Belize Times December 23, 2018- 'NO To The Sarstoon Protocol'

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

23 DECEMBER 2018 | ISSUE NO: 5127

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

JIMMY TELLS BARROW NO to the Sarstoon Protocol Belize City: Thursday 20th December 2018 Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales was in Belize last Friday to attend the LII Summit of the Heads of State for the Sistema de Integración Centro Americana (SICA) where he accepted the Presidency Pro Tempore from Belize’s Prime Minister Dean Barrow who held it since July of 2018.

During this time, Foreign Minister Wilfred Sedi Elrington told the press that the Prime Minister would find time to bring up the issue of the Sarstoon protocol with Guatemalan President Morales and press him to a compromise during the Summit.

As it is obvious, President Morales did not entertain any other subject outside the agenda and refused to even open a private discussion or offer a compromise on the matter of the Sarstoon protocol with Prime Minister Barrow. As usual, Elrington came out swinging for Guatemala assuring Belizeans that in due time, Guatemala would agree on the protocol. “It is simply that they have not yet honored it, to the extent that we want it honored,” he said. “The suggestion is that they have internal difficulties,

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2 YEAR OLD TODDLER STILL FIGHTING FOR LIFE

PUP CITCO LIGHTS UP THE CITY

POLICE OFFICER GUNNED DOWN IN TOLEDO Pg. 2

Miss Jane Laid to Rest

MERRY CHRISTMAS - FELIZ NAVIDAD

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23 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

JIMMY TELLS BARROW NO to the Sarstoon Protocol

Continued from page 1 which make it very difficult for them to be able to do that in this point in time.”

In a subsequent interview Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated the opposite. As a matter of fact, he distanced himself from everything that he said in 2016.

He confirmed that Guatemala had no intention of producing any protocol for the Sarstoon. “…his response was well once we go to court - that together with everything else will be disposed of…,” said Barrow.

It is now obvious that Guatemala has moved the goal post yet again.

According to Barrow, he has been advised that if Belizeans vote yes to the April 2019 referendum, then during that time Belize can ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to, “to Institute interim measures until the matter is finally decided.”

And so, just like that Barrow will submit Belizean territory to Guatemala when Prior to 2008, Belize exercised full sovereignty and integrity over its land and territorial waters so much so that any Belizean could have navigated the Sarstoon River without any kind of hindrance.

However, as of 2015 after the last general election, the Guatemalan Naval Base of Izabal started frustrating the attempts of Belizeans as they attempted to traverse the waterway until they took full control over the entire Sarstoon River denying the rights of passage of Belizeans without first seeking permission from the Guatemalan Army and their Immigra-

tion authorities.

Belizeans have been turned away or barred from accessing Sarstoon River or Sarstoon Island by the military aggression of the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF).

Tensions had increased so dramatically that by May 2016 Belize and Guatemala met in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss a “Sarstoon Protocol.”

However, following that meeting there was not even a draft of the protocol presented.

However, in a subsequent statement the administration of Prime Minister Dean Barrow issued a statement citing that the Foreign Ministers of both countries had recognized the urgent need for and committed to working on the design and development of a mechanism for cooperation in the Sarstoon River.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow told the press, “There is an agreement now that we will negotiate a formal protocol for the Sarstoon, and in the meantime, clearly, Belizeans can feel free to go to the Sarstoon; that is why we have revoked the statutory instrument that was in place.”

In June 2016, Foreign Ministers from Belize and Guatemala met again in Washington D.C. to hammer out a timeline for the implementation of the Sarstoon Protocol. Foreign Minister, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, indicated that by the end of 2016 negotiations on the protocol would have been concluded. To date, no such protocol has been produced.

2 YEAR OLD TODDLER STILL FIGHTING FOR LIFE After he was knocked down by a Police Patrol Belize City, Thursday December 20, 2018 The family of two year old toddler Tevin Cacho Jr., is seeking assistance to urgently fly him out of the country to seek much needed medical treatment after he was knocked down by a police mobile. The accident happened Thursday December 13th, 2018 sometime around 8:00 p.m. on Iguana Street Extension, Belize City.

The mother of the child Shereema

United States

Moody, said she left 2 year old Tevin Cacho Jr. in the care of a friend while she went to Kim’s Shop to purchase items. At the same time three officers attached to the Gang Suppression Unit (G.S.U.) pulled up on a crowd who were gathered at the Chinese establishment and were allegedly loitering and engaged in public drinking. The officers ordered the crowd to disperse. At that time Continued on page 9

on page 31 ExchangeContinued rate (USD): $ 0.50 of One Belize Dollar

Barbados (BBD): $ 1.00

Eastern Caribbean Euro (XCD):$ 1.35 (EUR) : $ 0.46

2018

Miss Jane Laid to Rest Belize City: Thursday 20th December 2018 All of Belize’s flags were flown at half-mast until Dr. Jane Ellen Usher, 101, was laid to rest on Tuesday evening.

On Tuesday morning her body was paraded through the streets of Belize City and lied in state at the Holy Redeemer Credit Union.

There, Belizeans from across the country gathered to pay tribute to this Belizean icon, states-woman and matriarch who lived her life in service to others.

On Tuesday afternoon, her life was celebrated at the Holy Redeemer Church a stone’s throw away from the credit union where she worked up to hours before her passing.

Many elected officials from varying political persuasions gathered with her family, friends and colleagues to pay homage to this heroine.

After the funeral ceremony, a short event was held in front of the People’s United Party (PUP) headquarters on Queen Street in Belize City.

PUP Leader, Hon. John Briceno also paid his respects to Dr. Usher, and it was fitting as she was not only a sister of PUP leader emeritus, Rt. Hon. George Price, but also a two term Area Representative for the Pickstock constituency. After the funeral services at Holy Redeemer Cathedral the fu-

POLICE OFFICER GUNNED DOWN IN TOLEDO Belize City: Thursday 20th December 2018 As we go to press this newspaper has received information that Police Officer Modesto Cucul was gunned this morning sometime around 10 am near Crique Jute Village, Toledo District.

We were told that his wife who was with him at the time also received gunshot injuries. We are unable to ascertain the extent of her injuries at this time and the motive is unknown. However, in 2012 Cucul and another Police Officer were accused of the murder of Michael “Street” Velasquez that also occurred in Punta Gorda, Toledo. At the time, it was alleged that “Street” Velasquez had stolen a bicycle belonging to one of the officers. Both Officers set chase and when they caught “Street” it is alleged that they severely beat him, which later resulted in his demise. In 2014, they were freed of those charges.

neral procession briefly stopped in front of PUP headquarters at Independence Hall where the PUP paid their respect to her life of service where Party Leader, John Briceño expressed his sympathies to those who mourned her passing saying, “for our nation and more so for the PUP this is a great loss.”

He added, “It is of course also a time for us to join in remembering and celebrating the life of this outstanding Belizean woman.”

According to him, she was one of the PUP’s best examples of a person who dedicated her life to serving others.

“While she loved her family, especially her grandchildren, she also cared deeply for others. Her life’s work in the service of others, whether at Credit Union or here at Independence Hall, was matched only by her brother George and was always about working for a better Belize,” he said.

According to him, the PUP believes in social justice which means we want to build a nation where everyone has a chance for a better life.

“This was what Miss Jane did every day; she worked to make the lives of others better,” he asserted.

Briceno expressed gratitude for her life as she inspired by her determination to help others.

“Our nation bids farewell to a great leader, to a Belizean hero who has left us with an amazing example, a legacy, which will live on for generations to come,” he concluded. The procession then continued where she was laid to rest at Price Bank where her husband is also buried.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

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23 DEC

2018

THE BELIZE TIMES

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EDITORIAL en Español VERDAD, DESTINO TRUTH, FATE AND Y FOTO OPS PHOTO OPS

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ver the last 10 years the UDP government has punished us with increases in the cost of living, raising the taxes on everything from electricity and fuel to internet. Now just about forty one percent of Belizeans live in poverty and the number that live in extreme poverty has increased dramatically. It is no surprise then that we suffer increases in crime rates.

According to the Belize Crime Observatory there have been one hundred thirty two murders, sixty six rapes, two hundred and sixty seven robberies, seven hundred and twenty burglaries and six hundred and eighty one thefts in the country. These figures are at 30th November 2018. It is easy to see that for many it will not be a Merry Christmas.

This year there were no funds ear marked for the Improvement of Children’s Health and Nutrition in Mayan Communities leaving our most at risk even more vulnerable. In a study done through UNICEF in 2015 it shows that over sixteen percent of children under the age of five suffered from stunting caused by malnutrition.

Another report from 2009 concluded that the poverty rate in indigenous Mayan communities was significantly higher than the national average at sixty eight percent.

Hon Patrick Faber Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education is at constant odds with the BNTU over working conditions and wages. One of the latest was over hardship allowances to teachers who serve schools in these same communities We are witness to gross cases of mismanagement and over spending. Let us not forget the 8M mile at Faber’s Road. The several fires in the township of San Pedro that claimed the lives of four people. More recently the fire in Orange Walk that claimed the lives of an entire family. There has been unprecedented negligence of the fire department not to mention the unspeakable conditions of the fire station in the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. Equipment and premises have been allowed to deteriorate and this has made our communities even more vulnerable. BWSL has not been able to maintain the fire hydrants and in some cases many that do exist are not functional.

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n los últimos 10 años el gobierno UDP nos ha castigado con aumentos en el costo de la vida, elevando los impuestos sobre todo, desde la electricidad y el combustible a Internet.

Actualmente aproximadamente el 41 por ciento de los beliceños viven en la pobreza y el número que vive en la pobreza extrema ha aumentado dramáticamente. No es de extrañar entonces que sufrimos aumentos en las tasas de criminalidad. Según el Observatorio del Crimen de Belice ha habido 140 asesinatos, 66 violaciones, 267 robos, 720 allanamientos y 681 robos en el país. Estas cifras son del 30 de noviembre 2018. Es fácil ver que para muchos no será una Navidad feliz.

