APP
The Belize Times
19 JULY 2020 | ISSUE NO: 5207
Established 1957
The Truth Shall Make You Free
THE SHIP
SINK!
The UDP’s July 12 Convention to select a Leader-elect was in many senses a preview of the support the UDP should expect at the General Elections. Their very well-gifted delegates came to vote in a not so secret ballot election. There should be no wonder among the UDP elite why on Sunday they got a sneak peek at their future electoral output. ONLY THE UDP Base will vote for the UDP if you gift them. The masses have deserted them and rightly so. The normal Belizeans will never claim to be UDP anymore.
Heredia who will lose to the PUP’s Andre Perez was happy to tell the Universe that the UDP convention was a democratic exercise since he already knew who his delegates would each vote for. Secret? Democratic? This was and is the UDP’s business as usual. The UDP delegates were lined up by constituency. Then they all went in together like cattle to cast their ‘secret’ vote. Of
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GOB PUNISHING POOR BELIZEANS UDP Cuts while the Belize City Council Reinstates
Pg. 2 Vega’s Attorney Chairs Election ALDO SALAZAR: LATE IMMIGRATION REPORT Commission Pg. 2 WAS “ABOUT POLITICS”
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BCCI: Better Late Than Never Pg. 7
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course, you know the UDP check the ballots later to see who voted for whom. They would do so by constituency. The Belizean people are the first to have deserted the UDP. Most left years ago, like 2012. Without a fudged 2012 General Elections, Belizean history would be very different along with our lives. In 2015, illegally spent Petrocaribe dollars interfered and that’s a longer story. At this leader-elect convention the UDP had no one to lead. The people of Belize stayed home disenchanted with the UDP. There is no aura around Patrick Faber. Belize has seen enough of the UDP and have tolerated their corruption for too many years. The Prime Minister was the next one to bail on the UDP. As he has voiced in his interviews, for all intents he doesn’t care for Belize any more. My best bet is that he is holding on to his back just for the sake of holding on. There is no purpose except the idea that soon he will be powerless and it must be frightening. Next, and in whatever order, the guy that kept unlimited dollars in his socks. Boots Martinez decided a long time ago that his baggage was too heavy to take into an elections. He didn’t care for the Port Loyola as he has abandoned then way back in February of 2008. The same can be said for Finnegan...sincerely. A Minister of Housing who disrespected women every time he could at the House. He did it in jest which doubled the insult. Let us not repeat them. Again he has seen the light at the end of the tunnel that Belizeans have sighted and he wants no part of a PUP administration. Gapi’s candidate at this convention was John Saldivar. Saldivar’s loss was Gapi’s end of the road. Gapi has resigned from the UDP and for all intents this is a official message years in waiting. He, like all the UDP, abandoned Belize since 2008. Why are the UDP still in power? They have all resigned. They have even corrupted the idea that a government can call an election in 5 years. They have had rapid elections before. But now on their way out they are milking and fleecing Belize. They are ignoring the constitutional obvious that they should also govern with fairness and a desire to better the lives of the people. People’s lives are infected with the UDP virus and there is a wide-scale community spread. The UDP have done their antivote, vote for the one they hate the least, and Belizeans have the vaccine for the rest of the UDP. But they are stubborn and refuse expurgation. The reality is difficult to swallow. Belize cannot wait anymore to flush the UDP down into the annals of their twelve and half year long infamy.
19 JUL
THE BELIZE TIMES
ALDO SALAZAR: LATE IMMIGRATION REPORT WAS “ABOUT POLITICS” In a rare singular Sitting of the Senate not preceded by a House Meeting, the much discussed and demanded Senate Select Committee Report on Immigration was presented as Approved by the committee. The Chairman of the Select Committee Aldo Salazar went on to almost disavow himself from the report and disclosed once more his reluctance to being the chair. Salazar said he was willing to accept one of the PUP senators as the chair in a heartbeat. Of course, we know that Dean Barrow would never have that. The Senator of Sanctuary Bay and Keystone fame, Aldo Salazar, was emotional as he described that report as work placed on his reluctant laps. He claimed that the delay on the report had nothing to do with him. This is after he said in December 2019 that he couldn’t finish the report was because of other exigencies. Nevertheless, the Senators, as is usual for the UDP, got to see the final report the night before the Senate meeting—this is some 30months after the hearings closed. The 160-page report will surely be digested and the Director of Public Prosecutions will be pressured to act given any breaches of the law. The PUP Senators nonetheless voiced that corruption in Government was found all over the document but stayed there without going into details. The public should look forward to details coming out. Senator Salazar further stated that he felt parts of the report were going to be used for “tidbits and highlights for the political campaigns.” and that the report was a “compromise.” When he says tidbits, highlights, or compromise, does he mean UDP ministers or ex-minister who might have to deal with all the legal consequences? The recommendations can never be greater than what the people are clamouring for especially on and after February 23. The UDP has got to Go!! Call Elections now!!// For quick relevance: --The Special Select committee was put together in September of 2016 with the hearing commencing the following December. That October the BNTU lead a historic 11-day strike to ensure that the hearing does occur along with a laundry list of governance issues the UDP government was forced to deal with. The long-drawn out Senate hearing that had the UDP on their collective toes was done to investigate the findings of Auditor General Dorothy Bradley’s Special Audit into the Passport, Visa and Nationality Department for
2020
Vega’s Attorney Chairs Election Commission
April 14, 2020 was the date of the infamous 2011-2013. Without a doubt, Doug Singh anti single-mother’s tirade on a TWO damning revelations phone call and socially distant interview. This inwere these: terview shook the UDP and precipitated Singh’s 1. A list of minister recresignation/removal from the frontlines of UDP ommendations from Unitinfamy. Most important was his actual resignaed Democratic Party (UDP) tion from the SSB as Chair of the Board and, officials, including Minister in the immediacy, also his resignation as chair Elvin Penner, Minister Manof the Elections and Boundaries Commission. uel Heredia Jr., Minister EdBoth positions were supposed to be under the mond Castro, Minister John stewardship of a guardian of Belizean rights— Saldivar, Minister Erwin Confinancial retirement security and democratic treras, were brought up in voting rights. Doug Singh desecrated both posithe Senate hearing. tions with his crass UDP-style actions. 2. Another stinging alNinety plus days later in a time leading up legation points to a governto a General Election the Election and Boundment elected fraudulently at aries Chair crucial to election policy drafting is the 2012 Double Elections. finally under UDP process. Don’t blame COVID At the root of this was the blame the worthless and visionless and leadersuper expedited nationalizaless UDP. Blame the PM who is also the subtion of persons who were stantive Minister. Maybe he is overwhelmed then shovelled into the votwith the coronavirus. If so, if he was not able to ers list. Viola! UDP squeaked compartmentalize then he should step down... an electoral win. Call Elections. The time is ripe now. UDP is due. In October 2016, the As rumourville had it for some days now, BNTU were out to get their the Vega 400K case lawyer is being pushed into pound of flesh. They dethis vacant position. This UDP Perrera is on remanded Hulse’s head, that cord saying that people cannot understand him Saldivar be investigated by insince they are NOT lawyers. He does sound ternational investigators, the like an anti-people lawyer and that fits the exUNCAC signing, their own act abominable model of the 2020 UDP. As a salary adjustments, and that lawyer he is open to defend anyone. But you the Senate does carry out the cannot remove the grand optics of this one. He Immigration hearings among defends Andre Vega and now the UDP Senate other national concerns. The members have voted for his being the chair of UDP seemed to flinch and our Elections and Boundaries Commision. This a timeline was agreed upon commission should be the most impartial as for the demands to be met. If they oversee the unfurling of our democratic we fast forward to today on right to vote. these concerns, it is easy to The other contention definitely is the Miller say that the UDP was diseffect. The granting of a long term contract at honest at the bargaining the time when the world knows that the UDP table. They signed to get government will be out of office soon. the unions off their back Perrera’s ascension to into the Elections but have not shown indiand Boundaries Commission chair is definitely cations that they meant not an impartial one. Step one is tainted. to follow through. John Saldivar was been returned as Minister of National Security(Lev Dermen reveal and two The Belize Times UDP conventions) and reigned over a period of the worst of criminal serving Belize since 1957 as the longest activity going unpunished. UNCAC continuous newspaper. is still an unknown acronym to the Belizean people. And, there was no Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, sign of any immigration report for two and a half years (if they didn’t People’s United Party Leader Emeritus finish it the PUP was going to finish it, would the UDP like that?). OFFICE MANAGER The Senate Special Select Fay Castillo Committee was formed under EDITOR much duress as the UDP didn’t José Jiménez want anything to do with an imparLAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST tial committee. They circumvented Chris Williams anything to make sure that Aldo OFFICE ASSISTANT Salazar was chair for the sake of Roberto Peyrefitte being UDP and not for impartiality. For 12 months the hearings Printed and Published By went on and the Belizean public was privy to the arrogance of the TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD. United Democratic Party ministers Tel: 671-8385 and ex-ministers who refused to #3 Queen Street give the hearings any urgency nor P.O. BOX 506 respect. Under oath meant very litBelize City, Belize tle. Castro, Heredia et al scoffed at Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com the questions. How dare the Speeditortimes@yahoo.com cial Select Committee question them?// Established 1957
14 APR 2013
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ISSUE NO: 4840
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19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
03 3
EDITORIAL
Concerning Short Supplies!
T
he extreme challenges we face as a nation and as a people are exceptional and as a young nation difficult to navigate. There are wealthier and far more established nations whose more sophisticated health care system has crumbled under the extreme stress of Covid-19. A case in point is Costa Rica, who has the best health care system in Central America and has conceded the same, is on the verge of collapse. Global priorities are health, economic security and safety, in that order. International lending agencies including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Development Bank (IDB) have cautioned and recommended that the pandemic requires strict regulation of expenditure, more efficient tax collection which may include increases in the same. These same institutions agree that increased social safety nets and support to the most vulnerable sector of society is necessary in order to weather these uncertain times. The reaction by the UDP economic pundits, has been as expected exactly the opposite, to the recommendations from leading international experts. The NHI has experienced large budget cuts and caps at a time when unemployment and poverty are at a record high. More Belizeans now depend on the care and services afforded to them through this program because they are currently unable to pay for private medical treatment due to the grim economic climate. It has been reported that NHI has reached its cap as of the 14th of July and “unless the client is prepared to pay for these services in full... referrals will not be processed for period July 14 to 31st 2020.� Our health services are falling apart at the seams with scarcely any stress, it gives no confidence whatsoever that it can withstand even a mild wave of the pandemic. Currently anyone trying to access NHI benefits will be required to pay for medication, imaging and laboratory tests among others. The alternative is to hang on until the August tranche rolls in and at that time try to access the services before the next cap is reached and services are again cut off. Budget cuts are being felt across ministries and while some public officers bark at not being able to enjoy free coffee and chocolate on the public dime, other more senior public officials are aghast because their entertainment expenses are cut in half. The normal Belizean peasant must however do without access to basic health care and be forced to wait as much as two weeks in the hope they can get the care they require. Austerity measures are the order of the day, but then this is largely subjective as to what it entails and who it applies to. We have had reports of budget cuts to the KHMH which required that contracts to three specialists be terminated, again affecting the quality of health care received by the public. However, just recently our Attorney General who is known to be prone to excesses and capricious largesse was bought a brand new vehicle costing Belizeans a reported $300k. Two Cent Tracy and Karen Bevans were only allowed $225K each for their new vehicles. The PM is also sporting new wheels and not to be outdone by the AG spent upwards of 300K. Transportation is an essential requirement for work by our government officials, but these extravagant expenditures are certainly not merited at a time when critical services cannot be provided for the citizens of our nation. Moderation is certainly not a concept familiar to the UDP, and again the definition of essential services seem to be biased and based on personal whim instead of national need. The Caracol road which now safely rests at the bottom of our national priorities list will cost us 180M. The Coastal road which fulfills no pressing essential needs will cost 130M. Together just these roads have the potential to pay for 21.5 years of NHI at the current government allocation of 1.25M per month. Presently NHI is not available countrywide, but the total monetary award of the BTL debacle, 557M could pay for NHI to be available across the country for every man, woman and child for the next 18 years. If the UDP had an iota of shame they would return these gas guzzling, extravagant vehicles which they should be embarrassed at riding around in when even paracetamol (Tylenol) cannot be accessed at public clinics across this country. Shame and even a modicum of integrity seem to be in woeful short supply within the UDP these days. So we will not hold our collective breath but wait patiently until Election Day to remind them, and return in kind the bitter treatment we have suffered at their hands. #planBelize
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THE BELIZE TIMES
EDITORIAL
L
19 JUL
2020
en Español
¡Con respecto al corte de suministros!
