Belize Times October 1, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

1 OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5065

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

KELVIN IS ALIVE! More Questions Than Answers Remain Thursday, 28 September 2017 After almost five days, a roots Southside Belize City family is giving thanks for the return of their son and brother. On Sunday, September 24th, SJCJC economics student, Kelvin Usher, 17, was along with his father, Cameron “Ras Ruben” Usher, 41, in Lucky Strike Village in the Belize District when five Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) officers opened indiscriminate fire as they got on scene to conduct a marijuana plant eradication. Cameron heard over 10 shots.

This was around 10a.m. and Cameron was in the middle of the field, but Kelvin scampered off. Cameron, a Belizean chef of Sibun Street in Belize City and owner of Vegan Bites at BTL Park, was handcuffed and placed by a tree while the officers went about destroying the almost 150 plants found. He was then transported to Belize City at around five in the evening.

By Monday afternoon, word began spreading on social media that Kelvin was missing. The family had already been out searching and the mother, Karima Williams had attempted to file a missing person

Pg. 2

Kelvin Usher

GSU Under Scrutiny in Kelvin’s Disappearance Pg. 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Fuel Skyrockets…

Chamber Cries Foul!

Pg. 3

Wasani Castro

Shayanne Castro

Pg. 3

Castro’s Trafficking Case Gets Complicated

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KELVIN IS ALIVE!

Continued from page 1 report at the Ladyville Police Station. Incredibly, she was told that the last person to see Kelvin had to file it. That person was Cameron who was detained on a charge of “cultivation of cannabis plant.” He would not receive bail of $10,000 until late Monday afternoon when he managed to file the missing person’s report.

Yet another questionable police action was that the family and friends who had gotten a bus to go up to continue the search on Monday were held back by police. The Officer Commanding the Rural Eastern Division had called in Karima Williams at Ladyville where she was asked if she was sure her son had not contacted her already – a question that could have been asked over the phone.

At day three of the search on Tuesday, suspicion was ratcheting up. Reports had already emerged that the GSU had returned to the area in Lucky Strike Sunday and locked it off. Pictures of bullet holes dug out from trees had emerged. The Tuesday search which saw members of rival groups in Belize City join in the community effort raised questions about a possible GSU involvement in Kelvin’s disappearance.

First, the same officers who had been a part of the initial operation returned to join the search and they appeared rather controlling of the situation on the ground. At one point, they cleared everyone from the area stating that the canines would not be able to pick up Kelvin’s scent if too many people were around. The thing is, they never did send in back the dogs after that directive.

All that aside, the initial police report on Monday about the charges against Cameron Usher neglected to indicate that anyone else was present when the GSU got on the scene and also, that shots were fired!

After day four of the search Wednesday, there was no word on Kelvin Usher’s whereabouts. Upon returning from the Lucky Strike area in the evening, the community bus was stopped by police who said

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

GSU Under Scrutiny in Kelvin’s Disappearance Thursday, 28 September 2017 Going into the Police’s mid-afternoon Wednesday September 27th press briefing on Kelvin Usher’s disappearance, there were more questions than answers. After its conclusion, the media left with a deepening sense of dread and the suspicion that the Police top brass was facilitating a cover-up. Leading the group was Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington who was joined by the head of the Gang Suppression Unit, Superintendent Andres Makin, Sr. and the acting Commissioner of Police, Noel Leal. ACP Chester Williams, head of the Professional Standards Branch who had been out in Lucky Strike to express solidarity with the family on the fourth day of the search was at the press briefing but he was not allowed to speak.

Superintendent Makin confirmed that the five GSU officers on duty Sunday morning in Lucky Strike opened fire on arrival at the plantation. Warning shots were fired in the air, he said.

And in case you are wondering, he defended that as standard procedure to indicate that they are Police and everything is clear before they enter (not the opposite required stealth to ensure they catch people

red-handed and off guard).

He claimed it was only four shots; that the officers have been questioned separately; and that there has been a reconciliation of bullets issued out to the officers as opposed to how many they remained with. What has not been delivered are the expended bullet shells.

Those are nowhere to be found. But Makin insists there is nothing to show that the officers went back and removed anything from the scene.

And how about the reason for not searching immediately for a minor or running after someone who escaped? According to Makin, it was not until his superior was called later Sunday night that they realized it was a minor who ran off and he immediately directed that a team of GSU officers return Monday to conduct a search. No other unit was informed of the teen’s disappearance. When they got on the ground, claims Makin, the GSU encountered family members already searching for Kelvin.

What about the fact that the initial police release did not speak to a teen running off and shots being fired by the GSU? Deputy Compol Leal says that the release was sent out Monday morning based on initial

information which we do not consider a reasonable excuse to leave out such an important detail. He himself had received real time information via text and verbally and was never informed of shots being fired.

So into day four, the search continued. The group of family and friends were joined by BDF Wednesday but there was still no use of any military helicopter. At the press briefing, Elrington said that “if it is deemed necessary, I’m sure it (a helicopter) is gonna be used.” Truth is, if it were another teen from an affluent family, helicopters would have been out from day one of the search. The Minister also defended the GSU stating that he had read all the statements and did not detect anything to suggest that the GSU acted improperly in this case.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

WEATHER

LOCAL 28 Sep

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they heard the group was going to start a riot.

It was until Thursday morning at around 9:00 that word started getting around that Kelvin was found in Santa Marta through the Old Northern Highway, many miles away from where he went missing.

He was picked up by relatives and friends and taken to his father’s Sarstoon Street home.

There, he was interviewed by officials from the Professional Standards Branch then taken in ACP Chester William’s vehicle to the hospital. Before departing, however, he emerged

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to raucous applause and shared a Rastafarian message of gratitude with the large crowd gathered outside.

He had multiple deep scratches on his left arm and slightly less serious abrasions on the right arm and face.

His mother said she is overwhelmed and thanked everyone for their support. The full story is not out yet but she also reported that while wandering in the forest, Kelvin heard people calling for him during the Tuesday search and he tried to scream back but they did not hear him.

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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

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3 Oct

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1 OCT

2017

Castro’s Trafficking Case Gets Complicated

Thursday, 28 September 2017 UDP’s Edmond Castro’s family was back in the news this week after his daughter in law, was busted with 26.6 pounds of marijuana over the weekend. 27 year-old Shayanne Castro, wife of Edmond Castro’s son, Wasani, is currently out on bail for drug trafficking.

The incident occurred on Saturday, September 23, sometime around 6:30 p.m. Police from the Special Assignment Team say that they searched a home located at #26 Sarstoon Street in Belize City. The cops assert that this is her residence, but her mother explained that she mistakenly told the cops this. It used to be her home until she married Wasani, and moved to Maskall Village, she said.

The home actually belongs to Shayanne Castro’s mother, and the couple were reportedly going there for a visit. The Special Assignment Team officers searched her and Wasani and his vehicle and found nothing, and they reportedly took her to her mother’s house. They asked her to open the doors, and that’s when they searched it. The cops say that they found a garbage bag which had 11.9 kilograms of marijuana, and separate knapsack which contained 128 grams of cannabis. That’s a total of 12.028 kilograms, or 26.6 pounds of marijuana.

And that’s where it gets complicated. Shayanne Castro’s mother claims that Police then exploited her daughter by making a deal to drop charges if they could produce guns for them.

“They made an arrangement with my daughter’s lawyer stating that they want 4 guns and a grenade, and then they will let go my daughter. They made the agreement with the attorney present.”

She said that she did everything she could to keep her daughter out of jail, and in desperation as a mother, she gathered all the money she had to pay for information to get these guns.

She described her panic saying, “Like a mother, I went and took all my scrapings (money) with the help of some friends to try and find out how we can get those things. Eventually we ended up getting them through other else persons and we put the things, and we called the policeman and let them know where the things were."

The Police Press Office confirmed that 4 weapons were taken off the street, but they did not share any details on how they came upon the weapons.

Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal, the officer commanding Eastern Division South strongly asserted that the arresting officer did not enter into any such negotiations. He said, “The officer involved in that case did not at any time communicate with the attorney for the accused and did not enter into any negotiations with a view towards refraining from proceeding with charges. As to the other issue, we

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THE BELIZE TIMES

are in the process of putting together evidence which we think discloses an attempt to pervert the course of justice by persons acting on behalf of the defendant. We will be forwarding that evidence to the office of the DPP for advice."

But it may not be as simple as that.

At a press briefing yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Noel Leal did not dismiss the allegation so casually, stating that “We are preparing a case file and I believe that will be brought to the public as soon as we have the facts.

As we stand some firearms were found and there is said to have been negotiation where an attorney was involved and the attorney is not denying that.

We would have to look at the facts and determine who is telling the truth.”

The family has insisted that a recording of the conversation exists which clearly outlines these negotiations that police are now denying. Their attorney, Marcel Cardona, corroborated their claim when he was questioned by the press. He commented, “There are recordings. There are tapes that do prove that indeed the police department of officials from the police department sought to broker a deal with the family members.”

At this time Shayanne is facing a drug trafficking charge. She was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and she pleaded not guilty. She was released on bail of $9,000, and she must return to court on December 22.

Fuel Skyrockets…

Chamber Cries Foul!

Thursday, 28 September 2017 Belizean motorists are outraged at the increasingly higher and higher prices of fuel at the pumps. The worse part of it all though is that the Government of Belize (GOB) is hauling in millions of dollars in taxes, raking in almost half of the total cost of a gallon of fuel at the pumps. Based on our calculations from figures provided by the Ministry of Finance, GOB would be making at least $80 - $100 million dollars in revenue from taxes on fuel annually.

In 2015 over 20 million gallons of regular and premium fuel were imported. This year, the latest shipment of Regular fuel from El Salvador (with new prices reflected on September 20th) was 860,000 which leaves the government a margin of revenue of $3,360,000 if you multiply the number of gallons by the conservative tax amount of $4 per gallon.

It has gotten so bad that the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) finally came out this week and condemned the crippling high prices of fuel. It is calling on the government to adopt policy that will help to minimize the negative impacts of high fuel prices on consumers, the private sector and economic growth. Their figures put the tax applied on fuel at

43 percent. With those numbers, the Chamber says fuel now costs just a few pennies less than what it used to three years ago when the landed cost of fuel was much higher.

In September 2014, the landed cost of premium was $6.29. Government’s charges at the time came to 33% of the total, or $3.81. the total at that time was $11.60 per gallon, adding in the margin for commercial profit. Three years later, in September 2017, the landed cost is decidedly lower - $5.07. But instead of allowing the decrease to be passed on to the consumers, GOB instead raised its taxes to 43% of the total, or $5.11 for a total figure of $11.92 – 32 cents more than it was 3 years ago.

The Chamber has therefore accused the government of price gouging that only serves to further damage the competitiveness of Belize’s private sector, “and will ultimately raise the cost of living for the average consumer who will have to pay higher prices on transportation, goods and services, and the like.”

The Chamber is reiterating the need for a comprehensive and well thought-out tax strategy that involves growth motivated tax reform instead of a focus on easy-capture taxes such as fuel.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please say if he believes the story that the Gang Suppression Unit has nothing to do with the disappearance of Kelvin Usher? Could he further say if he cares one way or the other?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm reports that they are trying to place Attorney-General Michael Peyrefitte in Caribbean Shores, since he was to get Queen Square but Sister B has indicated that she will now run in that constituency?

Would the Member for Pickstock and Minister of Home Affairs please say how he is able to walk straight since his feet are constantly in his mouth? Could he further say if even he believes the crap being spouted at that press conference on Wednesday?

Would the Member for Belmopan and Minister of Defence please confirm reports that because the BDF’s helicopters were used so frequently for the September festivities, they are now grounded because the Ministry has already busted its fuel budget?

Would the Member for Collet and Minister of Education please say why there is still no functioning Education Centre serving San Pedro and Caye Caulker even though staff relocated to new offices months ago? Could he further say why the utilities have still not been connected?

Would the Member for Collet and Minister of Education please say if the Ministry was forced to pay for the buses which brought UDP supporters up to Belmopan to cheer for him on Independence Day? And if so, could he say why the Ministry has not paid school buses in the South of the country for their runs?

Would the Member for Port Loyola and Minister of his own development please explain why Attorney-General Michael Peyrefitte is referred to as the head of the delegation to Taiwan and not him, a senior Minister? Could he further say if Peyrefitte is acting as a chaperone to ensure he doesn’t get into trouble?

Would the unelected Senator and Minister of hot air, Immigration and Agriculture please confirm if he is still a player on team UDP, since he has been so quiet lately?

1 OCT

2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

God is good…

As this is being written I can confirm that Kelvin Usher was found in Santa Marta near Maskall a lil while ago.

