Belize Times November 9, 2014 by Belize Times Press

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The Belize Times THE BELIZE TIMES

9 NOV

2014

Established 1957

9 NOVEMBER 2014 | ISSUE NO: 4920

The Truth Shall Make You Free

Gaspar Vega

Manuel Castillo, wanted fugitive

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

Ramon Cervantes Sr.

Gapi Attacks! Wanted Fugitive Manuel Castillo says murder of Don Ramon was a political hit Pg. 6

Schakron for Belize

City Mayor!

Pg. 3 SEDI’S VEHICLE MAULS WOMAN ON WESTERN HIGHWAY

BARROW - THE REAL MALIGNANT TUMOR! Pg. 10

Pg. 3

PUP Legal Team chastises PM’s violation of the constitution

2 02

OPINION

OUT

More Security for Southern Belize

Dear Editor, I take this opportunity to express my personal concern regarding what has happened recently in the village of Hopkins where a female teacher was killed and her husband was brutally beaten almost to death. This is the second time such an incident has taken place at the same spot where an Indian man was killed, and an Indian woman and a girl were also brutally attacked. Shortly after the second incident happened in the village of Hopkins a similar incident took place in a village west of Punta Gorda in the Toledo District, during the day time. The Belizean people have been promised every now and then protection from criminals, but the protection is not provided and the situation in getting worse than ever before. I work in Dangriga. I go and come every day. It is to my great surprise that not one day a police patrol has been seen patrolling the Southern Highway. My dear Belizeans, I am positively sure that one of these days there will be a hold-up on the Southern highway because the doors are open from north to south for any bandits to enter our country as have already seen in Belize. I beg our security forces to protect our Belizean people, our tourists and the students who travel to Belize from other countries. Signed, Lauriano Arana

LOCAL 7 Nov

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

Professional Engineers write Commissioners of Police and Transport over frustrating checkpoints

Dear Commissioners: Kindly consider the following statements/ suggestions relating to the operations of Police Check-points: • The public’s perception is that their primary purpose is the examination of the status of licenses and insurance of vehicles using the road in order to fine those motorists that are not up-to-date with these two targeted items. This causes delays, frustration and inconvenience to those who are in compliance. • The economics of road investments awards benefits for time-saving and reduction in operating costs. The current system of check-points employed countrywide causes delays rather than time-saving, and increases the consumption of fuel - the operating cost in this instance • Sometimes there are as many as three (3) such check-points between Belmopan and Belize City and a person who is delayed beyond a reasonable time may have to resort to exceeding the speed limit in order to arrive to his meeting on time, or not so late. This puts road users at risk and is contrary to the goals of the Road Safety Project. • Another inconsistency is: While GOB is seeking a loan to make us more resilient to Climate Change, the current system of check-points causes unnecessary consumption of fuel due to long lines of vehicles burning fuel while waiting to be checked. This contributes to the negative effects of Climate Change that we are hoping to mitigate. • A solution proven to work in

WEATHER 8 Nov

9 Nov

10 Nov

OUT

Stepping up the fight on Dengue

Justice, finally!

Dear Editor, Dengue is a serious disease plaguing our country. This disease is thought to have spread mainly as a result of unsuccessful vector and disease inspection, as well as poor public health infrastructure, population growth, and the increase in national and international travel. The main vector of dengue is the domestic mosquito, Aedes Aegypti. This mosquito breeds in urban environments in containers that hold water. Dengue is seasonal and generally relates with humid weather. Increased rainfall, humidity and temperature is said to influence the life cycle of the vector and virus, thus increasing the transmission potential. I know we have put measures in place to educate the public of how to eradicate the breeding of these mosContinued on page 9

neighboring countries is to pull vehicles selected at random to the side (on the shoulder) while other vehicles are allowed to continue their journey without interruption. Vehicles pulled to the side are thoroughly inspected for: vehicle registration, spare tire, jack, emergency reflective triangle and fire extinguisher. They also match the vehicle registration with the driver’s license of the operator to check if the vehicle has been stolen. I lived in El Salvador for six years and cannot remember ever been pulled-over to the side. We have to accept that the number of vehicles in Belize has grown astronomically, but so have information technology and technology itself. We have to look for ways to apply technology to solve our increasingly complex contemporary problems. Wilfredo E. Guerrero, P.Eng. President Association of Professional Engineers of Belize (APEB) Copy: Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Transport

2611Mar Nov

2014

Dear Editor, I find it appalling that it took putting more than one victim for Brian Charlesworth to finally be given the sentence he deserves. These Pedophiles should not be allowed the opportunity to harm children time after time. Charlesworth was convicted for the third time for Carnal Knowledge, giving rise to the question: why did the justice system waited until he harmed more innocent children to give due justice? Waiting until the third conviction gave him time to inflict harm on to these children when giving him the sentence he deserved in the first place would have saved the other two girls from falling into his abuse. Nevertheless, we must keep in mind that these two girls came to report the heinous crimes but what if they were not the only ones and justice should have been served when there was only one victim not wait until there are multiple victims seeking justice. This seems to be a regular occurrence in our country as we are opening our children to be harmed by these criminals. Continued on page 9 SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

The Truth Shall Make You Free

ISSUE NO: 4840

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

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9 NOV

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

BARROW - THE REAL MALIGNANT TUMOR! PUP Legal Team chastises PM’s violation of the constitution

Belize City, November 5, 2014

On Tuesday, PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca, Deputy Leader Hon. Julius Espat and the members of the legal team preparing to challenge the Barrow Administration’s illegal borrowing and spending of $228 MILLION dollars obtained as a loan through the ALBA/Petro-Caribe programme addressed the media. The legal team which consists of Senior Counsels Andrew Marshalleck, Magali Marin-Young, Eamon Courtenay, Godfrey Smith and the Party’s legal advisor Anthony Sylvestre Jr. explained why the Prime Minister is guilty of violating the constitution and laws of Belize. “What the loan motion that has been tabled in the House has revealed is that the Executive Branch of Government has been engaged in borrowing millions of dollars and also in spending millions of dollars without the

Schakron for Belize

City Mayor! Belize City, November 4, 2014 Firebrand community activist, Yolanda Schakron, has confirmed that she will be contesting the March 2015 Municipal Elections in Belize City as the People’s United Party’s Mayoral Candidate. Schakron, a no-nonsense activist who has stood up many times to the oppression of the UDP Government, said her decision to run for Mayor was in response to the tremendous support and encouragement she has been receiving from many city residents. She explained that residents have been clamouring for better leadership in Belize City, and have expressed total dissatisfaction with the current Belize City Council led by UDP Mayor Darrell Bradley, someone who spends most of his day dealing with private legal matters in Court. Residents have described Bradley as cold and chancey, hard-headed and incompetent. His self-acclaimed accomplishment of the city’s infrastructure project is overshadowed by the unaccounted $20 million spent on cementing streets which now flood easily because no drains were built and the poor quality of work. Schakron told the BELIZE TIMES that she and her team of Councillors can deliver better services and leadership to Belize City residents. Schakron brings renewed hope to Belize City. Her team of Councillor Candidates, soon to be officially announced, includes professionals and community activists.

authorization of the National Assembly. At core that is the executive usurping functions of the legislature,” posed Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck. Marshalleck added that the act

of going to the National Assembly after the fact that the laws have been violated does not make it right. “The section and law doesn’t contemplate seeking authorization

03 3 after you’ve already borrowed, it uses the language “shall only be validly entered into” which makes clear that the approval is to be sought before the borrowing,” he pointed out, referring to the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act of 2005. Marshalleck further likened the Prime Minister’s actions to the kind of “Prime Ministerial Governance” which the Caribbean Court of Justice had chastised and described as a “malignant tumor” of our democracy. The stipulations of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act of 2005 require that any loan above $10 million sought by the Government must first seek the approval of the House of Representatives. This Continued on page 31

4 04 04

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

on the

PetroCaribe-UDP Hypocrisy! By Francis W. Fonseca On September 6, 2005 in Jamaica the PetroCaribe Energy Cooperation Agreement was signed by several Caricom Nations including Belize. And on June 9, 2006 Belize entered into a Joint Venture agreement with Venezuela forming ALBA Petro Caribe Belize Ltd. These were initiatives of the then PUP Administration of PM Said Musa. Our Party therefore values and appreciates the benefits of the PetroCaribe Program to our nation and economy. That value and appreciation is, however, not unconditional and unqualified. Our support for the program must be balanced alongside our

duties and obligations to the Belizean people and our commitment to strengthening the systems of Governance in our country. The Loan Motion before the House of Representatives seeks to have the House â&#x20AC;&#x153;confirm and validateâ&#x20AC;? a loan agreement entered into between the Government and Alba Petro Caribe Belize Energy Limited (APBEL) in September 2012 pursuant to which the Government has drawn down and apparently spent some BZ$230 Million Dollars over the period September 2012 through October 2014. The confirmation and validation of the loan is expressly sought by the terms of the

Motion from the House pursuant to section 7(2) of the Finance and Audit Reform Act, 2005. When $230M is borrowed, even under a concessionary program, in the name of the Belizean people and there is no legal and proper authorization for such borrowing, and no proper accounting of those monies, the PUP has an obligation to not only ask questions, but to act to demand answers. When the line between the PetroCaribe Funds and the UDP coffers is blurred we in the PUP have a responsibility to question and challenge the use of those funds.

2014 When contracts given out under the PetroCaribe program are given to cronies and hustlers of the UDP and the Belizean people do not get value for money, the PUP has a big problem with that and so do the Belizean people. Our Party has therefore authorized the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Deputy Party Leader Julius Espat to file a Legal Claim in the Supreme Court of Belize to get answers for the Belizean people, to demand accountability for them, to seek to ensure that any future Government of Belize, whether PUP or UDP, understands that going forward the Belizean people expect and require that we do things differently and in strict accordance with our financial orders and regulations. $230M is no small change. A quarter of a Billion Dollars. The Chairman of the PAC and our Party has an obligation to pursue every option on behalf of the Belizean people. This legal claim is therefore NOT an attack on development as the UDP apologists would like you to believe, it is a Legal Claim on behalf of the Belizean people to stop the abuse and misuse of public funds. It is about putting a stop to waste and corruption. It is about the accountability of all future Governments of Belize.

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9 NOV

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

5 05

EDITORIAL

GUILTY!!

rime Minister Dean Barrow is a guilty man. He looks guilty, he talks guilty and he is behaving guilty. Asked by the media to answer a simple, straight-forward question, Mr. Barrow’s eyes opened wide and he started stuttering and stammering. He evaded the question and instead launched into his usual personal and political verbal attacks. The question from the media was why did he not seek prior approval from the National Assembly in 2012 before taking and spending 36 million dollars. In 2013 he took out 152 million dollars and spent it. And in 2014, so far, he has taken and spent 40 million dollars. None of these monies were approved and none has been accounted for. These represent a massive betrayal of public trust and violation of the laws governing the borrowing of loans and spending of such borrowed money. Mr. Barrow, instead of offering the nation a straight-forward answer, resorted to petty and political attacks against the Opposition. He threatened to conduct a campaign of lambasting the PUP and diverting attention away from his dastardly deeds. Going from the sublime to the ridiculous, the Prime barrower has been suggesting that the PUP is anti-poor people and was trying to prevent infrastructure spending. What would have caused Mr. Barrow to react with such hysteria, bordering on immaturity and displaying a degree of being frightened? Remember, this is not Mr. Barrow offering his warped interpretation of the law in order to shield the disgraced Elvin Penner, or protecting dishonesty by Edmund Castro:- “What he did was distasteful but it does not amount to unlawful action.” This is Mr. Barrow himself who is being exposed as doing far worse than Penner, Castro, King, Boots, Saldivar, Gapi and the whole gang of misfits surrounding him. Mr. Squeaky Clean has turned out to be dirty, with mud all over his face and on his two hands. Mr. Barrow has finally met his enemy and it is himself. It is therefore no exaggeration when Julius Espat, Deputy Leader of the PUP public accused the Prime Minister of lying to and deceiving the nation. He said Mr. Barrow must be held accountable for what he had done with millions of dollars from the PetroCaribe funds.

