Belizetimes April 13, 2014 by Belize Times Press

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

13 APRIL 2014 | ISSUE NO: 4890

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

Flanked by PUP Secretary General Mrs. Myrtle Palacio, PUP standard bearer Orlando Habet and PUP officials, Senior Counsel Lisa Shoman shares the Supreme Court ruling which could lead to a Recall of disgraced Elvin Penner in Cayo North East

Bad News

for Penner Pg. 7

Mayor Bradley slams UDP

Administration

Top Up Kings! Saldivar’s get rich scheme exposed

Pg. 9

Increasing Poverty in Lake I, Port Loyola make him “sad”

Pharmacists threaten to protest over illegal appointment of

Minister’s daughter Pg. 9

Pg. 11

UDP Incompetence causes major economic loss in OW Pg. 11

2 02

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Pharmacists Association position on contracting of a Director of Drug Inspectorate

President of Pharmacists Association Hortence Humes April 9th, 2014 On the matter of the contracting of a Director of Drug Inspectorate in the Ministry of Health, the Pharmacists Association of Belize maintains that: - On March 4th 2014, an individual was contracted in a non-existent post - The creation of the current “post” of Director of Drug Inspectorate has not gone through the proper processes expected in the Public Service and as such is not established - While the person holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with content to meet the minimum requirements for education in Pharmacy practice, this person does not meet the requirements for the post of Drug Inspector (whom she would be expected to supervise), much less that of a director’s position. - The person contracted: 1. Is not registered as a Chemist and Druggist under the laws of Belize, and as is required to be a Drug Inspector, as stated in the Ministry of Health’s job description 2. Lacks the specialized training required to be a Drug Inspector, as is stated in the Ministry of Health’s job description o Lacks the 5 years’ experience required to be a Drug Inspector, as is stated in the Ministry of Health’s job description 3. Has no supervisory experience In comparison, within the Ministry of Health, the requirements to be a Director of Laboratory Services includes a Bachelor Degree in approved field and 5 years Supervisory Experience. Subsequent to meeting with the Min-

LOCAL 11 Apr

ister of Health and the CEO in the Ministry of Health on Wednesday March 26th, the Executive of the Pharmacists Association met with its members to discuss the outcome of the above mentioned meeting and present the two options made by the Ministry. The options being: 1. For a member of the Association to accompany the “Director” when carrying out the inspections 2. For the executive of the Association to meet with the Minister of Health every two months. It is the position of the Pharmacists Association of Belize that the two options presented by the leadership of this Ministry are not genuine and tangible solutions to address the matter of appointment of the current Director of Drug Inspectorate. We maintain that the work of pharmacy is essential in its contribution to the health of this nation and as such we take the responsibility entrusted to us by the people we serve seriously. Hence as custodians of this noble profession, we call for processes that allow for proper regulation and disavow any attempt to bastardize our work and worth. We view the creation of the post of Director of Drug Inspectorate Unit, in its current capacity, as a feeble attempt at addressing a serious issue and as such, not sustainable. Therefore it is the position of the Pharmacists Association of Belize that - the current post of Director of Drug Inspectorate is not recognized in its current capacity - and as such should not represent Belize in any official capacity, nationally or internationally As a result the PAB is demanding that: 1. any existing contract entered into to fill this inaptly created post be rescinded 2. proper procedure be adhered in the creation and filling of any such post 3. an entire unit be created to realistically carry of the important and necessary work 4. the unit be properly equipped with suitably trained personnel 5. the laws necessary to give this unit authority be in place The Pharmacists Association of Belize seeks bona fide strengthening and improvement of Pharmacy Practice in Belize, therefore, we call on the Ministry of Health to support the passage of the proposed laws that have been submitted to the Solicitor General. This would be the first step in creating structures and systems at hat will allow for the transparency that the CEO made reference to in the meeting March 26th 2014.

weather 12 Apr

13 Apr

14 Apr

2615Mar Apr

PUP LEADER PUTS MYTHEON SOLUTIONS UNDER SCRUTINY

At a Press Conference held on Thursday, April 10, 2014, PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca called for an investigation into the business dealings of Mytheon Solutions and asked what sort of relationship, it had with UDP Minister John Saldivar

Ariel Rosado Foundation offers scholarships

April 8, 2014 The Ariel Rosado Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for Academic Year 2014-2015. Scholarships are available in the following categories: 1. Primary School Grants for students to learn to sail with the Belize Sailing Association 2. Secondary School scholarships covering the cost of Books, Tuition and Fees 3. Galen University Scholarship covering the cost of Tuition For further information visit our website at arielrosadofoundation@bz.com or call our office at 223-5674 or 6006665. Closing date for applications is Friday 13th June 2014.

The Pharmacists Association made its official position known to the Ministry of Health in a letter date April 3rd 2014. Our response which called for rescinding of the contract for the current Director of Drug Inspectorate by April 7th, 2014, has not been acknowledged. Therefore, the Pharmacists Association of Belize sees no other option but to take further action under the Settlement of Disputes in the Essential Services Act, Chapter 298 of the Laws of Belize.

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

$1.00

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

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

27 Mar Apr 6 16 Feb

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

editortimes@yahoo.com

Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar

United States (USD): $ 0.50

Barbados (BBD): $ 1.00

Eastern Caribbean Euro (XCD):$ 1.35 (EUR) : $ 0.36

Sterling Pound Guatemala Quetzal CANADIAN DOLLAR (GBP): $ 0.29 (GTQ): $ 3.88 (CAD): $ 0.54

CHINESE YUAN (CNY): $ 3.11

Trinidadian (TTD) : $ 3.23

INDIAN RUPEE (INR): $ 30.21

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

Another broken promise! Belize City, April 9, 2014 The Ministry of Sports’ incompetence and failure to plan adequately has created a series of headaches for the planners of the annual Holy Saturday Cycling Classic. Minister of Sports Herman Longsworth had promised just 29 days ago that the Marion Sports facility would be ready for the traditional ending of the race. He said, “certainly we should be able by Easter to be able to have the Cross Country finishing there and have it opened to the public”. However, just the contrary is taking place. The Marion Jones Sporting ground continues in its everlasting construction phase and will NOT be ready for the end of the biggest cycling event of the year. The only portion of the facility that has been completed, or at least it seems so, is the fence that Longsworth’s private company built and for which he collected a cool two million dollars from the Government. If that money had been put to the cycling track instead, it would have been ready years ago. Now, not only is the facility not

In Memoriam of

Ainsworth Karsten Morrison Grant Sunrise – February 14th 1930 Sunset – April 11th 2008

Without any warning or preparation a flower gets plucked from the Garden of our life. We need not worry for our God has the entire world in his control. In sweet repose loving, cherishing, and never fading memory of his beloved soul with the Lord. May he have eternal peace. Vaya con Dios. From your wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and God daughter

finished nor ready, but the chaotic planning of the UDP City Council has further interrupted the cycling organisers’ plans to have the race end at the facility. Over the past week, the Council began tearing up Princess Margaret Drive along the Marion Jones Sports Complex, making it impossible for cyclist to utilise the area. The erratic street works have even added greater traffic migraines and puts commuters at serious risk of vehicular mishaps. Longsworth’s promise that Marion Jones will be ready has turned out to be a huge LIE. Cycling enthusiasts are saying that it’s a shame that for another year the end of the cycling race will not be at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. Herman Longsworth, we are told, has been hanging this head low as he can’t even keep the most basic of promises to the sporting community.

03 3

“

4 04

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

on the

Quiet Rage By Francis W. Fonseca

In every corner of this beautiful land we call Belize, there is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quiet Rageâ&#x20AC;? building up in the Belizean people. From north to south, east to west there is a growing sense of frustration and desperation. Scandal after Scan-

dal! Corruption after Corruption uncovered! UDP lies and propaganda! UDP friends and family getting richer while the masses suffer! This is the Belizean reality in 2014! Some ask in

frustration, why have the people not taken to the streets? Well, the answer is simple. This is a petty, vindictive UDP Government that governs thru fear and intimidation. But the breaking point is near. The peo-

ple have had enough of scandals, lies and corruption. The PUP must now move to organize the people in a mass demonstration. The message must go out loud and clear, this UDP Government has lost the moral authority to continue governing Belize. It is time for Change! It is time for Hope! It is time for Elections! A new dawn is approaching. The PUP is HERE!!

EASTER NOTICE Notice to readers advertisers. The Easter edition of the Belize Times will hit the streets on Wednesday April 16th, 2014. Advertisers are advised that the deadline for ads is Monday April 14th at 5PM. Kindly contact our office at

671-8385

during normal working hours

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

05 5

EDITORIAL …BEFORE WE LOSE IT “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Luke 6:44-45 Despite the corruption of international influences Belize is still a village. Complete with the empathy, budget, natural resources and collective conscientiousness of a sleepy riverside community. Our strength is the character of our people. Our common bond in the social contract is the respect and dignity amongst our people. Our pith is resilience and the survival culture of “making do with what ever we have”. In this aspect we, Belizeans, are consistent to a fault. We are rather tolerant, optimistic and God fearing. Mr. Price, the visionary that he was, solidified the plurality of our country by insisting that we not be allowed to call ourselves, creoles, maya or mestizo but that we adapt the uniformity of being called Belizeans. If you were to ask the average Belizean to describe Belize and our culture, the response would be balanced and accurate. That balance is the inheritance of the political deliberateness of pre-independence PUP leadership. Any conceivable critique of the Price (1981-84, 89-93) or Musa, (1998-2008) prime ministerial tenures will be acceptably silent on racial tensions or cultural insensitivity and sexual discrimination. There is no need to go over the record of cultural institutions like NICHE, or the bench mark service of females in these PUP administrations. Rather in this commentary, we wish to soberly and regrettably look at the deterioration and bigoted attack by the UDP on women, Maya, Creoles, the Garifuna, immigrants, and Hispanics. Our concern is not the extent of the insults which is being institutionalized against these groups but rather the irreparable damage that the UDP is causing. When the UDP loses the next general elections and leave office in the next year and half, Belize may not be the same and not “the worse for wear”. As a small country we cannot afford this. The UDP are ignorant. They are insensitive. They are crass. They are incapable of intelligent thought and they subscribe to a Neanderthal governance strategy. As a parody of a popular insurance commercial would describe: “The UDP’s actions are so backwards, not even a caveman would do it.” Not to make light of a serious situation, but how culturally insensitive can the UDP be than to bulldoze a 2,000 year old Mayan temple and then take the man responsible and endorse him to run for national political office? We wonder how the Mayans feel about that. Then there are the rude words of Michael Peyrefitte. This is a troubled UDP politician who is obviously still developmentally stuck in a recklessly obese pubescent stage. His public insults to the Belizean Mayans are inexcusable. Painting them in his crude style as “money hungry” should have a more significant consequence. This arrogant attitude, lest we forget, was displayed back in 2008 during Peyrefitte’s losing bid for the Freetown constituency when he insulted a female senior citizen who sought him claiming monies owed to her. His “facey” response at the time was “… I deal with bigger money than that”. Imagine this “ram it” character in government? We just say thank God for Francis Fonseca and the people of Freetown. The point must be completed that for saying such a nasty thing about our Mayan brothers and siters, Peyrefitte should resign as

