Belize Times March 4, 2012

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

SCAN HERE

Issue No. 4786

www.facebook/Belize Times

SUNDAY March 4, 2012

Freedom Cometh Independent polls and opinions forecast PUP win

Belize City, March 1, 2012 As the final seven days tick down to the Judgment day of the UDP administration, there is panic in the red camp.

The writing is on the wall and it is not the PUP reading it.

None other than Yasmin Andrews, a declared UDP supporter, revealed on national television that her latest polls indicate that the PUP will win. She did this on the Love FM show, Talking Politics. Her poll is independently cross referenced with the views of Francis Gegg.

Gegg has publicly stated on previous occasions that he is not friendly to the PUP and in fact was a founding member of the third party, We the People.

Gegg, who maintains that he has never been wrong about the outcome of a General Election to date, has forecast-

ed a PUP victory as well. Even UDP talk show host and the last dying member of the Association of Concerned Belizeans (ACB) Jeremy Spooner had to confess “it’s very difficult for me to vote U.D.P.”.

As the PUP humbled itself and made the changes it was commanded to undertake by the people of Belize, the country has opened their hearts to give us the opportunity to redeem our legacy of delivery to the people. We have something to prove and we will deliver.

But the flip side of this good news is that UDP, who are prone to the primitive lure of violence is already unleashing its last mischief to try to hijack and intimidate its unwelcomed stay in power.

Shortly after a politically devastating exposure was made of Sedi’s “dealings”, where a witness was intimidated and in

PUP & Oceana Success!

BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 The UDP’s position on a referendum on offshore drilling is clear. “Drill we will” says the UDP party leader, and now ex-Prime Minister. That position was reached at using two considerations. The first is that the Government had a super majority and had no need to listen to the people and secondly Dean Barrow had a personal beef with Oceana’s, Audrey Matura.

The parroting of Barrow’s singular, unpopular, uninformed and unilateral decision to suck his teeth at the wishes of the masses was echoed throughout the UDP. John Saldivar on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at the Plus TV, Belmopan Candidates’ Debate was clear and went on the record to say that

Continued on page 6

Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca votes in “People’s Referendum”

fear of returning to Belize to testify under threat of being harmed, Dr. Francis Smith is the victim of political vandalism.

Coincidence?

Then in Punta Gorda where the UDP have been using Government vehicles to wave Party flags and campaign, homes were burnt down as a result of political

arson. One of those houses is the home of the PUP campaign manager for Toledo West.

Barrow was calling for non-violence and no one understood why until the UDP started to unleash what this newspaper considers to be a pattern of UDP violence in this year’s election which is unprecedented. The passive aggression of the UDP to try to steal the elections is now broken out into full out political violence. This is the nature of the UDP but “This is the inscription that is written on the wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. “Here is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” So it is written and so shall it be.

Back to the Future: Cocaine and UDP Council

What a mess for the UDP in San Pedro. The UDP standard bearer is caught between the unforgiving rock and an oily place. The mayoral candidate is suffering from personal financial disgrace. Now, as we look through the lineup of candidates for the UDP Town

Continued on page 4

PUP Supports Referendum on Offshore Oil Drilling

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Careful what you print for February 27, 2012

UDPs beef with Poultry Dear Editor, As I watched the news of the new scandal with chickens in the country, I wondered if at this last hour the past UDP government would not try to have some decency. I read in one of your articles last week that everything on the table on Sunday has been the subject of either scandal or scarcity. That is true.

Now there is a mix up again between the Minister of Agriculture and the poultry producers.

The news said that the Ministry gave a permit for the importation of twenty thousand chickens from Mexico. The farmers complained about it: ““To our understanding it hasn’t gone the correct way because the guys from BAHA, which would do the inspections weren’t informed about it. As far as we can see, it was illegally done and the surveillance program, which usually is mandatory wasn’t done and that is our concern.”

Despite the fact that the produc-

ers were concerned about the controls they had on the diseases from the imports nothing has happened. The man in charge of the BPA has been pleading to government. He said: “We had a meeting with BAHA and we hope this isn’t gonna happen again because we are trying to keep our country free of disease and calling our products clean whereas we couldn’t do that when it’s imported.”

We just had a scare with pork when importing from another neighbor. Why are we moving backwards in the most simple thing as food? I feel like this UDP cannot handle even the small things. I do not ever remember hearing so many problems with food in Belize.

We all agree that the UDP cannot handle the job. No one has confidence in them. They are incompetent. Belize wants change. I am one voting for change, come next Wednesday. I will go back to the blue.

M. L. Kremel

Mr. Russell Vellos Editor-In –Chief AMANDALA Belize 3304 Partridge Street Belize City Via E-mail and Fax WITHOUT PREJUDICE Dear Sir: Re: PAID AD- Page 9, Issue No. 2592, Publication of February 26, 2012.

I act for and on behalf of Francis Fonseca.

In the February 26, 2012 issue of your publication you caused to be published on page 9 “ A PAID AD” depicting a photograph of my client next to the words “ He Opposed The Write-Off of Home Loans for the Poor”.

The said “PAID AD” continues “Yet He got the BIGGEST WRITE-OFF for His Mansion.” The ad also shows a photograph of a building with the caption “Francis Fonseca Mansion, Newtown Barracks,” and contains an additional caption “How Much Did You Pay For This?”

This “PAID AD” constitutes a grave libel against my client and uses innuendo and false allegation to portray my client as oppos-

Living in America Dean Barrow is so convicted and animated in his distaste for Belizean politicians and their mix with the United States of America. He moved the muscle and weight of the entire state and courts against a woman in the process of denouncing her dual nationality. Dean Barrow is “Mr. I am perfect.”

He has done everything by the book. But as we pry and Belizeans suck their teeth at his hollow piousness, the tip of the iceberg becomes wider and wider.

Dean, how do you explain this green card? Have you denounced it? Given it up? Did you have it when you were a parliamentarian in 2004 and nominated to run? Did you disclose it? Did you lie to the Americans and let them believe you would be living in the might US when you were a member of the House in Belize?

And explain these fat bank accounts in Wachovia Bank in the US. Why do you have so much money? Over US$500,000.00 in five accounts. That is a lot of cheese.

Where did you get it? Why have you kept this secret?

You had a United States green card. You got married in the United States. You have eye opening million dollar US bank accounts in the States. Why are you Prime Minister of Belize, when you have no interest here? You cannot serve both Belize and Uncle Sam. How will you explain this when people accuse you of being a hypocrite and a fraud? The people of Belize have to live here, and we no longer want the UDP. On March 7, take your visas and bank accounts and be gone.

ing mortgage write-offs for impoverished Belizeans while personally benefitting from such a scheme, inter alia. Any such allegation is an utter falsehood and the attack on my client is baseless and unjustified.

Not only has Mr. Fonseca welcomed, on record at the National Assembly, the home loan write-off for impoverished Belizeans, but he has not benefitted from such a write-off in respect of his home, which cannot by any stretch of the imagination be referred to as a “mansion”.

As a result of this, my client’s political and professional reputation has been and will be seriously affected as the said PAID AD has injured my client’s integrity and character.

In the circumstances and on behalf of my client, we demand that this PAID AD not be published again and an unequivocal apology be prominently placed in the next publication of your newspaper. You must also undertake not to repeat allegations whether by advertisement or by article.

I have also advised my client that according to the law he would be entitled to substantial compensation for the injury to his reputation and character and legal costs which my client has agreed to forgo if this ad is not published again, the apology made and the said undertaking given.

I look forward to a prompt response from you. Should you decline to comply with the terms and conditions herein, I am instructed to take appropriate legal action against the Amandala Belize, its publisher and the editor and will do so without any further notice to you.

Sincerely, Lisa M. Shoman

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR

Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR

Doreth Bevans

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

MARKETING/ADVERTISING

Rafael Sosa

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 4, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

PARTY PAGE

PUP

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HON. FRANCIS FONSECA FREETOWN

HON. FLORENCIO MARIN JR. COROZAL SOUTH EAST

Martin galvez lake independence

CAROLYN TRENCH-SANDIFORD COLLET

HON. JOHN BRICENO ORANGE WALK CENTRAL

RT. HON SAID MUSA FORT GEORGE

Rodwell Ferguson Stann Creek West

GREGORIO “PAPAS” GARCIA COROZAL BAY

DAVID CRAIG albert

IVAN RAMOS Dangriga

Valdemar castillo Corozal North

mike espat toledo east

oscar requeña toledo west

gilroy usher sr. port loyola

phillip palacio mesopotamia

JULIUS ESPAT CAYO SOUTH

anthony sylvestre jr . queen square

ARTHUR SALDIVAR BELIZE RURAL NORTH

DR. DAVID HOY caribbean shores

dr. francis smith pickstock

patty arceo belize rural south

dr. amin hegar belmopan

collet montejo cayo central

oscar sabido cayo west

dr. MARCO tulio mendez orange walk east

abelardo mai orange walk south

orlando habet cayo north east

dolores balderamos garcia belize rural central

jorge briceno orange walk north

joseph mahmud cayo north

RAMIRO RAMIREZ COROZAL SOUTH WEST

TEAM BELIZE

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THE BELIZE TIMES

The Recessive Zenaida Gene The municipal elections are in a hopeless battle for the spotlight in the 2012 elections season. This, however, is by design. Barrow knows that one of the worst indictments of his failures and that of the UDP are to be found rotting in the City and Town Councils. Barrow is hoping he can white wash the corruption and mismanagement of his UDP administrations in Government and on the Municipal level.

Back to the Future: Continued from page 1 Council another whammy jumps out.

Our archives show that UDP City Council aspirant Yolanda Parham seen in both her incarnations above, was charged and indicted in “what amounted to be the biggest cocaine bust so far in the country” reported in the September 28, 1997 edition of the BELIZE TIMES. In fact, in May 15 of that year the issue was picked up by a front page exposé in the Amandala, with the title “Zeke and baby meet bail”. The article reads: “Street speculation that the American military operation NEW HORIZONS had to do with drug trafficking, has been strengthened by last week’s seizure of 1183.4 kilos of cocaine, which followed the March 24 capture of 1322.75 kilos of the white powder near South Caye. .” The article describes the “two largest seizures of Columbian cocaine ever in Belize…” The bust that scooped up the UDP Town council candidate included a ring of ten persons: four Belizeans, four Columbians and two Mexicans.

Yolanda Parham, “Yoli” aka FM 2000 or Yolanda Cardenas (which ever this UDP politician uses on the ballot paper on March 7) was charged with drug trafficking of cocaine, possession of radio communication equipment, conspiracy to export controlled drugs, conspiracy to possess radio equipment; conspiracy to import a controlled drug and possession of controlled drugs.

