Belize Times May 8, 2016

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

8 MAY 2016 | ISSUE NO: 4992

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

TEK BACK SARSTOON!

PUP National Executive during meeting on Tuesday May 3, 2016

Pg. 6 8 MURDERS IN 5 DAYS

Sedi holds secret talks with Guatemala No Opposition representative at meetings

Akeem Thimbriel

Miriam Mai and Daisy Miralda

Another Gang Figure Gunned Down

Pg. 3

“Mr. Price was not a war hero, or some great military general; that he was not some rich financial mogul, but that Mr. Price was a revolutionary who led a movement that was peaceful, constructive and Belizean.”

- PUP Leader Hon. John Briceno at special unveiling of Rt. Hon George Price Bust in Belize City

Shawn Lopez

Pg. 16

Keon Williams

Belize City, Wednesday April 4, 2016 Another gang figure, Supal Street affiliate Keon “Gambis” Williams, 38, was killed in broad daylight as he rode his motorcycle on Central American Boulevard on Saturday at around 5:30pm.

According to Police, Williams was at the corner of Antelope Street and Central American Boulevard when a “whitish” four door Lincoln drove past and somebody opened fire from the open passenger side window.

Williams was shot to the back, neck and shoulder and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Karl Heusner memorial Hospital. On Saturday Police Scenes of Crimes markers dotted the scene, and eyewitnesses claimed that as many as 12 shots were fired out of the vehicle.

342 DAYS SINCE WE LOST THE SARSTOON

0 22

OPINION OUT UB Student writes on Belize/ Guatemala Dispute

!

Dear Editor, I am a 20yr old Belizean student at the University of Belize in Belmopan, doing my 2nd year of studies for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

I write in respect to the issue of the unfounded Guatemalan claim on Belize. I gather that the different media outlets as well as the other public forums have been inundated with public opinions and sentiments on this issue, whether the positions brought forward are ‘informed’ and supported by evidence or are just mere frustrated rants.

Growing up in Belize, I always knew from primary school that there is an existing and sustained claim on Belize by neighboring Guatemala, but also understood that Belize appreciated the diplomacy with which the matter was treated, as there had not been any military advancement or any other advancement to effect or influence a volatile situation which would result in war.

Today we see a difference in Guatemala’s behavior towards our citizens and military, particularly along the Sarstoon River which has resulted in repeated aggression by the Guatemalan Navy. Belize, however, in the face of this continues to exercise extreme restraint, preferring Diplomatic Resolutions and seeking to engage the office of the Organization of American States (OAS) as an unbiased mediator.

Then there is the question of whether or not we should take the matter to a tribunal at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to end the con-

LOCAL 5 May

24 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

Chamber holds AGM, elects new Executive Council

tention and dispute and to arrive at a final resolution. But in the absence of a referendum that will decide whether we go to the ICJ or not, we find ourselves to be divided on this proposed course.

Some argue that there is too much uncertainty, and that a capricious judgment could force Belize to cede Her land to Guatemala. Others remain resolute on the position that the 1859 Treaty offers overwhelming evidence to secure a victory for Belize, and that the only way to formally resolve the dispute is through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

For context we visit that treaty: Article 1 of The 1859 Treaty documents well the arrangement that “Her Britannic Majesty (now Belize) and the Republic of Guatemala agree that the boundary between the Republic and the British Settlement and Possession in the Bay of Honduras, as they existed previous to and on the 1st day of January 1850, and have continued to exist up to the present time, was and is as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the river Sarstoon in the Bay of Honduras, and proceeding up the mid channel thereof to Gracias a Dios Falls; then turning to the right and continuing by a line drawn direct from Gracias a Dios Falls to Garbutt’s Falls on the river Belize, and from Garbutt’s Falls due north until it strikes the Mexican frontier.”

Article 6 of that same Treaty clarifies that, “It is further agreed that the channels in the waterline of the boundary described in Article 1 of the present Convention, shall be equally free and open to the vessels and boats of both parties; and that any islands which may be found therein shall belong to the party on whose side of the main navigable channel they are situated.”

As a young Belizean who has sought to educate myself on this issue, also weighing our chances as a nation, I feel it necessary to appoint an environment and an opportunity to voice my position on this critically important issue. I support the idea of taking the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

However, there must be, before hindsight becomes an operative term, recommendations and assurances by way of structured provisions to our agreement via referendum to employ that tribunal, that in the event that Belize suffers a loss, (given that Belize is the only party which stands to lose) that the

WEATHER 6 May

7 May

8 May

2016

April 29, 2016 The 96th Annual General Meeting of the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry was held on Thursday, April 28th, at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina. As this is an election year, the room was bursting at the seams with attendees to support the potential councilor of their choice.

The evening commenced with our anthem, prayer and welcome address by our VP of Commerce, Mr. Marcello Blake.

The Year in Review video presentation displayed highlights and accomplishments of 2015 which included the successes of our members, our CRM award from the ILO valued at €20,000, participation in continued public/private dialogue, and our staple Expos. Guest Speaker, Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton delivered a comprehensive address on the ways in which the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce is working to enhance the process of doing business locally and globally. Her personal challenge was to increase and sustain the national GDP rate to at least 3% and to work with the private sector in achieving deliverables that will be favourable for a prosperous business environment.

H.E. Dan Guiterez, the current Director of Public/Private Dialogue, also delivered a presentation on the work of the Economic Development Council. He charged the audience to continue to provide their feedback and

award to Guatemala be in form of monetary compensation and not cession of territory. In the meantime, Belize must register its discontent with the continued aggression by Guatemala with the international community, and seek to invite their empathy and support in our endeavors.

While we await a final course that will put this claim to rest, we must continue to work along with our neighbors to protect our country and people, and to affirm and assert our sovereign right to exist without undue threat and/ or aggression. To my fellow Belizeans young and old, we cannot continue to lock ourselves in our rooms with our headphones on, lest we disturb our neighbors. Begin to participate in the discussions, register your concerns and stand for the protection of your country and its sovereignty. We owe it to our children. Respect!

Tania Rodriguez

269 Mar May

support.

Our CEO, Mrs. Kim Aikman, then opened the Business session to review and accept the minutes of the 2015 AGM. The now Past President, Mr. Arturo Vasquez, gave remarks on the current state of the BCCI as on the continued importance of the active engagement of the members and the Chamber. The President also expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to serve during his presidency. He applauded Mr. Nikita Usher as his successor and encouraged him to keep the vision of the Chamber alive.

BCCI’s Treasurer, Mrs. Claudette El Ters, delivered the presentation and adoption of the 2015 Financial Statements, and elaborated on the Chamber’s current financial position and the critical decisions that were made.

Other elected members of the Executive for 2016-2018 are: Mr. Allen Reimer (V.P. Industry), Mr. Giacomo Sanchez (V.P. Services), Mr. Marcello Blake (V.P. Commerce), Mrs. Ashanti Athurs Marin (Secretary).

The session continued with the presentations from the hopeful Executive Council candidates. Of the nine nominated, the five voted in by Chamber members are Ms. Marissa Longsworth, Ms. Jane Longsworth, Mr. William Usher, Mr. Andrew Roe and Mr. Rufino Lin. The Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry continues its dedication and commitment to its members - a commitment that remains fueled by our Triple C Philosophy to Connect, Capacitate and Champion on behalf of the members of the business community.

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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 TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

27 Mar May 610 Feb

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8 MAY

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sedi holds secret talks with Guatemala

Belize City, May 03, 2016 Belize’s worst Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington is holding secret talks with Guatemalan officials in Washington, U.S., this week.

Elrington has been tasked by the Prime Minister to work out another compromise with Guatemala who recently ratcheted up their aggression against Belize following the fatal shooting of a 13 year old Guatemalan deep inside Belize’s western territory on April 21st, 2016. In response, Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales instructed an amassing of troops along our borders with Guatemala, and that the military take full control of the entire Sarstoon River.

In a dangerous and sinister move, the Prime Minister has blocked the Opposition from participating in the important negotiations with Guatemala. This means that the matters discussed, and agreed on, on Belize’s behalf will be wholly left to Sedi’s discretion. What a hot mess!

The Prime Minister continues to place confidence on Elrington even though the Foreign Minister has lost major credibility in the eyes of the

Belizean people. Elrington has been on the wrong side of history. He has insisted in calling our borders “artificial” and has claimed that Belize has no maritime boundaries in the South.

His statements are carefully monitored and recorded by our neighbours and seem to have emboldened Guatemala.

Opposition Leader Hon. John Briceño, on Tuesday, expressed grave disappointment at the Government’s decision to leave the Opposition out of the important bilateral talks.

“…certain actions that the government has taken have shown that they no longer believe in this bipartisan approach,” stated Hon. Briceño, adding that it was a wrong move.

Briceño has insisted to the Prime Minister that the Guatemalan dispute must be tackled by a “national team” of experts.

Presently, the Government’s positions follow the erratic whims of one man who seems to always end up with his foot in his mouth.

What will Sedi be saying or doing in Belize’s name? With him at the forefront all we’ve gotten are artificial border, no maritime boundaries, Sarstoon protocol, no to BTV movement, lies about agreements on military bases along our Southern border and more Guatemalan belligerence.

03 3

Morales lashes out at Barrow Belize City, May 4, 2016 In a strongly-worded press release issued on Wednesday afternoon, the Government of Guatemala lashed out at Prime Minister Dean Barrow for statements made at a press conference he held in Belmopan yesterday.

The release accuses Barrow of deflecting attention and “attempting to justify” the shooting death of the Guatemalan national, 13 year old Julio Rene Alvarado Ruano at the hands of Belizean soldiers.

In the release, the Guatemalan Government informs that it has lobbied for the Organisation of American States to appoint “an ad-hoc Commission of Inquiry” to investigate the shooting.

Guatemalan officials have launched severe criticism and attacks on Belize’s security forces. This campaign continued in their most recent statement.

Interestingly, the release states that while Guatemala considers that the bilateral meetings between their officials and Belize’s Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington are being carried out “in a positive environment”, it was not reflected in the statements by the Prime Minister.

4 04

THE BELIZE TIMES

HARD KNOCKS Jesus Take the Wheel When the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that Sedi Elrington was meeting with the Guatemalans in Washington, there was no immediate sense of relief or confidence that Belize’s interests would be promoted. For a long time now Sedi has been a little confused where Belize’s interests are concerned. He can’t seem to see that clear line between our interests and their interests. When Sedi says all is well, it is time to time to worry, maybe even time to panic. The last round of discussions our FM had with Guatemala, he told us how great they were – really nice people, respectful and mature and oh how they love Belize and want to be our friends. And we lost the Sarstoon easy as that. This time, God forbid, Sedi might come back smiling and then we find out down the line we lost Barranco.

We believe Guatemala’s Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, gave an interview in which he stated that he and Sedi agreed that no Belizean would go to Sarstoon Island, and that it should be left to the animals and the birds. PM Barrow says he doesn’t believe that at all. He says that Carlos Raul is known for making up stuff. But you know what? Mr. Barrow looked a little worried. Maybe he’s not so sure that Sedi wouldn’t make an agreement like that. The other day Sedi said in an interview that he doesn’t understand why all the fuss about Sarstoon Island and the Sarstoon since it’s not like we plan to go live there anyway. So it’s not too far a stretch to see him telling Carlos Raul that no Belizean will be allowed to go to Sarstoon Island.

We believe.

The Master of Deception Mr. Barrow is a very disingenuous fellow. He’s not to be trusted. All this time he’s been crying that the Opposition doesn’t want to do the bi-partisan thing when dealing with Guatemala. He blames the Opposition for not being on board. So the Opposition gets on board fully, and for the first time Belizeans got an idea of what’s really going on when Sedi sits down with Carlos Raul behind closed doors. It’s a scary thing – really scary. But then Mr. Barrow realizes that if the Opposition is on board then the people of Belize will know too much, and that’s not a good thing, according to the UDP. So the Opposition gets pushed out. When the UDP came up with its bogus Sarstoon law there was no consultation with the Opposition. Right now Sedi is meeting with Guatemala and there’s no Opposition representative along. So what it comes down to is that Mr. Barrow wants it when he wants it, but it has to be his way or the highway.

The Opposition don’t play that Sir. We don’t play with our territorial sovereignty the way Sedi does when he sits all cozy with Carlos Raul. This is serious business.