Still more questions than answers, but let’s see what’s what. For now, we’ll just be thankful that he’s alive.

Real…

Isn’t it the most amazing thing that people actually, genuinely, sincerely believed that the Police shot and killed the youth Kelvin Usher and then disposed of his body? That’s crazy, right? But it’s no joke. Things have reached a certain dangerous point in Belize. Nobody trusts the cops cause so many of them are chancey and corrupt and they lie so damned much and nobody trusts the politicians in power because they are money-hungry, power-hungry, unscrupulous pricks.

Please just go…

It’s the cutest thing…Patrick Faber basically telling Dean Oliver to move on at the Independence Day ceremony. During his address Faber spoke about there being a change in leadership in the immediate future – not the near future or down the line. Seems the lil guy is chafing at the bit and wants to sit on that throne in Cabinet room. Thing is it’s not going to happen because Saldivar and Gapi et al have already convinced enough members of Cabinet that Faber is too immature to take up the reins of the Party. So who’s it going to be? That’s a damned good question. As soon as I know, you’ll know.

Welcome to the Party…

Is that Mayor Darrell Bradley that I saw at the wreath laying ceremony for George Price last week?

Giving a speech? Hugging up with Johnny and the PUP executive? Smiling and joyful under the big blue tent?

Hell, yes it was. Didn’t I tell you I always liked that guy.

The biggest fault he had is that he was UDP…sorry meant to say ‘is UDP.’ A bunch of people have been calling me up asking if it is true that Darrell has been meeting with the leaders of the PUP in closed door sessions. Dammit, that is absolutely not the truth… wink, wink! Wouldn’t it be the damnedest thing though, speaking theoretically of course. Darrell is out as Mayor of Belize City. The UDP were pushing Santi in Caribbean Shores and now they’re pushing Michael Peyrefitte. So I can see why Darrell is feeling a lil unloved. And you know we in the PUP dah love. Oh crap did I just steal Smart’s slogan?

Po’ Shyne…

Heard the other day that Shyne is taking courses in Photoshop and couldn't figure out why. Then I realized it’s because the First Son has been posting all these pics from the US. Remember Jamaal Moses Joshua Leviy ibn-Abdullah Mustafa Ayatollah bin Laden can't pass through the pearly gates to get to the US since he is a deported convicted felon. So the guy probably has a chronic case of travel-envy and wants to Photoshop himself into some of those pics in Beverly Hills. I shed a tear at the sheer emotionality of this image in my head of Shyne standing outside a window in the cold looking in at the First Son and rich friends partying in the good ole US of A, circling in the Rolls Royce. Somehow I think the First Son enjoys sticking it to the prodigal… ahhh sibling love is the sweetest thing.

NO John NO! Listen to me John, and listen good. Stop. Just listen. Never, and I mean never are you to do this again. Just don’t. You see that FILTERS feature on your phone? Do not use it. Don’t do it. Don’t ever do it. Disable it. This is some scary, like nightmare causing shit. I just saw it and I may never sleep again.

In fact, you know what, to be safe just stop taking selfies. FOREVER. Like forget there is such a thing as a selfie. You should actually close your Facebook account so we never again have to see something like this. This is so bad you should probably break up your phone. I’m sitting here and I feel like I can’t go on. Good Lord. If y’all don’t hear from me early tomorrow morning, please call and check on me. Sheesh! SMH. Dammit John.

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2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

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en Español EDITORIAL NUNCA HABRÁ NO CHANGE CAMBIO FUH CHANGE

D

ean Oliver did not stand before Belizeans and foreign dignitaries on the nation’s birthday and speak truth. He did not reveal the real state of the nation. He did not lament all that has gone wrong under his watch. He did not say a word about the hundreds of Belizeans who have died because our policy-makers in Cabinet are more concerned with enriching themselves than in fighting crime effectively or in dealing with the social ills that plague our communities. He did not speak about his Cabinet cartel which has made his administration the most corrupt in our nation’s history. He did not speak about the incredibly high cost of fuel which was his Independence gift to Belizeans, and the economic stranglehold which is affecting Belizeans. He did not speak about the findings of the Senate Special Select Committee because members of his Cabinet have been implicated in criminality. He did not speak about the sustained cry for good governance and an end to corruption from the Chamber of Commerce, the unions and the Opposition. He did not speak about the dismal state of health-care in the country or the pharmaceutical scandal in which his Minister of Health is said to be involved. He did not speak about the political manipulation of the Police which allows them to be used as attack dogs for the politicians, and he did not speak about the dire state of the Judiciary. He did not speak about the Sarstoon which is now entirely controlled by the Guatemalan military.

When he stood up on the anniversary of our nation’s Independence, Dean Barrow did not present any solutions to the economic, social or political ills that have devastated the Belizean people because he did not admit that indeed there are economic, social and political ills. His address was a breath-taking, awesome ode to arrogance and ego. He stood there and lied, and spun, and lied some more. It is no wonder that at the end of his pointless bit of rhetorical fluff, there was only polite applause from those still awake.

In an incredible sleight of hand, Dean O boasted, “Long before any public disclosure, we instituted leadership change in the Lands Ministry. And since January of this year, in a further effort to demonstrate the seriousness of our reform purpose, I have myself assumed Constitutional responsibility for Lands.” There is something very seriously wrong with this man, this politician, this Prime Minister who will pat himself on the back because Gaspar Vega, his former Deputy Prime Minister, was only allowed to plunder the Ministry of Natural Resources for seven years – only seven years until his removal in 2015. And then Barrow admits, without an iota of shame, that he knew about the corruption in the Ministry long before the public disclosures and acted – by giving Gaspar Vega another portfolio and keeping absolutely quiet about the rape of our resources and public coffers.

And in what would be hilarious if it were not so unbelievably sad, Barrow states with a straight face, “When things go wrong, this Government successfully takes action.” Of course, he did not say that Vega’s resignation came only after glaring, black and white evidence of corruption, $800,000 given to Vega’s son Andre and a UDP crony (which have still not been returned to our coffers) and public pressure. And he did not say that despite Vega’s resignation, he continues to enjoy all the perks of office and has been protected from any investigation into the corruption which would and should land he and members of his family in jail. Barrow is a sick, sick fellow.

So sick that he did not acknowledge the outrage of the social partners including the BNTU which just last week threatened to resume strike action if Dean Oliver makes good on his threat to withhold funding for the Senate Inquiry into rampant corruption in Immigration. Along with the Opposition, the social partners have continued to demand good government, accountability and transparency. Along with the Opposition, the social partners have continued to demand the restructuring of the Public Accounts Committee and a functional Integrity Commission as promised

by DOB. But it is clear that those cries do nothing more than annoy Mr. Barrow, who chided the social partners on Independence Day, stating that, “The Integrity Commission has been reconstituted, is working, and has already published for public knowledge and further action the names of those politicians who failed to comply with their obligations under the law. How so-called responsible people can claim to be unaware of these activities and strides, defeats me.” Of course, Mr. Barrow neglected to mention that HIS Integrity Commission, because it is stocked with a significant majority of rabid UDP loyalists, hurriedly presented an incomplete list of names to the DPP so he could insert that assertion into his speech. What the DPP got was only a list of names – no supporting files or reports so it is useless.

Mr. Barrow’s Independence Day address was a sick joke played on the Belizean people, a reminder that what it is, is what it is. The UDP will not change. There will be no lessening of the corruption, no lessening of the abuse, no lessening of the mismanagement because they do not feel that they have done anything wrong. But it is only a matter of time before it all comes to a shocking end for the UDP. Only a matter of time.

D

ean Oliver no se paró delante de los beliceños y dignatarios extranjeros en el aniversario de la independencia de la nación para decir la verdad. No reveló el verdadero estado de la nación.

No lamento todo lo que ha ido mal bajo su mandato. No dijo una palabra acerca de los cientos de beliceños que han muerto porque nuestros políticos en el gabinete están más preocupados en enriquecerse que en luchar en contra la delincuencia eficazmente ni en afrontar los males sociales que azotan nuestras comunidades. No hablo de su cartel de gabinete que ha hecho de su administración la más corrupta de la historia de nuestra nación. No habló del alto costo del combustible que fue su regalo de independencia a los beliceños ni del estrangulamiento económico que afecta a los beliceños. No habló de los resultados del Comité Especial Selecto del Senado porque los miembros de su gabinete han sido implicados en la criminalidad. No habló del grito sostenido de buena gobernabilidad y de ponerle un fin a la corrupción de la Cámara de Comercio, los Sindicatos y la Oposición. No hablo del triste estado de la salud en el país ni el escándalo farmacéutico en el que su Ministro de Salud se dice que está implicado.

No hablo de la manipulación política de la policía que les permite ser utilizados como los perros de ataque para los políticos, y no habló del estado calamitoso del Poder Judicial. No hablo del Rio Sarstún que ahora está totalmente controlado por el ejército guatemalteco.

Cuando se paró en el aniversario de la independencia de nuestro país, Dean Barrow no ofreció solución alguna a las complicaciones económicas, sociales y políticas que han devastado al pueblo Beliceño porque él no admitió que en efecto hay males económicos, políticos y sociales. Su discurso fue una exaltación a la arrogancia y ego impresionantes.

Se paró allí y mintió y le dio vuelta y mintió un poco más. No sorprende que al final de su retórica esponjada y de poco sentido, solamente recibió aplausos corteses de aquellos que todavía permanecían despiertos.

Con una farsa y engaños increíbles, Dean O se jactó, "mucho antes de cualquier revelación pública, instituimos cambio de liderazgo en el Ministerio de Tierras. Y desde enero de este año, en un esfuerzo adicional para demostrar la seriedad de nuestro propósito de reforma, yo asumí la responsabilidad constitucional del Ministerio de Tierras". Hay algo gravemente mal con este hombre, este político, este Primer Ministro que se da palmaditas a sí mismo en la espalda porque a su ex vice primer ministro, Gaspar Vega se le permitió saquear el ministerio de Recursos Naturales solamente durante siete años – solamente siete años hasta su destitución en el año 2015. Y luego Barrow admite, sin ápice de vergüenza que él sabía de la corrupción en el Ministerio mucho antes de la divulgación pública y actuó – dándole a Gaspar Vega otra cartera y manteniéndose absolutamente callado sobre la violación de nuestros recursos y arcas públicas.

Y en lo que sería hilarante si no fuera tan increíblemente triste, Barrow con descaro declaro, "cuando las cosas van mal, este gobierno actúa con éxito." Por supuesto, no dijo que la dimisión de Vega vino solamente después de pruebas evidentes de la corrupción, en blanco y negro, ($800.000 dados al hijo de Vega, André y una compinche UDP que todavía no han sido devueltos a nuestras arcas) y la presión pública. Y no dijo que, a pesar de la dimisión de Vega, él sigue gozando de todos los beneficios de la oficina y ha sido protegido de cualquier investigación sobre la corrupción que puede y debe mandarlo a él y a miembros de su familia a la cárcel. Barrow es un individuo enfermo, muy enfermo.

Está tan enfermo que no reconoce la indignación de los interlocutores sociales incluyendo la BNTU que apenas la semana pasada amenazó con reanudar la huelga si Dean Oliver hace bien en su amenaza de retener fondos para la investigación del Senado sobre la corrupción rampante en Inmigración. Junto con la Oposición, los interlocutores sociales han seguido exigiendo transparencia, rendimiento de cuentas y buena gobernabilidad. Junto con la Oposición, los interlocutores sociales han seguido exigiendo la reestructuración del Comité de Cuentas Públicas y una Comisión de Integridad funcional como prometió DOB. Pero está claro que esos gritos no hacen nada más que molestar al Sr. Barrow, quien reprendió a los interlocutores sociales el día de la Independencia, afirmando que, "la Comisión de Integridad ha sido reconstituida, está trabajando y ya ha publicado para conocimiento público y más acción los nombres de esos políticos que no cumplen con sus obligaciones con la ley. Como personas que se supone son responsables argumentan desconocer estos pasos y actividades es algo que simplemente no entiendo”.

Por supuesto, el Sr. Barrow descuidó mencionar que su Comisión de Integridad, debido a que está repleto de una mayoría significativa de rabiosos leales al UDP, apresuradamente presento una lista incompleta de los nombres a la DPP para el poder insertar esa afirmación en su discurso. Lo que la DPP recibió fue sólo una lista de nombres – sin ningún archivo o informes de apoyo por lo que es inservible.