This is does not look good. How can a politician who was charged and remanded and faced charges for such a scandalous act be running for public office? You see, we at BELIZE TIMES are actually concerned and annoyed. How could Yoli believe that this would pass under the radar? Two UDP municipal candidates have had to step down, one for actions with a minor. What kind of candidates are the UDP trying to sneak in under the shadows? The people of San Pedro and Belize Rural North do not want nor need accused drug traffickers, public failures and torn Area Reps. Hubert Elrington would refer to this UDP as a “criminal gang” disguised in this case with make- up as a political party.

This is way pass insulting to the good San Pedranos. We want change not the reform of purported UDP criminals. Is this what the United Democratic Party is offering?

The PUP will deliver San Pedro from these headline and front page evils.

With Zenaida Moya-Flowers and the UDP intent on returning the leprosy of her public expulsion from grace and law. The stigma of “under depositing” riled the people of Belize causing great frenzy. But,

the salt in our wounds is surely this, the BELIZE TIMES was provided with TD4 Slips for the Mayor spanning 2006, 2007 and 2008. Let us just say that she was definitely not under-depositing her pay.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

In each year, and disproportionate to the work, her UDP Council was doing, Moya’s pay went up. Beginning 2006, with an increase to $54,000 then remarkably another increase in the following year with almost a 20% increase to $64,800. Then Her Worship the Mayor tacked on another 25% and another $17,100 to her initial pay slip bringing her earnings to a whopping $71,100. The trend surely continued after.

Looking at the featured Statement of Emoluments leaked to us from the Income Tax Department.

There is no shame to the UDP. When streets were getting worse and the stench of garbage was clogging our city, Zenaida was raking it into her pockets. This UDP politician, true to the creed of her party is unconscionable. How can you be increasing your pay when your production is nil?

The UDP must be eradicated from City Hall. Three terms of nothing is very expensive and we have the invoices to prove it. Zenaida is the UDP. The UDP is Zenaida.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE LEGACY OF DEAN BARROW:

CRONEY CAPTIALISM

In the 1993-1998 Government of Manuel Esquivel there was one Minister who dominated the Cabinet, the T.V., the weekly newspaper articles and that was Dean Barrow who became known as the Minister of Everything. But no amount of glitter in rhetorical flourish from this self-professed master of the political game could compensate for the pain and suffering that the Belizean people had to endure during the more than five years of the UDP high tax and retrenchment disastrous government. The PUP won an overwhelming victory in 1998 and Prime Minister Said Musa would go on to lead his party in government for an unprecedented two terms in post-independent Belize.

In 2008 Dean Barrow became Prime Minister with a super majority in the House of Representatives. He held out the promise of good governance that would reduce the cost of living. He promised not to raise taxes and to stamp out corruption. But his narcissistic indiscipline and unapologetic nepotism soon tainted him. His vindictive, power-mad, greedy bunch of ministers engorged themselves and their families at the expense of the people.

In four years they have emasculated the civil service. Senior career public officers have to bow and scrape before their ministerial bosses and high paid political henchmen and cronies. The sight of so many self-respecting workers in government offices who live in fear of losing their jobs is a pitiful tragedy to behold. But this tragedy pales into insignificance to the hundreds of workers who have felt the full brunt of this heartless, intimidating and victimizing government.

These have been the best of times for a few – the family and cronies of the Prime Minister and his ministers. But the worst of times for the many – the poor majority who are begrudged even the crumbs from the master’s table. How can Barrow justify collecting millions in “handsome” fees and campaign contributions from the same investor that he now paints as a devil to the Belizean people. Only an unscrupulous hypocrite can serve God and Mammon. How can he ever explain to the poor struggling Belizean workers, paying millions of the people’s money to his ex-wife while saddling the next generation with over half a billion dollars in unpaid compensation and additional debt for his “muscular” takeover of the telephone and electricity companies which he has packed with incompetent family members and UDP henchmen on their boards of management.

Since the takeover, millions have already been sucked out of B.T.L. for the UDP political campaign. All 31 UDP candidates have been given $90,000.00 of B.T.L. dividends - $2.790 million in total to spend as they wish in the campaign trying desperately to bribe their way back to power.

But the Belizean people are not for sale. The vast majority who suffered through the nightmare of neglect and abandonment by this cold, heartless UDP administration have had enough. People everywhere are crying out for a change.

They will not be bought with more false promises and hands-out at the eleventh hour. Almost half the population has sunk deeper into poverty and misery. Where are the jobs that Barrow promised? The unemployment situation has never been this bad. The cost of living has never been this unbearably high.

Barrow who projected himself as a Savior – a Prometheus unbound is now seen for what he is a fraud – a bogus politician. After March 7, he and his kind will be a thing of the past. A past that saw our country plunged into economic depression and social decay; a past that saw most of our major industries facing economic collapse; a past where many of our business establishments, large and small are on the verge of financial ruin. It is a past where our health system has been subjected to scandalous improprieties and people deprived of the care they were receiving under N.H.I. It is a terrible past where far too many young Belizeans have been cheated of an education to the full extent of their potential and where so many have fallen to a life of crime.

The next PUP Government will have a lot of cleaning up to do. The next PUP City Council with Karen Bodden as our Mayor will have the huge task to sort out the cesspool of irregularities at City Hall and the garbage-ridden mess that has become Belize City.

Francis Fonseca and the new PUP Government will have a serious challenge to face because of the terrible state of affairs our nation is in after four years of gross mismanagement of the economy by Barrow and the UDP. Now you know why Barrow called the election one year before it was due. He could not present a sensible budget to the nation. The economic dunce drove the economy into a ditch and didn’t know how to get it out. That will be his legacy. Move over Dean, Francis and the PUP are taking over to deliver the goods and services to the people. The difference is clear. Dean is an arrogant imposter who thought he knew it all. Francis is a clear-headed unassuming leader who listens and is prepared to work with the private sector, the workers representatives, the church leaders and the N.G.O.s.

As the Father of the Nation said, to build the nation there must be national unity with a common purpose: to serve the people. This PUP victory will be for George! After all the late Mr. Price is our National Hero who still inspires all Belizeans to greatness.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP & Oceana Success!

Continued from page 1

he and is Government if re-elected will drill without discretion. Decisions such as this one, he implied, were not up to the ignorant plebs.

Sedi, the “border eraser” man, also had no restraint in saying that he as a UDP was supportive of the drilling with his foot pressing hard on the gas pedal in full throttle. He went further, to again, call Belizeans ignorant and lacking an understanding of the issue. Then, we had Patrick Faber, who was throwing an oily tantrum by vilifying the VP of Oceana. He, as the Chairman of the UDP, dismissed the utility of the Referendum and condemned and ridiculed it as futile.

Even Manuel Heredia, whose constituency is arguably the most aggressive and passionate about the messy possibilities that can be imagined by scuba diving around oil rigs, had to dodge the question when cornered.

On the bright side, the PUP has been on the ground with the people and our Party leader has acknowledged publicly that his Government will support and respect the referendum vote and a moratorium on this drilling. He even indicated to the listening public that he personally was heading out to vote on the issue.

Furthermore, the PUP manifesto is clear that we support the Referendum on Off-shore drilling. Patty Arceo, PUP Standard Bearer for Belize Rural South, publicly supported the Referendum. In fact, she also publicly brandished her “no” vote. The People’s United Party’s

position has been plastered across the front page of this publication. We have supported the drive to have the voice of Belizeans heard and complied with from the start. True democracy moves and fluidly carries out the will of the people. The PUP has locked into that steady voice.

When the PUP actively supported “The People’s Referendum” on offshore oil drilling co-hosted by the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage and Oceana in Belize (OiB), we stood on our consistent commitment to change in accordance with the will of the people.

We wept and cringed with them when the last 20,000 voters were disrespected and disenfranchised. We were those voters and they were us. The PUP and its supporters were involved with the regrouping effort after the ‘failed’ past of the first signed petition and its ‘rejected’ signatures. It was the people’s comeback from the biggest blow to the democratic process in Belizean history.

Across the nation, Belizeans spared no effort and no expense in heading out to the formal polling ‘booths’ across the land to cast their vote on the question, “should there be offshore drilling?”

Oceana organizers were confident of hitting the ceiling of 10% (or roughly 20,000 voters) proscribed in the Revised Referendum Act. Despite the “people’s referendum” having less legal force than an official Referendum. What this exercise of civic intent does have is the force of a discontented voice to a hand that will vote in a few days.

Just before the polls closed to-

night, BELIZE TIMES hurried over to the friendly Oceana Offices in Belize on Dean and Regent Streets to do two things: cast a vote, and get an interview with OiB’s Vice-President and keynote figure in this struggle, Mrs. Audrey Matura-Shepherd. Needless to say, she certainly seemed on top of the world, as if next to nothing would bring her down.

Indeed, when the BELIZE TIMES was finally able to tear her away from the organized chaos, the OiB ‘boss lady’ described her personal feelings on accomplishing this seemingly unfathomable goal: ‘Elated…. excited and exonerated.’

The latter would surely tick off the Government side, as, after all, Prime Minister Dean Barrow had all but stated his fervent belief that the Coalition and OiB didn’t speak for a majority of the people.

That, Mrs. Matura-Shepherd notes, was never the case, and was proven as thousands of people – ‘from the family man to the businessman’, was how she termed it – showed their support today.

Sunday, March 4, 2012 The preparation was intense; indeed, there was a training session at the Radisson Fort George Hotel this past Saturday, February 25th, and much of the persons manning polling areas were volunteers that came on without much vetting on the Coalition’s or OiB’s part. But they excelled nonetheless, and took care of their business without much hassle.

But would today’s exercise been better served had it happened on Election Day, March 7th, we asked her? Mrs. MaturaShepherd agreed wholeheartedly, as she believes even more people would have come out than those who came today.

It is refreshing when the issues are so polarized and the party lines are so clear. There are two sides to this issue and clearly a vote for the UDP is a vote for Off-shore drilling. True leadership listens and respects the position of its people. It makes changes to serve the people not be their masters. UDP have a hard lesson to learn so vote PUP to preserve and save our natural heritage.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

REALITY CHECK! “If dah noh so, dah nearly soh!”

By: Carla Bradley Elections are here and the people, well most, have already made up their minds about who they will vote for on March 7. Of course, a few are still on the fence and others are waiting to sell their votes.