Mr. Espat has followed up his words with action. He has filed an application in the Supreme Court requesting that Mr. Barrow’s failures be examined and for the court to declare that he had no right to take millions of dollars and used it as he pleased, without approval and without any accounting. At a press briefing on Tuesday of this week, the presentation by Party Leader Francis Fonseca and legal briefing by attorney Andrew Marshalleck leaves no doubt on the extent of Mr. Barrow’s betrayal of Belizeans. He has violated the constitution and the Finance and Audit law. Mr. Barrow has succeeded in becoming the biggest failure as a prime minister who ignored our Constitution and violated the important laws governing public funds. And, on accounting of monies, his Government has been engaging in secret financial transactions with vast amounts of monies totaling millions of dollars. No wonder a simple question could not elicit a straightforward answer. Mr. Barrow is guilty as hell - unable to explain why he refused to obtain approval and has not accounted for the millions. Now he is airing political advertisements that the PUP wants to stop the spending. He even plans to bring out a rent-a-crowd at next week’s House meeting to create a further distraction from his unlawful actions. Why all this furious reaction to a simple question? Could it be that the real reason lies in the amendment to the Finance and Audit Law which occurred in 2010? That amendment makes it a criminal offence punishable with a fine and imprisonment for doing what Mr. Barrow is accused of doing when he unlawfully used public funds without prior approval of the National Assembly, and without giving any accounting for three years. This is what has so frightened Mr. Barrow. Rushing through a Resolution in the House of Representatives does not prevent Mr. Barrow from facing arrest and trial in the criminal courts. The Prospect of being arrested, finger-printed and read several counts of criminal charges should be cause of great concern. As the gravity of what Mr. Barrow has done these past three years in violation of every law governing public monies begins to sink into the minds of Belizeans, Mr. Barrow, who once described himself as Houdini may come to regret making such an ill-fated comparison. Harry Houdini, the great escape artist could not escape from his own self-aggrandizing stunt.

6 06

THE BELIZE TIMES

Gapi Attacks! Wanted Fugitive Manuel Castillo says murder of Don Ramon was a political hit

par Vega. Using his “office” of Deputy Prime Minister and the Government’s official mouthpiece, the Belize Press Office, he expressed his personal “condemnation” towards the Cervantes family. Vega also warned that “no other media house should carry or in any

PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and members of Cervantes family at memorial service Belize City, November 5, 2014 The political climate in Belize is very tense, in particular in the Orange Walk District, where new revelations regarding the disappearance and murder of Ramon Cervantes Sr. have placed residents at the edge of their seats and have made certain politicians nervous. On Wednesday November 5th afternoon, as the family and friends of the late Don Ramon gathered for a memorial service at the family farm near the scene of the most-tragic July 1st kidnapping, the family broadcasted an audio recording of a phone conversation they had with Manuel Castillo, a wanted fugitive who was named by the Police as the prime suspect in the murder. That phone call received at 8:23pm on Wednesday October 8th revealed the explosive allegation that Don. Ramon’s murder was part of a shocking political plot. The call had been answered by Mrs. Vilma Cervantes at her family home. She recognised the voice of the caller as that of Castillo, with whom their family is well-acquainted as he was their next door neighbour. Her daughter, Maritza, was also at home and she was the one who recorded the phone conversation. Castillo claimed that he is innocent and is being framed by those who are responsible. He said that on the day Don Ramon was kidnapped he was approached to be a part of the ring and when he declined, he was shot. Castillo said he was taken for dead, but he survived and plans to return to Orange Walk to clear his name once he recuperates. According to him, however, the Cervantes family is in grave danger because the murder of Don Ramon was a hired hit. Speaking in Spanish, Castillo said that the hit involved about seven Police Officers and a top UDP politician in Orange Walk. He said he had evidence to prove that the hit was supposed to be on Ramon Cervantes Jr., who had just become the PUP’s standard bearer in the Orange Walk North constituency, but the kidnappers got the wrong person. Castillo said that the family should not trust the Police because they are working for the UDP politician who has connections with the Mexican mafia. He went on to call the names of the politicians and the Police official who are involved.

No less than three hours after the recording was aired on national radio, a threatening reaction came from the UDP’s political don in Orange Walk, Gas-

way further circulate” the allegations made by the recording and that he would take action against anyone that ignores this warning. While the outright attack on

9 NOV

2014 the media has silenced some, it has not had any effect on the international coverage by the Mexican press. Various newspapers have covered the story uncut and unedited. The UDP mouthpieces have also launched their own attacks at the Cervantes family, questioning their motives, the timing and calling the allegations false. In addressing the media and the almost 500 supporters who attended the memorial service, Ramon Cervantes Jr. explained that his family decided to reveal the audio conversation to the public first because they have concerns about the Police Department. He revealed that it appears that the case has gone cold because the Police have not contacted their family to provide any new information. The BELIZE TIMES has learnt that the Cervantes family will, despite their concerns, present the audio recording and make formal statements to Orange Walk Police as early as Thursday morning in hope that they could assist the investigation into Don Ramon’s murder.

9 NOV

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP Punta Gorda Town Council Team READY!

Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca committed that the next PUP Government will give adequate support to the Punta Gorda Town Council.

The PUP Town Council team led by Punta Gorda Mayor Anthony Fuentes is ready for VICTORY! The team was launched at a special convention held on Saturday November 1, 2014

Mayor Anthony Fuentes said despite the challenges his Town Council has delivered on its promises to the town and residents

Hon. John BriceĂąo in attendance at Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s convention

Hon. Rodwell Ferguson said Punta Gorda Town is in better hands under a PUP Town Council

PUP Leader Hon. Francis greeting Party supporters

Party officials turned out in support of the PUP Punta Gorda team

Deputy Leader Mike Espat addressing supporters

Party supporters at the special endorsement convention

07 7

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THE BELIZE TIMES

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

A CURIOUS OCCURRENCE On June 24 and 25 this year the Group of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas held the “6to Encuentro Anual Del Grupo De Mujeres Parlamentarias,” the Sixth Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians. This meeting took place in Mexico City, and I have recently received the Report thereon which is titled “Moving From Formal To Substantive Equality.” The Report is comprehensive and cogent, complete with photos of the organizers and participants. On flipping through its pages quickly, after printing it for a more detailed read later, I noticed a very familiar face. It was that of Speaker of the House of

Representatives, Michael Peyrefitte. In other photos of the meeting I did see a few men, but it is clear from the Report that these gentlemen were at the conference mostly in the capacity of facilitators. A quick review immediately followed in my mind. There are five women parliamentarians in Belize today - four senators and myself, a member of the House of Representatives. Naturally I was taken somewhat aback. I knew nothing at all about this meeting, and one would think that if the National Assembly received the invitation, one of our only five women could have been approached to represent Belize. Ideally, it would have been excellent if a member of the gov-

erning side and a member of the opposition could have attended, since bi-partisan support and cooperation can help tremendously in forwarding the cause of gender equality. I think that Minister Grant and Senator Shoman would have made a formidable team. The Report makes clear that most countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean were represented, some by several women MP’s and Senators. The conference covered many themes, and the women parliamentarians actually voted on the three most important areas that need to be addressed, as we continue our membership in National Assemblies as legislators and leaders. The top three priority areas for future coordinated action are 1) Prevention of Violence Against Women 2) Employment and Economic Empowerment of Women and 3) Women’s Political Leadership. Through the sharing of experiences the women parliamentarians were able to gain knowledge and skills on ways in which these goals can be achieved, and there were strong calls for action to strengthen women’s leadership and to promote equal opportunities for women’s participation, while at the same time incorporating a gender perspective into all legislative agendas. In November 2012 House Speaker Peyrefitte and I represented Belize in Geneva, Switzerland at a meeting of parliamentarians which focussed

9 NOV

2014 specifically on strengthening the role of members of parliament in ensuring that Belize is complying with our international treaty obligations to promote human rights and eliminate discrimination against women. On our return I made sure that I wrote and submitted a report to the National Assembly on the recommendations from the meeting and the importance of continuing these important efforts within parliaments. I am not aware if Speaker Peyrefitte shared anything about the Women Parliamentarians meeting on his return, and if he did not then this is a great shame. Whenever leaders participate in international conferences it is vital that we not only gain personally from such participation, but that we account to stakeholders and ensure that Belize gains and that our various areas of work benefit. It is A CURIOUS OCCURRENCE indeed that the Speaker of the House alone attended the Encuentro de Mujeres Parlamentarias, as opposed to Senator Juliet Thimbriel or Lisa Shoman, Minister Joy Grant or Lisel Alamilla, or myself. Something is just not right with that picture!!

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES 2014 BYM OW East sworn in Orange Walk, October 31, 2014 The swearing in for Belize Youth Movement Orange Walk East Executive took place on Friday, October 31, 2014. The Executive members include President Alejandro Marin, Vice-President Daniel Chavez, Secretary Avianey Quetzal, Assistant Secretary Jennifer Torres, Treasurer Joshua Gonzalez, Assistant Treasurer Enir Ramos, Public

OUT Stepping up the fight on Dengue Continued from page 2 quitoes. These measures include advertisements on the television as well as press conferences with representatives from public health. Let’s get real – most people affected by dengue are those living on the southside of Belize City. Many of these people are poor persons who can hardly meet their basic needs much less have a TV to see how to prevent dengue. Also many of them do not understand the press conferences that are held as the presenters use superfluous terms that they don’t understand. Therefore, we need to come together and show compassion for one another. There are many ways in which we can give a helping hand; for example we could form small groups and go throughout the city and help people clean their yard by removing old containers that are breeding environments for these mosquitoes. In order for our country to be healthy we need to work together as one body – the government, churches, school, and businesses. In unity there is strength! Signed, Audrey Castellanos

Relations Sanie Cal, Programme/ Sports Coordinator Emin Osorio and Assistant Programme/Sports Coordinator Zair Marin. President of the BYM National Executive Alberto Vellos was on hand to officially swear in the group and to engage in an interactive dialogue and discussion on the issues affecting young people and how the Party is preparing to address those issues. President of the OW East BYM Alejandro Marin shared some of the group’s plans and schedule of events that include fundraisers to kick start community initiatives. Also present to share a message of encouragement to the group was Mayor Kevin Bernard, Councillors Ian Cal and Josue Carballo and Councillor Candidate Gian Vasquez.

