Belize Times June 22, 2014

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

22 JUNE 2014 | ISSUE NO: 4900

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

“Penner Loving, Castro Hugging,

Lying Prime Minister” Pg. 9

Hospital sent baby to morgue alive?

Fonseca to Barrow: Stop the Cover Up!!

Pg. 10

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION FIRES TEACHERS Pg. 31

The family claims that these pictures of baby Zayden before going to the morgue and after show the baby in different positions

Scene of Friday’s brazen daylight murder

Pg. 9

Pg. 10

Violent

Crime

Surges

2 02

Green Tropics & Valley of Peace farmers in dispute over land Belize City, June 17th, 2014 Valley of Peace farmers and Spanish/Guatemalan Company, Green Tropics Limited, are locked in yet another dispute, this time over a block of land used by the farmers to supply a significant portion of the vegetables in the country.

Green Tropics argues that the land occupied by the farmers forms part of the over 6,000 acres bought by the company in a private transaction following their start of business in Belize in October 2008.

The thirty two farmers, on the other hand, say that they have been farming in the area north west of Belmopan City for over three decades, long before the land was privately-owned.

On June 9th 2014, the farmers received letters sent by Mikhail Arguelles and Associates on behalf of Green Tropics. In the letter, the company demands that the farmers “remove [themselves] from our client’s property on or before Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 3:00pm”. The letter further threatened that if the farmers didn’t follow their demand, the law firm would “avail [their] client’s rights in the courts of Belize both criminally and civilly”.

With support from Cayo South Area Representative Hon. Julius Espat, the farmers obtained legal representation through Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck of Barrow & Co. LLP. Marshalleck responded to Green Tropics on June 12th, making it clear that his clients are going nowhere. “…our clients have been farming the land in question for well in excess of thirty years. The limitation period prescribed by Section 12 of the Limitation Act for any action to recover land has accordingly expired regardless of whether the lands were privately or publicly held prior to acquisition by your client,” responded Marshalleck.

This is the second dispute between the farmers and the company. The farmers have also turned to the Court for compensation after Green Tropics allegedly caused the destruction of their crops valued

LOCAL 20 Jun

22 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

Hon. Julius Espat

at thousands of dollars in March of this year.

The company had carried out aerial spraying on March 15. Days later, the Valley of Peace farmlands were covered with dying crops.

Green Tropics first claimed that they were not responsible for the damage to the crops as the areas sprayed was not in the proximity of the farmlands.

“We came out immediately and we brought the technical people out to really do their first assessment. We collected samples and we sent them to two independent labs, one in Spain and one in Guatemala. We have gotten back results from the one in Guatemala already. We are sufficiently confident in saying that we did not and we would never ever want to see a situation where we are responsible for anything of what’s on the ground. It’s unfortunate that yes there are damaged crops on the fields but I want to categorically state that it’s definitely not form the aerial spraying,” claimed company representative Beverly Burke on April 3rd.

But a press release issued by Green Tropics last week [printed in the Sunday, June 15th 2014 edition of the BELIZE TIMES] had a different tone. In that release, the company appeared to admit that there is a possibility that their spraying

weather 21 Jun

22 Jun

23 Jun

could have caused the damages, but claimed that since the spraying was done by a “third party” and occurred over “its own land”, the company “will not pay any alleged compensation for purported damage”.

Green Tropics also disputes that the damages were not to 100% of the crops and that the value of the loss was exaggerated.

The typically slow and bias Ministry of Natural Resources had attempted play the role of mediator in the dispute over the crop damages. But after calling meetings and seemingly siding with the company, the farmers have rejected the Government’s involvement and have turned to the Court instead.

Of interest is that in last week’s press release by Green Tropics, the Barrow Administration’s involvement in the ejection of the farmers was exposed. The company said that they have “discussed…with the Government of Belize to curtail and relocate the ever growing squatter community”.

The Barrow Administration have never once met with the Valley of Peace residents to warn them of this matter, or offer to provide advice and support as the large company prepared its offensive. The Government simply have abandoned poor and hardworking farmers. Thankfully the farmers have Area Representative Hon. Julius Espat, who has said he will support the farmers and level the playing field.

2624Mar Jun

2014

No Water Board in Billy White!

Cayo District, June 18, 2014 It is now more than one year since the last village Council elections and to date the Ministry of local Government refuses to assist in forming a new Water Board for Billy White Village. The UDP Water Board appointed for the years 2010-2013 resigned one year after the appointment and since there has been no Water Board. The system is operated by one Mr. Marroquin who is the maintenance person. Because a PUP village council was elected in 2013, the Ministry of Local Government refuses to appoint a new Board.

For the past two weeks residents of Billy White Village have been complaining of a stench in the “potable” water. There is no Board to complain to and Mr. Marroquin responds to no one. There is no knowledge of the funds of the Water Board, one which was self sufficient, self funded and which had substantial monies in its account.

The citizens and residents of Billy White call upon the Minister of local Government to solve this situation immediately and to give attention to the reason for the stinking/ putrid water.

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

The Truth Shall Make You Free

ISSUE NO: 4840

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

27 Mar Jun 625 Feb

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

editortimes@yahoo.com

Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar

United States (USD): $ 0.50

Barbados (BBD): $ 1.01

Eastern Caribbean Euro (XCD):$ 1.36 (EUR) : $ 0.37

Sterling Pound Guatemala Quetzal CANADIAN DOLLAR (GBP): $ 0.30 (GTQ): $ 3.94 (CAD): $ 0.56

CHINESE YUAN (CNY): $ 3.04

Trinidadian (TTD) : $ 3.22

INDIAN RUPEE (INR): $ 31.14

22 JUN

2014

03 3

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Grabs Lands in griga!

For 6 years there has been no electricity expansion in Toledo

PUP fights for Rural Electrification

Dangriga Town, June 18, 2014 The people of Dangriga should be aware that the United Democratic Party is grabbing up land in their municipality. These lands could be distributed to needy residents or interested investors for job creation instead of going to a greedy and do nothing ruling party.

For many years the UDP has been preying on various prime properties for their own political purposes, sources have indicated to the BELIZE TIMES. These properties include Parcel No. 1217, Parcel 1606 and Parcel 1607 – all located near the beach front. The Dangriga Town Council had applied to the Ministry of Natural Resources for Parcel No. 1217 on several occasions, but the UDP Government rejected their application. The BELIZE TIMES has now confirmed that the properties have been given to the UDP, who deposited small amounts of monies to the Ministry of Lands.

On one of the properties, worth over $2 million, the UDP plans to erect a so-called UDP headquarters, we understand.

This land giveaway is an injustice to the people of Dangriga, the culture capital which does not even have proper amenities such as a sports complex or an art center for its extra talented young people.

Belize City, June 14th, 2014 At the last sitting of the House of Representatives held on Friday, June 13th, 2014 a Motion was passed called the CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SIXTH POWER PROJECT-BELIZE ELECTRICITY LIMITED LOAN GUARANTEE MOTION 2014.

The Motion authorizes the GOB to guarantee a loan of US$11, 231,000.00 from the CDB to BEL for the purpose of upgrading and expanding its sub-transmission and distribution systems across the country with a view to improving the reliability of BEL’s power supply

to customers.

In offering his Party’s support for the Motion, PUP Leader Francis Fonseca placed on the record his strong expectation that BEL will now move with some sense of urgency to address the need for electricity in many rural communities which have been so badly neglected for the past 6 years under this UDP administration.

The PUP Leader pointed out that no villages in Toledo have been electrified under the UDP and the expectation is that now with these new funds, villages like SUNDAY WOOD, MABIL HA, DOLORES, OTOXHA, CORAZON, SAN LUCAS, SANTA TERESA, CRIQUE SARCO, CONEJO CREEK, SAN VICENTE, JALACTE, SANTA ELENA, SAN-

TA CRUZ, MEDINA BANK, GOLDEN STREAM AND INDIAN CREEK would now be given priority action.

Hon. Fonseca, who is also the Freetown Area Representative, also made a point of highlighting the need for electricity in the Belama Phase 4 area of Freetown which he had planned for but which has been put on hold by this UDP government.

With all the millions of dollars being spent on southside Belize City, it is surely time for the Government to give serious attention to our rural communities who have a right to a fair share of the revenue pie.

4 04

22 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

on the

(Goodbye).

Their music is uniquely Afro-Amerindian and the Collective is on a mission not only to share their music with the world, but also to share Belize with the world.

At every stop they talk and promote Belizean music, culture, and art.

Despite its name, the Garifuna Collective is made up of musicians from many different ethnic backgrounds.

The Collective deserve our nation’s full support.

They are Belizean Ambassadors taking our music and country to the world.

Belize owes Andy Palacio a debt we may likely never be able to repay.

Let’s start by ensuring the continued and growing success of the band where it all began, The Garifuna Collective!

The Garifuna Collective: Making Belize Proud

By Francis W. Fonseca Last week I had the privilege of meeting with a few members of The Garifuna Collective Band who were in Belize dealing with some logistical and organizational issues while the Band continues its 2014 European Tour.

The Bands representatives Joshua Arana and Ivan Duran (StoneTree Records) are professional, focused and deeply committed to the growth and development of Be-

lize’s music industry.

The Garifuna Collective, formerly The Garifuna All Star Band, is the band that gave us Andy Palacio and Watina in 2007.

Palacio is of course Belize’s former music ambassador and Belize’s greatest musical artist to date.

Watina is the Collective’s world class music album of 2007 which received national and international acclaim.

Sadly, we lost Andy

P. only a year after the release of Watina.

His death undoubtedly left a gaping hole in the Collective and in Belizean music, but the group has reorganized and persevered and is now on their 2014 European Tour which will take them to more than half a dozen European countries.

In July, the Band will release its latest album titled AYO`

DANGRIGA RALLY

Sunday, June 15, 2014 PUP Dangriga Office

Former Mayor Cassian Nuñez

Hon. Rodwell Ferguson

Hon. Rodwell addressing supporters who attended Sunday’s special meeting/rally in the culture capital Hon. Ivan Ramos

Hon. Mike Espat

Dangriga Area Representative Hon. Ivan Ramos, PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca, Toledo West Area Representative Hon. Oscar Requeña, Stann Creek Area Representative Hon. Rodwell Ferguson & Toledo East Area Repreentative Hon. Mike Espat

HAVE HOPE! The PUP will Serve The People

22 JUN

2014

05 5

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

A National Disaster On paper the concept of a National Bank in the Caribbean always resonates positively, because as patriotic citizens one believes that if the country owns assets they should benefit the majority. It is not a wrong premise, but in banking other complex factors come into play.

When the concept of National Bank was implemented in the 1980s by the larger Caribbean States such as Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, in short periods after, disaster struck. All these banks failed due to political interference, costing tax payers millions of scarce resources. The costs to these countries were humongous because they had to pay all the outstanding debt of the Bank, which had racked up liabilities over time; protect depositors; plus cover the lost capital investment (seed money that was invested to start the bank). So the financial landscape of the Caribbean is riddled with defunct (failed) National Banks.

Now fast forward to 2014 in Belize where the United Democratic Party (UDP) launched a National Bank of Belize on 2nd September, 2013. They have disclosed that the Bank will be capitalized with 20.0 million Belize Dollars. This capitalization fund will be borrowed from the unpaid balance held in escrow and due to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the Petro Caribe program.

They also declared that the interest rate will be an abnormally low 5.5% and that the primary clients were expected to be teachers and public officers. This was believable until we learnt that certain elite CEOs, favourite UDPs, had been pushed ahead of the line.

When the failures of the National Banks in the Caribbean are examined, the reasons are all the same. They became slush funds for the cronies of the ruling party, where loans (mainly unsecured) were issued and no effort made to collect, thus the eventual financial collapse. It was also revealed that all the failed banks were germinated under the same heavy political rhetoric and haste. No planning or structure was used. Technically it became FREE money to the connected/lucky borrowers.

The National Bank of Belize fits directly into the mold of the failed National Banks of the region as it was started in haste, laden with politics, and Barrow rhetoric. The Bank did not even have a logo in place at launching, and its headquarters in Belmopan was poorly constructed as it was flooded out after the passage of heavy rains.

Additionally, in less than six (6) months on the job the General Manager, Jose Marin, resigned amidst scandal that the Board of Directors was leaning on him to offer loans to unqualified borrowers.

His parting advice was that if the trend of politicking continues at the Bank, then its future is gloomy.

Well that position is now prophetic as a cursory glance at the Central of Belize “Quarterly Financial Information of Domestic Banks” published for the quarter ending March 31, 2014 revealed that the National Bank of Belize is in serious financial trouble. At the end of March, the National Bank of Belize suffered losses of 310 thousand Belizean Dollars. Remember, the Bank just opened in September 2013. This is an average monthly loss rate of 44.3 thousand Belizean Dollars. What this means in short is that every month taxpayers are losing almost 50 thousand Belizean Dollars via Barrow’s “National Bank”. The paid up capital advanced by the government so far is 10.0 million Belizean Dollars, which is the legal required amount for capitalization of a commercial bank under the Banking and Financial Institution Act (BFIA). That is also an exposure by Belizean tax payers.