Este año no hay fondos asignados para la mejora de la salud y la nutrición de los niños en las comunidades mayas, dejando a aquellos con mayores riesgos aún más vulnerables. En un estudio realizado a través de UNICEF en 2015, se muestra que más del dieciséis por ciento de los niños menores de cinco años sufrían el retraso del crecimiento causado por la desnutrición. Otro informe de 2009 concluyó que la tasa de pobreza en las comunidades mayas indígenas era el 68 por ciento, significativamente mayor que la media nacional. El Hon. Patrick Faber, Viceprimer Ministro y Ministro de Educación está en constante desacuerdos con el Sindicato de Maestros (BNTU por sus siglas en inglés) sobre las condiciones de trabajo y salarios. Uno de los últimos fue sobre las prestaciones por condiciones de vida difíciles a los maestros que sirven a las escuelas en estas mismas comunidades.

Somos testigos de casos graves de mala administración y de gastos excesivos. No olvidemos la milla de 8 millones del camino Faber. Los varios fuegos en el municipio de San Pedro que les costaron la vida a cuatro personas. Más recientemente el fuego en Orange Walk que reclamó la vida de toda una familia. Ha habido una negligencia sin precedentes del Departamento de Bomberos por no mencionar las condiciones indescriptibles de la estación de bomberos en las ciudades gemelas de San Ignacio y Santa Elena. Se ha permitido que el equipo y las instalaciones se deterioren y esto ha hecho que nuestras comunidades sean aún más vulnerables. La compañía de agua y alcantarillados (BWSL por sus siglas en inglés) no ha sido capaz de mantener los hidrantes de incendios y en algunos casos muchos que sí existen, no son funcionales.

Este gobierno UDP pretende hacer creer a los beliceños que se preocupan por nuestros hijos. Los ministros alinearán a los niños para las oportunidades fotográficas a montones.

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23 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

en Español

2018

EDITORIAL VERDAD, DESTINO TRUTH, FATE AND Y FOTO OPS PHOTO OPS Continued from page 3

Continued from page 3

This UDP government would have Belizeans believe that they care for our children. Ministers will line up children for photo ops galore. We will see turkey and ham to their favourite few. A few cheap thrills to brighten a moment or two. On the Boxing Day it is back to harsh reality. They rob our children of a brighter future by taking away all the opportunities that can contribute to a better way of life for them. Health care is a joke if they even make it out alive from the hospital despite the killer bacteria or the ravenous rats, many of our children are plagued by poverty and malnutrition. Education is a luxury many Belizeans simply cannot afford beyond primary school. Our children are murdered in their own beds and disappear without a trace many never to be seen again. They are not safe even in their own beds because we cannot afford even the most basic equipment for the Fire Department. This government cares not for children.

The stingy Christmas cheer comes but once a year and is pitifully doled out at the discretion of the PM who ticks off his list those who have been naughty or nice.

If the GOB were serious about love for Belizean children then they would show that love more than once a year. Give our children more than cavities from cheap candy at Christmas time. Give them all equal opportunity for health services by rolling out the NHI nationally. Do not provide cheap tricks for entertainment. Instead give them access to education and the tools to raise up out of poverty. Do not merely use these children for pictures that look beautiful on your official Facebook pages. Keep them safe by providing adequate equipment and buildings for the Fire Department and Police. Keep Belizean children happy year round by providing sporting opportunities and artistic outlets especially in at risk neighborhoods and communities. Establish feeding programs in schools so that they can have food security year round.

It was Saint Francis of Assisi who said “where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”

May Harmony, Truth, Faith, and Hope reign in every Belizean home this Christmas Season. Happy Holidays to all!

Veremos pavo y jamón llegándoles a sus contados favoritos. También algunas emociones baratas para alegrar un momento o dos. El día después de la Navidad es el retorno a la cruda realidad. Les roban a nuestros hijos un futuro más brillante al quitarle todas las oportunidades que pueden contribuir a una mejor forma de vida para ellos. La atención de la salud es una farsa, aun cuando logran salir vivos del hospital a pesar de las bacterias asesinas o las ratas voraces, muchos de nuestros niños están plagados por la pobreza y la desnutrición. La educación es un lujo que muchos beliceños simplemente no pueden permitirse más allá de la escuela primaria. Nuestros hijos son asesinados en sus propias camas y desaparecen sin rastro y muchos nunca volverán a ser vistos. No están seguros incluso en sus propias camas porque no podemos permitirnos ni el equipo más básico para el Departamento de Bomberos. A este gobierno no le importan los niños. La mezquina plata navideña viene pero una vez al año y es lamentablemente repartida a la discreción del Primer Ministro quien marca en su lista los que han sido traviesos o buenos.

Si los del GOB tomaran en serio el amor por los niños Beliceños, mostrarían ese amor más de una vez al año. Hay que darles a nuestros niños algo más que esas cavidades producidas por caramelos baratos en Navidad. A todos hay que darles igualdad de oportunidades para los servicios de salud mediante la implementación del Seguro Nacional (NHI por sus siglas en inglés) a nivel nacional.

No proporcionen trucos baratos para el entretenimiento.

En su lugar, hay que darles acceso a la educación y los instrumentos necesarios para salirse de la pobreza. No se limiten a utilizar a estos niños para las imágenes que se ven hermosas en sus páginas oficiales de Facebook. Hay que mantenerlos seguros proporcionando equipos y edificios adecuados para el Departamento de Bomberos y la Policía. Mantengan a los niños Beliceños felices durante todo el año proporcionando oportunidades deportivas y centros de desarrollo artísticos, especialmente en vecindarios y comunidades de alto riesgo.

Hay que establecer programas de alimentación en las escuelas para que puedan tener seguridad alimentaria durante todo el año.

Fue San Francisco de Asís quien dijo: “donde hay discordia, podemos traer armonía. Donde hay error, podemos traer la verdad. Donde hay duda, podemos traer fe. Y donde hay desesperación, podemos traer esperanza”. Que la armonía, la verdad, la fe y la esperanza reinen en todas las casas Beliceñas en esta temporada navideña. ¡Felices fiestas a todos!

23 DEC

2018

THE BELIZE TIMES

QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS 1. Will the Minister of National Security please inform the nation and more so the many families how many persons have been reported missing so far this year? And will the Minister also say if any of the dozens of reported missing persons are being investigated and if so the families are being updated?

2. Will the Minister of National Security please say if the FBI has taken up office as a part of the Belize Police Department or if there is some special arrangement that allows the FBI to be carrying out investigations in Belize, since the FBI is once again in Belize, this time in San Pedro working on an investigation?

3. Considering the Prime Minister has announced that he will be giving $700,000 to south side UDP Representatives and another $650,000 for Christmas Cheer, will the Hon. Edmond “Clear the Land” Castro please say if he has spoken to the PM for funds to purchase fire engines. We ask the question that if government can allocate $1.3 million for cheer programs then shouldn’t they be able to find 900,000 to allow for at least one fully functional fire engine in each municipality?

4. Will the Minister of Lands the Hon. Hugo Patt please inform the Belizean people if any moneys have been collected From Andre Vega and Sharon Pitts for the $400,000 of tax payer dollars they were each given wrongly? And will the Hon. Patt please say how much interest is being levied on Pitts and Vega?

CARTOON

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Party Leader’s Christmas Message Merry Christmas, everybody! This is one of my favorite times of the year when our home is filled with family and friends, love and good cheer.

Like most Belizeans, our family celebrates the birth of Jesus and the values he lived while on earth. Through his lifestyle Jesus taught us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. He said we must care for one another and treat everyone with love and compassion. This includes caring for those among us who are less fortunate. It also means we should always show kindness.

This is the spirit that binds us together not only as Belizeans, but as humanity. For me, it is what Christmas is all about.

During this holiday season, we should show our appreciation for everyone, from the neighbour on the other side of the fence to the cousin who lives in the next village; from the teacher who is educating our children to our pastor or parish priest. Be thankful for those brave officers who protect us in the police department, the fire department and the Belize Defence Force. Let us show our appreciation for the service of our nurses, doctors and care givers who will work even over the holidays. Yes the gifts and presents we give and receive from family and friends are great, but the affection and appreciation we show to one another lasts all through the year. It is what we call good will.

At Christmas time I am inspired and thankful for the members of the Salvation Army. Every holiday season they launch the Christmas Kettle Appeal to raise funds for the needy. What joy their efforts bring to children all across Belize when they distribute presents or provide a meal for the needy. They are truly a great example of how together we can show our spirit of caring and sharing. They are the true embodiment of what we should all wish for at Christmas: love, peace, and joy, which are treasures we can embrace and we can all share – today and every day.

So on behalf of Rosanna and the rest of my family and from all of us in the People’s United Party to Belizeans at home and abroad – Feliz Navidad. And may God bless everyone, everywhere.

23 DEC

2018

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2018 2018

THE THE BELIZE BELIZE TIMES TIMES

BELLY of the

BEAST

141 Murders What was it that the Minister of National Security said just recently? That thanks to his wonderful work they have a handle on the violent crime? Well handle this, Mister Minister. There have been 141 murders so far this year.

And that figure doesn’t include the bones found near three shallow graves in San Pedro. It doesn’t include the bodies that are still unidentified. And it doesn’t include the missing persons that everybody knows are dead. So by our count here at the Belize Times, we’ve already exceeded the record in murders. John Saldivar is a humongous waste of time. When he has been in power as Minister of Police, murders have been at their highest. Just ask Pastor Lucas if you don’t believe. Remember him, Mister Minister?

Missing Here at the Belize Times, our prayers are with the family of Anny Young who are still searching for their loved one 10 days after she went missing.

She is only one of many who have gone missing this year. There is something very wrong in our small country. Somebody needs to get a handle on it. We can’t even begin to count the amount of persons who have left their homes, heading from point A to point B, never to be seen again. It’s a crazy, crazy thing. What is happening in our jewel?

Goodies Mister Prime Minister, we understand that you are offering ‘goodies’ via Facebook if people can answer trivia questions about you and your wife, Miss Kim. But respectfully, we believe that whole goodies thing is rigged. One disgruntled participant in the goodies game told us that one of the questions was – can you name one of the Prime Minister’s biggest achievements since entering office? So with all good intention, she answered – well, everybody knows the Prime Minister’s biggest thing since entering office is his bank account. Duh! Seems perfectly reasonable to us. But they deleted her response. That seems so unfair. Maybe they didn’t like the use of the word “Duh.” Mister Prime Minister could you check into this for us please. After all, it’s Christmas and we need the goodies.