OUT Justice, finally! Continued from page 2 Sexual assault and Murder should be treated with the same gravity of seriousness and importance. The children that are sexually assaulted are robbed of their childhood and their innocence and the effect on them is not short term but long term as that nightmare is with them for the rest of their lives. We all think about leaving a better Belize for our children but we should also focus on leaving better children for Belize by protecting our children. Signed Marisa Reyes Public Administration University of Belize Student

3 possible cases of Chikungunya Belize City, October 30, 2014 Health officials are closely monitoring what could possibly be the first three cases of the Chikungunya virus in Belize. Over the past few weeks, officials have had to response to a number of possible Chikungunya cases mostly in western Belize. 11 samples have been sent for testing, and three have turned out possible cases of Chikungunya. The Central Medical Laboratory has confirmed that the three cases resulted in showing positive IgM antibody tests for Chikungunya in three patients. The three cases are from persons who reside in Las Flores, Belmopan City. Las Flores has become a hot zone for health officials. They believe that residents, from El Salvador, recently travelled to Belize while they already showed flu-like symptoms. Chikungunya has ravaged El Salvador as there has been over 30,000 cases. Director of Health Services Dr. Michael Pitts admitted that while they were aware that certain areas could be more vulnerable to Chikungunya, they have been slow in their response. Chikungunya is a virus that spread to humans by the bite of an infected female Aedes species mosquito – Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus. These same mosquitoes carry the dengue virus. The most common symptoms of Chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

09 9

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that MANUEL AGUSTO BLANCO is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “San Estevan Multi-Service Station”, situate at San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that EMETERIA GONGORA is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “3 Sister Shop”, situate at Cemetery Street, San Jose Palmar Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

VACANCIES: Yasin Store and Ice Bar on 19 West Collet Canal, Belize City, is seeking 1 Cashier and 1 Sales Clerk. Must have experience. Interested persons call 653-8119.

THE BELIZE TIMES

SEDI’S VEHICLE MAULS WOMAN

ON WESTERN HIGHWAY

Belize City, Tuesday November 4, 2014 A speeding late-model luxury vehicle assigned to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington knocked down and killed a young woman as she crossed the Western Highway at Mile 8 on Tuesday morning. The woman, 31 year old Elisa Hunter, was an employee of Belize Recycling Company. She left her Antelope Street home in Belize City and boarded a bus which dropped her in

front of her work site at 9:00am on Tuesday. The bus moved off and Hunter remained at the road side, preparing to walk across. But as she crossed the highway, an incoming 2015 Toyota Prado being driven way above the prescribed speed limit within a village, swept her off the road. Hunter was flung almost 600 feet as a result of the impact. She sustained major injuries to her head and body. Reports are that her feet were broken and she bled profusely from her head. She moaned in pain at the

NOTICE I, GILROY LLEWELYN USHER JR. hereby give notice that I have applied to the Belmopan Magistrate Court sitting at 11 o’clock on the 20th day of NOVEMBER, 2014 at Belmopan City for a certificate to be granted to me under the Money Lenders Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a money lender in the name of FIRST STOP ‘’Speedy Money’’ at Capital Garden Plaza on Constitution Drive in Belmopan City. I, GILROY LLEWELYN USHER JR. hereby give notice that I have applied to the Belize City Magistrate Court sitting at 11 o’clock on the 20th day of NOVEMBER, 2014 at Belmopan City for a certificate to be granted to me under the Money Lenders Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a money lender in the name of FIRST STOP ‘’Speedy Money’’ at #10 King, Belize city.

scene as medics placed her on an ambulance and rushed her to the hospital’s emergency ward. Hunter was rushed for treatment and surgery but died around 5:00PM on Wednesday evening. Elrington’s driver, 25 year old Amir Garcia, was held at the scene for questioning and was served a Notice of Intended Prosecution by the Police. Garcia, who is not Elrington’s official driver, was rushing the Minister to Belmopan for the weekly Cabinet meeting which commences at 10:00AM. A video of the fatal accident caught by the company’s surveillance camera shows Hunter as she was about the cross the street and the vehicle slamming into her frail body. The impact lifted her from the ground and bounced her across the

9 NOV

2014 street. The video footage and evidence on the road indicated that Garcia did not decelerate or applied the vehicle’s brakes as he approached from afar. Elrington was quick to defend his driver, telling news reporters his version of the accident. He claimed that they had seen Hunter and tried to alert her from far away by blowing the vehicle’s horn, and that the driver did apply the brakes. “He is an excellent driver,” claimed Elrington. There were no tire marks on the highway and the video shows that the vehicle travelled with speed. The high-end, luxury vehicle was very recently purchased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for use by the Minister. Its value is around $150,000.

9 NOV

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP = ZERO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Businesses taking a lick – UDP Government can’t run our country!!! Reprinted from Corozal Daily A local iconic business established in September of 1981 by the “Rosado” family has announced that it is closing its doors for good. The hardware store was opened in 1981 by a young and aspiring entrepreneur Andy Rosado and his father, both of Corozal Town. The National Hardware Store located on 4th Avenue had been in business for 33 years and started as a very small family operated hardware store outgrowing its potential over time. Andy Rosado admitted that over the past four years the level playing field for his business deteriorated as a result of a saturation of hardware businesses owned by Asian/Oriental immigrants to Corozal. Many of these immigrant business owners are given trade and business licenses to operate in Corozal without proper consultation with the local business community. We note that another local business which has suffered the same fate recently was the iconic “Idelmar” that was located on 7th Avenue. The competitiveness among these immigrants is fierce as the local businesses are scrutinized by the tax department but most of these immigrants operate their business with two or three different tax receipts books and so are able to circumvent the tax department and undersell their products and literally knock the locals out of business. Now, these immigrants are moving into the smaller outlying villages where shops and restaurants have been the territory of village-born Belizeans. But often the Asian-owned shops stay open longer hours and offer better prices, two things that attract customers who may have been dealing with only their fellow villagers’ shops in the past. A huge number have set up small convenience stores and Chinese food restaurants. In Corozal, we estimate that 90% of the restaurants, take out shacks, stores and restaurants are Chinese owned and the trend continues to favour these immigrants. It sure must be hard for the local Belizeans to earn a living with all this fierce competition, corrupted and unscrupulous business practices. Truly, these immigrants send their profit back to their mother homeland and leave very little in Belize to circulate in our economy. All these monies leave our country instead of forming part of our foreign exchange earnings. Resentment is very high in our society. Their practice is to start a new business beside a Belizean and under sell him/her. In time, they usually end up buying out the Belizean business (shop) that is struggling and not making any money and turn it into a profitable business by keeping shelves stocked and open regularly.

Idelmar Store

National Hardware Store

Belize is a culturally diverse nation linking the Caribbean and Central American regional markets. Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME) as well as the Central American Integration System (SICA). Belize has a small economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2013 of US$1.604 billion. Its lead foreign exchange earners are tourism, agriculture (including but not limited to the traditional “big three” of citrus, bananas, and sugar cane), and petroleum. Belize features a year-round sub-tropical climate suitable for yearround tourism, and is conducive to cultivating quality agricultural crops year-round. The immigrants to Belize are mostly small business owners who have come to Belize because there is more opportunity here than in their home country to start a business. We understand that they even receive some economic assistance from their home country to immigrate elsewhere. Orientals emigrate from Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Some families in Belize go back three or more generations. Taiwan is vying for nationhood status in the UN and thus has been very generous to nations like Belize hoping for our votes in the UN. We at the Corozal Daily note a larger number of our Belizean population that travel on a regular basis across Chetumal, Mexico to do their daily personal purchases and this alone takes away from our local economy. With this daily practice much is lost in foreign exchange in our struggling local economy. Note: This article was written without any prejudice. These are the real facts in a real life situation! Power to the Belizean People in the struggle!

THE BELIZE TIMES

9 NOV

2014

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THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

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ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS POSITIVE

VIBES RELEASES NEW ALBUM

Belizean artist Positive Vibes is known for his dancehall/reggae music, but for the past few years he has made a smooth transition into Punta. His last album entitled “the Musical World of Positive Vibes” was a testament of his versatility as among the 18 tracks released were a number of his popular dancehall songs. Now Positive Vibes says it’s time to go fully Punta. The reason for this is that he believes Punta Rock is fully Belizean and he wants to support Belizean culture. Since that album release in May, Positive Vibes is back with another body of work. This time his release is the album “Punta Inna Yo Blood”. Positive Vibes will be having a pre-release show this Saturday at the Downtown Plaza followed by an official release on November 15th.

Belizean beauty

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14 SPORTS Junior 100m Shanicka Augustine – 1st place (12.25 seconds) Faith Morris – 2nd place (12.90 secs) Leticia Nunez – 3rd place (13.73 secs) Junior Triple Jump Shanicka Augustine – 1st place (11.73m) Ashantie Carr – 2nd place (10.40m) Jestine Blanco – 3rd place (9.50m) Junior 200m Faith Morris – 1st place (28.71 secs) Ashontie Carr – 2nd place (29.69 secs) Amber Tate – 3rd place (35.12 secs) Junior 400m Ashontie Carr – 1st place (47.7 secs) Oriel Gillett – 2nd place (1:23.59) Erian Jang 3rd place – (1:29.35) Junior 800m Ashontie Carr – 1st place (2:43.82) Ashantie Carr – 2nd place (2:52.80) Darsey Busano – 3rd place (3:32.82) Junior Shot Put Ashontie Carr – 1st place (8.64m) Tyram Bernardez – 2nd place (8.63m) Ashantie Carr – 3rd place (8.37m) Junior Female Long Jump Ashantie Carr – 1st place (4.82m) Jestine Blanco – 2nd place (4.50m) Ashontie Carr – 3rd place (4.30m) 4 x100m/4x400m 1st place – Ashontie, Ashantie, Faith Morris, and Shanicka Augustine 2nd place - Amber Tate, Adah, Erian Jang and Shaney Nazario Junior 100m James Bregal - 1st place (10.84 secs) Ezhay Cayetano - 2nd place (11.22 secs) William Bernardez – 3rd place (11.32 secs) Junior 200m James Bregal - 1st place (23.12 secs) Fredrick Usher – 2nd place (23.81 secs) William Bernardez – 3rd place (24.43 secs) Senior 100m Mark Anderson – 1st place (10.88 secs) Linford Avila – 2nd place Shaun Gill – 3rd place Senior 200m Mark Anderson – 1st place (21.90 secs) Linford Avila – 2nd place (22.45 secs) Shawn Gill – 3rd place (23.43 secs)

3rd Division winners

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE Junior Long Jump Martin Flowers – 1st place (6.42 meters) Ezhay Cayetano – 2nd place (6.29m) Laruni Jones – 3rd place (5.54m) Junior Triple Jump Martin Flowers – 1st place (13.70 meters) Ezhay Cayetano – 2nd place (12.74m) Senior Long Jump Kenneth Brackett – 1st place (6.89 meters) Jorge Jimenez – 2nd place (6.52m) Arren Roches 3rd place (6.14m) Senior Triple Jump Kenneth Brackett – 1st place (14.00 meters) Jorge Jimenez – 2nd place (12.82m) Female 1,500m Shaney Nazario – 1st place (6:51.25) Shamira Whylie – 2nd place (7:42.43) Junior 1,500m Jebran Wagner - 1st place (5:07.94) Erson Moriera – 2nd place (5:09) Laruni Jones – 3rd place (5:12.42) Senior 1,500m Ernesto Villafranco – 1st place (4:35.68) Albert Davis – 2nd place (4:40.06) Efrain Rejon – 3rd place (4:58.66) 800m Ernesto Villafranco – 1st place (2:12.44) Albert Davis – 2nd place (2:12.90) Alex Alvarado – 3rd place (2:18.63) Junior 400m Rajeem Arzu – 1st place (53.75) Ajani Requena – 2nd place (53.77) Hance Card – 3rd place (55.21) Junior 800m Rajeem Arzu – 1st place (2:15.91) Erson Moriera – 2nd place (2:20.44) Kemmion Moriera – 3rd place (2:25.85) Shot Put Justin Awe – 1st place (11.66m) Shaquille Solomon – 2nd place (7.78m) 4x100m Senior Men’s Relay 1st place - Arren Roches, Mark Anderson, Lindsord Avila and James Bregal 2nd place - Shawn Gill, Jorge Jimenez, Martin Flowers and Kenneth Brackett 3rd place Brandon Flores and Ajani Requena

2014

South Zone athletes dominate track & field meet

Belize City, November 1, 2014 Southern Zone athletes topped the medal count at the “Teck We Ah Go Teck It To Them” open national track & field meet organized by Body 2000 in partnership with the Sunrise Rotary Club at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex in Belize City on Saturday.