To date the National Bank has only loaned/disbursed 4.5 million Belizean Dollars, which is one half of its capital. The National Banks Net Interest Income is a measly 99 thousand Belizean Dol-

lars and it has a Net Operating Income Loss of 272 thousand Belizean Dollars. If all the Bank’s fundamentals were functioning, the Interest Income should pay for the cost of operations. This is not the case with the National Bank. It is earning less than it is spending plus the interest on the 9.1 million Belizean Dollars is not even factored in as yet.

When comparing the other five (5) banks against the National Bank, one wonders why the UDP Government felt compelled to get this bank going. The National Bank does not have one penny listed as deposits and is capitalized with a measly 10 million Belizean Dollars.

While the other banks have total deposits that sum up to millions. For contrast we have listed the total deposits held with the other five commercial banks.

Banks of Belize National Bank of Belize Atlantic Bank Belize Bank First Caribbean International Heritage Bank Scotia Bank (Belize)

Total Deposits in million $ $0.00 $579,087 $838,291 $245,994 $193,961 $557,368

The total deposits at March 2014 held in all five (5) financial institutions totalled 2.4 billion Belizean dollars. The National Bank of Belize does not have any deposits. The UDP government should be embarking on a strategy to encourage these domestic depositors to invest those savings into job creating projects in Belize. Instead the UDP government borrowed Petro Caribe funds to lend to borrowers, when the five commercial banks are having difficulty lending the billions they have held in deposits.

It is clear that within a few years the entire capital (taxpayers’ monies) of the National Bank will evaporate due to difficult economic times and the government will be forced to write off all the loans given by the Bank. It must be noted that the 2014 Article 4 of International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that Non Performing Loans (NPLs) in Belize stand at an alarming 17%. Also if the Central Bank was doing a fair assessment, they would move to wind up (close down) the National Bank already or request more capital injection (investment) because the capital is now 9.1 million Belize Dollars, which is below the legal requirement of 10 million Dollars Belizean Dollars. The National Bank is now advertising that it is increasing its interest rates to be more in line with the other fine (5) banks, which exposes the initial rhetoric behind National Bank. The lending rates being promoted ranges between 5.5% and 7%.

The UDP is good at destroying good things started by the PUP. Just check out what they have done to these: Centers for Employment Training (CET), Institution for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVETs), National Health Insurance (NHI), National Economic Council, Youth For the Future (YFF), and we can go on and on.

The Government should have instead focused on the existing Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Efforts should have been made to dialogue with the private sector, lending institutions and the Central Bank to improve confidence and encourage more responsible borrowing/lending in order that the domestic savings can work for the Belizean economy through investment and job creation.

But the UDP lives in a world of rhetoric and propaganda, short term vision and the creation of feeding frenzies for their political cronies. All of those are at the suffering of the Belizean people and the expense of the country’s economic development.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

The Reappointment of Awich and Independence of the Court of Appeal

By E. Andrew Marshalleck SC Prime Minister Barrow has both in his recent press conference and in the last meeting of the House of Representatives taken much time to address the concerns expressed in the recent Bar resolution about the negative effect on the appearance of independence of the Court of Appeal caused by the recent extension of appointment of Mr Justice of Appeal Awich for some eight years, only four days after the delivery of the decision upholding the nationalisations of BTL and BEL written by the judge.

The response of the Prime Minister was first and foremost to seek to discredit the Bar’s resolution as the work of Bar President Mr. Eamon Courtenay SC as a former PUP Minister and one of the lead attorneys for Ashcroft related parties. He also suggested that the Bar’s objection is unreasonable because it would have been forthcoming even if the appointment was made prior to the delivery of the decision in favour of the government.

The attempt to discredit the resolution by attacking Senior Counsel Courtenay is as expected as it is unbecoming. The resolution was in fact passed by the Bar Association in special meeting and reflects a position reached by consensus among the lawyers who attended the meeting.

Senior Counsel Courtenay alone could not have secured the passage of the resolution and he did not have very much to say about the resolution at the meeting. In fact, as one of the persons

who requisitioned the special meeting, I was the one who made a presentation to the membership in support of the resolution.

No one at the meeting opposed the position eventually taken by the Bar Association notwithstanding differing political or other affiliations because of the very clear difficulties that the re-appointment of Awich JA presented, difficulties which the Prime Minister has obviously sought to address by way of smokescreen.

Indeed some attempt was made by the Prime Minister to lend credibility to the name-calling effort by reference to some alleged scolding of Courtenay on the issue by the Caribbean Court of Justice and vindication of the appointment of Awich JA by that Court.

The Caribbean Court of Justice has in fact done no such thing.

While some members of the Caribbean Court of Justice have indeed doubted that the existence of a disciplinary complaint made against Awich JA by Aschroft related parties could of itself properly have disqualified Awich JA from sitting on the appeal, other members of the Court very clearly expressed concern that Awich JA saw it appropriate to himself decide the issue of his own qualification to sit to hear the case. Needless to say Awich JA had found that he was so qualified to sit and his decision was supported by President Sosa over strong dissent from Mr Justice of Appeal Mendes.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the end merely considered it expedient that the appeal before the Court of Appeal against the substantive decision of Legal J as to the constitutionality of the nationalisations be allowed to proceed without the delay that would be caused by immediately addressing any bias on the part of Awich JA, and made it clear that any complaint as to bias by Awich JA may be properly dealt with at the hearing of the appeal, if any, from the decision of the Court of Appeal to the CCJ. The hearing of the substantive appeal against the decision of Awich JA only now goes to the CCJ and the issue of bias will no doubt be fully litigated. The issues there raised

are however in the main distinct from those arising from the recent re-appointment of Awich JA, save for the position that the short term appointment of Awich JA created at least an appearance of pressure on the judge to decide the cases before him with a view to securing re-appointment.

The attempt by the Prime Minister to suggest that the Bar Association was unreasonable because objection would have been forthcoming against the reappointment, even if the reappointment was made prior to the delivery of the decision, is demonstrative of a marked misunderstanding of the requirements of an independent judiciary.

The concern of the Bar is founded on the notion that the proximity between the delivery of the decision and the extension of the appointment gives rise to an impression that the two events are connected. This impression is unaffected by whether or not the extension of appointment was granted before or after the decision was delivered so long as the decision to extend is sufficiently proximate to the decision in the case to give rise to the impression of a connection.

The premise that the position advanced by the Bar must change depending upon whether the extension of appointment was granted before or after the delivery of the decision is fundamentally misconceived. The crux of the matter is that the independence of the Court was likely already compromised by the two-year term of Awich JA’s appointment and the fact that most of that term, (some one year seven

22 JUN

2014

months), was spent considering the nationalisation appeals. The appearance of bias on Awich JA’s re-appointment, given that already compromised position, may indeed well have been inevitable but was certainly exaggerated by the facts that (i) Awich and not President Sosa wrote the majority decision of the Court of Appeal notwithstanding the challenge to his impartiality, and (ii) there was another strong dissent from Mr Justice of Appeal Mendes.

The explanations in the National Assembly of the various considerations of expediency offered to justify the temporary appointment of judges fly squarely in the face of internationally recognised standards for an independent judiciary.

It is well recognised that temporary or probationary appointment of judges is simply inconsistent with an independent judiciary. That is so whether such appointments are at the instance of Prime Minister Barrow, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the Chief Justice or the judge himself. That there is no independence where there is such an appointment is in fact confirmed by the statement of the Prime Minister himself which implicitly acknowledged that there is no “tenure” during the period of temporary appointment. Tenure is of course indispensable for independence.

The Bar Association’s resolution reflected a reasoned position founded on the notion that it is to duty of the Bar to publicly cry foul when judicial independence is threatened and to champion the independence of our courts. This is what the Bar has sought to do. Albeit it is to be expected that such a cry should meet with the disapprobation of the Prime Minister as the person directly responsible for the alleged wrong-doing, the Prime Minister’s response to the resolution constituted a very public and unapologetic disregard for accepted principles underpinning independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the rule of law.

QUEEN OF THE BAY PAGEANT Her Graciousness, the Reigning Queen of the Bay Jarine Avila invites all Belizean young women between the ages of 18 and 23 to participate in this year’s Pageant to be held on Saturday, 30th August to be held at the Bliss.

Interested young women can call 602-2307.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes wins PUP Orange Walk North Convention

Newly-elected PUP Orange Walk North Standard Bearer Ramon Cervantes, Jaime Castillo & Alfredo Ortega

Over 1,800 supporters turned out to the PUP Orange Walk North convention on Sunday, June 15, 2014 to elect Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes as the PUP Standard Bearer for the constituency.

Cervantes garnered 1,394 votes, while contenders Alfredo Ortega received 439 and Jaime Castillo got 30 votes.

The high voter turn out in a constituency where the UDP practices intimidation and threat against residents is a boost for the PUP. Cervantes was sworn in by Secretary General Myrtle Palacio. Ortega and Castillo said they will continue to support the PUP to ensure victory in the next elections.

Hon. Ramiro Ramirez assists with the counting of over 1,800 ballots

Long time PUP supporter casts her vote

Secretary General Myrtle Palacio preps the candidates and their teams on the rules before the convention starts

The Party’s machinery was in election mode during Sunday’s convention in OW North

HAVE HOPE! The PUP will Serve The People

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THE BELIZE TIMES

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

An Unnecessary Statement Last Friday June 13th during the sitting of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Member for Collet, who is Minister of Education, rose to make a Statement by a Minister. The Order of Business in the Standing Orders allows for Statements by Ministers before the Introduction of Bills or Motions and before Public Business.

Usually such statements are on matters of great importance to the public which pertain to the portfolio responsibilities of the particular Minister.

Hon. Patrick Faber began speaking in his usual hectoring manner, lamenting the breakup of families, and preaching about the importance of strong par-

ents and family units in order for children to get the best start to their education. It would be wonderful if he were to lead by example. I kept wondering during his presentation what his purpose was in speaking. He and his ministry just held a press conference last week on the three Southside of Belize City high schools and the plans to deal with the severe problems being experienced.

I thought that perhaps he was trying to pre-empt anticipated criticism concerning the high schools and also the expected negative response to once more sub-standard results in the PSE. He went on to accuse the Teacher’s Union of “defending teachers who are not trained.” It does

not seem to me that the Union is defending teachers who aren’t trained. It appears more that the Union is taking the position that the Ministry must lead in enabling and assisting all teachers to undergo the necessary training. No one will quarrel with the important policy that teachers have to get their training to continue in the classroom.

The Minister added that “the worst teachers are at the Infant 1 and 2 level.” Lambasting our educators in this manner is no way to encourage and ensure the result he hopes for. More respectful dialogue is essential if he is to succeed. Maybe he should not do his own public relations, because somehow he always manages to insult the very people he must work with. In his presentation he was defensive, full of excuses, quarrelsome and peevish.

He pleaded that in education we all must work together, but his attitude and actions are no way to achieve this. I do not for a moment doubt the good will of Sister Caritas Lawrence and Ms. Brenda Armstrong. They are seasoned educators and administrators. I do feel, however, that they have been called in to help to fix a situation that is the creation of those most responsible. It is the six Southside Ministers and Ministers of State

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2014

who sat idly by and watched the enrollment at Excelsior, Maud Williams, and Sadie Vernon plummet.

In his statement the Education Minister did not address this. He did not address the huge numbers of children not in school. He did not address the reasons for the drop in enrollment and the cause of the need for restructuring at these high schools. Instead of warning that teachers will be fired, he should ensure that they obtain their training. Instead of complaining that parents and families have to do better to keep children in school, he must look within his own government, take responsibility for the failures, and do more to address the serious Southside of Belize City deterioration in social and economic conditions.

It is a crying shame that the Prime Minister and three powerful Cabinet Ministers represent constituencies where these severe problems exist. Yet all they do is complain and cast blame in the wrong direction. I feel that last week’s statement by the Minister was unnecessary. The Minister of Education should turn his stated best intentions into more than just talk and more talk.

22 JUN

2014

Violent

Crime

Surges 1 daylight murder, 5 shootings in 4 days Belize City, June 18, 2014 The cases of cold-blooded murders and senseless shootings are piling up on the Police Department.

Over the last five days there have been five shootings, including a terrifying daylight murder which occurred in the busy center of the Belize City’s tourist zone and directly in front of Mayor Darrel Bradley’s office.

The victim was 30 year old Tulio “Pinelo” Caceres, a resident of Taylor’s Alley, who was hanging out at a small park located through Majestic Alley on Friday, June 13th. Caceres

was ambushed by a gunman who entered the park and began shooting at him. Caceres was injured but he managed to exit the park and tried to run away, but the gunman followed behind and continued firing. Caceres fell to the ground where he gasped for his last breath. The gunman ran away and but was allegedly detained

by Police.

At the scene, investigation officials found 15 expended shells.

Caceres worked as a building inspector at the Ministry of Housing office located a close distance from the murder scene. He left behind one child.

