Belize Times November 16, 2014 by Belize Times Press

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Barrow’s “Sprat fi Whale” UDP to spend $2.2m on political rally

Belize City, November 13, 2014 When a man’s back is against the wall and he knows that he has acted illegally, perhaps even criminally, he will do whatever it takes to give his ego the right amount of stroking to feel secure in his skin. On November 18th, 2014, Dean Barrow will employ his usual distraction mechanism in order to divert attention away from the fact that he has been unlawfully spending loan funds from Venezuela over the last 2 years. In the streets, it is a tactic more commonly known as “sprat fi whale”. Essentially, for one day and one day only, Dean Barrow will blow out over $2 million dollars of public monies on a grand bonanza for the people (sprat) who will then in turn blindly support his illegal borrowing and spending of over $225 million dollars (whale). The UDP will spend on buses, shirts, banners, and food and drinks plus the stipend to buy out supporters on November 18th. The very same people that he has neglected for so long, those that he has deliberately kept poor so that they must remain dependent on him, will for one whole day enjoy the crumbs of Barrow’s largesse just so that he can continue to spend millions upon millions of our loan dollars, unchecked. But why would Dean Barrow hide the fact that the Government of Belize received $230 million in loan proceeds from Venezuela in the first place? Could it be that he didn’t want our teachers and public officers to clamour for a larger salary increase earlier this year? Why did he travel that extra mile to be so unaccountable? Is it that he did not want anyone to know how he was spending our money? Whatever the case, Dean Barrow has earned himself the title as the most deceitful and unaccountable Prime Minister in our nation’s history. Even to this day, Barrow refuses to declare how many millions he has paid out to his ex-wife and his brother in legal fees. We do know they are in the tens of millions. The talk in the streets is that on November 18th, Belizeans will take Barrow’s money, for it is, in actuality, their money. Our people really have no choice but to make do with the crumbs if they are to survive the next two and a half years of Barrow’s despotic rule. If Barrow was truly secure in his skin and really believed that he could buy the people’s love with his $150 here and his $200 there, he should take that bold step. Call it Barrow. If you bad.

LOCAL 14 Nov

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WEATHER 15 Nov

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Belize Police

IN MEMORIAM

murder cover up!!!

In loving memory of a Dear Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend:

No request for Mexican authorities to assist in search and capture of murder suspect Manuel Castillo

Ramon Cervantes Sr.

Manuel Castillo Belize City, November 10, 2014 Belize Police officials have been exposed as not doing sufficient to investigate and capture all the culprits involved in the murders of Orange Walk resident and businessman, 71 year Ramon Cervantes Sr and 46 year old Sonia Maribel Abac. According to reports in the Mexican press this week, there has been NO COMMUNICATION between the Belize Police Department or Ministry of National Security and Mexico’s Federal Police or any of its justice departments regarding the search and capture of the supposed mastermind and wanted fugitive. This is very disturbing news which Belize’s Police officials have not denied or refused to explain. Manuel “El Pelon” Castillo has been accused by the Belize Police Department of being the serial mastermind in the kidnappings and murders. He is believed to be hiding somewhere in the Southern parts of Mexico, in one of the communities near the border with northern Belize. Castillo has been sighted in numerous communities, including Chetumal, Alvaro Obregon and along the Rio Hondo Ribera. He has family and a house in Bacalar, and his Nissan pickup truck was spotted in the “Barrio Bravo” neighbourhood of Chetumal. With all of those sightings, one would think that Belize’s Police officials should

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have immediately reached out to their Mexican counterparts for an intense search to be launched so that the murder case could be solved and the main culprit could face justice. To everyone’s surprise, especially the grieving Cervantes family, not even a phone call or email has been exchanged. This gives further credence to the stunning allegations made by accused mastermind, Manuel Castillo, who in a telephone conversation with the wife of Ramon Cervantes Sr., Vilma, revealed that the murder was actually carried out with the involvement of Orange Walk Police personnel. The phone call was made at 8:23pm on Wednesday October 8th and recorded by the Cervantes family. In the conversation, which was revealed to the public at a memorial service held last week Wednesday, October 5th 2014, Castillo claims that he is being falsely accused. He added that “the minister” and “eight police officers” including a high-ranking officer are deeply involved in the murder and advised Mrs. Cervantes to not trust any Police. Castillo said that he was contacted to be a part of the kidnapping and murder but when he learnt who the target was, he refused. He grew up in the same neighbourhood as Mr. Cervantes. According to Castillo, when he refused he was shot and left for dead. In the phone call, Castillo said that he was left bed-ridden by the gunshot and was still recovering from the injury. He promised to return to Orange Walk to clear his name and speak the truth.

ADELMA MARTINA PERERA CUELLO November 11, 1950 November 15, 2013 Each time we look at your picture You seem to smile and say Don’t be sad but courage take And love each other for my sake. We cannot bring the old days back Your smile we cannot see We can only treasure the memories Of days that used to be. Predeceased by Husband (Froylan Atilano “Hill” Cuello, Mother (Eduarda Perrera) and Father (Jose Vidal Perrera) Lovingly remembered by Sons (Hilberto, Urbano, Jair, Waldir, Gee), Daughter (Froila), Daughters-in-law (Elisa, Diana, Xiomara, Irlanda, Glenda), Son-in-law (Irvin), Grandchildren (Hilberto, Adelma, Neryedi, Lavinia, Waldir, Froylan, Hilvan, Adir, Aldair, Vivica, Francisco, Briana, Azailyn), Brothers (Matias, Rudolfo, Maxim), Sisters (Onelia, Hildi, Loyola, Arva, Lourdez) And the Rest of the Family and Friends

SCAN HERE

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14 APR 2013

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper. Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus EDITOR

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UDP wants to jail Succotz heroes Continued from page 1 Police Miguel Segura on August 16th. The UDP is punishing 20 persons who they identified as participants after reviewing video recordings of events that took place on August 19th. On Tuesday November 11th, the Police Department under instructions of their political bosses isUDP Representative Erwin “Ghost” Contreras sued 20 summonses which seen here cuddling up with celebrity Adrian Brody informed them that criminal charges were being laid against them. These summonses wheels of justice turning. In less than 24 hours, demanded that the persons appear Segura was charged. at the Benque Viejo Magistrate’s But the UDP Government sees things Court on Thursday November 13th differently. They are criminalising the heroes, morning at 9:00am. accusing them of committing the crime of “RiThese 20 persons are considoting”. Among those who have been charged ered as heroes in their communiare the hurting mother of the accident victim, ties. They felt that the horrible acAzucena Godoy and aunt, Minela Godoy Chan. cident, in which 54 year old market The others are Nelson Ku, Isaias Sanchez, vendor Yolanda Consuelo Valencia Bartolo Castellanos, Roberto Manzanero, Miwas killed and 28 year old taxi drivchael Uck, Amilcar Cocom, Leroy Uck, Letticia er Yanie Evan Cu left incapacitatCoc, Paul Valdez, Gustavo Williams, Elito Puc, ed, was the result of recklessness Mariano Lopez, Shawn Puc, Vito Castellanos, and negligence and that the Police Alvin August, Jose Luis Cocom, Garry Panti and would have covered up and defendJaime Godoy. ed one of their own. There were reWhen the news of the criminal charges ports that the Police had “cleaned” surfaced yesterday, we at the BELIZE TIMES up the scene of the accident. In rewere hoping it’s a false rumour or a sick joke, sponse, over 300 residents blocked but it turned out to be true. It’s downright the main street with burning tires hypocritical for the Barrow Administration to and protested. If it were not for this go down this road with the villagers of Sucprotest action, the Police would cotz. Back in April, 2005 when Dean Barrow not have moved swiftly to get the was the Opposition Leader, he and Erwin

Contreras ordered their political troops in the UDP to carry out a sustained campaign of civil disobedience. This let to protests and riots. Barrow, Contreras nor their

goons were arrested for the upheaval they instigated. Now Barrow, who is drunk with power, is willing to lash out at poor and hardworking residents of Succotz for defending justice.

