Belize Times October 22, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

22 OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5068

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

HIGHWAY ROBBERY Jacking the Poor to Feed the Rich

crously expensive bit of roadwork in the nation’s history.

The consummate spin-master tried to convince Belizeans that paying EIGHT MILLION dollars for the paving of one mile of street is an amazing deal and we should be happy

Thursday, 19 October 2017 At a two-hour press conference held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow attempted to explain to Belizeans why the paving of 1 MILE of a street in Belize City is the most ludi-

– even though last year CISCO was paid $4M per mile for the complete upgrading of a section of the Phillip Goldson Highway including heavy duty retaining wall along the river, installation

Pg. 2

Barrow’s BIL Exposed – FRAUD! Pg. 8

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NO CHARGES YET IN

ALLEGED CHILD ABDUCTION

Pg. 7

No Justice for Activist Albert Cattouse

Papa Mena Declares WAR on UDP Pg. 6

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HIGHWAY ROBBERY

Continued from page 1 of erosion protection baskets, widening of the road, paving the shoulders, complete pavement restoration and re-surfacing, road lighting, safety features, signs, reflectors and the clearing of the road reserve.

The Prime Minister even brought in an engineer, Evondale Moody, to explain why the project is so expensive, but nobody wants to hear him, not when he is seated at a head-table with Minister of Works Rene Montero and Works CEO Errol Gentle who in just a few short years have become legends at the Ministry for all the wrong things.

The Faber’s Road project, Mr. Barrow explained, had become an emergency situation – urgent even because of the condition of the road. There are scores of worse roads in Belize City, but apparently they do not suit the PM’s purpose, because he explained that because of where Faber’s Road is, they can pass this off as poverty alleviation. The UDP’s particular brand of poverty alleviation is well-known.

Through this project, no doubt, the Prime Minister will be alleviating the poverty of Imer Hernandez/ Gaspar Vega, Rene Montero, Errol Gentle, Boots Martinez and select others. That is the poverty they alleviate, and because of the effectiveness of the program, these UDP will never be poor again. Remember this is the Prime Minister who spent hundreds of millions in Petrocaribe monies to alleviate poverty and our poverty rate hasn’t gone down even one percentage point.

This project is highway robbery, the worst possible larceny by those who have abused the people time and time again. It is a violation of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act which clearly states that any project over $5M will be subject to an open tendering process. It appears that Mr. Barrow handpicked Imer Hernandez for this project, which is highly questionable, to say the least.

Imer Hernandez is the nephew of disgraced former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, and his name has been linked to scandal after scandal, most having to do with shoddy construction work on multi-million dollar contracts which he seemed to be awarded solely based on his political connection.

As far back as 2013 he was under scrutiny after he received payment for the paving of the San Antonio Road, but that paving was never done.

Among many other projects, Hernandez was also given the contract for four miles of road through Orange Walk Town. In early 2015 the trucker turned contractor came under fire when the road, paved with hot mix, began to sink and break up even before the first phase was completed. In January 2015, Prime Minister Barrow told the media that Hernandez was under review, since, “Any contractor appears to be incapable, then that contractor will not be able in fact to get additional government work." That review appears to have been favourable, though only God knows how because currently the road is deteriorating in many spots and even an

LOCAL 19 Oct

NO CHARGES YET IN

ALLEGED CHILD ABDUCTION Thursday, 19 October 2017 Three young girls from 7Miles Village, Cayo are traumatized after a horrific experience they went through on Monday morning. According to reports, at around 8:30am the primary school students, two of them 10 years old and one 9, were heading to school but stopped at a shop in the village to buy some ideals. After buying their ideals, the girls were allegedly approached by two men in a blue Isuzu pickup, and one of the men reportedly offered them something to eat. The children refused the offer but they say the man then got out of his vehicle, grabbed them and threw them in the pan of his pick-up.

The man, described by the children as an American, took off their uniform blouses and tied their hands with them. The vehicle then drove off with the students. Four hours later, at around 12:30pm, the vehicle was headed out of the village at around mile 3 on the Georgeville road when the parents of one of the girls, coming into the village, noticed the children in the vehicle. The three girls then jumped out of the moving vehicle and the man sped off. The girls were shaken up and the driver of the vehicle that transported them to the San Ignacio Police Station told us that they were crying untrained observer can see that it was the shoddiest of work.

Hernandez also got the contract for the Municipal Airstrip in Belize City, a project for which he was praised by the Prime Minister at his conference on Wednesday.

But the Belize Times has been reliably informed by Civil Aviation insiders that the airstrip is 400ft shorter than laid out in the project plans, and the fence, hangars and parking facilities are incomplete.

Those sources say that the project is only 65% complete, yet all the money is done and Hernandez has been paid.

And there are other projects Hernandez has messed up, including the recently completed

WEATHER 20 Oct

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

21 Oct

22 Oct

23 Oct

uncontrollably and vomited in the vehicle. But what exactly happened in those four hours that they were missing?

The mother of one of the girls told the Belize Times that the girls were taken to the man’s property and then into some bushes where they were touched inappropriately: “They only had bruises and scratches. They examined her and the doctor told me she was fine. The doctor told me that when she lifted up her skirt, she didn't have on her underwear. She said that the man touched her like that and touched the other girl as well, he touched them there. He took them to some bush I don't know where, he took the girls to the bush and touched them.”

The girls told her that the Ambergris Stadium which was handed over just months ago. Sources tell us the roof is already leaking and the bathroom facilities are a disaster.

In fact, it is difficult to point to any project carried out by Hernandez which is an unqualified success. So why did the Prime Minister turn to him at this time? Particularly him?

Well that is the $8M question.

When asked this week, the Prime Minister stated, “There are very many projects that he has done and it is my clear understanding that he has done those projects satisfactorily…We are going to get value for money; we are going to get a first class project.”

2017

American man was accompanied by a man of dark complexion who he later dropped off near Georgeville Village. Two of the girls ages 10 are sisters and their father was entering the village and noticed them inside the vehicle.

He explained how they escaped - “I was coming from Spanish Lookout from buying and we passed in front of the vehicle when one of the girls jumped out of the vehicle, she was hanging on the bumper of the vehicle and she jumped out of the vehicle. So we stopped and came out of the vehicle and the little girl took down my daughter and the other girl jumped out also when she saw that. We were walking toward the vehicle and he just sped off. I believe that it was a miracle from God that we managed to find our daughters.”

Rudy Alvarado, a resident of 7miles was asked by his boss to take the families to the Police Station around 4pm. Alvarado told us that the three girls were traumatized because they vomited in the vehicle and were crying uncontrollably: “They were afraid when I took them to the station, they were crying…According to the little girls they say that the guy was taking them to Belize City and one of the little girls told me that the man told them, I am going to make money with you, I'm going to make like $8,000 Belize dollars with you.”

Up to Wednesday, Police had detained one man for questioning, but no charges have yet been laid. We are told from an inside source that the stories from the three young girls have gaps in them which investigators are trying to fill before determining if and what charges will be laid.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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24 Oct

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22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

BNTU THREATENS TO KNOCK PM OFF HIS HIGH HORSE – AGAIN! Thursday, 19 October 2017 The ever arrogant Prime Minister Dean Barrow remained true to form with the appointment on Monday October 16, 2017 of Jamaican-American attorney, Franz Parke to the Belize Court of Appeal.

The unqualified and evidently poor-calibre appointee to Belize’s high court will serve for five years. But the People’s United Party is challenging the matter in Court because as the Belize Times previously reported, Parke is unsuitable for the post based on stipulations of the Belize Constitution and a relevant judgment from the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Monday’s appointment shows that the Prime Minister couldn’t care less who all oppose his decision to institute his former law school classmate as a judge.

That’s because HE had already decided on it and in his own words, “what it is, is what it is”! Punto final! Even if that means violating the law of the land. Well, it might not be so cut and dry. Among those who oppose the move is the Barrow administration’s

Elena Smith

arch nemesis, the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU). The BNTU, like the Bar Association of Belize, now considers that the unilateral decision flies in the face of democracy. Even though Parke’s proposed appointment has now become reality, the BNTU stands strong in its view that he is not the best person for the job.

The BNTU’s Council of Management will now review what has transpired and according to president Elena Smith, “see what we need to do to get this matter addressed. The Prime Minister has commented that he has been accustomed to people dictating to him and telling him what to do; unfortunately, he rarely listens. And so, even if were to go and dictate to him as he claims, he would not listen anyway. But I would hope that seeing that many groups, and especially with the Bar Association speaking out against this appointment, that the Prime Minister would reconsider such a position.”

Our reports are that many members of the BNTU feel that the time has come once more for action against the Government.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that his son Anwar will be put in charge of BTL’s $96M fibre project? If so, could he say how much of the $96M will be going into Anwar’s pocket?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please say if he or his wife Kim are in any way financial involved with a resort in San Pedro which allegedly just received a multi-million-dollar loan from the SSB…the same SSB which just told us they are raising our contributions because they are broke?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please confirm or deny reports that his Ministry is paying Andre Vega almost $10,000 a month to rent a unit in his Seashore Drive complex?

And since we’re on the topic of Andre Vega, could we get an update on the so-called attempt to retrieve $400,000 of the people’s money given to Andre by his daddy Gaspar?

Would the Member for Orange Walk North and disgraceful, corrupt former Minister of Natural Resources please confirm or deny reports that he is actually the owner of the construction company which has gotten hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts, and that his nephew Imer Hernandez is just fronting for him?

Would the Member for Cayo West and Minister of his personal economic development please state his connection to the Free Zone in the West, and also provide some clarity on the gas station which closed down and his relation to the persons found with one million dollars in cash in Salvador?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works please say how much of the $8M bloated contract for the Faber’s Road project will be going into his account? Could he also offer the same information for the $7M Santa Elena road project? And the contract for the Municipal Building? And the contract for the Marshalleck Stadium?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works and his CEO who admits he is at the top of his game say if they would be willing to declare all the assets they have obtained since taking control of the Ministry of Works, even those held in the names of other persons and assets located in foreign bank accounts?

Would the Member for Port Loyola please say what, if any, is his portion of the $8M dollar contract to fix one mile of Faber’s Road which is in his constituency? Could he say if this is a part of his retirement package or if it will be used to buy votes for the upcoming Municipal Election?

22 OCT

2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

I believe…

I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t write when I’m angry because I say mean, unkind things about people when normally I’m an absolute sweetheart. I mean, seriously, I believe Dean O when he tells us that we should be overjoyed to pay $8M for a mile of street-work. I believe him when he says it’s an exceptional deal. I also believe that my penis is a weapon of mass sexual destruction. And like R Kelly, I believe I can fly. I believe that Smurfs really do exist. And like my good friend Marisol, I believe in pink unicorns covered in purple glitters. I hear when organizations started asking for a copy of the contract under the Freedom of Information Act, Rene Montero and his CEO, otherwise known as humpty-hustle and dumpty-hustle, nearly shit themselves. They panicked, and that’s when Dean was called in. Listen, bullshit aside, if the contract is on the up and up then make it public. Simple as that. No need for the PM to come rushing in to save them. Think about it.

The Other Dean…

I saw you standing there in that picture beside the Minister who has the best product. You know, the Minister who always ‘CRACKS’ under pressure. You even look like him now. The two of you could pass for twins. So here’s the million-dollar question.

Or maybe the $500,000 question. Who knows? Anyway buddy…I have to ask. How much did you get in this Faber’s Road hustle? I know you love to live large. I know you got your eyes on the big prize. Nothing wrong with ambition. So how much? You know you can tell me. I’ll keep it between us. Promise.

Séance…

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Belize Police Department which has added a new weapon to their formidable arsenal of investigative techniques. Today, my least favourite bald-headed bubu was able to explain to all of us exactly how our friend Albert Cattouse was killed last Thursday. In dispelling any notion that it was a political hit, our Belizean Kojak took us through the sequence of events, including the conversations Cattouse had with his killers just before he was shot in the head. He was able to tell us about the exact moment Cattouse saw a gun in the hands of his killers and realized they wanted him to drive them on some nefarious mission. It was all pretty incredible, even spiritual. The way I see it, since the US donates everything the Police calls its own, they probably gave us a medium from one of their specialized psychic FBI units who was able to make contact with Cattouse in the spirit realm. If that’s not it, then I’d sure like to know just how the PM knows so much about the events of that tragic night. Serious.

Trying too hard…

I found it very cute that Dean Oliver tried so very hard to disassociate his best friend Gaspar Vega from Gaspar’s nephew Imer and that company which has reportedly made almost $200M in contracts. The bald charlatan doth protest too much.

