12 MAY SCAN HERE
2013
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The Belize Times THE BELIZE TIMES
Established 1957
12 MAY 2013
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ISSUE NO: 4844
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.bz
|
$1.00
True Development! PUP launches Village Council agenda L-R: Hon. Mike Espat, Hon. Marco Tulio Mendez, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Chairman Henry C. Usher, Hon. Julius Espat, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Hon. Oscar Requeña & Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai at Wednesday’s press conference
ROGUE
Pg. 3
Police contrabanding fuel?
Government
Belize City, May 8, 2013 The Barrow Administration is defying an April 16th 2013 Supreme Court ruling which declared that oil exploration contracts, whether offshore or onshore, must be preceded by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before entering into an agreement with the Government. The ruling also pronounced that six contracts granted to Island Oil Belize Limited, Miles Tropical Energy Limited, Petro Belize Company Limited, Princess Petroleum Limited, Providence
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…Police CLAIM they ran out of fuel Pg. 4
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12 MAY
THE BELIZE TIMES
We need answers Mr. Mayor!
Photo shows dredging area west of San Pedro. Was an EIA carried out before permission to dredge was granted? San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, May 8, 2013 The People’s United Party Belize Rural South Executive Committee is demanding an inquiry into the granting of a permit to dredge an area west of the San Pedro marina. The permission was granted even though it is against the law to do so without an Environmental Impact Assessment. Such ludicrous act is inappropriate and simply shows the United Democratic Party’s arrogance. They have failed their manifesto’s promise of
public consultation and transparency. Furthermore, the sole councilor representing the People’s United Party, Mr. Wally Nunez, was not informed beforehand of the proceedings. The UDP is trying to push all the dirt under the rug and intimidating any whistleblowers. More than a year has passed since the town council elections. The beautiful people of San Pedro spoke and elected a new Town Council. The new council consists of six UDP representatives and one PUP. Since then, the residents of our community have
been voicing concerns on different matters. The UDP promised to be honest and transparent in every way possible. Did you know that just weeks into office, three town board employees were fired without proper reason or explanation? Was it due to political affiliation? Did you know that only the PUP representative in office filed his financial statements as required by law and the other six (including the mayor) still haven’t? Did you know that we still haven’t seen an inde-
Hon. Julius Espat & Hon. Rodwell Ferguson condemn UDP attacks on Auditor General, Senator Mark Lizarraga & Supreme Court Judge April 30, 2013 The People’s United Party’s (PUP) members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are concerned with the recent pattern of intimidation and possible victimization tactics by the United Democratic Party and the present Government to cease public discussion on the potential misuse of public funds. The PUP members of the PAC cite the following as current targets: The Office of the Auditor General and the Auditor General herself were grossly discredited in the Guardian
Newspaper dated April 25, 2013 for “…not qualifying [her 2010-2011 Audit] Report”; and further threatened by stating that the Auditor General’s “…behaviour is rather unforgiveable”. Business Senator Mark Lizarraga was similarly chastised and threatened in the same Guardian newspaper dated April 25, 2013. • Plus TV and Co-host Of Rise and Shine Mr. Patrick Andrews are being sued by a member of Cabinet for daring to question the expenditure of public funds. After Justice Oswell Legall handed down two landmark rulings
against the Government recently, PM Dean Barrow described the judgement as “egregiously wrong” in his public criticism of Judge Legall’s judgement to the Press yesterday. The PUP members of the PAC call on the people of Belize to be vigilant on the issue of accountable and transparent management of public funds and to give support to all organizations and individuals who speak out with basis for such, as a way of ameliorating the possibility of corruption.
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pendent audit report as promised in the UDP manifesto? Did you know that councilor Gabriel was awarded the contract for the construction of restrooms at the Saca Chiapas Field and also the building of new classrooms for the Roman Catholic School? Did you know that UDP cronies have been hired as Town Council employees? Even new positions have been added to fit them in; including the Mayor’s daughter and nephew! Did you know that all artistic works needed by the council for public events is done by the Mayor’s brother? Conflict of interest? Did you know that our cost of living is not going down on the island as promised by their UDP manifesto? Property taxes and garbage fees will go up and a new toll will be added to the south! Did you know that all the financing of the streets is being done by the private sector and not by the Town Council or the present day Government? The residents of this community are demanding an independent audit report. Mayor, you said that you will come clean. You have to be transparent as the council is the people’s business and we reserve the right to know what is going on! We do not need corrupt dictators since we already have one at the national level. Finally, stop the dredging and consult with the public and the ACCSD. The residents are expecting you to hold true to your campaign manifesto. Where is the “environmentalist Danny boy” that was campaigning for the mayoral seat?
SCAN HERE
The Belize Times
Established 1957
14 APR 2013
|
ISSUE NO: 4840
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.bz
|
$1.00
serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper. Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus EDITOR
Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST
Chris Williams
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd.
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2013
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12 MAY
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
True Development! PUP launches Village Council agenda
Belize City, May 8, 2013 The People’s United Party launched a progressive vision today that proposes to give communities and their leaders their rightful place in Belize’s development. This afternoon, leaders of the Party gathered at Independence Hall to present a visionary agenda for Village Councils in a document titled “True Development for our Village Communities”. The vision is that Village Councils will have full autonomy over their affairs while benefitting from meaningful support from the National Government no matter which political party is in power or the political affiliations of the leaders in the community. PUP Chairman Henry Usher explained that the vision incorporates the aspirations of community leaders imparted on PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca during his visit to communities across the length and breadth of the country over the past months. Hon. Fonseca has listened to the many voices of concerns and has set out a vision on their behalf. The vision is laid out in fourteen points in which the PUP declares the steps it will take to emancipate the Village Councils from the bondage and morbid state it has been over the last five years under the Barrow Administration. The steps propose massive reforms for village councils, including providing direct financial support and giving them autonomy over the management of their water systems and collection of funds through liquor and trade licenses. The PUP also proposes to increase the monthly stipend for Alcaldes from $100 to $250, as well as introduce a stipend for Village Chairpersons of $250, and an increase in stipend for community health workers from $75 to $250. While Alcaldes and Chairpersons are elected to serve, the responsibility of managing even just a small village is an immense one and the PUP recognizes that without proper support, leadership will languish in a stillborn state. This is how the UDP has preferred to have things, as they abuse power and victimize village leaders for even the slightest indication that they won’t tow the red party line. The PUP respects community leadership and will recognize their important role. The PUP pledges to always consult with village communities before undertaking any project, investment or development in the community, and to assist in the development of the community it will re-establish a Survey Unit in the Ministry of Natural Resources to assist in land surveys. Under the UDP, the Ministry of Natural Resources has disrespected the authority of village councils over land distribution and has imposed politically-appointed lots committees. “The PUP is serious about re-
PUP Leader Hon. Francis & Hon. Florencio Jr. listen to the advice of an elder resident during tour of Corozal South East
03 3 form,” declared Deputy Leader Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia. She indicated that village councils are in dire need of support from Government which seems to turn to them only when their votes are needed. Hon. Balderamos Garcia indicated that after requesting road repairs in the community of Hattieville in her constituency for many weeks, the Ministry of Works is finally doing some work. But this is only because village council election is scheduled in two weeks. Although the PUP is in opposition, today’s presentation of a true development agenda holds true to the Party’s legacy of leading the march towards a progressive Belize. The village councils deserve political independence and the PUP will be the party to the deliver it.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Barrow’s Rogue Government
Continued from page 1 Energy Belize Limited and Sol Oil Belize Limited are null and void as they had failed to meet the necessary criteria set out in the Environmental Protection Act and Regulations. Prime Minister Dean Barrow went rogue in his response to the ruling and called the Judge Oswell Legal’s basis for the judgment “rubbish”, and even said that the ruling “makes absolutely no sense” to him. The Prime Minister’ law firm, Barrow and Williams which represents Princess Petroleum, has also given legal advice to Treaty Energy Belize, which shares its Production Sharing Agreement with Princess Petroleum, that it can proceed with their oil exploration at one of three drilling sites despite the court ruling. The Prime Minister’s law partner, Rodwell Williams, acts as Secretary for Princess Petroleum. Aside from the declaration, there is no indication that Treaty Energy has commenced physical testing at its San Juan #3 site, but when it does it is expected that the Government will uphold the Court’s ruling and issue a stop order. Today, Oceana in Belize Vice President, Audrey Matura- Shepherd, said that if the Government ignores the court ruling and allows the company to proceed with its activities, they [GOB] would be making “a rogue decision”. Matura-Shepherd explained that while the ruling or injunction granted by Judge Legal does not name Treaty Energy, the ruling was for all oil exploration contracts and the Government as the respondent and as the gatekeeper in the oil industry, must ensure that the law is followed. A press release from the Belize Coalition Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage was more clear on its expectations of GOB, expressing that since Treaty Energy and Princess share a 50/50 agreement for its onshore concession, “Government should issue a stop order if any of the holders of the PSAs declared unlawful, null and void would start any processes or activities under the PSA, including any permitting processes or actual exploratory activities”. All indications are that Treaty Energy plans to proceed with its activity with some level of protection or reassurance from the Barrow Administration. The Prime Minister has indicated that they will challenge the ruling and in a statement explaining their decision to resume exploration, Treaty Energy said that “Based on the legal opinion Treaty Energy received from Princess Petroleum’s legal counsel and the statement made by Prime Minister Barrow, Treaty has made the decision to recommence drilling of the San Juan #3 well”. Oceana is calling on vigilant Belizeans to ensure that no company breaks the law. Matura-Shepherd also reminded public officers that they should resist participating in any acts that are unlawful.
Oceana’s Audrey Matura Shepherd is calling on the Prime Minister to obey the law
12 MAY
2013
Police contrabanding fuel? Corozal District, May 8, 2013 The Corozal Department is in the middle of controversy after a video showing one of their officers fuelling a police vehicle with what seemed to be contraband fuel was leaked to the public on Facebook. The video shows the police vehicle parked at a residence, then persons taking out a makeshift fuel container and pouring a liquid substance into fuel tank. The residence does not operate a fuel station and the only conclusion is that it is contraband fuel. The unidentified officer was next to the vehicle, watching along throughout the video.
The Police was prompt in their explanation, revealing that on Monday May 6th, Corozal Police was executing a Supreme Court order to recover a tractor that is in the center of a family dispute. Upon arriving at the residence in Santa Clara Village, the Police say the vehicle ran out of fuel and they were offered assistance and refueled by a member of the family. The Police say the video was captured and leaked by “an aggrieved family member”. They also say that they are making inquiries into the origin of the fuel used to assist the Police. We at the BELIZE TIMES will await the results of the inquiry.