Mr. Saldivar is a No Show The Minister of National Security wasn’t present at the Prime Minister’s press conference on Tuesday. That’s probably because he doesn’t bring a whole lot to the table, really.

While Saldivar has been busy playing bandit in Belmopan, our BDF soldiers are forced to patrol our borders without the proper gear and equipment, without good boots and uniforms, with scarce resources. While Saldivar is busy campaigning all over the country, our law enforcement personnel are putting themselves at risk every day without the proper resources. This is no joke. Our Police are outmanned, outgunned and out-resourced on the streets. Look at crime spiraling out of control right now. But John Saldivar isn’t really concerned about all that.

Morale is at an all-time low, but John Saldivar’s morale is at an all-time high so it doesn’t matter. He gets to be driven around like a plump mafia don in darktinted SUVs without license plates, personal security so close to him he might as well be attached with a baby-carrier. John Saldivar is living his little fantasy life while our law enforcement personnel are struggling to serve our country.

And he wants to be Prime Minister. If he’s behaving like this now and he’s a virtual nobody, imagine how he’d behave at the top spot. Lord help us all.

8 MAY

2016

Interesting times we live in…

Contributed All over the world fuel prices have gone down as oil prices maintain an unprecedented low of around $35 - $40 per barrel.

But for some strange reason, pump prices in Belize keep going up. Right now Premium and Regular fuel cost exactly the same – about $9.06. Imagine that.

Imagine something else. In a few weeks the government will probably have to pay Lord Ashcroft close to $200M. Maybe more. All because the Prime Minister thought he knew everything. He thought he was so smart that he could play in the same ring as the big boys and win. He lost. Well, actually we lost because WE will have to pay that money, not the Prime Minister and not the UDP. Can you say RECESSION? And can you say trouble in paradise? The UDP is shaking on its lightweight foundation right before our eyes. Gaspar Vega has bid farewell to politics.

You don’t believe that crap about it being because of family. You see, Margarito Gaspar Vega is a businessman. He knows how to make money, and all these years he has made HUGE money and gotten wealthier like you wouldn’t believe.

And it’s not just him. His brothers have fed at the trough, his children have fed at the trough, his cousins and extended family members have fed at the trough. My Lord, they really got fat while Vega had some power in government – juicy exclusive import permits, bloated contracts, prime land…you name it.

One thing you have to say about Gapi is that he is a family man.

He made sure that when he got it, everybody in his circle got it as well. We keep waiting for the fellow to be struck by lightning in the House, because he loves to call on God. But there’s time for that yet.

Vega got out because he could no longer wield the type of power he had at the Lands Department.

He couldn’t give away any more, he couldn’t manipulate people using land anymore…he couldn’t get richer off land anymore. Really the writing was on the wall the moment the Prime Minister took away that portfolio from him. Gapi knew that without that power he is nothing.

He knew that he would NEVER, NEVER be Prime Minister of this country. God forbid. He knew that the party would break up once Dean Oliver said his goodbyes. So he got out. Good for him.

But now it’s getting interesting.

Patrick Faber vs. John Saldivar for first deputy leader of the UDP. The winner is pretty much assured a shot at the top spot when Barrow bids farewell. Can you really imagine John Saldivar or Patrick Faber in any position of real leadership in this country? Everybody knows that Patrick has “issues,” to put it nicely, and everybody knows about John Saldivar’s dealings in Belmopan. Now they’re both hugging up in public but cutting each other’s throats in private. We hear John has all the information on Patrick through his Police and Special Branch ties.

So it’s going to be fun to watch the UDP rip itself to pieces in the days ahead. Especially if Patrick loses. He’s already lost a bid for first deputy, so this would be the second loss for the man who is convinced in his own little mind that he will be the next Prime Minister of this country.

Let me end this way. The People’s United Party is poised for victory, poised to take over Belmopan.

Everybody can feel the welcome winds of change blowing. We are united and strong and vibrant once again. We are making a move. This train is bound for glory.

When they said the best is coming…they were predicting that the PUP would win the next general elections. That’s my story and we’re sticking to it.

8 MAY

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

5 05

EDITORIAL Barrow’s Cowardly Act

L

ast week, while senior security officials were in tense negotiations with the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) in an attempt to dissuade them from carrying out a patriotic trip to the Sarstoon area on Saturday April 30th, the Governor General on the advice of Prime Minister Dean Barrow signed into law an unprecedented legislation that placed an effective ban on travelling to the entire Sarstoon area.

For the first time in Belize’s history and the history of Guatemala’s baseless claim including its recent belligerent actions against our country, the Belize Government is on the same side as the Guatemalan Government, forcefully prohibiting Belizeans from accessing Belizean territory. This was the principal effect of Statutory Instrument 42 of 2016…to “prohibit persons and vessels, without lawful authority, from entering into Belize’s portion of the Sarstoon River”.

Belizeans at home and abroad were in a state of shock at the introduction of such a law. The Belize Government is hell-bent on maintaining what Belizeans have come to know as Guatemala’s version of a “status quo” in the Sarstoon. This “status quo”, as described by Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales, is that Belizeans do not have immediate access to the Sarstoon area. Guatemala claims that the entire Sarstoon River is theirs.

The irony in the actions of the Belmopan boys is that United Democratic Party has made it a special tradition to recognise and celebrate “the Battle of St. George Caye” as a special moment in our nation’s history. This is 1798, when, according to various history accounts, slaves decided to fight with their British masters against Spanish conquistadores. This is a proud historical event in which the Baymen’s clan defended British Honduras from invaders. Even the British new better than to prohibit access to the “battle area” and instead called for the defense of what was “homeland”.

On Saturday, as another chapter of the Battle for Sarstoon played out, Belizeans got another bitter dosage of Barrow-style authoritarianism when under his instructions the Police, Coast Guard and Belize De-

fence Force officers were deployed to stop the BTV at any cost. Instead of securing the Sarstoon area from the daily illegal Guatemalan incursions, our security officials were ordered to apply the full force of the law on our Belizeans to prevent them from even moving off the pier at Barranco Village. Days earlier, the BTV had released a code of ethics for its members. This code made it clear that their trip was entirely peaceful and nationalistic. Still, they were stopped by orders which read “by any means necessary”.

The showdown between security officials and the BTV in Barranco last Saturday has added a really disturbing dynamic to the battle to assert Belize’s full sovereignty and territorial integrity. A battle which the Barrow Administration has completely flipflopped on. Saturday’s offensive by the Government on Belizeans must now become the tipping point for nationalists and patriots to separate themselves from a cowardly and weak Barrow Administration and Prime Minister. There comes a time in the affairs of men that will lead to the crossroads, like in 1798 when British Honduras fought off the Spaniards once and for all. The British experienced it with the Nazi threat all over Europe in 1942. British Prime Minister Chamberlain’s head was buried in the clouds and he could not see the peril. So the British had him removed and replaced by Winston Churchill who took them out of World War II. On Saturday April 30th, the Barrow Administration took a stand indeed, but it was against its own people. The Government behaved liked despots. Our nationalists also made a stand, and it was to save the Sarstoon and Belize. The Leader of the Opposition Hon. John Briceno has called for the Liberation of Sarstoon. The Belize National Trade Union has called on their teachers to Stand for Belize.

No Tyrants shall linger, despots must flee This tranquil haven of democracy Let’s make a stand for Belize. This land, this jewel, this country. All 8,867 square miles. Let the despots in Belmopan flee.

06 6

THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP Leader

HON. JOHN BRICENO

Meeting PUP Committees OF Belize Rural South

8 MAY

2016

Tek Back Sarstoon!

Belize City, May 05, 2016 People’s United Party Leader Hon. John Briceño announced on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 that the Party of George Price and Independence will be rolling up its sleeves and taking direction action to assert and defend Belize’s national integrity and sovereignty against the threats inside and out.

Briceño revealed that the Party’s National Executive made a decision to go to the Sarstoon area in an effort to defy the Government of Belize’s attempt to restrain the right of every Belizean to move freely throughout Belize with the recent imposition of a law which prohibits travelling to the Sarstoon.

The decision was also taken in light of the Barrow Administration’s consistently shameful failure to adequately assert Belize’s territorial waters in the Sarstoon, as demarcated by international law and boundary treaties.

“As a national executive and members from parliament, we decided that it’s important for us to show to the government and to the country that we do not agree with the law and we are going to challenge it, not only by talking but going on the ground, going to the Sarstoon River,” declared the PUP Leader.

The National Executive, which has met regularly to remain informed and up-to-date on the important BelizeGuatemala issue, discussed the matter of the Sarstoon at length on Tues-

day. Presentations were made by the Rt. Hon. Said Musa who heads a high-level Committee of Former Ministers of Foreign Affairs as well as Senator Valerie Woods who was in Barranco Village along with the Belize Territorial Volunteers whose attempt to visit the Sarstoon was disrupted by security officials on Saturday April 30th.

At the meeting, the discussion table also got input from National Deputy Leader Hon. Cordel Hyde as well as Deputy Leaders Julius Espat and Hon. Kareem Musa, who supported direct action.

The PUP Leader also proposed that the Party launches a “Liberate Sarstoon” and “Resistance to Sarstoon Law” campaign, which was supported by the National Executive.

As part of this initiative, the PUP’s legal advisor Andrew Marshalleck will be filing a constitutional motion to challenge the recently passed Statutory Instrument which prohibits access to the Sarstoon area to Belizeans.

“It is unconstitutional. We believe that we have the wherewithal, the legal expertise, to take out this challenge against the government,” said Hon. Briceno.

The People’s United Party will be holding a National Party Council meeting to further ratify the decisions made by the National Executive and to seek the support of its members.

PM beefs up security at residence OF Corozal South East

Belize City, May 3, 2016 Security at the Prime Minister’s residence on Seashore Drive in Belize City increased over the weekend.

On Saturday, April 30 through to Sunday May 1st, Police Officers set up a check point in front of his residence, while the coast guard personnel remained on vessels moored some 300 yards from the sea coast in front of the Prime Minister’s house.

Reliable sources indicate that the security measures were taken after the Police “received credible information” that a group of Belizeans may have been planning to carry out a small protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence following the Government’s disruption of the Belize Territorial Volunteer’s trip to the Sarstoon area on Saturday.

The BTV members were irate

that the Prime Minister had introduced a law specially designed to sabotage their efforts.

“Mek we protest dah di Prime Minister house,” one BTV supporter said at Barranco Village, where the BTV’s trip came to a halt after their chartered boats were detained by the Coast Guard for suddenly not meeting safety standards.

The protest never materialised but for the Prime Minister just the thought of it is reason to panic and call out the Belizean-style secret service.

Prime Minister Barrow is the first and only Prime Minister to move around with body guards.

The Prime Minister’s residence enjoys 24 hour security by Police Officials. Additionally, the Prime Minister and his wife have their own security personnel, courtesy the Police’s Special Branch.

8 MAY

2016

07 7

THE BELIZE TIMES

GOB Sabotages BTV’s Trip to Sarstoon

Belize City, Wednesday, May 4, 2016 On Saturday heavily armed members of the Special Patrol Unit and uniformed police officers, along with Coast Guard personnel, refused to allow members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers to get on the wooden pier in Barranco.

That dock was to have been the disembarkation point from which the BTV would head to the Sarstoon, located just fifteen minutes South from Toledo’s southernmost community and home of the legendary Andy Palacio.

The dock was off-limits on that day, though, and even if it weren’t, there were no boats to ferry the BTV to the Sarstoon. Those boats had been turned back by joint Police/Coast Guard operations earlier that morning. According to BCG Commander Elton Bennett, the boats were deemed unsafe because of several infractions includ-

ing a lack of life-vests and fire-extinguishers, so the Coast Guard could not allow members of the expedition to risk their lives in them.

But the truth is that the law enforcement officers were under instructions from the government,

Paumen to stand trial for Abetment to Murder Belize City, Wednesday, April 27, 2016 On Monday April 25th 2016 in Belmopan, Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith ruled that there is enough evidence for millionaire Dark Knight Cave Tubing owner Bradley Paumen to stand trial in the Supreme Court on 4 counts of Abetment to Murder.

Paumen was accused in January 2016 of orchestrating and paying for a hit on businessman Michael Modiri, his local attorney, his bodyguard and an employee.

The sensational case of murder for hire allegedly centered on a piece of land which Paumen must use to access Dark Knight’s caves located in Frank’s Eddy in the Cayo District.