El discurso del día de la Independencia del Sr. Barrow fue una broma de mal gusto que se le hiciera al pueblo de Belice, un recordatorio de lo que es, es lo que es. El UDP no va a cambiar. No habrá disminución de la corrupción, ni disminución del abuso, ni disminución de la mala gestión, porque no admiten que han hecho algo malo. Pero sólo es cuestión de tiempo antes de que todo llegue a un final impactante para el UDP. Sólo es cuestión de tiempo.

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1 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

Chinese Businessman Killed

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 The Belize Chinese Association is very concerned about the murder of one of their own, after a gunman shot and killed a hardworking business owner in an attempted robbery. This businessman, 57 year-old Chinese Belizean Bainan Wu, is the first murder victim in the local Chinese community in over 4 years.

It happened inside his grocery shop, Xi He Le, which is located at the corner of Vernon and Santa Barbara Streets, at around 7:40 p.m. on Monday, September 25. Wu was in his shop, behind the burglar bars, waiting for legitimate customers to come him and buy from him. On this particular night, an unknown man reportedly arrived on a bicycle and he immediately went inside. Reports to the press are that he pulled out a gun and immediately began barking orders to Wu, demanding that he hand over all the cash from the register.

Wu is said to have refused to comply, and that’s when the gunman shot him in the left temple and fled the scene on his bike empty-handed. Police responded to scene of the crime shortly after the shot rang out, but by that time the assailant had long left the area. They rushed Wu to the KHMH for medical treatment but at around 10:00 p.m., just over 2 hours after he was shot, he succumbed.

Those within the Chinese community told the press that Wu had been living in Belize for 20 years as a hardworking business man. He reportedly kept mostly to himself, but he was well liked by his customers in the neighbourhood where his shop was. He operated the shop with his wife, who was on vacation in China when he was killed. She had to rush back home to make funeral arrangements for him.

Edmund Quan, Chairman of the Belize Chinese Association, com-

2017

ta Barbara Street was robbed. The shop attendant was robbed at gunpoint of $1,500.

Edmund Quan told the media that the Belize Chinese Association intends to instruct its members to

take extra precautions. He said, “We will be advising all Chinese businesses to be on the alert, because 2 robberies in a close time especially in that location, in that area. We will tell them to be vigilant, look for new faces or suspicious people and stuff like that.”

Police have declined comment on this murder.

NOTICE Company Services International Limited # 55, 863 (“the Company”)

Bainan Wu

mented to the press, “We are very concerned about the situation. We are asking the police to please conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and we hope that the person that did this horrible act get charged and let the law take its action.”

The attempted robbery which turned into the murder of Bainan Wu is the second incident of this type in the same area. On Friday, September 22, three days earlier, the Arwing Store, located on San-

Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Company Services International Limited: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 20th day of September 2017; and c) CILTrust International Inc. whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company.

CILTRUST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Registered Agent

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: Chattels PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: Chattels 170 Beltex Avenue, 1, City Belize City 170 Beltex Avenue, Belama Belama 1, Belize

BY ORDER of the Supreme Court of Belize, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following chattels at No. 170 Beltex Avenue, Belama Phase 1, Belize City, Belize District on Saturday 30th September 2017 at 10:00 am.

BY ORDER of the Supreme Court of Belize, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Cast following chattels at No. 170 Beltex Avenue, Belama Phase 1, Belize City, Belize District September 2017 at 10:00 am.

CALL

671-8385 or

EMAIL: belizetimesadvertisement@ yahoo.com

Televisions; Kenmore Refrigerator; Bar Table/Chairs; Pool Table; 2 Pcs. Pink Sofa Set; Acros Stove; Pipes of assorted sizes; 9 rolls Mosquito mesh; 39 bags Grout; 76 Celotex; Wire Mesh (3ft & 4ft.); 15 Cases Tower Nails; 5 cases Wire Nails; 20 boxes staples; Doors (Variety 30", 34" 36" & 38") Louver Windows (Aluminum and Glass); Moldings (flat & Ban); Tying Wire (Variety); Paint; Joint Compound; Variety of Nails by cases; Variety of Banisters; Variety of Mattresses & Pillows; Assorted Ropes; Hack saw; Assorted construction accessories; Assorted tools and equipment and many more items ......

For Sale:

To place Kenmore Refrigerator; Bar Table/Chairs; Pool Table; 2 Pcs. Pink Sofa Set Televisions; advertisement Granite Slabs; Granite Squares; Culverts; Round Concrete Piles; ConcreteWire Light of assorted sizes; 9 rolls Mosquito mesh; 39Concrete bags Grout; 76 Celotex; Mesh (3f Posts, 8" Cement Blocks in the Tower Nails; 5 cases Wire Nails; 20 boxes staples; Doors (Variety 30", 34" 36" & 38" TERMS: STRICTLY CASH Belize Times (Aluminum and Glass); Moldings (flat & Ban); Tying Wire (Variety); Paint; Joint Co KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 Newspaper Nails by cases; Variety of Banisters; Variety of kevinacas@yahoo.com Mattresses & Pillows; Assorted Ropes; E-mail: Facebook: Belize Auctions construction accessories; Assorted tools and equipment and many more items ......

1 OCT

SJCJC STUDENTS DEMAND KELVIN’S RETURN Thursday, 28 September 2017 Extremely concerned about the questionable disappearance of their colleague and friend, students of St. John’s College Junior College (SJCJC) at midday on Wednesday September 24th took to some main streets of Belize City. They called for answers from the Gang Suppression Unit and demanded Kelvin Usher’s return.

The group of under 100 students marched to the Belcan Bridge from where they walked into the downtown area and stopped in front of the Queen Street Police station for some 15 minutes. Apprised of the students’ intentions, Police, headed by Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal, had come out in full steam at the foot of the Belcan Bridge and mobilized to follow the students on their way to the downtown area.

The students chanted and held placards that read “GSU haftu go!” “We want justice! We want charges!” and most importantly, “Bring

07 7

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

home the Ras.” One former SJC student who played basketball with him every evening said, “he was very energetic and he was the type of person that would never get in conflict with anybody. He was very humble and he would always keep to his corner. He was just loving and was always with friends.” Remarking that she has brothers and nephews, she said she is heartbroken and noted that if she were in the same position, she would want similar support from her friends. Another group of friends repeated the same sentiments and cried out, “We just want our friend back! We know Kelvin as a very humble person…a very intelligent young man.

He doesn’t hurt anyone…

Kelvin does not deserve this treatment. We are tired of this…Not because you have dreads you can take advantage of them.”

Some of the students also joined the search and told us that they did not find Kelvin at the farm in Lucky Strike so they want the “GSU

to tell us where is Kelvin!” Their message to the GSU is “Please stop taking us youths for granted; we want our friend back. We da just like unnu. We da noh animal.”

A male student further stated

“the GSU feel like they are above the law. They need to understand they can’t be living like that because that is one life same way.”

On Thursday morning, SJCJC students walked out of the classroom ready to march once more. If it were not for Kelvin’s mother who was called in to quell the crowd, they would have been out once more.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Jian You Huang is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Keffy’s Shop”, 1221 Blue Marlin Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Shao Qun Zhou/Zhi Wei Zhou are applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “Williams Supermarket Ltd.”, 24 A 6th Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ramon Gongora is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Puma Ramon’s Service Station”, 2 Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

NOTICE STATUTORY NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE of PHILIP JAMES PALACIO deceased of 2932 Clifton Betson Street, Belize City, Belize.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 36 of the Administration of Estate Act, Chapter 197 of the Laws of Belize that all creditors and other persons having any claims and demands upon or against the Estate of PHILIP JAMES PALACIO, deceased, late of 2932 Clifton Betson Street, Belize City, Belize, who died on the 7th day of March, 2017 and in whose estate Letters of Administration has been granted to ANNE MELCHORA PALACIO of 2932 Clifton Betson Street, Belize City, Belize and ROGER RUSHFORD of 19 Zericote Street, Belize City, Belize, should lodge claims or demands with the said ANNE MELCHORA PALACIO and ROGER RUSHFORD c/o Balderamos Arthurs LLP, Charter House, Suite 6, 3 ½ Miles Philip Goldson Highway, P.O. Box 486, Belize City, Belize on or before the expiration of three months from the first publication hereof AND NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that at the expiration of the said three months the said ANNE MELCHORA PALACIO and ROGER RUSHFORD shall proceed to distribute the assets of the said PHILIP JAMES PALACIO, deceased, amongst the beneficiaries entitled thereto, having regard only to claims and demands of which they shall then have had notice.

DATED this 22nd day of September, 2017 BALDERAMOS ARTHURS LLP Attorneys-at-Law for the Estate of PHILIP JAMES PALACIO

0 88

Remembering Danny Conorquie Thursday, 28 September 2017 Special Constable Danny Conorquie, 20, was executed at the Caracol Archaeological site on Thursday, September 25, 2014. Conorquie was assigned to the Tourism Unit and had been stationed at Caracol.

He was shot to the back of his head and his weapon was stolen. Deputy Officer Commanding San Ignacio at the time, ASP Reymundo Reyes, had indicated that according to police investigation, Conorquie was sitting down underneath one of the shades observing tourists that were on the main temple when two armed Hispanic men came from behind the bushes and fired a shot injuring Conorquie to the center of his back.

Conorquie then fell to the ground and that is when the culprits approached him, stood over an injured Conorquie and fired shots to his head, killing him. A third man who was with the shooters took Conorquie’s weapon and they ran into the bushes.

Conorquie’s murder caused public outrage and triggered several demonstrations in pursuit of justice.

It was the first time in Belize’s history that a security officer had been murdered in the line of duty along the Belize-Guatemala border. Reports were that the tourism officers had just confiscated five horses that belonged to Guatemalan loggers and had taken them to the site. Police believed that the incident triggered the attack. When Conorquie was killed, tourists and tour guides were on their usual tour of the site.

They suddenly heard several gunshots and ran for cover, while the other officers stationed there ran to where Conorquie’s lifeless body lay on the ground.

Conorquie was laid to rest in a state funeral in his hometown, Georgeville, Cayo. Monday marked three years since he was murdered and no charges have been brought against anyone. In an interview with the Belize Times, his mother Jean told us that she hasn’t heard anything from the Police or any other official in relation to the investigation: “The family was just talking about it, how no update or nothing from nobody. It is still hard for me to speak about it all. Danny was a loving and friendly person and he loved his job. Everybody talked good about Danny. He was loved by everyone, all his family and friends. We miss him every day.”

Danny’s aunt Jennifer told us that when she thinks about the incident, it is hurtful to her still.

After the incident, official reports indicated that the Organization of American States, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the police were conducting investigation into the callous murder. However, it is now three years later and his death remains

1 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES unsolved. Last year, the Belize Meritorious Service Award was given to Danny Conorquie posthumously at the outstanding Belizean Patriots award ceremony for his contributions to public

2017 security safety. Danny is recognized in the hearts of Belizeans as a Hero for the value of his sacrifice during his time protecting Belize’s national and cultural heritage.

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the time as listed.

At No. 23 Pike Crescent, Belize City on Friday October 6, 2017 at 10:00a.m.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 613.88 square yards being Parcel 475/1, Block 16 in the Caribbean Shores/Belize Registration Section situate on Pike’s Crescent, Coral Grove, Belize City, Belize District TOGETHER with a 24ft x 36ft two-storey concrete residential structure, the leasehold property of ALVA L. DAWSON (Deceased) DATED this 27th day of September 2017

All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: manager@hrcubelize.org

1 OCT

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

09 9

TOGETHER LET US FIGHT FOR BELIZE

Independence Day Address by Hon. John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition As Belizeans we see ourselves as a unique people, living in a very special place on earth. With close to four hundred thousand, we are as diverse a people as any nation on this planet. Our land is fertile, our rivers flow with clean waters and our air is clear, warm and fresh all year round. Every year at this time we gather at Independence Hill to celebrate it all, to honour our past and give thanks to our Creator for how lucky we are to live in beautiful Belize.

On Independence Day we also take time to reflect on who we are and how we got here. So, who are we?

We are a resilient, strong and determined people.

How did we get here?

We got here because our forefathers determined that our generation would live in a free and independent nation.

We got here because we embraced our unique beauty, creativity and diversity.

We got here because of what they sacrificed for all of us.

We best honour their sacrifice when we continue to build Belize.

For sure we in the PUP still believe in Belize and we still believe in the peaceful, constructive and progressive revolution that was started by the Father of our Nation, the Rt. Hon. George Price.

Our task therefore, is to continue to inspire in our children a passion for freedom, justice and the dignity of each and every human being.

This is who we are. This is what we believe in. This is what we must always fight for.