12 MAY
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
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EDITORIAL MAMA MIA!
“Mother” is simply the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind, to borrow the language of the Lebanese born poet, Khalil Gibran. As a nation Belize will be completely disarmed come this second Sunday in May. Pews will be uncharacteristically filled, hearts will be particularly softened and some special appreciation will be extended to the most important woman to any Belizean, our mothers. No other sentiment warms and weakens the human soul than the reassurance of the unconditional love of their mother. It is the vestigial bond lingering after the severance of the umbilical cord. Oh, that supernatural love which is incomparable and irreplaceable. For twenty-four hours, as a nation we will become focused on that single pacifying force. We will fondly recast childhood memories and tough love bouts while we manage the unbearable thought of a world darkened, lonesome and motherless. Belizeans will no doubt be tempted to romanticize and selectively reconstruct the struggles of our own mothers but it is important to note that motherhood has been particularly harsh to Belizean mothers of recent. This is a troubling and saddening truth and one that we celebrate from newscast to newscast. As we gear up to celebrate Mother’s Day in all its commercialized glory, we should pause and reflect on the state of the average Belizean mother, her pain and absence of hope. The sickening reality is that the recent journey that defines our mothers is one where they are outliving their sons and where the glitzy quandaries of Clair Huxtable almost seem insulting to the stressful realities of Belizean life. Young women being prepared for romantic relationships are often ominously advised, “if you want to know how a man will treat you, just look at how he treats his mother.” This age old wisdom is fail proof. Politically, it bears the same reliability because in order to assess the current health of our country we must weigh the treatment that our mothers have received since the change of government. After all, it was none other than Barack Obama who insightfully remarked in September of 2008, “the best judge of whether or not a country is going to develop is how it treats its women.” In our chronologic review of the shameful history of the relationship between mothers and the UDP government since 2008, we realized that our mothers have had no rest. In fact, we found that our first records were of mass firings, which began with the 2006 change in the Municipal elections and ballooned to the victimization of over three hundred single mothers between the months of February and November 2008. What followed in short order was the wave of crying mothers, all begging for justice or closure for the murder of their sons. Their cries fell on deaf ears because there is no relief and nothing that has been offered to any one of these mothers. Then came November 2012 when pregnant mothers who walked into hospitals were unsure what kind of treatment they would receive and whether their children would die or disappear from their womb after medical treatment from the Government hospital. What relief or resolution have those mothers had? What is their Mother’s Day gift from this UDP Government? How about Hiran Good, the mother of Charlie Good’s children? She is now, forgotten by society and the maliciously vindictive Minister who destroyed her life. What is her Mother’s Day gift? Mothers are forgotten and condemned by this UDP government. Does anyone remember or care about Juanita Juarez? Remember this strong lady, she is the mother of Steven Buckley’s two sons, now aged ten and eight. She had to watch as the UDP rushed to pay compensation to a trespassing Guatemalan while she waited for pennies from the Government and the Police Department who refused to give justice to her children. In recent days the string of incidents with mothers is equally as damning. The UDP have chained our mothers to a depressing spiral of poverty and it has led to our children paying the price with their lives. Clearly, the
Government has failed Felicia Chen in this way. It was poverty and hopelessness that made her take the life of three of her children. She had no job, no institutional support and nowhere to turn to. Surely, this Mother’s Day story will allow us to agree that the UDP’s “safety net programs” are failures. The dependency programs are a gimmick of prolonged campaigning and vote buying. The Boost program, pantry program and the poverty alleviation program have all failed that distressed mother. What is her gift from the UDP government for Mother’s day? How about Raquel Carcamo, the inconsolable mother from Burrell Boom who lost her little five year old. This mother lost her son as a result of the government’s failure to properly and comprehensively deal with the nationwide scourge of wild bush fires. Her small child drowned as this mother desperately tried to save her wooden home. Losing that little fifteen feet by ten feet house with no running water meant losing all she owned. What has the UDP done for this mother on Mother’s Day? Then there is 19 year old mother, Tanya Leslie, who this Mother’s day will be grieving her one year old who drowned in a bucket of water. This mother lost her child not because of the ten dollars she went to get. No, the real story is the fact that the bucket of water was there because in the heart of Belize City that mother had no running water in her home. How has the UDP government treated this mother? Surely, they have not installed water in her home even though the Government owns the water company. This is not the only mother during this UDP term to be crying this Sunday because a nationally owned utility company failed her family. Remember forty-year old Ramona Cabrera of San Narciso? She would have been mourning on Mother’s Day simply because in 2013 she had to use a candle in her house which burnt down her house. The fire claimed the life of her angelic three-year-old daughter, Danelly Cabrera, who became scared and tried to hide under an iron crib. Eventually, Ramona Caberera too passed on. How does the UDP pass the biblical least of the brothers’ test when it comes to Mothers in this country? In all this there is a lesson to be learnt from the unconditional love of motherhood which will be celebrated this Sunday. It is a lesson which the UDP will miss because they do not view mothers as people, but as votes because their official purpose as a party is only to win elections. In their Godless world view, after a mother votes she becomes insignificant and she is to return from whence she came; back to the poverty, loneliness, desperation, suffering and death. For the PUP our greatest lesson is from the strong upright women who have taught and instructed us in the fear of God. We are a Party of love because we are children of love. We have been taught to practice the love that God has shown to us and to pattern that love for our country. The scripture in Isaiah 66:13 is of note where God promises, “As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you”. God, by His own chosen words, likens His care over us to the role of a mother. Everyone gets weary in this life. To those who feel helpless, rejected and despised, we need to pray for new hope, a new realization of what kind of God we have. We need to thank God for revealing his nature through the love of mothers and ask that we be given eyes to see and hearts to respond. The BELIZE TIMES and the People’s United Party extend our hearts in wishing all Mothers of this jewel a blessed Mother’s Day and remind all mothers that we love, respect and honor you. Thanks for being there.
THANK YOU
Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and the Fonseca Family express our deep and sincere gratitude and appreciation to all members, supporters and friends of the PUP who offered comfort and support to us during our Mother’s illness and at the time of her passing. We give special thanks to Drs. Francis Smith and Mark Musa and to the PUP Secretariat for the love, attention and care given to our Mother. We thank you and love you all. May God Bless you!
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THE BELIZE TIMES
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12 MAY
2013
Opposition warns GOB against village council electioneering
Chairman Henry Usher & Deputy Leader Hon. Julius Espat Belize City, May 9, 2013 PUP deputy leader Hon. Julius Espat has warned the UDP Government that the Opposition will step up its vigilance in the upcoming village council elections in an effort to ensure that the elections of community leaders are held fairly and impartially. The UDP is notoriously known for abusing Government funds and resources to advance their political agendas during elections. Government vehicles are used to transport voters and money bags, and public officers are forced to carry out political duties or lose their jobs. These dastardly acts have found their way to the village council elections as the heavily-financed UDP has turned the important community events into political circuses. “We will be watching you, we will be documenting you,” declared Hon. Espat. The Cayo South area representative also issued an appeal to public officers managing the elections to ensure that there is no political interference in the process. He advised voters not to be intimidated by the UDP. Reports are that UDP representatives have been visiting villages, threatening residents that if they do not support UDP slates their communities will not get assistance from central government. Espat said that the threats should be ignored, because he has shown, by example, that true leadership finds a way to work with everyone, irrespective of political affiliations, for the benefit of the people. Hon. Espat indicated that the development experienced in Cayo South and other constituencies since 2012, including the opening of roads, rehabilitation of schools and community centers, have been led by partnerships between elected PUP representatives and village leaders. “We have done much more, in one year, than the UDP has done in 5 years, and that’s a fact,” said Hon. Espat. The Village Council elections get underway every weekend as of Sunday, May 12th with elections in 44 villages across the six districts. The last date for these elections is June 16th.
THE BELIZE TIMES
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12 MAY
THE BELIZE TIMES
Freak storm
2013
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One of the 15 homes toppled by the storm in Shipyard Camp 18
causes serious damage …NEMO OW sleeping at the wheels!
Belize City, May 3, 2013 A severe thunderstorm which developed in northern Belize on Thursday afternoon and which swept towards the southern region during the night caused some serious damage along the way. The storm formed over the Corozal district, wreaking havoc with hailstorm showers over various areas. But as it moved south, it became more intense and its winds gained strength. Weath-
er officials say the storm had maximum gusts of winds of about 65 knots with wind speed ranging between 40 and 50 knots. This is similar to a powerful tropical storm or minimum hurricane. And while it wasn’t either of the two, the aftermath did seem as if something major had happened even though the National Emergency Management Organisations (NEMO) Orange Walk coordinator Elodio Aragon Sr. claimed that “nothing happened”. To the contrary, the Shipyard Mennonite community in the Orange Walk District was most affected in the northwest. In Camp 18, the wind turn over houses 15 wooden homes, blew away roofs and its heavy rains killed an estimate 4,000 chickens. Residents say the value of the loss is $300,000. Disaster also struck homes in the Belize District. The Lords Bank community experienced hail storm and some roofs were blown away. One of the affected persons Earl Anderson said it all happened quickly “The breeze came it started to flap the roof over and over and right after the roof flew off. After that happened it started hitting us so we were
trying to get to safety before it hurt us because if it can take the roof then it can take me. The breeze was blowing so hard that it was pushing back the door. I grabbed the baby and ran downstairs and that was when she held on to the door while she was coming behind me and the door closed on her hand. I ran to the neighbor for help, I had to break a window to get into the house and then I pushed the door open from inside,” recounted Anderson. Anderson continues to struggle to repair his home. For the meantime, his family is lodging with a relative. The storm also affected area of Belize City, flooding streets and damaging small homes. Several families in the Lake Independence area have had to gather the pieces and start all over again.
12 MAY
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Makoabi R
x:
Relationships, Love Tips & Advice…
HOW TO TALK SEXY! In his book, The 5 Love Languages, The Secret to Love That Lasts Dr. Gary Chapman proposes that we all express our love in five basic ways. Understanding our partner’s love language is one way of keeping your relationship off the rocky path.
Here are some tips for speaking your partner’s love language.
1
Fine-tune the rule on how to treat others We often treat others the way we want to be treated. When it comes to speaking the language of love, it’s better to treat your partner the way they want to be treated.