Imer Again Remember that wonderful contractor Imer Hernandez? He is nephew

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of Gaspar Vega and apparently a very good, good friend of Mister Dean. Well he just finished the Caye Caulker runway, thanks to millions of dollars from the SSB piggybank. You know how that goes. We poor, normal taxpayers put money into SSB and the UDP government takes it out to make their selective cronies rich. Anyway so we are told that like all his other projects, the runway is a disaster. Apparently Imer forgot to put in drainage, so instead he built a big hump in the center of the runway so water can drain off. The only thing is that this is like the place where planes land, so like a hump in the middle of the runway doesn’t exactly work out so well. The Belize Times has talked to multiple pilots who say that if they don’t land in the exact center of the runway, one wheel will be much higher than the next because the runway isn’t level, and that is a recipe for disaster. But who cares, right? Imer got his millions, and on to another project.

Blackout The UDP in Corozal Bay are urgently seeking a qualified electrician after all Pablo’s lights went out recently. The lights in his brain we mean. Yes, despite what you may believe he does have a brain. Anyway, Pablo’s switches tripped recently when the PUP Town Council unveiled its Christmas lights and decorations. Maybe it’s the stress of being a new father and having a young bride, but the electrician Minister apparently forgot that the PUP won the last election and was going around boasting about how beautiful Corozal looks for Christmas, and how he is responsible for it. What the people in Corozal still want to know is the location of the decorations which the UDP Council reported spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on? Nobody seems to know where they are, and nobody can explain why, or rather how – maybe if – so much money was spent on decorations. We’d ask the person who was in charge of finances at the Council, but she’s the sister of the previous Mayor. And when we tried to find her, it seems she’s in charge of finances at the Corozal Free Zone, working for – you guessed it – the former Mayor, her brother. The more things change in the UDP, the more they stay the same.

Contraband Castro Remember those transport officers just the other day who were caught with a lot of contraband beer in their government vehicle? Well nothing happened to them. Apparently they couldn’t be charged for some unknown, bogus reason. Well it seems the real reason is that they are all very, very close to the Minister of Transport, Edmond Castro. And Castro’s name has always been tied to contraband. We’ve decided to rename him Edmond “Contraband” Castro, which we feel is more accurate. Remember his sons were caught with a load of contraband the other day too? Anyway the long and short of it is that this is not the first time that transport officers working for Castro have been caught with contraband. It seems to happen every year, around the same time when Castro holds his Christmas parties in his constituency. You see where we’re going with this?

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Threatened

23 DEC

2018

The People's United Party, The Belize Times Press, Vibes Radio and TV

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year 2019 would like to wish all Belizeans a

Belize City: Thursday 20th December 2018 In a recent report issued by the ‘Turneffe Atoll Trust’ reveals that the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve (TAMR) has sustained multiple damages and is threatened by harmful and improperly unregulated development activities.

The Atoll’s Marine Reserve provides vital goods and services to people and the environment but is at risk from unsustainable activities. Over the years, thousands of Belizeans benefit from the current stream of ecosystem services of the TAMR and they stand to lose the most from the degradation of this important marine resource.

The report shows how the Turneffe Atoll contributes to economic and social development of Belize and the numerous benefits obtained from it. It details the past failures to protect this part of Belize’s natural heritage and the environmental damage that has been sustained.

According to the study, there are several development activities on the Atoll that have contravened the Environmental Protection Act’s (EPA) EIA requirements, and TAMR Regulations, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan and key policies such as the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan. These include the unlawful dredging of back reef flats, and the deforestation of mangroves. The damages and degradation caused to reef, back reef flats, mangroves, corals, sea grass and water quality at Turneffe Atoll put in jeopardy significant economic benefits being derived from a healthy and functioning ecosystem. Turneffe Atoll contributes considerably to the economy of Belize and this comes mainly from its recreational value which depends directly upon a healthy environment.

The overall annual economic contribution of Turneffe Atoll to Belize, which includes tourism receipts, income and employment of fishers and taxes paid to the Government, is estimated to exceed US$75.8 million per year. Another report recently prepared by TAT shows that the storm protection value of the TAMR for Belize City is US$382.2 mil-

lion per year and that Turneffe also has significant Blue Carbon value.

“Marine protected areas, such as the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, provide us with so many benefits yet they are not always treated as the important natural assets they are,” said Alex Anderson, Executive Director of Turneffe Atoll Trust. “We can all agree that these protected areas provide so much for us so we need to work together to safeguard these sites so they can continue to provide Belizeans with much needed economic opportunities whether through tourism or fisheries, especially in the face of climate change.”

The Turneffe Atoll supports traditional fishermen whose livelihoods are based on the marine resources of the area, harvesting mainly lobster, conch and finfish. Associated with these stakeholders are the fishing cooperatives who process and export products supplied by the fishermen.

Approximately two hundred fishers regularly work at Turneffe and 950 are registered to fish there. These fishermen come mainly from Belize City, Sarteneja, Chunox and Copper Bank, and they produce a substantial amount of the marine products for Belize. The eco-tourism resorts at Turneffe employ approximately 100 individuals and tourism operators from Belize City, San Pedro and as far away as Placencia also utilize the Turneffe Atoll for scuba diving, snorkeling and sport fishing.

Belize’s Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS) rightly notes that tourism is “completely dependent for [its] sustainability on care of the environment and the integrity of Belize’s ecosystems”. “Conserving the environment at Turneffe does not impede economic opportunities rather it allows us to gain so much more over the long term, and by the way, the commercial fishing is just as dependent upon a healthy marine environment” said Alex Anderson. “We only have one magnificent Turneffe Atoll in the world and as such we must join efforts with civil society, private sector and the government to protect this valuable area.”

PUP Party Leader, John Briceño

EXPRESSES SYMPATHY TO THE PRICE AND USHER FAMILIES ON THE PASSING OF HON. DR. JANE USHER

My family and I along with all the members of our Party’s Executive, our supporters and friends, embrace the Price and Usher families today. We share our heartfelt sympathies to all who mourn the passing of Miss Jane.

Someone once said, the size of the loss, and so for our nation and more so for the PUP this is a great loss. It is of course also a time for us to join in remembering and celebrating the life of this outstanding Belizean woman.

Miss Jane was one of our best examples of a person who dedicated her life to serving others. While she loved her family, especially her grandchildren, she also cared deeply for others. Her life’s work in the service of others, whether at Credit Union or here at Independence Hall, was matched only by her brother George and was always about working for a better Belize.

We in the PUP believe in a creed: we are the Party of social justice, which means we want to build a nation where everyone has a chance for a better life. This was what Miss Jane did every day; she worked to make the lives of others better.

So today I stand here with all the members of our Party, thankful for the life of Miss Jane and inspired by her determination to help as many of our people as she could.

Today our nation bids farewell to a great leader, to a Belizean hero who has left us with an amazing example, a legacy, which will live on for generations to come.

Thank you Miss Jane.

May God grant you the eternal reward for you have been a good and faithful Servant.

23 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

A 15 year old Fire Truck with limited water capacity is donated to San Pedro San Pedro Ambergris Caye: Monday 17th December 2018 For months we have heard that BTL will be donating a fire Truck to the San Pedro Fire Brigade and it became a reality this past Monday when handed this 2003 Dennis Sabre fire truck that only have a capacity of 500 gallons of water or roughly five minutes of water.

We must not forget that San Pedro lacks a network of fire hydrants and without them fire fighting on the island will continue to be a challenge for fire fighters. BTL value the fire fighting equipment at under $45,000US and it is third piece of equipment that makes up the San Pedro Fleet.

Isla Bonita girls win NSSSA basketball champs Belize City, December 15, 2018 The San Pedro High School girls from Isla Bonita won the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) basketball in the championship, hosted by Sadie Vernon Technical High School at the Belize City Center and SCA Mercy Center over the weekend.

In Game 1 at the City Center Friday afternoon, the Isla Bonita girls trounced the defending champs – the Southern Zone champs, the Delille Academy girls: 39-36, led by MVP Normalee Gomez with 28pts. Denissa Maerena posted 6pts, Aaliyah Pilgrim added 4pts, and Sophie Guan – 1pt. Delille’s Shanell Thomas scored 18pts, Taryn Arnold added 12pts, and Bernadine Sebastian, Shadette Lino and Nadia Casimiro netted a bucket apiece.

In Game 2 Friday evening, the Central Zone champs - St. Catherine Academy girls advanced to the finals by a 29-19 win against the Western Zone champs, the Sacred Heart College girls of San Ignacio. Briah Clarke led SCA with 15pts, Afeni Lamb posted 10pts, and Sanaa Rowland added 4pts. Sacred Heart’s Thania Warrior scored 11pts, Bayvin Aldana added 4pts, and Chamique Haylock netted 3ptd.

In Game 3 the consolation game for 3rd place at the SCA Mercy Center Saturday morning, the Delille Academy girls dominated the Sacred Heart girls: 42-11. Shanell Thomas top-scored with 23pts, Edith Engleton posted 8pts and Nadia Casimiro put up 7pts. Taryn Arnold netted 4pts. SHC’s Thania Warrior scored 7pts, Chamique Haylock threw in a bucket, and Janivi Quiros and Zandra Whittaker chipped in 1pts apiece from the charity stripe.

In Game 4, the championship final, the Isla Bonita girls blew out SCA: 39-26, led by MVP Normalee Gomez with 26pts. Sophie Guan scored 7pts, Dennisa Maerena threw in 4pts, and Aaliyah Pilgrim chipped in 2pts.

SCA’s Briah Clarke scored 11pts, Afeni Lamb netted 7pts, Aaliyah Herbert scored 3pts, and Kelly Liu and Sanaa Rowland threw in a bucket apiece.

Members of the NSSSA executive committee joined representatives of corporate sponsor SOL Belize in presenting team trophies and individual medals to the 1st c, 2nd and 3rd winners. All participating teams also received a NBA basketball from SOL Belize.

Individual awards:

09 9 2 YEAR OLD TODDLER STILL FIGHTING FOR LIFE Continued from page 2 GSU officer, Marvin Mckoy, who remained in the vehicle drove the vehicle slightly forward and that is when the unfortunate incident happened. A surveillance video shows that the child who was allegedly unsupervised at the time ran pass and was hit by the approaching vehicle.

