Belize Times March 10, 2013

10 MAR SCAN HERE

2013

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The Belize Times THE BELIZE TIMES

Established 1957

10 MAR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4835

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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Drug Plane Cover Up No comment from Minister of Transport Edmund Castro

Belize City, March 7th, 2013 A drug plane, which sneaked out of Belize illegally three weeks ago, was intercepted and its passengers arrested by Venezuelan authorities in a suspected drug operation in that South

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Barrow kills the Bar Belize City, March 7, 2013 The UDP is plotting and while our children sleep they are building a devilish scheme to destroy democracy and Belize. Remember November 2010 when Dean Barrow humiliated the Chief Justice of Belize because Barrow was angry at the fact that the Judge refused to do his bidding?

The Bar Association spoke out in an attempt to protect the integrity of the

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FRANCIS & PUP Leaders MEEt Farrakhan

American country.

On the night of Thursday 22nd, the sound of an aircraft flying low in the western

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Head of Civil Aviation Kenworth Tillett kept the incident secret from the public

PUP REMEMBERS CHAVEZ

Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin has received a letter from the Solicitor General indicating the UDP’s plan to kill to Bar Association

PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca met with Leader of the Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan on Tuesday morning. PUP leaders Former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Dr. Francis Smith and Freetown Chairman Albert Vaughan attended

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Setting the record straight Dear Editor, I write to set the record straight on an article appearing in the Sunday, March 3rd 2013 edition under the sub caption CitCo 2.3 mil debt inherited from Fonseca Administration 2005. Why am I not surprised that in 2013, eight years after the PUP was in office,

When will the madness stop?

Dear Editor, Belize is a beautiful country with extremely bad leadership. After reading your article on the Minister of Transport Edmond Castro’s blatant interference in the running of the Belize Port Authority, I was appalled that this man is still serving in our country’s Cabinet.

I waited patiently on Friday to hear the Prime Minister or any of his Ministers decry the action, but none did.

Sadly, the Opposition also didn’t bring the matter up, because maybe that would have triggered some discussion and then public apology on behalf of the offending Minister. But it didn’t become a subject and it seems, like many other wrongs in the past, to have passed “like wah lee breeze”.

In any properly developed country with mature political leadership, such

a Minister would have been investigated thoroughly by an independent commission. If the allegations were true, he would have been fired and possibly charged for over-extending his authority.

The fact that in Belize, in particular the term of the Barrow Administration, allegations against Ministers go unchecked is a bad sign for transparency and good governance.

Upon checking the Minister in question’s history, I stumbled on information of previous serious allegations against him and I couldn’t understand why he was allowed to serve in Cabinet again.

He was accused of taking people’s money and promising public land which he had no authority to sell. Stealing from people is a serious charge, more so for someone in such a high position and one handling the public’s money and affairs.

The Prime Minister admitted that he had evidence too great to avoid castigation. Well, what is different in this case? The Prime Minister has the former Ports Commissioner making the allegations against the Minister.

I have great respect for men who offer themselves to serve in public office. I have very little respect for men who pretend to be righteous but only pursue public office for their personal desires.

Minister Castro has proven to be no good for public office. Two strikes is enough! Mr. Prime Minister when will this madness stop?

Signed.

Hubert Tench

PUP on the passing of President Hugo Chavez Belize City, March 6, 2013 The Leader of the People’s United Party the Hon. Francis Fonseca sends a message of deep sympathy and condolence to the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the passing of President Hugo Chavez.

“President Chavez was a true friend of Belize.

We mourn the loss of this great son of Venezuela. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the people of that sister nation”, said the PUP Leader.

The former Prime Minister of Belize the Rt. Hon. Said Musa described President Hugo Chavez as “a revolutionary Leader whose vision for

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a more united Latin American and the Caribbean captured the hearts and minds of freedom-loving peoples throughout our region”.

Mr. Musa recalled his friendly exchanges at international meetings and one on one discussions with President Chavez, “He was always ready and willing to provide developmental assistance to Belize; in housing for the poor, in quality and affordable healthcare, in improvements of sport facilities for our young people. The Petro-Caribe initiative, which shares the oil wealth of Venezuela with its neighbours, stands as a testament to the great spirit of generosity and solidarity of Hugo Chavez to many struggling countries of the Caribbean and the Americas including Belize. We will forever be grateful”.

THE BELIZE TIMES 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.

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the PUP is still being blamed for everything going wrong under the sun at City Hall?

But be that as it may, let’s look at the records which will show that it was the UDP Mayor Zenaida Moya who borrowed from Scotia Bank with the Commercial Center as collateral to pay off the debt at City Hall. I remember when Moya declared that “with this loan City Hall will be out of debt”. So what happened to the money she got from Scotia to pay off all the debt? Where is it? Now to make matters more interesting, the man who was at City Hall legally advising the Council at the time being was no other than the current Mayor Darrell Bradley.

This is the same Mayor who has failed to pay sanitation companies multiple times and refused to honor an agreement he made before the Court to pay a company. Since the Council the defaulted on payment, interest on that debt has been growing and building to the tune of $1.2 million. This was not the doing of any Fonseca or PUP, but of Darrell Bradley.

Bradley has shown city residents that he is no Zenaida Moya.

He is much worse. He is arrogant and pompous and cares very little for the struggling residents of the city.

Signed, G. Vidal

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2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

No salary increase!

No tax relief!

Barrow’s budget offers no ease in hard times Belize City, March 7, 2013 If you were hoping to hear about economic relief or an ease in taxes in the Barrow Administration’s fifth Budget, you were left miserably disappointed. Also, if teachers and public officers were hoping that the Budget included their much-needed salary increase, they were left wanting.

Barrow’s Budget for the fiscal year 2013-2014 does nothing to ease the economic pain felt by Belizeans.

It offers no economic stimulus and no promises no major employment opportunity. No GST reduction, no fuel tax lowering.

Barrow’s Budget is uninspiring. Even the Prime Minister struggled to maintain the interest of the House of Representative as he read out his depressing script explaining his administration’s woes and excuses for not being able to grow the economy and provide greater opportunities to Belizeans.

Wasteful Spending!

How GOB rents Minister’s building to house Vital Statistics Unit Belize City, March 7, 2012 While the Barrow Administration refuses to grant a salary increase to teachers and public officers, they continue their wasteful spending in unnecessary areas.

Information to the BELIZE TIMES is that the Vital Statistics Unit, which was housed at a Government-owned building on Gabourel Lane, will now be moved to a smaller building that is owned by Minister of State Santino Castillo on Hyde’s Lane.

There is no justifiable reason for this move other than the practice of cronyism under the UDP. Similarly, we have learnt that the Police Department has been made to pay for the leasing of office space on Kut Avenue that is owned by UDP Minister Boots Martinez. Unconfirmed reports are that the Government pays a hefty amount for this rent.

This Budget, which follows others misleadingly titled, “Recovery today, prosperity tomorrow” and “Celebrating Growth, Sustaining Recovery” continues on a path of instability and economic failure.

Prime Minister Barrow claimed that the country saw economic growth of 5% in the last year, but the reality faced by Belizeans tells a different story. The hundreds of Belizeans losing their homes, or unable to find jobs find no comfort in

the PM’s claims of a bouncing economy.

The 2013-2014 Budget increases Government spending to $934 despite a projected deficit of $62.6 million, which is 1.9% of the GDP. The Barrow Administration has struggled to close this financial gap every year. Already, there are plans to meet the gap, partially with over $80 million in loans.

After a preliminary review of the Budget, Opposition Leader Hon.

03 3 Francis Fonseca said it was filled with “empty rhetoric”.

“Our Prime Minister lives in one world. We have a UDP Government and Mr. Barrow living in Barrow land. They’re living in their own world and out here on the real streets, in the village communities and in our homes people have a very different reality,” remarked Hon. Francis.

The Opposition Leader also indicated that the PUP will carry out a series of consultations with members of the private sector and civil society to share views on the Budget and recommendations on what can be done to make it more relevant to the lives of Belizeans.

The Opposition intends to prepare for the budget debate scheduled for Thursday, March 21st and Friday, March 22nd.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions

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to Ministers Will the Minister of Health Pablo Marin confirm or deny that he recently sent his wife to give birth to his child in the United States in fear of the neglectful health system in Belize, over which he presides?

Can the Minister of Natural Resources Gaspar Vega say how much land his family, relatives and close friends have obtained since he became the Minister responsible for Lands?

Will the Minister of Finance inform the nation whether in addition to the $1.3 million promised to Mark “Hall Mark” Espat, the Government has purchased or is interested in purchasing the Espat building on Regent Street for $1.8 million?

Can the Minister of Education explain how it is that the Government has been able to pay a bonus of $1.5 million to Mark “Hall Mark” Espat while the teachers and public officers have been refused a measly salary adjustment?

Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs confirm that he was recently chastised by the Guatemalan Foreign Minister about the lack of control of the Belizean public on the ICJ referendum?

Will the Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport comment on the serious allegations made by the Ports Commissioner that he interfered in the business of the Port Authority by ordering that posts be created for his daughter then his son, at a time when the Port Authority is facing financial constraints? Will he also apologize for abusing his authority and step down from honourable office?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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In the Kingdom of the Blind

n 2006 the then PUP Government of Belize took a proactive decision based on the best international financial expert advice to restructure Belize’s commercial foreign debt.

Calm and respectful discussions were held with the Caribbean Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.

Both international institutions provided policy based financing to facilitate the restructuring exercise.

Calm and respectful negotiations were conducted with the representatives of the creditors/ bond holders. These negotiations were concluded in early 2007. A total of US$520 million in public sector external debts were exchanged for new notes (the socalled Super-Bond) with new and much better repayment terms and conditions. Belize was able to convince the bond holders to take a significant reduction in their present value flows.

The interest rate on the combined debt was reduced from an average of 10% to a three stage interest rate step up starting as low as 4.25% reaching no higher than 8.5% after 5 years. The principal of the debt was extended to a maturity date in 2029 and no principal payment was due until August 2019.

This successful debt restructuring was hailed internationally as a model for its transparency and consultative nature, and as a standard by which emerging market debt restructuring can be judged. Over US$430 million dollars in cash flow relief (savings) was secured by this PUP restructured “Superbond”. One of the direct upfront benefits to the Government’s fiscal account was an immediate savings of $180 million in debt service which benefitted the UDP Government when they came into office in ear-

ly 2008.

The PUP Government’s plans were to prudently invest these savings, continue to grow the economy and create jobs for our people. In so doing as the interest rate gradually rose we would have been in a stronger financial position to easily meet the debt service with a robust economy humming along.

The possibility no one imagined came with the change of government. A reckless UDP Government proceeded to squander the accumulated debt service savings on wasteful spending and feathering the nests of family members and cronies.

When the Barrow Government came into office in 2008, the budget deficit was 0.6% of GDP – less than one percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). In the first year of UDP mismanagement of the economy and reckless spending the deficit doubled to 2%.

Economic growth which under the 10 years of the PUP was an annual average of 5% began to stall and what is worse, inflation (the cost of living) shot up to a staggering 6.4%. By 2009 Belize was in deep recession with no growth at all. That is when we began hearing excuses and Barrow latched on to blaming the Superbond for all his government’s incompetence and neglect of the basic services to the Belizean people.

