Belize Times December 25, 2016

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The Belize Times Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

25 DECEMBER 2016 | ISSUE NO: 5025

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

BARROW’S BLACK CHRISTMAS…

Belize City, Wednesday December 21, 2016 As the dust begins to settle on 2016, there is still nothing but darkness on Belize’s horizon. Little more than a year has passed since Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that the best was yet to come; a shell of a promise. Not only has that not been true, but Belize is on the brink of total economic meltdown. And while the political elite dine fine and squander away Belize’s limited wealth, the Belizean public will face tougher times in the coming year.

Barrow, in an interview last week, skirted and danced around questions about whether or not Belizeans will face higher taxes. He cannot bring himself to say it publicly but there is no doubt about who will pay the price for his administration’s mismanagement, failures and corruption.

Barrow’s government finds itself renegotiating the 2038 Superbond once more after making an agreement more favorable to bondholders in 2012

Pg. 2

Belizeans Brace for Stormy Weather in 2017!

PEACE LOVE HOPE...

MASSIVE COLLISION KILLS THREE IN O.W. Minor Hernandez

Jason Gongora

Giovanni Gongora

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Public Officers Suspended (WITH PAY) for Mason Birth Certificate Pg. 2

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25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

Public Officers Suspended (WITH PAY) for Mason Birth Certificate Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Four employees from the Vital Statistics Unit which falls under the Attorney General’s Ministry have finally been placed on a two-month suspension WITH pay over the issuance of the William Mason birth certificate.

The holder of that birth certificate is Guyanese born Rajesh Ouellet/Teddy Oellette, or whatever other name he had gone by before ending up on re-

mand at the Belize Central Prison for the July 15, 2016 murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas. Mason, who was found in possession of the decapitated head of the Pastor inside his Ford F-150 pickup truck without license plates at a bar in Belmopan was later learned to have been very well connected to top Government officials and in particular, to then Police Minister Hon. John Saldivar. The Minister has since been stripped of that portfolio over

BARROW’S BLACK CHRISTMAS…

Continued from page 1 and patting himself on the back for it.

And now, just a few short years since that restructuring effort, for which he sang his own praises, Barrow is at the mercy of bondholders, begging to restructure again. This time, however, the bondholders need assurances on their investment and are demanding that Belize proceed with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) advice.

The IMF’s involvement, however, is not ideal for Belizeans as this advice will be wrought with austerity measures in an attempt to bring economic sustainability but on the backs of hard working Belizeans. Those responsible for crashing the economy are not the ones who will slave away to build it back, it is the taxpayer who will bear the brunt of this enormous burden. So while Barrow twists and twirls away from the hard questions, the reality is setting in.

The IMF has recommended for years that Belize raise the GST to 15 percent, a move GOB has resisted for so long because of the political consequences. But with the economy in as fragile a state as it currently is, GOB will have little choice. Belize’s public debt is currently 101.7 percent of GDP! Belize’s problems extend beyond a failing economy and struggling industries.

Belize still owes Lord Michael Ashcroft the second half of payment for the BTL nationalization and another US$100 Million worth of arbitration awards pending in US courts. Yet, Belize’s foreign exchange reserves are critically low, bringing the country’s dollar to the very brink of devaluation.

Belize has no money to pay any of

its debt obligations, which is why GOB is scrambling to restructure the Superbond yet again. Standard & Poors recently downgraded Belize’s credit rating twice in the span of a week predicting that a default on the 2038 bond is inevitable. And if that were not enough, this government has made no significant strides in resolving the de-risking crisis ravaging the country’s financial sector.

Even the Central Bank has faced derisking, making it ever more difficult for Belize to access the international financial market. Businesses have already started suffering the consequences of limited access to US financial markets.

Experts are predicting that simply raising GST will not be enough. GOB will most likely need to move zero rated goods to a standard rate, meaning basic food items will no longer be exempt from GST. The IMF has pointed to GOB’s wage bill being way too high as well, rising from 9.8 percent of GDP two years ago to 11.7 percent of GDP in 2016. GOB will have to consider a public sector wage freeze and retrenchment.

When Barrow said the best was coming, perhaps he meant the best was coming for his crooked regime.

His ministers, as corrupt as he knows they are, will never see a day in court for stealing the country’s riches and will live financially sound after leaving office.

The Belizean people, on the other hand, will punish and suffer for years because Barrow’s ego is as fragile as his back and bowels seem to be. He cannot admit that he has failed the country, but in time the Belizean people, red and blue alike, will understand as things become harder and harder.

WEATHER

LOCAL 22 Dec

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his questionable relationship with Mason.

Mason was certainly a man who knew how to get around and had conned many a businessman before forcing himself into a corner and kidnapping Pastor Lucas -and several others before him - to get out of sticky situations.

How he obtained a fake Belizean birth certificate to facilitate his ill deeds was later investigated by the Registrar General and at the beginning of August 2016, Prime Minister Dean Barrow informed that four employees from the Unit had been identified as having had some involvement in the questionable issuance of the birth certificate dated June 4, 2015. The document showed that “Mason” had been born on February 1970 in Crooked Tree Village and registered on February 22, 1970 to parents, James Mason, a farmer, and Sharon Tillett, a Belizean domestic.

In mid-August, former Attorney General, Hon. Wilfred Elrington informed that surprisingly, “at least one, if not two, of the persons who have been now picked up and suspected for involvement had been there—all the people who are involved were there before I got into Government.

People who were picked up, people were there for more than 10 years.

Of those people, I think either one or two of them had been on suspension when we took office because of irregularities found in their performance at the Vital Statistics. But it is almost impossible under the present system to get anybody disciplined through the Public Service Commission…” Elrington added that he was also told that one of the individuals involved was on suspension for over a year and had just returned to work.

From there, we now learn the news that the four employees, after having been investigated by the Police following a formal report made by the Registrar General are being taken before the Public Service Commission. Their letters of suspension accuse them of “a major misconduct” which saw them “involved in the preparation and issuance of a fraudu-

2016

lent birth certificate to one William Alexander Mason.” The letter continues, “In accordance with Regulation 84(5) of the Belize Constitution (Public Service) Regulations (BCPSR), 2014, the Commission is of the opinion that the reputation of the service requires that you be suspended from active duties, for a period of sixty (60) days, in the first instance, with effect from 23rd November, 2016.”

Although they are getting their full pay during the time they must stay away from work, any allowances due to them have been stopped and they shall make themselves available to the Commission until the conclusion of the matter and report to their supervisor at ten day intervals until the conclusion of the case.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

26 Dec

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo EDITOR

Mike Rudon

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte SCAN HERE

25 Dec

|

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

27 Dec

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25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

NEW YEAR & POSSIBLE NEW INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY BNTU

Monday, December 19, 2016 The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) and the Ministry of Education have accepted mediation to work out whether teachers who went on an 11day strike in October ought to be paid for the time they were absent from school. That apart, according to the Union’s attorney, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, the matter of the make-up time is headed for another industrial dispute if the Ministry insists on interfering in the teachers’ conditions of work. As you may be aware, the Ministry in collaboration with the Managing Authorities of schools agreed to add 6 days to the school calendar without consulting the BNTU. Four of the make-up days would be extracted from the Christmas break so that the return to classes in January 2017 would be Tuesday the 3rd as opposed to Monday the 9th. The teachers are not agreeable to this and SC Courtenay has referred to the Education Rules to categorically affirm that “the Government of Belize cannot dictate to teachers when they are going to work and when they are going to get their holidays.” He counseled, “I would like to encourage the Managing Authorities to dialogue with the Union as representative of the teachers and have this matter

CARTOON

Eamon Courtenay

resolved quickly. We are headed to another industrial dispute. It should be avoided.”

Adelaida Guerra, 1st Vice President of the BNTU in responding to a possible backlash from the commu-

Patrick Faber

nity over the Union’s decision to ask teachers to enjoy their entire Christmas break, made it clear that they have never refused to make up time lost except that they have not been consulted and feel disrespected “that

3 03 Management will go with Ministry and make decisions on our behalf.” Apart from citing the concern of many parents whose family time and trips would be affected during this special season, Guerra says the Union is conscious of the fact that if mediation fails, the Supreme Court can still decide that the teachers’ salaries should be docked. They therefore do not want to be hasty about the decision to make up for the time they were away. However, she said it is clear that Christmas is not the right time and they are more agreeable to work additional days during the Easter break or in June during the summer break.

As to the mediation, Friday December 16th was scheduled for the first hearing of the claim, and both parties informed Chief Justice, Hon. Kenneth Benjamin that they were taking up his suggestion for the matter to go to mediation. They were given 45 days to arrive at an agreement and if no agreement is reached, the parties return to Court on February 4, 2017 for direction. George Swift has been appointed mediator.

Sharing the Union’s position, SC Courtenay stated, “their reverse position that if you don’t work you are not to be paid is a Common Law position. But the Statutes, and by that I mean the Education Rules speak to the contract with the teachers. And there is a very serious problem here and it is that the Government is intervening in a place where it ought not to be intervening. The teachers are employed by the Managing Authorities and the discussion should be between the Managing Authorities and the teachers.”

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers

Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please confirm reports that the Ministry of Finance has had to be borrowing money for the past months just to ensure that government can meet its wage bill?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that his recent “illness” in New York was just a way of setting the stage so he can call early elections in 2017?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please say how likely it is that our Belizean dollar will be devalued in early 2017? Would he further confirm reports that public officers working for less than five years are being looked at as the first to go when the government commences its Retrenchment exercise in 2017?

Would the Member for Belize Rural North and Minister of NEMO, Canefields, Visas, Company Checks, Land Hustles and Transport please provide an accounting of the monies spent on homes for those affected by Hurricane Earl?

Would the Member for Port Loyola and Minister of his own development please say whether any of the money he stores in his sock will make its way to the poorest people of his constituency this Christmas? Could he further clarify the nature of the “product” he boasted about on national television which has made him such a wealthy man?

Would the Member for Belmopan and Minister of Defence please say how much he is paying for the monotonous ads trying to make him look like a hero just for visiting BDF bases across the country? And could he further say, since he saw first-hand the desperate need for resources for our soldiers, if he doesn’t think that money could have been better spent?

Would the Member for Collet and Minister of Intoxication and Domestic Disturbances please confirm reports that he has been put on best behaviour this Christmas by his political boss who plans to exit very soon?

25 DEC

2016

IF DAH NOH SOH!

TMI… Somebody at the Belize Press Office needs some damned sensitivity training. Trust me we do not need to know about the old baldhead’s bowel movements – frequent or interrupted - and we sure as hell do not need to know about what’s going on inside his colon. I don’t care if it’s a lesion or legion or a legion of lesions. That’s between Dean Oliver, his God and his toilet. The entire nation would have been okay with a release explaining that that DOB is indisposed. If you don’t favour indisposed, use unwell…or you can say the unwell, indisposed fellow has a medical condition. No talk about colons or lesions or bowels – ever. Don’t. Sheesh!

Dire Straits…

Bad bowels and jokes aside…the country is in some deep s*#t. Like deep! A little bird in Dean Oliver’s office has confirmed that GOB is as screwed up as DOB…as in struggling to even pay public officers every two weeks. According to that stool pigeon on the grapevine, the day was saved recently when Taiwan came through with a multi-million dollar loan. That loan has apparently been keeping the government afloat for the moment. But what happens when that dries up? Well that same source says that with new taxes in fuel implemented in January, pump prices will shoot past $10 a gallon, creating the short term cash flow government so desperately needs since the apparently not so bright baldhead screwed up the country.

Pharmaceutical Shenanigans…

The country might be in deep doodoo, but the vultures who have picked the carcass clean are still circling for scraps. So here’s the thing. The other day the tender committee signed off on the list of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and cost for the next six months. That approved list makes its way to the Ministry of health, and then BAM, its back at the Ministry of Finance for final approval. Only thing is the entire list has been changed from that which was approved – costs, supplies, everything.

And this version of the list has been approved by only three members of the tendering committee. Just like that. So word is the Ministry of Finance has refused to sign and Pablo has been putting on the pressure. Suckers never get enough of the hustling I swear. The electrician Minister has got a lot to answer for…

Where’s the ham?

Remember that ham…bout 55,000 pounds in a container which appeared mysteriously in the country and was held up by BAHA? Well, where is it now? The last we heard from “he who knows everything but really knows nothing,” preliminary indications were that it was old ham, not fit for consumption and it would probably have to be destroyed. And then NOTHING! Silence! Nada!

Now nobody seems to know where the ham went. Just like how nobody seemed to know where it came from.

Anyway all we’ll say at this point is that if you see a certain politician from Orange Walk North showing up at your house, ham in hand, you may want to look closely at the ham and think twice about accepting…just saying!

Chinese Combo Platter…

Where can you go in Belmopan and order Chinese dumplings, sweet and sour chicken, a beer with a side of Visa, nationality or passport? Pretty damn good question. Word to this cynical old fool is that this cash-strapped screwed up UDP administration is all set to fork over $4M to buy over the Chon Saan Building in the capital. Reliable sources say that the negotiation has already been concluded and it’s a done deal. So what does GOB want with a Chinese restaurant. Well, here’s the thing. Apparently the plan is to move the Immigration and Nationality Department in. Oh Lerd! What next? We hear the plan was hatched as a sort of bailout for the well-connected UDP owner who is raking in the bucks in Belize City but not even breaking even in Belmopan. The thing is…you know its taxpayers who’ll be shinning out that $4M right? How the hell can the old baldhead even think about bailing out anybody when he can barely find money to pay public officers every month? And then there’s the other thing…see we’re in the midst of a massive inquiry into corruption at Immigration, and the reality is that a significant part of that corruption is the movement in Chinese nationals who arrive in country to meet nationality documents and passports already prepared for them. So will this be the new one stop shop? I can see it already…check out this slogan – Chon Saan Immigration Bazaar – Eat…Drink & Be Nationalized! I like it.

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

5 05

EDITORIAL

The Grinch that Stole 2016

T

he Prime Minister flew out with his family last week, to return this week. We take this opportunity to wish the leader of the nation and his family all the best this Christmas, particularly the Prime Minister whose enhanced bowel movements and intestinal disturbances have been made such unnecessary public knowledge.

It must be a wonderful thing when you can jump on a jet plane at a moment’s notice and fly to Miami or New York or anywhere really, when money is no object and the world is your oyster. It must be a wonderful thing when your last minute Christmas shopping need not be done in the crowded confines of the downtown plaza, or sidestepping the homeless on a smelly Albert Street, but across the seas in exclusive designer stores, with vehicles waiting outside to whisk your packages away to your swank hotel.

A vast majority of Belizeans did not have access to those opportunities before 2016. That is the truth. But as we near 2017, many more of our Belizeans have lost what spending power they had. Just look in the newspapers, even in this so-called joyous time of the year. In some cases the lifeblood of these publications has literally become the pages upon pages of auction listings – Belizeans losing their homes and land and businesses and properties. Incredibly, sometimes there are more than ten full pages of such listings. That has been one of the many tragic tales of 2016.

And there are so many others. What Belizeans have lost in 2016 is almost unfathomable. As this Editorial is being written, what some consider the most blessed single moment of the entire year is days away. This is our hopeful time. This is when we as a people put all our differences aside and feel the love. This is a time when we forget our little troubles and count our blessings. This is a time when we focus on hope and make goals and look ahead to new opportunities with great pleasure. But there is no sense of any of that in our little Belize as we prepare to say goodbye to 2016 and look to 2017 with great trepidation and even fear.

The United Democratic Party has raped our country and violated our people without shame. This is been a year of unprecedented abuse – in your face, blatant, brazen corruption and the absolute realization that millions and millions and millions of OUR dollars have been siphoned off into the pockets of a privileged few. A fabulously wealthy UDP Minister who was at one point the second most powerful man in the entire

country used his position to take from us and to give to himself and to his family members and friends. He took from us. The evidence is there. And let’s not be naïve – what evidence Belizeans have seen is just the bare tip of a rancid iceberg.

That evidence – pages and pages of it, was mere feet away from the Prime Minister at a press conference last week. He didn’t ask to see it, but looked away and turned it into one big joke. He didn’t demand that an investigation commence, but stated that no investigation was needed. He didn’t do his duty to the Belizean people…but as he has done so many times before, he did his duty to his corrupt Minister. Mr. Barrow, this selfrighteous man who claims integrity oozes out of his every pore, has become a joke, but not one which inspires joyful laughter.

This past year has been one of plenty for Mr. Barrow’s ministers. Every year since 2008 has been that, but in 2016 it reached shameful proportions. It has gotten so bad, truthfully, that Belizeans literally got fatigued. Boots with his wad of cash in his socks, boasting that he gave his daughter a three story building…Castro getting his hands into everything, even cane, being gifted with his own full portfolio…

Pablo shacking up with another Minister’s daughter and allegedly forming a pharmaceutical company to provide drugs to the Ministry of Health…Montero allegedly putting land in the names of employees and family members and friends to hide his shameless accumulation of assets…John Saldivar and his extremely questionable relationship with William Danny Mason…the list goes on and on.

And it is much more outrageous because as these few got wealthy beyond our imagination, we normal, regular Belizeans got poorer. Our health system didn’t get better.

Our education system didn’t get better. Our normal people didn’t get access to better homes. Our normal people didn’t get access to constructive, sustainable employment. Our normal people didn’t get access to a small piece of the jewel.

Our normal people struggled as life got harder and harder… and we watched as life got easier and easier for these UDP few. We watched them laugh and boast and bluster. And we hurt.

As 2016 comes to an end, we wish all Belizeans a Merry Christmas in these, the most trying of times. In 2017, let us do things differently. We can no longer be dismissively classified as sheep, while the wolves plunder. Let 2017 be the year of the people…of good governance and justice no matter what it takes.

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2016

MAY BE RECORD YEAR FOR MURDERS Wednesday, 21 December 2016 As we go to press, in our last edition for 2016, all attempts to obtain official murder statistics from the Police Department have been futile. But by our unofficial count, there have been 140 murders already this year, with 10 days left to 2017.

It gives us no pleasure to report that once again Belize is being touted as one of the deadliest countries in the world.