Speaker of House? The UDP have told the Mayans that they are not Belizeans, they fight them and try to cheat them in the oil industry. Hey, Mayans were the first Belizeans and the only non-immigrant class of Belizeans. They been here before Columbus, “memba that”. Then his UDP colleague, Mark King, stepped in, holding up the rear. He insulted immigrants. His “catch the line” sound bite was taken directly from the Gapi Vega “I am not a normal person” book. On a serious note, what in the world does “this is not Cuba” mean? Really. King insulted Cubans. Maybe all the Cuban doctors at KHMH should fold their scrubs and strike in protest until an apology is made. How can the UDP allow King to insult Belizeans. We at BELIZE TIMES note that the same people he condescendingly refers to as “those people” who “come to this country” are Belizean nationals. The spokesperson who appeared in the news cast actually ran for municipal office under an independent ticket. Amazing. Belize was built on immigration. In fact, someone should tap the UDP on the shoulder and remind them that their current administration was stolen by them possibly because of pre-election Penner like “immigration”. Dangriga keeps on being insulted. The UDP corruption in the market is the tip of iceberg. Grigalizeans noticed that for the Garifuna Settlement Day Barrow snobbed the ceremonies and grudgingly only one UDP rep was forced to go. Yet in the UDP convention to force Pawpa Mena back into political caretaking, more than 7 UDP leaders went down to the culture capital and left as quickly as possible thereafter. Dangriga does not forget what Mena said about them. They remember because he was mayor. They say they remember that he ignored them; eventually abandoned them and moved to Belmopan. Then he popped back up talking about crumbs as “bacon” and admitted that the UDP have neglected the people of Griga to the point that they were emasculated. What an insult! At one time the UDP’s leader in San Pedro, Manuel Herredia, wanted black people to be screened and denied access to la isla bonita. The UDP in Belize City wanted to take the same blacks and racially profile them, lock them up with preventative detention and quarantine them off in “crime ridden areas”. Remember Barrow’s preventative detention? Thanks to the UDP, Belize has been internationally recognized as featured twice in the ‘Top Ten Sexist and Heterosexist Moments in Caribbean Politics.’ UDP’s Michael Finnegan who once referred to the female Speaker of the house as a “she dog” and then recently made disgusting sexual suggestions to an honorable female in the House was a star. So too was the UDP Guardian newspaper who are described in that international report as having “a sexualized and gendered shaming of women.” We note that for all the talking and insults, Belize is so bad that it was not even ranked in the social progress index of 2014. Belizeans are listening. We wish to remind the UDP that being racists, bigots, and sexist chauvinistic pigs will ultimately destroy the beauty that is Belize. The UDP, to be fair to them, have always been a coalition of political groups unified by hate. This is why we have seen all this hate speech. But what can we expect of the UDP, as Matthew 12:34 reminds us: “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” For God’s sake, shut up.

6 06

THE BELIZE TIMES

A Joker for a Mayor Does Darrel Bradley take anything seriously?

Belize City, April 8, 2014 There seems to be very little that Belize City Mayor Darrel Bradley takes seriously these days. It appears that he treats most things with varying levels of significance, depending on how personally related they are to him. He has consistently faced the risk of criminal proceedings for contempt of court for postponing and arguing his way out of settling a huge outstanding debt to the sanitation company, Belize Waste Control, which he had given an undertaking to pay off while he was the City Council’s legal advisor under former Mayor Zenaida Moya four years ago. He recently admitted to spending all his time at Court doing private legal work instead of being at City Hall, looking after the very important duties of his office. No wonder the City is under such neglect, disaster and chaos. At the official ceremony to open the new BTL family park, the Mayor seriously defended the Council’s consideration of a bar that serves alcoholic drinks on the park. He also strongly defended nepotism under his administration when he admitted that a fellow Councillor had been chosen over other Belizeans to operate a business booth. When the media dug deeper, it was discovered that even the Mayor’s mother in law had also been given similar preference. His defense of nepotism was then not so surprising. In the middle of critical negotiations with firebrand Union Leader Audrey Matura-Shepherd over the livelihoods of employees fired by the City Council, the Mayor acted immaturely when he walked out of a meeting, and cried the day after that he “was really tired [of] listening to Audrey Matura from 8am in the morning to 8:30 in the night”. The Mayor also said that he rushed out of the meeting because he had to relieve his babysitter at home. Now, there’s news that the UDP has been begging Bradley to stand down in Caribbean Shores and run as Mayor for another term, even though Bradley punked

Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that JING HUIWU is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Good Day Shop”, situate at #20 St. Joseph St., Belize City Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that HUINENY ZHANG is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “368 Salon”, situate at #148 A Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

the Party by promising to run but missed the deadline set for City Council applicants. Bradley’s resistance to bite his party’s political bait is most interesting. It seems that Bradley, who won the 2012 city council elections riding on the backs of a general election campaign that was bought over by the UDP, is very doubtful that he can pull off a municipal elections win all alone. His suspicions are very accurate. Bradley is not leadership material. He has allowed his Councillors to neglect their duties, and he makes decisions without consulting city residents, which many times end up inconveniencing the city. He was even called a “haad ears”

Mayor by the Krem Wake Up Belize morning show host Mose Hyde. Information to the BELIZE TIMES is that the Party has presented an attractive offer to him. But Bradley, who has indebted the city by $20 million, doesn’t want more headache it seems. “…being in City Hall is not an easy thing”, he admitted in a morning show interview this week. It is clear that Bradley wants a way out. He certainly doesn’t take his job seriously, and his mistakes have been costly. City residents will soon have a $20 million nightmare, and from the looks of things, Bradley will be nowhere to pave a way out.

13 APR

2014

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

Bad News

for Penner Belize City, April 10, 2014 Despite a heavy veil of protection placed by the Barrow Administration to defend corrupt UDP area representative Elvin Penner from facing justice no matter what, the People’s United Party has won yet another victory for the people of Belize. At 10:35 on Thursday morning, Supreme Court Judge Courtenay Abel granted permission for judicial review of the Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai’s wrongheaded decision to invalidate 337 signatures that had been collected in a petition to trigger the highly-anticipated Recall of the disgraced UDP Cayo North East politician. The petition had attracted 2,000 signatures or 34.4% of the registered voters, exceeding the required threshold. The permission for judicial review was brought forward by PUP Standard Bearer Orlando Habet and four other applicants: Ursulo Guerra, Carla Smith, Sierra Moro and George Manzanero. In Court this morning, their attorneys, Senior Counsel Lisa Shoman and Anthony Sylvestre Jr., argued confidently on their behalf, pressing that the applicants had been adversely affected by Tamai’s decision. Shoman pointed out that such decision, based on the evidence, was deemed irrational, unlawful, arbitrary and unreasonable. This wrongful decision, she noted, resulted in the disenfranchisement of electors who had a legitimate expectation that the recall process would have been fair and genuine. Appearing on behalf of the Chief Elections Officer was Acting Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, the same man who the UDP Government instructed to defend the Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie’s decision not to criminally investigate Elvin Penner in the Supreme Court. In that case, which was brought forward by Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ruled that the Commissioner acted “irrational, illegal, and unlawful” when he chose not to investigate Penner. The Chief Justice issued an order known legally as a “Writ of Mandamus” which forced Whylie to commence with acceleration the investigations. Back in court for another round of the UDP’s attempt to

protect Elvin Penner, Hawke did not present any arguments as to why the Court should not allow the application. Instead, he sought to disqualify Habet, Guerra and Smith as applicants on the premise that they did not have any direct interest in the decision of the Chief Elections Officer. However, after strong arguments by Senior Counsel Shoman, Judge Abel discounted Hawke’s arguments noting that all five applicants had sufficient interests in the decision.

In the interest of practicability; however, Justice Abel removed Guerra and Smith as applicants but kept Habet, who he indicated had a direct stake since he represents PUP supporters and voters in Cayo North East and would have ran in an election if the recall had been allowed. The decision was ultimately another victory for the PUP and Belize. It was the third serious blow for the UDP who are protecting Elvin Penner’s criminal actions and abuse of authority as the former Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration. The second blow to the UDP came when the brave citizens group, COLA, successfully filed a private prosecution before the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court and got Penner to appear for criminal arraignment. The charges were for

07 7 illegally issuing a Belizean nationality certificate and a passport. Penner was released on a $2,000 bail plus one surety in the same amount and the case was adjourned to May 29th. On the matter of today’s Court decision, attorneys Shoman and Sylvestre will now prepare for a few matters dealing with the administration of the case, prior to the actual judicial review hearing which has been set provisionally for July 2nd. Shoman stated that the objective of the judicial review is for the Court to declare the Chief Elections Officer’s decision null and void and for an order to revisit the signatures, which once reviewed would be found valid and should allow the Recall of Elvin Penner to proceed.

0 88

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

Pharmacists threaten to protest over illegal appointment of Minister’s daughter Belize City, April 10, 2014 The Pharmacists Association of Belize issued a fiery press release on Wednesday April 9th 2014 in which it threatened to initiate protest actions if the controversial appointment of Minister Erwin Contreras’ daughter to the newly formed post of “Director of Drug Inspectorate” is not rescinded. Danini Contreras, a recent graduate of a University in Guatemala, was secretly pushed to the special post in total disrespect of well-trained and experience professionals in the pharmacy sector. When the news of the appointment surfaced, it stirred up an ant’s nest that no treatment has been able to calm. The Pharmacists Association demanded that the Minister of Health recall the appointment and that they are given greater respect through consultation before moving ahead with such a decision. Those calls have been ignored by Pablo Marin however, and instead of respect, the Association was called into to a closed door meeting on March 26th in which they were told to keep hush and that the Ministry was not prepared to rescind Contreras’ appointment. Marin and his CEO, Peter Al-

len, tried to appease them by offering a babysitting role where a member would always “accompany” the new Director, but they have also rejected that. The Association has stated that Contreras is not qualified nor adequate for the post. “The person contracted is not registered as a Chemist and Druggist under the laws of Belize, and as is required to be a Drug Inspector, as stated in the Ministry of Health’s job description, lacks the specialized training required to be a Drug Inspector, as is stated in the Ministry of Health’s job description, lacks the 5 years’ experience required to be a Drug Inspector, as is stated in the Ministry of Health’s job description and has no supervisory experience”, said their release. As a result of the continued show of disrespect, the Association said it “sees no other option but to take further action under the Settlement of Disputes in the Essential Services Act”, which means it is prepared to take every form of protest action until their demands are met. According to officials of the Association, they have the support of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize.

PUP NOTICE

Municipal Elections – San Pedro Town The People’s United Party is inviting interested applicants for the upcoming San Pedro Town Council Elections to submit their applications. A Convention is slated for Sunday, July 13th, 2014. Applications are available from the Constituency Committee Chairperson Nicholas “Nico” Varela or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City. Completed applications must be filled and returned to the Chairperson and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee must be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application. Deadline for submission is Friday April 11, 2014.

PUP NOTICE Standard Bearer Convention for Mesopotamia The People’s United Party announces that it will hold a Convention for Mesopotamia Standard Bearer on Sunday, June 1, 2014.