South wins 4x400m relay

Ernesto Villafranco wins Sr 800m

2nd Division winners

1st Division winners

Brodies Ping Pang, Crushers & Brodies Killer Spin win 2014 Bros. Habet team table tennis champs Belize City, November 2, 2014 The Brothers Habet team table tennis tournament held by the Belize Table Tennis Association concluded at the Belize Elementary School auditorium on Sunday, with Brodies Ping Pang winning the 1st Division, the upstart Crushers won the 2nd Division championship, and Brodies Killerspin won the 3rd Division. In the 1st Division finals, Brodies Ping Pang won 5-3 against the Hurricanes with Tyrone Tun winning all 3 games vs Carlos Cui and Sen Sen, and 3-1 vs Hector Lopez, while Billy Musa Jr blanked Sen Sen 3-2 and handled Hector Lopez 3-2. Hurricanes’ Carlos Cui won 3-0 vs Kareem Michael and 3-1 vs Billy Musa, while Hector Lopez edged out Kareem Michael 3-2.

Team Cuz gave the Hurricanes the easy bye into the finals by forfeit in the playoffs. Ping Pang won 5-1 vs the Racqueteers who had settled for 3rd place. Billy Musa won 3-0 vs Mike Rivero and Arturo “Tux” Vasquez, while Tyrone Tun had won 3-0 vs Ernesto Rivero and 3-1 vs Mike Rivero. Yasser Musa edged out Ernesto Rivero: 3-2. Racqueteers’ Arturo Vasquez blanked Yasser Musa: 3-zip. In the 2nd Division finals, the Crushers crushed Team Phoenix 5-2 with Jaylen Nicholson winning 3-1 vs Joshua Gegg and Zachary Garbutt, Latrell Solis edged out Luis Marin 3-2 and he took out Garbutt 3-1. John Del Cid edged past Luis Marin 3-2. Phoenix’s Zachary Garbutt won 3-2 vs John Del Cid, while Joshua Gegg blanked Latrell Solis: 3-0. The Crushers eliminated Team

Sugar City: 5-4 in the playoffs. Solis won 3-0 vs Toni Lui and 3-2 vs Leo Carballo while John Del Cid won 3-2 vs both Toni Lui and Leo Carballo. Nicholson won 3-2 vs Toni Lui. Sugar City’s Mandy Gomez won his 3 games: 3-0 over John Del Cid and 3-1 vs both Jaylen Nicholson and Latrell Solis. Leo Carballo blanked Nicholson: 3-0. Team Phoenix had eliminated Tres Leches 5-4 in the playoffs. Joshua Gegg blanked Damian Perdomo 3-0, while Luis Marin won 3-1 vs both Mishek Musa and Perdomo; Zachary Garbutt blanked Mishek Musa: 3-0 and took out Perdomo: 3-1. Tres Leches’ Gian Lisbey blanked Luis Marin: 3-0, and won 3-1 vs both Garbutt and Joshua Gegg. Mishek Musa blanked Joshua Gegg: 3-0. In the 3rd Division finals, Brodies Killer Spin won 5-2 vs Thunder. Luis

Bardalez won his 3 games 3-1 apiece vs Bjarne Gabourel, Taye Parkinson and Denzel Young. Maurice Alvarez blanked Denzel Young: 3-0 and edged past Gabourel: 3-2. Thunder’s Denzel Young won 3-2 vs Cody Rivero and Parkinson won 3-2 vs Cody Rivero. Killer Spin entered the finals by eliminating the Racqueteers: 5-1 in the playoffs. Terry Su blanked David Portillo 3-0, while Luis Bardalez won 3-1 vs both Alexis Tun and Eric Li. Cody Rivero blanked Eric Li: 3-0 and took out David Portillo 3-1. Alexis Tun had edged out Terry Su 3-2. Thunder scorched the Peppers 5-0 in the playoffs. Taye Parkinson won 3-1 vs both Kevin Pelayo and Daryl Palacio, and Rohit Pagarani blanked Pelayo: 3-0. Bjarne Gabourel also blanked both Eric Lui and Daryl Palacio: 3-0 apiece.

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THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

SPORTS 15

SCA girls & SJC boys advance to volleyball nationals Belize City, October 29, 2014 The St. Catherine’s Academy girls and the St. John’s College have repeated as Central Division Secondary Schools volleyball champs and will be representing the Belize District at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) volleyball championship hosted by the Belize High School of Agriculture at the Orange Walk Multi-purpose complex over the weekend, November 7-8. The SCA girls had no trouble handling the Belize High School girls in 3 sets last Wednesday: 2518, 25-11 and 25-18. The SCA girls will challenge the Southern Zone champions, the Stann Creek Ecumenical College girls, when the nationals kick off on Friday evening, while the Western zone champs, the Belmopan Com-

prehensive School girls will face the Northern Zone champs, the Muffles College girls in nightcap. The BHS boys had handed the SJC boys their only loss in the regular competition, and they looked to take the finals series to a 3rd match, as they won the 1st set of Game 2: 2522 on Wednesday night. SJC recovered to take the next 3 sets: 25-22, 25-17 and 26-24 to clinch the championship. The SJC boys will challenge their nemesis of many previous years, the Toledo Community College boys at the nationals on Friday evening, while the Belmopan Comprehensive School boys take on the defending champs, the San Pedro High School boys on Friday night.

Nazarene & Ladyville Tech boys win basketball games Belize City, November 1, 2014 The Nazarene High School and Ladyville Technical High School boys both posted big wins in the Central Division high school basketball tournament on Saturday morning. The Nazarene High School boys outlasted the Maud Williams High School boys 45-43 on Saturday afternoon. Chervin Tench scored 10 points, while Gregory Theus and Kenard White added 9 points apiece to lead 23-18 at the half. Trey Gentle added 8 points and Gerald Smith and Justin Hower added a bucket apiece. The Ladyville Tech boys blew out the Sadie Vernon Technical High School boys 57-23. Jason Ellis led Ladyville with 11 points, while Rashid Bethran added 10 points, and Raheem Hendy scored 8 points. Dedron Baptist added 7 points, Degron Joseph scored 6pts, and Khalil Noralez added 5pts. Other games: ACC vs. Wesley College - 74-50 Top scorers: Keyvon Evans, 17pts; Antwan Rivero, 15 pts Gwen Lizarraga High vs. Maud Williams - 50-27 To scorers: Rene Myvett, 11pts; Devantae Middleton, 8pts

MWHS’ Kenroy Mckoy scored 15pts

SCA girls team

SJC boys team

Wesley College girls keep undefeated streak Belize City, November 1, 2014 Wesley College female basketball team has remained undefeated after back to back games in the Central Division high school basketball tournament at Bird’s Isle last Saturday morning. The Wesley girls posted their 2nd win against the Ladyville Technical High School girls 33-21. Kristy Terry led with 15 points and Shanice Neal added 14 points to lead 18-9 at the half. Danika Sanchez and Keyla Melvin added a bucket each for the win. The Wesley girls had also doubled the Anglican Cathedral College girls 28-14 last Thursday. Neal had scored 10 points in that game, while Kristy Terry and Kayejah Usher added 6 points apiece. Keyla Melvin added 3 points and Danika Sanchez scored a bucket. Other games: Maud Williams High vs. Pallotti High - 32-0 Top scorers: Ashley Bailey, 17 pts; Latifa Ferguson, 5pts Gwen Liz High vs. Maud Williams girls 36-12 Top scorers: Kayla Bowen, 20pts; Tyra Moriera, 13pts

Wesley’s Shanice Neal scored 14pts

THE BELIZE TIMES

9 NOV

2014

9 NOV

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

RURAL POVERTY – WASTE NOT, WANT NOT By Hilaire A. Bennett A $67.5 million agreement was signed by Prime Minster Dean Barrow with the European Union for the purpose of rural poverty alleviation. Prior to this, some $33 million was given in this regard as part of the European Development Fund. This latest agreement was signed in October 2014, in Washington D.C. Undoubtedly, the central purpose of the recent aid package is to improve the condition of the people of rural Belize through economic and social development as indicated in the introduction of a World Bank publication “Attacking Rural Poverty – How Non-formal Education Can Help”, Phillip H. Coombs with Manzoor Ahmed, 1974. No problem is of greater worldwide concern today than the poverty that shackles onethird of the world’s people. The well-publicised economic gap between nations – the haves and the have-nots is one dimension of this problem. The gap between cities and rural areas are yet another. It is clearer now than perhaps it was a decade or so ago that only through concerted efforts to develop rural as well as urban areas can the peoples of the world’s poorest nations take the first steps beyond sheer subsistence. I would hope that there is a documentation relating to the subject-rural poverty and the identifying of the rural areas being considered rurally poor in the “Jewel” inclusive of a clear analysis as what is meant by rural poverty has been prepared regarding the money received. Poverty among human beings relates to unsatisfactory conditions to humans living in settlements outside of urban areas (towns and cities). In Belize it is clear that most rural centers of population are lacking in satisfactory amounts of provisions needed for satisfactory human living – light, water, proper health care system and proper roads. Some settlements are better off than others and the five areas chosen must have met the criteria of the European Union to warrant funding in this regard. It is understood in this paper that before receipt of sums mentioned by Prime Minister Dean Barrow the necessary inquiry had to be done to determine a precise way the

conditions of the rural areas chosen would be alleviated. Over the years successive governments have undertaken with or without foreign assistance to establish conditions which contribute to the welfare of rural communities in Belize. Such contributions have been made through the various ministries in collaboration with local government relating to health, energy, road infrastructure and education. In 1975 an initiative was launched under the People’s United Party government in an attempt to alleviate the conditions of rural Belize. The Rural Education and Agriculture Project (REAP) was initiated by the Ministry of Education, the portfolio of the Honourable Said W. Musa, in cooperation with the Agriculture Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the 4-H Agency of the Social Department, and Cooperation of American Relief Everywhere (CARE), the U.S. Peace Corps and Heifer Project International. The project created a paradigm shift from the British model of academic training, substituting it with some non-formal educational models. The educational authorities

found that “in a system which has structured the primary and secondary school curricula along academic goals intended to lead to a college or university education, only a very small percentage of rural children could realistically be expected to overcome the academic monetary, and social hurdles which block their paths. REAP was in particular an attempt to aptly prepare the participants in the role of developing rural Belize and in furtherance in “developing the agricultural basis of the national economy, to the benefit of Belize, as well”. Eventually, funding was exhausted and a UDP government took over and this promising venture came to a screeching halt as has happened in other instances. My sentiments stay strongly that had this project which was re-interpreted as “Relevant Education for Agriculture and Productivity” continued and expanded the situation would be different in rural Belize today. One reason rural Belize continues to remain depreciated is because of internal migration by the youth in such communities. These