That piece of land belongs to Michael Modiri, who recently won a judgment against Paumen in the Supreme Court in which Paumen was found guilty of trespassing.

The Government of Belize is also caught somewhere in the twisted web, since in 2013 Paumen managed to convince the Ministry of Natural Resources to arbitrarily acquire Modiri’s land for a public purpose. This occurred without Modiri’s knowledge.

The Supreme Court has rubbished that assertion of public purpose, since only Bradley Paumen gained, very lucratively, through the acquisition of the land through which he then built a road accessing the caves.

Former UDP Minister of Natural Gaspar Vega has come under intense scrutiny for the acquisition, which

Commissioner of Lands Wilbert Vallejos told the Court was done by a Minister’s Directive. When Vega was questioned, he told the media that it was actually a Cabinet decision, and they were only trying to help out an investor.

Despite objections by attorney Herbert Panton who asked that the case be struck out for insufficient evidence, Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith determined that there was enough evidence to warrant that the case be sent to the Supreme Court. The BELIZE TIMES has been reliably informed that a large part of the accused’s defence hinges on an alibi witness, allegedly an attorney at Barrow & Williams. Paumen reportedly claims that at the time when the prosecution’s witness stated that they were in Belize together to identify the targets of the hit, he was instead meeting with his attorney.

The Crown was represented by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lyn Vidal and Police Prosecutor Lucio Shal.

based on a new regulation enacted on Friday, the day before the expedition was to have headed out. That Statutory Instrument, under Section 2 of the Public Safety Act, “prohibits persons and vessels, without lawful authority, from entering into Belize’s

portion of the Sarstoon River.”

The People’s United Party, on the same Friday that the new law was passed, issued a release declaring it unconstitutional and arbitrary, stating that it is “an act of cowardice by the government to threaten to arrest and fine patriotic Belizeans who wish to exercise their constitutional right to move freely and peacefully in Belizean waters when Guatemalans illegally pour over our Western border every day”.

The PUP’s Oscar Requeña, Area Representative for Toledo West, was a member of that expedition on Saturday. He told the BELIZE TIMES that “this government does not appreciate the fact that we have hundreds of Belizeans who are prepared to stand up for their country at a time when the government should be saying, Belizean people come together—let us stand up and unite for our country. Basically what it is doing is demoralizing and really dividing our people”.

BTV’s leader Wil Maheia, who said the group will make another attempt very soon, has announced that he plans to join the Opposition Leader’s Hon. John Briceno on the PUP’s mission to the Sarstoon area.

Camalote Cousins Murdered Senselessly Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Belmopan Police have three persons detained, one of them a female, following the brutal killing of two Camalote youth on Sunday night. Akeem

Akeem Thimbriel

Thimbriel and Shawn Lopez, who are cousins, were walking toward Lopez’s home in the village when they were both riddled with bullets fired from a vehicle which drove up beside them.

An eyewitness has said that even as the youth fell to the ground bleeding, the men, dressed in camouflage, exited the vehicle as if to make sure they were dead. But as residents started emerging from the homes the men drove off in what has been tentatively identified as a late model grey two-door Ford pickup.

Thimbriel and Lopez were

Shawn Lopez

rushed to the Western Regional Hospital. Lopez was pronounced dead on arrival, while Thimbriel survived almost an hour and a half before passing away.

Just moments after the shooting angry residents gathered in front of a home in the community, and additional Police had to be called in to restore peace. Before they were able to do so, and to remove the couple inside the home at the time, unidentified residents burned up a vehicle parked in the yard of the home.

Reports on the ground suggest that a man identified only as “Marky” was in an altercation with another youth, Sanjay Casey earlier on Sunday, allegedly over Continued on page 8

08 8

THE BELIZE TIMES

Two Women Murdered; Shooter Attempts Suicide Santa Elena Town, Cayo Distirct, Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Security guard Andy Bustillos, 31, is currently under Police guard at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital under heavy police guard. When he recovers from the self-inflicted wound to the head, Bustillos will be charged for the murders of his common-law wife, Miriam Mai, 39, and her employee Daisy Miralda, 29, as well as for attempts to kill two others.

The bizarre incident happened at around 5:30pm at Betty’s Salon, owned by Mai. Eyewitnesses claim that Bustillos walked into the establishment with a bag that allegedly contained a phone. He attempted to give the bag to Mai, but she refused. That’s when the security guard, employed with Anchor Security, pulled out a licensed 9mm pistol and shot Daisy Miralda in the forehead. He then allegedly pointed his weapon in the face of a female customer and pulled the trigger, but the gun snapped.

8 MAY

2016

Camalote Cousins Murdered Senselessly Continued from page 7

Miriam Mai and Daisy Miralda As the frightened customer ran out of the establishment, Bustillos allegedly fired another shot at a male customer which missed, before going up to Miriam Mai and hugging her. A witness says that Bustillos then calmly placed the gun to her neck and shot her, before placing the gun to his own head and pulling the trigger.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that Bustillos had been involved with Mai for six years, but they were

estranged because of a history of domestic violence. Bustillos was known by her family and by San Ignacio Police to abuse her physically, and the security guard had a case pending before the Court for harm against Mai. She had a restraining order against him, but in the end that was not enough to save her life, or the life of her employee and friend Daisy Miralda.

Both Miralda and Mai had three young children.

a female. It is believed that “Marky” may have enlisted the help of the men in the grey pickup to kill Casey. Residents told the BELIZE TIMES that about half an hour before the shooting, the grey pickup was seen parked at the home where Marky and a female reside.

Preliminary indications are that as Thimbriel walked on the street with Lopez, the men in the grey pickup fired on them because they thought that he was Casey.

Belmopan Police currently have “Marky” and the female detained for questioning, and have also picked up a man they believe may be one of the shooters. They are looking for one other person believed to be in Belize City.

NOV 81 MAY

2015 2016

THE BELIZE TIMES THE BELIZE TIMES

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10 SPORTS

8 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

2016

Belmopan Bandits are 2016 Premier League Champs Belmopan, April 30, 2016 The Belmopan Bandits are the 2016 Premier League of Belize (PLB) football champions, after a 2-0 win against the Placencia Assassins in Game 2 of the championship finals at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan last Saturday night.

Bandits’ Honduran import Kervin Johnson scored the first goal in the 33rd minute, picking up the rebound after Placencia goalie Anthony Williams deflected a shot from Brazilian import Amilton Filho. Randy Padilla came off Bandits’ bench to score the 2nd goal in the 85th minute and that was all she wrote for the Assassins.

Individual Awards: Most Goals: Devon Makin (Police United) & Harrison Tasher (BDF) Best midfielder - Denmark Casey Jr, Bandits Best Defender - Dalton Eiley, Assassins Golden Glove award- Shane Orio, Bandits Most Valuable Player - regular season – Dalton Eiley Best Young Player - Jordy Polanco, Bandits Best Coach - Roberto Muschamp, Assassins Best Manager - Alford Grinage, Police United.

Fair Play award - Verdes FC - least number of cards Most Entertaining club – Placencia Assassins

Randy Padilla Bandits’ 2nd goal

Bandits champs win 2-0

Alex Peters attacks vs Bandit’s Humberto Requena and Elroy Smith Kervin Johnson scored Bandits 1st goal

Corozal Rising Stars & O.W. Central Stars B Win U-13/U-15 finals

Corozal Rising Stars win U-15 champs Orange Walk, April 29, 2016 The Corozal Rising Stars U-13 won 1-0 against Banja Tillett Young School I in the Orange Walk Sports youth football finals at the Orange Walk Technical High School field on Saturday, April 30 with Darnell Morgan scoring the winning goal.

The Blackwater U-13 won 3rd place: 3-1 against Banja Tillett Young School II, with goals by Nadiel Heredia, Johan Uh and Ricardo Lopez.

The Orange Walk Central Stars B won the U-15 championship 1-0 against Orange Walk Central Stars A, with the winning goal scored by Jemario Sanabria.

Vibes Alive U-15 won 3rd place 2-1 in a penalty shootout against the Corozal Rising Stars U-15, with Marcos Alvarez and Charles Tillett scoring their penalties for Vibes Alive, while only Brian “Turkey” Chavez converted for Corozal.

Individual Awards: Best Goalkeeper - Corozal’s Errol Aranda Jr Most Goals - Alton Thompson (7) MVP Award - Corozal’s Jair Williams Most Humble Player Award - Blackwater’s Jose Castillo Best Players: Jordan Casanova and Darnell Morgan of Corozal Rising Stars Calvin Reid and Minalio Novelo of Young School I Nadiel Heredia and Emil Urbina of Blackwater Kerry Torres and Jaikin Godoy of Young School II Sayed Perrera and Orlando Trejo of Crystal Ronnie Andres and Jair Asiel Suchite of Centaur Minions

O.W. ITVET wins U-19 Championship Orange Walk, April 29, 2016 The Orange Walk ITVET football team won the U-19 championship finals 1-0 against the Carmelita Juniors on Saturday, April 16, with MVP Wilber Aban’s winning goal.

Orange Walk Deputy Mayor Ladrick “Mad Bull” Shephard organized the tournament and presented team trophies and individual awards to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners after the finals.

Individual Awards: Best goalkeeper - Patrick Reid of Carmelita Juniors Most Goals - Wilber Aban Most Valuable Player – Wilber Aban Most Humble Player - Jordi Correa of Carmelita Juniors Most Outstanding Players: ITVET -Wilber Aban and Andres Muy Carmelita Jrs. - Edward Reid and Nazim Aldana Black Water - Adrian Armstrong and Zamir Uh

Bombers’ Michael Bradley

Bombers’ Brandon Bouloy

Bombers’ Eldon Byrd attacks

8 MAY

2016 Wesley College’s Drayton Jones win Sr long jump

SPORTS 11

THE BELIZE TIMES

CENTRAL ZONE WINS

Maud Williams’ Hillary Gladden win Jr 100m

most medals at athletics championship Independence Village, April 23, 2016 The Central Zone won 56 medals when athletes participated in the athletics championships hosted by Independence High School last Saturday April 23rd.

The Central Zone won 22 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze medals, while the Southern Zone was 2nd with 45 medals: 17 golds, 13 silver and 15 bronze.

The Northern Zone was 3rd with 5 golds, 9 silver and 10 bronze medals. The Western zone was 4th with 5 golds, 8 silver and 10 bronze medals.

Orchid Girls defeat Lord’s Bank Sunrise 15-2 Hattieville, May 1, 2016 The Burrell Boom Orchid Girls spanked the Lord’s Bank Sunrise girls 15-2 by mercy rule in 3 innings in the Belize Rural women’s softball tournament.

Sunrise pitcher Sasha Brown gave up 6 hits and walked 2 batters, striking out 2. This allowed Sabrina Campos, Mardy Nicholson, Arneek Baptist, Therese Baptist, Dense Gabourel and Karen Haylock to score 2 runs apiece; while Roxanie Pook, Lynese Alvarez and Rebecca Nicholson scored 1 run apiece. De-

nise Gabourel crossed the plate.

Sunrise got 5 five hits off Therese Baptist’s pitching but only Ashley Thompson and Denika Noralez scored in the 3rd inning.

The UB Jaguars clobbered the Hattieville Exotics 18-5 by mercy rule in 4 innings. The UB girls got 12 hits off pitcher Trecia Gillett, who also walked 5 batters, allowing Elma Wade to scored 4 runs, while Karlene Willams and Dennah Garbutt scored 3 runs apiece.

Jalecia Jones and Judy Sobers scored 2 runs apiece, while Devonnie reyes and Leeza Macfadzean scored 1 run apiece.

UB pitcher Karlene Williams struck out 3 batters and only Hattieville’s Oretta Staine, Meshawn Kelly, Sharette Moya, Andrea Moya and Hannah Usher scored 1 run apiece.

Crooked Tree Girls & St. Luke’s Methodist boys advance to softball championships Belize City, April 27, 2016 Pitcher Amanda Gillett led the Crooked Tree girls to win the championship finals 5-2 against the Belize Rural Primary School girls and pitcher Sandy Moody in the finals.

Pitcher Christopher Hower led the St. Luke’s boys to a 14-3 win against the Belize City champs St. John’s Anglican Primary School boys in the championship finals.

The Crooked Tree Government School girls and St. Luke’s Methodist School boys will represent the Belize District at the national primary schools softball championships at the Marion Jones Sports complex on Friday, May 6.