2014

PUP NOTICE

Municipal Elections – City of Belmopan The People’s United Party is inviting interested applicants for the upcoming City of Belmopan municipal elections to submit their applications. A Convention is slated for Sunday, June 29th, 2014. Applications are available from the Constituency Committee Chairperson Mr. Paul Wade or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City. Completed applications must be filled and returned to the Chairperson and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee must be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application. Deadline for submission is Tuesday April 15, 2014.

PUP NOTICE

Orange Walk North Standard Bearer Convention The People’s United Party Standard Bearer Convention for the Orange Walk North Division is scheduled for June 15, 2014. Application are available from the Constituency Committee Chairperson or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City. Completed applications must be filled and returned to the Chairperson and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee is to be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application package. Deadline for submission is Tuesday April 15, 2014.

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES These three registration documents show that this lucrative company has changed hands from Belisle/Saldivar to Saldivar’s wife, but it is still doing business with the Ministry of National Security

Top Up Kings! Saldivar’s get rich scheme exposed

Belize City, April 9, 2014 Ever since the Opposition PUP called out the company name “Mytheon Solutions” at last month’s Budget Debate, UDP Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar has made a mighty run for cover. Saldivar, it seems, does not want to face the Belizean people and answer questions about his involvement in the company that reportedly made two millions dollars from doing business with the Ministry of National Security. What’s wrong with that, you may ask? Well, Saldivar is the Minister of National Security! That’s a serious conflict of interest! Possibly, even criminal. For many months Mytheon Solutions was a secret, but now it’s out. On November 2nd, 2009, Saldivar and his business partner Khalid Belisle registered Mytheon Solutions as their company with the address “St. Vincent Street Extension”. On the registration documents the Minister and his follower described the company’s business as “phone credit distribution”.On June 4th 2010, the company’s ownership changed hands from Saldivar/Belisle to only Saldivar. Then on August 26th, 2010, the ownership changed once more from John Saldivar to Darlene Saldivar, who is the Minister Saldivar’s wife. Sources have told the BELIZE TIMES that Mytheon Solutions is the sole provider of phone credit to departments that fall under the Ministry of National Security. This includes the Police Department, Coast Guard and Belize Defence Force. A majority of the phone lines at these department offices were changed to pre-paid phones to make it necessary for the purchase of pre-paid credit. According to reports, in its first year, Mytheon collected just under $2,000,000 from credit sold. Who made those profits? The answer lies somewhere between interested parties John Saldivar and Khalid Belisle. Mytheon Solutions also remains a ghost company only. Checks at the Belmopan City Council show that there is no St. Vincent Street extension in the municipality. St. Vincent Street does exist but there are no buildings on the street. When Belmopan’s local media house, Plus TV, attempted to find more information through the tax records at the Belmopan City Council, they were blocked.They later revealed that the City Administrator is Minister Saldivar’s sister, Angela Wade. Coincidentally, Saldivar recently announced that his business partner Belisle is his chosen candidate for Mayoral Candidate in Belmopan City.

09 9

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

2014

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Mayor Bradley slams UDP Administration Living conditions in Lake I, Port Loyola make him sad Belize City, April 9, 2014 Belize City Mayor Darrel Bradley slammed the UDP Administration when he admitted that his Party has failed our country by neglecting the real needs of the people of Belize. Bradley, who appeared on the Open Your Eyes morning show this week, was asked about the reason behind his refusal to submit an application to run once more as a UDP Mayoral Candidate. Bradley was uncharacteristically honest and brutal when he explained that he isn’t too happy with the record of his Party in Government “When I drive in the Gungulung Area or certain areas in Port Loyola, it makes me really sad to see the conditions in which our people live and our people have to be asked to survive in, in terms of street conditions, housing conditions, long term policies…and it makes me feel that we are not doing what we should be doing or enough

to have an impact on those people…and that is why I have difficulty…”, he explained. Unfortunately, the host failed to engage the Mayor into a deeper discussion. Many questions arise from his statement. Why he hasn’t made a difference since he is a UDP Mayor under a UDP Central Government? Why then, does he continue to support the UDP representatives such as Boots Martinez and Mark King? Bradley should also explain what he has done to change those circumstances, especially since he sat on the Board of the Central Bank which sets monetary and financial policies in the country that could have directly assisted the people of the Gungulung and Port Loyola areas.

STRAIGHT TALK GOB’s Wasteful Spending

By Gilroy Usher, Sr The government should stop wasting thousands of dollars weekly on countless propaganda advertisements that are of no use to the Belizean people. Those advertisements cost the hard working taxpayers of this country close to a million dollars every year. The propaganda advertisements feature cronies of the government telling us about the wonderful job the administration is doing while hard time, suffering and poverty abound throughout our communities. There are endless ways in which the huge sum of money can be used to truly benefit the Belizean people. The National Sport Council needs some of those funds to help promote sports in the country. Presently the council can’t help the youth of Belize with a simple ball much less a set of sporting gears. The public clinics in the urban and rural areas of the nation can also use some of those funds to have basic supplies like flu medication, syringes, cotton, aspirin, dehydration salts, and bedding supplies in stock. Some of the big bucks the government is wasting on weekly political propaganda advertisements can also be used to promote education in the country. That can be done by assisting primary schools with textbooks for students, teaching aids, and suitable furniture to enable the children to sit properly to learn their work instead of relying on teachers to bear more and more of such cost

out of their small salaries. Our people would also like to see some of the thousands of dollars being wasted weekly on government propaganda advertisements be used to install a few street lights in areas of their communities that are dark and dangerous to travel at night. And the people of this nation would like to see some of the thousands of dollars being wasted on government propaganda advertisements every week be used to fill some of those streets that are in such terrible conditions that taxi drivers refuse to take us home on them. Flashy and costly government propaganda does not make our lives better for even a single day. Our people is still jobless, broke, hungry, landless, poor, and frustrated because the administration is not addressing the things that we need address to uplift our standard of living and our communities. “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” - Abraham Lincoln Straight talk. Comments are welcomed on Facebook/Gilroy Usher Sr.

UDP Incompetence causes major economic loss in OW April 8, 2014 The Orange Walk Town Council expresses its utter dismay and outrage at the Orange Walk Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports. Because of incompetence, neglect and mismanagement of the People’s Stadium by the Sports Council, the community has been negatively impacted. The loss to Orange Walk is significant. Band Fest is an event which attracts thousands of Belizeans from every corner of the nation. On April 12th, they would all have been here in Orange Walk...buying from our small businesses, staying in our hotels, enjoying all that Orange Walk Town has to offer. Twenty-three vendors who would have been out at the People’s Stadium have lost that opportunity. In addition, participants and spectators must make other arrangements and pay more to go all the way to Corozal, with only a week’s notice. The OWTC understands the decision by organizers to move Band Fest 2014 to the Santiago Ricalde Stadium in Corozal. In all such events, the welfare and safety of participants and spectators must

be of primary concern. The fact is that the People’s Stadium was not adequate to host the event – not because of a lack of facilities, but because the Sports Council was negligent in preparation of the field. Despite months of notice and more than sufficient time, the Sports Council was unable to provide even simple maintenance to make the field ready for Band Fest 2014. That is unacceptable and unforgivable. The Orange Walk Town Council condemns the Sports Council’s incompetence and demands an explanation for the deplorable conditions of the facilities at the People’s Stadium. That facility, one of Orange Walk’s primary event locations, should be in good condition at all times. That is solely the responsibility of the Sports Council. The OWTC also calls on the Ministry of Sports to immediately investigate the circumstances which led to the organizers of Band Fest making the critical decision to move the event. The incompetence of the body entrusted with the maintenance of the People’s Stadium has cost the entire community dearly, and for that some answers must be provided.

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

2014

13 APR APR 13

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2014

TOPMODEL 13

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS BlakBerry

One of Belize’s most versatile reggae and dancehall artists, BlakBerry, has taken things up a notch with new music videos released this week. The new singles are titled “Boom Boom” and “Since you gaan”. The first is a kind of soundcry on behalf of the poor and downtrodden who are facing and struggling through a myriad of social issues including increasing crime and violence. In the song, BlakBerry says that unless the “bigger heads” stop sponsoring crime, Belize will continue being ravaged by crime. The second song “Since you gaan” tells a story of love gone sour because of infidelity. The videos were produced by Linda Blease. BlakBerry said that he is particularly proud of the quality of music and video produced and he hopes to always set a new bar in in the music industry.

Location: Princess Hotel and Casino, Belize City

new music videos

Yorleny • • • •

Height: 5’ 3” Career Plan: High School Teacher Sign: Sagittarius Favourite Food: Lasagna

• • •

TOP MODEL Clothing and Accessories provided by CATWALK FASHIONS

Likes: Dancing and Working Out at the Gym Lives in: Belize City Fav. Quote: “It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice”

visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

14 SPORTS

APR 1313APRIL

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

2014

FC Belize draws 2-2

against San Ignacio United San Ignacio, April 6, 2014 The FC Belize held San Ignacio to a 2-2 draw in the Belikin Cup closing season competition organized by the Premier league of Belize at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday. Jarret Davis scored first for FC Belize in the 42nd minute, but Tony Gonzalez equalized for San Ignacio in the 44th minute. Tony Gonzalez scored San Igna-

Byron Pope wins Pre-Cross Country race Belize City, March 30, 2014 Benny’s Megabytes’ Byron Pope won the Cycling Federation’s 120-mile pre-Cross Country race on the George Price Highway from Leslie’s Imports in Belize City to Mount Hope and back on Sunday. Pope clocked 5:10:04 to win the $300 1st prize and a trophy.

Byron Pope

cio’s 2nd goal in the 61st minute, but Jarret Davis converted a late penalty to equalize 2-2 before the long whistle. In Benque at the Marshalleck Stadium on Saturday night, Verdes upset the defending champs, the Belmopan Bandits: 2-1 with goals by Nahjib Guerra and Jamir Cano, while only Elroy Kuylen scored for the Bandits.

Jarret Davis tackled by Felix Miranda

Moen Stars & Jaguars post wins in volleyball games

Belize City, April 5, 2014 The Moen Stars girls and the Jaguars men posted wins in the 2014 senior volleyball competition at the Belize Elementary School auditorium over the weekend. The Moen Stars’ Jahshema Saunders, Analisa Habet, Nelissa Ramirez, Shelmadine Cacho and Sherika Burton scored hits against the Belmopan Mystics to win 25-7, 25-12 and 25-15. On Saturday, the Moen Stars dominated the Belmopan Warriors: 25-23, 25-9 and 25-10, even though Warriors’ Krystal Jones, Esther Middleton, Melissa Garnett and Kaylani Reid had scored in the 1st set. On Friday, the Moen Junior Stars’ Kevanna Sebastian, Clara Sabal, Juel Lewis, Mya Musa and Gianna Brown had also stopped the Warriors in their tracks: 25-12, 25-16 and 25-18. In the men’s competition in Friday’s nightcap, the AMS Jaguars’ Shane Gentle Karym Coleman, Bryton Codd, Joseph Enriquez and Denver Lino dominated Scorpions: Oscar, Arvid and Raul Arnold, Kleon Coleman, Eian Galvez and Jamal Galvez, in 3 sets: 25-20, 25-17 and 25-16.