Another year is gone without the Police Department having access to a specialized facility to conduct DNA testing and forensic analysis, despite this being a campaign promise by Dean Barrow since 2008. Murderers and rapists have been allowed to walk free because our law enforcement personnel have been neglected by the policy-makers and movers and shakers in government who have been intent on filling their own pockets. Very little attention has been paid to providing proper equipment to our officers. Instead we have become a beggar nation, content to wait for scraps thrown from the US or the UK. Another year is gone without Police Officers getting the proper resources and training to do their jobs. How many cases have been lost because the Police did not follow basic protocol and the rules of detention? How many victims have been denied justice because when the call for help went out, the Police had no vehicle to respond, or a vehicle to respond but no fuel?

Crime is everyone’s problem, but it is not an insurmountable one. If the politicians find the will to properly train and equip our officers; the will to construct and equip the necessary facilities and the will to allow the Police to do their jobs without hindrance, manipulation or interference, the impact would be immediate and positive. But our politicians do not have the will because it is not their own dropping on the streets.

God forbid that day should come. But in a country the size of Belize, every number must play when the dice is allowed to roll freely.

25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

MASSIVE COLLISION KILLS THREE IN O.W. Wednesday, 21 December 2016 Three young men died in a terrible traffic accident on the Yo Creek Road. Instead of preparing for the Christmas Holidays, the families of 26 year-old Jason Gongora; his cousin, 22 year-old Giovanni Gongora; and their 22 year-old neighbour Minor Hernandez are making funeral arrangements.

The accident happened sometime around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 on the Yo Creek Road, about 3 and a half miles away from Orange Walk Town. These 3 were good friends and neighbours from Yo Creek Village and they were traveling in a green Ford F-150 pickup truck. They were on their way to Orange Walk Town, reportedly to continue socializing when they had a head-on collision with a Tillett’s Bus. The massive impact flung all 3 men from the truck and so the investigators don’t exactly know which of them was driving at the time of the accident. It is believed that they died at the moment of impact or shortly thereafter.

The Tillett’s Bus was heading into the rural areas of Or-

ange Walk District and due to the collision its engine and transmission were completely torn apart.

Two men on the bus were injured due to the impact, and one of the men was reportedly launched through its windshield. He was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital for treatment, and he was later transferred to the KHMH. There are no indications if speeding, or alcohol, was a factor in this accident but the small community of Yo Creek certainly grieves their sudden passing. Mainor’s father, Rudolph Hernandez spoke to the press saying that while his son was a very responsible person, he often had to discourage him from drinking.

He said, “My son used to be a nice person. He’s a respectable person, a hard working person, very responsible. He used to work many years… and the problem with him is that he has his friends like everyone else, but many times I would tell him Minor pick your friends. Anyone who offered liquor is not a friend.

That morning I talked to him, I told him… ‘son don’t come out because every Saturday when you get paid you come out with your friends. Yes, you don’t come drunk but when you come I smell liquor.”

But all that is unimportant at this point. What is important, and very real, is the grief that three families will have to deal with, losing their loved ones just days before Christmas.

25 DEC

2016

Business Bureau Warns of Dark Days Ahead Wednesday, 21 December 2016 While the Chamber of Commerce has been eerily silent on the current crisis facing the business sector in Belize, and the crisis predicted in 2017, the Belize Business Bureau has jumped into the fray. In a release issued this week, the BBB warns GOB that the Foreign Exchange Peg is threatened by the public sector funding gap. The release details Belize’s dire economic situation and offers a list of suggestions which it believes will help to improve the country’s financial outlook.

According to the Bureau, Belize is facing seven major issues including a revaluation of Belize’s currency, GDP moving towards 101.7 percent of GDP, diminishing USD reserves, negative GDP growth, per capita less than half of the region’s average, no strategy for de-risking and a widening gap due to the external and domestic gap destabilizing the foreign exchange rate peg.

The BBB also noted that in March 2015 an IMF report warned if external debt surged to 100 percent of GDP, it would reflect a 30 percent depreciation of Belizean currency. Pulling no punches, the BBB asserts that the government needs monetary discipline so there can be minimal uncertainty and a controlled trade balance in the country.

The private sector umbrella organization advises GOB to immediately pass a Public Debt Management Bill that would freeze debt and require by law a 7 percent reduction of debt compared to GDP every year for the next seven years. It also suggested improving Social Security solvency by placing Public Service Pension into the SSB fund, where both employee and employer pay half of each contribution.

And repeating a suggestion that has been echoed in some quarters, the BBB suggests that GOB discontinue contract officers over the next two years and return to one public service.

Prayer To The Holy Spirit O Holy Spirit, You who are the Fountainhead of all knowledge, Who Illuminate the path way which enables me to reach my goal. You Who shares your Divine gift permitting me to forgive and forget past insults and injustices, and Who are always at my side within reaching distance. I desire in this short supplication to thank You for all that You have done for me; and to assure You once more that I never want to be separated from You under any circumstances, no matter what the incentive.

I want to be with You, I along with my loved ones, cradled in Your unending love. Thank You for your never-failing kindness towards me and those I call my own.

(Prayer to be offered for three consecutive days: Faith in The Holy Spirit will cause Him to respond to your request no matter how difficult the problem might be. Publish prayer as soon as request has been Granted .)

Thank You Holy Spirit.

F.C.M.

07 7

THE BELIZE TIMES

The release also touches on a pressing concern – that GOB has been bending over to entities like NCL which end up with all the benefits from their investment while the country reaps very little.

The BBB suggests raising cruise ship collections from US $7 to US $10 with GOB keeping all of the increase.

As to the very controversial Stake Bank Project which was halted by GOB - the Bureau is suggesting that government revisit that decision or establish a site at Drowned Caye to allow the private sector to inject $200 Million in the economy, primarily Belize City. It is even suggesting allowing Mexi-

cans to visit Belize with their voter’s card for seven days without penalty. The claims said this would double overnight tourists in less than three years.

Finally it suggested that GOB allow the National Free Zone Authority to meet and apply existing AML measures, the WTO obligation and set a course for growth, without political interference which has stifled the

growth of the zone.

While the crisis has not been understated and some of the suggestions seem credible, even critical, the Barrow administration is not known to heed advice.

The Belize Times understands that BBB contacted the Chamber of Commerce for its input, but went ahead in publishing the release after the Chamber did not respond immediately.

NOTICE Application for a Moneylender’s Certificate I, BASSEM HUSSEIN CHAKAROUN, hereby give notice that I have applied to the Magistrates’ Court sitting at Belize City, for a renewal certificate to be granted to me under the Moneylenders Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a Moneylender in the name of JEWELRY EXCHANGE CENTER LTD. 4552 Youth for the Future Drive, Belize City, Belize.

08 8

THE BELIZE TIMES

25 DEC

2016

8 MAY 25 DEC 12 JUN 19 JUN

2016 2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

9 SPORTS 09

10 ARGUMENT OVER GOD LEADS TO MURDER

25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

Monday, December 19, 2016 Police are looking for help from the public to apprehend 27 year-old Honduran Howard Martinez. He is wanted in connection with the brutal stabbing murder of 27 year-old Freddy Cerritos.

The killing happened on Friday, December 16, at Cerritos’ home in the San Martin Area of Belmopan. Both men were reportedly

LAND DISPUTE RESULTS IN BLOODY MURDER

Paulina Urbelina Sanchez Monday, December 19, 2016 Police continue to look for the gunman who shot and killed 68 year-old Santa Elena Resident Paulina Urbelina Sanchez. This grandmother of 29 died in front of 2 of her granddaughters, aged 7 and 8.

The murder happened at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, at Sanchez’s home at #6 Orange Street, Santa Elena Town. Police investigations reveal that Sanchez had just returned home and was standing in the doorway of her house when a gunman ambushed her. Her daughter, Paulina Suarez, who was on the way to bring her food, arrived just in time to hear her plead with this gunman for her life. The victim reportedly begged for mercy, saying, “Please don’t kill me! Please don’t kill me!”

That didn’t give the assailant any moment’s pause and he opened fire, injuring her 4 times. She fell on the verandah of the house and bled out right there in plain view of 2 of her granddaughters. The gunman tried to flee the scene, but he got into confrontation with Paulina Suarez, who tried to stop him from getting away. She told the press, “I met him going out and I pulled his shirt. I looked at him and I tried to fight with him and he pushed me and I ran behind him but I hurt my foot and I couldn’t reach him.”

The gunman fled into a taxi that was parked nearby, and he made his escape. Police arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, but by that time, the murder had already happened and the culprit had already escaped. Paulina Suarez was very sure that she got a good look at the face of the man who took away her mother from her only a few days before Christmas.

Police have 2 men detained and they’re looking for another, and at this time have good reason to suspect that the elderly grandmother was gunned down over a dispute about the land on which her home sits. It’s a situation where one relative allegedly has a claim over the same land.

Whatever the reason, the murder of Paulina Sanchez has traumatized her two young grandkids, and sorrow has visited the entire family at a time of the year when they should be enjoying the company of loved ones.

good friends, and at around 5:30 p.m., they were socializing. Police are certain that alcohol was not a factor in this dispute. It appears that the two men were having a discussion about religion and God. Somehow that conversation turned into a disagreement, and investigators and the family are puzzled as to what made Martinez so angry that he attacked Cerritos. He pulled out a knife and stabbed Cerritos 8 times, and he then ran off. Persons nearby rushed Cerritos to the Western Regional Hospital, but he died within 10 minutes of being attacked.

2016

Freddy Cerritos

Howard Martinez

There was initially some speculation that alcohol was involved, and that would certainly explain Martinez’s bizarre reaction to the friendly disagreement. But apparently, on that occasion, that was not the case.

The victim’s brother, Daniel Castillo, told the press, “We know the guy very well; we grew up together. We used to hang out and smoke together and sometimes we would go to his house and buy liquor and drink but…

none of us had any problems with him or anything like that.”

Police have done their initially investigations and they have determined that the two men were perfectly sober. They want to find out from Martinez what happened, but for them to be able to question him, they need to locate him. He is either on the run, or hiding out, and police are asking that if anyone has information on his whereabouts, to please pass that information along to the nearest police station.

Party Leader Hon. John Briceño, the National Executive of the PUP & the Belize Times wish all Belizeans at home and abroad a peaceful and safe

Christmas and a New Year of hope, opportunities and many blessing

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

Harvest Caye Sparkles…

But At What Cost?

Monday, December 19, 2016 After snubbing the local press for weeks, Norwegian Cruise Line finally relented and invited the press to tour their Harvest Caye Cruise Port. Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Jr., Tourism Director, Karen Bevans, and photographers from the Belize Tourism Board accompanied the media houses. Were they there to participate, or babysit the press which the Government often treats as unruly?

This is a one-of-a-kind facility in Belize and with a price tag of over a hundred million dollars…it comes with world-class amenities comparable to the best resorts and hotels in the region.

The island is designed to keep as much of the business from NCL’s cruise ship calls to Belize right in that one location, to meet a vacationer’s every want and need, so that they don’t have to leave until the day is ended. There is only one token tour operation that is allowed to take Harvest Caye visitors on mainland tours in Southern Belize. Only H2O Tierra has a contract with NCL to do that kind of business. About 75 calls that NCL used to make in Belize City are now lost to the local tour operators from FECTAB who will suffer business losses for it. Tourism insiders say that NCL cruise tourists are generally the ones who spend the most when they visit Belize, and the two replacement cruise lines from Europe, TUI and MSC, won’t meet the shortfall that NCL’s absence will cause.

In addition, FECTAB has alerted the nation that they lost business in November when Harvest Caye was opened. That’s because NCL visitors who booked tours with them for Belize City, landed at Harvest Caye. Since only H2O Tierra is allowed to conduct mainland tours, those guests were locked away from them. NCL and Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Jr. has categorically denied that this happened, but FECTAB has provided proof in the form of emails that NCL cruisers sent after they found out that they would not be going to Belize City, and they wouldn’t be able to take the tours they signed up for.

Last week, this newspaper showed you an article from Cruisecritic.com which said, “Although nothing official is in place just yet, Norwegian also plans to allow other cruise lines to use the port (Harvest Caye), once it is up and running.”

That signals that more business that could be going to the Belize City Harbour, to support the local tour operators, will be routed to NCL’s private island once again.

When asked about that directly, Colin Murphy, NCL’s Senior Vice-President of Destinations and Strategic Development, said, “We’re not actively marketing ourselves.

We understand that’s a sensitive issue. At the moment, we’re just focusing on our own brands, ships and making sure that the guests’ experiences are as good as they can be.”

Notice that he did not say outrightly that his company will not market themselves to other cruise lines, and he used “at the moment”. That is subject to change, and his answer leaves room for that type of change if there is no resistance, without anyone in the future being able to say that he gave a misleading answer.

So, Harvest Caye is a paradise that this company will definitely cash in on. But, will its success be at the expense of the Belize City cruise port?

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25 DEC

2016

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM

HON. JOHN BRICEÑO Leader of the People’s United Party

At Christmas time, every Belizean home takes on special warmth, a special beauty, and a special flavor.

During the holiday season, our homes become the places where we gather to show we care and more so to hope.

This year for many Belizeans, the holiday season takes on even more importance, for it has not been one of our best years. We’ve been through quite a lot. In fact some would even go further and say we have been through too much - too much tragedy, uncertainty and fear.

Yet hope lives in those moments that I believe have brought us all closer together as families and communities. It lives in the faces of our children, in our brave teachers and in our Belizean can-do spirit.

At this special time of the year we find hope in the things that make the season special: sharing gifts, spending time with family and friends, worshiping in our faith communities…all of which renew our sense of family and community.

Across Belize, the glow of the Christmas tree is a reflection of love, the music we hear lifts us all up and we all KNOW that we could use some cheer at this time when so many of us wonder if we’ve not lost our way.

Still, we look to the coming year and years with HOPE and YES, we find it in our commitment to never giving up.

For us in the PUP the desire to build Belize is stronger than ever. We want you to believe like we do that indeed we can banish fear if we care more for our children and our families than we care for ourselves. We know that together we can build a Belize that works for everyone.

And we want each and every one of you to know what a great privilege it is to serve you. Like you we believe in HOPE and yes, we still believe in Belize La Navidad es esa época del año cuando damos gracias por todo y cuando hacemos todo por compartir con los menos afortunados. Es la época cuando estamos llenos de esperanza.

Nosotros en el PUP les deseamos a todos lo mejor que pueda ofrecerles la vida. En nuestro partido igualmente seguimos con la misión de servir al prójimo y continuamos trabajando hacia ese objetivo de construir un Belice que funcione para todos.

Celebremos esta nochebuena y todo lo bueno que nos rodea. Es nuestro deseo que la paz reine en nuestros hogares y que cada familia Beliceña tenga la oportunidad de gozar una Navidad llena de amor y que nuestras comunidades celebren el nacimiento del Señor con la paz y tranquilidad que se merecen.

Rossana, my sons and I want to wish you a Happy Christmas God bless everyone.

Feliz Navidad

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

Phillip Alvarez Park, OW

Elsy Novelo at Phillip Alvarez Park

San Lorenzo Housing Site, OW

San Estevan Village, OW

Margarita Coc at San Estevan Village

Marily Figeroa at San Lorenzo H. Site

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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 AM to 1:00 PM on December 23RD, 2016

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!!

25 DEC

2016

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

THE UDP’S 3Rs

– REUSE…RECYCLE & REGURGITATE

Marilyn Williams

Colin Young

Nestor Vasquez

Monday, 19 December 2016 It was announced via SSB release today that Dr. Colin Young will be the new Chief Executive Officer, replacing vanquished CEO John Flowers whose unpopularity with other heads of Department spelled his demise. Young also serves as CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, and as the Chair of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust. He is a member of the Board of Directors of BTL, serves on a climate change board and is one of the UDP’s campaign managers. He got the top spot at the SSB

without submitting an application.

This is how the UDP does it, typical MO for an organization that has found itself suffering from a terminal talent deficiency. So one set of persons are reused, recycled and regurgitated…from one posting to the next, from one Board to the next, from one role to the next. Young won’t be lonely at the SSB. The UDP’s most recycled and regurgitated person is the Chair of the Social Security Investment Committee.

Net Vasquez was also at BTL as head of the Board of Directors. He’s on the Board of ApBel and was recently

named as the UDP’s pick on the Integrity Commission. He is a financial advisor to the Prime Minister and a senior statesman in the UDP. On the Integrity Commission there’s more of the UDP’s ‘throw-up” including Marilyn Williams who can’t seem to make it work anywhere she’s put. She ran for the UDP once but that certainly didn’t work out since she is eminently unelectable.

Then she was at the FIU but it quickly became clear that she may be good at taking orders from the PM but little else. She was named for the Integrity Commission just before the PM decided that he didn’t really want an Integ-

15 rity Commission to scrutinize his Party.

And now she’s back, along with another well-chewed UDP, Armead Gabourel.

Gabourel has been on practically every board from the KHMH to the BAA as the UDP tries to find some spot for her. She left the BAA in disgrace (or so the PM said) after the Board gave Castro checks to cover his personal expenses. And now she’s back like the proverbial bad breeze.

Having gotten what he could out of BTL for a time, the PM’s golden boy is heading on to very lucrative pastures thanks to his connections and machinations. It’s been said that his post will be filled by the PM’s go-to guy Audrey Wallace, but now it’s said that another of the PM’s favourites wants the job – John Mencias. Mencias apparently hasn’t been fulfilled at ApBel since Petrocaribe dried up so he wants to diversity. But another UDP is chomping at the bit. Ambrose Tillett is a UDP stalwart and currently a member of the BTL Board of Directors, but word is he wants Anwar’s job.

In this UDP…it’s not about qualifications or suitability for the post. The Prime Minister is focused on loyalty before all else. The thing is that these same persons – over and over and over again - are those who have contributed to the sinking of the ship of state. Mr. Barrow, eminently well-read and prone to lofty quotes, should pay keen attention to one – “to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results is some form of insanity.”

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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2016

Still No Charges in Pakeman RTA Wednesday, 21 December 2016 After almost nine months, the family of popular mechanic Dean Dawson, 45, of Gardenia village in the Belize District has not had closure as it relates to the police investigation into the traffic accident that led to his death.

