weekend, 10,000 persons had signed a petition for him to resign. There were protests in Port of Spain and in London, the Opposition called for his head, and women’s rights activists and other outraged citizens similarly called for his
2016 resignation. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said “He didn’t even offer condolences, but proceeded to offer scandalous speculation on her death. It is unbelievable that in a 21st century society a mayor can utter such outrageous and misogynistic statements about a young woman when the facts are not yet known.” Mayor Tim Kee later apologized halfheartedly, but the damage was great. By Saturday February 13th he announced that he would be stepping down. Prime Minister Rowley announced that Mayor Tim Kee was sorry for his statements, and acknowledged that Tim Kee, the Treasurer of the ruling People’s National Movement, had misspoken. Opposition Leader Kamla chimed in again: “This is a true victory of the people. I heartily commend all those who took up the struggle and spoke out against Mr. Tim Kee’s vile sentiments.” And UN Women Representative Christine Arab said that victim blaming sends a dangerous message. “It reaffirms a message of impunity, when accountability must lie entirely with the perpetrator.” What a sorry episode. I agree completely that Mayor Tim Kee has to go. In today’s world we cannot tolerate such incredible misogyny.
Belmopan Mayor threatens to leave 30 families homeless
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BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY
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Test-driving the hydrogen car that makes a little go a long way A prototype car tailored to its hydrogen power source gets more oomph from its fuel cell than competitors, leading the way to more efficient, cleaner vehicles
17 February 2016 HUGO SPOWERS puts his foot down. The car leaps forward, pressing me into the passenger seat. I’m zipping through London in a new kind of vehicle: its motors are in its wheels, it brakes without friction and it can drive 480 kilometres on one tank of the lightest element in the universe. Spowers is taking me for a spin in the Rasa, a prototype hydrogen car that emits only water vapour. Trying to power a normal car with hydrogen usually requires a bulky fuel cell capable of delivering the same output as a combustion engine – typically around 100 kilowatts. But the Rasa, built by start-up Riversimple in Llandrindod Wells, UK, does things differently. Rather than making a fuel cell that can power a normal car, Spowers has designed a car around the fuel cell. This means it requires 10 times less power than an ordinary car. But even with the lightweight design, this power is only enough to keep the vehicle cruising. So the Rasa has another trick to generate the bursts of energy needed for acceleration. The Rasa uses a sort of high-
tech electricity trap called a supercapacitor. Because they store energy as electricity, rather than in chemical form, supercapacitors can release large amounts of energy faster than anything else – perfect for giving a car some oomph. The hydrogen fuel cell sends a constant trickle of energy into a supercapicitor, then the whole lot is released when the car needs it. I wince the first time Spowers brakes at a pedestrian crossing, because I know how the Rasa’s brakes work. They are entirely electric. Instead of using brake pads and friction, the Rasa slows down by revers-
ing the motor in each wheel. This turns the motors into generators, recapturing the car’s kinetic energy and pushing it into the supercapacitor. Friction-based brakes only come into play for emergency stops. “In a normal braking event, we will recover about 50 per cent of the kinetic energy of the car,” says Spowers. For comparison, a similar system in the Toyota Prius only recovers 10 per cent of this energy. Despite the Rasa’s clever tricks, is the use of hydrogen fuel in cars a nonstarter? The Tesla Model S has taken the automotive world by storm, sug-
Sound wave therapy is first alternative to Viagra in 15 years STAND aside Viagra: a sound wave therapy that treats erectile dysfunction offers men the first alternative to the little blue pill in 15 years. Viagra and similar drugs work by increasing blood flow to the penis, but men who use them have to plan sex around the drugs, and side effects can include headaches, dizziness, nasal congestion and sudden hearing loss. An alternative, called extra-corporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), could provide a longerterm solution, according to several studies discussed this month at a meeting of the European Society for Sexual Medicine in Madrid, Spain. One study of ESWT involved
112 men with erectile dysfunction. Half received five weekly doses of lowintensity sound waves directed at six sites along their penis. The other half received a placebo. At the start of the
study, none of the men were able to have penetrative sex without medication. By the end, 57 per cent of the treated men said they were having intercourse, compared with 9 per cent of the men who received the placebo (Scandinavian Journal of Urology, doi.org/ bch9). The treatment seems to increase blood flow to the penis by encouraging the growth of new blood vessels, says Ilan Gruenwald of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel. If this
gesting that running cars on lithiumion batteries is the way forward. Nick Asselin-Miller of sustainability consultancy Ricardo says it’s not that simple. “The energy density of hydrogen under high pressure is much higher than you can store in batteries,” he says. A hydrogen tank and fuel cell gets you a lot farther than a battery of the same size and weight. The electricity grid isn’t ready for widespread adoption of electric cars either. “If you converted the entire vehicle fleet to electric, that would place a huge strain on the grid,” says Asselin-Miller. “A doubling in grid capacity is required. Not going to happen soon.” Hydrogen offers an alternative that is likely to have a place alongside battery power. The Rasa prototype is not a normal car in looks or function. And the infrastructure to support hydrogen cars is embryonic at best. But when we accelerate swiftly and silently, encased in carbon fibre and leaving nothing in our wake but water, I can’t help but feel like I’m sitting in the future.