Soon the propaganda was ratcheted up to - PUP has nothing to show for the Superbond. As recent as last week in his budget presentation Mr. Barrow was still going on about the Superbond. “Nothing to show” says deceitful Barrow.

Well what about the thousands of new concrete homes built for Belizean families in

all six districts of Belize? Even the $64 million in recent housing loans “give aways” by the UDP as an election gimmick were paid for by the PUP Government.

What about the new housing subdivisions that “miraculously” appeared during the PUP administration – at Mile 8, at Burrell Boom, at Belama, West Landivar, Vista Del Mar, at the community of Mahogany Heights with a modern water and sewerage system, at Los Lagos, Maxboro and in Belmopan.

And the list goes on. Thousands of Belizean families stepped into their new homes and over 60,000 land parcels were distributed to thousands more.

Nothing to show? What about the 1,500 new classrooms built, new high schools, new Sixth Forms such as at Wesley College and Escuela Mexico. What about the University of Belize modern campus in Belmopan? Nothing to show?

What about the upgrade to the KHMH, the retrofitting of Matron Roberts and Cleopatra White in Belize City and the new polyclinics built in San Ignacio and Toledo and San Pedro, Ambergris as well as the major renovation to the Regional Hospital in Belmopan.

These might have appeared as miracles to the UDP. All this investment in education, health and housing took tens of millions of dollars which the PUP Government was able to secure by skillful financial engineering.

The renaissance in culture with the new Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts and the Museum of Belize; the modern Border Management Facilities in the Northern and Western border points, the Visitors Centres at the Mayan Archeological sites – did not happen by accident. It took planning, hard work and yes millions of dollars in investment by the PUP Government.

And not only was the quality of life of the Belizean people significantly improved through the loan financing secured that made up the Superbond but equally important the economy as a whole was modernized and transformed.

Through it all, the PUP Government had to invest and spend over $400 million in recovery from the infrastructural damage and destruction caused by four major hurricanes and storms that hit Belize in rapid succession.

The work of transformation can be seen, (for those that have eyes to see and are not blinded by their self-consuming hate and deluded by their own poisonous propaganda) in the scores of villages and rural communities that received their potable water systems and electricity throughout the country, particularly in the south of the country in Stann Creek and the Toledo districts.

The work of transformation in education was shown with the building of the state of the art vocational training centres, ITVETs, in all districts of Belize for an investment of $40 million dollars.

The clear demonstration of a transformed Belize under the PUP was finally in the modernization and paving of major highways from Corozal to Toledo, the Orange Walk and the Burrell Boom Bypass and the many bridges built during the period 1998 to 2008.

So Barrow and the UDP can scream as much as they like.

The Belizean people know of the great accomplishments of the PUP because they felt and experienced the benefits. The question is after 5 years and tens of millions of additional debts incurred by the UDP what do they have to show for it?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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DPP’s Deadly Losing Streak Belize City, February 28, 2013 The current Director of Public Prosecutions, Cherylin Vidal, is on a deadly losing streak. It splashed big when she lost a historic case in Dangriga late last year. In that trial the DPP decided not to go do the case herself but instead sent a recent law school graduate, and a foreign crown counsel who knows very little about Belize to do the case. This was the biggest drug case in Belize’s history.

Next the DPP herself went up to Orange Walk and prosecuted a drug case where a driver Franz Hamilton was allegedly caught red handed with drugs in the vehicle he was driving. Mrs. Vidal somehow managed to lose that case as the jury was not convinced by her arguments and found Hamilton not guilty.

The DPP again prosecuted the case of the day light murder of Andre Trapp. Trapp was the clandestine and mild mannered boss of the Southside Gangsters, based in the Yabra area. He was murdered on the steps of the Chief Magistrate while court was in session in Belize City in front of crowds of shoppers, cyclists, policemen and other willing witnesses. It was supposed to be an “open and close” case; easy to win.

The DPP, for public interest reasons, should not have lost this case and there was every necessary bit of evidence available to her. The trial was also done without a jury, which many say, would make it even more of a slam dunk case for the crown.

Yet, Vidal lost this case.

Her loss of the case is not condemning just because of the gravity of the case and the public embarrassment to her office but it confirms a deeper failure in her administration of the Office of the DPP. This is because it is her very office that reviewed the file and instructed the police as to what to do to get a conviction. Then as the attorney with actual conduct of the trial she again reviewed the file herself to prepare to go to court. She cannot blame another crown counsel because she stood in court and lost the case by herself. This further confirms that the DPP through herself and her office is wrong 97% of the time.

The People’s United Party has called for Vidal to do the honorable thing and resign but again as she has done in 97% of her decision making, she has made the wrong decision. The office of the DPP tried

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to prosecute our leaders in 2008, when there was no reason to and ultimately the Supreme Court had to tell the DPP through a “no case application” that there was no Shirley biscuit and Caribbean Pride orange juice in her prosecuting of two PUP leaders. Recently the court again said that the political witch hunting against another two good standing PUP ministers for Misfeasance was baseless.

More troubling is that a political scheme is stirring to take her failure from 97% at the DPP office

and promote her to Supreme Court Judge.

We have seen over the bloody Valentine’s Day weekend what the ripple effect of her 97% failure is. We weighed her failure using the bodies of 12 Belizeans this year already. How much more will it take?

Can Belize afford to see what 97% failure rate looks like as a Judge?

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2013

UDP gets an “F”

PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca flanked by officials of the party at Wednesday’s press conference Belize City, March 7, 2013 On Wednesday afternoon, the Opposition People’s United Party held a press conference to review and grade the UDP administration which was re-elected to a second– term office one year ago on March 7th 2012.

“The UDP gets a big fat F,” remarked Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca.

The Failure of the Barrow Administration is that they have been unable to bring about better living conditions for Belizeans. The country is experiencing the toughest of times.

Poverty is at the highest levels ever, and so is the lack of jobs for our people.

“This, my friends is Belize in 2013—a failing state under a failed U.D.P. administration. A country in crisis under a corrupt visions-less government with no plan to create jobs, attract investment and grow the economy. No clear plan to address the scourge of crime and to reform our health and education systems.

“Teachers are frustrated, morale among our security officers is at an all-time low, the students, teachers and staff at our National University are disillusioned, our village communities are neglected.

Belize is a country in crisis under a corrupt, visionless Government,” said Hon. Francis, as he defended the interests of Belizeans.

The PUP leader placed the responsibility on the Prime Minister, who he said is a master of confrontation with anyone who dares oppose him.

“Belize’s failure after five years of U.D.P. government is rooted in one man, Dean Barrow. While Mr. Barrow’s greatest skill is confrontation, he is a stranger to nation building, dialogue and humility,” pointed out the PUP Leader.

The confrontation espoused by the UDP has crippled every attempt by the Opposition and other stakeholders to reach out. Deputy Leader Carolyn Trench-Sandiford indicated that the PUP has extended its hands to the Barrow Administration to come up with solutions to fight crime, but there has been no response.

“Our hands are hurting be-

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THE BELIZE TIMES

cause we have been holding them out for a very long time,” she said.

The Deputy Leader said their anti-crime recommendations to the Government include the empowering of community-based organisations, formulating an economic plan with emphasis on women and young people, putting an end to the negotiations with gang leaders, and appointing a

commission of inquiry to investigate the dean street massacre.

She added that crime is quantitative as well as qualitative, so if Belize is measured by the 623 murders since 2008 when the UDP first took office, the Government would be found guilty of failing to secure our nation.

“If you cannot solve the prob-

lem of crime and violence, do the right thing and resign,” she challenged.

Presenting the Opposition’s grading of the Barrow Administration was Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia. He UDP got Fs in Lowering the Cost of Living, Fighting Crime, Creating Jobs, Distributing land, Health Care, Education, and Economic Growth, while they got As on Higher Taxes, Corruption, Arrogance and Nepotism.

While Hon. Dolores spoke of the UDP’s failures, she discussed areas where the PUP would focus to bring Belize back on a proper track.

“We will move quickly to stimulate business especially for small entrepreneurs and bring about a growth in the economy that everyone can benefit from. We will increase enrollment in the institutions for vocational and technical training and education. And we will target relevant education and skills training for young people and women and men all across our country.

Most importantly, we will restore decency in government and respect for the judicial system,” stated Hon. Dolores.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Barrow kills the Bar Continued from page 1 Court and legal system.

On that Friday, November 12, 2010 in the House of Representatives Dean Barrow called the Bar Association “PUP” – meaning that it is controlled by the People’s United Party. For context, we remember that Barrow was calling everyone that dare oppose him “PUP”.

Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca had seen the evil dripping from Barrow’s actions, tried to protect us and exposed Barrow in front of all Belize.

Hon. Fonseca told the Prime Minister that he was interfering with the judiciary – to shape it in “his own image and likeness.” Honorable Francis, being the visionary statesman that he is, commented from 2010 that “…while the judiciary and the rule of law are being undermined, we have just had our 112th murder, including a record number of minors being killed in Belize today”.

The Leader of the Opposition had served as Attorney General and could understand why the Bar Association membership was ringing the warning alarms. See, the Judiciary is the only check and balance that the people of Belize have against victimization and an abusive Government.

But Barrow is no regular dictator.

He coiled up and raised his serpentine head making a diabolic promise to destroy the Bar Association. “You know what other countries have done when this sort of thing has happened? Pass a law to have more than one Bar Association. I don’t go that route; I deal with the Bar Association on the basis of my ability to respond to whatever they say…” he declared.

His rancorous threat took two years to manifest. The BELIZE TIMES has obtained an internal Government correspondence sent to Judges of the Supreme Court, in which the Barrow Administration indicates its intention to pass a law to “remove the requirement of compulsory membership by Attorneys-at-law to the Bar Association of Belize”. The bidding of the Government is being carried out by Solicitor General, Cheryl Krusen, who is a Barrow friend and family member.

Krusen, a UDP-imported foreigner, can be remembered for her peddling of the UDP’s 9th Amendment campaign and her premature application to be a hurry come up Senior Counsel. The Bar Association had opposed that subversion of the court system and had rejected Krusen’s application.

The Bar Association is a safeguard to ensure that people who are crying every night after the news get justice.

This proposed law or “bill”, titled the “Legal Profession (Amendment) Act, 2013”, is a leap into dictatorship.

The four-page bill immediately removes the Attorney General from being a member of the Bar Association.

Then it goes on to change the function and objects of the Association without any consultation from the attorney

membership.

It then goes on to dilute the power of the Bar Association. Now, the Bar Association is restricted to only its members and is only one “professional body” dependent on “from time to time being recognized by [the AG] as representing the legal profession”.

The BELIZE TIMES is informed that this bill is much worse and petty. We have received information that the Barrow Government owes over $17,000 to the Bar Association and in an effort to not pay, they have included a provision in the new bill to remove the requirement to pay any monies to the Bar Association.

The biggest blow by Krusen and Barrow is what they have done to the General Legal Council. The General Legal Council is the disciplinary body for lawyers and by section 12(1) of the Legal Profession law, it is responsible for making lawyers, you guessed it, Senior Counsel.