And we’ve been hearing from people who know that Imer is really just a front for Gapi. I can’t say who told me that because I always protect my sources to the death, but Romel…oops…my source is pissed because his company which shall not be named (RJB) is getting less money now because Imer is getting all the money. So this anonymous, unnamed, confidential source is apparently going around telling everybody that Imer is only a front – and these contracts are a way of pacifying Vega who still knows where all the skeletons are buried…I can’t say anything more out of fear that I’ll reveal my source. Bye now.

Dubai Dumpsters…

Almost forgot…my friend Pablo asked me to extend personal and heartfelt greetings to the government and people of Dubai for the mobile dumpsters which were gifted to Belize at the request of Junior Heredia in 2014. What an innovative idea this was…dumpsters which can actually be moved from location to location, and with a real working siren. How cool. This is the shit, I swear. The brainpower generated between Junior and Pablo is so impressive it could light up an entire tiny little miniscule box for a millisecond. So actually these mobile dumpsters were supposed to be ambulances, 26 of them given to Belize by Dubai.

We’ve been able to track down about 5 – one of them delivering tortillas in Corozal and a few more rusting behind government buildings. So thanks Dubai…from Belize with love and appreciation.

SPU… My friend Papa Mena knows I got his back. I don’t like that man-child Patrick because he loves to beat up women and I don’t play that. I’m being completely real. You wanna take your drinks and act the fool – hell, I’ll join you. But when you have to beat up women to feel like a man you’re no friend of mine. Papa, I hear the SPU has been sent to Dangriga.

Be careful. Those guys are plain stupid and if they get instructions to deal with you those suckers will teargas your ass and Gamboa might try to assault your female peoples. Be careful bredda.

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

EDITORIAL NO JUSTICE NO PEACE

O

n Thursday night a taximan was lured to his death, executed with a single shot to the back of the head. Albert Cattouse was passionate in his defence of his country. He spoke out vocally against the Barrow Administration, most recently against the extreme fuel prices. He was a member of COLA, an activist and a patriotic Belizean who was never afraid to jump into the fray, no matter where or when. He loved Belize, and now he is dead. Was he a victim of the senseless and brutal violence which has accounted for 117 lives since the start of the year? Or was he the victim of a hit, executed because he spoke too loudly against the government? Perhaps a message sent to his colleagues at COLA? Whoever killed him left his wallet and possessions and vehicle intact. Yet the ridiculous junior Minister of Police, Elodio Aragon Jr. came out of the woodwork immediately to dismiss any allegations of a political hit. According to Aragon, the Police have some knowledge which discounts that widespread speculation, but he cannot speak about that knowledge or any evidence which supports it. The thing is, nobody cares what Mr. Aragon has to say. Nobody believes a word that is coming out of his mouth.

This is where we are right now in Belize. We are governed by a Cabinet Cartel.

There is a rogue administration which makes the decisions in that room in Belmopan. We have gotten to a point where lives are worth little or nothing. Long ago citizens of our country understood that we cannot count on our leaders to protect and serve us. Now we are realizing also that there are those who would be willing and able to silence us so that they can continue to operate in Cartel-like fashion.

It is a sad, sad day in Belize.

A few days ago, the body of a young man, a child really, was found buried under a tree in Belize City. He had been missing almost two months. His family got closure, but it will come at a terrible cost, because they will realize what many families now know. There is little real justice to be had in Belize. If not for family members and friends and some Police Officers who volunteered their time in an intensive search, this boy would have been lost forever. And absolutely nobody sitting in that Cabinet room in Belmopan cares.

If the Minister with responsibility for Police, Wilfred Elrington, can say that he is not concerned about crime in Belize, then who exactly in that room where policies and decisions are made will be concerned about crime? Dean Oliver surrounds himself and his family with bodyguards and his home is guarded around the clock. His Deputy, Patrick Faber, is now also benefitting from 24hr protection. Even Gaspar Vega, who stole from us to enrich himself and his family members, is protected around the clock. And we pay for that protection. That is our tax-dollars at work.

And it is never enough for these privileged Belizeans. Because they have been allowed unbelievable excesses in the past, and even now, they have perhaps been lulled into a false sense of security. We learned late last week that a contract for $8 MILLION was signed to pave ONE MILE of Faber’s Road. ONE MILE. The contractor is the nephew of Gaspar Vega, and he has been gifted with this ludicrously bloated contract by Minister of Works Rene Montero and Minister of his own development Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez. There is nobody who will argue against development, but there is little doubt that a significant portion of this money will make its way into select pockets, and a significant portion into the coffers of the UDP as they attempt to buy another election.

Despite scandal after scandal, rank corruption on top of rank corruption, the UDP bigwigs continue to pile on the abuses on normal Belizeans who are already overburdened. We have had to face incredible hardships as a people to pay back for the corruption, mismanagement and abuse of the UDP. The pump prices of fuel in Belize are the highest in the region because of taxes, but we are expected to pay without a whimper.

And as we get progressively poorer, the UDP select get richer – not only the Ministers but their family members and cronies and those with connections. The UDP can fly to South Beach for the weekend and enjoy the best of the best, while in Belize we struggle daily. The son of the Prime Minister can fly to Beverly Hills and drive a Rolls Royce while families in Belize grieve for their loved ones who will never have those, or any, opportunities.

We have said it before and we will say it again. There is a frustration building up on the streets. There is only so far that you can push Belizeans before they push back – hard. We have seen too much violence and grief and corruption and poverty and hunger. Our people have lost hope, and that is a dangerous thing.

When that breaking point is finally reached, those in Cabinet who laugh at us today will never know another day’s easy rest.

05 5 en Español

SI NO HAY JUSTICIA NO HAY PAZ

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n la noche del jueves un taxista fue llevado con engaños a su muerte y fue ejecutado con un disparo a la parte posterior de la cabeza. Albert Cattouse era apasionado en la defensa de su país. Él hablaba muy atrevidamente contra la administración de Barrow, más recientemente contra los precios extremadamente altos del combustible. Era miembro de la asociación de Ciudadanos organizados para la libertad a través de la acción (COLA por sus siglas en ingles), un activista y un beliceño patriótico que nunca tenía miedo de saltar a la batalla, no importa dónde ni cuándo. Él amaba a Belice, y ahora está muerto. ¿Sería una víctima de la violencia brutal y sin sentido que explican las 117 vidas desde el inicio del año? ¿O fue víctima de un golpe, ejecutado porque hablaba demasiado fuerte contra el gobierno? ¿Tal vez un mensaje enviado a sus colegas de COLA? Quien lo asesino dejó su cartera y pertenencias y su vehículo intactos. El ridículo Vice Ministro de Policía, Elodio Aragón Jr. salió de las sombras inmediatamente para rechazar toda denuncia de un asesinato político. Según Aragón, la policía tiene alguna información que descarta esa especulación generalizada, pero no puede hablar de esa información ni cualquier evidencia que lo corrobora. La cosa es que a nadie le importa lo que dice el Sr. Aragón. Nadie cree una sola palabra que sale de su boca.

Es aquí donde ahora nos encontramos en Belice. Nos gobierna un Cartel de Gabinete. Existe una administración corrupta que toma las decisiones en ese cuarto en Belmopán. Hemos llegado a un punto donde las vidas valen poco o nada. Hace mucho tiempo que los ciudadanos de nuestro país entienden que no podemos depender de nuestros líderes para proteger y servirnos. Ahora estamos dándonos cuenta que también hay aquellos que estarían dispuestos y capaces de silenciarnos para que puedan seguir operando como Cartel. Es un día triste, muy triste en Belice.

Hace unos días el cuerpo de un joven, un niño en verdad, fue encontrado enterrado debajo de un árbol en la ciudad de Belice. Tenía dos meses que había desaparecido. Su familia quizá llegue a tener un cierre satisfactorio, pero vendrá a un costo terrible, porque se darán cuenta de lo que hoy ya muchas familias conocen. Hay poca justicia real en Belice. Si no fuera por familiares y amigos y algunos policías que se ofrecieron para hacer una búsqueda intensiva, este muchacho se habría perdido para siempre. Y absolutamente a nadie que se sienta en esa Sala de Gabinete en Belmopán le importa. ¿Si el Ministro con la responsabilidad de la Policía, Wilfred Elrington, puede decir que él no se preocupa por la delincuencia en Belice, entonces quien exactamente en esa sala donde se realizan las políticas se toan las decisiones se preocupa por la delincuencia? Dean Oliver se rodea y también a su familia con guardaespaldas y su casa está vigilada las veinticuatro horas al día. Su Vice Primer Ministro Patrick Faber, ahora también se beneficia de protección 24 horas al día. Incluso Gaspar Vega que nos ha robado para enriquecerse a sí mismo y a sus familiares, está protegido todo el día. Y nosotros pagamos esa protección. Son nuestros dólares de impuestos que lo pagan.

Y nunca es suficiente para estos beliceños privilegiados. Porque se les ha permitido excesos increíbles en el pasado, y aun ahora, quizás se estén dejando llevar por un sentido falso de seguridad. Supimos a finales de la semana pasada que se firmó un contrato por $ 8 millones para pavimentar una milla de camino conocido como Faber Road. UNA MILLA. El contratista es el sobrino de Gaspar Vega, y ha sido dotado con este contrato tan ridículamente inflado por el Ministro de Obras Publicas René Montero y el Ministro de su propio desarrollo 'Boots' Anthony Martínez.

No hay nadie que argumente en contra del desarrollo, pero no hay duda que una porción importante de este dinero va a terminar en algunos bolsillos selectos, y otra porción sustancial en las arcas del UDP, ya que intentan comprar otra elección.

A pesar de escándalo tras escándalo, de corrupción repugnante sobre la corrupción repugnante, los peces gordos del UDP continúan acumulando los abusos encima de los beliceños normales que ya están sobrecargados. Hemos tenido que enfrentar dificultades increíbles como pueblo para pagar la corrupción, mala administración y el abuso del UDP. Los precios de venta del combustible en Belice son los más altos de la región debido a los impuestos, pero se espera que paguemos sin quejido.

Y mientras nos ponemos progresivamente más pobres, los privilegiados del UDP más se enriquecen – no sólo los Ministros pero sus familiares y compinches y ésos con las conexiones. Los UDPs pueden volar a South Beach para el fin de semana y disfrutar lo mejor de lo mejor, mientras que en Belice luchamos diariamente para sobrevivir. El hijo del Primer Ministro puede volar a Beverly Hills y conducir un Rolls Royce, mientras que familias en Belice lloran por sus seres queridos que nunca tendrán ésa, o cualquiera, de esas oportunidades.

Lo hemos dicho antes y lo diremos otra vez. Hay una frustración creciente en las calles. Hay un límite al que se les puede empujar a los beliceños antes de que respondan con mucha resistencia, y fuerte. Hemos visto demasiada violencia y dolor y corrupción y la pobreza y el hambre. Nuestros pueblos han perdido la esperanza, y eso es algo peligroso. Cuando finalmente se llegue a ese punto de ruptura, los del Gabinete que hoy en día ríen de nosotros nunca volverán a tener un día de paz.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

SEDI UNVEILS CRIME-FIGHTING STRATEGY No Police Report = NO Crime!

Thursday, 19 October 2017 Minister of Home Affairs, Honorable Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington is on a warpath against the media. Since taking over the reins as Police Minister in August this year, Elrington has accommodated and promoted the undemocratic and backward stance of the Police command to stifle the media by impeding a free flow of information to the public. The noteworthy update is that he is also dismissing the position of the Prime Minister that a middle ground must be sought with the media.

Since the beginning of the year, we have been reporting on media boycotts of events to promote the Police department. Unlike the first boycott in March, this time around the Police top brass (with the apparent backing of the Police Minister) has ignored an outstanding meeting with the media to iron out concerns. Instead, in a unilateral move, they have apparently decided that they do not need the media. Their intention is to disseminate information through their social media page which has – get this – a whopping 2,427 likes. Yes. We are being sarcastic. And through that medium, they hope to serve and keep the public informed. If it were not so serious we would be laughing at this antiquated position.

As we have reported in these pages, Elrington feels that press releases on major crimes suffice and that interviews only serve to hinder police prosecution of cases in court. For his part, the Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie is of the view that the media tries to pull the tongue of police officers. But this takes us back to our previous note that Whylie had committed to enlisting the assistance of its regional and international counterparts to train officers who must liaise with the media. Additionally, Elrington is now insinuating that the media is fostering undue cause for alarm, as if it is the media that is perpetrating the crimes in the different neighbourhoods particularly in Belize City which has seen 24 murders since July 2017.

