Belize Times November 26, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

26 NOVEMBER 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5073

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

$55M IN INTEREST

TIME FUH JAIL! Thursday, 23 November 2017 This week Belizeans were met with the terrible news that because of the arrogance and negligence of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, taxpayers have now been burdened with an additional BZ$90,645,607.20. That payment, affirmed by the Caribbean Court of Justice in a Judgment handed down on Wednesday, includes a whopping $57M in interest alone. And since the Prime Minister has still indicated that he will not pay just yet, that interest continues to go up daily.

In its release, the CCJ states that it “granted permission for the Belize Bank Limited to enforce a 2013 arbitration award against the Government of Belize. The arbitration award, made

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LIDAN NEI UARANI AWANSERUNI… MABULEIDA WAMEI

U.W.G. Calls for Action in Alleged Gang Rape

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Four Die at Deadly Bridge Glenn Bert Reneau

Keith Frazer

Harold Smith

Marlon Flowers

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DPM FABER SURVIVES CRASH… TAKES A SELFIE Pg. 2

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THE BELIZE TIMES

$55M IN INTEREST

TIME FUH JAIL!

Continued from page 1 by a Tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration, required the Government to pay the Bank the sum of BZ$36,895,509.46 together with interest at 17% and arbitration costs of £536,817.71.”

In 2007, the Government of Belize assumed a debt at the Belize Bank on behalf of Universal Health Services. In 2008, that loan was paid off in full and the matter was settled. But upon taking office shortly after, Dean Barrow orchestrated the seizure of the monies paid to the Belize Bank to settle the debt, and that started a legal debacle which has now ended much the same way the BTL matter did, with Belizean taxpayers forced to pay huge sums of money for no other reason but the hubris of the Prime Minister.

As far back as 2011, the highest Court at the time, the Privy Council, determined that the loan agreement undertaken by the then administration was valid. And still the Prime Minister refused to pay. The negligence of the Barrow Administration was clear. After refusing to pay, they abandoned the fight at the Privy Council and subsequently at the London Court of International Arbitration where in 2013 they were ordered to pay.

But instead of paying, Mr. Barrow hired his brother Denys Barrow and Naima Barrow to fight the matter back in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. From there it went before the CCJ, the Court of last resort, where Mr. Barrow has now been soundly defeated, costing Belizeans more than $90M in the process.

As far back as 2011, the Privy Council determined that the loan note undertaken by the previous administration was valid but he still continued to fight. All that was accomplished in all this time is that Barrow’s attorneys have become increasingly wealthy from the litigation, and another Ashcroft company has gained many millions of free money in interest.

It will be interesting to see what the Prime Minister does next. If he does not pay on the judgment handed down by the CCJ, he as Minister of Finance could face imprisonment.

DPM FABER SURVIVES CRASH…TAKES A SELFIE opening ceremony of the renovated PG multi-purpose sporting complex. This particular flight usually makes stops in Dangriga and Placencia before finally arriving in PG. At the time of the accident, other passengers on the flight included Christy Mastry, the General Manager of the Belize Infrastructure Limited, and members of the conservation community.

Those onboard the flight said that the previous stop in Dangriga went without incident. The plane landed; passengers disembarked; and the plane took off and flew to Placencia without any problems.

Once done with all business on the peninsula, the pilot then prepared for take-off. At the end of the runway, just as the plane was ascending, a Subaru SUV ran into its path. That was not supposed to happen; there are 2 barriers on the road that supposed to have gone down to stop all ground traffic

Thursday, 23 November 2017 Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber has become the brunt of many jokes after taking time to post a selfie after he was rescued from a downed Tropic Air Caravan.

Nine occupants of that flight had a scare when the plane crashed into a vehicle during take-off and ended up in the sea in front of the Placencia peninsula. Fortunately, everyone onboard, including Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and Agriculture Minister Godwin Hulse, survived that accident with minor injuries.

It happened at around 8:45 a.m., Friday, November 17, at the Placencia Airstrip.

Faber and Hulse were on this flight to PG which left Belize City earlier that morning. They were on the way there for the

U.W.G. Calls for Action in Alleged Gang Rape searched for drugs. The accusation is that when the women were stripped for the search at the Independence Police Station, three officers of various ranks raped them.

Despite repeated requests for information by the media, the Police have provided no details of the incident or of the investigation, though they have verified that the three officers are still on active duty. Today, even before the weekly Police brief got underway, Assistant Commissioner Dezerie Magdaleno explained that in “regards to the rape…the alleged rape in Independence Village, we will not be giving any comments ono that. What I can tell you guys is that the file is being prepared and it will be sent to the Office of the DPP.” In its release, the UWG states, “At the very minimum, officers involved in any allegation of crime should be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing. No less is done for other crimes in which police officers are said to be involved.”

Thursday, 23 November 2017 In a very strong release issued this week, the United Women’s Group of the People’s United Party has condemned the delay in bringing charges against three Police officers who are accused of raping two women detained in Independence. The release states that the UWG “condemns in the strongest possible terms the irresponsible and unprofessional manner in which this allegation of gang rape by Police authorities is being handled. To have the officers still on active duty while the investigation is ongoing is disrespectful to all women in Belize and is a ‘slap in the face’ to this week’s launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.”

The alleged rape occurred on November 10th, 13 days ago, when two women, one Belizean and one Salvadoran were taken off a bus, reportedly to be

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from moving. Eyewitnesses say that one of the barriers failed to go down on the side of the road from where the Subaru vehicle came. The driver of that vehicle apparently did not see the plane attempting to take-off, and after it ended up in its path, the plane’s landing gear clipped its passenger side.

Tropic Air released a statement saying, “The subsequent loss of airspeed resulted in the pilot conducting a forced landing in the water beyond the end of the runway. All 7 passengers and crew members are safe.”

Faber, who has revealed that he cannot swim, has criticized the rescue efforts, saying that for an accident like this, the passengers who ended up being thrown into the water should not have been trapped out there for the length of time it took to get everyone to dry land. They were rescued by a tourist vessel which happened to be passing by, after the accident. The Civil Aviation Department is investigating the crash, but they have not been able to conclusively say that one of the barriers malfunctioned, and failed to stop the driver of the Subaru from proceeding forward.

The Belize Times has been reliably informed that the barrier had not been working for a week, but was not repaired by the BAA. Tropic Air has also insisted in their press release that this accident should not reflect poorly on them. Their statement says, “It is important to note that this incident was in no way a reflection of Tropic Air's operational, maintenance or business practices.”

The Belize Times

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14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

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26 NOV

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

SEDI DOESN’T KNOW SQUAT!

Thursday, 23 November 2017 Five days after armed Guatemalan military personnel and Guatemalan media casualty wandered into Belizean territory at the Western border without authorization, Minister responsible for the Police and for Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington in an interview Wednesday told media that he hadn’t even received an official report to verify whether the Guatemalans were actually in Belizean territory.

On Friday November 17th, a Guatemalan television crew with Guatemalan military escort crossed into the area known as Champon (otherwise referenced as “no-man’s-land”) between the border agency offices of Belize and Guatemala in the west.

There they interviewed people crossing the border. But then, without regard for Belizean authorities, they casually strolled over into Belize soil and called it Champon! That’s right.

They began filming the Immigration

Hall and adjacent areas. When Belize police finally arrived to question them, they told the cops they thought they were still in Champon and were headed over to Arenal.

Incredibly (and we keep using that word quite often with him) the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington called it “a visit by the Guatemalan military”. As clueless as can be, or perhaps deliberately so, he added, “I didn’t get the part that it was done in an intimidating way.” Not stopping there, Elrington added that it very well might have been an innocent expedition of the journalists to show the situation along the border.

But what about proper procedure and regard for another country’s laws?!

Five days after the incident, Elrington admitted to still waiting to learn if the media crew and military did come into Belizean territory. He told the press that he was waiting to hear from the BDF and police on the matter but as police minister himself, again, he appears to be out of the loop.

03 3 That’s because that very same day, his Ministry issued a release stating “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been notified by the Benque Viejo del Carmen Police Station that at about 10:45a.m. on November 17th, 2017, four Guatemalan military Kaibil personnel crossed into Belize along with three Guatemalan journalists. Belizean police officers, stationed in the vicinity of the border approached the Kaibil who were at the “Welcome to Belize” sign and informed them that they were in Belizean territory. The Police requested that they leave immediately which they did without incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised the matter with the Guatemalan authorities to prevent reoccurrence.” That’s it.

There is no talk about a protest note nor about a request for Guatemala to investigate the matter and find out how and why it happened the way it did. As Elrington rightly noted, proper procedure requires that his Ministry be informed about such an expedition. In this case, it is not known who authorized the intrusion or who led the journalist team, etc. This is necessary so that in future, Guatemala clearly understands that such disrespect will not be tolerated.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please clarify his relationship with Lord Michael Ashcroft? Could he further say if his law firm will continue to represent the Belize Bank which just won a judgment against the country of $90M? Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny, once and for all, reports that as Lord Ashcroft’s attorney he drafted that Accommodation Agreement which he continues to refer to as odious?

Could he clarify also whether his law firm participated in the drafting of the agreement between the Belize Bank and the Government which has now cost the nation $90M? Would the Member for Collet and Minister of Education please confirm or deny reports that he was drunk in Hopkins over the weekend and that is why he disrespected the Garifuna people by not showing up at the official ceremonies in Dangriga?

Would the Member for Corozal Bay and Minister of Health please explain why there are container-loads of expired medication stored at the Ministry of Health compound in Ladyville? And could he please confirm credible reports that he and his wife are now major players in the supply of medications in Belize?

Would the Member for Pickstock and Minister of Foreign Affairs please say why his office has refused to issue a formal protest note after Guatemalan soldiers and civilians casually walked into Belizean territory without permission? Could he further say if he is still considering accepting a post as Foreign Minister of Guatemala?

Would the Member for Orange Walk East and junior Minister of Police please say why three Policemen accused of raping two women in custody have not been charged?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works please say why it took four deaths in one weekend for works to commence on the bridge at St. Margaret’s?

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2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

Well hell…

Ninety million dollars. WOW. Not the best news to get, and just in time for Thanksgiving. WOW again. Where in the hell is Dean Oliver going to get that money? And how in the hell do we keep losing to Dean Oliver’s friend Magic Mike Ashcroft? We just paid $156M to end the BTL saga, or so DOB said glibly, and now there’s another $90M saga. How is it that this brilliant attorney can be such a boneheaded bozo…so arrogant and obstinate and incompetent that he makes the stupidest decisions and then loses everything including the proverbial kitchen sink? This really irks the shit out of me, because by the time this is done, the Belizean people will have paid and will be paying hundreds of millions of dollars in interest alone.