Nayala Tun digs up a save

Bryton Codd & Karym Coleman go up or a block

On Saturday, the Jaguars had to go to 5 sets to put away the defending national champs, the Belmopan Blingz who won the first set: 25-22; the Jaguars took the 5th set and match 15-6. The veteran Scorpions also had to go to 5 set to win over the SQ Dragons: 1225, 29-27, 20-25, 25-23 and 15-10.

Richard Vasquez hits

13 13 APR APR

2014 2014

SPORTS 15

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

SMART No Limits crushes Corozal Heats 71-62 Belize City, April 4, 2014 SMART No Limits bounced the Corozal Heats 71-62 to post their 5th win in when the National Elite Basketball League tournament at Birds’ Isle on Friday night. No Limits’ Greg “Chippy” Rudon’s had 15 points, 3 boards and

Akeem Trapp scored 8 points

Greg Rudon scored 15pts

City Boys, Hattieville United U-17 & London Strikers win football games

Muslim Community School girls win Belize district softball champs Crooked Tree boys advance to softball nationals

Belize City, April 5, 2014 The Collet Strikers U-15, the Brown Bombers U-15, London Strikers girls, the Hattieville United Youth Sporting Club U-17 and the City Boys U-17 all posted big wins in the 2014 Belize District Football Association (BDFA) tournament at the MCC Garden on Saturday. The Collet Strikers upset Hattieville U-15 boys 3-2 with Mario Rivera heading Hattieville’s 1st goal, but Collet’s Shadrick Lord and Wayne Ford scored to lead 2-1. Hattieville’s Jadon McGregor equalized 2-1, but Nelson Tablada scored Collet’s 3rd goal. The Brown Bombers U-15 bombed the Ladyville Rising Stars: 6-1 with Sherwin Requeña scoring a hat trick. Tyreek “Pippin” Muschamp added 2 more goals and Michael Deshield scored the Bombers’ 3rd goal. The London Strikers schooled the Pallotti Academy

Ervin “Poty” Orosco added 14 points with Kevin Domingo’s 10 points. Corozal’s Jason Grant scored 18 points, while Marcel Richards had 15 points. At the Sacred Heart College auditorium last Friday night, the Western Ballaz ran over the Orange Walk Running Rebels: 100-50! Farron Louriano had 30 points, Travis Lennan added 19 points and Kurt “Chengo” Burgess scored 16 points. At the San Pedro RC School court on Saturday, the Tigersharks drowned the Toledo Diplomats 86-52. Darwin “Puppy” Leslie and Winston “Air Jun” Pratt scored 15 points each, while Michael Adams had 11 points. In Belmopan at the UB gym last Thursday night, the Belmopan Bandits tamed the Dangriga Warriors 66-54. Bandits’ Stephen “Muerte” Williams had 21 points, Jamal Harris added 13 points, and Dorian Jones 9 points.

Devon Davis scored Collet’s 2nd goal

Erica Milligan vs Pallotti FC FC girls 3-0 with goals by Dennisha Thurton, Leyandra Henry, and Elisha Bernardez. Hattieville United U-17 posted their 3rd win: 3-2 against the Collet Strikers U-17 with goals by Kenyon Lewis, Trevaugn “Monster” Rhaburn and Charles James. Collet recovered somewhat in the 2nd half when Tarique “Hammer” Ciego and Devon Davis scored. The City Boys U-17 upset the Brown Bombers: 4-2 with Kermet Sutherland scoring their 1st goal and Keryron Patnett scoring a hat trick. Only Shemar Thompson and Ervin Longsworth scored for the Bombers.

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

2014

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

2014

La Vida De Mario Tzul (1974-2014) Como regalo del día de las madres en el año 1974, el divino creador le envió al matrimonio de Fidencia y Cornelio Tzul su hijo menor Mario Antonio Tzul mejor conocido como “Bambi” o como la plebe también le llamaba “Bambola”. Todos lo llamábamos Bambi pero quizás muy pocos sabíamos porque. Bambi contaba que fue el señor Arturo Gentle o “Don Ata” como muchos lo conocemos, que le decía que el corría rápido como un venadito y fue entonces cuando le pusieron de apodo “Bambi”. En 1998 Mario fue acolito junto con otros jovencitos sirviendo aquí en esta iglesia por varios años. Bambi asistió al colegio Belize Adventist College y siempre compartia el dicho diciendo “El estudio no es para mí, a mí más me gusta el trabajo” y fue así como a su temprana edad Mario se convirtió en la mano derecha de su papa y empezó a conducir el camión de caña para el. Después Mario trabajo como seguridad en la zona libre. Allí Bambi con su peculiar estilo de conversador se ganó muchas amistades beliceños y mexicanos. Sus últimos 6 años de vida Bambi se dedicó al taxi. Se convirtió en el taxista favorito de muchas personas. Tenía a sus fieles clientes a los cuales él se esmeraba en servir puntualmente y con buen servicio - llueva o tenga que almorzar más tarde, Bambi se aseguraba de servirlos fielmente. Todos en la comunidad ya sabían cuál era el tema preferido del taxista: la política. Bambi fue un fuerte partidario del P.U.P. que aun enfermo él se aseguraba de estar bien informado sobre los acontecimientos por medio de sus “contactos” como él decía. Ya entonces Bambi presumía de su gran amor, Shar - como él le llamaba. Shar fue su gran conquista y él se dedicó a quererla, respetarla pero sobre todo a consentirla. Era su pareja incondicional y Bambi decía “juntos para siempre”. Shar lo extrañara pero los buenos requerdos de convivencia con él le darán fuerza para salir adelante. Sus padres fidencia y Cornelio Tzul hermanas Oneida Gutiérrez y Florangeli Tzul se le adelantaron y de seguro Bambi ya se reunio con ellos. Hoy le sobreviven su pareja Laila Sharai Burgos, sus hijas Jackelyn y Fidencia Tzul, un yerno Heiner Arjona y sus hermanos y hermanas: Cornelio Tzul Jr., Nelda Tzul, José Luis Tzul, Heriberto Tzul y Luz María Gamboa, sobrinos, sobrinas, parientes y amigos. Hoy despedimos a un compañero, padre, hermano y amigo. Te extrañaremos mucho Bambi. Que descanses en paz y que Dios te tenga en su Gloria.

Students attend XX HACIA Democracy Summit in Panama By Dr. Maria Isabel Tun Students of the Belize High School attended the Harvard Association Cultivating Inter-American Democracy (HACIA) Summit held this year in Panama City, Panama from March 13-16, 2014. According to a Brief History of HACIA Democracy, it was established twenty years ago on May, 1994, by two undergrad students and, Jason Price, a teacher at the International School of Panama, who envisioned a political simulation focused specifically on issues of the Americas. Now in 2014, twenty years later, the conference returned not only to the same country and city, but to the same hotel, Hotel El Panamá, to celebrate the Twentieth Summit of the Americas. Organizers of the event noted that HACIA Democracy has become the “most diverse simulation of the Inter-American System in the world with more than 600 delegate attendees from over 30 schools from all over the hemisphere.” This year, some 34 high schools from Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, the United States, Mexico, and Chile attended the XX HACIA Summit. Three of our Belize High School students, Caroline Fox, Aidan Rosado, and Renee Schakron, participated as delegates in the following committees: PAHO, the Pan American Organization in which Fox and Rosado were co-delegates; and the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OAS (Organization of American States), 2019, in which Schakron participated. This last mentioned simulated a committee set in the future. Renee Schakron who participated in the Midnight Crisis—an event that takes place at the witching hour, and to which delegates hope that their committee would be selected to solve a major crisis—reflected of the Summit experience, “the HACIA Democracy debate is really and truly a great experience…you are challenged, and it is interactive. This experience definitely taught me to think about possible future crises and how I can handle them.” For her part,

Caroline Fox commented, “The experience was unforgettable. I enjoyed the whole concept of getting to share with people you’ve never seen before and present on an idea that you came up with for the room to solve based on daily issues in our society. I realized that there is more to life than just sitting around and hanging out with friends.” Although our delegation was small this time around, the impact of the other committees was not lost on us. These committees included the United Nations Security Council; Union of the South American Nations; Community of Latin American and Caribbean States; OAS Special Mission to Mexico, 1994; Colombian Peace Negotiations, 2012; Executive Cabinet of Omar Torrijos, 1974; and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. There were also complementary Spanish committees and student participants representing the Press Corps and the NGOs. The Keynote Speaker of the XX Summit of the Americas was no other than Nicolás Ardito Barletta, a former president of Panama whose tenure ran from 1984 to 1985. Barletta, an economist trained in the USA, has an impressive résumé that includes serving as the vice-president of the World Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, Minister of Economic Planning of Panama who was the trusted advisor to Gen. Omar Torrijos, co-founder of the Panamanian Banking Center, director of the Department of Economic Affairs of the American States, and CEO of the Interoceanic Region Authority. For us faculty advisors, Mrs. Edmee Schakron (parent), Mrs. Carisa Williams, and myself, we were impressed by the energy of the young high school delegates who combined work with social events that included a talent show, Taste of HACIA (a cultural exchange), and a delegate dance. The Belize High School has had some 15 students attend this Harvard sponsored event, both in the Dominican Republic and Panama, and recognizes, as a fledging high school, that HACIA Democracy that is founded on an Organization of American States parliamentary model, prepares our students not only for developing a political and consciousness of the region, but that it also is invaluable in preparing students for college, community advocacy, and for developing democratic leadership and a citizen’s voice critical to nation building.

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

For Sale By Order of the

BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell the property described in the schedule below at the time as listed.

At the Parking Lot across the street from the office of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Friday 11th April 2014 at 9:00a.m.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel or block of land being Block No. 65 consisting of 5.80 Acres situate along the George Price Highway near Mile 8.5, Belize District being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 524 of 2002 dated 5th July 2002 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey No. 524 of 2002 by G.E. Gill, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan, Cayo District as Plan No. 1347B TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of LUIS SOSA DATED this 27th day of March 2014 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

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 109 comprising of 766.202 square metres situate in Hope Creek Village, Stann Creek District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 351 of 2010 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 351 of 2010 and also delineated on Plan No. 2080 Comp. No. 77 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 19th day of March, 2014. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

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 13th day of June, 2012 between GREGORY CRICHTON and PATRICH GARBUTT both of No. 2 Piccini Site, Buttonwood Bay, Belize City, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 15 of 2012 at Folios 339 – 408, 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.