proves true, it suggests the treatment could be long-lasting. Another study found that ESWT improves erectile function in men who do not respond to traditional drugs. Other small trials have also reported positive results. The treatment is unlikely to cause any harm because the sound waves are of such low energy, says Delphine Behr-Roussel of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University in France, who is studying the effects of ESWT in rats. Although ESWT is offered in some clinics around the world, Trinity Bivalacqua at Johns Hopkins University and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, says that he would not offer it to his patients just yet, because treatment protocols need to be standardised. However, he is hopeful for the future of the therapy. “I’ve been a sceptic, but I’m becoming a believer,” he says.
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REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES
China to relocate 10,000 to make way for huge telescope
Cuba’s struggle to cope with the tourism boom U.S. officials expected to sign an agreement with Cuba, allowing up to 30 direct flights from the U.S. a day. Like most Cubans, Richard Soler cannot afford to travel. But, he says, he is still seeing the world, with each tourist he meets. He gives horse-drawn carriage rides on the streets of Old Havana. When the expected wave of American and foreign investment arrives, he says, this Cuba, in a time capsule, won’t wash away. “There is nobody like the Cubans. Not a McDonald’s nor a Kentucky Fried Chicken is going to change Cubans. It’s a lie.” Tourism is one of Cuba’s primary sources of income. Since U.S. President Barack Obama announced that his country was going to normalise relations with Cuba in December 2014, it was as if a floodgate opened. In 2015, three and a half million visitors came to the long-isolated island, an increase of half a million from the year before, according to the Centre for the Study of the Cuban Economy at the University of Havana. “Some people have this idea, I want to visit Cuba before it changes too much. I want to visit Cuba before the Americans overflow the country,” says Ricardo Torres, an economist with the centre.
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Apple rejects FBI order to crack gunman’s phone
Telescope that officials say could help search for alien life is due to start operations later this year. China plans to relocate 10,000 people to make way for the world’s largest radio telescope, which authorities say will help them search for alien life. The 500-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), nestled between hills in the southwestern Guizhou province, is due to start operations this year, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. Provincial officials have said that they will move 9,110 residents living within five kilometres of the listening device by September. The relocations aim to “create a sound electromagnetic wave environment”, Xinhua cited a top regional official named Li Yuecheng as saying. Xinhua earlier quoted Wu Xiangping, director-general of the Chinese Astronomical Society, as saying that the telescope’s high level of sensitivity “will help us to search for intelligent life outside of the galaxy”.
NEWS
Tim Cook says order to circumvent encryption on San Bernardino attacker’s phone would set dangerous precedent.
Pope to round off Mexico trip in former drug bastion Pope Francis is set to complete his tour of Mexico with a visit to a city once synonymous with the country’s drug war. Local security officials hope the pontiff’s visit to Ciudad Juarez on the country’s border with the US on Wednesday will help heal the wounds left by drug violence, which left more than 10,000 people dead. The number of murders in the city has gone down from 3,000 in 2010 to just over 300 in 2015, but even though violence has lessened, poverty and youth unemployment remain major issues. The Catholic church is trying to tempt young people in poorer neighbourhoods from a life of crime by offering exercise classes, among other activities. But at least one religious leader says the government and the church are not addressing the core issues.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has hit out at a court order that would force the company to write software allowing the FBI to crack encryption on its devices. In a letter published on the company’s website on Wednesday, Cook said the move would set a dangerous precedent and have implications for the privacy of its customers. The US government wants to crack encryption software on a phone belonging to one of the San Bernardino attackers, Syed Farook, but Apple says doing so will compromise security on devices belonging to other customers. “Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us,” Cook said in the letter. “The FBI asked us for help in the days following the attack, and we have worked hard to support the government’s efforts to solve this horrible crime. We have no sympathy for terrorists,” he added.