Make a list Ask your partner to list the things that make him or her feel loved. By writing down your relationship wants you will both have a written reminder of each other’s love language.
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Learn the ‘language of affirmations’ Being given positive affirmations is a primary love need for many persons. If ‘words of affirmation’ is your partner’s language and you did not grow up receiving affirming words…get a notebook and write down the positive expressions you hear other people saying. Practice using and becoming comfortable with them and over time you will be able to meet your partner’s needs.
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Learn the ‘language of acts of service’ ‘Acts of service’ consist of bearing some of your partner’s load. If acts of service make your partner feel best, ask what tasks you could help with, and then tackle them with love. One study found “shared tasks” to be one of the five best ways to maintain a relationship.
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Learn the ‘language of quality time’ Turn off the TV and computer, put your phone on silent, and spend some quality time with your significant other. This means actively listening, making eye contact, and engaging in meaningful conversation. Learn the ‘language of gifts’ It isn’t about the gift -it is about the thought. Shower your partner with surprises—they can be cost-free and handmade. The important thing is that they symbolize your love. You could do coupons for simple things like a massage, or dinner for two. Be creative in expressing your love.
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Learn the ‘language of touch’ Many people need physical embrace to feel most loved. Keep in mind that it is important to schedule non-sexual connection time together. This is a time where you hold each other, stroking and hugging while further bonding through talking. Not having the same love language as your partner doesn’t mean that you are incompatible. It simply means you have to put a little more thought and effort into meeting and fulfilling each other’s needs in a nurturing way.
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THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE
2013
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14 SPORTS
THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES
David Ramos controls the ball
FC Belize topples Belmopan Bandits
Rigo Vellos
Mr. Belize, Rigo Vellos
Belize City, May 5, 2013 FC Belize toppled the #1 Belmopan Bandits 1-0 when they met at the MCC Grounds in Belize City on Sunday.
represents Belize in UK Hercules Olympia Corozal Town, May 4, 2013 Current Mr. Belize title holder, Rigo Vellos, arrived in London on Wednesday, three days before the much-anticipated 2013 Hercules Olympia takes place. The international bodybuilding competition will be held on Saturday, May 11th at the Charter Hall in Colchester, London. Rigo will be competing along with some of the world’s most chiseled bodybuilders. Rigo has been training intensely for this competition. After winning Mr. Belize in October 2012, his training curriculum increased to build mass and muscle. When the opportunity arose for Belizeans to travel to the United Kingdom, Rigo seized it. With the help of friends in Corozal, especially Nancy and Scott Rifenbark,
he held fundraisers to obtain the funds needed to travel. He also turned to the business community, individual sponsors and the Commonwealth Olympic Games Association for support. Rigo is already making history. This is the 1st time a Belizean is participating. It is positive exposure for Belize and future athletes who will have an opportunity to compete at this level. Rigo also left Belize as a winner. This past weekend he won 1st place in the Corozal Bodybuilding Competition Senior Category held upstairs of Lotus Studio. 1st place in the Junior category went to Farid Pott. Rigo also won 1st Place in the Habet and Habet Mr. Physique Competition held in Placencia over the Easter weekend.
12 MAY
2013
A 2nd minute goal for FC Belize by national U-19 striker Avian “Chi-Chis” Crawford was all it took to put the big, bad Belmopan Bandits in the hurt column. The Bandits, who had been riding the crest of a wave of victories as they closed off the regular season, already assured of a berth in the Central American champion of champions league coming up later this year. But they came a cropper against the fourth ranked FC Belize. Belize’s top goleador Deon Macaulay and Jerome “Jarro” James led the Bandits counterattack with the help of midfielders Dennis Serano, Brandon Peyrefitte, Floyd Jones and David Trapp, but the FC defenders George Estrada, Leon “Chow” Cadle, Luis Arriola and Matthew Leal locked up shop to secure the 1-zip win FC Belize found themselves down to 10 men when the referee sent off John “Bull” King with a red card, but the rest of the FC forwards. Macaulay left the game early, and his replacement, Gilbert “Hoof” Swazo, won’t be able to pay game to of the playoffs, since he earned a red card from the ref in injury time. David Trapp will also be watching Game 2 from the sidelines as he too got a red card for a bad tackle on Crawford’s half-time replacement, David “Gringo” Ramos. Jerome James almost got the equalizer for the Bandits in an injury time flick to finish a pass from Floyd Jones, but the linesman ruled James was off-side.
Police United beats BDF 3-1
Amin August scored Police’s 1st & 3rd goals Belize City, May 5, 2013 The BDF fell 1-3 to the Police United at FFB stadium in Belmopan on Saturday night. Amin “Tacos” August scored the cops’ 1st goal in the 4th minute of play, but BDF’s Tyrone Pandy headed in the equalizer in the 11th minute for a 1-1 draw, but the BDF’s luck ran out when their starting goalie Frank Lopez mishandled the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box in the 27th minute. Central referee Christopher Reid gave Lopez an early red ticket to the showers. Substitute goalie Delroy Roches took over and kept the game to a 1-1 draw into injury time when August scored a 2nd goal and Trevor “Burger” Lennon to head in a 3rd to finish a free-kick by Danny Jimenez. The BDF now need to win by 3 goals in the rematch with the Police at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Sunday, while the Bandits try for a 2-goal comeback in their rematch with FC Belize at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night.
12 MAY MAY 12
THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE
2013
SPORTS 15
Team Guydis wins 2013 SMART/Agric canoe race Oceana’s Vince Garbutt scored 15 points
Oceana No Limits drowns Sir Belikin 87-78
Belize City, May 3, 2013 Oceana No Limits got an 87-78 win against Sir Belikin when the 2013 interoffice basketball competition continued at Bird’s Isle on Friday night. Steve “Muerte” Williams scored 27 points, 9 rebounds for Sir Belikin who had a 27-24 lead in the 1st quarter, but Oceana tied the game at the half, 42-42. Oceana’s Jacob “Snake” Leslie scored 21pts while Brandon Rogers scored 21 points and 10 rebounds. Oceana eventually took the lead 63-59 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Sir Belikin’s offensive tried hard to get it going but it wasn’t quite enough as Oceana’s Benedict “Big Ben” Terry grabbing 9 rebounds, scored a bucket on the putback, John Rudon hit a long trey and David Alamilla added a bucket for the 87-78 win. Other matches Tuff e’Nuff vs. Conscious Youth Development Program – 85-79
Male division 2nd: NICH’s Oscar Cordon and Amado Cruz of the Dream Team - 2:27:18 3rd : Team Westrac: Erwin Cruz and Henner Cruz - 2:34:28 (7th overall). Intramural division 1st: St. Ignatius High School 2:24:35 (2nd overall) 2nd: Team Turds – 2:31:29 (6th overall) Mixed division 1st: Jayda Guydis in the second Guydis canoe - 2:26 07 35 (3rd overall) Kurt Burgess scored 9 points & had 9 rebounds
Berlan & Western Eagles win SMART/Harrison Parks cricket Willows Bank, May 4, 2013 Defending sub-champs Western Eagles of Rancho Dolores and Berlan of Bermudian Landing both enjoyed big wins when the 2013 SMART Harrison Parks national cricket competition continued in Willow’s bank and Sand Hill on Saturday. Western Eagles trumped the Strugglers 101 - 60 runs in Willows bank. The visitors batted first and Strugglers’ bowler Jerry Banner took 4 wickets, but Western Ea-
Roaring Creek, May 4, 2013 Team Guydis: Chris Guydis and the Sanchez twins: Jermaine and Jeremy, clocked 2:19 as they won 1st overall and the male division of the 2013 Smart Agric River Challenge canoe race from Iguana Creek to the National Agriculture and Trade Show grounds on Saturday. They also won a $135 1st prize and trophy.
gles’ captain Dirk Sutherland scored 23 runs as he led his team to a 101 score. Jervis Roca scored 16 runs for the home squad, but Rancho’s Kenroy Roca took 4 wickets to hold the Strugglers batsmen to 60 runs all out. Other matches: Berlan vs. Bright Star – 133 -131 Wicked Eleven vs. Brave Union – 200-176 Isabella Uprising vs. Surprise of Lemonal – 168-167 Sunrise vs. Alfred Dawson Cricket Club – Sunrise win by forfeit
2nd: Belize Bank - Armin, Ruth and Alfredo Lopez - 2:29:14 (5th overall) 3rd: Coast Guard Guardians Tony Franzua, Keyren Tzib, Glen Jones - 2:34:36 (8th overall) 4th: BDF No. 2 canoe - 2:44:47 (4th in the mixed category) Pleasure division 1st: Belize Defence Force – 2:34:50 (9th overall) 2nd Westrac II: Jerry Cante and Armando Lopez - 2:39:13 (11th overall) 3rd: Team Print Belize - Rudolph Gentle, Timoteo Vanegas and Javier Guardado 2:47:34 (14th overall). Junior division 1st: Team Black Orchid: Matthew Mask and teammates – 2:35:59 (10th overall) Masters division 1st: Team Grumpy Ol’ Men: Joe Seguro Stanley Bailey, Jerry Wilkens -2:39:45 (12th overall)
Holy Redeemer girls & Ephesus SDA boys are basketball champs Belize City, May 2, 2013 The Holy Redeemer RC School girls and the Ephesus 7th Day Adventist School boys won the Belize City primary school basketball championships at Bird’s Isle last Thursday. Zaria Jenkins scored 5 points as she led the Holy Redeemer School girls to a 13-12 win over the Belize Elementary School girls. Chelsea Williams led the BES girls with 9 pts. Chelsea Williams had also scored 14 points as she led the BES girls to a 16-14 win to eliminate the St. Martin De Porres
School girls in last Monday’s semifinals. St. Martin’s Shantae Palacio scored 11 points. Delbert Sabal scored 10 points as he led the Ephesus 7th Day Adventist boys to outlast the St. Martin De Porres School boys: 28-27. Martin’s Deon Edwards had 8 points. Antaun Palacio and Delbert Sabal had scored 13 points each, as they led the Ephesus boys to the finals by eliminating the St. John Vianney School boys 31-26 in Tuesday’s semifinals; Vianney’s James Pugh scored 8 pts. Glen Arzu had 10 points as Martin’s eliminated the Wesley Upper School.