Just because Dean O is such a stubborn jackass. And what do we have to show for it?

What have we gotten for hundreds of millions of dollars? BTL? Now that’s a sick joke.

Sheesh.

Jail…

What an interesting turn of events.

Dean Oliver may have bitten off more than he can chew this time. See, if Parliament does what many feel is the right thing to do – and that is to refuse to approve a $90M payment (interest alone of $52M) for a company which does not belong to us, then the bank will go after the Minister of Finance, who just happens to be Prime Minister Dean Barrow. And that may just mean prison for the old Dean. So he will have to convince all those on his side to approve that payment. My lerd. That’s not as easy these days as it once was for the PM turned paper tiger. There’s a lot going on in and out of Cabinet these days. Talkin’ bout a revolution. In an interesting aside, guess who’s come out of the woodwork and is visiting constituencies, allegedly with wads of cash, shoring up support?

Paranoia…

Just weeks ago Patrick Faber had big problems with Papa Mena…like all-out war with threats and shit. Then Patrick jumps on a plane to head south and the damned plane hits a vehicle. I’ve never heard of crap like that happening.

It just doesn’t happen. After that, Patrick was heard telling his bestie Oj (wonder if they swap woman-beating stories) that he would never set foot in Dangriga with Papa there.

Powerful magic indeed. So the man decided to take Oj on a weekend getaway to a private resort where the two of them got cozy with drinks and slow songs on the karaoke machine. If I were the DPM I sure as hell wouldn’t take any of this lightly. His plane hit a damned car on the road. Jeez.

Elements…

Does anybody else feel like all the elements have been brought into play against Patrick, or is it just me. I mean…first his government vehicle takes a nosedive in the Caribbean Sea. Then he gets another vehicle and it burns up. So he jumps in a plane, and the plane crashes.

WTF! That’s water…fire & air. This guy is definitely jinxed.

No doubt about it.

Simple Sedi…

Almost one week after Guatemalan military and civilians just casually walked over into Belizean territory at the Western border, Minister of Home Affairs Sedi Elrington still hasn’t been able to verify for himself that they actually came into Belizean territory. I mean he’s seen the photos and the video I’m sure. But he hasn’t gotten any official report confirming it. Sedi controls the Police. And up to Wednesday night, five days after the incident, he says he doesn’t know if they came into Belizean territory. And we’re not talking about thick, dense jungle deep in the Chiquibul. This is the Western border. I mean what kind of damned idiocy is this? No wonder everybody takes advantage of us. I swear…

The Real Deal…

This week I gotta take the opportunity to shout out my friend from Toledo West.

Oscar Requeña is a powerhouse. He doesn’t take crap from anyone. He’s a feisty lil sucker. Last week the man took on the mighty (big) Attorney-General without fear. He stood up for the Alcaldes of the South who were being disrespected by the AG and by government and he demanded that they be paid what was due to them. And by the next day they were. That’s real power and real representation. Big respect Oscar.

26 NOV

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL FABER’S FOLLY

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t is necessary to say from the onset that we must give thanks that all those persons who were on that plane in Placencia survived that bizarre incident in which the departing craft hit a passing vehicle.

There should be no room in politics to wish ill on those, including two sitting Ministers of Government, who escaped serious injury or even death. It is necessary to point out that the managing authority of that airstrip, the Belize Airports Authority, should be held fully responsible for any damages or claims which will certainly arise out of the accident. It is unacceptable that a barrier which would have prevented the near-fatal accident was not working for a week prior to the collision, and it had not been fixed.

With that said…on Sunday Belizeans celebrated Garifuna Settlement Day, paying tribute to the resilience and will of the culturally vibrant people whose contributions to our nation are legion. It is tradition, and a mark of deepest respect, that our political leaders take the time to travel to Dangriga to share this rich and significant moment – the re-enactment and official ceremony. Prime Minister Dean Barrow was out of the country, allegedly for some emergency or the other, so the task of representing the Barrow administration fell on the man who has stated openly that he wants to be the next leader of the United Democratic Party. But Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber was a no-show. He just decided not to attend. He has admitted that he was in Hopkins, a stone’s throw from Dangriga, and footage has emerged of Faber in a cozy duet with Oj Elrington, singing Karaoke in a club.

When asked why he did not show up, since his name was on the official program and he was slated to address the gathering, Faber claimed - "I had no idea that that was being expected at the time and if that became a problem for some people, then I am sorry that they saw it that way.” According to Faber, “after the ordeal on Friday I made a decision that I was going to just relax for the weekend.

I think that is fair.” Of course, Faber became a laughing stock after that so-called ordeal, when he took a selfie in a child’s flotation vest just after being rescued.

Faber’s decision to snub the Garifuna people on this most important day, even though he was down South for the weekend, will no doubt be another nail in the coffin of his political aspirations. Just weeks ago, following a UDP convention in Dangriga, Area Representative Frank ‘Papa’ Mena lashed out at the leadership of the UDP, particularly Faber, accusing them of being racist and of pretending to like the Garifuna people and attempting to buy them. Mena went so far as to challenge the leadership to remove him if they so wanted. Incredibly, it was Mena who had to step in for Faber at the 19th Ceremonies in Dangriga, even though he was very conspicuously left off the program. Certainly Faber’s deliberate slight and cavalier attitude when asked about his absence will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Faber’s bid for leadership of the UDP once had the full support of his political boss, Dean Barrow. But during a recent interview when Mr. Barrow was asked about his successor being Faber, the PM backtracked without shame or mercy, telling the interviewer that the identity of his successor was not set in stone. There is no doubt that Faber’s aspirations have been hurt by the revelations that he is a chronic abuser of women and his erratic behaviour while under the influence of alcohol has been well documented. Faber has also been unable to attract the support of the senior and more powerful members of Cabinet who have stated openly that he is too immature to lead the Party.

It is no secret that the Prime Minister has considered Mark Espat as his successor, though that proposal was immediately quashed by the majority in Cabinet. John Saldivar was once considered as a possible successor, but he too has fallen by the wayside after his name was linked to that of accused kidnapper and murderer William Danny Mason. The true story of why Pastor Llewellyn Lucas was beheaded has not yet come to light, but there are those, even inside Cabinet who feel that Saldivar knows much more than he is telling.

The latest prospect for UDP leader is Attorney-General Michael Peyrefitte. He has emerged as the Prime Minister’s choice cherub. But there is a problem. Peyrefitte is a failed politician, and he would have to win a seat to prove himself. And the UDP now has a scarcity of what could be considered sure seats to put him.

If there is one certainty in this chaos which is the UDP’s search for a leader when Mr. Barrow hobbles off into that goodnight, it is that Patrick Faber will not be the person thrust into the spotlight. And his crass disrespect of the Garifuna people this past weekend is only just one reason why.

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LA LOCURA DE FABER

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s necesario decir desde el principio que debemos dar gracias que todas aquellas personas que estaban en ese avión en Placencia sobrevivieron a ese incidente extraño en el que el avión golpeó un vehículo de paso. No debería haber espacio en la política a desearle mal, incluyendo a dos ministros del gobierno, quienes escaparon de lesiones graves ni incluso la muerte.

Es necesario señalar que la autoridad con responsabilidad de manejar esa pista de aterrizaje, la Autoridad de Aeropuertos de Belice, debe hacerse plenamente responsable de todo daño o reclamo que sin duda surgirán del accidente. Es inaceptable que una barrera que habría evitado el accidente casi fatal no estaba funcionando por más de una semana antes de la colisión, y no se había reparado.

Dicho esto... el domingo los beliceños celebraron el día de la llegada de los Garifuna, rindiendo homenaje a la resistencia y voluntad de personas culturalmente vibrantes cuyas contribuciones a nuestra nación son incalculables. Es tradición y una señal de respeto profundo que nuestros líderes políticos toman el tiempo para viajar a Dangriga para compartir este momento grandioso y significativo – la recreación histórica y la ceremonia oficial. El Primer Ministro Dean Barrow estaba fuera del país, presuntamente para alguna emergencia o para otro, así que la tarea de representar a la administración Barrow cayó sobre el hombre que ha declarado abiertamente que quiere ser el próximo líder del Partido Unido Democrático. Pero el Vice primer Ministro Patrick Faber nunca apareció. Él decidió no asistir. Admitió que estaba en Hopkins, a pasos de Dangriga, y un video ha surgido de Faber en un acogedor dúo con OJ Elrington, cantando Karaoke en un club.

Cuando se le preguntó por qué no se apareció, puesto que su nombre estaba en el programa oficial y fue programado a dirigirse a la concurrencia, Faber afirmó - "no tenía ni idea que eso se esperaba de mí en ese momento y si se convirtió en un problema para algunas personas entonces siento que lo vean de esa manera". Según Faber, "después de lo sucedido el viernes tome la decisión de relajarme el fin de semana. Creo que es lo justo". Por supuesto, Faber se convirtió un hazmerreír después de supuesto Calvario, cuando se tomó una selfie con un chaleco flotador para niños después de ser rescatado.

La decisión de Faber de desairar al pueblo garífuna en este día muy importante, a pesar de que estuvo en el sur durante el fin de semana, será sin duda alguna, otro clavo en el ataúd de sus aspiraciones políticas. Tan sólo unas semanas atrás, tras una convención UDP en Dangriga, el representante del área Frank 'Papa' Mena arremetió contra los dirigentes del UDP, particularmente contra Faber, acusándolos de ser racistas y de pretender querer al pueblo garífuna e intentar comprarlos. Mena llegó a desafiar al liderazgo para removerlo si así lo desearan. Increíblemente, fue Mena quien tuvo que substituir a Faber en las ceremonias del 19 en Dangriga, aunque muy notablemente había sido dejado fuera del programa. Sin duda el desprecio deliberado y la actitud desdeñosa de Faber cuando se le preguntó acerca de su ausencia no será olvidada pronto.

Cuando Faber se ofreció para el liderazgo del UDP tenía el apoyo pleno de su jefe político, Dean Barrow. Pero durante una entrevista reciente al Sr. Barrow se le preguntó si su sucesor era Faber, el PM se echó atrás sin pudor ni piedad, diciéndole al entrevistador que la identidad de su sucesor no se ha esculpido en piedra. No hay duda que las aspiraciones de Faber han sido heridas por las revelaciones de que él es un abusador crónico de las mujeres y su comportamiento errático bajo la influencia del alcohol está bien documentado. Faber ha sido incapaz de atraer el apoyo de los miembros de alto rango y los más poderosos del gabinete que han declarado abiertamente que él es demasiado inmaduro para liderar al partido.