In 2006 on this very occasion the then leader of the opposition Hon. Dean Barrow said “there is no way our ceremony can be merely an orgy of self-congratulation.” One year later in 2007 he asked: “Belize fi all ah wi? Not completely, not totally. Not as long as there are still huge pockets of unemployed poor, of alienated youths, of marginalized single mothers…Not as long as on the southside of Belize City and in too many district towns young men continue to drop like files and murder most foul stalks the land.”

Today all over our nation social and economic problems abound. The cost of living is

out of countrol, fuel is now over eleven dollars per gallon, close to a half of which is collected in taxes.

Ten years later we still live in a nation blessed with wealth untold, yet close to half of our people are living in unjust and wrenching poverty Today in 2017, in some of our rural communities we still have Belizeans who lack basic necessities like potable water and electricity.

Many of our workers, close to 60 percent, lack any secondary school education or lack training in basic skills.

Our minimum wage does not reflect a just system when we pay our domestic and shop workers as little as three dollars and thirty-cents an hour, an amount that comes far short of what is needed to constitute a living wage.

The nature of violence in Belize has become so pronounced that our very prime minister in a recent sitting of the House of Representative confessed that we live in a violent nation.

Currently our economy struggles with anaemic if any real growth, our banking and financial sectors are constantly under threat from de-risking and potential investors consistently complain about the high cost of doing business in Belize.

It is the opinion of many Belizeans that our government institutions are either corrupt or woefully incompetent and there seems to be no good in today’s governance.

Recent actions taken by the current administration with respect to the independence and integrity of the judiciary as it relates to the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals have occurred in spite of my opposition and that of the Bar Association of Belize and the Belize Network of Non-Governmental organizations.

Furthermore, the decision by the government not to allow for the Public Accounts Committee to hold public hearings is in direct contrast to the desire for openness and transparency, a key component to good governance.

The last re-registration exercise was conducted more than twenty years ago. It is public knowledge that many persons were illegally placed on the register of voters. As such the current voter register is corrupt and this is a direct attack on the legitimacy of every election held in Belize, it is undemocratic.

On Independence Day 2006 Mr. Barrow said “for surely, if all were well with our world, the 25th Anniversary of our Independence would not be a time to wonder if our economy will in fact collapse under the massive meltdown of our external debt. We would not be undergoing the trauma of yet another public inquiry into official corruption and we would not be lamenting the disappearance of standards from elected leaders, the creation of a governance culture in which anything goes and considerations of honesty are dismissed as restrictions only for the timid.”

Truly when we see this Administration overwhelmed with scandal on top of scandal involving high ranking ministers, elected representatives

and their cronies we are compelled to agree that we are witness to a kind of moral bankruptcy.

This has led to a crippling national cynicism, a total loss of confidence in a system that sees an ordinary Belizean youth locked up for a stick of weed; a system that sees checkpoints erected at bridges to harass and rub down young men coming from the southside of Belize City to the north side. A system where good citizens like Amy Forte who see wrongdoing are afraid to step forward and do the right thing, for there is no protection for those willing to do what is right. A system that sees young women sentenced to jail for stealing a ball of cheese while there is never any interrogation much less prosecution of those elected officials and their associates who bastardize and steal our patrimony with impunity.

The recent Auditor General's Report reveals the massive hustle that takes place in the Ministry of Works; add to this the wrongdoings at the Belize Airport Authority; the systemic, wide scale rape of our national lands; the draining of the national treasury; and the wholesale involvement of ministers in the fraudulent selling of knapsacks full of visas and nationality certificates.

Yet to this day, not a single person has been held accountable before the law for these wrong doings.

We now know that there will be no further funding for the Senate Committee investigating the immigration scandal post-November. We criminalize normal Belizeans, but we condone corruption for those Belizeans who say they are not normal.

In all these cases, our situation looks dire, for it typifies a nation on a path towards a failed state, or a banana republic. A situation best described

by Dr. Martin Luther King Junior when he spoke of adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. We have returned from whence we came. Our government has become that which they always condemned.

Belizeans are asking, what ever happened to the double-sided machete?

How did we come to this?

The issues we face did not happen overnight; we are where we are because for too long we sat by and took too much for granted. We have left too much in the hands of too few and as a result we see an increase in the social decay in our nation. Where there was once confidence and optimism we see ever increasing despair and desperation.

In spite of it all I remain optimistic. We Belizeans never give up, we love this country; we love our children and we will always aspire to live in a nation that offers the promise of prosperity.Our desire is to live in a Belize where we all believe wholeheartedly that we can make it if we try. And that is our duty: to help each other get ahead.

This is why we continue to support our teachers in their stand up for Belize Campaign. This is why we

support the social partners who stood up for Marisol Amaya. This is why we support and will join with civil society to insist that not another penny be taken from Belizeans in taxes on fuel.

My fellow Belizeans, ladies and gentlemen, we can fulfil the promise made to us on that first September Day, but to do it we have to change. We have to be better, and we have to be more fair and just if we will prosper together.

Por mucho tiempo hemos dejado tanto en manos de muy pocosY como resultado vemos como se desintegran nuestras comunidades. Donde una vez hubo confianza y optimismoahora vemos cada vez más desesperanza y desesperación.

Pero nunca perdemos la esperanzanunca nos damos por vencidos, porque amamos a esta nación amamos a nuestros hijos. Y siempre aspiramos vivir en una nación que nos ofrece la promesa de prosperidad.

Nuestro deseo es el vivir en un país donde todos creemos sinceramenteque en efecto podemos lograr nuestros anhelos si lo intentamos.

Y síes nuestro deber ayudarnos mutuamente a salir adelante.

Podemos cumplir esa promesa que se nos hizo ese día de septiembre. Pero para hacerlo tenemos que cambiar. Tenemos que ser mejores, y tenemos que ser más justos y equitativos si vamos a prosperar juntos.¡Es por este Belice por el que debemos luchar!

This is the Belize we must fight for.

With unconditional love, let us unite and, with wisdom, fight for Belize. Together we can overcome the obstacles of today and continue working towards stability and a promising future. Mr. Price told us that Independence was more than just a changing of the guard. Our Independence is a call to fight for each other and for the greater good of everyone.

Por ahora nuestro trabajo es estar alertos y rechazar la desesperación.

Debemos construir aquellas cosas que nos hacen un Belice único. Siempre mirando hacia al futuro con la confianza que los mejores díaen realidadestán en la vuelta de la esquina.

Porque sabemos que está llegando la horacuando con la dirección de nuestro creador, cumpliremos nuestra promesa de construir un Belice que funcione para todos.

Es propicio darle tiempo al tiempocon paciencia y trabajo arduo vamos a lograr un Belice mejor. Como dice el arriero en la famosa canción rancherano hay que llegar primero pero ¡hay que saber llegar! ¡Y con el nosotros vamos a llegar! Y cuando lleguemos pondremos nuevamente el orden en casa, en esta joya que llamamos Belice.

We know that the time will come when with the guidance of our Creator, we will make good on our promise to build a Belize that works for everyone.

For now our work is to be vigilant, to reject despair, to build on those things which make us uniquely Belizean and to always look to the future with confidence for better days are indeed just around the corner.

To our visitors here with us today and to Belizeans at home and abroad we say Long Live Belize! Que Viva Belice!

Happy Independence Day!

10 SPORTS

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

PROGRESSO FC WINS OW

21 29 AUG JAN 1 OCT

2016 2017

1st Division Football Championship Orange Walk Town, September 24, 2017 The Progresso FC won the Orange Walk Football Association’s First Division championship with a 3-0 win against Sinbad FC in Game 2 of the Finals at the Louisiana field on Sunday afternoon, bringing their aggregate score to 5-0 from their 2-0 win in Game 1 of the Finals.

Progresso’s Best Midfielder Ian Chi scored the 1st goal in the 14th minute, capitalizing on an error by Sinbad goalie Abimael Pott. Clemente Castro scored a 2nd goal in the 30th minute, when he picked up a rebound from a shot by Playoffs MVP Raheem Eagan, which goalie Pott only managed to deflect. Castro booted the rebound into the net!

Best defense Richy Gillett led the Progresso defense with the help of Isaac Gillett, Miguel Lopez and Enrique Castillo to frustrate every try

by Sinbad’s Rogelio Jones, Alejandro Carillo, Rigo Herrera, Jevon Ico and Rubiel Mendez; and Best Goalkeeper Luis Cunil handled all other challenges.

Sinbad’s luck took a turn for the worse when both Ico and Mendez got ejected with red cards, and Clemente Castro scored a 3rd goal in the 70th minute to finish a cross to center from Mauricio Estrada.

Progresso United won 3rd place with their 6-1 win in Game 1 of their series. Game 2 of the 3rd place series ended in a 3-3 draw, with Trayvon Martinez scoring 2 goals for Trinidad FC and Amir Herrera adding

Clemente Castro scored Progresso's 3rd goal

Regular season MVP Hector Carlos Jr.

Isaac Gillett vs Sinbads' Alejandro Carillo

Best midfielder, Ian Chi

BDF & POLICE UNITED WIN IN PLB FOOTBALL

Jarren lambey scored BDF 1st & 2nd goals

Shane Flores scored BDF 3rd goal

Belize City, September 24, 2017 The Belize Defense Force and Police United both posted big wins in Week 7 of the Premier League of Belize 2017-18 football competition tournament, while the Belmopan Bandits and Verdes FC continue to lead the PLB, also posting wins on Sunday.

At the Victor Sanchez Stadium in Punta Gorda Town, the BDF remained at No. 3 in the PLB standings by their 3-0 win against Paradise Freedom Fighters, with Jarren Lambey scoring 2 goals in the 5th and 24th minutes, and Shane “Chucky” Flores scored the 3rd goal in the 90th minute.

At Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the Police United won 4-2 against the Placencia Assassins, with a goal from Amin “Tacos” August in the 5th minute, 2 goals from Danny Jimenez in the 31st and 63rd minutes, and a 4th goal by Devon Makin in the 73rd minute. For the Assassins, Rollin Burgess scored in the 14th minute, and Luis “Barker”

a 3rd. Regular season MVP Hector Carlos scored Progress United’s first 2 goals, and Roque Sedacey scored a 3rd goal. It was declared a friendly match when it was found Trinidad had played with an ineligible player.

Orange Walk Town Mayor Kevin Bernard presented team trophies and individual medals to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the awards ceremony after the finals. Individual awards went to: Most Goals - Edwani Muñoz of San Estevan FC Fair Play award – San Estevan FC. Regular season MVP - Hector Carlos Jr of Progresso United Best Coach - Hector Carlos Sr. Best Midfielder - Ian Chi Best Defense - Richy Gillett Best Goalkeeper – Luis Cunil Playoffs MVP - Raheem Eagan.

Tico lifetime achievement award – Rogelio Jones of Sinbad FC. Torres scored a 2nd goal in the 72nd minute.

At the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga, Bandits FC won 2-1 over Wagiya with goals by Jerome “Jaro” James in the 38th minute and Georgie Welcome in the 64th minute.

Only Krisean Lopez scored for Wagiya FC in the 45th minute.

At the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday, Verdes FC won 1-0 against the San Pedro Pirates, when Denmark Casey Jr scored in the 68th minute.

Upcoming games on Saturday, September 30: Bandits vs. San Pedro Pirates at Ambergris Stadium Placencia Assassins vs. BDF at Michael Ashcroft Stadium On Sunday, October 1: Verdes FC vs Wagiya at Carl Ramos Stadium Freedom Fighters vs. Police United at Victor Sanchez Stadium.

MAY 31 26 JUL FEB 12 JUN 14 19 18 OCT AUG JUN

11 09 SPORTS 11

THE BELIZE TIMES

2016 2016 2017

Belize Bank Bulldogs & BCC Dragons Tie BDBA Finals Belize City, September 23, 2017 Two time defending champs Belize Bank Bulldogs and Belize City Council Dragons will go to a Game 3 on Friday, September 29 to break a 1-1 tie in the Belize District Basketball Association BDBA interoffice championship finals at St. Martin’s Swift Hall as each squad won a game of the Finals series over the weekend.

In Game 1 last Friday, the Bulldogs overpowered the Dragons: 87-72, led by Brian “Brybo” White with 34pts,

BCC's Andrew Vasquez scored 28pts

BCC's Eyan Rene scored 23pts

Roderick Williams added 17pts, and Dominique Guzman scored 12pts.

Lincey Lopez put up 10pts and Roscoe Rhys posted 9pts. BCC’s Andrew Vasquez scored 28pts, Eyan Rene and Akeem Watters scored 13pts apiece, and Cordel Gonzalez Jr. and Denford Bevans posted 5pts apiece.