Police increase security for Vega family Orange Walk Town, November 11, 2014 At the request of the Government, the Orange Walk Police Department are now providing additional security to Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega and members of his family. This has resulted in more Police personnel assigned to Vega and his family and to his home throughout the day and night. Vega’s Clarke Street mansion, which already had a private security guard, has more security than

the streets of Orange Walk Town or any businesses downtown. It’s a strange thing that Gapi feels the need for more security. In his video defense, he said the accusations by Manuel Castillo have endangered him and his family? How is this possible, when he has always enjoyed the protection of the Orange Walk Police officials? The real victims of violence and threats, the Cervantes family have been offered no such assistance. This is shameful on Government’s part.

Hon. Francis Fonseca and the People’s United Party wish all Garinagu a

Happy Garifuna

Settlement Day November 19th, 2014

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on the

BSCFA MUST BE RESPECTED! By Francis W. Fonseca The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) dated October 5, 1989 between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries Limited states that both parties “agree that the sharing of revenue arising from the sale of any by-product not covered in their present agreement will be subject to future discussions and the sharing of revenues will be based on the results of those discussions.” Some 25 years later this clause in the MOU threatens to shut down the entire Sugar Industry in Belize. Bagasse, long considered a waste component of the cane, now serves as the raw material for the production of electricity which is then sold by BSI to BELCOGEN and in turn sold to BEL. The BSCFA representing some

5000 farmers is demanding that any new commercial agreement with BSI provide for a value to be placed on Bagasse just as currently a value is attached to sugar and molasses. They argue that Bagasse comprises 30% of the sugar cane and whether or not it had any value in the past, it now has value for energy generation purposes and the farmers should be compensated accordingly. The BSCFA says that no cane will be delivered to BSI until and unless this matter is resolved. The farmers are strong and united and the BSCFA has by resolution been given a clear mandate from its membership to stand firm. BSI/ASR appears to be equally firm in its position that electricity is not a by-product

of the cane milling process but rather a product created solely by BSI’s investment in a cogeneration plant used to dispose of Bagasse. On this basis BSI rejects any suggestion that Caneros should share in the revenues from the sale by BELCOGEN of electricity to BEL. BSI/ ASR claims to have invested $130M to make this possible and say the farmers want “something for nothing”. And this is where we now stand. At an impasse. Both sides dug in and an apparent breakdown in communication and trust. The UDP Government is hands off saying essentially, “go to court”. This is a woefully inadequate response.

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The PM and his Government must become fully engaged in this matter. There is simply too much at stake for our entire economy and country. The Caneros are beginning to believe that ASR was a mistake. They feel disrespected and misled. They ask, where is the $16 per ton more promised? Where is the low interest financing? The village and sugar roads are in a horrendous state and the GOB is moving slowly. And looming large is 2017 which may very well be a make or break year for sugar in Belize. All is certainly not well in the sugar industry. Our farmers, like so many other Belizeans, are angry and frustrated. Our cane farmers deserve a share of the revenues generated from the use of Bagasse which they deliver along with their cane to BSI. This share must reflect BSI’s investment and risks in designing, building, commissioning, managing and operating a power co-generation plant. The PUP stands firmly with our brother and sister Caneros in seeking a responsible resolution to this matter. Our cane farmers are proud, dignified people who work hard each and every day to provide for their families and to develop this country. They must always be respected and treated fairly!

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8th Anniversary

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EDITORIAL

BREEDING BAD BLOOD

he news this week that the new owner of the Belize Sugar Industries, American Sugar Refining Inc., has decided to bypass the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (B.C.F.A.) and negotiate directly with individual cane farmers represent a sad day

for Belize. Cane Farmers have always been represented by the B.S.C.F.A. which is a democratic organization and which holds open public meetings for cane farmers to voice their likes and dislikes and vote on all important issues. The B.S.C.F.A., made up of just under 6,000 cane farmers, has been locked in negotiations with the new owners of B.S.I. which has been under the control of the new foreign company. Negotiations between legitimate partners are an integral and necessary function in a democracy. It is a time-honored practice. Where owners/employers undermine employees/workers’ representatives this leads to friction and bad-blood. That bad-blood leads to workers versus employers situations. In the world of unionism, where union members cannot be divided, employers resort to hiring outsiders or scab labourers. Where this occurs, there is violence between union members and scab-labourers employed to break the workers unity. During negotiations between the Belize government and public officers and teachers last year, the Minister of National Security announced he would bypass the Unions and speak directly with teachers and public officers. It was an incredible act of disrespect to the unions and its members. It was roundly condemned. It would seem that BSI/ASR is being advised by officials of the government. Certainly, a UDP “government” lawyer, Michael Young, not only sat at the BSI head table for the announcement, but spoke passionately in favour of this new and dangerous practice which was put into effect immediately. The day after the incredible announcement, BSI/ ASR owned cane fields went up in flames. This cannot be mere coincidence. If it is not coincidence then the situation has become volatile. There is always the likelihood that if some cane farmers sign up with the BSI/ASR new direct offer, then other cane fields may catch fire. This cannot be allowed to happen. BSI/ASR must climb down off their high horse and allow common-sense to prevail. Cane farmers and their organization B.S.C.F.A. are as much committed as BSI in wishing to resolve any dispute and get on with the business of delivering cane

and getting paid for it. We note from one of our weekly columnists, the idea that BCFA should explore the possibility of obtaining a sugar factory from Cuba or one of our Latin neighbours. BSI too should take such an idea seriously. Their ill-advised action of disrespect to B.S.C.F.A. and its thousands of cane farmers has injected a new paradigm into the industry. Like violence which breeds more violence; disrespect cuts both ways. A renowned soldier of George Price’s peaceful, constructive Belizean resolution, Ray Lightburn, also known as “Chef Ramon”, was fond of the saying, “the same knife weh stab sheep, stab goat”. Knowing what we now know in 2014 about the Petro Caribe fund - a fund which amassed almost three hundred million dollars, hidden by the government at the Central Bank and used at the whim and fancy of a disrespectful Prime Minister. We wonder aloud why, when he was splurging out millions in 2012 and 2013 did he not offer a loan to the cane farmers to purchase BSI or their own factory? Hugo Chavez would have been proud of such a progressive use of his country’s monies to uplift caneros in a sustainable and productive manner. We suggest that the Prime Minister of Belize, who is the architect of disrespect and the very person who allowed ASR to buy BSI from under the nose of the cane-farmers had other politically expedient interests in using the Petro-Caribe funds. We note the painful fact that from 2012 when the fund already had more that forty million dollars (all of it spent secretly by the P.M.), Belizeans could have benefited by a steep lowering of the price of petrol. Two years after, and two hundred million dollars more in the Petro Caribe fund, the Prime Minister continues the punishment and hard times that excessive petrol prices have caused to Belizeans and the economy. It is a stark portrait of who the Prime Minister really is. He is seeking re-election soon, and all those millions are to be his campaign finance. The good of the cane farmers’ well- being and the best interest of all Belizeans take a back-seat to his personal ambition. He is bypassing the nation and going behind our backs for his personal aggrandizement. Seen from this perspective, we ought not to be surprised that the new owners of B.S.I. should flirt with the danger and proceed to disrespect the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and its thousands of proud, hard-working caneros.