SMART Hurricanes spanks S.P. Tigersharks in finals Gm 1 Belize City, April 29, 2016 The SMART Hurricanes battered the two-time defending champions, the San Pedro Tigersharks, in game one of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) championship finals held at the Belize Elementary School auditorium in Belize City on Friday night.

The Hurricanes blew away the Tiger Sharks 93-84. Team captain Darwin “Puppy” Leslie led the attack on his former teammates with 25pts, while MVP Farron Louriano added 24pts and Leroy Louriano scored 17pts.

Tiger Sharks’ Andrew “Bynum” Ortiz scored 20pts, while Douglas Valley hit 17pts and team captain Tyrone “Mission” Edwards added 13pts.

St. Luke’s Christopher Hower

Results: Junior 100m – Maud Williams High’s Hillary Gladden in 13.89 secs Junior 200m – Hillary Gladden in 29.91 secs Junior 4x100m Relay – Brianna Gillett, Allyssa Ellis, Nicole Neal in 1:01:48 Junior 800m – ACC’s Shala Smith in 3:23:42 Junior 1500m – Shala Smith in 6:49.97 Junior 4x400m Relay – Shala Smith Senior 200m – SCA’s Deania Cooke in 28.53 sec Senior 400m – Belize High School’s Ashantie Carr in 1:06:69 Senior Long Jump – Ashantie Carr at 4.52m Senior Triple Jump – Ashantie Carr at 10.67m Senior 3km – BHS’ Ashontie Carr Senior 800m – Ashontie Carr in 3:06:91 Senior 1500m – Ashontie Carr in 6:27:07 4x400m Relay – Ashontie Carr Senior 100m – Belize High School’s Faith Morris in 13.40 Senior 4x100m - Lucteria Pollard, Ellen Arnold, Deania Cooke in 59.26 Junior Shot Put - BHS’ Breann Young at 8.49m Senior Shot Put - Breann Young at 7.75m Senior Triple Jump - Gwen Liz’s Aaron Young at 12.79m Senior High Jump - Aaron Young at 5.10m Junior Long Jump - E.P. Yorke’s Denva Wade at 5.23m Junior High Jump - Wesley College’s Philip Parks at 5.6m Senior Long Jump - Wesley’s Drayton Jones at 5.65m Junior Javelin - BHS’ Michael Jenkins at 35.72m Senior 800m - TCC’s Justin Trapp in 2:41:00 Senior 1500m - Justin Trapp in 5:31.61 5km Race - Justin Trapp in 17:10:05 Shot Put - TCC’s Darnell Oden at 12.49m Senior Disc Throw - Darnell Oden at 33.35m Senior Javelin Throw - TCC’s Darnell Oden at 43.59 m Senior 100 meters - Ecumenical College’s Donell Arzu in 11.53 secs Senior 200 meters - Ecumenical College’s Donell Arzu in 23.74 secs Seniors 4x100m - Donell Arzu, Airey Zuniga, Krismar Martinez, Haleem Palacio in 50.25 secs Junior 100 meters - TCC’s Tyrelle Garbutt in 12.03 seconds Junior 4x100m relay - Tyrelle Garbutt, Omado Caliz, Dennis Niessen, Jaheim Caballero in 52.87 secs Junior Triple Jump - TCC’s Amir Palma at 10.98m Junior Shot Put - TCC’s Roni Avila at 9.97m Senior 400 meters - Delille Academy’s Darnae Garcia Senior Javelin Throw - Jersha Zuniga at 25.26 meters Junior 1500m - TCC’s Keith Coh in 5:51:08 Junior 800m - Georgetown Technical’s Jordell Williams in 2:49:64 Junior 200m - CCC’s Canaan Smith won 3 golds in 25.43 secs Junior 400 meters - CCC’s Canaan Smith in 59.81 secs Discus Throw - CCC’s Canaan Smith at 27.28m Junior/Senior High Jumps - CCC’s Brianna Johnson at 4’8” Junior/Senior Discus Throw - Belize Christian Academy’s Melanie Palacio at 25.08 m Junior Javelin - Melanie Palacio at 20.11m Junior Triple Jump - Melanie Palacio at 9.26m Junior 400m - Shantel Robinson in 1:06:69

VILLAGE 1. Yo Creek ** 2. Carmelita ** 3. San José ** Luis 12TH 4 San JUNE

VENUE RC School Govt. School Govt. School RC School

JUNE 12TH

3. Cattle Landing 4. Eldridgeville 5. Forest Home 6. Santa Ana 7. Aguacate 8. Blue Creek 9. Mabil Ha 10. Mafredi 11. San Benito Poite 12. Santa Teresa 13. Jordan

VILLAGE 1. Big Falls ** 2. Boom Creek

VENUE RC School Living World Govt.

School St. Phillip RC School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Govt. School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Health Post

TH

VENUE Govt. Primary School Comm. Center Comm. Center Water Board Bldg Methodist School

JUNE 5

VILLAGE 1. Independence ** 2. Placencia ** 3. Maya Center 4. Santa Cruz ** 5. Sittee River *

JUNE 5

TH

5. Crique Sarco 6. Midway 7. Sunday Wood 8. Crique Jute 9. Jalacte 10. Naluum Ca 11. Pueblo Viejo 12. San Vicente 13. Santa Cruz 14. Santa Elena

VILLAGE 1. San Antonio ** 2. San Jose * 3. Barranco 4. Conejo Creek

TH

JUNE 26TH 1. Sandhill ** VILLAGE 2. Lord’s Bank **

BELIZE DISTRICT

5. Crooked Tree ** 6. Western Paradise ** 7. Caye Caulker **

VENUE Govt. School Govt. School Comm. Center Seventh Day Adventist School Govt. School Health Post Clinic RC School

VENUE San Luis Rey RC School RC School St Joseph RC School St John The Baptist RC School Sacred Heart RC School Govt. School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Govt. School RC School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center

JUNE 12

TH

VENUE Holy Family RC School St. Alphonsus RC School United Comm. Govt. School Methodist School St Mathews Anglican School Comm. Center Comm. Center

JUNE 19TH VILLAGE 1. Corazon Creek 2. Dolores 3. Otoxha 4. San Lucas 5. Golden Stream 6. Indian Creek * 7. Medina Bank 8. San Miguel 9. Silver Creek

VENUE Comm. Center Comm. Center St. Mark RC School Comm. Center Govt. School RC School Govt. School Comm. Center Comm. Center

TOLEDO DISTRICT

VILLAGE 1. Hopkins ** 2. Seine Bight * 3. Santa Rosa 4. Silk Grass ** 5. Pomona ** 6. Sarawee 7. Hope Creek **

JUNE 19TH

STANN CREEK DISTRICT VENUE Comm. Center Govt. School Richard Quinn RC School Comm. Center United Comm. Govt.

School

JUNE 12 VILLAGE 1. San Juan (Cowpen) ** 2. Maya Mopan * 3. George Town 4. Red Bank ** 5. San Román *

5. Los Tambos 6. Duck Run III

Govt. School Govt. School Comm. Center St. Edmond Campion RC School Govt. School Hidden Paradise Govt.

School

St Agnes Anglican School

VILLAGE 1. Hattieville ** 2. Biscayne * 3. Gardenia 4. May Pen

JUNE 19TH

BELIZE DISTRICT

RC School Govt. School

VILLAGE 1. Bermudian Landing 2. Double Head Cabbage * 3. Flowers Bank 4.Isabella Bank 5. Rancho Dolores 6. Scotland Half Moon 7. St. Paul’s Bank 8. Willows Bank 9. Lemonal 10. Ladyville **

Govt. School RC School Govt. School

JUNE 26TH

Methodist Scho RC School Comm. Center

VENUE Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Belize Rural Primary School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Our Lady of the Way RC School

JULY 3RD

VILLAGE 1. Chan Pine Ridge 2. August Pine Ridge ** 3. Trial Farm **

2. August Pine Ridge ** 3. Trial Farm **

VENUE

Methodist School RC School RD Comm. Center

JULY 3 1. Libertad ** JUNE 26TH 2. Caledonia ** VILLAGE 1. Chan Pine Ridge Govt.*School 3. Patchakan *

1. Libertad ** 2. Caledonia ** 3. Patchakan * *

Comm. Center Comm. Center RC School RC School RC School St. Leo RC Chu Govt. School

2016

1. Yalbac 2. La Gracia 3. Santa Teresita 4. Teakettle **

JUNE 12TH

6.Mahogany Heights

TH

JUNE 26TH

2016

8 MAY

Fabian Cayetano RC School Comm. Center St. Cuthbert Govt. School Govt. School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center St. Paul RC School Toledo Christian Academy

RC School

JULY 3RD 1. San Pedro Colombia **

VENUE

Our RCRC School Our Lady LadyofofBella BellaVista Vista School

VENUE Comm.

(Tent) Comm.Center CenterCompound Compound (Tent) Comm. Center Comm. Center St. Augustine RC School Comm. Center Comm. Center

JUNE 26TH

Ontario Christian School RC School

JUNE 26TH VILLAGE 1. Bella Vista ** 2. Bladen (CC) 3. Monkey River 4. Punta Negra 5. Trio * 6. Jacintoville 7. Laguna 8. San Felipe 9. San Marcos 10. San Pablo 11. Yemeri Grove

VILLAGE 1. New Mullins River 2. Alta Vista * 3. Hummingbird 4. Middlesex 5. Steadfast * 6. Valley Community

3. Ontario * 4. Santa Familia **

JUNE 19TH JULY 3RD Pancotto Primary School VILLAGE VENUE VILLAGE V Comm. Center VENUE mm. Center 1. Burrell Boom ** Comm. Center 1. Hattieville ** Govt. School 1. Bermudian Landing Comm. Center CAYO*DISTRICT mm. Center 2. La Democracia St. Agnes Anglican 2. Biscayne Govt. School 2. Double Head Cabbage * Comm. Center TH TH TH RD JUNE 5 JUNE 12 JUNE 26 JULY 3 mpound (TENT) School 3. Gardenia Comm. Center 3. Flowers Bank Comm. Center VILLAGE VENUE VILLAGE VENUE VILLAGE VENUE VILLAGE VENUE mm. Center Freetown Sibun Comm.

4. May Pen* SeventhRC Day Adventist Bank Comm. Center 1. Valley of Peace ** 3.Monsignor 1. Roaring Creek ** Center Our Lady of Fatima 1. Arenal La Immaculada School 1. Succotz ** 4.IsabellaSan Jose RC School mpound (TENT) Comm. Center Dolores 4.Romero GracieRCRock School Belize Rural Pri School 2. Calla Creek 2. Armenia ** 5. RanchoComm.

Holy Cross RC School Center Unitedville ** 2.

Camalote ** St. Jude RC School Cotton Tree ** St Joseph RC School 3.

St. Margaret ** St. Margaret Mary RC School 2.

3.

School mm. Center 5. St. George’s Caye Open Lot (Tent) 5. Crooked Tree ** Govt. School 6. Scotland Half Moon Comm. Center St Vincent New Life Govt. School Govt. School Comm. Center 3. Duck Run I * 4. St. Mathews * 4. San Antonio ** vt. School 6.Mahogany Heights StIIAgnes Anglican Paradise ** Govt.Health BankXavier RC School Comm. Center Pallotti RC St Joseph RC School 6. Western School Post Clinic 5. Esperanza ** 7. St. Paul’s St. Francis 4. Duck Run 5. Franks Eddy 3. Blackman Eddy * School * Seventh Day Adventist 7. Caye Tomorrow** Govt.RC School 5. Billy White 6. MoreCaulker mm. Center School 8. Willows Bank School Comm. Center Cristo Rey ** St. Martin de School San Marcos RC School 7.

4. mm. Center 9. Lemonal Comm. Center Porres RC 6. Buena Vista Iguana Creek Govt. School RC. School 8. Selena TH TH mm. Center JUNE 26 Our Lady of the Ladyville ** School Emmaculate 7. Bullet Tree ** JULY 1010.

Comm. Center Concepcion RC School 1. Sandhill ** mm. Center Pancotto Primary School Comm. Center 1. Georgeville ** 2. Lord’s Bank ** Comm. Center Comm. Center 2. El Progresso * JUNE 19TH

Govt. School Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center Comm. Center

TH

St Michaels RC School

JUNE 26TH

VILLAGE VENUE ChunoxComm. ** Center Comm. Center Progresso ** RC School RC School San Narciso ** RC School Buena Vista St. Leo RC Church (Tent) Copper Govt.