Police have not disclosed whether they have any leads to the brazen murder. The gunman, although seen by dozens of witnesses who hang out in the area on a daily basis have been reluctant to aid the Police with any information.

Back in March 2012, Caceres was part of a Taylor’s Alley group that included former gang boss Arthur Young, which accused the Gang Suppression Unit of violent abuse.

Months later, Young was designated “most wanted” and then killed by the Police in what appeared to be execution style.

Caceres was also involved in public fight during a concert at the BTL Park which ended with four men being stabbed and one being shot.

“Penner Loving, Castro Hugging, Lying Prime Minister” Belize City, June 16, 2014 President of the Bar Association Eamon Courtenay blasted Prime Minister Dean Barrow in response to Barrow’s vicious attacks against him at the Sitting of the House of Representing on Friday, June 13th.

Courtenay said Barrow is a “Penner Loving, Castro Hugging, Lying Prime Minister”, poking at Barrow’s tremendous failure to adequately deal with the scandals weighing down his administration, which have been caused by disgraced UDP Ministers Elvin Penner and Edmond Castro.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow cowardly attacked Eamon Courtenay within the confines of the House of Representative where he enjoys immunity. This is something he enjoys doing, singling out private citizens and calling them all sorts of demeaning names out of disrespect.

Barrow is angry at the Bar Association for opposing his reinstatement of Justice Samuel Awich to the Court of Appeal. Barrow said the Association’s President “found reason” to put forward the position because of his affiliation to the Ashcroft Alliance. Barrow also claimed that Courtenay was acting with malice since a previous case brought forward by Courtenay challenging Awich’s appointment had been rejected before the Caribbean Court of Justice. In Barrow’s words, “they went to the CCJ and the CCJ scolded them and sent them packing”.

The Prime Minister was being deceitful. Courtenay clarified that the

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Bar Association’s statements and positions on issues reflected in their resolutions follow consultations and meetings with its members.

He made it clear that when the Bar first opposed Awich’s tenure as a judge, back in 2009, he wasn’t even the President. The position had been taken because “Justice Awich’s tenure as a Supreme Court Judge has been characterized by his failure to deliver judgments in a timely manner”, according to the Bar’s 2009 resolution.

The most recent resolution, taken following the Prime Minister’s indication that Awich will return to the Appeals Court for another seven years, indicates that the Bar has remain steadfast in its position.

Courtenay also said that Bar Association resolution is supported by its members, which includes friends and family of Prime Minister Barrow.

“Every single resolution passed by the Bar Association on Justice Awich was approved by friends and family of Dean Barrow. None of them love him so much that they will vote against it. His brother has not done it, his nieces have not done it, his law partner has not done it - none of them have voted in favor of Justice Awich. He is in a majority of one,” stated Courtenay.

Courtenay advised Prime Minister Barrow to stop being personal and attacking people who disagree with him. Many other members of the legal fraternity agree with him.

Caceres had received two stab wounds to the right side of his abdomen.

The other shootings occurred over the weekend and another on Tuesday night.

On Friday June 13th night, 40 year old Walter Beaton was shot on the left hand as he was riding his bicycle on Caesar Ridge Road. Police believe the shooting is in relation to a dispute he had with a female in the neighbourhood.

On Saturday June 14th, around 9:30pm, 22 year old Efrain Assi was shot while he and other male persons were hanging out at the basketball court located behind the Education Office in Lake Independence. An unknown gunman wearing a red in colour T-Shirt and a cap came from behind the bleachers in the dark of the night and fired six shots at the young men. Assi was hit several times and had to be hospitalised.

Around the same time, 17 year old Clinton Pou was walking on Poinsetta Street when four men surrounded him. One of the men took out a firearm and shot him in the face. The bullet entered from his left cheek and exited through his neck. Pou was rushed to the hospital where he is in a stable condition.

In an almost similar incident, around 9:30 on Tuesday night 34 year old Kingsley Ferguson was walking with his girlfriend on Jones Street, once more in the Lake Independence, when he was approached by two men.

One of the men took out a handgun and shot Ferguson at close range. The bullet went through one check and exited the left side of his jaw. Kingsley was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for urgent treatment.

Police are reporting that the Ferguson shooting could have been a case of mistaken identity.

PUP NOTICE Municipal Elections – San Ignacio/Santa Elena Towns The People’s United Party is inviting interested applicants for the upcoming San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council Elections to submit their applications. A Convention is slated for Sunday, August 24th, 2014.

Applications are available from the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City.

Completed applications must be filled and returned to the Chairperson and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee must be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application.

Deadline for submission is July 18th, 2014.

PUP NOTICE

Municipal Elections – Dangriga Town The People’s United Party is inviting interested applicants for the upcoming Dangriga Town Council Elections to submit their applications. A Convention is slated for Sunday, August 17th, 2014.

Applications are available from the Constituency Committee Chairperson Myrick Marshall or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City.

Completed applications must be filled and returned to the Chairperson and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee must be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application.

Deadline for submission is June 27th, 2014.

10 Fonseca to Barrow: Stop the Cover Up!!

22 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES

City of Belmopan, June 13, 2014 The UDP Government continues to cover up the stink that is the Penner Immigration scandal. The odour is too strong however and each passing week Belizeans are learning how deep and murky the scandal is.

Last week COLA, who is leading a private prosecution against UDP representative Elvin Penner, declared that the “cover up is bigger than the offence” when they revealed that key information has been kept from Auditor General Dorothy Bradley who was conducting an investigation.

The Auditor General’s preliminary report, according to COLA, disclosed that there is more evidence of wrongdoing

by Penner. According to the report, there were discrepancies with the issuing of passports to five other Asian nationals.

They are: Yiu-Pang Chen, Peter Pang, Quoh Vinh Truong, Yaqup Sut and Mark Chin aka Jack Jie Qin. These discrepancies involved backdating application forms, possible false recommendations, and non-payment of fees. According to COLA, none of the persons ever step foot in Belize.

COLA also revealed that according to information given to the Auditor General by Immigration Officer Ady Pacheco, Penner had gone to the office and left with many files including the now “missing” Kim Won Hong documents.

The report adds that Pacheco had informed Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse of the files that Penner had taken,

but Hulse has denied this allegation.

The Auditor General’s report damns the UDP Government. Could this be why despite having received the report since March, and having reviewed its contents and recommendations which includes a criminal investigation, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has tip-toed on this issue?

Barrow was the one who recommended a private prosecution against Penner. He knew such a prosecution would have been difficult since the evidence is collected by state agents such as the Police which his Government controls. It is his Government who later defended the Commissioner of Police’s “irrational, illegal and unlawful” decision not to investigate Elvin Penner. So said Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.

Belizeans are tired and frustrated at the Government’s pile of excuses for protecting disgraced UDP Elvin Penner.

At last Friday’s House Meeting, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Francis Fonseca rebuked Prime Minister Barrow for taking Belizeans lightly.

“On behalf of the people of Belize, we are saying to the Government of Belize, this U.D.P. government; stop the cover up, stop the obstruction and come clean with the people of Belize,” he urged the Barrow Administration.

COLA will return to the Magistrate’s Court next week Thursday June 26th for the continuation of their private prosecution.

Hospital sent baby to morgue alive?

Belmopan, June 13th 2014 A 17 year old Belmopan mother is living through a nightmare, fearing that her newborn child may have been sent to the morgue in error – with her baby boy possibly still alive.

According to the Western Regional Hospital, baby Zayden was stillborn at birth on Saturday June 7th. After allowing the family to see the child, the Hospital staff wrapped up the body with the newborn’s hands on his side and sent the body to the morgue.

Four days later, when the baby’s grandmother, Yolanda Molina, went to collect the body for burial, she found the baby in a different position. The baby’s left hand was over his face and one of his feet was bent, as if the baby had moved and was alive while in the morgue.

Molina is outraged and believes the Hospital made a terrible mistake when it sent her grandson to the morgue. She believes they did not conduct sufficient checks before concluding that the baby was stillborn and dead.

The horrific incident has once again placed heavy scrutiny on the

Ministry of Health and its failure to put into place proper administrative procedures at public hospitals. This is not the first time that a family has accused a public hospital of malpractice. In 2013, 13 babies died at the Karl Heusner memorial hospital following the outbreak of bacteria due to poor conditions at the main referral hospital. Prior to this, there have been a handful of expecting mothers claiming that negligence led to the death of their newborns.

The Ministry, as expected, has come to Western Regional Hospital’s defence, claiming that their investigations show all procedures were followed and the medical examination of the baby conducted supported the conclusion that he was still stillborn.

The family has shared photos of Baby Zayden as he was wrapped up before taken to the morgue, and upon the grandmother’s visit to the morgue.

The family says the photo evidence say much more than the Ministry of Health’s public response.

The Ministry has yet to meet with the family to explain their official findings.

2014

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 30th day of August, 2012 between MARIA SORAIA ROCHES of Hopeville Area, Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 21 of 2012 at Folios 67 – 136, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece and parcel of land being Lot No. 100 comprising 549.538 square Metres situate in Hopeville Village, Toledo District, Belize and described as shown on Plan No. 2064 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 370 of 2010 in the office of the Commissioner of Lands And Surveys in the City of Belmopan TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and thereon.

DATED this 19th day of June, 2014.

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

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 4th day of September, 1990 between DOMINGO VALERIO AND ROSE VALERIO of Georgetown Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 18 of 1990 at Folios 371 – 394, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Block No. 27 situate in the Waha Leaf Farm Layout, Stann Creek District and bounded as follows: On the North for 652.34 feet by A Road Reserve; On the East for 1278.95 feet by A Road Reserve; on the Southwest for 846.35 feet by A Road; On the West for 740.25 feet by A Portion of Block No. 6 containing 15.116 acres as shown on Plan No. 1152 at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys.

DATED this 19th day of June, 2014.

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

22 22 JUN JUN

2014 2014

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

09 TOPMODEL 11

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS Ras Indio

This is a time for our artists to find purpose in their voice and message, and that is exactly what Ras Indio is doing with the release of his new song and video “Plant Di Corn”.

The new release adds fire to the campaign in support of the Belize Grassroot Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) and their efforts to use land in Harmonyville to plant corn. These efforts are being blocked by the Government.

In a release, Ras Indio explained in detail the concept behind this new project.

“Ras Indio teamed up with this older brother, Nkrumah, to raise awareness and expose the recent unjust acts to stop the planting of corn in Harmonyville, Belize. They have made a conscious decision to align themselves to support what is fair and just. The song ‘Plant Di Corn’ is a brilliant catchy tune with conscious lyrics demanding Belizeans to wake up and courageously stand up get active in their own community. We need to look at the real issues here. They are people who are unemployed, struggling to make a decent living, unable to feed their families, and don’t know where and when their next meal will come.

Producing these cash crops will not single-handedly solve these issues, but this is the first step in the right direction.”

Location: San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, Belize City

says “Plant Di Corn”

Shamira • • • •

Height: 5’ 9” Career Plan: Attorney Sign: Pisces Favourite Food: Italian food

• • •

TOP MODEL Clothing and Accessories provided by CATWALK FASHIONS

Likes: traveling, reading and meeting new people Lives in: Belize City, Belize District Fav. Quote: “My fear is not whether I fail but whether I’m content with my failure!”

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

Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

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12

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 JUN

2014

22 22 JUN JUN

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

2014 2014

SPORTS 13

Tigersharks wins Finals Game 1: 53-52

Travis Lennon 10pts defended by Ashton Edwards

Winston Pratt’s shot in the final 30 seconds gave Tigersharks the win

Eric Stamp wins RF&G

RISING STArS, THIrD WOrLD & CITY BOYS

win in SMART Mundialito

table tennis championships

Belize City, June 14, 2014 The Ladyville Rising Stars enjoyed a 2-0 win against the Hattieville United Youth Sporting Club in Week 6 of the 2014 SMART Mundialito at the Yabra green in Belize City on Saturday.

The scoring for the Rising Stars was led by Farron Broaster and Kenroy Allen.

Other Games: Third World vs. Heights FC – 2-0 Goals by Jonah Chebat, Ajani Vaughn City Boys Jrs. vs. Brown Bombers – 1-0 Goal by Akeem Sutherland Collet Strikers vs. Carlston FC – 0-0 London Strikers vs. Ladyville Jaguars 0-0 Week 7 on Saturday, June 21 City Boys vs. London Strikers Collet Strikers vs. Ladyville Jaguars Third World vs. Hattieville United Carlston FC vs. Heights FC Brown Bombers vs. Rising Stars

Eric Stamp won A Division Zhi Chen won 2nd in A Division

Latrell Solis is C Division champ

San Pedro Town, June 15, 2014 The San Pedro Tigersharks enjoyed a 53-52 nail-biting win in Game 1 of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) championship finals against Cayo’s Western Ballaz at the Angel Nunez auditorium at the San Pedro High School on Isla Bonita on Father’s Day. Cayo was still up 52-51 with a minute to play when a referee called a foul in the Ballaz favor which should have sent them to the charity stripe to increase their lead.