Barrow and the UDP, by this bill, are making the General Legal Council a completely political body where the AG has full control. In the proposed law, the AG can appoint all five members of the Council, except one. These political appointments will make political decisions. This is frightening.

The question is what does the Government have to gain by attacking and dismantling the Bar Association?

For Krusen hit follows from her being rejected and for Barrow he is eliminating any opposition to his tyranny.

Of all the personal, vindictive and petty assaults of the UDP, this attack on the legal system is the vilest. As common people, most Belizeans can only understand this attack as consistent with Barrow’s despotic arrogance.

The PUP in all its years of Governance and all the various PUP Attorney Generals and Prime Ministers could never be accused of this kind of acidic behavior.

The lawyers and judges can defend themselves, the public cannot.

As Hon. Francis called it three year ago, Barrow is interfering with the legal system and manipulating it into his own ugly image and likeness. This is why the system is failing and we count it in dead bodies.

In the year when Belize will make the biggest legal decision of our lives, as to whether to go to the ICJ, Barrow is trying to kill a group who has a duty to give a legal opinion to the public.

This is just bad business and Belizeans are the losers while Barrow gloats in his petty politics and watches Belize burn.

The BELIZE TIMES asks a few questions, what will the big shot, patriotic, nationalistic lawyers and their Bar Association do? Will they take this bludgeoning and stripping with their hands behind their back or will they fight for the democracy and integrity of Belize?

What will the new Chief Justice do?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

The Best Memory of Growing up in Belize

2013

FACES & OPINIONS

by Micah Vernon

Ishesa

ROSELYN

ERIKA

My best memories growing up is when I was a scout exploring and getting to know my country.

Going to different cultural events around the country.

Meeting new friends at high school.

WESLEY COLLEGE

WESLEY COLLEGE ACC

GERARDO

KAYLA

MARK

My best times would definitely be chilling with my friends in high school.

Going to SCA.

My best memories are from traveling down south and experiencing the rich cultures that Belize has to offer.

WESLEY COLLEGE

ST. CATHRINE’S ACADEMY

JADA

JENNA

ELIZABETH

Birthday parties and going to Teakettle with my family.

My infant years.

My primary school years.

WESLEY COLLEGE

WESLEY COLLEGE

PALLOTI HIGH SCHOOL

WESLEY COLLEGE

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Drug Plane Cover Up Continued from page 1 region of the country caught the attention of the Venezuelan military.

They followed the plane to the area of its landing and once the plane was discovered on the ground at the airport in Acarigua, they detained its passengers, identified as Canadian national, 51 year old David William Zawaski and Colombian national, 31 year old Jorge Bustamante.

The men claimed they had landed for an emergency refuelling, but the authorities didn’t buy the excuse. After searching through the plane, they found four plastic containers of aviation fuel sufficient for 8 hours of flight, one case of aviation oil, a pump and a hose. Reports are that authorities did further inspection of the aircraft and found traces of cocaine.

Venezuelan authorities say they further believe that there was a planned drug operation because the planes’ GPS indicated the aircraft’s destination as a state located near the border with Colombia known as Apure.

“It is clear that this aircraft was to be used for drug trafficking,” ex-

Venezuela’s Minister of Interior Relations and Justice, Néstor Reverol plained Venezuela’s Interior Relations and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol.

There has been no comment from Belizean authorities on this incident. Venezuelan authorities have traced the aircraft to Belize.

They know it left Belize, and they want to

know who authorized the flight. If not authorized, they expect an explanation on how the plane could have broken down our security system.

The BELIZE TIMES has learnt that the aircraft, described as an Aero Commander 500 with serial number N345MD, flew out from a maintenance facility which is also a licensed airfield in Spanish Lookout early Thursday February 21st.

The flight was not authorized by civil aviation authorities, but the incident was kept secret from the public. This incident remained a secret until for almost three weeks, when firstly, information of the mysterious plane was leaked, followed by the news of its discovery in Venezuela.

Additional informa-

tion suggests that the incident was kept secret because it played out with the direct knowledge and facilitation of officials in the Government. Up to today, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation have distanced themselves.

Any aircraft leaving Belize must first sign off on a flight plan with the civil aviation department to indicate its destination and cargo, but this plane didn’t.

Belize is already under the close watch for its lax borders and open seas, which are taken advantage of by narco-traffickers and human traffickers and their facilitators in Government, but this incident will bring even more negative attention from international security watchdogs. The Belize Government’s inability to adequately secure its borders is a global concern. Just two years ago, Civil Aviation authorities were investigating the case of a stolen airplane which disappeared during a test flight that took off from the international airport in Ladyville.

BELIZE TENNIS ASSOCIATION

NOTICE OF AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING _______________________ To: Affiliated Tennis Clubs and Members TAKE NOTICE that the Annual General Meeting of the Belize Tennis Association will be held on Saturday, March 16th, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Belize Pickwick Club Limited, 160 Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize.

Agenda of Annual General Meeting to be held on 16th March, 2013:I. General Business 1.

2.

3.

4.

General Report by the Council.

Election of Councilors/Officers.

Financial Report.

Any other business

II. Special Business Considering and if thought fit, passing of a Resolution to amend the current Articles of Association of the Belize Tennis Association as follows:1.) To add a position on the Council of Development Officer; 2.) To increase the subscription fee from $10.00 per year to $50.00 per year; 3.) To change the term of office for Councilors from one (1) year to (2) Years; 4.) To allow for representation on the Council of two representatives from each affiliated Tennis Club (from any part of Belize, whether outside of Belize District or not), appointed as Captain and Vice-Captain by their respective Clubs.

Dated the 1st day of March, 2013.

Edward Musa Jr. for and on behalf of Mr. John Longsworth, Secretary of the Belize Tennis Association.

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10 MAR MAR 10

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2013

TOPMODEL 13

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Sharon Martinez Visit www.Facebook/ Sharon Martinez

The Nominees are…

Jamaican dancehall star Mr Vegas heads the list of nominees for the 32nd annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) to be staged at the Coral Springs Centre for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 4.

Leading with six nominations, Vegas is closely followed by Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, youngest son of reggae icon Bob Marley, with five. Sean Paul, Konshens, Romain Virgo and Third World earned four each, while Jimmy Cliff, Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley and Busy Signal have all copped three nods.

Vegas’ double album Sweet Jamaica, released last year to coincide with his country’s 50th anniversary of independence, has been nominated for Best Album.

In the Bob Marley Entertainer of the Year category, the contenders are Damian Marley and his brother Stephen, Jimmy Cliff, Third World, Roman Virgo, Sean Paul and Tarrus Riley.

Newcomer to the reggae scene, American entertainer Snoop (Dogg) Lion, has received nominations in three categories: Best Crossover Song “La-La-La”, Best Music Video “La-La-La” and Best Hip Hop/R&B Entertainer.

Some 200 reggae and world music industry individuals and groups have received nominations.

Sheriene • • • •

Height: 5’ 5” Career Plan: Entrepreneur Sign: Capricorn Favourite Food: Lasagna

• • •

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14 SPORTS

10 MAR

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES

2013

DHC Excellence

leads SMART Harrison Parks cricket competition Double Head Cabbage, March 2, 2013 The defending champions, excellence of Double head Cabbage continue to lead the SMART Harrison Parks national cricket competition walloping the Alfred Dawson Cricket Club of Gardenia Village by the score of 239 runs to 80 runs on Saturday, March 2.

Excellence team captain Ian Broaster took 6 wickets, while his brother Kenny Broaster batted 48 runs.

Kunal Jashi scored 18 runs and Zaggi Mohammed took 3 wickets for Alfred Dawson Cricket Club.

Four times champs,

Kenny Broaster bats

Zhi Chen & Tyrone Tun win table tennis tournament

Belize City, March 3, 2013 Zhi Chen won the A-Division, Tyrone Tun won the B- division, Sen Sen won the C- division and Petie Matus-Usher won the women’s division when the Belize Table Tennis Association held the 2013 RF&G Bi-Annual national ranking tournament at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium on Sunday, March 3.

Some 67 players started the competition in 4 different categories in the morning a round robin group competition, with the top 2 from each group advancing to the double elimination final round in the afternoon.

In the A Division, Zhi Chen won as champion, while Nicholas Martin took 2nd, Tyrone Tun was 3rd and Carlos Cui 4th.

In the B Division, Tyrone Tun won as champion, while Nicholas Martin took 2nd, Hector Lopez 3rd and Dan Habet 4th.

In the C Division, Sen Sen won as champion, while Daniel Sanchez took 2nd, young Joshua Gegg was 3rd and Gian Lisbey was 4th.

In the women’s Division, Petie Matus-Usher won as champion, and Nikki Chen is sub-champion. Wei Rong Huang was 3rd and Kayla Arnold was 4th.

BTTA president Arturo “Tux” Vasquez congratulated all the winners, and thanked the sponsors: RF&G INSURANCE as well as all the players, spectators, supporters and organizers who made this event a success.

Brilliant of Crooked Tree, held cricket clinic for Isabella Uprising with a 289 – 103 schooling. Brilliant’s Arturo Wade took 6 wickets, while Landis “Ciego” Wade batted 87 runs. Eldon Hendy scored 22 runs for the visitors, while Isabella Uprising’s Fredrick Guy, Sr. took 3 wickets.

Other matches: Easy Does It vs. Lemonal Strugglers – 63-62 Berlan of Bermudian Landing vs. Flowers Bank Wicked Eleven – 157-34 Burrell Boom’s Brave Union vs. Lemonal Surprise – 153-151 Brave Union vs. Sand Hill’s Bright Star – 236-79

BDF ends Bandits’ undefeated streak

Gilberto Carillo with a header

Orange Walk, March 3, 2013 The Belize Defence Force is still No. 2 in the Premier League of Belize football competition even though they toppled the then undefeated champs Belmopan Bandits 2-0 in Week 4 of the tournament at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Sunday.

BDF’s Richard “Cheety” Jimenez put the army on the scoreboard first in the 8th minute of play and Khalil Velasquez scored an insurance goal in the 58th minute.

Continued on page 15

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Placencia Assassins take down San Felipe Barcelona Orange Walk, March 3, 2013 The 2011 champs Placencia Assassins enjoyed their 2nd win: 3-1 against FC San Felipe Barcelona at the People’s Stadium.

Placencia’s Kareem Haylock put the visitors up 1-0 when he blasted the first goal in the 23rd minute, but team captain Deris “Colombia” Benavides equalized for San Felipe in the 45th

minute, and embarrassed Assassins’ goalie Elias Pelayo with a 2nd goal to lead 2-1 in the 48th minute. Then San Felipe’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when their star striker Clifton West was ejected from the ball game with a red card.

Down with 10 men, San Felipe could not keep Haylock from equalizing for the Assassins in the 65th min-

Harvey Cruz controls the ball

ute. Randy Cassanova and Richard Gillett also came off the San Felipe bench for Joel Padron and Jaziz Wicab, but the Assassins also refreshed their offensive line with Mervin Leslie and Victor Fleitas.

Alex Peters scored the winning goal in injury time.

Nazarene High girls lead softball playoffs

Belize City, March 2, 2013 The undefeated Nazarene High School girls (8-0) are No. 1 in the high school softball playoffs which began at the Rogers’ Stadium on Monday, March 4.