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WOMAN IN THE HOUSE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

A Full Time Mayor, Please These UDP’s, the People in Power, never cease to amaze me with their ‘faceyness.’ They seem to believe that they can do and get away with anything, good governance be damned. They have managed to think up and to execute so many ways to take advantage of the system and to just plain hustle, from peddling influence and favors, to selling telephone cards, to putting a liquor bar in a park – by the way – complete with contraband alcohol possibly. I could of course go on and on. This week Woman in the House once again puts Mayor Darrel Bradley in the cross hairs. An earlier entry of this

column spoke about Darrel’s Folly in cementing so many Belize City streets in a sub-standard manner without making proper provision for so badly needed drainage. Now Douglas Jones Street is being dug up yet again apparently to provide for drainage, destroying thousands and thousands of dollars worth of cement, steel and labor, and once more costing city taxpayers more and more, when they are already facing the prospect of a hugely prohibitive debt which is not going to just go away. The other thing that really irks Woman in the House is that Darrel’s seems to be a mayorship by interviews ad nauseam and as well a part-time mayorship for

his workdays and weeks. Almost every time we see the Mayor, he is dressed in his lawyer’s garb and has recently just come from court, having many times represented himself, only to give yet another excessively long-winded interview. I feel sure that Belize City residents and Belizeans on a whole are so tired of hearing the Mayor that they tune him out. Just like his political bosses, the Mayor obviously thinks that he can do anything he pleases. To him the Belizean people just have to suck it up, just like having to tolerate the nepotistic father placing the chosen son at the head of our nationalized telephone company. Isn’t the salary of Belize City Mayor sufficient for him to work as City Father full time? Are not the many problems and issues faced in modern Belize City enough to keep His Worship in his mayor’s office and on the streets walking the walk? He can surely talk the talk, but this business of moonlighting in his legal practice – or is it moonlighting as Belize City Mayor – is to me just plain wrong. The powers-that-be clearly think that Belize City merits cement streets without drains, a new bridge, millions upon millions of dollars in infrastructure development with moneys spent in a way that will benefit UDP politicians personally, the destruction of Memorial Park as we knew it, an expanded BTL Park with liquor bar to boot,

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etc. etc. Why then cannot the powers-that-be see that a full time mayor for Belize City residents is also vital? It surely appears that they do not think that city dwellers are entitled to have a City Mother or Father who is willing to work for them on a full time basis. I believe that the multiple issues facing the old capital in the twenty first century demand the full commitment of the individual who will be the principal City Mother or Father. It would indeed be wonderful for city residents to experience in a tangible way that the mayor and councillors are really working for them, instead of the present situation in which the elected city administration officials are collecting fat paychecks, but residents cannot see the worth being gained for it. I do not know what the mayor’s salary is, but I do know that Belize City residents deserve much better than a part time lawyer/mayor, this garrulous and long-winded fellow, who, along with his close friends, associates, and cronies, continues on his merry way, not putting in the time and real effort to improve the lives of everyone who calls Belize City home. Belize City must have a full time Mayor!!

The Mayor, Councillors and staff of the Dangriga Town Council welcome all visitors and friends to the culture capital of Belize, Dangriga!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED 19TH NOVEMBER “BUIDU LA HAWEYURI GARINAGU!!!!”

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PUP Dangriga Town Council Ready to Continue the Work

VACANCY: A Vacancy exists for a Senior Experienced Head Cattleman to supervise some 250 heads of cattle in the Orange Walk District. The successful applicant must be in possession of a recent police record, a valid Social Security Card for employment and must reside in Orange Walk. Apply in writing to: P.O. Box 1389 Belize City, Belize, C.A.

PUP Mayoral Candidate Greg Ovado & Councillor Candidates Gwendolyn Garcia, Liberato Teul, Hilberto Bernardez, Howard Flores & Howard Melendrez (missing from pic: Grace Simpson)

No later than 21st November, 2014

PUP Dangriga Undergoes Capacity Building Workshop

VACANCY: Vacancies exist at Noa Noa Bar and Restaurant situated at 8 Â˝ miles Phillip Goldson Highway, Ladyville, for 1 Bartender and 1 Cook. Must be female, 25 years to 30 years old.

FOR SALE: Secretary General I. Myrtle Palacio led the workshop

2000 4x4 Chevy Blazer. Good condition. Air Conditioning, Power Windows & Locks, and Leather seats. Call 636-6245 for serious inquiries.

FOR SALE: Deputy Leader Hon. Julius Espat spoke on GOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illegal borrowing and spending

2004 Volkswagen Jetta, 4-door, 2.0L, FULLY LOADED and in excellent conditions. Contact 601-0379/667-4043. Going at a giveaway price.

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day NOVEMBER 19th, 2014

from Mayor Kevin Bernard and Councillors of Orange Walk Town Council

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ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Jamaicans dominate Caribbean Hall of Fame Awards

Jamaicans dominated at the 12th Annual Caribbean Hall of Fame Awards for Excellence 2014, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. The event that was put on by the Caribbean Development for the Arts, Sports and Culture Foundation, is held to honour Caribbean nationals who have excelled at the highest level in their fields and are recognised by the public. The awarded Jamaicans were Rita Marley, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Gem Myers, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Amina Blackwood-Meeks, Paul Campbell, Bill Edwards, Patsy Ricketts, Lennie Little-White, Barbara Blake-Hannah and Kanhai Condison, as well as sports personalities Grace Jackson, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn and Andrew Price. John Holt, who recently passed, was also honoured posthumously. It is our hope at the BELIZE TIMES that one of these days some of our rising stars such as Tanya Carter, Nello Player, T.R. Shine, Elle Marie or Melonie Gillett can make it on this prestigious list.

Belizean beauty

Linda

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Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

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THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

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Gentle Touch & Triple B’s clash in FFB President’s Cup finals

Cynthia Salazar scored Gentle Touch’s 2 goals

San Ignacio, November 9, 2014 DFC Gentle Touch and the Triple B’s will face off in the FFB President’s Cup national female football championship finals. Game 1 will be played at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday, November 15. DFC Gentle Touch qualified to the finals by a 7-2 aggregate score in both matches of the semi-finals against the Toledo Strikers. After winning Game 1 by a 5-2 score, Gentle Touch blanked the Toledo girls 2-0 at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday. Cynthia Salazar struck the 1st goal in the 50th minute, and added a 2nd goal in the 68th minute to seal the 2-0 win. Triple B’s similarly qualified by an 8-2 win over the Sugar City Girls in Game 1. Game 2 was forfeited giving the Triple B’s full confidence into the finals.

BDF & Verdes lead Premier League football Belize City, November 9, 2014 Undefeated Belize Defense Force and Verdes FC of Benque Viejo are leading the Premier League of Belize closing season tournament. Verdes enjoyed their 3rd win over the Paradise Freedom Fighters 2-0 at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Sunday afternoon, while the BDF and Police United battled to a nil-zip draw at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk on Sunday. Tex Mar Assassins of Placencia are No. 3 in the league after scorching FC Belize 1-0 by a late penalty at the Louisiana School field in Orange Walk Town on Saturday night. Their 0-0 draw put the Police at the No. 4 slot with 6 points from one win and 3 draws, while the defending champs, the Belmopan Bandits are No. 5 with 4 points from only 1 win, a draw and a loss. Wagiya of Dangriga are No. 6 with 4 points; while FC Belize are No. 7 with only one win. Cellar dwellers Paradise Freedom Fighters and San Ignacio United both have zero points.

Police’s Kishane Pech deny Carlton Thomas

TCC boys win NSSSA volleyball champs Orange Walk Town, November 8, 2014 Toledo Community College is the 2014 secondary school volleyball champions. TCC battled against the San Pedro High School boys in the championship finals on Saturday afternoon. TCC won the first 2 sets: 26-24 and 25-15. San Pedro hammered kills and Josue Marin tricked the ball over the net to win the 3rd set: 26-24. The island boys led 17-11 in the 4th set, as they sought to tie the ball game 2-2, but TCC tied the score 26-26 and went on to win the set 28-26 for the championship. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners received only individual medals as the trophies were tied up in Customs, and the Most Valuable Player award went to TCC’s Julio Requena. 3rd place went to Belmopan Comprehensive School boys who shut out SJC in three sets 25-22, 25-20 and 26-24.