Pressed by Channel 7’s Jules Vasquez who chided that while the media finds the news, the Police have a public obligation to disclose information for the public’s safety and reassurance, Elrington blurted, “If I may imitate Mr. Trump, you know, I’ll take a page out of his book” then he ended up accusing the media of propagating fake news.

Needless to say, there is no other way to put it than to point out that

the Police is abdicating its responsibility to Belizeans. While the media does its job and gets all the information it can gather, only the Police as the relevant authority when it comes to public safety can confirm and provide specific information on crime. So, when the Minister says the media needs to do its job, this government entity is simply reverting to laziness, disrespect and indifference toward the people they serve.

Speaking about the media boycott at a press conference on Wednesday October 18, the Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated, “We are concerned and I have said that it is the duty of the government to treat you well despite the fact that it seems to be the obligation of you and your fellows to treat the government badly but that is the way it is.

So, in a democracy, I am completely with you that the press should never be excluded and we will sort out that business of the disruption of relations between the media and the police.” We are not so sure Elrington will obey; he seems intent on running back to the Stone Age.

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671-8385 or

EMAIL: belizetimesadvertisement@ yahoo.com

To place advertisement in the Belize Times Newspaper

22 OCT

2017

Papa Mena Declares WAR on UDP Thursday, 19 October 2017 “Kick me out if you want. It’s your party not mine.” – UDP Minister Frank Mena Even as long as we have been in the political field, the Belize Times is frankly shocked at the level of savagery, hatred and threats of violence with which the UDP have turned on each other following a convention in Dangriga this weekend. We have been able to confirm that Area Representative Frank Papa Mena has refused to answer calls from Prime Minister Dean Barrow and was a no-show in Cabinet this week. But it gets worse – Mena has gone on social media to viciously attack the leadership, particularly, it seems, the Deputy Party Leader Patrick Faber.

The day after the Convention, Mena posted on his Facebook page, “it’s a shame. You have to use money to buy my people. Sad that they don’t know how you only care for your agenda and your racist needs.

That’s politics.” That resulted in the nastiest of attacks against Mena and his wife from fake Facebook profiles, to which Mena responded, “Create your accounts and attack. With time my people will know that you don’t really give a f*#@. I will continue to defend them even though you think we all have a price.”

It is crystal clear that Mena is attacking the leadership of the UDP, Dean Barrow and Patrick Faber, because he goes on to post – “Kick me out if you want. It’s your party, not mine.”

Mena is upset, we are told, because none of his Councillors whom he chose and supported in the con-

tested UDP convention this weekend was victorious. Instead, a slate supported by Deputy Party Leader Patrick Faber was victorious. We are told that Faber and affiliates/bagmen of his were in Dangriga long before Convention Day incentivizing the people to turn against Mena, and their efforts were successful, resulting in a serious loss of power and leverage for Mena in the area. Mena has long been a John Saldivar ally, but we are told not even Saldivar was in Dangriga supporting his slate this past weekend.

The Prime Minister, sources tell us, has had to send the Special Patrol Unit to Dangriga to keep the peace in the days following the Convention, as emotions got out of control and resulted in physical attacks. A workshop belonging to ‘Boss P’ the constituency Chairman and brother of Mayor Francis Humphreys, was burned down after the Convention, and from furious posts after the arson, it is clear they believe that the Mena faction is responsible. Mena has had a very hostile relationship with Dangriga Executive Chairman Boss P and Mayor Humphreys, because they take directions straight from the Prime Minister and Patrick Faber, and whenever money comes into the Constituency it goes through Boss P. From sources on the ground, there is no indication that this war in Dangriga will cease, and there is every indication that more violence will break out. Already Police have had to deal with altercations between the factions. We’ll certainly keep following this story to see how it unfolds.

22 OCT

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

No Justice for Activist Albert Cattouse Thursday, 19 October 2017 Prime Minister Dean Barrow had an unusual amount of information on the execution of taxi driver and activist, Albert Cattouse, 72 years, who was gunned down on Hicatee Street in Belize City on Thursday, October 12th. Because nothing was taken from the elderly activist and executive member of COLA who received two gunshots to his head as well as the fact that the gunman got on a motorcycle that had been tailing the taxi after the hit, Cattouse’s family and activists believe he was targeted and lured to his death.

On Wednesday, October 18, at his press conference, the Prime Minister attempted to dispel the notion that Cattouse’s vicious murder was a

political hit. In so doing, he shared details that the media had not been privy to due to the police’s retrograde stance of no longer granting interviews to the media. The PM even went so far as to wager his own life “that no UDP personality in the leadership of this party would ever do something like that.” Immediately we think of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas but we won’t get into that again right now.

Barrow reported on what he called the reconstruction of the crime that the Police have been able to come up with.

Here is how he explained it, “it seems somebody caught Mr. Cattouse’s taxi.

The fare had him drive to a particular neighborhood where two other persons came into the taxi and then Mr. Cattouse was told that they needed to

go to a particular area. By then he realized a gun was evident. And the version that the police have been told is that he refused and he said he was not on that and obviously the fear was that these people were going to, in fact, perhaps perform some form of a hit or commit murder or some heinous act and he refused and according to the report I saw, he told them they had to get out and stopped his taxi and they exited but when they exited one of them shot him and killed him.”

But the thing is, how can the PM, and apparently the Police have so much information yet no one has been arrested? There are definitely more questions than answers especially since the Police have different details from those shared by residents specifically as it

OPINION OUT Public Administration Failure

!

Dear Editor: I write to bring your attention to an issue of great concern, with the hope that you will publish this letter and generate some input from your readers. I feel that the current situation where the cost of both Regular and Premium gasoline, being close to $11.00 and $12.00 per gallon respectively, has been blamed on different things like acquisition costs and Venezuela’s supply problems, but the real fault must lie with the government which has demonstrated a serious deficit in prudent public administration. The reality is that the government collects on average, a sizeable percentage from taxes on fuel and which works out to close to $5.00 per gallon. On an annual basis, the government collects millions of dollars from taxes on fuel which end up being abused by government officials and their cronies instead of being channelled to help eradicate poverty, improving our health and education systems, igniting the economy and make us safe. For developing nations like Belize, we can ill-afford to have wastage due to the lack of checks and balances in public system.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, Government’s

fuel bill annually is more than $20 million dollars, and that is because government fuel is duty free. This is outrageous, because everybody knows that government vehicles are abused by drivers, including Ministers and their families, who use them on weekends like it is their private vehicles. How many times have we been over in Chetumal and we see government vehicles parked by Sam’s or Walmart and we know that they go even further, to Cancun and Playa. For sure they are not there on government business.

Every day after hours and every weekend we see vehicles with blue plates circling, at the clubs even. And I note that the fuel bill is different from the maintenance bills for these vehicles. We are also the ones who must pay to repair or replace those vehicles.

I know also that the Ministry keeps sending out memos telling drivers that vehicles are to be parked after hours and on weekends but nothing ever changes and obviously there is no enforcement of those memos.

That is a clear inefficiency in public administration, and it affects all of us. Government could easily cut its fuel and maintenance bill in half if there was any will to do so. That would translate into big savings every year, and then perhaps GOB would not have to tax us so heavily on fuel. Right now the tax on fuel is the highest it has ever been, at 43%. Right now for every gallon of fuel that is sold, Government gets more than $5.00.

I know that it is necessary for budget support. I also understand that government needs revenues from fuel because it is a stable source of income. But the fact is that we need all this income because of poor public administration. If the Government would handle this situation more efficiently, perhaps they would be able to lessen the tax on fuel which would benefit all of us.

I would want to humbly suggest that Government open up a unit which deals specifically with the monitoring and management of vehicle usage. Facilities could be located in every district where government vehicles can be parked after hours

and on weekends, and personnel from this unit would ensure that vehicles which we the taxpayers buy and maintain are not being used for private purposes. I know there would be a cost associated with the formation of such a unit, but I am sure it would be many times less than we pay for fuel and maintenance of vehicles not being used in the service of the government and people of Belize.

Editor, I am hoping that this letter reaches those who have some influence in the government, and I thank you for allowing me space in your paper.

Regards University of Belize Public Administration Student

07 7 relates to the number of people involved.

Whatever the case, activists want justice and at this stage, simply getting answers is proving difficult. The considered position of the activists is what’s to be said of Belize if it cannot protect its activists and human rights defenders, and especially one as Albert Cattouse who spoke out for the betterment of Belize and assisted behind the scenes with projects like “Days of Healing” and others.

Cattouse last participated in the protest against high fuel prices on October 5th. Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 21st, at All Saints Church in the King’s Park area of Belize City at 2p.m.

NEEDED: Farm worker to maintain 10 acres of farm land in Corozalito Village, Belize District. Call 601-5776 for more information.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Martha Lorena Barrios is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Mi Casa Cool Place”, Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Ramon Ernesto Villanueva is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Rene Store”, #75 Cemetery Road, Belize City under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

0 88

Barrow’s BIL Exposed – FRAUD! Thursday, 19 October 2017 The People’s United Party sounded the alarm about Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in the National Assembly back in March of 2013 when the Barrow administration first introduced the project. The private company was billed as a special purpose vehicle of the Government to execute $60 million for primarily sports infrastructure projects. The PUP called it precisely what it was: a “hustle vehicle” that would function as a piggy bank for the big boys.

Well, the initiative that has been having the government cronies binging at the public finance trough has been exposed with the Chetumal Street project /Lake Independence Boulevard which now has more potholes and patchwork than original street. Not that we needed Wednesday’s press conference to know that BIL was a bus to carry the rich boys into wealth quicker than we can say Belize Infrastructure Limited. But truthfully, the press conference with that very audibly nervous engineer falling all over himself to reassure the public that they are walking a straight line in terms of infrastructure - if not pathetic - was certainly embarrassing.

The engineer, Evondale Moody who has worked extensively with the Ministry of Works explained that he was involved in the design of Chetumal Street. He noted though that after putting in the bridge and the roundabouts at both ends, they laid down 6 feet of fill and recommended that the government wait until that fill consolidated before paving the street located in a swampy area. From there, Moody says BIL took it over “and they came in and they excavated the fill that we placed, which was…wrong. They went in and they cut out what we did, almost to the geo-grid layer and then placed only – I think it was 6 inches of road-based material and then they placed the hot mix on top.” He noted that the traffic load is causing the problem since the pavement (comprised of a sub base and base coarse layer) is insufficient and therefore, the street cannot handle the traffic.

And that’s how this supposed wonder of a company that would bring infrastructural greatness to Belize, messed up by not following the specifications set out. But how could that have happened if BIL is supposed to be specialized in infrastructure works even beyond what the Ministry of Works could do, as Barrow argued at the time?

Notably, Moody said the street will continue to fail and noted that at the time, he saw BIL removing the pavement layer but there was nothing they could do. So just how much is the government losing out to constantly repair Chetumal Street? Prime Minister Dean Barrow could not provide a figure even though he said he spoke with BIL CEO, Christy Mastry to get clarification on the matter.

Of course, he refused to share her response at the press conference which was live. Instead, he directed the media to get the explanation from her.

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Mastry is having none of that blame game. In fact, she has pointed out that everyone is a part of the same team given that the Minister of Works co-chairs BIL. She blamed the Chetumal Street failure on the decision of the Ministry to lay down clay instead of the geo-grid material. According to Mastry, this was due to a tight budget of $3 million when much more was needed. She glibly added “and maybe we should take a little bit of blame

and should have excavated that road good…we have to put new money in there and do a proper job on that.”

That fixing, according to Mastry will span the next two years since she claims that no one could have predicted the level of settlement that would have occurred notwithstanding that it was known the area was swampy. More taxpayer dollars gone to waste under this UDP administration.

Pendejos.

Elections & Boundaries Department Charles Bartlett Hyde Building Mahogany Street Extension P. O. Box 913, Belize City Telephone: 501-222-4992/4042 Email: electbound@btl.net

Fax: 501-222-4991 Website: www.elections.gov.bz

____________________________________________________________________________________

18th October 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “YOUR VOTE IS SECRET” The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby informs the general public,that in any election, ballot papers are numbered for reconciliation and accountability purposes. Election Officials have a responsibility to ensure that all ballot papers counted in an election are only those legitimate ballot papers issued by the Presiding Officer. The public is advised that the law DOES NOT require any Presiding Officer or any election official, to inform anyone of the ballot book series or the ballot paper number he/she issues at any given point during the election process.