Last week in an exercise that required no bribes to gain political mileage the people of Belize voted in the People’s Referendum against offshore drilling. The Prime Minister in a press conference made his views on the matter clear when he stated, “Drill Baby Drill!” We all know how the people feel, or should I say the majority of Belizeans who have not made this a political issue.

Now let me get in my two cents before Election Day. While touring the different areas I have come across many things, or rumors, or whatever you want to call it, but as the saying goes, “if dah noh soh, dah nearly soh!”

On the island of San Pedro, where the man who wears no shoes currently represents, things have been very busy these past few weeks. It is alleged that he has been giving land titles to people who have been long suffering in their hope to receive a “gift” and to a few new people who skipped to the front of the line. All to gain their votes. It is also whispered that many persons received a “blue note” on nomination day to wear a red shirt and chant “UDP”. He was then interviewed on Monday night, boldly telling people to place their orders for shirts and peremptorily patting himself on the back.

Emboldened by his own puffed up view of his magnificence, he chose to also slander the name of his opponent.

This was not received well by many of the good people on La Isla Bonita who were understandably infuriated by his bold showing of arrogance. It is often asked, why is it that he wears no

shoes? Is it because he never works, and never walks the island to see if the people he represents need anything.

But no worries Isla Bonita, come March 7th, a true leader for your area will emerge once again, Ms. Patty Arceo!

We then take a trip to the south, to Stann Creek West, where the “Flippin” man has been M.I.A. (missing in action) as he has felt no need to campaign. You can always find him in Belmopan, doing everything but campaigning or working. After giving expired food, Nemo emergency food, haad beans and a lot of NOTHING, he knows that his time is over!

Mr. Rodwell Ferguson is back, and Stann Creek West gwen blue! As a matter of fact, the entire south is being hit by the blue tsunami, as under this UDP government, they have been one of the most neglected districts in our country. Our rice farmers have been almost driven out of business, our forests are being plundered and our people languish silently praying for better days. Worry not better days are coming!

We move into the Wild Wild West, where Ramon Witz, recognizing his lackluster reign is coming to an end, has desperately been now, trying to campaign after neglecting his people for 4 years. He is known as the “undertaker” because he only shows up when someone has passed away or is about to pass away and offers a coffin.

Many of the government schools have been neglected, crime has been rampant in most of the villages and single mothers can barely feed their children.

Mr. Undertaker you have placed the final nail in your coffin. Mr. Julius Espat will finally put you to rest. Cayo South and its people will be resurrected!

The Mennonite himself finds it tough to face his own people, as he has neglected them and has busy in casinos across the country instead of helping the people of Cayo North East.

It is alleged that this area rep., is not even a true Belizean. He is a Canadian who strangely enough made it into the House of Representatives. Word has it that during the padding of the voters list by the desperate UDPS, Elvin Penner spent many nights at the immi-

gration office. It seems as if he knows that the only way he would have a hint at winning a term was to bring in new people who do not know him and his affinity for leading people up the garden path. No more false promises!

Cayo Northeast! Hope is coming, Mr. Orlando Habet, will renew your faith and work for prosperity!

Areas such as Cayo Central, where the Grim reaper walks, the man who destroys crops instead of cultivates, Rene Montero, the man allegedly involved with the illegal selling of the Xate Leaves has come to an end of a very short term. He has failed the people of Cayo Central and Collet Montejo will show him what it means to take care of the people. The infamous white tail, as I am not allowed to say what I want, the man who is too lazy to go to work and sees it fit to have consultations at home, where it is alleged that the sight is unbearable as lesser clothes are used, is now saying goodbye. The red hills are no longer red and the calmness of the blue will set in… Joseph Mahmud along with Ramon “munchy” Quiroz will bring prosperity to the people!

Hooked on phonics in the north will now be sent to school, as Gregorio Garcia will teach him how to be a leader.

The people are opening their eyes, as they have seen that under the UDP only the chosen few reap while others suffer. I need not call names, as everyone knows who the chosen few are, with the “royal family of Belize” being the golden set.

So come Election Day, we as a country without fear of victimization, without being paid for votes, we will decide who will lead us into 4 years of prosperity.

The people know that the only party to do that is the People’s United Party! For too long we have suffered in silence. Come out in your thousands; let your battle cry be heard!

I as a young voter, as a Belizean, as National President of the Belize Youth Movement 100% support Hon. Francis Fonseca for Prime Minister and the People’s United Party !

March 7 is day of our deliverance!

Visit Us Online at: www.belizetimes.bz

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Valencia assassinated on SSG Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Last Wednesday, just as the UDP was celebrating their non-accomplishments, the man who was widely accused of shooting Rodwell Williams, Dean Barrow’s law partner, was executed. The incident happened smack in the middle of Caesar Ridge Road and the area where the South Side Gang (SSG) congregate. This is another deadly portion of Dean Barrow’s constituency. The victim, Ricky Valencia, 28, was shot once to the left temple. A barrage of bullets were fired at his white four-door Toyota Corolla and cops have retrieved three expended

Ricky Valencia shells from the interior.

The incident happened shortly

DPP’s Christophe Rodriguez

loses easy case

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 29, 2012 A jury of 6 women and 3 men deliberated for about 3 hours on Monday, February 27 in the court of Justice Herbert Lord before it found Cecil Castillo, 26 , a.k.a.

“Sadiki”, not guilty of the attempted murder of Darwin Phillips, 23, a.k.a. “Namu”, who was stabbed 8 times at 9:30 p.m. on December 22, 2009, on Iguana Street Extension.

The jury’s verdict was unanimous.

But although Castillo was acquitted on attempted murder he was not freed because he is a remanded person on a charge of murder.

Another man, Michael “Ham” Young, was charged jointly with Castillo for the attempted murder of Phillips. But Young was shot and killed during a robbery in Belmopan last year.

Phillips was unable to testify at the trial because he was fatally stabbed on February 13, 2011 at a house on Antelope Street Extension. But a statement he gave to the police in which he implicated Castillo and Young was admitted as evidence.

Phillips in the statement said he was coming from his girlfriend’s house and was accosted by Castillo who put a knife to his throat.

Phillips said a struggle ensued and during the struggle he managed to take away the knife and he used it to stab Young and he ran leaving the knife behind.

Phillips said Castillo and Young pursued him and Castillo caught up with him and stabbed him several times when he fell.

Phillips said he was stabbed in his right shoulder and the knife punctured his

right lung and caused it to collapse. Phillips was also stabbed in his forehead, his left ear and on his left face. But it was the injury to his right lung that was most serious.

Dr. Salvador Paguagua testified that if Phillips did not receive treatment at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital he would have died.

Leon Soberanis, a witness for the prosecution, testified. But he was treated as a hostile witness after he gave testimony that was contrary to a statement he gave to the police.

Castillo testified and said that he was with his ex-girlfriend Leonora Rhaburn at a house on Southern Foreshore at the time of the incident. He said he and Rhaburn spent most of the time making love.

Rhaburn testified and corroborated his alibi testimony.

Castillo was not represented by an attorney.

Crown Counsel Christophe Rodriguez represented the prosecution.

after nine last Wednesday night just as the UDP was having its public rally on the other side of the City, coincidentally where Valencia had dropped off his girlfriend, Kimberly Ciego, earlier that night.

Valencia was a notorious street figure, disliked by many, primarily those who had made reports against him for armed robberies, and attempted murders. He had relocated from his Caesar Ridge home address following a murder late last year when a man was killed near Valencia’s home and residents had fingered him as the trigger man.

Valencia was facing a number of

charges, but the most high profile ones involved the attempted murder of Rodwell Williams, the law partner of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, and the armed robbery of Heritage Bank in Orange Walk Town last year. He was slated to be the first person to be tried by a court without a jury for the Williams shooting.

And while police have a growing list of murders to solve, solving them is the last thing that this government and the lax Police Department can do. Police do not even have a suspect for the incident, and like other murders, are merely going on a hunch.

Death by a Punch Wednesday, February 29, 2012 We don’t hear of it often, but people do die from the effect of a punch to the chest or face.

This past Monday, a father of six met his death after another man punched him and he fell down, hitting his head. John Lamb, 52, died on the spot when he was struck with a fist to the head shortly after nine that morning.

It happened in the presence of a number of people.

According to eyewitness accounts, Lamb and the other “younger” man were arguing and that was when the man hit him.

The man then reportedly said that he should have done it from before. Lamb was where many people describe as his base, near a Chinese shop where he spent his days drinking.

Lamb was killed just one day

John Lamb before his youngest daughter’s birthday and two days before his older daughter’s one. It is a pain that his children will have to live with for the rest of their lives, and especially when their birthdays come around. Police have still not filed charges against the man who allegedly punched Lamb. They did detain him at the scene but their investigations continue.

DPP loses to Dickie Again!

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 29, 2012 Police Constable Nicholette Bermudez, 30, charged with theft of a cell phone and some jewelry, was freed of the charge yesterday in the #2 Magistrate’s Court when Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser struck it out for want of prosecution.

Senior Magistrate Fraser

struck out the charge after the complainant, Julissa Westby, failed to appear and the case was set for its final adjournment.

It was alleged that on June 6, 2011, Bermudez stole Westby’s cell phone and jewelry that were taken from Westby by the police for safe keeping.

Westby at the time was detained by the police at Queen Street Police Station.

When Westby was released from police custody her cell phone and jewelry were missing.

Another police officer, Special Constable Andrea Rivero, was charged jointly with Bermudez but last year the charge against her was withdrawn due to lack of evidence.

Bermudez was represented by attorney Dickie Bradley.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

The Blue is on

By John Briceño Orange Walk, February 29, 2012 When the Prime Minister dissolved the National Assembly and announced the date for the General Elections as 7th March, a full year ahead of the scheduled elections, many Belizeans wondered what prompted the UDP to make such a move. After all the last time the UDP were in government they had to be reminded that five years is five years for they went beyond their term.

Of course it cannot be denied that the state of our nation is not what it used to be. Four years ago Belizeans who wanted to work could find a job; 93,000 Belizeans were in school; $400 million dollars had been invested in infrastructure and business was booming in Belize.

Compare what Belize was like four years ago to what it is now and the difference is clear.

Today our economy is in trouble.

The economic figures for last year show an anaemic 2.4 per cent growth.

In 2009 Belize had no growth at all.

Unemployment now stands at 24 per cent, meaning that one in four Belizeans who can and want to work can’t find a job.

Pick up any newspaper and you will see the many foreclosures on homes and properties indicating that every day more and more Belizeans are being forced out of their homes.

Our once thriving middle class has all but disappeared and instead of prosperity, Belizeans live in agony.