os desafíos extremos a los que nos enfrentamos como nación y como pueblo son excepcionales y, como nación joven, difíciles de navegar. Hay naciones más ricas y mucho más establecidas cuyo sistema de salud más sofisticado se ha desmoronado bajo el estrés extremo de Covid-19. Un ejemplo de ello es Costa Rica, que tiene el mejor sistema de salud de América Central, y ha reconocido que el mismo está al borde del colapso. Las prioridades mundiales son la salud, la seguridad económica y la seguridad, en ese orden. Los organismos internacionales de crédito, entre ellos el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) y el Banco Internacional de Desarrollo (BID), han advertido y recomendado que la pandemia exige una reglamentación estricta de los gastos y una recaudación fiscal más eficiente que puede incluir aumentos de los mismos. Esas mismas instituciones están de acuerdo en que es necesario aumentar las redes de seguridad social y el apoyo al sector más vulnerable de la sociedad a fin de hacer frente a estos tiempos de incertidumbre. La reacción de los expertos económicos del UDP ha sido, como era de esperar, exactamente lo contrario, a las recomendaciones de los principales expertos internacionales. El NHI ha experimentado recortes presupuestarios y topes en un momento en el que el desempleo y la pobreza están en un nivel récord. Más beliceños dependen ahora de los cuidados y servicios que se les brindan a través de este programa, porque actualmente no pueden pagar el tratamiento médico debido al sombrío clima económico. Se ha informado de que el NHI ha alcanzado el límite a partir del 14 de julio y “a menos que el cliente esté dispuesto a pagar estos servicios en su totalidad... las remisiones no se procesarán para el período comprendido entre el 14 y el 31 de julio de 2020”. Nuestros servicios de salud se están desmoronando por las costuras con apenas una leve tensión y no da ninguna confianza de que pueda soportar ni siquiera una leve ola de la pandemia. Actualmente cualquiera que intente acceder a los beneficios del NHI tendrá que pagar la medicación, las imágenes y las pruebas de laboratorio entre otros. La alternativa es la de esperar hasta que llegue el tramo de agosto y en ese momento tratar de acceder a los servicios antes de que se alcance el siguiente tope y se vuelvan a cortar los servicios. Los recortes presupuestarios se están haciendo sentir en todos los ministerios y mientras algunos funcionarios públicos se resisten a no poder disfrutar de café y chocolate gratis por cuenta del público, otros funcionarios públicos de mayor rango están horrorizados porque sus gastos de entretenimiento se reducen a la mitad. Sin embargo, el campesino beliceño normal debe prescindir del acceso a la atención básica de salud y se ve obligado de esperar hasta dos semanas con la esperanza de poder recibir la atención que necesita. Las medidas de austeridad están a la orden del día, pero entonces esto en gran medida es muy subjetivo en cuanto a lo que implica y a quién se le aplica. Hemos tenido informes de recortes presupuestarios en el KHMH que exigían que se terminaran los contratos de tres especialistas, afectando de nuevo a la calidad de la atención sanitaria recibida por el público. Sin embargo, recientemente nuestro Fiscal General, quien es conocido por ser propenso a los excesos y a la generosidad caprichosa, compró un vehículo nuevo que cuesta a los beliceños unos 300.000 dólares. A la “Two Cent” Tracy y a Karen Bevans sólo se les permitió 225 mil cada uno para sus nuevos vehículos. El Primer Ministro también anda luciendo ruedas nuevas y para no ser superado por el Fiscal General se gastó más de 300 mil. El transporte es un requisito esencial para el trabajo de nuestros funcionarios del gobierno, pero estos gastos extravagantes ciertamente no son dignos en un momento en el que los servicios críticos no pueden ser proporcionados a los ciudadanos de nuestra nación. La moderación ciertamente no es un concepto familiar para el UDP, y de nuevo la definición de servicios esenciales parece estar sesgada y basada en el capricho personal en lugar de la necesidad nacional. La carretera del Caracol que ahora se encuentra en el fondo de nuestra lista de prioridades nacionales nos costará 180 millones. La carretera costera que no satisface ninguna necesidad esencial apremiante nos costará $130 millones. Juntas, sólo estas carreteras tienen el potencial de pagar 21,5 años de NHI con la asignación actual del gobierno de 1,25M por mes. Actualmente NHI no está disponible en todo el país, pero la adjudicación monetaria total de la debacle de BTL, $557M podría pagar para que NHI esté disponible en todo el país para cada hombre, mujer y niño durante los próximos 18 años. Si el UDP tuviera una pizca de vergüenza, devolvería estos vehículos extravagantes y devoradores de gasolina de los que deberían avergonzarse de andar cuando ni siquiera se puede tener paracetamol (tylenol) en las clínicas de todo el país. La vergüenza e incluso un mínimo de integridad lamentablemente parecen escasear en el UDP en estos días, así que evitaremos contener colectivamente la respiración y esperaremos pacientemente hasta el día de las elecciones para recordarles y devolverles en especie el amargo tratamiento que hemos sufrido en sus manos. #planBelize
19 JUL
2020
05 5
THE BELIZE TIMES
BELLY of the
BEAST
The Fat Lady Before anybody goes and gets all upset, we’d like to qualify that the fat lady we are referring to is not the perpetually confused John Saldivar of boxers’ parties fame. We mean the fat lady who is singing at the top of her voice after the UDP convention on Sunday. The UDP is done, and it’s long overdue. Everybody knows that the only reason cousin Patrick was able to pull off that victory was because Dean Oliver pulled every string he could find. Once old uncle Finny and retarded nephew Jamal came on board, it was clear what was in Grampa Dean’s mind. He knew he could manipulate Pats but he would never be able to manipulate Mason’s boy toy the same way. And while he might be sitting on the beach in Placencia in speedos, you best believe Dean Oliver will still be calling the shots in the UDP. And you best believe that he has not forgiven Pats for that comment he made about cleaning the party of all those Barrows who have been fleecing the country. He said it, we didn’t. We’ve got popcorn and coke. Let the circus begin. Pobrecito A tiny part of us can feel sympathy for Mason’s boy toy whose dreams have been squashed like a rancid red bug in the dirt. We hear he cried like a big, blubbering baby when it finally sunk in that he had lost. For a long time Saldivar and his entourage have been living the life, so much so that all of them are subjects of a Police investigation. Anyway that’s another story for another time. What is a scary thing is that Saldivar only lost by a very narrow margin. That means that a lot of UDPs were okay with their leader being a man who was best friends with a convicted killer. That means that a lot of UDPs were okay with their leader being a man who was the joke of the month after he was revealed begging convicted fraudster Lev Dermen for his tranche via texts. A lot of UDPs were okay with their leader being somebody who is widely believed to be corrupt, and were okay with the re-entry into politics of Gaspar Vega, the man who blatantly, brazenly robbed this country to enrichen himself and his family members and cronies. That is a sick and scary thing. Seriously, it is time for all of them to go. Not so fast Sedi could have slipped away quietly into that goodnight, but it is interesting that in his parting words when he announced his departure from politics, he chose to bash the Barrow administration. According to Sedi, he can no longer be a part of the UDP because things are getting worse every single day. Under the UDP people are suffering, Sedi says, and it won’t get better anytime soon. That’s all well and good, but Uncle Wilfred can’t get away so easily. He has been a senior Minister in the UDP Cabinet for many years, so he is responsible for the mess that the country is in too. He is just as responsible for all the bad decisions, for the corruption, and for the mismanagement of the people’s resources. We feel that what happened is that Sedi got the sense that he was going to be beat like a drum in Pickstock and decided to get out while he could. It doesn’t matter, really. Whenever general elections are called all the UDP are going to understand that the people have gotten enough. Birds of a feather There is word out of the UDP camp that more UDP Ministers will be following Sedi. The first to go, though he isn’t a Minister anymore, just a crooked, disgraced former Minister, was Gapi Vega. Vega announced that he had gotten enough of politics and was calling it quits. What he didn’t say was that he had only gotten back in on the condition that Saldivar would be leader, because the truth of the matter is that birds of a feather flock together, and Saldivar would certainly have allowed Gapi to continue to plunder and rape the people’s resources, as he did when he was Minister of Natural Resources. This isn’t the last we’ll see of the infamous Mr. Vega though. You can believe that. Whenever the next PUP government takes over in Belmopan, whenever elections are called, Vega’s name will be called quite often, and if all goes as it should, the only land he’ll be allowed to own in the future is a 6’ X 6’ cell at Kolbe.
GOB PUNISHING POOR BELIZEANS
The unconscionable action of the incompetent Dean Barrow UDP Government imposing budgetary cuts to the National Health Insurance (NHI) program has been condemned by the People’s United Party and Leader Honourable John Briceño. The OFFICE of the SECRETARY GENERAL issued a scathing press release on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - GOB PUNISHING POOR BELIZEANS- characterizing the cuts as “outrageous and egregious” in the advent of a health calamity and a developing “economic crisis.” Unfortunately, the disadvantaged are the impoverished and the downtrodden which includes single mothers and the elderly who will suffer dearly—the norm of this suppressive and abusive regime. The NHI program was established, as a pilot project, under a PUP Government in 2001. The purpose of NHI was to provide affordability and accessibility of health care to all the less fortunate. The project initially targeted the Southside of Belize City. Subsequently, the program was expanded to Corozal, Orange Walk, Belmopan and Stann Creek in the south as well as rural Communities. The expansion of the health initiative was considered an important factor in the PUP’s health sector reform. In November 2006, the Ministry of Health Belize, National Health Plan, and Health Agenda 2007 - 2011 adopted that “health is the first and most important form of wealth.” Furthermore, “health, the physical, mental and social health of the entire population is the nation’s fundamental resource....” Health is considered as a means to combat poverty within a society. Obviously, the Prime Minister and his minions “couldn’t care less” whether “normal” Belizeans are suffering in these dire and harsh circumstances. The wrath of the people’s judgment awaits! Notwithstanding other budgetary cuts to other important areas of government, the cuts to NHI are the deepest, leaving this noble initiative bleeding out to a dying gasp. Clearly, Barrow’s political drama is a ‘comedy of errors’ and it casts incompetent UDP’s who have wasted and ignored the nation’s fundamental resource - HEALTH. Consequently, the PM is according to the Health Agenda “guilty of developing the underdevelopment” of the country. There is no absolution for his despicable acts and history will render Dean as the worst Prime Minister ever. Undeniably, the PUP will form the new government under the leadership of John Briceño. Undoubtedly, challenges await due to the lingering effects of the incompetent, visionless, and corrupt Barrow administration. But with #planBelize in hand and a people intensive approach the People’s United Party will soldier on. PUP all the way! HILLY BENNETT Voice of the Common Man
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL Tuesday, July 14, 2020
For Immediate Release
GOB PUNISHING POOR BELIZEANS Although typical of this government, it is particularly outrageous and egregious that during this time of economic crisis, a release was issued today informing unsuspecting Belizeans of major budget cuts to the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. According to the release, caps have been placed on all referral services, and the cap for the month of July has already been met, meaning that those who are a part of NHI would have to pay full cost for those services. This government obviously has no concept of the hardships being faced by ‘normal’ Belizeans or, they couldn’t care less. The cuts announced so far have all targeted Belizeans who can least afford it – cuts in the health sector, cuts in the public service, cuts in the education sector and now the announcement of cuts to NHI. Just last week, it was revealed that the National Forensic Science Service Department entered into a contract to rent a building owned, at least in part, by the Prime Minister of Belize. Similarly, there was the recent announcement that Brad’s Gaming Company, known to have close ties to senior UDP’s, were awarded a contract valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. We have heard of luxury vehicles costing hundreds of thousands of dollars purchased for UDP Ministers in the past weeks as well as a decision to rent, for ten years, a building owned by a UDP Senator and crony. How can it be that the privileged UDP’s continue to prosper, while basic services to normal Belizeans are being impacted? The People’s United Party calls on the Government to revisit the decision to cut budgets for the National Health Insurance scheme. At a time when Belizeans have lost their jobs and livelihoods, they cannot now lose access to health services as a result of the skewed priorities and negligence of this government. --Ends--
6 06
QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS
1. Will the Prime Minister please pull his successor aside and remind him that John Saldivar is neither a minister nor is he honourable? If Patrick wants to be a leader, then, he needs to at least know the proper title to address his colleagues. He could begin with a title closer to bag man. 2. Considering the fact that Michael Finnegan has publicly confessed that he loves Mesop and, also, considering that his nephew Shyne mess up Mesop, will the Minister of Housing, Michael Finnegan, who is the uncle of Shyne Barrow please say if he will be publicly endorsing his nephew Shyne or if he may not be considering another option? 3. Will the Minister of Works Rene Montero please inform Belizeans when he plans to get on with the work to fix the damage at mile 38 on the George Price Highway? 4. Now that Manuel Heredia has no purpose to serve, would it not be the best thing for Belize if he were to follow in the footsteps of Sedi Elrington and just resign? Manuel, it is time for you to leave. 5. So Ashton McKenzie has announced that he will be retiring from politics and will no longer offer himself as a UDP candidate. The word on the streets in Toledo is “who cares!” Good riddance Ashton!