Brazil freezes almost $50m worth of Neymar’s assets Jet, yacht, bank accounts and properties of Barcelona star blocked over alleged evasion of $16m in taxes. Brazilian authorities have frozen assets worth almost $50m belonging to the football star Neymar da Silva Santos Junior over alleged tax evasion, local media has reported. The striker’s personal yacht, jet, bank accounts, and properties in six Brazilian cities were blocked over charges that he, his family and related businesses owe about $16m in taxes
allegedly evaded from 2011 to 2013. Authorities ordered that assets valued at three times the alleged evaded amount be frozen, in accordance with Brazilian law in cases of deliberate evasion. A Sao Paulo federal court rejected an appeal from Neymar, who denies any wrongdoing, last week over the allegations and started issuing warrants to freeze his assets. Iagaro Jung Martins, an auditor
with Brazil’s federal tax agency, told the Associated Press news agency that Neymar is not likely to go to jail if he pays what regulators say he owes. “He can still appeal that decision, but it is a step forward,” Martins said. “Nothing changed to what was in place last year: if he pays what he owes, the case is closed. Our legislation isn’t too harsh.”
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THE BELIZE TIMES
THINK ABOUT IT
BELIZEAN BABY GIVEN TO GUATEMALA A battle erupted between a Belizean mother and her former Guatemalan partner over their two year old child when all three were living in Guatemala. The mother brought her daughter to Belize while there was some sort of court case taking place in Guatemala. The father pursued the matter. First the Women’s Department or Human Development Ministry got involved by wrongly seizing the 2 year old from the mother in Belize. The matter ended up in the Family Court. So far, so bad. It now gets worse. The Family Court made a decision to take away the child from the mother and hand over the child to the father to be taken to Guatemala. There presumably the matter of the mom fighting for her little daughter may continue. Under the Constitution of Belize, the child of a Belizean is automatically a citizen of Belize. Under any sensible law, parents who are married share joint custody of their children. Such is the law in Belize. Under Belize law, like elsewhere, a child born to unwed parents the custody of such a child is one hundred percent for the mother. No international convention can trump (like Donald Trump) the law of Belize. No court can take away a child from its mother unless there is proof of illtreatment, cruelty, etc. involved. No such factors are at play when Human Development and Family Court allowed the mother to be deprived of her child. There must be a modicum, sorry, some minimum displays of nationalism and patriotism in our country. To come to Belize to take away a little baby from its mother is worrisome. ERIC EUSEY Eric Eusey has been replaced in his job as Director of the Financial and Intelligence Unit. His replacement is a former Minister of government. Mr. Eusey is a former career public officer. He rose through the public service to become the Commissioner of Income Tax and a formidable local expert on taxation. He recently retired. We think the former Minister should have been given another job and let Mr. Eusey remain at the F.I.U. We think public officers who give the best part of their lives to the public service, in the impeccable and committed manner as Mr. Eusey has done, deserve to be recognized and, where possible, allowed to serve where their expertise, training and experience are needed once they are not blocking the upward path of good, hard working and competent public officers who have also dedicated their lives to their country. Last week’s column included some comments on government’s intention to appoint not one, but two foreigners to be judges for over the next thirty odd years. This has sparked concerns in quarters
of the legal profession. The wider public knows nothing of the sad conditions in our judiciary. And the few smart persons in the media know very little of the wider implications of what’s involved. While American governance has little to offer Belize- we still wish to draw attention to a recent situation. Last week a Judge of the Supreme Court of the USA passed away. Under their Constitution the President can nominate, and the Senate then appoints unless, the nominee is unsuitable. The Senate is made up of members of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party with Republicans being the majority. For racist and political reasons the Republicans have publicly vowed that any person nominated by the President will not be approved and they will hold off appointment until another President is elected in November. The