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A Tribute to: Mom: by Francis Fonseca
May 6th, 2013: 2:00pm Holy Redeemer Parish A pleasant good afternoon to you all. Our Family deeply appreciates your presence here today. We thank you all for joining us to celebrate the life of Ms. Molly. My Mom didn’t like long talks so I will be brief. Molly Fonseca – Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend. Each title carried with equal grace, loyalty and dedication. Born in 1933 to Riverboat Captain/Mahogany trader Donald Young and Anne Mcfadzen of Willows Bank, Belize District, Molly Young was the first of six children. At an early age it became clear that my Moms’ life would come to be defined by service to others. First service to her parents; then service to her siblings after her parents passed away; then service to her own family; and throughout service to her God and Community. Mom’s Brand of Service was characterized by strength, loyalty and humility. She was a strong, tough woman who could give as good as she could take. She feared NO MAN. She was deeply loyal, loyal to her family and friends, loyal to her God, loyal to her Party and loyal to her beloved Belize. And perhaps above all else she was a compassionate, humble woman who quite simply cared more about others than about herself. She always looked for the good in others and was never quick to judge. She was drawn to Society’s “UNWANTED”, or perhaps they were drawn to her. The Homeless, Mentally ill, Prisoners, the Disabled ….. were regulars in her home. “They deserve love and respect” she would say. And she could never bring herself to say “NO” to the neighborhood children calling at her gate each week …..”Miss Molly, Mi Ma Say if Yu Gat something fi help an wid today”. And without a word, down the steps would come Ms. Molly with some change in one hand and a bag of something in the other. Even as she lay sick in bed these
past few months, she worried about these little children. Mom was passionate about her politics. She loved the People’s United Party. She believed in George Price and Said Musa and of course she had a special place in her heart for the new Party Leader. She appreciated the evolving role of women in Politics and understood the importance of women in leadership. She was a dedicated, aggressive campaigner in the Fort George Division for some 20 years and more recently made her contribution in the Freetown Area where she took on the role of Mother to the entire campaign team. Mom was an independent woman with a tireless work ethic. She would rise at 5 each
morning and by 7 both house and yard would be spotless. She could never be convinced to hire a helper, “they would just get in my way” she would say. And of course anybody who really knows Ms. Molly, knows that she loved her kitchen. She didn’t own small pots because she always wanted to feed a crowd. Everyone in the nieghbourhood would get a bite. For years she was in charge of the Supper Room for the Holy Redeemer Bazaar and for years Bishop O.P. Martin was her favorite Sunday Lunch Guest treated to some fantastic four course meals. She was faithful to the Belizean tradition of Sunday family lunch day. She thoroughly enjoyed the energy and laughter of her grandchildren.
She was of course, particularly proud of her children. She marveled at Carol’s academic growth and success, and supported her every step of the way from high school to PHD. And yes, she was indeed my biggest supporter, in education, in politics and in life. I consulted her and my Father on every major decision in my life and she was on the frontline of every challenge or task I undertook, always a straight shooter, and always positive. Her greatest gift to Carol and I was her unconditional love. Never judging, just believing. An important part of that gift was her love and care for our father throughout 55 years of marriage. My father started losing his sight some 25 years into that marriage. Carol and I were young teenagers. Those were undoubtedly hard and uncertain times for my parents, but our Mom’s strong, positive attitude kept us all going. Her faith and optimism never wavered. Her love for our father remained always deep and beautiful. He was the center of her life. His happiness was her happiness and they were happy!!! Mom slipped away peacefully last Wednesday evening after a four month battle with cancer. She passed away at #2 Keyhole Alley, Belize City in the same home she had been raised, where she had nursed her dying parents, where she finished raising her brothers, where she raised her own family. She lived an amazing, full, happy life and touched the lives of many along the way. When I think of my Mom, I am reminded of the passage in Corinthians Chapter 13 Verses 4 to 8. “Love is patent, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”. Mom, on behalf of Dad, Carol, your sister Daphne, your brothers Evan, Barney, Henry and Roy, your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I say thank you for the life you have lived. We love you and always will!!
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Reflections: Ms. Molly Fonseca
May 6, 2013 By the Rt. Hon. Said Musa I last saw Ms. Molly a few days before she died peacefully in bed at her home at No. 2 Keyhole Alley, Belize City. She was asleep when I arrived. Her husband William (Chi Chi) Fonseca was sitting by her side. Her son Francis our Party Leader stood watch over his beloved mother. Her daughter Dr. Carol was in the living room receiving a neighbor who had come to visit Ms. Molly. As I sat there in the presence of this great woman, my mind wandered back to happier days when Ms. Molly was by my side on the campaign trail visiting the homes and meeting the voters of the Fort George Division. Throughout my political career I have been blessed to have many outstanding women on the PUP Fort George Team. Molly Fonseca stood out as one of the most fiercely combative and energetic. She was a courageous warrior for her party and for her PUP candidate. Her loyalty was unquestionable. Yet she never hesitated to speak her mind and to upbraid me if she felt I was not working hard enough for the good people of Fort George especially the poor and the needy. Molly Fonseca was a humble woman. She never forgot her roots. Her family originally came from the Belize River Valley area, the village of Willows Bank. She was a country lady who stood by her husband Chi Chi Fonseca, her two children and her party, the PUP. She was also deeply committed to her religion. On Sunday afternoons, she and her husband would get regular visits from the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese, whether it was Bishop Hodapp, then Bishop Martin and later Bishop Dorick Wright. The leaders of her church obviously valued the friendship and opinions of Mr. and Mrs. William Fonseca. Ms. Molly was justly proud of her two children: Francis and Carol. They had no choice but to be good PUP – children of the
peaceful constructive revolution – children of the independence struggle in which their parents were fully engaged, one as an educator, the other as an activist, under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. George Price. Faith, Hope and Love and the greatest of these is Love, said St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. Molly Fonseca in her own special way embodied these virtues. Faith in her belief in the Almighty and Eternal God who through Je-
sus Christ has revealed His Glory. Hope that together we can all work to build a more peaceful and a more prosperous Belize where all can share in the bounty of this good and beautiful country; and Love, the love and many acts of charity she showed for the less fortunate. Many of the poor in Majestic Alley and other less privileged areas of Belize City will recall Ms. Molly bringing baskets of groceries and clothing she had collected for them.
She sought no recognition or accolades. No fame or fortune. For her it was simply an act of human kindness. By her cheerful deeds she left a fitting testament to guide her beloved son Francis in his political work. That advice was best expressed in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” On behalf of all members and supporters of the Peoples United Party we express our deepest sympathy to Mr. William Fonseca, daughter Dr. Carol and son, Francis, our Party Leader as well as the siblings and grandchildren at the loss of our friend, advisor, great champion and servant of the people Molly Fonseca. We can best honour the service of Merlene Thomasa Fonseca, our Molly Fonseca, by standing firm with the courage of our conviction as we strive to make life better for all. We will not let you down Ms. Molly. When your son becomes the next Prime Minister of Belize, I can just imagine the look on your face as you say to Francis: “We have a lot of work to do.” Rest in Peace Ms. Molly.
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Reid Grips of fear – the Felicia Chen case By G. Michael Reid Belizeans have become pretty much immune to our daily reports of crime and violence. It hardly fazes us anymore when we hear of someone being gunned down, a home being invaded or even of some small child being violated. It just happens way too often. Last Saturday’s news however, was way out of the ordinary. Nothing could have prepared us and it hit straight broadside. That kind of stuff you might, from time to time, hear on CNN or Fox news but not on Channel Seven! Early in the morning of Saturday April 27th, 22 year old Felicia Chen supposedly walked her four children into the muddy waters of Belizean Beach and proceeded to drown three of them. Her plan was apparently to drown all four but fortunately, the eldest, a six year old girl, was able to escape. Given the way these incidents are handled, we will probably never know why the young mother decided to take that drastic measure. In fact, the story has already been shadowed by the ongoing UNIBAM case and one has to wonder if this does not somehow reveal where our real priorities lie. Felicia Chen has since been charged with three counts of murder but understandably, the courts have ordered an assessment of the young mother’s mental state. In my opinion, no sentence that any court could impose can punish Chen more than her own conscience will, for the rest of her life. It is very,
many abortions that occur. Outof-school youth are said to be particularly vulnerable. It will be extremely difficult to stem the tide of teenage pregnancy but there are some things
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children for the same father and apparently, all beautiful and healthy children. It will not be easy to remove the images of those three lovely children from our memory. The saddest part in all of this that we can do. Many of these is that there are many women children have no clue of how to out there who try for years to raise children and are unaware get pregnant without any luck. of the vicissitudes of emotions Here is a woman who had four that come along with having chillovely, healthy babies. What could very sad. The other person that dren. I have advocated for years have possibly driven her to comwill suffer, and this even more for a clinic for first time mothers, mit that act? unfortunate, is the little girl that in particular teenage mothers. The sad news of the death of managed to escape. Imagine There are many women who the three little children touched the trauma and nightmares that have gone through it, reared chilme in a special way. For years I this child must now endure. The dren successful and could impart have felt unfortunate for having news reported that she would be knowledge to these young mothbeen brought up without a mothgiven counseling but what can ers. There is too much at risk for er. I was all of three years old anyone do or say to this child that us to just leave them out there when my own mother, for whatcan erase her agony; it will take just stumbling on their own. A ever reason, decided she could a very long time. What this child little support might be all that’s no longer live with my father. needs more than anything is a needed. She left home, leaving behind good home and a couple of parIt was not revealed whetheight children on the mercy of the ents that will adopt her and give er Felicia Chen was in or out of world. It is a long story with many her the love and care that will school when she had her first trials and tribulations but we all help her through this very diffipregnancy but what is known, survived. After learning of last week’s tragedy, I no longer feel unlucky or unThe saddest part in all of this is that there fortunate. I feel blessed are many women out there who try for and thank GOD that my decided to leave years to get pregnant without any luck. mother us alive when she left. Here is a woman who had four lovely, Situations can frustrate healthy babies. What could have possi- a person to sometimes do the most unthinkable bly driven her to commit that act? things. We probably will never know what drove Felicia Chen to do what she did and we can only be glad cult period. I would hope that the is that she was fifteen years old. that it did not happen to any of us. folks over there at Families and According to the laws of Belize, May GOD forgive her sin! Children will understand and will no child can give consent for sex do their best to expedite and not bog down the process. The usual until she is sixteen years of age. red tape in that system Obviously, a law was broken here. would be senseless, inChen went on to have three more sensitive and downright cruel. This child needs immediate placement with any family so willing to provide the needed love. A family in the states might be preferable since it would help to remove her from the environment altogether. A visit to Disney World might make her forget, if only for a moment. This very sad occurrence has raised many questions and has put focus on a very serious problem in our society; teenage pregnancy. Teen pregnancy rates in Belize have steadily been climbing and according to statistics, almost two thousands young girls become pregnant every year. This does not take into consideration, the