As a result, the toddler’s head became trapped under the wheel resulting in the loss of an eye and severe head injuries. The family is currently seeking assistance to fly the toddler out of the country to receive medical treatment. If you would like to assist the family you can call 630-7798.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams at Monday’s Police Press Conference held on December 17, 2018 at the Queen Street Police Station said “It is a sad situation but parents need to understand that they need to take better care of their children especially when they are out with them on the street late at night. One would wonder what a two year old child is doing on the street after 8 p.m. at night without being properly supervised. That is a question to be answered. I know that some would want to blame the police, but I would say the mother is as equally culpable.”

Police Officer Marvin Mckoy has been served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP).

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICE

Champs - SPHS girls

Notice is hereby given that Hilberto Triminius is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Mira Montes” located on Santa Elena Road, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Victor Shaw is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”S & S Mini Shop” located in Chan Pine Ridge Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

2nd Place - SCA girls

Notice is hereby given that Jing Wei Chen is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at ”L & F Fast Food & Grocery” located at # 7 Douglas Jones Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Craig Hayes is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Turneffe Flats” located on Turneffe Island, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

3rd Place Delille Academy Most Points - Normalee Gomez - SPHS Most Rebounds – Normalee Gomez - SPHS Most Assists - Sophie Guan - SPHS Most Blocks - Taryn Arnold - Delille Academy Most Steals - Beyonce Villafranco – Sacred Heart College.

Most Valuable Player- Normalee Gomez – SPHS.

Notice is hereby given that Byron Adolphus is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Byron Restaurant & Bar” located in Crooked Tree Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Can Zhen Xu is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Smile Shop” located at 9 ¼ Mls. Philip Goldson Highway, District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

10 POLICE OFFICER DIES IN PG

THE BELIZE TIMES

Belize City: Thursday, 20th December 2018 A traffic accident on the Southern highway on Tuesday around 3:30 in the afternoon has claimed the life of police constable Kenyon Pandy.

Pandy was driving a vehicle from the direction of Punta Gorda when he lost control at the junction with San Antonio Road in the vicinity of the dump site.

The vehicle to overturn and flipped several times causing serious head and body injuries to Pandy.

He was immediately rushed to the Southern Regional hospital where he died while he was undergoing treatment.

A woman police officer, Chyneque Zuniga and a 4 year old child who were also inside the vehicle at

Kenyon Pandy the time escaped with minor injuries.

Zuniga received injuries to her shoulder while the child’s lips were bruised and swollen Pandy’s body now lies at the Punta Gorda Hospital morgue awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Despite PM’s Bad Mind

PUP Elected Area Reps Spreading the Christmas Cheer Belize City: Thursday 20th December 2018 Annually the bad minded Prime Minister punish people from the different constituencies’ country-wide who voted for a PUP Representative and this year was no different. The PM disbursed $625 thousand dollars in Christmas cheer handing out $25 thousand dollars to his UDP elected Area Representatives and $12,500 to the PUP Area Representatives.

Acquiring this Christmas Cheer money is not easy task because the PUP Area Rep needs to 1) identify a company registered under GOB’s Smart stream system 2) identify the products 3) Get an invoice from the business and take to GOB for approval 4) go back to GOB to get a purchase order and, 5) take purchase order back to the business who will then issue the product and eventually be paid directly by GOB. That did not dampen the spirits of our 10 elected PUP Area Representatives. After all this back and forth most of the Area Representatives held Christmas parties, handed out toys to thousands of children and hampers filled with groceries to the most needy.

Area Representative for Toledo West, Honorable Oscar Requeña told the Belize Times it is not much and he used a different

method. In his constituency he will distribute the purchase orders to the leaders of the 28 communities. The leaders will then distribute the products in a manner as they see fit.

Area Representative for Orange Walk South, Honorable Jose Mai spent far more than the amount allocated to him to make sure most children in his constituency got goodie bags. Honorable Mai along with Santa visited every single school from Yo Creek Village all the way to Gallon Jug Village. He also identified several needy families and distributed gift certificates for groceries redeemable at a specific store.

Area Representative for Cayo South, Honorable Julius Espat says he will use the purchase orders toward helping several families in need. For Hon. Espat assisting families in his constituency is 365 days of the year occurrence. Currently families in Unitedville Village are going through a really tough time because they are experiencing a severe water shortage. Weekly the Cayo South Committee rents a water truck, fill it up with water purchased from Belize Water Service (BWS) and distribute it door to door in the village.

With the little they received and with a whole lot of LOVE they managed to make Christmas a little brighter for the residents in their different constituents, sharing PUP LOVE and CHEER.

23 DEC

2018

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Jose Nelson Mejia is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at ”Cocktail Bar & Lounge.” located at # 106 Wood Pecker Street, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Enna Suyapa Navaro is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Black & White Sports Bar” located on Fonseca Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Tricia Bradley & Steve Vaughn are applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Mel’s Place”, located at # 318 Mahogany Heights, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Mario Moza is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at ”The Dinner House” located in Otro Benque, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yujuan Wu is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Island Star Mart.” located on Front Street, Caye Caulker, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Hector Villamil is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at ”Serenity Sand” located on Consejo Road, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Leroy Williams is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Amigo’s Family Diner”, located at # 31.5 Miles, George Price Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Frank Innis is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Frank’s Store” located in Calcutta Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Carmelo Castillo is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Castillo’s Cool Place” located in San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Dario Canul is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at ”Darvi’s Cool Spot” located at # 6 Cemetery Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Griseldi Escalante is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at ”Surprise Cool Spot” located in San Jose Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Felipa Hamilton is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at ”El Trancaso” located in Trinidad Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Santiago Guadalupe Campus is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Lion King” located on the Belize/Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Neelam Issrani is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Sony Store” located on San Antonio Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Hector Villamil is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at ”Serenity Sand” located on Consejo Road, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Arthur Saldano is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Miracle Hotel & Night Club” located in South End, Corozal Town, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that James Grant is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”J’Bell’s Grocery” located in San Andres Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Deodoro Bustillas is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Traveller’s Store” located in Progresso Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yusef Tzul is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Bany’s Shop” located in Copper Bank Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jose Humberto Quintanilla is applying for a Malt Liquor License to be operated at ”Alaska Beer” located in Libertad Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Leonilo Blanco is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Sarteneja Super Shop” located in Sarteneja Village, Corozal District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

23 DEC

2018

THE BELIZE TIMES

The Board of Directors,

Committees, Management & Staff of

HRCU

wish all Member-Owners and those of our Sister Credit Unions throughout Belize a

Happy, Blessed, and Safe Christmas & New Year “Save Regularly… Borrow wisely… and Repay Promptly and as Promised!!”

Join a Credit Union today!!

Holy Redeemer Credit Union Ltd. (HRCU) invites you to come visit or contact us at:

No. 1 Hydes Lane, Belize City, or at our Branch on Fadden Avenue, Independence, Stann Creek District E-mail: manager @hrcubelize.org Website: www.hrcubelize.org

Our office will be open for business from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 (noon) on Monday, December 24, 2018

Please visit our 24-hour ATM and Depository Services in Belize City or Independence for all your financial needs!!

Remember that our ATM cards form part of “NetWorkOne” allowing for use at our sister credit unions and all Heritage Bank ATMs!!

11

56 12

23 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES 2018

ON THE

MOVE

23 DEC

2018

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING AND SHARING

23 DEC

2018

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

FAREWELL MISS JANE!

...with Hon. Francis Fonseca in Freetown

...with Oscar Mira in Belmopan

...with Gilroy Usher in Port Loyola

...with Michel Chebat in Cayo North

13

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

23 DEC

2018

23 DEC

2018

ACQUISITION COST MY….!!!

By: Hilly Bennett It has been said that light is the enemy to darkness and that secrets are kept in the dark. Prime Minister, Dean Oliver Barrow, self-proclaimed “master of the game,” insist on keeping the citizen of the jewel in the dark regarding the state of affairs of the country.

Especially matters related to the economy. One major concern for the Belizean populace is the taxing situation constantly occurring.

The hike in price at the fuel pump is questioned to which Barrow blames the acquisition cost.

The Chamber of Commerce in an article by The Business Perspective entitled, Fuel Prices at Home, proffered “back-of-the-envelope” calculation to show how the cost at the pump is reached. The PM refrain about acquisition cost was totally contradicted. Utter Bull crap!

Several external factors are responsible for the shifts in world market price for oil. Rising geopolitical tensions, the instability in the Middle East, the US planned sanction on Venezuelan oil industry, decisions of OPEC countries and the impact of the United States withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action are some of the major reason for the upward trend of the market. The current price of WTI crude oil, as of December 13th 2018 is US $ 52.58 per barrel.

Although, the external factors is figured into the price acquisition, the vexing concern for many Belizeans is the uptick at the pump.

Undoubtedly, fuel is the hub of Belize’s economy. It is the life line in areas such as the productive sector, the transport system and the business sector which rely on fuel for its operation.

The opposition Peoples United Party and Leader, Honourable, John Briceno along with the Chamber of Commerce, civil society, the unions and most Belizeans have made constant calls on the government to do something about the unfair price fixing. Those calls have fallen on deaf ears.

The Chamber drew a comparison of fuel cost at the pump for May 2011 to May 2014. This was when the price for crude oil was hovering closer to US $ 100.00 per barrel on the world market. The pump cost held at Bz $ 11.71 for those periods, whilst on May 23rd 2018 it was Bz $ 11.66 and world market price was for less. With price at US $52.58, Belizeans are paying Bz $ per gallon.

Price at the pump is made up of landed cost. Commercial margin and government taxes. In May

15

THE BELIZE TIMES

2011, the final pump price for premium was Bz $11.41. Landed cost was Bz $6.57, commercial margin Bz $1.51 and taxes totalled Bz $3.33.

Government take on taxes was 29% of the final price. In comparison, on May 23rd 2018, government taxes approximated 44% of the final price for premium gasoline, even though the landed cost was Bz $5.07, Bz $1.50 less than May 2011 with the commercial margin remaining unchanged at Bz $1.51, the final price being Bz $11.66.

Evidently, the price gouging is the result of government take on taxes and negates PM Barrow’s rhetoric of acquisition cost.

The United Democratic Party government is in a financial pickle due to the lack of prudent fiscal management of tax-payers dollars. The chant of “Petro-Caribe roll it” and the glut of Pibil tacos have come home to roost. This hopeless lot has ballooned the country’s debt from one (1) billion to almost four (4) billion.