CARTOON
19 JUL
THE BELIZE TIMES
2020
SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL
Vacancies exist for the following permanent posts at San Pedro High School for the academic school year 2020-2021: • English Language • Physical Education • Information Technology • Business Studies • Spanish Temporary posts (September to November) • Religious Studies/Life Skills • Belizean Studies • Mathematics Applicants must have a first degree in the subject area to be taught. Teaching experience in the position applying for will be an asset. Applicants must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be willing to work with students. Applications should be submitted in writing along with a resume, copies of certificates, transcript, letters of recommendation and teacher’s license (must). Salary will be in accordance with Government’s pay scale, which is based on qualifications. Applications must be addressed to: Principal P.O. Box 23 San Pedro High School San Pedro Town A.C. Deadline for Applications: July 21, 2019.
19 JUL
2020
07 7
THE BELIZE TIMES
BCCI: Better Late Than Never
--Contributed-It seems that the BCCI woke from their stupor long enough this week to issue a press release calling on the GOB to demand stricter procurement practices. We take this moment to remind our esteemed friends at the BCCI that all the demands for transparency, accountability and ethical behavior will fall on the deaf ears of this corrupt government. The UDP have made “nepotism, preferential treatment …amongst other corrupt practices,” a hallmark of their administration. It comes as no surprise to Belizeans that the UDP seek at the eleventh hour to secure cushy contracts for their cronies. Brads Gaming has secured a ten year Boledo license, while we wait eagerly to find out who has been gifted with the importation concessions for flour and toilet paper. Even when there is a rubber stamp Contractor General, it is outrageous that not even the semblance of integrity is apparent and that no tendering process has been initiated. The fact is that those contracts have long been spoken for and these are just a matter of formality. The UDP have no real intention of providing “Value for Money, Fairness and Equal Treatment… Integrity and Ethical Behavior.” That was made substantially evident by the intentional sabotaging of the Integrity Commission, Public Accounts Committee and the circumventing the offices of the Contractor General and the Auditor General including the lapses in
the filling the vacancy of those offices. The UDP have been obvious and purposeful in the illicit enrichment of their family members and friends. All calls and demands have gone unheeded and the BCCI has long been complacent about calls and demands that come much too little and far too late. The UDP seems to take Belizeans for granted giving us nothing but excuses and petty arguments to defend and try to justify the culture of corruption they embedded in the public service system. Senator Aldo Salazar tried unsuccessfully to flip the script calling for changes to the Immigration Department more important as the end result to more than a year and hundreds of thousands spent on a Senate Inquiry. Perhaps if the Inquiry had resulted in a police investigation, charges and convictions rather than superficial changes the effort and resources would have been well spent. It is bad enough that the official report was tabled after so much delay and expense, but to add insult to injury the Senator’s comments on political witch hunt are beyond ridiculous. It has taken all of this and twelve long years of punishment, but perhaps it is only because the economy has been so badly are mismanaged and the membership of the BCCI has been particularly hit that they have been roused and become vocal. As part of the social partners the BCCI has a responsibility to the community and society at large to champion the causes that affect Belizeans. Still even now the battle cry is heard, it is always better late than never.
BCCI DEMANDS STRICTER PROCUREMENT PRACTICES BY GOB - For Immediate ReleaseThe BCCI, once again, calls on the Government of Belize to adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. The guidelines of its own Public Procurement Procedures Handbook (2013) are intended to steer any government away from transactions for goods and services which could be deemed as encouraging nepotism, preferential treatment, amongst other corrupt practices. Section 1 of the Government’s Handbook establishes its purpose: to “provide guidance to public officials responsible for procurement… in their everyday business relating to public procurement. The Handbook is intended to guide the practice of public procurement, “ensuring compliance with the current legislation of Belize and application of procurement international best practices.” These international best practices urge adherence to fundamental principles of Value for Money, Fairness and Equal Treatment, Transparency, and Integrity and Ethical Behavior. The Government continues to operate within the grey areas on matters of conflict of interest in matters of procurement, and its failure to satisfy the principles of Fairness and Equal Treatment and Transparency leaves the public no certainty that their public service has gotten them ‘the best bang for their tax bucks.’ The BCCI notes that there have been instances when just before an election, the government of the day awards -without any attempt at transparency- employment and real estate rental contracts that extend far beyond their term in office. This unduly burdens an incoming government and saddles taxpayers with costs which outweigh the value of the good or service as well as contractual agreements with penalties for early termination. Such contracts are typically entered into with no tendering process even though Section 6.5 of the Handbook advises that there should be “Advertising Opportunities” that have wide circulation either via newspapers or the government’s procurement websites, and that awarded contracts ought to be made public. The BCCI calls on the Government to be reasonable and refrain from entering into any further longstanding contracts without a transparent tendering process. The BCCI and other responsible citizens have long called for robust resourcing of, and increased respect for, ‘watchdog’ offices such as the Auditor General, the Contractor General, the Public Accounts Committee and the Integrity Commission. Belizean taxpayers are weary, overburdened and faced with an accelerating economic crisis which dictates that irresponsible behavior with public funds will no longer be tolerated. - End Media Contact: Viannie Reyes Marketing & Public Relations Officer Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry Email: mpo@belize.org Telephone Number: (501) - 223 – 5330 Whatsapp Number: (501) – 614-3138
Party Leader Hon. John Briceño’s Message Our Cayo tour has ended. I have listened, and I know the good people of Cayo are ready fu mek we change. You see about 100,000 people live in Cayo, 50,000 of whom are living in poverty, especially now with the tourism sector gone, the cattle and poultry industries hurting, and the few remaining job opportunities drying up. Cayo was once a leader in the productive and tourism sectors of Belize and we can make it so again. As I said, our plan Belize will bring back the jobs in the productive sector, tourism will come roaring back in Cayo and we will create thousands of new jobs for the young people of Cayo. There is so much potential to grow the productive sector, modernize farming, help our small famers, create BPO’s, expand in areas like IT and other services. It is all a part of our plan to build a Belize that works for everyone. So thank you Cayo, we hear you and I promise, we will deliver.
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19 JUL
THE BELIZE TIMES
UDP Cuts while the Belize City Council Reinstates
The United Democratic Party government is not keeping it a secret anymore. They are cutting anywhere they can get away with. This time they are cutting the salaries at the Border Management. The borders are still open just not to the general public. The 25% cut was informed to them at the 11:59th hour. “To inform you all that salary has been deposited this morning July 10,’20 Note: Effective July 2020 there will be a decrease of 25% on BMA monthly salary. Those who have loans at the bank kindly visit your banking institution the accountant sent a letter outlining the 25% salary reduction. “ While they are taking credit with one UDP mouth, they are then uttering cuts with the other. While they are busy trying to open Tourism they are ignoring the unemployed and the entire Agroproductive sector. Up to now the UDP has cut the jobs of many…even as they had claimed that everyone will keep their jobs with full pay. The following list of jobs CUT is in no way exhaustive: Belize Tourism Board Jobs | Specialist Doctors | National Institute of Culture and History needed staff | Our Children’s Education Subsidies | Students Studying Abroad | Belize Tele-
LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICE:
Notice is hereby given that Geraldine Roca is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “PJ’s Hide Away” located in Willow’s Bank Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Social Lounge Limited is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Social Lounge” located at Miles 4 ½ Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that Ray Anthony Garnett is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “R & M Snack Shop” located at # 76 Pleasant Lane, Mahogany Heights, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
NEEDED: Shop Keeper to work at Jian Kang Li Grocery Store located at # 15 Dolphin Street, Belize City, Belize District. Call 227-0328 for more information.
communications Limited Salary Cuts | All Public Officers and Teachers will not get their yearly increment | National Health Insurance. While GoB is cutting, the Belize City council is now reinstating the salaries of their staff who had agreed to go with a temporary salary cut with a cut in work time as
2020 well. The Belize City Council has shown all the resilience in the world during this pandemic. They and the Mayor seem unfazed even as Covid-19 hit them directly at City hall. There seems to be an outward motivation to not let the pandemic get to them. The Belize City people must be commended for working along with their council. It is not lost that
without the resident’s support the council could not succeed. The same can be said for resilience to a UDP central government that ignores the municipalities. The Prime Minister himself said to the nation that he does not have the money to help them vis-à-vis cannot help the people of Belize.