SPHS’ Gabriel Nunez hits

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Gwen Liz girls

WESLEY GIRLS

undefeated in high school basketball Belize City, November 8, 2014 Undefeated Wesley College girls have four wins as they lead the secondary school basketball competition. Wesley College posted their 4th win over Pallotti 37-5 on Saturday with Kristy Terry scoring 14 pts, Kayejah Usher added 8 pts, Shanice Neal had 5pts and Kendice Jeffords – 4pts, while Danika Sanchez scored

3 free throws and Keyla Melvin tossed in a bucket. Pallotti’s Zashta Rubio scored 5pts. Wesley also posted their 3rd win against the Maud Williams’ girls 14-10 last Tuesday. Other games: Maud Williams vs. Anglican Cathedral College - 32-25 Gwen Liz vs. Pallotti - 34-9 SCA vs. ACC - 22-19

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SCA girls are volleyball champs Orange Walk Town, November 8, 2014 The St Catherine’s Academy girls won the secondary schools volleyball championship. In the finals, the SCA girls dominated the Compre girls 3-0 as Kevanna Sebastian, MVP Mya Musa, Gianna Brown, Juel Lewis and Alexis Burn spiked the Compre girls on plays set by Karen Quan to win the 1st set 25-8. The Belmopan girls had a better 2nd set as Kori Diego, Kayleen Flowers, Aliyaah Allen and Danielle Gibson scored more points, but SCA prevailed 25-20 and 25-9. The Most Valuable Player award went to SCA’s Mya Musa.

ACC & Ladyville Tech boys lead high school basketball Belize City, November 8, 2014 Undefeated Anglican Cathedral College and Ladyville Technical High School boys are leading the Central division basketball competition, each with 3 wins at Bird’s Isle. Last Saturday, Ladyville Tech bounced the Excelsior High School 62-36 with Dedron Baptist scoring 14 points, and Degron Joseph added 13 points. ACC boys posted their 3rd win 62-53 against the Gwen Liz boys on Friday night. Kelvin Hendy scored 16 points, and Antwan Rivero scored 12 points.

Other games: Sadie Vernon Technical vs. Edward P. Yorke - 77-59 Top scorers: Clency Lopez, 36pts; Raheem Staine, 17 pts ACC vs Maud Williams - 67-48 Top scorers: Keyvon Evans, 15 pts; Kelvin Hendy, Holdane Swazo, 9 pts SJC vs. Nazarene High - 76-51 Top scorers: Dudley Erskine, 36pts; Sydney “Bucket” Bradley, 16pts

Belmopan Compre girls

Orange Walk champs Jadas win 10-4 Carmelita Caribbean Queen

ACC Keyvon Evans scored 15pts

Maud Wiliams’ Kentroy Mckoy scored 16pts

Jada’s win 2014 Orange Walk women’s softball championship

San Jose Palmar, November 9, 2014 The Jada’s women hammered Carmelita’s Caribbean Queen 10-4 to win the 2014 Orange Walk women’s softball championship at the San Jose Palmar field on Sunday afternoon. The Jada’s hitters collected 10 hits off Caribbean Queen’s pitcher Yvette Flowers to score 10 runs, while Jada’s winning pitcher Marina Gongora allowed only 4 runs to clinch the championship win.

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For Sale By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under:1. A Deed of Mortgage made the 22nd day of November, 2011, between JOSE VICTOR PERERA of No. 5740 Lottie Waight Street, Belize City, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 25 of 2011 at Folios 1079 – 1180; THE SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 25 comprising of 464.393 square meters situate South of the Western Highway, near Mile 17 1/2, Belize District, Belize bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 536 of 1999 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 536 of 1999 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. 2. A Deed of Mortgage made the 29th day of August, 2012, between JOSE V. PERERA of No. 5740 Lottie Waight Street, Belize City, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the one part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 21 of 2012 at Folios 259-284 THE SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate in Ladyville Village, Belize District being a portion of the land shown on a Plan attached to Minister’s Fiat (Grant) No. 85 of 1976 and being as Lot No. 72/12 in a subdivision thereof TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. The said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the schedules hereto. All offers to purchase the said properties must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. DATED this 11th day of November, 2014 MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

CLEAN UP “YOUR WORD” WITH JL’s QUICK LOAN & QUICK CASH CARD IF YOU HAVE OWED US FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS FOR EVERY $1.00 YOU PAY US BACK YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN $25.00 WITH PAY & PLAY BOLEDO. REMEMBER WE STILL ACCEPT $2.00 PER WEEK. PAY YOUR BILL, MAKE “YOUR WORD” GOOD AGAIN AND LOWER YOUR SCORE.

CONTACT CREDIT MASTER SYSTEMS TODAY! #11 Douglas Jones Street Belize City Tel: 223- 5845/223-2283 Email: cmsbz@btl.net Website: www.cmssearch.bz

THE BELIZE TIMES

16 NOV

2014

16 NOV

2014

Reid Crucial Reality By G. Michael Reid An allegation that surfaced at a memorial service that was carried live to the nation by Love FM last week from Orange Walk has sent a jolt of reality through the consciousness of Belizeans. Are we really to this point? The allegation came dramatically via a conversation recorded from a telephone call made to the widow of murdered businessman and retired politician Ramon Cervantes Sr. Cervantes, a well-loved and respected icon of the Orange Walk community had been found buried in a shallow grave in early October after evidently being brutally murdered. The 71 year old former footballer, politician, teacher and credit unionist had gone missing from his cane field on Tuesday July 1st 2014 and after a frantic search by family members, was found dead the following Saturday evening. Cervantes Sr. served as a senator in the upper House of Representatives from 1984 to 1989, was Mayor of Orange Walk Town from 1989 to 1991 and was a teacher for over 35 years. He was a Senior Justice of the Peace and long time cane farmer and store owner. He is also the father of the current PUP Standard Bearer for Orange Walk North, Ramon Cervantes Jr. In his conversation with Mrs. Cervantes, which lasted a little over sixteen minutes, Manuel Castillo, who had been fingered by the Police as the mastermind behind the sensational plot to murder Mr. Cervantes, confessed to the victim’s widow that he had indeed been contracted to kill her husband. Castillo claims however, that he had refused to carry out the hit and as a consequence, he himself had been shot. Castillo went on to name a couple of very big players, both in the government as well as in the Police Department. We can only pray that he is lying! The men who Manuel Castillo aka El Pelon (baldheaded one) implicated as the real masterminds