No es ningún secreto que el Ministro ha considerado a Mark Espat como su sucesor, aunque esa propuesta fue rechazada inmediatamente por la mayoría del gabinete. John Saldívar fue una vez considerado como un sucesor posible, pero él también ha caído por la barda después de que su nombre fuera ligado al del acusado por secuestrador y asesino William Danny Mason. La verdadera historia del por qué fue decapitado el Pastor Llewellyn Lucas todavía no ha sido revelado, pero hay quienes, incluso dentro del gabinete que creen que Saldivar sabe mucho más de lo que está diciendo.

La última posibilidad para líder UDP es el Fiscal General Michael Peyrefitte. Él ha emergido como el querubín de elección del Primer Ministro. Pero tiene un problema. Peyrefitte es un político fracasado, y tendría que ganar un área electoral para probarse que está a la altura. Y el UDP ahora tiene una escasez de lo que podría considerarse áreas aseguradas para ponerlo.

Si hay una certeza en el caos que es la búsqueda del UDP por un líder cuando el Sr. Barrow se despida renqueando hacia la obscuridad, es que Patrick Faber no será la persona en el centro de la atención pública. Y su falta de respeto grosero al pueblo Garifuna este fin de semana pasado es sólo una razón del por qué.

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26 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

Four Die at Deadly Bridge Thursday, 23 November 2017 The dangerous 1-lane bridge in Saint Margaret’s Village in the Cayo District is currently getting badly needed repairs. Unfortunately, this sudden rush to make that bridge safer for vehicular traffic came only after four men lost their lives in traffic accidents at that location during the Garifuna Settlement Day weekend.

32 year-old Glenn Bert Reneau, a resident of Neal Penn Road, went on a road trip with 2 friends to go experience Garifuna Settlement Day in Dangriga for the first time. Unfortunately, he never made it because he crashed at that bridge and died there, hours before the festivities took place.

Police say that at around 9:51 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, they responded to information of a road traffic accident in Saint Margaret Village. They were directed to visit the bridge which is located between miles 31 and 32. There they found a grey Honda Accord car submerged in the creek below the bridge. Their investigation has so far

revealed that Reneau was driving that car, and he was heading from Belmopan to Dangriga. Traveling with him at the time was 26 year-old Police Constable Glendale Ramos, and 21 yearold Maria Ramirez.

Police say that when Reneau approached the bridge, he lost control of his vehicle and collided into it. The force of the impact flung the vehicle off the bridge, and it landed in the water below. The cops found the car turned on its side in the water below.

Reneau suffered serious head and bodily injuries and he was pronounced dead on arrival after being transported to the Western Regional Hospital. Ramirez was fortunate to survive the accident with only an injury to her left foot. Ramos also escaped with only an injury to his right hand.

Hours later, on Sunday, November 19, Garifuna Settlement Day, 3 more men died at that bridge in another traffic accident.

At around 2:05 p.m., Belmopan police were called out and found the wreckage of a gold Toyota Camry car on the banks of the creek at the bot-

tom of the bridge. Trapped inside was the body of 37 year-old Harold Albert Smith, a resident of Burrell Boom Village. First responders also found the body of Smith’s nephew and best friend, 37 year-old Keith Alonso Frazer; he was lying down motionless nearby. By the time the cops arrived on the scene, a third occupant of the vehicle, 41 year-old Marlon Flowers, had already been rushed to the Western Regional Hospital. Unfortunately, Flowers died on the way.

All 3 men went to Dangriga to enjoy the celebrations, and in the afternoon they were heading back to Burrell Boom. Police say that Smith was driving the vehicle heading in the direction of Belmopan, and approaching the 1-lane bridge he lost control and ran into the creek. Eyewitnesses say that the vehicle flipped over and landed with its 4 wheels in the air.

Several tries were made to turn it over before the authorities could remove Smith’s body from the driver’s seat. It is believed that he and Frazer died at the moment of impact, or shortly afterwards.

Family members of Smith and Frazer say that these two were basically joined at the hip since they were children; their birthdays are

--Belize City, November 22nd 2017 – It has been over a week since 2 women alleged that while in police custody at the Independence Police Station, they were raped by 3 police officers.

Gang rape is a serious allegation yet the officers accused remain on active duty. ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of the National Criminal Investigation Branch, stated on news yesterday that the “investigation or examination proved that the women were carnally known…and this is one of those investigations that have led us in different directions, or should I say there are certain inconsistencies which we need to clarify in regards to the investigation.” This is a strong suggestion that it was not rape, something that the police are not in a position to say.

The women’s arm of the People’s United Party condemns in the strongest possible terms the irresponsible and unprofessional manner in which this allegation of gang rape by police authorities is being handled. To have the officers still on active duty while the investigation is ongoing is disrespectful to all women in Belize and is a “slap in the face” to this week’s launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. At the very minimum, officers involved in any allegation of crime should be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing. No less is done for other crimes where police officers are alleged to be involved in.

The United Women’s Group also condemns strongly the remarks by ACP Alejandro Cowo regarding the murder of a woman in Ladyville whereby he stated that the murder victim “is a very friendly person and that she was out with the villagers, socializing with them”. For any police authority to suggest that a woman’s social behaviour can contribute to violence against her is completely unacceptable and should be decried by all.

To date there is no response or comment by the National Women’ Commission or the Special Envoy for Women on these outrageous remarks and handling by our police authorities on crimes against women.

Violence against women will not be taken seriously if our police authorities are not held to account for their public statements which can validate the misogyny and disrespect that women endure and does nothing to stem violence against women.

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only weeks apart. Frazer is Smith’s nephew, but they behaved more like brothers. Smith, who was behind the wheels, is described as a non-drinker, and so the family insists that alcohol could not have been a factor in this accident. They say that the bad condition of the road, near to the bridge, and the severe disrepair of the bridge itself, are what caused the accident. The family is devastated to lose both men in one single accident.

Smith leaves behind 3 children who reside in the US., while Frazer leaves behind his 2. Flowers, who was also known as “Smurf”, was a barber at the Slip N Slide Barbershop, located near the Pound Yard Bridge in Belize City.

On Friday night, November 17, hours before the first of the 2 fatal traffic accidents, there was another, but that one was non-fatal. A Ford pickup also ran off that bridge, but it appears that police have been having difficulties to get information on that accident. Belmopan police have since teamed up with the Ministry of Works and a private contractor to make it more safe for drivers approaching on both sides. They report that vandalism has contributed to the bridge’s state of disrepair.

PUP NOTICE

PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY

POLICE DISRESPECT OF WOMEN ON CLAIMS OF RAPE

2017

November 22, 2017

Another $88M Lost, More Than $52M in Interest Alone Less than three weeks after the Government was ordered to pay US$78million to the former shareholders of Telemedia, the CCJ has now ordered the Government to pay another BZ$88mn, this time to the Belize Bank. This debt arises out of an award issued in 2013 which, because of the Prime Minister’s bombastic and reckless political grandstanding, was never paid. Meanwhile, with interest on the award accruing at 17% compounded monthly, interest now exceeds BZ$52mn, more than doubling the original debt.

In judgments ordered to pay by the CCJ alone, the Prime Minister and his Government has brought liability upon the people of Belize in the sum of over $650 million, of which over $300mn is comprised of interest, which could have been entirely avoided but for the Prime Minister’s reckless, wasteful and incompetent decision-making.

It should be no surprise but wholly alarming nonetheless that over the last three years alone, the Government’s debt has ballooned by over $1billion, $600 million in domestic debt and another $400mn in foreign debt.

The PUP expresses grave concern as to the outlook for the immediate future under this hapless UDP administration. It is clear that this Prime Minister and his Government lack the skill and competence to responsibly manage government’s affairs and the economy. It is time for them to go.

There will be no riding off into the sunset for the Prime Minister and his government however. The people of Belize deserve no less than having those in this corrupt and incompetent UDP administration being held fully accountable.

ENDS

26 NOV

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

Cruise Tourism Figures to Plunge in December Thursday, November 23, 2017 Local operators in the cruise tourism sector are expressing grave concern after the BTB released the cruise ship arrival schedule for December 2017. A quick perusal of the schedule when compared to last year December shows a significant decline in cruise ship calls to Belize City.

In December 2016, 42 cruise ships docked outside Belize City, delivering 114,930 passengers but the outlook for December 2017, despite the beautiful picture being painted by the BTB, sent shock waves through the industry: now they know that things weren’t as they seemed. The schedule put out by the BTB shows that for December 2017 only 31 cruise ship will call Belize City bringing a mere 78,512 passengers; this represents a 28.57% decline in ship arrivals and a bruising 31.69% decline in passenger arrivals.

There are two significant factors that have caused the contraction in the cruise tourism sector, (1) the absence of a proper cruise port in Belize City and (2) the diversion of ships by Norwegian from Belize City to its private island, Harvest Caye.

Mr. Mike Feinstein, a Belizean developer, has been trying desperately to build a cruise facility at Stakebank, Belize City. He has met obstacle after obstacle, deliberately placed in his path by the Barrow administration, simply because he is considered to be a PUP supporter. The more than 3-year delay caused by the vindictiveness of the Barrow administration has shaken the confidence of the cruise lines that a proper facility would be built in the near future. And since the Lines plan their calendars way in advance, Belize is now reaping the mal-effects of the scorched earth campaign against the Stakebank project.

To complicate the matter, only two weeks after a definitive agreement was sign by DPM Patrick Faber with the developer, his nemesis John Saldivar, incredibly, appears on TV signing an MOU with another developer for yet another cruise port south

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Lewis Leiva is applying for a Renewal of a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Red Hut Inn/ Car Rental ”, # 90 Bella Vista, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Lewis Leiva is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Red Hut Inn/Car Rental ”, # 90 Bella Vista , Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

of Belize City. The effect of this underhandedness has been an earth shattering loss of confidence in the cruise market as well as in the finance sector where developers must look for project funding and investments.

The sleight of hand by Norwegian has also significantly impacted on the market in Belize City. Norwegian was supposed to introduce new ships to Belize that were to call specifically at Harvest Caye and its then current level of calls to Belize City was to be maintained at the numbers pre-Harvest Caye. People inside the industry are saying that as soon as Harvest Caye was finished Norwegian began

diverting its ships south and in the process putting a hurt on stakeholders in the City. FECTAB warned the industry beforehand that this was to be the outcome of the Harvest Caye deal. FECTAB took one look at the UDP insiders buzzing around the Harvest Caye project and knew that what was said is not what would be done. We did not listen!