BankSchool 6. Consejo 7. Paraíso ** JULY 3RD

VENUE Our Lady of Fatima RC School Govt. School RC School RC School RC School

JUNE 19TH

VENUE Our Lady of Fatima RC School Govt. School DISTRICT RC School RCJUNE School 19TH RC School

VILLAGE 1. Douglas ** 2. Fire Burn 3. Palmar ** 4. Guinea Grass ** 5. Nuevo San Juan

VILLAGE 1. Douglas ** 2. Fire Burn ORANGE ** 3. PalmarWALK 4. Guinea Grass ** 5. Nuevo San Juan

19TH

VENUE VENUE VILLAGE Comm.

Center 1.

Chunox ** Comm. Center 1.

Comm. Center 2. Progresso ** Comm. Center RC School 3. San Narciso **2.

Comm.

Center 4. Buena Vista 3.

RC School RC School 5. Copper Bank 4.

Comm. Center 6. Consejo RC School 5.

7. Paraíso **

ORANGE WALK DISTRICT

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. Xaibe **

VILLAGE VILLAGE 1.

Sarteneja Sarteneja ** ** 2. Concepcion ** Concepcion 3. San Victor ** ** 4. SanVictor Andres ** San ** 5.

Xaibe ** San Andres **

JUNE JUNE 19TH

COROZAL DISTRICT

** Denotes Poll closes at 5:00 p.m.

8 MAY

TH

5. Lucky Strike 6. Rockstone Pond 7. Santana 8. St. Ann’s VENUE 9. Gales Point

TH

4. San Felipe **

JULY 10 JUNE 12 VENUE VILLAGE VENUE VILLAGE1. Burrell Boom ** VENUE Comm. Center Comm. Center Indian Church Govt. School Comm. 1.

Center 2. La Democracia St. Agnes Anglican Compound (TENT) School 2. San Carlos Govt. School Comm. Center 3. Freetown Sibun Comm. Center 3.

San Estevan ** RC School Compound (TENT) Comm. Center 4. Gracie Rock San Felipe ** St Caye Michaels RC Comm. 4.

Center Open LotSchool (Tent) 5. St. George’s

JUNE 5

VILLAGE VENUE 1. Maskall ** Govt.2.School Bomba Community Govt.

3. Boston School RC School 4. Corozalito

3

RD

RC School

VENUE VILLAGE VENUE C School 1. Yo Creek ** RC School RD JULY 3 JULY 10TH 2. Carmelita ** Govt. School ovt. School VILLAGE VENUE VILLAGE 3.

San José ** Govt. School VENUE outh Center 1. Santa Martha * Govt. School 1. Indian Church Govt. School 4 San Govt.

Luis RC SchoolGovt. School C School 2. San Pablo ** 2. San Carlos Community 3. San Estevan ** RC School 3. San Roman * School ovt. School

5TH

VENUE RC School Govt. School Youth Center RC School Govt. School

JUNE 5TH

VILLAGE 1. San Lazaro ** 2. Trinidad ** 3. Tower Hill 4. San Antonio * 5. Santa Cruz

C School omm. Center

JUNE 12THJUNE 12TH VILLAGE VILLAGE VENUEVENUE VENUE Comm.1.Center ** Center Comm. Center San Roman **1. San Roman Comm.

Comm. Center.

2. Santa Clara ** RC School 2. Santa Clara **3. Louiseville RC School RC School ** RC School Health3.

Post ** Govt. School Louiseville **4. Chan Chen RC School Comm.4.Center 5.

San Antonio Govt. School Chan Chen ** Govt. School RC School San Antonio Govt. School Comm.5.Center

JUNE 5TH

VENUE VILLAGE 1.

Calcutta ** omm. Center 2. Ranchito ** omm.3.Center.

San Joaquin ** 4. Carolina C School San Pedro * ealth 5.

Post 6. Cristo Rey ** omm.7.Center Yo Chen

5TH

* Denotes Poll closes at 3:00 p.m.

COROZAL DISTRICT

No asterisk denotes Poll closes at 1:00 p.m.

In all villages/communities nomination Council opensElections at 9:002016 a.m. and closes at 10:00 a.m.

Village/Community No asterisk denotes Poll closes at 1:00 p.m. * nomination Denotes Poll 3:00 p.m. at 10:00 ** a.m.

Denotes Poll closes at 5:00 p.m.

In all villages/communities openscloses at 9:00 at a.m. and closes

Section 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 134 of 2009, hereby release the official schedule for

The Elections and Boundaries Commission, in accordance Village Councils Act,DEPARTMENT Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, and ELECTIONS & the BOUNDARIES Section 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 134 ofNotice 2009, hereby release the official schedule for Public Village/Community Council 2016 The Elections and Boundaries Commission, in accordance the Village Councils Act,Elections Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, and

Public Notice

ELECTIONS & BOUNDARIES DEPARTMENT

34 12 THE BELIZE TIMES

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

13

14

8 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016 Elections and Boundaries Commission Belize, 4th May, 2016.

STATUTORY NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE of NEHMAT MICHEL MALEK Deceased of #4020 Galt Ocian Drive, Apt. #1212 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33308 U.S.A.

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 36 of the Administration of Estates Act, Chapter 197 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, that all creditors having any claims or demands upon or against the Estate of NEHMAT MICHEL MALEK, deceased, late of #4020 Galt Ocean Drive, Apt. #1212, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33308 U.S.A., who died on the 12th day of April, 2014, and in whose estate Grant of Administration With The Will Annexed has been granted to KAREEM DAVID MUSA of #91 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize, the lawful Attorney of DONALD J. KAHN of #317 – 71st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33141 U.S.A., on or before the expiration of three months from the first publication hereof AND NOTICE IS ALSO HERBY GIVEN that at the expiration of the said three months the said KAREEM DAVID MUSA shall proceed to distribute the assets of the said NEHMAT MICHEL MALEK, deceased, amongst the beneficiaries entitled thereto, having regard only to claims and demands of which they shall then have had notice.

DATED this 20th day of April, 2016.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS Attorneys-at-Law for KAREEM DAVID MUSA Administrator With The Will Annexed in the Estate of Nehmat Michel Malek

DISSOLUTION OF VILLAGE COUNCILS WHEREAS, Section 10 (1) of the Village Councils Act Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000-2003, provides that the Elections and Boundaries Commission shall, at least seven days before any general election of members of the council becomes due under the provisions of this Act or any regulations made there under, dissolve that council, by Order published in the Gazette and on the radio; AND WHEREAS, the general election of members of those Village Councils set out in the Schedule hereto becomes due during the period 5th June 2016 to 10th July, 2016; NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by the aforesaid Section 10 of the Village Councils Act, the Elections and Boundaries Commission hereby dissolves the Village Councils set out in the Schedule hereto with effect from 12th May 2016.

As from the said 12th May 2016, the following provisions shall apply in accordance with Section 11 of the said Act:(a) All the powers, duties and liabilities of the outgoing Council shall, until the constitution of a new Council, be exercised, performed and discharged by the persons who held the posts of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Council immediately before the dissolution; and (b) All property belonging to or vested in or in the occupation of the Council shall, during the period aforesaid, vest in and be in the occupation, control and management of the persons indicated in paragraph (a) above.

DATED this 4th day of May, 2016.

SIGNED:

Josephine Tamai

FOR CHAIRMAN

ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION

SCHEDULE VILLAGE COUNCILS DISSOLVED WITH EFFECT FROM 12th May 2016

• • •

Belize Electricity Limited Belize Telemedia Limited Santiago Castillo Limited

• • • • •

Brads Gaming Company General Post Office Holy Redeemer Credit Union Income Tax Department Minister of State - (Youth,Sports &

•

Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports,

• • • •

COROZAL DISTRICT Calcutta Ranchito San Joaquin Carolina San Pedro Cristo Rey Yo Chen ORANGE WALK DISTRICT San Lazaro Trinidad Tower Hill San Antonio Santa Cruz Trial Farm Chan Pine Ridge

Culture)

& Culture

Natural Tropical Products Co. Ltd. (BIG H) Public Utilities Commission St.John’s Credit Union Tony’s Super Store ( Independence)

Hon. Elodio Aragon, Jr., Alan Auil, Anwar Barrow, Orson Butler, Janell Channona, Perry Gibson, Patrick Henry, Fitzgerald “Palas” Joseph Anthony Mahler, Norman’s Printing House, Issac Rhys, Yvonne Robinson, Glenn Tillett, Alicia Thompson, Eugene Trench, Elston Wade, Chris Williams, William Ysaguirre

• • • • • • •

Fultec Systems Limited GraceKennedy Belize Limited Oceana Prosser Fertilizer Prudential Management Firm QuickStop Personal Finance Center Smart

• • • •

Birds Isle Restaurant Brothers Habet Budget Car Rental Paul’s Unique Choice

BELIZE DISTRICT Maskall Bomba Boston Corozalito Lucky Strike Rockstone Pond Santana St. Ann’s Gales Point

TOLEDO DISTRICT Big Falls Boom Creek Cattle Landing Eldridgeville Forest Home Santa Ana Aguacate Blue Creek Mabil Ha Mafredi San Benito Poite Santa Teresa Jordon CAYO DISTRICT Valley of Peace Unitedville Blackman Eddy Cristo Rey Esperanza STANN CREEK DISTRICT Independence Placencia Santa Cruz Maya Center Sittee River San Juan (Cow Pen) Maya Mopan Georgetown Red Bank San Roman Santa Rosa

8 MAY

2016

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THE BELIZE TIMES

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between ERLIN YOUNG of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

Did the Police try to sabotage case against Denny Grijalva?

Orange Walk District, April 25, 2016 Denny Grijalva, the UDP politician from Orange Walk Central, and his company DeMars have been fined $24,000 for the reckless destruction of Noh Mul, the 2,300 old Mayan site in the outskirts of the Orange Walk District.

Apparently while Belizeans saw a cultural monument in Noh Mul, Grijalva’s construction company saw nothing but road material.

The sentence on this case is a slap on wrist for such an irreversible and irreparable act of cultural genocide but under this animal farm-style government which the UDP has us living in, where some are more equal than others, the fact that a UDP politician was caught red-handed in criminal wrong-doing and was prosecuted to the end is a big deal. After all, the odds were against lady justice on this one. Not only is Grijalva a UDP Standard Bearer, but he’s also one who serves under Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega who wields tremendous influence over the Police in Orange Walk Town.

This is why as far back as 2014, when Grijalva was arrested, the BELIZE TIMES warned Belizeans not to be surprised if the entire trial went south. We are almost proven right as it almost did.

The officials at the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) remained committed to their principles and did their

job although they were barely supported as they carried out their forensic investigation at the site. The Police officials who conducted the arrest and supposedly investigated, however, had a sinister agenda.

The Prosecutor, who represented the people’s interest, Leroy Banner, has been vocal about the lack of cooperation from the Police.

“One of the main witnesses, the arresting officer, refused to cooperate with the prosecution. Then there were statements that were missing, caution statements that were recorded and could not be located so there were a lot of challenges on the Police’s part that they were unable or unwilling to fully support the Crown in this case,” he declared.

The Police, it seemed, had a plan which did not work. This plan was to remain uncooperative with the prosecution in order to sabotage the case. Were they acting on instructions from their political bosses? Will the Commissioner now take action against these hostile officers following the public statements by the representative of the DPP’s office?

While Noh Mul is no more, it is the duty of those in charge to make an example out of Grijalva to ensure that such recklessness never occurs. The time is now right for NICH to pursue a multi-million dollar civil suit against Grijalva.

FISHERMAN REMANDED ON AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM CHARGE Belize City, Wed. May 4, 2016 A Belize City fisherman was remanded to the Belize Central Prison, after he was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm and wounding on Tuesday, May 3rd.

Shane Young, 23, a resident of Pinks Alley pleaded not guilty, when Magistrate Deborah Rogers arraigned him on the two charges.

Because Young was accused of committing the aggravated assault with a firearm, he was unable to obtain bail and the Magistrate’s Court, but must wait 90 days in prison before he becomes eligible for bail at the Magistrate’s Court or hire an attorney to apply for Supreme Court bail.

The allegation against Young is that on May 1, he committed the aggravated assault and wounding of

his common-law wife Raun Mauriano, 40.