Pitcher Elma Wade struck out 3 batters as she led the Nazarene girls to a 13-7 win against the No. 2 seed, the Edward P. Yorke High School girls.

Wade came home in the 1st inning, but Zhanae Jex and Jessica Gillett scored for the E.P. Yorke girls to lead 2-1 in the bottom of the 1st. The E.P. Yorke girls led 4-3 when Jex and Megan Gillett came home in the bottom of the 3rd.

The Nazarene girls turned things around in the top of the 4th when Shantel and Shanice Longsworth and Karina Cacho came home while they shut down the E.P. Yorke

girls with 3 runners on base.

Jessica Gillett, pitcher Jasmine Louriano and Shanice Garbutt came home in the 5th for E. P.Yorke’s to lead 7-6, but Nazarene took over the game as Tillett, Sade Pook, Georgia Williams, and the Longsworth girls scored 5 runs in the top of the 6th, and Wade and Ashley Rudon came home in the top of the seventh 7th.

Other games: Nazarene girls vs. MaudWilliams High – 20-0 Nazarene girls vs. St Catherine’s Academy – 17-2 E.P. Yorke’s vs. Anglican Cathedral College girls – 20-5 E.P.Yorke girls vs. Ladyville Tech – 11-5 Wesley College vs. Briana Meighan – 15-0 Ladyville Tech girls vs. Pallotti High – 21-6

BDF ends Bandits’ undefeated streak Continued from page 14

Bandits are still No. 1 in the Premier League with 9 points and a goal differential of 5. The BDF has 9 points for a goal differential of 3.

The BDF will host FC San Felipe Barcelona at the Norman

Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Sunday, March 10, while the Assassins host San Ignacio United in Placencia. Verdes will host Police United at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo on Saturday night, and FC Belize hosts the Bandits at the MCC Garden on Sunday.

Other games: Benque Viejo’s Verdes vs. FC Belize – 2-1 Goals by Julian Maldonado, Norman “Tilliman” Pipersburgh, Police United vs. San Ignacio – 1-1 Goals by Rony “Catracho” Martinez, Danny Jimenez

Nazarene High boys are No. 1 in softball playoffs Belize City, March 4, 2013 Like their female counterparts, the Nazarene High School boys are No. 1 in the Belize City high schools softball playoffs, after pitcher Jerome Carr led them to a 12-10 win against the No. 2 seeded Anglican Cathedral College boys at the Rogers’ Stadium on Monday.

Nazarene’s Bruce Hilton came home in the 1st inning, but ACC led 4-1 after Dominique Gabourel, Barrington Wade, Ramsey Trumbach and Jaime Pook came home in the bottom of the 1st. Carr struck out 3 batters to shut out the ACC hitters for the next 3 innings.

Nazarene’s Alejandro Baptist came home in the 3rd and Anfernee Brooks, Jerry Cassasola, Raheem Brooks, Charles Caceres, Baptist and Christian Hernandez came

home in the 4th to lead 8-4. Hilton scored again the 5th inning.

The Nazarene boys led 12-7 when they scored three more runs in the top of the 6th and they went on to post a 12-10 win.

Other games: ACC vs. Nazarene High – 12-8 Nazarene vs. ACC – 12-5 Nazarene vs. Maud Williams – 5-0 (Forfeited game) ACC vs. Maud Williams – 18-7 ACC vs. St. John’s College – 8-6 SJC vs. vs. Wesley College – 12-9 SJC vs. vs. Wesley College – 11-9 Maud Williams vs. Wesley College – 20-5 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE SJC vs. Maud Williams Winner takes loser of the Nazarene vs. ACC game

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2013

The Greatest gift is the gift of self

On National Heroe’s Day we remember all those who loved Belize and selflessly contributed to her development.

We can all be heroes.

We should all be heroes.

Happy National Heroe’s Day and congratulations to all Belizeans Beth & Tony Zabaneh & Family Sagitun Farm, Tony’s Superstore, Hotel Hello, Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar and Z-Touch Beauty Spa

10 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Scales of JUSTICE

By Anthony Sylvestre Jr.

Hush Money!

Marshall Nunez is a genius.

He has introduced a new phrase to Belize’s already colourful political lexicon.

Ah mean, it has be a brilliant mind to come up with the phrase “hush money”. For it so aptly captures the practice of this UDP government.

Hush money is also referred to as “hold it down money”. To borrow a legal definition, it can be defined as a calculated appeasement used by or on behalf of a person in authority to induce a person, a group, an organization, a body, business, etc. from carrying through with a plan. Ordinarily, the group or organization’s plan is to show up the government, making them look bad, as they should be made to look, given their deplorable conduct and management in just about every aspect of governance be it national secu-

In short, it is a benefit or gain to a person with one condition- that they keep quiet, hush, nuh embarrass or show up the government.

The practice of hush money, or hold it down money works something like this.

Say an organization is planning a demonstration of government’s chancy land distribution policy.

Someone, on behalf of a person in authority, will approach one of the leaders of the organization with hush money; the objective of course is to scuttlebutt that planned demonstration. So, rather than the government being showed up and looking bad, it ends up the other way that it is the organization that looks bad and weak as not hav-

rity, land distribution, health, immigration, education, human rights or the Belize Guatemala dispute.

Hush money of course does not only refer to hard cold cash. It when you look around it is frightencan be the ing to see the scale on which this is promise of practiced. It, naturally, only breeds a favour, more corruption. For it comappointpromises those who have ment as a Minister the capacity to speak truth of Governto power and expose the ment, job wrongs being perpetuated by promotion, the government. a vehicle, payment of an exorbitant hospital bill for a rela- ing that public support that it had tive, land, a scholarship, cancelling threatened the government with. of a loan with a government finanOr, say a media house is a powcial institution, appointment to a erful or persuasive outfit which has Board such as BTL, BEL or Social the capacity to open the people’s Security, a house or food supplies. eyes about the wrongs of the gov-

17 ernment. Again someone, on behalf of a person in authority will approach the boss (or bosses) of media house and “splurge” them with hush money in the form of advertisements and sponsorships and who knows whatever else.

The objective again, is to tape up the mouth of the media house, to stop them from “bun fire” on the government, as they have a moral and professional obligation to do given all the wrongs that are taking place.

Or say further, a person was a respected or outspoken critic of the policies of the previous government. This time the person in authority himself appoints the outspoken critic as a Minister of Government or to the Board of BTL, or BEL or Social Security. And yet again, the government has achieved its objective- to hush the critic.

So what does all of this have to do with justice?

Everything!

With things so rough financially as it is in Belize these days, hush money is very potent; it is like manna, who wouldn’t want it. It therefore can sap the will of even the most strident activist and nationalist. And because hush money is the calculated use of the resources of the State for a wrong purpose (to keep a person quiet), it is manifestly unjust. For it is the practice of the distribution of State resources not on the basis of merit or necessity (as ought to be the benchmark) but on the basis of political survival.

The practice of hush money, then, may be politically advantageous to the government in the interim; but it has long term deleterious consequences to the country. It can never be good or healthy in a developing country like ours for such a policy to be the order of the day. But when you look around it is frightening to see the scale on which this is practiced. It, naturally, only breeds more corruption. For it compromises those who have the capacity to speak truth to power and expose the wrongs being perpetuated by the government. It therefore causes the corruption to go unchecked.

But, as has been said, times are hard so the temptation to take the hush money becomes more potent. So what will you do when hush money comes your way?

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10 MAR

Of this and that…

Cement Potholes We spent 20 million on cement streets. Some of the streets lead to nowhere. The streets that are not cemented are in terrible shape. Craters. It is mashing up all the dollar vans and taxis.

A bad thing is happening. The City Council is already digging up lots of the cement streets. It looks like they made various mistakes with pipes or something.

This is expensive. We cannot afford the cement mistakes.

Fool di talk The TV puts on ten pounds. For Dean Barrow the TV puts on a load of bull crap.

This man said there was 5% growth. He said Belize is doing better by 5%.

Wich paart dat di happen, boss?

Seashore Drive?

This UDP love statistics. Statistics is insulting to us poor people. Fuss thing, we do not understand all those fancy numbers. Second, we know the licking we di tek out yah.

Gloria Edwards Gloria Edwards is a Belizean hero.

She has dedicated her life to education in Belize. She was a principal at Grace Primary School. It was a great school when she was there.

The woman is a genius. She is dedicated. Now she is under-utilized.

The Ministry of Education is too arrogant to use her properly. This is a bloody shame.

Musical Chairs The UDP “abstract” Patrick Faber.

They clown him. They humiliate him.

Then they gave him a public beating. He cried. Poor lee bwai.

To make up Patrick get a new vehicle. That is like taking away the beach from him. Then pat him on the head.

Then give him a grain of sand. Poe lee Patrick.

Patrick sits in the corner. He is fading away. They cut out his boyhood. Then he sits there. He hears about the drug plane. It was found in Venezuela.

Patrick got a car. Some other UDP got a drug plane. Patrick is on a senior losing streak.

Sedi looks like an idiot.

Hummn… Like how the Guatemalans say it is ok. Will Sedi support the Belize Territorial Volunteers?

Games The ICJ decision is big. The PUP is taking the process seriously. No politics from them. Big respect.

The UDP is playing every game of politics. The same voice that does the ICJ ads does the Belize City Council ads. That is the same funny voice that is heard on the UDP wave radio all day.

The UDP have to find a way to play with the process. You mean they could not ask Rene Villanueva to do the voice over? How about Brian Mossiah?

What kind of nastiness is that? What kind of games?

Stop play.

Farrakhan On Fire The honorable Minister Farrakhan is in Belize. He has been on fire.

He was at the UB Gym. He was talking to students.

Farrakhan asked if the Education at UB is free. The students said no. Farrakhan says: “People can be bandits...take your money with a gun...but would it be different for people to take your money for education but yet don’t give you the education you deserve...”

Friday night will be hot! ‫هللا ءاش نإ‬‎, Insh’Allah Deport them Pablo Marin is the Minister of Health.

He is an electrician by profession. He is from the North. He is in charge of the hospitals.

His wife is pregnant. She went to the US to have her baby.

What kind of thing is this? So, Northern Regional Hospital is good enough to kill other people’s baby but not the Minster of Health’s child?

This is wutliss and shameful.

See how these pipple think?

Dean Barrow get married dah foreign. Everyone clap. Belize is the number one nuptial destination. Honeymoon heaven. That is disrespect.

Now Pablo will do this. Dis set ya suh…

What will they do next?

Sedi Again Sedi, Sedi, Sedi. You are another crazy glue. Must admit that you are funny.

Sedi said that the people who went to chop the border were a joke. He said he heard they mi di whap off sour head in Jacinto Ville. That is far from the border.

What a cartoon!

Sedi meets secretly with the foreign minister from Guatemala. That cat says nothing wrong with clearing the border.

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Belizeans wanted Belize needs more jobs. The unemployment rate is at almost 15%. Ruff.

There is a new opportunity for students. Computer Science is the thing.

There is a study that proves it. They say 1,000,000 new jobs will be created. This is in computer programing and computer science. This is by 2020 up in Uncle Sam place.