THE BELIZE TIMES

behind the plot are no other than our very own Deputy Prime Minister Gasper Vega and the Northern Regional Commander of the Belize Police Department, Senior Superintendent Joseph Myvette. In an initial release, DPM Vega warned that he had already consulted his attorney and threatened to pursue legal action against any other media house which “in any way further circulate the reprehensible libel against him.” Obviously realizing that this would not sit well and would not do enough to quell suspicion, the DPM then took to the airwaves with a message in both English and Spanish. In a two-minute statement, Vega stated emphatically that, “I was not, and could not have been involved in any way with Mr. Cervantes’ death”. He then borrowed a line that has been worn thin by many of his fellow cabinet colleagues, “All who know me know that I would be utterly incapable of such a horrible act.” The question is, who really knows who; and who really “knows what evil lurks within the hearts of men”? I had the opportunity this past week to sit and discuss the chain of events leading up to and subsequent to the unfortunate and shocking discovery of Mr. Cervantes body with his son Ramon Jr. During the interview, which was aired in its entirety on Vibes Radio, it was obvious that the man called “Monchie” was fighting back tears. It is difficult to try and comprehend what this family must have gone through and is still going through. I listened to some of the diatribe on the UDP radio station during the week and like Vega, they continuously accused the Cervantes family of “playing politics”. This is cruel and unthinkable. Who can blame this family for wanting to find out what really happened to their loved one. During our conversation, Monchie expressed more than once that he keeps wishing that this was all a dream and that he would wake up and things would be like they were. Unfortunately it is not a dream but a living nightmare and not only for the Cervantes family but for the entire country of Belize. Four days after Police discovered the body of Ramon Cervantes Sr., they were again led to the same area, where they discovered another body, this time that of a woman who had gone missing several months before Mr. Cervantes. 46-year-old Sonia Maribel Abac Menchu, Guatemalan had been reported missing since April 23rd, 2014 and had been last seen entering the house of the same Manuel Castillo. Castillo had mentioned nothing about Sonia Abac in his conversation with Mrs. Cervantes. The interesting thing is that while Police have made it

clear that they believe that Castillo is the mastermind behind both murders, the effort to find and bring Castillo to justice has seemed almost cavalier. It was recently reported in the Mexican media that no request has been made of the authorities there to assist in locating Castillo, even though it is widely believed that he has been hiding somewhere in that country. Another disturbing aspect to this case is that a handcuff found on the body of Ramon Cervantes Sr. was linked to a member of the Orange Walk Police Department. The Police had initially detained two of their own but later released both men and nothing more had been heard about that matter. Shortly after the allegations made by Castillo, the department issued a release informing the public that “Police Constable 743 Javier Alvarez, who apparently sold a Police Service handcuff to wanted fugitive Manuel Castillo, has been placed on disciplinary charges” for two counts of “Prejudice to Good Order and Discipline”. The release also stated that Alvarez had been “interdicted from duty since 26th September, 2014.” The release made it clear that “Police investigations have proven so far that no other party, apart from wanted person Manuel Castillo and his accomplices are responsible for both murders.” After public demonstrations in Orange Walk, Police had arrested three persons for the murders. What remains conspicuously missing is a

clear motive as to why these four men would have wanted Sonia Abac and in particular, Ramon Cervantes Sr. dead. A couple of weeks ago talk show host Mose Hyde made an interesting and astute observation. He mused that Police investigations always seemed satisfied only to the point of the arrest of a trigger-person. He pointed to the case of the attempted murder of attorney and law partner of the Prime Minister, Mr. Rodwell Williams. 19 year-old Akeem Thurton was subsequently imprisoned after he became the first Belizean to be convicted since the implementation of the trial without jury system came into effect. The investigation concluded with Thurton’s arrest, although it appeared glaringly obvious that he and a fellow accused who himself was subsequently murdered, had not acted on their own volition. Thurton’s case, by the way, is currently under appeal and stands a good chance of being overturned. Now I dare not hazard a guess, or even proffer an opinion on what might have happened on that fateful day in July when Ramon Cervantes Sr. was murdered. What I will say however, is that if any of what Manuel Castillo is saying is true, then while we have cried along with the family of Don Ramon, you can be sure that we have only just begun to cry. Heaven help us all!

For Sale By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 6th day of May, 2010, between VINCENT THOMAS of #314 Fresh Pond, Burrell Boom, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded at in Deeds Book Vol. 14 of 2010 at Folios 883 – 948, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece and parcel of land containing half (1/2) acre or thereabouts situated in the Betson/ Black Creek area being a portion of the lands now or formerly known as Point of Comfort Work (Block No. 1087) all as the same is shown coloured yellow and numbered 67 on the copy of the plan of a subdivision known as Coral Creek Estate recorded at the Lands and Surveys Department in Belmopan in Register No. 2 Entry 1060 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 11th day of November, 2014. MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City, Belize Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

16 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

ASR/BSI Cane Field Up In Smoke Sugar Industry Faces Crisis; GOB Missing In Action

Orange Walk Town, November 13, 2014 A field located in an area known as Slip Dock in Libertad Village, Corozal District, belonging to American Sugar Refining/Belize Sugar Industries and containing about 400 hundred tons of cane was mysteriously set ablaze on Wednesday morning, as tension between the factory owners and cane farmers intensifies. The field measuring about fifteen hectares contained a cane tonnage value of about $25,000. It was lit on fire all around and left to burn completely. The field was used by BSI as part of their ‘Research program’ in which they conduct cane plant testing. The Sugar Industry is facing total crisis as relations between ASR/BSI and the historically largest cane farmers’ association, Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, is at its worst state, with ASR/BSI threatening to take steps that would divide and eventually disband the association. On Monday, November 10th, 2014 officials from ASR/BSI announced that as a result of a breakdown in communication and negotiations with the BSCFA, they would reach out to individual cane farmers and other cane farmers’ associations and propose the signing of new 7-year term agreements for the sale and purchase of sugar cane. With this new agreement, ASR/BSI seeks to re-define major issues that

have been contentious for very long in the industry, such as ownership of cane, payment for bagasse and other by-products and a payment schedule for cane to farmers. The agreement proposed by ASR/BSI gives them an advantageous upper-hand, recognising them as the sole owners of the cane delivered to the mill and adjusts the payment schedule to after the sale of sugar. BSI claims that the new agreement is best for the industry which faces serious risks with the EU sugar preferential market regime coming to an end in 2017. But the BSCFA is opposed to ASR/ BSI’s moves, and their officials condemned ASR/BSI’s actions at a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon in Orange Walk Town. “In our opinion and based on our analysis, this proposed agreement is the worst agreement ever in the history of the sugar cane industry,” said BSCFA’s Chief Executive Officer Oscar Alonzo. Alonzo added that it is clear that the objective of the actions is to “destroy the association” in order to “make it easier to subject our cane farmers to an onerous and oppressive agreement that would be detrimental to their interest”. The BSCFA has rejected ASR/BSI’s proposals and are instead proposing an interim agreement to find common ground and be able to start the

2014/2015 crop season as scheduled in late November. ASR/BSI’s Inernational Relations Advisor Mac McLachlan has turned down the offer; however, and said that BSI will move ahead with its plans with or without the BSCFA. It is clear that ASR/BSI and the BSCFA relations are at their worst state. Even with the industry is on the verge of crisis, as with most things the Government is asleep and has failed to intervene in the interest of all industry stakeholders. Or perhaps, Government’s non-intervention is intentional and in favor of the rich private company, ASR/BSI, as most industry stakeholders believe. GOB has been accused of favouring the transnational company for whom they had lobbied to buy the factory two years ago. The Minister of Agriculture, Gaspar Vega, barely comprehends the sugar industry issues and the Minister of State Hugo Patt is part of the problem, as he was the Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) four years ago when these issues had initially surfaced. While ASR seems to have GOB on its corner, the Opposition People’s United Party has voiced its support, for the cane farmers and the BSCFA. Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fon-

seca on Wednesday November 12th evening said that a PUP recognises that the industry has had a successful tradition of working in a tri-partite relationship that consists of the factory/mill, cane farmers through the BSCFA, and the Government. Hon. Fonseca said the PUP does not support any effort to undermine the important role the BSCFA. He spoke about the concerns he has with the proposals put forward by ASR/BSI, pointing out that in his view it proposes to reduce cane farmers to mere cane cutters, when they are the true owners of the cane. He declared that a PUP Government under his leadership will ensure that cane farmers are recognised as owners The Opposition Leader said he was disappointed that the Government has been “missing in action” and called on them to intervene to in the interest of all stakeholders in the industry. “We need a government that is engaged, we need a government that will lead on this issue, that will bring all the parties to the table and work endlessly, every day to solve this serious problem,” he said.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE A.D. 2014 (DIVORCE)