The deceleration of cruise tourism arrivals for December 2017 is a real economic disaster for the thousands of people who depend on the cruise tourism high season to make a decent living and to “put on fat” to last throughout the slow season.

One can therefore understand the alarm in the industry about the poor performance during what is supposed to be the high season. The decline in passenger arrival would be nothing without some reference

07 7 to what it means to the pockets of the players in the market. According to the ECLAC, in 2015, per passenger expenditure in Belize was US$77.87; at the current rate of decline in the industry this means that almost six million dollars will escape the Belize City economy in December alone.

The UDP often brags that Belize City is their stronghold, they hold 6 of the 10 seats in Belize City and all their representatives are powerful cabinet members. It is therefore not unfair in the least bit to lay the blame squarely at the feet of the UDP. They are the ones who have led cruise tourism to where it is and it is they who must answer to the people of Belize in general and the people of the ole capital in particular. The good news is that the people of the ole capital will get an opportunity to return the “love” on March 7, 2018!

0 8 4 08

THE BELIZE TIMES

WELCOME TO COLLET

26 NOV

2017

CONSTITUENCY OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER PATRICK FABER

26 NOV

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

OPINION OUT Are we doing enough to address the carnage on our highways?

!

Dear Sir, I would be honoured for you to grant me a small section within the most prominent newspaper, to voice my concern on a topic that has been plaguing me for some time now. This is a matter of public policy that hardly attracts any public discourse.

I speak of the almost weekly carnage caused by road traffic accidents that plague our highways. I share common sentiments as many Belizeans on the issue of crime and violence within our country, and I applaud the efforts of the Police Department in addressing this situation. However, there seem to be limited efforts being made to address the traffic accidents on our highways and at times on the streets of our cities and towns.

Just as the murder rates are increasing, there is a continuous rise in the number of deaths as a result of road traffic accidents. As I write this piece on November 20, 2017, there are unconfirmed reports of 3 deaths on the Hummingbird Highway. In fact, the social media hype surrounding accidents at the bridge between miles 31 and 32 on the Hummingbird Highway is what prompted me to write this piece. My heart goes out to all loved ones lost due to traffic accidents and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

On March 13, 2013, The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Belize launched the “Road Safety Project” which they claimed was a template for ‘improving road safety’ in all of the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries. As part of the agreement, the CDB is providing a loan of USD 7.248 million while the Government is contributing USD 1.596million for the project. The project was intended to support interventions to build the country’s road safety management capacity, improve the safety of road infrastructure and improve post-crash care. While we welcome this move by the government, the carnage continued. As part of this project the Ministry of Transport received two fully-loaded highway patrol vehicles. These two vehicles were intended to patrol the George Price Highway between Belize City and Belmopan as part of a pilot project. However, while we welcome the sight of these vehicles on the highway along with the stationary speed monitors, the carnage continues. To this end, I believe these methods have provided limited results.

I applaud the attempts to improve the conditions on the highways, roads and streets. especially recent works done on a section of

the Hummingbird Highway with the reflectors and reflective paint and signs that make it safer when driving especially at night. However, I believe we falter in addressing the attitudes and behavior of reckless drivers. Some may debate that better highways make way for more speeding and reckless driving which causes fatalities but I believe if there are adequate signs and lights, if drivers are more cautious, and road safety infractions are punished to the full extent of the law, there will be less fatal accidents occurring due to reckless driving.

In a recent television interview, Minister of State Aragon spoke about the stiffer measures that were being put in place to address the violence in Belize. Also,

he spoke of more stringent legislation to address gang violence etc. I recommend that an equal level of attention be placed to address traffic accidents in our country.

Traffic related legislation is antiquated and doesn’t adequately deter traffic fatalities.

I cannot recall ever hearing anyone going to prison after being convicted of the crime of Manslaughter by Negligence.

While I agree that Road Safety Project jingles are impressive, they are of little value if those who break our Traffic Regulations are not held accountable for their actions with more than a mere slap on the wrist. While I make the call for more stringent legislation, law enforcement personnel must be provided with the necessary tools to make this legislation work. For many years we have heard that there is a provision in the law which allows the authorities to test for driving under the influence with the use of a breathalyzer. However, adequate numbers of these were never provided, and therefore we hardly hear about persons being stopped and a Breathalyzer being used on them.

I conclude by pointing out that a

09 9 death is a loss to a family, and it likely matters little to that family whether it was murder or as a result of a traffic accident, particularly at the hands of a drunken or reckless driver. I therefore call on the relevant authorities to address traffic fatalities with the same level of tenacity as they are addressing the crime and violence in Belize City.

Traffic deaths are no less important.

They have the same impact on a family especially with the loss of the main provider. I also want to challenge my fellow Belizeans to join in the discourse on this matter. Let us be vocal and advocate for change just as we are doing when it comes to crime and violence.

Finally, I call upon all drivers. At the moment we decide to drive, let us have complete regard for all other road users. The life we save might be our own and also that of our very own family members. While driving is a privilege, life is a gift that can never be replaced.

Fatima Gordon Public Administration and Policy Student University of Belize

10

THE BELIZE TIMES

MOVE

MOVE

"Putting the People First"

Basketball Tournament shoots-off at Hollywood Basketball Court

A Belize that Works for Everyone On Friday, PUP Leader John BriceĂąo was a guest speaker at the University of Belize where he spoke to public officers taking a Politics in Political Institutions Course. For more than two hours he fielded questions and spoke about the move by the PUP to return good governance, accountability and integrity to all our institutions.

In the days ahead, the plan is to visit other educational institutions to continue the discussion and to hear the concerns and suggestions of the people.

Engaging with supporters

Attending Cultural Day at Julian Cho Technical High school

Preparing for Battle On Saturday, Councilor candidates from the Western Caucus participated in a training session in Cayo with leaders of the People's United Party.

The Blue Machine has fielded impressive slates in all municipalities, and it is critical that all candidates understand what is expected of them as we prepare to be responsible servants of the people.

With supporter

Sponsoring repairs for the Hollywood Basketball Court

2017

ON THE

ON THE Mayoral Candidate Carlos "Obeah" Galvez Making it Happen in PG

26 NOV

8 MAY 31 26 JUL FEB 12 NOV 26 14 19 AUG JUN

Win Leal’s Cup Championship

Sand Hill Blue Hawks

11 SPORTS 11

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2016 2016 2017

Champs - Sand Hill Blue Hawks Lucky Strike FC. Matthew Leal scored the 1st goal in the 5th minute. Frederick “Shorty” Garbutt equalized 1-1 in the 28th minute. In the 2nd half, Ladyville’s No.11 Shawn Young scored 4 goals for the 5-1 win.

Tournament sponsor Marconi Leal Sr. presented team trophies and individual trophies to all team members of the 1st and 2nd place winners. He also presented the $3000 cheque for 1st prize to the champs – the Sand Hill Blue Hawks. Corozalito won the

$2,000 2nd prize, and Ladyville FC coach Michael “Watta-plait” Flowers received the $1,000 cash prize for 3rd place on behalf of his team.

Individual awards: Most Goals – Tyreek “Hammer” Ciego - Corozalito Best Forward – Tyreek Ciego - Corozalito Best Midfield – David “Gringo” Ramos – Ladyville FC Best Defense – Alfred Garnett - Maskall Strikers Best Goalkeeper – James Pollard of Lucky Strike MVP – Orlando Lyons – Sand Hill Blue Hawks

ACC Girls Lead CSSSA Basketball Playoffs

rene’s Asha Panting scored a bucket.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the ACC girls blew away Pallotti 54-3 in the last regular season

Sand Hill, November 20, 2017 The Sand Hill Blue Hawks raked Corozalito: 3-0 to win the 1st Leal’s Cup Belize Rural football championship, sponsored

by Sand Hill chairman Marconi Leal at the Sand Hill field on Monday, November 20.

Trayvon Martinez scored the 1st goal in the 4th minute.

Charles Canton Jr. scored the 2nd goal in the 31st minute, and Sergio Luna came off the bench to score the 3rd goal in the 54th minute.

In Game 1, the consolation match for 3rd place, Ladyville FC won 5-1 vs.

Belize City, November 17, 2017 The Anglican Cathedral College girls and boys are leading the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association’s (CSSSA) basketball playoffs at the St. Catherine Academy auditorium and St John’s College gymnasium last week, November 13-17.

On Monday, November 13, the E.P. Yorke girls won 27-3 vs. Nazarene High led by Kersha Lacayo scoring 9pts, and Keira Davis added 8pts, Hannah Usher posted 6pts, and Ruby Sacalxot, Jaziera Butler threw in a bucket apiece. Nazarene’s Teresa Slusher scored 1 bucket.

On Tuesday, Nov.14, the Gwen Liz girls won 21-5 vs. Pallotti, led by Amber Usher and Persephonie Gordon scoring 8pts apiece, and Misty Vernon and Misty Ciego threw in a bucket apiece. Pallotti’s Tyra Sterling

Belize Bank Bulldogs & SQ Dragons Vie for BDVA Interoffice Volleyball Finals Belize City, November 17, 2017 The Belize Bank Bulldogs and the S.Q. Dragons are vying for a spot in the Belize District Volleyball Association’s (BDVA) interoffice volleyball championship finals, each with a victory in the best of 3 semifinals series at the St. Catherine Academy auditorium in Belize City last Thursday and Friday, November 16-17.

In Game 1 on Thursday, the S.Q. Dragons won 25-19, 25-20 vs. Belize Bank Bulldogs; led by Kelsey Balderamos, Larry Bennett, Tarique “Soup” Campbell and Julian Quan spiking home points at the net on balls set by Lupita Quan and Peter Quan, and Alex Quan and Karen Quan came off the bench to help win the 2nd set.

In Game 2 on Friday, Belize Bank Bulldogs won: 25-17, 27-25 vs S.Q. Dragons, as Darion Cayetano, Adrian Garbutt, and Curtis Bradley hammered kills on balls set by Kim Burns and Shamira Young and David Macintosh helped receive and rally the ball.

In the other semifinals match-up, the Belize Telemedia DigiNet team has already clinched their berth in the finals, as they dominated the Holy Redeemer Credit Union team 2-0 in their best of 3 semifinal series. DigiNet won game 1: 25-23, 25-27, 15-3 vs H.R.C.U. on Thursday, November 16. DigiNet also won Game 2: 25-18, 25-21 vs H.R.C.U. on Friday, November 17.

E.P. Yorke girls win 20-0 vs Pallotti and Jahtiya Rowley scored a bucket apiece.