There are only 400,000 students.

There are 1.4 million jobs. Bingo.

It is a jackpot career. Everything is a computer, from your phone to your car.

Even the mechanic needs a spanner and a laptop.

The Government should see this.

We should teach computer and comprehension in kindergarten. They should have more classes in computer training.

It should be mandatory. Like learning Spanish.

The PUP was going to give away free laptops. Every student. Dey bally have vision.

The UDP...well …let’s just say we are surprised they can walk upright.

This is craziness.

Kite Baron Bliss Day is here. 9th of March is a big day for pickney. They get to make kites. They get to fly kites. The breeze is good. There is a holiday.

The parks would be full.

We would make singers, box kites and show off. We would climb coconut trees. Buy crepe paper. We would make loops. We would make glue from flour.

It was cheap fun. It was clean. We got to see our “Pa” for at least one day.

Chavez Poisoned

No, David David Gegg was on Belize Watch.

He said that the people that went to chop proved nothing. Ouuuch. Paco Smith nearly faint. Dem is fighting words.

Gegg said the chopping is a joke.

No one can clear a border with machete in one day. No bush hog, just machete.

He said the Government has failed. The clearing of the latta bush by civilians is proof.

We were with him. Kinda.

Then, the man gone on. He sounded like he was saying we need to give up something. Everyone brakes. He was talking like Sedi about giving up sea.

Dem is fighting words, braa.

Kriol Bibul The Bible is beautiful. Creole is splendishious.

Combining the Bible and Creole great. It is like combining craboo and condensed milk. Love it. Love it. Love it. Jenny Lovell levels.

But no one is going to church these days. No one is reading the King James speaky spokey one. Creole haad fi read, Jack.

They need to use the translation as a start. Do some plays. Act it out.

Go eena all a di wurl and preach.

Stap di pray from window.

We need to seek work from the church. Words are words. Whether they are in German. Garifuna. Queen’s English or Creole.

Chuuch unu haffu werk!

Hugo Chavez was a rebel. He has passed away. The international haters rejoiced.

They say he died of cancer. That is hard to swallow. He was just 58 years old.

The leader suffered. Lots of people believe he was murdered.

The Venezuelan government is asking for an independent investigation into his death. Civil rights groups in the US want a toxicology report. That is for poison.

Funny business had gone on with Yasser Arafat too. His body was even exhumed. The report was to come out this month. It got pushed back to May. Belize is a friend with benefits of Venezuela. This is a loss to us.

Fidel is ailing. What will we do when all our friends are taken away?

The revolution never dies.

Redemption Song The singing wind Has returned From the valleys Of the oppressed To echo The cries of freedom Over the land Of my children.

Arise!

My children You have slept The last night In the quietness Of your bondage.

Sing Only Songs of Freedom, Poem

by Roland A. Parks, 3rd Place, 1980 National Poetry Contest.

BBQ is back Someone has big BBQ at the gas station. It is every Saturday. It is at the gas station by Bel China bridge. It is right in front of the UDP headquarters.

They have an active fire lit BBQ grill.

It is about 20 steps away from the gas pump.

This is dangerous. It has occurred to no one. Where is the Ministry of Health? The Fire Chief? Or the Police Department, who stop and buy?

What happened to the laws? Da foreign you cannot even use a cell phone at the gas station. It is a crime to smoke a cigarette at a gas station.

A felony.

In Belize you can light a BBQ grill all day.

Mercy Assamulakum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu. Dear Friends.

Let us dedicate this space. Dedicate it to some thought provoking verses from the Quran.

Surah Fathiha 1:1: In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful “If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: “Why hast thou not got it together?” Say: “I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for any who have faith.” 7:203 When the Qur’an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy. 7:204

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Recipe of the week We are in the Lenten season when most persons abstain from eating meat. We will help you get through this season with a few delicious fish and vegetarian recipes.

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Season the fish with the salt and pepper.

Spread the onions and pepper in a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and place the fish on top.

Dot the fish with butter.

Sprinkle with a little Worcestershire sauce.

Bake for 12 minutes, then baste fish with pan juices.

Sprinkle the fish with Parmesan and then place under the broiler for about 2 minutes or until the cheese browns.

To serve, spoon the vegetables over the fish.

BULL’S EYE RED SNAPPER Ingredients 4 (8-ounce) red snapper fillets, about 1/2-inch thick 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 cup chopped onions 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

BIRTHS Born to Brassel Asheley Cattouse and Deborah Diane Cattouse nee Ford, a girl, Azria Evelyn Genus Born to David Santiago Pelayo, Sr., and Natalie Sherrie Ann Pelayo nee McSweaney, a boy, David Santiago, Jr. Born to Wayne Moore and Jamiel Jennine Moore nee Castillo, a girl, Avimaely Jayne Born to Edgar Javier Garcia and Bicri Erlinda Garcia nee Moh, a girl, Kayla Analea Born to Marcos M. Marin and Justina J. Marin nee Ketz, a girl, Martina Madeline

DEATHS Justo Leo Castillo, 92 Silvia Lorena Anavizca, 46 Lucy Apolonio, 80

MARRIAGES Amilcar Vasquez, 27, to Ingris Graciela Alvarez, 23, both of San Ignacio Town, Cayo District Brian Eloy Escalante, 22, to Marieza Cenaida Sabala, 25, both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District Lin Gasby Valentine, 27, to Jessania Amelia Marr, 29, both of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Matthew Dexter Hamilton, 29, to Christina Ann Lorenzo, 23, both of Plano, Texas, U.S.A. Remo Bagonoc, 29, to Winnie Tejada, 35, both of the Philippines Oluwatosin Abayomi Oderinu, 34, of Belize City, to Daron Elize Martinez, 37, of Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District Abner Vasquez, 21, to Janeth Yesenia Dwenos, 20, both of Belmopan Linbert Alvin Seguro, 39, to Lucretia Alma Reneau, 32, both of Belize

City Landy Bernard Casimiro, 29, of Belize City to Irma Bo, 24, of San Miguel, Toledo District Mervin Alexy Coc, 20, to Jenny Maricela Velasquez, 20, both of Hattieville, Belize District Jaime Ernesto Cartagena, 42, to Marina Aracely Lopez, 36, both of Chan Pine Ridge, Orange Walk District Javier Cassanova, 41, to Marvella Gilharry, 42, both of Corozal Town, Corozal District Jermain Ramirez, 17, to Jaqueline Grisely Patt, 16, both of San Narciso, Corozal District Juan Cuz, 31, to Magdalena Bolon, 24, both of San Roman, Stann Creek District Rosa Isabel Perez, 23, to Abdir Owen Gideon, 23, both of Santa Clara, Corozal District Donlarry Lorenzo Cadle, 23, to Ingrid Ivan-

na Hall, 22, both of Corozal Town, Corozal District Dimas Danilo Martinez, 24, to Ana Silvia Ortiz, 28, both of Roaring Creek, Cayo District Jorge Luis Landero, 26, to Cleydi Xiomara Mai, 19, both of Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo District Ebildo Yojimar Rivero, 24, to Kennysha Shijari Flores, 22, both of Chunox, Corozal District Enrique Alfonso Cunil, 20, to Celina Elenita Cabb, 20, both of Santa Familia, Cayo District Celso Del Cid Tejada, 30, to Candida Isabel Gamez, 25, both of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District Francisco Pop, 37, to Domitila Adelita Pau, 32, both of Maya Centre, Stann Creek District Roberto Hector Can, 30, to Imaculata Sho, 29, both of Santa Rosa, Stann Creek District Jason Ray Cacho, 35, to Christina Lynne Flowers, 34, both of Dangriga Town, Stann

Creek District Jose Cac, 41, to Santos Pacay, 31, both of San Isidro, Toledo District Mansueto Coc, 27, to Elisa Rosita Peck, 18, both of Hopkins, Stann Creek District Hermenejildo Miranda, 47, to Rita Martinez, 45, both of Alta Vista, Stann Creek District Aaron Canul, 20, to Eneida Elinor Mejia, 23, both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District Van Marco Correa, 23, of Douglas, Orange Walk District, to Talia Xiomara Escobar, 18, of San Lazaro, Orange Walk District Jorge Luis Castellanos, 51, of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District, to Geraldine Amanda Sanchez, 58, of Mile 17 ½ Stann Creek Valley Road, Stann Creek District Erastus Chiac, 25, of Belize City, to Arabella Arnold, 21, of Esperanza, Cayo District Carlos Reyes, 24, to Iris Yojana Veron, 20, both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District Francis Allan Nunez, 51, to Irene Janet Rubio, 36, both of Hopkins, Stann Creek District

10 MAR

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid A land fall cometh?

By G. Michael Reid Nigel Petillo did not draw a very big crowd for his land reform protest in spite of much promoting and advertising.

His biggest disappointment was obviously with the very people of Harmonyville, who stood to gain the most from that exercise. Welcome Nigel, to the real world.

According to Petillo, his Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association, (BGYEA), has over 6,000 members, 1000 of which are active dues paying members who meet on a regular basis. These 1000 members all have in land application and so far, only five have been able to acquire titles. Estimates put the number of persons at the demonstration at anywhere between one and two hundred people.

If only just the people who would have directly benefited had attended, there should have been at least nine hundred and ninety five people at that rally.

Nigel Petillo has learned that in Belize, it is easier to be a martyr than to be a leader. In fact, I’m not even sure if it is just a Belizean thing or maybe a general human trait. People will listen to you, urge you on and tell you that they are behind you all the way. They will tell you that they have your back but when you look back, you will find that you are all alone fighting whatever monster you’re confronting. Regardless of how important the

dred thousand people, one would think that every single Belizean could own at least a lot to build a house, if not an acre. This is what Petillo is fighting for.

Unfortunately, while many people would stand to profit if he wins, few are willing to stand up and help Petillo’s fight. Is it that they are afraid or is it that they simply just do not care enough?

Gapi Vega has been using the Lands Department as his private domain and has been giving land to his brother, daughter, nieces and some even remotely related. Leading up to the last election, he was giving out land as prize at all UDP conventions. The corruption at the Lands Department is endemic. What Petillo is saying is that while even recent immigrants can go to the Lands Department and quickly acquire a title,

21

one. A parcel of land which started out at 15,000 thousand acres has steadily dwindled down until now, Petillo and his band are fighting for titles to a little over a thousand acres to build a community. No one knows where the othissues are and how many er 14,000 acres have gone. people are being affected, One thing we know is that unless you are willing to dole there is a real estate group out money to rent a mob, it named, Buy Belize, which becomes a lonesome job. has recently been adverOrganizing a demonstratising 50 acres of land for tion is usually a risky ven$85,000 USD. Interestingly ture. If you draw a big crowd enough, the land being adyou will have succeeded but vertised is listed as being in if you don’t, it suggests to Harmonyville at mile 41 on the powers that be that your the Western Highway near the cause is not important to village of Cotton Tree. Isn’t the public. The students of that some of the same land the University of Belize (UB) that Petillo and his group are learned that lesson the hard fighting for? way. Even though their cause Minister Farrakhan, leader was just and of importance of the Nation of Islam arrived to not only current students, in Belize this week. A major but all who would attend UB focus of Farrakhan’s message in the future, few students to black people has always been to secure your land.