In our cities and towns crime and violence has reached to civil war status. Just imagine, in my home town Orange Walk, the level of murder and other forms of crime and violent behaviour has doubled in four short years.

Nationally there have been over 500 murders in four years.

This is the backdrop that has provoked an early election. Perhaps the Prime Minister is convinced that he can no longer hold it together and is looking for someone to rescue him from the great challenge of leadership.

When a government is formed all the people, no matter their political persuasion, look to their government to manage the affairs of the state for all the people. At the end of that term of office, everyone expects to see the promises made by that government fulfilled.

Where promises by this UDP Administration are concerned, the record is one of massive failure. The big promise to bring down the cost of living, “NO MATTER WHAT,” is a failed promise. From beans to bread Belizeans are paying more for food than ever before.

The commitment to reduce the cost of fuel and the taxes on fuel never occurred. Presently the cost of fuel at the pump is over $11 and may very well hit $12 per gallon in a few weeks.

The promise made by Barrow in the House of Representative to reduce the tax on fuel never happened.

Mr. Barrow says that his “mantra,”

their Party’s “talisman” was an unceasing commitment to the poor. Yet poor children still have not benefitted from the promised school feeding programme. While he has failed on most of his so called pro poor initiatives like the conditional cash transfer, the apprenticeship programme and others, Barrow and the UDP are now offering the rich a huge tax break. Yes he gave his poor UDP supporters ham for Christmas, but for his rich friends the offer is a 5 per cent tax break.

The UDP pledged to reduce taxes but raised GST by 25 per cent. They pledged to create 6,000 new jobs and instead we lost jobs.

They promised to reform the legislature and yet he refuses to sign into law the appointment of a 13th Senator.

If Barrow and UDP could not fulfil the promises they made to Belizeans in this term why should Belizeans believe they will fulfil the new promises

Sunday, March 4, 2012

they are making?

So the choice for votes is clear. If you want to grow the economy you vote blue.

If you want the jobs to come back then vote blue!

If you want safer streets and neighbourhoods you should vote blue.

If you want to be better off tomorrow than you are today, then I say vote blue.

The 31 men and women of the PUP are hardworking dedicated people with talent and a lot to offer. We have renewed our commitment to service to Belize. We are all ready to put Belize back on the path to development and we pledge to restore confidence in our economy so that together we can build a Belize truly fit for all our people.

Visit Us Online at: www.belizetimes.bz

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

THE BELIZE TIMES

Telemedia’s Christy Clarke made 2 runs

Belize City, February 26, 2012 The Telemedia Blackberry softballers won the all-day softball marathon held at the Roger’s Stadium on Sunday, which the BTL women’s softball team organized to raise funds for their participation in the upcoming Central American championships in Costa Rica in June of this year.

In Game 1, Telemedia advanced into the winners’ bracket by hammering Babba Shop Kitkat 17-1. The game was concluded under the mercy rule. Kemani Williams and Shanty Roches led the attack scoring 3 runs each, while winning pitcher Francis Usher struck out 4 batters and scored 2 runs, including a 3-run homer in the 3rd inning. Otis Clother, Nelson Tillett, Lupito Acosta, Tamara Ramsey also scored 2 runs each .

In Game 2, Kitkat Babba Shop arrested the Police 10-5 to advance in the winners’ bracket.

Westrac paddles takes Spanish Lookout Expo race

Westrac wins canoe race Spanish lookout, Saturday, February 25, 2012 The Westrac canoe paddled by Jerry Cante, Elmer Cruz and Adrian Waight won 1st prize overall together with the $100 cash 1st prize for being the 1st men’s team. They clocked 58:10 over the 12 laps of the course in the first ever canoe race held to coincide with Spanish Lookout Industrial Expo on Saturday, February 25.

The weather was accomdatingly warm and it proved a good day for paddling. The race got off to a late start at just before 11am. Twelve canoes registered for this 12 lap event.

Four buoys were placed at different locations on the lagoon and the canoes had to navigate between the buoys and the shore.

It was tricky at first for some teams as many of the paddlers have only done riv-

er racing, throwing in buoys made it a bit harder as those made for some sharp turns.

Nonetheless, the race was exciting as fans cheered and watched the battles to get to the buoys first, the spills, near spills and skills of the experienced paddlers from keeping their canoes from tipping over while maneuvering those sharp turns at the buoys.

2nd Overall and 2nd Male - NICH - Andrew Condie, Jimmy Valdez and Oscar Cordon - 1:00:34 3rd Overall and 1st mixed- Oceana - Euken Arnold, Chris and Jayda Guydis - 1:02:34.

4th Overall and 1st Pleasure- Print Belize - Evelio Flores, Rudolph Gentle and Jabier Guardado, - 1:05:26.

5th Overall and 3rd Male - Cool Boys (Charlie Construction) - Eric Cano, Jason Carrillo and David Manzanero - 1:06:26.

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6th Overall and 1st Masters - Cheesy Riders ( Americans) - Dave O’Malley, Bill Peshel and Jim Delehanty - 1:07:54.

7th overall and second mixed - Team “I Don’t Know” (Farmer’s Light Plant) - 1:10:31.

8th overall and 4th Male - Reagan International - Simon August, Dyron Hyde and Steven Castillo 1:12:52.

Team Police Female ninth overall - 1:13:21 - Audrey Moody, Lennett Lopez and Jane Usher.

The National Youth Cadet entered three canoes into the race, one pleasure and two juniors. Nonetheless, their pleasure boat was clocked at 1:18:22 to take 2nd pleasure and 10th overall. The juniors place first and second, 11th and 12th overall at times, 1:20:47 and 1:27:53 respectively.

Telemedia rings in softball fund-raiser Glenford “Mack 10” Flowers hit 3 runs while Kevin Siroki, Stacey Humphreys, Bryan Grant, Tommy Shaw, pitcher Jumoke Castro, Shantel Flowers and Anthony Mahler scored 1 run each.

Erin Agusutus led the Polcie with 3 runs. The Belize City Council relegated Kitkat Babba Shop to the losers bracket in Game 3 by an 11-5 win.

In Game 4, the Police eliminated Babba Shop Kitkat team 12-7, which was their 2nd loss. In Game 5,

The organizers would like to thank all the sponsors of the race, Belize Bulldozing, Excel Construction, Diverse Trades, Rig Parts, Econo Diesel, Horizon Fabricate and Western Dairies. Special thanks to Mr. Ben Barkman for doing much of the preparation and coordination of this event.

The race was the last dress for the upcoming Ruta Maya River Challenge to be held on March 9-12, 2012.

Telemedia Blackberry relegated the Belize City Council to the losers’ circle 5-4.

Nelson Tillett and Chaka X came home in the 2nd inning and Blackberry led 3-0 when Usher came home in the 3rd inning. BCC tied the game 3-3 when Shaquille Moody, Martha Rhys and Godsen Feguson scored in the bottom of the 3rd. BCC led 4-3 in the top of the 4th, but Blackberry’s Usher and Tillett took the final score to 5-4 in the 5th inning for the win.

In Game 6, Kitkat Babba Shop eliminated the Police 14-7, with Siroki scoring 4 runs. For the Police, Japhet Young led with 3 runs and Reginald Flowers Lynton Broaster, Brent Hamilton and Juvencio Cowo each scored 1 run.

Kitkat Babba Shop eliminated BCC in Game 7 by the score of 7-6. The championship final was Game 8, Blackberry hammered Kitkat Babba Shop to win 12-2 by mercy rule.

SJC Boys Unbeatable in CSSSA Softball Belize City, Saturday, February 25, 2012 The undefeated St John’s College boys, the defending Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) softball champs, are leading this year’s CSSSA softball competition with 6 wins, after crushing the Anglican Cathedral College boys 4-3 at the home of softball at the Roger’s Stadium in the Belize City on Monday, February 25.

The Excelsior High School boys’ forfeit of their scheduled game last Friday evening gave the SJC boys an easy bye to their 5th win. This means the Excelsior Continued on page 13

SJC’s Albert Davis scored 2 runs

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Sunday, March 4, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Nazarene girls bully CSSSA softball Belize City, Saturday, February 25, 2012 The undefeated Nazarene High School girls and defending National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) softball champs, are leading this year’s CSSSA softball competition with 5 wins, after crushing the Wesley College girls 27-4 at the home of softball at the Roger’s Stadium in the Belize City on Tuesday, February 25.

The Nazarene girls had

posted their 4th fourth win 21-4 by mercy rule against the St Catherine’s Academy girls last Wednesday evening.

The No.2 ranked Ladyville Technical High School girls also posted their 3rd back-to-backto-back win: 20-6 against the Wesley College girls last Friday. The Gwen Liz High School girls posted their 2nd win: 17-7 against the ACC girls on Saturday. The game was called by mercy rule.

Nazarene’s Ashley Lucas pitched 4 wins

Police FC brutal in Premier League Belize City, Sunday, February 26, 2012 Undefeated Police FC posted their 3rd win: 1-0 over the Belmopan Bandits on a strike by Devon Makin in the 79th minute at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday night, to lead 2012 Premier League of Belize football competition with 9 pts.

Sitting at second place in the standings, San Ignacio United spanked the winless Hankook Verdes 2-1 at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo on Saturday night. San Ignacio United now has 7 pts from two wins and a draw.

No.3 ranked Placencia Assassins posted their 2nd win: 5-1 over the Paradise Freedom Fighters at the Placencia field on Sunday. Placencia Assassins now has 6pts from 2 wins and

SJC Boys Unbeatable in CSSSA Softball Continued from page 12 boys have forfeited themselves out of the competition, and will not be allowed to participate in 2 CSSSA team sports: volleyball and basketball, in next year’s competition.

The ACC boys had posted their 4th win: 23-13 by mercy rule against the Wesley College boys on Saturday.

The ACC boys also squeaked past the Gwen Liz High School boys 15-14 last Thursday. Olivera struck out 7 batters as he gave up only 1 run in the 1st inning and none in the second. The Gwen Liz boys were down 5-8 even after Geovannie Moody, Jimique Flowers, Shaquille Moody came home when Harley Middleton homered in the bottom of the third.

Seadogs on the move a loss.

No.4 ranked San Pedro Seadogs struggled to a nil-zip draw with the FC

Belize at the MCC garden on Sunday.

San Felipe Barcelona, ranking fifth, are undefeated with 5pts after 2 draws

at home, they finally pulled out their first win with a score of 1-0 against the three time defending Belize Premier Football League champs, the Belize Defense Force.