Whenever the Presiding Officer issues a ballot paper to a voter, the voter proceeds behind a polling booth, within the polling station, to privately cast his/her vote. The voter is then requested to fold the ballot paper in such a way so as to conceal his/her vote prior to placing the ballot paper in the ballot box.

Furthermore, in order to safeguard the secrecy of the vote, Section 39 of the Representation of the People Act, makes provision for offences for any person who infringes the secrecy of the vote [Please see attachment].Any of these infringements carries a penalty of a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and in default, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.

The Elections and Boundaries Department assures the general public that training for public officers, assigned election duties, will continue; and the issuing of random ballots be maintained.

It has never been the standard practice that ballot books number sequence are announced at the polling station; nor are ballots issued to voters in sequential order.

The general public is therefore advised that the process employed in the simulations conducted

by BUFERHD is flawed and without merit.

-ENDREPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT- SECTION 39 ATT:

INFRINGEMENT OF SECRECY

39.-(1) “Every officer and clerk in attendance at a polling station shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting in that station, and shall not communicate to any person, except for some purpose authorised by this Act, before the poll is closed, any information as to the name or number on the register of voters of any voter who has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at that station, and no person whoever shall interfere or attempt to interfere with a voter when marking his vote, or otherwise attempt to obtain in the polling station any information as to the candidate for whom any voter there is about to vote or has voted, or as to the number on the back of the ballot paper given to any voter there.

(2) Every clerk and agent in attendance at the counting of the votes shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not attempt to ascertain at the counting the number on the back of any ballot paper or communicate any information obtained at the counting as to the candidate for whom any vote is given in any particular ballot paper.

(3) No person shall directly or indirectly induce any voter to display his ballot paper after he has marked it, so as to make known to any person the name of the candidate for or against whom he has so marked his vote.

(4) Any person acting in contravention of this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.”

-END-

22 OCT

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

09 9

UDPS WAR OVER CARIBBEAN SHORES

Tuesday, October 18, 2017 For months now reports have circulated that senior-level UDP insiders had approached failed politician Santino Castillo to run again in Caribbean Shores. It was considered a move to spite Mayor Darrell Bradley who was openly critical of decisions made by his boss Dean Barrow and other rogue but high-level elements of the UDP. With the threat of Santino in the race, it was expected that Darrell would whimDarrell Bradley Santi Castillo Mike Peyrefitte per and bow down and be kept in check.

Santino and Darrell have been longtime rivals. When Darrell was flush with cash and was the UDPs golden-boy, Santino was the one who MANAGER, ENTERPRISE RISK kept saying that it is easy to spend money but the true test of a man is JOB SPECIFICATION: how he operates when it is time to Job Title: Manager, Enterprise Risk Job Role: Enterprise Risk Management Leadership pay the money back.

Organizational Level: Management Reports To: General Manager, Investment Services Bradley has now demitted his Remuneration: Management Entry Scale Employment Status: Contract seat as Mayor – well, he is still reDuty Station: Social Security Board Headquarters, Belmopan ceiving the huge salary but he has left mayoral aspirant Dion Leslie MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must demonstrate the following combination of minimum academic qualification, experience, competencies and to run things (even more into the role-specific knowledge and skills and performance rating for the position: ground). The truth is that Bradley left a mess. He never could recover  Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Business Management or other closely related after spending those millions from discipline. the bond, and the millions in grants Qualification  Seven (7) years working experience in a managerial role, preferably in a financial institution, with from Central Government when and Experience: emphasis in enterprise-wide risk management. he was still in favour. When all that  Extensive experience in investment and lending practices, loan underwriting and credit appraisal. went away, so did his golden-boy  Experience in the establishment of a risk management function. status. The Council is in financial Strategic Thinking Integrity and Respect Compelling Communication Core ruins, unable to even pay employManagement Excellence Engagement Service Excellence Competencies: ees on time, and all works came Fostering Innovation and Leading Change to a standstill long ago. The streets  A comprehensive understanding of and experience with the concept of risk and risk management at the enterprise-wide level supported by demonstrated ability to identify and analyze risks and apply which were cemented are breaking sound risk management practices. up and the rest of the city’s infra Working knowledge of the investment framework of the Social Security Board and the requirements structure has never been touched of the relevant governing legislation; understanding of risk and risk management within the context by the Council. of SSB’s investment framework.

But Bradley wants Caribbean  Comprehensive knowledge of investment and lending practices, loan underwriting and credit Shores. And Santino, who never reappraisal. covered from being asked to step  Skilled in applying the principles of prudent financial management, mathematics, statistics and Role-Specific aside, wants back in. But there is economics supported by superior quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, business acumen and Knowledge and another problem – A HUGE ONE. confidentiality in handling investment related information and records.

Skill  Skilled at probing, fact-finding, discerning and uncovering issues, factors, challenges that are of vital The Prime Minister is set to push AtRequirements: importance in prudent risk management. torney-General Michael Peyrefitte into  Demonstrated ability to interpret and draw accurate conclusions from financial and economic data Caribbean Shores. Peyrefitte, who’s and perform with insight in assessing the probability and severity of risk. no political genius but has gained  Attention to detail while maintaining a big picture orientation. the PM’s favour, was set for Queen  Proven project management skills and abilities that will support the development and leadership of Square. But Sista B, who dispenses project-based initiatives in enterprise risk management. favours on her brother’s behalf in that  Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the constituency, thinks she has what organization to foster enterprise-wide risk management thinking that will enable the realization of it takes to win and has put her foot the desired risk management culture. down. So it’s Caribbean Shores for Performance  Clean Police Record Requirement: Mike, if he can find a way to deal with  Two (2) letters of recommendation.

Santino and Darrell.

JOB DESCRIPTION: We should clarify. It’s not really Caribbean shores for Mike, because Role Profile: Darrell couldn’t beat Kareem Musa The Manager, Enterprise Risk is to lead the way in firmly establishing a culture of enterprise risk management thinking and and Michael Peyrefitte absolutely behaviors in all functional, operational and service dimensions of the organization. As the leader in establishing the desired would not have a chance in hell. But enterprise risk management culture, the Manager, Enterprise Risk ensures that proactive and comprehensive systems, it’ll be fun watching these three battle strategies, frameworks, approaches, policies and standards are put in place to cultivate the kind of mindset and behaviors it out. Santino is an athlete. He has that are consistent with identifying, managing and mitigating risks as a means of ensuring strong business results. stamina but no political talent. Darrell Client Service Result: has political talent of sorts, but no Direct/lead the revision and/or establishment of risk appetites, risk tolerances, limits, policies and guidelines, identifying game. And Mike – well hell, Mike has early warning indicators and exposures and making sound, proactive and practical recommendations for reporting, no political talent, NO STAMINA and management and mitigation of risk. no game. Let the battle begin.

VACANCY

10 SPORTS

21 29 AUG JAN 22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

Ramada Eco-Nature Wins 2017 BDFA Interoffice Football Championship

Belize City, October 12, 2017 Ramada Eco-Nature won the 2017 Belize District Football Association’s Interoffice championship, upsetting the defending champs Belize City Council: 2-1 in the championship finals at the MCC Garden last Thursday night.

Best Forward Steven “Bredds” Baizar scored Ramada’s 1st goal on a corner kick in the 16th minute of play.

Antonio Barrera scored Ramada’s 2nd goal in the 50th minute. Best Midfielder Kevin Rowland scored BCC’s only goal on a penalty kick in the 60th minute but the defending champs failed to equalize.

Brodies won the consolation match for 3rd place 3-2 over Latinos FC, with goals by Ehon Metzken, Trayvion Martinez and Luis Acosta.

Latinos FC’s Marvin Valladarez scored 2 goals after that.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners received team trophies and individual medals in the awards ceremony after the finals.

Individual awards: Best Forward - Steven Baizar Ramada Most Goals - Trayvion Martinez Brodies Best midfielder - Kevin Rowland - BCC Best Defense - Luis Arriola – Ramada Best Goalkeeper – Charlie Slusher – BCC Regular season MVP – Steven Baizar Playoffs MVP - Michael Martinez – Ramada’s goalie.

Champs Ramada EcoNature 2-1 BCC

2nd place, BCC

Brodies win 3rd place 3-2 vs Latinos FC

2016 2017

STARS ACADEMY, BDF & ELITE FC WIN IN CYDP PEACE CUP FOOTBALL Belize City, October 14, 2017 The Stars Academy posted their 4th win of the week of the competition organized by the Conscious Youth Development Programme (C.Y.D.P.) Peace Cup football tournament at the MCC Garden on Saturday.

In game 1, the BDF Warriors upset Kelly Street: 2-1 with goals by Geovannie Trapp and Kelker Palacio, while Kelly Street’s only tally came from a BDF auto-goal.

In game 2, Elite FC’s won 1-0 over Face of Belize, with a goal by Ashton Lewis.

In game 3, the Stars Academy stomped the RG City Boys: 4-2 with 2 goals by Harold Thompson, and a goal apiece from Jahron Myvett and Shamir Thompson. City Boys’ Keyron Patnett and Michael Augustine scored a goal apiece.

Sunday’s 3 games were rained out, and will be played as back matches at a later date.

Shemar Thompson scored Stars Academy 3rd goal

Reality Youth, Carlston FC & Rising Stars Win in

SMART

Mundialito Carlston FC 3-0 Corinthians

3x champs City Boys 1-0 Ladyville Jaguars Belize City, October 14, 2017 The Reality Youth FC, Carlston FC, BDF Rising Stars, Brown Bombers and City Boys all posted big wins in Week 2 of the 2017 SMART Mundialito Under-13 football competition at the Marion Jones Sporting

Complex last Saturday.

In Game 1, Reality Youth won 2-1 against Sampson Academy with goals by Curtis August and Shawn Pitts. Only Christopher Gonzalez scored for Sampson Academy.

Reality Youth 2-1 Sampson Academy In Game 2, Carlston FC drilled Corinthians: 3-0 with goals by Jerwin Carcamo, Maximiliano Jones and Sanjay Baltazar. In Game 3, Brown Bombers bombed the Collet Strikers: 5-1 with

2 goals apiece from Keyden Shay and Jalen Whyte, and 1 goal scored by Peter Morgan. Only Chris Maskall scored a penalty for Collet.

In Game 4, the BDF Rising Stars schooled Heights FC: 1-0 with a goal by Leonardo Martinez.

In Game 5, the Hattieville Riverside Boys drew 1-1 with the Warriors; Jaiden Brown scored for Hattieville, and Warriors’ Keiffer Perteau equalized with a free kick.

In Game 6, 3x defending champs City Boys won 1-0 against the Ladyville Jaguars, with a goal by Harlem Noralez.

Upcoming games on Saturday, October 21: Sampson Academy vs. Brown Bombers Ladyville Jaguars vs. Carlston FC Corinthians vs. Warriors BDF Rising Stars vs. Collet Strikers Hattieville Riverside Boys vs. City Boys Heights FC vs. Reality Youths.

22 OCT

2017

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BIL

By: Senator Valerie Woods Prime Minister Barrow on October 18th 2017 held a press conference in an attempt to rid his government once again of another major scandal. This time it was the $8 million contract to Gaspar Vega’s nephew for the reconstruction of Faber’s road on the southside of Belize City. At the press conference, questions were not only limited to Faber’s Road. Some questions were also raised about the completed Lake Independence Boulevard in Belize City.

The Lake Independence Boulevard is that section of road in Belize between Chetumal Street Bridge and the George Price Highway. The Project’s engineer and the Prime Minister of Belize admitted that the road is a failure and will continue to be one.

They disclosed that Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) did not follow the design and recommendations of the engineer.

Why was the project passed over to BIL? BIL is a government owned private company that was incorporated on February 27th 2013. According to the Prime Minister at the press conference, BIL’s board of directors is co-chaired by Minister of Works, Rene Montero. The other chair is his Deputy and Minister of Education, Patrick Faber. The Articles of Association of BIL lists its first objective as ‘to act as a public sector agency of the Government of Belize to undertake the design, construction and management of capital projects in Belize with particular emphasis on sporting and other multi-purpose facilities.’ So why would the Government of Belize give the responsibility of a major road project to a company that was established only 4 years ago and whose main purpose was to focus on sporting facilities?