The PM and his “band of thieves” has squandered over a billion dollars which includes oil revenue from BNE and monies from the Alba Petro-Caribe arrangement that by extension was supposed to alleviate the conditions of the poor.

Although, the government is not responsible in the shifts in the world market price for fuel, it regulates the “tax take” in the realized pump cost.

This rough shod approach by the UDP of taxing the people of Belize to death must end. Otherwise, the economy could suffer dire consequence and more Belizeans becoming poor.

The writer’s intent is to provoke a meaningful conversation to an alternative. Also, it is clear that acquisition cost is not the culprit, but government take in taxes for the spike in fuel cost. Other variable such as the Pass Through Ratio (PTR) and the May 2017 amendment to the Customs and Exercise schedule (no.

29 of 2017) and the other complexities of the industry has not been accounted within this contribution. Apparently, the government solution is to deceive the people by ticking the prices a couple cents down but raising taxes in another area as is being done in the cost of electricity.

The salient point is that society is already paying its fair share in taxes. To ask the “Belizean fuel consumers and businesses” to pay more is simply heartless Mr. Government. Mr. Barrow you must heed the advice to find “the appropriate level and structure of government taxes to be applied.”

Voice of the Common Man Blessed Christmas to one and all!

NOTICE Daya Limited # 48,594 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that Daya Limited has been dissolved as at 12th December, 2018 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE Lago Limited # 113,364 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that Lago Limited has been dissolved as at 11th December, 2018 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Garbera Commercial Inc. has been dissolved and duly struck off the Belize International Business Companies Register.

Moore Stephens Magaña LLP Liquidator

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that PointeNorte Corp. commenced dissolution on 7th December 2018; and Moore Stephens Magaña LLP whose registered office is at 3 ½ Miles Phillip SW Goldson Highway, New Horizon Building, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company.

VISTRA (BELIZE) LIMITED

16

THE BELIZE TIMES

23 DEC

2018

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

As I sit here in Town Hall writing this, I am filled with different emotions. That’s usually the case at Christmas time. This is the time when we reflect and remember, make plans and goals and hold on to what is important in life.

I remember, with some sadness, my friend Carl Meggs. He was a real family man and he loved Christmas. There was no greater joy for him than hanging out with his friends, talking politics, with Flor and Marquez always close by.

Those were happy times, and my friend is very much missed. He was my political mentor, and always advised me to push forward.

He would be so excited today to be a part of my dream of very soon representing the people of Orange Walk East.

I will never forget, as I think about my friend Carl, a post by one of his friends shortly after he got the news that Carl had died so unexpectedly. It was a simple post, just advising us to hold on to family. As it was to Carl, family is everything to me.

Today, as I prepare to celebrate another Christmas in my own home with my beautiful wife and daughter, I reflect on growing up, and on my parents. They may never understand the extent of my love for them, or my gratitude for all they taught me, and even more for the example they showed me.

It was a home filled with love, but also with discipline. There was always a sense of family, and of family values. My parents struggled so I could be where I am today, so that I could get an education.

They taught me to work hard, and to always reach for excellence.

They taught me about honesty and integrity. They taught me that a man’s word is his bond. It is because of them that I am where I am today, and I owe everything I am to them.

Because of all they did for me, I am able to do the same for my own family. My daughter is being raised in a home filled with love, and even from a very young age she is being taught the values I learned as a child. Already, she understands that she must love her mother and father, value and respect us, and trust us to guide her in the right di-

rection. Like I did, she will grow up in a home with parents who will protect and support her throughout her life. And that is priceless.

I think all these things, because there is so much tragedy in Belize today. There is so much loss and grieving. We are on pace to break the record for murders set in 2012. What I found incredible this year was the amount of persons reported missing – many of them still not found. Imagine how many families will never be the same, and how many homes will never be the same.

I believe, firmly, that it all starts at home. The family structure is the single most important thing to a child growing up.

That is where the seeds are planted, and depending on how that seed is nurtured, it will either produce a beautiful flower or rotten fruit. It seems that more and more, we are losing this sense of family. There are so many broken homes in Belize – single mothers struggling to raise children, or children left in the care of guardians or grandparents or aunts and uncles. In so many cases those children drop out of school and take to the streets. They join gangs, or pursue easy money and survival through criminal means, and the problem just seems to be getting worse and worse.

We need to get back that family structure. We need to bring up our children the right way, and teach them the right things to do. And we can’t only teach them the right things to do – we need to show them the right things to do, like my parents showed me. We need to show them the value of hard work, good work, and commitment. We need to instill in them that pride and love for each other and for our community and country. We need to let them know they are loved and cherished.

We are running out of time.

This has to happen now.

From my family to yours this Christmas – we wish you every love, peace and joy.

Duties: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Prepare and submit in a timely manner, the Integrity Commission’s Budget to the Ministry of Finance for approval annually.

Ensure that all purchase orders and invoices are processed as per the Commission’s directive.

Reconcile the Commission’s bank accounts.

To prepare and maintain the Commission’s Assets Register.

Prepare payroll.

Prepare and reconcile Social Security Payments.

Prepare all payments for travel expenses as approved by the Integrity Commission’s Chair (i.e. subsistence, mileage, other travel expenses).

Complete quarterly Income Tax reconciliation.

Prepare and present monthly financial reports to the Commission.

Perform checks on all declarations received to establish the arithmetical accuracy thereof.

Check all declarations for completeness, i.e. ensuring that all relevant sections have been properly completed.

Check and calculate assets, liabilities, income, and net worth in the manner required to be published in the Gazette.

Perform further comparison analysis to ensure consistency with previous declaration filed (if any).

Ensure that the Secretary is advised of incomplete declarations to facilitate and expedite the process of obtaining missing information in a timely manner.

Advise the Commission of any matter of concern arising from analysis of declarations.

Any other duties as may be assigned by the Commission from time to time.

Upon employment, the successful candidate will be expected to sign onto an 2 oath of confidentiality.

Qualifications/Skills:

Qualifications/Skills:

The candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with experience in Accounting.

Computer skills witha experience Quick Books application required.

The candidate must possess Bachelor’s in Degree in Business withare experience Excellent communication andwith leadership skills will be an Books asset. application are rein Accounting.

Computer skills experience in Quick

quired. Excellent communication and leadership skills will be an asset.

An Associate’s degree in Business with at least five (5) years’ experience in the field would be considered.

An Associate’s degree in Business with at least five (5) years’ experience in the fieldSalary wouldNegotiable be considered.

– based on experience and qualifications.

Salary Negotiable – based on experience and qualifications.

APPLICATION DEADLINE is 15th January, 2019.

Please submit application along with a copy of your resumé and three (3) reference letters to the following address: Secretary to the Integrity Commission Office of the Integrity Commission of Belize P.O. Box 613 3rd Floor, National Assembly Building BELMOPAN CITY

23 DEC

2018

Only a Peoples’ United Party Could defeat this UDP Corrupt Mechanism By: osilbz@np As we count down to the end of 2018, the economic outlook for Belize is more of the same considering that the nation has not budged forward economically since 2008. Our economic model continues to depend on tourism and related services manipulated by foreign movers and shakers in the industry. Agricultural exports have dwindled during the last decade, manufacturing and family remittances from abroad are at an all-time low.

We have not even accomplished to consolidate a change towards a Belizean controlled service’s sector, even less towards an incipient industrialization. Unemployment, the informal market, the black economy of money laundering, extortion and contraband are persistent infections that prevent us from establishing a healthy, expansive and democratic economic model. However, we are not only stagnant economically; our justice system remains an aberrant model based on impunity, corruption and inefficiency. Of all the crimes committed in the country, from a robbery to a qualified murder, 95 percent of them remain in total impunity. We have the worst penitentiary system in all of Latin America. And the application of justice -from the co-potation of the most influential strategic positions in the courts- continues to be a struggle between unscrupulous powers that degraded the rule of law.

However, there is a third element is no less important: the application of the current political model. Since 2008 to date, we were given the false idea by this UDP government that they are leading a transition that would lead us to an advanced democratic political structure when indeed we are moving backwards where our public institutions are being manipulated.

As we look over the last ten years personalities at the highest

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671-8385 or

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17

THE BELIZE TIMES

sphere of government have been involved in scandals relating to trafficking of influence and corruption without any restraint since then, confirming that there has been no true transition towards a clean democracy.

This UDP government has done nothing but a crude manoeuvre of the customary factual power to prolong its domination and political hegemony. The results are overwhelming: the populations are showing disdain for this current party in government while the corrupt mechanism wants to hold on to power even though the UDP cannot attract any dignified members, and now it is left without candidates, having to resort to recycle its worn-out figures that were defeated at the municipal level. These losers have openly demonstrated their complicity towards this UDP corrupt mechanism, whose core has always been corruption, illicit financing and co-potation of the State.

It is very important to denounce the strategy that this corrupt UDP mechanism implements now. These corrupt parasites have taken on the task of devaluing the next electoral process by ensuring that they manipulate both the Vital Statistics and the Election and Boundaries departments to frustrate the population by delaying the process of getting their voters’ Card needed to participate.

They are betting on a high degree of electoral abstention, and believe that the mobilizations of paid voters they have injected into certain areas will again generate their permanence in power in 2020.

We Belizeans must be attentive to this deception by design. If we fail as people to participate in a change, seeking new alternatives, new leadership, that will provide sustained social programs and form solid alliances with the unions, the private sector like the People’s United Party, the corrupt UDP party will once again consolidate itself in power for five more years. This UDP has prevented the emergence of a new, more productive equitable economic model as well as the emergence of a true justice system where the authority is not usurped by the usual nefarious groups. In the political opposition, Peoples United Party you will find all the progressive forces that are reflected in the vision, political will and intellectual sobriety, which promotes the unity that we are looking for. The primary commitment must be the electoral triumph, to then establish profound reforms where the priority objective is to promote socio-economic development for all and the eradication of poverty in the country. We have no alternative but the PUP.

NOTICE Vacancies – THE SOL GROUP Are you driven to succeed?

The Sol Group is the Caribbean’s leading independent energy company operating a petroleum, marketing, and distribution business across 23 territories in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Puerto Rico, as well as Central and South America. Sol is an equal opportunity employer, and aims to create a world-class operation through the development and retention of talented Caribbean nationals across the region. Sol will provide challenging and meaningful careers to the right people.

Sol has an immediate vacancy for the following position at its office in Belize City.