In the Game 2 Saturday night, the Dragons led from the get-go as they ran over the Bulldogs: 86-73, led by Eyan Rene with 23pts. Akeem Watters put up 17pts, Andrew Vasquez scored 13pts, and Auburn Rivero posted 11pts. Kenroy Usher added 9pts.

Bulldogs’ Dominique Guzman posted 15pts, Brian “Brybo” White scored 14pts, and Roderick Williams and Lincey Lopez added 12pts apiece. Roscoe Rhys and Sherwin Garcia scored 8pts apiece.

Belize Bank Bulldogs team

CYDP Football Kicks Off

Police Street FC win 4-1 vs Third World Belize City, September 24, 2017 The Conscious Youth Development Programme (CYDP) football tournament kicked off with 5 games in which the Bombers, Kelly Street, Police Street, Elite FC and the Belize Defence Force Warriors posted wins at the MCC Garden over the weekend.

In Game 1 Saturday, Kelly Street walked over Police United 10-1, with Steven “Bredds” Baizar scoring 4 goals and Delroy “Thinman” Andrews, Tyrique “Pippin” Muschamp, John King, Keenen Lopez and Naim “Nemo” Wilson scored a goal apiece.

A Police defender goofed in scoring on his own goal. Only Jerome Archer scored for Police United.

In Game 2, the BDF Warriors won 3-0 by Face of Belize default.

In Game 3 the Stars Academy bombed Ebony Lake FC: 3-1 with Sergio “Chenko” Luna scoring 2

goals, while Dion Cacho scored a 3rd goal. Only Marquise Stamp scored for Ebony Lake.

On Sunday, in Game 1, FC Elite won 2-1 against Tut Bay FC, with goals

by Orlando Velasquez and Brandon Cacho, while Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton scored a goal for Tut Bay. In Game 2, Police Street FC arrested Third World: 4-1 with Tyrique “Hammer” Swazo scoring the 1st and 2nd goals, and Hubert Baptist added the 3rd and 4th goals. Only David “Dav” Macauley Jr scored 1 goal for Third World.

Upcoming games on September 30: Kings Park Strikers vs. BDF Warriors Police United vs. Face of Belize Stars Academy vs. Third World FC On Sunday, October 1: Survivors United vs. Ebony Lake RG City Boys vs. Police Street FC Tut Bay FC vs. Kelly Street FC

BCC Dragons team

Bros. Habet team table tennis competition begins Belize City, September 24, 2017 The 2017 Brothers Habet team table tennis competition hosted by the Belize Table Tennis Association (BTTA) began at the BES auditorium on Sunday, with Rasanter and ChoLe-Cho posting 2 wins apiece while Phoenix, Lightning and Smashers teams also posted wins.

In Division 1, Team Rasanter’s Devesh Hukmani, Rohit Pagarani and Jofny Paguagua posted back to back wins: 3-1 against the Crushers’ Latrell Solis, Taye Parkinson and Jaylen Nicholson; and 3-1 against Team Hurricanes’ Terry Su, Kelly Liu and Carlos Cui. The Strikers’ Amiri Hoare, Kevin Chen and Manuel Castellanos dominated the Racqueteers: Yasser Musa, Luis Bardalez and Arturo “Tux” Vasquez: 3 -0.

In Division 2, Team Phoenix’s Moses Babb, Francis Gegg and Joshua Gegg won 3-0 against the Dominators’ Samuel Ferguson, Abigail Thurton and Sarai Paguagua.

Team Lightning’s Daryl Palacio, Mihir Karnani and Jai Chawla won 3-1 agsint Top Spinners’ Goran and Gabrielle Gabourel and Denzel Young.

The Dominators won 3-0 by the Spin Kings’ default.

In Division 3, Team Cho-Le-

Cho’s Parin Thadani, Che Waight, and Andrew Jaramillo won 3-0 against Team V.A.V.’s Aryan Chugani, Varun Sadarangani and Vini Vanjani; and won 3-1 vs Team Smashers’ Ray Wu, Colini Wu and Huang Yo Yang.

Team V.A.V. won 3-0 against SJC Young Warriors, Edward Matus, Kristopher Montenegro and Pierce Bowman.

The Thunders’ Erick Corea, Robert Barrow and Daniel Thurton also won 3-0 vs SJC Wildcats’ Daniel Williams, Alain Gonzalez Jr and Jonah Chebat.

Team Smashers won 3-1 vs SJC Wildcats.

Team Li Maa’s Sergio Pech, Mohit Vanjani and Hirtik Bhojwani won 3-1 vs the Thunders.

Upcoming games on Saturday September 30: D1-4 Racqueteers vs Rasanter D1-5 Crushers 3.0 vs Hurricane D2-4 Spin Kings vs TopSpinners D3-7 Cho-le-Cho vs Thunders D3-8 St. Joseph Kings vs VAV D3-9 Young Warriors vs Smashers

41 12

THE BELIZE TIMES

1 OCT

2017

Celebrating Our Independence in Orange Walk...United & Strong

1 OCT

2017

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

13

14

1 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

Oops He Did It Again!

No, young Barrow, it is not cool to post pictures of you and your friends circling Rodeo Drive in a Rolls Royce, just to show us normal Belizeans how the not normal Belizeans do it. We know you are rolling in dough, millions of it made because your daddy pulled strings for you and made it happen. It is not cool because it appears that you are rubbing your politically-gotten wealth in our faces. I’m sure you think you look quite debonair in the Rolls, but in actuality you seem gauche, crass, immature and stupid. I know that you and your friends think it’s funny to post pics from your world travels, from international concerts in far-off places and football games and resorts. We all know that you and your friends can afford the very best that money can buy, and we know how you got the money to afford the very best.

We know that there is this clique of the UDP which has gotten fabulously wealthy because of their connections in the Party. The UDP has been good to you all. And it is not okay.

So when you send your pictures to your haters, with love, know that I am one of those who hates. I don’t hate you. I don’t even know you.

But I hate that casual arrogance which has afflicted so many of you in the privileged UDP. I hate that you think it is okay to flaunt your wealth.

I hate the fact that you and others like you have lost touch with reality because your reality is different from ours, all thanks to your political connections. I hate that you were in a Rolls Royce while the best ride I can afford these days, thanks to your daddy, is a dirty, stinking, broken-down Shaw’s Bus. I hate, and it is a powerful lot of hate.

I listened to Mr. Barrow’s Independence Day Address, and I know where the young Barrow has got-

ten his sense of entitlement. I can see where a lot of these fools that mill around the UDP have gotten their arrogance. This man is a certifiable megalomaniac. He is frigging amazing. I was telling somebody this morning that there was a time I had some respect for Dean Oliver, a time when I mistook his conceit for confidence and his arrogance for strength. Boy, what an idiot I was.

I’m telling you that for the sake of my sanity and sobriety, we need to get these people out of office quick, fast and hurry. I almost had a seizure when Dean Oliver very proudly stated in his address that he acts when there is anything wrong going on because that is how the UDP does it. Fool, you’ve got to be fricking kidding me. I wanted to walk right up and slap him, and then slap those idiots who were clapping, but I figure I’d have been shot or something so realized that wasn’t a great idea at the time. But I still want to slap him. And I’m being dead serious.

See, I get frustrated when I realize how duplicitous and damned devious Dean Oliver is. And even more frustrated when I realize how apathetic we are as a people. Forget the Gapi thing. It’s hard for me to do because that sucker is on my shit list – twice. But I’ll get back to him next week. Let’s just look at fuel a second. It’s simple. The price of a gallon of Premium fuel is over $12 in the districts, with Regular not far behind. But it has nothing to do with acquisition costs. Landed in Belize, fuel this last shipment cost a lil over US$2. With Port dues and depot handling fees and Environmental Common Fund Fee it goes up to about BZD$4.50 a gallon. Add in the Wholesaler’s Margin and the Service Station’s Margin and the total cost of a gallon of fuel is still less than BZD$6.00. Imagine that…fuel landed in Belize costs only $6.00. Imagine that all the rest is government taxes – Environmental Tax, Excise Duty, GST and Government Charges.

Yet every time pump prices go up, Dean Barrow blames acquisition costs. And we accept it even though we know that sucker is lying. More than five frigging dollars in just taxes, so DOB can use us to refill coffers emptied by his corrupt Ministers. For God’s Sake Stop It.

As I write this my thoughts and prayers are with the family of Kelvin Usher, a young student of St. John’s College Sixth Form who has been missing since Sunday at around midday. Hundreds of persons have joined the search for him in Lucky Strike, the area where he was last seen. Today, Wednesday, Belizeans have taken to the streets in Belize City, even demonstrating in front of the Queen Street Police Station to demand answers from the Police about this young man.

I join his family and friends in praying that he is returned home alive and well.

I can tell you I am deeply disturbed by the widely held belief that the Gang Suppression Unit may have been involved in the disappearance of Kelvin Usher. I am disturbed because Police officers are our protectors. We as a people should look up to these men and women in uniform.

They should be the wall between law-abiding citizens and criminals. Our youths coming up should view the Police as role models and examples to follow. So how did we get to this point where our Police Officers are so distrusted and even hated? How did we get to this point where we have lost confidence in our law-enforcement personnel? That is a terrible thing.

Tonight I watched the news as Minister of Home Affairs Sedi Elrington and the Police top brass held a conference, and like many Belizeans I believe there are still more questions than answers. It seems that the G.S.U. is trying to cover something up, and in some instances it seemed that the head of the G.S.U. was lying.

These are terrible times for our country. Even as too much time passes, let us hope that we are wrong in our thought and that young Kelvin Usher, an exceptional student with his entire life ahead of him, turns up alive and well. And that is all I’ll say about that.

I would like to take a moment also to express my support for those students who protested in the streets of Belize City today.

There was no politics involved, just a group of Belizeans who have gotten enough – pretty much like we all have. I expect there will be more of this in the days ahead, and all I will say is that you can only push people so far until they start pushing back.

And with so many things which have gone wrong in our country, enough is enough.

In Orange Walk, we celebrated our nation’s Independence with all seriousness last week. While we observed our traditional Carnival, the reality is that this is a solemn occasion.

In my Independence Address I spoke of many of the challenges which face us as a people, and I know that I made some people uncomfortable. There are those on the government side who do not want to be reminded of their failings. They do not like to be told how they have wronged us. Some of them live in a bubble where they are content, and they want to stay there. But I am not that kind of person or politician. I will always tell it like it is.

All is not lost, for sure, because our people are becoming more aware that the power is not only in their hands on election day, but all the time. It is up to us to make a change, up to us to decide if we want the work to continue or if we want to be dazzled by political promises which are never kept.

Already the UDP has started dishing out promises of what all they will do in Orange Walk if you vote for them in March 2018. My friends, the UDP is the party in power. The UDP controls Central Government and every penny of every dollar in the Budget. And they have done nothing for Orange Walk Town because they wanted to spite us. I should say they wanted to spite you. We showed them that the real power is in your hands, and working together we transformed our town.

Together, we will continue the work in Orange Walk Town.

1 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

CRY THE CARIBBEAN Over a month ago I was reading some news from our Caribbean region, and a guy named David Jessop was asking lamentingly “Who Will Reform Caricom?” He reported his view that the regional integration process is foundering, on the one hand with an absence of political compromise and also, on the other hand, with a failing bureaucracy in Caricom organs and an anodyne media.

Prime Minister of Guyana David Granger also made remarks at the latest Heads of Government meeting that there is drastic need for change in Caricom. There have been serious divisions over the regional response to the Venezuela crisis, and “embarrassing divisiveness,” as he called it, and as well discord exposed at the summit in Grenada over LIAT, a regional airline, and Cricket. And with the regional food bill at over US$4 billion this is “a notorious indictment - the inability to promote investment and stimulate intra-regional trade in agricultural commodities.”

The lament went on. There have also been disagreements on the free movement of Caricom nationals, and this has diminished respect for Caribbean leaders. And both Jessop and Granger have questioned whether our islands and countries will be able to withstand the divisive nature of the political and economic pressures which are emerging globally. After all, they have observed, there seems to be a huge lack of accountability to our Caricom citizens, very little efficiency, and a massive “implementation deficit” for the work of true integration for the betterment of all our people.

I had wanted to write about this issue for some time now, but with the passage of the two massive and monumentally destructive hurricanes, Irma and Maria, this hurricane season, the topic and title for this piece is so obvious – Cry the Caribbean!!

Islands like Barbuda, Anguilla, Tortola and the rest of the British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos, Dominica and Puerto Rico have been devastated, in some cases almost wiped off the map. Big superlatives about the damage cannot even adequately describe the extent. An old law

school classmate of mine in Tortola is literally reeling, along with his wife and family, and his employees. His home battered, his business decimated, his boat totally destroyed. But he has pointed out that, nonetheless, he still has pieces that can be picked up.