PUP defends survival of sugar industry 11th November, 2014 The People’s United Party is alarmed at the new trend taking place in Belize’s Sugar Industry. Yesterday’s press conference by BSI/ASR in which they announced unilateral actions in the industry is unprecedented and augurs ill for the viability of this vital industry. Of increasing concern is the seeming total absence of Government of Belize participation in the actions of BSI/ASR. The new agreement proposed by BSI/ASR would accomplish two objectives in one stroke: first, it would decide ownership of the cane once and for all. Second, it would strip the cane farmer of negotiating rights. This new unilateral action would set a precedent for the future of the industry in which the cane farmers would be relegated to the status of mere cane cutters. The PUP has historically respected the tripartite approach in this industry—Government, BSCFA, and BSI (now BSI/ASR) in making decisions to move the industry forward. We therefore call on the Government to ensure that this continues. The future PUP Government will be guided by three principles upon taking the reins of government: a. The sugar cane is unequivocally owned by the cane farmer. b. The industry is a strategic one and should have maximum participation of Belizeans in the marketing of the sugar and all by-products of the sugar cane. c. The direction should be one of overall benefit to the three parties concerned—Government, Cane farmer and BSI/ASR. Nothing less is acceptable.

ACTION NO: 19 (Marco Celedonio Aguirre ( Between ( AND ( (Alida Oneila Aguirre

Petitioner

Respondent

TO: ALIDA ONELIA AGUIRRE TAKE NOTICE that a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage dated 31st January, 2014 endorsed with a Notice to you to appear and answer charges therein has been filed in the Supreme Court of Belize, by MARCO CELEDONIO AGUIRRE of Santa Cruz Village, Placencia Junction, Stann Creek District, Belize and that you are required within Fourteen (14) days after the second publication herein, inclusive of the day of such publication, to enter an appearance either in person or by your Attorney at the Registry of the Supreme Court, should you think fit so to do and thereafter to make answer to the charges AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that in default of your so doing the Court will proceed to hear the said charges proved and pronounce judgment your absence notwithstanding. This Petition is filed and this Notice to appear is issued by Oswald Twist of 16 Bishop Street, Belize City, Belize Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner, MARCO CELEDONIO AGUIRRE. DATED THIS 24th day of April 2014 Registrar NOTE: Any person entering an appearance must at the same time furnish an address for service within two miles of the Supreme Court.

16 NOV

COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDUCATION ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR ADMISSION IN 2015 TO: NORMAN MANLEY LAW SCHOOL (Jamaica) HUGH WOODING LAW SCHOOL (Trinidad & Tobago) EUGENE DEPUCH LAW SCHOOL (The Bahamas) Legal Education Certificate – Two Year Programme Applications are invited from holders of a first degree in Law obtained from a recognised institution in a common law jurisdiction (in accordance with Article 3 of the Treaty Establishing the Council of Legal Education), or holders of Common Professionals Examination Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Law from a recognized institution (UK) together with vocational training, and who wish to be considered for selection for the Two-Year Legal Education Certificate Programme. ALL APPLICANTS will be required to sit an entrance examination which will be held in July 2015. This is not applicable to holders of the University of the West Indies LL.B. degree. Thus examination is intended to assist with determining priority placing to the Law Schools and IS SUBJECT TO SPACE AVAILABILITY. The examination will consist of testing in basic core courses. The courses are:

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Law of Contract Law of Tort Real Property

- Equity - Criminal Law

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A MINIMUM A PASS MARK OF 50% IN EACH OF THE FIVE COURSES.

The application form and instruction and information sheet are available from the website (under ‘Downloads’): www.nmis.edu.jm For further information you may contact

The Registrar, Admissions Board Norman Manley Law School P.O. Box 231 Kingston 7 JAMAICA (876) 927-1899/1235

The Registrar Hugh Wooding Law School P.O. Bag 323, Tunapuna TRINIDAD (868) 662-5835/5860

The Registrar Eugene Dupuch Law School P.O. Box SS 6394 Nassau, THE BAHAMAS (242) 326-8507 All applications together with the transcript must be submitted to the Secretary, Admissions Board, Norman Manley Law School, Mona, Jamaica along with a non-refundable and non-transferrable fee of US$150.00 and one recent passport size picture no later than January 31, 2015. Please see the Instruction & Information Sheet on www.nmis.edu.jm for further details. Please see the Treaty on the website: www.clecaribbean.com LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

SCHEDULE Firstly, ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate near Mile 6.5 and East side of the Southern Highway, Stann Creek District bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 577 of 2001 dated 17th July 2001 surveyed by H.D. Flowers and lodged at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands in Entry Plan No. 3882 Reg. No. 12 577 of 2001 together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. Secondly, ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate east of the Southern Highway, near mile 6, Silk Grass Village Area, Stann Creek District bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 578 of 2001 dated 17th July 2001 surveyed by R.A. Rosado and lodged at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands in Entry Plan No. 3882 Reg. No. 12 together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 18th day of June, 2014. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

THE BELIZE TIMES

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2014

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2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

BSI MOVES AHEAD WITH OPTIONS TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT WITH CANE FARMERS FOR THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF SUGAR CANE 10 November 2014 After almost two years of negotiations between Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA), there is no new Agreement for the sale and purchase of sugar cane. The current status of the negotiations is holding back progress on critical future planning for all industry stakeholders and more immediately threatens to delay the timely start of the 2014/15 crop. A delay would have devastating consequences for the industry, including cane farmers. BSI has today written the BSCFA and makes public the contents of this letter, as captured below: “BSCFA/BSI Negotiations of a new Agreement We write in relation to the above-captioned matter and with reference to our last meeting on 9 October 2014. At that meeting the BSCFA had indicated that they would subsequently be advising us of a date for our next meeting, within a time-frame of three weeks. Over one month has now passed and we have not heard from the BSCFA on this matter, which is now critically urgent given that we are less than a month from the expected date for the start of the 2014/15 crop. Additionally, statements made by BSCFA representatives in public media subsequent to our last meeting lead us to believe that the BSCFA has no intention to conclude a new agreement for the sale and purchase of sugar cane before the start of the 2014/15 crop. From field reports it is assessed that the cane supply for grinding will exceed 1.3 million tons and in fact the 2014/15 crop can be a record year for the benefit of all. But in order to achieve this objective there can be no delay in the beginning of the crop. It means that the planning and arrangements for harvesting, delivery, quality testing and other aspects of operations require urgent attention and determination. A timely commencement of the crop is clearly for the benefit of farmers not only at the beginning but in the ultimate results of the crop. We do not foresee any prospect in the near future of being able to secure an agreement with the BSCFA on behalf of all sugarcane farmers. BSI will now move ahead with alternative options to secure agreement(s) for the supply of sugarcane to BSI effective the 2014/15 crop with those farmers and associations that desire to start the crop on time. We are compelled to pursue these options in the fundamental interests of the industry, including cane farmers, as an integral party. We do take this opportunity on behalf of BSI and ASR to give every assurance that just as our companies have by their investments demonstrated their commitment to make the sugar industry in Belize a sound and healthy business for all stakeholders, that commitment and determination will continue. But for all stakeholders, it is essential that the business be conducted on sound commercial principles and practices by and for all concerned. This is necessary not only for us (and by “us” we include the cane farmers) to thrive, but indeed to meet the undoubtedly challenging times ahead in a spirit of realism and cooperation.” As highlighted in the letter, the 2014/15 crop may well be a record crop and of benefit to the national economy and in particular industry stakeholders, including cane farmers. This depends on its timely start in order to harvest all available cane under optimal weather conditions. In addition, under the terms of a long term sales agreement negotiated with Tate and Lyle Sugars, Belize sugar exported to the EU for the 2014/15 crop will be at a premium over the current EU price, providing a valuable window of opportunity in which to prepare for the decline in future prices as a result of changes in the EU sugar market. BSI has a responsibility to cane farmers to ensure the 2014/15 crop is a success and which would place the industry on a better course for the future. We have now taken a decision in light of these circumstances to move ahead to coordinate the crop with those farmers and groups of farmers who wish to deliver their cane. BSI is committed with other industry stakeholders to properly plan and manage the harvest, and avoid undue and costly delays to the crop. To this end, the Tower Hill Sugar Mill is well advanced in its preparations for a timely start and successfully conducted steam trials last week. BSI will now pursue separate but similar agreements to the draft Agreement last discussed with the BSCFA on 9 October 2014 with other Associations of cane farmers, groups of cane farmers and if necessary individual cane farmers who wish to deliver their cane. The Agreement is fundamentally the same as has existed in the past. The Agreement sets out the formula for calculating the price for cane. It respects the 65/35 sharing ratio of net stripped value from sugar and molasses sales between farmers and miller respectively, which has governed previous agreements. The new element of the Agreement is the inclusion of a provision to pay for bagasse, which BSI had committed to as part of negotiating a new Agreement. The viability of the industry is at risk with the end of the current EU sugar regime in 2017. There is little time remaining to prepare the industry for global market changes and this presents the greatest threat at the moment. It is time to move forward on the basis of a new, commercially minded Agreement between the Miller and cane farmers and work together to meet the challenges of improving industry efficiency, productivity and competitiveness which will ensure its long-term success.