Fleet/Depot Supervisor

Reporting to and under the guidance of the Operations Supervisor this position will be responsible for the following activities: • Assist with the preparation and implementation of relevant annual capital, operational budgets and plans for Sol Belize • Manage plant, equipment, and Road Transport activities to optimise reliability, cost and meet Industry, Company and legislated safety standards • Deputize for Operations Supervisor when necessary and required • Carryout out periodic inspection of depot, and ensure that all pertinent issues are addressed in a timely basis • Assist with lubes inventory management including the coordination of customs clearance and delivery to the lubricants warehouse • Ensure daily and monthly reconciliation of packaged products and materials are performed, and record and investigate all variances • Manage the lubricants warehouse contract to ensure contractor’s compliance with agreed service levels • Support delivery of SOL Customer Value Proposition by ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of products • Manage all road transport contracts and develop productive working relations with transporters, contractors, and customers • Plan and execute programs to improve Road Transport safety including the “Drivers League” safety performance program • Maintain and ensure the integrity of the fuel delivery process including keeping of records relating to drivers daily work sheets, trips and investigation of any disputes • Coordinate transporter meetings and training programs as required • Assist with the implementation and compliance with the company’s HSE Management System.

• Implement recommendations or remedial action plans in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) audits as related to Sol depot, Transport and Retail cases • Assist with the execution and recording of emergency exercises and drills at Sol Belize facility as required

• Participate in the investigation of all road transport incidents and timely completion of investigation report.

Qualification Requirements • Engineering Degree

• Candidates with Associate degree in an engineering field must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in related area of study • Supervisory experience and skills will be an asset • Must have a valid driver’s license

Job Candidate Requirements • • • • • • • • •

Commitment to honesty, integrity, and customer service Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills Must have the ability and attitude to work well with others Confidence in negotiating and resolving conflicts Ability to self-plan, motivate, and deliver results Ability to meet due dates and work well under pressure Strong knowledge of Personal Computing including word, excel and power point and internet/intranet technology Fluency in Spanish would be an asset Have a working understanding of Health, Safety, and Environmental management systems

SOL promotes a drug and alcohol free work environment and all employees are subject to initial and random screenings. In addition to an attractive basic salary, the successful applicant shall be eligible to participate in the SOL Group Pension Scheme and its Group Health and Life Insurance Scheme.

For more information or to apply for this position, please visit our website at www.solpetroleum.com Application forms can be downloaded and must be submitted along with your CV via email to careers@solpetroleum.com and copied to alicia.gonzalez@solpetroleum.com on or before January 11, 2019 with email subject line: BZE, FDS – JAN 2019. Certified copies of relevant certificates will be requested for those applications under consideration.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

SOL people think SOL people act SOL people lead

www.solpetroleum.com

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

WE NEED DRASTIC CHANGES IN OUR FOOD SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS By: Dr. Pedro Villegas “Pay attention to the hungry, both in this country and around the world. Pay attention to the poor. Pay attention to our responsibilities for world peace. We are our brother’s keeper” –George McGovern– Food systems are at a crossroads between the many issues and contradictions surrounding sustainable development: food and nutritional security, human and ecosystem health, natural resource renewal, climate change, territorial dynamics, political stability, and social justice. All experts worldwide are calling for profound changes in food systems in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by 2030, and the terms of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Food systems are not just vital for achieving Sustainable Development Goals number 2 “Zero Hunger”; they concern the entire 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since agriculture is the world’s main source of employment, investing in it is considered twice as effective at alleviating poverty than investing in any other sector. Farming practices are closely linked to ecosystem health, natural resource diversity and renewal, and Climate Change. Lastly, food insecurity and rural poverty are often the root cause of political instability, conflict and migration.

While the overriding priority for agriculture was for a long time to increase production, this century has brought very different issues. We need to implement a comprehensive transformation in food systems, centering on different paradigms and models from those of the XX century. Some alternatives could be: • Drastic changes in consumption patterns, with a shift towards healthy eating; • Ensuring that agricultural production and food supply chains play a greater role in sustainable development; • Mitigating Climate Change by means of new farming practices; • A package of operations aimed at rejuvenating rural territories, etc.

These strategies will not happen on their own. The transformation will hinge on renewing food system governance, giving priority to human development and food and nutritional security, rational resource management, ecosystem health, and fairer development and consumption models. This means adopting new ways of designing, planning and managing programs to support production, consumption, innovation and rural development.

Science has a major role to play in generating vital knowledge, particularly in the technical field, and also in pinpointing the dynamics of transitions, identifying critical and emerging topics, characterizing interactions and compromised, clearing up disagreements between players, exploring possible future scenarios, and enlightening the decisions to be made regarding the solutions to be adapted to the various contexts.

Although changes are generally proposed and made on a local or national level, along very specific lines, the global scope and ambition of this transformation require a governance framework and process on a global scale, particularly as processes for arbitration and for resolving tensions between local and national dynamics.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development relies on flourishing rural areas.

The interdependence of rural and urban areas must be acknowledged and used as the basis for a new rural-urban social contract. This would lay the foundations for a civilization that pays its rural areas and their inhabitants for the functions they fulfil and the public goods they provide for our country citizens and exports.

In 2015, the World’s Leaders reached agreement on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it includes several challenges for developing countries like Belize. If we don’t adopt immediate actions in our agriculture practices, we won’t achieve the expected sustainable development by 2030. It is an alarmingly reality that currently one third of all the food produced in the world is either lost or wasted. Every individual must play an important role in this campaign. All of us, shall become more resilient by making choices that improve our health and protect our environment. Do your part to save food and create a Zero Hunger World!

You can reach your own conclusions.

God bless Belize!

Follow us at: www.cubel.org & www.facebook.com/cubelconsultancy

23 DEC

2018

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Junyi Zheng is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”V Grill & Bar” located on Front Street, Caye Caulker, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Hugh Malic Jr. is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Karkel Bar.” located in Goff Caye, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Mohammed Meju is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Take & Pay Grocery Shop” located at # 48 Euphrates Avenue, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jose Miranda is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Blue Coral Management” located in Little Caye Bok, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Shaheen/ Helal Chowdhurry Miah is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Dollar Grocery Shop I” located at # 2 Water Lane, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Fokrul Allam/Mohammed Shahil Ullah are applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at ”Two Star Grocery Shop” located at # 129 New Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Weibo Liang is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at ”Sky Blue Shop” located at # 34 King Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yihe Zhang is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Judy’s Restaurant” located at # 8 Vernon Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jingwei Chen is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at ”Dolphin Shop” located on Dolphin Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Liyu Zhu is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at ”JoJohn Shop” located at # 22 Lovely Lane, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ingrid & Dalia Samos Rejon are applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at ”D’Ceviche Hut” located at # 5672 Vasquez Avenue, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Shao Qiang Kang is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at ”Stop & Go. Co. Ltd.” located in Tower Hill, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Juan Galdamez is applying for a Restaurant & Bar Liquor License to be operated at ”El Zapote” located in St. Margaret Village, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Rixis Mejia is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at ”Long Island Bar & Lounge” located at # 1223 Blue Marlin Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Xiaonuan Su is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at ”Yummy 2 Go” located at 2 ½ Mls. Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that George Ning is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at ”Siesta Inn” located at # Miles 3 Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Mouhamed Nasser Diab is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at ”Moe’s Pizza Grill” located at 3 ½ Mls. Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Michael Singh & Jose Lopez are applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at ”Fuel Logistics Ltd.” located at # 1711 C.A. Blvd.,, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Manisha Vinod Chawla & Vinod Motilal Chawla are applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at ”Victor Foods Distributors” located at 3 ½ Mls. Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Michael Singh & Jose Lopez are applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at ”Fuel Logistics Ltd.” located at # 1672 Vernon Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

23 DEC

2018

LEST WE FORGET

Contributed This is the season of giving and goodwill, lest we forget. What has Barrow and his ministers given to the Belizean people? In 2008 Barrow and his minions told us to imagine the possibilities. Many did and that is about all they could do…IMAGINE. Those possibilities the ‘majority poor’ imagined would have come their way never did. For Barrow and his minions the possibilities were endless.

Since taking office in 2008 this UDP administration has converted itself into a criminal organization.

They have ravaged our resources, bloated practically every contract, cut back on basic needs and services to poor and needy Belizeans and fattened their bank accounts on the backs of the Belizean poor.

Let us in this brief extract revisit the plundering and abuse that has been meted out to us as Belizeans, “LEST WE FORGET.” Should you drive along the Phillip Goldson Highway, you will

more than likely pass by the over 1,600 acres of prime land owned by Gaspar Vega in a massive land grab.

This is only one of many by ranking members of the UDP. Sad to say that little if any crown land is left available for poor and well deserving Belizeans. The greed exhibited by this Criminal Organization is pathetic.

Who can forget that some 8 million was allocated to reconstruct a section of Faber’s Road measuring just over a mile? What we got in return was a poorly constructed project by Imer Hernandez. Then we have another bloated contract of some 7 million for the reconstruction of the 3,970 meters of road in Santa Elena Town, Cayo. Follow those up with a complete waste of a project termed the Airport Link Road which is just about five miles for a whopping 24 million dollars.

Hustle after hustle is what epitomizes this Criminal Organization called the UDP Government.

We dare not forget that Barrow

Grinch don’t Mess with Corozaleños X-mass By: Hilly Bennet Christmas is considered the most joyous time in people’s lives across the globe. Even in war-time, enemies have crossed the “line in the sand” to greet each other at the stroke of midnight.

Last weekend Corozaleños celebrated the lightning of the Christmas tree in the park.

The occasion was received with much fanfare. The onlookers face gleamed with excitement.

However, the path to the lightning was as symbolic as the festive season. Grinches within the UDP, unlike the wartime enemies, fought to kill the true spirit of Christmas in Corozal.

Over the past three years, town council workers crafted some lighting arrangement and bought tree lights costing some $90,000 for the

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19

THE BELIZE TIMES

Christmas season. Allegations surfaced that some vindictive, spiteful lackeys within the UDP stole the lights from the present PUP Town Council. The Mayor, Rigo Vellos, Deputy Mayor, Otoniel Riveroll and the rest of the town council members found themselves in a quandary. There was no lights and the inept UDP council left the office of the mayor cash strapped and in debt.