On Wednesday, the Sadie Vernon girls ran over Nazarene: 28-3, led by Shantel Flowers scoring 10pts, and Bathsheba Budran added 9pts. Shaunetta Guzman threw in 4pts, Janea Oliva - 3pts. Naza-

game, led by Zaria Jenkins hitting 3 treys for 31pts! Jane Martinez added 12pts, Camryn Hinds put up 4pts and Shashell Bailey scored a bucket. Pallotti’s Tyra Sterling hit a trey.

On Friday, November 17 in the quarterfinals, the E.P. Yorke girls won 20-0 by default from Pallotti.

HRCU Darren Leal tricks BTL Juan Marin

ACC boys win 60-40 E.P. Yorke

ACC Boys Lead CSSSA Basketball

BzeBank Bulldogs win 25-17 27-25 vs SQ Dragons in Game 2 of BDVA interoffice semifinals

41 12

THE BELIZE TIMES

26 NOV

2017

“Lidan Nei Uarani Awanseruni…

Mabuleida Wamei” “Progress Lies in Unity… Always Remember It.” Words cannot truly describe the emotions that we all experience each year when we gather together here in Dangriga to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day. From the Yurumei or reenactment to the mass then to the celebrations in the streets, this is the truest expression of a beautiful culture which embraces the struggles and achievements of a people whose journey crossed oceans, originating in Africa then to the Caribbean Islands and onward to our shores right here on the Central American mainland.

While there are many things which too often divide us as a nation, this annual celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day continues to be an event that unites all Belizeans, binding us as one people, proud of what we have accomplished together.

Garifuna culture is Belizean culture and it is an indispensible part of our national fabric. Garifuna Settlement Day celebrates this authentic, rich heritage while ensuring that we never take for granted what was sacrificed to get here.

Likewise, it reinforces in all of us a commitment to continue to stand up for Belize and for who we are as a people - that is to say we desire to live in a free and progressive nation where all our people can realize their true potential.

Our shared responsibility as Belizeans including the desire of Garinagu Belizeans is to contribute to our national development. So that on occasions like these, those of us who are privileged to serve as leaders of this nation should use this opportunity to say to everyone, including our Garinagu brothers and sisters at home and abroad Seremein - thank you!

Thank you for sharing so much with us. Thank you for answering the call to nation building and for your part in this progressive Belizean revolution. From the first Garinagu landed here in 1802 until today, we have benefitted from your rich history and traditions, which you have so willingly shared with us.

We have asked your sons and daughters to defend the homeland; we have asked you to educate our children; to participate in every aspect of our national development and you have. You continue to do your part. In addition, you have accepted the challenge to represent the best of our cultural diversity abroad. Each time you have been asked to serve you have done so.

Side by side you stand with our Maya, and our Creole, with our Mestizo, our East Indians and all who have come to our shores to contribute to the task to build Belize.

This year as we celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day under the theme which reminds us that progress lies in unity, we do so very aware of your contribution to this nation, confident that as your ancestors answered the call to service so too will you and your children continue the work for progress.

Confident that together and with the guidance of our Creator we will build a Belize that works for everyone.

Thank you, seremein and Happy Garifuna Settlement Day!

26 NOV

2017

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

13

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

MY PERSPECTIVE

This is the third and final installment of a summary and review of the book “Confederate Settlements in British Honduras” by Donald C. Simmons Jr, an insightful text about this chapter of Belizean history. Mr. Simmons clearly wrote this book from an American history point of view. However, I have viewed it from the perspective of a Belizean interested in our rich, and at times quixotic, history.

The Toledo Settlement, which was located between the Rio Grande and the Moho River, was the largest Confederate settlement. It was also known as Cattle Landing according to Mr. Simmons, and at its peak it had some sixty-six settlers. Their original leader was one Christopher Hatch, and when he died of yellow fever, Reverend Levi Pearce replaced him, arriving in the colony in 1868.

As a small nugget of information I can say that Rev. Pearce was the forebear of Dr. Ian Pearce, who was born and grew up in Belize City and who also had family members who lived at St. George's Caye. Dr. Pearce is a contemporary and good friend of my mother. They went to convent school together in the 1930's and are still close, though Dr. Pearce now lives in Houston, Texas.

Most of the Toledo settlers obtained land on a deferred payment plan, through which they would have had full ownership in ten years. But after about one year most of the settlers left and returned to the southern United States, with only about sixteen families remaining. A road which extended four miles inland was built, and initially bananas were exported, but the best crop was sugarcane. Simmons tells us that the locals, many of whom were of African descent, refused to work for the settlers, who really expected slave labour, and other workers mostly from Guatemala did not last long, so that the attrition rate doomed large production. Reverend Pearce and his staunch followers persisted due to their strong Methodist faith, and Methodism became entrenched in the Toledo settlement. One Reverend Morrell, a Baptist preacher, tried to establish a church but failed, leaving Reverend Pearce and his small following, all of whom, by the way, were complete teetotallers!!

The final important chapter of the Confederates in Belize concerns those who settled in the North of the country at Corosal (sic), Victoria and Orange Walk. Many established sugar plantations, and sugar mills, like the one at Indian Church (Lamanai) for example, remind us of these

plantations. But the bane of the settlers was raids by the Icaiche Mayas, which forced many to abandon their efforts. We are told then about the “legendary” John Wallace Price, who, along with several of his compatriots, bought large tracts of land along the New River for sugar plantations, which became very successful. But Price's fame came from his military prowess. He had settled at what was to become Louisiana Farm at Tower Hill, where the sugar factory is today. And he formed a “flying cavalry,” a group of volunteers who were a backup for the West India Regiment at Orange Walk.

The battle that won Price a place in Belizean history took place on August 31, 1872. Maya fighters led

by Marcus Canul had surrounded the regiment in Orange Walk, and they had killed or wounded about sixteen of them. Price and his Confederate men, however, attacked the Mayas from behind, killing many of them and mortally wounding Marcus Canul. Amazingly, Simmons does not even mention Marcus Canul by name, and another source tells me that about fifty Maya fighters were killed, and not the fifteen mentioned

by Simmons.

Simmons reports that John Wallace Price, E. Boudreau, and H.J. Archer were the “heroes” of this famous incident in Orange Walk. After the August 1872 battle the Icaiche Mayas did not attack again, but eventually most Confederates returned to their original homes in the southern United States. As we are informed, “Confederates opened much of the area surrounding Orange Walk for the cultivation of sugar, thus introducing that part of the colony to what is now the major agricultural export of the nation of Belize.” It may be an exaggeration that “Price and other settlers also put an end to the Indian raids from Mexico,” but it is true that there was stability and progress in the fledgling sugar industry for the mostly white remaining settlers after the 1872 battle.

Clearly the Confederates were entirely unable to recreate in Belize the lives they had had in the antebellum South. I found Simmons' account rich in detail, but somewhat short on analysis. His book was a fascinating read about this particular episode of our history. Short though it was, it has provided a better understanding for me about several aspects of the Belizean experience in the late nineteenth century. It is surely required reading for those interested in all of our rich and exciting history.

2017

The Case for Public Hearings

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

CONFEDERATES IN BELIZE PART THREE

26 NOV

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. Public hearings for alleged wrongdoings cited in an Auditor General’s report is a major deterrent against corruption in democratic countries around the world. This is because perpetrators of such wrongdoings in government realize that public exposure of their misdeeds will cost them their jobs and all the accompanying perks and privileges. Similar hearings will serve the same purpose in our country that is now overburdened with corruption in the highest echelons of power.

The last Auditor-General’s (A.G.) report exposed possible conflict of interest in the BDF when it noted that Lieutenant Colonel Charlton Roches who is in charge of training for foreign soldiers, is also the owner of a private company, Belize Jungle Experience Ltd. that is getting contracts from the same BDF to offer logistics for jungle training for soldiers from abroad.

In the last reported case, Roches’ company was paid $150,000.00 to provide jungle training for 35 German soldiers. This is also a serious matter because it is also alleged that personnel and equipment from the BDF are often used to fulfill the contracts.

On November 1, 2017 when Prime Minister Barrow was asked about the alleged corruption in the BDF, he said that the matter would be investigated by the relevant persons in the defense force and if persons are found guilty of wrongdoing they will be dealt with. Almost a month later, all the senior officials in the administration and the BDF who have access to the relevant records about the issue are as silent as mice about it. Their excuse is that they cannot comment on the subject because the investigation is still ongoing.

That is the modus operandi of the government in dealing with corruption - promise an internal investigation to buy time for it to drop off the radar and sweep it under the rug.

And if the press asks for an update on a case say no comment because the investigation is ongoing. Use of that tactic has prevented the public from getting a full report on the $70 million bogus land compensation in the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as a full report of the terrible misuse of public funds in the Ministry of Education in addition to corruption in several other ministries.

The main purpose of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is to take all possible steps to ensure that the moneys and assets of the country are being used wisely for the benefit of the Belizean people throughout the land.

The BDF scandal and numerous other questionable transactions by Minis-

ters and their cronies underscores the need for public hearings by the Public Accounts Committee about allege misuse of public funds that are reported in the Auditor General’s report. The A.G.’s report is not based on hearsay on the street. It is instead based on months of investigation by competent public officers in the department. The P.A.C. therefore has a duty to summon Ministers and other relevant persons before it for them to explain why their transactions that are flagged as questionable in the A.G.’s report do not represent conflict of interest or dereliction of duties on their part. Ministers who are members of the P.A.C. should not block public hearings about allegations of wrongdoing made in the A.G.’s report. That should not happen because the report is not about the private business of a Minister or his friends.

The report instead deals with the use of taxpayers’ money which Ministers take an oath to protect and use for the benefit of the Belizean people. If such honourable persons or their Cabinet colleagues have nothing to hide they should support public hearings by the P.A.C. wholeheartedly.

The Public Accounts Committee consists of 6 members (4 members from the government and 2 members from the Opposition). With this composition the Committee is unable to do its job. Like the Integrity Commission due to its makeup the P.A.C. exists in name only because the government always uses its super majority in both bodies to block any undertaking that would expose its misdeeds. The people cannot rely on the Police to hold itself to task for wrongdoing. In a similar way the people cannot rely on the government to hold itself to task for corrupt practices. That just doesn’t work for either organization. The record clearly shows that this administration is totally against public hearings for alleged corruption by Ministers regardless of how much evidence is presented to it about such matters.

G.O.B. only agreed to public hearing into the massive Immigration scandal to get the BNTU to end its eleven-day national strike for good governance.