- A PAID AD -

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT MEDIA LETTING US DOWN Having just completed reading the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act of 2005 it is clear to any lay person that the Prime Minister and his Ministers in government have breached all the relevant sections of the law. This is an important national issue, more important because the Prime Minister was elected on a promise and a pledge to the people that he would ensure accountability and transparency in running our government. The large amount involved – 38 million in 2012, 152 million in 2013 and 40 million dollars in 2014 is scandalous. The issue is not complicated to explain to the public. The Prime Minister cannot borrow any amount over 10 million dollars without first getting approval from the National Assembly; meaning the House of Representative and the Senate. This he has not done. The second issue is that the law requires the Prime Minister to submit to the National Assembly the estimate of expenditures for the monies. This the Prime Minister has not done. The third issue is that the Prime Minister must put any such borrowed monies either in the consolidated or in a special development fund, under the watch of the Accountant General and Audited annually by the Auditor General. This the Prime Minister has not done. The Prime Minister has been refusing and dodging the issue by not explaining why from 2012, when he took out of the Petro Caribe funds, 38 million dollars and spent it all, he has not even gotten approval or given any accounting, likewise for 2013 and 2014. It is deceptive to suggest he has sent copies of the construction contracts to the Contractor General. That is a formality. All government contracts are sent to the contractor general for legal vetting. The Finance and Audit law requires the Prime Minister to do much more specific and detailed accountability for public monies. Why has some sections of the media been failing to properly inform the Belizean people of the details of the Finance and Audit Act? Channel 7 which first asked the Prime Minister why the Petro Caribe spending is not being reported to the National Assembly, is now reporting that the PUP are trying to prevent the government from spending the funds on infrastructure. This is merely repeating the official government propaganda line. It doesn’t answer the questions raised. Love FM has pointedly stayed away from this huge national issue. Mose Hyde of Krem Radio/TV has discussed the issue, referring to the millions of dollars as a “slush fund” being misused at the whims of the Prime Minister. The Amandala newspaper has not frontally confronted the issue. Reporter newspaper has an editorial but that’s it. Channel 5 has not yet invited anyone to speak authoritatively on “Open Your Eyes”. The two political parties’ respective media no doubt has the political spin on the matter. The media in Belize is vibrant and active but is captivated by the multitude of sensational criminal activities and other such stories. But there is a serious responsibility to report serious issues, in particular this type of behavior by our Prime Minister and his government. And guess what. There are two equally important related issues. One is that the Prime Minister is more than likely in breach of the criminal law that was passed in 2010 as an amendment to the

Finance and Audit law. The second one is that the Prime Minister may have deliberately kept the selling price of petrol at the pump high because the excess over the amounts for which Venezuela sells us petrol was benefiting his “slush fund”. These are serious maters. The media is not properly reporting the issue to Belizeans and could channel 7 ask the Prime Minister exactly how much money is in the Petro Caribe fund? SECOND HAND HELICOPTORS The Taiwan government has donated a brand new plane to the government of Honduras. It is not known if Belize asked Taiwan for a helicopter given our dire border situation with Guatemala. What is shameful is the government which blew out 38 million dollars from Petro Caribe funds in 2012 and so much more since then when faced with the current scandal of unaccounted spending suddenly decided to buy – not one but two tiny second hand helicopters for the B.D.F. Belize becomes the only country in the world which equips its army with not one, but two second hand helicopters. Has any one gone on the internet to check whether Belize is really getting value for money? Government HAS the money to have bought new helicopters and jungle vehicles. POOR CANEROS The cane farmers have been sold out. They had wanted to buy the sugar factory and become masters of their sugar industry but their government with close links to the richest UDP law firm could not resist the huge commissions and legal fees involved in selling the sugar factory to greedy foreigners. A nationalistic government would have signed for a loan for the cane farmers to buy the factory. The Government which spends/ wastes millions each year on ham and political giveaways can’t find money to help the cane farmers. The government prefers for a foreign company to send the profits out of the country when the cane farmers/owners of the factory would have kept the profits in Belize. How much for a sugar grinding factory? SHALLOWNESS We in Belize used to see BBC world news and special features. They took away BBC. For a short while we saw what real news coverage was all about. Al Jazeera. Quickly, that was removed and replaced by a watered down version called Al Jazeera America. Once a news organization is shaped to cater to the poorly informed America audience, it can’t deal with the real deal. Al Jazeera America is still superior to CNN, NBC and FOX News drivel and one-sided coverage. Belizeans can’t have BBC and the real Al Jazeera, but gets an enormous amount of nakedness, sex, violence, and materialistic shallowness. RAT CITY The persistent “rat” from sources is that a top hotel and a popular pizza place have, o my, my rats in their kitchen. The Chinese food establishments have always had rats in their kitchen. What else is new? Belize City, with its overgrown abandoned yards and once a week garbage col-

lections and unclean covered drains, is a rat infested city. You can see some obese rats walking out from early evening. Rat City. ROSETTA For twenty years they be working on this. There is nothing right now that can compare. The cost is past three billion dollars. There is a Comet, streaking past the mighty sun. It is called comet 67 P. Long and carries rocks, ice, space debris forming a tail streaking through the outer reaches of the galaxy. A few days ago scientist from the European Space Agency finally were able to position a space-craft; Rosetta over the comet. A small vehicle called Philae was launched from out of Rosetta which is now 20 Kilometers over the comet. Philae has successfully descended on the large rock marking a crowning glory of twenty years of research and planning and building. Philae would then be able to collect samples, date, and other material to throw more information on where the earth got its oceans from. It will check for ice, plasma, carbon, hydrogen and look for the presence of amino acids which are the building blocks of life itself. If all goes well Philae will return to Rosetta which in turn must find its way back to our planet. We will keep our fingers crossed. GREGORY GIBSON Career public officers who rose through the ranks to become the comptroller of Customs retires in a few weeks time. We pay tribute to this solid religious, dedicated husband, father and citizen who contributed above and beyond his requirements on the job. We also offer congratulation to the new comptroller Emil Grinage. To our knowledge his dad was a public officer and rose to the highest rank of Permanent Secretary now renamed Chief Executive Officer, Emil is also brother to Dr. Grinage. JOHN LONGSWORTH Former Permanent Secretary John Longsworth is still going strong and can be seen regularly in Belmopan on his trusty bicycle and always willing to offer words of wisdom to younger public officers. John Longsworth was one of the more articulate and passionate Finance Officers who became an outspoken Permanent Secretary calling for the promotional examinations for public officers in the accounting and administrative grades and left quite an impression on many of his students. Keep on keeping on John Longsworth. GOVERNMENT GAZETTE Why can’t an important weekly publication from the government be published online on the internet FREE. The Gazette contains very important information such as the statutory instrument, lost land titles, companies being taken off the register, persons applying to administer their deceased family’s estate and the new law passed by the National Assembly. Basted backward government; free up information for the citizens. MEK MI RICH There is much too much gambling going on. A sure sign of the poverty in a community can be judged by the number of pawn shops, loan sharks, gambling of all sorts, rum drinking, robberies, burglaries and