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 5th day of March, 2012 between NAZARIO ITZA JR. of San Jose Succotz Village, Cayo District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 5 of 2012 at Folios 1163– 1170, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land being Lot Nos. 284 and 285 comprising of 609.718 Square Yards and 495.109 Square Yards respectively situate in Succotz Village, Cayo District, bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 1151 of 2003 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 1151 of 2003 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 45 a portion of the land being known as “Dewdrop Farm” situate at Mile 11 ¾ on the Old Belize-Corozal Road in the Belize District of Belize as shown in Subdivision Plan registered at Entry No. 5325 Register No. 16 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 26th day of March, 2014. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

DATED this 4th day of April, 2014. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorney-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid Caligula By G. Michael Reid Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was an emperor who ruled the Roman Empire from 37 AD to 41 AD. As a boy, Gaius was given the nickname Caligula which means “little soldier’s boots”. The nickname came because he was favored by his father and was always in his father’s side, even accompanying him to war. Upon becoming emperor, Caligula was described as a “noble and moderate ruler during the first six months of his rule”. After that however, his madness, cruelty and brutality placed him among history’s most hated and insane tyrants. (I’m starting to see similarities already.) Caligula had a horse which he called Incitatus, which means “swift” or “at full gallop”. History records that Caligula loved that horse so much that he built him a marble stall, an ivory manger and even a house. Incitatus wore a jeweled collar and lived and ate better than most of Caligula’s subjects. He had servants around the clock who fed him a diet of oats mixed with gold flakes. When Caligula went over the edge was when he proposed to make his horse a senator and a chief counselor. While many historians have labeled Caligula as just plain crazy, writer Aloys Winterling in his book “Caligula: A Biography” (2011) suggests that there might have been some method to the emperor’s madness. Winterling opines that “insanity was not the only logical explanation for Caligula’s behavior”. He makes the case that many of the emperor’s wackier stunts, including his plan to appoint his horse a Senator, were done to make a point. Winterling believes that Caligula wanted to; first of all show his parliamentarians that they were worthless and that even an animal could do the work that they did. More importantly, it seems Caligula wanted to prove that he could do anything he wanted and get away with it. He was wrong, dead wrong! Caligula became the first Roman emperor

it stands, at least three members of Dean Barrow’s government should be out of politics and maybe even in jail. As I write, there is yet another scandal bubbling involving the Minister of National Security John Saldivar. This whole Mytheon affair stinks to high heaven. Evidence has surfaced that Saldivar and his wife have made millions over the past ever to be assassinated. year alone. According to Channel A caller to a morning talk show Five news, “key government departthis week likened Prime Minister ments and personnel are compelled Dean Barrow’s decision to elevate to purchase credit from Mytheon” his son to the top post at Belize Teleresulting n profits “to the tune of com Limited (BTL) to that of Caligutens of thousands of dollars in comla’s stunt with his horse. Mr. Barrow mission each month for Darlene feels that at this point, he can get Saldivar, wife of John Saldivar”. Realaway with anything. His son, Anwar, ly folks, where does it end? is a relatively unqualified and untestThe bottom line here is that ed candidate and putting him as CEO these government ministers make of one of Belize’s biggest and most well over a hundred thousand dolprofitable companies is bordering lars a year in salary alone. The figure insanity. What is Mr. Barrow saying runs much higher when you considto staff members of BTL who have er perks, allowances, free fuel, travel been there much, much longer than expense and bonuses. It is nothing Anwar and who are undoubtedly inshort of pure unadulterated greed that drives them to this type of hustling. How Mr. Barrow feels that at this point, he can much money does a person need? What John Saldivar get away with anything. His son, Anwar, is is involved in is nothing a relatively unqualified and untested candishort of a conflict of interest and pure corruption! date and putting him as CEO of one Where is the Prime Minisof Belize’s biggest and most profitable ter who promised to “jump into action at the slightest companies is bordering insanity. whiff of corruption”? Does his silence suggest that he condones, encourages and might even be enjoying a finitely more qualified for the post? piece of this dirty pie? With Anwar people left with that type of integrity. The appointment of young Anwar is now at the helm of BTL, which In his editorial of Sunday April 6th, not only disrespectful to the workers seems also involved in this hustle, the publisher of the Amandala described of BTL but it is a case of outright and one can only “imagine the possibilithe Prime Minister’s behavior as “defiblatant nepotism. ties”. It seems that every week a bigant” and “insolent”. Insolent because, Nepotism of course, is nothing ger and a dirtier scandal is exposed “there were more qualified, more exnew for Dean Barrow who appointed about this government. Where is perienced candidates for the lucrative his own brother to a spot on Belize’s the Prime Minister? Where is the board post” and defiant because “but highest court. Denys Barrow subseIntegrity Commission? Where is the for sixty or seventy votes, the PUP quently resigned that post but is now Financial Intelligence Unit? Inquiring would have won four of the six seats hired as lawyer for just about every minds want to know. Belizeans dein the west and would have formed the major case involving government; serve and demand to know! 2012 – 2017 Government of Belize”. As and there are many. Denys Barrow once bragged that he was the “most expensive lawyer in Belize”. Before Denys Barrow, all the cases were handled by the Prime Minister’s ex-wife. Finnegan once remarked in Parliament in defense of the former Mrs. Barrow, “we paid her a measly 23 million” and that was for one case. The Prime Minister also appointed his eldest son Shyne to the post of Musical Ambassador to Belize, even though Shyne only returned to Belize after he was deported and has since left for a new life in Israel. The Prime Minister hired his daughter fresh out of law school to represent our country in a case that had already been won, netting her a cool million dollars. The number of other relatives and friends who have been appointed to lucrative posts is too long to list but if you google nepotism, you will find Belize and our Prime Minster listed as prime examples. I remember many years ago, even before Independence, my aunt’s husband was a Permanent Secretary under Lindy Rogers. A vacancy became available in one of the departments in his portfolio and my brother applied. He was sure that he would get the job since he was very much qualified. My uncle called him into his office and explained that while he recognized his qualifications, to give him the job would present a perception of nepotism. My brother was not happy and felt that despite the relationship, he should have been given the job since he was qualified. According my uncle, “justice doesn’t only have to be done but has to seem to be done”! There aren’t many people today who would do what old Alex Frankson did but then again, there aren’t many

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

A Father’s Love in Raising a Daughter

By Angela Banner-Joseph When I was younger, at least once a month, my younger sister and I would take the train into New York City by ourselves to meet our dad for lunch. We began these get-togethers around ages 13 and 11, respectively. It was during these luncheons that we learned the importance of developing relationships with men, because our father was our first date. During these one-hour luncheons, dad would allow us to choose a restaurant near his job. Sis and I would arrive at his job promptly at noon. Because he frowned on us not being on time, we made sure that we were never late. We enjoyed spending time with him, and he enjoyed our funny personalities and all the stories we told him. We could talk about everything and anything. Our father had the traditional role of a parent who was present in our lives; he gave us “father love.” After we arrived at his job, the security department called his office to introduce us. He told the person to send us up to the 15th floor and he introduced us to his co-workers. We were constantly reminded to call everyone by Mr., Miss, Ms., or Mrs. He would brag to his colleagues about our latest achievements, and they would acknowledge how brave we were to take the one-hour train ride into the city by ourselves. They commented on how clean we looked and how mannerly we were, and they always wanted to know how well we were doing in school. One of our dad’s favorite co-workers was a lady by the name of Ms. Nancy. Ms. Nancy was a secretary who loved to chew gum and who always had a beehive hairstyle. She looked like she lived in the 50s, or maybe the 50s never left her. We always enjoyed our conversations with her until we left at 1p.m. for our luncheon date. After lunch, we always visited the Coliseum Bookstore to purchase two books each. It was part of our monthly ritual. I fed my passion for reading at the bookstore. I became an eclectic reader and I wanted to buy every book I had in my hands, which is why he limited us to two books each. We chose our books and then took the hour-long ride back home. During these monthly introductions to his workplace, we learned he was the only person of color at his job, which he held for more than 25 years until

the company went out of business. At these early meetings, we learned about race relations and about how to treat people with respect. As we got older, Dad often discussed what it felt like to be the only Black person at his job and he talked about the relationships he had developed. He was always sharp with his answers, which prepared us how to handle difficult situations in the future and how to develop genuine relationships with people from different ethnic groups. We did not know until we were adults how rewarding these life lessons would be, nor how thankful we would be today for the experiences. These luncheons taught us many other things. They taught us the importance of family and they showed us how to build solid relationships. They gave us an opportunity to spend time with the first man we ever loved, our daddy. My father taught us to be independent, respectful, fearless, and adventurous. He was our original cheerleader and a great motivator. As we matured, we strengthened our relationships and he gave us the best advice on how to prepare ourselves for our first dates. Daddy would never tell us what to do, but he would listen and say, “Do what is best for you.” He trusted our decisions and made sure that the young men in our lives respected us. He instilled great values in us and strengthened our self-worth. We learned that we should not allow people to take advantage of us. We were taught early how to love ourselves; we were his diamond and his pearl. I have shared this story to encourage dads everywhere to spend quality time with your children, and especially with your daughters. You can do so many wonderful activities together. Lunch was just one event with our daddy. We celebrated so many other activities, and each is now a cherished memory in our minds. Fathers you are your daughter’s first love. Father-daughter relationships are important in a girl’s life. A young woman’s first experiences with the man who gave birth to her should be rich with history, memories, and parental love, because they serve as a model and road map for the positive relationships she will have with a partner later in life. The experience with her father can either shatter or strengthen her self-esteem. Fathers, it is important for you to spend time with your daughters to develop positive and healthy relationships. Without your love to support and guide her, she might end up in a toxic relationship, running after a man who disrespects her, or she might love a man who does not love her back. Your unconditional love can show her that she does not need a man to validate her as a person. You will set the standard of how she chooses a partner by providing the voice in your little girl’s life to validate that she is worthy of love. Dr. Angela Banner Joseph holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Change from the Fielding Graduate University

2014

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between Ismay Adeline Swaso(Chargor) and Alden Courtney (Borrower) and the said Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited. HRCU will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below. ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 501.722 square metres being Parcel 5237, Block 20 in the Belmopan Registration Section situate at No. 15 Mount Mossey Street, East Picinni, Belmopan, Cayo District, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ISMAY ADELINE SWASO, surety for ALDEN COURTNEY. DATED the 4th day of April 2014 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell the following property at the place and time listed. At the Parking Lot across the street from the office of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Friday April 25, 2014 at 2:00p.m. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 717.468 square yards being Block 16, Parcel 1024/1 Caribbean Shores/Belize Registration Section situate at No. 1024 Graduate Crescent, Belize City, Belize District, the leasehold property of TREVOR JEFFRIES DATED this 4th day of April 2014 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

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Home Economics

How Big-H changed

Belize’s Coconut Fortunes By Richard Harrison Big H launched its fresh bottled natural coconut water at the Agricultural Show in 1998. Before this…coconut production in Belize was falling rapidly…especially since a disease called “lethal yellowing” was rapidly disseminating the coconut palms. The sale of dried coconut was still vibrant, since housewives still used it to make home-made coconut milk for use in baking creole bread and preparing the popular “rice and beans”. A small amount was used in cottage industries to make coconut oil. However, even this was in decline, since importers started to bring coconut milk powder in convenient sachets for a rather inexpensive price…and they also imported large amounts of coconut oil already packed for retail sale. Today, this imported milk powder has almost completely displaced the grating of dried local coconuts. If Big H had not successfully introduced and marketed its coconut water…coconut production in Belize would have continued its decline, and today production would probably be negligible. Today the conservative domestic market demand for coconut products in Belize is valued at: (1) coconut oil $5 million (2) coconut water $4 million (3) coconut milk powder $3 million (4) other $1 million. The domestic market-share contribution to this demand is estimated at: (1) coconut oil 15% (2) coconut water 80% (3) coconut milk powder 0% (4) other 30%. The coconut industry now provides direct work and income to an estimated 500 persons throughout Belize, in land preparation and maintenance, planting, harvesting, delivery, processing, distribution and sales. Many of these are now self-employed persons selling out of a pick-up truck on the side of the road or at tourist stops. To fully meet this domestic demand for coconut products…Belize would need 120,000 fully productive coconut trees…which at 80 trees per acre would need 1,500 acres of coconuts. Just coconut water alone would need 30,000 trees or 375 acres. Belize already has this population of trees, but scattered across large distances, including offshore islands, that makes the majority of the current production a challenge for commercial profit making. A proper structuring of the coconut industry production chain for optimal productivity…and design of a fertile investment environment… would double the domestic demand within five years…increasing the number of direct workers and income earners in this industry to around 1,300.