Oh what a tangled web they weave. It also begs the question - having been given that responsibility, why would BIL’s General Manager and Board of Directors ignore the design and recommendation of the engineers, the same engineers whose technical competence the Prime Minister now stands fully behind for his $8million Faber’s Road project? Here, it should be noted that the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry also sits on BIL’s board along with other government officials.

There are many more questions - if the Board unanimously approved BIL’s execution of this road project even though it falls outside of their primary objectives and did the BCCI also sanction this given its strong stand on transparency and accountability?

With the revelation that this was a major disaster under BIL, what now will the Board do to rectify the situation?

Instead of addressing the question of BIL, the Prime Minister, absolving himself of any responsibility for this government owned company, directed the media to the General Manager of BIL, Christy Mastry, whom he says will have to account for the failure of this road. When interviewed by telephone on Channel 7 news, Ms. Mastry is saying it is a team effort and so the blame is not only hers or BIL’s to bear and that the Ministry of Works has some responsibility. She further stated it is a learning experience for everyone. Amazing. Taxpayers’ monies have been wasted by the admission of the Prime Minister

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THE BELIZE TIMES

and now the failure to be corrected requires the road to be done all over in the manner that the original engineer recommended and designed. Is this to be accepted as just another day and another learning experiment? This is glaringly scandalous and outrageous.

If the Government followed the procedures clearly stated in the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act gross failures such as these and abuse of taxpayers’ monies could have been avoided. Mistrust over the Faber’s Road project could have been avoided.

And there are more questions.

Who will pay for this colossal failure of Lake Independence Boulevard? Standard practice dictates that the contractor should fix it. But if the contractor, RJB Construction, did the works that was authorized by BIL, will they redo at no cost? And BIL, a state owned company, is financed through taxpayers’ monies so can it really pay for any correction on its own or will it be the Belizean people who will be paying for BIL’s failures?

The fact is that BIL, like the Ministry of Works, does not apply transparency and accountability to the many projects it has been given vast power to execute. This has been raised many times in the Senate due to the increasing requests for supplementary budgets to cover BIL’s expenses and over-runs with no audit of the expenses. The result is that the senators may have their say but the government will have its way. Many of these projects are millions of dollars and do not follow the Finance and Audit Reform Act procedures. Several of them have had criticism in their quality and value for money. One glaring example of this is the $5million stadium in Benque Viejo which has been abandoned by the contractor. To continue the works, another couple of millions of dollars will likely be invested and it will be another curious case of who will be awarded the contract.

Contracts that do not follow the procedure in the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act should be rescinded and works should be ceased until the proper procedure and full disclosure of these project details are done. An easy way to flout the Finance and Audit Reform Act and to disregard basic ethical practices is for the Government to declare there is an urgency to do something. Such subjective declarations are now being used to justify not following the Finance and Audit Reform Act. It is time to revisit the real need and purpose for a BIL, an entity that has spent millions since its establishment with no audits presented to the public even though it is taxpayers’ monies being spent. With so many projects under the Ministry of Works and BIL that lack transparency and accountability and with the admission of the massive failure of Lake Independence Boulevard, it is also time for a serious inquiry into the Ministry of Works and BIL.

FABERS ROAD HUSTLING FOR ELECTION FUNDS? Contributed It is sad to see that the hustling continues…seems like this will never stop under the UDP. Suddenly Faber’s Road got so important for the poor people that voted for Boots. But it seems that the people from the Police Station to the Central American Boulevard are not important for the UDP….and I think that is the worst half mile section that really needs attention. Mr. Prime Minister - that’s only 4 more million for Gapi Vega’s favorite nephew…please find it or make the loan larger.

Belmopan is so “bruk” under the UDP that they cannot find the campaign funds for the Belize City UDP mayoral aspirant so they decided to make a loan from poor IMER and how they concoct this thing is by building one mile of super expensive road for the poor Faber’s Road people that need to be alleviated. Then IMER will build the road from his own money and Belmopan (WE Belizeans) will pay him with interest. I wonder or better you wonder how much kickback is going to the poor UDP mayoral aspirant so he can have campaign funds because the present Mayor can’t even pay his staff. City Council Bruk too! So no hustling could take place there.

These UDP bosses have learnt how to bullshit us Belizeans. Yes, the PM claims that IMER is nonpolitical and that he is a great contractor and that with him we shall get “value for money” and a “first class job.” You tell my Granny that! And see what she will answer you! I won’t be discussing his quality of work because you can go to Corozal Town while going to Chetumal and you will see the quality of work he does. Concrete streets/ boulevard already breaking and cracking and sinking…YES…first class job.

I will also not discuss the price for the shortest route to completion of the Faber’s Road. According to their MOW engineer or consultant when he compared IMER price to similar projects in the city it was comparable…of course hustling was occurring all the while…. so it’s comparable. I agree.

Let’s look at the table below and attempt to do another type of comparison. CISCO built 3.2 miles of highway from the Airport Junction to the Haulover Bridge for a price tag of about 4.26 million per mile. Included in the scope of works was the construction of retaining walls in areas where there is the threat of erosion on the road foundation, the installation of erosion protection baskets and rock rip-rap, widening of the road cross section to include paved road Phillip Goldson - Section A (Airport 3.2 miles

Imer Hernandez shoulders, pavement restoration and re-surfacing. The project also included installation of road lighting and safety features, such as signs, reflectors, road marking and improved visibility through the clearing of the road reserve. That is Value for Money.

CISCO is presently building the section from Buttonwood Bay Boulevard roundabout to Haulover Bridge at a cost of 7.59 million per mile. You can see today as you drive by what all is being constructed and it is 4-lane - it’s a boulevard, so I can bet us Belizeans are getting value for money also.

Now IMER is building a simi-dimi piece of concrete road with dirt drains accordingly for 8 million a mile. Belizeans you do the math.

How can this be possible? UDP calling it shortest route to completion…poverty alleviation…limited tendering…comparable cost…road in bad shape and need immediate attention…we “bruk” and got no campaign funds, so please IMER give us a loan. Thanks, Gapi’s nephew!

All of this is mind-boggling. It’s incredible. It’s a shameless hustling but what bothers me is that it seems Belizeans are afraid to speak up. Where are the professionals, the accountants’ association, the lawyers’ association, the medical association, the tourism associations, the hotel association, the tour guides’ association? Belizeans you noticed I did not mention the architects and engineering association.

It’s because I’m ashamed of them.

They supposed to be at the forefront but nowhere to be seen. They must be wandering around and lost as usual! The UDP are not wandering. They are wondering where and how to hustle next!

13,620,965.60

4.26 million/mile

CISCO

20,899,031.40

7.59 million/mile

CISCO

8,000,000.00

8.0 million/mile

UDP IMER

Road Junction to Haulover Bridge) Phillip

Goldson

-

Section

B 2.75 miles

(Haulover Bridge to Buttonwood Bay Boulevard Roundabout).

Fabers Road – Police Station to 1 mile George Price Highway

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 OCT

2017

Benque Taxi Association Calls Out Mayor Trapp Forging Partnerships. Impacting Lives

CONNECTED

BARROW CONTINUES TO DEFEND THE INDEFENSIBLE Prime Minister Dean Barrow continues to shamelessly defend the corrupt and blatant lack of transparency, accountability and abuse of ministerial power. This was all evident at the Prime Minister’s press conference which he called after mounting public pressure for answers to questions on the Faber’s Road bloated contract. The truth is that Prime Minister Barrow now only emerges when he has to “still the doubts” and ever increasing mistrust of his government and his band of Ministers.

No one expects any government to check itself and Belize has established laws that allow for sound checks and balances. It is Prime Minister Barrow and his ministers who do not comply with the laws, especially those that demand accountability for the spending of the public purse. Barrow was his usual self at the press conference - rude, curt and evasive – yes he was all that.

The fact is that he did not convince anyone (as he would say, any thinking person) that the Faber’s Road contract of $8 million for 1.1 miles of road awarded to the nephew of disgraced Gaspar Vega was above board. Minister of Works Rene Montero is responsible for this project and its contract process. As per the Finance and Audit Reform act, because it is over BZ$5million it should have used the open tendering procedure. Mr. Barrow conveniently quoted all other sections of the Act except the clause that specifically states this. By misleading the press he is being very disingenuous, as he tends to be when he defends the actions of his government.

The government employed engineer, the Works CEO and its Minister who sanctioned the contract cannot speak to its merit as a justifiable and above-board contract. In all of the press conference, despite the fact that the selective bidding was in violation of the Finance and Audit Reform Act, there was no mention in the spirit of full disclosure of who the other bids were in the selective tendering process.

The disrespect shown went to new levels when the Prime Minister admitted that the Lake Independence Boulevard, another scandalous road project under the oversight of Minister of Works Rene Montero, is a failure and that Christy Mastry of the Belize Infrastructure Limited has answers to give. But she really gave none. Christy Mastry has a Board of Directors so the question also has to be asked of the members of the Board.

So with no shame, the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Works and BIL admitted to the serious deplorable condition of an

important road artery in Belize City after millions have been spent on it. Another project that was devoid of transparency and accountability. And there are many more throughout the length and breadth of this country.

And while Prime Minister Barrow will continue to run the country as a dictator and do whatever he pleases without any genuine regard for principles of good governance, his Foreign Affairs and Police Minister Sedi Elrington never disappoints in his equal disregard and disrespect for the Belizean people.

After the press conference, he openly referred to the media as fake news and admitted that he doesn’t really care for the media and the police to engage in meaningful press conferences. He in essence is against a key trademark of democracy, which is public access to information.

It is not lost that the issue that forced this press conference is an issue of suspected hustling and corruption in the Southside of Belize City, the part of the city that continues to be plagued by crime, unemployment, and no job opportunities or activities for its youth. The southside of Belize City has the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, the Housing Minister, the Police Minister, Women and Social Transformation Minister. These are among the most powerful ministers in Cabinet yet the neglect and callous political games played only to get votes but not to uplift the communities are sick and cruel. The southside of Belize City also has major issues impacting the health and empowerment of women residing there.

Cement streets and lip service will not help the day-to-day struggles of these communities.

Roads and streets will always need to be done but they must be done at a reasonable cost and based on priorities for the area. What should not occur is a rushed job as they did with Lake Independence Boulevard for the sake of municipal elections that end up in gross failure. We all want improved streets and proper planning. What we don’t want is the hustling, bloated contracts and lack of transparency in deciding who gets those contracts.

It is time to vote the UDP out. It is time for Barrow and his UDP government and UDP city councils to go. They have misled and abused their power with no shame and with no intention to curb their ugly, arrogant and disrespectful behavior.

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.

Tuesday, 17 October 2017 On Monday, the Benque Viejo Taxi Association convened to discuss issues with their runs. The taxi operators explained to Benque Viejo PUP Mayoral candidate Cristian Danny Castellanos that they are having serious concerns about runs in the San Ignacio and Santa Elena municipality since they have been singled out and targeted on purpose to prevent them from doing business in that municipality. The law firm of Musa and Balderamos, on behalf of the Benque Viejo Taxi Association wrote to Mayor Earl Trapp of the San Ignacio/ Santa Elena town council to demand the council to cease and desist the discrimination against the Benque Viejo taxi operators. The letter noted that on October 25, 2016, Trapp had written purporting to restrict the movement of Benque Viejo taxi operators in the municipality of the twin towns.

Since Trapp issued that letter, the taxi operators from Benque Viejo have been experiencing repeated acts of blatant discrimination by traffic officers from San Ignacio. The traffic officers single them out and ticket them for obstruction of traffic.

The letter cites section 10,15 and 16 of the Belize constitution which provides for the citizens’ freedom of movement, right to be gainfully employed and protection against discrimination.

The association is demanding that the traffic officers immediately cease and desist from violating these sections of the constitution and stop restricting the movement of the Benque taxi operators in the municipality. The law firm advises Trapp that they have been instructed to proceed with the commencement of a constitutional motion against the

Town Council. Castellanos personally delivered the letter on Monday morning to Trapp at his office in San Ignacio Town.

A taxi operator who has been in business for over 8 years told us that he has been consistently targeted in San Ignacio Town - “When we want to pick up students or people from Benque or anyone going to the border, we can’t stop anywhere in San Ignacio Town and if we stop if only for 1 second, the traffic warden comes.They come and issue me with a ticket for obstruction of traffic. This happens even if there is no traffic.

The problem I think is with us, they just don’t want any of us there but all the students prefer us because of our rates. We are there trying to make business for ourselves and our families because we have to eat too. All the traffic wardens always as they see us, they want to give us a ticket. This is too much from them and I think that it is unfair.”