9 NOV

2014 youth leave their villages behind and the elderly who become incapable of sustaining the traditional agricultural life. Incidentally, the migrants are often not able to make a suitable living in towns and in time drift to the inner city thereby contributing to the existing poverty in urban parts. As indicated by the drafters of the UNESCO Mission to Assess the Achievements and Shortfalls of Belize’s Educational System and to Make Recommendations, 27 April to 7 May 1983 – one of the implicit objectives was to make education contribute to the limiting of the migration of rural residents to urban areas. Another obstacle that faces Rural Belize is the residual effect of living conditions relating to our history of rural Belize as submitted in the book “Colonialism and Resistance in Belize”, Essays in Historical Sociology, O. Nigel Bolland, 1988. Agricultural development has been retarded by the other timber industries which existed in the past which contributed to the development of other economic undertaking on the land. This mindset remained within the rural communities without a vision of expansion as an agriculture base, another objective of the REAP project. “The long-range solution to the problem of making rural development programs service the needs of the disadvantaged majority, rather than a relatively privileged few, will lie in a deliberate policy of organizing the political voice of the poor, encouraging them to take their rightful place in the local power structure, and ensuring their participation and involvement in the decisions which affect their welfare… but this can happen only with painstaking efforts on the part of planners and promoters of rural development programs of rural development programs, supported by appropriate national policies, to prevent these bodies from being captured by the articulate and privileged minority” (Attacking Rural Poverty) ibid. Funding for poverty alleviation and areas relating to development of the “Land of the Gods” continue to become available to Belize through international partners. However the political pandering must stop and the allocation of money assistance must be distributed to the areas it is assigned supported by assistance towards economic developments. This will require firm management of finance secured for the welfare of the poor. Poverty must be tackled as a priority as development of people is the greatest undertaking a Government can pursue.

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

PAUL NABOR Funeral in Punta Gorda Town

Paul Nabor - January 26, 1928 to October 22, 2014

PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca expresses his condolences and support to the Palacio family

Hon. Francis flanked by Mayors Anthony Fuentes & Gilbert Swaso

Nabor’s farewell was fit for a national icon

Ayó Da Nabi Reflection for Paul Nabor

Saturday, Nov 1st, 2014 | St. Peter Claver Church |Punta Gorda | Belize by yasser musa Good morning. In preparation for this moment I tried to consult widely with friends, students, artists, poets, musicians, anthropologists, producers and journalists on the essence of the man we artistically call Nabi… I begin with two episodes at international airports as told to me by Ivan Duran who accompanied Nabi… At the Miami Airport the Immigra-

Hon. Francis laying a wreath

tion officer asks, “what are you doing here?” and Nabi answers, “If you don’t want me here you can send me right back home” In Houston another officer asks Nabi “what do you do?” and he answers “I sing” and she says: “would you sing me a song?” he sings the first line of Naguya Nei, I still remember her eyes, she looked at me and said: “Can I take him home with me?” she had fallen in love with Nabor… Nabi

A friend and supporter of Paul Nabor, Yasser Musa, delivers an inspiring reflection on the artist’s life

Southern leaders Hon. Oscar Requeña, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson & Hon. Mike Espat with Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca

Party Leader consoles Paul Nabor’s children

When you open your arms Waves crash into the coast You knew How to get people happy Via youTUBE I watch you and Andy in Rotterdam, Dance like a dandy In Stern Grove, San Francisco Like the Howlin Wolf of the Mississippi delta Like a Black Seminole Your voice From the first moment you hear it Penetrates the heart You knew How to get people happy Gulisi was only 13 when she escaped near genocide

You are her child You are the solar panel of the early 21st century The vigour of your aching hands strum acoustic honey You recorded less than 10 songs So what are we to hold on to? Lyrics, which evoke nostalgic longing? No, it can’t be just that We want more And the children deserve more They deserve to know you too You the sawmill worker Continued on page 24

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

HON. DOLORES

SUPPORTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUPS Belize District, October 28, 2014 In October Hon. Dolores continued to donate to the feeding program by Word Of Faith Church and Pastor Cardinez which assists students of the Hattieville Government School. She also kept her commitment to the Ladyville Senior Citizens Group by contributing to their turkey dinner. Hon. Dolores also made good on her pledge of $500 towards The Friends For Conservation and Development fundraising telethon for the much needed resources for park rangers to preserve the Chiquibul National Park. Finally she made a donation to the Youth Explosion Christian Rally held at Joint Heirs Ministries in Ladyville, whose Pastor is Catalina Arthurs. Collecting the cheque for the rally was Mr. Selburt Smith. Nurse Lillian August and Ms. Veronica Amoa collected on behalf of the Ladyville Senior Citizens Group and FCD respectively.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that GLENFORD STAMP is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Glenford Shop”, situate at 37 Dean Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that HUI QUN CHEN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Keffy Shop”, situate at 1221 Coral Grove, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that KARL H. MENZIES is applying for a renewal of a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “Karl H. Menzies Co. Ltd.”, situate at 104 Barrack Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Nurse Lillian August receiving donation on behalf of the Ladyville Senior Citizen Group

Mr. Selburt Smith receiving donation on behalf of Joint Heirs Ministries

Ms. Veronica Amoa receiving donation on behalf of FCD

Pastor Cardinez receiving donation

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the time as listed. At No. 2 St. Joseph Street, Belize City, Belize District on Monday 10th November 2014 at 2:00p.m. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 411.11 square yards being Parcel 770, Block 45 in the King’s Park Registration Section situate at No. 2 St. Joseph Street, Belize City, Belize District, TOGETHER with a two-storey residential building having on the ground floor a two-bedroom apartment the freehold property of MARION WEBSTER JONES. DATED this 29th day of October 2014

VACANCY: Jose Luis Aguilar is looking for an energetic female VENDOR who knows about fruits and vegetables. Apply in person at Pound Yard Market

SERVICES AVAILABLE Help to protect yourself against the threats of Dengue and Chikungunya virus. HMA Services is offering special rates from November 2nd to December 15th for its services offered which include Janitorial, Lawn keeping, Landscaping and Cartage. Check us out for FREE estimates and full scope of services. Call 667-4043. No Job is too small or too big for us to handle.

All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

9 NOV

2014

Reid A Chopper to the Rescue? By G. Michael Reid In a press conference held last Thursday in Belize City, PM Barrow announced that his government would be buying “either two refurbished helicopters for $4.1 million or a completely new helicopter for $5.68 million, pending final inspection of the refurbished models.” It was not revealed whether the price was to be in US or Belize dollars but with new helicopters being priced at anywhere between “eight to 12 million US dollars for one helicopter”, it is safe to assume that we are talking about United States currency here. According to the PM, the money to buy these helicopters will be coming from the Petro Caribe fund which is from all reports, bursting at the seams. Despite the fact that the management of these monies is currently being challenged in court, the UDP continues to spend with reckless abandonment and with absolutely no accounting. It seems that PM Barrow, Central Bank President Glen Ysaguirre and Financial Secretary Joe Waight have been accounting to each other but no one else is getting a clue as to how this money is being spent. Petro Caribe money is not a gift from anyone. It’s the proceeds from an astronomical tax being imposed on fuel. While the price of oil has been dropping precipitously on the world market and pump prices are falling everywhere else in the world, Belizeans are still being gouged for almost twelve dollars per gallon at our pumps. Forget the tiger; this man is putting a bukut in our tank. The primary and the prescribed purpose of the Petro Caribe initiative, the brainchild of deceased Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, was to help alleviate poverty. It is not quite clear how purchasing helicopters will do this but Barrow seems certain that he will be able to convince Venezuela or any other interested party that that is exactly what it will do. Of course, you just cannot take anything away from the prime minister’s persuasive prowess; after all, wasn’t he

THE BELIZE TIMES

able to convince Belizeans that Castro did not steal, Penner did nothing wrong and that appointing family members is not nepotism. Let’s face it; the man is crafty and well versed in the art of sophistry. Now there is no doubt that Belize is in need of at least one helicopter but the reason they are acquiring these helicopters seem all wrong. Helicopters are useful for emergency medical services (EMS) but if we are buying these helicopters for security or even for surveillance, then we are wasting our money. When it comes to surveillance of our borders, a better way to go would

nomic sense. If we are talking about using these helicopters to boost our defense, then we might need to put a few things into perspective. In describing the helicopters that Belize is planning to buy Brigadier General David Jones, Commander of the Belize Defense Force admitted that “The Bell Helicopters are not as rigid as the military breed”. Since 1798, the only external threat to our security and sovereignty has come from Guatemala. Guatemala folks have 45 of these “military breed” helicopters, an additional fleet of fighter jets and a formidable navy. Despite a recent downsize that cut its numbers to almost half; the Guats still boast an army of over 15,000 strong. Compare that to our three battalions which number a little over a thousand men. I’m not sure that two helicopters will make a big difference. Now I am not suggesting that as a country we raise any white flag of surrender but it might be time for us to consider options outside of military when it comes to ensuring our securi-

goal of the OAS for its members is “to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence”. If the OAS cannot fulfill that mandate then we might again follow Costa Rica’s lead and ask into the Rio Pact. Dr Victor Valle, Professor and Vice Rector of the UN-University for Peace in Costa Rica, suggests that the no-army concept has “nothing to do with flower power or bed-ins, but pragmatic thinking to bring peace and stability to these countries.” In a 2010 interview with Diplomat Magazine, Dr. Valle asserts that “My personal opinion is that the Central American countries - Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua - should start a process of dismantling and abolishing their armies and reinforcing their police forces. They would have more funds for social development. It could be a good historical legacy of the first half of the twenty-first century.” According to Dr. Valle, “because Costa Rica has no army it has more funds for social programs, social investment and social capital building…The Panamanian case is more recent but the effects will be similar: more funds for social change and a more civilian-oriented culture.” In 2012 alone, Belize spent in excess of $17 million on our military, constituting 1.08% of the country’s gross domestic product; to do what, patrol our streets? Diplomat Magazine ends the interview with Dr. Valle by suggesting that “Instead of vast amounts of money spent on equipping and paying the military, these funds are available to finance worthier projects such as education, health initiatives and old age.” While it is a noble concept to think of dying to defend one’s country and indeed, many Belizeans are willing to do so, in this the 21st century, we might be wiser to choose diplomacy over jingoism and statecraft over aircraft. May GOD continue to bless and always defend Belize!