Ownership of land is an integral step toward ecoThere is a real estate group named, Buy Benomic success. There is lize, which has recently been advertising 50 more than enough land acres of land for $85,000 USD. Interest- in Belize still available to ingly enough, the land being advertised ensure that every citizen acquire a parcel. If is listed as being in Harmonyville at mile can Vega’s abnormal family 41 on the Western Highway near the can get theirs, then so can the rest of us. Petilvillage of Cotton Tree lo’s demonstration was not big but something tells me that if this land attended. There were probsituation is not rectified soon, he and his group from Harably less participants than the noise will get louder and monyville have been trying picket signs at their protest the crowd will get bigger. for five years and are having and the government went God’s goodness gave this land no luck. right on ahead and raised tuto us, all of us, not just these The history of Harition cost. Do people really greedy politicians. monyville is an interesting care?

I would have thought that the issue of land and corrupt practices at the Lands Department would have been of interest to more people.

Despite rapid growth in our population over the past few decades, there is still less people per acre of land in Belize, than almost anywhere else in the world. For sure, Belize is still one of the most sparsely populated countries in our region. Covering a distance of 8,867 square miles or 22,966 square kilometers, that translates into five million plus acres of land. With just a little over three hun-

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THE BELIZE TIMES

10 MAR

2013

10 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Home Economics

Belize Tourism –

A look at cost competitiveness

By Richard Harrison In 2012, Belize recorded 277,135 overnight tourist visitors....and 640,734 cruise visitors. Total 917,869 visitors, with hotel occupancy below 40%.

The Riviera Maya, which spreads from Cancun south to Majahual....a coastline distance of 200 miles....is comparable to the coastline distance between Corozal and Punta Gorda. They registered total 17 million visitors in 2012, with hotel occupancy above 80%.

Belize has a lot more to offer in terms of coral reefs, islands with sandy beaches, and natural beauty....both marine and inland....yet it lags behind.

Why?

Tourism is an industry that is driven by investment climate...infrastructure....accessibility....services quality, quantity and variety....things to do...people to see....place to go.

To a large extent....it is also driven by cost competitiveness....how much does it cost to get from a home in the USA or Canada, to the Riviera Maya? How much does a week vacation cost in the Riviera Maya…compared to similar quality vacation in Belize?

Lowering the pump-price of fuel to around BZ$7/gallon (i.e. the same price as in the

Riviera Maya) will do wonders to make Belize production of goods and services be more competitive with the Riviera Maya....however, to do this, the GST has to compensate for loss in revenue from imported petroleum....a lower 10% GST, charged across the board, no exceptions nor exemptions.....will make this happen. Everyone will benefit.

Fuel is one of the most important contributors to cost....of anything....and lowering its price....will lower the cost of producing ALL goods and services.

Being more competitive....Belize will create

23 many more jobs....not only in tourism....but in all sectors of the economy.....our communities will be more productive....and much safer....all contributing to an enhanced tourism product.

“To want your cake and eat it too” is a thought of greed...there is a better way.

This article was written

by Richard Harrison, 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

BELIZE TIMES The fastest selling newspaper in Belize

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THE BELIZE TIMES

In my perspective Land Ownership – the Real Deal!

By Rayford Young This past weekend I had some time on my hands, was searching the web and came across a website and decided to check out my ancestry. My parents always told me that we came from a large family and would be surprised who we were related to, and to my surprise I am related to a big time politician in Belize. I was shocked and for a while did not believe the findings.

But as I researched this distinguished family I’m now a part of I can see the resemblance. We look alike as the saying goes.

I’m the very distant nephew of the Hon. Gaspar Vega the Minister of Lands and National Resources and the Deputy Prime Minister of Belize. Wow, how could this be? So I went to work to find out who my newly found family was and I’m impressed with the Vega family. They are truly a tight niche family and they sure look out for each other. I can’t wait for my first family reunion to meet all of my nephews and nieces and the rest of the family. What will I say when I meet the Hon. Gaspar Vega? I can’t wait to hug my great uncle and listen to all his wonderful stories of how he got all those

parcels of land and gave titles to all his family members. What a guy! I can’t wait for him to give me my title to my piece of land in my beloved country of Belize. What a day this will be!

I was so disappointed with the BELIZE TIMES for publishing the names of all my cousins and my other family members who my uncle helped with lands. They made it seem like he was doing something wrong and all he was doing was helping his family. He’s a family man and looks after all his family members to make sure they are taken care of with a piece of land - including me! The TIMES even said they would publish more family members’ names who received lands at ridiculously low prices.

Why is the TIMES (which I liked before all this) doing this to my uncle? They said that so many of the poor people of Belize are having a hard time getting lands and that my uncle’s family doesn’t have any problem getting lands. Daaa! He’s the Minister of Lands. Of course he knows how to get land easily - it’s his job! Look people, all you have to do is go online and see if you are related to my uncle and if you are, you’re in.

Do your homework like I did. We always want something for nothing.

Then I saw on TV last week this BYGEA (Belize Youth Grassroots Empowerment Association) group demonstrating in Belmopan. They talked about the corruption and mismanagement of the Ministry of Resources and the hardship of owning a parcel of land they were promised, and in some cases, paid for. That’s why they were demonstrating against my uncle and all the nice, sweet people that work at the lands department. Thousands of Belizeans are members of this organization and all have the same problem - the difficulty and bureaucracy involved in owning a piece of land - and they are fed up with the process.

The area representative of Cayo South the Hon. Julius Espat brought up this fact at the house of representative meeting last week and gave five suggestions to improve the situation at the lands department. Well of course he was mocked and laughed at. Then my uncle got up, this man of stature and decency to set the record straight.

My uncle told that man that everything is just fine and he was proud of the ministry of lands. He even said that the lands department was opened on a few Saturdays to accommodate the people who wanted lands. Wow isn’t that what you are supposed to do? Isn’t that your job? Well things got heated on the floor and the attacks flowed towards Mr. Espat as he was trying to say my uncle didn’t know how to run his department.

How dare you bring this up - trying to make suggestions on how to make the

10 MAR

2013

lands department more accountable and efficient for the people! That’s not how we do things around here.

My uncle told Mr. Espat he too received lands when the PUP was in power.

The Prime Minister was the lead instigator telling Mr. Vega what to throw at Mr. Espat. It was really funny how the PM and my uncle teamed up against Mr. Espat. It was like a tag team slinging dirt at each other. I tell you I love the PM, he loves to argue and bring up stuff from the past and throw it at those people on the other side.

Of course the PM did not take these allegations seriously and investigate the activities of Mr. Vega and all the land my uncle owns. My uncle knows a lot that’s why they can’t touch him and that’s why the PM helped him out when that Cayo representative was trying to bring up all that stuff about lands and corruption. My uncle doesn’t have one piece of corrupt bone in his body.

I think my uncle should be the PM. You see how he takes care of his family. Once he becomes PM he will make sure every Belizean has the opportunity to buy a piece of land from him. That’s who he is - always looking out for the family. Once my uncle is PM I can become the minister of lands and carry on the family business. We love this Belize land so much so we have taken it on as our own, like our own family. Don’t listen to all that talk about land grabbing and corruption. My uncle is a good man, a people’s man, loves this country but most of all he loves this land. This land has been good to my family and we will do whatever it takes to protect this land. You can count on us. This is who we are. You are in good hands with Gapi.

10 MAR

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

This week at Mariposa’s Kids’ Corner we are learning a little about Islam.

What is

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

These are five duties that every Muslim must do to live a good and responsible life.

Zakat:

Shahadah: Honestly reciting the Muslim declaration of faith.

The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of God or in Arabic Allah.

Paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy.

Sawm:

Hajj:

Fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Pilgrimage (trip) to Mecca

The Five Pillars Did you read about the 5 pillars? Well test your memory with this crossword puzzle.

Across 3. All Muslims pray _________ times a day.

4. Shahadah is honestly reciting the Muslim declaration of __________.

Down 1. Hajj is the journey to where?

2. Helping persons who are poor or needy is called the duty of _____________.

3. What is done during the month of Ramadan?

Salat: All Muslims pray five times a day following a special custom.

In the I’m Learning About Islam

Word Search

Can you find and circle the words below. If you want to learn what they mean ask for help to look them on the internet or at the library.

ALLAH ARABIC BISMALLAH HAJJ HALAL HARAM

IMAM SALAT SAUM SURA WUDU ZAKAT

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10 MAR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE #7/2013

Energy

Saving Tips With the ever-increasing cost ergy use. Use automatic switchof living in Belize, and the crippling ing to sleep mode or simply turn 17% Government-approved hike it off.

• Spending a large portion in BEL rates, more and more Belizeans are looking at ways to save of time in low-power mode not $$$. One way Belizeans can ease only saves energy but helps the pocket pain caused by the high- equip¬ment run cooler and last er electricity rates is by practising longer. Computers have power Energy Saving Tips. This week’s management settings to help to saving energy. Click on the powtips: An energy-efficient home will er icon on the toolbar and look keep your family comfortable while for Energy Saving mode for sigsaving you money. Whether you nificant savings. take simple steps or make larger • Putting your laptop AC investments to make your home adapter on a power strip that more efficient with the right appli- can be turned off (or will turn ances, or practices energy saving off automatically) can maxitips, you’ll see lower energy bills. mize savings; the transformer Taking a whole-house approach to in the AC adapter draws power saving energy ensures that dollars con¬tinuously, even when the you invest to save energy are spent laptop is not plugged into the adapter. wisely.

Many people work from home • Turn off all lights not in use.

• Open windows to allow at least one day per week. Working from home saves energy and time light so not to require use of by cutting out the commute, but it light during the day. may increase your home energy bills unless you use enAnswers for last week’s puzzle ergy-saving office equipment.

Here are Home Office SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #6/2013 Tips that will save you more bucks: • Selecting energy-efficient office equipment and turning off machines when they are not in use can result in significant energy savings.

These machines include Televisions, Radios, Lights, and cell-phone or laptop chargers.

• Using an ENERGY STAR-labeled computer can save 30%-65% energy than comput¬ers without this designation, depending on Answers for last week’s puzzle usage.

• Did you know that the computer’s monitor uses the most energy? When your computer is not in use for long periods at least turn off the monitor. It is a common misperception that screen savers reduce a monitor’s en-

BELIZE TIMES

The fastest selling newspaper in Belize

See answers NEXT WEEK

See answers NEXT WEEK

10 MAR

27

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

E

V

I

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W

Selected By Chris Williams

HIV baby ‘cured’ with triple blast of drugs 4 March 2013 by Andy Coghlan For the first time, a person – a baby aged 2½ – has reportedly been “cured” of HIV infection through treatment with antiretroviral drugs.

Although the claim raises the possibility of eliminating HIV infection in millions of babies, questions have been raised as to whether this particular child was genuinely infected in the first place, and whether the “cure” will be permanent.

Pregnant women with HIV usually receive antiretroviral drugs that reduce the risk of transmission to their baby from 40 to 5 per cent. If the baby does acquire HIV, he or she will be given one antiretroviral drug.