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WOMAN IN THE HOUSE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia
Keep the Gales Point Govt. School Open I learned earlier this year that Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber had suggested that the Gales Point Government School should be closed down. While most reasonable people would not be against the idea of more efficiency and the amalgamation of some small schools, it is my view that the case of the Gales Point Government School merits special attention and special treatment. I call Gales Point Manatee a special needs community. It is small and perhaps getting smaller. There is significant poverty, a lack of jobs and many abandoned properties and houses, and residents need to struggle hard to eke out a living due to the village’s isolation and a paucity of economic activity. There is a church group from the United States which has given some welcome attention to village needs and also the needs of the school. For this I am very grateful, as no doubt are the residents of Gales Point. As area representative I have given special attention to Gales Point, and my husband and chairman of our BRC Committee, Pepe Garcia, has pitched in with the help of many to offer attention to the various needs. Shortly after the general elections last year, he led the effort to get the water system up and running, after years of neglect by the previous area representative. We have also visited frequently and offered much needed assistance to residents, especially the elderly, and we have contributed to Mother’s Day programs, a Christmas Party for the children, Graduation gifts, and most recently the refurbishment of the basketball court, with new backboards and rims and complete drainage for the vicinity of this important open space and sports facility. In putting in the drainage and cleaning up we have employed persons from the community. And we have recommended various persons for jobs and lobbied for repairs to the community center which is also the hurricane shelter. Sadly we have helped lay to rest stalwart Village Elder and PUP supporter Mr. Walter Goff, whose memory, as well as his unwavering interest in his community, have continued to inspire us in our continuing outreach and work in Gales Point. When I heard that it is being proposed to close down the village’s primary school, I asked many residents what they thought. No one wants the school to be closed, and having looked at the issues involved I strongly share this position! Some 110 children attend the school. At the moment the principal and teachers come into Gales Point by bus along with about a dozen children every school-day
morning. The bus leaves from Dangriga, passes through Mullins River and collects about six children, picks up three children at White Ridge Farm and then goes unto the Manatee (Coastal) Road to collect another three children, before arriving in the village to commence the school day. It might seem surprising that the principal and teachers have to be bussed into the village, but I believe that it is essential that the one hundred children who are natives of Gales Point deserve quality education right where they live. If these children would have to go to a distant community to go to school, how will they eat? What will they have for breakfast and for lunch? What about the effects of all the commuting? I also recall that on attending the Graduation Ceremony last year, we learned that several of the graduates had done very well on the Primary School Exam. The little girl who passed first told us that her goal is to become a rocket scientist! The great majority of parents from Gales Point have difficulty putting food on the table each day, let alone having to try to find pocket money for the children if they have to leave their village to go to school. At least at lunchtime children can look forward to a little rice and beans, some ground food and some fish. Very importantly, teacher Shermadine Samuels, a wife and mother of three children, who lives in Gales Point is now in school at the Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College taking Primary Education as her major subject. She will be on Internship in September this year, and when she obtains her Associate Degree in Primary Education in December 2013, she will return to the Gales Point Government School. Her goal is to become Principal of the school. I think it is admirable that a daughter of Gales Point is prepared to take up the challenge of becoming the school’s Principal, and she should be given all the support she needs. Likewise, instead of talking of closing down the school, the authorities should focus on fixing the Mullins River Bridge, so that classes do not have to be called off when there is flooding due to heavy rains. I therefore feel very strongly that it would be a negative move even to contemplate closing the school. The authorities need to KEEP THE GALES POINT GOVERNMENT SCHOOL OPEN!!! and help the children of Gales Point to achieve their dreams, whether it be that of becoming a rocket scientist or even perhaps a teacher so that there can be those persons who will guide and nurture the children to achieve a good education and a bright future.
FOR SALE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE BY ORDER of the Supreme Court of Belize dated 16th April, 2013 in the matter between DANIEL FABRO and JUDE NAGENDRAN, YOUNGS LAW FIRM hereby gives notice of its intention to sell the properties described in the Schedule below. All offers to purchase the said properties must be submitted in writing to YOUNGS LAW FIRM, No. 28 Regent Street, Belize City, Belize from whom full particulars and conditions of the sale may be obtained. The properties will be sold by private treaty. The successful bidder will be required to deposit 10% immediately after notification that the bid is conditionally accepted. Deadline for bids is May 31, 2013. Contact person - Mrs. Jacqueline Locke. All rights are reserved including to extend the deadline date, refuse any bid or withdraw the properties from sale. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO (a) All that piece or parcel of land containing 38.803 acres situate Northwest of Middlesex Village and North of the Hummingbird Highway near Mile 25, Stann Creek District and bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 471 of 2008
(b) All that piece or parcel of land containing 3.013 acres situate at Southern Long Caye approximately 15 miles Northeast of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District and bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 470 of 2008
DATED this 3rd day of May, 2013. YOUNGS LAW FIRM 28 REGENT STREET BELIZE CITY BELIZE
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Home Economics
Just Another Show By Richard Harrison could purchase a much wider variThis annual event took place ety of tour offers that take in many over the past weekend...at the Namore of the experiences that are tional Agricultural and Trade Show possible in the Cayo and Stann Grounds at the junction of the WestCreek districts. ern and Hummingbird Highways. The investors in this facility These grounds are conservacould provide the terminal sertively valued at around BZ$15 milvices for buses traveling west, lion. east, north and south....so that The Ministry of Agriculture Belmopan does not have to unowns and is completely responsible dertake such an investment.....nor for the development of this propercompromise its already-crowded ty. public spaces. The stewardship for the develIn short....the National Agriculopment of this property shows the tural and Trade Show grounds is a low level of priority this Ministry public asset of significant value... gives to this great public asset. Its with much larger potential yeardevelopment has been mostly staground value. nant, and haphazard. There is no The Ministry of Agriculture blue-print for this development.... has proven its inability to provide just a hodgepodge of special interstewardship for the development ests circling the wagons. of the Agriculture Show....and also The meagre display of Agriculfor the development of this valutural produce and agri-business able property. has been in steady decline for deIf a wholesome, economically cades....as the show has been takviable vision is not taken on by the en over by telephone companies, powers that be....this property will merry-go-round, beer sales, food go the way of so many others in stalls and trinkets and accessories Belice....it will continue to be enof all kinds. croached upon by special interests Every year they promise more (eg 4-H, IICA, BRDP, Village Counreturn to the agriculture theme.... cil Association already chipped off but those promises are only for ratheir piece)....that will diminish the dio and TV audience... in substance, potential value of this asset over there is annual decline in the develtime. opment of this theme. “Perception Oh....by the way....I searched is the truth” seems to be the ethos for sweet potato everywhere on that pervades the Ministry....people the show grounds....there were watch your performance on radio none!! But Irish potato fries were and TV-talk show...and not necesavailable at almost every food sarily the substance of your work. stall. No wonder, the Belize MarIt’s time this valuable property is keting and Development Corpoturned over to a consortium of agration (BMDC), which is a statericulture, tourism and transport inowned enterprise, controlled by terests....perhaps under a Statutory the Ministry of Agriculture....and Body....to develop it based on a long Belize Agricultural Health Authority term plan....with a blue-print....such (BAHA), also under control of the that there is year-round economic Ministry...participate in the profits utility for this strategically located from importation of Irish potato.... property. but they do not profit from trade The portion of this property.... of locally grown sweet potato.... at the junction of the Western and welcome to Belice. Hummingbird Highways....should Richard Harrison is a local busibe where a major transportation hub nessman and investor in the manis constructed....to serve Belmoufacturing and service industries. pan, and passengers traveling east, Mr. Harrison holds a Masters in west and south. Buses, taxis, tour Business Administration degree operators, car rentals, cruise ship from Lancaster University, United buses, etc....can all tender in this faKingdom. Send comments to harcility....with all the services required risonbz@yahoo.com by these, set in the surrounds.... including year-round agricultural and agri-business produce display and trading...cultural and arts entertainment and trade....where The fastest selling newspaper in Belize cruise ship tourists
BELIZE TIMES
2013
For Sale By Order of the Mortgagee
Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a Company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 9th day of March, 2011, between AMOS VELASQUEZ of the one part, and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. of the other part , and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 6 of 2011 at folios 591 - 652; and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO ALL THAT piece and parcel of land situate in San Roman Village, Stann Creek District, Belize, and being Lot No. 66 comprising 1137.57 Square Yards bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 356 of 2003 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 10th day of April, 2013. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street, Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.