For many of his countrymen and women there is nothing left to pick up. The complete devastation is heart-wrenching.

Which leads to the biggest topic of debate in the Caribbean and for Caricom in the wake of Irma and Maria. Many leaders are seriously questioning the use by donor countries and agencies of the Gross National Income per capita (GNI) as the yardstick for whether countries qualify for aid or not. In a well-written opinion Guy Hewitt has expressed that “Rules That Block Aid Are Wrong.” I must agree with him.

Hurricanes are the recurring nightmare for our entire region, and they are becoming more and more deadly due to global warming. Mr. Hewitt says that Caricom and the Caribbean are fighting on two fronts, first, against nature's fury and secondly, against international standards and opinion which believe that many hurricane-ravaged countries are too well off to qualify for their assistance.

Thankfully Great Britain has called for changes to these rules, but incredibly, this call has been met with scepticism and resistance. The Development Assistance Committee of wealthy nations is seeking now to exclude Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands from disaster aid. For instance, Tortola and the BVI are considered tax havens where the GNI is quite high. Mr. Hewitt points out that here there are two misconceptions. One is that a low- tax jurisdiction is a “tax haven,” and two, the very limited GNI method in which poor countries are identified. This view is myopic, he says. It totally ignores the distinct vulnerability of small countries to what are called in 'economic-speak' Exogenous Shocks like natural disasters. Says he and say I: The Commonwealth, the United Nations and Caricom need to lead and come to the aid of all our countries ravaged by these hurricanes. Cry the Caribbean, and may aid arrive soon!!

15

BELIZE AT 36

By: Valerie Woods On September 21st, 2017, Belize marked its 36th year of independence. To listen to the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. John Briceño and the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon Dean Barrow, it is a tale of 2 countries.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone who is prepared to remove their party political lenses and analyze the speeches for their content. A review of the past speeches on Independence Day under the 10 years of the Musa Administration and the past 9 years under the Barrow administration will validate that it is always an essay in two distinct perspectives of the country.

The Leader of the Opposition presents the weaknesses and realities of the nation state and the Prime Minister celebrates his government’s achievements. Barrow as Opposition Leader did no differently. It is what is done to provide a balanced view of the state of the nation.

At Belize’s 36th anniversary of its independence, Prime Minister Barrow reported to the nation on his government’s accomplishments of roads and bridges, sports buildings, signing unto and working on UNCAC (although under duress from pressure from the opposition, unions, Belize Chamber of Commerce), the growth in tourism (although official 2016 statistics from the BTB has national occupancy at a meager 37%) and a commitment to rolling more Petrocaribe funds in spite of increasing fuel prices at record levels and increasing turmoil and instability in Venezuela.

In his Independence Day’s state of the nation address, the Leader of the Opposition reminded Belize of the official poor world economic outlook on Belize, the highest levels of unemployment and poverty recorded, the increasing rate of crime, the lack of investor confidence in Belize, the lack of accountability with the dysfunctional Public Accounts Committee and the Integrity Commission.

On the occasion of our Independence Day, the silence on the most recent aggression from Guatemala on the Sarstoon and on the Foreign Affairs Minister Sedi Elrington’s inaccurate and false statements regarding Belize’s borders is disheartening.

The fact is that at age 36, the Barrow government has lost its moral legitimacy to govern. Under the leadership of Dean Barrow, the UDP government finds itself in the same position of its predecessor. The serial corruption and mismanagement under Dean Barrow is much worse because he and his government were ushered in on the promise to correct it. It is Dean Barrow who famously said that he would wield a

double-edged machete to ensure corruption does not rear its ugly head. He would not tolerate it, not even the whiff of it.

Being at the helm of government for 3 consecutive terms after those remarks, Prime Minister Barrow has shamelessly disappointed. His remark on corruption now is that “it is what it is.” Such a defeatist attitude was further confirmed when in his Independence Day speech, PM Barrow confidently pronounced he had brought in ministers from the outside (Hulse, Barnett, Retreage, Peyrefitte) as his solution to corruption and that under their watch corruption does not exist. In essence he admits that he leads a corrupt unruly Cabinet which he cannot or will not do anything about. PM Barrow’s hope is not in the persons in his party who have ran and won elections but in persons he has had to go seek outside of electoral politics. The UDP government, by the words of its leader, has lost all legitimacy in combatting the one thing they were ushered in to do, the one thing that impedes any country from being “catapulted into the first world.”

Leadership requires the discipline to resist the urge to lodge personal attacks on your opponent when the hypocrisy and illegitimacy of your reign has been called out and caught. Leadership requires a sober, balanced approach to analyze the state of the economy, the society and the environment.

Leadership demands positive and proactive actions without the sole interest being to secure another political term for your party. Leadership is about country first.

At age 36, this is the state of Belize. The incumbent government party will have to make its case as to why the people of Belize should trust it to do better when it has failed to demonstrate any real commitment to doing so in the past 9 years to fight corruption in its Cabinet, its government departments, its town boards and its councils. The Opposition party will have to make its case on how it has changed to regain the credibility it lost, what it will do differently and how it will govern.

People power is a real thing. At age 36, Belizeans need to awake from our slumber and carefully select each person in each division and each municipality.

However, corruption, mismanagement of public assets and funds, impunity of ministers and public officials should continue to be rejected, resisted and protested no matter who is elected, no matter which party wins and no matter how young or old the country is.

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1 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

ON THE

MOVE

UWG Cayo West Swearing in

Forging Partnerships. Impacting Lives

CONNECTED

72 HOURS IN SEPTEMBER Belize is effed up. There is no other way to describe it. There is no other way to express it. It is what it is - a colossal messed up state of affairs. Every day with every new breaking news or tragedy is another soap opera moment in Belize, another “Day of Our Lives.”

Prime Minister Barrow and his rogue cabinet of Ministers and Ministers of State roam Belize and the world with impunity and no accountability. The police and its notorious GSU rule with fear and the government and Minister Sedi Elrington holds press conferences that almost always leave more questions than answers. The line between truth and fiction becomes even more blurred with the level of distrust that has settled in.

The situation is worsened with the addition of the high levels of corruption that have been exposed under Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the increasing cost of living, unemployment and poverty and the widening of the haves and have nots. A country in chaos.

This is the context and background in which Belize witnessed the despair and hope of a nation in trying to find answers on what happened to one of its youth. Social media lit up with all sort of speculation and accusations. much of which could have been avoided if those in authority were upfront, professional and accountable at the onset in the reporting of what occurred this past Sunday in September.

The unfortunate events at a farm in Lucky Strike Village, however, also laid bare the reality of the double standard of our government authorities and law enforcement in dealing with those haves versus the have nots.

Where was this power by authorities to deal with the raping of our lands by the Barrow and Vega government? Where was the raid on Penner, Saldivar, Castro and so many others involved in immigration misconduct? The Barrow government has demonstrated time and time again that one set of rules apply to the Ministers and Ministers of State for their wrongdoings and another set of rules apply to ordinary, everyday, hardworking Belizeans.

It took 72 hours for the authorities to say something official and to declare they will get involved in the search of young Kelvin Usher.

It took 72 hours for the authorities to admit they did fire guns as a warning when they descended on the farm. It took 72 hours for the authorities to speak while communities searched for their young brother and asked citizens for support. Although 72 hours of silence from the authorities is unacceptable; it is still quicker than the time it is taking for the investigation of corrupt ministers.

There have been many stories of police/GSU brutality and abuse of power. In Belize, there have been many youth, young men and women, who have disappeared, gone missing or killed. So many unsolved crimes. What will this tragic event teach us that the past should have already done? How will the handling of this event change us?

After 72 hours, there were no answers, accountability or transparency. A mother cried out for help.

A father screamed injustice. A nation hurt and felt the pain of parents hoping for their son to return home after being involved with the GSU. Students marched for justice and cried foul. All sort of stories swirled around. What have we become, Belize? What do we do when the law enforcement authorities become the very thing that we fear; when the authorities are no longer trusted; when the police and the GSU are alleged of doing the things they swore to protect us from?

Kelvin Usher’s disappearance for four days is deeply troubling on many different levels. The way our authorities handled this matter leaves much to be desired. Leadership is woefully lacking. Trust in the security forces and government authorities are at a dangerous low.

At age 36, Belize cannot be satisfied with this. There are so many youths still missing. There are still many unsolved crimes. There are still ministers who continue to operate with impunity and no accountability. There are still mothers grieving across the country.

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.

1 OCT

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

MOVE

Independence Day on La Isla Bonita -

Strong & Ready!

17

18

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES

ESPAÑOL

Erwin Sperisen abraza a su familia al salir de prisión prisión de Champ-Dollon en Puplinge, Suiza.

SPERISEN CLAMA SU INOCENCIA AL SALIR DE LA CÁRCEL EN SUIZA El exjefe de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), Erwin Sperisen, clamó su inocencia este lunes al recuperar su libertad provisional tras cinco años de detención preventiva en la cárcel de Champ-Dollon, en las afueras de Ginebra.

11OCT OCT

2017 2017

Prensa Libre 25 de Septiembre de 2017 El próximo 28 de noviembre Sperisen enfrentará un nuevo juicio en apelación por su supuesta participación en diez asesinatos entre 2005 y 2006, contra reos en cárceles o en fuga.

"Por supuesto", respondió Sperisen, que tiene la doble nacionalidad suiza-guatemalteca, cuando la AFP le preguntó si mantenía su inocencia. "No tienen pruebas, no hay nada", aseguró.

"Después de 5 años de investigaciones, ahora ya no es que maté a alguien, como así lo dijeron inicialmente, ya no es que yo ordené la muerte de alguien, ya no es que yo planifiqué la muerte de alguien, ahora es otra cosa, donde supuestamente yo de todas maneras participé de alguna forma, pero no saben decir exactamente de como ni cuando", afirmó.

El Tribunal Federal suizo, la máxima instancia judicial de este país, anuló la sentencia en apelación frente a la Corte de Ginebra y ordenó el nuevo juicio porque no se escucharon ciertos testigos reclamados por la defensa.

En sus considerandos, el Tribunal retuvo que los siete reclusos del penal de Pavón, que perdieron la vida hace hoy justamente 11 años, "no fueron muertos en enfrentamientos con la policía u otras fuerzas armadas, su eliminación fue planificada" y que hay indicios de la participación de Sperisen.

Otros tres otros, que huyeron de la penitenciaría de "El Infiernito", fueron recapturados y asesinados en 2005.

El Tribunal Federal sostuvo que hay "sospechas", de la participación de Sperisen en "diez ejecuciones extrajudiciales de

detenidos".

Durante una entrevista en la radio Emisoras Unidas, Sperisen afirma que se fue de Guatemala por las amenazas que sufrió su familia y asegura que el Ministerio Público nunca presentó pruebas, “todo fueron indicios y suposiciones.

El exfuncionario señala que la actuación de jueces en Ginebra había sido arbitraria y se han violado sus derechos.

Brigadistas mexicanos y japoneses continúan labores de rescates en el edificio de la colonia Educacion.

RUSIA LE DICE AL MUNDO QUE EL PERÚ ES SU ALIADO ESTRATÉGICO Lunes, Septiembre 25, 2017 El presidente de Rusia recibió las cartas credenciales de cinco embajadores latinoamericanos, entre ellos el de Peru El presidente de Rusia, Vladimir Putin, recibió en el Kremlin las cartas credenciales de 18 nuevos embajadores, entre ellos los de Guatemala, Brasil, Costa Rica, Perú y Chile.

"Al promover nuestras prioridades y enfoques de política exterior, siempre procuramos escuchar y oír a nuestros socios, tomamos en cuenta sus opiniones y buscamos pacientemente soluciones de compromiso", dijo Putin al dar la bienvenida a los nuevos embajadores en la Sala de Alejandro del Gran Palacio del Kremlin.

El mandatario recalcó que para Rusia "no hay socios grandes ni pequeños" y que Moscú está dispuesta al diálogo en pie de igualdad y a la cooperación constructiva con todos los países.

"Esto se refiere tanto a la interacción para fortalecer la estabilidad internacional y solucionar complejos problemas globales, como el arreglo de conflictos regionales y la lucha contra amenazas peligrosas, la principal de la cuales es, sin duda, el terrorismo", agregó.

Putin reiteró que Rusia se pronuncia por "aunar esfuerzos en aras de la solución de los problemas reales que afronta la comunidad mundial".