In this case, the mother’s HIV infection was discovered too late in pregnancy for her to receive treatment to make transmission less likely. So, 30 hours after the baby was born, doctors led by Hannah Gay at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson decided to give the baby a more aggressive treatment.

Gay put the baby on three standard antiretroviral drugs. She continued the treatment for 18 months, during which time the baby was supposed to have tested positive for HIV. Then the

Children with HIV do not usually receive a combination of three antiretroviral drugs (Image: Sciepro/Science Photo Library/Corbis)

doctors lost contact with mother and child. When they reappeared months later, doctors were astonished to find that the infant had no detectable levels of the virus, even though she was no longer taking the drugs. This is surprising since people with HIV need to take medication for life because the virus hides away in cells around the body, including in CD4 white blood cells, and re-emerges if drug treatment is discontinued.

“For 10 months she was off treat-

Herbal Viagra actually contains the real thing 1 March 2013 IF IT looks too good to be true, it probably is. Several “herbal remedies” for erectile dysfunction sold online actually contain the active ingredient from Viagra.

Michael Lamb at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, and colleagues purchased 10 popular “natural” uplifting remedies on the internet and tested them for

the presence of sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.

They found the compound, or a similar synthetic drug, in seven of the 10 products – cause for concern because it can be dangerous for people with some medical conditions.

Lamb’s work was presented last week at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in Washington DC.

ment, yet there was no trace of the virus,” said Deborah Persaud of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, who presented the results at a conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta, Georgia this week. “The child remains off antiretroviral therapy, and this sets the stage for a paediatric cure agenda.”

Time will tell Some researchers say the claims are premature, however. “Was the child really infected, and is this ‘cure’ going to be sustained?” says John Frater of the University of Oxford.

“Only time will tell if the virus will eventually come back,” he says.

“They’ve used very sophisticated tests to look for virus in the blood, but it can also hide elsewhere in the body.”

“It’s been very irresponsible reporting so far,” says David Margolis of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. “I’ve not seen the actual data yet,” he says, adding that he believes the child could be a “super-controller”, an individual with natural resistance to HIV. Super-controllers, discovered in the early 2000s, have a genetic fault in a white-blood-cell surface receptor called CCR5. Since HIV needs to latch on to this receptor to invade cells, super-controllers are protected from infection. It turns out that about 1 per cent of Europeans have this

mutation.

Only one person was previously reported to have been “cured” of HIV: a man from Germany who also had leukaemia. In 2007, he received a bone marrow transplant from a super-controller. All his blood cells thereafter carried the faulty CCR5 receptor, which effectively banished the virus from his body.

Experimental treatments Researchers are experimenting with therapies that use “gene scissors” to disable the genes that control the production of CCR5 receptors in a person’s own blood cells. One person treated this way by a company called Sangamo Biosciences in Richmond, California, showed promising results after three months but normal treatment was resumed on ethical grounds.

Another big hope is using a drug called vorinostat to flush out dormant HIV from its hiding places in the body, then kill it with antiretroviral drugs. Trials of this drug, including one led by Margolis, are ongoing.

Following the World Health Organization’s revised guidelines on preventing maternal transmission of HIV, several countries in Africa are now treating all mothers who are infected rather than just those whose CD4 cell count has fallen below 350 per millilitre of blood. A report last week from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that in Malawi alone, this increased almost eightfold the number of pregnant mothers receiving antiretroviral drugs, although evidence is still being gathered on whether this reduces the rate of infection in babies.

If the new triple drug regime shows potential in further studies, it could help millions of infants. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, an estimated 300,000 infants acquired HIV infection from their mother in 2011.

“This news gives us great hope that a cure for HIV in children is possible and could bring us one step closer to an AIDS-free generation,” said UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibé.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Why is Belize So Expensive?

The cost of a gallon of gasoline today is around eleven to twelve dollars. Because of this, too many trips have been cancelled, and too much money has been spent on goods that should be far cheaper. To help with this problem, I converted my vehicle to butane a couple years ago when the cost was at two dollars and thirty cents. Now it’s more than twice that amount! If I had to buy gasoline for my ‘gas guzzler’, it would have been parked a long time ago!

You know, I must quickly add here that I heard incidentally from a financial expert that cutting the price of gas in half (in our case, that would begin by lessening the gigantic tax rate), while at the same time putting a lower sales tax percentage on all items instead of only taxing some. This would cause the government to see an immediate increase in revenues and cause the economy to start spinning back up to a self sustainable speed. That was an interesting statement that I thought deserved mentioning!

But today, I’d like to take you to a story in the manual (Genesis 39th – 42nd). In these chapters, a country by the name of Egypt was faced with an upcoming famine! It happened that the King received warning of this imminent crisis through a dream, but none of his advisors could interpret except a young man by the name of Joseph who happened to be in prison at the time! He ended up also offering advice to the king as how to prepare for this situation which was to build barns and store one fifth of corn for seven years in preparation for the arrival of this crisis! The king did as Joseph suggested and stored the corn.

It happened that as the famine came it seemed to have spread worldwide, and therefore; many countries being on the verge of extinction were drawn to Egypt, willing to make drastic sacrifices just to live!

Joseph ended up turning the years of famine into a big business that eventually used up all the money that the neighboring countries had! In an even more desperate attempt to live, the citizens of these countries began selling their land and some even became Egypt’s slaves just to survive. You can imagine the king was very happy with Joseph.

This is where I would like to bring in our little country Belize, a place where ‘nature has blessed us with wealth untold’, but we instead run to other countries to borrow money on a yearly basis. How can we have wealth untold but continuously borrow “hand over fist”? We have neighbors that see this wealth and come across every day to cut it down and take it to their country. They come across the borders to pan the wealth from out the rivers, but we use our time to travel to other countries to ask for loans! We have oil shooting out our ground, and yet, big trucks ship it out the country daily while breaking up our highways, and we now receive it back into the country purified at a whopping pump price!

We need a Joseph in this country! My little daughter was puzzled while reading this story and asked me why Joseph didn’t just give the people the corn rather than sell it for money and land and even their freedom!

My answer to her was “That is business!”. We need to think much more “business like” in Belize while at the same time honoring our people. We should not give away the corn and leave the neighboring countries with their money there by weakening ourselves and returning right back to them asking for loans! We become slaves to them in such regard, wasting our precious resources as collateral sweeteners!

Belize, Belize, let’s start to think as better business people and skillfully manage our resources. Let’s stop singing about the wealth untold but rather find it and use it to our advantage! Singing is of no use if we have not the ability to manage it and turn it around in a way that is efficient and self sustaining!

It is time to stop the borrowing Belize. Take advantage of your resources!

Until next week God bless!

10 MAR

2013

Fibromyalgia What is it?

If you are among those who complain of pain all over the body and tiredness despite long hours of sleep,

By Dr. Francis Smith you may be suffering from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Both illnesses are serious chronic illnesses with their own diagnostic criteria. Fibromyalgia is not exactly chronic fatigue syndrome but many patients have symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria for both.

Fibromyalgia affects mostly women and some men, and presents with multiple bone and joint pains, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression, tiredness and fatigue, bad memory and bad moods.

Fibromyalgia may begin after a major surgery, accident, serious infection or any illness or condition causing prolonged or intense psychological stress. Sometimes, there is no history of the aforementioned causes.

Symptoms: Persons with fibromyalgia complain of a constant nagging discomfort or dull ache in muscles, bones and joints on both sides of the body and above and below the waist (torso, pelvis, upper and lower limbs). There are specific areas of the body which hurt when pressure is applied and these are called tender points.

There are 18 tender points which should fit the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. These tender points include the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, the top of the shoulders, the front sides of the neck, the upper chest, the outer elbows, top part of the hips, sides of hips and inner aspect of the knees. Physicians may diagnose fibromyalgia if there are 11 or more, of 18 tender points, if the pain has been present for at least three months, and if other illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease and peripheral vascular disease have been ruled out. Additionally, people with fibromyalgia suffer from tiredness and fatigue even after sleeping for long hours, and may present with other conditions like headaches, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, depression, endometriosis.

What causes it?

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes fibromyalgia but believe that genetics may be a contributing factor, as well as other triggering events such as physical trauma (accidents) or emotional trauma and infectious disease. It is also believed that people with fibromyalgia may have a lower threshold for pain.

Risk factors: Risk factors for fibromyalgia include sex (mostly affect women), hormonal fluctuations such as post-menopausal syndrome, infections, genetics or family history, sedentary lifestyle, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus, fatigue, anxiety, depression, changes in the weather, lack of sleep, prolonged periods of traumatic or emotional stress.

Treatment: Treatment for fibromyalgia involves medication, encouraging healthy lifestyle and regular exercise, psychological counselling and alternative medicine.

Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Alleve), and tramadol can help to relieve pain and stiffness. Amitriptyline or fluoxetine may improve sleep. Cymbalta may ease pain and fatigue. Neurontin or Lyrica may also reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating healthy food are most important in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Alternative medicine such as acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga and tai chi also help some people with fibromyalgia.

03 10 MAR

2013

THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES THE

ARTPAGE 29

Art is for the Spirit Belize City, February 21, 2013 St. John’s College hosted thousands of primary and secondary students at a grand Science, Reading and Art Fair on Landivar Campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m on February 21, 2013.

Students from all four forms prepared for months on group science projects, drawing and painting projects, and poetry and drama performances.

It was a collaborative effort bringing students, teachers, administrators and staff together showcasing the SJC spirit. By numerous accounts the fair delivered an outstanding display of creativity, brilliance and innovation.

As part of the fair an art exhibition featuring over four hundred works were put on display. After a long process of judging six young artists emerged winners: 2nd Form – Takaki Yanai (1st Place), Byron Edwards (2nd Place) 3rd Form – Michael Bardalez (1st Place), Bailey Liang (2nd Place) 4th Form – Amir Smith and Marvin Vernon (1st place)

3rd Form – Michael Bardalez (1st Place)

Takaki Yanai, 1st Place (2nd Form)

Marvin Vernon, 1st Place (4th Form)

30

THINK ABOUT IT THEY DID IT They came from across the country.

A few from Orange Walk. Some from San Ignacio. Some from battered, embattled Belize City, Dangriga and of course Punta Gorda.

Their objective. To gather at the area of the Belize /Guatemala border to get a clear picture of the situation, conduct a symbolic clearing of the area and do orientation for a full mission for a border clearance on a later date.

Let it be written that there was danger and there was none. The President of Guatemala, obviously well advised, exploited the occasion to notify the international community that Belizeans were setting out to “erase” the Guatemalan border.

The Belize Government, appearing always to be appeasing Guatemala, publicized that they had received a diplomatic note of protest or inquiry. They went further than the Guatemalan President’s threat that he would be on “alert” regarding the situation.

The Belize Government openly warned that the mission was fool-hardy, risky, and dangerous. There was likelihood, they publicly stated, that persons could stray into Guatemala’s side of the border and be arrested by Guatemala’s military. There was nothing they could do, or would do, if that happened.

The Belize Government uttered not a single word of encouragement. It was all negative, threatening. It may have succeeded in scaring others who would have joined the volunteers.