In 2012 alone, Belize spent in excess of $17 million on our military, constituting 1.08% of the country’s gross domestic product; to do what, patrol our streets? be to utilize drones like those recently unveiled by the Fisheries Department. In July of this year, fisheries announced that it would be using small unmanned aircraft to monitor our shoreline and police against illegal fishing. The same type of technology could be applied in the surveying of our Western border. Similar type drones are used in many countries, including Kenya, where they monitor poachers in an attempt to preserve endangered species like the White Rhino. Drones are equipped with cameras which can either record data or beam images in real time to control centers. Drones are silent, powered by batteries and fly a safe distance in the sky where they are barely visible where the information can be relayed to rangers on the ground. They can also fly for several hours at a time and require very little maintenance. Helicopters are not only expensive to buy but also very expensive to maintain and keep in the air. According to a British Police website, “The all inclusive cost is £1700 per hour; this includes fuel, staff and insurance”. Multiply that by four and you will get what Belize’s expense will be for one hour of flying time. It makes no good eco-

ty. Belize might actually want to consider Costa Rica’s lead and disband our army altogether. Panama, Grenada and Haiti are also among 21 other countries in the world that has no standing army. Costa Rica relies upon an Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, also known as the Treaty of Rio or the Rio Pact which it signed in 1947and which provides that “an armed attack against any American State shall be considered as an attack against all the American States and each one undertakes to assist in meeting the attack.” Belize is not a signatory to that treaty but is a member of the OAS which has a similar agreement among its members. Article 1 of the Charter and the

THE BELIZE TIMES

Ayó Da Nabi

2014

UNICEF

Terms of Reference Technical Support and Programme Management for Sub-National Work

Reflection for Paul Nabor

Continued from page 19 The chiclero The fisherman The spirit medium - ébu You the migrant fruit company worker The songwriter The Parandero A voice so unforgettable So magical Umalali Sensual and stirring Nabi I know that the temperature of your larynx Has its’ origins Inside a Saharan rock gong thousands of years fermenting Spiced and marinated with water of Orinoco Your voice is a drought and a deluge It is African, Amerindian, Garifuna, Belizean It is a cry of anguish a sultry seductive love making under thatched moon Nabi In the twilight You took to the world stage Educating younger artists In the pedagogy of proceeding You didn’t need to go You did it for them Always ready to help Showing that art is not about glory But about how to live Nabi You are the oral and intangible You sit in contemplation on a flight from Malaysia In silence in your dory off the seashore of Pene So that songs could swirl A fever in your skin Nabi The awakening is just that You taught us it is never too late To begin now To get up And speak creativity to the world Nabi You led a cultural resistance against The sterilization of our minds You put salt back in our eyes So we could recognize ourselves Nabi You are king Not king of the Grammy But king of gratitude King of your temple Of the spirit King of curiosity Every time you left the stage You would say, Brado, Brado did I make it…did I make it? Yes you did Yes you did Yündüya Weyu (The Sun Has Set) Landini (landing) Ayó Da Nabi (goodbye father Nabor) Ayó… (goodbye)

9 NOV

Purpose of Assignment: To provide technical support and programme management (monitoring and implementation of activities) for sub-national work performed by UNICEF and partner organizations in Stann Creek and Toledo Background and Rationale In 2010, a midterm review of the UNICEF and the Government of Belize Country Programme provided the opportunity to build a strong life-cycle approach to the overall country programme. The review led to limiting the number of core programme areas to three, more closely integrating programmes and inserting a subnational focus directly designed to reach the most disadvantaged children in Toledo, Stan Creek and South Side Belize City. This design improved efficiency in resource allocation and use, as well as programme outcomes, and serves as the basis for the subsequent country programme for the period 2013-2016. The overall goal of the 2013-2016 country programme is to contribute to the realization of the rights of boys and girls by focusing on reduction of disparities and inequalities. This is done by supporting efforts towards the attainment of an adequate standard of living for families and children in Belize, in line with international human and child rights norms and standards, and as stated in its national development plan, Horizon 2030. The country programme has a special focus on building the national and sub-national institutional capacity to address the bottlenecks and barriers that systematically impede the realization of the rights of the most at risk, excluded and disadvantaged children. It contributes to the improvement of the situation of all children and adolescents, with special attention given to Southern Belize (Toledo and Stann Creek districts) and South-side Belize City. The programme of cooperation supports the achievement of the following key results by 2016: (a) boys and girls from excluded and disadvantaged targeted communities benefit from the implementation of effective and inclusive national and sub-national policies and integrated programmes on child protection, early childhood development (ECD), and education; and (b) boys and girls benefit from the application of stronger domestic legislative framework meeting international standards, and a child rights monitoring system that includes social budgets and social expenditure assessment at national and sub-national levels. These results support the country’s response to the observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Finally, the programme supports policy assessment and implementation of regulatory frameworks, with an equity and gender focus. Timeframe for the consultancy The consultancy will be for a period of 6 months (November 2014 - April 2015). An additional 6 months extension of this period can be made following a successful performance evaluation Scope of work • • • • • •

Under the terms of the contract the national consultant is expected to perform the following duties. Provides support to the UNICEF programme team in order to meet all programme objectives in the Southern Districts (Toledo and Stan Creek), within a participatory and team-oriented environment. Provides technical advice and assistance to programme partners in the planning and management of programmes/projects in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts. Collaborates with programme partners, in the Southern Districts, involved in the management and implementation of the programme to identify, plan and implement relevant inter-sectoral coordination and partnership collaboration mechanisms. Meets with partners on a regular basis to follow-up on programme implementation. Participates in meetings, workshops planned by partners in the thematic areas of education, ECD, health and nutrition, child protection, HIV/Aids and adolescent development. Participates in monthly UNICEF Program meetings, providing information on the implementation of activities and contributes to the planning of activities in accordance with UNICEF planning processes. Undertakes regular field visits to monitor programmes, as well as conduct periodic programme reviews with partners, and use the outputs and recommendations to identify necessary actions for programme adjustments.

Implementation Arrangements The programme officers and specialists within the UNICEF country office are responsible for providing the consultant with guidance and direction. The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Social Policy Specialist. Reporting The consultant will be responsible for preparation and submission of reports and documents which will include but not limited to: • Delivery of hard and soft copies of monthly work plans and work reports at the end of each month • Delivery of programme and progress reports with analysis of specific results every three months Payment to consultant will be processed based on monthly invoices submitted by the consultant accompanied by the approved (by the supervisor) work-plans, work-reports and deliverables. Major tasks and deliverables to be completed In coordination with UNICEF programme team and specialists, the consultant is expected to: a. Provide technical support to the two municipalities in the Southern Districts in the implementation of work plans; b. Coordinate programme with partners in the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports, Battle of the Drums, Congress Maya Teachers, POWA, BFLA, National Garifuna Council, TIDE, Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation and Ministry of Health around quality social services with equity. c. Support the implementation of inter-sectoral ECD delivery in the Southern Districts d. Support the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene project in QCFS in the Stann Creek District e. Support the implementation of the “Sustainable Child Friendly Municipalities Initiative” in the municipalities in the southern districts. f. Ensure program partners timely and quality delivery of project and financial reports Qualification or specialized knowledge/ experience required: • University Degree in Social Sciences or related field. • Three or more years of professional work experience in Education/Development of social development, project administration, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, some of which at the international level. • Excellent communication and advocacy skills • Ability to organize and implement trainings; • Demonstrated drive for results; leadership and teamwork abilities. Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values are expected. Remuneration is commensurate with work experience. Travel and per diem for meals, lodging and miscellaneous expenses will be covered according to a pre-approved work plan. The consultant is expected to be stationed in any of the two districts (Toledo or Stann Creek) for the duration of the contract. Closing date for submitting applications is 15th November, 2014. Please visit our website http://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/PDFs/P11. doc to access the Personal History (P11) Form. Completed P11 form with a cover letter and detailed résumé are to be sent by e-mail to belize@unicef.org, attention: Operations Assistant; subject – Technical Support and Programme Management for Sub-National Work.

9 NOV

2014

In my perspective…

We Should Learn from the Ebola Crisis!

by Rayford Young Thomas Michael Menino, who insisted a mayor doesn’t need a grand vision to lead, then went on to shepherd Boston’s economy and shape the skyline and the very identity of the city he loved through an unprecedented five consecutive terms in City Hall, died Thursday. He was 71 and was diagnosed with advanced cancer not long after leaving office at the beginning of this year. An old-school politician whose smarts owed more to the streets than the college classroom, Mr. Menino nonetheless helped turn Boston into a hub of 21st-century innovation, recruiting high-tech companies to the sprawling South Boston waterfront one minute, then cutting the ribbon at a neighborhood burrito shop the next. “No man possessed a greater love for our city, and his dedicated life in service to Boston and her people changed the face of the city,” said his successor, Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Because of his leadership,” he added, “Boston is a better place today.” The Boston Globe I had the opportunity to meet someone like Mayor Menino when I was a youngster going to school in Corozal. His name was Mayor Santiago Ricalde. He was everything like Mayor Menino. He was in politics for the right reason - to help people and make his town run well. He was not the most educated nor had the lofty rhetoric as do so many of our modern day politicians. He was about solving problems and making government work for the people of Corozal. Many times after school I would go by the mayor’s office just to say hello and he would give me a big hug and always made me feel like I was the only person on this earth that he cared about. He was a people person. At that time I did not know about political parties. All I know is that I liked Mayor Ricalde and would vote for him because he cared about me and that’s all that mattered. Today’s politicians are completely different. It’s not about getting the job done or solving problems, it’s about scoring points and demeaning the opposition. It’s about me and my family and friends. It’s being evasive, not transparent and truthful with the people. It’s about mansions and SUV’s - very little to do with governing and making the country a better place for the people. These coming elections are so very important. We are at a crossroad. Do we want to be a democratic country or turn towards a dictatorship? Those are our choices. I’m very impressed with the opposition leader, the Hon. Francis Fonseca. I like his calm yet firm way of doing business. I have never heard him disrespect the PM or any of the ministers as they have done to him and the opposition. I see Mr. Fonseca every weekend meeting with his constituency, at events shaking hands and listening to the concerns of the people. I see a prob-

THE BELIZE TIMES

lem-solver not a loud mouth bombastic arrogant individual but a man with true convictions, in politics for the right reasons, a man that puts Country first not himself. I see the next Thomas Michael Menino. No it won’t be easy. There’s so much that has to be done. It will take firm convictions to make the changes this country needs. He will have to be able to say NO to his party cronies and he will lose a lot of friends but this is a small price to pay for doing what is right for the country. One of my biggest concerns is our military readiness. With Guatemala always making threats and coming across our border illegally this has to be one of the top priorities for the next government. We need a military that is well trained and with the equipment they need to keep us safe. Our health care system is another problem. I’m sickened that so many of our citizens have to travel to Chetumal or Merida and Miami because our health care system is not up to par. We need to fix that. Our police department has lost all respect the people once had for them. The police are there to serve and protect not to abuse and mistreat the people. Needless to say the GSU has to go. And most importantly we need jobs, well paying jobs. One Minister in Lake I was boasting this week on Facebook that he sponsored classes and workshops for Lake I women in sewing, doing nails, and hair. While those things might help some we need to think more innovatively. Ideas that will pay a living wage like being a nurse or a computer programmer, a doctor, an administrator or teacher, medical technicians etc. jobs for the 21st century. So the next leader of this great country has his hands full. He will need to surround himself with the best minds this country has to offer. No more party hacks and big donors but men and women that can move the country forward and have the expertise, experience and education to run a department. I will send Hon. Francis the new book by Boston’s mayor “Mayor for a new America” here’s an excerpt: Menino tells exclusive behind-the-scenes stories of urban politics and provides inspiration for Washington with his proven, people-focused method: “Do the small stuff so you can win the credibility to do the big stuff.” He’s not known as a fancy talker, but he gets things done. Under his wing, the city has enjoyed unprecedented economic growth while fostering a new attitude of acceptance. Menino shows how a very old city shook off its Puritan roots and racial tensions to become a truly twenty-first-century city. Folks it’s time we stop sending the same old tired antiquated ideas people to run our country. I think it’s clear we need fresh blood, fresh ideas. Government is not there for a few to get rich. Government is there to help the country move forward. We had enough fancy talk and incompetence, corrupt men and thieves. Let’s try something different, let’s see if the late mayor Menino can help us build a better union, a fairer country where the rich and the poor can get along, can live in a safe and prosperous country. If mayor Menino and Ricalde can do it there’s hope for the Jewel. Rayford Young is a Belizean-American, who currently lives in Michigan, U.S.A. Send comments to rayfordyoung@comcast.net

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

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE A.D. 2014 (DIVORCE) ACTION NO: 191 (Melida Mariana Castellanos ( Between ( AND ( (Santiago Orlando Castellanos

Petitioner

Respondent

TO: SANTIAGO ORLANDO CASTELLANOS TAKE NOTICE that a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage dated 30th July, 2014 endorsed with a Notice to you to appear and answer charges therein has been filed in the Supreme Court of Belize, by MELIDA MARIANA CASTELLANOS of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize 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 Oscar Selgado of 6 E Street, King’s Park Area, Belize City, Belize Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner, MELIDA MARIANA CASTELLANOS. DATED THIS 28th day of October 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.