TECHNICAL MANAGER We hereby invite application from qualified persons to fill the post as Technical Manager in the Port of Belize Limited. Duties & Responsibilities: • Develop a realistic maintenance and repair budget and subsequent to management approval, manage M&R budget for Mechanical and Infrastructure departments. • Develop and implement realistic preventive and predictive maintenance programmes to ensure that equipment and other assets are maintained in peak condition at or below budget cost • Lead the implementation of corrective maintenance and ensure that emergency breakdowns in equipment and service installation are restored speedily to minimize interruptions in service • Structure tasks and goals, establish efficient courses of action to meet goals/K.P.I’s. set priorities, organise information efficiently to execute tasks to meet staffing levels for management and labour, productivity, equipment needs, service requirements, safety requirements and ensure maximum return on investment • Determine and recommend the type, appropriate levels of quantities and costs of maintenance materials and spares to be stocked for effective maintenance • Manage, motivate, coach and lead all maintenance and repair team members • Provide regular process control checks, initiative and support performance improvement activities. • Set and maintain performance criteria for reporting personnel • Maintain and enhance relationships with departments and promote goodwill among internal and external customers • Effectively manage sub-contract companies and personnel • Manage employee training and development including employee appraisal process • Actively promote safety awareness at all times and ensures a safe workplace policy. • Ensure lean methodology is implemented. • Implement CMMS and optimize use. • Evaluate new equipment projects. • Competent and keen to involve himself on any hands-on repair jobs as and when required. • Ensure all reporting personnel have a balanced work and family life • Maintenance shop ( RS, Truck, Electrical shop, welding shop, mechanical shop) • Fuelling station for equipment • Electrical installation • Buildinsg and infrastructure. • Coordination with various contractors Qualifications and Experience: • ABachelors Degree. Minimum three (3) years supervisory experience. Must possess a valid driver’s license. • Knowledge to scan Electronic Engines. • Knowledge on Propane Fuel System. • Knowledge of electric equipment. • Knowledge of predictive maintenance. • Knowledge of Microsoft office. Competencies: • Punctual (On Call) • Ability to work independently. • Ethical • Team Oriented • Good communication skills. Objectives: • Maximize availability of equipment • Maximize reliability of equipment • Ensure cost efficient infrastructure solutions. • Optimize cost of ownership. Salary: Will be competitive and in accordance with the companies salary structure. Interested individuals are asked to submit their application packages and include the following documents: 1. Application letter with Curriculum Vitae 2. Copy of Certificates & Diplomas, credentials 3. Two (2) names and contact information of previous employers 4. Copy of recent Police Record 5. Copy of a valid Social Security Card To apply: Applications should be sent by email to jobapplications@portofbelize.com
Closing date for receipt of application is Friday, August 07, 2020
19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
UDP Cuts to Belize’s NHI
--Contributed-When it first came to wind that there would be a 15% cut in the funds allotted to NHI Clinics countrywide, I sat down to ponder just what would be the socio-economic impact on those who would be affected by such a drastic cut. Almost immediately, I started thinking numbers: a. Cleopatra White has a catchment of 12,000 clients b. Belize Family Life Association has 13,000 clients c. Mercy Clinic has 7,000 clients d. Belize Medical Associates Southside Branch has 12,000 clients e. Integral Clinic has 12,000 clients f. The two government clinics namely Matron Roberts and Cleopatra averages 10,000 clients each. The sum total only in Belize City of the marginalized and poor citizens affected by such drastic cut in NHI budget is estimated at 64,000 Belizeans. What is the plan in place to deal with this shortfall for this many people? What are the preventative medicine measures? Due to the sedentary life style that many were forced to live during the lockdown, our population is facing renewed health risk from non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. We have also experienced a drastic increase in pregnancies (BFLA is reporting an increase of above 25% from last year’s numbers). Add to
Obituary Mary Tate
The People’s United Party Family extends the deepest of condolences to all those related to Mary Tate on her passing. For all her 106 years, she was definitely an integral part of Belizean society. She will be missed. May her soul rest in eternal peace and rise in majestic everlasting glory.
this the fact that the Corona Virus has brought on new hardship due to rises in unemployment and the cost of living with the end result being that table menus ranges between hunger versus healthy. End result we have obese children who are out of school and locked in for the most part with limited physical activity. As the government in waiting the People’s United Party should be very concerned due to the fact that it will inherit these rising health issues. In two to three months these budgetary cuts in the NHI Program will yield its results in increases in Diabetes, Hypertension and Coronary diseases. More funds will be required for hospitalization and medications at a time when we are already suffering from budgetary constraints. This NHI cut is, at first glance, strictly from a bird’s eye view, city centric, is beyond STUPID. It goes against every grain of community and public health. It makes absolutely no sense and no one, and I mean no one in the health sector such countenance such a move. The Ministry of Finance and this inept UDP government can for once exhibit a degree of ‘Common Sense’ and find the funds required to maintain these NHI clinics and to ensure that we build our health sector for and in the event that we do have an onslaught of the Corona Virus. Where is Pablo Marin or Manzanero? Can you gentlemen sit by and in good conscience see cuts in health at the time of a health crisis? I hope not. Fix it and quickly. Right thinking demands that you do.
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THE UDP IGNORES BELIZE’S STEVEDORES
The Port of Belize’s importance to Belize’s import and export functions cannot be overstated. Like the cane farmers, teachers, police, and other Belizeans, the stevedores have felt the wrath of the UDP’s incompetence ever since 2008. Even as the stevedore family differs in numbers, work type, location and arguably dynamics, the inaction they have faced from the UDP government is patently intolerable. Since the UDP government are themselves cutting salaries and staff at every blink of an eye, the UDP has no moral high ground to confront the Port of Belize management. When you allow banks, local and international, to fold, when your Ministers are involved is corrupt acts locally and internationally, when your Government is a sanctuary for fraudsters, local and international and when your Auditor General and Senate place you directly in the laps of corrupt acts, then it is easy to understand how they have left the stevedores out in the Covid cold.
This week the stevedores met with the PUP Party Leader John Briceño with the positive hope that a new Government will be a part of their improved job situation and fair relations with the Port of Belize. The Party Leader as is his strength listened and made sure to document what the stevedores had as major concerns. Presently, they are requesting that the Port of Belize Management be transparent with the numbers that led them to issue a 10 percent pay cut to their pay and very livelihood. Also, they have been incessant in requesting a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the present management. They would like to replace the 12 year old agreement. Coincidentally the UDP is in government just at about twelve and a half years. At this point, the People’s United Party is the best hope for the stevedores and rightly so. The PUP has a legacy of looking out for the people of Belize especially the workers of Belize. The PUP is born from the labour movement. General Elections are coming. The stevedores cannot wait.
Belize Accepts Korean Based Kits In March when the Corona virus pandemic was not taken seriously, Hugo Patt our representative in a virtual press conference rejected 25 thousand testing kits being donated. This was a part of a Korean initiative to help with the upcoming pandemic. The only explanation that the incompetent UDP had was that it was not compatible with our system. Belize had no system we had to take whatever was given and train ourselves. Twenty five thousand kits rejected. The suspicion is that the UDP preferred purchasing them so that profits
could be shared with middle men. Just after we entered into some agreement to buy the same testing kits that we could not accept in gift fashion. Now, the government is accepting kits that are from Korea and now we can use them. CABEI is making this donation to Belize and we thank them for for the 260 AccuPrep Viral RNA Extraction Kits, Spin Column type (100 extractions each), equivalent to 26,000 units, of Korean origin, produced by Bioneer Co. The donation also included 16,000 units of sample kits Clinical Virus Transport Me-
dium – CTM - (with Nasopharyngeal & Oropharyngeal Swab), of Korean origin, produced by Noble Biosciences, Inc., for the extraction and sample required for the early detection of COVID-19. According to the government of Belize, they had previously declared to CABEI that the kits are functional and in accordance with the diagnostic processes carried out in the country. This donation is valued at BZ$300,000. With no real explanation as to why we rejected the kits in March, this donation now reaffirms the March suspicions.
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19 JUL
THE BELIZE TIMES
STANDARD BEARERS
ON THE MOVE
2020
The Belize City Council with Hon. Francis and Hon. Cordel Councillors Candice Pitts, Allan Pollard and Oscar Arnold more than pull their weight as they plan needed changes that will improve the lives of residents.
Cayo North: Michel Chebat Leading by Example
Belize Rural South: Andre Perez Helping the families of San Pedro and Caye Caulker in the education of the children.
Cayo Central: Alex Balona On the ground in Cristo Rey
Port Loyola: Gilroy Usher Stand up for Your Rights rally success
Pickstock: Anthony Mahler
Dangriga: Louis Zabaneh
Belmopan: Oscar Mira
The Change Agent is coming to Pickstock
In support of the University of Belize students
Welcoming Dr. Zab to Belmopan
Already working to Build a Belize that Works for Everyone.
19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
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Representative
HON. JOHN BRICEÑO In his constituency,
Orange Walk Central On Tuesday our Party Leader met with the residents of his constituency. He is always on the ground in OWC and does not take them for granted. He listened to their concerns and shared his vision for a better San Estevan. We are on the path to Victory!
HE LOVES BEING WITH THE PEOPLE!!
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19 JUL
THE BELIZE TIMES
2020
PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES
Placencia Village, Stann Creek District ;Cotton Tree Village, Cristo Rey Village, Santa Elena Town, Callar Creek & San Jose, Succotz, Cayo District
BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo & Christiana R. Castillo will sell the following properties at the locations, dates and times below listed: A. Placencia Village, Stann Creek District: In front The Belize Bank Limited, Placencia Village, Stann Creek District on Monday 27thJuly 2020 at 10:00 am: 1. Parcel No. 1715 Placencia Village, Stann Creek District:
(Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house approx. 26 ft. X 32 ft. inclusive of a 5 ft. verandah and lot [813.668 square meters] situate on George Price Avenue, Santa Elena, Cayo District, the freehold property of Ms. Ester Castillo) 2. In front The Belize Bank Limited, Burns Avenue, San Ignacio, Cayo District on Tuesday 28th July 2020 at 11:30 am:
REGISTRATION SECTION Santa Elena/Cayo
BLOCK 23
PARCEL 1853
(Being a vacant lot [822.37 S.Y.] situate on San Diego Street, Hillview Area, Santa Elena, Cayo District, the freehold property of Mr. Rosendo Juarez) E. CALLAR CREEK AGRICULTURAL LAYOUT, 1. In front The Belize Bank Limited, Burns Avenue, San Ignacio, Cayo District on Tuesday 28th July 2020 at 11:30 am: REGISTRATION SECTION Placencia North
BLOCK 36
PARCEL 1715
(Being a two storey commercial concrete/timber/metal building: Ground Floor - 39 ft. x 76 ft. + Upper Flat - 18 ft. x 22 ft. Ground Floor accommodates Office + 3 bedrooms each with bathrooms and laundry + Aisle + Restaurant + Bar + Kitchen + Store Room + Stair Case: Upper Flat - 2 bedrooms with bathrooms and lot [687.87 square yards] situate on the MAIN ROAD in the Village of PLACENCIA, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Miguel Meitin) B. BELMOPAN, CAYO DISTRICT: 1.In the Belize Bank Limited Parking Lot, Constitution Drive, Belmopan, Cayo District on Tuesday 28th July 2020 at 10:00 am:
All that piece or Parcel of Land being Lot No. 136 containing 981.140 square meters (1173.43 square yards) as shown on Plan No. 1862 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys in Belmopan, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house (27 ft. X 31 ft.) [3 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/ kitchen + laundry & front porch] and lot [981.140 S.M.] situate within Cotton Tree Village, Cayo District, the leasehold property of Ms. Edda Jones (Deceased)
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being a parcel of land comprising 5.00 acres situated along the south side of the Mopan River, Callar Creek Agricultural Layout in the Cayo District of Belize and bounded and described as shown coloured red on Plan No. 190 of 2001 attached to Minister’s Fiat (Grant) No. 190 of 2001 dated 7th April 2001 together with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being almost 5 acres of agricultural land situated along the south side of the Mopan River, Callar Creek Agricultural Layout in the Cayo District, the freehold property of Mr. Jose Aljemiro Paz jr.) F. San Jose, Succotz, Cayo District: 1. On site at Lot No. 295 San Jose Succotz, Cayo District on Tuesday 28th July 2020 at 1:30 pm:
C. CRISTO REY VILLAGE, CAYO DISTRICT: 1. In front The Belize Bank Limited, Burns Avenue, San Ignacio, Cayo District on Tuesday 28th July 2020 at 11:30 am:
All that piece or Parcel of Land being Lot No. 54 comprising of 650.571 square meters situated in Cristo Rey Village Cayo District and bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 427 of 2013 attached to Ministers’ Fiat (Grant) No. 427 of 2013 dated the 1st day of October 2013, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being a vacant lot [650.571 S.M.] situate in Cristo Rey Village, Cayo District, the freehold property of Mr. Orvin Juarez) D. SANTA ELENA, CAYO DISTRICT: 1. In front The Belize Bank Limited, Burns Avenue, San Ignacio, Cayo District on Tuesday 28th July 2020 at 11:30 am:
REGISTRATION SECTION Santa Elena/Cayo
BLOCK 23
PARCEL 4105
ALL THAT leasehold piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 295 situate in San Jose Succotz Village, Cayo District bounded as follows: On the Northeast for 15.243 metres by Lot No. 294; On the Southeast for 30.487 metres by Lot No. 297; On the Southwest for 15.423 metres by a street & On the Northwest for 30.487 metres by Lot No. 293 containing 555.790 square metres as shown on Plan No. 1701 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being concrete bungalow dwelling house [25 ft. X 28 ft.] containing 1 bedroom + 1 bathroom + living/dining/ kitchen + verandah situate in San Jose Succotz Village, Cayo District, the leasehold property of Mr. David Perez)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO CHRISTIANA R. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions
19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
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SIX STEPS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE First, we will ensure an Independent Public Accounts Committee. One that is strengthened so that substantive ministers cannot be members of the PAC. As well, all House Committee meetings, including PAC meetings will be open to the public and streamed live. Second, the Integrity Commission must do its job effectively. To do so it should no longer be controlled by the Party in Government. Likewise, we will put in place a mechanism to ensure the financial independence of the Integrity Commission with a budget to be approved by the National Assembly. They need the tools and personnel to get the job done! Third, the recent cases of misappropriation of government funds is a clear indication that we need a strong and independent office of the Auditor General. • The next PUP Government will ensure that the Auditor General’s Office has unrestricted access to information and with full powers of investigation, including subpoena powers to ensure that requests for information and documentation are complied with expeditiously. • The Auditor General’s office will be permitted to submit their budget directly to the National Assembly for approval. • Most important, we will ensure that the Auditor General is allowed to present reports directly to the National Assembly and not only to the Prime Minister. Fourth, the PUP will not only implement UNCAC, but we will also enact Campaign Finance Legislation. • In the first 100 days, the new PUP government will direct the Office of the Attorney General to draft Campaign Finance legislation which will be subject to national consultations and review before a final bill is tabled and passed into law. Fifth we must make the National Assembly function as the centerpiece of our government, complete with all requisite checks and balances. • That means that the next PUP Government will ensure a minimum of one House Sitting per month. And sixth now that Senator Aldo Salazar has finally released the findings of the Senate Select Committee on the hustle at the Department of Immigration. • We demand follow up action including criminal investigation and prosecution as deemed necessary. • Our immediate actions will start today as I instruct our legal team to write to the Financial Secretary to request copies of all warrants signed by the Minister of Finance during the current fiscal year.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
19 JUL
2020
Cayo North In Support of
Michel Chebat
John Briceño Listens to the People #planBelize
19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
Cayo Northeast In Support of
Landy Habet
John Briceño Listens to the People #planBelize
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THE BELIZE TIMES
19 JUL
2020
PUP COUNCILS WORKING DESPITE COVID;
and without the help of the UDP
Corozal Town Council, even MORE Equipment
At the end of June, we shared a report of an assistance that was presented to Mayor Rigo Vellos and other municipal leaders by Ambassador H.E. Remus LiKuo Chen from the Embassy of Taiwan. Only one week later, we are pleased to inform our Corozal residents that the Council has proceeded to invest in much needed equipment to be used for the maintenance and further beautification of our beautiful town. Through this humble and kind donation, the Corozal Town Council has enhanced its capacity and equipped its operational assets with 1 Lawn Tractor (Riding Mover), 1 Briggs Generator 7000 Watt, 2 Briggs Lawn Mowers – C&J 22”, 4 Echo Brush Cutters (weed eaters) along with other amenities including vests and rain coats for our sanitation workers. One year ago, Mayor Rigo Vellos visited the city of Taipei, Taiwan, on an official invitation of the friendly Taiwan Government, strengthening diplomatic ties which have yielded good fruits. Mayor Rigo Vellos, Deputy Mayor Hilberto Clarke and the Corozal Town Council are working tirelessly to acquire the necessary resources to carry out our mandate to the people. On behalf of the Corozal Town Council and the residents of Corozal Town, Mayor Vellos expresses gratitude to the people of Taiwan for their valuable contribution that has been wisely invested for the betterment of our town and people. #CTCworkingForYou #CTCmakingHistory #TogetherWeCan Belize City Council, All ‘Bout the People
Contact City Hall (227-3073) as quickly as possible as spaces are Limited. During these times, space control is very important.
Orange Walk Council along with Mayor Kevin Bernard
19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
GREAT EVENTS THAT SHAPED BELIZE…
By Ricardo Moguel Rosado In Belize there is very little accurate information of our autochthonous ancestors in our educational institutions or libraries. What is available is an Anglo tainted version that degrades our cultural heritage and linguistic abilities and uses our ancestors as commodities from the past for tourist attraction. This is not by accident but by colonial imperial design. Total control of our lives meant that the greatness of our ancestors was to be obliterated and replaced by Eurocentric greatness and more specific, anglophile greatness. The African descendants in British Honduras were robbed of their names and Anglicized names were imposed over their proud African names in order to identify them as chattel, their human property. They placed them to live in the lowland of the south side of the Belize Town, then called Eboe town. They were kept there during the rainy season when it was impractical to cut mahogany in the jungles. The Gombay drums that were brought from Africa always accompanied them. The masters got scared because the rhythm of the drums always carried dangerous messages of freedom to slaves from other mahogany works, so they outlawed it. During the dry season the slaves created extraordinary wealth for the masters by scouting and cutting mahogany trees. The Maya have always been here since 13,600 years and 4,000 as Maya. 1,000’s lived in the Yalbac Hills in Orange Walk during the British Land grab. In 1847 they pretended to give 15,000 of our brothers and sis-
ters from Yucatan sanctuary in the north. Goshen estate, present day area where Corozal Town is located, was sold on 15th November 1841 to William Elwell Hampshire for $150.00. In 1848 the estate received from land rental alone around $1,000.00 to $1,200.00. This excludes payment for mahogany. The Maya Social War was indeed economically beneficial for the glory of the Baymen. With more demand the commercial value of the land they stole from our ancestors increased. They then sold it back to us at astronomical prices. As new settlers most of us were lost between the Maya and Spanish culture and now we were thrust into an anglophile world, British Honduras. We survived in the jungles away from Anglo settlements and kept our culture, religion, dignity and freedom. In the south in 1811 they drew an imaginary boundary that our Garifuna brothers could not cross without their permission to sell produce or do other business in Belize Town. This isolation gave the Garinagu strength, in unity and they preserved their culture and music to become the poets, painters and educators of the Western Caribbean. They destroyed the imaginary border and became teachers and preachers of Belize. Ideas are also weapons of the revolution. In the Mesoamerican jungles all of us preserved our way of life especially in the southern part. No industry or money could bribe our land away. The land belongs to all as nature intended. We thrived in the jungle and we kept our names as a sign of resistance. Today we proudly resist to be free.
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SEDI’S VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE Even as Sedi did not follow his own advice, to not contest something you know you cannot win, he provides a unique perspective from the belly of the UDP beast. For decades including before his three term waste of Pickstock’s time, Sedi has helped form the incompetent and corrupt UDP of today. That same “system that he sees unravelling before Belizeans very eyes is the same one he developed. The same system that Sedi abandoned and is historically disavowing is the one that has fed him. Most likely Sedi is trying to fix his measly legacy. Sedi counts his age and realizes that he has never had nor will have ideas to help Belize progress parallel to Guatemala. All Sedi and the UDP know is how to be fawning to our aggressive neighbor. Sedi sees the UDP imploding at the end of its agonizing tenure and he can’t take it. He had twelve and a half years and all he could do was call our borders artificial and
Belizeans, likely refugees. Sedi sees defeat looming at the hands of Anthony Mahler and the PUP’s John Briceño and cowardice has instilled. Sedi doesn’t have to wait until November, he can leave now. Those of us that are bosses or know a boss know that bosses do not like resigned individuals hanging around the workplace. Sedi should go NOW. Why wait? Go!!!!
Is This Minister Aragon’s Vehicle?? Or is it the Government of Belize’s vehicle? WE are waiting for a full report on our SUV (the people’s vehicle).
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THE BELIZE TIMES
We want John Briceño People to Dean Barrow, “Call Elections now!!”
Dean Barrow and the UDP know that there is no tomorrow for the United Democratic Party. Yesterday the 570 shaky base of the UDP flip-flopped and voted for their second option in the failed Minister of Education Patrick Faber. Faber has dreamed of being leader and after 20 years plus he has shown zero pedigree in leadership. He had to rely on his nemesis to be self-battered to squeak a win with only 4 more votes than those who didn’t support him. Faber won in a virtual tie with the worthless, Dermen-used Saldivar. Faber had to sell his soul for this narrow choice. Faber was not clearly endorsed within the UDP. Faber is showing that he is definitely not the candidate to move Belize into the future. Now with Convention 2020 II, Faber is STILL not the UDP leader. He is leader-elect. Poor thing. He has to wait for Barrow to tell him when to jumwp. After 12 and a half years and now with a leader-elect Faber, Dean and Co. yet cannot come to terms with the notion that the people of Belize yearn for a country led by visionary John Briceño and the People’s United Party. The people of Belize say ‘call the elections, now.’ There is no excuse now. You have a leader-elect. After 12 and a half years you are still NOT ready? Your record of infamy only grows by the day. Dean, you and the UDP’s Time is up! The leaderless Party lost their mandate months ago and has utterly qualified to be tagged as a rogue party. The UDP is made up of an elite few elite caretakers who spend taxpayer’s money illegally, a few representatives called ministers who run an array of several hotbeds of corruption, and a small number of misled, unhinged ‘deplorables’ called delegates. Delegates laughed all the way to the bank after these two money-makers called UDP conventions. At the June 26, 2020 House Meeting, Barrow went off on a
tangent crying as to why the Belizean public has chosen John Briceño in a second coming of Price himself. Barrow was concerned on how dare the public notice that the UDP was corrupt and incompetent and inert. His arms were flailing in dismay and desperation. Belizeans will recall that the UDP has continuously been in opposition to Belizean freedom and Belizean development since 1981 and much before. The UDP has always been rabid and upset with life. It is patently ludicrous for Dean to attempt to rip John Briceño as a campaign strategy when the UDP should have many projects and deeds lined up in their administration record after three, albeit failed and incomplete, terms. Yes, even this third term will be deemed incomplete as you the UDP have lost your mandate years ago; definitely before the Village Council elections of 2019. Will Dean Barrow heed to Faber’s advice? Or is Faber still taking advice from Dean Barrow? If the UDP mode is still that Dean Barrow needs to listen to no one, then you are all dodos that will be castigated in the very least by history. Did Barrow just manipulate the majority of delegates to choose a robot that will jump at Barrow’s behest do that? We think so…narrowly, with now a split UDP. Dean Oliver Barrow will want to prove that he is the Alpha. But will this alpha be satisfied with only keeping a teat on the Faber udder? Barrow has failed at not even grooming a viable successor. He failed Belize and he failed his UDP. To groom a leader one must be a leader himself. Yes, UDP Dean Barrow is NOT a leader so he seethes at the idea that Belize is chomping at the bits counting the days when the UDP will take its last breath of infamy. In comes leader-elect Faber…Adios UDP!! Only the people can advise a leader. John Briceño is heeding that advice and glazing it with PUP vision. Belizeans are looking way ahead to a Belize that will progress as it works for everyone for generations to come.
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2020
Faber’s Obsession
The difference between Faber’s by the skin of his chinny, chin, chin win and those who didn’t support him was FOUR measly votes. The UDP is a divided party. This is just one more crooked notch to this already corrupt party of just 500 gifted followers. Faber is clinically obsessed with the idea of being Prime Minister. He has NO leadership ability and he did nada during the last 20years to fix that. So full of himself, he just dug and dug into his petty and vindictive hole. Whenever Faber had some life changing visits to the bedrock, he got explosives and continued to dig. Now he has been thrown some UDP sweets. He is probably fooling himself once more that he will be roped out of his chasm. No! The UDP elite will watch him attempt to climb up to a world that is already readying to usher in a plan that will see the PUP serving the people.