A fully productive coconut tree should not be harvested for more than 8 coconuts per month on average. This way it will provide that average consistently every month for many years…and income is continuous and predictable. If a tree is raped of all its nuts at once, it gets ‘shocked’ and production and income becomes erratic and unpredictable. A tree harvested sustainably will yield a much more bountiful harvest over its life time. The current breakeven for coconut production destined for coconut water is seven (7) acres. This assumes the investor already owns the land, and that the investment includes financing, land preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting and delivery within one hour radius from factory. Cluster production within a defined radius from the factory is essential to efficient and effective profit making from coconut investment. Big H was able to do this successfully because it had invested previously in building a credible brand that was highly recognized and valued by a wide range of consumers, it had invested in the processing facilities, in trained production, administration and sales/ marketing staff, the distribution channel capacity and capability, the large network of repeat customers and many thousands of loyal consumers. This is what allowed them to ask consumers to pay $2/500ml product….and this is the principal reason why the industry has been growing sustainably….because profitability was built into the price from the get go, for every level of the production chain. Had this product-market strategy not been successfully implemented, the industry would have remained in decline. Only Big H was in the position to be capable of being successful at this. There is even room for asking consumers for more, because a much larger volume of Gatorade is sold for $3/500ml….and that is not nearly as healthy and natural as coconut water. Big H has done well for Belize…. the creativity of the man’s mind has proven more effective than the many millions government has spent on “diversification” projects….because it has achieved much more that can be seen, touched and valued. It can do much more than citrus and coconut water….for passion fruit, mango, pineapple, seaweed, lemon grass, dairy milk, among others. No doubt Big H has made its fair share of mistakes….but to crucify a man for his mistakes is preventing the next generation from benefiting from the learning from those mistakes….and is the ultimate example of a society unable

to forgive and too ready to destroy. Without the creative mind of Big H at work, there would be no La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. Belize Government and relevant financial institutions should make good by Big H….a serious and earnest sitdown should take place to resolve the challenges and create the conditions for a robust forward press. Set free the creative mind of Big H, so that it can do more of its magic for Belize. The amount of value it creates is way far over and above the size of the challenge at hand. The following recommendations can also help to grow the coconut industry rapidly: 1. Raise the import duty on Gatorade-type drinks that compete directly with coconut water to 100%, and give it the same acknowledgement that is given to soft drinks, beer, rum and cigarettes. The demand for coconut water would more than double, especially if marketing, distribution and sales is ramped up. 2. Impose a Revenue Replacement Duty of 50% on imported coconut water, with the objective of significantly reducing its market-share potential for 15 years, while strengthening the potential for domestic investments for that capital-investment period. Investors would never invest what is required to make a shelf-stable product for export under current conditions, essentially because our government has a lot of precedence where it has altered its fiscal positions rendering domestic production of many products unviable. A typical example is the changes it made in the Customs Tariff Law that destroyed value-adding in packaging of oils and manufacturing of tomato ketchup, BBQ and other tomato-based sauces in Belize. Our governments have to make a clearly articulated break with the past, in order to create the kind of investment climate that will encourage investors to take these kinds of risks in production. 3. Grace Kennedy coconut oil, which dominates the local market, is mostly refined coconut oil imported from Asia and should no longer be accepted as a CARICOM origin product. It should be required to pay 45% import duty, a rate increase which has successful precedence in the development of the pepper sauce industry. Belize spends $500,000 per year on a Directorate of Foreign Trade, which has never presented nor defended a case on Belize’s behalf at Caricom’s Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED). They should get their feet wet with this one….because there are many more trade treaty battles that Belize will need to fight….to make up for irresponsible persons who went to sign lop-sided treaties that are now working against our best interest. 4. The manufacturer of coconut oil in Belize should be facilitated with all that is required to manufacture coconut milk powder in sachets…. with a view to dominating the CARICOM market for this product, which currently comes from Asia!! 5. All efforts should be made to

23 commercialize the coconut husk and shell…..the husk as a renewable source of soil improver and charcoal production….and the shell as a sustainable supply of material for arts and crafts industry and for heating kilns. Special efforts and product-development grants should be offered over a five year period to rapidly commercialize these bi-products…..so that nothing from the coconut industry goes to waste….and so that the resulting high level of productivity through value-adding allows us to compete effectively with countries that have much larger scale of coconut production. Of long-term importance to the industry is the development of cultivars that are strong and can resist threats of disease, weather, soils and other natural factors….that produce the highest yields….and that produce the best raw material for the destined finished product. Coconut varieties that are ideal for producing coconut water are not the same as those destined for production of coconut oil. We need to develop our genetics and agronomics for coconut production as the basis for our competitiveness and productivity in this crop and the final products that we choose to exploit commercially. Richard Harrison is a local businessman and investor in the manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Harrison holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Send comments to harrisonbz@yahoo.com

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Recipe of the week Want to do something out of the ordinary for an Easter Gift Basket? Try this recipe…

Easter Egg Brownies Ingredients 1 pkg. (4 oz.) unsweetened Chocolate ¾ cup butter 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup flour 1 cup chopped walnuts Decorating gels and candies

Directions HEAT oven to 350°F. LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends extending over sides. Grease foil; set aside. MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. OR

USE YOUR STOVE Place chocolate and butter in medium saucepan; cook on very low heat until chocolate and butter are melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. ADD sugar; mix well. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and nuts until well blended; spread into prepared pan. BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely. USE foil handles to lift brownies from pan. Cut into egg shapes with 3-inch oval cookie cutter. Decorate with decorating gels and candies to resemble Easter eggs. in the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes.

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell the following property at the place and time listed.

See answers NEXT WEEK

At the Parking Lot across the street from the office of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Friday April 25, 2014 at 10:00a.m. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 4.999 acres being Block 20, Parcel 3163 Belmopan Registration Section situate in Rivera Area, Belmopan West, Cayo District, the freehold property of NICHOLAS OLMEDO, surety for CYNTHIA OLMEDO DATED this 4th day of April 2014 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

Answers for last week’s puzzle SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION

Answers for last week’s puzzle

See answers NEXT WEEK

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

Pioneering implant revives legs of paralysed men 8 April 2014 by Andy Coghlan They can’t quite walk. Yet. But four wheelchair-bound men who until recently were completely paralysed below the waist can now move their legs and toes and even lift up to 100 kilograms with their legs. Their spinal cords have been reawakened by electrical implants that revive the flow of information between limbs and brain. Such feats would previously have been unthinkable in people with spinal cord injuries. “We think it’s a very large milestone,” says Claudia Angeli of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville. “There’s not been anything like this, and no hope previously for the most severely injured patients, so this is a very important step forward for them.” The device – an array of electrodes – is implanted not at the point of injury, but in the still intact lumbosacral region of the spinal cord, which is the main information hub linking the brain to the lower limbs. Despite being crushed, Angeli says, the spinal cord and its associated nerve connections retain huge capacity to continue sending messages. Since New Scientist reported the breakthrough in 2012, the four men have continued to improve their strength, precision and range of movement. “We haven’t seen a plateau in their performance yet,” says Angeli. One of the men, Drew Meas, says he can stand without his stimulator. “I’m going for full walking again, that’s my motto,” he says. Souped-up implant Angeli is now planning to test the device in a further eight people. She says that it might be possible to refine the implant so it allows for better coordination, possibly leading

line electrical activity that keeps the cord alert, but which wanes through lack of use in people who are paralysed. Once this background electrical impetus is restored artificially, the cord reawakens Big step: movement is possible (Image: Jianwei and can register Yang/Getty Images) the brain’s “intent” to move to walking. With this in mind, and convert this into fine moveshe is starting experiments in ment at the motor neuron level. animals with an implant that has And by modulating the voltage for 27 electrodes instead of 16. each individual and for each task, Angeli says the implant realgorithms that optimise delivery stores what in healthy people of electrical activity for specific would be the resting potential movements can be worked out of the spinal cord – the baseand applied at will by the patients.

Push-button orgasm isn’t worth $6 million to medicine 4 April 2014 by Frank Swain The doctor who discovered in 2001 that a pain-relief implant could also trigger orgasms is still struggling to raise interest in studying it further. Stuart Meloy, a surgeon at Piedmont Anesthesia and Pain Consultants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was investigating how the device could be used to treat woman who have difficulty achieving orgasm, but we reported in 2003 that volunteers for early tests were proving hard to find.

As of 2014, the massive media interest in the device has not translated into the $6 million that Meloy estimates would be needed to run a full trial. A real turn-on Health insurers do not cover the cost of experimental treatments, and approval from regulators is needed to license the devices for treating a specific condition, such as sexual dysfunction. “Staging an FDA pivotal trial is a fairly expensive undertaking, and that takes money I don’t have right now,” Meloy says. “Though it would be nice to bring [the device] to fruition.”

But the existing device has limitations, says Angeli. For example, the algorithms tend to be different for right and left legs or toes, so only one side can be moved at a time. The hope is that a more sophisticated device will be able to deliver algorithms simultaneously, and so coordinate movement in both legs to enable walking. Simple as it sounds, this remains a challenge. Another boost for the men is that to varying degrees they have all recovered bladder, bowel and sexual function. “That really restores dignity,” says Roderic Pettigrew, director of the US National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering in Bethesda, Maryland.

Meloy stumbled on the idea while performing a routine pain-relief operation. “We implant electrodes into the spine and use electrical pulses to modify the pain signals passing along the nerves,” he told New Scientist in 2001. The patient remains conscious during the operation to help the surgeon find the best position for the electrodes. Meloy’s breakthrough came one day when he failed to hit the right spot. “I was placing the electrodes and suddenly the woman started exclaiming emphatically,” he says. “I asked her what was up and she said, `You’re going to have to teach my husband to do that’.” Despite the limp reception for his orgasmatron, Meloy’s work continues to bring relief in other ways: he co-founded the Advanced Interventional Pain Management clinic, also in Winston-Salem, where he has fitted hundreds of spinal implants to treat chronic pain.

