Belize Times March 25, 2012

Sunday, March 25, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

SCAN HERE

Issue No. 4788

www.facebook/Belize Times

SUNDAY March 25, 2012

Killing Spree Again 7 murders in 9 days

Street on March 11. On March 13th, 23 year old Herman Garbutt Jr. was found dead underneath a tree in Mahogany Heights. He had gunshot wounds on his body.

There was a brief pause, but the

Continued on page 4

Belize City, March 21, 2012 Criminal activity throughout the country, especially in the old capital Belize City, has spiked over the last few days, claiming no less than seven

lives in just nine days. It’s as if there is a horrific and unstoppable killing spree that is wreaking fear in our communities, while the authorities sit unfazed and unconcerned.

Lisel Alamilla vs.

Gaspar Vega Round 1

Jovanni Saldano On March 9th, 24 year old Cristobal Santos was stabbed dead while attempting to part a fight in Orange Walk Town. 21 year old David Hernandez was gunned down on Racecourse

UDP crony

Vernon Cuthkelvin in hot, hot water!

Belize City, March 21, 2012 This week Prime Minister Dean Barrow proudly singled out persons who are die hard UDPs like Godwin Hulse and Lisel Alamilla, but

Continued on page 3

See page 13

Manuel Ca’al

TOP MODEL

Mark Lozano

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Vega’s portfolio of forestry was transferred to Alamilla

GOB SPITES MAYA LEADERS

Lisel Alamilla-Pennel

See page 3

Vernon Cuthkelvin

“Sellout” Francis Gegg calls out Godwin Hulse Belize City, March 21 2012 Newly-appointed UDP Senator/Minister Godwin Hulse, who has basically “crossed the Senate floor” from private

Continued on page 4

Pirates attack a tourist catamaran

CHILD CRUSHED TO DEATH UDP Senator Godwin Hulse

Francis Gegg

06 08 27

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

5 charged for kidnapping

Mexican diplomat

BELIZE CITY, Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

By Alton Humes There could be nothing that’s more bizarre than a kidnapping, and when the victim is a high-level diplomat who claims one of the suspected kidnappers is a friend to him, that makes it 10,000 times worse.

Mexican diplomat Domingo Rodríguez Semerena, a Cultural Attaché serving at the Mexican Embassy in Belize, suffered such a fate when he was kidnapped last Tuesday, March 13th, while he dropped off an associate of his at their home. But as he arrived at the location, two men approached his 2007 black Audi SUV vehicle, and then proceeded to push Rodriguez Semerena in the back seat of his own vehicle.

Two more men entered the vehicle, and they took him to an undisclosed location outside of Belize City.

He was then tied up and robbed of his cell phone, his gold chain, BZC$150.00 in cash, and other personal documents (which totaled BZC$1,850), in addition to his vehicle. He was then guarded by one of the men until 7 o’clock the next morning, Wednesday,

March 14th, when he was taken and released at an abandoned swampy area on the Northern Highway.

Police arrested and charged 5 men with the following offences: 18-year-old Delton Jeffords, for kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and robbery; 25-year-old Noel Alamilla, for kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery and handling stolen goods; 24-year-old Roque Middleton with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and robbery, 23 year-old Derrick Sanchez, for handling stolen goods, and 34-year-old Ralph Middleton, also for handling stolen goods.

The prosecutor made several objections on bail, noting the severity and recurrent nature of the crime of kidnapping and robbery, the usage of a firearm during the crime, which is already grounds for an automatic remand, and a caution statement given by one of the accused admitting guilt. Under such consideration, presiding officer Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith remanded the men until April 25th, when preliminaries into their trial will begin.

Barrow starts off on a terrible tone Dear Editor: Kindly provide space for my short but very important letter. I believe in democracy and the rule of law. I also believe in supporting my Government no matter who it is, but under the UDP I have been finding it so difficult to do so.

Let me give you a perfect example. Yesterday I attended the ceremonial opening of the National Assembly. I wasn’t dressed in blue or red, because I believe the time for partisan politics is over. But as I listened to the

Maya Leaders Alliance Statement on the appointment of a Minister for Indigenous Peoples March 15, 2012 The Maya Leaders Alliance (MLA) and the Toledo Alcaldes Association (TAA) note with surprise and consternation that the new government has appointed a ministerial portfolio of “Indigenous Peoples”, within the new Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, Sustainable Development and Indigenous Peoples.

To the best of our knowledge, this new Ministry was created without any consultation with any Indigenous Peoples. Neither the National Garifuna Council nor the Maya people of southern Belize through the Toledo Alcaldes Association or the Maya Leaders Alliance, was advised nor consulted. This is particularly disrespectful and disappointing since the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – which Belize voted to adopt at the United Nations - requires governments to “consult and cooperate in good faith with the Indigenous Peoples concerned through their own representative institutions before adopting and implementing administrative measures that may affect them.”

The United Nations Declaration also states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decisionmaking in matters which would affect their rights, through representatives chosen by themselves.” Obviously, the choice of a Minister for indigenous peoples is the prerogative of the government, and the Minister is not formally a representative of indigenous peoples.

Nevertheless, the creation of this min-

istry certainly will affect us, and ought to have been decided upon in consultation with us. We have to wonder whether the government would have created a Ministry of Creole People or Mestizo People without consultation with those communities, and if they would have appointed a non-Creole or non-Mestizo to “handle” the relationship with those communities.

Had the new government seen fit to consult with the Maya people through our leadership, we would have recommended that a Minister responsible for issues concerning Indigenous Peoples should ideally be an Indigenous person. There are a number of extremely qualified and easily identifiable Maya and Garifuna individuals that come to mind, most notably Gregory Choc, who in addition to having a longstanding and deep understanding of the issues facing Indigenous Peoples, has the added credibility of actually having been elected to a Senate position as an NGO representative.

We remind the Nation and the government that the central issue affecting Belize’s Indigenous Peoples is the protection of our lands and resources, and, thus, our culture. For decades, we have clearly identified this problem. We have never wavered in communicating and negotiating this central issue to the present and successive governments of Belize. We firmly believe that recognizing our rights to the land we have traditionally and continue to live on and use is a key step towards resolving the illegal and often corrupt destruction of

our natural resources.

If the new government had seen fit to discuss the creation of this new ministerial portfolio with the Indigenous Peoples in southern Belize, our input could have helped make this Ministry useful and effective. As it has been structured, by compartmentalizing responsibility for lands in one ministry, and Forestry and Indigenous Peoples in another, the Indigenous Peoples Ministry is starting with severe handicaps and consequently may be incapable of carrying out its mandate.

We can only anticipate added bureaucratic layers that will continue to frustrate the development of a positive relationship with the Maya people of Southern Belize.

Despite this new Ministry’s inauspicious beginning, we remain committed to attempting to build a relationship of mutual respect with the government, through our traditional forms of governance, representation, and decision-making processes. We expect the government to engage our communities in good faith, in accordance with accepted international norms. We invite Minister Alamilla to meet with Maya leaders at her earliest opportunity to discuss how the relationship between the Maya indigenous peoples and the government can return to a productive and fruitful one.

Prime Minister’s speech, it sounded as if the battle was still going on.

I was most disappointed when he brought up the topic of victimization.

The UDP has had the worst record in this area, and I vividly remember my father coming home days before Christmas in 1995 to tell us he was out of a job. But back to the present. I heard PM Barrow say that he wouldn’t victimize PUPs “IF” the PUPs didn’t victimize UDPs. I couldn’t believe my ears. I have never heard any Government leader placing conditions on his people over the threat of victimization.

To hear Barrow do so, is a frightening first and it send chills up my spine.

Over the last four years I watched as Prime Minister Barrow behaved more like a roguish leader than a compassionate servant. At times, he reminds me of past African dictators, and I am not just trying to be mean.

If Prime Minister Barrow wants to complete his term in Government, he needs to re-adjust his demeanour and revise his tone. So far, he has started on a terrible note and it looks like four years might be a tad too long this time.

Signed, T. Perrera

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR

Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR

Doreth Bevans LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams STAFF REPORTER

Alton Humes TYPIST

Rachel Arana OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com

Sunday, March 25, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Lisel Alamilla vs.

Gaspar Vega Round 1

Belize City, Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 There is a ‘Ministerial Smackdown’ going in the UDP Cabinet that Belizeans must know about. Some may argue that there are more than just one following the erratic changes in portfolios, but right now, the most glaring is the wrestle between the new Minister of Forestry Lisel Alamilla and the former one, the big bad Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega.

It appears the battle is over power and absolute authority, something Vega has wielded for four long years with no remorse, but which appears now to be tactically tamed and challenged. But for the Orange Walk Don who went from a poor insurance salesman in the United States to a multi-millionaire businessman/politician in Belize, the problem could very well be fixed by playing dirty. And it seems the dirty UDP games have begun.

Yesterday, Tuesday March 20th, a group of Mayan people from Southern Belize (Stann Creek and specifically Toledo) rose up in vengeful anger on Independence Hill in Belmopan City to protest a moratorium placed on the cutting, extraction and export of rosewood. The ban was imposed by newly minted Minister/Senator Alamilla on Monday of this week.

The southern folk said the moratorium will make them suffer humongous losses since they rely on the

rosewood trade. They argued that the moratorium is also too stiff as it prohibits the sale of previously cut timber, which frustrates the business totally. The protestors carried placards and marched in front of the National Assembly building, while Cabinet was meeting. They had travelled in multiple chartered busses, which they wouldn’t be able to afford on their own. And this is where the twist comes in. Reliable UDP sources have shared with the BELIZE TIMES that the snubbed former Minister had a hand in the Belmopan protest.

Those sources say Vega feels slighted that his authority was trimmed when the Prime Minister removed the portfolios of forestry, geology and petroleum. Forestry went to Alamilla and Geology/Petroleum went to Senator/Minister-designate Joy Grant.

Even more vexing for Vega is that the new Minister of Forestry is one of the persons responsible for having exposed that his family is directly benefiting from the unregulated, unsanctioned, unmonitored trade, as well as exploiting the poor in Toledo. This was done in an interview aired on Channel 5 on September 1st 2011. The interview was between Samuel Edwards, a rosewood dealer in the South, and the very same Lisel Alamilla who is now the Minister of Forestry. In the televised conversation Edwards accused of Vega’s family of not only ex-

UDP crony

Vernon Cuthkelvin in hot, hot water!

Continued from page 1 one person he would not dare gloat about as a staunch UDP member is Vernon Cuthkelvin. Cuthkelvin, a known UDP soldier and operative, is in so much trouble right now he has been diagnosed with political leprosy.

The UDP crony, who was a Ministry of Housing employee in May 2009 when he was wanted by Corozal Police for swindling Tony’s Inn Resort of $3,078, wants Belizeans to believe that his new “company” called “Belize Garden Consortium” recently imported 6 forty-foot containers containing over 3,000 sacks of titanium dioxide and ammonium sulphate. He claims the chemicals are used as fertilizers, but the real professionals in the business say they would never import such a huge quantity.