We still need to know what happened to the $400 million from Petrocaribe and the millions that have been given to the government owned Belize Infrastructure Ltd. (BIL) To fulfill its obligation to the country the P.A.C. needs to be free to do its job, including having public hearings that it considers necessary. That requires a Committee on which the government doesn’t have the majority of seats to control its work and a committee with the necessary resources to properly carry out its function.

26 NOV

2017

15

THE BELIZE TIMES

Forging Partnerships. Impacting Lives

Shame on the UDP By: Karim Adle

It seems this embattled government just can’t seem to get anything right in Belize these days. We have a failing education system, failing health sector, high unemployment, a high tax burden on consumers, high gas prices, nepotism and rampant corruption with emphasis on rampant. To add to all the failure and misery of this regime, they continue to disrespect our own people time after time. As if their silence on the Guatemalan disrespect toward our nation weren’t enough, they have now disrespected our Garinagu in the south.

The nineteenth of November is reserved every year to commemorate and pay homage to the Garifuna arriving in Belize and enriching us with their culture and tradition. Their yearly ceremony usually sees delegates giving keynote addresses. These delegates are comprised of the Leader of the Opposition with the Head of State normally giving the keynote speech.

However, for the second year in a row the Prime Minister saw it fit to dodge the ceremony and head out to the US, leaving his deputy to fill in. As if that weren’t disrespect enough, this year it

took a turn for the worse. Important to note is that the current Deputy PM has made it no secret that he plans to run for the highest seat in the land after his boss retires. However, he saw it fit to ditch the ceremony and use the excuse of his plane wreck as a scapegoat. Now, I would urge readers to just view the recording of this same man singing his lungs out on Saturday while he abandoned his duties on Sunday.

His excuse is simply not acceptable. Mr. DPM - you want to lead this country, you want to be head of the country and the Garinagu are a significant sector within our population. When you are left to represent, the needs of the nation outweigh your personal needs.

Could you not have cut your night short in order to give the keynote address as was advertised? Your explanation on Channel 5 was ludicrous at best. Did President Bush abandon the nation when 9/11 happened because he needed time?

You, Sir, are a poor excuse for a politician and a want to be leader. Leaders step up when adversity hits and do not abandon their people on such a significant day when you were slated to give the keynote address. Thankfully, the Leader of the Opposition and without a doubt the next Prime Minister of Belize was front and center and gave indication on who is poised to become one of the best leaders this country has ever seen. I hope the disrespect from the UDP leaders resonates on the people of the South and they remember it come election day. A better Belize is possible with better leadership. Leadership that is not headed by the almost always absent Dean Barrow and the incompetent, unreliable Patrick Faber.

CONNECTED

END VIOLENCE AGAINST OUR WOMEN AND GIRLS The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women is November 25th and Human Rights Day is December 10th. Annually the 16 days that lie between are the days of activism against gender-based violence with particular focus on violence against women and girls. This worldwide campaign to galvanize action to end this violence was started 26 years ago by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership housed in Rutgers University, the state university of New Jersey, USA and has taken on a global movement to act.

The United Women’s Group of the People’s United Party supports and joins the voices of millions of women and thousands of organizations around the world to defend women’s rights and end violence against our women and girls. The theme this year for the 16 Days campaign is Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls.

Belize, like so many other countries around the world, will have a calendar of events for the next two weeks to raise awareness and generate public support to stop the violence against our women and girls.

In this vein and as women’s human rights defenders and promoters, the United Women’s Group makes no apology for calling out the lip service paid by this government and its institutions in protecting women and girls in Belize. The reality is that our government leaders and those in authority in this year alone have shown no regard, consideration or respect for women’s rights and have sat by idly while disparaging remarks or actions against women have been made.

For example, no less than the Prime Minister himself tolerated the physical and verbal abuse of “Yellowman” against journalist Marisol Amaya who was covering the Senate Inquiry on May 17th 2017. In one breath he says Yellowman’s actions were unacceptable but in the other he asserts that he would never support relieving him from his position as macebearer of the House of Representatives even though his own Speaker of the House, Hon. Laura Longsworth, wanted him to go. The Prime Minister once again displays

glitter with no substance and is unapologetic about his lip service.

There is also the case of now Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education who in 2014 was named in a criminal complaint by a Ministry of Education staffer who made a police report that he choked her and hit her twice. As often happens in domestic cases, she withdrew the charges and the Minister was never charged. The Deputy Prime Minister has never been held to account for that incident.

Then there are the cases of murders of women where the charges have been downgraded to manslaughter yet no outcry from the Special Envoy for Women and Children or the National Women’s Commission.

And the lip service, disrespect and inaction continue as recently as this week where the Police authorities, faced with allegations of rape, have not placed the officers called out in this allegation on administrative leave while the investigation is underway. There are also the outrageous remarks by senior police officers after the murder of a woman that suggest her lifestyle or social behavior may have caused her demise. This is 2017 and it is unacceptable.

There are numerous examples of those in power and leadership positions who by their inaction or limited action continue to make excuses or victim-blame to explain or justify the irresponsible behavior of those in positions of power or authority.

A change in attitude and mindset is a long journey and is an even more difficult one when those at the highest level of power appear impotent in making the tough decisions required to stem the tide of violence, abuse, and disrespect against women and girls.

Once again, over the coming 16 days we each have an opportunity to be sensitized and focused on women’s rights and to take action to do our part to end all forms of violence against our women and girls.

Let’s be the change we want to see. Connect.

Join the movement by contacting belizeuwg@gmail.com or call 677-9168. Your voice matters in helping to create the next Women’s Agenda of the PUP.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

26 NOV

2017

26 NOV

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

Another $90M...

By the time you read this, if anybody actually reads this, the Barrow Administration will have commenced a full propaganda press where the latest CCJ decision is concerned. Dean Oliver will be hailed as the weary defender of the Belizean people who fought to the bitter end. Said Musa will be vilified without mercy. Dean Barrow will no doubt give a press conference where his staged emotions will run the gamut from pious indignation to vicious condemnation of Musa and Fonseca. Oh, Dean Oliver, a consummate actor, will milk this one for all it is worth. See, there are elections coming very soon, and in the Prime Minister’s twisted mind, if handled right this bitter defeat could well be a boon the UDP needed.

While all that is happening, the war on social media will be in full effect. Everyone will be involved, on both sides of the political divide. This war of words will be less about the facts and informed discussion, and more of the usual petty vitriol. The rabid red supporters will do what they do. The rabid blue supporters will do what they do.

And so on and so forth and life goes on.

But none of that will take away from the fact that Lord Ashcroft, or a company he owns, to be more precise, has come up big once again. Those who run our country will have to find $90M somewhere to pay to the Belize Bank.

God knows where that will come from.

And it hurts every fiber of my being to recognize that $52M of that $90M is interest – free money. It hurts me more to recognize that neither Dean Barrow or Said Musa will need to pay that money. See, as leaders they are given the authority to make decision which should be in our best interests, but somewhere along the way things get cloudy sometimes. And somehow, we are left holding the shitty end of the stick.

I have very strong feelings for Mr. Barrow, bordering on the vicious. I am convinced that he is either the most incompetent of negotiators, or the most devious. I find it odd that Dean Barrow and Lord Ashcroft continue to maintain a personal and professional relation-

ship. I find it odd that Lord Ashcroft has benefitted so much from every single engagement with the Barrow Administration in and out of Court. I find it odd that after years of costly litigation and very public proclamations of never paying what was being sought, Dean Barrow flew to Miami to sign a secret agreement with Lord Ashcroft which gave Ashcroft much more than was being sought. I find it odd that the agreement was so badly drafted, in the words of the CCJ, that we were raped without foreplay or Vaseline. I find it odd that the people of Belize keep losing and losing and losing, while Lord Ashcroft keeps winning and winning and winning.

And I find it odd that at every turn the Prime Minister, or those close to him, also win. There is something very wrong about all this. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if you follow the money since 2008 – you will see the pattern of those who have come up big time. It’s not rocket science.

To be very clear in the event I am misunderstood, when I saw Said Musa on the news today speaking about vindication, I was frankly disgusted. I understand where he is coming from. The CCJ has upheld the legality of that long ago agreement. Fine. But there is no real vindication and no real victory, except in the end for Lord Ashcroft. How he must love our politicians from Belize. They are extremely good for his pocket.

The next few days and weeks will be full of very public discourse on both sides of the political spectrum. But honestly, how much does that really matter? We have lost again.

We have been betrayed again. And the thing is that we are already very screwed financially, even though Mr. Barrow can shrug off a $156M payment to Lord Ashcroft’s companies as if it was small change. How much more can we take? How much more can the country take?

I’m angry and upset because in the next days – in fact it is already started – we will tear ourselves apart on the streets and on social media. We will attack each other like dogs on raw meat. We will witness the most outrageous and personal insults. And then we will get the news of how we will pay this new $90M – perhaps more taxes, and we will have no say in the matter. And those who are making the decisions will be just frigging fine. In a matter of a few months, the multi-millionaire Prime Minister will be sipping daiquiris at his condo in Placencia, or travelling the world. And life goes on.

17

“See No Evil! Hear No Evil! Speak No Evil!”

By Ivan Valencia BYM President If we can’t see it then we don’t speak of it. If we don’t speak of it, then we don’t hear it.

It is not that difficult to find what to talk about these days – in 2008 the Belizean populace taught the PUP a lesson, and they gave the UDP an opportunity. The book of Daniel says, “He is who changes time and ages; dethrones kings and installs kings; gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to the intelligent.”

I start by sending out a message this week. To my brothers and sisters throughout the length and breadth of this country - the time has come for a much-needed revolution. It would seem as though for the past years we have seen no crime, no poverty, no hunger. It would seem as though we don’t listen on the streets to the different complaints and queries that come to our ear.

It is as though your child is not asking you for a pair of shoes, a school bag, or better yet something on his plate. “Daddy, mommy, when will we eat something different, or when will we eat at all?” Daddy and mommy often don’t know how to answer. They don’t know what they will do, or if you should go to school today.

There has been a radical change in our country’s governance and how things are run.

Let’s be real - the task to eradicate those negative common grounds in our society is much.

But, whoever said that we should stop trying. It would seem that we are growing our kids under a

new norm, the one that says that you can see something wrong, and you can’t say anything about it; therefore, message won’t be heard.

You know, I am sure that this is not what only I think. I am sure that this is not only what I feel.

I am sure that this is what you think, and what we all feel. We cannot be a part of a society that SEES NO EVIL, SPEAKS NOT OF THE EVIL WE SEE, AND HEARS NOT THE CRY OF OUR COUNTRY MEN. It is with a broken Belizean heart that I ask you, I exhort you, I challenge you to be part of this second Peaceful Constructive Belizean Revolution. The job was not done on September 21st 1981. The job commenced under one banner, under one flag, as one nation.