Mauriano, a nurse, reported to police that around 1:00 a.m., she and Young were at her home, located at 188 East Canal Street, when Young accused her of having an affair with a woman who is her neighbor.

Mauriano told police that she and Young got into an argument over his accusation, and he reached under the bed and pulled out a firearm and hit her on the forehead, causing injuries.

At the police station, Mauriano was given a police/medico legal form and when she was examined by a doctor her injury was classified as wounding.

A conviction for wounding could result in sentencing of up to seven years. Young is due to return to court on June 3.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 153.8 square metres being Parcel 473, Block 45 in the Albert/Mesop Registration Section TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ERLIN YOUNG. DATED this 18th day of April 2016 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

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THE BELIZE TIMES

8 MAY

2016

Remarks by Leader of the People’s United Party Hon. John Briceño on the Occasion of the Unveiling Ceremony of the Monument of the Rt. Hon. George Price

TRUE BELIZEANS HEROES

Belize City, 3rd May 2016 A few blocks from here in an ordinary grave, rests a humble man. In fact every day thousands of Belizeans drive or ride by and may not even remember that it is there except on those days when people from my Party go to lay a wreath.

This man never really wanted any special titles, he did not have a lot of fancy degrees, nor was he ever considered a materially wealthy man. All his life he considered himself to be a hard worker.

We knew him as a humble man, who dedicated his life to our nation. Today we come to honour this worker who became the Father of our Nation.

I am so happy that His Worship Mayor Bradley invited me to be a part of this unveiling ceremony, for it is a historic occasion. I believe that because of this monument, many who just ride by that humble grave every day may now have this structure as a reminder of the life and work of the Right Honourable George Cadle Price.

I want to believe that because of this, his legacy will live on so that 100 years from now a father walking his son to school may pass by this monument and ask: “son do you know who that man is?”

And the son would answer with pride: “Yes dad that is Mr. Price, the Father of our Nation.” Later I would hope that the two, father and son, would talk about the life of Mr. Price. I would hope that the father would tell his son that Mr. Price was not a war hero, or some great military general; that he was not some rich financial mogul, but that Mr. Price was a revolutionary who led a movement that was peaceful, constructive and Beliz-

ean. Rooted in social justice born from strong Christian values.

El Padre de la nación, como era mejor conocido el Muy Honorable George Price, era un hombre de muchas virtudes que toda generación debe emular. El trabajo arduo, la humildad, la lealtad y especialmente el amor a la patria son integridades que George Price nos heredó y que debemos de acoger. ¡Es en este tiempo tan crítico que debemos asegurarnos de seguir las enseñanzas que son tan validas hoy!

On the day of his greatest single accomplishment--leading Belize to Independence—Mr. Price defined our nation and who we are as a people, he said and I quote” “Our mind imbues the democratic process. Our hand works the mixed economy. Our heart beats with social justice and our soul cherishes treasures of the spirit.”

Mr. Price inspired this nation and today I am proud not only to lead the Party he loved so much, but to be here with you as we dedicate this monument to his work, which was always to build Belize.

May it serve as an inspiration to all of us and may the life of Mr. Price be a reminder that we are each called to service. And perhaps when that day comes when YOU walk your children to school and past this place, you will tell your children that Mr. Price Believed in Belize and the Belizean People.

I hope you will tell them that as long as we care for one another and serve Belize and as long as each generation of Belizeans fight for what is right and just, and with the guidance of our Creator, we will fulfill our just objective of Building a free and proud Belizean Nation.

Thank You.

Contributed If not for the pressure brought to bear by the Belize Territorial Volunteers and the Northern Territorial Volunteers, there would be no Forward Operating Base at the mouth of the Sarstoon River right now. If not for the BTV and the NTV, Sedi and company would still have been sipping cocktails and singing songs by the Guatemalan campfire while we lost the Sarstoon.

Yet the government continues to blame the Territorial Volunteers for the mess they are in.

I remember when our men, women and children from Orange Walk made the trek to the Southern Border to show their love and patriotism.

They were taken out of safe Belizean waters by the Guatemalan military and forced to travel across rough, open seas to Livingston in Guatemala.

Their lives were put at risk. Do you know what our government did and said? Nothing. They did nothing. Instead Sedi Elrington said that the Guatemalans rescued Belizeans and took them to Livingston for their safety – an absolute LIE. Sometimes Sedi behaves like he is more Guatemalan than Belizean.

When Danny Conorquie was killed at Caracol by Guatemalans, do you know what our government did? Nothing. Even now Sedi and the PM keep saying that they can’t even prove that Guatemalans killed Conorquie.

I guess they needed the killer to go to Belmopan with his ID card and say – see, here I am, here is the gun I used to kill Danny Conorquie. Other than that our own people won’t even admit that he was shot by Guatemalans.

Danny Conorquie was denied justice. Just as our Belizeans were denied justice when they were taken out of our own national territory and taken to Guatemala. Just like BDF Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey will be denied justice, because our government says that if they don’t have evidence, they can’t even say Guatemalans did it.

This government – Sedi Elrington and Dean Barrow – have fallen asleep on this whole Guatemala issue. That is why Guatemala has been able to take the Sarstoon. Guatemala is the herd of cows and the Belize Government is the weak fence. We have been bullied by Guatemala and we continue to be bullied by Guatemala at every turn.

I am so proud of the men and women who went on all those expeditions to the different border points in our country. They went there to prove that there is a real border, not just a disputed area like what Guatemala is claiming now. Our border is real. From the very beginning, the brave and patriotic volunteers have insisted that we need to educate Belizeans about our history and about our borders. From the very beginning our volunteers have insisted that government must clearly define the borders between Belize and Guatemala so that there is no question that it exists. From the very beginning the volunteers have maintained that there must be some sort of presence at the Sarstoon, or the Guatemalans will occupy it.

And it happened, because the government would not listen to the BTV and the NTV. Guatemalans now fish in our waters on and around the Sarstoon. Guatemalans now have fishing camps between the Sarstoon and Barranco. Guatemalans now cut down timber in Belizean territory along the Sarstoon. No Belizean boats can go into the Sarstoon. Guatemala now owns it and occupies it.

That is why the government does not want the BTV and the NTV to go around the Sarstoon. They do not want the truth to be told. They do not want all Belizeans to know that we have lost this great river that we sing about in our National Anthem. The Sarstoon doesn’t belong to us anymore.

Today we should thank the BTV and the NTV for what they have showed us, for what they have taught us. They are the true Belizean heroes who stood up at the Sarstoon when our government refused to do so.

I haven’t heard anybody in the UDP use the words “The Best is Yet to Come” lately. Maybe, just maybe, they are realizing that it’s not going to happen.

8 MAY

2016

A Day For Mothers

By G. Michael Reid The moon never beams without bringing me dreams Of that wonderful mother of mine; The birds never sing but a message they bring; Of that wonderful mother of mine - Clyde Hager There are two days out of the year, when almost every man will put aside machismo and indulge in the noble art of chivalry. On these two days, the most macho of men might be seen ambling down the street; a tattoo on one arm and a bunch of flowers in the other. The first of these two days of endearment falls on the fourteenth of February and on the second Sunday in May. This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day and as we have done traditionally and collectively since way back in the days of old, mankind takes a bow to the mothers.

The tradition of setting a day aside to honour mothers began early in the days of civilization. The Ancient Greeks and Romans had a day in honour of Rhea, the mothers of their gods. After Paganism gave way to Monotheism, the celebration turned to the extolment of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. The first semblance to our now Mother’s Day celebration, can be traced back to Renaissance England when young men and women who were off serving as apprentices or servants would return home for a day, bringing their mothers token gifts of appreciation.

The boys would bring trinkets and the girls would bake what was called a mothering cake. The day was generally referred to as Mothering Sunday.

Now the actual Mothers’ Day that we will be celebrating this Sunday got its start in the United States back on June 10th, 1908.A lady named Anna Jarvis, who herself was never married or with children, dedicated two church services to her own mother, with whom she had been very close.

The memorial services for her mother, who had died the year before,

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THE BELIZE TIMES

were held in the states of Virginia and Philadelphia simultaneously. In 1909, Jarvis and a few friends embarked upon an intense letter writing campaign to gain support for the declaration of Mother’s Day as a holiday.

Miss Jarvis and her friends ascertained that children often neglected to appreciate their mothers when they were alive and hoped that Mother’s Day would increase respect for parents and strengthen family bonds.

By 1911, not only was every state in the union observing Mother’s Day, but the idea had spread to Canada, China and as far away as Africa. In December of 1912, the Mother’s Day International Association was

that they capture the mother, well then the rest of the family will most likely fall in line. Mother’s Day has become a time when governments throw lavish parties or simply hand out “cheers” to party supporters and sycophants. It is a time of vote-buying where mothers are targeted and wooed by gifts and flowers from their respective representatives.

This current UDP government had hitherto taken the Mother’s Day initiative to a new level; but, Petro is no more and “dis yah time nuh tan like a befo time”. For the past couple of years, the UDP has been known to spend as much as a million dollars on Mother’s Day giveaways. That again though, was during its Petro Caribe hay day.

In 2014, fifty thousand dollars went to each representative and caretaker on the government’s side of the House accounting for a total of eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the people’s money. Opposition representatives received nothing. In 2015, the Prime Minister was in a more generous mood and

UDP had their way and the Petro party continued to roll.

2014’s Mother’s Day Cheer was also significant because it was when a man, formerly considered the people’s champion, official showed his hand and exposed himself as a hypocrite and just another apologist for a very corrupt system. When reminded of his past condemnation of such policies and asked about that year’s Mother’s Day program which saw monies being disbursed only to UDP representatives, Godwin Hulse retorted that, “I’m a member of a team. I’m a member of a football team, so to speak, and when I was outside the team I spoke to the team…I’m on the team. There are lots of things in Cabinet that I don’t agree with, but they’re not big enough for me to walk away from, cause there’s a bigger agenda and a bigger program that I want to further. And so I stay there to further that, and the smaller things I dismiss”. Of course, these “smaller things” are big to some people but as Hulse put it, “that is the nature of the political beast”. So far, we have heard no reports of how much money will be given away this year but the people are spoiled and the lines are beginning to form.

Nevertheless, politics aside, the tradition of honouring those special women who gave us life and nurturing is a noble one and let us hope that this holiday never dies.

Let us continue, not only on this one Sunday in May, but on every other day, to do as the Bible directs, and honour our mothers.

Next month, we will pause to do the same for fathers but this Sunday, it is all about Mom. Buy a gift, some flowers or book a dinner reservation or simply make a call and tell mom how much she is loved. From myself and the entire PUP family at BELIZE TIMES and Vibes Radio, a Happy Mother’s Day to every mother, grandmother and godmother. May your children grow up to be just like you!

UDP government had hitherto taken the Mother’s Day initiative to a new level; but, Petro is no more and “dis yah time nuh tan like a befo time”. For the past couple of years, the UDP has been known to spend as much as a million dollars on Mother’s Day giveaways incorporated and since that time, the observation of Mother’s Day has become Universal. The carnation is considered the official flower of Mother’s Day with a red one symbolizing a living mother and a white carnation as an indication that one’s mother had gone on to higher service.

The irony in this story of course, is that the very Anna Jarvis, who had been so instrumental in establishing Mother’s Day, spent her finals days and a small fortune, lobbying to have the holiday revoked. She became dismayed upon observing the commercial and materialistic tone that the holiday had assumed. She felt that it was being exploited for profit-making purposes and that this would inevitably overshadow the true meaning of the day. The tradition by that time had become too deeply entrenched however and was much too revered to be reversed. While Miss Jarvis did indeed have some merit to her argument, there were then and still are, too many children both grown and adolescent, who if only just for this one day, are sincere in their hearts about their love and appreciation for mom!

Belize has seen its own share of exploitation of this otherwise noble concept as it has taken on a serious political theme. Mother’s day is always an important time for politicians, since mothers are recognized as the most important thread in the fabric of society. They influence their husbands and their children and in large families, politicians believe

announced that while UDP representatives would have received fifty thousand dollars each to give away to their supporters, PUP’s would received half as much but only if they begged. Notwithstanding that all monies were taken out of the Petro Caribe fund; a loan which we must now all pay back. The PUP that year decided to decline the offer; all of course except for Stann Creek Representative Ivan Ramos, who it was later revealed by Melvin Hulse, had already been bought and paid for. As usual, the PUP had their say but the

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THE BELIZE TIMES

8 MAY

2016

What Belizeans think of Barrow’s Sarstoon Law!! “…if anyone had any ill views of the government and how they’ve been handling this situation, it shows clearly that this government is more concerned in yielding to Guatemala’s unfounded claim.