The Customs Department isn’t buying it either, and since last week, Cuthkelvin’s containers have been confiscated for forensic testing.

Customs officials suspect Cuthkelvin is lying and that he may be importing precursor chemicals used in the production of meta-amphetamine. Belize is not suspected to be a producer of “meth”, but it is a smuggling point for illegal

chemicals that are sneaked into Mexico and then the United States. Cuthkelvin could easily be fronting for bigger fish, protected by the UDP. Cuthkelvin has sworn before Customs officials and on national television that the chemicals are what he says they are, but today the BELIZE TIMES confirmed with officials that the tests prove otherwise. Sources tell the BELIZE TIMES that the three containers declared to be transporting ammonium sulphate have been confirmed not to be ammonium sulphate. The other three containers which were declared to be loaded with sacks of titanium dioxide have been found to have a mixture of unknown chemicals.

The results are very bad news for the UDP functionary, and he has not been seen back at Customs to claim his containers since Monday. Cuthkelvin appears to be on the run, again!

At this paper, we have found it difficult to agree with the UDP’s vile and illogic way of thinking, but this may be the only time we concur with a UDP statement by UDP Housing Minister Michael Finnegan who called Cuthkelvin in 2009 “a UDP soldier who has gone astray and needs psychological care.”

Alamilla exposed Vega’s involvement in the exploitation of rosewood

ploiting the prized wood, but also of doing so in an abusive manner and with implicit approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources, which was under Gaspar Vega.

Here are Samuel Edwards’ exact words, “If dehn no stop di cutting a rosewood then don’t ask fi no rosewood next year. There won’t be any.

But because Vega wants all, he wants twenty-five containers a month if ih could get it, ih just cut free. Even when the Forestry Department says “no let us come and…” I don’t know if Vega wah hear you know. Mr. Vega he ready, ih say ih could bring ten containers

Bomb scare at First

Caribbean

Bank

Belize City, March 19, 2012 Belize City Police have concluded that a bomb threat made at First Caribbean Bank located at the San Cas Plaza on Friday afternoon was a prank.

The bank’s Customer Service Manager said that at 2:28 on Friday afternoon she received a call from an unknown person who stated that he had left a bomb inside the bank.

Afraid that the threat was real, Arthurs contacted the bank’s security, who called the Police and received orders to evacuate the building.

The Belize Defense Force bomb expert arrived at the bank and carried out a thorough search of the building but found no evidence of an explosive device.

right now and load this right now. He has no limit. Those things are wrong.”

Knowing Alamilla was responsible for stirring up the controversy and causing embarrassment for him, Vega is, we are told, seeking revenge. And it could get real dirty, because the protest action on Tuesday turned into a political embarrassment very early in the Barrow Administration’s second term – something Prime Minister Dean Barrow is not too happy about and, we are told, will be dealing with soon.

This will prove to be one of the sure myriad of UDP ‘smackdowns’ that will inevitably pop up in the new UDP Government. ………….

Here are Samuel Edwards’ exact words, “If dehn no stop di cutting a rosewood then don’t ask fi no rosewood next year. There won’t be any.

But because Vega wants all, he wants twenty-five containers a month if ih could get it, ih just cut free. Even when the Forestry Department says “no let us come and…” I don’t know if Vega wah hear you know. I don’t know but I am just saying how it is. What is good for Peter is good for Paul. I couldn’t buy no more until when that man started to buy day before yesterday. For the whole week it was stopped. I couldn’t buy.

Anonymous “Who say you couldn’t buy” Samuel Edwards “Vega” Anonymous “So you sell to a Chiney Man or to Vega” Samuel Edwards “You no di get no export license, maybe once a month you get one, maybe none at all. You see dehn log back from last year October.

Liselle Alamilla “and you can’t sell them” Samuel Edwards “No” Anonymous “…because you have to sell to Vega?”

Samuel Edwards “”Mr. Vega he ready, ih say ih could bring ten containers right now and load this right now. He has no limit. Those things are wrong.”

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Killing Spree Again Continued from page 1

weekend that followed turned even deadlier as three murders occurred. 35 year old Jose Manuel Ca’al was beaten viciously on March 18th inside a cemetery and killed by a man who is now

“Sellout” Continued from page 1

sector to UDP, has come under fire from one of his “students” of political reform.

“My biggest problem is the fact that my mentor who taught me most of what I know about the way our system works, who said he would never go to Belmopan under the current system, is now a Minister,” said Francis Gegg, aiming his criticism at Hulse as he appeared on Channel 5’s Dickie Bradley Special on Tuesday, March 20th.

Gegg explained that Hulse was a founding member and concept coordinator for the We the People’s Reform Movement. Hulse later joined the Political Reform Commission which set out political reform recommendations, and

Thieves target Traveler’s Bar

Belize City, March 21, 2012 Burglars and thieves targeted Traveler’s Bar at mile 2 on the Northern Highway in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

Around 4:30am T uesday, the lone KBH security guard was ambushed and tied up by two armed robbers. 43 year old Felix Melendez said he was beaten and his hands were bound with electrical wire.

With Melendez pinned to the ground, the burglars proceeded to break into the liquor store. While in the store, the thieves packed up and assortment of liquor and appliance valued at up to $12,178, before leaving.

William Moguel, who operates the bar on a lease, said that some of the stolen items were insured, but he will still suffer some losses.

That was not the only burglary that occurred. There were also four burglary incidents in Corozal Town and Belmopan.

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on the run. That same day, 32 year old Dean Bennett was attacked inside his home, which was then chained shut and set on fair. He was killed in the blaze as he remained trapped inside the house. Before the day was over,

the sound of bullets echoed in the old capital as 23 year old Jovanni Saldano was hunted down and killed inside his own yard on West Street.

And as the city recovered from the violent weekend, the little sense

according to Gegg, after the Commission completed its work, Hulse committed to being a lead advocate for an Elected Senate.

Gegg recalled that prior to the 2003 election, Hulse had been asked by the then Opposition Leader Dean Barrow to run in the UDP ticket. Gegg said Hulse rejected the offer when Barrow could not guarantee support for an elected senate.

“He has been a crusader for political reform. Godwin Hulse was the one always advocating movement.

Godwin always maintained that party has a dirty connotation,” Gegg pointed out.

Gegg, who was in the electoral race as a 3rd party candidate, spoke of Prime Minister Dean Barrow with great distrust. He accused the Prime Minister of deceiving the NGO community into believing he would support the appointment of a 13th senator out of the NGOs. Once he gained power, he realised a 13th Senator would be a bottleneck, Gegg said.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

of security that remained, disappeared when one more senseless shooting led to the killing of a 47 year old Ladyville resident who was simply walking along a Belize City street on March 19th. Mark Lozano was minding his own business when he was approached by a gunman who opened fire at him.

Many Belizeans believe the increase in violent crime and sudden spike in murders is the result of the Barrow Administration’s failed anticrime measures. Over the past four years, the Government has boasted about its effective programs such as Vision 360, Operation Jaguar, Restore Belize and most-recently a so-called gang-truce, but the evidence on the streets paints a different picture.

Panic and fear is on the rise in Belize, especially as members of gangs continue to be deployed in vulnerable parts of the country that later become targets, and as the Barrow Administration continues to engage gang members in a “truce” that barters money for peace.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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TOO MUCH noise in the market When Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that he would be naming four new Senators/Ministers we thought that maybe, just maybe, it signaled the much-needed shaking up in the misguided UDP. Barrow called the changes a move to put together “the best government ever” and we hope no one actually held their breath. The revelation of Barrow’s changes and new appointments only continue his practice of rewarding personal friends and colleagues, or as he put it himself, die hard UDPs. Barrow had to justify to his UDPs why he chose Hulse, Alamilla, Gibson and Grant over them, and when he gave the best explanation he had, as in the case of Godwin Hulse, he said it was because Senator Hulse “was ALWAYS a UDP”.

On the surface it may look like good politics, but when you examine things carefully you realize that Barrow’s lifelong “Joy” is actually now holding over the most lucrative portfolio, Petroleum, perhaps for a special friend. Godwin’s selection is more strategic, as before March 13th he represented a non-partisan view. But thanks to Barrow, Godwin is now painted red and the statement that Godwin was “always a UDP” helps to understand some of Godwin’s behavior in the past. One such is his strange decision to abstain from voting against the 9th Amendment as a Senator presenting the private sector. The business community had publicly announced their opposition to the 9th amendment, but Senator Godwin went on his own to abstain from voting and allowed the amendment to be passed. It is clear that Barrow wishes to achieve two things with Godwin at his side: absorb the little credibility that remains and finally shut up the man who has always been a sort of critic of the status quo.

Charles Gibson’s appointment is more a compensation for his loyalty as he has done little or nothing in the past four years to improve the capacity of the public service, while Alamilla’s inclusion is Barrow’s attempt to deceive the NGOs that he actually cares. Soon Lisel will find out how frustrating it is to run or do anything under Barrow and a bunch of UDP misfits. Ask Anne Marie, ask Marcel Cardona.

The UDP is doing its best to cover up the disaster created over the past four years. Barrow wants Belizeans to forget that he wrecked the economy, that they failed to tackle the crime problem, that industries like tourism, sugar and rice nearly collapsed under their administration. The UDP wants you to forget the housing mortgage crisis, the business foreclosures, the GST increase, the sky-rocketing fuel prices, and the increasing cost of living. They also don’t want you to remember that poverty increased to 43% and the unemployment rate jolted to 23%.

Barrow and the UDP want to distract you with noise in the market, while they swindle your change. Since the elections, the old capital has exploded again. Our young men are killing each other senselessly on the streets, which are now run by UDP paid gang members.

Unless we hear or see something tangible from Barrow’s kitchen cabinet that gives a hint of real change, don’t expect much, don’t hold your breath – straight up like that.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

“We will defend Belize” Opposition Leader & PUP Team sworn in

Belize City, March 21, 2012 This morning in the City of Belmopan, the PUP members of the National Assembly were officially sworn in.

At 9am the three Senators appointed by the Opposition, Lead Senator Hon. Lisa Shoman, Hon. Karen Bodden and Hon. Collet Montejo took their oath, followed by a ceremonial opening of the House of Representatives which saw the fourteen PUP members of the House, led by Opposition Leader Hon. Francis

The 14 Opposition members in the House of Representatives were sworn in on Wednesday morning

PUP Senators: Hon. Karen Bodden, Hon. Collet Montejo & Hon. Lisa Shoman

Fonseca, also take oath.

While the Governor General and Prime Minister were the only speakers at the ceremony, the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Francis presented to the media the PUP’s platform in the nation’s governance after the ceremony.

Hon. Francis declared that the Opposition takes its responsibility very seriously and they plan to be as robust as necessary to ensure that the interests of Belizeans are always defend-

ed.