Dawson was struck off his bicycle on the night of March 30, 2016 and did not survive the severe injuries. The driver behind the wheel of the Government issued Isuzu D-Max pick-up that hit Dawson was none other than the Director of the Government’s Press Office, Dorian Pakeman, 34.

Pakeman would claim that it was Dawson who swerved into his lane but the evidence on the Philip Goldson Highway showed differently as tire tracks pointed to Pakeman hitting the brakes moments before, during or just after impact and NOT in his lane.

Since then, the case would turn out to be riddled with intriguing blunders deliberately orchestrated. It would be left to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to find out on its own that a toxicology report proved there were traces of cocaine in Pakeman’s blood on the night of the incident. A police officer was subsequently charged with “failure to obey a lawful instruction” for withholding the cocaine

Dorian Pakeman

certificate from the DPP when the case file was first passed on to that office.

After so much time, the latest update in the case is that last week the DPP returned the file to the police for them to fulfil two directives that had not been complied with. Those, according to the Officer Commanding Rural Eastern Division, ACP Edward Broaster, have to do with reports from the National Forensic Science Service. He told the media on Tuesday December 20th, “as soon as those are completed action will be taken in regards

to that matter.” Those directives should be complied with during this week, according to the ACP. Of course, that is an assurance the media has heard on multiple occasions.

Asked whether he is concerned about the length of time it has taken for this high profile case to be concluded and about the attendant controversies that could call into question his own leadership and integrity, Broaster stated, “I am not worried about the length of time…I have concern of the length of time, yes, but given the fact that I have first-hand knowledge of what is happening with the file I have full confidence in the guidance of the DPP in this matter, and I don’t think anybody will doubt my integrity when it

Dean Dawson

comes to that issue.”

As it relates to the Ladyville cop who failed to turn over the cocaine certificate to the DPP, ACP Broaster informed that the initial trial had commenced but there has been a delay because the accused requested a change in adjudicator. He explained that “the officer believed that the adjudicator and myself may have communicated in some form to prejudice her fair trial.” The new adjudicator is expected to arrive in the jurisdiction on Thursday December 22nd from another district.

25 DEC

2016

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THE BELIZE TIMES

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Ambergris Caye, Belize District

BY ORDER of the Receiver, Sueno Del Mar Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following property ON SITE [13 Miles north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District] on Wednesday 28th December 2016 at 11:00 am: SUENO DEL MAR RESORT - 13 MILES NORTH OF SAN PEDRO TOWN, AMBERGRIS CAYE

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK San Pedro 7

PARCEL 8843

(Being Sueno Del Mar Resort situate 13 Miles north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye and includes: Palapa Bar & Grill; Two Swimming Pools; Direct TV Satellite System; Isotropic Satellite Internet System; Electrical System provided by Belize Electricity Ltd.; Resort Electricity back-up Generator; 45,0000 gallon resort water storage; Laundry Facility; Guest Storage; Staff Housing; Resort Maintenance Storage; 32 ft. Boat with 2 - 200 HP Yamaha Outboard Motors; 9 Resort Villa Buildings (36 villas are partially furnished and 3 villas unfurnished) (32 two bedroom villas) (6 one bedroom villas) (1 three bedroom villa); on 9.6 acres of land with 506 feet of frontage on the Caribbean Sea in the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, the freehold property of Messrs. Sueno Del Mar Limited

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

18 SPORTS Stann Creek Boys Win NSSSA Basketball Championship Dangriga, December 17, 2016 The Stann Creek Ecumenical High School boys won the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) basketball championships held at the Stann Creek Ecumenical High School auditorium over the weekend.

In Game 1 Friday evening, the Central Zone champs - Wesley College boys won 55-46 vs. the Northern Zone champs, the San Pedro High School boys. Wesley’s big center Gregory Buckley, 7’1,” led with 16pts. Tevaun Lennan added 13pts, Elden Gladden scored 9pts and Joshua Bradley added 4pts. SPHS’ Ashton Alvarez had 21pts, Zimmer Perez added 11pts, and Tyrese Arzu hit 2 long treys for 6pts.

In Game 2 Friday night, the Southern Zone champs - the Ecumenical boys vanquished the Western champs, the Sacred Heart College boys: 76-68, led by MVP Donell Arzu with 29pts.

SCEC’s Latrell Middleton added 13pts, and Kevon Lourie scored 11pts; while Aaron Marin had 9pts and Jonard Castillo – 8pts. SHC’s Kyron Molina scored 31pts, Ashton Wade added 16pts; Kaver Smith had 6pts, and Samir Espat – 5pts.

In Game 3 - the consolation game for 3rd place Saturday morning, SPHS boys downed the Cayo boys: 60-50 led by Ashton Alvarez with 21pts.

Zimmer Perez added 18pts, Jahson Wright scored 13pts and Isaul Coba and Tyrese Arzu scored 3pts apiece.

Cayo’s Kyron Molina scored 18pts, Dreymon Casimiro and Alton Wade added 9pts apiece and Keegan Crawford and Samir Espat had 4pts apiece.

In Game 4, the championship final, the Dangriga boys edged out the Wesley boys: 48-46, led by MVP Donell Arzu with 19pts. Kevon Lourie added 9pts, Kenton Augustine scored

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2016

San Pedro High Girls Win NSSSA Basketball Championships Dangriga, December 17, 2016 The San Pedro High School girls won the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) basketball championships held at the Stann Creek Ecumenical High School auditorium over the weekend.

In Game 1 Friday evening, the Northern zone champs – the SPHS girls ran over the Central Zone champs, the Anglican Cathedral College girls: 30-19, led by Sophie Guan with 16pts. Aliyah Elliot and Ada Cordova scored 5 pts. apiece and Aliyah Pilgrim and Rebecca Barkhouse scored a bucket apiece.

ACC’s Zaria Jenkins scored 9pts, while Shanety Palacio and Jane Martinez scored 4pts apiece.

In Game 2 Friday night, the Southern Zone champs – the Julian Cho High School girls from Big Falls, Toledo bombed the Western Zone champs, the Sacred Heart College girls from Cayo: 33-17; led by Normalee Gomez with 27pts, and Divine Gomez added 6pts. SHC’s Cheyenne Gordon scored 6pts, Shamika Garnett added 4pts and Zandra Whitaker – 3pts.

In Game 3 - the consolation game for 3rd place Saturday morning, ACC won 31-18 vs. the Cayo girls. ACC’s 6pts and Guy Sutherland had 5pts.

Wesley’s captain Tevaun Lennan led with 12pts, Xylon Belgrove added 9pts, and Gregory Buckley scored 7pts, Joshua Bradley had 8pts.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners received team trophies and individual medals from the representatives of the tournament sponsors: SOL Belize and Bowen & Bowen. Individual awards: Donnel Arzu won Most Points, Most Rebounds, Most Steals and the Most Valuable Player, while his teammate Jonard Castillo won Most Assists. Wesley’s Gregory Buckley won Most Blocks.

Champs Stann Creek Ecumenical boys

2nd place Wesley College boys

Champs San Pedro High girls Zaria Jenkins scored 14pts, Shanety Palacio added 10pts, while Jane Martinez added 3pts; and Brea Gabourel and Anniece Vanzie scored a bucket apiece.

In Game 4, the championship final, the SPHS girls dominated the Toledo girls 16-7, led by MVP Aliyah Elliott with 12pts, and Sophie Guan and Aliyah Pilgrim scored a bucket apiece. Toledo’s Normalee Gomez

scored 7pts.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners received team trophies and individual medals from the representatives of the tournament sponsors: SOL Belize and Bowen & Bowen. Individual awards: Aliyah Elliot won Most Blocks, Most Rebounds, Most Steals, Most Assists, and Most Valuable Player. Normalee Gomez won Most Points: 34pts.

Cayo Kings & SHJC Scorpions Win SSBA Basketball Finals San Ignacio, December 17, 2016 The Cayo Kings won Under-19 champs while the Sacred Heart Junior College Scorpions won Senior Champs in the San Ignacio & Cayo Kings win U19 champs Santa Elena Basketball Association (SSBA) championship liams scored 16pts, Jarret Davis finals at the Victor Galvez Stadium added 10pts, and Raheem Crawon Saturday night. ford had 6pts and Antwon McFor the Under-19 championship, fadzean – 4pts. the Cayo Kings handed the defendMambaz’ Michael Lyons led ing champs, the Pepsi Christian Amwith 14pts, Vandell Fuller finished bassadors of Belmopan their first with 11pts and Gareth Bermudez loss: 46-39. Kings’ Bryton Young scored 7pts while Akeem Watters led with 9pts, Shevan Harris added and Anfernee Young put up 6pts 8pts and Michael Waight and Chase apiece.

Burkey scored 5pts apiece, while Trophies will be given out on Osmond Ack and Justin Ford added awards night when the finals of 4pts apiece. the Female, Masters over-35 and The Ambassadors’ Tevaun Lenthe Under-23 divisions are played nan scored 8pts, while Paul Flowon Thursday, December 22. ers Jr., Devaughn Flowers and Arik Female Division: Benque Nicholas added 6pts apiece.

Queens vs. Belmopan Shock.

In the senior championship Masters Over-35: Tuff E’Nuff finals, the SHJC Scorpions upset vs. Belmopan Marathon Mambaz: 56-51, led by Under 23 division: Belmopan Jamie Carbajal with 17pts. Karl Wilvs. Tuff E’Nuff.

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2016 2016

19 09 SPORTS 11

Belmopan Bandits & BDF Win Thru to PLB Finals

Police’s Byron Chavez wins header

Belize City, December 18, 2016 The undefeated Belmopan Bandits and the Belize Defence Force won thru to the Premier League of Belize, the championship finals to be played on New Year Eve, after both squads won their semi-finals round over the weekend.

At the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night, the Bandits eliminated FC Belize: 1-0 when Honduran import Jairo Rochez scored the winning goal in the 22nd minute after the 2 teams had drawn 0-0 in the first semi-final.

At the MCC Garden on Sunday afternoon, the BDF came back from being down 1-3 in Game 1 of their semi-finals series to win Game 2 vs. the Police United: 2-0 with Vallan Symns converting a penalty in the 81st minute and Kyle Budna came off the BDF bench to score a 2nd goal in the 87th minute. This tied the score 3-3 on aggregate, but the BDF’s away goal counted as 2, breaking the tie.

Coast Guard & Kelly St. Win Thru to CYDP Football Finals Belize City, December 17, 2016 The undefeated Coast Guard and Kelly Street FC won through to the Conscious Youth Development Program (CYDP) football championship finals to be played after the New Year as the 2 squads won the semi-final round at the MCC garden on Saturday afternoon.

In Game 1, Coast Guard eliminated Survivors United: 6-0 with a hat trick by Orvin Wade, while Stephen Martinez converted a penalty, and Arthur Garbutt and Guillermo Ramirez scored a goal apiece.

In Game 2, Kelly Street FC eliminated Tut Bay: 2-1, when Tyrique “Pippin” Muschamp scored 2 goals and Tut Bay’s only goal came when Brian Martinez converted a penalty.

Kelly St. win 2-1 TutBay

BDF’s Darrol Lambey vs Police’s Amilton Filho

Vallan celebrates

RF&G, B.C.C. & KHMH Win in Interoffice Football

KHMH win 3-2 Belize Bank Belize City, December 8, 2016 RF&G Insurance, Belize City Council and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital all enjoyed wins in the Interoffice football competition at the MCC garden last Wednesday and Thursday nights.

In Game 1 Wednesday, RF&G Insurance won 4-3 vs. Tourism Village FC with a goal by Michael “Suit” Hernandez, and Orlando Gonzalez scored their 3rd and 4th goals after Tourist Village’s Jason Duran scored an auto-goal. For Tourist Village, Jeremy Swift scored in the 24th minute, Bernard Lino equalized 2-2 in the 24th minute, and Anthony “Buck” Arnold scored a 3rd goal in the 67th minute.

In Game 2 Wednesday, KHMH edged Belize Bank 3-2 when Jermaine “Bowfoot” Zuniga scored in the 16th and 34th minutes, and Hugo de la Rosa scored the medics 2nd goal in the 28th minute. Belize Bank’s Germaine “Itchy” Foster scored in the 23rd minute, and Francisco “Peely” Briceño scored a

SMART’s Anthony Mahler

2nd goal in the 58th minute.

In Game 1 Thursday night, the Belize City Council won 3-1 vs.

National Aggregates on Thursday evening. BCC’s Maria Chimal equalized 1-1 in the 33rd minute, Simeon Alvarez Jr. scored a 2nd goal in the 46th minute and Melanie Bryant scored BCC’s 3rd goal in the 64th minute.

Faisal Ahmad scored Aggregates’ only goal in the 2nd minute.

In Game 2 Thursday, SMART and the Belize Water Services battled to a nil-zip draw.

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THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

Cayo South

Port Loyola

Caribbean Shores

SUCCESSFUL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN PORT LOYOLA FOR CHRISTMAS!

PUP Marshalls

The Gilroy Usher Sr. basketball tournament in Port Loyola on Sunday for the Christmas Season was a tremendous success. The games were all exciting and there was a large turnout of fans. First place, and the big prize of $500.00, was taken by R.S.G. The second prize of $250.00 of $250.00 went to Kraal Rd. The final score in the 15 minutes per half game was 32 to 28 in favor of R.S.G. The other four teams that participated in the tournament were Team Churchy from Pen Rd. Hood Stars, S.S.G. and Burrell Boom.

The event also featured delicious food by local vendors, as well as raffles and exciting music throughout the day.

Special thanks go out to all those who assisted in any way to make the tournament a success, including Maja Lloyd Jones for entering a team from the village of Burrell Boom.

It was a great joy to see the youths from different parts of the city socializing at the basketball court on Caesar Ridge Road with love towards each other as they displayed their basketball skills and good sportsmanship.

All Belizeans and visitors particularly the youths of this nation are therefore encouraged to go the extra mile to spread peace and joy throughout the festive season and beyond.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Cayo North

Toledo Orange Walk

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Cayo Central

MOVE

CHEER

25 DEC

The Chairman Ray Coleman and councillors of Forest Home Village Council have given Christmas treats to all students and teachers of the two Primary Schools in their Community. Little Flower RC School and Forest Home Methodist School. We share the love and joy especially during this time.

Gilroy Usher, Sr. with winning Team R.S.G.

Gilroy Usher, Sr. with second place team Kraal Rd.

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25 DEC

2016

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

As I told you last week when our tree in Orange Walk was destroyed by malicious vandals, I had no doubt that the collaboration between our Council and the community would mean a new tree in short order, and so it has come to pass. I have learned by experience that there is nothing that cannot be achieved when this community pulls together, and as always I give thanks.

At the risk of repeating myself, I also give thanks to the community for its unwavering support where the infrastructure in our town is concerned. I am very proud of all of us. Not only is Orange Walk very likely the municipality where the most real infrastructure work has taken place through an intensive works program, but it is the municipality which has received absolutely no assistance from Central Government other than a tiny allocation every month. So what you see happening in our town is a result of good financial management, commitment and community – no grants or bonds or political gifts.

While it is Christmas and a time to be merry, it is hard to do so with a cloud of shame hanging over Orange Walk. The land corruption that has been revealed, implicating the former Deputy Prime Minister and member of our community Gaspar Vega is outrageous. There is nothing else for it to be called. And then to have the Prime Minister pretend that it does not exist when all the documents are there, all the evidence is there, is even more outrageous.

As a Mayor of Orange Walk Town and as a politician I stood with the teachers in October when they marched against corruption and marched for good governance. I know many people were afraid to speak out because this government is known for its victimization and intimidation, but I also

know that all right-thinking, patriotic Belizeans want the best for our country. Far too many of our leaders have forgotten that they were elected by the people to serve the people. We politicians are servants of the people. How did these leaders today become so abusive and arrogant and dictatorial?

And then to have this blatant corruption thrown in our faces and to see that the government fully intends to try to sweep it under the rug – that cannot be allowed to happen. I call on the Prime Minister to at the very least commence an investigation into the wrongdoing at the Lands Department. If it is shown that Gaspar Vega or any other person in the Ministry of Natural Resources acted criminally, then let them face justice in a Court of law. That is how our system is supposed to work. I call on the Prime Minister to actively seek to have the people’s resources returned to them – whether it be the millions paid out in bogus compensation payment to Mr. Vega’s family and friends, or the many parcels of land unfairly appropriated by Mr. Vega, his family and friends. That is not asking too much Mr. Prime Minister.

The people of Belize should not even have to ask.

This past weekend I saw the joy on the faces of the many children who celebrated a moment with us, got a small gift, sat on Santa’s lap and had the time of their lives. As I watched them, and watched all those who shared those good times with us, I understand yet again how much of a responsibility we have to our people. I am proud to be a member of the People’s United Party and a friend of the Party’s leader, John Briceño. In him I see that spirit of selflessness, that commitment to the people which is absolutely critical in our leaders, but which has been lost in this current batch.

From my family to yours at this special time, I wish you all blessings and certainly, the New Year that we all pray for, with opportunities and hope.

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

By: Eduardo Santos Mark Forsyth is the author of A Christmas Cornucopia: The hidden stories behind our yuletide traditions published by Viking Penguin. He penned this article in ‘The Telegraph’ newspaper which to some extent, amply describes our present Christmas festivities in Belize. Gone are the days where religion and cultural affairs played a key role in our festivities. Now it’s one long festival of gluttony and debauchery. I leave you with Mr. Forsyth’s article in toto.

Think you know the true meaning of Christmas? You’re wrong and you always have been. Everybody has forgotten the true, religious meaning of Christmas; these days it’s all “feasting to excess, dancing, and crowning the doors” – or at least that’s what Gregory of Nazianzus said in 386AD. Christmas on December 25 was first recorded in the year 354, it’s fair to say that the complaint is very nearly as old as the festival itself.

If you think that Christmas shopping is bad now, you should have seen the West End a hundred years ago. The new-fangled public transport system, especially the Tube, allowed shoppers to throng into the towns, and the new-fangled electric lights drew them to the windows of the newfangled department stores and inside to the new-fangled Santa’s Grottos (invented in 1888 at JP Roberts in East London).