THE BELIZE TIMES

If you see your Brother standing by the road

like to observe things. Those who recognize my habit of reading past the actions and words of a person to the heart, often call my talent of observing: discernment. Those who become uncomfortable at my perceptions call me ‘interfering’. Either way, I enjoy getting lost in my environment; noticing how people interact when they feel no one is watching. One common occurrence I see is the common man or woman’s reaction to homeless people. I once saw a man sneer at the dirty, homeless man as he sat in his wheelchair begging outside a popular stationary providing establishment. The average person barely gives homeless people a thought or a prayer, but thankfully God is not so cold in His regard. There are several arguments why the homeless people are given such cool and often cruel receptions by passersby. Often times, homeless people can trace their current troubles back to some kind of addiction, whether it be gambling or drugs. No child grows up thinking, “yeah, I wanna be homeless and poor”. No youth expects their prospective job opportunities to include begging on the streets. Circumstances, however, can drive a person to cross boundaries that they would normally not have toed. Despite knowing that every poor soul on the street has a story, homeless people are more often than not seen as less than. Their worth as human beings are written off based on their seemingly lack of contribution to society. This causes them to be ridiculed, abhorred, and ignored by almost everyone that sees them. If a homeless person approaches an average Joe on the street, immediately his eyes will fill with wary indifference towards the homeless person, jumping to the conclusion that he’s come to bother him and beg for money. Even most ‘church folk’ don’t extend the courtesy of human decency toward those down on their luck. If a homeless person enters the church, all the upright, pious old ladies will instantly vacate the bench he or she is sitting on, driven by the smell or the sight of the person. For, when it comes to singing hymns about ‘showing a little kindness’, the verb behind the word ‘show’ does not count. Thankfully, God does not hold this same belief about homeless people or anyone in general. There are many stories in the Bible where God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance. The story of Lazarus and the rich man, found in Luke 16, is one such popular tale. The story is about a rich man who was stingy and barely threw the scraps of his luxurious food to the poor beggar named Lazarus, who was full of sores. One day, they both died and Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man went to hell. That’s not my point here, though. I want to focus on something so minute, that many people miss it. The rich man was not important enough to identify with a name, while the gospel writer immortalized Lazarus by giving his name. Names are so important to people and those who have big names, many times have big bank accounts. God doesn’t worry about the bank accounts, however. The rich man in the story had a name amongst his people, but the most important place that his name should have been in was the book of Life, and it was not there. Remember the next time you see a homeless person, that what they need is the Kingdom of God and all are invited to become citizens. All are urged to come home.

Dr. John Sosa, Neurologist

13 APR

2014

Transient Ischemic Attack

A TIA is a kind of “mini stroke” that is a warning for an incoming stroke. It should be taken seriously. In a TIA a clot blocks an artery in the brain, but only temporarily. The blockage usually resolves within 5 minutes and most TIA’s last less than a minute. Having a TIA is an emergency and should be treated as if one is having a stroke. Therefore it is best for the person with symptoms to see a doctor immediately. About a third of persons having a TIA will have a stroke within the year. If symptoms last more than 24 hours the person has had a stroke. F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke. F- face drooping A- arm weakness S- speech slurred or difficult T- time to call ambulance or 911 Other signs include double vision, dizziness, lack of coordination or balance, sudden weakness on one half of the body, and sudden severe headache. Diagnosis Having a TIA gives opportunity to the patient and doctor to investigate and treat any problems causing the TIA. It is important to take steps to prevent a stroke occurring in the future. Often the cause of a TIA is build up of a fatty plaque (atherosclerosis) in an artery due to high cholesterol. It can also be due to a clot coming from the heart or other artery into an artery in the brain. Risk factors include male gender, age more than 55, family history and race. For example black people have a higher incidence of hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, risk factors that can be controlled include hypertension and diabetes, diseases of the heart, diseases of peripheral blood vessels, carotid artery disease, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, heavy drinking, overweight and obesity, use of birth control pills, physical inactivity and drug abuse. Anyone presenting a TIA should have a complete physical checkup by the doctor. Basic tests such as an ECG and a CXR should be done. Tests that should also be done include carotid doppler ultrasonography, CT scan of the head, CT angiography to visualize the blood vessels of neck and head, ECHO (echocradiography), and blood tests, including specialized ones, to check for clotting disorders and sickle cell disease. Treatment The goal of treatment is to correct any abnormality found. Medications include aspirin and anticoagulants. Surgery, including angioplasty, can be done for any vascular or heart problem. As always, prevention is better than cure. It is important that to reduce risk factors, such as stopping smoking and not drinking heavily. Limiting cholesterol and saturated fats, cutting back on salts, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling any illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension should be lifelong goals.

13 13 APR APR

2014

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

Fatal shooting at US army base

Greeks go on strike ahead of Merkel visit

Marine kills colleague at Camp Lejeune army base in North Carolina less than week after fatal Ford Hood rampage

Normal life disrupted with schools and pharmacies shut as labour unions strike against austerity policies 9 Apr 2014 Greek labour unions are staging a nationwide strike to protest against austerity policies imposed on the country by its foreign creditors, including Germany, whose chancellor, Angela Merkel, will visit Athens this week. Schools and pharmacies were shut, ships remained docked at ports, hospitals operated on emergency staff and

transport in Athens was disrupted on Wednesday due to the walkout called by private sector union, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), and its public sector counterpart, the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY). Thousands of striking workers, pensioners and the unemployed were expected to march to parliament around noon. “This is our answer to the dead-end policies that have squeezed workers and made

Greek people miserable,” GSEE said in a statement. “We are striking and fighting to put an end to austerity”. Unions said their anti-austerity message was also aimed at Merkel, who is due to meet Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Athens on Friday. Germany has insisted on painful spending cuts and tax hikes in return for international loans. GSEE and ADEDY have staged dozens of strikes since Greece’s first bailout in 2010, saying the measures prescribed by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund have hit the poor and worsened its six-year recession.

9 Apr 2014 A US Marine posted at the main gate of a North Carolina base shot and killed a colleague inside a guard shack, a military spokesman says. Camp Lejeune spokesman Nat Fahy said the shooting occurred early on Tuesday evening. Police and emergency personnel attempted to revive the shooting victim at the scene, but Fahy said the person was later pronounced dead at a base hospital. Fahy said the Marine who fired the shot from his M4 rifle was in custody and awaiting questioning by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The name of the shooter, who Fahy said was a male, has not been released. The victim’s name was being withheld until relatives were notified. There were other guards at the gate, but no one else was hurt. The shooting comes less than a week after a fatal rampage at Fort Hood in Texas, where a soldier is accused of firing 35 shots over an eight-minute span, killing three and wounding 16 others before killing himself.

The ‘mango people’ of India

Mexico arrests top official over cartel links

Aam Aadmi party seems to be living up to promise to be the formidable challenger of the powerful elite of India

The country’s attorney general says Michoacan’s secretary of the interior met senior Knights Templar cartel leaders.

7 Apr 2014 Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of one of India’s most powerful politician, Sonia Gandhi, had once scoffed at anti-corruption activists in the country calling them “mango people in a banana republic.” This was before the Common Man Party was formed. “Mango people”, translated into Hindi, means Aam Aadmi (alternatively translated as common man). Anti-corruption crusader-turned politician Arvind Kejriwal had warned Vadra that “mango men” would one day prove to be the nemesis of the powerful elite

of India. Nemesis or not, he succeeded in ending the 15-year rule of the Congress Party in Delhi and now is up against the might of “Brand Modi”, the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. India’s official mango men or the Common Man Party on Thursday released their election manifesto in New Delhi, a plank made up of their campaign base - anti-corruption, social justice, education and transparency. From pressing for police reforms, media regulation legislature, judicial reforms,

the AAP manifesto also calls for lowering of eligibility age for contesting the Indian upper house polls from 25 years to 21 years. “Our government will put CCTV in police stations. We will put cameras in interrogation rooms. Anybody can ask for that footage using Right to Information,” Kejriwal said. The police have been under attack for their treatment and handling of various cases while Kejriwal was chief minister. There are messianic expectations placed on Kejriwal and his team.

8 Apr 2014 A former top official in Mexico’s western state of Michoacan has been arrested accused of holding meetings with top bosses from the Knights Templar drug cartel. Jesus Murillo Karam, the attorney general, said on Monday that an investigation confirmed that Jesus Reyna, a member of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, met the notorious cartel. “We can be certain that meetings between this person with [cartel] leaders, I would even say with the most important leader of the organisations that operate there,” Karam said. Reyna was sacked as Michoacan’s secretary of the interior after authorities placed him under arrest on Saturday. Leaders of vigilante militias, that rose up against the cartel in Michoacan last year, have repeatedly accused Reyna of having links to the Knights Templar cartel.

THINK ABOUT IT

MURDER IN HATTIEVILLE Hattieville is a village 16 miles from Belize City. It gets its name from hurricane Hattie which devastated Belize in 1961. The many residents from Belize City who lost their homes to ferocious winds and a rise in the sea which saw ten feet of water cover Belize City, were temporarily relocated to bungalow wooden huts hastily constructed 16 miles from the then capital. Over the years a village grew up. Over the years a new generation inherited the Village. Since the arrival of the UDP to government in 2008, so called gang members were given, literally given, house and lots at Hattieville for free. Their unchecked behavior and influence has taken hold on quite a number of youngsters in Hattieville. The results has been a growing member of young thugs and lawless elements in the village. Bus drivers regularly report the unruly and disrespectful behavior of many youths from Hattieville. There is a Police Station with about eight Police who do two twelve-hour shifts of four officers per shift. On Saturday evening 5th April at the basketball court, a mob of young men went on a minor rampage. The Hattieville Police could not control them. They picked fights and would listen to no one. While attacking a youth, an elderly who sought to intervene was himself badly beaten. A young man standing on the outskirt of the basketball court was set upon by the mob. He got his hand on a knife and in self defense stabbed at his attackers, two got stabbed, one fatally. It is a tragedy. Tragedy that a youth lost his life. Tragedy that another is remanded to jail. The police, despite the many witnesses still charged for murder. This latest senseless killing gives the lie to government’s bogus programs such as Youth Department Services, Conscious Youth Development Program (CYDP), Restore Belize; Youth Empowerment; Poverty Alleviation and so on and so forth. These are party political gimmicks to use tax payers’ money to give jobs to handpicked chosen few UDP cronies. The needy young people of Belize are untouched by these failed programs. In Hattieville the young people are abandoned by government and it Human Services Ministry and crony programs. Where sports, culture, music, dancing and community activities should be a regular part of happy village life, no such thing exists after six years of UDP hard-times and dog eat dog politics and neglect. For eight years not a single job has been created in Hattieville. We need to also make mention that the absence of former three times area representative Ralph Fonseca is important. Many families and young people were gainfully employed under Ralph. Whether it was at the prison or on various public works outside the village. With Ralph no longer on the scene it has been an extremely cruel period of six years under a cold hearted regime. If you do the maths, many of these teenagers now hardening into gang-like elements were tiny tots eight years ago. The situation is not just confined to Hattieville. Many villages and former peaceful communities are now reaping eight brutal years of neglect of young people and social structures. Like the roads and streets which saw