While the Opposition had been beset by issues including size in the House in the UDP’s first term, it is stronger now, with eight more seats and a reduced UDP-advantage of only three seats.

Hon. Francis said the electorate’s call for change on Election Day was loud and clear and the Opposition will hold the UDP to task.

He appealed on the ruling party to desist from its elec-

GOB spites Maya Leaders,

disbands newly-formed Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Belize City, March 20, 2012 Not even three days after announcing the creation of a new Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, the Barrow Administration disbanded the idea, apparently in spiteful reaction to heavy criticism from the Maya Leaders Alliance and Toledo Alcaldes Association who slammed the Government for a lack of consultation.

On Tuesday March 13th, Prime Minister Dean Barrow introduced the ministerial portfolio of “Indigenous Peoples” within the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, Sustainable Development and Indigenous Peoples. The Minister in charge was named Senator Lisel Alamilla, a close UDP-associate involved in environmental work.

But two days later, the move was slammed in a statement released by the southern district leaders. In that statement, the Toledo leaders said they felt disrespected by the disregard shown to them.

“To the best of our knowledge, this new Ministry was created without any consultation with any Indigenous Peoples. Neither the National Garifuna Council nor the Maya people of southern Belize through the Toledo Alcaldes Association or the Maya Leaders Alliance, was advised nor consulted.

This is particularly disrespectful and disappointing since the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires governments to ‘consult and cooperate

issues concerning Indigenous Peoples they preferred that the Minister be an Indigenous person. They also questioned the Barrow Administration’s sincerity and/or understanding of issues affecting the Indigenous community. The leaders explained, for example, that the protection of lands and resources has been the central issue affecting indigenous peoples in Belize, and the separation of the Ministries of Natural Resources (Land) and the new Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, only means the bureaucracy and inconsideration will continue.

The criticism was apparently not taken well by the Prime Minister, whose March 8th warning of “Don’t test us, because we are not about to back off” seems to have gotten the

Chairman of Maya Leaders Alliance, Ligorio Coy in good faith with the Indigenous Peoples concerned through their own representative institutions before adopting and implementing administrative measures that may affect them’,” stated the release.

The Maya Leaders Alliance and Toledo Alcaldes Association also opposed Senator Alamilla’s holding of the portfolio, because given the grave

tion campaign tactics that included phone tapping and email and text message eavesdropping, and said it was time to get on with the business of the nation.

Hon. Francis said the PUP is committed to a bi-partisan approach to dealing with the problems in our country, and he expects the Government to treat all members of the House with fairness and impartiality.

At age 45, Hon. Francis is Belize’s youngest Leader of the Opposition.

best of him. He invoked an order for the Ministry to be dissolved. No public announcement went out, and no one knew until Monday of this week when a press release on an unrelated issue went out from the “Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development”. “Indigenous Peoples” had been overtly left out.

But in reality, the position Prime Minister Barrow has switched to which invalidates the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, is aligned with his party’s indignation towards Belize’s indigenous community. Not only has the UDP spent the last four years disrespecting the rights of indigenous peoples through the corrupt exploitation of resources, but they have also spent thousands of dollars to invalidate and wipe out important Mayan history and heritage in Court and in public. In the UDPs books, the Mayan people of Belize are not indigenous, and deserve no special treatment.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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O

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THE BELIZE TIMES

City resident accused of

Burglary & Attempted Burglary at

Mahogany Heights

Paul Parham

Pirates attack a tourist catamaran BELIZE CITY, Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

By Alton Humes Piracy, the woeful, uncouth act upon rogue vessels sailing and pillaging our Belizean waters, is now becoming more and more frequent, but a gang of 4 armed pirates took those types of misdeeds to another, altogether more frightening level.

Police are currently investigating yet another case of piracy. Details about this heinous incident remain elusive at this time and Police won’t even confirm that the incident actually happened. But it did happen, and here’s what is known thus far: 4 men, all of dark complexion, boarded a catamaran known as the ‘S.K. Abenga’, charted from a company known as the Mooring Charter Company which operates out of the Southern part of the country. The vessel, which was ‘lazing’ somewhere between Tobacco Caye and Pelican Caye,

was intercepted by the 4 men, who came from an unknown direction, and then boarded, with the immediate intent to seize their valuables.

It remains a mystery as to how many people were officially on board, with estimates suggesting 8 tourists, all deemed to be American citizens. But they were all later attacked, and sustained various injuries, with one of the women onboard, supposedly a 61-year-old, assaulted by one of the pirates. They were then taken to a dock yard in Placencia, and left there. The tourists then found a local hotel, where they are currently ‘holed up’, and were treated for their injuries at the Western Regional Hospital in Dangriga.

And while it is unusual that the Police, and not the National Coast Guard, are investigating, it is a priority at this time in order to forestall a growing international incident that is sure to follow.

Ladyville Businessman remanded for 6 illegal bullets BELIZE CITY, Wed. March 21, 2012

By Roy Davis Ming Pei Chen, 28, a businessman who is a naturalized Belizean originally from China, was charged with kept ammunition in excess of the amount allowed on his license when he appeared in the #1 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 19.

Chen pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith could not offer him bail because of the nature of the offence. She remanded him into custody until April 25.

Continued on page 9

Ming Pei Chen

Sunday, March 25, 2012 BELIZE CITY, Wed. March 21, 2012

By Roy Davis Paul Parham, 31, an unemployed of Curassow Street, was charged with burglary and attempted burglary when he appeared yesterday in the #1 Magistrate’s Court.

Parham pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that according to a decision made by Belize Court of Appeal, a person charged with burglary who has similar offences before the court should be denied bail in order to prohibit that person from committing other offences.

Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith upheld the objection and remanded Parham into custody until April 26.

Both incidents occurred on Sunday, March 18 at Mahogany Heights at Mile 31 Western Highway.

Maria Neal, a resident of 168 Mahogany Heights, reported to the police that Parham attempted to break into her house. She said she saw Parham with his hand through her window and he removed his hand and ran when he saw her.

Valerie O’Brien, another resident of Mahogany Heights, reported to the police that a man broke into her house and attempted to commit rape.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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UDP inherits UDP disaster at City Hall Wednesday, March 21, 2012 The UDP has had six years in office at the Belize City Council -- SIX LONG YEARS-- and they have bought their way to another three years. But just before you think this group will make a difference, we must remind you that SIX of the lazy, incompetent Councillors that were there before, and have been a major part of problem, are right there pretending to be saints now.

In 2006, Zenaida Moya and her notso-bright clique that includes Philloughby and Dean Samuels were given the nod to improve things for Belize City.

Issues included the streets and drains, sanitation issues (not to mention the contracts), and try as best as possible to balance off the kitty. Well not only did

they not do that, but they made matters worse. Who can forget Moya being whisked off to court by her own government for “under-depositing” practices, which only made the financial problems worst. Despite this, they were re-elected and got their 2nd term. But alas, again they did not improve the situation.

On March 7th, a slim majority of residents gave them a 3rd term, and another chance to right the wrongs at City Hall. This no doubt will eliminate any chance for this crowd to come back to the people in 2015 with excuses why they couldn’t get the job done. Mayor Darrel Bradley was on Love Television this week admitting that Zenaida and her Councillors left a mess.

Bradley said that the Council in-

City’s back in ‘war’ as another youth killed BELIZE CITY, Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

By Alton Humes The criminals will now, and seemingly unto forever, have a singular question for Dean Barrow and the UDP Government: “WHAT ‘gang truce’?!!!” That thought, like a blazing wildfire, seems to be on the minds of the family, friends, and the populace at-large as it concerns the tragic murder of 26-year-old Jovanni Saldano, a resident of West Street inn Belize City.

Jovanni was, and wasn’t like most Belizean youths from the Southside of Belize City.. He was still connected to West Street (he visited his family for lunch and other special occasions whenever he could), and had friends and acquaintances who were rivals with other city gangs. On the flip side of that, he was recently promoted to a full-

Jovanni Saldano time job with the Housing and Planning Department. But it was the second link in the puzzle of his young life that would cement his untimely downfall. On Sun-

Ladyville Businessman remanded for 6 illegal bullets Continued from page 8 The incident occurred on Saturday, March 17. Police reported that they executed a search at Chen’s residence, located at the junction of Lord’s Bank Road and the Northern Highway and the search resulted in the discovery of 106 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition, more than the amount allowed on Chen’s license for his .22 Luger brand rifle with serial number 58157482. The allowed amount is only 100 rounds.

As a result, Chen was arrested and charged.

Yesterday, Guatemalan national, Iris Contreras, who worked as a waitress at a bar owned by Chen in Ladyville, was taken to the #5 Magistrate’s

Court for failure to produce a visitor’s permit.

Contreras pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Immigration officer who represented the Immigration Department did not seek a fine. He told Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart that he just wanted the 21 year old illegal immigrant deported to Guatemala. Magistrate Stuart complied and ordered that Contreras be removed from Belize.

On February 25, 2012, Contreras entered Belize illegally from its Western border with Guatemala by crossing the Mopan River. She was picked up by police and Immigration officers on Monday, March 19.

Ms. Under-deposits, Zenaida Moya

tends to get back monies it claims were stolen over the past months by one

employee, but didn’t mention anything about getting back the over $200,000 in Moya’s under-deposits which are still unaccounted for, or the money which disappeared in the hustling schemes carried on by the UDP Councillors over the last six years.

It is time you come up with real ideas to save Belize City. The monies have been squandered and the people now want action Mayor…no talking, no complaints, no excuses, no time for pity from the electorate.

day, March 18th, he was shot by an unfeeling gunman at least 12 times, 11 of those marking and mortally wounding his youthful exterior. But the gunman had help from an unknown ally who ‘held post’ with his bike while he went to do the filthy deed.

It’s a story that continues to be told, but never fully finished, as Police must now determine in full what exactly brought him face-to-face with death.

As for his grieving family, they are not entering questions from the media, and according to a family spokesperson, Lovette Griffith, they wish to privately grieve, and are asking for support at this juncture from the public. The family is clear that Jovanni, as someone who was ‘clean’, was never and has never been in any gang whatsoever.

Police are seeking a suspect at this time, and their investigations continue.

Moya’s former legal advisor, turned Mayor Darrel Bradley

10

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sedi gets the job he never wanted

Elrington said he couldn’t handle the two potfolios Belize City, March 20, 2012 In the UDP’s 2008-2012 term, it took Sedi Elrington two full years of bitter complaining before the Prime Minister eased him and removed the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Ministry. Elrington, one of only three attorneys in Barrow’s intellectuallychallenged team, was given the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General. He couldn’t handle the task, and in 2010 after months of bickering, a subtle move began to get the portfolio off his back.