Instead the call was reversed, changing it to a jump ball and Tigersharks got possession, allowing Winston “Air Jun” Pratt to drive to the rim for the winning basket with only 30 seconds left to play, no time for the Ballaz to recover.

Pratt led the Tigersharks’ attacks with 14 points, while Jamal Kelly added 10 points. For the Ballaz, Farron Louriano scored 20 points and Kurt “Chengo” Burgess had 8 points.

Game 3 will be played at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio on Friday night.

Zachary Garbutt won 2nd in C Division

Collet Strikers vs Carlston FC

14 SPORTS

22 JUN

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

2014

COURTS & Complex win Firms basketball openers Belize City, June 14, 2014 The Complex Generals brought the pressure on Belize Water Services to win 55-54. Marshal Nunez led the Generals with 16 points while Wilfred Richards had 13 points. BWS’ Jamir Enriquez scored 13 points and Ashley Hemsley added 11 points.

The COURTS Powerhouse overpowered Ready Call 77-57. Tyrone Anthony led COURTS with 15 points while Keith Pollard, while Jorret Jones and Leroy Gentle each scored 12 points. Ready Call’s Lennon Lewis top scored with 25 points and Winston Reynolds added 14 points.

Saturday’s matches Atlantic Bank vs. Belize City Council – 53-52 Top scorers: Ty Bradley (15pts), Brandon Castillo (10pts), Denford Bevans (14pts), Leon “Bigs” Williams (11pts) Central Health Region vs. Infotel – 49-40 Top scorers: Derrick Pitts (13 pts), Alejandro Baptist (12pts), Stafford Young (15pts), Elton Anderson (9pts) Belize Telemedia vs. Heritage Heats - 66-42 Top scorers: Jason Lamb, Linsworth “LA” Graham (11pts), Steve Bonnell (10pts), Gabriel Taylor (7pts)

Infotel’s Elton Anderson scored 9 points

20 Youth Compete in Tennis Tournament June 17, 2014 Twenty youth competed at the Belize Pickwick Club Tennis Courts this past Saturday June 14, 2014 in a singles tennis tournament for red/ beginners, orange/intermediate and green categories respectively.

The red category saw John Paul Jaramillo, Daniel Musa, Emma Solano and Zacchary Musa playing round robin rallies and performing coordination and mobility skills/games. The Orange category had nine entries, which was round robin format in two groups. Jared Mena advanced to the finals by defeating Alex Musa in the semi-finals 10-3 and Devesh Hukmani advanced to the finals by defeating Sofia Solano 10-7. Jared Mena took the championship over Devesh Hukmani 10-8.

The Green category had seven participants who also played round robin to increase their playing time.

Stefan Sosa and Harnadar Tut made it to the first semi-finals with Tut edging Sosa 3-2. Carlos Mendoza played Samron Pott in the second semi-final where Pott edged Mendoza 3-2 to reach the finals. In the finals between Samron Pott and Harnadar Tut, Samron Pott took the victory over Tut 3-2.

In a consolation match Adrian Marshalleck edged Gavyn Riveroll.

Medals were presented to first and second place in the Orange and Green categories, and all participants of the red category got medals. The Belize Tennis Association thanks the youths for partaking and also their parents for always supporting and encouraging their children in the sport of Tennis. All tennis players, especially the YOUTHS, are encouraged to keep on playing and practicing!

Heritage’s Gabriel Taylor scored 7 points

Belize Bank Bulldogs, Customs & NSC win Interoffice softball

Belize Bank team

Harnadar Tut Runner Up Green Category

Samron Pott Champion Green Category

Jared Mena Champion Orange Category

Devesh Hukmani Runner Up Orange Category

Belize City, June 14, 2014 On Saturday, June 14th Shawn Gordon led Customs/Central Bank to their 11-6 victory over KHMH. Keemar King and Kareem Michael scored 2 runs each and Sasha Brown, Luis Alpuche and Gilly Gordon scored a run apiece to seal the win. Floyd Flowers led KHMH with 2 runs while Kiri Lizama, Ricardo Hermoso and Dwayne Willacey each scored one run.

The Belize Bank Bulldogs came from behind to beat Digicell 4G: 6-4. Bulldogs’ Eliseo Rosado and Tyra Moriera scored 2 runs each while Agnes Lucas, Godsden Ferguson Jr scored a run apiece. Digicell’s Nelson Tillett, Trenton Marin, Muschae Macdonald and relief pitcher Bernard Pitts scored a run apiece.

In Game 3, the Guardian/National Sports Council won 8-4 over the Ministry of Education/Belize Water Services. BWS Nicole Arnold scored 2 runs and pitcher Leonora Morales scored 1 run, but the Sports Council led 5-3 after Rodney Lord, Shane Williams, Charlie Slusher, Kimani Smith and pitcher Joel Wade scored a run apiece: Sports Council won 8-4.

Ricardo Hermoso hit 1 run

22 22 JUN JUN

2014 2014

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

SPORTS 15

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Cristiano Ronaldo was warned by his doctor that he risks threatening his career by playing on for Portugal at the World Cup. The Real Madrid superstar is struggling with a knee injury but is under pressure to lead his team into Sunday’s crucial clash with the USA after the 4-0 opening defeat to Germany.

According to Spanish online newspaper El Confidencial, Portuguese surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha told the 29-year-old: ‘Let your knee rest, or your future is in danger’, to which Ronaldo reportedly replied: ‘I’m the one that says whether I’m playing or not.’

Ronaldo was pictured limping out of training with his knee heavily strapped.

There had been serious doubts over the Real Madrid superstar’s fitness ahead of the tournament, after a thigh problem and tendonitis in his knee forced him to miss training and two warm-up matches.

Ronaldo declared himself ‘100 per cent’ fit on the eve of Portugal’s opening 4-0 demolition at the hands of Germany but, although he managed to play the entire game, he was largely peripheral and failed to change the course of the result.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has his left knee treated during Portugal’s training session in Campinas

Ronaldo in better times

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Brazil vs. Croatia – 3-1 Mexico vs. Cameroon – 1-0 Netherlands vs. Spain – 5-1 Australia vs. Chile – 1-3 Colombia vs. Greece – 3-0 Ivory Coast vs. Japan – 2-1 Uruguay vs. Costa Rica – 1-3 England vs. Italy – 1-2 Switzerland vs. Ecuador – 2-1 France vs. Honduras – 3-0 Argentia vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina – 2-1 Iran vs. Nigeria – 0-0 Germany vs. Portugal – 4-0 Ghana vs. USA – 1-2 Belgium vs. Algeria – 2-1 Mexico vs. Brazil – 1-1 Russia vs. South Korea – 1-1 Croatia vs. Cameroon – 4-0 Netherlands vs. Australia – 3-2 Chile vs. Spain – 2-0 Colombia vs. Ivory Coast - 2-1 Uruguay vs. England - 2 - 1

0

0

Leading goal scorers:

Robin van Persie (Netherlands) – 3 goals Arjen Robben (Netherlands) – 3 goals Thomas Mueller (Germany) – 3 goals Karim Benzema (France) – 2 goals Neymar (Brazil) – 2 goals

Spain forward Pedro Rodriguez and Chile defender Eugenio Mena

World Cup 2014:

Chile Eliminates Spain 2-0 RIO DE JANEIRO — Defending champion Spain, the dominant global football power for the past six years, was eliminated from World Cup contention Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to Chile.

Spain’s famed passing game failed against a high-tempo, tenacious Chile team, its era ending

in the storied Maracana Stadium filled mostly with Chilean supporters.

Eduardo Vargas tricked goalkeeper Iker Casillas into diving the wrong way, then shot into an unguarded goal in the 20th minute. Charles Aranguiz scored in the 43rd when the

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Games results and stats up to Thursday June 19th

ball landed at his feet after Casillas punched out a free kick.

Spain’s second loss, after a 5-1 rout by the Netherlands, ended any hope of advancing.

Chile and the Netherlands will both advance, regardless of who wins the game between them.

Spain won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, in addition to the 2010 World Cup. Spain came to Brazil with a very similar — but older — team than the one that won those titles. They added Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa, but he failed to score a goal.

Their “tiki-taka” style of play — keeping the ball for long stretches with short passes, and only shooting when you had a clear opening — had not been working as well in recent years. Brazil defeated Spain 3-0 in last summer’s Confederations Cup, a warm-up for the World Cup. Spain became the third straight European defending World Cup champion to flop in the group stage. France in 2002 and Italy four years ago also failed to advance, or even win a match.

16

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 JUN

2014

BSI’S PROPOSAL TO THE BSCFA FOR A PAYMENT FOR BAGASSE 12 June 2014 Following signature on 13 January 2014 of an Interim Agreement, Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) entered into negotiation of a new agreement to cover the commercial and operational relationship between the two entities, including payment for bagasse. BSI did so in good faith and has made every effort to present a reasonable offer to pay for bagasse, based on a transparent and technically sound methodology that determines the value of the portion of fiber in cane which is used to produce electricity for sale to BEL..

So far, the BSCFA leadership has not presented a clearly articulated and reasoned proposal which supports its position and seems intent on arriving at a payment quantum by simply bargaining the price.

BSI wishes to apprise industry stakeholders of the basis on which its proposal has been made. The principle is straightforward: • Bagasse is a residue of the sugar production process after sucrose has been extracted in the milling plant. It consists of around 48% fiber and the rest is mainly water.

• In 2009, BSI invested BZ$130 million in the Belcogen cogeneration plant to convert this fiber into heat and steam for the sugar production process. A large proportion of this fiber is used by the sugar production process leaving around 29% of the fiber for production of electricity for sale to BEL. • BSI has valued the percentage of fiber that is used to generate electricity for sale to BEL using a methodology that is both transparent and verifiable. Based on this methodology, BSI proposes to pay a quantum which amounts to around BZ$550,000.

BSCFA negotiators have argued that farmers should receive BZ$10.00 per ton of cane delivered for bagasse, but have not supplied a justifiable basis for this amount. Based on 2013 crop results, the requested payment would amount to BZ$11.4 million, or 97% of Belcogen’s ‘gross revenues’ from sales to BEL. This is unrealistic and clearly unsustainable for Belcogen as a business.

BSI has provided evidence to BSCFA that, mainly due to lower than projected sales to BEL, Belcogen has yet to turn a profit. The unjustified and substantial claim on its revenues would further worsen its financial performance and put at risk its viability. The Belcogen investment of BZ$130 million was planned, financed, and implemented with capital provided solely by BSI. Beyond the initial BSCFA proposal of BZ$10.00 per ton cane, the BSCFA negotiators have only indicated negotiating price parameters ranging from BZ$3.00 to BZ$6.50 per ton cane but with no supporting methodology. BSI has clearly indicated to the BSCFA that it cannot negotiate a payment for bagasse by simply bargaining a price. Such an approach is not acceptable to BSI because it does not take into account the fundamental principles of equity, viability, risk and return on investment and it ignores the technical and economic realities of generating electricity for sale to BEL. BSCFA’s proposal does not meet any of the core basic principles on which the relationship between mill and farmers has been built: fair and equitable outcomes to ensure business viability, recognition of the importance of encouraging investment, and the risk and the return on this investment.

BSI remains fully committed to reaching an equitable agreement with BSCFA negotiators, but this needs to be on a realistic and workable basis. BSI is also concerned that while the BSCFA leadership maintains an intransigent stance over the bagasse issue, essential preparations to ready the sugar industry of Belize for impending market changes, which will require the industry to be more competitive, are being ignored. BSI believes this stance by BSCFA is irresponsible and damaging to the longer term interests of their membership.

BSI is committed to ensuring the success of the sugar industry of Belize and to participating in a constructive and productive relationship with all industry stakeholders. Belcogen has provided a consistent and reliable supply of steam and electricity to the mill, which has led to an improved overall performance resulting in shorter crops and improved recovery of sugar. BSI estimates that in a typical year, since the inception of Belcogen, the mill can recover up to 10,000 tons of sugar more than it would prior to Belcogen. At the 2013 crop cane price, this results in an additional value to farmers of roughly BZ$7.0 million per annum.

Further mill improvements (BZ$25 million in 2013) have seen a significant improvement in sucrose recovery and a 25% increase in the daily throughput of the mill. All this has been explained to the BSCFA leadership to demonstrate the tremendous benefit that already accrues to cane farmers, consequent to BSI’S capital investments in the industry, and its long term commitment to the industry’s success.

It is time to turn the page on bagasse, reach an equitable solution and work together to meet the challenges of improving industry efficiency, productivity and competitiveness which will lead to its long-term success. ###

22 JUN

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

17

PROPUESTA DE BSI A BSCFA PARA UN PAGO PARA EL BAGAZO 12 de junio de 2014 Tras la firma el 13 de enero de 2014 de un acuerdo interino, Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) y la Asociación de Cañeros de Belize (Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, BSCFA) entraron en negociaciones de un nuevo acuerdo para cubrir la relación comercial y operativa entre las dos entidades, incluyendo un pago para el bagazo. BSI lo hizo de buena fe y ha hecho todo esfuerzo para presentar una oferta razonable para pagar por el bagazo, basada en una metodología transparente y técnicamente sólida que determina el valor de la parte de la fibra en la caña que se utiliza para producir electricidad para su venta a BEL. Hasta ahora, el liderazgo de BSCFA no ha presentado una propuesta claramente articulada y razonada que apoya su posición, y parece decidido a llegar a un cuanto de pago simplemente regateando el precio.