13 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

no repairs and maintenance for the past six years; likewise the institutions and the young people of Belize are now paying the price. AN AGENDA A homosexual, dressed as a female, was walking through a Southside of Belize City neighborhood when he/she was attacked by a group of persons. He was roughed up and hit a couple of times and thankfully escaped without serious injuries. This was Wednesday 9 April, 2014. The timing of the attack is odd. Only days ago, news reached Belize that the gay rights organization UNIBAM had appeared before the Inter American Commission on Human Rights and Organization of America States to make formal complaints on the treatment of gay persons. Belize came out badly in those hearings. The government of Belize had kept citizens in the dark and were it not for the media Belizeans would never know what was going on. UNIBAM has been complaining hither, tither and you about discrimination against gay people, hate language and hate crimes, although they have been short or proof of such. Gays have been functioning and living in Belize undisturbed for decades. They are not received with open arms but neither are they hounded or persecuted or singled out for hatred. As the world turns they have increasingly been treated with more tolerance. Gays are no different from other human beings, except for their sexual preference. Having linked up with foreign gay networks, UNIBAM has been emboldened to go public and has been making disrespectful remarks about certain religious leaders and groups which do not accept them or share their views. UNIBAM with financial assistance and legal support from abroad has applied to the Supreme Court to strike down the sodomy laws of Belize. The Chief Justice has wisely reserved his decision. This is a major ground shifting issue. The behavior of UNIBAM and the National Women’s Commission leaves no doubt they are promoting a foreign agenda in Belize. Their agenda bubbled to the surface in 2013 when Pastor Scott Stirm and Pastor Louis Wade revealed via Plus TV a document accepted and approved by the Education Ministry. This document for use in schools was to teach about health and reproductive matters. Among the teachings was that the anus was a sex organ. It took many months of public condemnation before the Ministry relented. It is widely considered that the Education Minister is a supporter of UNIBAM. In 2013/2014 the Women’s Commission dropped a bomb on Belize with a wide ranging “Gender Equality” policy document. This had the full support of the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the full government. It led to the first ever nation-wide district by district protest march by most churches. The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church personally took to the streets of Belize City in one of the protest marches. He publicly called on the Prime Minister not to be hard-headed and to listen to the concerns of the churches. The Prime Minister had said no force on earth would make him withdraw the offensive documents. He did invite the churches

to submit suggestions. The churches did and six months after, nothing has come of the suggestions. Both the government and government special projects received large financial gifts from questionable sources. The University of Belize was penetrated by a huge foreign foundation giving large money grants. The appearance of the young homosexual/cross dresser on the streets of Belize City, complete with a female hairstyle on Wednesday this week cannot be just coincidence. Was someone behind this? At the Organization of American States, UNIBAM had made serious allegations against the name and reputation of Belize, but was short on facts of hate language and hate crime. There is an international network and movement by individual organizations and governments to promote the gay lifestyle and offer protection to gay people facing discrimination, persecution and prosecution in breach of their basic human rights. The United States of America under President Obama has joined that fight. America’s approach to any issue is to force other countries to do what the USA wants them to do. The U.S. Ambassador designate to Belize is a proclaimed pro homosexual. In Africa, India, China, Russia and Muslim countries the gay issue cannot be forced on those governments. In tiny and weak countries like Belize, always broke and always begging for money and whose leadership and governments are weak and have no morals, the gay agenda will be implemented. For Belizeans, with a long tradition of tolerance, the aggressive, up in your face arrival of this gay issue is a little too much, too quick. It is a debate that has arrived. NO O.A.S., VSA or other groupings can change attitudes by legislation or force. When religious beliefs are added to the mix we need calm, mature and responsible dialogue. Polarization is coming to Belize. A NEW ANIMAL You know of sheep and you know of goat. But you don’t know of Geep or Shoat? Recently, a farmer in Britain saw a goat “crossing” one of his sheep. Didn’t pay much attention. Later the sheep gave birth. Out came – not one of Mary’s little lamb, or the Big Billy Goat gruf. Instead a strange new animal which was neither sheep nor goat. Scientists are checking it out. NOTHING FOR JUDICIARY Despite the billion dollars budget and access to millions upon millions the third branch of government for the country has received no increase in this year’s allocation of funds. The all important Judiciary, which comprises our entire court and justice system with judges and Magistrates have received no increase in resources. The politicians gave themselves an extra ninety thousand dollars each at Christmas to bribe voters but to provide for better court rooms, proper seating for jurors, photocopy equipment and access to Internet and so on; Nothing. Nada. MAGISTRATE HAMILTON Mr. Leslie Hamilton is a Magistrate in Belize City. He is a qualified attorney at Law and a career public officer. He is a former Prosecutor and a former lay Magistrate. Mr. Hamilton started in the legal field years ago when he signed up for a two years Para-legal course done by the Uni-

2014

versity. He fell in love with the law and did other legal courses. He was accepted at the University of Guyana and did his law degree. He returned home and continued working as a Magistrate and later obtained a loan and did the two years course at Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. Mr. Hamilton is one of the strictest Magistrates but he is considered to be fair. If there was a different government Mr. Hamilton would have been promoted to a Senior Magistrate, instead foreigners are given these positions which means they are paid more money than Belizean who have the same qualifications but have longer and better experience. Mr. Hamilton is being disrespected by the present government. He has a huge loan to struggle with and he is being told he is to retire later this year rather than making use of his dedication to his profession and years of experience. To us he looks young and fit and strong. If Belize had a different Prime Minister and a different Attorney General, competent and qualified Belizean professionals like Magistrate Hamilton wouldn’t be subjected to such treatment. Mr. Leslie Hamilton hails from a village in Corozal and is considered a role model for young aspiring Belizeans. EDD P. USHER Former Magistrate Edd Usher was pushed out of his job to make way for a foreigner. Fortunately for him the British came to his rescue and he is a special legal officer at the tax office where he is likely to become the next Head of Department. Mr. Usher has an illustrious background. He is a former military rank. He received the Baton of Honor from the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in Britain. He worked as Magistrate at the Family Court and the main court and he obtained his law degree from the University of Guyana. With such a background you can’t keep a good man down. Mr. Usher is helping out as a lecturer at his Alma Mater – Wesley College where the 6th Form is offering legal course. Usher teaches the Law of Association and Criminal law to a large class of students including Prosecutors. GAS TOO HIGH The price of Patrol is too high in Belize, way, way too high. XSCAPE Michael Jackson, the undisputed King off Pop music is having his latest album released next month on 13 May. One of the tracks – “Slave To the Rhythm” has already been leaked. It is awesome and vintage Michael. The late, great singer has an extensive library of unreleased songs. PALM SUNDAY For Christians all over the world, all two billion, two hundred million of them, this Sunday 13 April is a special day. It marks when Jesus reached Jerusalem. He rode in on a donkey, not a white horse or stallion. On his arrival he was greeted with palm branches and linen spread on the ground as he rode along. By the following Friday a rent-a-crowd would be shouting for Pontius Pilot to crucify him. Thus it had to be for scriptures to be fulfilled. For on the third day after he was murdered, he walked out of the grave and the world became a better place for his message – Love God, and Love Your Neighbor the way you love yourself.

13 APR

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

Citizens irate over

removal of airport seats

Maya Leaders Correct US Capital’s Attorney March 28, 2014 On March 27th, 2014, US Capital through its attorney Michael Peyrefitte gave an interview to the various media houses where he boldly stated with certainty that, ‘The only time this matter [US Capital oil activities] was brought to court was when there was an issue as to what cut the Mayan leadership would get from this.’ He went further, ‘The Mayas should be just as honest [as the teachers] with the people of Belize and say their only issue with this case is their cut of the pie.’ In the corporate world everything is about money. This is what, as a People, we need to understand about oil companies and perhaps that accounts for the attorney’s uninformed and offensive statement. When the Maya people say land rights, they hear money. When the Maya people demand for consultation, they hear money. However, when we talk about our culture, the environment, right relations, they hear nothing. For a corporation, it is always about money, so of course negotiations with them include discussions about money. This perhaps is the only part of the relationship that the company (and the government) is able to understand. This exemplifies the reasons behind why it is essential for the court’s support to assist the Mayas in protecting everything that is important to us – our culture, environment, AND economic interests that are protected by the constitution and the Petroleum Act. In addition, Article 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples also affords us these rights. The Maya People have fought and in some instance died for their lands and rights for many years. As Maya people, we want to work hard and do our part to develop our Belize. We dream of doing this as Maya people with the dignity and freedom endowed by our creator and enshrined in our Belize Constitution. However when the security of our homes, our lands, our resources is threatened by our government’s (and companies’) failure to recognize our inherent right as a people we find the need to stand firm to demand jus-

tice for not only does it threaten our well being and our capacity to contribute to the development of Belize but threatens the very foundation of our country. The Maya people are committed to building a more inclusive, democratic, just and free Belize as promised by the constitution. Time and time again, our leaders and communities have had to make the difficult and burdensome decision to take the government and companies to court in the name of justice. While US Capital is working within the Sarstoon Themas National Park we recall that even, the Honorable Prime Minister Dean Barrow, is well aware that the non-recognition of Maya people’s land rights could be an obstacle to petroleum extraction. Since the Sarstoon and Temash National Park is made up of lands used and occupied by Maya villages, it is illegal for the government to allow drilling to go ahead in the park, at least until those lands have been demarcated and titled.

CARTOON

Belize City, April 10, 2014 Numerous complaints have been received by the BELIZE TIMES about the sudden removal of seats from inside the Phillip S. W. Goldson International Airport public waiting area. There has been no explanation for the decision, but it has terribly inconvenienced passengers and visitors to the airport. In particular, senior citizens who must now sit outside the terminal or make their way upstairs to the waving gallery for a seat to rest their feet. The decision has been described as insensitive and irrational by many.

The same is true for Maya village lands throughout the Toledo District. The MLA and TAA have been following the oil development closely and will be making its decision for recourse on oil after the pending SATIIM decision. The Maya people of Toledo reiterate that our lands are not simply an investment or an asset. They are a sacred trust handed down from our ancestors to be held for our grandchildren and their grandchildren. They “play a central role in [our] physical, cultural and spiritual existence and vitality.” We look forward to the day when such development activities can be carried out in a manner that does not destroy our natural heritage and our human rights. Unfortunately, that day has not yet arrived. Finally, the attorney did not get it right about the teachers. The teachers have repeatedly said that their fight is not only for money but for the overall improvement of our nation Belize. This is the honest truth and the great people of Belize know this!

31 A stranger in Finny’s home

Belize City, April 8, 2014 Mesopotamia’s disgraceful Area Representative is well known for his crass behavior and lack of respect for women, but it now seems that his disrespect is coming home to roost. The Finny one is not only suffering from his back, but also from some serious blues and bad macobi. He even had to complain to his Papa Dean, who told him to do something drastic about his problem. Papa Dean told Finny that they can’t afford anymore scandals from none a unuh. Penner, Jon Jon Saldivar, Castro and Faber are enough embarrassments for the UDP. To try and quiet the noise the bukut Minister is said to have offered to pay a well known gang leader $54,000 to please stay away from his house. But the word is that there is still a stranger in Finny’s home.

THE BELIZE TIMES

13 APR

2014