The PM was quite upset at Sedi’s nagging. He had no other options. The other attorney in the UDP team, Marcel Cardona, had been removed from

Jury acquits Walter Beaton of murder

Walter Beaton BELIZE CITY, Wed. March 21, 2012

By Roy Davis A jury of 7 men and 5 women deliberated for almost 4 hours on Tuesday, March 15, in the court

Continued on page 25

Bernard Q. Pitts was fired Cabinet for challenging the PM and a plan was already afoot to get him out of the party. The PM was forced to devise a strategy that would entail the appointment of an individual, who is neither non-elected nor named to the Senate, to hold the post of AG. He had to meddle with the constitution, and that amendment came in the form of Constitutional Amendment #7.

Notwithstanding public question and protest, the amendment was passed, and by June 1st the PM shuffled his Cabinet and resurrected an almost moribund character, Bernard Q. Pitts, to fill the post of Attorney General.

Sedi was freed of real work and was able to drive around in his diplomatic-license GMC suburban, hold near-secret meetings with Guatemalans to hold classified talks over what he considered Belize’s “artificial” borders, and fly to Israel where he negotiated lax visa entry rules for their nationals.

For the next two years, Sedi enjoyed great freedom, but as they say all stories, good and bad, must come to an end. The Barrow Administration, just starting its second term in office, is already experiencing inner squabbles.

These have to do with a hurry-come up Cabinet arrangement that among them has Boots “the Barbarian” Martinez stripped of Works and now handling Human Development and Social Transformation and Santi Castillo settling for Minster of State. But the most ironic appointment is that Sedi is back with the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General – the very same portfolios he struggled through in 2008.

The appointment was baffling to everyone, and at last Tuesday’s conference in which he announced his selection, PM Barrow lost his cool when he was asked for an explanation. Barrow almost scolded Amandala’s assistant editor Adele Ramos for asking, and responded condescendingly that he didn’t “have to give” an explanation.

Well, maybe not now, but going by their record someone will have to bail out Sedi sooner than later.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday, March 25, 2012

11

THE BELIZE TIMES

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Police still No. 1 in premier league football

Harrison Tasher heads in 3rd goal

Belize City, Sunday, March 18, 2012 Undefeated Police FC is still No. 1 in the B Division of the 2012 Premier League of Belize football competition with 16 points from 5 wins and a draw.

The Police team posted their 5th win: 2-1 against the Placencia Assassins at the Placencia field on Sunday.

Ashley Torres blasted in the Assassins’ 1st goal in the 37th minute, but Lennox “Criminal” Castillo delivered the equalizer for the Police in the 42nd minute to hold the Assassins to a 1-1 draw at the half time break. Evan Mariano scored the Police 2nd winning goal in the 51st minute to hand the Assassins their 2nd loss. Assassins are no. 2 with 10 points from a three wins and a draw.

Other games: Belize Defence Force vs. San Pedro Sea Dogs – 3-0 Goals by Ricky Jimenez, Harrison Tasher (2) FC Belize vs. World FC – 2-0 Goals by Jerome “Jarro” James, David Ramos Hankook Verdes vs.

Belmopan Bandits – 2-1 Goals by Floyd Jones, Julian Maldonado, Jaime Lozano San Felipe Barcelona vs.

Juventus – 1-0 Goals by Eliazar Itza (Penalty) Paradise Freedom Fighters vs. San Ignacio United – 1-1 Goals by Ralph Flores, Ismael Thompson

San Pedro outlasts SJC to win softball nationals

San Pedro boys are champs

Camalote, Saturday, March 17, 2012 The San Pedro High School boys won the high school softball championships hosted by Our lady of Guadalupe High School at the Denbigh Fuller field in Camalote Village over the weekend.

In the championship game, the San Pedro High School boys outlasted the Central Reigonal champions, St John’s College, 10-9. SJC began the game on a good streak leading 3-0 when Kenton Young scored in 1st inning and Nick Chang and Myric Marin scored in the 3rd inning, while Myric Marin on the mound for SJC shut out

the San Pedro boys in the first 2 innings.

The San Pedranos took over the lead 4-3 in the 3rd inning, but Richards hit 4 SJC batters with wild pitches after he had struck out 6 batters, allowing SJC to take over the lead 8-4 in the 4th inning.

The San Pedranos regained the lead in the 5th inning then A. Roaches hit a home run for San Pedro in the 5th, and Guerrero and Gonzalez tied the ball game at 9-9, before Pinelo scored the winning run.

In Game 3, the consolation game for 3rd place on Saturday morning, the Independence boys won 11-3 by mercy rule over the Belmopan Baptist boys.

The Most Valuable Player Award went to San Pedro’s pitcher, Charles Richards.

How they advanced: SJC vs. Independence High – 9-8 San Pedro vs. Belmopan Baptist – 13-1 mercy rule

Ladyville Tech outruns Belize Rural High in softball championships Camalote, Saturday, March 17, 2012 The girls of Ladyville Technical High School girls won the high school softball championships hosted over the weekend by Our lady of Guadalupe high School at the Denbigh Fuller field in Camalote Village.

In the championship game, the Ladyville girls hammered the Belize Rural girls 19-6 by mercy rule. The Ladyville girls led 7-2 in the top of the first inning, and only pitcher Sabrina Campos and Staine scored for Belize Rural in the bottom of the first.

The Ladyville girls pushed their lead to 12-2 when Fuentes, Mardy, Reyes, Francine Milligan and Chelsea Young scored in the

top of the second, while the Belize Rural girls trailed 6-12 after Campos, Staine, S. Rowland and S. Sutherland score in the bottom of the second.

The Ladyville girls scored 7 more runs in the bottom of the 3rd to win the game.

In the consolation game for third place on Saturday morning, the Independence girls won by mercy rule 15-3 over the Compre girls. The Most Valuable Player award went to Ladyville’s shortstop Mary Nicholson.

How they advanced: Ladyville Tech vs. Independence High – 13-11 Belize Rural High vs. Belmopan Comprehensive – 24-13 mercy rule

Ladyville girls are champs

Belize Rural girls won 2nd place

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Ron Vasquez wins Ariel Rosado Belmopan Cycling Classic

Ron Vasquez rides in solo, to claim the top prize

Belize City, Sunday, March 18, 2012 Team Western Spirits’ Ron Vasquez looks like he may be the next Belizean Cross Country Champ as he won the 31st annual Ariel Rosado Belmopan Cycling Classic solo on Sunday.

Vasquez rode the 100-mile race, from Leslie’s Imports to Belmopan and back to the city, clocking 4:24:41 to win the $400 1st prize, 4 ‘Red Bull’ energy drinks and a trophy.

Team Santino’s Darnell Barrow clocked 4:25:32 as he led the chase group to win the $300 2nd prize, a trophy and 4 Red Bull. Team C-Ray’s Brandon Cattouse won the $200 3rd prize and trophy, while Team D&D’s Austin Armstrong took the $100 4th prize and trophy.

National road champ Team Benny’s Megabytes’ Byron Pope claimed the $50 5th prize and trophy. Some 23 riders finished the race, from of a field of 57 who started.

22 players advance to National Chess Olympiad

Belize City, March 19, 2012 The Belize District Chess Association conducted its 4th annual scholastic chess tournament this past Sunday March 18th, 2012. At this tournament 24 chess players were selected to go to the National Chess Olympiad to be held this coming May 19th, 2012.

The tournament consisted of 4 sections: Under 8 Category, 9 & 10 category, 11& 12 Category, 13 & older. A total of 54 players from different school across the district of Belize participated in the event which last approximately 6-8 hours.

Only 22 players were selected from this tournament to represent the Belize District at the National Chess Olympiad on May 19th, 2012. The other 2 players will be selected

Results: Under 8 Category 1st place – Zhair Lizama (St. Joseph School) 2nd place – Omary Medina (St. Joseph School) 3rd Place – Cesar Escalante (St. Ignatius Primary School) 4th place – Antonio Grajalez (St. Ignatius Primary School) 5th place – Kemary Medina 9 & 10 Category 1st place – Kenan Rowley (Queen Street Baptist) 2nd place – Justin Vaughan (St. Ignatius) 3rd place – Melvin Alcantara (St. Joseph School) 4th place – Paula Sabido (St. Joseph School) 5th Place – Akeem Roches (Grace Primary School) 11 & 12 Category 1st place – Zekith Flowers (St. Johns Anglican)

2nd place – Brandon Usher (Hummingbird Elementary) 3rd place – Marc Noble (Holy Redeemer Primary School) 4th place – Joshua Gegg (St. John’s High School) 5th place – Arah March (Wesley Primary) 13 & 14 Category 1st place – Dwayne Rodriguez (Holy Redeemer Primary School) 2nd place – Mauricio Noble (Holy Redeemer Primary School) 3rd place – Keshawn Young 4th place – Dante Reneau (Wesley High School) 5th place – Marco Bane-

gas (St. Ignatius Primary School) 15 & older Category 1st place – Jeremy Quinto (Belize High School) 2nd place – Steve Flowers (St. John’s High School) 3rd place – Even Hynes (Tubal) 4th place – Kenan Lopez (Nazarene High School) 5th place – Jaime Valle (Nazarene High School) S p o rt s m a n s h i p Awards: 13 & older Category – Shakira Valle (Ca-

Other finishers: Team M&M Engineering’s Liam Stewart – 6th place Team Western Spirits’ Geovanni Choto – 7th place Team Western Spirits’ Shane Vasquez – 8th place Team Santino’s Quinton Hamilton – 9th place Team D&D’s Edwardo Reyes – 10th place Capital City Cycling Club’s Erwin Middleton - 11th place Benny’s Megabytes Allen Castillo - 12th place Capital City’s David Henderson Jr – 13th place Santino’s Leroy Cassasola – 14th place Greg “Bullet” Lovell – 15th place Team C-Ray’s Kira Eiley – 1st place WOMEN Team C-Ray’s Kaya Cattouse – 2nd place WOMEN Unattached Oscar Quiros – 1st place JUNIOR Cayo High Road Aidan Juan – 2nd place JUNIOR C-ray Brandon Morgan – 3rd place JUNIOR D&D team Deezan Spence – 4th place C-ray Riis Cattouse – 5th JUNIORS Zahir Figueroa – 1st place YOUTH Benny’s Megabytes Delawn Abraham – 2nd place YOUTH Cayo High Road’s Zamir Guerra – 3rd place YOUTH

naan High School) 11& 12 Category - Raheem Roches (Grace Primary School) 9 & 10 Category - Giselle Coc ( St. Joseph Primary School) Under 8 category - Kemary Medina (St. Joseph Primary School) Youngest Chess Player Award Omary Medina (5 years old of St. Joseph Primary School)

Karate National Team try-outs in San Ignacio San Ignacio, March 20, 2012 The Belize Karate Federation hereby reminds all karate athletes, 12 years and older of the National Team Try-outs training to be held in San Ignacio, this Saturday, 9am to 2pm at the CSKC Dojo HQ. This is in preparation for our upcoming participation in the Central American and Caribbean Karate Championship, which will be held in Guatemala City on the 16th -22nd April 2012. The BKF plans to participate in the Junior and Senior Com-

petition.