BSI desea informar a las partes interesadas de la industria, de la base sobre la cual se ha hecho su propuesta. El principio es sencillo: • El bagazo es un residuo del proceso de la producción de azúcar después de que la sacarosa ha sido extraída en la planta de molienda. Se compone de alrededor de 48% de fibra y el resto es principalmente agua.

• En 2009, BSI invirtió BZ$130 millones en la planta de cogeneración Belcogen para convertir esta fibra en calor y vapor para el proceso de producción de azúcar. Una gran parte de esta fibra se utiliza en el proceso de producción de azúcar dejando alrededor de 29% de la fibra para la producción de electricidad para venta a BEL. • BSI ha valorado el porcentaje de fibra que se utiliza para generar electricidad para venta a BEL utilizando una metodología que es tanto transparente y verificable. A base de esta metodología, BSI propone pagar un cuanto que asciende alrededor de BZ$550,000.

Los negociadores de BSCFA han argumentado que los canicultores deben recibir por el bagazo BZ$10.00 por cada tonelada de caña entregada, pero no han proporcionado una base justificable para esta cantidad. A base de los resultados de la zafra de 2013, el pago solicitado ascendería a BZ$11.4 millones, o 97% de los “ingresos brutos” de Belcogen que resultan de las ventas a BEL. Esto no es realista y claramente insostenible para Belcogen como negocio.

BSI ha proporcionado evidencia a BSCFA que, sobre todo debido a ventas a BEL menores a las proyectadas, a Belcogen aún le falta obtener alguna ganancia. El reclamo injustificado y sustancial sobre los ingresos de Belcogen empeoraría aún más su desempeño financiero y pondría en peligro su viabilidad. La inversión en Belcogen de BZ$130 millones se planificó, financió e implementó con capital proporcionado solamente por BSI. Más allá de la propuesta inicial de BSCFA de BZ$10.00 por tonelada de caña, los negociadores de BSCFA sólo han indicado parámetros para negociar el precio que va desde BZ$3.00 a BZ$6.50 por tonelada de caña, pero sin ninguna metodología para apoyarlo. BSI ha indicado claramente a BSCFA que no puede negociar un pago por el bagazo simplemente regateando un precio. Tal estrategia no es aceptable para BSI ya que no toma en cuenta los principios fundamentales de equidad, viabilidad, riesgo y retorno de la inversión e ignora las realidades técnicas y económicas de la generación de electricidad para venta a BEL. La propuesta de BSCFA no cumple con ninguno de los principios básicos sobre los que se ha construido la relación entre el ingenio y los canicultores: estos son, resultados justos y equitativos para garantizar la viabilidad del negocio, el reconocimiento de la importancia de estimular la inversión y el riesgo y el retorno asociados con la inversión.

BSI sigue plenamente comprometido a llegar a un acuerdo equitativo con los negociadores de BSCFA, pero esto tiene que ser sobre una base realista y viable. A BSI también le preocupa que mientras que el liderazgo de BSCFA mantiene una postura intransigente sobre el tema del bagazo, los preparativos esenciales para preparar a la industria azucarera de Belize para los cambios inminentes en el mercado, que requerirán que la industria sea más competitiva, están siendo ignorados. BSI cree que esta postura de BSCFA es irresponsable y perjudicial para los intereses a largo plazo de sus miembros.

BSI está comprometido al éxito de la industria azucarera de Belize y a participar en una relación constructiva y productiva con todos los actores de la industria. Belcogen ha proporcionado un suministro constante y confiable de vapor y electricidad a la fábrica, lo que ha resultado en una mejoría en las operaciones del ingenio resultando en zafras más cortas y una mejor recuperación de azúcar. BSI estima que en un año típico, desde el comienzo de Belcogen, el molino puede recuperar hasta 10,000 toneladas más de azúcar comparado con el período antes de Belcogen. A base del precio de la caña para la zafra de 2013, esto se traduce en un valor adicional a los cañicultores de aproximadamente BZ$7.0 millones por año.

Otras mejoras del molino (BZ$25 millones en 2013) han visto una mejora significativa en la recuperación de sacarosa y un aumento del 25% en la producción diaria de la fábrica. Todo esto ha sido explicado a los dirigentes de BSCFA para demostrar el tremendo beneficio que ya reciben los cañicultores, como consecuencia de las inversiones de capital de BSI en la industria y su compromiso a largo plazo para el éxito de la industria.

Es hora de darle vuelta a la página del bagazo, llegar a una solución equitativa y trabajar juntos para enfrentar los desafíos de mejorar la eficiencia de la industria, la productividad y la competitividad que conducirá a su éxito a largo plazo. ###

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 JUN

2014

22 JUN

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

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 Assignment of Mortgage made the 10th day of December, 2007, recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 46 of 2007 at Folios 26 – 42, between SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD (the Assignor) Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. (the Assignee), and the said MAE TILLETT, which said property was mortgaged by the said MAE TILLETT to the said SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD on the 4th day of April, 2002 and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 17 of 2002 at Folios 711 – 764 will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. THE SCHEDULE ALL THOSE LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 39 situate on the Southern Side of the Western Highway, Mile 8 Belize District and bounded as follows: On the North for 32.580 metres by Lot No. 38B; On the South for a total distance of 31.986 metres

by Lot Nos. 39D & 39E; On the East for 15.008 metres by Lot No. 39A; and On the West for 15.020 metres by A Street; Containing 484.498 Square Metres of land as shown on Plan No. 2042 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and developments standing and being thereon.

DATED this 18th day of June, 2014.

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 Assignment and Transfer of Mortgage made the 17th day of August, 2011, between THE BELIZE BANK LIMITED (the Assignor) SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., and VINCENT MANGAR JR., which said property was mortgaged by the said VINCENT MANGAR JR. to the said BELIZE BANK LIMITED on the 30th day of March, 2009, and recorded at the General Registry in Deeds Book Volume 9 of 2009 at Folios 559 – 588, 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.

THE SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate along the Punta Gorda/San Antonio Road in the Village of Elridge, Toledo District. This lot measures on the North side 36.405 metres; On the South 45.779 metres; on the Eastern side 51.549 metres and on the Western side 47.437 metres as shown on plan of subdivision

by M. E. Sanchez, Licensed Land Surveyor at Entry No. 11608 Register No. 14 and dated September 12th 2008 and the said lot is numbered 2 on the said plan TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 18th day of June, 2014.

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

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

For Sale

By Order of the

NOTICE

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 4th day of October, 2001 between RAYMOND WHYTE and ANSELMA WHYTE of Hercules Avenue, Independence Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 37 of 2001 at Folios 899 – 922, 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.

In the Matter of the Trusts Act Chapter 202 of the Laws of Belize and In The Matter of An Application by the Star of Bethlehem Lodge for the appointment of New Trustees namely Lillian Burgess and Helen Elizabeth Myvett both of Belize City, for the sale of the trust property of the said Lodge namely all that piece or parcel of land situate in Cemetery Road, Belize City, Belize, being a portion of the Lot numbered 14 on a Plan by H.L. Perkins, Surveyor dated 5th July, 1915 bounded and described as shown on Transfer Certificate of Title dated 4th March, 1957, registered in the Land Titles Register Volume 2 at Folio No. 357.

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.

The attention of the General Public is hereby drawn to this Notice. Any person whose rights and interests may be affected by the appointment of Lillian Burgess and Helen Elizabeth Myvett as trustees and or by the sale of the trust property of the said Star of Bethlehem Lodge is hereby requested to show cause on or before the 18th day of July, 2014, why the said Lodge property ought not to be sold and the proceeds of the sale thereof not distributed to the said trustees.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 388 comprising of 668.756 Square Metres of land situate in Independence Village, Stann Creek District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 355 of 2001 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 355 of 2001 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 18th day of June, 2014.

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

DATED this 16th day of June, 2014.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Lillian Burgess and Helen Elizabeth Myvett

20

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 JUN

2014

UB President to PM: Your Policies Suck!

City of Belmopan, 2 June 2014

By Norris Hall In the first part of this expose published in the Sunday, May 25th edition we reported on the serious state of affairs at the University of Belize and the lack of cooperation by its Board of Trustees with the most recent President (the fifth in thirteen years), who was forced out of office after trying to put the University on a path towards excellence and international recognition.

The President, Dr. Carey Fraser, was subject to all sorts of unprincipled challenges by the Board of Trustees that insisted on trying to micro-manage the affairs of the University with the political appointments of unqualified Faculty or those with unproven credentials.

In addition, there were allegations of the manipulation of salary scales, a scandal over a land grab of the university’s real estate holdings and the breach of ethical standards by the Minister of Education by intercepting an Audit of the University’s accounts, which was commissioned by the President to a local auditing firm.

Faced with numerous unprofessional practices at the University, the President soon concluded that there was too much political interference and that he was dealing with a government, that he was warned from his installment, “is very confrontational and do what they want” regardless of the consequences. In early 2013 things began to come to a head with a closure of the University for one day. This was because of a protest by the faculty and staff. They held a demonstration against corruption and mismanagement by members of the University’s Board of Trustees and in support of the President. They have proven to be more self-serving rather than being guided by the professional administration of the President of the University.

FRUSTRATION Out of frustration, the President wrote a series of letters to the Prime Minister in which he addressed a number of issues affecting the university and its advancement.

The President expressed his concerns about a range of issues that were affecting the University. In one of his letters to the PM the President of UB stated: “I had hoped that my appointment would pave the way for a systematic effort to confront the challenges of financial uncertainty, inadequate

BABY SITTER NEEDED A Baby Sitting position is available for 2 kids aged 8 and 9 years. Must speak Spanish and willing to work nights on weekends. If interested, call 628-2956 for more information.

NOTICE All the members of Steadfast Masonic Lodge # 683 are asked to be at ALL SAINTS CHURCH in Belize City this Sunday June 22nd 8:00am SHARP. Together with All Saints Parish and its members we will join hands and celebrate St John’s the Baptist day. Dress as a mason with white Lambskin. PLEASE TAKE NOTE AND GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY.

and ageing infrastructure and the need to build professional capacity within the University to meet national development needs.”

In a package of leaked confidential documents, the President also complained to the Prime Minister, about “the chronic inability of the Ministry of Education to meet its debt to the University of Belize”. He noted that this was “an unfortunate signal of the low priority accorded to the University”.

Even more scathing and certainly a virtual declaration of war with the egotistical Prime Minister and his boy minister of Education is what the President wrote in a subsequent letter: “I am also very concerned that the Board of Trustees at the University of Belize during the period August 2011-2013 demonstrated a commitment to micro-management of the institution that was very troubling from my perspective as President of the Institution…I have

concluded that a governance culture marked by Board intervention in operational issues has undermined the capacity of the University of Belize to foster institutional stability at leadership levels, especially at the level of President and Provost.”

IGNORED The Prime Minister and his Minister of Education ignored the President’s recommendations for the redrafting of the University of Belize Act. The recommendations noted that “the University of Belize should generate intellectual capital for the wider society by teaching students to become decision-makers, to create the incentive structure for the faculty to engage in research to promote the intellectual and technological development of the society and to develop the academic/training programmes that will facilitate the spread of knowledge and skills to Belizeans for the development and management of skills for the development and management of the resources of the country”.

All this did not sit well with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education as it was

followed closely by a politically embarrassing report by the Inter-American Bank which was highly critical of “the collapsing system of education in Belize”.

Inevitably, the fifth President of the University of Belize eventually found himself in a political snake-pit. His recommendations were subsequently ignored and he was eventually forced to resign. In tendering his resignation, he was forced to sign a separation agreement. This included a gag order allegedly decreed by the Prime Minister, to prevent him from talking about the miserable state-of-affairs at UB. There is a whole heap of documents, sitting like a can of worms to be opened.

WHAT FUTURE? The sad summary of it all is that the University hardly has a future under the current leadership. The Prime Minister has appointed his cousin, a former employee of the Caribbean Development Bank at the helm of UB. His qualifications are far removed from the demands of academia. But he may just be the one with the cojones to stand up to the boy-Minister of Education and subtly try to implement Dr. Fraser’s recommendations and to address his concerns.

Houston Hurricanes sign Belizean Evan Mariano Belmopan, June 13, 2014 Belizean football striker Evan Mariano flew out to Houston, Texas, USA over the weekend to take up his new career, playing professional football for the Houston Hurricanes FC, a club that plays in the National Premier Soccer League, which is the fourth tier league in the U.S. BELIZE TIMES Sports caught up with Mariano in Belmopan on Friday where he had gone to get his U.S. visa. Mariano was elated to finally be getting the opportunity to play at a professional level internationally.

He said, “I feel very happy to know that I am a Belizean and I am going outside of Belize to play ball and to represent my country to the fullest”.