“At times yesterday afternoon the West End appeared a solid block of moving people, so dense were the crowds” moaned The Times in 1921. Christmas shopping today is a calm, sedate affair compared with, say, 1909, when the police had to be called in to break up the crowds that entirely blocked Regent’s Street.

The poor girls who worked in these shops (and they were poor) simply couldn’t cope with the pressure and so a philanthropic movement was born: buy in November and spread out the girls’ workload.

The campaign even had celebrity backers. The British papers ticked off their tardy readers by reporting that last week the Queen did a good deal of general buying and thus set a good example to the rest of London. That was on the November 26 1923; in 2016 the new festival of Black Friday is on the 25th. The idea that Christmas starts earlier every year is not exactly new or true.

Of course there was a time that Christmas wasn’t all about the gifts. Christmas presents only really started in Britain in the

1870s. There had been the odd Christmas present before that. As Samuel Pepys recorded mournfully in 1688: “The Friends of Mr. Tierney at Colchester have sent him as a Christmas present, a small Barrel of Oysters — that will not open.” But basically the British gave each other presents on New Year’s Eve until we imported the idea of Santa Claus from America in the 1870s. Before that, when we were free to contemplate the wonders of the Nativity, we didn’t. Instead we ate a lot.

Ye Olde Christmas was all about the food, because Christmas has always been about something else. In Elizabethan times preachers complained that it was all about drunkenness and sex, although there was no suggestion that Queen Elizabeth herself did that. She spent her Christmas gambling (and, apparently, she usually won).

So perhaps presents are simply how we do Christmas. It’s easy to set up a distinction of religion vs. shopping and God vs. the Brussels sprout, but that’s to miss the point that we all have to have a way of celebrating that thing we feel deep down somewhere in that most embarrassing of organs: the soul. It doesn’t matter whether we do it with tinsel or tangerines. That’s just how we do it. And at least we do it, even if we do it at the very last minute in Asda.

Christmas has the extraordinary power to make even the cheapest, tackiest, silliest things mean something. People often like to say that Christmas isn’t what it used to be when they were young (Charles Dickens was complaining of this in 1836). And it never is.

When I was a boy, the adverts on TV actually tried to sell you something.

Imagine that! Adverts would show you a product and try to persuade you to buy it.

Not anymore. These days they’re all stories about lonely robins or lunar geriatrics.

There isn’t a product in sight, just a rather embarrassed corporate logo shown for a couple of seconds at the end. Advertising hasn’t taken over Christmas, Christmas has taken over advertising.

And in some sense that’s what Christmas is, a season when even a dead tree can be beautiful when you put it up in your living room. It’s either that, or the true meaning of Christmas is that we’ve forgotten the true meaning of Christmas – and as that happened in 386AD it seems unlikely that anyone will remember it now.

25 DEC

2016

23

THE BELIZE TIMES

MAN UP, MR.BARROW! By: Norris Hall Hon. Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister Belmopan CONFIDENTIAL Dear Mr. Prime Minister: We the people are reluctant to address you as protocol dictates. You see Sir, we believe that respect is earned, not bestowed or dictated. Nevertheless, we write as “normal” Belizeans. There is no arrogance, nor superiority, nor dishonesty in our DNA. We are just simple folks but we understand more than you think we do.

This is the time of the year when we tend to resort to what has become meaningless clichés about goodwill towards men, peace on earth, wishes for a merry Christmas and so on. You get the drift?

We do not want to steal the thunder but we are also certain that we have an idea about your annual Christmas message. Actually, in its entirety, it has become the annual cliché of the year.

We are sure that with all the spotlights for the television camera, you are far removed from the reality of what we really want for Christmas. It would add meaning to your Christmas message.

What we really want Mr. Prime Minister, is good governance and a responsible government.

However, as you pose like royalty in front of the camera, we are expecting the usual well wishes along with a multitude of niceties that will conclude with your words of wisdom: The best is yet to come.

The camera goes to fade and this recorded message will be played throughout the twelve days of Christmas. It will make you sound like a partridge in a pear tree. It would be just as easy to replay one of your messages from the previous eight years and tag it with your latest political slogans like “The BEST is yet to come”, or “Better will come” or (and this is our favourite) asking us to “Imagine the Possibilities”. The latter gave way to wild imaginations but never ever imagining that our country would be in such dire straits.

As we began to write to you Sir, we stumbled upon one of your Party’s Manifestos for 2015-2020. Is the latter about the next three years or is it about your vision? We hold on to this glitzy and glossy publication, and we read it every day hoping for the signs of one of your prophesies. We read it like it is a revised version of the King James Bible. The only prophesy we see coming to pass is doomsday: Chapter 1, Verse 1 reads: In the past eight years, DB (during Barrow) Belize has seen an unprecedented level of economic stimulation through targeted capital investments by government in infrastructure, health, education, safety and security, and in programmes to stimulate job creation.

This investment has paid off…..we have seen steady growth…a flattening of inflation…….a massive increase in foreign reserves….a strong… and just about ev-

erything that makes the grass grow green in Texas-bullshit!

The fact is Sir that just the opposite of the hoax that you call a manifesto has come to pass. So much has been written about the failure of your government and your incompetent leadership, that to say that the national economy has collapsed and we have struck rock bottom has created an ominous and very gloomy cloud for Christmas.

To add to that, an additional tax on fuel that will kick in early in the New Year has been described by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry as “unfair, unjust and insensitive.” There will be more. It is time for us to read the 23rd Psalm, Sir: “Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death….”

Really Sir, after eight years of mismanagement, it is about time that you take your thumb out of your mouth and stop sucking it, to stop touching and sniffling your “Telly Savalas” nose. They are sure signs in body language, to tell when someone is lying or disgusted with the truth.

This was so evident at your press conference last week, when you lied, touching and sniffling your TS nose, about the reason for the resignation of your Attorney General and third Minister of Lands.

The young lady was scared because of the death threats she received from the northern cartel, and so apparently are you, over the massive national land heist by your buddy, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. You offered no protection to your AG nor will you take any action against your former Deputy for what are obvious criminal acts. You cannot touch him!

While it was quite reasonable for her to have resigned “for personal and professional reasons,” why did you have to call an extra-ordinary press conference to lie that her tenure was only for one year?

Why then, did you add to her portfolio as Attorney General that of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources if you knew that her tenure was for one year only?

Doesn’t make much sense for long-term planning!

By her own pronouncements, the agenda she outlined for herself included her stated intention to go after the lowest of the low, the Justices of the Peace, in a massive passport scandal involving some big fish, including you Sir, as was outlined in the Auditor General’s Report. The Attorney General’s slate of things to do could not have been intended to be carried out within the year. There-in alone are your lies.

And please Mr. PM, after eight years of your government’s failure under your

stewardship, please stop blaming everybody else and man-up! Take responsibility and stop blaming others for your failure and for your total incompetence as the Prime Minister of this country. This is what men and women with balls would do. No pun intended in recalling a reference made about you by a former Belize City mayor.

Man up Mr. Prime Minister!

For everything and for all your failures, you blame and scapegoat everybody else. Your favourite, of course, is the loyal Opposition People’s United Party. Your other scapegoats over the years have included the President of the Inter-American Bank, the U.S Treasury Department, Standards and Poor and Moody and Associates - the Financial Intelligence and Rating Agencies, even your nemesis, the President of Guatemala and his foreign Minister whom you fault for the bungling of your Foreign Minister - another untouchable buffoon.

That will inevitably come to light as Guatemala now exercises sovereignty over the Sarstoon River which forms the southern border between the two countries, with the tacit approval of your government.

You blame everybody, every agency, everything. We advise that you get rid of that mirror on your wall. It is delusional, Sir. Blame that damn mirror.

Furthermore you might want to contrast, like black and white, BB (Before Barrow) 1998-2008 when Belize enjoyed

the status of being a middle class country by world standards, as compared to now. The United States Agency (USAID) for instance in the early 1990s, spent funds in Belize assisting the government in restructuring and strengthening its economy and in the institutional strengthening of the private sector such as the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It pulled out after its mission was accomplished.

You may need them now, but not with Mr. Trump as the new President of the United States of America.

You have not indicated how you plan to take this country out of the mess you have created. It would seem that you can either tax us to death, borrow us into more or sell our national debt as junk bonds.

Sir, we know that you are ailing. That is being aggravated by your own stupid arrogance. We are also concerned that the pain killers that keep you going on a daily basis can affect, in a bad way, your decision making. It is likely that you will have to bow out soon, or call another early snap election. Unfortunately, your new boy deputy is still trying to prove his manhood by abusing women and alcohol publicly. He is not ready to take over from you. It will be worse, given the mess and the legacy that you will be leaving behind but we recall that you have said that you don’t care. That you don’t give “a frig!”

In closing, we really don’t think that a Christmas greeting or wishes of goodwill are appropriate clichés to give to you. You have given us no joy and frankly, you are too damn vindictive.

Ciao!

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 11th day of April 2005, between GREGORY ALMENDAREZ of Independence Village, Stann Creek District (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 11 of 2005 at Folios 615-680, 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 containing 366.181 sq. meters and being Lot No. 300 situate in Independence Village, Stann Creek District as shown and described on a Plan of survey attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 804 of 2003 and lodge at the Lands Title Unit Belmopan TOGETHER with all building and erections standing and being thereon.

TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 1st day of December, 2016.

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

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25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES Luke 2:11

“This day in David’s city a Savior has been born to you, The Messiah and Lord “

As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the feast of Christmas we should keep in mind the message of the Angel. To all of us Christmas should be a spiritual feast. It should be the feast in which we celebrate the birth of Christ as the reason for our celebrating.

Unfortunately this is not true. It seems like each year we drift further and further away from the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps it is because our country is facing a shortage of money and our economy looks depressed why so much emphasis is being placed in making loans so that we can have a good time that’s not a religious good time.

We have just completed a year in which our Holy Father Pope Francis had asked us to make it a year of mercy. As we look back, we ask how much mercy we experienced in our society. Mercy and forgiveness go together. Were we willing to forgive and forget offenses caused against us? Have we been holding on to our grudges, hate and bitterness towards each other? It seems to me that the quantity of crimes being committed in this country keeps getting worse. More and more of our children are experiencing molestation.

The amount of money or goods being stolen are on an increase. No longer is murder an act but now we see that to complete the act they cut off the head of the victims, dispose of the bodies

and those who know act as if they do not know who did it. Some of our people are not reluctant to set a house on fire with all the members of the family in it. If we compare this to the crimes that were committed fifteen twenty years ago we would see that these are lot more horrible. When I was a child we probably had one murder a year. Now we hear of three of four murders being committed in one night. Do you think that our crimes are less horrible? Do you think the number of crimes being committed is less than what it was before. Make a comparison and see what your answer will be.

The angel announced the time of Christ peace on earth and goodwill to all. What did you do this past year to increase peace amongst us? What is your relationship with your neighbor?

What can we do to achieve peace with our neighboring country Guatemala? There seems to be no answer for this question. What can we do on our side to improve and bring peace among us?

How can we help the other side to do the same? It was a year of forgiveness and a year of mercy. Can we think of anyone we might have refused to show mercy and forgiveness to. The year of mercy ended in the month of November. This does not mean that we do not have to show mercy anymore. It is not ended it is only the beginning.

May you and your families have a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

May we rejoice always because God has sent his Son who was willing to show us how to forgive and to show Mercy! May 2017 be filled with God’s gifts of peace, forgiveness and mercy!

Most Rev. Dorick M. Wright Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan

2016

NOTICE JUNO MANAGEMENT S.A. # 75, 217 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that JUNO MANAGEMENT S.A: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 8th day of December, 2016; and c) CIL Trust International Incorporated whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE Riviera Maya S.A. # 155, 420 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Riviera Maya S.A. has been dissolved as at 14th December, 2016 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT WATER AND SANITATION The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved Loan Contract 3684/OC-BL for BELIZE for a total amount of US$10,000,000.00. These resources are targeted to finance Solid Waste Management Project II, which shall be implemented by the Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA), Ministry of Natural Resources during a period of sixty (60) months.

The main objective of the project is to support Belize in its efforts to reduce environmental pollution through the improvement of solid waste management practices in northern and southern Belize and Belmopan. Specifically, the project will finance investments to improve solid waste transport, recovery, and final disposal in towns and nearby villages in the Northern (Orange Walk and Corozal) and Southern (Stann Creek and Toledo) Corridors and in Belmopan, and to strengthen BSWaMA as the lead agency in the waste management sector. The project’s implementation includes: Component 1: Investments to improve solid waste management: (i) closure of six dumpsites including the acquisition of land in those sites where the land is not owned by the Government of Belize; (ii) construction of six transfer stations – sorting facilities; (iii) construction of a new cell at Mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill; and (iv) final designs and supervision of civil works. Component 2: Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building. This component is aimed at ensuring the cost recovery of the entire system, implementing public education and awareness programs and improving the management of waste streams other than MSW. The Specific Procurement Notices (SPN) for bidding shall be published in UN Development Business, the Inter-American Development Bank’s website, BSWaMA’s website and local newspapers, pursuant to the Procurement Plan published on www.iadb.org and www. belizeswama.com. Procurement shall include goods, works, services other than consulting services and consulting services for infrastructure and consultancies.

The SPN for bidding as is the case shall be published according to IDB Policies.

Interested bidders and consultants can address their request for clarification and additional information on procurement to: Solid Waste Management Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources Attn: Mr. Gilroy Lewis, Project Director Queen Elizabeth II Blvd., Cohune Walk Belmopan, Belize, C.A. Tel: (501) 828 4864; Fax: (501) 802 1527 PO Box 285 E-mail: sw.director@naturalresources.gov.bz

25 DEC

25

THE BELIZE TIMES

Structural prosperity issues in Belize have seen the country slide 18 ranks in the Prosperity Index since 2007

BELIZE

2016

Belize’s prosperity is in trouble. The 63rd most prosperous country in the world in 2007, it now ranks 81st. This decline has predominantly been structural. Belize’s Business Environment has grown less competitive, sliding 55 ranks in the past decade. So too have Economic Quality, Governance, and Social Capital taken a hit, as unemployment, rule of law, and social strength worsen. There are some positive’s in Belize’s prosperity over the past ten years. The country has risen ten ranks to 53rd in Personal Freedom.

Economic freedom may be on the slide, but tolerance and religious freedom are rising.

IN A SURPRISE VERDICT, IMF CHIEF CHRISTINE LAGARDE FOUND GUILTY OF NEGLIGENCE

By Kim Willsher A French court on Monday found Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, guilty of negligence with public funds for approving a controversial multimillion-dollar payment to a businessman.

But judges decided the former French government minister would not be punished with jail time or a criminal record. And the IMF said she would keep her job.

The surprising verdict came after the public prosecutor had recommended dropping the charge against Lagarde, 60. The IMF chief has always denied any wrongdoing, telling the court she acted in the “public interest.” There is no suggestion she profited personally from the payment.

Had Lagarde been forced out, she would have been the second successive French IMF chief to fall.

Lagarde’s predecessor, French presidential hopeful Dominique StraussKahn, was forced to resign after his arrest on suspicion of assaulting a New York hotel maid. Charges in that case were later dropped.

But the IMF issued a statement

late Monday saying its executive board had met to discuss the verdict against Lagarde, and had reaffirmed “its full confidence in the managing director’s ability to continue to effectively carry out her duties.”

The statement said that the board had taken “all relevant factors into account in its discussions, including the managing director’s outstanding leadership of the Fund and the wide respect and trust for her leadership globally.”

Lagarde went on trial last week before a special tribunal set up to

deal with alleged wrongdoing by politicians and other public servants while in office. Prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin had described the charge against Lagarde as “weak” and suggested her actions were political rather than criminal.

The charge of “negligence” involved her handling of a $366-million payout to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a former singer, football club owner, television star and politician.

She approved the payment while serving as France’s finance minister from 2007 to 2011. She left that position to become IMF managing director.

Tapie, 73, had sold his majority shares in the sportswear company Adidas to the Credit Lyonnais bank in 1993, when it was partially stateowned, to escape accusations of a conflict of interest when he was appointed government minister. The bank later sold the shares at a much higher price, and Tapie went to court claiming he had been defrauded.

After the case had dragged on through the often-tortuous French legal system, Lagarde referred it to

a panel of private arbiters, who recommended paying off Tapie in 2008. Lagarde approved the payment, which came out of the taxpayers’ purse.

The Court of Justice of the Republic, made up of three professional judges and 12 politicians from the French Parliament, declared she was negligent because she ignored public officials’ advice not to make the payment and failed to appeal the arbitration decision.

Investigators have spent years looking into claims, fiercely denied by all parties, that then-President Nicolas Sarkozy had leaned on Lagarde to settle the case as a favor to Tapie, who had supported his successful 2007 election campaign.

Last year, Tapie was ordered by an appeals court to pay the money back, but he has appealed that decision, ensuring the case will continue to drag on.

Lagarde was not in court Monday for the judgment, having flown to Washington over the weekend for “professional reasons,” according to her lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve.

“We would have preferred an acquittal, but it should be noted that the court has decided not to condemn Madame Lagarde to any sentence whatsoever,” Maisonneuve told journalists after the judgment.