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

13 holidays approved for 2015 IT IS NOTIFIED for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and the Second Schedules to the Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2015 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act:Thursday January 1st - New Year’s Day Monday March 9th - National Heroes and Benefactors Day Friday April 3rd - Good Friday Saturday April 4th - Holy Saturday Monday April 6th - Easter Monday Friday May 1st - Labour Day Monday May 25th - Sovereign’s Day/Commonwealth Day (in lieu of Sunday, 24th May) Thursday September 10th - St. George’s Caye Day Monday September 21st - Independence Day Monday October 12th - Pan American Day Thursday November 19th Garifuna Settlement Day Friday December 25th - Christmas Day Saturday December 26th Boxing Day

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 15th day of September, 2009 between MELVIN HULSE JR., of #8 Roseapple Street, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 22 of 2009 at Folios 349 – 412, 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 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 6th day of November, 2014.

DATED this 18th day of June, 2014.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

9 NOV

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

9 NOV

2014

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Are You a Servant

or Slave?

y teenage daughter has recently become quite fascinated with acquiring body piercings, tattoos, and excessive jewelry. She’s calmly accepted most of the objections my wife and I have outlined, explaining why she’s not allowed to employ these forms of body ‘art’- at least not while she lives under my roof and turns my door key. But her persistence concerning one adornment concerns me. She’s interminably taken with anklets. The thin gold bracelets that adorn the ankles delight her and she can’t seem to understand why we deny her the enjoyment of wearing them. The basis of my reservations about the seemingly innocent jewelry, however, is not how it looks but what it represents: the most lewd form of slavery. The history of anklets trace back to ancient Baal worship where sex was a commodity tarnished by man’s unchecked lusts, and anklets were the indicants worn by the prostitutes that provided this service. In other words, anklets were worn by the most abused of female slaves. The delicate gold band that my daughter longs to bear around her feet was a symbol of bondage, hopelessness, and despair. The symbol of a slave. See, a slave is not someone who jumps up one morning and decides to give his time and service to another. No, a slave has no choice. No voice. No life, for it belongs to his or her owner. Just recently in a Kingdom Assembly, the distinction between a slave and a servant was made. A slave is someone who works for no wages and who essentially belongs to the person that owns him. His body is not his own. His days are not his own. His choices are to obey or die. A servant, on the other hand, is someone that can put a price on his service. He can say: “you can get my time for this price” and the fee is paid. A servant has the ability to quit when he wills and is not bound to a master beyond his contract. The speaker then pointed out that this is what we are in God’s kingdom. We are servants, not slaves and this distinction is important in understanding our approach to the King. If we were but slaves, citizens of the Kingdom would have no right to ask the King for anything. Slaves cannot argue with their masters over the wages they do not earn nor petition for better treatment and living conditions, as they have no rights. A servant, however, is working because he wants to. We are servants of the King because of a choice, and we have the privilege of standing before Him in supplication for our lives, our families, and our circumstances. In addition, a servant does not need a band by which to label his or her oppression, simply because he is free of bondage. Thankfully, those who are ‘slave’ to sin can be bought by a New Owner, One who lovingly takes the anklets of slavery from His servants’ feet and calls them His children. So who are you: a servant to the King or a slave to sin? Until next week, God bless

HeatArt Ltd. # 114,076 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that HeatArt Ltd.: a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 4th day of November, 2014; and c) Cititrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

Notice

I , Gilroy D. Usher, of 7740 Madam Liz Ave do hereby gives notice that I have applied to the Magistrate’s Court sitting in the Belize Judicial District at 10 o’clock on Friday 21th day of November , 2014 for a Certificate authorizing me to obtain a Moneylenders’ License in the name of Monica’s QuickCash Pawnshop located at #29 Cor. Banak St & C.A. Blvd. Belize City.

Notice

I , Gilroy D. Usher, of 7740 Madam Liz Ave do hereby gives notice that I have applied to the Magistrate’s Court sitting in the Orange Walk Judicial District at 10 o’clock on Friday 21th day of November , 2014 for a Certificate authorizing me to obtain a Moneylenders’ License in the name of Monica’s QuickCash Pawnshop located at #2 Belize Corozal Rd. Orange Walk Town.

9 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

Breast milk stem cells may be incorporated into baby 3 November 2014 by Clare Wilson BREAST milk is known for being full of goodies – but could that include stem cells from mum that go on to transform into parts of the baby’s body? Preliminary evidence has shown this happens in mice, suggesting it also does in people. Stem cells have the unusual ability to regenerate themselves and develop into a variety of tissues. Several sources of stem cells are being developed for therapeutic use, including embryos, umbilical-cord blood and adult tissues. It was discovered seven years ago that human breast milk also contains a kind of stem cell. The question was whether these cells do anything useful for the baby or if they simply leak unavoidably into breast milk. The latest findings, presented at the National Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium in London last week, suggest that in mice at least, breast milk stem cells cross into the offspring’s blood from their stomach and play a functional

ended up in the pups must have come via the milk. Sure enough, when the offspring reached adulthood, red cells were found in their blood and many of their tissues, including the brain, thymus, pancreas, liver, spleen If what’s true for mice is also true for humans, it’s a boon for breastand kidneys. feeding (Image: Julia Wheeler and Veronika Laws/Getty) Using other techniques, Hassiotou’s team role later in life. also found that the stem cells had Foteini Hassiotou at the Unideveloped into mature cells. The versity of Western Australia and ones in the brain, for instance, had her colleagues showed this by the characteristic shape of neufirst creating genetically modified rons; the ones in the liver were mice whose cells contain a gene making the liver protein albumin, called tdTomato, which makes and the ones in the pancreas them glow red under fluorescent were making insulin. “They seem light. to integrate and become functionThe female mice were mated al cells,” she says. but then after giving birth were Is it simply that these stem given unmodified baby mice cells play a role in normal growth to suckle. So any red cells that

and development, or might they also be, say, helping offspring to tolerate their mother’s cells and proteins, reducing the chances of an allergic reaction to her breast milk? “There must be some evolutionary advantage,” says Hassiotou. The finding that breast milk stem cells are capable of making different tissues makes it more likely they could be used for therapeutic applications, says Hassiotou. Chris Mason of University College London adds: “If these intriguing cells are functional, they could be a novel option for producing future cell therapies.” Breast milk stem cells seem to have less capacity for unlimited cell division than embryonic stem cells. “But that’s actually a good thing,” says Hassiotou. They do not form tumours when injected into mice, for example, so they may be less likely to trigger cancer if used to treat people. Hassiotou points out that this kind of work cannot be done in humans, but she is planning to repeat it in macaques.

Phone thwarts thieves by learning its owner’s habits 4 November 2014 by Chris Baraniuk THE way you use your smartphone is unique. By using software to profile how, where and when you use it, your phone may lock up if it looks like someone else has got hold of it. Mike Just and colleagues at Glasgow Caledonian University, UK, created software that monitors which cellphone towers the owner is normally nearby, which Wi-Fi networks are in their vicinity, which apps they use and when they access them. The system also measures noise and light levels via the phone’s microphone and light sensor, to

learn what environmental patterns are particular to the device’s owner. “Your phone’s loaded with sensors that can sense its environment and sense your behaviour,” says Just. It takes just over a week on average for the phone to model its user’s behaviour and establish a profile of their activity. It then switches to a protective mode. Minor deviations from the norm are acceptable, but if the software detects big changes in how the phone is being used, the device demands a password. During tests, the team found that if someone took the device to an unfamiliar location and began using it in a different way, the software requested a password within 3 minutes.

99 NOV NOV

2014

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

Malaysian boys sue over MH370 disappearance Two Malaysian boys have launched a lawsuit against Malaysia Airlines and the government for negligence over the loss of their father in the mysterious disappearance of Flight MH370, in the first legal action over the disaster. Jee Kinson, 13, and Jee Kinland, 11, said in the suit on Friday that when the plane dropped from the radar while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 with 239 people on board, the civil aviation department did not try

to establish contact within reasonable time. “We have waited for eight months. After speaking to various experts, we believe we have sufficient evidence for a strong case. A big plane missing in this age of technology is really unacceptable,” their lawyer Arunan Selvaraj said. Although Malaysia Airlines and the authorities say they are doing all they can to find the plane, Selvaraj accused authorities of failing to take responsibility over its disappearance.

Republicans seize control of US Congress Victory means party now controls both the House and Senate, complicating President Obama’s final two years in office. Families around the world mourned over loss of loved ones in Fight 370’s disappearance [Getty Images]

Ebola quarantines violated in search of food Thousands of people in Sierra Leone are being forced to violate Ebola quarantines to find food because deliveries are not reaching them, aid agencies say. Jeanne Kamara, Christian Aid’s Sierra Leone representative, said on Tuesday that though agencies were trying to reach communities to deliver food, there were many “nooks and crannies’’ in the country that were being missed, leading people to turn to desperate measures to find food. Kamara said that because services are not reaching them, people who are being monitored for signs of Ebola - and should be staying at home - are venturing out to markets to look for food, potentially contaminating many others. Christian Aid’s coordinator said that with infections still on the rise, it was difficult for the government to keep up with the number of people being monitored for the disease.

Fugitive Mexican mayor detained by police Federal police in Mexico City have arrested Jose Luis Abarca, the former mayor of the city of Iguala, who has been blamed for the disappearance of 43 student teachers feared killed in September. “There was no violence in the operation,” a spokesman said on Tuesday, adding that the mayor and his wife had been taken to federal prosecutors to be interrogated. Two security officials said Abarca and his wife were detained without resisting, the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the press and provided no other details. The couple are in the custody of the Attorney General’s office, where they were giving statements. The arrests come more than a month since the students vanished after they were attacked by municipal police linked to the Guerreros Unidos drug gang in Iguala, 200km south of Mexico City. Reporter Rachel Levin, reporting from Ayutla in Guerrero State, said: “Parents have been extremely frustrated with this investigation, they repeatedly say how is it possible that when you have the federal police and the military involved they are still not able to find these 43 missing students.” One of the lawyers representing the families of the disappeared told Levin he believed the arrests could be a huge breakthrough in the case.

The Republican Party has made significant gains in the US mid-term elections, gaining control of the US Senate, the upper chamber of the US Congress previously controlled by the Democrats. The Republicans also increased their control of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, by at least 12 seats in the polls. Millions headed to the polling stations on Tuesday to elect 36 senators, 36 governors and all 435 members of the House of Representatives. In press conference on Wednesday, Obama promised to work with his Republican opponents and asked them to back his battles against Ebola and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters in Iraq and Syria. “First, I have submitted a request to Congress for funding to ensure that our doctors, scientists, and troops have the resources that they need to combat the spread of Ebola in Africa and to increase our preparedness for any future cases here at home,” Obama said. That request is for more than $6 billion in emergency funding to fight the deadly epidemic. “Second, I’m going to begin engaging Congress over a new authorisation to use military force against ISIL,” he said.