That law we believe is unconstitutional.” - Geovannie Brackett - President, COLA “No magistrate will enforce that law. It’s a fool-fool law. In Jamaica, they would say “idiot mi bwai” - the law itself is signed on a legal error.” - Dickie Bradley, Attorney/NTV Supporter “…by government now signing this SI, by government now saying Belizeans you cannot access that area, it is sending a clear message that Belize is giving in to Guatemala and we must condemn that.

Today the people of Barranco, the people of Graham Creek, who depend upon the natural resources to make their living, be it fishing, be it gathering food. These people are now being deprived from their livelihood.” - Hon. Oscar Requena - PUP Area Representative, Toledo West “That is unlawful and against d constitution of Belize!” – Vivan Sabal “The questioned even the penalty. I was talking to the folks from FCD and some of the penalties that have been imposed on those who have illegally encroached from Guatemalans is not $2,000. Some of it is less.”- Hon. Valerie Woods, PUP Senator “…that would be tantamount to admitting that we no longer WANT the Sarstoon and that we are ceding it to Guatemala. This government needs to wake up before it is too late. Appeasement does not work against a determined foe.” Chris Harris “It’s a shame to see that our police are been used as puppets to do the government’s dirty job. With many crimes unsolved, they run to arrest our brave citizens and feel proud about it. Government is arresting the brave civilians and on the other hand feeding, giving money, housing and more to gangs… hmm lots of questions without response.” – Oscar Barrera “What a shame on the Belizean government!!!” – Calistro Chen “This dah lone fool. Belizean people always have to suffer. Done tired a this fricking Government.” – Richie Pitts “This is lone stupidness. RESPECT is what those in POWER should have for us the people of BELIZE not for the Guatemalans.” – Lourdes Itzab “How is it that they are brave enough to harras, victimize, dehumanize, suppresses our constitutional, moral and human rights, and embarrass the country but cannot stand up for us against Guatemala?!! But alas we are the ones who tolerate such treatment!” – Neri Orozco “This Government made it very clear with their campaign slogan... ‘The best is yet to come’ and here it is. It is happening now arresting native Belizeans in our own country. What a disgrace with this current government.” – Jorge Chulin “This is what we’ll be the beginning and the end of democracy, freedom of movement is being taken away, then media, oh that’s already in progress. Speech well be next, the best is yet to come.” – Dorla Guttierez “Great job Mr. Barrow! You achieved deceiving us Belizeans. Why dont you come forward and tell Belizeans that Sarstoon has been given to Guatemala! What a shame! This is what your UDP govmnt has as the best. But it was our own people that voted for you and hope that the UDP family is happy with your coward act. Then you will tell us that all is fine. All is fine for you but not us” – Adelina Bolon

FEB 87MAY

2016 2016

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

Brazil’s WhatsApp ban affects 100 million users

A Brazilian judge has ordered mobile-phone carriers to block access to WhatsApp for 72 hours throughout the country, the second such move against the messaging application in five months.

Monday’s decision affects WhatsApp’s 100 million-plus users in the country. The reason for the order is not known due to legal secrecy in an ongoing case in the court.

It is the second time since mid-December that WhatsApp has been the target of a blocking order.

The service was shut down for 48 hours on December 15 last year after Facebook failed to comply with an order, although another court interrupted that suspension shortly afterwards.

Judge Marcel Maia Montalvao of Sergipe state is the same judge who in March ordered the imprisonment of a Brazil-based Facebook executive for failing to comply with an attempted block on WhatsApp. He was jailed and subsequently freed.

Latinos take US citizenship to stop Donald Trump

Court orders 72-hour shutdown of messaging service but reasons remain unknown owing to legal secrecy in an ongoing case.

Autumn storms wreak havoc on Australia Wet and windy weather sweeps across the Great Australian Bight, downing trees and power lines.

Heavy rain and damaging winds battered parts of southeast Australia over the weekend.

Trees and power lines were brought down in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania as the severe weather swept across the region.

Rainfall amounts were typically around 15mm on Saturday and Sunday, but as much as 40mm was recorded over the northeast ranges. This is an area that normally sees about 50mm of rain for the entire month of May. Of greater significance was the strength of the winds which reached gusts of more than 100km/h.The highest gusts were recorded inTasmania where winds peaked at 130km/h.

Dozens of trees and buildings were damaged resulting in more than 600 emergency calls.There were widespread blackouts across Victoria where as many as 36,000 homes were without power at the height of the storm.

NEWS

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Deadly storms and tornadoes kill six people in Texas Violent storms unleash tornadoes, damaging hail and torrential rains as trees uprooted and power lines snapped.

At least six people have died after a spell of torrential downpours with damaging hail and tornadoes caused widespread flooding in Texas.

The city of Palestine in Anderson County, around 160km southeast of Dallas, was one of the worst hit areas as it received 19mm of rain in less than an hour.

The flooding that ensued left five people dead who, despite being able to escape their flooded homes, were swept away by the fastmoving water.

Palestine police captain James Muniz confirmed that the individuals “were able to get out but were washed away”, adding that their bodies were recovered on Saturday.

Elsewhere, strong winds in the Houston area uprooted trees and snapped power lines, leaving more than 4,200 residents without electricity.

There were seven tornadoes reported from the storm system in Texas and Oklahoma.

More storms are expected over the next few days and the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch extending from east Texas into much of Mississippi and a severe thunderstorm watch for New Orleans and the southern Louisiana region.

Immigrants from Latin America want to get US citizenship now to avoid potential barriers imposed in the future.

Many Hispanic-Americans say they intend to adopt United States citizenship now to formalise their residency rights in case the Republican presidential frontrunner is elected.

Donald Trump has caused anger among US residents of Latin American origin by blaming Mexicans for bringing drug, rape and crime across the border.

The billionaire TV personality has also proposed building a wall across the border with its southern neighbour at Mexico’s expense.

Every week thousands of people take part in ceremonies that mark their new lives as US citizens, among them increasing numbers of Latinos.

Many are using their status as citizens to potentially vote against Trump in November’s vote.

Al Jazeera spoke to one new citizen born in the Dominican Republic who said that being able to vote was one of the benefits of his new status.

“I believe in a democratic system and if I’m a citizen, I need to vote, and I want to vote,” said Joaquin Torres, who took citizenship almost as soon as he was allowed to do so, six years after he arrived in the country.

First US cruise ship in nearly 40 years docks in Cuba The first American cruise ship in nearly 40 years to set sail for Cuba has docked in Havana harbour with more than 700 passengers on board.

The arrival of the Adonia on Monday evening marks the restart of commercial travel between the US and the islandstate after five decades of hostile relations brought on by the Cold War.

Adonia’s arrival in Havana harbour marks start of commercial travel between the two neighbours after years of animosity.

The ship was the first US cruise ship in Havana since president Jimmy Carter eliminated virtually all restrictions of US travel to Cuba in the late 1970s.

Travel limits were restored after Carter left office and US cruises to Cuba only become possible again after Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared detente in December 2014.

The Adonia’s arrival is the first step towards a future in which

thousands of ships a year could cross the Florida Straits, long closed to most US-Cuba traffic due to tensions that once brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

The straits were blocked by the US during the Cuban Missile Crisis and tens of thousands of Cubans have fled across them to Florida on homemade rafts, with untold thousands dying in the process.

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8 MAY

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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Researchers find alternative pathways to HIV antibodies May 4, 2016 by Sarah Avery The immune system appears to hamper an investigational vaccine from inducing antibodies that protect against HIV infection, but there may be ways to overcome this impediment, according to research led by the Duke Human Vaccine Institute.

Using mouse and monkey models, the researchers showed they could could identify the roadblocks to inducing the broadly neutralizing antibodies that are considered imperative for successful protection against infection.

They then found alternative antibody pathways that approached the neutralizing capability of protective antibodies, setting the course for potential strategies to circumvent the immune system’s response and enable the desired protection from a potential vaccine.

“This is the first demonstration of the extraordinary ability of the immune system to get around this process of thwarting the develop-

ment of broadly neutralizing antibodies in mice and monkeys, and it is very helpful to us to begin to predict how the human immune system will respond,” said Barton F. Haynes, M.D., director of the

Duke Human Vaccine Institute.

Haynes is senior author of a study published April 27, 2016, in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Even in recombinant mice spe-

Ebola virus does a total shutdown to hide before a fresh strike

By Debora MacKenzie Ebola refuses to die. Affected West African countries have repeatedly stopped transmission of the virus, only for fresh outbreaks to appear, seemingly out of nowhere.

The most recent outbreak was in Liberia, where a 10-year-old boy in Monrovia was diagnosed with Ebola earlier this month. He had no known exposure to the virus, and the World Health Organization suspects he caught it from a survivor.

At least seven of these outbreaks were triggered by the virus lingering silently in people who have recovered from Ebola. By tracing its evolution, researchers have now discovered how the virus does this: it completely shuts down and doesn’t even replicate – something never seen before in this type of virus.

In January, the WHO declared that there had been no cases of Ebola in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone for 42 days – twice the maximum time it takes an infected per-

son to show symptoms. That should normally mean that a virus is gone.

But the West African epidemic has shown that the Ebola virus can hide in organs that are sheltered from the immune system, such as the eye and testes, and then re-emerge – as happened in case of Pauline Cafferkey, a British nurse who fell ill again nine months after recovering from Ebola.

Jason Ladner at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Fort Detrick, Maryland, and his team examined a flare-up of Ebola in Liberia in June 2015. At that time, Liberia had experienced no Ebola cases for three months, but then a 17-year-old in the town of Needowein died and tested positive for the virus.

Seven of his contacts also tested positive, and one of them died. When the team sequenced their viral strains, they found that they were genetically similar to others that had been seen in the Liberian epidemic, meaning Ebola had not been newly contracted from host animals or another country.

Time warp

The sequences also revealed a virus caught in a time warp. RNA viruses like Ebola make mistakes as they replicate their genes. But the virus from the Needowein outbreak showed no new mistakes compared with samples taken 10 months earlier.

To slow its mutation rate to a standstill, the virus must effectively have stopped replicating, the team say. This has been seen before in a more complex DNA virus, but never in an RNA virus.

The researchers think the Needowein outbreak probably began with a woman who had cared for people with Ebola in a neighbouring village – 10 months earlier. She developed unusual symptoms but didn’t suspect Ebola, and later moved to Needowein.

The team have identified similar patterns in other Ebola outbreaks. In March 2015, a survivor infected his wife via semen, and the virus looked like those that were circulating months earlier when her husband was ill.

Analysing 294 more sequences, the team found 15 that were similarly

cially engineered to make broadly neutralizing antibodies when vaccinated with the experimental HIV vaccine, the immune system halts the process. Haynes said this reaction is a result of the virus’s ability to mimic the host, causing the immune system to call off an attack rather than escalate it in a process known as immune tolerance.

When introducing the investigational vaccine in the mice, the antibody process was re-activated, but did not fully expand and develop.

In monkeys, the experimental vaccine induced a new type of antibodies, and demonstrated an alternative pathway to antibody neutralization.

“What we’re hoping is that the investigational vaccine, which has been designed for human immune system, will do even better in humans than it has in monkeys,” Haynes said. “We are working on ways to get around the final hurdle that’s limiting the broadly neutralizing antibodies we want, but this is further than we have gotten before.” out of sync with their times.

Testing semen According to the WHO, Ebola can lurk undetected for 15 months – half a year longer than previously thought. This means unknown numbers of the 17,000 people who survived the West African epidemic could pose an infection risk for some time.

In March this year, 10 people in Guinea got Ebola after a man who had recovered from it 15 months earlier infected his wife via semen.

The outbreak was contained, partly because 1600 people who came into contact with these 10 received an experimental Ebola vaccine. The drug firm Merck says it will soon have 300,000 doses of this vaccine to help manage such flare-ups.

In an effort to forestall further outbreaks and gauge the size of the problem, the WHO is registering Ebola survivors and testing their semen.

The worry now is that people with persistent infections – some of whom, like the woman in Needowein, may not even know they have had Ebola – could transmit the virus in places less prepared than Liberia.