The Belize Karate Federation is also inviting the general public to the III National Junior Karate Championship to be held on the 1st April 2012 in Benque Viejo Town. Please be advised that all athletes under the age of 18 yrs, from Karate Clubs that have honoured their 2012 registration commitments with the BKF will be eligible to participate. This event has been action packed with potential Senior National Team hopefuls! See you there!

This Week’s

13

BELIZETIMES SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012 THE BELIZE TIMES see full color at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

Sunday, March 25, 2012

TOP MODEL E-NEWS Mr.Program

Find him at myspace.com/mrprogramm Songs: See I Rise, “I Got This Feeling” , “Been Waiting”

Reggae and World Music Nominees

Sherrice • Career Plan: Customologist • Sign: Leo • Favourite Food: Rice & Beans, baked chicken & salad • Likes: Modeling, football, reading, texting, dancing & surfing the internet • Lives in Ladyville • Fav. Quote: “Do what people say you cannot do”

South African Nkulee Dube, daughter of the late reggae star Lucky Dube, tops the list of nominees in six categories for the 31st International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

She is the first non-Caribbean entertainer to have been nominated in that many categories. She is selected for: Best Female Vocalist, Best Song, Best Album, Best Video, Best New Entertainer and Most Promising Entertainer.

She is followed by Tarrus Riley and Mavado, each with four nominations. Damian Marley, Third World, Queen Ifrika, Stephen Marley, Fab 5, Ziggy Marley and Machel Montano each picked up three nominations.

Other multiple nominees include: Freddy McGregor, Jimmy Cliff, Laza Morgan, Marcia Griffiths, I-Octane, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Tiana, The Green, Rihanna, Shaggy, Richie Spice, Protoje, Gentleman, Alison Hinds, Calypso Rose and Kes the Band.

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

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

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Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

15

International money-laundering report puts Belize to task BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

By Alton Humes Belize just doesn’t need any more bad news, especially on the heels of the return of a UDP Government that may not have learned much from its myriad of past mistakes. But it seems that a report on money laundering and financial/terrorist crimes from the US State Department and the US Department of Homeland Security is intending to give Belize just that, and then some.

The BELIZE TIMES obtained an online copy of the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Volume 2, dated for March 2011, and it’s the latest sign that Belize is considered by its international partners and ‘watchers’ to be a flashpoint for potential and actual illicit criminal activity via money laundering. The report in itself, covering around 100 ‘atrisk’ countries around the world is rather technical in its briefness, but it remains a stinging, deathly warning to those who bring Belize into the international crosshairs through engaging in sales of illicit narcotics, the continued rise and usage of offshore companies, and misuse of the Commercial Free Zones (CFZs), all as means to funnel these ill-gained funds into legal companies and charities.

The report also dubiously admits that while Belize is not considered to be ‘a major financial center’ (likely due to our small economy), Belize is recognized in varied quarters to be ‘an offshore financial center’, and thereby, through ‘encouraged’ participation on the part of the Government of Belize, facilitated such companies to the point that there may have been little to no full awareness that such companies are and could be linked to criminal and terrorist enterprises.

But what does the report recommend to fight this never-ceasing scourge? The INCSR makes its recommendations fairly logical and simple, among them being: 1) Strengthen both the human resource and mandates of the Financial Intelligence Unit in Belize; 2) Require all of Belize’s CFZs to be reporting entities tied directly

Visit Us Online at: www.belizetimes.bz

to the Government (inclusive of earnings, transactions made and created, etc.) and 3) Becoming a full-fledged signatory to the United Nations Convention on Corruption.

We note with a hint of irony that this report was published in March of 2011, and it’s now March of 2012 and well after the recent double elections. So if the UDP Government didn’t show any real interest in anything the report recommends when it was first out, it’s highly doubtful they intend to do anything about the report this time.

16

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

5th

Annual

Miss Top Celebrity

Pageant

The 5th Annual Miss Top Celebrity Pageant is taking place from March 13 to 27th, 2012.

The Judges and the Pageant Committee will meet on the 28th of March to make final a decision. The candidate with the highest score will be crowned Miss Top Celebrity 2012.

Segments: Application Form, Preliminary with the Judges, FB Dialogue, Internet Voting, and Miss Photogenic via “Most Likes” on Facebook. Percentages of each segment are tallied to select a new winner.

Meet the contestants as they answer the question: Why did you choose to enter the Miss Top Celebrity Pageant?

Janel Rodriguez Miss Toledo Age: 16 Height: 5’ 5’’ Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Ethnic Background: Garifuna Hobbies: Dancing, Writing Poetry Profession/Career Choice: Journalism Belizean Issue Addressed: Women’s Advocacy & Empowerment I chose to enter the Miss Top Celebrity Pageant so as to extend my influence as a positive role model for Belizean young ladies and express my talent and creativity through a constructive means that will promote my Belizean identity as well.

Marcia Moody

Brianna Lopez Miss Belize City Age: 19 Height: 5’ 8’’ Zodiac Sign: Libra Ethnic Background: Creole Hobbies: Playing Volleyball, Dancing Profession/Career Choice: Attorney Belizean Issue Addressed: Crime & Violence I believe that this pageant gives young ladies, such as me, a great platform to educate themselves and speak out against different social issues within their country. It builds confidence and shows young ladies everywhere that true beauty shines from within and illuminates the outside, not the other way around.

Tanya Parham

Christine Syme

Cindy Jones

Indira Williams

Miss San Pedro Age: 15 Height: 5’ 7’’ Zodiac Sign: Gemini Ethnic Background: British Hobbies: Scuba Diving Profession/Career Choice: Scuba Dive Master Belizean Issue Addressed: Tourism & Culture

Miss Santa Elena Age: 20 Height: 5’ 7’’ Zodiac Sign: Pisces Ethnic Background: Creole Hobbies: Shopping, Travelling Profession/Career Choice: Journalism Belizean Issue Addressed: Crime & Violence

Miss Stann Creek Age: 24 Height: 5’ 3’’ Zodiac Sign: Taurus Ethnic Background: East Indian Hobbies: Cooking, Singing Profession/Career Choice: Agronomy Belizean Issue Addressed: Patriotism to Belize

I chose to enter the Miss Top Celebrity Pageant because I feel that with my love for education and my positive attitude toward life, along with my happy go lucky personality, I can be a positive role model for youths of all ages in Belize.

I am a hard working and dedicated person. I have always been a “Tom boy”.This is an extreme change for me and it motivates me to work harder on the feminine part of my life.

I chose to enter the Miss Top Celebrity Pageant because I would like to eventually represent my country as a beauty ambassador all over the world and I believe this is an amazing first step!

Vicky Canul

Stephanie Howe

Aidan Palacio

Miss Belizean Haven Age: 17 Height: 5’ 8’’ Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Ethnic Background: Creole Hobbies: Playing Football, Swimming Profession/Career Choice: Educational Instructor Belizean Issue Addressed: Crime & Violence

Miss Belizean Heritage Age: 22 Height: 5’ 5’’ Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius Ethnic Background: East Indian Hobbies: Playing Volleyball, Reading Profession/Career Choice: Mechanical Engineering Belizean Issue Addressed: Economy of Belize

Miss Belizean Pride Age: 17 Height: 5’ 3’’ Zodiac Sign: Taurus Ethnic Background: Mestizo Hobbies: Travelling, Writing Poems Profession/Career Choice: Journalism Belizean Issue Addressed: Teenage Pregnancy

Miss Orange Walk Age: 19 Height: 5’ 2’’ Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Ethnic Background: Mestizo Hobbies: Travelling, Dancing Profession/Career Choice: Forensic Anthropologist Belizean Issue Addressed: Patriotism to Belize

Miss Lake Independence Age: 18 Height: 5’ 5’’ Zodiac Sign: Pisces Ethnic Background: Garifuna Hobbies: Dancing, Swimming Profession/Career Choice: Corporate Attorney Belizean Issue Addressed: Tourism & Culture

I chose to enter this pageant because I believe it would be fun and also a great way to express myself as a proud Belizean young woman.

I chose to enter this competition because I wish to be a positive and inspiring role model for young women in Belize. I hope that even if I don’t win, I will still have succeeded in influencing young people in Belize and let them realize that with hard work and determination we can be whatever we want to be.

I chose to participate in this pageant because I would like to help change the minds of our youths and I believe it will be a great experience for me.

I chose to enter Miss Top Celebrity pageant because it is a chance to experience something new and a way of meeting new people. I am a very extrovert person who enjoys adventure that brings me a life time full of experience and memories.

Ms Top Celebrity Pageant is a very prestigious Pageant, as it is a voice for young Belizean women.

It promotes positivity and intellectuality. Ms Top Celebrity Pageant offers young women an opportunity to express themselves, to gain confidence, and also to state their concerns on issues affecting our community.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

George Price

Biography gets regional recognition Belize City, March 19, 2012 The biography of the Father of the Nation and Premier, Rt. Hon. George Price, written by columnist and former attorney Godfrey P. Smith has gained tremendous recognition in the Caribbean region, as it has been included in a shortlist of literature vying in the distinguished OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature.

The work published in November last year impressed the competition judges who have already placed it as this year’s most outstanding in the non-fiction category. “George Price: A Life Revealed”, was described as a deft exploration of George Price’s “eccentric genius and political acumen” by the judges.

The 2012 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature is US$10,000 and will be presented to the winner on April 28th during the second annual Bocas Lit Festin Trinidad and Tobago.

Other literary work included in the shortlist include Trinidadian novelist, playwright and short-story writer Earl Lovelace for his sixth novel “Is Just A Movie” and Puerto Rican writer and professor Loretta Collins Klobah’s book “The Twelve-Foot Neon Woman”.

Fallen PUP Soldier to be laid to rest

Peter “Ducho” Thomas Belize City, March 20, 2012 The People’s United Party family mourns the passing of one of its loyal soldiers, Peter “Ducho” Thomas, who died on Thursday morning, March 15th.

Ducho had been ill with a terminal sickness and had to be hospitalised after falling unconscious last week. He was released and was spending his resting days at his Partridge Street Extension home, when his untimely departure occurred.

Ducho was as die-hard PUP as they could come. Up to the time of his death he was a serving member of the PUP’s Marshalls Corps and Order of the Distinguished Services and had actually spent time on the battlefield a week ago on March 7th, ensuring victory for the PUP in Belize Rural Central.

His long service to the Party started in the old days with Belize’s Premier Rt. Hon. George Price. Ducho embraced

Continued on page 25

Godfrey Smith, author

17

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

Fight to Stop Offshore Drilling in Belize’s Barrier Reef Reprinted from the Huffington Post, 03/21/2012 1:12 pm In Belize, thousands of citizens are in an uproar about the government’s determination to drill for offshore oil. The government, represented by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, was just narrowly re-elected -- but despite a clear message from the people, it continues to ignore the significant outcry against offshore drilling.