FC Belize is all the way down to sixth place with 5 pts from 1 win and 2 draws, while No.7 ranked Juventus of Orange Walk enjoyed their first win when Osmar Duran scored a hat-trick with strikes in the 23rd, 50th and 58th minutes of action against winless World FC at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Saturday night.

BDF also has 4 pts from a win and a draw with a 4-3 goal differential putting them eighth. While No.9 ranked Belmopan Bandits also have 4 pts from a win and a draw with a 2-2 goal differential.

Paradise Freedom Fighters have one point from a 1-1 draw against the Bandits and two losses to round off the top ten. World FC and Hankook Verdes are winless.

“C-Ray’s Full Throttle Saturday Race” The C-Ray Cycling Club held its weekly “C-Ray’s Full Throttle Saturday Race” over the weekend; 25th February, 2012. The time for the 30mile race was 1:03:51 and 59 cyclist lined up. The following are the results: Junior Category: 1st – Riis Cattouse – C-Ray 2nd – Delawn Abraham – Unattached 3rd – Giovanni Lovell – Team Lovell Master/Category 4&5: 1st – Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden – Horizon 2nd – Ernest “Jawmein” Meighan 3rd – Raymond “Ray Catt” Cattouse – C-Ray Female/Youth Category:

1st – Delawn Abraham – Unattached 2nd – Kaya Cattouse – C-Ray 3rd – Shalini Zabaneh – Sagitun 4th – Fiona Humes – Unattached Over 50yrs Category: 1st – Raymond “Ray Catt” Cattouse – C-Ray Elite Category (Overall): 1st - Leroy Cassasola 2nd – Donnesette Vasquez – Depredadores 3rd – Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden – Horizon 4th – Christian McNish – C-Ray 5th – Goen Hanson – C4 6th – Herman “Hijo” Requena – Benny’s Megabytes

7th – Erwin Middleton – C4 8th – Ernest “Jawmein” Meighan 9th – Riis Cattouse – C-Ray 10th – Delawn Abraham – Unattached 11th – Ray Cattouse – C-Ray 12th – George Abraham Jr – Unattached 13th – Omar Gomez – Depredadores 14th – David Entereal – Depredadores 15th – Carlos Castellanos – Depredadores 16th – Lloyd Andrews – C-Ray 17th – James Frampton – 18th – Barney Brown – Scotia Bank 19th – Kaya Cattouse – C-Ray 20th – Giovanni Lovell – Team Lovell

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The People’s United Party Manifesto 2012-2016

Deliverance for Belize

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 4, 2012

PUP RALLY in Cayo

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

THE CANDY MAN Contributed The current Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow is delusional, power drunk and ruthless.

Having failed the electorate and the rest of our small population with great promises of a better standard of living, a better national health service, improved social and educational facilities as well as more opportunities.

Never could the people of this small country, a vulnerable microcosm in the international scheme of things, imagine the possibilities promised to them by this soon to be short- lived government.

Never has the country experienced such rampant unemployment. Never have we seen such an increase in the number of beggars and homeless people on our streets. Never have we seen a diminishing middle class and such a high level of poverty where one out of every two Belizeans is classified as poor. Never have we seen our neighbourhoods being held hostage by criminals, known criminals, who are now on the payroll of the government to stop them from engaging in criminal activities.

Neither have we seen the territorial integrity of this nation so threatened by incursions into our country by Guatemalans with collusion by certain ministers of the Barrow administration, exploiting our forest resources. As if this betrayal is not sufficient, it is also widely known that certain government Ministers and other officials in this UDP government have financial ties with Mexican drug cartels.

The people of this country, when they elected Dean Barrow and his United Democratic Party to government in 2008, could never have imagined the level of thug politics, thievery, arrogance and victimization which have become the hallmark of the Barrow government.

It is absolutely no rhetoric that Belize is fast becoming a failed state. To begin with, a country that shows total disregard for environmental issues to the point where the international community has threatened to delist its barrier reef as a World Heritage Site deserves the blackeye it has received. But worse, the environmental degradation encouraged by the Barrow administration with total disregard for the communities living within or on the periphery of these areas for menial survival, is creating political instability that can lead to social collapse.

The maladministration of a dysfunctional Barrow government has indeed set us on the path to becoming a failed State. By definition the criteria to qualify for this rather embarrassing status is exactly where we are as a country: A failed state by definition is a country whose government has lost control of its territory; where it cannot protect its citizens and where there is a breakdown in law and order and the related loss of personal security.

Also of great concern is the rising poverty level in contrast to the enrichment of political cronies and family members who feed from the public trough leading to the creation of a new gentry of the Prime Minister’s family and friends.

But now it is again election time. The Prime Minister and his corrupt administration are throwing alms to the poor like a candy man would, in the hope that the masses or the majority of the electorate will swallow them to ease the pain and sorrow under Barrow.

The narcissist that Dean Barrow is, he will do anything and promise everything to preserve his dictatorship. He

would rule roughshod and even more ruthlessly than before if, God forbids, he is re-elected in the March elections.

Within his new candy jar he has, for instance promised the construction of an oil refinery “to lower the price of gasoline at the pumps”. If ever he had a pipe dream, this is one. Where will the investment come from Mr. Barrow? The money will not come from the public coffers because Barrow has squandered that along with any confidence from foreign investors.

You promised four years ago that on being elected you would have lowered the price of gasoline at the pump, “No matta wat!”The price of gasoline has just about doubled since your rhetoric.

And now we have the promise of an oil refinery! This is almost laughable. As it is, you have failed in your promise to better regulate the fledging petroleum industry in Belize. The special concession granted to your nephew for an oil exploration license is that the further discovery of oil would only make the nightmare of a new

UDP administration even more corrupt with your deliberate failure to regulate the industry.

And then again, as the Mexicans will tell you, given the current level of crude oil exports from Belize and the miniscule local market, a refinery will not be feasible at this time. There are also international environmental stipulations which your law firm may be tempted to circumvent.

This may explain why you have ignored the call for a referendum on offshore drilling.

While you will continue to throw alms and pittances to the people, they have lost all confidence in the greed and arrogance you and your cronies have displayed. And now you want their votes again.

One of the first things you could have done if you were serious about your so called “pro-poor policy” was to continue to roll-out the National Health Insurance(NHI) Scheme which was started by the last PUP administration. This would have assisted many of the poor who so badly need medical assistance.

17 Some have even died, because of the failure to deliver on your promises for better health care.

The $50 million you took from the Social Security Board to bolster your ego and take control of Belize Telecommunication Ltd.(BTL),was money that could have been used for NHI. Instead, what the poor people of Belize have gotten in return is a corrupt public medical service which is rotten from the political level right down through the administrative level.

Your bravado and the flexing of your “Olive Oyl” muscles at international investors/ financial institutions simply create a tangled web of arrogance. Only, we, the people of this country will suffer for your irresponsible chest beating. Not you, nor your cold ex-wife and other greedy family members will have to absorb your reckless taunting of creditors. Apparently the active family members have been endowed with a common DNA of egotism.

Why should the people of Belize suffer five more years of the same?

But in the end it is they who will decide. In the final analysis we must again warn you people: Dean Barrow and the UDP are bad for Belize!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Redemption Time

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. (PUP Standard Bearer for Port Loyola)

Where you place your “x” on the ballot for the March 7, 2012 election will determine whether or not you and your families enjoy a better standard of living. It will determine whether or not they will live in a better community for the next five or four years.

To vote wisely we should set aside the UDP election freebies and election gimmicks. Empty and fleeting nothings such as overnight jobs and the sudden grading of streets last only as long as they believe they can trick us into forgetting. Yes, they want us to forget that they forgot us.

All the UDP campaign tricks will evaporate as quickly as it started.

So we have to shut out all the noise and ask the only important question, whether our lives and our communities have improved over the last five years.

After March 7, it will not be about the political circus, it will be back to life and

reality.

The facts show that despite millions of dollars at his disposal, the current Area Representative has been a total failure in Port Loyola. While he has secured over six large concrete houses for himself in the last four years, Boots has done absolutely nothing in the division to create dignity, good paying jobs, fix the streets, fill lots for the people or build proper houses for deserving families.

In a similar way for four long years the current Area Representative has done absolutely nothing in the division to promote sports, provide needed street lights, or improve education.

Port Loyola cannot afford four more years of this neglect.

In offering myself for public office, I have diligently built a record of service in the division.

My supporters continually remind me that in serving the people of Port Loyola I provide close to two dozen persons with jobs. The two well attended Christmas parties for over 250 children they say have gone a long way in sharing with them who I am. Some have been inspired and comforted by the donations I have made of over $1700.00 worth of school supplies to the primary schools. They see that I value education and their liberation.

The consistent and well organized basketball and football marathons, have allowed the people of Port Loyola to express themselves in healthy medi-

Sunday, March 4, 2012

ums. Unlike the UDP standard bearer, the PUP and I, value each resident of Port Loyal as people, not as disposable means gaining personal power.

As a person of compassion and hope I have met the needs of numerous persons with landfill and plywood.

In this area of the Southside small acts that evidence my commitment to the residents has ranged from assisting them to have the basic right to enjoy electricity by facilitating the electrical work to have a meter installed, is a great relief. Poverty in this area eats away at even the senior citizens. This shamefully is under a past Area Rep who had all the resources of the Government at his disposal to assist the residents but did nothing. Even with the very powerful Ministry of Works, Port is in a painfully decrepit state.

I stand on my body of work and track record in the Division as we pace ourselves into the polling stations on March 7. Because of my actions and dedication, the residents and voters of Port have shown humbling confidence in me. I know when I am given the opportunity to serve as the Area Representative for Port Loyola I will work tirelessly to uphold their confidence and faith. I will implement the development plan, which is designed to guarantee more jobs and free daycare to enable single mothers to be gainfully

employed. Development ideals must embrace initiatives and grants for small businesses, improvement in education and sports. We, in Port, are worthy of houses for our deserving families. Only in this way will we enjoy the fresh air brought in after uplifting all the resident of division.

Having abandoned Port Loyola for four long years, Boots was given $90,000.00 of taxpayers’ money ($40,000.00 before Christmas and $50,000.00 only days before the date of the election was announced) to try and buy your votes with election freebies. Surely, on Election Day, Boots and the UDP will use a ton of money to try and buy your votes for a second term. He simply does not deserve a second helping for himself so he can turn his back on you until 2017.

As good Belizeans, let us continue to strive for a better future for our families and our community. We will not be fooled and bribed by the freebies and other election gimmicks that will be discontinued immediately after the polls are closed.