8 MAY

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

21

EDITORIAL en Espanol

La Cobardía de Barrow

L

a semana pasada, mientras que altos funcionarios de seguridad estaban en tensas negociaciones con los Voluntarios Territoriales de Belice (BTV), en un intento por disuadirlos de llevar a cabo un viaje patriótico a la zona de Sarstoon el sábado 30 de abril, el Gobernador General con el asesoramiento del Primer Ministro Dean Barrow firmó una legislación sin precedentes que coloca una prohibición efectiva de viaje a toda la zona de Sarstoon.

Por primera vez en la historia de Belice y la historia de la reclamación sin fundamento de Guatemala, incluyendo sus recientes acciones beligerantes contra nuestro país, el gobierno de Belice concuerda con el gobierno de Guatemala, forzosamente prohibiendo a los beliceños acceder a territorio beliceño. Este fue el efecto principal del Instrumento Legal 42 de 2016...que “prohíbe a personas y buques, sin autoridad legal, entrar en la parte de Belice del río Sarstoon”.

Los beliceños que residen en el país y en el extranjero entraron en estado de shock cuando se enteraron de la introducción de dicha ley. El gobierno de Belice está empeñado en mantener lo que los beliceños han llegado a conocer como la versión de Guatemala de un “status quo” en el Sarstoon. Este “status quo”, según lo descrito por el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Guatemala Carlos Raúl Morales es que los beliceños no tienen acceso inmediato a la zona del Sarstoon. Guatemala afirma que el río Sarstoon es suyo.

La ironía de las acciones de los chicos de Belmopán es que el Partido Unido Democrático ha hecho una tradición especial por reconocer y celebrar “la Batalla de St. Georges Caye” como un momento especial en la historia de nuestra nación. Se trata de 1798, cuando, según varios relatos de la historia, esclavos decidieron luchar con sus amos británicos contra los conquistadores españoles. Este es un orgulloso evento histórico en que el clan de “Baymen” defendió Honduras Británica de los invasores. Incluso los británicos sabían que no podían prohibir el acceso a la “zona de batalla” y en lugar de esto llamaron a la defensa de lo que era la “patria”.

El sábado, mientras otro capítulo de la batalla de Sarstoon se daba, los beliceños consiguieron otra amarga dosis de autoritarismo al estilo Barrow cuando bajo sus instrucciones los oficiales de policía, la guardia costera y la Fuerza de Defensa de Belice fueron desplegados para de-

tener, a cualquier costo, a los BTV. En lugar de salvaguardar la zona de Sarstoon de las incursiones guatemaltecas ilegales que ocurren a diario, nuestros funcionarios de seguridad recibieron la orden de aplicar toda la fuerza de la ley sobre los beliceños para evitar que se muevan del muelle en el pueblo de Barranco. Días antes, el BTV había publicado un código de ética para sus miembros.

Este código dejó en claro que su viaje era totalmente pacífico y nacionalista. Sin embargo, fueron detenidos por órdenes que decía “por cualquier medio necesario”.

El enfrentamiento entre agentes de seguridad y el BTV en Barranco el sábado pasado ha añadido una dinámica realmente preocupante a la batalla para hacer valer la plena soberanía y la integridad territorial de Belice.

Una batalla a la que la administración de Barrow le ha dado un giro de 180 grados. La ofensiva del sábado del gobierno de Belice debe convertirse ahora en el punto de inflexión para que los nacionalistas y patriotas se distanciaren de una cobarde y débil administración Barrow y del Primer Ministro. Llega un momento, en la vida de los hombres, que lo llevarán a la encrucijada, como en 1798 cuando Honduras Británica luchó contra los españoles una vez por todas. Los británicos experimentaron con la amenaza Nazi en toda Europa en 1942.

El primer ministro británico Chamberlain se mantenía en las nubes y no podía ver el peligro. Así que los británicos lo removieron y lo sustituyeron por Winston Churchill que los saco de la segunda guerra mundial.

El sábado 30 de abril, la administración de Barrow de hecho adoptó una posición, pero fue en contra de su propio pueblo. El gobierno se comportó como déspota. Nuestros nacionalistas también adoptaron una posición, que era salvar el Sarstoon y Belice. El Líder de la Oposición, Honorable John Briceño, ha pedido la liberación del Sarstoon. El Sindicato Nacional de Maestros de Belice ha pedido a sus profesores que apoyen a Belice.

“No deberán permanecer los tiranos, los déspotas deben desaparecer de este refugio tranquilo de la democracia” Vamos a defender Belice. Esta tierra, esta joya, este país. Todas las 8,867 millas cuadradas. ¡Que los déspotas en Belmopán desaparezcan!

22

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT

BARROW & GUATEMALA vs. ed/detained the boats and the captains “for their own safety” and had BELIZEANS taken them to Punta Gorda Town.

Thus, the government of Belize Hiding behind the skirt of the Governor General, the government succeeded in preventing a handful rushed through a law on Friday 29 of its own citizens from going on the Sarstoon River.

April, 2016.

Why? The purpose of the law was to Because Guatemala has said no prevent Wil Maheia and members of his territorial volunteers from vis- one can go on the river without their iting the Sarstoon River on Saturday permission.

Fearful that the Guatemalan 30 April, 2016.

The law is unconstitutional as navy would arrest the volunteers well as immoral. It is an act of cow- and publicly in front of television camera, display Guatemala deterards in government.

In preventing the volunteers mination to control the Belize half from going on the Sarstoon River, of the Sarstoon River, the cowardly the Police couldn’t even invoke the government of our Prime Minister stupid law. Instead they used the sought to appease Guatemala and very same pretext used by Guate- prevented Belizean citizens from mala last March 2015, when a boat going on what used to be the Belize load of volunteers were towed by half of our Sarstoon River.

What does all this mean?

Guatemala navy over to Livingston Why would two Baymen like in Guatemala. The excuse for this illegal action was that it was for the Dean Barrow and Wilfred Elrington safety of the Belizeans who were carry out an unpatriotic act of bowing down to Guatemala illegal taking overloading the boat.

Police, BDF Soldiers and Coast- of the Sarstoon River?

The answer is they have sold us guards stood on the pier in Barranco to prevent Wil Maheia and members out in the Sarstoon, “lock, stock and of the Territorial Volunteers from get- barrel”.

Our Prime Minister and his Cabiting on boats to go on the Sarstoon net are completely brain-washed River.

Even if the Volunteers had into going to the I.C.J and as such pushed the Police and soldiers off that is they only song they can sing.

The alternative means being the pier, there were no boats. The Police and Coastguards had arrest- brave and resolute. It means admit-

ting the truth. It means massive work at home and abroad. It involves calling Guatemala an aggressor and a nation that had invaded and taken our half of the Sarstoon River. It means admitting to the world, through Caricom, OAS, ACP and the United Nations that we are in trouble and need their help. Urgently.

That, obviously is not the route that our so-called leaders will take.

They have opted for the easy road. Which means following Guatemala, the British and the Americans to the I.C.J, even as we are losing our territory along the way.

Neither George Price or Phillip Goldson would ever have allowed our half of the Sarstoon River to be taken or, if taken, Guatemala would be paying a heavy price in world opinion and pressure and would have backed off.

But, alas! Alas! And woe, people like George Price and Phillip Goldson are with us, no more.

NORTHERN VOLUNTEERS The Northern Volunteers are or were a strong part of the support of Wil Maheia and his southern territorial volunteers.

This Saturday, 30 April, the southern volunteers decided to visit the Sarstoon River despite warnings not to do so by the Prime Minister and the commandant of the Belize Defence Force.

The Northern territorial volunteers chose this important test case on Saturday to visit Garbutt’s Falls

8 MAY

2016 marker at the Western Border.

We find this a strange move that does not speak well to the need for solidarity and unity of two of the bravest groups standing up for Belize, publicly and physically.

It is written in the Bible, indeed, it is the words of none other than Jesus, found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke-that “A house divided against itself cannot stand”.

Gentlemen and Ladies-now is not the time to be divided. Our existence is under threat, grave threat.

WHAT IS BARROW DOING? Prime Minister Dean Barrow has deterred, prevaricated, fumbled and dropped the ball regarding what has happened to our territory in the Sarstoon River.

As such, his approach right now is to do everything possible to get Guatemala to agree to some kind of “protocol” to allow the BDF and Belizeans to use the Sarstoon River without being prevented by Guatemala.

Anything.

This includes accepting Guatemala’s sovereign control and then saying we will get back the river at the I.C.J. In the meantime, Sedi Elrington is to reach any kind of agreement with Guatemala. Any kind.

So long as the Prime Minister can call another “press conference” and announce that the crisis is over, he has solved it.

Yea right. The same way he solved the banking crisis. Lol.

8 MAY

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

Duo charged for stealing St. Martin’s De Porres Church motorcycle In Memoriam of

Mrs. Carmen Coleman, also known as Panchita

Sunrise: November 8th 1931 Sunset: May 9th 2014 If there are roses in heaven will you send one just for me So I can hold it close to my heart where you will always be I will lay it on my pillow each night as the angels tuck me in I will know you that you are near me and feel your presence once again I am thankful for the years you were there to help me through I will always remember ‘My beautiful and precious mother’ Whose love was honest and true!

In loving memory of Mom. Sadly missed by son Gerard Coleman and grandson Edison. Rest in peace Mom, until we meet again.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that KARINA ALLEN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Elena’s Shop”, situated at San Felipe Village, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that OSCAR REYES is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Yoli’s Grocery”, situated at Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that WAN JUAN YAN is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Friendship Restaurant”, situated at Calcutta Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ERMELINDA TECK is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Shely’s Cozy Spot”, situated at Carolina Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

BELIZE CITY, Tues. May 3, 2016 Two Belize City body works technicians were released on bail after they were arraigned on charges of theft and handling stolen goods this afternoon, when they appeared at the Magistrate’s Court.

Randolph Belisle, 20, a resident of Iguana Street Extension and his alleged partner in crime, Hector Pratt, 20, a resident of Vernon Street both pleaded not guilty to one count of theft.

Belisle was additionally charged with one count of handling stolen goods.

The allegation against the two men is that they stole a red Lifan motorcycle which is the property of St. Martin’s De Porres Church.

In court, the prosecutor Inspector Hector Rodriguez objected to granting bail to the two men. Rodriguez told the court that the evidence that the prosecution has against the two men is very strong, because their theft was captured on a video surveillance camera.

Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, however, ruled against the prosecutor’s objection and offered the men bail in the sum of $3,000 plus one surety in the same amount. Both men were able to post bail and are expected to return to court on June 29.

Police alleged that on April 28, the two men were observed on a surveillance camera for a business in the vicinity, moving the motor cycle from the back of the church building.

Pratt was reportedly pushing the motor cycle while Belisle

Hector Pratt

Randolph Belisle walked beside him.

On the following day the two took the motor cycle back to the church.

In court, Belisle explained that they had taken the motor cycle back to the church but when they got there, no one was around to receive it from them.

Belisle also told the court that they took the motor cycle to their work place after they saw a young man throwing it down in the drain. Belisle said he realized that the motor cycle was the property of the church after he saw the insurance paper on its side.

23 Marlon Kuylen is FFB’s Interim President

Wednesday May 4, 2016 The Football Federation of Belize held elections this past Saturday in Belize City, and in an extraordinary turn of events, after voting was deadlocked for 22 rounds, Senior Vice President Marlon Kuylen was selected by default to lead the federation for the next year. The decision was made by FIFA after the international body was contacted for advice by UNCAF and CONCACAF representatives overseeing the elections.

The race for control of the organization has been a hostile one for months, with slates put up by incumbent President Ruperto Vicente and Senior Vice President Sergio Chuc – both going for President in Saturday’s elections. After two rounds of voting, Kuylen was elected Senior Vice President, along with Shane Orio and Darlene Vernon elected as Executive Members. But the twenty voting delegates were deadlocked on the selection of a Second Vice President and President, for 20 more rounds.

Kuylen will lead the organization for the next year, when it is expected that a Congress will again seek to fill the two positions in the executive which are vacant – those of President and Second Vice President. Effectively, the decision means that Kuylen will be running things at the federation, while both Vicente and Chuc will have to wait a year while playing no role on the Executive of the FFB. According to Kuylen, one of his first priorities will be to seek funding for the different associations which come under the auspices of the FFB, currently operating under “volunteer” supervision. The new Interim President says that will be in keeping with his attempt to re-energize these associations which have been largely operating in slow-motion.

CARTOON

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

8 MAY

2016