26

25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY

Carib Reserve, Tobacco Caye, North Stann Creek River, Hopkins Village, Red Bank Village, Independence Village, Stann Creek District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties on Thursday 29th December 2016 at the locations and times below listed: 1. At Lot No. 45 Sarawee Village, Stann Creek District at 9:00 am:

ALL THOSE LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 45 situate in Sarawee Village, Stann Creek and bounded as follows: On the North for 19.809 meters by 50 feet Road; on the South for 22.856 metres by Lot No. 38; on the East for 31.968 metres by Lot No. 44; on the West for 28.921 metres by 33 Feet Road; and on the Northwest for 4.309 metres by a Daylight Cut, containing 868.31 square yards as shown on Entry 5656, Register No. 4 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [20 ft. X 30 ft.] containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + Living/Dining/Kitched and lot [868.31 S.Y.] situate in Sarawee Village, Stann Creek District, the leasehold property of Mr. Juan Pau)

6. At Lot No. 11 False Sittee Pointt, south Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District at 12:15 pm:

All that piece or parcel of land, situate at Commerce Bight, Sittee River in the Stann Creek District of Belize and being portions of the lands described on the Sub-division plan of survey dated the 9th day of May 2011 and registered at the new Lands Registry in Belmopan in Register No. 14 at Entry No. 13267 and shown as False Sittee Point, being lot no 11 comprising 904.437 s.m., Together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon (Being a vacant lot [904.437 S.M.] situate on False Sittee Point, south of Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Aron Loewen)

7. At Lot No. 21 Red Bank Village Layout, Stann Creek District at 1:30 pm:

2. At Parcel No. 1027 Isidora Guevara Street, Dangriga, Stann Creek District at 10:00 am:

All that piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 21 comprising (1141.14 Square yards) situate in Red Bank Village, in the Stann Creek District of Belize and bounded and described as shown colored red on Plan No. 677 of 2002 attached to Minister’s Fiat (Grant) no. 677 of 2002 dated 5th September, 2002 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [19 ft. X 24 ft.] containing 1 bedroom + sitting room + kitchen and lot [1141.14 S.Y.] situate at Lot No. 21 Red Bank Village Layout, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Mateo Teul)

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK Dangriga South 31

PARCEL 1027/1

8. At Lot No. 237 Corner Delany & Craboo Streets, Independence Village, Stann Creek District at 2:30 pm:

(Being an incomplete concrete house and lot situate on Isidora Guevara Street, Dangriga, Stann Creek District, the leasehold property of Mr. Elwin Ariola)

3. At Parcel No. 1027 Isidora Guevara Street, Dangriga, Stann Creek District at 10:00 am:

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 237 situate in the Village of Independence in the Stann Creek District TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a vacant parcel of land situate at the Corner Delany and Craboo Streets, Independence Village, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Basilio Mes and Ms. Antonia Mes)

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District

All that lot, piece or parcel of land situate in the Carib Reserve being block numbered 36 containing 5 acres and bounded on the North by Block No. 37 there measuring 450’ 0” on the South by No. 32P there measuring 450’ 0” on the East by Block No. 99 there measuring 484’ 0” the said piece or parcel of land being more particularly described in Grant No. 33 of 1954 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being 5 acres of land situate in the Carib Reserve [45 meters north of the North Stann Creek River; 300 meters south of the Melinda Road and approximately 2.7 kilometers west of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District], the freehold property of Mr. Nolan Jackson)

4. At Parcel No. 1027 Isidora Guevara Street, Dangriga, Stann Creek District at 10:00 am:

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank International Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties in front Hopkins Village Police Station, Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District on Thursday 29th December 2016 at 11:30 am:

1. 4.93 acres situate North of Freshwater Creek Lagoon, Stann Creek District:

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 4.93 acres situate North of Freshwater Creek Lagoon, Stann Creek District bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 267 of 1991 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 267 of 1991 dated August 1 1991 Entry Plan No. 190 Reg. No. 8 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a vacant parcel of land containing 4.93 acres [containing length: approximately 870 meters long north to south; width: widest (between the sea and the creek) approx. 80 meters; narrowest is approx. 30 meters situate North of Fresh Water Creek Lagoon, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Messrs. Anselmas Island Limited surety for Hopkins Bay Limited)

2. 361.676 acres situate along the Western Side of Commerce Bight Lagoon, Commerce Bight Area, Stann Creek District, Belize: ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Block No. 1 comprising 1.60 acres situate along the East Side of Tobacco Caye Range in the Stann Creek District of Belize and bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 578 of 2006 attached to Minister’s Fiat (Grant) No. 578 of 2006 dated 26th May 2006 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being 1.6 acres of land along the East Side of Tobacco Caye Range, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Karl Gabourel Jr.)

5. At Parcel No. 1027 Isidora Guevara Street, Dangriga, Stann Creek District at 10:00 am: ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate along the North Stann Creek River, Stann Creek District and being Block 322A and 324 attached to the said property together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being Block No. 322A comprising 5.612 acres and Block No. 324 comprising 10.325 acres, the freehold properties of Mr. Fredrick Garcia)

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising of 361.676 acres situate along the Western Side of Commerce Bight Lagoon, Commerce Bight Area, Stann Creek District, Belize as shown on Grant No. 364 of 2006 with Plan No 364 of 2006 annexed and being more delineated on Plan Entry 8959 in Register 7 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a vacant parcel of land containing 361.676 acres situate along the Western Side of Commerce Bight Lagoon, Commerce Bight Area, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Messrs. Commerce Bight Limited surety for Messrs. Hopkins Bay Limited) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing)

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

25 DEC

2016

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BISHOP PHILIP WRIGHT Anglican Diocese of Belize

John 1:6-18 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.

11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Greetings and best wishes this Christmas Season from the clergy and people of the Anglican Diocese of Belize.

For quite some time now I have viewed life on earth as primarily trying to make sense of, and thereby trying to cope with, the disconnect between what should be and what really is.

How we respond to this disconnect largely determines what we ultimately make of our life and, as such, can have a direct correlation to the quality of the life we live. This applies to our personal life, our professional life, and our religious life. The inconsistences and contradictions of life have been a source of interest and challenge to the believer and non-believer alike for

27

THE BELIZE TIMES

a very long time.

The celebration of Christmas, which for me does not make much sense without an appreciation of the preceding Advent Season (largely because of the rich and significant scripture readings which cover the season), ought to forcefully bring to our collective and individual consciousness the fact that we continue to live in this disconnect I mentioned earlier. Not only does our annual celebration occur between the first and second coming of Christ, but it also occurs within the space of our disconnected realities – between what should be and what is. We simply need to take a look at what is happening around the world these days to appreciate how true this is. Nationally and internationally we see the failings of those in leadership; the injustices perpetuated by those with the power to do so; the debased behaviour of dictators and criminals alike; and the increasing disregard for the values and principles we once were prepared to adhere to. Accusations of corruption and the betrayal of the public trust is a far too prevalent reality. It is nothing new, in many respects, but it gives credence to the realization that all is not well with this world.

So above all, the Seasons of Advent and Christmas should serve to motivate us to continue the work our Lord has asked us to do in His name. Jesus came to reveal to us that the God He called Abba and Father, the God we in turn call Father, is a God of love and justice, grace and mercy. This same God now looks to us to work for the same until ‘the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea’.

The aspirations of the Christmas story need not exist in the realm of ‘wishful thinking.’ Instead, they must become that which bridges the divide between what should be and what is. We, who take it upon ourselves to celebrate this annual commemoration of the most significant moment in human history, must also seek to live out the mandate laid upon us as a result of this affirmation God did act definitively and deliberately in history by sending His only begotten Son into the world.

In the true spirit of the prophets of old and new, in obedience to our Lord Himself, let us work to make the world a better place for all of God’s children.

Let us pray: ALMIGHTY God, who has given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerated, and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

A MOST BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON TO ONE AND ALL

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; Belize District

BY ORDER of the Supreme Court of Belize, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following property ON SITE (Villa 7 Reef Village Estates, just north of the San Pedro Bridge, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on Wednesday 28h December 2016 at 1:00 pm:

Villa 7 Reef Village, Reef Village Estates, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION San Pedro

BLOCK

PARCEL

7

Villa 7 (5227-H108)

(Being an elevated, waterway, concrete villa containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + lanai + roof top patio situate in the Reef Village Estates Development, north of the San Pedro Bridge, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, the freehold property of Messrs. Reef Village Estates Limited) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

NOTICE 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 23rd day of July 2012, between SAMUEL SLUSHER of Forest Home Village, Toledo District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 18 of 2012 at Folios 643-708, 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 being Lot No. 47 containing 0.37 acres situate in Forest Home Village, Toledo District, Belize TOGETHER with all building and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 8th day of December, 2016.

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

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25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

Two tourists were killed at sea. The boat’s owner has been arrested — nearly 40 years later

By Kristine Guerra December 19, 2016 Christopher Farmer and Peta Frampton left the coast of Belize on June 26, 1978, aboard a boat named the Justin B. The young British couple in their mid-20s had decided to spend a year traveling abroad. They traveled to Australia and then went to the Americas. They toured Guadalajara, Mexico, and later wound up in Belize City, where they met an American named Duane, the owner of the Justin B. They planned to take the bus to Merida in the Mexican state of Yucatán, but Duane offered to take them to Chetumal by boat. Farmer wanted to experience sailing, so they took Duane up on his offer, Frampton wrote in one of her letters to her mother. She wrote to her mother frequently, updating her on their travels.

On June 29, three days after they left Belize City, Frampton wrote her last letter.

Duane has two young sons with him, and he curses a lot and gets violent with the boys when things don’t go his way, she wrote. At the end of her letter, she said, “I don’t think there’s any more news — nothing much happens on a boat.”

She and Farmer were never heard from again.

About a week and a half later, firefighters found their bodies floating in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Punta De Manabique in Guatemala, their bodies hogtied.

Autopsies revealed that the two had drowned.

The deaths of Farmer, a recent medical school graduate, and Frampton, a new law school graduate, would remain a mystery for the next four decades.

Finally, earlier this month, federal authorities said they think Farmer and Frampton were murdered by Silas Duane Boston, the boat owner.

Boston, now 75, has been charged with two counts of maritime murder. He was arrested in Paradise, a small unincorporated town in Northern California, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The charges came after a break in a separate cold case investigation of the disappearance of Boston’s wife, Mary Lou, who vanished in Sacramento in 1968 — 10 years before the British tourists are believed to have been killed.

According to a federal criminal complaint, two witnesses — Boston’s two sons aboard the Justin B — had provided a detective investigating Mary Lou’s disappearance with a detailed account of how Farmer and Frampton were killed.

Boston’s sons told police that at that time, when they were 12 and 13, they were living with their father in Sacramento. They left after a violent incident involving their father and another woman, court records say. Boston took his sons to get passports and snorkeling and scuba-diving gear, and the three drove through Mexico to Belize. There, Boston, then 37, bought the Justin B, named after his other son, and started taking tourists on boat tours.

Then, they met the young couple from Chestire, England. While on the boat, the two were always writing letters

Christopher Farmer is pictured on a boat with the sons of Silas Duane Boston, who is accused of killing Farmer and his girlfriend, Peta Frampton, in 1978. (U.S. attorney’s office handout) to their families about their trip, one of his sons told police. They also took photos using Farmer’s film camera. One photograph — which was later turned over to police — depicts Farmer with Boston’s two sons.

One night, when the boat was anchored in the harbor near the port of Livingston, Guatemala, Boston, completely unprovoked, attacked Farmer several times, his sons told police. First, he hit Farmer with a billy club as the latter was pulling up the boat’s anchor. He also tried to stab him in the chest with a fillet knife, but it broke. Then, Boston tackled him, tied him up at the front of the boat, and then tied up Frampton in the galley, court records say.

The next morning, Boston moved the couple to the edge of the boat. Court records say he hogtied them, tied machine parts to the ropes, covered their heads with plastic bags and pushed them into deep water.

Boston looked at his watch, one of his sons said. After three or four minutes, he said, “Okay, they are dead now.”

Then, the Justin B sailed away.

For a couple of hours, no one said anything.

Then, Boston said, “You know, I had to do that. They didn’t give me a choice.”

On July 6, 1978, Boston and his sons reached the Livingston port in Guatemala. There, Boston dropped off Farmer and Frampton’s clothes at a local business, one of his sons told detectives. He also mailed Frampton’s last letter to her mother, so that her family would think the couple was still alive in Guatemala.

The letter was postmarked July 18, 1978 — 10 days after the couple’s bodies were found off the coast of Punta De Manabique, about 10 miles northeast of Livingston.

Boston later told authorities who were investigating the tourists’ disappearance that he dropped them off at a peninsula across the bay from Livingston because his boat needed repairs. He said he may have seen them getting on a ferry in Livingston, but he wasn’t sure.

Why Boston allegedly killed the tourists isn’t completely clear.

Boston’s sons told detectives that shortly before the incident, Boston got drunk and started punching younger son. Farmer tried to help the boy, prompting

Boston to attack him instead, court records say. But Boston fell into the water after he tried to hit Farmer and missed. That’s when Boston began plotting to kill the tourists, his sons told police.

Over the years, Boston told at least one other person about the alleged murders, court records say.

That person, Boston’s old traveling companion, told detectives that he and Boston spent a year in Mexico in the early 1990s. Boston told him about the tourists’ deaths one day while they were driving together. He was laughing as he nonchalantly told his friend that he killed the tourists for fun, court records say.

To this day, Boston’s sons, who are now in their 50s and are estranged from each other, fear their father, they told detectives. They described him as a vindictive man who carefully plans his retaliation.

Shortly after the tourists’ deaths, Boston, again in a drunken stupor, threatened to kill his sons, court records say. He told them that he had also killed their mother, Mary Lou, by gunning her down as she was running away from him.

Boston had told investigators that she had taken money from their joint bank account and run off with another man.

Over the years, Boston, who is fluent in Spanish, fled to Mexico every time he became aware of a criminal investigation involving him. He stopped traveling because of his failing health.

Boston is not charged with any other deaths.

He appeared in federal court in California on Dec. 8. His attorney, Douglas Beevers, said in court that Boston, now in a wheelchair, suffers from arthritis and has difficulty hearing, according to the Sacramento Bee.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below company has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the below date: CROSSLANE FINANCE LIMITED – December 13, 2016

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

NOTICE “Notice is hereby given that the company named “GAINFOREST TRADING LIMITED” has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 20th day of December, 2016.”

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

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

29

PUP SECRETARY GENERAL’S Message On January 31st, 2016, the People’s United Party held its National Convention to elect a new Leader. Hon. John Briceño emerged victorious and he and his team immediately got to work to rebuild our great Party.

Our Party Leader assembled a new National Executive and throughout the year, has ensured that this Executive meet on a monthly basis. He also executed his 100-day plan, part of which involved visiting and meeting with the Constituency Committees of all thirty-one constituencies. New Senators were appointed in the persons of Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Hon. Valerie Woods and Hon. Paul Thompson.

As a part of this process, changes were also made here at the Party’s Secretariat. The Party Leader and Party Chairman tapped Yours Truly as Secretary General along with Mr. Collet Montejo as my Deputy. Our Party Chairman, via the Secretariat, organised two successful National Party Councils and two national rallies where our supporters came out in large numbers to express our utter discontent with the Barrow Administration. The Secretariat also embarked on a successful countrywide Constituency Audit. We

were intricately involved in helping to organize and plan for Village Council elections. When the dust cleared, the Party’s performance demonstrated marked improvements. The PUP took over 40% of the villages countrywide and close to 50% of those it contested. In 2013 we won only 27% of all villages.

On September 24th, the National Party Council authorized our Party Chairman Henry Usher to begin the process of putting in place new Constituency Executive Committees along with new Executives for our Party Arms. The process began with endorsement conventions for the Marshalls Community Service Corps (MCSC) and the United Women’s Group (UWG). The Belize Youth Movement (BYM) held a contested convention for the posts of President and Vice President. Thus far, Corozal South East, Corozal South West, Stann Creek West, Toledo East, Toledo West, Dangriga and Cayo North have had their new Committees sworn in.

All other constituency committees will be sworn in by March 2017. While 2016 saw its degree of progress and work by the Party and Secretariat, much is yet to be accomplished. The New Year will bring with it its share of challenges; nonetheless with our Party Leader John Briceño and with the National Executive, elected Representatives, elected Town and Village Councils, Caucus leaders, other Party officials, and more importantly, the friends, supporters and sympathizers of our great Party, we will press onward, forward to victory!

The Secretariat stands ready to serve our people. Our doors are always open to you. So, on behalf of our Party Leader and Chairman along with our Staff at the Secretariat, I wish you and yours, our PUP family at home and abroad, a happy and joyous Christmas and all successes in 2017. God Bless!

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25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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Amazon makes its first Prime Air drone delivery to a customer

By New Scientist Staff and Press Association Amazon has completed its first customer delivery by drone.

The company made the used its Prime Air service for the first time to deliver goods to a customer in Cambridgeshire on December 7. Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos confirmed the delivery in a tweet.

Amazon said a new private trial – also in the UK – will now deliver packages up to 2.3 kg in weight in 30 minutes or less using the drones, which it began testing earlier this year. The initial trial will start with two customers, with plans to expand to others in the local area.

Amazon’s drones are fully autonomous and are dispatched from a local centre. After custom-

ers make their order, their boxed goods are placed inside the body of the drone. The drone is then sent outside down an automated track

before taking off vertically. The drones are guided by GPS and fly below 120 m to land on ground near the customer’s home.

ANTIBACTERIAL PRODUCTS MAY HELP BACTERIA BEAT ANTIBIOTICS

By Bob Holmes IF FIGHTING bacteria one way is good, two ways would be even better, you’d think. But not always: an antibacterial widely used in soaps and cleaning products actually helps microbes like MRSA beat powerful antibiotics.

The substance in question is triclosan. It is not an antibiotic but a different type of compound that, rather than killing bacteria, stops them from growing instead.

Triclosan is so widespread that there are concerns that this may encourage bacteria to evolve resistance to it, posing a problem for hospitals that use antibacterials to prevent infections spreading. These concerns have helped prompt the US Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of triclosan in consumer hand soaps, and the FDA is pondering further restrictions.

Now there’s reason to worry over even more serious effects.

To see whether antibacterials can affect the performance of

antibiotics, Petra Levin and Corey Westfall, at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, exposed Escherichia coli to common antibiotics and triclosan, and measured their survival over 20 hours.

When the bacteria were exposed to the antibiotics streptomycin or ciprofloxacin, plus triclosan, they were 10,000 times more likely to

survive than those that weren’t also given triclosan. Further tests found that triclosan protects the MRSA superbug against vancomycin, a crucial antibiotic often used as a last resort in MRSA infections (bioRxiv, DOI: 10.1101/090829).

We don’t know why triclosan has these effects, but one explanation might lie in the different ways that

Safety questions Questions over the safe use of drones remain, however, with a number of near-misses involving commercial aircraft and amateur drone pilots reported this year.

Amazon has proposed using its crafts in “segregated blocks of airspace below 500 feet (150 m) and away from most manned aviation operations”.