Let us not go back in time. Let us not go back to the struggles. Let us take a different task. Let us be NATION BUILDERS. Let us work towards A BELIZE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE. We must all find that common ground. We must stop killing each other, robbing each other, working against each other.

We Belizeans are better than that.

It is time for everyone to be part of a change, a positive change - one of which I am already a part, one of which I am asking you to be a part. No human being on this planet earth is perfect, but that does not mean that we must be exiled. No! That means that when we come together as one body, as one unit, we become better.

The RED had its chance, and they screwed it up! Let us renew vows under this new leadership. Let’s give it a chance. It won’t be easy.

It will be challenging, but the best part of it is that we can make things work out together. LET’S SAVE BELIZE NOW! For further information on the work of the Belize Youth Movement, contact 6721988. Let’s Unite and Join the Efforts for “A BELIZE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.”

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

MOVE

Here To Serve

Always remember. We are here to serve our people, not to serve ourselves. If after years in office our leaders are richer and our people are poorer, then we know something has gone very wrong. Our Belmopan team led by Tanya Santos is ready to serve the people. We need your support. It is time to get rid of those who don't care about our people and only care about their pockets.

26 NOV

2017

26 NOV

2017

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

MOVE

The real work will begin with accountable and responsible management.

Nuestro pueblo enfrenta grandes dificultades. Entre ellos, la gran falta de oportunidades y la mala administración de fondos públicos. Día a día escuchamos los lamentos y las quejas de nuestra gente. Tenemos que actuar con precisión y buscar SOLUCIONES. Tenemos que escuchar al pueblo. Sentarnos, conversar y unir esfuerzos para sacar adelante a nuestro pueblo. Crear programas que nos garanticen buena gobernación y ante todo TRANSPARENCIA. Poner al frente el interés de la gente trabajadora y no a las corporaciones millonarias. Solo así podemos desarrollar un ambiente de credibilidad política. ¡ES HORA DE ESCUCHAR AL PUEBLO! ¡Juntos, construyamos un mejor Benque para TODOS!

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 7th day of August, 2003, between TRACY WADE of 295 Max Boro, Sandhill Village, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 29 of 2003 at Folios 615- 642, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT Leasehold Interest in ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 295 situate in the Sandhill Development Project near Mile 16, Northern Highway, Belize District and bounded as follows: On the North for 27.428 metres by 40 feet road; On the South for 30.476 metres by Lot No. 333; On the East for 31.393 metres by Lot No 296; and on the West for 28.345 metres by 40 feet road reserve; On the Northwest for 4.311 metres by a daylight cut, containing 952.087 square metres as shown on Entry No. 4844 Register No. 21 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and developments standing and being thereon.

DATED this 14th day of November, 2017.

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

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 36 of the Administration of Estates Act Chapter160 of the Laws of Belize that all creditors having any claims or demands upon or against the Estate of RAMON ALBERTO GUERRA, deceased, late of # 7 Pomona Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, Belize who died on the 3rd day of February, 2017 in whose estate Grant of Probate have been granted to Administrator ALBERTO GIOVANNY GUERRA, should lodge such claims or demands with the said ALBERTO GIOVANNY GUERRA c/o M.H. CHEBAT & CO., Attorneys-at-Law of No. 53 Barrack Road, Belize City, Belize on or before the expiration of the three months from the first publication hereof AND NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the expiration of the said three months the Administrator shall proceed to distribute the assets of the said RAMON ALBERTO GUERRA, deceased, amongst the parties entitled thereto having regard to all the claims or demands of which particulars are lodged and the Administrator shall not be liable for assets of the deceased or any part thereof so distribute to any person or persons whose claims or demands they shall not then have had notice.

DATED this 14th day of November 2017 M.H. CHEBAT & CO. Attorneys-at-Law for ALBERTO GIOVANNY GUERRA Administrator of the Estate of ROMON ALBERTO GUERRA

20

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Orange Walk Town 4 1189 (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [24 ft. X 26 ft. + bathroom addition 8 ft. X 8 ft.] containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen + laundry/open ended shed 8 ft. X 16 ft. + block wall storeroom 5 ft. X 8 ft. and lot [371.988 S.M. or 444.90 S.Y.] situate in an Alley of San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Gilbert Bernard Jr.).

Parcel No. 754 San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District:

26 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES 7.

2017

PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES Belize, Corozal, Orange Walk, Cayo, Stann Creek & Toledo Districts PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES

Corozal & Orange of Walk Districts; San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District:

BY ORDER the Mortgagees, Messrs.

The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin

BY ORDER ofA. the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belizesell Bank Limited, Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell Castillo will theLicensed following properties at locations, dates and times below listed: the following properties at locations, dates and times below listed:

A.) COROZAL DISTRICT & ORANGE WALK DISTRICT: At UNIT 4, Corner Belize/Corozal and San Antonio Roads, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District on Monday 4th December 2017 at 1:30 pm: 1.

2.

3.

Parcel No. 770 corner 7th Avenue and 6th Street South, Corozal Town, Corozal District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Corozal Central 1 770 th (Being concrete commercial building and lot situate at corner 7 Avenue and 6th Street South, Corozal Town, Corozal District, the freehold property of Mr. Ricardo Gomez)

8.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Jose Palmar 4 754 (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [26 ft. X 26 ft.] and lot [1045.113 square meters or 1249.96 square yards] situate in San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Walter Tejeda & Ms. Iris Lovina Tejada) Parcel No. 120 Phillip Goldson Highway, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Jose Palmar 4 120/1 (Being a two storey concrete residential complex and lot situate beside the Phillip Goldson Highway, Orange Walk Town, the leasehold property of Mr. Luis Romeo Urbina) 9. Parcels Nos. 21, 42, 232 & 280 Libertad Registration Section, Corozal District:

Parcel No. 525 Santa Elena Commercial Freezone, Santa Elena, Corozal District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Santa Elena 1 525/1 (Being a vacant lot containing 881.79 S.Y. situate inside the Santa Elena Commercial Freezone, Santa Elena, Corozal District, the leasehold property of Mr. Eudaldo Santiago Briceno) Parcel No. 526 Santa Elena Commercial Freezone, Santa Elena, Corozal District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCELS Libertad 1 21, 42 & 280 (Being SUGAR CANE LANDS: Parcel 21 - 37.29 acres [33 ACRES cultivated with sugar cane] situate 1.7 kilometers west of Libertad-Buena Vista Road, Corozal District; Parcel 42 - 20.79 acres [14 ACRES cultivated with sugar cane] situate 1.5 kilometers southwest of Libertad Village, Corozal District; Parcel 232 - 42 acres [16 ACRES cultivated with sugar cane] situate 1.8 kilometers south of Libertad Village on the main Buena Vista-Libertad Road with electricity accessibility, Corozal District ; Parcel 280 - 19.99 acres [19.99 ACRES cultivated with sugar cane] situate 240 meters west of the Libertad-Buena Vista Road and approximately 7 kilometers south of Libertad Village, Corozal District, the freehold properties of Mr. Leonard Folgarait) C.) SAN PEDRO, AMBERGRIS CAYE: At The Belize Bank Limited Parking Lot, Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District on Tuesday 5th December 2017 at 10:00 am:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Santa Elena 1 526/1 (Being a vacant lot containing 614.33 S.Y. situate inside the Santa Elena Commercial Freezone, Santa Elena, Corozal District, the leasehold property of Mr. Graciano Briceno) 4. Parcel No. 2759 Unity Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Orange Walk Town 4 2759 (Being an elevated timber dwelling house [14 ft. X 35 ft. + addition 15ft. X 29 ft.] and lot [547.690 S.M.] situate on Unity Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Ms. Eulocadia Magana).

5. Parcel No. 24 San Jose Palmar Village, Orange Walk District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Jose Palmar 4 24 (Being a two concrete buildings: Building No. 1 [24 ft. X 38 ft.] 4 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen; Building No. 2 L-Shaped [8 ft. X 11 ft. + 17 ft. X 18 ft.] 2 bedrooms + living/kitchen and lot containing 0.363 acre or 1,756.92 square yards situate in San Jose Palmar Village, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Edgar Salas.)

6. Parcel No. 1189 in an Alley off San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District:

7.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Orange Walk Town 4 1189 (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [24 ft. X 26 ft. + bathroom addition 8 ft. X 8 ft.] containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen + laundry/open ended shed 8 ft. X 16 ft. + block wall storeroom 5 ft. X 8 ft. and lot [371.988 S.M. or 444.90 S.Y.] situate in an Alley of San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, the freehold property of Mr. Gilbert Bernard Jr.).

Parcel No. 754 San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District:

1. Parcels Nos. 10075 & 10076 Santa Rita Area, north Ambergris Caye, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCELS San Pedro 7 10075 & 10076 (Being two vacant lots [10075 - 492 S.Y.] and [10076 - 548 S.Y.] situate in the Santa Rita area of North Ambergris Caye in a small subdivision West of the Resort called Belize Legacy, the freehold properties of Messrs.

Legacy Group Limited) 2. Parcels Nos. 3989 Marina Area, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCELS San Pedro 7 3989 (Being three vacant commercial lots situate near Marina Road, approx. ½ Kilometer Northeast of the Marina Area in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District containing the following areas [Parcel No. 3989 – 2707.100 Sq. Metres or 3237.69 Sq. Yds; Parcel No. 3997 – 784.290 Sq. Metres or 938.00 Sq. Yds; Parcel No. 3998 – 867.900 Sq. Metres or 1038.00 Sq. Yds.], the freehold property of Messrs. Worldnet International Limited).

3. Parcel No. 2826 west of Marina Road, approx. ½ Kilometer northeast of the Marina Area, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Pedro 7 2826 (Being a vacant lagoon front parcel of land situate west of Marina Road, approx. ½ Kilometer Northeast of the Marina Area in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District containing 689.327 S.M., the freehold property of Mr. Michael Estephan).

INFORMATION - listing) ADDITIONALADDITIONAL INFORMATION - www.belizebank.com (foreclosure www.belizebank.com (foreclosure TERMS: STRICTLY CASHlisting) KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions Continued on page 25

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

26 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

In just a few short weeks we will be celebrating Christmas, a special time for me and my family and a special time for many of us. Traditionally it is a time when family and friends pull closer together and we all try to be better to each other.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love Christmas – always have. No matter how bad things get, or what challenges we face personally or as a community, I always try to be positive around this time because it is important that we enter the New Year with real hope in our hearts and motivation to be more and to do more.