Evan Mariano will become the fourth Belize player to be playing internationally, joining Deon Macaulay, national goalkeeper Shane Orio and midfield Elroy Smith.

Harrison “Kafu” Roches and Elroy Kuylen had played professionally in Honduras, and Ryan Simpson in Panama, but all three are back home in Belize.

Selected for Belize’s under-23 selection which won 2-0 over El Salvador in Dangriga in 2006, Mariano has been struggling to make football pay. He played semi-pro with the Belize Defence Force for a number of years then played with the Police United in the Premier League of Belize closing season tournament in which the Police won sub-champions.

More recently, Mariano was on the Police team which participated in the Conscious Youth Development Program base boys football tournament which kicked off with a marathon at the Raccoon Street field on Saturday, June 7, and then on Sunday, June 8, he travelled to Punta Gorda where he scored two goals for Estrellas FC in their 3-3 draw with Benque United in the FFB President’s Cup tournament at the Toledo Union field.

He was also capped for the national men’s “A” team which won 2-1 over Nicaragua at the UNCAF Copa Centroamericana in Costa Rica in

January 2013, qualifying Belize for the first time ever to Gold Cup in the USA. In the Gold Cup, Mariano caught the eye of U.S. coaches as he created scoring opportunities for Belize’s top goleador Deon McCauley, who is now playing professionally with the Atlanta Silverbacks since February.

The Houston Hurricanes officially announced contracting Mariano over the June 8 weekend. Belize is rooting for you Evan!

22 JUN

2014

Reid On Barrow’s Theatrics

By G. Michael Reid Prime Minister Dean Barrow hurriedly called a press conference last Wednesday after news broke about the formation of a new activist group called ROC. Rod of Correction is an amalgamation of the unions, churches and social activist organizations which include the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association (BGYEA) and the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA). Conspicuously missing from the composite is the business community who themselves have had serious issues with this government. They know all too well however, the vindictive nature of the beast with which they deal.

The emergence of ROC is reminiscent of the Association of Concerned Belizeans (ACB), whose activism and propaganda helped to bring down the past administration. A big difference is that ROC is comprised of groups while ACB was comprised of individuals, most of who were handsomely rewarded following the UDP’s ascension to office. While the ACB fought for a change of government and for the rights of individuals with obvious personal agendas, ROC purports itself to be fighting for a change in the way things are done and for the rights of all the people who are being affected by the unfair policies of this government. Personally, I have serious reservations about Dylan Reneau heading this group; and the fact that Evan Hyde spent an entire editorial promoting his credentials takes not away but adds substance to my suspicions. Be that as it may, we can only hope and pray that they are more genuine than those hypocrites in the ACB were.

The first part of the PM’s press conference was to announce Darrell Bradley’s mayoral candidacy. Bradley had missed the deadline for entering his name and Mr. Barrow had informed Belizeans that his ship had sailed. This is politics however, and no ship ever sails so far that it can-

21

THE BELIZE TIMES

not be recalled to shore. Bradley then proceeded to blow so much smoke up the PM’s tailpipe that one would have thought that it was the almighty sitting beside him there. The biggest shocker of that part of the conference came when Bradley announced that he was bringing back his disgraced City Councilor Eric Chang. Chang was accused of being the man who couriered the infamous passport to fugitive Kim while he was sitting in a jail in Taiwan. Chang was born in Taiwan and still maintains close ties with his country. Up to that point, no one would have thought that Chang, or any other foreigner for that matter, would have the ghost of a chance of

down one by one. ROC, said the Prime Minister, is just “rude”. BGYEA will not plant corn and that is final. The unions’ demands are unreasonable and will not be met. Mark King was being honest and the spoils system is here to stay.

King should also be allowed to hustle off of NCL, after all, he as Prime Minister, maintains his law firm. It is the Public Officers who should be prosecuted, not Elvin Penner and the rest of his ministers are clean as a whistle. Danini Contreras will stay hired whether she has experience or not and he and the Pharmacists Association will have to live with their differences. Recently reappointed Justice Awich will stay and damned be the Bar Association and the Leader of the Opposition; after all, dah who run things?

The Prime Minister then went on to laud CEO in the Ministry of Health Peter Allen. According to the PM, “I honestly believe that while C.E.O. Allen has made some mistakes—because we all do—I honestly believe he is a good man and true. I think that he is honest; I think that he has a good handle conceptually on the ministry”. Is this man

Minister is pissed because the Bar dared to join the Leader of the Opposition in opposing the reappointment of Justice Awich. The Bar described it as “resembling a bias”. Awich, on the day that his two year tenure expired, delivered a judgment favorable to the Barrow government. The other judge to side with the government was Manuel Sosa who interestingly enough, also received what looks like bias, gratitude or whatever one might call it. He has been recommended as Knight Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG J). The third justice, Douglas Mendez - the only non-resident judge and the only dissenting voice against the government, is supposedly on his way out. You ride with the “team” or you roll!

Barrow accused Courtenay of “sweating fever for Ashcroft” and being “scolded by the CCJ”. Mr. Courtenay however, is as eloquent and learned as our pompous prime minister. He minced no words and declared the Prime Minister a “liar”.To quote Eamon Courtenay, “The Prime Minister needs to stop being personal. He needs to stop attacking people when they disagree with him. As far as I am concerned he is a Penner-loving, Castro-hugging Prime Minister”. You could almost hear a collective applause and banging on tables from the people of this nation.

The thing is that with all the issues that are “bubbling” and have bubbled since this Prime Minister took office, not once has he humbled himself and made an effort to correct what is wrong. He apologizes for and explains away the corrupt ways of all the members of his team. He loves not only Penner, he hugs not only Castro but Mark King and Gapi Vega and any other member of his Cabinet that is accused of doing wrong. The Prime Minister loves to laugh in the face of the Belizean people; like he did when asked about the Mark King comments. The moment draweth nigh however, when the people will get tired of this abuse and disrespect to our intelligence. On that day, the Prime Minister will know who will have the last laugh. GOD bless Belize!

The moment draweth nigh however, when the people will get tired of this abuse and disrespect to our intelligence. On that day, the Prime Minister will know who will have the last laugh. being endorsed much less elected to another public office in this land. Bradley’s acclamation of Chang is tantamount to Mr. Barrow campaigning in Cayo Northeast to have Penner remain in the House of Representatives. If ever there were classic examples of “face of brass”!

Mr. Barrow then took center stage and proceeded to put water on one fire after the other. In fact, he declared ROC a fire not even lit; talk about an ultimate disrespect! ROC now is comprised of the very unions whose activism put this man in office. He dared them to try and garner support for their cause, boasting that they “can’t”! He scoffed at the numbers of the previous Saturday’s BGYEA protest and declared it a joke.

Although admitting that “a number of things have bubbled recently, and that there is a degree of disquiet on the part of several sectors of the society”, Barrow remained arrogantly confident that he still had a firm grip on things.

Did someone say delusional?

The Prime Minister then, like a marksman in a shooting gallery at the circus, lined up the issues and shot them

serious? Peter Allen is a dismal failure and has many public allegations made against him by parties in the Ministry of Health who claim that he is an incompetent and manipulative manager. He’s also been written up in audit reports on the misappropriation and misallocation of public funds in both the Southern and Central Region. Peter Allen would have to be considered the most disliked public officer and some have gone as far as to accuse him of being racist. At what point is the “point” Mister Prime Minister?

The Prime Minster thereafter carried his “gush of fury and vitriol” over to Friday’s House Meeting but this time, he might have bitten off a chunk too big. His target there was Eamon Courtenay, President of the Bar Association. The Prime

22

THE BELIZE TIMES

Home Economics Proposals for Equitable land holding and development

By Richard Harrison Belize’s total land mass is 2,275,353 hectares (5,620,121 acres)…with 1,434,119 hectares (63.36%) owned by government...and 841,234 hectares (36.64%) owned privately.

- Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 (FRA 2010).

Of 841,234 hectares that is privately held it is estimated that less than 1% of the population (approx. 3,500 persons) own over 80%, in terms of acreage.

In many cases, these same persons exercise significant influence over large tracts of the 1,434,119 hectares owned by government, by virtue of their influence over strategic “non-governmental” interests such as Belize Audubon Society- BAS (whose website claims they manage 192,000 acres), Friends for Conservation and Development – FCD (264,000 acres), Programme for Belize - PfB (259,210 acres) among a slew of others like Toledo Institute for Development and Environment – TIDE (145,650 acres), Southern Environmental Association – SEA (74,690 acres), Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (180,510 acres)…..among many others.

They convinced our various governments to assign to their various “non-governmental” enterprises control over these large tracts of land under what are called “co-management agreements”….which they get at practically no cost to them.

Most of them use these agreements as the basis for raising funds locally and abroad, under the pretext of administering the areas under their administration on behalf of the government and people of Belize. In most cases, they manage to raise enough funds to pay a small staff and finance small-scale scouting (sometimes called policing) operations upon which they base public relations campaigns aimed at raising more money but most if not all of them have very little resources to

do anything substantial towards the development of these large tracts of land that they control.

The Government of Belize’s National Budget claims that in 2013-14 it raised around $4.85 million from land tax and projects around $5.4 million this year.

This amounts to an average of BZ$2.38 in land tax per year per privately held acre, over 80% of which comes from tax on residential plots in cities, towns and villages that is paid for by small land holders who are large in numbers, but small in total acreage relative to the size of Belize territory.

The large private holdings of rural lands yield very little revenue for Government and the large tracts of land held by these “co-managers” is not subject to any tax. This is the incentive for these few residents and non-residents to hold large tracts of land because it comes at no or low cost.

The structure of land taxation in Belize encourages speculation and not investment and development. In other words, the largest material resource of Belize – land – is largely not disposed for the development of the country in the interest of the vast majority of Belizean people.

What changes need to be made?

1. The land tax on large tracts of undeveloped private lands should be increased by five times to an average of $12 per acre per year. This will encourage investment and development, and speculation will become a more expensive decision for land holders. GOB revenues from land tax will more than double…and these funds can be used to open roads and drainage in lands acquired under provisions for #3.

2. The land tax on small parcels of residential and business plots in cities, towns and villages should be reduced based on transferring 50% of the gains from the #1 which in itself serves as a form of rapid redistribution of wealth.

3. The government should have a smooth and easy process

for large landholders to trade in lands to government each year in lieu of taxes. These acquired lands should be distributed to as many Belizean small and medium-holders as possible, based on their investment and development plans. Another form of rapid redistribution of wealth and investment/development capacity.

4. Co-management organizations should be required to show proof of resources to develop the resources under their management, and the size of their tracts reduced significantly to reflect their capacity and capability. As they invest and develop, they can apply for more acreage in an orderly phased-fashion.

5. Co-management organizations should pay a small tax of BZ$0.25 per acre (mostly symbolic) so that their ambition for control of territory is tempered by their capacity and capability for investment and development….not a free ride.

This will also change their focus from their existing “conservation” or do-nothing-but-public-relations to sustainable development.

6. All tracts of land over 500 acres that was acquired from GOB based on a development plan needs to be evaluated for their completion of those plans…. and any action to reacquire these lands in orderly fashion should be put in place, giving sufficient written notices and time for the holders to action their plan with a maximum timeline negotiated and agreed to between the GOB and the holders on a case by case basis, to a maximum of five years.

7. Government should stop forcing Belizeans to live in ghettos with residential plots 50’x75’...with very little green spaces and area for public infrastructure. It should instead make plots 100’x100’ or more compulsory....with at least 35% of land space set aside for green spaces and public infrastructure.

Richard Harrison is a local businessman and investor in the manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Harrison holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Send comments to harrisonbz@yahoo. com

22 JUN

2014

Liquor License NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that DANIRA CHI is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Las Vegas”, situate at August Pine Ridge Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ZHOU YE ZHEN is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Guan’s Shop”, situate at #16 Raccoon Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that WENDE YAN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “L&F Fast Food and Grocery”, situate at #7 Douglas Jones Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that DONGHAI WU is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Tong Lo Fast Food and Grocery”, situate at #5963 Campus Avenue, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that BALRAM RAMCHANDANI is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Amigos Bar”, situate at #1 Park Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that AARON J. GONGORA is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Gongo’s”, situate at #5 Corner Hopkins and 1st Street, Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that WENDE YAN is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “OKDE”, situate at #Kelly Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that JORGE ESPAT is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Jennells Truck Shop”, situate at 5 ½ Miles George Price Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that MICHAEL SINAT JOSE SANDLER is applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “Fuel Logistics Ltd.”, situate at 1 ½ Mile Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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Recipe of the week

Piri Piri Grilled Shrimp It’s World Cup time! Here are two Brazilian recipes that will make you the star of any World Cup Fever Party.

Ingredients 1 jalapeno, seeded and ribbed 2 tbsp. minced garlic 2 tbsp. cilantro, clean and picked off the stems 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 cup palm oil 1 lb. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined Preparation: 1.

In a food processor, puree the jalapeno, garlic and palm oil. Add the cilantro and palm oil and process until the cilantro is chopped up.

2.

Place contents in a sealable plastic bag and add the shrimp. Place in cooler for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

3.