Belize is a small and proud nation, about the size of Massachusetts, with only 350,000 citizens and an economy that depends on tourism. The World Travel & Tourism Council calculates that in 2011 tourism contributed to 40,000 jobs in Belize, which is 30 percent of the country’s total employment. Current plans for drilling include sites in the middle of Belize’s reef -- the Mesoamerican reef which is the world’s second largest barrier reef system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a destination point for over 60 percent of the tourists that support Belize’s economy.

People in the tourism industry and many other Belizeans are concerned about what an oil spill in the middle of the reef would do to one of the world’s natural wonders and to the future of Belize as a tourist destination. If superimposed over the marine areas of Belize, BP’s Gulf of

Oceana’s Ted Dansen

Oceana in Belize’s VP, Audrey Matura-Shepherd

Mexico oil spill is seven times larger.

A spill of that size would have catastrophic effects for the entire country.

Last year, those concerned about the government’s offshore oil drilling plans -- including Oceana and the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage -- requested the government hold a national referendum on whether or not to drill in Belize’s waters. They collected 20,000 signatures on a petition from Belizeans across the country, exceeding the number required by law to trigger a referendum. These

signatures, representing Belizeans from all walks of life, comprised over 10 percent of the voting population. It was a powerful example of democracy in action and should have resulted in a public vote, the first of its kind under the referendum amendment of 2008.

But instead of allowing the referendum to proceed, the government rejected 8,000 signatures and the petition was declared invalid. The basis for rejecting these signatures? The government claimed the signatures on the petition didn’t match those on

Sunday, March 25, 2012

the voter cards closely enough. The people were effectively silenced because of poor penmanship.

What the government underestimated, though, was the determination of Belize’s people to be heard. In response to the government’s referendum denial, Oceana Belize and the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage hosted a “People’s Referendum” the week before the elections at over 51 polling stations with election judges.

Almost 30,000 Belizeans turned out to cast their votes, with 96 percent of them voting no to offshore drilling. The message couldn’t have been clearer.

Earlier in the year, the government was expected to win re-election by a large margin and preserve its substantial majority, but the election was very close and the government lost eight seats. It walked away with a simple majority. But Prime Minister Barrow insists he has the mandate to continue on the same course and issued a warning to all not to test him, as he will not back-off and it will become “tit for tat.”

The love and concern for Belize’s reef reaches far beyond the country lines. There are countless people from all over the world who have developed a special connection to this breathtaking country after swimming in its lovely waters or diving in its reef -- all thanks to its pristine natural resources. We all hope the government, which loves Belize’s barrier reef like we do, will hear the concerns of the people in Belize and around the world and ban offshore oil drilling in Belize’s waters to help protect its barrier reef and its natural heritage.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Quo Vadis PUP?

Contributed by Gordon Smith “You are not wood; you are not stones, but men; And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar, It will inflame you, it will make you mad.” - JULIUS CAESAR, III, ii, 147 – 149.

T

hree weeks have passed since the March 7 general election, and while the People United Party (PUP) has not ceded, Dean Barrow and the United Democratic Party (UDP) have gone ahead to swear in the next Government hoping for a next 5 years.

Again Barrow proved to Belizeans that there are no talents among the 17 allmale elected UDP representatives when he had to bring in 4 unelected UDP operatives through the Senate and appoint them ministers. His excuse for dissing Santi, King, Penner, Longsworth, Pott and especially Castro was that the Belize Constitution does not allow for more than two-thirds, of those elected, to be appointed to Cabinet.

However, after a few began threatening to walk away, like Santi and Castro, each one had to be installed in the executive leaving no back bencher on the UDP side in the House of Representative. What a travesty of democracy with “King Dean”! While Belizeans are screaming for Jobs in these challenging harder times, King Dean has provided 21 highly-paid jobs for his top heavy Cabinet.

King Dean has also exposed Godwin and Liselle as Belize’s biggest hypocrites. They once posed as Independents and concerned citizens, but

were secretly long-time members/supporters of the United Democratic Party.

The grand exposing was when King Dean officially knighted the Hezbollah’s leader in the UDP and installed him as the lead man in the “specially-assigned team” to negotiate with international bond-holders.

The coronation and installation of the PUP traitor in the UDP should come as no surprise to grassroots PUPs. “Father X” (his father-in-law) had warned us way back in 2000 when he exposed this selfish parasite in an Editorial titled “The Espats and their Barrow/Finnegan Agreement” and “UDP protect Mark again” in the AMANDALA newspaper. Belizeans have witnessed that in the last 4 years this man fed himself on the poor people of Albert by refusing to attend House meetings where he had the opportunity to condemn the harsh treatment dealt out to poor Belizeans, particularly his every same Albert Constituents, by Dean Barrow and the UDP Government. Instead this man remained silent, and even supported some of Barrow’s actions.

Why did the PUP not expel this traitor from the party, is a question its rank and file deserve an answer to. There may be more UDP operatives planted in the PUP

by King Dean, who is presently working to disrupt the new leadership of the PUP. A lesson should be learnt from this episode for the new PUP leadership.

There should be no tolerant to those King Dean has paid to undermine our Party. King Dean’s exposing of his thirty pieces of silver for the PUP traitor to undermine John, Francis and the rank and file PUPs must come as a blessing in disguise. The question now is, Quo Vadis PUP?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Why Are Christians Like Politicians?

I remember being in a hot “Christian” meeting a couple years ago which to my mind was getting out of control. I had never been to a meeting in that setting before that was of that nature. One close friend stood up and referred to us as politicians. I remember not feeling too well about being compared with a politician. Somehow being called by that name seemed more an insult than a complement.

Politicians are known for making promises to you, offering the moon even, if that will get your vote. They practice the art of charming speech, outward humility, and try their best to hide the wolf hair protruding out of the sheep clothing they are wearing. After an election is won you can almost bet your life that you will never again see that candidate that came walking up your step, hugging you, and somehow finding the time to listen to your concerns and needs! The many people crowding your door way in bright colored shirts showing off their party colors disappear as quickly as a small cube of ice thrown into a roasting oven.

Although I was taken aback by the statement thrown my way comparing us to politicians, the reality is that Christians are not only like politicians but many times they are worse! If you would turn your eyes to the church you would find a similar action to campaigning.

They will invite you to attend services, invite you to crusades, and many times treat you as an addition to the trophies they have “won to Christ”. Once you begin to respond no one seems to have time for you nor do they want you to invade their space! You are on your own and should take care of your own growth.

There is a popular but specific instruction given to believers found in Matthew 28:18-20 and this command clearly states what they are supposed to be doing which by careful observation and adherence would extend way beyond having a crusade or a weekly service. The instruction is clear ‘Make Disciples’ Teach them to observe all the things I have taught you. There is nothing that Jesus has asked us to do, that He has not already done as an example. He did not have crusades or services as his main work on earth, instead he sacrificed time spending it carefully with his disciples, teaching and training them, effectively preparing and equipping them to do the same for others. The way that God desires to expand his kingdom and reach to those who have not bought the right ‘eternal ticket’ as yet, is by discipleship and not ‘religious’ church services! To invite someone to church and walk off expecting a service to effectively shape and train them while we go back to our homes is similar to a politician coming to your house once every five years! This system causes the church to be weak and full of spots and blemishes in the same way many politicians of Belize foster a mendicant mentality in its citizens by giving out fishes rather than teaching citizens how to fish!

Let me take a little liberty and shift topics since we have been speaking about politics! It is a hard thing to vote for one person as when you vote you are somehow really voting for a party! Voting for a politician because he is good might cause a bad party to win and this is not good, while voting for a bad politician could cause a good party to win. In today’s voting world one has to look collectively at what set of politicians he is voting in. It’s a tricky situation and one the voting public is not comfortable or familiar with.

I’d also like to add one more thing. We know it is hard on the public and receiving money to vote brings some instant relief. Well we cannot expect things to get better and expect more honest politicians if we continue to feed this behavior which produces deceiving people and dishonest politicians! We say to people collect the money and vote against them! While this payment for votes helps a person temporarily, it fosters two problems. It teaches one to be deceptive and it suggests a value for one’s vote basically turning that person into a prostitute! So I say to you it is not right to accept money for your vote as your value is much higher than that!

Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest I say to you believers out there, do not become like politicians by being only ‘Campaigning Christians’ rather obey the scripture that commands us to make disciples of nations!

Until next week God Bless!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday, March 25, 2012

March 25 is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Around 30 million Africans were forced from their homeland into slavery during the 400 years of the transatlantic slave trade (from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean to our region).

Many persons died on the journey, chained in the bottom of ships, not allowed to move, having to mess themselves and hardly given water or food. Diseases often broke out and those who got infected were thrown overboard.

Those who made it out alive went through worse treatment as slaves.

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Make-Up

Aries March 21-April 19 Rather than spending valuable time and energy modifying your behavior around the needs of others, try something bold: Delight in your strength and revel in your intensity.

Taurus April 20-May 20 You’re still in a highly inspired state of mind; so continue to allow yourself to polish your dreams and visions.

Be aware that the details of your plans aren’t obstacles to be overcome; they are part of the creative process.

Gemini May 21-June 21 Emotionally charged conversations with colleagues could put you in a tizzy, but don’t believe everything you hear. Use a discerning ear to grasp the bigger picture.

Cancer June 22-July 22 Own your ambition, and let it teach you more about who you are. Contemplate your motive for recognition, and allow that insight to create a deeper understanding of what’s needed for your success.

Leo July 23-August 22 While you’re seldom seen as a revolutionary, at the core, your innate creativity drives a desire for positive change. Devote yourself to do doing whatever is necessary to live in the heat of that creative fire.

Virgo August 23-September 22 You’re still in an identity crisis, as Mars Retrograde continues to focus on refining your image. Continue to participate in this process, and eventually you’ll feel reborn and renewed.

Libra September 23-October 22 Be willing to release any stagnant relationship patterns that keep you mired in old behavior that no longer serves you. Let go of how it should be, and you’ll have a much easier time coping with what is.

Scorpio October 23-November 21 Work-related issues could challenge your natural cool, especially decisions by others that seem based on emotion rather than reality. Breathe, deeply, and consider every angle, before you reply.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21 Seize the creative moment, and make your mantra, “I gotta be me. I gotta be free.” And then do whatever it takes to stay true to that intention.

Capricorn December 22-January 19 There’s a revolution occurring deep within, and it’s quite likely that your external world needs to accommodate the internal changes. Just remember to “make nice” with the other children.

Aquarius January 20-February 18 You won’t be able to hold back your opinions, and repressing your ideas will only have you blurting things you might later regret. So share your ideas, confidently, and try to listen to others with the same intensity.