But I will tell you this. The news that Belizeans will have to pay $90 Million dollars more because the Government of Belize has lost another round of what seems to be endless litigation is disheartening. I believe that we all know the challenges facing us. We all know that these are not the best of times. We pay the highest fuel prices in the region, and one of the highest in the world. When we go to the shops to buy we take home less items with the same money. The costs of even basic items have gone up. The cost of attending school has gone up. The cost of accessing healthcare has gone up.

It seems that it was only a week or so ago that we were told that a payment of $156 Million had been made to the Ashcroft Alliance. While both the Prime Minister and his Financial Secretary acted like it was no big deal, we know without a doubt that we will all be paying back that money for some time to come, in some form or fashion. And now we will have to find some way to pay another $90 Million. I can’t even begin to imagine how or where we will find that money.

I won’t get into the politics of it, because that makes absolutely no sense at this point.

The Barrow administration will blame the previous PUP administration. That will be their story and they will stick to it, even though it is not the truth.

I can tell you that these critical issues are primarily

what concern our residents on the street. We have been campaigning for more than six weeks now, and when we sit with our people, like us they have genuine concerns about where we are going as a country. People want to know why these things are happening, things which are beyond our control. We are being saddled with these enormous bills, and we don’t know what we are getting for it. All we know is that without a doubt we will have to dig deeper into our pockets to make ends meet.

I have said it before and I keep saying it. As politicians, we have to do better for our people. We are here to serve our people, not to serve ourselves. We are here to work, not to get rich. We are here to lead by serving others, not to put ourselves on a pedestal where our people cannot access us. The truth is that this latest judgment will not affect the Prime Minister in any way. It will not affect Gaspar Vega in any way. It will not affect all the UDP Ministers who have gotten rich in any way, and it will not affect their family members and cronies who have become millionaires along with them. These ridiculous judgments and other things like corruption and mismanagement and abuse and neglect affect the normal Belizeans on the ground. It is the normal Belizean who has to struggle even more to send their children to school and to put food on the table.

I am disgusted and ashamed of what some of our leaders have done with the trust given to them. They have truly betrayed the people, and we must not forgive them or forget what they have done.

Every single day, along with my team, I make the commitment that we will continue the work in Orange Walk Town, and that we will continue to be prudent and responsible with the people’s money which has been entrusted to us. We will continue to serve all persons without fear or favour and we will continue to include our people in the decision-making which affects all of us. That is my promise to you. And it is the mandate which drives your PUP 7 in Orange Walk.

21

SAN PEDRO FLOODED BY U.D.P. NEGLECT

Like every other municipality run by the U.D.P., the neglect is obvious in San Pedro. The U.D.P. Town Council and the U.D.P. Area Representative have focused all their attention on the huge resorts and wealthy visitors, forgetting the residents who elected them to serve. It is time for a breath of fresh air in San Pedro. It is time to get rid of politics as usual. It is time for the PUP.

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26 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

OPINION OUT BELIZE’s ECONOMY IS NOSE-DIVING “History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives”.

–Abba Eban–

!

The Belizean economy is primarily agriculture-based.

Agricultural products dominate Belize’s trade, with products such as sugar and bananas being the highlight of trade for a long time. The following graphic shows the top exports of Belize.

Belize is a poor country with infrastructure in grave need of modernisation. The current administration has not emerged out of the chaos caused by the huge corruption by its politicians - full stop. It is evident that they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Belize has a very high unemployment and poverty rate without any signs of improvement in the near future. According to

the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, hunger statistics have gone up in seven countries in the region in the last decade: Belize, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Venezuela.

Belize’s exports averaged 16.75 Million USD in 2016 and went down to 14.4 Million USD in 2017. In 2016 the tendency of exports increased till the higher value of 29.7 Million in August and decreased to the lower value of 8.9 Million in December. In 2017 the same

tendency is occurring, with the bad news that the nosedive started in May. It is obvious that with exports going down, the quality of life of all Belizeans is becoming worse. The following graphic shows Belize exports 2016-17.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food, and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them. Changes in the CPI are used to assess price changes associated with the cost of living; the CPI is one of the most frequently used statistics for identifying periods of inflation or deflation.

It should be noted how cost of living increased in 2008 when UDP administration came into power and continues higher than ever before. To illustrate the situation, it means that ten years ago, we had the purchasing power to buy $100 dollars’ worth of groceries which now cost $250 or more.

Out of all countries in Central America suffering from malnutrition, Belize has experienced the largest increase, according to the FAO. A new report said that between 2014 and 2016, Belize’s rate of malnutrition far surpassed that of other nations in the region. That is an alarming figure, and one that demonstrates the human impact of one of the greatest economic and political crises the country has ever seen.

In general, FAO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned of increased poverty in Latin America. According to the organizations, the region jumped to 5% poverty between 2015 and 2016. According to the FAO, the noticeable increase in hunger in Latin America is directly related to each country’s politics. Currently, Belize is being governed by dictator Dean Barrow.

The FAO report also said that the fundamental reason for the alarming figures can be blamed on a “slowing economy,” which is especially true in Belize. The country is reportedly expected to reach 45% poverty by the end of 2017.

We will no longer be able to hide our poverty and our inequality with coconut trees and Mayan Sites visits. Unfortunately, in our beloved country today, if you don't wear a red shirt, or you are not politically connected, you are seen with a shade of the same colour. Is that the way to build a nation?

The UDP still has the audacity to say that they are the party of honesty, transparency, accountability and good governance? The decisions made by current UDP administrations are unfair, inequitable, discriminatory and lack transparency.

This policy has been in place since 2008. We are not prepared to wait another 10 years for justice. It is time for stand up for Belize!

There is no way we can accomplish the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) by the year 2030, and other objectives for the region if we continue to deprive our people of fair opportunities unjustly and

unconstitutionally to participate in the administration of our country and the development of our economy.

We do not understand why the UDP should be so anxious to discredit the achievements of the PUP for this country. The PUP made revolutionary achievements regardless of all obstacles in finances and infrastructure.

The UDP has not built any housing community to this present date; it would have been

difficult to prove to any Court the territory of Belize with only concrete streets if we wanted our defence to be squatters’ right. So, the PUP should receive credit for all the existing government housing communities. The benefits of those houses are multi-faceted, and it should be spoken of as a surplus before it is disposed of in the way contemplated by the UDPs. We are fighting today for economic independence and this we will obtain only through a PUP victory with our PUP Leader Hon. John Briceño.

You can reach your own conclusions.

God bless you all our beloved Belizeans.

Dr. Pedro Villegas Email: pup_benque_candidates@hotmail.com

Jingle Competition For Belizean Musicians

Eligibility: Belizean Musicians Jingle should: 1.

2.

Capture anti-corruption themes, such as integrity, transparency and accountability in both the public and private service; but of course, those mentioned are not exhaustive!

Be so impactful that people cannot stop singing it!

Deadline: 30 November 2017 Check out our website www.bz.undp.org for the Competition Rules and Guidelines.

Prizes: 1st: Vacation for 2 persons, 3 days & nights in Cancun, Mexico courtesy of Tropic Air. Two round trip plane tickets and $1063.00 USD towards Room & spending allowance.

2nd & 3rd: To be determined Winning jingles will be played on radio and TV during International Anti-Corruption Week (December 4th – 9th 2017)

Submissions Package: To be submitted to the UNDP office by 4:00pm on deadline. Please note details of the submission package on our website.

Judge and Criteria: Judge: Mr. Yoelvis Medero Lunar, Co-Director, Allegro Music School, Belmopan Criteria: • Originality (25%) - sound, unique approach to jingle-writing • Musical Content (25%) - melody, recall • Lyrical Content (30%) - coherence, ingenuity • Overall Impact (20%) - total effect on an audience

For further details and instructions visit: http://www.bz.undp.org “People often think that they are at the mercy of corruption, and it is just a “way of life.” However, every society, sector and citizen would benefit from getting united against corruption in their everyday life.”

26 NOV

2017

NOTICE

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Jie Yi Zhang is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “S.K. Restaurant”, # 151 Belize/ Corozal Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Navidad Garcia is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Navi’s Store”, # Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Oscar Gutierrez is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Cocina Sabor”, Belize Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Manuel De Jesus Solares is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “El Solar”, Santa Martha Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Basilia Hamilton is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Primavera Bar”, Trinidad Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Christine Jovel is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “D. Hide Out”, San Jose Nuevo Palmar, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ezekiel Lopez is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “La Nueva Nostalgia”, Sapodilla Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Notice is hereby given that Christina Moguel is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “D & J Store”, #8 Stadium Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Adela Carolina Dominguez is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Aisha/Andrea Place”, San Felipe Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Luisa Ramirez is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Tita’s Mini Grocery”, Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Alfredo Matus is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Mila’s Fast Food”, # 6587 Matura Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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

Notice is hereby given that Yan Xian Chen is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Feon Shop”, Youth For The Future Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Alamgir Hossen/Hasam Ahmed/Shaheen Chowdhury are applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “People’s Lunch Box”, # 100 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

INTERNATIONAL OIL LIMITED # 38, 577 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that INTERNATIONAL OIL LIMITED has been dissolved as at 9th November, 2017 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CIL Trust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the below company has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the date indicated: REBAK COMPANY LTD. - November 2nd, 2017 BROCAS INVESTMENT S.A. - November 11th, 2017 ICAZA BELIZE TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED

Needed: Head Mechanic/Heavy Duty Machine Operator Caye Caulker based. Must be certified in mechanics, heavy duty machine operation with proven track record and abilities. Be able to maintain all equipment, manage their repairs, upkeep and maintenance. Must be bi-lingual, clean police record and willing to work flexible hours and conform to established job description. Send resume, contact number and an alternate email address to castillocassia@gmail. com. Deadline is December 7th, 2017.

Jade/Semi Precious Stones Expert company located in Southern Belize seeking two certified Jade & SemiPrecious Stones expert to work in sales, marketing, stone setting and embellishments, designs, cutting & identifying of precious stones/jade. Must be certified and trained. Bi-lingual is a plus. Send resume, copies of certificates and diplomas to: abcsolutions@ consultant.com by December 7th, 2017.

For Rent: House for rent at #15 Nurse Seay Street, Belize City, walking distance from the Princess Hotel.

Concrete, upstairs house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living & dining room with balcony, utilities not included. Asking price: $650 monthly. Call 623-8685 and ask for John or 601-3609 and ask for Dennis for more information.

Prayer To The Holy Spirit

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

Thank You for your never-failing kindness towards me and those I call my own.

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

Thank You Holy Spirit.

W.A.Y.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

26 NOV

2017