In a Faber interview with the press after his “tie” with quite possibly the worse candidate ever, Faber noted that he had always desired to be Prime Minister. That is his primary goal. Second is to serve his people, obviously his people(not the people of Collet nor Belize). Lastly, Belize was hidden in the usual Faber bland rhetoric. Faber and the UDP, your time is UP!!
BOOTS-SUPERMAN TAG TEAM
Anthony Martinez was one of the first Ministers that sped to the exits even before Gapi decided to write his nice letter. Boots Martinez ran in earnest. He has announced since 2018 that he isn’t running for the 2020 General Elections months ago almost in tandem with Michael Finnegan. He supported Michael Peyrefitte in a convention where a man who accepts being called Superman beat him at the polls. But this has been an exercise of futility since Boots, Peyrefitte and Willoughby know that the PUP star of Gilroy Usher is the one that will shine brightest come the real elections. Just as the UDP leader-elect convention was coming about we heard that Boots Martinez will now give Willoughby some much needed help to prevent a massacre at the hands of Usher. Usher is his own kind of man and he has found his way into the hearts of the residents of Port Loyola. The Boots and Superman tag team will never be a match for Gilroy Usher. John Briceño supports Gilroy and his works in Port Loyola. The same can be said of the residents who have given up on Boots for years now—reason why he fled so early. Gilroy and Port are a part of Belize City and Belize that are important in the PUP’s quest to have a Belize working for everyone.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
2020
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‘Non-political’
Godwin Hulse Claims He is No Puppet; After voting at UDP Leader-elect Convention
In an interview outside the polling station at the United Democratic Party leader-election Convention he rebuked on the idea that he was a partisan puppet. Hulse in his usual angry parlance showed no concern to corruption within the Cabinet of the reigning vindictive and incompetent UDP government. He said that maybe there was some corruption but he has no evidence. The lighthouse, not elected Minister Hulse says he only moves on evidence. Somehow he missed 12 and a half years of corruption and incompetence in the UDP. Hulse is known to be the most fake of characters within the UDP as he rode into government power and multi-ministries acting as a know-it-all and feigning to be the next in line to sainthood. He and others coattailing led a not-so-secret and deceptive association that hung to a mantra of concern, independence and transparency when all they sought was empowerment and cronyism. Belize it has been very clear that your “non-political person” is just another hard-core UDP. He fooled many people but not all. He has always tipped his cunningness and blatant fake anti-corruption attitude. Post-2008 he was willing to flock amongst as the rape of Belize persisted. A look into Hulse’s dossier will be extremely revealing. A comparison between today and twelve years ago will clearly show how transparent Hulse really is. Hulse will be very happy to show any integrity commission his accounts. Hulse apparently is still toeing the line when he uttered at the same interview that he was satisfied that Penner, Gapi and Saldivar were dismissed from the Cabinet. He also threw multiple Ministers of Natural Resources under the bus when he, in many words, said that the lands department was not a hotbed of corruption when he, Hulse, left it. So why was Hulse moved from there? Was it because he had instituted a fool-proof system? Barrow had moved in Hulse into Immigration then Lands and after Agriculture because he was intelligent at placing “systems.” In agriculture, the farmers have been in total abandon and all Hulse knows is about exportation of sugar, a drought-ravaged, reliefless industry, flood ravaged agricultural lands, and a defunct cattle industry. He blames nature but like the rest of the UDP, Hulse is as incompetent as they come. Hulse and the UDP never saved a dollar for a rainy day; they have enriched themselves and they are now good enough to go. Not so fast…a PUP government will audit everything done by the UDP. John Briceño and the PUP are on record with that. All consequences will be on the table.
PUBLIC AUCTION SALE BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the time as listed. At No. 55 Sunset Park, Mile 8 ½ George Price Highway, Belize District on Thursday 23rd July 2020 at 10:00am
SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land being Lot. No. 55, comprising 749.947 square metres situate in the Sunset Park Area, near Mile 8.5 on the George Price Highway, Belize District, more particularly delineated and described as shown on Sub-Division Plan of Survey by C. B. Samuels, Licensed Land Surveyor dated 18th November 1996 TOGETHER with a 35ft x 63ft concrete/plycem open-concept bungalow house containing two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living/family room and kitchen, in a clean and fenced yard with room for expansion, the freehold property of BEVERLY MCKENZIE. DATED this 9th day of July 2020
All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org
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19 JUL
2020
One Vision…One People BILL OF RIGHTS The People’s United Party wants to share its vision with the Belizean people. It is rooted in a philosophy that goes back to the Father of our Nation the Right Hon. George Price. Mr. Price always believed ours was a work in progress; he led a revolution that is at its core peaceful, always constructive, progressive and uniquely Belizean. These values remain true today and form a part of our PUP Creed. We are committed to the protection of our territorial sovereignty. We cannot, and will not risk even an inch of our beloved country, from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon. And we are committed to an accessible, fair and independent justice system and the rule of law in Belize. The PUP will always seek to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. It is a commitment to the socio-economic improvement of all Belizeans. Our plan is to rid Belize of poverty. To the PUP, poverty is an ugly scar on our nation’s collective conscience, and no amount of cosmetic surgery can paste over the suffering of close to half of our people, most of them women and children, who live on less than ten dollars per day. This is not only a task for governments. We all have a stake in this enterprise, but government must LEAD and bold leaders must show that they truly care. For us the task ahead is clear - to build a Belize that works for everyone, so that every Belizean should come to expect five things. This vision, this determination, has created what we call our BELIZEAN BILL OF RIGHTS. FIRST - Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. With land we immediately create opportunities for upliftment and personal growth. SECOND - Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. The 17th Century Jurist and politician Edward Coke in speaking on human rights said: “A man’s home is his castle.” Every Belizean in 2020 should expect such an entitlement whether they live on Bocotora Street or on Seashore Drive. THIRD - Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. We have to make education free from pre-kinder to Junior College. If we will give our young people a chance at success, it must start with a good education. FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. If we can invest 42 million dollars in a basketball stadium, then we should be able to provide basic health services to all. FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS - good jobs that can lead to meaningful careers; jobs that will give Belizeans a chance for personal growth and prosperity and provide a hand up for those at the very bottom of the economic ladder. If we do these things, if we create a fair and just society, if we build on these principles we will then be able to change people’s lives and together we will rid our shores of the scourge that is poverty.
19 JUL
2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
A WARNING -
MALNUTRITION LURKING HEAVY ON THE HEELS OF COVID 19
By Senator Hon. Elizabeth Bennet
Have you ever observed what a lot of our construction workers on the highways and building sites consume for lunch? Or observed what lots of our children eat on their way to school? Have you ever wondered about how or what they consume impact how they think, behave, learn, interact or how the food that you consume even make you laugh? I have, as a nurse, and it pains my heart to see a good portion of our future nurses, pharmacist, soldiers, mechanics, sanitary engineers … of Belize strolling along and enjoying that coveted hard ideal or bottled drink and TAKIS or shilling chips. What it is depends on what their little budget could afford and without a clue as to the negative impact on their growth and development! That happy children’s, even adults’, suga dance has a dreadful name – MALNUTRITION and its finger-prints are like our DNA- cannot be reversed or removed! The World Health Organization (WHO) defines malnutrition as: “Deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.” The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says “people are malnourished if their diet does not provide adequate nutrients for growth and maintenance or if they are unable to fully utilize the food they eat due to illness or undernutrition. They are also malnourished if they consume too much energy overnutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) gives the following definition: “Malnutrition results from deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in the consumption of macro- and/or micronutrients.”
So in short, malnutrition occurs when there are deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in the energy, macronutrients or micronutrients that a person obtains. So given the definition of malnutrition, we can all assess for ourselves the general state of our own family’s health and especially that of our children since children are dependent on adults to provide for their nutritional needs. The infamous Emperador biscuit, the good old honey bun and a bottle of juice which is just coloring and sugar with no nutrient like vitamin C (a micronutrient needed for healthy skin and hair and nails) are often times the energy source for our construction workers during a long hard day at work. Their brains still hunger for proper food in order to think straight as they lay those heavy bricks, their hearts and muscles scream for nutrients as they bend, and push, and pull the heavy machinery. But whilst they know better and I would dare say, love to buy a healthy plate of food, their pockets can only afford so much yet they must push on for the day’s pay. And whilst I merely make mention of this group of workers, there are those who eat heartily the full plate of food, gravy with extra serving of rice and beans plus mash potatoes at lunch time and do very little at their desk in the afternoon then drive home after work with no exercise in sight. Our elder population if they live alone make only what their energy level afford them to do. So if its oats for breakfast, then a little is left for lunch even oats again for supper, making this pattern a ‘ruffruff’ diet being the same old same old. Of course in this population there are many more factors that impact nutrition such as no or little income that must stretch. Another is being dependent on children to deliver food, ill-fitting dentures, loss of taste etc. Then there are the hot meat pies and the orange juice generation that seems to be the go-to-perfect breakfast for our teenagers which of course is laying the foundation for high blood pressure and diabetes in years to come. We often times hear, and we will never stop hearing that we need to eat your fruits and vegetables because we know that malnutrition impacts how we grow and develop as human beings.
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THINK ABOUT IT
SALDIVAR WAS JUDASed John Saldivar should seek legal advice. He needs to know if the Supreme Court would grant a declaration that the voting by 553 UDP delegates Sunday was not free and fair to him, and as such deprived him of being the Leader of the UDP. This would be based on the behavior of the present Leader, Dean Oliver Barrow, who is accused of gross interference in the election process. Barrow, who supported Faber, is accused of calling UDP Ministers, standard bearers and many delegates informing/telling them who to vote for. With all of that Saldivar barely lost. In fact, Saldivar and his supporters were able to come within a mere nineteen votes of winning. This man has strong support. The UDP party is now split down the middle. Half the party is not happy with Barrow. There was a previous election held the 9th of February of this year. It was held with huge fanfare where Saldivar trounced Faber 342 votes to 227. A huge margin of 119 delegates. At that time Saldivar was supported by Barrow, with his son Shyne, a handpicked standard bearer publicly supporting Saldivar and publicly disparaging Faber. The Lev Dermin scandal of giving Saldivar thousands of US dollars had already broken open in public, but Barrow, his minions and the delegates went for Saldivar anyhow. Corruption is not a problem for the UDP. Rather than postponing the convention, Barrow gambled and lost. The Lev Dermen Court trial in USA revealed text messages that smeared Saldivar’s already tattered image. The corrupt government of Dean Barrow was forced to beg Saldivar to resign as party leader, less than three days after his election as leader. That was Saldivar’s political mistake. At that time with former Gapi Vega’s money and backing, Saldivar had sufficient Ministers on his side to have gone to the Governor General and with his majority of UDP area representatives; he would have to be sworn in as Prime Minister and removed Dean Barrow. He could have told the nation and put all the corruption blame on Barrow and announce a date in November for the general elections. For this second leadership contest Saldivar/Vega still thought they had a majority of standard bearers. If Barrow told them he would be neutral and keep out of the campaigning, he lied. Saldivar was betrayed. He was ‘traitored’. He lost by 19 votes. He walked out of the counting compound with anger and revenge in his heart. He was Judased by Barrow. Barrow in one of his many, multitudinous, egotistical posturings (we are borrowing his words) referred to himself in the National Assembly as Prometheus unbound. Wow! Prometheus is a dude in Greek mythology. He is the ultimate trickster and the thief who stole fire from the Gods. Had Saldivar pushed out Barrow in February and then gone on a publicity and information blitz it would have been pure political sparks. Romulus versus Remus. Muhamed Ali versus Joe Frazier. Saldivar could have passed Campaign Finance laws, reshaped the Public Accounts Committee with the social partners as majority members, given boys scout and girls guides two million dollars to revive and expanded this worthwhile program in all villages and towns, adopted John Briceno’s proposals for a national youth service corp and a special development zone for Southside Belize City and Dangriga, introduced free education for colleges and Sixth Form, brought in backyard farming and widespread agriculture, and gotten Cuban choreographers and trainers for dance, drama, music and sports, skills training and jobs creation. Jobs, Jobs and more jobs. Saldivar is a trained economist. And, or course, a sixth point crime reduction program was possible. He could have Blamed Barrow for all the corruption and waste and apologize to Belizeans for not standing up to him for all those wasted years, Iproved his image with marketing, publicity and propaganda. It worked for Barrow (what a terrible disappointment this fellow Barrow turned out to be – smoke and mirrors and press conferences). Imagine the possibilities – John Saldivar versus John Briceno, rumble in the jungle, part 2. Thriller in Manilla in Sugar City. We know who would win that fight in November. Same champion who is gonna bust up Barrow and Faber in the November to remember match.