Amazon also said its drones will use “sense and avoid” technology and data will be continuously gathered throughout the trial to make improvements, calling safety its “top priority”.

The company added that the current trial was only permitted to operate during daylight hours with low winds and good visibility, and not in rain, snow or icy conditions.

antibiotics and antibacterials work. Most antibiotics kill bacteria by interfering with essential steps in their life cycle, such as making cell walls. Since triclosan prevents bacteria from growing, they may not go through as many life cycle stages, becoming impervious to antibiotics as a result. “A dormant cell has not a lot of active targets, so there’s not much to corrupt,” says Kim Lewis at Northeastern University in Boston.

We don’t yet know whether triclosan could be aiding bacteria to survive in the bodies of those taking a course of antibiotics. Until we know more, it might be wise for such people to cut their exposure to triclosan.

The trouble is, it’s very hard to do that. “Triclosan is all over the place,” says Nathalie Balaban at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. “You’re giving a treatment and you’re not even aware it’s there.”

Triclosan may have another sinister effect. Antibiotic treatment usually aims to kill all the bacteria causing an infection – otherwise surviving microbes could pass on whichever genes helped them resist the drugs. By enabling bacteria to persist in the presence of antibiotics, triclosan may speed up their ability to evolve such resistance. If so, that could be a good argument for further restrictions on its use, Lewis says.

25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

ELSIE’S EULOGY

Elsie Adina Ferguson Nee Knight was born to the late Charles Knight and Clarine Williams on August 23rd 1936 in the Stann Creek Valley Road area now known as Steadfast Community. She is the second child of four siblings - Claribel, Anita and Lionel. Elise was raised by her father and her step-mother, both of whom were of Jamaican descent. It was a tough up-bringing with their step-mother who was very strict and even though it was four of them, the three sisters all grown up met their only brother later in their adulthood. The family was very hard working on their farm.

You would think it was all men working the farm as they toiled the soil far better than I would. Shopping for items was never a luxury for them as they were very much selfsufficient and when it came to their food they would eat only what they planted. You would always see them chopping, reaping oranges, or any other things that needed to be done on the farm. The only free time they had was when their stepmother would go to the market and sell. During that time, the three sisters would have a grand party among themselves. Elsie and Anita would go to the creek and catch fish or they would butcher a chicken while Claribel the eldest sister would prepare the meals.

Everything had to be disposed of before their step-mother would come back. They would have to consume all the chicken so there was no evidence.

Claribel the eldest sister would also bake the cake. When their step-mother would return and she missed the chicken she’d conclude that halarie ate the chicken. One day Elsie and Anita were told to grater bitter Cassava to make starch.

They were so tired after so many chores for the day so they decided to throw all the cassava in a gully. The chickens found the bitter cassava, ate it and they all died. They got a good beating from their stepmother that they would never forget. They used to walk three miles to school every day. They attended St. Joseph Catholic

School in the valley community.

She always mentioned Teacher Daniels; he must have given her a sound foundation. Her Standard Six education was more than enough to get her through life. She was always one of the top students in class. When they would get home in the evening they would be very hungry but they had to do all their work first and wait till their father came back from the farm before they could eat. They were eager to grow up and go on their own.

At the early age of 15 she met this handsome boy Mr. Derrick Ferguson who came from Belize City to play football with the Queens Park Rangers. Shortly after, she moved from home to be with her new lover. She was surprised he took her home because he was a ladies’ man. Anyone who knew Elsie in her early years can attest that she was a beautiful black girl. At the age of 16 she had her first daughter, Delvorine then Derick Junior, Myrna, Dawn and Rodwell and Cherry who joined the family at a very early age. She took her as her own child. Audie later joined the family when his mother had passed. She also raised 3 of her grandchildren namely Tylon, Aaron and Leon.

In those days all the people in Pomona used to live on the Citrus Company compound.

Her husband was very entrepreneurial but she had the business mind and used the money wisely. She always helped her family members when they would visit. While Derrick worked at the company he was a lottery seller and Elsie was always lucky to win the lottery. In 1962,

they started to build their own business right where the green house once stood. The family used one room and the remainder of the building was used for a shop and the famous Derrick Club. Elsie was the brains-piece.

Because of her upbringing she was used to hard work. After each big dance with Lord Rhaburn or Harmonettes Band she used to do the math and told Derrick it was not paying off but all he wanted was popularity.

They tied the knot on the 19th of November 1969. It was a big event because most of their customers were from Georgetown, Hopkins and Seine Bight so they were all invited and they had a Bram. I had never seen a lady who could add so fast and accurately. She added faster than a calculator. They owned a citrus farm, a shop and a bar but the bills kept mounting up and she kept mentioning this to Derrick.

She was an accountant all right.

One day Derrick came with this crazy idea that he would close up the shop and migrate to the US to pay off the bills. He left in 1974 and while he was there for about 6 months he realized that if he would send for his wife and the eldest kids they could all work and pay off the bills faster.

In the following year Elsie, Delvorine and Derrick Junior left for Los Angeles, California. She stayed there for four years while the smaller kids were staying In Dangriga with Ms. Mary Santos.

Rodwell and Dawn graduated from high school together so she came for their graduation.

The kids were happy that she came to take them back with her to the states. To their surprise she had no intention to return to the states. The kids were mad when she told them the only states you will go is to return back to live in Pomona. Rodwell was the only boy child in the home at the time. Elsie did most of the carpentry work herself while Rodwell would be cutting the board. She has always being a shop-keeper so after a couple months she went back to what she did best and opened Elsie’s Grocery and serviced the community. She worked tirelessly for her committee with people like Ms. Chris, Mr. Acosta, Mr. Elmo Caliz, Mr. Roy Davis bet-

31 ter known as ‘Slip Away’ and Mr. Petillo better known as ‘Promise’.

When she came from the US she brought her first grandson Sherwin to raise him in Belize. After a while his mother Delvorine wanted him to return to the states to live with her but she did not want him to go. Eventually she gave in and allowed Sherwin to go. She was so sad when he was involved in an accident and passed away. She was heartbroken.

Four years ago she lost her ability to walk due to rheumatoid arthritis. When she would get sick she would refuse to go to the doctor. She said her father used to cure himself and she will do the same and no doctor will operate on her at this age. When she says no she means no. So in her last years she was tied to a wheelchair but that did not hinder her from helping herself. She was very independent. Almost up to the very last she was doing her own thing. Eventually we were able to get her out of the famous green house that she said she and Derrick built with anticipation that her new home would be built within a month’s time.

She told us straight forward she would not live with anyone. When one month passed and the new home was only at foundation level she started to rail up. Thank God she was able to live in her new house with her special daughter Junel for 5 months. She was the happiest person. She was so happy she said everybody came to look for her. She enjoyed all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We had to have a party for the great grands. She was insisting that a party be held for all the great grands and she wanted to see Alfa dance. Her happiest moments were when Delvo, Derrick Jr. and Cherry came to visit her while she was still alive. Her last words were ‘Hold on to Jesus and the truth will come out one day.’

Elsie Adina Ferguson Born August 23rd 2016 Sunset December 16th 2016

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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

Notice is hereby given that Deborah Gegg is applying for a renewal of a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Smoky Mermaid”, #13 Cork Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yaaqov Vaknin for Belize Daiquiri Limited is applying for a renewal of a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Caribbean Cafe”, #8 Fort Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Helal Miah is applying for a renewal of a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Cristal Snack Shop”, # 186 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Zhang Wei & Li Ming Guang/Wang is applying for a renewal of a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Ming Ming Shop”, 22 Lovely Lane, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that William Jones is applying for a renewal of a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “B.J.’s Cool Spot & Grocery”, Burrell Boom Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Junyue Rong is applying for a renewal of a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Lian Tian Restaurant”, # 6648 Mahogany Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Gail Edwards is applying for a renewal of a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “GMF Place”, # 97 Cor. George & Basra Streets, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Marcin Galas for Belize Balloon Rides is applying for a renewal of a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Belize Balloon Rides Limited”, Marine Parade, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Elio Reyes is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Duty Free Belize”, Airport, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Elio Reyes is applying for a renewal of a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “IBW Ltd.”, Airport, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jaime Briceno is applying for a renewal of a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Shell 1 Stop”, # 50 C.A. Blvd. Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Niketa Usher is applying for a renewal of a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Brown’s Shop”, # 83 Cor, Dean & George Streets, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Nertavo Rancharan is applying for a renewal of a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “NR Gas Station”, 1.5 Ml Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Delfina Copo is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “De Lupe Shop”, Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Veronica Quetzal is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Vero’s Grocery”, Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Emeteria Gongora is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “D 3 Sister Shop”, San Jose Palmar Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Lelis Carballo is applying for a renewal of a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Smokey Mermaid”, Tower Hill, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Benito Pech is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Mar Y Tierra”, Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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2016

Notice is hereby given that Hing Ren Li & Zheng Bian Li are applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Akihito Hotel”, # 22 Belize/Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Margarita Blanco is applying for a renewal of a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Maggie’s Shop”, Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Luciana Copo is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “J & N”, Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Wen Zhan Huang is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Joe’s Shopping Center”, # 5 16th Street, King’s Park, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Margaret Nunez is applying for a renewal of a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Tropicolada Cocktail Hut”, #7 Fort Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

25 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

33

EDITORIAL en Espanol El Grinch que robó el 2016

E

l Primer Ministro viajo al extranjero con su familia la semana pasada para volver esta semana. Aprovechamos esta oportunidad para desearle al Líder de la nación y a su familia todo lo mejor en esta Navidad, especialmente al Primer Ministro cuyos movimientos intestinales aumentados y alteraciones abdominales se han hecho de conocimiento públicos innecesariamente.

Debe ser algo maravilloso cuando puedes saltar en un avión jet en cualquier momento y volar a Miami o Nueva York o a cualquier lugar, cuando el dinero no es un inconveniente y tienes el mundo a tus pies. Debe ser una cosa maravillosa cuando tus compras de Navidad de ultima hora no se necesitan hacer en los confines atestados de la plaza del centro, o esquivando a las personas sin techo en la maloliente calle Albert, sino más allá de los mares en exclusivas tiendas de diseñadores, con vehículos esperando fuera para llevarse tus paquetes a un hotel lujoso.

La gran mayoría de los Beliceños no tenían acceso a esas oportunidades antes del 2016. Esa es la pura verdad. Pero hacia el fin del 2017, muchos más Beliceños han perdido el poder adquisitivo que tenían. Basta con mirar en los periódicos, incluso en esta llamada época alegre del año.

En algunos casos el sustento de estas publicaciones depende literalmente de páginas y páginas de anuncios de subastas – Beliceños perdiendo sus casas y tierras y empresas y propiedades. Increíblemente, algunas veces hay más de diez páginas completas de tales anuncios. Ha sido uno de los muchos cuentos trágicos de 2016.

Y hay muchos otros. Lo que los Beliceños han perdido en el año 2016 es casi insondable. A medida que esta Editorial se está escribiendo, lo que algunos consideran el momento más bendito de todo el año será dentro pocos días. Esta es nuestra época de esperanza. Esto es cuando nosotros como pueblo dejamos nuestras diferencias a un lado y hacemos sentir el amor. Este es la época cuando olvidamos nuestros pequeños problemas y agradecemos lo que se nos ha brindado. Este es un período cuando nos enfocamos en la esperanza y miramos hacia adelante hacia nuevas oportunidades con gran placer. Pero no hay sensación de nada de eso en nuestro pequeño Belice en lo que nos preparamos para decirle adiós al 2016 y esperar el 2017 con gran inquietud y temor incluso.

El UDP ha violado nuestro país y abusado de nuestra gente sin vergüenza alguna. Este ha sido un año de abusos sin precedentes – de descarada, flagrante, y desvergonzada corrupción y la absoluta realización de que millones y millones y millones de NUESTROS dólares se han desviado a los bolsillos de los pocos privilegiados. Un ministro UDP fabulosamente rico que en su momento fue el segundo

hombre más poderoso en todo el país utilizo su posición para tomar de nosotros y darse a sí mismo y a sus familiares y amigos. Tomó de nosotros. La evidencia está allí. Y no seamos ingenuos – la evidencia que han visto los Beliceños es solo la punta desnuda de un iceberg rancio.

Dichas pruebas – páginas y páginas, estuvieron a unos pies del Primer Ministro en una conferencia de prensa la semana pasada. No pidió verlos, más bien miró de lejos e hizo de ello un gran chiste. No exigió que comience una investigación, más bien afirmó que ninguna investigación era necesaria. No le hizo su deber al pueblo Beliceño... pero como lo ha hecho tantas veces antes, le cumplió a su ministro corrupto. El Señor Barrow, este hombre arrogante que reclama que la integridad le rezuma por cada poro, se ha convertido en una broma, pero no de las que inspiran una risa alegre.

El pasado año ha sido uno de abundancia para los ministros del Señor Barrow. Cada año desde el 2008 lo ha sido, pero en 2016 alcanzó proporciones vergonzosas. Se ha puesto tan mala la cosa, de verdad, que los Beliceños literalmente están fatigados. Boots con su fajo de billetes de dólares dentro de sus calcetines, jactándose que le obsequio a su hija un edificio de tres pisos... Castro metiendo las manos en todo, incluso la industria cañera, fue dotado con su propia cartera ministerial...Pablo emparejándose con la hija de otro ministro y supuestamente formando una compañía farmacéutica para proporcionar medicamentos al Ministerio de Salud... Montero presuntamente poniendo terrenos en los nombres de sus empleados, familiares y amigos para ocultar su acumulación desvergonzada de activos personales... John Saldívar y su muy cuestionable relación con William Danny Mason...y la lista sigue y sigue.

Y es mucho más escandaloso porque mientras estos pocos se enriquecieron más allá de nuestra imaginación, nosotros los Beliceños normales y comunes nos empobrecimos más. Nuestro sistema de salud no mejoro. Nuestro sistema educativo no mejoro. La gente normal no tuvo acceso a mejores viviendas. Nuestra gente normal no obtuvo acceso a empleo sostenible, constructivo. La gente normal no obtuvo acceso a un pedazo pequeño de la joya. Nuestra gente normal luchó por sobrevivir mientras la vida fue quedando más y más difícil... y mientras tambien vimos como la vida fue más y más fácil para estos pocos UDP. Les vimos reírse y jactarse y fanfarronear. Mientras nosotros sufrimos.

Al llegar el 2016 a su fin, le deseamos a todos los Beliceños una Feliz Navidad en estos, los más difíciles de los tiempos. En el 2017, hagamos las cosas diferentes. Ya no debemos limitarnos a ser clasificados como ovejas, mientras los lobos saquean. Que el 2017 sea el año del pueblo... de buena gobernabilidad y de la justicia sin importar lo que se necesite.

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Ataque en mercado navideño fue deliberado Berlin: 20 de Diciembre de 2016 El conductor que embistió con un camión contra un abarrotado mercado navideño en el corazón de la capital alemana, matando al menos a 12 personas e hiriendo a casi 50, lo hico de forma deliberada, según dijo el martes por la mañana la policía, que dijo estar investigando un supuesto “ataque terrorista”.

El suceso se produjo el lunes por la noche en el popular mercado navideño ante la iglesia Memorial del Káiser Guillermo, cuando turistas y vecinos disfrutaban de una noche prenavideña tradicional cerca de la estación del Zoo de Berlín.

“Nuestros investigadores trabajan sobre la suposición de que el camión se condujo de manera deliberada hacia el mercado navideño en Breitscheidplatz”, indicó la policía de Berlín en Twitter.

“Todas las medidas policiales en relación con el supuesto ataque terrorista en Breitscheidplat se están tomando con gran velocidad y el cuidado necesario”, añadió el comunicado.

Horas antes, el máximo responsable alemán de seguridad había evitado aludir a un acto intencionado, aunque dijo que las pruebas iniciales apuntaban en esa dirección. La Casa Blanca condenó “lo que parece haber sido un ataque terrorista”.

El siniestro tuvo lugar menos de un mes después de que el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos pidiera precaución en mercados y otros lugares públicos en toda Europa, señalando que grupos extremistas como el grupo Estado Islámico y Al Qaeda se estaban centrando “en la próxima temporada festiva y los actos asociados”.

El grupo EI y Al Qaeda han llamado a sus seguidores a que utilicen camiones para atacar a multitudes. El 14 de julio, un camión arrolló a la multitud reunida por el Día de la Bastilla en la ciudad sureña de Niza, en Francia, y mató a 86 personas. El grupo EI se atribuyó ese ataque, realizado por un tunecino que vivía en Francia.

La canciller alemana, Ángela Merkel, lamentó rápidamente la tragedia. “Estamos en duelo y esperamos que los numerosos heridos recibirán la ayuda necesaria”, dijo su portavoz, Steffen Seibert, en Twitter.

Según imágenes difundidas por la página web del diario local Berliner Morgenpost, se podían ver varios puestos del mercado navideño destruidos tras el paso del camión.

Los accesos al lugar fueron inmediatamente bloqueado por las fuerzas de seguridad.

El mercado de Navidad contra el que irrumpió el camión está situado en pleno centro de Berlín, a dos pasos de la iglesia del Recuerdo, una de las principales atracciones turísticas de la ciudad, y de una avenida muy comercial, Kurf rstendamm.

Un turista que se encontraba en el lugar indicó que no sabía si el conductor “estaba borracho” o si se abalanzó contra la gente de forma deliberada, “pero no intentó frenar, sólo continuó”.

La policía desplegó un importante dispositivo en todo el barrio.

Las ambulancias seguían llegando a la zona poco antes de las 22 hora local, donde se encontraban vehículos de la cruz roja, dos camiones de medicina legal y numerosos coches de bombero.

Hasta ahora, Alemania no había sufrido ataques yihadistas de envergadura, pero sí atentados islamistas cometidos recientemente por personas aisladas.

El EI reivindicó en julio un atentado perpetrado por un sirio de 27 años que causó 15 heridos, y una ataque con hacha también cometido por un solicitante de asilo, probablemente afgano, de 17 años, que dejó cinco heridos.

En octubre, un sirio se suicidó en la cárcel después de haber sido detenido. Según los investigadores, preparaba un atentado contra el aeropuerto de Berlín.