Corozaleños came to the rescue. The people and merchants banded with the PUP Town Council in the purchasing of new lights.

One by one, piece by piece the Christmas tree took shape. Under the guiding hands of the deputy mayor and special invited person, Dilan Cassanova, the tree was lit, bringing smiles and cheers from the gathering crowd.

A begrudged Pablo Marin, Minister of Health and Corozal Bay Representative tried desperately, on Wave TV, to explain away the actions of the UDP Grinches.

The idiots wanted to steal the joy of Christmas from the good people of Corozal, but the power of the Corozaleños prevailed. Clearly, the spirit of the nortenos is unconquerable.

Christmas is alive and kicking at the North Pole of the Jewel. The message is Grinch don’t mess with Christmas! Especially, a Corozaleños Christmas.

Voice of the Common Man

said he was going to stamp out corruption and would be the symbol of good governance. Mr. Barrow and his government will go down in Belizean history as the most corrupt ever. Drug plane after plane have landed and discharged their cargo under the protective eyes of many in this criminal organization.

Then how do we forget “We will lower the cost of living NO MATTA WHAT” With fuel prices up, rice, beans, chicken, carrots, cabbage and even plantain is up.

The cost of living is through the roof as more and more Belizeans are moving from poverty to abject poverty.

Now for some good news… we cannot forget that in March of this year, our people went to the polls and voted in a PUP City Council in Belize City and a PUP Town Council in Corozal and Orange Walk. The UDP year after year have given us the worst we can imagine. The people of Belize are as Hon John Briceno put it, ‘A Resilient People.” We will not give up hope. We have not forgotten the days of plenty under the PUP. We have not forgotten the over 10,000 homes built, the thousands of scholarship, the roll out of the NHI, the investor confidence in Belize.

We know how it was. We long for the return of the PUP when everyone ate, when jobs were actually available and our people could live quality lives of dignity and pride.

Yes Mr. Barrow, you and your government have done us a number in the past 10 some years. We cannot and will not forget the hardships and pain you have dished out on us as a people. Whenever you call the next general elections we will have our day. Until then… fool yourself into thinking its funny what you’re doing to us.

We CANNOT AND WILL NOT FORGET… • 12 babies killed at Karl Heusner due to negligence.

• The BTL Rip-Off deal that cost us 557 Million dollars • The squandering of the over 450 million of Petro Caribe Loans • The millions spent on cement streets that are breaking up.

• The lives lost in fires due to your negligence and incompetence • The many families who cried for their loved ones murdered in the streets due to gang violence….something you guys promoted for years.

• The massive hikes in electricity and water rates.

• The lack of access to financing of our homes that is forcing so many to rent rooms at $50 - $100 per week.

• The Passport Scandal and the bulk sale of visas and nationality.

There will be PAYDAY.SOMEDAY.

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 16th day of July 2014, between TINA GILL of 529 Buttonwood Bay, Belize City, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the One part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the Other part, and recorded as Instrument No. LTU-201401261 ,the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land Lot No. 3 situate at 11 Miles on the West side of Belize-Corozal Road, Belize District, and bounded as follows: On the North for 34.852 metres by a property of Margaret Gill, on the South for 35.852 metres by a 30 feet Road Reserve, on the East for 35.350 metres by Lots No. 1 and 2 and on the West for 34.629 metres by Lot No. 4, containing 1226.115 square metres being more particularly delineated and described as shown on Entry No. 2854 lodged at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands & Surveys, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing thereon.

DATED this 10th day of December, 2018.

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

20

THE BELIZE TIMES

Former UDP Mayor

Squandered Public funds …Recent Audit Shows

Belize City: Wed. Dec. 19, 2018 Hilberto Campos, has never stopped boasting that his grandfather, Andres Campos, was the first Mayor of Corozal Town.

While he is certainly proud of his grandfather’s legacy, we can’t say for sure that his grandfather’s feeling would have felt the same way about him.

We suspect that grandfather Campos may be turning inside his grave at his grandson’s apparent stupidity.

That is because an audit by the newly elected Corozal Town Council points to skullduggery, corruption and mismanagement during Hilberto Campos’ tenure as mayor.

The audit revealed that financial records were not readily available upon request and even when records were available, they were inaccurate.

The audit further revealed that when Mayor Rigo Vellos was elected to office, Campos had been operating at a deficit of $156,353.61.

In addition to this significant deficit Campos had outstanding bills including to the Social Security Board estimated at quarter million dollars.

If that is not enough to get you riled up, the audit confirmed that the Campos’ councilors and staff racked up advanced payments of more than half million dollars ($500.000).

What makes it even worse is that there are no records to show that the advanced payments were ever repaid.

Yet the former Mayor and his councilors continued to enrich themselves, even more so during their Christmas holidays.

Every December they collected three months salary, their regular salary and a bonus which was equivalent to two months salary.

These UDP fat cats were living high off the hog and la vida loca while the people of Corozal Town were struggling just to get by.

Former Mayor Campos and his team did not spend the bulk of last year’s budget on building new roads or any infrastructural projects.

The audit revealed that a whopping 317 per cent of the budget was spent on “miscellaneous.”

Another 78 per cent was spent on “celebrations and festivities.”

With all the wining and dining and doubling and tripling of salaries and unpaid advances, Former Mayor Campos and his team did not even leave any crumbs behind.

Campos used the council’s finances to purchase three cellphones just three months before the March 7th election.

These upgraded cellphones cost taxpayers over $7,000. When asked to return the phones Campos only returned two with their screens smashed in.

23 DEC

2018

The audit revealed that the third cell phone was gifted to a UDP crony in Corozal North.

While that crony only received a cell phone, another received the council’s 2003 Ford Ranger pick up truck, at a dirt-cheap price.

Eddie Cau, the common-law husband of the Town Council’s former Town Administrator, Estela Campos, only paid $2,000.

In another instance, Victor Antunez, an employee of the Town Council was given a dump truck by the council in exchange for vacation leave owed.

Three vehicles owned by the council, a red Mazda pick-up truck, a white 2009 Nissan X-Trail and a yellow John Deer Backhoe have all gone missing without a trace.

In addition to a Dewalt Generator for which the council had reimbursed Mayor Hilberto Campos $4,000.

Also unaccounted for are Christmas decorations which were purchased by the Corozal Town Council in 2016 and 2017, for $38,917.00 and $48,697.20 respectively.

The audit notes that each year the decorations were taken to the home of the previous Mayor’s driver/ foreman.

Current Mayor Rigo Vellos and his team are working tirelessly to clean up this mess, recover the council’s assets from these lawbreakers and improve its present financial situation.

And while Hilberto Campos can continue to claim his grandfather is Corozal’s first mayor, he may now be able to claim himself as Corozal’s worst mayor.

The New UDP “Boots” in Port Loyola

By Mario Lizama UDP standard-bearer for Port Loyola Phillip ‘‘Albert Sellout” Willoughby is heavily financed politically by both Faber and Saldivar. He is also benefiting from his party’s Christmas cheer, and can call on most Ministers for a wide range of assistance to the division. Despite all those funds at his disposal, in being stingy in serving the people, the Albert Sellout uses no more than $50.00 to build very cheap “knock and stand up” Christmas tree from pieces of board for the area.

Willoughby would never use a Christmas tree like the one he built for Port in his house or in his yard, but he is satisfied that a “knock and stand up Christmas” tree is perfectly suitable for the residents of the division. That is a clear indication that Willoughby thinks he is superior to the people of Port. The many broken promises in his few months in the area have many persons asking what has happened to the thousands of dollars Willoughby has already received from the ruling UDP to assist with different things in the constituency?

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, who himself is notorious for self-development in politics, but who knows Phillip Willoughby well as political colleagues for over a decade answered that question months ago when he said, “Willoughby is all for himself. I would rather vote for Usher be-

fore I vote for Willoughby.”

Willoughby is the same politician who considers a tiny bleachers he built at Pen Road basketball court out of the people’s money perfectly suitable for residents of the area, although it has no top to protect the public from rain or sunshine and can barely seat five persons.

Judging from the type of Christmas tree and bleachers the Albert Sellout has built for the residents of Port Loyola, it is clear that like “Boot” Martinez, Willoughby does not believe in using taxpayers’’ money for the maximum benefit of the people. By his action, clearly this individual would see nothing wrong with the good people of Port Loyola going 50 years backwards with plastic market bags for school bags, flour bags for garments, and with crude homemade toys like nail box trucks with can wheels, dolls from pint and corn hair, and horse from sticks once he and his UDP cronies can use taxpayers money to live the good life 24/7 exactly as the discredited “Boots” Martinez and his cronies have done for over fifteen years.

Whether its sporting facilities, land and housing, meaningful jobs, or educational opportunities by his actions Albert Sellout has already shown that like “Boots” Martinez, he is only interested in the best of everything for himself and his cronies, and will neglect the basic needs of the people for a better life just as “Boots” Martinez has done.

23 DEC

2018

THE BELIZE TIMES

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23 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTIES & VEHICLE

Driftwood Bay, Belize City, Lord’s Bank Village, Scotland Halfmoon, Sibun Bight, Vista PUBLIC delAUCTION Mar, Southern Lagoon, Belize District; Coastline Toledo District SALE: PROPERTIES & VEHICLE

BY ORDER ofLord's the Mortgagees, Messrs.

Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell Driftwood Bay, Belize City, Bank Village, Scotland Halfmoon, Sibun Bight,The Vista delBelize Mar, Southern Lagoon, Belize District; Coastline Toledo District the following properties and vehicle at No. 170 Beltex Avenue, Belama Phase 1, Belize City, Belize District on

Saturday 22nd December

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties and vehicle at No. 170 Beltex Avenue, Belama Phase 1, Belize City, Belize District on Saturday 22nd December 2018 at 10:00 am: 1.