The Benque operators are being supported fully by Castellanos and his team. Castellanos explained to us how this problem began with the taxi operators and the Town Council: “This comes after a policy implemented by the Mayor of that Municipality. Mr. Earl Trapp prohibited Benque Taxi operators from conducting business within San Ignacio and Santa Elena town. This is a clear act of prejudice and discrimination and goes contrary to our Constitution. Today we met with Mayor Earl Trapp and discussed the issue and possible solutions.”

Castellanos urged elected officials to stand for the residents that they should serve and that an amicable solution be met to settle the problem forthwith.

22 OCT

13

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

A NEW CENTENARY PART I Some months ago I read an Editorial in the Amandala newspaper that was about the 1919 Ex-Servicemen's Riot in Belize Town. It occurred on July 22 and 23 of that year upon the return of the British Honduras contingent that had been stationed in Mesopotamia during World War One. I was very intrigued by the editorial, which posited that in Belize what we should celebrate in 2019 as a Centenary is this seminal event in Belizean history, the first explosive act of resistance to colonialism and white domination since the slave revolts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

I remembered that my husband Pepe had picked up a book called “Race, War and Nationalism” in the bookstore of UWI in Trinidad when he was there to help our son register for his university training. The text is

by Glenford Howe and it came out in 2002. The sub-title is “A Social History of West Indians in the First World War,” and it chronicles the participation of Caribbean soldiers in World War One, and the blatant racism they suffered despite the fact that they volunteered to serve the British Empire in the first Great War. It was not easy reading, and the chapter of the text that interested me most was of course the telling and analysis of the 1919 Riot. It is the most detailed and comprehensive history of the Ex-servicemen's Riot that I have seen, and I feel I have to share it in brief. In 2010 Evan X Hyde called the Riot “a massive benchmark in the socio-political history of British Honduras.”

After the end of World War I, many West Indian soldiers were stationed at Taranto, Italy, where they continued to experience demeaning treatment. They were referred to as niggers and placed to do all the menial jobs such as cleaning bathrooms.

A major revolt ensued, as a result of which several black soldiers were executed by firing squad. During the war, naturally, the white military masters felt that blacks could not see active service at the front lines and the resentment of West Indian soldiers had reached boiling point. So this is the context in which our soldiers from British Honduras returned home after the war.

Howe relates that on July 8, 1919 the Belize contingent returned to the colony on board the ship “Veronej.”

After arrival, they marched through the town and were given heroes welcomes. At Government House Governor Eyre Hutson assured them that they would receive their pay shortly, and he urged them (ironically) to be-

come agriculturalists. By July 22, however, a major disturbance erupted, and the Ex-servicemen picked up sticks and marauded through the town breaking shop windows. They were very quickly joined by thousands of civilian women, men and children.

The crowd grew to between 3,000 to 4,000, one-third of Belize Town's population. “Looting lasted throughout the night...women played an active part and carried away tremendous loads of loot in their dresses and returned for more (!!).

During the riot the captain of the territorial force, the police superintendent, the editor of the Clarion newspaper and many clerks of stores were beaten with sticks, and the rioters turned all their fury on the whites who controlled the colony, with the contingent men shouting “This is not Mesopotamia, this is Belize,” and “We are going to kill the white sons of bitches tonight.” Many civilians were shouting too, yelling “This is our country, and we want to get the white man out.” Many whites fled, with some taking refuge on board a Spanish barge in the harbour. The Chief Justice, W.O.D. Walton was pelted with stones when he came out of his home to try to talk to the rioters. He beat a hasty retreat.

It appeared too that the vast majority of members of the territorial force deliberately ignored the call of the authorities to quell the rioting. Of over two hundred members, only about thirty-five reported for duty and authorities were really at the mercy of the rioters, fearing for their lives if they attempted to arrest anyone. Corporal Samuel Haynes, the initial leader of the rioters, and his informal committee were asked to present the grievances of the Ex-servicemen to the Governor. They wanted to know about their pay, they wanted land, they demanded a fixed price for basic food and necessities, and they wanted to be the ones to maintain order in Belize Town. And the Governor was forced to be sympathetic to these demands. However, the disturbances lasted into the next day July 23rd, being led this time by civilians. This suggested that civilians had only depended on Ex-servicemen for initial support, and they were willing to continue the uprising without the Ex-servicemen.

Next week I will conclude the brief account of the Riot and make comments on the context in which it occurred and the significance of this event in Belizean history, the centenary of which approaches in less than one year and a half.

TRANSITIONS TO GLORY LAND

By Gilroy Usher Sr. This weekend I joined 4 families in the Port Loyola Division in saying goodbye to loved ones - Selvin Jones of Sand Hill, as well as Augustina Ortiz of Lake I, Mrs. Viola Ortiz of Faber’s Road and Justin "Et Dan" Hyde of Curl Thompson St., the latter

three of Belize City.

Funeral services for 70-year-old building contractor and veteran senior Police Officer Selvin Lincoln Jones was held at Central Assembly of God on Freetown Road on Saturday. Mr. Jones was preceded by his wife Erna Jones. The couple had four biological children - Brian Sr., Michael, Sherlett and Stephanie Jones Middleton - resident of Nurse Findley Crescent and teacher at Gwen Liz High School.

Funeral services for 47 year-old Augustina Hortence Ortiz were also held on Saturday at St. Luke Methodist Church on Mahogany St. Miss Ortiz was a long time employee of the Belize City Council.

She is survived by her two children Bryan Ortiz of Arlington Drive and Lloyd Ortiz.

Augustina Ortiz is also survived by her adopted daughter Brittney Jones.

Senior citizen 74-year-old Viola Brenda Ortiz was likewise laid to rest on Saturday, October 14. Mrs. Ortiz was a long time resident of Faber's Road directly opposite Excelsior High School. She was preceded by her husband, Godwin Ortiz Sr. Their union was blessed with five children: Godwin Jr., Carol, Marilyn, Edmund and Sylvia. At the time of her passing Mrs. Viola Ortiz was living with her daughter, Sylvia and granddaughter, Litane Ortiz.

On Sunday, October 15, funeral service was held for 22-year-old Justin "Et Dan" Hyde at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the Jane Usher Area of Port Loyola. Justin was the youngest child of Deborah Linares and the late Gilbert Hyde. He is survived by his mother, his four small children and four siblings. Those

siblings are Police Cpl. Jermaine Hyde, Police Constable Gilbert Hyde Jr., Troy Hyde and Alex Shepherd whom I taught at Queen Street School.

Justin Hyde was a rap artist as well as an avid football and basketball player.

When I planned sporting events in the division I knew I could count on two hundred percent support from him. Justin Hyde was also a brilliant youth; he scored 86% for his PSE at St. John's Vianney Primary School and graduated from St. John's Junior College with honors. After completing high school one of Justin's aims in life was to be a police officer. He could not realize that dream, however as his efforts to join the Belize Police Department were unsuccessful.

Sincere condolence to all the parents, siblings, children, relatives and friends of those departed brothers and sisters. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

The untimely death of Et Dan pains all his loved ones dearly, but he is now in Glory Land out of all pain and suffering.

As difficult as it is, people should not seek revenge for anyone who is murdered because that only creates an endless cycle of more death and suffering. One of the best ways to remember a murder victim is to ensure that his death was not in vain by doing everything possible to promote

peace and betterment in the community.

To help achieve those just objectives, parents must go the extra mile to teach their children to be law abiding and productive citizens. Children need to heed the advice of their parents and other responsible relatives because those elders see the danger that awaits them if they stray away from doing only good things in the community.

Government must also do its part to help prevent the senseless street violence that is responsible for the murders of mostly young black men in southside Belize City.

To fulfill that responsibility the government needs to take concrete steps to reverse with the worsening poverty situation in large sections of the municipality because that is one of the root causes of the many social problems and worsening gang violence on the southside.

14

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY (October 19, 2017)

We are celebrating under the theme:

“Credit Unions...

Dreams thrive here!" ...touching the lives of people!!

Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited (HRCU) invites all Belizeans to contribute to its Caribbean Hurricane Relief efforts!!

Stop by any of our offices and help us to make a difference in the lives of those affected...

We are located at No.1 Hydes Lane, Belize City Tel: (501) 224-4320 or 224-5644

Fax: (501) 223-0738

and Corner Mango Street & Fadden Avenue, Independence, Stann Creek District Tel: (501) 523-2593 or 523-2594

E-mail: manager@hrcubelize.org

Website: www.hrcubelize.org

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Our 24-hour ATM and POS services allows you access to your monies without having to visit our offices!!

We also have 24-hour Night Depository Services at both locations protected by uniformed security guards!!

22 OCT

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

15

16

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 OCT

2017

Things That Make You Go Hmmm!

IN 2015 - Imer Hernandez, nephew of Gaspar Vega, received the multi-million-dollar contract for a hot-mix road through Orange Walk Town. There were problems from the onset as parts of the road started sinking even before the project was fully completed. At that time, Dean Barrow said, when asked about Imer - “Any contractor appears to be incapable, then that contractor will not be able in fact to get additional government work."

NOW - Imer Hernandez, nephew of Gaspar Vega, received a ridiculous $8M for paving one mile of Faber’s Road. when asked about Imer Hernandez, this is what Dean Barrow had to say – “There are very many projects that he has done and it is my clear understanding that he has done those projects satisfactorily… We are going to get value for money; we are going to get a first class project.”

Take a look at just the last couple projects undertaken by Imer Hernandez in the north in the last TWO YEARS and judge for yourself.

Imer Hernandez

22 OCT

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

Welcome to Chetumal Street‌

In mid-2016 RJB Construction, a company owned by UDP-crony Romel Berges, completed the hot mix works on the section of Chetumal Street between the bridge and the George Price Highway. Within weeks the road began to break up and sink. It has been patched time and time again, but one year after completion, THIS is how the fantastic UDP project looks. Once again, UDP cronies benefit while the people of Belize are left paying the bills.

17

18

No Financial Records from Town Hall After 3 Years Thursday, 19 October 2017 The UDP has owned the acts of bloating contracts, corruption and blatantly stealing from the Belizean people. Mayor Earl Trapp of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council has apparently tried his best to live up to his party’s standards. His predecessor also, we are told, carried on in the UDP tradition. Since Trapp was elected, there have been no financial statements for the many fundraising events done by the Town Council.

There have been no quarterly or yearly reports.

Trapp now applies a $200 trade license for every taximan and each business in the towns is assessed then given a price for their own trade license. All these monies are given to the Town Council without any transparency and accountability from the Council. This is apart from the fact that town meetings are held only once a year and only in San Ignacio Town. The present Town Council went through their three years of service to the twin towns residents without producing one single statement to demonstrate to the residents how their monies are being spent.

Reports to the Belize Times indicate that for Trapp’s first term, he had ordered an audit of the entire Council.

However, one week and many discrepancies later, that was allegedly swiftly ended by orders from his party leader Dean Barrow. Cayo Central Area Representative Rene Montero and Trapp have had their share of cat fights including them having two bridge openings, one each and Trapp installing a bump then Montero taking it down in Santa Elena Town. However, the good mayor and Montero have suddenly become best friends.

Trapp has failed to publicly produce documents that prove the accurate information concerning the contract for the construction of the new

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017 PUBLIC AUCTION SALE FOR BELIZE DISTICT

Licensed Auctioneer NOEL J. CODD will sell the following properties on Wednesday October 25th at the places and the time mention below.

On site at 10:00a.m.

All that parcel or piece of land situated in Sand Hill Village, Belize District. Being situated on the Southside of the Salt Creek Road Sand Hill Village, Belize District. The property measures 0.75 acres and it holds three buildings. The main structure is a being used as a residence it has a gross floor of 2,223 square-feet. The main building has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining-room, a living room, a veranda, and a rear deck. The second structure is being used for commercial it has a gross square footage of 3,322 square-feet. The third structure is being used as a single family house hold; with a gross square footage of 840 square-feet. Being the Freehold property of Rosales Enterprise Limited.

On site at 11:30a.m.

Earl Trapp and Rene Montero Town Hall being built in San Ignacio.

Among the many discrepancies is an interview he gave to Love FM in April of this year. Trapp told that news station that the contract was awarded to J and J construction and was awarded at 1.7 million Belize dollars. The Belize Times have obtained pictures of the sign placed directly in front of the building which clearly indicates that the project is being funded by the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council along with a loan from the National Bank of Belize and the contractor is JOEHANN Construction. Coincidentally, Joseph and Hannah are the names of the children of Rolando Montero, the brother of Minister of Works Rene Montero. The company was only registered in February of this year and it is no doubt that Montero keeps enjoying the benefit of being the three-way minister. Even his own Cabinet colleagues refer to him as the three-way minister - piece for me, piece for u and some crumbs for the contract, that is. The new building is costing the residents of the town a whopping 5 million dollars which will need to be paid back.