En tanto, el Gobierno de EE. UU. condenó el lunes el brutal atropello registrado en Berlín al que calificó de “aparente ataque terrorista”, en el que murieron 12 personas y cerca de medio centenar resultaron heridas.

“Estados Unidos condena de manera energética el aparente ataque terrorista en un mercado navideño de Berlín, en el

Cont’do pagina 35

Equipos de rescate trabajan en la zona en la que un camión se estrelló contra un mercado de Navidad.

2016 2016

El Salvador, parte de la gira de presidenta taiwanesa en 2017

El Salvador: 20 Diciermbre 2016 La presidenta taiwanesa, Tsai Ing-wen, visitará varios aliados diplomáticos de Taiwán en Centroamérica y asistirá a la toma de posesión del presidente electo de Nicaragua Daniel Ortega, indicó hoy el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de la isla.

Tsai partirá el 7 de enero y durante su gira de nueve días visitará Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras, señaló hoy el ministerio.

Se espera que la presidenta taiwanesa realice escalas en Estados Unidos en su viaje de ida y en el de vuelta, pero la diplomacia isleña no especificó las ciudades de esas paradas.

Tras la llamada de Tsai al presidente electo de Estados Unidos Donald Trump, el 2 de diciembre, China pidió a Washington que no permitiese las escalas de Tsai en su viaje a Centroamérica.

A principios de diciembre, medios isleños aseguraron que la presidenta taiwanesa haría una escala en Nueva York y que su equipo se entrevistaría con el de Trump, cosa que el

Gobierno taiwanés ha negado.

Tras el anuncio del viaje de Tsai, el Gobierno chino renovó hoy su advertencia a Estados Unidos sobre posibles escalas en su territorio de la dirigente taiwanesa.

“Esperamos que ese país (Estados Unidos) atienda las inquietudes chinas y no envíe una señal equivocada, y haga esfuerzos para mantener la estabilidad en las relaciones a ambos lados del estrecho” de Formosa, manifestó en Pekín Hua Chunying, una portavoz del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores.

Hua insistió en la posición china acerca de que Tsai “tiene una agenda oculta” para su posible escala en suelo estadounidense y urgió a los países a “tratar con prudencia la cuestión de Taiwán”.

Taiwán mantiene lazos diplomáticos con 22 países, de los que 12 están en Latinoamérica y el Caribe, lo que convierte a esa zona en un bastión de la diplomacia isleña.

China, que reclama la soberanía sobre Además, se espera que la presidenta taiwanesa la isla, no permite que sus aliados mantenrealice escalas en Estados Unidos en su viaje gan lazos oficiales con Taiwán y bloquea la participación taiwanesa en organismos de ida y en el de vuelta, pero la diplomacia isleinternacionales de carácter estatal. ña no especificó las ciudades de esas paradas

PNC allana una vivienda en busca de exfuncionarios de El Palmar, Quetzaltenango, y Acatenango, Chimaltenango, investigados por casos de corrupción.

CAPTURAN A EXFUNCIONARIOS POR CASOS DE CORRUPCIÓN Guatemala: 20 de Diciembre de 2016 La información preliminar brindada por el Ministerio Público (MP) detalla que se trata de exfuncionarios de la municipalidad de Acatenango, Chimaltenango, y El Palmar, Quetzaltenango.

Autoridades buscan capturar a extrabajadores de las corporaciones municipales que fungieron durante el periodo 2012-2016, entre los cuales figurarían exalcaldes.

Capturados: • Máximo

Hernández Corado, • Eduardo Delgado Monzón, • Juan Batzín Saquil, • Sindy Eugenia Gálvez Lantán Contrataciones anómalas Según la investigación del MP, en el caso relacionado con la Municipalidad de Acatenango, durante el periodo 2012-2016, personal fue contratado de forma anómalo y se determinó que no existen documentos que demuestren el trabajo efectuado.

Ligado por otro caso El 15 de agosto último, Eduardo Delgado Monzón, exdirector administrativo financiero de la

comuna de El Palmar, quedó ligado a proceso por abuso de autoridad.

La audiencia se llevó a cabo este lunes en el Juzgado B de Primera Instancia Penal de Xela y, según el Ministerio Público, el exfuncionario transfirió Q7.8 millones sin autorización del Concejo.

El juez Nicolás Balam indicó que los documentos con los que cuenta la fiscalía, principalmente la auditoría efectuada por la Contraloría General de Cuentas (CGC), son suficientes para que el sindicado sea investigado.

25 25 DEC

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THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES 2015

COORDINAN CONSULADOS ANTE LLEGADA DE DONALD TRUMP Washington: 15 de Diciembre de 2016 México, Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador firmaron un acuerdo por el que coordinan sus servicios consulares en EE. UU. para estar “preparados para defender” a los migrantes de las eventuales políticas del Trump.

Los ministros de Exteriores de México y del Triángulo Norte de Centroamérica se reunieron en Washington para sellar en un memorando un mecanismo oficial de coordinación de sus consulados en EEUU que permita ampliar el intercambio que ya existe.

Los cuatro países, con importante migración hacia Estados Unidos, han dado este paso ante el “miedo” que ha generado entre sus comunidades “la narrativa electoral” en el país norteamericano, con el discurso antiinmigrante como uno de los pilares de la campaña de Trump.

“La idea es crear una red de trabajo para poder actuar con un menor margen de error para garantizar la protección de los derechos de los migrantes”, indicó Morales.

“Tenemos que estar preparados por si algo llegara a ocurrir, pero lo que va a pasar no lo vamos a saber hasta después del 20 de enero”, añadió.

Morales prefiere no entrar en especulaciones sobre lo que hará o no hará Trump y esperar a su investidura, el próximo 20 de enero, pero, eso sí, “preparados”.

“Toda crisis genera una oportunidad y la retórica

Ataque en mercado navideño fue deliberado Cont’do de pagina 34 que docenas han muerto o han resultado heridos”, dijo en un comunicado Ned Price, portavoz del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional.

De este modo, la Casa Blanca fue más allá que las autoridades alemanas, que por el momento no han hablado de atentado, aunque su ministro del Interior, Thomas de Maizire, ha reconocido que sí hay indicios que apuntan en esa dirección.

Estados Unidos también ofreció colaboración a las autoridades alemanas en la investigación del suceso.

“Alemania es uno de nuestros mayores socios y uno de nuestros mejores aliados, estamos con el pueblo de Berlín en la lucha contra todos aquellos que atacan nuestro modo de vida y amenazan nuestras sociedades”, añadió Price.

Varios medios locales coincidieron en informar de que el conductor, que fue detenido poco después en las cercanías, es un paquistaní o afgano que llegó como refugiado Alemania el pasado febrero y el camión fue robado de una obra en la vecina Polonia.

Además de los 12 fallecidos, las autoridades informaron del traslado a hospitales de 48 personas, algunas con heridas graves.

Egipto condenó hoy el atropello perpetrado por un camión en un mercadillo navideño de Berlín, que este lunes causó 12 muertos y que la policía alemana investiga como un “presunto atentado terrorista”.

En un comunicado, el Ministerio de Exteriores egipcio expresó su condolencias al Gobierno alemán y a los familiares de las víctimas y reiteró su repulsa hacia el terrorismo.

“El fenómeno del terrorismo amenaza la seguridad y estabilidad de todos los pueblos del mundo de una forma sin precedentes, lo que requiere la colaboración internacional para acabar con las organizaciones terroristas que están detrás de estas acciones brutales contrarias a los valores humanos”, se indica en la nota.

que se ha construido en torno al proceso electoral lo que nos ha permitido es la oportunidad de fortalecer el servicio consular”, señaló.

Guatemala tendrá desde enero 19 consulados en Estados Unidos, cuando hace cinco años tenía 8, al tiempo que ha reforzado sus servicios con más empleados locales en sus oficinas.

“Estamos aprovechando esta situación que se nos presenta primero para fortalecer la relación con la comunidad, decirle a todos los guatemaltecos que tenemos que estar unidos, organizados, juntos, bien identificados donde estamos”, informó.

“Y segundo estamos compartiendo contactos -con los consulados de México, Honduras y El Salvador- de organizaciones de protección de inmigrantes, organizaciones religiosas, legales, de alcaldes, jueces locales y de instituciones públicas”, agregó.

En EE. UU. viven unos tres millones de guatemaltecos y el 80 por ciento de las familias en Guatemala reciben remesas de sus parientes en el país norteamericano.

Esas remesas ascenderán este año, según Morales, a un total de US$7 mil millones de dólares, al tiempo que el 40 % de las exportaciones guatemaltecas tienen como

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destino Estados Unidos.

Guatemala confía en mantener su “relación privilegiada” con Estados Unidos durante el Gobierno de Trump y, por ello, la instrucción de su embajadora en Washington es la de “tejer los mejores lazos” con el nuevo Ejecutivo.

En esa relación diplomática, la inmigración es el “punto número uno” para Guatemala.

“Para ellos -el Gobierno Trump- es el tema de la seguridad, porque Centroamérica ha sido corredor de drogas, de tráfico de armas y personas, pero hemos dado pasos importantes con el apoyo de Estados Unidos”, defendió.

En ese sentido, Guatemala espera que Estados Unidos continúe contribuyendo con fondos al Plan de la Alianza para la Prosperidad del Triángulo Norte, para el que el Congreso ya aprobó una partida de US$750 millones.

“Esperamos que Estados Unidos nos apoye, pero la responsabilidad primera es nuestra. Si viene ayuda fenomenal, pero si no, igual tenemos la obligación de desarrollar nuestros países”, indicó.

Sobre la promesa de Trump de deportar a unos 2 o 3 millones de indocumentados en situación irregular con historial delictivo, Morales subraya que “los guatemaltecos no son delincuentes”.

De los 3 millones de guatemaltecos en Estados Unidos, 4.000 “tienen problemas con la ley”, según cifras oficiales consultadas por el diplomático.

“Quisiera que no hubiera ninguno, lo lamento mucho, pero es una cantidad relativamente pequeña”, concluyó.

IMPACTANTE RELATO DE FOTÓGRAFO QUE PRESENCIÓ ASESINATO DEL EMBAJADOR RUSO Ankara, Turkia: 20 de Diciembre de 2016 El fotógrafo de Associated Press que capturó imágenes del asesinato del embajador ruso Andrey Karlov en una exposición de arte en Ankara, ha recordado el aterrador momento en que el atacante abrió fuego.

“Me tomó unos segundos para darme cuenta de lo que había sucedido: Un hombre había muerto delante de mí; Una vida había desaparecido ante mis ojos “, escribió Burhan Ozbilici en APNews.com.

“Me tomó unos segundos para darme cuenta de lo que había sucedido: Un hombre había muerto delante de mí; Una vida había desaparecido ante mis ojos “, escribió Burhan Ozbilici en APNews.com.

“Los disparos, al menos ocho de ellos, fueron fuertes en la galería de arte. El momento aterrador estalló. La gente gritaba, se escondía detrás de las columnas y debajo de las mesas y yacía en el suelo. Tenía miedo y confusión, pero encontré una tapa parcial detrás de una pared e hizo mi trabajo: tomar fotografías “.

Ozbilici nunca había tenido la intención de asistir a la nueva exposición fotográfica en la capital turca, pero tomó una decisión rápida de detenerse en su camino a casa desde la oficina. Las relaciones entre Rusia y Turquía parecen descongelarse en las últimas semanas, y el fotógrafo de la AP cree que algunas imágenes de Karlov hablando en la galería podrían ser útiles en un futuro próximo. “Él estaba hablando suavemente y - por lo que yo podía entender - con amor de su patria, deteniéndose de vez en cuando para permitir que el traductor transmita sus palabras en turco. Recuerdo haber pensado en lo tranquilo y humilde que parecía, cuando el agresor hizo al menos ocho disparos, que estaba entre el público. “íNo olviden Aleppo, no olviden Siria!”, gritó el agresor en turco en referencia a la ciudad siria donde los bombardeos rusos han contribuido a expulsar a los rebeldes de sectores que habían ocupado años durante la guerra.

El atacante también gritó “Alahú Akbar” , la frase en árabe que significa “Dios es grande”.También dijo en árabe: “Somos los descendientes de aquellos que apoyaron al profeta Mahoma para la Yihad” .

‘Soy un periodista. Tengo que hacer mi trabajo Pero en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, la tranquila escena de la galería estaba destrozada. Los disparos sonaron y la

gente se dispersó como un pánico ciego colgado en el aire.

Ozbilici se dirigió a la parte trasera de la sala de exposición, encontró un refugio parcial detrás de una pared. Observó cómo el atacante vestido de traje y corbata caminaba alrededor del cuerpo del embajador, describiéndolo como “agitado” mientras golpeaba varias de las fotografías expuestas.

“Yo estaba, por supuesto, temeroso y sabía del peligro si el atacante se volvía hacia mí”, escribió en APNews.com. “Pero avancé un poco y fotografié al hombre como si fuese un expositor frente a su audiencia desesperada, cautiva.”

El hombre armado se acercó a Karlov que quedó tendido en el piso y lo baleó una vez más a corta distancia, según el fotógrafo.

Después de que baleara al embajador, el agresor subió al primer nivel del inmueble y se enfrentó a balazos durante 15 minutos con la Policía, que finalmente lo mató, “Esto es lo que estaba pensando: ‘Estoy aquí. Incluso si soy golpeado y herido, o matado, soy un periodista. Tengo que hacer mi trabajo. Podría huir sin hacer ninguna fotografía ... Pero no tendría una respuesta adecuada si la gente me pregunta más tarde: ‘¿Por qué no tomaste fotos?’ “ Agregó: “Incluso pensé en amigos y colegas que han muerto mientras tomaban fotografías en zonas de conflicto a lo largo de los años”.

Todo el tiempo, Ozbilici continuó trabajando, documentando el asesinato político desde una perspectiva que llevaría a las noticias en todo el mundo en cuestión de horas.

“Mientras mi mente corría, vi que el hombre estaba agitado - y sin embargo, estaba, extrañamente, en control de sí mismo. Gritó a todos que se apartaran. Los guardias de seguridad nos ordenaron que dejáramos el pasillo y nos fuimos.

No fue hasta que Ozbilici comenzó a editar sus fotos que él realmente comprendió la premeditación detrás del “calculado” ataque del tirador.

Fotógrafos y periodistas de todo el mundo elogiaron al fotógrafo de AP por su compostura ante el terror. “¿Qué bravura AP @BurhanOzbilici mostró para capturar esas fotos. El personal de alambre muy a menudo no reconocido y muy a menudo los héroes de este comercio?”, escribió Barry Malone, editor en línea en Al Jazeera Inglés.

El periodista Bronwen Dickey escribió en Twitter: “Antes de morir, puedo conocer una centésima parte del valor de @ BurhanOzbilici”.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2016

NOTICE SELDOM LTD. # 105, 808 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that SELDOM LTD.: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 20th day of December, 2016; and c) CIL Trust International Incorporated whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE BERWYN HOLDING LTD. # 125, 226 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that SELDOM LTD.: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 20th day of December, 2016; and c) ROBERTO PAREDES whose address is 50th and 74th Street, San Franciso, PH909, 15th Floor, Panama City, Panama is the Liquidator of the Company.

MACLACHLAN & DENNIN LIMITED Registered Agent

NOTICE R7 GROUP LTD. # 143, 851 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that R7 GROUP LTD.. has been dissolved as at 20th December, 2016 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

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: MARTINIQUE COMMERCIAL INC. – December 20th, 2016 Icaza Belize Trust Corporation Limited Registered Agent

GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES) BELIZE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT II WATER AND SANITATION REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CONSULTING SERVICES Loan No. 3684/OC-BL Project No.: BL-L1021 Contract/Bid No. 001-2017/2018 The Government of Belize has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments under the project Belize Solid Waste Management Project, BL-L1021, for hiring a specialized engineering consulting firm to perform the function of Design - Supervising Engineer for the Provision of complete Design Package; Preparation of Bidding Documents; Assistance in Bid Evaluation and Contract Negotiations; Supervision and Construction Quality Assurance and Quality Control of six (6) transfer stations/MRFs and closure of six (6) open dumpsites in the following locations: (i) Corozal; (ii) Orange Walk; (iii) Belmopan; (iv) Dangriga; (v) Placencia; and (vi) Punta Gorda.

The Solid Waste Management Authority (SWaMA), Ministry of Natural Resources as Executing Agency on behalf of the Government of Belize now invite eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information establishing that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, GN-2350-9 of March 2011 and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. The selection process shall be the “Quality and Cost Based Selection, (QCBS)” method.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered via direct mail or hand delivered to the address indicated below by 4:00 PM on January 20th, 2017.

Solid Waste Management Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources Attn: Mr. Gilroy Lewis, Project Director Queen Elizabeth II Blvd., Cohune Walk Belmopan, Belize, C.A. Tel: (501) 828 4864; Fax: (501) 802 1527 PO Box 285 E-mail: sw.director@naturalresources.gov.bz

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Companies listed below have been dissolved and duly struck off the IBC Register as follows: NAME OF COMPANY

NINA PORTFOLIO INC. BLUE SQUARE FINANCE LTD. RIGBEY INVESTMENTS CORP. ROCHELLE CORPORATION FELUS MANAGEMENT INC. PILOCH TRADING COMPANY S.A. POM INVESTMENT ASSET S.A. MUGL INVESTMENTS LTD. BELMONT FINANCIALS LTD. KILGO BUSINESS LTD. BRADBURY DEVELOPMENT INC. AMPARA UNIVERSAL S.A. MALASTRE MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LIMITED ARKANIS MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LIMITED TEGUCIGALPA SHIPPING AND TRADING COMPANY (BELIZE) LIMITED DRYWORTH TRADE INC. FORT GEORGE SHIPPING & TRADING COMPANY (BELIZE) LIMITED WORENCREEK CORPORATION IVREA HOLDING LTD. PATTERSON CONSULTING INC. PLUTO LTD. GATRADE BUSINESS S.A. WHARF INTERNATIONAL CORP. ADRIANO CONTINENTAL S.A. CANTERBURY INVESTMENTS LIMITED MMA HOLDING & INVESTMENT INC. NEVADA MANAGEMENT INC. CREST GLOBAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED GIBO UNIVERSAL S.A. TROTER CORPORATION PACER PAK LIMITED YONDAN FINANCIAL LTD. GRANVILLE PROPERTIES LIMITED LATERAL ASPECTS COMPANY LIMITED BURNSIDE S.A. JESSAMY OVERSEAS LTD.