When the UDP wins, Port Loyola loses. Look at the facts. On March 7 we will remember the four long years of neglect and suffering in Port Loyola under the UDP. I invite you to vote blue. Vote for Gilroy Usher, Sr. for a better future for yourselves and your children. You deserve nothing less.

THE WORLD IS READING

THE BELIZE TIMES www.belizetimes.bz

Sunday, March 4, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Mayoral Candidate Bankrupt?

San Pedro, February 27, 2012 The San Pedro community and its residents have raised concerns over a public auction sale notice published in several newspapers. The notice covers the sale of a property belonging to Daniel Guerrero. Guerrero is the UDP Mayoral Candidate for the 2012 municipal elections.

The public indictment that comes naturally from this notice is of grave concern. Obviously, it forces the public to recognize that the UDP candidate has financial troubles. Clearly, this is an involuntary exposure of the shameful fact that there are dark questions of Guerrero’s competence in managing finances.

San Pedranos are industrious people by nature. They are the face of the lucrative tourism industry. San Pedro

is a town on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye in the Belize District. The Guerrero financial failure is one thing but how can the bustling population of about 12,400 entrust the public purse in the hands of a man who is in financial “ruff waters”. San Pedro is the second largest city in the Belize District and largest city in the Belize Rural South constituency, in logic and out of respect the UDP should ask Guerrero to step down. Imagine what he would do if he had access to the hard earned public funds when he has personal cancerous financial troubles.

San Pedro was granted the status of a town back in 1848. They know the formula for a dangerous UDP politician to further wreck the island. Guerrero is bad for business by his own condemnation. If he can’t handle his own can-

dle, how will he be able to oversee the proper spending of the town council’s resources as Mayor?

The other side of this story is bigger than Guerrero’s financial incompetence. This UDP candidate is a victim of his own government’s failed fiscal policies. Guerrero’s property is being foreclosed by the Belize Bank. He has become another victim of UDP hard times.

The property in question is a structure containing nine apartments. It is on a nice double property at Parcel 891 and 892 in the San Pedrito Area of San Pedro town. This freehold property of Guerrero’s was put up for public bidding on Tuesday, February 7th by licensed Auctioneer Kevin Castillo and can only be considered an embarrassment for the UDP aspirant.

PUP: Kicking the Tires BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 As an elector, you could literally, take a gasp of air, hold it in for a brief second and the final hurdle of the 2012 Elections’ season would be upon us. March 7, 2012 the day of political judgment where both the General and Municipal Elections hang in the balance is here. The constant question, the one thing any leader, any political candidate, party/movement, ought to ask if they believe in victory, is: “Are we ready?” “How we stan?”

The best way to know that the Party and people are ready is to do the tire kicking on the machinery of the Grand ole People’s United Party. So we at BELIZE TIMES did the roll call. The undisputed answer coming from the People’s United Party (PUP) to that question is: “Yes, we are!!!!!!” We took the liberty to interrupt the heads of the party’s key groups and generals, such as the National Campaign Manager, Chairman, and the heads of the United Woman’s Group (UWG), the Belize Youth Movement (BYM), and the Marshals.

These are the people who would know best.

While every one of these leaders had their head to the plough, organizing, campaigning and putting in the sweat, we managed to touch them on the shoulder to get a word to report to the other soldiers of this, the Party that Mr. Price built.

Ms. Carla Bradley, notable BELIZE TIMES

In being fair to Guerrero, the BELIZE TIMES and the media have reached out to give him the opportunity to dilute the shame and public failure he is under. He has refused to comment or respond to the concerns.

Guerrero indicated that he preferred not to respond since the bank is involved. He did nothing to explain or deny the financial failure. He did not speak positively about his finances.

Financial mismanagement is surely not a virtue and qualifier for being Mayor of San Pedro. As honest church goers, San Pedranos have been reading a bible verse applicable to the UDP candidate, Daniel Guerrero. It is Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

It is unfair for you to try to seek public office when privately you are a mess. Step down, go put your private finances in order and come back for another election. Do not insult the good people of San Pedro and their hard earned money which should be placed in the hands of a competent public official. This is a recipe for disaster.

special correspondent and President of the BYM, told us today that she firmly believes that the Party is “definitely more than ready” for the double election, and is confident that the Party has “the solutions needed” to bring improvement and recovery to this country. She shares that feeling with Mr. Stephen ‘Steve’ Latchman, Head of the Marshals, who agrees the Party is “more than ready” and that the Party should be feeling “very confident” as Election Day approaches. Mrs. Wendy Castillo, president of the UWG, made it clear that the women of Belize are tired of the victimization and crass behavior perpetrated by the UDP. She competently reported that the women “are ready to put the PUP back in power” and set things right.

The Chairman of the PUP, Henry Usher, said that “this has been and will be right up to the final ballot cast a hard-fought election.” He said that the candidates have been “working non-stop, campaigning constantly, waking up each morning with a purpose to make sure that they reach every voter, oil the machine and have it cranking in full gear.” “The people are ready,” he said, “But we must make sure that the people are given the opportunity to register that change through the ballot box. Elections are won on Election Day, and the PUP is ready to bring out the voters in large num-

bers to deliver Belize.”

But it was Mr. Julius Espat, standard bearer in the Cayo South constituency and the National Campaign Manager who said it all, “We couldn’t be readier…. the Belizean people have already spoken in their

minds.”

Make no mistake, Belizean people, come March 8th, 2012, a new dawn will rise over our glorious nation, and it will be Deep Blue!!!! PUP IS READY!!! PUP WILL DELIVER!!!!

P.O. Box 63 Belize City, Belize Phone: 501-223-5900 Facsimile: 501-223-5913 Email: secretary@belizebar.bz

PRESS RELEASE

The Bar Association of Belize wishes to inform the public that it held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. During the course of that meeting, elections for a new Executive Committee were held and the following persons were elected to serve for a one-year term:

Mr. E. Andrew Marshalleck, S.C.

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President

Mrs. Magali Marin Young

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Vice President

Mr. Edwin Flowers, S.C.

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Treasurer

Mrs. Agnes Segura-Gillett

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Secretary

Mr. Denys Barrow, S.C.

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Bar Committee Member

Ms. Darlene Vernon

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Bar Committee Member

Mr. Andrew Bennett

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Bar Committee Member

_____________________________________ Secretary 24/02/12

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid Decision Time Well folks, decision time is here.

This coming Wednesday, Belizeans will decide whether we continue our backward trend or put on the brakes and turn our fortunes around. By the next edition of this newspaper, we will know for sure which course Belizeans have decided upon. It is my sincere hope that we are not fooled by the false promises or the piñata pre-election gimmicks that have seen millions of tax payers’ money used to influence people’s votes.

Think hard my people; think straight and do not buy into the hype, freebies and propaganda.

Dean Barrow revealed this week, his umpteenth reason for calling the elections early. A five year term should ordinarily end in 2013 but the Prime Minister decided to forego his final year and call elections a full year early. According to Barrow, it is because of the Superbond. In an advertisement currently being run, Barrow states that he needs a new mandate to decide what to do about the dreaded Superbond. Interestingly enough, in four years he made no move to renegotiate and in fact, had a full year more in which to do so. Try again Mr. Barrow that dog won’t hunt!

Much has been made of this Superbond and the UDP has held it up as the reason they have been incompetent, woeful and corrupt.

Mr. Barrow has blamed everything including bad weather and sickness upon this Superbond. Fact is the UDP has contributed as much to this bond as the PUP and when the tally is done on these past four years, the Superbond might look like petty cash in comparison.

What Mr. Barrow is not telling the Belizean people is that the debts that were compiled into the Superbond did not just come from the PUP but from a combination of all previous administrations including two former UDP administrations. In 1998, the PUP came to office and inherited a debt of $698 million dollars from the UDP. Instead of crying, the PUP went about growing the economy, revitalizing the tourism industry and establishing a vibrant oil industry. According to Mr. Barrow’s own accounts, the oil industry yielded last year some sixty million in tax money to the government.

Yes, the PUP did its share of borrowing but to suggest that there is nothing to show is an outright lie. Health Clinics were built or refurbished across the nation, ITVET facilities were built in every district, Police Stations, substations and Police Booths were built or refurbished and many new roads were paved and resurfaced. The Boom/Hattieville Road, the Orange Walk Bypass and the Southern Highway were completed. Many homes were built, jobs created and the economy was set on firm footing for the incoming UDP administration.

Unfortunately, with no direction, no competence and unbridled greed, arrogant UDP Ministers embarked on a wanton spending spree. New vehicles, lavish homes and bloated contracts to family and cronies were the order of the day and no attention was paid to the meeting debt obligations. An obliging media abetted by assigning all blame to the previous administration and did little to hold the current stewards to any degree of accountability.

Interestingly enough, the chief architect of this same supposedly dreaded Superbond has been in the employ of Mr. Barrow for the past four years. Dr. Carla Barnett who sits high in the Dean Barrow administration was the very one who traveled the world and received high praises from Dean Barrow himself for negotiating a reasonable and sensible payment plan. In an interview given to Channel Five in January of 2007, Barnett declared that “We’re very happy about that, clearly our creditors and ourselves came to a high degree of understanding of what

Sunday, March 4, 2012

the problems were and what we needed to do to fix the problems. So it’s a really good state of play so to speak, where we are today with the debt restructuring.” Why was the Superbond so good then but so bad now?

The other person who was involved in the structuring of said debt is former Minister Mark Espat.

Espat has since removed himself from the political arena and is reported to be a close friend and confidant to the Prime Minister.

At the time of the restructuring, Espat expressed that the Superbond “will save Belize hundreds of millions of dollars both in terms of real cash flow, foreign exchange, balance of payments as they call it, as well as in terms of real savings on a net present value basis.” What has changed and why then does Dean Barrow not use Espat and Barnett to once again work their financial magic?

At the end of the day, the Superbond has very little to do with the early calling of elections. The budget for the next fiscal year has everything to do with why Mr. Barrow feels the need to run back to the electorate for a new mandate.

From last reports, this Dean Barrow Administration has increased the national debt by a whopping $900 million dollars since taking office and has raised the debt to GDP ratio to a frightening eighty percent. In other words, for every dollar that the government earns, eighty cents is owed to debt. This is without yet factoring what it will cost to compensate Ashcroft for BTL or Fortis for BEL which experts believe will send it to a crippling 125 percent of GDP. What Mr. Barrow has done then is to raise the debt but signifi-

This Dean Barrow Administration has increased the national debt by a whopping $900 million dollars since taking office and has raised the debt to GDP ratio to a frightening eighty percent. In other words, for every dollar that the government earns, eighty cents is owed to debt.” cantly lower the GDP. Can someone say “devaluation”?