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2013
Assist a Child Who Has a Learning Difference
By Dr. Angela Banner Joseph Everyone is a person of their own, with their own choices, their own minds, their own strengths, and their own weaknesses. All those individual traits do not mean any one of us is better than anyone else. You are a unique individual, a pure handmade of the most high God. —Author Unknown What happens to children who learn differently in the classroom? What happens to the child who struggles to read or write? How do you inspire a child to learn when the child has a learning difference? Discovering that your child has a learning difference can be overwhelming. Children with learning differences are often labeled dumb, stupid, or retarded, but are quite the opposite. In fact, these children are often brilliant individuals with great strengths who just happen to learn differently. Different, yes; but disabled, no. For many of these children, simple or basic educational tasks are challenging. Many can compensate for their learning differences and need assistance from their parents and teachers to accommodate their learning style. Parents are the first to notice when something is “wrong” with their child. They may not be able to put their hands on it, but they see their child struggling in ways that his or her siblings are not. They may say to themselves that the child may grow out of it, but deep down in their hearts, they know that something is different. Malcolm X noted, “Don’t be in such a hurry to condemn a person because he doesn’t do what you do or think as you think. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today.” Oftentimes, children with a learning difference find reading or writing very challenging and may compensate by relying on auditory processing skills to
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complete a task. However, not everyone may understand or appreciate the child’s special learning style. Children with learning differences often go through the school day in fear of failing and feeling ashamed. Children need to learn how to cope with the challenges of school demands while feeling safe and valued. Parents and teachers need to learn how to work together to help the child succeed in a nurturing environment. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. We must find a way to reduce the stress about learning in the child’s life and to provide a partnership among parents, teachers, and the child to foster a healthy, successful relationship. School officials set the guidelines for how they will involve everyone to support the child’s education. Those in charge have many questions to ask and answer. Some of those questions may be how we can respect each child as we learn how to support a child with a learning difference, how proactive we must become to collaborate and create an integrated classroom, how we can reduce the shame a child with learning differences might feel, and how we can recognize the benefit and value of learning in all styles. Parents need education about how to connect with their children to help them learn in their own style. Likewise, school officials need to connect with parents who have questions and concerns. Parents may need information and education to enhance their skills as their child’s advocate to promote the child’s learning at home. Children with learning differences need the love and support of their families, and families need the support of the schools. Therefore, the need is imperative for schools to include families as partners in their children’s education. Because each child is different, the teacher or principal must understand how every family copes with assisting each child to achieve academic excellence despite the learning difference. If your child struggles with a learning difference, get off the sidelines and help your child succeed in school—and in life. Dr. Angela Banner Joseph holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Change from the Fielding Graduate University
NOTICE
For Sale by Mortgagee Belize Bank International Limited, a company duly formed and existing under the laws of Belize with registered office at 60 Market Square, Belize City, Belize HEREBY gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under Mortgage Debenture dated the 28th day of July, 2008 made between Belize Bank International Limited of the First Part, Hopkins Bay Limited S.A. of the Second Part and Belizean Dreams Estates Limited of the Third Part and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 27 of 2008 at Folios 99 – 204 as rectified by Deed of Rectification of Mortgage Debenture dated 30th March, 2009 and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 9 of 2009 at Folios 401-420. Belize Bank International Limited will at the expiration of 2 months from the date of first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the schedule hereto. ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Barrow & Company LLP, P.O. Box 63, 1440 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained. The properties are being sold subject to any rights of user or easements which may now exist in favour of neighbouring property owners. The Schedule Above Referred to 1. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 0.57 acres situate at False Sittee Point, Stann Creek District and shown and described as Common Area on Plan of Subdivision Survey of Tract No. 98 by Licensed surveyor J. A Keith dated 4th April, 2009 and registered at the Lands and Surveys Department as Entry No. 8031 in Register 18. 2. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 1,046.76 Square Metres situate at False Sittee Point, Stann Creek District and shown and described as Lot No. 1 on Plan of Subdivision Survey of Tract No. 98 by Licensed Surveyor J. A. Keith dated 4th April, 2009 and registered at the Lands of Survey Department as Entry 8031 in register 18. 3. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 740.010 Square Metres situate at False Sittee Point, Stann Creek District, and shown and described as the Parking Area on Plan of Subdivision Survey of Tract No. 98 by Licensed Surveyor J.A. Keith dated 4th April, 2004 and registered at the Lands and Surveys Department as Entry 8031 in register 18. Dated the 24th day of April, 2013. Barrow & Co. LLP 1440 Coney Drive Belize City, Belize Attorneys-at-law for The Belize Bank Limited
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THE BELIZE TIMES
What is your mother’s name and what do you love most about your mother?
FACES & OPINIONS
12 MAY
2013
Patrick
Marvin
Olivia Thompson; She is always there for me and my other sibling no matter what. Most of all she is very unique in her own way. Mom, we love you and will always do.
Ms. Leona Jones; I like that she had thirteen of us for one man and didn’t think about having an abortion. She always welcomes strangers and makes them feel at home.
Steven
Jemuel
Paulette
Mildred Lockwood; she is so kind and she is someone that I can depend on all the time no matter what.
To my grandmother, Sylvia Lord, Baby mother, Paula Robateau and special friends who are mothers out there. Love always and Happy Mother’s Day.
Ms. Rosilia Almenderez; A woman of strength, dignity, pride and most of all love. She is my rock, my strength and my everything. A blessed woman she is.
Kishawn
Geraldine
Nevaeh
Joan Mariano; she is kind and always loving to all her kids and friends.
Amanda Lewis; She is a strong woman and always loving to her children. She gives us the best advice in life.
Jahlone And Jahlyn
Shandine
Teacher, Excelsior High
Patrice Gardiner; we love that she has a job so she could take care of us and buy us what we need. We love you always mom. Happy Mother’s Day!
Hortence Hernandez; my mother is my biggest role model. She takes time out to talk to me, give me advice and opinion. Shows me what’s right from wrong. She is hard working and caring.
Michel’le Vernon; I like that she takes me places with her, sings with me and always makes me happy. I love my mommy.
Maliyah
Nicole Leslie; Like that she is loving and always there to hug me when I cry. Love my mommy. Student: YWCA
Student: Gwen Lizarraga High
Yasmine
Jeanne
Lynn Santos and Florence Santos; they are loving, caring, nice and awesome to me and the rest of the family.
Lovelia Trapp; I love that my mother cares and loves me. Also, she protects me from harm.
Sharema
Shemara
Claudette Waight; She is hard working, loving and always tries her best to get what we need.
Beverly Ebanks; the thing I love about my mother is that she loves me and I love her as well. She feeds me to time and provides all my needs.
Student: Gwen Lizarraga High
Sonia Augustus; My mother in law, a woman of God and a very powerful and strong woman. She is a blessing to my life.
Student: Gwen Lizarraga High
Student: Gwen Lizarraga High
Happy Mother’s Day
Roslyn Marsha Smith; my mother is a hard working person and always happy. Also, she is friendly and gets along with strangers.
Student: Gwen Lizarraga High
Shereen
Dulce Sutherland; She is a blessed woman from god. I love that she is a strong, powerful and healthy person who has a beautiful smile on her face every day no matter what happens. Love you mom and Happy Mother’s Day.
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2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
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12 MAY
THE BELIZE TIMES
PUBLIC service
announcements
2013
BRAIN
TEASER
SUDOKU PUZZLE #16/2013
Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation offers scholarships Belize City, May 7, 2013 The Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation is pleased to invite applications for the following scholarships for academic year 2013 – 2014. The Foundation emphasizes that once applicants are accepted into a program the main criteria for consideration is financial need. High School Scholarships tenable at any recognized High School in the country of Belize covering the cost of all Fees, Tuition and Books for a maximum of 4 years 1. The Joyce and Arthur Barrow Memorial Scholarship 2. The FULTEC Scholarship 3. The Dorin and Louis Humphreys Scholarship 4. The Joan and Said Musa Scholarship 5. The Rosaura and Erdulfo Nunez Scholarship 6. The Sharon and Chester Walker Scholarship University Scholarships tenable at Galen University covering the cost of Tuition for a maximum of 2 years 1. The Ariel Rosado Academic Scholarship
Answers for last week’s puzzle SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #15/2013
2. The Saniyya Rosado Athletic Scholarship Primary School Sailing Scholarships Interested Primary Schools are invited to apply for a Grant that covers the cost of 1 year membership fee and 25 sailing sessions with the Belize Sailing Association for 5 students attending any Primary School in Belize. Schools must provide adult supervision for students while participating in sailing sessions. The Board of Directors of The Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation takes this opportunity to thank all corporations and individuals whose sponsorship and support made these scholarships available to needy and deserving Belizean students. Application Forms are available at the Foundation’s Web Site arielrosadofoundation.bz OR by contacting the Foundation at email ariel. memorial@gmail.com OR by calling telephone numbers 223-5674 or 600-6665 OR by visiting the Foundation’s office at 967/968 Ariel Rosado Avenue, Mayflower Garden, Mile 3 Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize (next to Scotia Bank).
See answers NEXT WEEK
Answers for last week’s puzzle
See answers NEXT WEEK
12 MAY
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
PAPPY SHOW PATRICK
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VACANCY NOTICE Social Policy Officer (NO-2) TERMS OF REFERENCE The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is seeking qualified Belizean Nationals for the position of Social Policy Officer (NO-2) in the Belize Country Office. Temporary Appointment (TA): Duration (6) months; expiring on 31 December 2013. Background and Rationale: The 2013 – 2016 Government of Belize (GOB) - UNICEF Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) is designed to support the GOB to meet development priorities, the targets of the Millennium Development Goals and Declaration, and to fulfill the human rights of children and adolescents. Under the framework of the Belize National Plan of Action for Children and Adolescents (NPA), the Country Programme addresses ongoing threats to MDG achievement by focusing on nutrition, child survival, safe motherhood, quality education, HIV, positive adolescent development, violence and disaster preparedness and response.
Western Paradise Chairman candidate, Acencion Cal
Country Programme implementation is multi-sector, integrated and coordinated. Key human rights principles underlie the approach of the CPAP. The principles of universality and non-discrimination are applied at the policy level and through programme implementation designed to promote user friendly and accessible services for children living in the most disadvantaged communities. The principles of the child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation are incorporated in each programme, designed to respond to specific age group and gender specific characteristics and to the evolving capacities of the child. Within this context, UNICEF emphasizes knowledge and evidence-based advocacy to support informed decision-making in children’s best interests with the ultimate goal of ensuring the well-being of children and adolescents. The formulation of recommendations for the development of new approaches, methods and practices in social policies and strategies, in line with MDG and human rights obligations and on the basis of analyses of the evolving socio-economic environments is increasingly necessary to enhance strategic alliances between local interventions and sector wide specific programmes and allow for the strengthening of child friendly public policy formulation and implementation capacities to improve the volume, targeting and overall accountability of social investments. Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Representative: 1.
Policy Observatory Support the University of Belize Policy Observatory (PO) in hosting a launch/ symposium. The goal is to provide a professional platform for dialogue and information-sharing, as well as position the PO as the national platform to set and implement a child forward research agenda. Facilitate presentation of the Strategic Plan 2012-2014, and three major programmatic outputs: the extraction exercise for the Children’s Issues Research Agenda, the Analytical Synthesis of Belize’s Development Options, the High-School Drop-Out study and Budget Analysis.
2.
Municipalities Provide technical support to three communities (Belize City, Dangriga, Punta Gorda) in establishing a criteria and indicators to determine the level of child friendliness of cities and towns, and developed in tandem with the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and relevant stakeholders, indicators or parameters base for an agreed accreditation/award system to encourage and stimulate the process for the fulfilment of children’s rights by local governance structures.
3.
Budget Present the budget analysis and follow up advocacy efforts among partners and NGO’s
4.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)/Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Provide technical support to CRC and CEDAW reporting processes.
5.
Strategic Planning Support National Committee for Families and Children in the development of their Strategic Plan and the review of the National Plan of Action.
6.