Date of Dissolution

1-Nov-16 1-Nov-16 2-Nov-16 2-Nov-16 3-Nov-16 4-Nov-16 4-Nov-16 4-Nov-16 4-Nov-16 5-Nov-16 9-Nov-16 9-Nov-16 10-Nov-16 10-Nov-16 11-Nov-16 11-Nov-16 11-Nov-16 12-Nov-16 15-Nov-16 16-Nov-16 17-Nov-16 18-Nov-16 18-Nov-16 18-Nov-16 19-Nov-16 22-Nov-16 23-Nov-16 23-Nov-16 23-Nov-16 24-Nov-16 25-Nov-16 29-Nov-16 29-Nov-16 30-Nov-16 30-Nov-16 30-Nov-16

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Ltd.

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

37

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Mario Ayuso is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Aisha’s Mini Market”, # 4 1st Street King’s Park, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ianthe Gentle is applying for a renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Gentle’s Cool Spot”, Gales Point Manatee, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Esau Slusher is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Esau Shop” Gales Point Manatee, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Luis Cuello is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “L & R Liquors ”, # 46 Euphrates Avenue, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Luis Cuello is applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “L & R Liquors Limited”, # 993 Mayflower Garden, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that James Young is applying for a renewal of a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “Lakers Cool Spot”, #42 Lawrence Avenue, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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

ST. JUDE NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved Throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us.

St. Jude, helper of the helpless, pray for us.

Say this prayer nine times a day for nine days.

It has never been known to fail.

Publication must be promise.

F.C.M.

BELIZE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES ACCOUNTS CLERK FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT II A.) BACKGROUND The Government of Belize (GoB) with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), proposes to implement a five year project to improve solid waste management practices in the Northern and Southern Corridors (Corozal, Orange Walk, Belmopan, Dangriga, Placencia and Punta Gorda) that will support the goals of environmental protection, natural resource conservation, and protection of public health, safety and welfare. The project will also contribute to enhancing the image of Belize in the eco-tourism market and strengthen the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) as the entity responsible for improving solid waste management in the country.

Component 1 - Capital Investments to improve solid waste management: This component aims to improve municipal solid waste transport, recovery, and final disposal in the aforementioned Corridors as well as in Belmopan through the following investments: i) closure of six dumpsites, ii) construction of six transfer stations – sorting facilities iii) construction of a new cell at Mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill, and iv) final designs and supervision of civil works including the preparation of site-specific Environmental Assessments and Environmental and Social Management Plans.

Component 2 - Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building: The resources allocated to this component will finance consulting services and activities to strengthen the BSWaMA, including: (i) consultancies to support in the design and implementation of a cost recovery mechanism for solid waste collection, transport and disposal; (ii) external short-term consultants and training activities to strengthen knowledge in landfill and transfer station operations, composting, recycling and management of other waste streams such as hazardous waste, as well as advisory services in areas such as legal support for contracting activities and elaboration of regulatory guidelines; (iii) social communication/public education and awareness activities and materials; (iv) preparation and implementation of site-specific social inclusion plans for recyclers, and (v) consultancy for the design and implementation of an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) for BSWaMA. B.) SCOPE OF WORK The scope of this consultancy is to provide financial and accounting management of the Solid Waste Management Project II (SWMP) and to carry out the administrative control functions of the Project. In this capacity, the Person Engaged will assist the Financial Specialist in the overall financial and accounting management of the SWMP II in accordance with the terms of the SWMP II Loan Contract, the Memorandum of Understanding between the MNR and the BSWaMA, agreed Project-specific accounting regulations with the IDB, the Project Procurement Plan, Project Execution Plans, Annual Operating Plans and other Project related documents and GoB financial policies and regulations.

C.) SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES The Accounts Clerk shall provide a professional compliant procurement process which achieves value for money: The Person Engaged shall: 1) Review and be familiar with all documentation relating to the Project, with particular attention to the SWMP II Loan Contract with the IDB. The Person Engaged shall undertake work on the Project in accordance with the Project documents.

2) Support the Financial Specialist in all aspects of financial- accounting management of the Project and shall: a) Assist in the preparation of annual Project budgets and monitor and report on expenditures against budget on a continuous basis: b) Assist the Financial Specialist in maintaining accurate financial accounting records for the Project in line with the standard accounting principles and the financial reporting requirements of the IDB; c) Assist the Financial Specialist in maintaining adequate accounting and financial controls as well as appropriate support documentation filing systems for the operations of the Project that allow for financial and accounting monitoring of the Bank’s resources and the local counterpart contributions, in accordance with Bank requirements, for verification by the Bank and the external auditing firm, to include, inter alia, i) Oversight of all payment vouchers, and fixed assets inventory from the various sources of Project funding; ii) Oversight of the analysis of comparative quotations; iii) Prepare and submit a reconciliation of the accounts for IDB funds and Government of Belize counterpart funds on a monthly basis; iv) Provision of digital approval of Smart Stream vouchers; v) Ensuring that the all statutory deductions are paid in time; vi) Management of the inventory of all Project assets; d) Provide all supporting documentation required for Bank disbursement requests. e) Assist the Financial Specialist in the preparation of financial statements for internal Project control, external auditing and IDB/ GOB supervision purposes, on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis as required and agreed between the parties; f) Assist the Financial Specialist in the preparation of semiannual reports on the revolving fund and other financial reports as required for submission to the Bank; g) Assist the Financial Specialist in facilitating external and internal audits; h) Ensure that all financial documents and voucher copies are filed appropriately; i) Any other duties assigned from time to time.

D.) QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The Person Engaged will have at least Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Auditing or a recognized certificate in accounting. Membership in a recognized accountancy body would be an advantage. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant proven experience in financial – accounting management is required. Knowledge and experience in financial reporting and disbursement procedures of the IDB, World Bank, or other international donor organization is preferred. The Person Engaged must have excellent computer skills and be proficient in the use of accounting software such as QuickBooks. Ability to work well on a team and fluency in English are essential. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

E.) TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT The successful candidate will be employed on a full time contractual basis. The duty station is the BSWaMA’s office in Belmopan.

The initial contract period shall be two (2) years, extendable by mutual agreement in accordance with prevailing Belize legislation as well as results of her/his performance appraisal.

F. PAYMENT SCHEDULE Negotiable based on qualification and experience.

G. APPLICATION Interested persons may send their application letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV), references and supporting documentation, hardcopy or by email, no later than January 6th, 2017 at 4:00 PM to:

Solid Waste Management Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources Attn: Mr. Gilroy Lewis, Project Director Queen Elizabeth II Blvd., Cohune Walk City of Belmopan, Belize, C.A. Tel: (501) 828 4864 Fax: (501) 802 1527 PO Box 285 E-mail: sw.director@naturalresources.gov.bz

38

THE BELIZE TIMES

25 DEC

2016

BELIZE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PROCUREMENT OFFICER FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT II A.) BACKGROUND The Government of Belize (GoB) with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), proposes to implement a five year project to improve solid waste management practices in the Northern and Southern Corridors (Corozal, Orange Walk, Belmopan, Dangriga, Placencia and Punta Gorda) that will support the goals of environmental protection, natural resource conservation, and protection of public health, safety and welfare. The project will also contribute to enhancing the image of Belize in the eco-tourism market and strengthen the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) as the entity responsible for improving solid waste management in the country.

Component 1 - Capital Investments to improve solid waste management: This component aims to improve municipal solid waste transport, recovery, and final disposal in the aforementioned Corridors as well as in Belmopan through the following investments: i) closure of six dumpsites, ii) construction of six transfer stations – sorting facilities iii) construction of a new cell at Mile 24 Regional Sanitary Landfill, and iv) final designs and supervision of civil works including the preparation of site-specific Environmental Assessments and Environmental and Social Management Plans.

Component 2 - Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building: The resources allocated to this component will finance consulting services and activities to strengthen the SWaMA, including: (i) consultancies to support in the design and implementation of a cost recovery mechanism for solid waste collection, transport and disposal; (ii) external short-term consultants and training activities to strengthen knowledge in landfill and transfer station operations, composting, recycling and management of other waste streams such as hazardous waste, as well as advisory services in areas such as legal support for contracting activities and elaboration of regulatory guidelines; (iii) social communication/public education and awareness activities and materials; (iv) preparation and implementation of site-specific social inclusion plans for recyclers, and (v) consultancy for the design and implementation of an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) for BSWaMA. B.) SCOPE OF WORK The Procurement Officer shall be responsible for the execution of the procurement activities for SWMP II in accordance with the provisions of the “Procurement Policies” of the InterAmerican Development Bank and relevant GoB policies, laws and regulations as well as the execution of the procurement activities of the Solid Waste Management Authority.

C.) SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES The Procurement Officer shall provide a professional compliant procurement process which achieves value for money: 1. Coordinate all aspects of procurement for SWMP II and the BSWaMA; 2. Prepare and update Procurement Plans for submission to the IDB, GoB and other relevant entities for approval; 3. Manage the procurement of works, goods, consulting services, non-consulting services and external auditing services including: a) Plan and engage with Waste Management Engineer and staff to understand requirements and specifications; b) Ensuring the preparation of bid package (bidding documents and contracts) under the supervision of the BSWaMA Director and in collaboration with funding agencies, other relevant Government entities and issuing them to interested bidders; c) Ensuring that all procurement procedures are in strict conformity with the relevant funding agencies’ Procurement Guidelines and GoB policies, laws and regulations; d) Submitting draft bid package to funding agencies for non-objection; Arranging for advertising in the local newspapers, UNDB Business online, others as the case may be, inclusive of Terms of Reference, General Procurement Notice, Specific Procurement Notice, Request for Expression of Interest; Request for Proposals, Request for Bids (under all known procurement methods); e) Ensuring the preparation of responses to relevant communication with respect to clarifications and issues resulting from bidder’s queries of the bidding documents; f) Organizing and chair Pre-Bid and Pre-Proposal Conference Meetings; coordinate bid related site visits with the Waste Management Engineer; g) Organizing Public Bid Opening and issue Bid Opening Minutes; h) Convening and chairing the Bid Evaluation Committee where applicable; i) Overseeing the verification of bids (legal, technical and financial submission and verification of references and bank information); j) Preparing Bid Evaluation Reports and corresponding draft contract and submitting to: the legal counsel for vetting; BSWaMA’s Board of Directors for endorsement; the relevant funding agencies for non-objection; and the Contractor General for Concurrence of the award of contract, as the case may be; k) Ensuring contracting of consultants, suppliers and contractors is in accordance with funding agencies’ procurement guidelines and GoB policies, laws and regulations; l) Ensuring that prospective contractors and consultants are duly constituted and are ongoing concerns; m) Issuing of contracts for signature by relevant parties.

4. Manage the validity of all BSWaMA’s contracts during their execution, securing the legal status of each agreement: a) Ensuring the submission and safeguard of all bid validity documents (i.e. Bonds, Guarantees, Insurances, etc.) during and after tendering and execution of the contracts; b) Ensure the timely receipt, extension and release of all Bonds, Guarantees, Insurances, etc.; c) Coordinate the Financial Specialist to ensure that authorized payments to contractors are according to the terms of the contract; d) Notifying BSWaMA management and other staff of duration and expiration of the Bid Validity Periods, Contract durations within the overall Final Disbursement Date; e) Addressing contractors’ complains and issues, preparing contract amendments and ensuring proper closeout of all contracts, including evaluation of contractors’ performance.

5. Provide assistance for procurements requiring customs clearance and ensure that goods delivered at all locations are received and inspected to be in good condition; 6. Ensure appropriate certification for the delivery of goods, works and services of all contracts; 7. Liaise with contractors and conduct site inspections of goods and works as necessary; 8. Maintain accurate auditable records of all procurement process and preparing reports to the BSWaMA Board of Directors, auditors, various ministry requests and the Contractor General data related to contracts signed under SWMP II as required; 9. Reviewing and recommending to BSWaMA Board of Directors and funding agencies any improvement or enhancement of agreements within the relevant guidelines; 10. Preparing periodic activity reports for submission to the BSWaMA Director and preparing Quarterly Progress reports to the relevant funding agencies; 11. Ensuring that procurement is conducted as per the requirements of the Project Operations Manual and Environmental Management System; 12. Conducting workshops and seminars to train staff and contractors in procurement procedures; 13. Assuming responsibility for the SWMP II assets assigned to her/him for the execution of her/his duties; 14. Undertaking other related and relevant duties, as may be assigned by the BSWaMA Director.

D.) QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Qualification: First degree in Procurement Management, Social Sciences, Project Management, Law, English Language, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Engineering or equivalent qualification; At least two (2) years working experience in Procurement, Project or Contract Management; Competencies: (i) The ability to demonstrate professional responsibility in fulfilling the requirements of the position; (ii) The ability to efficiently manage all program procurement processes; (iii) The ability to monitor schedules and manage potential risks by identifying serious deviations or variations that may compromise program results; (iv) The ability to effectively manage one’s time in a situation of competing demands so as to meet deadlines; (v) The ability to work on own initiative without direct supervision and ability to work on a team.

E.) TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT The successful candidate will be employed on a full time contractual basis. The duty station is the BSWaMA’s office in Belmopan. The initial contract period shall be two (2) years, extendable by mutual agreement in accordance with prevailing Belize legislation as well as results of her/his performance appraisal.

F. PAYMENT SCHEDULE Negotiable based on qualification and experience.

G. APPLICATION Interested persons may send their application letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV), references and supporting documentation, hardcopy or by email, no later than January 6th, 2017 at 4:00 PM to:

Solid Waste Management Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources Attn: Mr. Gilroy Lewis, Project Director Queen Elizabeth II Blvd., Cohune Walk City of Belmopan, Belize, C.A. Tel: (501) 828 4864 Fax: (501) 802 1527 PO Box 285 E-mail: sw.director@naturalresources.gov.bz

25 DEC

2016

THE BELIZE TIMES

39

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given ZURINA GLOBAL INC. commenced dissolution on 1st December, 2016; and A.J.K. Corporate Services (Belize) Limited whose registered office is at Suite 306, Blake Building, Cor. Eyre & Hutson Streets, Belize City, Belize, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given APPLEWOOD HOLDINGS INC. commenced dissolution on 17th November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given NORIK ASSOCIATED S.A., FAWN TRADING INC., SHANGHAI DREAMS CORP., INVERSIONES Y ASESORIAS VALENCIA VENEZUELA CORP. and LACONIA INTERNATIONAL INC. all commenced dissolution on 2nd December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given DOWAR SECURITIES LTD., ARBAS SECURITIES LTD., HIGH SEAS SHIPPING CO. LTD., and ATTERSEA ASSOCIATED LTD. all commenced dissolution on 6th December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given SALEM ASSOCIATED INC., MANDARINE OCEAN LTD. and OCEAN REEF INVESTMENT LTD. all commenced dissolution on 18th November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given WATHERS FINANCIAL S.A., ROSALYS CONTINENTAL S.A., INTERPHARMA LTD., NOYA INVEST & TRADE INC., BUSTAN LIMITED and PLEVOS COMPANY S.A. all commenced dissolution on 21st November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given AKRISIUM CONSULTING INC. commenced dissolution on 7th December, 2016; and International Liquidator Services Ltd. whose registered office is at Withfield Tower, 3rd Floor, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given ORIENTAL GROUP COMPANY S.A., CARMEDA COMPANY S.A., FICAV FINANCE LIMITED, CRANBERRY GENERAL INVESTMENTS S.A., PANTANAL MAPLE GROVES LTD. RASIAK PARTICIPATION CORP. and TONYO GROUP LTD. all commenced dissolution on 7th December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given ASTRAKA MARKETING LTD. and MOORE STEPHENS (PANAMA) LTD. both commenced dissolution on 8th December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given VIEWSTAR CORPORATION and VIRGIN ENTERPRISES LTD. all commenced dissolution on 23rd November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given ACCURO LIMITED commenced dissolution on 25th November, 2016; and International Liquidator Services Ltd. whose registered office is at Withfield Tower, 3rd Floor, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given PEAK INVESTMENTS LIMITED and LAVENDER INVESTMENTS LIMITED all commenced dissolution on 25th November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given LUCETTA UNITED S.A., ROSELINE PROPERTY S.A., CAMDEN DIRECTORS LTD., INTREAT S.A., and BRAGANCA MOUNTAIN LTD. all commenced dissolution on 13th December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given ZINNA FINANCIAL CORP. commenced dissolution on 13th December, 2016; and A.J.K. Corporate Services (Belize) Limited whose registered office is at Suite 306, Blake Building, Cor. Eyre & Hutson Streets, Belize City, Belize, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given SYSKAY CORP. and GRIMM CORPORATION both commenced dissolution on 28th November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given BRIANNIA COMPANY S.A., HEDRION ENTERPRISES LTD. and SANTA MARIA SHIPPING & TRADING LTD. all commenced dissolution on 29th November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given BUTTONSGREEN INVESTMENTS LIMITED commenced dissolution on 13th December, 2016; and La Galerie, 31 Route de Breil 37330 Channay sur Lathan, France, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given CANTERBURY INVESTMENTS LIMITED commenced dissolution on 30th November, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given LAHARA OVERSEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED commenced dissolution on 14th December, 2016; and Ms. Giulia Carrada of 99 Greenbay Road, Charlton, London SE7 8PX is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given ETERNA MANAGEMENT LTD., LANCASTER MANAGEMENT INC., NOVA ZONA LIBRE S.A., EBAY TRADING LTD., LALIQUE HOLDING S.A., MERTON PROPERTY S.A., MONT GROUP LTD. and XEMAR INTERNATIONAL LTD. all commenced dissolution on 14th December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies .

Notice is hereby given BERINCAN MANAGEMENT LTD. commenced dissolution on 15th December, 2016; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

40

THE BELIZE TIMES

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2016