Pakistani Christian couple killed by mob Islamabad, Pakistan - A young Christian couple have been beaten and then burned to death by a mob in a small Pakistani village in Punjab province, after being accused of desecrating the Muslim holy book, police and rights activists have told Al Jazeera. Shahzad Masih and his wife Shama were killed in the village of Kot Radhakishan, about 55km

south of Lahore, the provincial capital, on Tuesday, Muhammad bin Yameen, a local police official, told Al Jazeera. “There [were allegations] that they had desecrated the Quran yesterday, and then when people found this out, they got together to form a mob,” he said. “There were a lot of people gathered there, from many of the surrounding villages as well.”

Shahzad and Shama locked themselves in a room, but the mob of dozens of villagers broke through the door and beat them “with fists and sticks”, Yameen said. He said that police had attempted to stop the mob, but had been outnumbered. The mob then dragged the couple’s bodies to a nearby brick kiln, where they burned them.

THINK ABOUT IT TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE The Opposition may need to buy air time on radio and TV to carefully explain this national scandal surrounding the violation of Belize’s Constitution and the Finance & Audit (Reform) law by the government. Certainly, a full throttle Press Conference is called for. Never in the history of Belize has any government been so facey to be spending millions upon millions of dollars for over two years without any approval. There has been no approval from the National Assembly and total disdain for the laws and the people of Belize in further violation of the Finance & Audit laws. It is unheard of and smacks of the worst kind of lack of accountability and transparency. It is a massive violation of all the proper procedures and safeguards over public funds that out laws and our people are entitled to know are being scrupulously obeyed. But it has taken place. Since September 2012 the government has been using public funds of over one hundred million dollars in violation of the constitutional and legal safeguards. Having sworn their oaths of Office to obey and uphold the constitution and laws of Belize, the honorable gentlemen have violated even their sacred oath to Almighty God. In order to fool Belizeans the government has hastily tabled a motion in the House of Representatives earlier this month pretending that it is asking approval to spend one quarter of one billion dollars. The truth is, almost three quarters of that money has already been spent. The government did so without any approval as is required by law. The government cannot borrow any amount over ten million without first getting approval from the National Assembly. But in fact the government has borrowed ten times ten million AND spent it without first getting approval. That huge amount has been spent without any tender procedure. Without any report back to the National Assembly as to how those monies were spent at the time-not now two years later. What the government has done is like this: A person is a senior manager at a bank. Monies have come into the bank for a customer or the shareholders. The manager is required to report the deposit of the monies. He does not report it. Instead he starts using it for himself and his staff. Two years afterwards the Board of Directors and customers find out. The Manager then, two years after, applies for permission to borrow a big chunk of the mon-

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ey. It’s too late for that. The manager has committed a great wrong if not a criminal act. In this case the government cannot pretend it is just now in October 2014 asking for permission to get a loan which it already took in 2012; without any approval as the law requires. The government has been violating the law for over two years. There are many people in prison for doing far, far less wrong doing than what the government has done. The government, through its Ministers and Prime Minister MUST be held accountable for what they have done. What they have done is to betray the people of Belize; betray their most important duty to carry out the laws governing public funds; betray their responsibility to scrupulous follow the constitution; and betray every article of decency and good government. It is the duty of the Opposition to expose this gross violation of sacred trust, good governance and the specific sections of the constitution and laws of the land. It is the duty of the Chamber of Commerce to strongly condemn this atrocity. It is the duty of the unions to lash this government for what has been done. It is the duty of all media to properly inform the public what has happened. PAUL NABOR The most distinctive voice in all of Garifuna land has left our earth to join chorus with the angels. We celebrate the life of this unique personality whose voice has brought joy and rhythm to Belize and Belizeans across the globe. We are proud that so huge, so awesome a talent walked and lived among us for 83 years. To his family and friends, our condolences. Until we all meet again. EBOLA BOX OUT AIDS The arrival of the ebola virus has been so sudden and so frightening that no one is paying attention to the AIDS virus. AIDS is still a deadly disease and there is no cure. It is easier to catch AIDS than to catch ebola. SANTA CRUZ In a village down south, the report on the behavior of a handful of Police is a sickening one. The Police in two vehicles visited a yard in a village down south. They met two young men, a baby, a disabled female and an elderly cou-

ple and another female. They had a tip-off about marijuana use. They opened the gate and drove into the yard, without a search warrant and without any manners. They used foul language, they pointed their guns at the residents and of course they used brutality. It seems the government has given the Police the go-ahead to brutalize citizens. All across the country there are ongoing reports of unnecessary, unprofessional behavior by Police. At this yard, the Police forced two men to do push-ups and beat them when they stopped. When the elderly 60 -odd year old grandmother protested, a gun was pushed to her head. Nothing was found in the yard. This kind of behavior is a daily occurrence in Belize City, but increasingly the reports from the districts are reflecting growing incidents of rogue police behavior which is condoned by the Police Minister and his government. BRITISH LEAVES This past weekend the British soldiers who were part of the American led invasion and destruction of Afghanistan; lowered their flags and saluted goodbye. After 13 bloody years of destruction and death the British combat troops pulled out. They leave behind a so-called small contingent who will help train Afghan soldiers. The ranking British General in charge was at least honest to admit that the Taliban have not been defeated. That is an understatement. The Taliban continue to capture more and more territory from the invaders. And were it not for their indestructible spirit, the British would still have large numbers of soldiers in Afghanistan. ISRAEL AGAIN The Israeli government on Monday 27 October 2014 announced it will start to build one thousand new housing units in East Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is almost sacred to Palestinians. It is the place of their future capital. Even USA, which is the biggest ally of Israel, has condemned this latest act of provocation. NEW PUBLIC SERVICE RULES A thick 132 pages law turned up in the 11 October Government Gazette. It is wrongly entitled, “Belize Constitution (Public Service) Regulations 2014”. It is the new rules and regulations governing Public Officers. It appears to be poorly edited and vetted. There could not have been widespread consultations in the drafting of these laws.

2014 That aside, the effort is to be commended. GUN LAW JOKE After nine months of doing nothing to seriously amend the draconian and worthless gun laws which have imprisoned so many innocent people, the government published its answer to the public outcry. Noting the public requested has been done. There is no amendment to return the discretion to grant bail to magistrates. This means the courts will continue to automatically send persons to jail who are accused by the Police. The mandatory minimum imprisonment of five years remains. This could have been changed to allow for a range of imprisonment depending on the accused good record and no previous criminal record. Nothing has been done to change the idiocy that any of the offences under the firearm act automatically means no bail and if convicted must go to jail for five years. The government has taken the public for fools-once again. C.O.L.A and F.I.S.T, it’s time for public agitation and protests. COLD-SWEAT One of the hundreds of popular dance songs back then when music was all we had in Belize, was ColdSweat. By none other than the legendary James Brown. Cold- Sweat is now the name of a book about James Brown, by his daughter-Yamma Brown. “Cold-Sweat: My father James Brown and me”, is the full title. Part of it deals with how James Brown was a wife beater. Yamma Brown loved her dad. Guess what, she ended up married to a wife beater. Woman beating should be made a serious crime. Hear that Patrick? CHRISTIANS & MUSLIMS Did you know there are about two billion, 200 million Christians on the planet Earth? There are also one billion, 200 million Muslims on the same planet. CAN ANYTHING GOOD… Bob Marley sang- can anything good come from Trenchtown? The answer is yes- we all know he was something good that came out of that awesome depravation and poverty. The New Testament in John Chapter 1 verse 46 asks a similar question- “Can Anything Good Come out of Nazareth”? Do you know who came out of Nazareth? If you don’t, shame on you. The answer is- Jesus. Here is a question: Can anything good come out of Southside, Belize City?

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Illegal Land Grab in San Pedro San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, October 27, 2014 The UDP Government has proven to be the worst caretakers and managers of public land in Belize. This is because instead of making land available for the poor and needy, they parcel it out for themselves, their families and political cronies in greedy style. Cases of illegal and wrongful land grabs have surfaced in rapid occurrence since the UDP took office, and today there is another case that smells of nepotism and corruption. This has to do with 3.323 acres of land currently held by a company called “Belize Lakeview Properties Limited”. The history of how the land came into their possession reeks of the usual political interference and

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didn’t occur with any portion or part of the $230 million borrowed between 2012 and 2014. Neither were the sections of the law which require reporting of the spending followed. Deputy Leader Hon. Julius Espat reminded the Prime Minister that an amendment he introduced to the law in 2010 which passed penalties for violations to the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act could make him seriously guilty of breaking the law. Hon. Espat said that the Prime Minister was also guilty of breaking the promises he made to Belizeans. “The Prime Minister of Belize in 2008 convinced the Belizean people, he convinced the unions, he convinced the Chamber of Commerce, he convinced the churches that he would do things differently; that he would be accountable; that he would show transparency and he was for good governance. Low and behold in 2012 when this loan started to develop he went against every single that he promised”. The Party filed an application for legal review of the Government’s actions on Wednesday, October 29th. PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca pledged that his Party would not sit by and allow the Government to get away with illegal acts. The Petro-Caribe borrowing by the Government without is just that. “When the line between the Petrocaribe fund and the UDP coffers is blurred, we in the PUP have a responsibility to question and challenge the use of those funds,” declared Hon. Fonseca.

special favors for friends and family which the Ministry of Natural Resources under Gapi Vega is known for. In 2008, the Belize Port Authority purchased three parcels of land measuring a total of 124.998 acres of land in San Pedro valued at $11,000,000. With the approval of the Board, the Ministry of Natural Resources combined the land and re-subdivided it into five new parcels, which would be used for multiple purposes including residential, commercial. Among the subdivided portions was parcel #9334 with 3.323 acres which on June 9th 2011 was secretly transferred to a private company named Belize Lakeview Properties Limited. Who is this company? An investigation conducted by the BELIZE TIMES has revealed that the company was started with the assistance of Barrow and Williams law firm, which is the law company in which Prime Minister Dean Barrow is a partner. On August 18 2008, the company was registered with two female directors. But in 2014, the ownership changed to three new persons, namely John Usher, Alfonso Bailey and Christopher Usher. Further investigations have revealed that at least one of the gentlemen named has close ties with some known UDP bigwigs. One of them is a first cousin of abdnormal lands Minister Gapi Vega. The secret exchange of land has caused a rift between the Belize Port Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources. In a report compiled by the Ports Commissioner, it was described as “illegal”. The transfer took place “with-

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out the approval or knowledge of the Authority or the Board”, said the report. Further in the report states that there is an established process that must be followed for any transaction

involved transfer or sale of a portion or parcel of the Authority’s land, and adds that “anything short of that is illegal and warrants investigation and or maybe legal proceedings”. Similarly, the Port Authority also found that the transfer of land to the Solid Waste Management Authority on May 10 2011 was done incorrectly and they are also investigating.

PUP Marshalls meet in Belmopan City of Belmopan, November 5, 2014 Members of the PUP Marshalls Service Corps came together from Belmopan and Cayo South to join forces behind the leadership of the Party, pledging to work in assisting in upcoming city elections and furthering the work of rebuilding our great party. Present were Marshalls from both divisions, mayoral candidate Jose Chacon and Councillor candidates, political officers of the constituencies and National President Stephen Latchman. The work continues.

Yaya and Albert protest “pisshouse” conditions

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