The bottom line is that Belizeans will need to do some seriously hard thinking before entering those polling booths on Wednesday. Forget the propaganda and last minute gimmicks of this administration.

Forget the lies and promises and imaginations. Do not be intimidated, bamboozled or bought. Let us deal with the reality of the times.

Dean Barrow has been and continues to be very dangerous for Belize. Belize will not easily survive another term of this vicious, greedy and vindictive crowd. Time for a change and time to demand more of our elected officials!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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BELIZE RURAL CENTRAL UNITED & STRONG! Hattieville Village, Thursday, February 29th, 2012 PUP Belize Rural Central Standard Bearer Dolores Balderamos Garcia along with Linsford Castillo conducted a ‘walk-through’ visit in Hattieville Village. Residents again took the opportunity to dialogue with Dolores on a personal basis just days before the General Election.

Many of the residents were visibly

Remember

Shyne

In the wake of all the going-ons, Belizeans have had their fill of this Government. In analyzing the totality of what they have done wrong, the first hurdle is where to start.

However, of all their brazen incompetence and corruption, one that sticks out in the mind of BELIZE TIMES is the meteoric rise, exploitation and disappearance of Shyne Barrow.

We, recollect the roller coaster of absurdities with the multi-named ex-convict who was deported back to Belize. “ Shyne’s return to Belize in 2010, after having spent 9 years in a New York prison for a club shooting, has been filled with controversy. His deportation to Belize was handled most-diplomatically by his estranged father, now PM Dean Barrow. But PM Barrow irked Belizeans, when he overlooked many deserving local artists and appointed Shyne to the post of Musical Ambassador.

Suddenly, Shyne went from a convicted felon, to Belizean diplomat.”

Where is that dude now? And how much is he costing us?

The short list of deserving and articulate local artists, who would have served the post is a respectable one, including the still effervescent Lord Rhaburn or Brother David.

Substance is not the determinant in Barrow’s kingship.

We recall recently how dedicated local artists like Ras Indio, Melonie Gillett and Berne, were outwardly disrespected in the 2012 Belize Music Awards. Culture is something that the UDP have never boasted of having. This is why we have a “felon diplomat” as our Ambassador for Music. In the same UDP logic they took a no name radio employee and made him DJ of the year.

What has the UDP done for culture and music in Belize in four years? There is an answer Shyne.

Shyne is still Belize’s Goodwill Ambassador for Music. Imagine that.

euphoric as they frequently sounded their anxiety to be relieved from the present political and economic hard times. The impact of the ‘walk-through’ was tremendous as it confirmed and assured Hattieville residents that their PUP is united and strong in Hattieville.

Overwhelmingly, the residents declared their encouragement and offered their commitment to ensure that Dolores will deliver BRC for the PUP. Residents were reassured that better is on the way with Dolores and the PUP. It was repeated in many of the households “that only under the PUP can Hattieville develop and move forward.” Everyone who was visited expressed their support for Dolores and the PUP. It was a warm and genuine march on the campaign trail to March 7.

Hattieville has stated emphatically that they will be coming out early to send a message to Hutchie and his incompetent UDP Government.

Center: Linsford Castillo with PUP Belize Rural Central Standard Bearer Dolores Balderamos Garcia & President of the UWG, Wendy Castillo

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THE BELIZE TIMES

SOBER Reflections SOBER By: Mike Rudon Jr.

Prince Who?

Just because the Editor is a friend of mine I start this week’s column with a disclaimer to save him the trouble.

Please forgive him, readers who will be incensed, because he truly knew not what I wrote.

Okay, there’s a prince coming to town. Think his name is either Larry or Harry or Barry….don’t much know and don’t much care – at least not right at this very moment. I sincerely mean no disrespect to the royalty, but it gets me just a little pissed off to see all the hoopla over a visit that means not one fart in the grand scheme of things.

Seriously…if I can’t find the money to buy one pack bread and a tin of potted meat to feed me, my woman and my five kids tonight, I sure as hell won’t be able to find it because Prince whoever passed through Belize for a brief moment.

There are big, big things going on in our nation right now…things that affect our bread and butter…things that will affect our daily lives and the lives of generations to come. I wish I could say I’m sorry for my royal irreverence, but I am consumed by things that I can change and we can change and need to change.

The election taking place today is HUGE. I didn’t think it would be this huge. I voted earlier today and had to stand in line. The excitement was palpable and I am told that has been the case in many, many voting stations all across the country. It is not about politics. That is crystal clear. This is about Belizeans who love their country standing up to protect it against those who would destroy it irresponsibly for all the wrong reasons. The UDP has attacked Oceana’s VP Audrey Matura mercilessly. This has nothing to do with Audrey Matura you idiots. This is about the people. We don’t believe that a bunch of reckless people in a Cabinet Room should be allowed to make critical decisions which can destroy our nation without any input from us. We don’t believe that we should be insulted and threatened and then disenfranchised when we try to make our voices heard. It’s as simple as that.

Let me repeat again. THIS IS NOT POLITICAL. This is all about people

power. But this you can take to the bank – this election has political ramifications. Dean Barrow should not have attempted to silence the people the way he did. Instead of listening, he did what he always does and rode roughshod over everybody in his way. He instructed his minions in certain departments to disenfranchise those who demanded a referendum, demanded a say. He instructed his pathetic attack poodles Fonso and Joe and Joe-liet to launch a vicious attack against the organizers of the referendum. He was arrogant and vicious and cold and inflexible – everything a leader should not be.

He disrespected the people, many of whom put him where he is today. His monumental ego won’t allow him to admit he made a mistake, but he did.

Prince Who? And then there’s the election coming up next week. That will be HUGE. I’m an eternal pessimist and always expect the worst. Hell, I’ve been married so I’ve got reason to do so (story for another time). On March 7th Belizeans will for the first time have the opportunity to send the ultimate message to Dean Barrow and the UDP. Our people have been disrespected and betrayed.

They have been victimized and bullied and hurt. They have been forced down into desperation, frustration and despair even as their leader, UDP bigwigs, friends and families have been living the best of lives. Our local farmers have suffered. Our industry stakeholders have suffered. Our public officers, our teachers and police officers and BDF have suffered. Because of the policies of this government and Dean Barrow’s unrepentant vicious streak, many have kept silent.

But on March 7th that silence will be broken. The voices of the Belizean people will be heard. That is BIG. That is HUGE. That is MONUMENTAL. So many businesses have been closed down under this UDP. Every week in every newspaper there are pages and pages of homes being lost, Belizeans losing their parcels of land!

And as those businesses closed down and as homes were lost and our people suffered the worst of times, unemployment grew to unprecedented levels. That is because of the UDP. That is their legacy.

On March 7th, the people will finally be able to pay Dean Barrow and the UDP back for all they have done to us. And trust me Dean, payback will be a, you know what.

So yeah, forgive me for not being overwhelmed by the news that a rich, rich, rich, rich member of royalty from a country far, far, far away will be passing through Belize for a little while. Got bigger things on my mind! Till next week, Dean O!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

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THE BELIZE TIMES

GENERAL ELECTION

W A F L U X W J Z Q F S U A I S R N R S A V P A V O P Z G E F X S N X Y U K O E C E X U Y CLARITY COMPASSION CONFIDENCE FEARLESSNESS FOCUS HUMILITY INTEGRITY SUPPORTIVE

V P S H M J E B V I U S J X T F I E J A C O M P A S S I O N C O N F I D E N C E G B Z V U C V V T G V W I N B G S I S S A D M K E I J S P O H H W D S I A R U D G S F F U L J L P J N I N C C E R Q M B A P L N V D Q D C L A R I T Y S Y C H J J V I R T Y L I T E H O M L R W I A R Q I H K R Y F U X N M U E V I T R O P P U S E A H V F O Y Y O V W I H O M Q H Z I

A LEADER FOR ALL SEASONS Can you unscramble the words below to reveal a few good characteristics of a good leader?

1. eyshotn 2. ytienrig 3. ssfrealssene 4. niocomsspa 5. tylihmui Answers: 1. honesty 2. integrity 3. fearlessness 4. compassion 5. humility

COLOUR ME!

Find and circle below the characteristics of a good leader.

The Bare Bones of A Leader

Our general and municipal elections are two days away.

I am glad that we live in a country where we can choose our leaders.

This is a great right and also a huge responsibility.

Our choice in leaders is so important because of how it affects us.

What characteristics do you think make a person a good leader?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 4, 2012

In my perspective…

Honesty is the Best Politics

Flagrant Fouling God Earlier this week the highflying super talents of the National Basketball Association (NBA) showcased the 61st exhibition of the All Star Game, in Orlando Florida. The spectacular weekend celebrated the game which has taken over many Belizean hearts and many of our cricket and football fields in the process. But in a more personal way it took me on a “fast break” back to my “glory days”.

A few of years ago I went by the park to play basketball with friends. Not before long I met an elbow which caused my front teeth to come through my bottom lip! I continued playing ball after my injury was healed. I did not play every day. In my heyday, I was a moderate or casual player. My first love was, and still is, music.

Less than a month later, I found myself on the court in trouble again! See, I am not a tall person but I love to jump. This time I found myself on the receiving end of my opponent’s elbow! The show and tell of this story is clear from the five stitches and resultant scar, which remains above my right eye to this very day. With ample painful reasons, I decided to end my basketball career.

My piano has never hurt me. Not in one day of aggressive play around and with it. My final decision has been confirmed… right. I vowed to remain an enthusiastic observer, whose adventures would be melodically shot off in music.

As I fast forward some twenty years to February 2012, I am amazed at the injuries I have seen at the hands of this sport. I saw a friend on his motorcycle, one leg sticking out in a cast. Another friend’s hand was slung lazily in a cast. Yet another pampered a leg broken while gingerly hopping on the other swollen leg. One colleague had to do surgery. This was all in the name of basketball. Of course that is only a select sample of the reported injuries!

As an aside, the over enthusiastic, testosterone surged, and super “hyped” ballers must be addressed. Michael Jordan was paid millions for those forty-eight minutes. More importantly, he was amply and zealously covered by every possible insurance policy. You, on the other hand, have to go to work the next day. Basketball unapologetically will not pay your bills nor volunteer to take care of your family.

Despite the competitive heat of the moment, there is no need to push an opponent in mid-air, to have him land on his back, simply to prevent him from scoring two points.