All that parcel or piece of land situated at mile 19 Sandhill Village, Belize District. Being Lot 34, the property holds a concrete building that has a gross floor of 288 square feet. The single family bungalow has one bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, living-room and dining area. In addition there is an adjoining incomplete structure with a square-footage of 270 square-feet. Being the freehold property of Damion Garbutt.

On site at 10:30a.m.

All that piece or parcel containing 1.17 Acres being lot 5 situate approximate 10 1/2 Miles on the Belize Corozal Road. The land only being the freehold property of Noguera Sugarcane Derivatives.

On site at 1:00p.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 731, Block 45, Registration Section Fort George/Pickstock. The property is located along Pickstock Street in Belize City. The street is connected to two major traffic arteries. One leading into downtown Belize City and the other leading north bound leaving the City. The property holds a two-storey concrete building with a gross floor of 1,584 square-feet. The first floor has two open units and a bathroom. The second floor has 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, living-room and a dining area. Being the freehold property of Lizert Herbert.

NOEL J. CODD

Licensed Auctioneer Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District Tel: Office: 677-5184 cell: 624-5184 Email:noelcoddaction@yahoo.com www.noelcoddinc.com

@Noel Codd Auctioneer

22 OCT

2017

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

That Proverbial Straw...

As I write this, it is my birthday. In my mind, and only there, I’m still a dangerously sexy, suave, charming youth just starting on a journey. Okay, who am I fooling? I was never sexy, suave or charming.

But I woke up this morning thankful for my personal blessings – life, kids, family and friends who stay by my side through my many struggles. I’m also frustrated and totally pissed off because it is my birthday, but in the scheme of things that means absolutely nothing. There’s so much crazy shit going on – so much unhappiness, so much frustration and sorrow and despair. So much corruption and greed and arrogance and in your face abuse.

I was touched by the story last week of young men camped outside of Price Barracks in the hopes of getting a job in the BDF. I thought the spokesperson for the military was cold and cruel. It was an incredible story of real desperation.

These young men were so desperate for a job, and so eager to become a part of the BDF that they camped on the ground outside the barracks for two weeks. Very little food and no money to even reach back home. The youth of our nation. And you know how we treated their courage and determination to join the soldiers who defend our country? We called the Police on them to remove them because they were loitering. Something is very wrong here. That story has stayed in my mind. It is a story of desperation on one side, and callous disregard from the next.

It’s the story of the majority of the people of Belize and this Barrow administration.

I went to my email just now and there’s a notice from the KHMH – you know, the nation’s largest referral hospital, informing the public that for the past two weeks and a half they haven’t been able to perform elective surgeries because of a shortage in blood – but we hear that it’s really a shortage of the reagents used to test the blood to ensure it is safe. But, don’t panic because the KHMH has been able to perform life-saving surgeries UP

TO THIS POINT. Wow. Yesterday two men tried to abduct three little girls on their way to primary school in 7 Miles El Progresso in the Cayo District. The men apparently had the three girls tied up in the vehicle already when villagers intervened and they managed to get free. Just so you know, in case you have any doubt, those would have been three gone girls, never to be seen in these parts again. The matter was reported to Police in the morning. THEY DID NOT HAVE A VEHICLE TO GO INVESTIGATE THE REPORT. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 8:30AM. THE POLICE GOT TO THE COMMUNITY AT 4:00PM. Check that one out.

Then there’s the reports of school bus runs being cut because the Minister of Education says there is no money. Yet all those buses that took Collet supporters to Hopkins – 22 of them – can be paid. And those buses that brought up Collet cheerleaders for the Independence Day ceremonies can be paid.

And then, of course, we have the 8 MILLION DOLLAR to fix a mile of road. It is the most expensive mile of road in the history of road-building in Belize. And it is not even a highway. It’s a street in Belize City. We are giving the nephew of Gaspar Vega 8 MILLION DOLLARS to fix Faber’s Road. And I look at the picture of Boots Martinez, Rene Montero and Imer Hernandez grinning at the signing ceremony and I think to myself – what a bunch of sorry shits.

Last night a friend told me that this will be it. This 8 MILLION DOLLAR road will be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. I don’t know. A lot has been done to us. A lot continues to be done to us. And we take it like troopers. Look at the appointment of Franz Parke. The Unions objected. Civil Society objected. The Bar Association objected. The Opposition objected. On good grounds.

The man does not qualify to be a Justice on the Court of Appeal.

But Mr. Barrow ignored it all and did just what he wanted to do.

What will be the proverbial straw? We’ll see in the days ahead.

Tonight I start with a positive note. I want to thank our residents in every corner of this town who have welcomed us with open arms. We are a team that has always been on the ground so of course we are no strangers to anyone, but in preparations for Municipal Elections, weeks ago we began campaigning with our full PUP 7 team and the response has been amazing. I think it is clear to see that our people have gotten tired of politicians who make promises but never deliver. They are tired of politicians who love them before elections and become strangers after elections. They are tired of politicians who deliver only for a select few people.

They are tired of politicians who look out only for themselves and do nothing for the people. They are tired of politicians who can never account for the people’s money. They are tired of lies. They are tired of corruption and greed and mismanagement.

What we see when we go to the homes of our residents now is trust in us, based on the knowledge that we work hard for the people every single day. PUP supporters and UDP supporters alike welcome us because when we get our job done it is for all the people, and not for a select few. Every project we have done since 2012 when I became Mayor has been inclusive of every single resident of this town regardless of political affiliation.

Not one resident of Orange Walk has been pushed aside or left out of any of the opportunities created by the Town Council. And that is really all the residents want – a Council that works for them, a Council that includes them in important decisions and a Council that they can trust.

With that said, I want to touch on an outrageous roadwork contract given to the nephew of the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Gaspar

Vega. It is, quite literally, highway robbery. The nephew of Gaspar Vega, Imer Hernandez, is being given $8M to pave one mile of street in Belize City. That is wrong on every level, and I am furious, just like every right-thinking, tax-paying Belize should be furious. My friends, at the Council we have always been transparent and so I can tell you that for just under $2M, we have been able to pave 21 streets using two recognized contractors. With $8M we could pave almost every single street in Orange Walk Town, and that is why it bothers me that this UDP crony and unqualified contract, the nephew of Gaspar Vega, is getting $8M for one street.

In addition to that blatant corruption, look at the contractor.

Because of his connections to Gaspar Vega he has gotten huge contracts, and we in Orange Walk can see the quality of the work done. He is the one who did the road through our town, and we see the substandard quality. This road is a new road and already it is breaking up because it was not done properly. He also did the road from Trial Farm to the gas station, and we can see the actual holes in the pavement. So apart from the bloated contract, we are not getting quality for money, but trust me when I say that he has already been paid big for the work, so he is not worried when the roads break up.

Every Belizean should stand up against this because we are the ones who pay the bills. We are the ones who have to pay higher taxes when government goes broke.

We are the ones who have to pay higher taxes when these contracts are paid out and Ministers pocket most of the money. We are the ones who have to pay higher taxes when Ministers steal from our public coffers to enrich themselves and their families because while they get richer and richer we get poorer and poorer and our country suffers.

My friends, I take this even more personally because I know what we could have done in Orange Walk Town with $8M. This is a shame and disgrace.

20

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

ON THE

MOVE

Getting it Done in Chan Chen

The Corozal North PUP Executive lead by Chairman Ivan Valencia and Mr David Jesus Castillo, political leader was in the village of Chan Chen this past Sunday 15th October 2017.

The village, one of many neglected by Minister Hugo Patt and the UDP; approached Mr David Castillo requesting some assistance with their local streets. Several of these streets have become impassable even by bicycles and by foot and some have started to close in since their abandonment.

The Villagers were happy to see the interest of our hard working leader David Jesus Castillo and they came out with no delay, to assist in the spreading of the material. We were witnesses of the power of unity as there were no limitations to the age of the working crew.These men came from all corners of the villages, with their buckets, wheel borrows and shovels to assist in the spreading of the truck loads of dirt.

We take this opportunity to thank everyone that came out and made this FAJINA a memorable one - to our Acting Chairman Mr Julio Balam who assisted in the coordination.

The villagers are spreading the message of hope and they are determined to continue working to deliver for the PUP under the leadership of David Jesus Castillo and our Party Leader Hon. John Briceño.

PUP NOTICE All members of the National Executive except the Secretary General, Chairpersons of the Regional Caucuses, Presidents of the Order of Distinguished Service (ODS), United Women’s Group (UWG), Belize Youth Movement (BYM) and the Marshall’s Community Service Corps (MCSC) shall be elected at the National Convention to be held on Sunday, November 26, 2017 in Belize City.

Nominations for such officers shall be submitted in writing to the Party Chairman no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27, 2017 and be accompanied by the written consent of the nominee.

Delegate lists from Constituency Committee Chairpersons as well as the ODS, UWG, BYM and MCSC shall be submitted to the Party Chairman no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27, 2017.

22 OCT

2017

21

THE BELIZE TIMES

OPINION

OUT lobbyists and put our people back to work. It will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our Town Council so they can better serve the people.

It is a difficult job. And yes, hard times lie ahead, but together we can accomplish great tasks.

We cannot stay behind anymore, we must unite and work. While we wait, we will lead by taking the initiative to fix our streets, because the local and central government

BENQUE DESPERATELY NEEDS CHANGE

!

The Benque Viejo Town Board Building was constructed from 1967 to 1972, under the PUP mayors: Norberto Luna (1967 & 1970), Juanito Góngora (1968-1969 & 1971) and Aliff Coleman (1972). The building was finally inaugurated in 1973 by the PUP Mayor Luis Alberto Góngora.

The major duties and responsibilities of Belizean Municipalities are spelled out in Chapter 87 of the Town Council Act within the Belize Constitution. One of the most important duties of the Town Boards is the control, execution, and coordination of basic municipal services like: • Maintenance of roads located within its geographic area; • Cleaning of public green spaces; • Garbage collection; • Land use regulation and law en-

ago, especially during rainy season.

The current UDP government has been conducting some make-up works, but the results have been worse than the problem itself, some examples below:

communities of our country. Benqueños are tired of empty promises, UDP are far out of touch with reality, they have proven that they are the worst administrators.

Working together, we will achieve greater things for our Town. Benque Viejo Town needs strong leadership after 17 years of weak UDP representation and mismanagement.

The PUP is stronger than ever and together we will move forward to bring back a better life for people. We embrace the new change and new hope introduced by John Briceño and sign on to the re-introduction of a social justice platform for all, bringing greater equality and equity back to the people.

You can reach your own conclusions.

God bless you all my beloved Belizeans.

Dr. Pedro Villegas Email: pup_benque_candidates@ hotmail.com

have forgotten us.

We are tired of all the corruption taking place at the Benque Town Council. We remain as one of the poorest and most dilapidated

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 29th day of December, 2009, between SULUMA REYES of # 5538 Leslie Street, Belize City, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 1 of 2010 at Folios 293 - 323, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

FIRST SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land situate in the Ambergris Bay Area on the western portion of Ambergris Caye, Belize District, being Lot No. 1142 comprising of 424.535 square meters of land as is shown on the said subdivision plan dated 30th March, 2009 made by the said J.H. Hertular, Diploma Community Planner and Licensed Land Surveyor and recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys Department, Belmopan Entry No. 11810 Register No. 7, TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and standing and being thereon. forcement, etc.

The most outstanding infrastructure project in Benque was executed in 1991. It was the Construction of George Price Boulevard under the PUP Representative Miguel Ruiz Sr. After the election of Erwin Contreras as Cayo West Representative in 1998, the infrastructure projects in Benque Viejo Town took a dive. There are several areas of Benque Viejo Town where the neglect is evident. Dark and bushy areas right in our neighbourhoods pose a threat to our citizens’ safety.

Our Town Council has been left behind while our neighbours across the border reflect massive economic growth and infrastructural development. The current situation is that our streets are worse than 20 years

SECOND SCHEDULE

Today there seems to be no hope in our Town. But now more than ever, we must join hands and do what is right for our people. Let us work together to ensure that what our hero George C. Price has fought for, remains alive.