United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Provide input to UNDAF task force on addressing Pillar 1
Hattieville Chairlady candidate, Pastor Jo Flowers Hattieville, May 8, 2013 Poor Patrick Faber!! He really di mek pappy show of himself. He has recently been seen all over Western Paradise trying to rehabilitate and resurrect the reputation of the “do nothing” chairman of Western Paradise and trying to convince people that the UDP really cares for them. With much hoopla a meeting of residents was called in the area the other day. Only about twenty people showed up, and the reception as Patrick and the UDPs have campaigned there has been lukewarm at best. Patrick needs to know that the people of Western Paradise aren’t fools. What they want is true representation from caring and competent people. Mr. Acencion Cal and his team, who are offering themselves to form the Western Paradise Village Council have been working hard to get their message of involvement and positive attention for Western Paradise out to all residents, and the people are responding well. In Hattieville, Patrick used the pretext of an education meeting at the Hattieville Government School to play his silly politics. When the parents arrived at the “education” meeting with Patrick and his UDP crew all they were treated to was a political rant by the loud mouth and long winded former UDP chairman. Still stung by the trouncing administered to him by Don Gapi Vega and his falling star within the UDP, Patrick di try turn the people’s heads in Hattieville. But Hattieville people are having none of it. Residents firmly let him know that the school warden jobs should be going to Hattieville resiContinued on page 31
Key studies to be used: • • • • • • • • • • •
Situation Analysis 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2006 & 2011 Analytical Synthesis of: - Belize’s development options - High School Drop-Out Budget Analysis 2011 Horizon 2030 – National Development Framework for Belize 2010 – 2030 National Child Labour Policy Early Childhood Development Policy Youth Policy National Plan of Action for Children & Adolescents in Belize 2004 - 2015 Belize Poverty Alleviation Strategic Plan UNDAF
Minimum Qualifications: University Degree, preferably advanced university degree or equivalent background, in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance, public relations or other relevant disciplines.. Knowledge and Work Experience: • Two years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and/or international levels in social or economic policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, and project administration, monitoring and evaluation. • Knowledge of key international human rights instruments and a sound understanding of the development sector is a pre-requisite. • Background/familiarity with Emergency • Fluency in English; Spanish is an asset. Core Values and Competencies: Commitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity, Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results, Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Applying Technical Expertise, Learning and Researching, Planning and Organizing. Other Skills and Attributes: Leadership and teamwork abilities, Excellent writing skills; Good managing resources and judgment skills; Team leadership and networking skills; Good computer management & competence in word processing, Power Point & Excel; Ability to work in an international, multicultural & team-based working environment Please visit our website http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html to access the Personal History (P11) Form to be sent by e-mail with a detailed résumé and covering letter to belize@unicef.org, attention: Operations Assistant, no later than 24 May, 2013. UNICEF OPERATES IN A HIV RESPECTFUL AND SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT & IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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THE BELIZE TIMES
To a strong Belizean Woman on Mothers’ Day Miss Jane - Strong woman are those who know the road ahead will be strewn with obstacles, but they still choose to walk it because it’s the right one for them Strong women are those who make mistakes, who admit to them, learn from those failures, and then use that knowledge and convert it into wisdom. Strong women are vulnerable, but when hurt, they still extend their hearts and their hands, knowing the risk and accepting the pain when it comes. Strong women are sometimes beat down by life, but they still stand back up and step forward again. Strong women are afraid, but they face their fear and move ahead to the future, as uncertain as it can be. Strong women are not those who succeed the first time, but those who fail time and again, and still keep trying until they succeed. Strong women face the daily trails of life, sometimes with fear, but always with their heads held high as the new day dawns. Strong women keep the Faith and Commandments of God, and renew their strength with Prayer. Mother, Gran, Ma Jane, you are truly remarkable and loved by so many people whose lives you have touched.
Happy Mothers’ Day! From all your children, grand children, and great grand children and all who are proud to call you “MOM”
12 MAY
2013
12 MAY
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
Hypertension/ High Blood Pressure
Homosexuality and Gravity Today in almost every household you can find an item that is extremely valuable to a person. For some it is a car, for others their computer or musical instrument, and for others it is a touch device! My cell phone, for example, cost as much as a mid-end desktop computer or laptop! As much as people love their phones, I have seen some really battered ones and even the most valuable ones I have seen leaning up on one side as a victim of gravity. See, it doesn’t matter what mankind does. We have a law called gravity that pulls things down to earth. We have found many uses for this force, but the main one keeps us on the face of the earth! Can you imagine a world without gravity? There are so many things we would have to change about our lifestyles, so many inventions that we would have to reengineer and some things that we would never be able to change! We are in a season in our country where some gentlemen are fighting against a law set out by nature and the Creator of mankind. The same law that caused these men to even exist, they are fighting against! None of these passionate people came to this earth based on the union of a man and another man or based on the union of a woman and another woman, yet they seek to defy the very nature that created them. You can be upset with gravity because it claimed your dad’s life as he fell off a verandah. You can even take gravity to court and win a case, but there is nothing you can do to change the principle of gravity. Depending on the way you interact with gravity it will either make you or break you. It will either make you productive, or it will destroy you. In the manual (Romans 1:26-32), it clearly states that Lesbianism and Homosexuality is unnatural, and it leads to death. Whether a law is passed or not passed, the result of sodomy is ‘sure’ and, that being said, I will turn my attention to those who are a part of the kingdom. Jesus sat at a well and asked a Samaritan woman for water (John 4). He eventually offered water to her claiming that she would never thirst again, effectively winning her heart completely over to the kingdom, and she became a herald of his Kingdom. See, everyone living in and enjoying sin is suffering from thirst, and it is our job as believers to find a skillful but effective way to win their hearts over to the kingdom. If they insist on that lifestyle even after patient pursuit that is their prerogative, and they will pay a dire price for it. As believers I recommend highly that first we learn how to ask sinners for water, secondly, that we learn how to help them to see the damaging effect of sin in their lives and finally that we learn how to offer living water to them! In conclusion, I would like to stress that we cannot change gravity. It is a law that was here before us, and will be here after we leave this earth. We also cannot ignore its power and expect to float or fly away. Even if we are in a plane, it will catch up to us the minute we run out of gas! Likewise, there is a law of nature and even more so, a divine law that homosexuality goes up against that no earthly court can rule over. I encourage you, before you begin to look at any law or principle, to first consider the highest law and that is divine law found in the constitution, for ‘all’ not some humans, called the BIBLE! Until next week God bless!
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Blood Pressure is the measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries (blood vessels) as your heart pumps blood through your body. The blood pressure readings are given as two numbers: the top number/systolic reading is when the heart contracts and the lower number/reading is when the heart relaxes. Normal Blood pressure are readings below 120 over 80 (120/80) and high blood pressure is when the readings are above 140 over 90 (140/90) for most of the time. Pre-hypertension is when the top number is between 120 to 140 and the bottom number is between 80 to 90. 1 in every 3 The World Health Organization and the Pan-American Health Organization have launched an awareness campaign to know your numbers: advising to regularly check our blood pressure. Complications of High blood pressure are the leading cause of death worldwide with one in three persons worldwide suffering from this condition. More alarming is that 1 in 3 persons with high blood pressure do not even know they have this disease. Causes In the majority of cases, no cause for high blood pressure is found and is referred to as primary/essential hypertension. You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if you are obese, eat too much salt, drink too much alcohol, have diabetes, smoke, and have a family history of hypertension. High blood pressure can be caused by another medical condition such as kidney disease, excess of certain hormones and common medications such as birth control pills, diet pills, and some cold/flu medications. Symptoms The most important point to remember is that in the majority of cases high blood pressure does not cause any symptoms. Because there are no symptoms, people can develop heart disease and kidney disease without knowing they have high blood pressure. This is why high blood pressure is referred to as the Silent Killer. Having high blood pressure increases the risk of having a heart attack and heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and circulation problems to the legs. Treatment - Controlling your blood pressure by: limiting the amount of salt you eat, eat a healthy diet including potassium and fiber and drinking plenty of water. - Aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day - Stop smoking, reduce alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing emotional stress will help in reducing your blood pressure.