Pisces February 19-March 20 Stay open to surprising opportunities to improve your finances. Just be sure to avoid get-rich-quick schemes. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

tips

In my high school years, not long ago, I thought just washing my face was enough. Then my skin got dull, began breaking out and wasn’t as smooth. I had to do something! My friend recommended that I start using facial scrubs. She told me I needed to exfoliate my skin. I had no idea what that meant, but it was worth a try. I bought a facial scrub, and got down to business.

Immediately I saw a huge difference in the way my skin felt: smooth, vibrant and healthy. I was glowing! After just a few days my blemishes were gone and blackheads were no more. I told everyone and soon enough, all the girls were rushing downtown to purchase their share.

Now, as an adult, I still incorporate facial scrubs as part of my skin-care regiment. Because I have combination skin (oily, dry, normal) I refrain from exfoliating everyday as this will dry out my skin. In this article I’m going to help you to understand the importance of exfoliating your skin, the different types of exfoliates and how you can even make your own facial scrub!

What does ‘Exfoliate’ mean?

Exfoliate, in the beauty world, means to remove the dead skin cells that stay overtime on your body to reveal the live cells. By removing the dead skin cells, you promote the growth of new cells. As we reach our 30s, the rate of cell renewal actually slows down. So the regiment would change as you age.

Types of Exfoliates There are two types of exfoliates: Chemical and Mechanical. The chemical exfoliates remove the dead skin cells without vigorous rubbing. You can identify these products by the chemical that exfoliates in them: Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxyl Acid (BHA) (Salicylic Acid) and fruit enzymes. These come in peels and washes.

Mechanical exfoliates are the most popular. They are products that contain abrasives such as grounded apricot seeds, micro-breads, pumice, even sugar. This process involves physically scrubbing your skin with these abrasives or using sponges or loofahs.

Do it yourself!

Facial scrubs can range in price from cheap to very expensive. You can always purchase an exfoliate but if you’re an organic lover like myself, this all-natural method is perfect for you: the next time you’re slicing a tomato don’t throw away the part where the stem attaches to the fruit. Instead, dip the moist end in regular white sugar and in a circular motion, gently scrub your face. The tomato has a powerful anti-oxidant while the sugar exfoliates the skin. Rinse off well.

If you’re allergic to tomatoes, a great substitute is papaya. Crush fresh papaya with brown sugar into a paste and use as a scrub. Rinse well. The enzymes in the fruit absorb oil from the skin; perfect for oily skin.

You’ll feel your skin regenerate itself, how amazing!

People with oily skin are encouraged to exfoliate every day. Those with normal, dry or combination skin can exfoliate about three times a week and apply moisturizer afterwards (important). Natural fruits such as tomatoes and papaya contain powerful anti-oxidants and enzymes for healthy, glowing skin to put your best face forward.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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Ruhel Trejo poses next to “plastic Shyne”

Provocative new art exhibit unveiled at the Image Factory BELIZE CITY, Monday, March 19th, 2012

By Alton Humes This past January, if you were able to work up the nerves to go and see the latest in art, you likely went to see Hubert Neal Jr.’s ‘The Belize Show’ art exhibit at the Image Factory on North Front Street. While that was an exercise of maturity and flavor to the senses, the new art exhibit headlined by a pair of St. John’s College Junior College students, Briheda Haylock and Ruhel Trejo, unveiled last Friday evening is now in consideration to be just its polar opposite: loud, crude and uncensored…yet for all of that, still highly entertaining to witness.

It’s entitled ‘Society Killed the Teenager’, and it’s best to give readers fair warning out there, should you wish to engage in its delights: it ain’t for the judgmental, close-minded types out there. If you come to see the art, don’t come there to judge, or you’ll be all-too-easily offended, even as, in an ironic twist of fate, its two youthful co-creators essentially defy all classification, which is, in and of itself, a proponent of judgment.

“Have you been watching the news lately?” Haylock asked me as I prepared to interview her. And just

Briheda Haylock extracting critiques from exhibit goers

in those words she spoke to me, I got an untantalizing glimpse into the soul of this young, up-and-coming artist.

Of course, it may not have helped that every inch of her tightly petite frame was swathed in black, down to her fingernails, which seems to be (and this is only my observation) directly in line with her bared acerbic personality. But it only seems to be an expected side of her, as her tone of voice doesn’t, in any way whatsoever, conflict with her artistic vision and belief systems. She’s been doing art for about 4 years now, even as she balances attempting to attain her degree and make waves wherever she may land.

But her art, and that of her partner Ruhel Trejo, whether its paint on canvas, a collage, a computer-generated graphic design, or whatever other medium that is available to their creative disposal, is like an extended middle finger perpetually condemned to remain standing up…..

It’s constantly in your face, daring you to respond to its insane connotations.

Trejo is another ‘Man In Black’, is also a man who lets his art speak for him, even as he prefers to remain in silence. But he broke his silence for us. He too has been an artist and creator, although he dates his start in childhood, as he believes most people ‘[have the] need to be creative’ in that life period. The pair was challenged by their art teacher at SJCJC, Damian Perdomo, to let loose and transfer the imagined to the real, or vice versa.

But the pair’s twisted and unconventional presentation on the story of an absurd journey of one society that, according to them, wholeheartedly embraces conformity and ‘the normal’, while simultaneously destroying social and cultural expression as well as annihilating a young person’s untapped creativity and repressing their potential thoughts or deeds may have the more conservative ‘talking heads’ in Belize running for the hills. In fact, in other media interviews, they’ve been slammed for perceived ‘irreverence’ towards local and international figures, such as Prime Minister Dean Barrow, former ComPol Crispin Jeffries, Pope John Paul II, amongst others, but they obviously see such irreverence as much more of a virtue, a social currency really, than something to be ashamed of. In fact, both artists, through the means of the exhibit, hope that fellow young people become part of the solution, the quest to build a Belizean society in a new image, dedicated to being whoever you really are, or want to become.

But again, your reporter notes the above are merely personal views, and it is the art on display that must speak to you, if you dare to let it do so. So hustle on over, while you still can, the Image Factory, and gaze rapturously (or contemptuously) at the images of ‘Society Killed the Teenager’, and make up your own mind.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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V

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Selected By Chris Williams

China’s monopoly on rare earths may soon be broken

21 March 2012 by Michael Marshall It’s a rare fight. The US, Europe and Japan have lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization over China’s export of rare earths – or lack of it.

China produces 95 per cent of the global supply of the 17 metals, which are used in technologies from cellphones to wind turbines, but it has set up quotas restricting exports.

Despite their name, rare earths can be mined on most continents, although the cost of extraction has been too high to be economical. China’s quotas may have helped push up demand – and prices – enough to make extraction cost-effective.

Several companies are now starting to extract rare earths outside China. In 2010, US company Molycorp reopened the Mountain Pass mine in California for the first time in eight years. Australia’s Alkane Resources has a pilot plant in New South Wales, and hopes to start large-scale mining by the end of 2013.

Shifting mining outside of China

Damage to oceans will cost $2 trillion 21 March 2012 by Sara Reardon As the seas rise, so will the costs associated with them. The impact of climate change on oceans alone could cost $2 trillion by the end of the century, according to a report by the Stockholm Environment Institute in Sweden.

The report is part of a book, Valuing the Ocean, which is being compiled by the SEI for the UN’s Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June.

Its headline figure comes from a scenario in which Earth’s temperature rises 4 °C by 2100, which will have economic impacts on

Mountain Pass mine is reopening for business (Image: Barry Sweet/Polaris/Eyevine)

could be a good thing, says David Manning of Newcastle University in the UK. Rare earths are often mixed up with radioactive uranium and thorium, which must be carefully disposed of, and toxic acids are used during processing. “It would be very good for mining to take place in countries

where regulations are strict and can be enforced,” he says.

China is now imposing stricter regulations. As of last year, only companies that comply are allowed to export rare earths. “They are heading in the right direction,” says Paul Lusty of the British Geological Survey.

Superfast laser camera peers around corners fisheries, tourism and coasts, as well as those associated with the oceans’ ability to absorb atmospheric carbon. If the temperature rise holds at 2 °C it could save as much as $1.4 trillion.

Report co-editor Kevin Noone of Stockholm University emphasises that the $2 trillion figure is not a worst-case scenario. It doesn’t count the cost of factors that aren’t easily quantifiable, such as the value of species which will go extinct when their habitats are lost.

The value of the oceans should not be underestimated. “Every second breath [of oxygen] we take comes from marine organisms,” Noone says.

20 March 2012 Looking around corners is easy - if you can put a mirror at the right place and only need to see in two dimensions.

But what if you don’t have a mirror? The Camera Culture group at the MIT Media Lab have developed a special flash camera for the job that takes 3D images of what’s around the bend.

The camera fires very short laser pulses - lasting only 0.05 trillionths of a second - at a flat wall that scatters light toward the object hidden behind a corner, as shown in the video. The object then scatters some of that light back toward the wall, and for two trillionths of a second the high-speed camera collects

Mothers of autistic children are out of pocket 20 March 2012 by Andy Coghlan Parents of children with autism are hit hardest in the pocket.

David Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and colleagues analysed the income of 261 families with an autistic child, 2921 families caring for children with non-autistic conditions and 64,349 families with healthy children. On average, mothers of children with autism earn 35 per cent less than those whose children have a non-autistic condition, and 56 per cent less than mums of healthy kids.

The overall income of families with autistic children was 21 per cent lower than families caring for children with other conditions.

Mandell says the problem is the patchiness of care on offer compared with what is available for children with other difficulties.

“This will be welcomed for the light it shines on the reality of caring for someone with this special disability,” says Simon Baron Cohen of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, UK.

light hitting the wall.

The trick that makes the special camera work is that it sees only light that makes the round trip in a very narrow slice of time.

Changing the interval between the laser flash and the camera snap measures light returned at different times, corresponding to parts of the object at different distances. This allows the system to build up a 3D image of the hidden object. The resolution is limited by the speed of light, which travels about 0.6 millimetres during the two trillionths of a second of each camera frame, and by the fact that light scattered on different paths can return to the camera at the same time.

The system could be valuable to look for hidden objects in hazardous areas,

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

US deportee

turns fugitive, following Corozal murder Corozal Town, March 21, 2012 A Cayo man, who was recently deported from the United States, is being sought by Police in Corozal Town for questioning in the gruesome murder of 35 year old Jose Manuel Ca’al.

Edgar Marvin Castellanos was the last person seen with Ca’al hours before his dead body was discovered on Sunday morning. Witnesses say both men were drinking at the La Reina Del Norte bar and left together around 11:30 on Saturday night. That was the last time Ca’al was seen alive, as early Sunday his body was found lying between tombs at the nearby Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Ca’al’s body was covered with blood stains. His head had been brutally beaten, and his neck had a deep stab wound.

Jury acquits Walter Beaton of murder Continued from page 10

of Justice Adolph Lucas before it found Walter Beaton, 38, a taxi driver of 44 Dolphin Street not guilty of the murder of Leroy “Red Ants” Rhaburn.