While shrimp is marinating, fire up the grill to high heat. Place shrimp on skewers and grill for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side. Serve hot.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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The World Cup is on, so if you’ve been watching the matches with your family here’s a little treat for you this week at MKC

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2014

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE

See answers NEXT WEEK

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Answers for last week’s puzzle SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION

Answers for last week’s puzzle

See answers NEXT WEEK

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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Hackers reverse-engineer NSA’s leaked bugging devices Using documents leaked by Edward Snowden, hackers have built bugs that can be attached to computers to steal information in a host of intrusive ways 18 June 2014 by Paul Marks RADIO hackers have reverse-engineered some of the wireless spying gadgets used by the US National Security Agency.

Using documents leaked by Edward Snowden, researchers have built simple but effective tools that can be attached to parts of a computer to gather private information in a host of intrusive ways.

The NSA’s Advanced Network Technology catalogue was part of the avalanche of classified documents leaked by Snowden, a former agency contractor. The catalogue lists and pictures devices that agents can use to spy on a target’s computer or phone.

The technologies include fake base stations for hijacking and monitoring cellphone calls and radio-equipped USB sticks that transmit a computer’s contents.

But the catalogue also lists a number of mysterious computer-implantable devices called “retro reflectors” that boast a number of different surreptitious skills, including listening in on ambient sounds and harvesting keystrokes and on-screen images.

Because no one outside the NSA and its partners knows how retro reflectors operate, security engineers cannot defend against their use. Now a group of security researchers led by Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets in Evergreen, Colorado, have not only figured out how these devices work, but also recreated them.

Ossmann specialises in software-defined radio (SDR), an emerging field in which wireless devices are created in software rather than constructed from traditional hardware such as modulators and oscillators. Instead of such circuits, an SDR uses digital-signal-processing chips to allow a programmer to define

the wave shape of a radio signal, the frequency it uses and the power level. It operates much like a computer’s sound card, but instead of making sounds or processing incoming audio, it makes and receives radio signals. And a single SDR can be changed to any band Turn on, tune in, sneak out (Image: Michael instantly, including Olivers/Alamy) AM, FM, GSM and Bluetooth.

“SDR lets you engineer a radio different bands, SDR’s versatility system of any type you like really is handy, says Robin Heydon at quickly so you can research wireCambridge Silicon Radio in the UK. less security in any radio format,” “Software-defined radio is flexibly says Ossmann. programmable and can tune in to An SDR Ossmann designed anything,” he says. and built, called HackRF, was a key Ossmann will present his part of his work in reconstructing work in August at the Defcon the NSA’s retro-reflector systems. hacking conference in Las Vegas.

Such systems come in two parts Other teams will be there as well, – a plantable “reflector” bug and a unveiling ways to usurp NSA spy remote SDR-based receiver. technology. Joshua Datko of CrypOne reflector, which the NSA totronix in Fort Collins, Colorado, called Ragemaster, can be fixed will reveal a version of an NSA deto a computer’s monitor cable to vice he has developed that allows pick up on-screen images. Another, malware to be reinstalled even Surlyspawn, sits on the keyboard after being dealt with by antivirus cable and harvests keystrokes. software. It works by attaching After a lot of trial and error, Ossits bug to an exposed portion of a mann found these bugs can be computer’s wiring system – called remarkably simple devices – little the I2C bus – on the back of the more than a tiny transistor and a machine. “This means you can at2-centimetre-long wire acting as an tack somebody’s PC without even antenna. opening it up,” says Ossmann.

Getting the information from Having figured out how the the bugs is where SDRs come NSA bugs work, Ossmann says in. Ossmann found that using the hackers can now turn their atthe radio to emit a high-power tention to defending against them radar signal causes a reflector to – and they have launched a webwirelessly transmit the data from site to collate such knowledge, keystrokes, say, to an attacker. The called NSAPlayset.org. “Showing set-up is akin to a large-scale RFIDhow these devices exploit weakchip system. Since the signals nesses in our systems means we returned from the reflectors are can make them more secure in the noisy and often scattered across future,” he says.

In the driver’s seat of the 1000-mileper-hour car

13 June 2014 by Paul Marks This is the newly completed cockpit of Bloodhound SSC, the British rocket and jet-powered supersonic car that will attempt to reach a speed of 1000 miles per hour (1600 kilometres an hour) in a South African desert in 2015 or 2016.

Centre stage is the 3D-printed titanium steering wheel that has been shaped to fit driver Andy Green’s hands and fingers. The array of buttons on the panel controls instruments like the radio, air brakes and parachutes – while triggers on the rear of the handgrips prime and fire the rocket.

The carbon-fibre cockpit’s tiny windscreen will not give Green the greatest of views. However, this is for a very good reason: the top of the structure has been designed to create a series of shockwaves that slow the airflow going into the Eurofighter jet engine just above and behind his head. If that wasn’t done, supersonic air would reach the jet’s fan blades, causing huge changes in pressure that could damage the engine.

The cockpit is armoured, too: even a stone flicked up at 1000 miles per hour could do Green some serious damage.

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2014

VACANCY A vacancy exists at Chukka (Belize) for an accounting clerk. The successful candidates must:

B66 Hunting

T

here is something about being in love that tweaks one’s reality until even the most depressing events become lyrics of strength and passion in the pursuit of the heart’s desire. The grass is greener. The sky is bluer. Every delicate butterfly that alights on a vibrant bloom carries messages of good will from his/her beloved. Love infuses its victim with energy, for though a person has just endured a rough day at work, he or she will remain up all night chatting with the beloved as though work does not start at eight on the dot the next morning. This is how ardently human beings seek an earthly partner, yet when it comes to seeking a Love that is perfect and unconditional, we barely give our all.

I approach this topic with caution, acknowledging the fact that many men do not see the need for a total submission to the King of Heaven because of the rather feminine way that the process is portrayed. Few males, much less the ‘machos’ who bear their masculinity like stripes of pride, would hurrah at John’s vision of Jesus coming for His ‘bride’, nor would they smile at the thought that they themselves were the bride. But the point I want to focus on is neither a gender debate nor an argument on the abundance of feminine influences in the church. See, my point is that males especially know what they need to do to woo a woman.

The wooing is there in the phone calls that take hours to complete: “you hang up. No you hang up.” We all know how that goes. The pursuit is in getting to know the girl, maybe even stooping to reading a page in her journal or subtly interviewing her close friends and family members to figure out what she’s into. Her likes. Her dislikes. What makes her tick. Because the ultimate goal is to get her to smile, to laugh, to fall in love with you in the way that you have fallen in love with her. As generations have come and gone, males are no longer the sole ‘hunters’, for women are progressively becoming more aggressive. So, if a man or a woman is willing to put that much energy into seeking a relationship, what holds us back from pursuing God? There are varying answers to this question: pride, selfishness, fear. The list could go on and on. See, a ‘good Christian’ can pray every morning and before he eats, and before he goes to sleep. He can read his Bible, think about it for a few seconds and then carry on with his day, but this is not enough. The seeking is not so much in the actions but in the heart condition. Jeremiah 1:31 says, “I will seek Him with all my heart.” Yes, this heart condition will bleed into actions, but true hunting stems from a desire to get to know the King. A man does not woo a woman if he does not desire her or his heart will not be in the charming actions. I encourage you to dig into the Manual, fast and pray, and hunt God down with a B66 and a fierce desire.

Until next week, God bless.

- - -

Must possess at least a Sixth Form Diploma in Accounting, Finance or Business Management Must be computer literate Must possess good verbal and written communication skills

Submit applications along with resume to: Human Resources Representative PO Box #2131 Belize City Deadline for submitting applications: June 30, 2014

PUP NOTICE Convention for Belmopan Municipal Candidates

The People’s United Party announces that it will hold a Convention to elect its Belmopan City Council candidates on Sunday June 29, 2014.

The Convention will be held from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Belmopan Comprehensive School.

Alexter International Co., Ltd. # 78,011 (“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 Alexter International Co., Ltd.: a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 12th day of June, 2014; and c) Cititrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company

Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

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THE BELIZE TIMES

BE BAFFU

Art, poetry and thinking at the edge of the Haulover Creek

Baffu press conference. Brehida Haylock shreds the only printed copy of the Baffu magazine, 12 June 2014

by Yasser Musa, 15 June 2014 For the past few months I’ve been interacting with a bunch of Baffuists, young artists on a spectacular journey of self-discovery.

At their first meeting in April it was clear to me that this group was filled with things never before revealed in the arts in Belize. They are scuba divers, poets, drummers, dreamers, ranters, organizers, and much more.

Earlier this week they stormed the Bliss with a show called Brainwash. Many of them told me the show went well except for a woman who spoke a pile of officialdom shit about them not taking their responsibility as artists seriously.

But becoming BAFFU is a state of mind still in flux, still unfolding, still developing. At this first instance I see three leaders Briheda Haylock the organizer and logistics master, Kyraan “the assassin” Gabourel the soft spoken guru of spoken words and reason and Kate Usher an unapologetic grenade without a pin.

I see the birth of Baffu in March 2011 with the conceptual exhibition El Fleco plus Vixens, Bitches and Whores by Kate Usher where she lay bare her young life for all to read as a DNA composite of her daily hot mess

meltdown on the Facebook. She boldly told the media then, “We are seriously misunderstood women. Why am I black with my hair perm and she is white and she has dreads and I have these Kanye West shades on? These shades are like four years old; this was 2007 we’re now in 2011. Why am I still there, why are we still stuck in to the past, why must we still paint? I know people will come here and say oh Katie, you do art; I want see your painting gial. I do not paint. I am so sorry. In fact, no I don’t apologize, I take it back.”

The BAFFU concept grew even bigger one year later in March 2012 with the exhibition Society Killed the Teenager by Briheda Haylock and Ruhiel Trejo.

Who can forget Trejo’s Queen Barrow, perhaps one of the most precise visual art political statements since MUCK FUSA by an unknown artist in 2008. What struck me most about that show was Briheda’s appearance on the OYE morning show where she delivered a soft-spoken truth about her society with such elegant articulation and clarity. She even called the Prime Minister a “dick” on national TV for good measure.

But it was Trejo’s development of the central idea that this Face-

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COVER BAFFU - Baffu 100 page e magazine cover/ download a free copy at Image Factory Art Foundation

book life is just what the Black Uhuru calls “Plastic Smile.”

Back to BAFFU. So at the second meeting of the Baffu on May 24th on the bank of the Haulover Creek I could feel a brewing of new ideas, fresh worries, special anxieties and pain spoken lyrics from the young artists and writers. At that meeting they took a group picture all of them giving the bird to the mighty Bliss and its operational indifference across the river.

At 12:01am on June 13 a 100-page e magazine, a first of its kind, was sent into the electronic stratosphere. By 10:31 that same morning Tulio Caceres lay dead at the mouth of Pinks Alley.

From my kitchen window I could see the crowd gather around the yellow police tape.

At 11:00am I convened a meeting with Briheda and Gilvano to discuss the BAFFU opening night. We decided to suspend all operations. We used the word cancel instead of postpone because we acted fast and decisively. The artists and others met at the Image Factory after 3:00pm and decided to push the launch to Saturday 21 June at 4pm.

Baffu is born and it is Belize.

Earlier this week we had to watch the Prime Minister stumble to explain why he keeps up the farce having his son as Belize’s music Ambassador. Just this week

BE BAFFU - Baffu artists and poets form a unity line on the bank of the Haulover Creek, Belize City, May 2014

a delegation representing the Garifuna Collective was told by a high ranking government official to go to hell. Just last week Keegan Lord took to the Belize City streets a like a lone wolf to speak up for all artists and musicians and cultural workers.

The Baffu group operates in a new cultural landscape. Artists, musicians, writers, poets, thinkers, and cultural activists must always keep Nohmul in mind so that we know the psychological space we are in.

To the young Baffuists born on the bank of the Haulover, big respect!!

Baffu Performance - Poet Wilford “Mr. X” Felix performing at the Image Factory, 13 June 2014

Self portrait by Meisha Simmons, 2014

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THINK ABOUT IT PUERTO AZUL – DONE DEAL The mega exclusive tourist project for the super rich which will use Northern Caye in the Lighthouse Reef vicinity is a done deal.

The project first went to cabinet and got the green light months ago.

The Investors proceeded and reached the stage where they unveiled the launching at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival last month where movie stars and Hollywood glitterati gather. Present at this super launch was Belize’s Minister of Economic Development Erwin Contreras and Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia. It is understood the Ministers took their families. All expenses paid for by Puerto Azul, in breach of the Constitution of Belize which requires Ministers not to have their integrity called into question. But then again for the UDP Government such things don’t matter.

It is reported that the Prime Minister was also invited to the launching at Cannes Film Festival. We all know he has a bad back problem.

It is reported that the Prime Minister’s wife, who is also a Special Ambassador, was in attendance, but there are no photographs of her with Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt or John Travolta and there has been no official confirmation or denial.

Belizeans had a golden opportunity two years ago to be the owners of the Sugar Factory and Sugar Industry. Instead, the government rushed through an offer by foreigners to buy the same, rather than allowing the Cane Farmers Association which wanted to buy, and was working on obtaining the funds.