By Dr. Mark Musa
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THINK ABOUT IT THE CHURCHES RISE The churches in Belize have been aroused. It is written that out of evil cometh good. The decision by some people, somewhere, to champion the homosexual act of sodomy has sparked a strong reaction from the churches. A young man, Caleb Orozco, who for years has practiced a different sexuality than the norm has found his gift-calling. Spurred on by an increasingly bold group of homosexuals in Belize, he has decided to be the point person in challenging the law that makes sodomy a crime. That law found in the criminal code at section 53 which states that “every person who commits an unnatural act with any other person or animal is guilty of a crime”. Section 53 of the law is a dead letter. It has never been used against homosexuals in Belize for as long as anyone can remember. In cases where persons have sex with animals or where young boys are sodomized, the law is very much alive, as it should be. Caleb and his crew have to convince the Chief Justice that this law discriminates against them and as such violates the constitution. The Constitution of Belize is the supreme law of our land. Any law that is inconsistent with the constitution is unconstitutional and cannot remain. This process does not happen automatically, the offending law has to be challenged and the court hears argument on both sides of the issue. The Constitution of Belize contains a whole chapter dealing exclusively with the fundamental human rights of everyone in Belize. Those rights are protected and guaranteed by the constitution. Last year the then judges of the Court of Appeal pronounced one of our government’s laws to be unconstitutional and struck it down. That law, rushed through the National Assembly, was for the purpose of singling out “enemies” of the government for special taxation measures and for rapidly enforcing, collecting and punishing such opponents of the government. Naturally, such a law is an affront to our democracy and other important legal principles. Three weeks ago Justice Oswell Legal pronounced two separate government laws to be unconstitutional. The sodomy law being challenged is a different kettle of fish. It is not a law against homosexuals. It is a law against the act of having anal sex and it is against rape of a man by man, or rape of a woman anally or having sex with animals. Homosexuals in Belize are free to wear nail polish, wear female clothes, dye and wear female hairstyle; walk and talk like women, behave like sissy and so on and so forth. No law prevents them in such. Indeed, the boledo vendor known as Shirley, permed her hair, grew long fingernails and walked and whined like a woman. Homosexuals in Belize have been engaging in sodomy from before the time of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Among the Baymen there were sure to be some gay men. So what is all this brouhaha about? Pastor Scott Stirm and Pastor Luis Wade of the Belize Evangelical Church-
12 MAY
THE BELIZE TIMES
es are correct when they claim there is a foreign agenda behind (no pun intended) Caleb Orozco and UNIBAM. The British media have reported that the former British Attorney General, Goldsmith is part of a British trust. Reporting on the 2 May, one article stated “The case to be heard in Belize’s Supreme Court, is also supported by the UK-based Human Dignity Trust, which has recruited Goldsmith to help present the claim. The trust is supporting legal actions around the world to remove laws that criminalize gay relationships. Cases have also begun in Jamaica and Northern Cypress, both formerly British colonies.” The British Goldsmith has come to Belize and did do his legal presentation in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. There may be other foreign groups not only sending lawyers but sending money as well. On the eve of the court case, a new Belize group announced itself and appeared to be formed in support of the court challenge. Nothing has so united the Churches in Belize as the homosexual challenge to the sodomy law. For them it is a moral issue that flies in the face of Biblical teachings. And here is the rub. Belize’s sodomy law was placed on the law books in 1888. It is a descendant of the Old Testament’s biblical law of Moses. In Leviticus Chapter 18 are the words at verse 22, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination.” Again, at Leviticus Chapter 20 verse 13, “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Then there is the frightening story in Genesis, Chapters 18 and 19 where God sent two angels to the City of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed it totally because of homosexuals. If it were only in the Old Testament that God is unhappy with sodomy, the churches could find a place in their hearts to live and let live, as they have done with the many sins denounced by the laws of Moses. One such being at Leviticus Chapter 11:7-8 not to eat swine. Nobody eat more swine, pork, pig than Belizeans and the churches look the other way. But with the arrival of Jesus and the new teachings in the New Testament of the Bible, homosexuals are again among the great sinners. See Romans Chapter 1 verses 26 to 28 and Jude at verse 7. Whatever the outcome of the case in the Supreme Court, it is heartening to see the churches of Belize so united, and speaking out on a moral issue. For, although Belize has more churches than ever, it has been having less morals than ever. Nothing so corrodes and weakens a society than the loss of morals and the reduction in standards and values. To see the Anglican Bishop, the Roman Catholic Bishop and senior leaders of the other churches sitting in the Chief Justice court listening for hours to boring and tedious arguments is a small miracle. May good things can come out of it. The time may be upon us when we stand up for what is right. One such, is a frontal attack against the licentiousness of some cable TV shows and the disgusting
lyrics of some music that are constantly being beamed into the minds of our young people. JUDGE SHOWS MERCY A judge of the Supreme Court showed mercy to a criminal. A man was on trial for carnal knowledge in the Court of Judge Troadio Gonzalez and a jury of nine citizens. The jury found that there was not sufficient evidence on which to find the man guilty, but they found him guilty of indecent assault. The judge could have sent the man to prison. But in the circumstances he felt that was not the best form of punishment. He instead imposed a high fine of many thousands of dollars. Some criminals feel the pain in their pockets more than having to sit in prison a year or two. That man will be paying his hard earned money month after month after month. For years, by the sweat of his brow he will be paying. If he misses any payment he goes to jail. Every time he makes a payment he will be cursing himself for his crime. His family will curse him too for their financial deprivations. It is the teachings of history and religion than justice is always to be tempered with mercy. Not every person guilty of a crime is to be punished with imprisonment. There are others for whom jail is the best punishment. It is a form of wisdom to know when to jail and when to impose a fine. BELIZE’S BORDER LINE Along the Belize/Guatemala border on the West are three markers. One at Aguas Turbias at the top by Belize with Guatemala and Mexico. One around the midway at Garbutt’s Falls. And one down south at Gracias a Dios. The British, on their own, surveyed between Aguas Turbias and Garbutt’s Falls, but Guatemala does not recognize this line. No survey was ever done between Garbutt’s Falls and Gracias a Dios. None. EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING Cynthia Usher, a hard-working and productive mother from Ladyville has been crying her heart out on Channel 5 about the death of her son, Ryan Lozano. Lozano appears to be a habitual burglar. His mom says he is no angel. The police, three weeks ago, caught Lozano red handed in a burglary at Los Lagos on the Northern road. The police version is that Lozano came out the house with a crowbar and a knife and advanced towards the police who were all armed. One of them fatally shot Lozano. However, the mother has seen her son’s body at the morgue. She says he has three shots. Entry wounds from his back and huge exits wounds in his chest. She says she has information her son was shot from the back. He was not advancing towards anyone and was already detained when he was shot. As usual both the Police Department and the Ministry responsible for the Police are found wanting, to put it mildly. What kind of country is this that a single mother cannot learn whether her
2013
son was shot in the back or not. There are several eyewitnesses. Are the police who were present lying? Is the civilian witness being intimidated? Are there any NGOs impartial and brave to get involved? This is what justice is about. Extra judicial killings are serious matters in a democracy. Is the Human Rights Commission in Belmopan willing to take on this matter? SAMANTHA MATUTE Samantha Katrina Matute is the newest lawyer to be admitted to the Bar Association and to practice law in the Courts of Belize. Chief Justice of Belize, Honorable Kenneth Benjamin, did the honors of deciding over the legal ceremonies required for admittance to the Rolls of Attorneys duly authorized to practice law. Miss Matute was awarded a degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Guyana in 2010 and the Legal Education Certificate after two more years of the Norman Manley School. She is the daughter of the Senior Magistrate, Merlene Moody. Chief Justice Benjamin in admitting Miss Matute had serious words of advice as well as excellent encouragement to the new attorney and even quoted from a special red book handed to him when he was first admitted to the bar. The new attorney and her family were invited to the Chief Justice’s chambers following the formal admittance to practice law in Belize and we join all those who have offered congratulations to Samantha Matute and her proud family. GUANTANAMO To the everlasting shame of the great United States of America, they have a not so secret prison at their military base at Guantanamo, Cuba. For over ten years hundreds of prisoners from foreign countries have been kept there without trial, without visits and without basic human rights. Except for about 8 persons, the USA has had to accept that there are no reasons for keeping these persons locked up. Of the over 500 originally jailed, some two hundred remain in Guantanamo. Most of those have started to starve themselves to death. Dozens of US military doctors were flown to prison to do their best to prevent the deaths of the prisoners. If the prisoners start dying there is expected to be widespread retaliation in all manners and forms all around the world. MOTHER’S DAY Of all the events that are celebrated in Belize, with the exception of Easter and Christmas there is none as significant as Mother’s Day. There is nothing to compare to a mother’s love. There is nothing to compare to a mother’s work and sacrifice for her children. Most mothers would give their lives for their children. Among the Ten Commandments given by God, is one that calls on all children to honor their mothers and fathers that their days may be long in the land which the Lord their God has given them. One thing about Belizeans they go out of their way to show their appreciation to their mothers on Mother’s Day. We offer the greatest of wishes and respect to all the mothers of Belize.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
PUP Marshalls mobilize Dangriga Town, May 7, 2013 President of the PUP Marshalls Corps, Stephen Latchman, continues the work of organizing and rebuilding the Marshalls Service Corps, one of
the senior arms of the People’s United Party. A series of meetings are being held countrywide under the agenda: The Way Forward. These meetings include coordinators and members
PAPPY SHOW PATRICK Continued from page 27 dents as opposed to the imported politically-chosen wardens from his area. They have also not been impressed with his paltry “donation” to the school. Patrick is late! Hon. Dolores has already done comprehensive visits to schools throughout her constituency and made significant donations to the sports programs of the schools. At the Hattieville Government School, Hon. Dolores contributed several loads of sandfill for the volleyball field and also volleyballs for the sports program. Hattieville people, as with the residents of many other Belize Rural Central communities, know that the persons who are offering themselves for service to their communities on PUP slates will be the real deal and will be those who can be trusted to give genuine service to their communities. They know that their support should go to Pastor Jo Flowers and her team. Bigger circus than Pappy Show Patrick come da Hattieville and done bruk up!!
Liquor License NOTICES
Notice is hereby given that ESTHER MOGUEL is applying for a Beer To Go Liquor License to be operated at #7 Sittee River Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that MARIA DEL CARMEN DE LA FUENTE is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “El Gran Mestizo Resort”, situate at Savannah Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Belize City Marshalls
of the Marshalls group who have committed to the mobilization process. On Sunday May 5th, Marshalls President met with his counterparts in Dangriga at the PUP headquarters. The meeting was also attended by the area representative Hon. Ivan Ramos. A way forward was agreed to get
the Marshalls movement mobilized and ready to go. The coordinator is Mr. John Swazo. A similar meeting was also held in Orange Walk with coordinator Mr. Armando Valdez and members of the Marshalls group on March 23rd. A meeting will be held for the Western
Caucus at the Cahal Pech Resort with Vice President Ursulo Guerra on Sunday May 18th, 2013 at Cahal Pech Resort in San Ignacio at 3:00pm sharp. All supporters and interested parties are welcome to attend and join the National President to help to mobilise and organise this dynamic group.
Dominoes in the Jungle Belize City, April 29, 2013 The Henry Usher Dominoes Tournament continued in the Fort George Division this past Sunday, April 28 2013. The Pickstock Hutment came out to cheer on the players and enjoy the event, including a dance-off. In the end the women showed the men how to play ‘black stick’
taking 3 of the top 4 prizes. The overall winner, Mr. Leroy Louriano, is a long-time resident of the area. Mr. Usher said that he will continue to sponsor the tournament in the area, because it is a great way for res-
idents of all ages to come together as a community and have a relaxing day of fun.
31 EU Blacklists Belize Belize City, May 8, 2013 Belize has been included in a list of countries which have “failed to sufficiently fight illegal fishing” and which could face stiff sanctions in their trade in the EU market. The list which was updated by the European Parliament’s fisheries committee on January 23rd was published, for the first time, a few days ago. It also includes Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, Togo, and Vanuatu. In addition to prohibitions on trading fishing stock, those countries which do not improve their regulation of fisheries industry could also be barred from engaging in joint fishing operations or chartering agreements with EU vessels. According to one local fisheries official, Belize’s inclusion in the list comes as a surprise. The official said that a team from Belize had travelled to Brussels to exchange information. Another Belize delegation will be going to Brussels for another appointment. Until then, the blacklisting stands and Belize is deemed as a country not doing enough to fend off illegal fishing. European Commissioner Maria Damanaki described their efforts as “we want to signal to the world that the EU will not tolerate IUU fishing – a criminal activity which undermines the livelihood of fishing communities and depletes fish stocks. It must be eradicated by all means”.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
12 MAY
2013