The jury also found Beaton not guilty of the alternate charge of manslaughter. In both cases its verdict was unanimous.

After the verdict, Justice Lucas told Beaton that he was free to leave and he warned Beaton to stay away from persons like Red Ants.

Rhaburn, a resident of Taylor Alley, was fatally stabbed in his neck around 2 a.m. on August 22, 2009, near to Kevin’s Store at the corner of Euphrates Avenue and Orange Street.

Beaton gave police a caution statement in which he admitted that he stabbed Rhaburn but said that it was in self defense.

After a voire dire was held the statement was admitted as evidence.

Beaton told police that Rhaburn made three attempts to hit him and he took out a “flick” knife and stabbed Rhaburn in the left side of his neck.

In a statement he gave from the dock, Beaton said Rhaburn insulted him and threatened to kill him. He said Rhaburn struck him on his arm and he stabbed Rhaburn with a knife he took from a tacos stand.

After he stabbed Rhaburn, Beaton called the police.

Beaton was represented by attorney Lionel Welch.

Crown Counsel Trienia Young represented the prosecution.

Manuel Ca’al Both of his hands were trapped underneath his body. Nearby, Police found a wooden cross with blood stains. Apparently, it was the weapon used to viciously beat him.

The devastating news reached Ca’al’s wife and four children early Sunday morning. They had found it strange that he had not reached at home the night before, and were concerned for his safety because he had collected his salary that day.

Ca’al and Castellanos were co-workers at the same construction site. At the end of the work day on Saturday, they had gone on a drinking spree which led them to the bar. Something went horribly wrong upon leaving the bar, and it turned deadly only a few yards away as they both passed the town cemetery.

Castellanos was new to Corozal

Fallen PUP Soldier to be laid to rest Continued from page 17 the peaceful, constructive revolution and worked to achieve the PUP’s aims and objectives alongside Rt. Hon. Price. He also served on various positions in the Party including Secretary General and City Councilor, and also carried out special assignments on behalf of the party in his heydays.

Speaking to the BELIZE TIMES, PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca expressed sadness at Ducho’s passing and said he is grateful that there are many men of honor, dedication and service, like Ducho, who are affiliated to the PUP. He said he was also grateful to Ducho’s family who shared their loved one unselfishly with the Party.

Ducho Thomas will be laid to rest with full PUP honours on Saturday, March 24th, at 2:00pm at the St. Martin de Porres Church on Partridge Street in Belize City. May he Rest In Peace.

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Caricom to hire change facilitator… in wake of damning report FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 In the wake of a damning report warning that the community could be brought to its knees and disintegration, Caricom leaders meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname have agreed that the restructuring of the Secretariat will begin with the hiring of a change facilitator.

In a communique tonight, the Heads of Government after two days of deliberations said the Bureau of Conference would work with an internal group from the Secretariat to improve governance and implementation and the outline of a five-year strategic plan would be drawn up for the Heads to consider in July.

The communiqué said: “Heads of Government received the Report on the Review of the Secretariat. The Report which they had commissioned in July 2010 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was carried out by independent Consultants and supervised by a Project Management Team comprising representatives of Member States.

“They considered in-depth, the recommendations of the Report as well

as recommendations by the Community Council on that Report and agreed that the Report would be made public.

“Heads of Government were of the firm view that the integration movement has continued to make great strides ever since the signing of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

“Heads of Government agreed that the Secretary-General would begin the process of restructuring of the Secretariat through the recruitment of a change facilitator to support him in that exercise and the strengthening of the corporate functions in the first instance. In a parallel exercise, the Bureau of Conference would work with an internal group from the Secretariat to facilitate improving regional governance and implementation. This process will involve the drawing up of the outline of a five-year strategic plan in time for consideration by Heads of Government at the Thirty-Third Meeting of the Conference in July.”

The Landell Mills report which has been reported on extensively in this newspaper has sent waves of concern through the region and generated questions about the future of the integration movement.

Town. Compelled by the need to seek employment, he left his native Succtoz Village, Cayo District, and found residence in Xaibe Village and employment in nearby Corozal Town. He was only employed for about three days in town, before this incident occurred.

When Police arrived at his residence in Xaibe Village on Sunday, it was found empty. Neighbors say they saw Castel-

lanos leaving with bags very early that morning.

Castellanos is sought, Police say, only as a person of interest who may shed some light on the murder. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Castellanos is asked to contact the nearest police station.

Ca’al was laid to rest in Corozal Town on Wednesday afternoon.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012

On March 20, 2012 Hon Francis Fonseca was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition by the Governor General Sir Colville Young at Belize House in Belmopan. Hon. Fonseca was endorsed as leader of the People’s United Party at a Convention held on October 29, 2011 in Belize City and subsequently sworn in as Leader of the Opposition. He went on to win the Freetown Division at the 2012 General Elections and continues to lead the People’s United Party which now holds 14 of the 31 seats in the House of Representatives.

Mechanic murdered senselessly

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 The parents of Mark Lozano of Ladyville, a respectable couple who have lived in the village for many years, are this week in grief at the loss of their first child, Mark Lozano, 47, at the hands of a cruel murderer, who shot him dead as he walked and ate a bowl of soup on Monday night.

Lozano, a mechanic by trade, was repairing a white car earlier in the evening at a car repair shop on McKay Boulevard , Lake Independence, Belize City, and talking to his boss, oblivious to the fact that his fate would be

Mark Lozano

permanently sealed later that night.

Then at 10:50 pm, Lozano walked up the right hand side of the boulevard and residents say he uttered something to a man who sprinted on a bicycle off Balan Street, which meets McKay Boulevard at a canal side. That would be the moment that changed things forever, because the man to whom Lozano spoke, had just shot a woman, Cheray Zetina, who was standing outside her gate on Balan Street with her boyfriend. The bullet missed the boyfriend, but hit Zetina in her left upper arm, breast and back and she is recuperating in the KHMH. After her shooter fired the bullet, he sped off onto McKay Boulevard, where he encountered Lozano walking with his bowl of soup.

Neighbours are not certain what Lozano said to the gunman, if it had anything to do with the shot he just fired, since it is not definitive if, from where he was on McKay Boulevard, Lozano even heard the shot that injured Zetina. What the neighbours do know is that they heard the shot that later claimed Lozano’s life. Seconds after that second shot, some of them witnessed him staggering towards a parked van, where he held on, fighting to breathe. He tried to walk back to the mechanic shop where he worked, but fell down on the street and had to be assisted to the hospital where he died while undergoing surgery to repair a badly ruptured wind-

pipe and arteries. The bullet, a 9 millimeter caliber slug, ripped through his left upper arm, throat, and back.

Police are still trying to figure out who the shooter was, especially since he reportedly wore a black shirt over his face, and since the people he shot had no known dispute with anyone. At best, their Public Relations Officer, Raphael Martinez, says that it appears that it was a random attack on two people that night. They also have not explained how exactly the shooter managed to shoot Lozano from across the other side of the canal, since the bridge that connects the two sides of the street is only for pedestrian crossing, and a rider would have to get off his bicycle to get on the bridge and again to get off to get to where Lozano was on the other side. But the shooter reportedly sprinted onto McKay Boulevard from off Balan Street. The only other explanation is that perhaps the shooter fired at Lozano from across the canal at his, but he would have had to have considerably sharp shooting skills to be sprinting and firing off a weapon with the other hand at a target that was moving (since Lozano was walking) several feet away from him.

Whatever happened is still being investigated, but one thing is for sure -- a family is grieving the loss of their first-born and their reason for mourning is unnecessary.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Child’s head crushed by iron goalpost Corozal Town, March 20th, 2012 A small sporting facility which had been in need of maintenance for many months, turned into a deadly stage for an 11 year old in Corozal Town, after the iron goal post fell on top of him and crushed his head.

Around 4:55 on Monday, March 19th, Standard Four student Eric Quiroz and several friends were playing football next to the Corozal Civic Center when the accident happened. Young Eric was the goalkeeper, and as he stood next to the iron structure it is not clear if the upper iron bar detached and fell on him, or if the entire structure was blown down and on top of him by strong winds.

Young Eric was rushed to the Corozal Community hospital and along the way witnesses say he repeatedly murmured “Mista Please Help Me”. Eric made it to the hospital but only to take in his last breaths. He died shortly after.

The incident has angered Corozal residents.

The area behind the Civic Center was turned into a mini sporting field and is used regularly to host football matches for young footballers. But it is poorly maintained as other sporting and recreational facilities such as parks and playgrounds in Corozal Town. The facilities are subject to wear-and-tear if not maintained carefully, so it may not be so surprising it easily deteriorated, and directly contributed to the

Eric Quiroz

young man’s death.

The responsibility for the maintenance of parks and playgrounds lies in the hands of the Corozal Town Council and the Corozal Sports Council which has been led for six years by Mayor Hilberto Campos. Not even a statement, of sympathy nor regret, has come out of the Mayor’s office.

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Humor in UDP Politics!

The following matters were discussed in Cabinet: To allow Salva Fernandez to be an ex-officio member of Cabinet under a special requirement he supplies all members of Cabinet with free liquor. Salva said it’s easy if he partners with Juan Coy. That Sedi be restricted from visiting Belize’s border with Guatemala as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sedi protested and asked why?

He was told, “because according to you it’s ‘artificial’.”

That the Ministry of Human Development be changed to the Ministry of Food Pantry and For Poor and that the Minister responsible be called “Shoes” instead of Boots, and that from henceforth, he shall be known as the Pantry Minister. Suddenly someone shouted “Rehab!” ………………….

In other Cabinet news In Cabinet Santino sucked his teeth and made tantrums every five minutes. When everyone turned to him and asked whether he needed a “Red Bull”, he replied he thought that because he had won his convention and his seat, that he had gotten rid of his menace Perdomo. He said he saw no reason why Perdomo was still seated around the Cabinet sleeping and snoring. Castro looked burst into laughter and said “now we know who the real Suavesito is”. ………………….

Anne Marie was ask if she would shave her head in sympathy with Women’s week and Cancer awareness and she said “well I’ll tell you it’s a good idea, I sympathize with the Cancer cause, but hell no you can’t get me to cut off my hair. Then she paused and said, but for a million of course”. ………………….

Customs called Cabinet to explain the situation of six containers containing chemicals (meta-amphetamines look-a-like ingredients) claimed by no other than Finnegan’s close friend, Vernon Cuthkelvin.

Barrow took out his Smart cell phone and sent off a text….“ Vernon, Vernon, why did you get into the importation business”. ………………….

One of his first orders of business, the House Speaker Michael Peyrefitte sent a memo to staff to order a larger-than-life-sized chair for him. When the staff checked, they only found size “Juliet Thimbriel” and had to write back the Speaker to ask if that’s good enough for him.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 25, 2012