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2020
Saldivar should seek legal advice and get a court order over-turning the crooked convention on Sunday. He should consider getting a belly liposuction too. SAD SEDI Wilfred Sedi Elrington announced his retirement from party politics. He did so in the course of an interview at the UDP party leadership convention on Sunday 12th July. He was one of three candidates who entered the leadership race. The other two Faber got 286 votes and Saldivar got 267 votes. Sedi got only ten votes. An embarrassing and painful result for a three times elected Area Representative. This means only ten family members on his committee voted for him. Not a single candidate from Belize City or the rest of the country supported him. In his interview, Sedi told the media how it pained him to see what is going on in the country. The poor educational results, the economic disaster that is looming. The hopeless situation for the Belizean people. The tragedy of young people being roughed up and detained by police. It was a litany of woes. He answered a question as to whether his daughter, a former elected City Councillor would take up the mantle in Pickstock division. He was emphatic that NONE of his family would have anything to do with such a matter. It was a sad end of a man who could have done so much and never found the time to do. Fifteen wasted years. Elsewhere in the election compound the media spoke to Dean Barrow. With a new party leader being elected would he be leaving? No, No, No I will be here to the end of the five year’s term and if Covid-19 goes beyond that five years I continue to be here. Yep! He said that. Then added, a ten million dollars had just been approved. And, more would be coming shortly. Money, money, never about people. More borrowing, more debts, more waste and more corruption. Barrow said not a word of any plans to lift the people out of the economic tsunami that has been building up in front of us. That, ladies and gentlemen is of no concern to the ailing, ageing Prime Minister who has brought the people of Belize down on their knees, and who has stolen the future from the young generation.
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2020
THE BELIZE TIMES
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UDP Corruption Using Government Vehicles for Campaigning and Private Use. The UDP total our vehicles and get them replaced so easily. If you see them misusing our vehicles, take a picture and post it and share it. It is OUR taxpayer’s money. (Look out next week for NEW Vehicles bought during Covid times)
Present: This pictures was taken by a concerned citizen This one shows one Mr. Rosado, well known UDP supporter and employee of the Ministry of lands and unknown UDP Deputy PM Hugo Patt. They are taking people to register using a government vehicle! The people of Corozal North would like to know who gave this gentleman permission to use a government vehicle to register people?
Last Week: This one was caught doing the same in Orange Walk North. Transport department here is corrupting its mandate of taking care of the highways not transporting their voters. People will still vote the UDP out. Gapi at work.
Mid May 2020 - This white GoB SUV caught on camera at the Ladyville Elections and Boundaries office. And again in July! Sovereign’s Day 2020 - Smack during the time just after the Prime Minister had announced cuts to everything important to Belize, Tracy Panton was seen vacationing with our Brand new Prado. Will she blame Covid for this trip, in our vehicle? Guess who paid for the gas.
Months ago: Castro totals assigned vehicle
With no credible explanation in 2016 Faber let DPM get to his head and his vehicle ended up in the sea. All of this in the dark of night. AG now has said that people should be home that late. This is the kind of skill Faber has. He still has to prove his theft excuse. Belize knows better.
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THE THE BELIZE BELIZE TIMES TIMES
2020 2020
PUP Standard Bearers
Appealing to their Constituents Excerpts of FB Posts
Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Orange Walk South
The PUP is about love. The PUP is about Unity. The PUP is about you!! Welcome to the party!!
Two of my Councilor colleagues, Aisha Gentle and Delthrude Hylton, joined our movement. It Mesopotamia. It felt good having two ground soldiers with us. There is always strength in unity! #onthecampaigntrail #mesopotamia #newbeginnings Jorge ‘Milin’ Espat, Cayo West
lage
Hon. Julius Espat, Cayo South Drainage Works In Blackman Eddy Vil-
A few days ago we observed intensive drainage work in Armenia Village and today we caught up with more work but this time in Blackman Eddy Village. Village ch a i r m a n , Mr. Keino Green, and his council teamed up Hon. Julius Espat to do some drainage work. Chairman explained that this is necessary to alleviate the damage suffered during the rainy season. Valley of Peace Market & Water System Cayo residents should come out and support the Valley of Peace Farmers Market. They have available fresh and very affordable fresh produce. Delicious Food is also available. This is every Saturday from 5:00 am to 3:00 pm. -----The village Water Board with funds managed under their leadership managed to make a $65,000.00 investment and acquired a new generator and a new water pump for the water system. The village chairman, Juan Arias and council will now be able to supply more easily their 5000 residents. St. Margaret’s Village Football Competition After so many months away from the football field St. Margaret’s Village opened it’s doors to many football teams and continued a competition sponsored by the Village Council and area Representative Hon. Julius Espat. Oscar Mira, Belmopan
J o h n Saldivar(UDP rejected him, Belmopan will reject him too) made his bed, now he is forced to lie in it. He thought that Belizeans were going to overlook his unprincipled behaviour by telling them that he was using Lev Dermen’s money for sports. He outright lied to his own Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues. He resigned after only 72 hours of being his Party’s Leader. Now, he is out in the cold. The UDP doesn’t want anything to do with him. In case he hasn’t figured it out yet, the good citizens of Belmopan don’t want anything to do with him either. It is time we move to a fresh start and a brand new chapter for our Capital City. It is time we focus on land, housing, jobs, education and healthcare for our people. We cannot let unscrupulous leaders keep holding us back. Prosperity and Security for All!!! ------Let’s come together and build a Belize that works for EVERY Belizean. #ProsperityandSecurityforall #OscarMiraForBelmopan Candice Pitts, Mesopotamia
all.
All in a days Work! Our MESOP Run for Change, organized by the very talented Fred Usher. The route will be a Euphrates and Amara circuit. There will be trophies and medals for the top 3 males and top 3 females. Join us this Sunday! Register early at 5:15am as the race will commence at 5:45am. Encouraging healthy habits, promoting sports, supporting the youth, creating opportunities for
#mesopotamia #newbeginnings #bettermustcome #runforchange ---------
Se aproximan las elecciones generales, un momento decisivo y crítico para Belize. Cayo Oeste, una de las áreas más abandonadas aun así teniendo un Ministro con el ministerio más fuerte en economía. Pero si, Cayo Oeste tiene mucho potencial, solo falta tener un buen representante que nos brinde la representación necesaria para abogar por un mejoramiento. Nuestro candidato es joven, humilde y con mucha experiencia en manejo de empresas. Aún más, tiene el apoyo total de un icono muy respetado que contribuyo al desarrollo de nuestra área, el Dr. Amin Hegar (fundador de la Zona Libre, representante de Cayo Oeste 1993-1998). El líder del partido, el Hon. John Briceño, al igual se ha comprometido a brindar el mejor apoyo para sacar a Cayo Oeste adelante. Y lo más importante, con su humildad se ha ganado el amor del pueblo. Lo vemos en cada evento de campaña y visita de casa en casa. Pero…. ¿Porque Cayo Oeste de todas las áreas? “¡Porque en Cayo Oeste está mi pueblo!” No desperdiciemos esta gran oportunidad para nuestro pueblo. Miremos la situación de nuestros pueblos. No vamos a avanzar si seguimos cayendo en las mentiras y falsas promesas de los que solamente buscan tener el poder. Recuerden esto: no tendremos resultados diferentes si no intentamos algo diferente. Esta vez no nos vamos a quedar atrás: ¡AHORA SI ESTAMOS LISTOS Y VAMOS A GANAR! ¡Tú lo haces posible! #tuvototienePODER #2020añodelCAMBIO Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Stann Creek West Hokpins We are ready for the basketball marathon. Medals was handed over to our sporting councillor. #unityisstrength ---Placencia The best campaign is to visit all the houses whether red or blue, then you will be able to analyze the result of the election in advance. I have walked 85 percent of the villages house to house and the reception is great. I will finish walking all the villages and communities before the election date. Yesterday and today I walked Placencia I never felt like this before a very warm reception. It is a village that is a strong supporter of the U.D.P. My wife is from there and I have maneuvered amongst the residents over the last 36 years and I maintained my integrity. They all love me but by tradition they maintain their support for the U.D.P. This time around it will be different. The majority of them will support me as an individual, thank you well appreciated. Hon. Oscar Requena, Toledo West Calling on the Ministry of works to urgently address the bad condition of the Mafredi road to Santa Teresa and beyond. This is very important road artery for our district. Nothing was done during the dry weather to properly rehabilitate our road network in Toledo so it will only get worse with the rains. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Belize Rural Central
I fully support the UB FACULTY AND STAFF UNION! The faculty and staff along with the students of UB are the heart and soul of our National University. Their voices must be heard and respected! The Board of Trustees must not act in bad faith and make decisions that will impact faculty, staff and students without full and transparent disclosure of all relevant information including
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financial data and without full good faith consultations and discussions with these groups. STOP THE ARROGANCE AND DISRESPECT!! Andre Perez, Belize Rural South
On the campaign trail this week. My intention is to meet with the residents and recommit myself to the residents of our islands. Look out for me in San Mateo. Share with us your concerns, your suggestions and your vision. Together, we will transform our communities and move forward to prosperity. The victory is for the people! Heredia is scrambling and desperate! He knows that the people have lost faith in him and he is losing favor with everyone! For the first time in many months his office is in full swing giving parcels numbers of land that he has been promising for YEARS! His delusion is real - even with his 1500 lots the people of San Pedro and Caye Caulker will send him home. Dear residents, take the land because you deserve it and VOTE HIM OUT. A proper housing project will be rolled out under the leadership of the PUP and you will not
be left behind. Go get yuh land and crowd up his office, it wan be the last time u see him in there! Heredia say he got wah lot fu giveaway! #HerediaFails #TimeToGo #WeDeserveBetter David J. Castillo, Corozal North
be proud of, ---We cannot forget the fabric of our society, The youths big up to CYM Collet Youth Movement #TeamPolo BILL OF RIGHTS TO THE PEOPLE OF COLLET FROM OUR GREAT PARTY. FIRST – Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. SECOND – Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. THIRD – Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS COLLET IT’S OUR TIME #TEAMPOLO #TRUEBLUE #PUP Ramiro Ramirez, Corozal Southwest We the farmers are suffering with this Government, Cane farmer Cattle farmer all agricultural sector we need good governance and a good plan, we have to save Belize. Hon. Kareem Musa, Caribbean Shores Caribbean Shores, Campus Ave. rehabilitation work! Your Belize City Council in collaboration with Area Rep.. All About the People.... -----Basketball fun in loving memory of our brother, Allyson Major. 3pt Contest, Dunk Contest, Food and Drinks, Bouncy House for the Kids Hon. Francis Fonseca, Freetown Freetown Summer camp in collaboration with the future football club; and, Freetown basketball tournament starting July 21st. The Summer Camp is for some 60 youths from the Freetown community and across the city. The Summer Camp will run for 10 days and will include sports, counselling and motivational speakers. Marconi Leal, Belize Rural North
Together with the Corozal North’s Campaign Team and the Paraiso PUP Committee, we had a successful yard meeting! We would like to thank everyone who came out to listen and support in the beautiful village of Paraiso! #daveforcorozalnorth #planBelize #changeiscoming Also a very positive house to house campaign in Altamira! The people are not deceived by any of the Minister of Lands political tricks. The people see through these lies! The people of Altamira are ready for a change! Change is Coming for Corozal North with DAVID CASTILLO! Allan Pollard, Queen’s Square
Accompanied the Revenue Manager and Valuation Manager of the Belize City Council we presented at the Hand in Hand Ministry on the services offered by the Belize City Council such as the functions, roles and services we provide to the residents of the city. I shared about what a great responsibility it is in becoming a new home owner and the importance of paying our taxes. I must commend the Hand in Hand Ministry for building over 400 homes for well deserved individuals. ----“A little change makes all the difference!� It’s not strange to want to make a change, and it’s definitely not strange to the residents of Queen Square either. They are ready!√ #TheTimeIsNowBelize #PlanBelize #AllanPollardforQueenSquare ------The mission is to transform hoods to communities! Saturday Bbq for the residents of George Street, special thanks to the team for their help in putting it all together. The people of Queen Square are ready for change! The time is now Belize! #AllanPollardforQueenSquare #GeorgeStreet #SaturdayBarbq #CampaignTrail #TheTimeIsNow #PlanBelize
Oscar Arnold, Collet
Resting after working at a community park. Nothing to brag about but something to
Castro is an EMBARRASSMENT and DISGRACE to the People of Belize Rural North! Edmond Castro is all about himself! He is not worrying about his party’s convention and worst his people! All he is focused on is his own pocket! How can we look up to someone who he himself is breaking the law, no Mask đ&#x;˜ˇđ&#x;˜ˇ! Yet poor people are getting charged for not wearing a Mask! This man has no shame! Wake up people of Belize Rural North! This man has failed in every way possible! He does not deserve to be a representative no more! Vote for a change! VOTE Marconi Leal - PUP The PUP will win the next General Election! Change is coming to BRN! “Powered by the People! The Machinery is certainly fueling up! The The BRN Team is ready to work and ready to serve BRN! There is lots of of work to be done but the journey continues! CHANGE is NEEDED! Louis Zabaneh, Dangriga
Dr. Zab is busy getting prepared to lift off with the people of Dangriga. He made a special visit with the people of Sarawee and listened to their local concerns and ideas. In the meantime, he will be sponsoring a Football tournament. Full Covid protocols will be observed especially mask wearing. Last week, Dr. Zab showed full support for the teachers and students of the University of Belize. He was even one of the speakers giving of his heart and his knowledge as his doctorate is in the education field.
Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes, Orange Walk North The PUP supports the SPVC in the following: San Pablo Village Council is pleased to announce, in accordance to our manifesto, we would like to introduce the collection of garbage collection that will be conducted house to house in our community every Sunday starting Sunday July 12, 2020 at 1:30 pm. Any household that requires the service may put their garbage in sacks/bags & leave on the street sides. A fee of $5.00 will be charged for the service. ONLY BAGGED TRASHED WILL BE PICKED UP. San Pablo Village Council values the cleanliness and health of our community and with strict regulations/laws and charges for burning of garbage and improper disposal at illegal sites we now introduce this service. If you are interested, kindly contact any member of the village council to register. Your San Pablo Village Council always working hard for the betterment of our community!!! A MESSAGE FROM SAN PABLO VILLAGE COUNCIL Ed. Note: Please be mindful that these are excerpts. For other pictures, comment, releases, and posts of our PUP leaders visit, like and follow their FB profiles and pages. Also be a fan of the Whip Show at 7:30
26 Editor’s Choice: International
(gtresonline)
México supera a Italia en número de muertos por covid19; AMLO dice que la pandemia “está perdiendo intensidad” Por Karol Suárez
La Secretaría de Salud registró 276 nuevas muertes en las últimas 24 horas, elevando el número de muertos en México a 35.006, lo que lo coloca como el cuarto país con más fallecimientos por el virus en el mundo. El número de muertos por el virus en Italia actualmente es de 34.954, según datos de la Universidad John Hopkins. México también reportó el domingo 4.482 casos recientemente confirmados, lo que eleva el total del país a 299.750. Más temprano el domingo, el presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador, conocido comúnmente como AMLO, dijo que se reunió con el gabinete de salud para discutir la pandemia y dijo que esta “está perdiendo intensidad”. “Tenemos disponibilidad para recibir pacientes. La otra pandemia es el sensacionalismo de los medios conservadores, es por eso que debemos seguir informando, comparan a México con otros países. Hoy quiero transmitir tranquilidad porque estamos mejorando profesionalmente esta pandemia”, agregó el presidente. (Lea más en
cnnespañol.com)
(contracorriente.com)
México se hunde en el caos: hay un muerto por coronavirus cada dos minutos Por Ambito.com
12 de julio de 2020 La pandemia de coronavirus sigue en fase ascendente en México en pleno período de desconfinamiento, con un muerto cada dos minutos y un contagio cada 14 segundos, y en varios estados comienza a reportarse la saturación de hospitales. En medio del desacuerdo entre el gobierno de Andrés Manuel López Obrador y los gobernadores sobre cuándo reabrir actividades, el coronavirus no cede en el segundo país con más infecciones y fatalidades en América Latina, donde crecen las acusaciones de la oposición sobre el mal manejo de la crisis sanitaria. Actualmente se contabilizan 295.268 casos positivos, y 34.730 muertos, pese a lo cual 15 estados ya reanudaron actividades, aunque 17 todavía esperan el fin de la larga cuarentena instaurada el 23 de marzo, tras la aparición del primer caso de Covid-19 el 28 de febrero. (Lea más en ambito.com) (NBC News Photo)
19 JUL
THE BELIZE TIMES
Trump wears mask in public setting for the first time during visit to hospital By Dennis Romero
Before boarding Marine One for the trip to Walter Reed, Trump said, "I think when you’re in a hospital, especially in that particular setting, where you’re talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables, I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask. I’ve never been against masks, but I do believe they have a time and a place." President Donald Trump on Saturday wore a mask in a public setting for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic struck the nation in earnest in March. Trump wore a black mask during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The institution requires mask -wearing as a means of preventing spread of COVID-19, but the president has not always abided by such requirements. Mask-wearing has become a political issue as some of the president's followers have made wearing one a sign of submission… The President's decision to wear a mask during his Saturday trip to the medical center comes after months of declining to publicly wear one -- against the recommendations of his own administration's public health experts. (Read more at nbcnews.com)
(Yucatantimes)
2020 Southern Quintana Roo returns to red light.
Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquín González, had warned the population that the south… Last Thursday, the worst omens were confirmed and the head of the state executive announced… the southern municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos, Bacalar and Othón P. Blanco would say goodbye to the orange light they had achieved on June 22, and would return to the maximum alert level. …Southern Quintana Roo will be red from July 13 to 19. Drastic restrictions and prohibitions will again be implemented, which if not complied with, will lead to fines and even administrative imprisonment for 36 hours. … where Chetumal is located, the occupation reaches 80%, in Bacalar it is almost 70% and in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, there are no more beds available, with 100%. For its part, as indicated by health authorities, northern Quintana Roo was spared “by the claws” to return to the red, so they urged the population to comply with health protection measures if they do not want to follow in the footsteps of the municipalities in the south (Lea más en
yucatantimes.com)
(One of the first passengers to exit the Arrivals Hall off of AC966)
85% pretested for COVID on Barbados' first commercial flight By loopslu.com
Barbados' Tourism Minister was "relatively satisfied" with how commercial air travel resumed at the Grantley Adams International Airport once he saw the post-COVID-19 protocols unfold in real-time. The Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) officially reopened to commercial air traffic today (July 12) with the arrival of Air Canada Flight AC966 from Toronto at approximately 2.20 pm. The flight was delayed out of Pearson International this morning. According to the Government Information Service, once at its gate, the 132 passengers disembarked in batches and were greeted by music performed by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band. Among one of the first arriving passengers was Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados, Marie Legault. In addition to numerous sanitisation stations and increased signage related to the new arrivals processes, there were strict COVID-19 protocols in place at the airport. (Read more at loopslu.com) (A restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil, on July 6. Credit...Sebastiao Moreira/EPA, via Shutterstock)
The Coronavirus Can Be Airborne Indoors, W.H.O. Says By Mandavilli
Apoorva
June 10, 2020 The agency also explained more directly that people without symptoms may spread the virus. The acknowledgments should have come sooner, some experts said. The coronavirus may linger in the air in crowded indoor spaces, spreading from one person to the next, the World Health Organization acknowledged on Thursday. The W.H.O. had described this form of transmission as doubtful and a problem mostly in medical procedures. But growing scientific and anecdotal evidence suggest this route may be important in spreading the virus, and this week more than 200 scientists urged the agency to revisit the research and revise its position. In an updated scientific brief, the agency also asserted more directly than it had in the past that the virus may be spread by people who do not have symptoms: “Infected people can transmit the virus both when they have symptoms and when they don’t have symptoms,” the agency said. The W.H.O. previously said asymptomatic transmission, while it may occur, was probably “very rare.” (Read more at NYT.com)
19 JUL
27
THE BELIZE TIMES
2020
Faber, Patrick Jason Classless UDP 1st/2nd/3rd Term Final Progress Report
Issues
Term
Final
1st
2nd
3rd
Minister of Education
F
F
F
F
Retrenchment of School Wardens
A+
A+
A+
A+
Belize Civic Center
U
U
F
F
Attempts at Union Busting ($1Million Easter Cheer)
A
A
A
A
Herman Longsworth
F
F
F
F
Marion Jones Stadium (Auditor Gen Report)
-
F
F
F
Visa Recommendations for Unknowns
U
U
U
U
Crime (high dropout rates)
F
F
F
F
Vega and all the Land Issues
U
U
U
U
BNTU Issues
F
F
F
F
Respect for Teachers
F
F
F
F
School Retention of Students
F
F
F
F
Danny (250K??), Intelco Hill
U
U
U
U
Lev Dermen
U
U
U
U
Sanctuary Bay (Kanantik Education Courses)
A+
U
U
U
Corozal Pibil Tacos
-
-
A+
A+
Belizean economy
U
U
U
U
Women’s Issues
F
F
F
F
Submerging/Wrecking Government Vehicles
-
-
A+
A+
Useless Music Ambassador at NICH
F
F
F
F
Sports(Local and International)
F
F
F
F
Access to School
F
F
F
F
Julian Cho HS esp. w/ Simeon Coc’s $2 Million
-
-
F
F
Teacher’s Commission
-
F
F
F
Scholarships for Cronies(Fraser, Willoughby, Perdomo)
A
A
A
A
Secondary Education Financing Formula
-
F
F
F
Yellow Man’s Hiring & Firing Issue
-
F
F
F
Economy in Collet
F
F
F
F
Crime in Collet
F
F
F
F
Housing in Collet
F
F
F
F
Land Programs in Collet
F
F
F
F
Job availability in Collet
F
F
F
F
Covid State of Education
-
-
F
F
University of Belize Subvention
F
F
F
F
U – Ungraded meaning that is not assessable since he was guilty of inaction. F – Definitely did not do anything to help the people of Belize. A+ – He seemed to be happy with helping himself. Future Outlook: With so much inaction on BIG issues happening around him, Patrick Joshua is eons away from being a leader. When half of a few delegates from a divided party vote for you there is a Patrick Joshua Faber demise awaiting. Since Patrick Joshua has to go through an election against a politically-inert Saldivar and the outcome is a virtual TIE then Patrick Joshua should start thinking of an improbable 2035 run. Recommendation: Mr. Faber should go to John Briceño and request tips on how to beat Oscar Arnold. The UDP will be extremely lucky to come out of elections 2020 with a person in the House to be the UDP Leader of the Opposition.
28
THE BELIZE TIMES
19 JUL
2020