Shortly after 6:30 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, 2 March 2013 a bus load along with six vehicles trekked out of Punta Gorda town and headed for the village of Jalacte. Some thirty six miles away.

There is an impressive road under construction heading out of Punta Gorda to Jalacte Village. Jalacte is a village on the border with Guatemala. Indeed, only about 5 miles remain to complete this road which passes through some of the poorest villages and poorest people in our country.

Some 36 villages in Toledo are without electricity. When nights set in, they join the adjoining jungles with its birds, insects and animals bedding down and keeping quiet until sunlight brings a new day.

Jalacte is a Maya Village. These quiet, stoic, strong people have lived in Toledo and other parts of Belize before the white tribes and their African cargoes ever reached the Caribbean and then onto America’s shores.

The road is a triumph for Guatemala.

They have been agitating for such for over a hundred years. They have always wanted a road from Guatemala to the Caribbean Sea and to the wider Atlantic Ocean.

The British are to be congratulated for the ease with which they have hoodwinked us all.

This road was part of the 1859 Treaty between Guatemala and Britain, in exchange for Guatemala accepting a border between their country and Belize.

The British didn’t bother to build the road and Guatemala could not force them to live up to their signed, written Treaty, so Guatemala said the Treaty was broken and no longer valid.

Belize has had to live with this worthless behavior by the British. The conse-

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THE BELIZE TIMES

quences have been crippling and divisive to Belize. There may be real danger yet to come.

Britain has gone and now we are left to hold that sticky end of the stick, slowly but surely going down the proverbial creek.

Belize may yet lose some of its land and some of its sea. We shall see.

So afraid of Guatemala is the government of Belize, that a tiny gesture of some one hundred volunteers to cut the grass and the jungle on Belize’s side of its border, that there was almost hysteria by our political leaders.

Wil Maheia whose idea brought brave souls to P.G, led the small group to Jalacte and then across the cold creek that Saturday morning. Then up the hill, now named Volunteer Hill and looked across to enemy land.

There were no enemies. Only curious Guatemalan “peasants”, watching a small band of Belizeans with machetes in hand cutting a path up a steep hill. Perhaps to plant beans and corn? An unlikely thought. Don’t need a hundred machetes and so many men and women to do that.

For the territorial volunteers and by extension Belize, it was a victory. A small but significant victory.

Despite the threats from the Guatemala and Belize governments, the mission was accomplished. History of sorts.

Never been done before.

They did it.

BORING BUDGET There was history of another sort.

For the first time since independence nobody paid much attention to the launching of the government’s budget.

Belize’s biggest budget. Biggest boring budget.

And ask yourself this question. If the economy di do so good why are the people living so bad.

GUATEMALA FOREIGN MINISTER Do you believe in coincidence? Can it just be coincidence that the Guatemalan Foreign Minister turns up in Belize two days after the Territorial Volunteers visited the Jalacte border area?

The Guatemalan President had publicly expressed concerns over any such visit or clearing at the border area. It took place anyhow.

Did he dispatch his Foreign Minister to find out first-hand how the cowardly Belize Government failed to prevent the volunteers from going to Jalacte? The Belize Government did try everything short of using force to prevent the volunteers.

And while the Guatemalan President succeeded in putting his own skillful spin on an innocent citizen’s action; the Belize Government had no response in defense of its own citizens, its own territory and its own sovereignty.

Whimps.

OUR HERO IS GONE One of Latin America’s heroes has left this world.

Hugo Chavez, champion of poor people and great friend to the Caribbean and to Belize had passed after a battle with cancer.

The USA, which was Chavez’s implacable enemy, had little to say. But across

the region and the world accolades were pouring in.

Chavez, a poor boy from Venezuela, rose to become President of his nation since 1999. He used the oil wealth to lift the living standards of millions of poor Venezuelans. He stretched out the hand of friendship and helped to Belize and the Caribbean people. He stood up to the imperialism and dominating nature of the USA, and western Europe.

His death is a great set-back for the liberty, justice and prosperity of oppressed peoples in the region.

Chavez was on the Belize’s side against the rulers of Guatemala.

WHAT KIND OF UNIVERSITY The University of Belize is supposed to be just that, the University of Belize.

But it ain’t.

There are no panel discussions. No public education programs. No involvement of the educated elites in discussing relevant subject matters.

No public forum on major topical issues.

Crime is raging, nothing from U.B. The economy is dying, nothing from U.B. Referendums and ICJ, nothing from U.B The government is a dismal failure, nothing from U.B. This is a reflection of the administration, on the leadership or lack thereof.

It is also a reflection of the quality of teachers and the students.

ANOTHER FAILURE The economy of Belize is geared towards consumption of foreign imports and it does nothing to encourage production, exports and increased agriculture and farming cooperatives.

YET ANOTHER FAILURE In many democracies an important public official is appointed directly by the Parliament. His or her responsibilities are to allow citizens an opportunity to get justice against those in authority who abuse the rights of citizens.

Such an official is called an Ombudsman.

In Belize the government appoints a person whom they consider will be ineffective as Ombudsman. Furthermore the law governing the Ombudsman is a shame. The Ombudsman can do nothing except write letters and report abuse to the politicians. The very same politicians, who condone, encourage and indulge in official abuses.

Never before in Belize have citizens been subjected to this widespread governmental abuse by Police, Customs, Immigration, Ministry of Lands and Ministers of government. Even some in the Magistrates Courts are now included on the complaint of helpless citizens who are jailed, or fined and told to pay immediately or go to jail. Literally hundreds of citizens are in jail unable to get bail.

These abuses represents a corrosion of our democracy and an increase in injustice and there will be hell to pay when the barge turnover.

An oppressed people can only take so much and no more.

O POLICE CANTEEN The Queen Street Police Station, the Raccoon Street Police Station and the few substations like Caribbean Shores, Bela-

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ma, Dean Street and Mahogany Street, treat police officers and BDF like dirt.

There are no canteens at these stations. No microwave ovens, no fridge, no coffee, tea or juices. Not even a packbread or biscuits for our hard working security forces.

NOT IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS There is nothing condemning homosexuals in the Ten Commandments Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

But know this. In the Old Testament homos are soundly and roundly condemned. They are called an abomination and these unnatural lusts are so grave a sin that the punishment is death by stoning.

But know this also. There is nothing about lesbian love in the Old Testament.

Yes, it is condemned in the New Testament.

But! Jesus broke the Law of Moses by refusing to allow a lady caught in adultery, to be stoned to death.

Jesus is the greatest of the Prophets; his everlasting message is of love and forgiveness.

Put that in your smoke and pipe it.

FARRAKHAN He is like a breath of fresh air come to a town lacking in intellectual activity. His speeches and conversations are always thought provoking and stimulating.

He has always been a champion of the depressed and marginalized.

And he always gives God the Glory.

His name is Louis Farrakhan. The Honorable Minister of the Nation of Islam.

He speaks like a mighty wind. He instills in his listeners hope and upliftment. He speaketh truth to power and power to the truth.

This is his third visit to our tiny little nation nestled on the shores of Central America in the Caribbean family. His parents are Trinidadians. He has not forgotten his people of his roots. This says much about this man. The Honorable Messenger of righteous anger against injustice, bigotry, hypocrisy and poverty is among us this week. Soon we may need his mighty voice to champion our cause and help us resolve our troubles with our next day neighbor.

Honorable Messenger of Allah you are always welcome to our shores, which one day shall be the new Jerusalem. Our respect and admiration for you and your achievements have not been diminished by the passage of time.

If the People’s United Party were in government you would have been handed the keys to our city and bestowed with honorary citizenship of our country.

Enjoy your stay among our people and thanks for having Belizeans in your thoughts and in your prayers.

As Salaam Alaikum.

TRINIEA YOUNG Triniea was a dedicated and energetic prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

She is probably the Crown Counsel with the most convictions against rapists, robbers and murderers.

It is sad to see her go, but we all grow and move on in life. Triniea had been promoted to the Office of the Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s Ministry in Belmopan.

Congratulations and all the best in your career.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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National Basketball player shot on Youth For the Future Drive Belize City, March 4th, 2013 A member of the Belize National Basketball team almost had his future taken away when he was attacked and shot by a gunman on Youth For the Future Drive.

The victim, Ronald Rivers, was shot in the face from close range.

Rivers was a passenger in a vehicle that experienced mechanical problems. The vehicle was parked and Rivers and the driver were inspecting the car when a man rode up to them on a bicycle and accosted Rivers, pointing a gun at him. Within seconds, a gunshot was heard and Rivers collapsed to the ground.

Fortunately, a police mobile patrol was in the area and was able to transport Rivers to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was admitted.

Rivers received a gunshot to his face, with the bullet entering the cheek and exited his mouth.

The victim’s family believes the shooting was the result of a robbery. They say the gunman must have seen the vehicle and passengers stranded and made an attempt to take advantage of the situation.

Rivers had just returned to Belize on Friday after the national basketball team abruptly decided to boycott a tournament in Guatemala.

Ronald Rivers

Danger at SP Central Park March 4, 2013, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye The tourism capital of Belize is San Pedro. Not only financially but the majestic barrier reef and the splendor of the brilliant colors which caresses its coast makes other countries jealous.

Tourism contributes to over 25% of all jobs, and makes up over 18% of the GDP. In real numbers, this is $590 million BZD (295 million USD). But Belizeans need to remind ourselves that we are important too.

Many commuters watch quality AC

Faber badmouths Dangriga residents Belize City, March 5, 2013 Patrick Faber is still licking his wounds after he was soundly defeated by Gaspar Vega’s money and power, and some UDP-style backstabbing too, in the race for UDP Deputy Leader. One would have thought that the loss would have made Faber a bit humble and contrite, but that is not the case.

In a show of raw political bitterness, Faber was heard bad mouthing the people of Dangriga on the UDP’s Wave Radio on Tuesday morning. While discussing the launching of feeding programs under the Ministry of Education, Faber said that one was launched in Dangriga but commented, “I don’t know why because dem nevah vote fu we”.

This vindictiveness and divisiveness appears to be inherent in the UDP, but for Faber it’s a new low, especially since only a few weeks ago, he had visited some of the very same Dangriga residents whose children are benefitting from the feeding programme to support him in his bid for Deputy Leader. How callous!

buses pass them while they are stranded in old school buses, which malfunction on the highways.

So, in the San Pedro Central Park the condition of the play set, swings and slides is of major concern for the safety of all the children who use the park. The swings are broken and the slide has huge ruptures as seen in the pictures attached to this article.

A four year old little girl was chopped and scarred while sliding down the slide and still it remains unfixed by the rich Minister of Tourism and the UDP Town Council.

The BELIZE TIMES calls on the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia and the fail-

ing Town Council to fix this park. Not only out of shame but also for the children. We know that they are more concerned about being sued by a visiting tourism who is injured by the disrepair of the park which has broken bottles and discarded beer caps, but for whatever reason. We, Belizeans, want to be safe and enjoy our country.

Estimates are that it will take no more than one thousand dollars to be fixed but the Minister and council prefer to do other things with the money.

As the Easter Season approaches and Belizean families flock the isla bonita, they deserve to have fun without injury. Fix San Pedro Central Park.

Dangerous rupture on slide

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THE BELIZE TIMES

10 MAR

2013