What truly amazes me is that regardless of this crippling menu of injuries, the lovers of the sport have no plans of stopping. On the converse they anxiously await recovery to come off the “bench” and re-enter the injury prone war zone that is basketball. I cannot say I share in the illogical and unquestioned dedication to mild sadism.

Somehow, their love for the game is disproportionately more compelling and dominant than the natural fear and real threat of injury and its inconveniences. This amazing reality provides a clear understanding of what God means when He says in Luke 10:27 that we must love Him “with all our heart, our soul and strength!” How many times have we gotten angry with God because we believe that He caused our loved one to die? Or are bitter when we believe He wasn’t there for us in our younger years? Or blame Him for allowing something bad to happen to us? How many times have we walked away because there is something out there that we love or enjoy more than pleasing Him? Let us put this in perspective, as enjoyable as it is, can you say that there is more value in throwing a round piece of ‘cow-hide’ through a welded circular metal, hanging on a square backing board. Is beating up the joints in your knees on a solid unforgiving cement court worth more than securing your eternal destiny in the game of life?

My challenge to you today is that in the same way we love sports, or any other secular passion that we make sacrifices for, let us remember to exert the same love and commitment to God. This is the nature and essence of what he desires for us to direct towards Him. This is the only formula for us to enter into the kingdom. He desperately hopes we would become a part of his team and league.

Keep in mind, it is time to stop playing basketball with your soul and secure an eternal spot on the roster in the kingdom of God! Until next week God bless!

By Rayford Young When you know your constituency and the people of your Country will not accept your policies you try to change the laws and make it harder for people to vote. This practice goes on in many countries – even in democratic countries like the United States of America. Belize is no different.

“We at the BELIZE TIMES have unearthed the reason: it is the UDP’s control and manipulation of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and Department.

At the helm of the Elections and Boundaries Commission as its Chairman is a demented and fanatical UDP and former SIS operative, Alberto August. Anyone who knows August knows that he is not the Chairman of the Commission because of smarts or leadership qualities. But he is ruthless and dogged at pushing the UDP’s agenda. And so he has been for the past almost four years as Chairman of this distinguished constitutional body.

In democratic countries the world over, analogous bodies like the Elections and Boundaries Commission play a most vital role. Their mandate is to safeguard the democratic process by ensuring the electoral process is fair and transparent. What’s the purpose in having an election that is not fair and the result is already pre-determined?

As it is undeniably an office of great importance, its members therefore are required to be persons of integrity and high national standing.

Such was the former Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Karl H. Menzies.

In other countries in the region, the Chairmen of their Electoral Commission are similarly persons of integrity and high national standing. In Jamaica for instance, which go to general elections on the 29th December, the Chairman of their Electoral Commission is a well-respected Professor, Errol Miller.

Similarly, the Chairman and members of the Commission are not to be under the direction or control of any politician or political party. In addition to August, two of the remaining four members of the Commission are UDP fanatics and executive members: Dean Lindo and Phillipa Bailey. Their loyalty and allegiance is first and foremost to the UDP; not to Belize”.

I never understood this thinking.

If your policies and leadership were so wonderful, I would think you would want more people to come out and vote, not do your best to stifle voter turnout. The UDP has been in control

of all of government for the last three years.

If you did such a wonderful job, you would be proud of your accomplishments. Why would you not want a vote on your leadership and performance? Why stack the Elections and Boundaries Commission and Department with thugs and a radical party affiliate?

The truth is, when you are not sure the people are with you and they don’t like your policies, this is what you do to stay in power. Enjoying control of a country and its resources - including the country’s finances - is an addiction that is hard to break. Many will do whatever it takes to hold on to that power.

On Facebook, a picture was captured of an elected UDP politician on the campaign trail in one of the villages passing out money to kids. The gentleman that took the pictures had this to say: “EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER STUPID..... as parents we do not condone strangers giving money to our kids, then why do we stand idly by and accept such despicable acts of ignorance from our Politicians, The poor(sic) is not an object of ridicule, “ throw money at them, and you noh got nothing fu worry bout”, The Poor is (sic) the SOUL OF OUR NATION--RESPECT-UPLIFT & HONOR THEM--it is easier for a poor man to enter the Gates of Heaven than for a Crooked Politician to Pay his way in..Better must come..VOTE P.U.P. March 7th 2012...Let’s take back our Country..One Love Belize. By: Peter Gutierrez” I could not have said it any better. Mr. Gutierrez had it right. Our children are not to be played with in this manner. They are at such a young age that they will grow up thinking that this is the way politics is done and if you want something, this is the way to get it – bribery.

We are at a cross road in this election on March 7. Folks, let’s think seriously before we vote this time. The stakes are so very high for our country. This is not the time to do business as usual.

This is not the time to bribe our people with a few streets being filled up with dirt and stones only to be washed away once the rains come; or a reduction in your electricity and gas bill that will go back up after the elections; or your mortgage paid off - some to folks that didn’t even have a mortgage; no, not this time. We are tired of these silly gimmicks and the disrespect to the people and our children.

If your leadership and policies were so wonderful over the last three years, let’s have an honest and transparent election. The people and the Country deserve no less.

Rayford Young is a BelizeanAmerican, who currently lives in Michigan, U.S.A. Send comments to rayfordyoung@comcast.net

Sunday, March 4, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

Warning to Lee Mark:

UDP desperate in Freetown

Humor in UDP Politics!

In a cabinet meeting, Barrow finally admitted that his Government has made Belize worse and poor. So Santi asks him “what should we do boss?” Barrow says “We have to embrace it. We need to put glitter on it. We will say we are professionals at making Belizeans poor. Our UDP policy with the success of rate fifty per cent in making Belizeans poor must be professional grade.”

Santi impishly skips around in excitement: “I know boss, for short, rather than calling it the “professional policy to keep Belizeans poor” let us call it the “pro- poor policy”.

Belize City, February 28, 2012 The UDP Standard Bearer in Freetown is running scared and desperate. Having failed to connect with the good people of Freetown and to win even some marginal support in the area, Lee Mark Chang is now up to his old tricks.

Reliable reports reaching the BELIZE TIMES suggest that Chang is allegedly trying to get hold of the elections and boundaries binders to change pictures of Chinese voters who are no longer in Belize and try to replace them with new Chinese arrivals to Belize.

In a brazen insult to Belizeans, democracy and our local intelligence, Chang and the UDP are banking on their belief that as they put it “because many Chinese people look alike”, they can get away with this act of subterfuge but Freetown voters are waiting and ready for him.

Consider yourself forewarned Mr. Chang; this one could very well land you in Jail after the elections!!

The good people of Freetown will not allow you to try and steal any elections in Freetown; get ready for a whapping from the PUP in Freetown!

NGC 28th ANNUAL CONVENTION Barranco is opening its doors in celebration of the 28th Annual Convention of National Garifuna Council which will also coincide with the launching of the 150thAnniversary of the founding of Barranco Village. The convention and celebrations will take place from March 9th - 11th 2012.

The Annual NGC Convention is the highest authority of the organization. Some of the main activities of the convention are: the presentation of the Board of Directors’ report which highlights the organization’s activities for the past year; educational discussions among the eleven branches of the NGC; the consideration and adoption of resolutions moved by the membership and the formulation of plans for the ensuing year. It should be noted that election of new officers takes place this year also.

The National Garifuna Council invites members and other interested persons to come along and make new friends, broaden their knowledge and have fun as they

experience the Garifuna Culture!

There will be exhibition, wreath Laying – Andy Palacio Grave, drumming and dancing! There will also be interesting discussion forums on: • Group Discussion on the themes in the Garifuna Agenda: *Land *Education *Language & Culture *Health *Support for Economic & Community Development *Social Issues • Role of Catholicism in the Garifuna Culture • Team Building Workshop for Youths It is expected that this year will once again have representation from all eleven branches and the Barranco community is excited to welcome all for the weekend in March.

For more information contact your local NGC Branch President or contact Mr. Ernest Castro at telephone number 822-0555.

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At an international conference on Health, the delegates were asked to participate in an icebreaker exercise. Pablo Marin was crossed eyed to go first. So the facilitator asked the question, “Belize is a pluralistic society, as Minister of Health who is supposed to be a cultural ambassador for your country, please tell us what is your favorite dish?” Embolden by the easy question, Pablo proudly said, “Pyrex dish” Rene Villanueva was asked to compare Santi and Sedi after they appeared on the Love FM morning show, being polite and a Rotarian, “the Chief” refused to publicly call them “Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dumber”.

But he did say this of them: There are two species of UDP politicians: those who can talk nonsense on any subject under the sun, and those who don’t need a subject.

In Dean Barrow’s famous speech where he said that people have a perception that my ministers are incompetent and 9 out of 10 times they are right. Shortly after that lucid and rare interval of honesty, he continued to mumble off mic saying: Some people tell political jokes... we, in the UDP, HAVE them!

An eight year old girl, recovering from the shock of learning that Sedi is not an overly tanned Santa Clause, asked her father, ‘do all fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time”? The father replied, ‘No, some begin with Dean Barrow saying - If I am re-elected.’

Once, Jules Vasquez got so desperate for an anchor lady that he grabbed Alfonso Noble from behind the camera and asked him to play the role for a couple broadcasts.

In his desperation he hoped that the people of Belize would not realize that poor little Fonzo cannot read and would instead believe that he was interpreting the news with his Turrets Syndrome.

While walking down the street one day Senator Juliet Timbrel is tragically hit by a truck and dies. Her soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to Heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around

these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the lady. “Well, I’d like to but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven,” says the senator.

“I’m sorry but we have our rules..” And with that, St. Peter escorts her to the elevator and she goes down, down, down to Hell.

The doors open and she finds herself in the middle of The Temash and Sarstoon Delta Wildlife Sanctuary. In the distance is a replica of the UDP Headquarters and standing in front of it are Dean Barrow, Lois, Godwin Hulse, Jules and the other UDP politicians and cronies who had worked with her. Everyone is very happy and in evening wear.

They run to greet her, hug her, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at expense of the people.

At the suggestion of Barrow, they play a friendly round of the card game “Jackass” and then dine on lobster, Moet and caviar.

Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are having such a good time that, before she realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives her a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for her.

“Now it’s time to visit Heaven.” So 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before she realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well then, you’ve spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity.” She reflects for a minute, then the senator answers: “Well, I would never have said it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell.”

So Saint Peter escorts her to the elevator and she goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and she is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. She sees all her friends, dressed in rags, refusing to pick up the trash and stabbing each other in the back. The Devil comes over to her and lays his arm on her neck. “I don’t understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was Moet, we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.

The Devil looks at her, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted for us!”

28

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, March 4, 2012