Como ya es tradición, el presidente ruso dedicó unas palabras a cada uno de los países, por estricto orden de llegada de los nuevos embajadores a la capital rusa.

Cont’do pagina 19

Suben a 350 la cifra de muertos por sismo de 7.1 en México El gobierno federal informó que subió a 305 la cifra de fallecidos por el sismo de 7.1 que el 19 de septiembre sacudió el centro de México. La cifra anterior era de 295.

Por AP 25 de Septiembre de 2017 El coordinador nacional de Protección Civil, Luis Felipe Puente, informó en su cuenta de Twitter que sólo en la Ciudad de México han fallecido 167 personas.

Otras 73 murieron en Morelos, 45 en Puebla, 13 en el Estado de México, seis en Guerrero y una en Oaxaca.

Las autoridades aún realizan labores de búsqueda de sobrevivientes en edificios derruidos en la capital del país.

Réplicas México se ha visto sacudido por tres

fuertes sismos en las últimas semanas: uno de 8.1 el 7 de septiembre, otro de 7,1 el 19 de septiembre, y uno de 6.1 el sábado.

Ningún lugar recibe más víctimas del mortífero terremoto que el Hospital General Xoco de la Ciudad de México.

Cuando sonó la alarma sísmica de un nuevo temblor el sábado por la mañana, los empleados del hospital ordenaron a los visitantes que se fueran.

Syntia Pereda, de 43 años, estaba junto a la cama de su novio, que dormía. Jesús González, de 49 años, cayó del balcón del tercer piso de un edificio donde estaba Cont’do pagina 19

1 OCT

2017

18 JAN

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES 2015

Canciller norcoreano afirma ante ONU que ataque a EE. UU. es inevitable

ESPAÑOL

19

El Consejo de Seguridad de Naciones Unidas aprobó las sanciones en contra de Corea del Norte por unanimidad.

El ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Corea del Norte, Ri Yong-ho, afirmó este sábado en su discurso ante la Asamblea General de la ONU que un ataque misilístico de Corea del Norte contra Estados Unidos es "inevitable".

Por AFP 23 de Septiembre de 2017 La "visita de nuestros misiles al territorio de Estados Unidos se ha vuelto inevitable", dijo el canciller norcoreano durante su discurso en Nueva York. Corea del Norte tomará "acciones preventivas impiadosas" si Estados Unidos muestra algún intento de "decapitar" a Pionyang, agregó.

Ri Yong-ho agregó que ese país está entrando en la "fase final" del establecimiento de un sistema nuclear, que asegura tiene fines defensivos y sólo utilizará como "última opción".

Sismo Un sismo poco profundo de magnitud 3.5 se ha registrado este sábado en Corea del Norte lo que suscitó inquietud sobre un nuevo ensayo nuclear de Pionyang pero que, según expertos, sería una posible réplica sísmica del temblor que provocó el ensayo nuclear del 3 de septiembre.

El temblor se produce cuando la comunidad internacional teme un nuevo ensayo nuclear norcoreano, en un contexto de retórica belicista cada vez más acerba entre el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump y el dirigente norcoreano Kim Jong-un.

Según la Organización del

Tratado de Prohibición Completa de los Ensayos Nucleares (Otpce), un organismo de referencia a cargo de detectar los ensayos en el mundo, el sismo parece ser una réplica del ensayo del 3 de septiembre.

"La hipótesis más probable en estos momentos es que se trata de una consecuencia del acontecimiento precedente, que fue de una amplitud importante y que puede aún tener repercusiones en una zona de fractura (telúrica)", declaró Lassina Zerbo, jefe del organismo.

El Instituto Geológico de Estados Unidos (USGS) indicó que el epicentro del sismo se registró a unos 20 km de un centro de ensayos nucleares norcoreano, en donde el régimen hizo detonar a principios de mes su sexto y más potente artefacto nuclear, que reivindicó como una bomba de hidrógeno que puede ser lanzada en un misil.

"El evento se produjo en el área en donde se llevó a cabo un ensayo nuclear. No podemos confirmar de momento la naturaleza (natural o humana) del evento. La profundidad fue estimada por los sismólogos en 5 km", dijo el USGS en un comunicado.

Los expertos sismológicos surcoreanos del KMA de Seúl consideraron el sismo como "un terremoto natural".

Suben a 350 la cifra de muertos por sismo de 7.1 en México Cont’do de pagina 18

trabajando cuando se produjo el terremoto de magnitud 7.1 el martes y espera una operación.

Pereda dijo que estaba preocupada por él y no quería dejarlo, pero salió del hospital y regresó cuando cesó el temblor.

Dijo que la gente parece acostumbrarse a la situación. La alarma sísmica suena en cualquier momento y “tú dices, bueno, es la voluntad de Dios”.

Los sismólogos dicen que el sismo de magnitud 6.1 del sábado en el sur de México aparentemente es una réplica del poderoso terremoto del 7 de septiembre que tuvo una magnitud de 8.1 y mató al menos a 90 personas.

El geofísico Paul Caruso, del Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos, dijo que un terremoto potente como el de principios de mes puede dañar edificios que no se derrumban y volverlos más vulnerables: “Por eso un terremo-

to menor puede provocar la caída de los inmuebles dañados”.

El Servicio Sismológico Nacional mexicano dijo que su red ha registrado miles de réplicas del temblor del 7 de septiembre.

En las primeras nueve horas y media del sábado hubo más de 15 de magnitud 4 o más.

El Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos dice que el nuevo terremoto que remece México tuvo una magnitud de 6.2 y tuvo su epicentro en el estado sureño de Oaxaca.

Es la región más afectada por el sismo de magnitud 8.1 del 7 de septiembre.

El nuevo temblor hizo oscilar edificios en la Ciudad de México, que intenta recuperarse del sismo de magnitud 7.1 del jueves pasado, que mató al menos 295 personas en todo el país.

No estaba claro de inmediato si el nuevo sismo causó víctimas o daños.

"No hay posibilidad que esto pueda ser un sismo artificial", dijo la agencia Yonhap citando a un responsable del KMA. El servicio sísmico chino CENC evocó por su parte un sismo de magnitud 3.4,subrayando que su epicentro era prácticamente el mismo que el del temblor del 3 de septiembre.

Tras evocar en un primer momento la posibilidad de una explosión", el CENC concluyó en la eventualidad de un origen "natural", según la agencia oficial Xinhua.

Poderoso artefacto El último ensayo nuclear del Norte, el 3 de septiembre, fue la detonación de un artefacto más fuerte a la que procedió el régimen, que provocó un fuerte temblor de magnitud 6.3 que se sintió hasta en China.

El sismo se produce luego de días de retórica belicista entre el presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, y el régimen del líder norcoreano Kim Jong-Un por las ambiciones nucleares de Pionyang.

Decenas de miles de coreanos manifestaron el sábado en la plaza Kim Il-sung de Pionyang su apoyo al dirigente norcoreano.

Sanciones

"Kim Jong-Un de Corea del Norte, quien es obviamente un demente al que no le importa privar de comida o asesinar a su pueblo, será puesto a prueba como nunca antes", escribió el viernes Trump en un tuit, al día siguiente del anuncio de nuevas sanciones de Washington contra Corea del Norte.

Unas horas antes había sido el líder norcoreano el que atacó verbalmente a Trump a quien describió como "mentalmente trastornado" y advirtió que "pagará caro" por su amenaza.

La semana pasada, al margen de la Asamblea General de la ONU en Nueva York, el ministro norcoreano de Relaciones Exteriores declaró a los periodistas que Pionyang podría hacer explotar una bomba de hidrógeno fuera de su territorio.

Los analistas estimaron que el ensayo nuclear de principios de septiembre tuvo una potencia de 250 kilotones, lo que es 16 veces más potente que la bomba que lanzó Estados Unidos para destruir Hiroshima en 1945.

Las bombas de hidrógeno, de fusión termonuclear, son armas mucho más potentes que las bombas atómicas de fisión nuclear.

Rusia y China pidieron por su parte que cese la escalada retórica entre Washington y Pionyang.

RUSIA LE DICE AL MUNDO QUE EL PERÚ ES SU ALIADO ESTRATÉGICO Cont’do de pagina 18

"La cooperación con Guatemala de momento no es tan intensa ni tan variada, pero nuestro propósito es desarrollarla", indicó el jefe del Kremlin.

"Valoramos la cooperación multilateral la República de Perú. Es nuestro socio tradicional en América Latina", dijo el jefe del Kremlin.

Moscu no solo a mejorado la fuerza aérea del Perú si no sea comprometido enviar nuevos tanques y misiles de ultima generación a peru para fortalecer su nievo aliado estratégico de mos-

cu en las américas del sur, moscu a cambiado después de apoyar aun enfermo y débiles estados socialistas ahora se ha ganado el apoyo de una economía de rápido crecimiento Perú compra equipo militar de Rusia desde ase mucho tiempo pero ahora se ha centro cada vez mas en Rusia, la confianza es tan grande que se entrego transferencia de tecnología militar al Perú y hacer mantenimiento del equipo militar ruso a pesar de que Peru es pare de los amigos de estados unidos y de la alianza del pacifico.

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1 OCT

2017

REAL Good Governance Reform!

Changing the Status Quo For the People’s United Party to restore the people’s confidence in any government after three terms of an abusive, corrupt and incompetent UDP, it must be serious about good governance reform. The Barrow administration has been the worst in history, allowing no REAL oversight and giving UDP Ministers powers which led to gross irregularities and abuses of process and people. The new People’s United Party government will do things differently. We will give power back to the people of the country who will elect us to represent them.

We WILL: PUT POLITICS AND MINISTERIAL POWER IN THEIR PROPER PLACES: We will immediately strengthen the Integrity Commission, providing the necessary funds for its Secretariat to fulfil its important legal, auditing and investigative roles free from any undue political influence.

Monitor the conduct and performance of Government Ministers and all elected officials in public life to ensure their “honourable” exercise of duties and responsibilities, and to prevent any behavior that can bring disrepute and shame to our nation, to our government and/or to our Party. Such embarrassing behavior will lead to their immediate expulsion from the Cabinet.

If a Minister is found breaking the law he/she will be subjected to the legal process and will face the consequences like any other person, including jail time. The rule of law means nothing if the laws do not apply equally to all.

We will limit the subjective authority of Ministers by removing the discretionary powers and reducing the need for letters from Ministers for everything. Presently, letters from Ministers are needed for recruitment to the Police and the Belize Defense Force, a hitherto unheard of thing. Public officers will be made to do their job, without fear or favour, and punishment will be swift for incompetence and/or corruption.

WE WILL: STRENGTHEN CHECKS AND BALANCES: We will reconstitute the Public Accounts Committee for the effective participation of the Social Partners in the Senate so as to ensure its proper role in overseeing the sound and prudent management of public revenues and expenditures approved in the Budget.

We will strengthen the capacities, allocate the appropriate resources and ensure the autonomy of the offices of the Auditor General, the Contractor General, the Ombudsman, and the Integrity Commission to better fulfil their technical mandates and provide the appropriate support to the oversight responsibilities of the Public Accounts Committee and other oversight committees.

WE WILL ENABLE: An EMPOWERED LEGISLATURE: The PUP will improve legislative governance by providing greater oversight by the National Assembly with respect to the work of the House Committees. We WILL establish Standing Senate Committees that will have the authority to conduct inquiries into any and all matters with a view to advancing the cause of nation-building.

WE WILL RESTORE: EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PUBLIC SERVICE: We will take immediate steps to restore the autonomy of the Public Service (establish clear boundaries between the political directorate and the public service) and Public Service Commission to re-establish integrity and impartiality in the recruiting, training, evaluating and disciplining processes, and

We will introduce the necessary legislation with appropriate measures to protect whistle blowers and witnesses involved in corruption cases and to increase the penalties for acts of corruption and public authority abuses.

The PUP will revert to having Permanent Secretaries (Senior Career Public Officers) as the accounting officers of the specific Ministry/ Ministries.

WE WILL CREATE A: SEPARATION OF POWERS: All Judges and Magistrates of the Court will be employed with security of tenure. The PUP will establish sound systems and good practices for recruitment of all officers of the Court and will hold them responsible for the efficient administration of justice and to ensure the separation of powers of the state as clearly stipulated in the Constitution: Cease and desist from the public badgering and coercing of the judiciary by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet The Director of Public Prosecution will also be given security of tenure and the Department of Public Prosecution will be given the necessary resources to ensure that it complements the work of the Police to increase the rate of successful prosecution, particularly in murder cases WE WILL DELIVER: ELECTION REFORM: Within the first year of office we will present legislation to regulate campaign spending. We will also propose and enact legislation to limit campaigning up to the day before elections.