point we wish to make is that the appointment of Judges in Belize should be treated with far, far more importance than what we see taking place in our country. We must publicly ask once again: why are the qualified Belizean lawyers not being approached to serve their country in such crucial positions as Solicitor General, DPP, Chief Magistrate and Judges in our Supreme Court and Court of Appeal? And this is no reflection on the able persons currently holding those posts. THE TALKERS R IN TOWN The leaders of the English-speaking Caribbean countries are in Belize. They are meeting in Placencia as part of their annual get together to discuss issues affecting their countries. We want to bet that the issues of poverty and unemployment are not on the agenda. The issue of closer ties among our people is not on the agenda. Nor how radio and TV is not being utilized to make us better appreciate each other and learn from each other. Nor how to maximize our agriculture development and out-put. Or to bring greater, relevant education to even greater numbers of our people. Bet the leaders will talk of Climate Change and Zika and how to find ways to beg the more developed nations for money. Bet they will talk out their quota on the de-risking, banking issue. But not one will suggest that the solution might be in going to meet the Black Caucus of the USA Congress and Senate so that pressure can be brought on the insensitive policy that is hurting Caricom business. Check this out. Just an opinion, but pound for pound, inch for inch the Caribbean leaders are the biggest talkers and least doers on the planet. Their countries are in decline, their people are struggling for a little better life, their educational institutions are not producing agents of change; and they are talking and talking and talking. The Queen should have one of those neo-colonial titles like O.T. and M.O.T (Outstanding Talkers and Most Outstanding Talkers). LENT While we are in a bit of a cynical mood,
now is as good a time to talk religion. It’s Lent. Lent is important to Anglicans, Methodists, and Roman Catholics. It represents when Jesus was fasting for forty days in the desert, preparing himself for the ordeal of preaching and educating up to the time of his trial, murder on a cross and then walking out of the tomb. Christians are encouraged to deny themselves during lent. Some give up smoking, drinking, dancing and other habits or minor luxuries for the period of Lent. A huge part of the problems facing our society is that there is too little religion. We need more Christians in our community. We need to practice Christianity. We need to care for each other. We need to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers. We need to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We need to call out the Preachers and Pastors in our midst. You all have taken up the task of being the Shepherds in our society. You must therefore condemn the wolves and lions in our midst who harm the innocent sheep. Yours is a great responsibility. Do your duty. Lent is also a wonderful opportunity to read from the Bible for the next several weeks. There are Four Gospels which tells us about the life and teachings of Jesus. For the remainder of Lent-you can set a target to read at least two of the Gospels. Start with Mark, it is 16 chapters. Thereafter, in two weeks of very slow reading you can proceed to the Gospel of Matthew. It’s awesome and entirely enjoyable. STUDENTS’ DEBATE High scores -75 out of 100 goes to the persons at the Social Security Board who have approved and organized a series of debates among our High School students. Bless your little hearts. This is a good thing deserving of all encouragement and support. In time-the sooner, the better- we expect to see Galen University, University of Belize and the outreach unit of the University of the West Indies (which needs to change its name to University of the Caribbean, for we ain’t no Indians, East or West) sponsor regular debates at a higher level and with more impactful topics. It is disturbing that God’s goodness gave us such a piece of paradise with so many natural resources and our people are so uninformed and uneducated. Let there be more public discourse of a higher, informative level. Congrats to SSB, you have put our universities to shame. MEN ARE DOGS Oh my gosh! It’s true. What women have been saying for years is right on target- that men are such dogs. Most of them have no commitment to loyalty and faithfulness. No matter what wonderful the women and wives they have; who are faithful and love them, most men still go out chasing after other women. And some are chasing other men. It’s true, some men, most men, are no good in this respect. They are weak, undisciplined and behave like dogs.