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stealing, idleness and prostitution. In Belize City prostitution with young teenage girls and young teenage boys is growing. Stealing and robberies are common-place. Alcohol consummation is on the steep increase. Even at the BTL Park alcohol is on sale. Pawn shops have long abandoned the money-lenders law and are charging all types of illegal fees and cruel interest rates. But it is the gambling which is the new drugs. Princess Casino has ruined many. The boledo and Sunday lottery were manageable because of the small fees for a ticket. The Lotto, Mega Bingo, Fantasy 5 and now Mek Mi Rich are scourges in our society. It is legalized robbery of poor and desperate people who think they will get rich overnight. It is an addiction. It is selling dreams that only few will see. Indeed, there is unproved speculation that these games are “fixed”. These personal get rich schemes benefit only the promoters. Gambling, like so many vices that the system allow, needs to be taken away from individuals and the revenues go to special social programs. We hope the change of government will see gambling nationalized. DYING TO BETTER THEMSELVES “Dying to Better Themselves, West Indians and the Building of the Panama Canal” is a book written by Olive Senior. It was briefly reviewed in this Sunday’s Jamaica Gleaner and available on the internet. It is published by the University of the West Indies. Belizeans were part of the workers who left their home countries to work on the building of the Panama Canal. It is part of our history and we may sill have persons alive who were part of the amazing and also destructive experience. Many workers lost theirs to mosquito transmitted fevers and other illness. From the book review we learn that when the project was being managed, before the Americas took over; there was a work force of over twelve thousand laborers, of which over ten thousand were from the Caribbean, of which nine thousand were from Jamaica. How many Belizeans and who were they who left Belize in the mid 1900’s to labour on the Panama Canal? MEMORIAL PARK RIP-OFF The Memorial Park has always been a place of reverence and remembrance. It is to honor Belizeans who volunteered to leave Belize and be part of the war effort of the British in the first World War 1914 – 1918 and the second World War 1939 -1945. The Park should have been rededicated to Belizeans who joined the US Army an lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Memorial Park was captured by a den of thieves. It is all legal – bloated contracts and all, including vendors booths made from cheap imported plycem when Belize has so much timber. The cost of renovating the park from one of tranquility to a group of silly looking vendors’ booths is said to be over three million dollars. This money could have built a craft center on the depressed south side of Belize City where single mothers could be making souvenir items from local shells, bamboo and other indigenous materials. They could sew Garifuna and Maya clothes and feed their families rather than forced to go begging politicians. Sunday 9 Nov was Memorial/remembrance day for the one hundred years since the start of the first world war. Was it remembered in Belize?

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ST. JUDE NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us St. Jude, worker of miracles, Pray for us St. Jude, helper of the helpless, Pray for us (Say this prayer nine times a day for nine days. It has never been known to fail) M.D.A.P.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that DI LUN ZHENG is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Green Jade Restaurant”, situate at 9 Miles, Phillip Goldson Highway, Ladyville, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that MAHADEV MORYANI is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “P&P Supermarket”, situate at #19 Cemetery Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that DIANA ARACELY CHUC is applying for a renewal of a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Dayely’s Grocery”, situate at #8 Mopan Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

THE BELIZE TIMES

No Apology!!! ‘Monchi’ says he won’t say “I’m sorry” Belize City, November 12, 2014 PUP Orange Walk North Standard Bearer Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes Jr. told the BELIZE TIMES in a telephone interview late this evening that he will not be apologizing to Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. On Wednesday November 12th, Cervantes received a letter dated Sunday, November 9th 2014 and written by Senior Counsel Rodwell Williams, of Barrow and Williams Law Firm, demanding a full retraction and apology for allegations made in a recording played at a memorial service held last week, Wednesday November 5th, for the late Ramon Cervantes Sr. who had been kidnapped and murdered in Orange Walk in July of this year. The recording was of a telephone conversation between wanted fugitive Manuel Castillo, who is the alleged mastermind of the murder, and Cervantes Jr.’s mother, Mrs. Vilma. In the conversation, Castillo alleged that he is being wrongfully blamed for the murder, and that Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega is the real mastermind. Vega reacted promptly and by Wednesday evening he had released a video, using his official office of DPM, to put on a sad face and defend himself and disclaim the allegations. Vega did several interesting things. Firstly, he substantiated that it was indeed Castillo’s voice in the recording and, secondly, he pre-empted any announcement by Police officials that the case was solved when he confi-

Notice is hereby given that ANGEL A. BLANCO is applying for a renewal of a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Ely’s Cool Spot”, situate at San Estevan Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that ALMA ALCOSER is applying for a renewal of a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Orange Plaza”, situate at Tangerine Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that YANG WEN ZHAO is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “La La Shop”, situate at San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that NINFA COC is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider License to be operated at “Jae Cool Spot”, situate at #157 Appasote Street, Lord’s Bank Village, Ladyville, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

CARTOON

dently said that the Police have “all the evidence” to know who the real persons involved are. The truth is that there are still too many unanswered questions surrounding Don Ramon’s sudden disappearance and murder. A full investigation into the Police’s involvement in the plot has not been conducted. The fact that the Police officials have confirmed that Police officer Julio Alvarez sold a Police-issued handcuff to Castillo – the same handcuff found on Don Ramon’s body when he was exhumed from a grave – demands a thorough investigation. Was there further Police involvement? The letter issued to Cervantes Jr. by Barrow and Williams, the law firm in which Prime Minister Dean Barrow is a partner, threatened that if there was no response to the request for retraction and apology by November 17th, they would sue for defamation of character. Various callers to Vibes Radio’s Morning Buzz said that upon learning of this threat they reacted, saying: “what character??” In the letter, the PM’s law partner claims also that Vega is already entitled to “substantial compensation” for the injury “to his feelings”. On Thursday, November 6th Monchi and his family went to the Orange Walk Police Station to present the audio recording and make a statement. There, Monchi asked the Police to investigate Castillo’s allegations, that Vega and a senior Police Officer were involved in the murder of his father.

23 2 shot on North Front St. in Broad Daylight Belize City, November 12, 2014 Tourists walking on North Front Street witnessed the ugly reality of the old capital, as they were caught in the middle of a broad daylight shooting between gang rivals. Eyewitness reports to the BELIZE TIMES are that 27 year old Andrew Tate was riding a bicycle from the tourist village area towards the Swing Bridge when shots rang out. He was shot on the neck and fell from his bicycle. Police were in the area and they set chase towards Pink’s Alley where they saw a young man run. There, they detained Karl Lino who was shot on the left leg by the authorities. Lino’s family claims that the Police planted a gun on him. Tate was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Tate is no stranger to law enforcement officials. In February he and 25 year old Kariq Tzul of West Street were shot in a yard at the corner of West Canal and King Street. This shooting was believed to have been the result of a rivalry between George Street and Supal Street. Although Tate received gunshots to both of his arms, legs and stomach he survived that shooting. At the scene the Police had found fifteen expended shells.

THE BELIZE TIMES

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