Our cane industry is now in the hands of foreigners who are milking profits and then taking it out of the country. Belizeans now only cut cane and deliver it to the foreign profiteers. Thanks to UDP government.

A Norwegian Cruise shipping line was allowed to buy an island in southern Belize and given a monopoly to do cruise tourism for 25 years. They will pay some taxes but will be given almost 50 percent refund each time they pay. Belizeans could have owned that island with government help. Belizean could have been renting that island to Norwegian; but then again, this is Belize, noh!

The national boledo and lottery was taken out of the public service and given to Mr. Brads at BelCan Bridge where four Southside Ministers regularly hang out. It is reported that an extra special Minister’s son is the real owner. Millions of dollars moved away from the public service into the private hands depriving Belizeans of educational opportunities, skills training and housing. As we said, this is Belize. It is the said same Godwin Hulse who “chaired” some committee that allowed this naked crony grab of a national revenue industry. Take it from us, Puerto Azul is a done deal.

DOROTHY BRADLEY Dorothy Bradley is a heroine. She is a career Public Officer and the Auditor General of the country public sector monies for all departments and ministries.

Public Officers are an intimidated and victimized group of employees who have become afraid of their own shadows. They try hard not to be seen with opposition members of the society. They try their best in conversations not to say anything about the rogue Ministers and bad government they serve. They sit back and watch political cronies brought into the departments and Ministries over them and given special treat-

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ment and benefits. They see how “flunkying-up” to Ministers can bring them financial gain and special privileges. We speak here of a few like at Lands, Passport, Visa, Customs, Police, Petroleum.

Against this background, the Auditor General and her staff made an effort, against all odds, to get some facts and figures from the Penner scandal at the Immigration Department. Despite the stonewalling and the hiding of important files and information they did a credible job.

The interim Audit Report on the Immigration Department and the criminal behavior of Minister Penner and a few Immigration Officials is an Iraqi roadside bomb. We think the Prime Minister is doing himself and his tattered image a disservice to treat the Auditor General and the interim report the way he is doing.

Dorothy Bradley is a brave Public Officer. She knows the malicious and vindictive nature of the present government. She knows that dirty mouth Joe and Fonso and August will smear her name and try to humiliate her but she followed her conscience and did her job.

Mrs. Dorothy Bradley is a heroine.

BARROW ATTACKS ANOTHER JUDGE We are sorry we have to report this but it is important.

Our Hon. Prime Minister did it again. He called the name of a newly appointed temporary Judge to the Supreme Court and then mentioned how she was allowed to be appointed even though she had been advocating against him and his government when she was a private attorney.

Is there any need to have named the Judge and to say such things?

Really, man?

AND AGAIN At the Prime Minister’s Wednesday press conference he made it clear no Rod of Correction and no BYGEA will plant any corn on the buffer at Harmonyville.

Guess what? Two days thereafter a Supreme Court Judge crashed the government’s temporary injunction which was preventing the group from planting corn on a few acres of land.

The hand of Jah Jah. A mild criticism to BYGEA, why weren’t you guys out on the buffer Saturday morning planting corn?

Unu slow Rasta. Unu slow. Unua woulda be the corn Bullie by now. “Bullie, Bullie, Bullie, plant the corn”.

BULLIE Tanya Carter’s latest song and music video released on Youtube on 9th July became an overnight hit in Belize and Jamaica.

Fourteen thousand views in four days. It’s the talk of the town, and the countryside too.

Name? Bullie We are really impressed with Tanya. She got what it takes. Big respect to Carlo Habet.

As director of the video, he displays once again his abilities behind the camera angles.

He is a pro.

Belize and the government now need to get involved in Tanya’s music career. She needs a music ambassador who can start opening doors in the American music industry. She needs TV exposure there. She needs to get bookings on VH1, BET and MTV. She

needs to do live concerts and songs with some major artists – Ziggy, Damien (Tuff Gong), Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, Kate Perry, and such.

Tanya needs to be linked with Rihanna, who is her sister from Barbados and who is probably the number two female artist in the world. Tanya has what it takes to be another Rihanna from the region. The girl is good.

Right now she is the music Bullie.

WELCOME TO JAM-ROCK Jamaica (JAM-Rock) has announced that it will be changing its outmoded laws on marijuana (they call it ganja).

Their new law will remove any criminality for possession of small quantities. If a person has up to 0.57 grams (about 2 ounces) there will be no arrest or court action. If it is over that amount a person can be given a ticket – like a minor traffic offence.

Persons in Jamaica can smoke their pot, weed, ganja, tubumbu, spliff, whatever it is called, in private and it is not an offence.

The new law will decriminalize weed for religious purpose and for medical purpose.

Imagine the possibilities. A Belize where the ignorance of the Police and court officials are removed from the daily lives of harassing poor people, ransacking their homes and dragging off the young men to police station to beat and abuse them over a little ganja.

Then wasting tax payers’ money to make out charge sheets and taking them to court and on and on. Overworked Magistrates charging hundreds of dollars.

THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU The world’s largest optical and infra red telescope is about to be constructed. It will cost over two billion US dollars. It will be installed on the top of a mountain in Chile, which is over 3,000 meters high.

On Thursday, 19th June workers started to dynamite and flatten the mountain for it to be able to accommodate the huge telescope.

Scientists say they will be able to view the far outer reaches of the universe and zoom into planets which may have “earth like” features.

They will be looking for signs of life.

Life? More like looking for materials that can make new space age weapons to continue to dominate those nations with resources.

WAR-MONGERS On Tuesday, 17th June UK Prime Minister, David Cameron told the British Parliament that the rebels (now being called terrorists) who are capturing last sections of Iraq from the puppet government, will become a threat to the UK. He said the rebels “are planning to attack us here at home in the UK”. Incredible.

In America, the Republican Party is attacking Obama for not attacking Iraq. They want Obama to re-invade and reoccupy that unhappy country where over three hundred thousand Iraqis have been killed because of America’s illegal war.

Iraq is the seventh largest oil producer in the world. Over a decade ago America lied to the United Nations and the world that Saddam Hussein had “weapons of mass destruction” ready for use. The truth eventually came out that America wanted to get control of the oil.

On Wednesday, 18th June, 2014 the rebels shut down and partially captured Baiji, Iraq’s largest oil refinery. What better excuse the war-mongers now have than to send their troops to “recapture” the oil fields.

One day British and American war crimi-

2014

nals will be taken to the International Court of Justice – but don’t hold your breath.

DYLAN RENEAU Dylan Reneau is a public officer. He is the present head of the Trade Union Congress. All unions and all social activist groups came together at the Trade Union Office and formed a formidable new organization named “Rod of Correction”. They issued a release condemning the government and its demons/demagogues in cabinet.

The Prime Minister last week personally singled out Dylan Reneau for criticism. It was an excellent psychology. Dylan is a UDP and the PM knows it. Dylan has done much to protest Barrow and his wayward government from the wrath of the Union.

Barrow has appreciated and buttered Dylan with nuff appointments to boards and committees with impressive stipends. Barrow may think Dylan is ungrateful to allow Rod of Correction to be formed. It may be Barrow who is ungrateful. Dylan has been fairly faithful and has played his part while getting a certain amount of union issues addressed.

ROC will need leadership and direction and some fire in their bellies, like what Geovanni Brackett has.

ANTI-CHIRST On Friday, 20th June the Court of Appeal is likely to reduce the sentence on Lavern Longsworth also known as “Anti Christ”.What a horrible nickname to fasten on Lavern.

Lavern, like a lot of women in Belize, is the victim of male violence and abuse. It was a life of mental, psychological and physical torture; she took some blows in her time. One evening she just couldn’t take it no more. She threw gasoline and threw a candle. Women beaters should be burned.

Lavern was charged for murder. A travesty of justice. She was sentenced to spend the rest of her life in jail. Another travesty.

Attorney Godfrey Smith appealed Lavern’s sentence submitting a novel argument for Belize Courts. Battered women who kill are not the same as killers. Their horrible nightmarish life affects their mental ability and the court needs to take such into account.

So Lavern, who never should have been charged for murder will hopefully get a much reduced sentence. She should be sent home.

Hopefully this new approach will reach brutal, violent men who are beating on their women. These days who are terrorizing women will get a dose of their own medicine.

Burn fire pon all woman beaters.

SINGHING The name Singh has surfaced in Gungulung.

Where is Gungulung? It is way back of Lake Independence.

Word is that a certain well connected Singh has obtained title to a large piece of land situated where the new Chetumal Street bridge reaches into Lake I and leads to the Western Highway.

The land is ex-marked as the site of a bus terminal for the whole city and a hub for all district buses coming to Belize City. There will be food, concessions, boutiques, the works.

Guess who will be raking in the dough?

SINGH! Another crony laughing all the way to the bank 2 Timothy 4:7 “I fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

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Pic Courtesy Channel 5

2014

Doing OUR Part in Belize Rural Central Belize District, June 13, 2014 On Saturday, June 7, 2014, which was National Environment Day, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia and members of her committee, did their part in the clean-up of the George Price Highway, and participated by cleaning and bagging garbage from both sides of the highway from Mile 10 to Mile 12.

Approximately 26 miles of the George Price Highway are within the constituency of Belize Rural Central, and Hon. Dolores and her committee got their garbage bags and gloves and walked the two miles collecting and bagging dozens of bags of garbage for the large truck from the Solid Waste Management Authority to collect.

Vehicles from the Solid Waste Management Authority, the Department of the Environment, and the Belize Audubon Society passed by, and personnel from these entities

supplied more bags and gloves and offered words of thanks and encouragement.

Officials from the various agencies agreed along with Hon. Dolores and her team who participated in the clean-up that, while such clean-up activities are good, our goal has to be to encourage and inculcate in our Belizean adults, families and young people not to throw garbage out of vehicles and buses and to refrain from taking refuse from their homes to throw along the highway for someone else to pick up.

Collecting garbage along the highways is only a temporary ‘band-aid’ fix, so that the larger picture must be for Belizeans to be more environmentally conscious as well as conscientious in keeping our roadways and highways as well as all of our environs garbage free and clean. Everyone agreed that we look forward to the day when such clean-ups will not be necessary because we are all putting garbage in its right place!!

BYM Corozal Bay formed Corozal Town, June 15th, 2014 On Friday, June 13th a group of young leaders met at the People’s United Party Corozal Bay office on College Road to form the Corozal Bay Belize Youth Movement.

The group was sworn in by National President Alberto Vellos, before each new member committed to begin the work of organising the young people in that constituency and working to bring victory to Gregorio “Papas” Garcia Jr. and the PUP. In addressing the young leaders, Vellos spoke of the key role young people should be playing in their communities and in the national development of the country. He told the group that while the BYM has a specific role in the PUP, which is to organise its youth base, it has a greater task of representing young people.

He commended the new members for stepping up to the plate and committed to giving support.

President of the group is Josue Perez, Vice-President is Marlon Devon Williams, Sureya Guerrero is Secretary, Trisha Caceres is Vice Secretary, Sureidy Trejo is Treasurer, Vanessa Sales is Vice Treasurer and

Suheidy Trejo is Public Relations Officer.

On hand to witness the swearing in was PUP Corozal Bay Standard Bearer Gregorio “Papas” Garcia Jr. who thanked his young constituents for taking up the task.

Papas encouraged them to let their ideas shine through BYM and told them that he will provide guidance and support along the way.

Papas added that he believes more opportunities must be created for the young people of Corozal Bay, instead of leaving them to face the severe challenges created by poverty, unemployment and lack of education.

Also present at the meeting was PUP Corozal Bay Chairperson Thea Garcia, who committed to working closely with BYM. Ms. Garcia shared that the PUP Corozal Bay Executive will assist BYM with a building and amenities to allow them to carry out their work.

The BYM will have its first meeting this Saturday, June 21st at the PUP office where the group will begin to chart its workplan. Anyone interested in joining BYM Corozal Bay can contact President Josue Perez at 669-1769.

Ministry of Education Fires Teachers!

Belize City, June 18th, 2014 Just as the quarrelsome Minister of Education Patrick Faber warned would happen, the firing of teachers has begun.

The decision to dismiss the teachers forms part of the Ministry of Education’s plan to amalgamate three schools: Maud Williams High, Sadie Vernon High and Excelsior High School.

The Ministry’s main focus, it claims, is to improve enrolment and student passes by streamlining resources. But in truth, the Ministry just wants to cut cost throughout the system at the expense of education and now jobs.

There were rumours of the

merger for weeks, with students fearing encounters with rivalry groups and teachers fearing staff cuts. When Education Minister Faber finally explained the idea to the public, he came with bad news: that some teachers will be let go.

On Wednesday, five teachers who were employed at Maud Williams High School got the worst kind of news in these hard times when they received letters of dismissal. They are Marlin Rojas, Maricruz Itzab, Linden Lamb, Bernadine Villagram and Paula Gray.

Information to the BELIZE TIMES is that more dismissal letters will be distributed.

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