2018 at 10:00 am:

Parcels Nos. 1897 & 1898 Driftwood Bay, Belize City, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCELS Caribbean Shores 16 1897 & 1898 (Being a three storey concrete dwelling house: GROUND FLOOR - Foyer + 2 Offices + Laundry + Kitchen + Dining Room + Living Room + 1 Full Bathroom + a Half Bathroom; FIRST FLOOR - Master Bedroom + Study + Full Bathroom + Walk-in Closet + Four (4) bedrooms + Two (2) Bathrooms; SECOND FLOOR - In Two Sections: SECTION ONE - Guest Room + Bathroom + Large Open Area Gym + Small Store Room; SECTION TWO - Open Rooftop Terrace + Small Swimming Pool [Enclosed area - 5,200 sq. ft.] and double lots [1897 487.766 S.Y. + 1898 - 464.280 S.Y.] situate in the Driftwood Bay Area, Belize City, Belize District, the freehold property of Mr. Kenneth Karas & Ms. Pricilla Chun) 2. Lot No. 27 Edwin Parks Boulevard, Lord's Bank Village Extension, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Vista del Mar 16 1819 (Being a vacant lot [.97 acre] situate on16 Sailfish Avenue, Vista del Mar, Ladyville, Vista del Mar 1819Belize District, the freehold property of Messrs. Vista del Mar Development Company Limited) (Being a vacant lot [.97 onSeaSailfish Avenue, Mar, Ladyville, Belize Dis 7. acre] 196.91 +situate 177.12 Acres Front Properties (approx.Vista 4.8 Km del northeast Punta Gorda Town, Toledo property of Messrs. VistaDistrict): del Mar Development Company Limited) ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 27 situate in Lord's Bank Extension, Belize District Acres Sea Front Properties (approx. 4.8 Km northeast Punta Gorda Tow 7.Village 196.91 + 177.12 containing 886.493 Square Meters TOGETHER with all buildings erections and developments standing and District): being thereon. (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [30 ft X 38 ft] + front porch [4 ft. X 12 ft.] and lot

3.

[886.493 S.M.] situate on Edwin Parks Boulevard, Lord's Bank Village Exension, Belize District, the leasehold property of Mr. Leslie Nicholas.)

Four (4) Acres, Burrell Boom - Bermudian Landing Road, Scotland Halfmoon, Belize District:

A. B.

ALL THAT block, piece or parcel of land situate on the south side of the Burrell Boom- Bermudian Landing Road in the area known as Scotland Halfmoon, which said block, piece parcel of land containing Four (4) Acres, Three (3) Rods, Thirty-nine (39) poles forms part of Block No. 23 as shown in Crown Grant No. 332 of 1981 in the Office of the Register General, Belize City TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being two Timber buildings supported on timber posts [15 ft X 15 ft] and Four (4) Acres, Three (3) Rods, Thirty-nine (39) poles of land situate on the south side of the Burrell Boom - Bermudian Landing Road, Scotland Halfmoon, Belize District, the freehold property of Mr. Leslie Nicholas.)

4. Nine Lots (9) Sibun Bight Subdivision, Belize City:

A.

REGISTRATION SECTION Sibun Bight

5.

BLOCK 16

8.

All that piece or Parcel of Land containing 196.91 acres of land situated in the Cattle Landing Area, Toledo District , Toledo and bounded and described as shown by Plan attached to Ministers’ Fiat (Grant) No. 1244 of 2007 dated the 3rd day of January 2008, together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

All that piece or Parcel of Land containing 177.12 acres of land situated in the Cattle Landing Area, Toledo District , Toledo and bounded and described as shown by Plan attached to Ministers’ Fiat (Grant) No. 1245 of 2007 dated the 3rd day of January 2008, , together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

(Being two vacant SEA FRONT parcels of land situate in Cattle Landing Area, Toledo District, the freehold property of Messrs. Belize Basics Resources Limited).

200.35 Acres Eastern Side Southern Lagoon, Manatee Area, Belize District: All that piece or Parcel of Land containing 200.35 acres of land situated along the Eastern Side of Southern Lagoon and approximately 3 ¼ Miles North of Gales Point Manatee Village, Belize District, Belize and bounded and described as shown by Plan attached to Minister’s Fiat (Grant) No. 1217 of 2007 dated the 19th day of December 2007 together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a vacant parcel of land 200.35 acre situate along the eastern side of Southern Lagoon, approximately 3 ¼ miles north of Gales Point Manatee Village, Belize District, the freehold Mr. Arnaldo Pena) 9.

VEHICLE: 2014 Nissan Rogue

All that piece or Parcel of Land containing 196.91 acres of land situated in the Cattle La District , Toledo and bounded and described as shown by Plan attached to Ministers’ Fiat ( 2007 dated the 3rd day of January 2008, together with all buildings and erections standing and B. All that piece or Parcel of Land containing 177.12 acres of land situated in the Cattle Lan District , Toledo and bounded and described as shown by Plan attached to Ministers’ Fiat ( 2007 dated the 3rd day of January 2008, , together with all buildings and erections standing (Being two vacant SEA FRONT parcels of land situate in Cattle Landing Area, Toledo D PARCELS property of Messrs. Belize Basics Resources Limited).

61, 85, 110, 154, 157, 2014 Nissan Rogue 173 8. 171, 172, 200.35 Acres Eastern Side Southern Lagoon, Manatee Area, Belize District: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing)

(Being nine vacant lots near the sea in the Sibun Bight Subdivision containing the following sizes: Parcel 61643.85 Square Yards, Parcel 85 - 432.46 Square Yards, Parcel 110 - 624.79 Square Yards, Parcel 154 - 472.80 Square Yards, Parcel 157 - 624.79 Square Yards, Parcel 171 - 521.96 Square Yards, Parcel 172 - 472.79 Square Yards, Parcel 173 - 538.24 Square Yards, the freehold properties of Mr. Antonio Novelo) Twenty three (23) Lots Sibun Bight Subdivision, Belize City:

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing)

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH REGISTRATION SECTION Sibun Bight

6.

BLOCK PARCELS 16 13,175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 193, 194, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212 & 213 (Being twenty three vacant lots near the sea in the Sibun Bight Subdivision, the freehold properties of Mr. Louis Leslie) .97 Acre Sailfish Avenue, Vista del Mar, Ladyville, Belize District:

KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 223 4488 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

23 DEC

23

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

BELIZE HANDS OVER SICA’S PRESIDENCY PRO TEMPORE TO GUATEMALA Belize City: Thursday 20th December 2018 At the LII Summit of the Heads of State for the Sistema de Integracion Centro Americana (SICA) held last Friday at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel, Belize officially handed over the Presidency Pro Tempore to Guatemala. The Summit was chaired by outgoing President Pro Tempore of SICA, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and had the participation of Presidents from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Foreign Affairs Ministers from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

The agenda focused on topics aimed on fostering better inter-relationships with member states and economic development.

In his opening speech, the outgoing President Pro Tempore, PM Barrow highlighted the current challenges of climate change, migration, crime and violence affecting the region. “Migration is a big issue, as is climate change. There is also the whole question in trying to improve the machinery to make the concept of integration more effective, to improve the functions of the Secretariat

in a more efficient so that member countries can point to tangible achievements,” he said in an interview.

He stated that “poverty and inequality remain at the centre of these challenges, affirming that during the last six months of Belize’s Presidency Pro-Tempore (PPT) renewed focus on the economic development of member states in agriculture, health, and energy to ensure the inclusion of women, youth, and indigenous people.”

The closed meeting ended with the handing over of SICA’S Presidency Pro Tempore, which was accepted by H.E. Jimmy Morales, President of the Republic of Guatemala. Moralez will hold the Presidency for six months where he will in effect hand it over to another member state. During his tenure, Morales must focus and promote the five pillars of SICA integration; Economic Integration, Social Integration, Climate Change, and Integrated Risk Management, Democratic Security and Institutional Strengthening.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the following companies (“the Companies”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution as follows: Name of Company

Date of Commencement of Dissolution

Liquidator Name & Address

LOGOTRED CORPORATION

13th December. 2018

Continental Liquidators Inc. of 60 Market Square. P.O. Box 1906, Belize City, Belize

SANDCAR INVESTMENTS LIMITED

14th December. 2018

Continental Liquidators Inc. of 60 Market Square. P.O. Box 1906, Belize City, Belize

WESTWARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED

14th December, 2018

Continental Liquidators Inc. of 60 Market Square, P.O. Box 1906, Belize Cltv, Belize

SALMORE INVESTMENTS LIMITED

17th December, 2018

Juan Carlos Oreggla of 25 de Mayo 455, Montevideo, Uruguay

Any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement.

Aleman, Cordero, Galindo & Lee Trust (Belize) Limited

Registered Agent

NOTICE NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the company INA INVESTMENT CORP. (“the Company”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution on the 12th day of December, 2018; and Juan Bosco Quezada of 501h and 74th Street, PH909, Panama City, Republic of Panama is the Liquidator of the Company, and any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement.

Belize Corporate Services Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below companies have been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the dates indicated: Name of Company

Notice is hereby given to all interested parties that the following companies (“the Companies”) incorporated under the IBC Act of Belize commenced dissolution as follows: Name of Company

Date of Commencement of Dissolution

BULLER LIMITED

12th December, 2018

Diego Colombo of Flat 1, Telegraph House, 1-2 Rutland Gardens, London, SW7 1 BX, Great Britain

TROUFFE LTD.

12th December, 2018

G.T. GLOBALTRUST FIDUCIARIES LIMITED of 36 Aglas Elenls Street, Galaxlas Building, Office 602. Block A, 1061 Nicosia, Cyprus

Date

TWEED GLOBAL LIMITED

1st December, 2018

SEA CLIFF VENTURES INC.

12th December, 2018

MAUDE HILLS INC.

12th December, 2018

DORMAND DESIGNS LIMITED

12th December, 2018

ZURIKO COMPANY INC.

12th December, 2018

lcaza Belize Trust Corporation Limited Registered Agent

SKYLAR INTERNATIONAL INC. 18th December, 2018

FLAMMET SYSTEMS LTD. -5th December, 2018

Belize Corporate Services Limited Registered Agent

Paolo Blzzlo of Ajman Industrial 2, United Arab Emirates

Any claims against the company should be forwarded to the Liquidator within 30 days from commencement.

lcaza Belize Trust Corporation Limited

Registered Agent

NOTICE

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below company has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the date indicated:

Liquidator Name & Address

Notice is hereby given that the below companies have been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the dates indicated: Name of Company

Date

LUNWAY OVERSEAS LTD.

1st December, 2018

CRESTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED

13th December, 2018

FENNAS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

13th December, 2018

LOCKMART FINANCE LTD.

19th December, 2018

ALEMAN, CORDERO, GALINDO & LEE TRUST (BELIZE) LIMITED

Registered Agent

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

23 DEC

2018