On Election Day all campaigning, paraphernalia, advertising etc. will not be allowed as it is done in other Caribbean countries.

We will insist, by any means necessary, that the UDP Government comply with the rule of law and conduct nationwide re-registration in 2017. The recent findings of 700 pages of unadulterated corruption in the Immigration Department lay bare for all to see the untold numbers of foreigners who received Belizean nationality by fraudulent means with the consequence being that these new fraudsters can and do vote in municipal and general elections, deciding for Belizeans who should be their government.

Implement a fixed date for general elections similar to that of municipal elections Implement a transparent redistricting exercise, free from any appearance of political manipulation, with the goal being a fair representation of the public Introduce campaign financing legislation Introduce an independent Elections & Boundaries Commission that shall be free from political interference with a Chairman who is appointed in a similar fashion as the DPP and Auditor-General, so he or she can be autonomous and free from the perception of governmental control.

I, John Briceño, as head of the next Government along with my Cabinet and together with the National Legislature, pledge to lead this transformation, motivated by the will of the people. In this noble path, we are guided by the philosophy of our Founding Father, the Right Hon. George Price, whose dynamic concept of a Peaceful, Constructive Revolution empowers us to confidently chart this way forward to a better future for all Belizeans.

1 OCT

2017

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THE BELIZE TIMES

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT By: the People of Corozal North

We are tired of being tired of this road in San Andres.

Why, Mr Patt?

Why do we care? Why should you care? We care because we live in too small a community and country to hate one another. We care because the real point of focus should always be the PEOPLE! We care because before any political affiliation, we are Belizeans, man!

We care because other than Hugo Patt and the UDP, we do see further than our noses. We see a foundation that we want to lay out for our children, and our children’s children, which by the way also includes yours!

In the words of our Crime Minister the Rt. Dishonourable Dean O. Barrow, “For God’s Sake STOP IT!” True leaders are caretakers of the people’s interest. I hope this serves as a reminder to Hon. Hugo Patt that he has not defended the best interest of the people. Hugo is a failure to his own people as a former Minister of State in Agriculture and now a Super Minister as Minister of Rural Development. Hugo has failed in his own backyard! But… wait a minute, speaking about his backyard, that reminds me about the newly paved road he has in front of his house.

We all remember this right, just before the General elections in 2015. Petro was being given away to Ministers like every day Christmas - no kind of Accountability and transparency, he only had to show that something was done with that money. So, smart Hugo paved two little roads, one in San Pedro Village and the one in front of his house.

So, I know you all are waiting for it and here it goes…….

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT! Why for heaven’s sake didn’t he fix the San Andres Road? Is this because this village has defended the PUP grounds historical-

ly? Is the Honourable Minister blinded by his egocentric, selfish and over-proud heart? Has he forgotten how important this road is to MANY! Let’s be real. This a major road that connects the distant villages as far as San Pedro Village and as close as Xaibe to the Corozal Town area. There is also an exit to town through San Antonio Village. But wait….

There is more, one of the largest high schools (Corozal Community College) in Corozal is situated just between that road that joins San Andres and San Antonio, and just past that, the road between San Andres and Corozal Town, a Primary School (Mary Hill RC to be exact), and yes, just in front of the Fruta Bomba packaging plant which clearly he did nothing to defend. So yes, ladies and gentlemen, this road doesn’t serve only one or two - it serves hundreds and thousands. Our children, and your children travel every day to school through that road.

And for those belly aching critics - yes, we did do our best to maintain it (even though to be clear this is a responsibility undertaken by the Ministry of Works that only waits for the Minister’s approval and word of action), personally assisting our Chairman Mr Glenford Melvin aka Choco in filling up the road using soil, stones and even cement. But the condition of the road has not only worsened - it has gotten out of control!

New roads have been made by people who drive through resident’s yards! So terrible is the condition that it has seen multiple accidents including a death!

So Mr Hugo… Please man, do it for the people man! Remember, you are being paid to represent and look out for the best interests of the Corozal North constituency!

INCREASE IN PUMP PRICES OF FUEL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2017 - For Immediate ReleaseThe Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) calls on the Government of Belize to adopt a policy that minimizes the negative impact on consumers, the private sector and economic growth efforts caused by the cripplingly high pump prices.

The tax applied to this essential commodity is largely responsible for the prices being within pennies of what they were in 2014, at a time when the “landed cost” per gallon was at least 20% higher.

As an example, in September 2014, fuel entered the country at $6.29. In September 2017 under the higher-cost, short-notice arrangements made due to the “changeable” supply from Venezuela, the CIF value is still roughly $1.20 (or about 20%) less than what it was three years ago when world market prices were about 40% higher.

If we were to draw a comparison using today’s landed cost and commercial margin with the highest average rate of taxation used in 2014, pump prices would still be between $1.04 and $1.40 less per gallon. Even at the pre-April 2017 lower tax rate, the price per gallon of premium would still be between $10.52 and $10.88 compared to today’s price of $11.92. These higher costs only serve to further damage the competitiveness of Belize’s private sector, and will ultimately raise the cost of living for the average consumer who will have to pay higher prices on transportation, goods and services, and the like. Additionally, the higher pump prices continue to incentivize cross-border contraband since it is common knowledge that the average global price of gasoline is at least 30% less than it is sold for in Belize.

This ad hoc and purely revenue-centered tax measure must be replaced by a comprehensive and wellthought-out tax strategy that discontinues the administrative “price gouging” and eases the burden on consumers and businesses. This is one of the many measures required if conducting business in Belize is to remain economically sustainable. Government must not continue to only target easy-capture taxes such as fuel. It must instead place serious, growth-motivating tax reform as a top priority.

Before implementing further tax increases and new taxes, the government must be seen to crack down on and collect taxes from those who evade payment to the tune of millions in lost revenue every year.

Continuing to avoid addressing tax evasion and overall tax reform as matters of urgency suggests that GOB is abdicating its responsibility for enabling the private sector to achieve the economic growth required to meet the needs of Belize’s population while reducing the country’s crushing debt burden.

- End -

Media Contact

mpo@belize.org

22 THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW

THE BELIZE TIMES

BY: JOSE ABELARDO MAI INDEPENDENCE DAY

Today is a national celebration day, not a political day. Nevertheless, the circumstances under which we are forced to live demands that we announce the state of our nation, hence I am obliged to be real and state the brutal truth. As the Prime Minister said once in his Independence Day address long ago - “This is not an orgy…this is the state of the nation”.

My Party, the People’s United Party of Belize extends its salutations to you on this occasion marking the 36th Anniversary of the Independence of Belize.

We, together with all those progressive Belizeans who were involved in the struggle for our Independence, and those who continue today to protect our sovereignty and Independence remain resolute in our determination to defend our beloved Belize. As we proudly state in our national anthem Land of the Free, we are the tranquil haven of democracy where tyrants cannot linger and from which despots must flee.

This is a good day to reflect on these inspirational words - a day of reflection on which we consider the current state of affairs of our nation and whether we the people have been steadfast, strong and effective in protecting the freedom and rights guaranteed by our Constitution.

Unfortunately, and those who can see will agree, it is abundantly evident that the peace and tranquility to which we all aspire has been disrespected, ruptured and wantonly jeopardized by the corruption and greed of those who we elected to manage our national affairs and to safeguard our wellbeing. Today, every Belizean knows that not all is well in our society. Why? Because those who we

trusted and elected to national office have not been faithful in honouring their important commitment to serve the people of Belize, without fear or favour.

Instead they have sown the seeds of fear and rely on intimidation to have their way. They have shown favour only to those who have bowed to their numerous acts of misfeasance and abuse of public office. These are matters which are now increasingly present in the public view.

Thanks to our valiant and bold teachers and their Union, The Belize National Teachers’ Union, every student in Belize knows that what is being experienced is not right and not good for the future of Belize. Thanks to our Party, the media and the efforts of our social partners. Every right-thinking Belizean recognizes the immediate need to implement in a meaningful way the measures that have been recommended to stop the seemingly uncontrollable spread of political corruption that we have experienced since 2008 when the United Democratic Party became the government.

To our great shame and deep embarrassment, we in the North now know that the epicenter of this grand corruption festers in our own District of Orange Walk, perpetrated by one of our own. Que lastima… que verguenza! Until he became Minister, the record of sound ministerial stewardship of our national lands by Area Representatives of the North had been exemplary. The people of Belize appreciated this stewardship of previous Ministers, because irrespective of social status and geographical location there was a general sense that the distribution of land was fair. This was so when Hon. Florencio Marin was

Minister of Lands, and continued to be so when our Party Leader, the Hon John Briceño served in that capacity.

Since 2008, that solid record has now been tarnished because of avarice, greed and disrespect for the law and abandonment of the principles of public good.

Our Party strongly voices its objection to this abject state of systemic political corruption never before seen in Belize, which has penetrated every aspect of governance. It occurs hand in hand with the poor management of our public finances and a general bankruptcy of ideas to stimulate economic growth and development. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The lip service that is being paid by the Attorney General’s Ministry to implement the recent United Nations Convention Against Corruption is just that - a stalling action to dilute the process and to suppress the inevitable pressure that will come to adopt the radical governance reform measures that can put corruption in check. This includes measures that could be immediately adopted to make the Integrity Commission an impartial and effective body, and to make the Public Accounts Committee function properly and publicly as it should. Conclusive action on these now would signal seriousness on the part of the Government. No need to hide behind the already over extended UNCAC timeline.

Mose Hyde put it so well by asking - How can we give the thief the task of making the burglar bars?

What our Party is saying is that the time for action against corruption in government is now. What is clear is that this action will not be volunteered by the Government. So we the people, the NGOs, the Unions, the business community must not relent in our efforts to secure the changes that are needed. Our Party is fully engaged in mobilizing and supporting these efforts.

The lessons learnt from of our political history of resistance to oppression are also applicable to the resistance to fight corruption.

So here we are today celebrating our 36th year as

1 OCT

2017 a nation. Don Hector Silva, our elder statesman describes this time in our history as the beginning of the Second Belizean Revolution. It is a revolution guided by the spirit of national consciousness and purpose that led us to Independence - a political force generated by the first Revolution that was inspired by our Great Leader the Right Honorable George Price: The Peaceful and Constructive Belizean Revolution.

It is a revolution which will flush out corruption where it exists, creating the conditions for sustained growth of our national economy. It is the revolution which must pursue employment creation as it eliminates the root causes of poverty. It must provide proper health care for all and affordable housing for those in need.

It must make land available to Belizeans through a fair process. It must defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It must restore Belizean dignity.

With this in mind we can celebrate our national independence day. It is a celebration of our resolve and resilience as a people who wish only to live in peace and do better for our children. There is no place for selfishness and greed in this worthy national ambition.

I would like to conclude by asking you to congratulate all who received National awards, in particular Mrs. Arcadia Carrillo who was recently awarded with the Order of Meritorious Service by the Governor General, Sir Colville Young for her service as an educator and community worker. Ms Arcadia as we all call her is the embodiment both of the Orangewalkeña and of the nationalist spirit to which we should all aspire. She walked fearlessly in the front ranks of the teachers during the strike last year, and continues to be an inspiration to the many who she taught and those with whom she has interacted. She is living proof that age is not a barrier to doing good works.

On this day, I also salute and thank the hard working farmers of our country for providing us with our daily food. I salute the hard working sugar cane farmers and stakeholders of the industry especially during the current ongoing negotiating process. And I urge both parties to be fair, reasonable and respectable so that we can all be winners in the very near future.

1 OCT

2017

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THE BELIZE TIMES

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of

Happy Birthday greetings to

ALFREDO ARCHIBALD CLARKE Who departed this life 1 sad year ago.

Sunrise: August 15th, 1920 Sunset: September 19th, 2016

The Family Green pastures are before me; Which yet I have not seen; Bright skies will soon be o’er me; Where the dark clouds have been.

My hope I cannot measure; My path to life is free; My Saviour has my treasure; And He will walk with me.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Mr. Martin Valentine, of Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, owner of “Doris V” boat bearing registration number SC 0968 Is declaring that he has lost the boat registration certificate as well as All other accompanying documents.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY September 29, 1950

BELIZE TIMES PRESS September 29, 1956

P.U.P. - THE PARTY OF CHANGE!

Notice is hereby given that Xian Ying He is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Golden Bay (Bze) Co. Ltd.”, Parcel 596 Marine Parade, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Hong Yan Liu is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Fai Cheng Shop”, # 2 Farmers Market, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jian Hong Wu is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Wong Gok Restaurant”, #11 6th Street, King’s Park, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

1 OCT

2017