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Which Barrow collected $175,000 as Christmas Bonus? Belize City, February 15, 2016 Reliable sources have shared with the BELIZE TIMES that a certain Barrow had the sweetest Christmas ever after collecting a huge Xmas bonus of $175,000 last year. Can you guess who it was? It may be a bit difficult to figure out. Not because the idea of one of the Barrows collecting such a grand load of money as bonus is hard to believe. On the contrary, the family members of Prime Minister Dean Barrow are known mini-millionaires. His Ex-wife Lois currently collects a huge salary paid by tax payers’ as Ambassador to New York and the United Nations. Tax payers pay her New York apartment rent, light bill and even grocery bill. Before this, she was hired and paid handsomely as a private attorney by the Barrow Government for cases that were at times straightforward litigation matters for the Attorney General’s Ministry to deal with. His son, Anwar, went from junior manager at a pawn shop to executive chairman for Belize’s most lucrative utility company, Belize Telecoms Limited. This is the same company PM Barrow took away from private owners in the name of the Belizean people. Under Anwar the company has seen significant profit losses and major glitches with the services offered. Customers are turning away from BTL daily. But Barrow is still collecting an executive salary, enough to smell like Tom Ford and travel on special junkets. His other son, Shyne, went straight from a 10-year sentence at the Woodbourne prison facility in New York to becoming Belize’s “Musical Ambassador” under the Barrow Administration. We don’t know what all kinds of perks Shyne gets with such a post but we know that since coming back to Belize he’s been living large. Now Shyne wants to be in charge and become a politician to continue the “family business”. Wife, Kim, is currently rubbing shoulders with the elite in a special visit to the United Arab Emirates. She was given the special title of “Special Envoy” by the Prime Minister which she uses for her junkets and highpriced magazine photo shoots paid for by tax payers. Brother B, Denys, has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars paid by the Government for his private legal services. This man charges $1,000 per hour and Prime Minister Barrow is most willing to pay it since the money is not his own but for the people of Belize. In one year alone, the Government spent $10m on legal services and Brother B was among those feeding from the trough. So which Barrow is the mean Grinch who collected $175,000 as bonus for Christmas? No other than Anwar Barrow, who once told a Jamaican newspaper that “wealth” is one of his four priorities in life. While most Belizeans are struggling to put meals on their tables, the Barrows are having a grand time amongst poor.
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AT 2:30 P.M. IN FRONT OF SCOTIABANK (Belize) LTD. Corozal Town Branch on Friday February 26th, 2016
All that lot, parcel, or piece of land in Sarteneja being Registration Section Sarteneja Block 3 parcel 604/1. The house contains 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, a living, a kitchen and a dining area and comprise of 954 sq. ft. Being the Leasehold property of Jael Cobb.
All that lot, parcel or piece of land, being parcel number 571 Sarteneja Registration Section, Block 3, Corozal District. The building contains 900 square feet on the main floor and 960 square feet on the second floor. The building has 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Leonelo Chuck.
HONDURAN WOMAN MURDERED IN SAN PEDRO
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, February 16, 2016 San Pedro Police are investigating the chilling murder of a young Honduran woman who had made “la isla bonita” her home. 22 year old Johana Samantha Mendez Barrios was murdered early Tuesday morning by an unknown assailant. Police found Barrios at the San Pedro health center, Johana Samantha Mendez Barrios Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, with a fatal cut wound on her neck. Barrios was taken to the health clinic by a friend who had found her stumbling outside her apartment, bleeding profusely. It is believed that Barrios was violently attacked inside her second-floor apartment located on Bonefish Street, in the Boca Del Rio Area. She had arrived home between 5am and 6am, after a night out, when she was attacked. Police believe the killer was a burglar who was already in the house. Belize City, February 15, 2016 Barrios was emTragedy struck a visiting delegation of stuployed as a waitress at dents from Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., when one a bar on the island. of the visitors drowned while on a trip to MonA postmortem exkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary located in the outamination to be conskirts of the Belize District. ducted on Wednesday Tomari Jackson was supposed to celebrate will point to the exact his 15th birthday in Belize. He arrived over the cause of death. weekend as part of travelling group of stu-
U.S. student drowns in Belize during science trip
23 LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that LINDSAY WADE Jr. is applying for a renewal for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “North Side Diner”, situated at Cran Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that LILIOSA DE LA TORRE is applying for a renewal of a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Lilian Store”, situated at 25 Water Lane, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. dents from North Cobb High School in Atlanta. One day into the visit, however, the group experienced a terrible occurrence when they went to swim in the Sibun River. Jackson disappeared under water and it took various attempts by a diving team to find his body. As a result of the incident, the school cancelled the rest of the visit and the students returned home distraught. Managing Director of Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Matthew Miller, has expressed condolences to the family of the student. Miller said that in the over twenty years he has organised school trips this is the first time there is such a tragic event.
CARTOON
All that lot, parcel or piece of land, in Corozal District, being Block 1, Parcel 468, Buena Vista Village, Corozal District. The building is divided into differect secetions. The first floor is divided into three secections as follow: a left sectcion is presently being used as a one bedroom apartment. The middle section is open up from the front like a corridor and sitting area. The right section has 2 bedrooms. The second floor of the buliding is a new completed construction. Being the Fee simple property of Ricardo Gutierrez .
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