The new PUP Town Council is proposing the setup of a local Public Works Unit, so our Benqueños can build our roads. In this way it will remove those huge contracts assigned to corrupt companies who are government

ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land situate in the Ambergris Bay Area on the western portion of Ambergris Caye, Belize District, being Lot No. 1143 comprising of 424.535 square meters of land as is shown on the said subdivision plan dated 30th March, 2009 made by the said J.H. Hertular, Diploma Community Planner and Licensed Land Surveyor and recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys Department, Belmopan Entry No. 11810 Register No. 7, TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and standing and being thereon.

DATED this 3rd day of October, 2017.

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

22

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE FOR ORANGE WALK DISTRICT Licensed Auctioneer NOEL J. CODD will sell the following properties on Monday October 23rd, 2017 at the time and places mention below On site at 9:00a.m.

All that Lot, Parcel or Piece of Land, in Orange Walk Town. Being Parcel 2946, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town. The building measures 2,740 square-feet and it holds six bedrooms, two full bathrooms, two part baths, a living-room and dining area. Being the Freehold property of Sunil Talreja.

On site at 10:30p.m.

All that piece or parcel of land containing 645.890 s. m.3744 Cor. Palmar Boundary Road & Macal River Street, Orange Walk.

The Subject Building comprises 1,360sft. The same is occupied as a family home of 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms, complete with kitchen, dining & living room spaces. Being the freehold property of Roger Tun.

On site at 9:30a.m.

All that lot or piece of land located in Louisiana Farm area. Being Lot No. 115, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District. This Lot holds a Ferro-concrete one storey building that measures 1,000 square-feet.

The building has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living-room and a dining area. Being the Leasehold property of Rafael Novelo.

On site at 11:00a.m.

All that parcel or piece of land in Orange Walk, being Registration Section Orange Walk Town, Block 4, Parcel 1911. The property holds a concrete house that contains four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a dining area.

The building measures of 1786 square feet. Being the Fee simple property of Ana B. Castillo.

On site at 1:00p.m.

All this parcel of piece of land in Orange Walk Town. Being Parcel 1123, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District.

This property hold a concrete building which measures 1,282 square-feet.

The building has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living-room, a dining area and a laundry area. Being the freehold property of David Faber.

All that parcel or piece of land situated in Orange Walk Town. Being Parcel 876, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town. The property measures 6,353.2044 square-feet and it hold a concrete building which measures 720 square-feet. The building has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen and dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Allen Cowo

On site at 2:00p.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 103, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town. The property holds a concrete house.

The building measures approximately 1,200.00square-feet. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the freehold property of Lucio Alcoser Jr.

On site at 2:30p.m.

On site at 1:15p.m.

All that lot, parcel or piece of land situated in Orange Walk Town. Being Parcel 3333, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town. The property holds an incomplete two-storey concrete building which measures 2,788 square-feet. The concrete structure is 60% complete. The Building contains 4bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living-room, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the Freehold property of Enrique Patt and Nubia Patt.

On site at 10:00p.m.

All those 2 pieces or parcels of land. Being parcels 2110 & 2107, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town. The property is situate in the New Residential Area of Orange Walk better known as Guadalupe Street. The property holds two building. The main building has a metal side annex 805 square-feet it’s a concrete structure. The second building is a concrete two storey structure. The first floor is used like a basement, the second floor is used as an apartment.

Being the fee simple property of Emilcar Burgos.

All that parcel or piece of land located on No.2 San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town. Being Parcel 4386, Block 4, Registation Section Orange Walk Town. The lot holds a one and half storey concrete building. Which measures a gross floor of 2,414 square-feet of which 1,530 squarefeet is occupied as a residence. Beling the Freehold property of Jorge Urbina.

On site at 1:45p.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 4096, Block 4, Registration Section Orange Walk Town. This lot is a large corner, double lot on the main road to San Lorenzo road. The property is just behind the hospital compound.

The property holds a concreate two-story building. The building measures approximately 3,600 square-feet and it has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining and living-room area. Being the freehold property of Marlo Perera.

AT 3:00 P.M. IN FRONT SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. Orange Walk Branch On Monday October 23rd, 2017

On site at 11:30a.m.

Continued on page 23

22 OCT

2017

Continued from page 22

All that piece or parcel of land containing 1045.045square meters being Lot 648 situated in Trial Farm village, Orange Walk District. Property is vacant lot. Being the Fee simple property of Melbourne Rodriguez.

ALL THAT piece or parcel being BLOCK 4 PARCEL 428/1 SAN JOSE/ SAN PABLO REGISTRATION SECTION containing 1646.7 square meters being the Leasehold property of Miguel Briceno.

All that lot, piece or parcel of land being parcel 510/1. REGISTRATION SECTION: SAN JOSE/ SAN PABLO BLOCK: 1 PARCEL: 510/1. The Building is a 2 bedroom bungalow house. Being the leasehold property of Edwin Patt

All that parcel or piece of land in San Jose Village. Being Parcel 618, Block 1, Registration Section San Jose/ San Pablo, Orange Walk District. The property holds two structures. A comfy wooden structure and an incomplete cement structure. Being the Freehold property of Adrian Garcia.

THE BELIZE TIMES All that Lot, Parcel or Piece of land in San Felipe. Being Parcel 463/1, Block 13, Registration Section San Felipe, Orange Walk District. The building on the property is a concrete bungalow structure which measures 805.5 square-meters.

An incomplete extension is also on the property and it measures approximately 140 square-feet.

Being the Leasehold property of Omar Mejia.

All that parcel or piece of land situated in Carmelita Village. Being Parcel 570, Block 4, Registration Section Carmelita, Orange Walk District. The property measures 1024.4 square-meters. It holds a concrete building that measures 522 square-feet.

The building has a bedroom, a bathroom a common area for a kitchen, dining-room and living room. Being the freehold property of Victor Mendez

All that Lot, Parcel or Piece of land in Orange Walk District. Being Parcel 281, Block 1, Registration Section Ann Gabourel , Orange Walk District. The property is currently in its natural state approximately measuring 25 acres. Being the Freehold property of Santiago Rosado.

All that parcel or piece of land in Yo Creek Village. Being Parcel 140/, Block 4, Registration Section Yo Creek, Orange Walk District. The property holds a one-story concrete building that measures 1,362 square-feet. The family dwelling has 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, a dining and a living room area. Being the freehold property of Florention Cal.

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE FOR COROZAL DISTRICT

Licensed Auctioneer Noel J. Codd will sell the following properties on Tuesday October 24th, 2017 at the time and places mention below All that piece or parcel being Block 1 ParOn site at 9:00a.m. cel 282, situated at No. 96 5th Street North,

Corozal Central, Corozal Town, The Land measures 669.91 Square yards. The building is a concrete bungalow structure containing 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, and an office. Being the Freehold property of Froylan & America Gilharry.

On site at 10:00a.m.

All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1 Parcel 53 & 54 Corozal Central Registration Section. Building is 1615 square feet 2 storey building. Lot 53 houses a radio station and studio at the top and a television studio at the bottom. Lot 54 has an out toilet, concreted courtyard/dancehall with a portion of a kitchen/bar. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait

On site at 9:30a.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 812/1, Block 4, Registration Section Tower Hill, Orange Walk District. The property is a vacant land and it measures approximately 28.36 acres. Being the leasehold property of Renei Tun.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 511, Block 4, Registration Section Miller’s Bight, Orange Walk District. The property measures 1.307 acres. The land is used for farming. The property sits near the Honey Camp Lagoon, so you enjoy the lagoon’s frontage. Being the free hold property of Felipe S. Baeza.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 483/1, Block 1, Registration Section Douglas Rural, Orange Walk District. The property holds a concrete building which measures 1,636 squarefeet. The building has six bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living-room, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the Leasehold property of Elvia Acosta.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 417/1, Block 4, Registration Section Yo-Creek, Orange Walk District. The property holds a two-storey concrete building with a gross floor area measuring 1,944 square-feet. The building has 4bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living-room, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the leasehold property of Teofilo Rejon.

All those parcels or two pieces of land in Tower Hill. Being Parcels 685 and 686, Block 4, Registration Section Tower Hill. The subject lots are cleared and a concrete two storey building measuring 1,800 square-feet sits on the property.

Being the Freehold property of German Cob.

23

All that lot, parcel or piece of land in Corozal. Being Registration Section Corozal North, Block 1, Parcel 1982. The property contains two building. The main building contains 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, a living room, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Robert and Elizabeth Cervera

On site at 10:30a.m.

Continued on page 24

24 Continued from page 23 All that parcel or piece of land situated in Corozal North. Being Parcel 1393/1, Block 1, Registration Section Corozal North, Corozal District. The property holds a concrete two-storey buildng with a gross floor of 2,111 square-feet. The first floor has three bedrooms, one bathroom, a living-room, a kitcken, a dining area, a laundry and storeage room. The second floor has one bedroom, one bathroom, a sitting/ roof patio area. Being the Freehold property of Ravey O Smith.

On site at 11:00a.m.

THE BELIZE TIMES

22 OCT

2017

On site at 1:30p.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 131, Block 1, Registration Section Paraiso/ Santa Rita, Corozal District. The property holds a concrete building that measures 2352 square-feet. The building has four bed rooms, two bathrooms, a living-room, a dining-room, a kitchen and a laundry room. Being the Freehold property of Narciso Flores.

All that parcel or piece of land in Libertad Village. Being Parcel 442/1, Block 1, Registration Section Libertad Village, Corozal District. The property holds a concrete building that measures 957 square-feet. The concrete structure has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen and a dining area. Being the leasehold property of Enrique Montejo.

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 2995 sm being Block1 Parcel 141 San Andres/ Ranchito Registration Section. The Subject Property houses 3 structures. Building No.1 is 1,200sft. and is occupied as a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home complete with kitchen, dining & living room spaces. Building No.2: concrete two storey structure of 1,920sft. Each floor is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom space each with kitchen, dining & living room spaces. Building No. 3 is aq 1,200sft. structure with floor & walls in place only Freehold properties of Armando Martinez and Ervin Rancharan.

All that lot, piece or parcel of land, in San Andres/ Ranchito. Being parcel 453, Block 1, Registration Section San Andres/ Ranchito . . The property comprises of 1128 Sq. Ft. and has 3 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, living, Kitchen and dining area. Being the fee simple property of Patrick Smith.

All that lot, parcel, or piece of land in Sarteneja being Registration Section Sarteneja Block 3 parcel 604/1. The house contains 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, a living, a kitchen and a dining area and comprise of 954 sq. ft. Being the Leasehold property of Jael Cobb.

On site at 2:00p.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 1399/1, Block 1, Registration Section Corozal North, Corozal District. The property holds a concrete building that measures 1056 squarefeet. The structure has three bedrooms, a bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen and dining room area. Being the Leasehold property of Javier Cassanova.

On site at 11:30a.m.

All that parcel or piece of land in Paraiso/ Santa Rita. Being Parcel 177/1, Block 1, Registration Section Paraiso/ Santa Rita, Corozal District. The property holds a two-storey concrete building which measures 2,188 square-feet. The building has two bedrooms, one full bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen and a dining area.

Being the Leasehold property of David Aguilar.

On site at 2:30p.m.

ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, BEING PARCEL # 31 Block 1, PARAISO/ SANTA RITA REGISTRATION SECTION. Building:2 ½ storey with 5,013 sq. ft. with Main:- 2,294 sq. ft 2 Bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 part bath, with kitchen, dining and living room areas and laundry room. Second:2,077 sq. ft. 2 Bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 part bath, with kitchen, dining and living room areas and laundry room. Third:-642 sq. ft. and is used as an additional living room space being the freehold of Ramesh Buxani Co Ltd

On site at 1:00p.m.

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 66, Block 1, Registration Section Paraiso/ Santa Rita, Corozal District. The property is in its natural state. Being the freehold property of Guadalupe Rosado.

All that parcel or piece of land in Paraiso/ Santa Rita. Being Parcel 177/1, Block 1, Registration Section Paraiso/ Santa Rita, Corozal District. The property holds a two-storey concrete building which measures 2,188 square-feet. The building has two bedrooms, one full bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen and a dining area.

Being the Leasehold property of David Aguilar.

AT 3:00P.M. IN FRONT OF SCOTIABANK (Belize) LTD. Corozal Town Branch on Tuesday October 24th, 2017

All that parcel or piece of land situated in San Andres/ Ranchito. Being Parcel 30, Block 1, Registration Section San Andres/ Ranchito. The property measures 6.19 acres. The property holds two family dwelling. The first concrete building measures 820 square-feet, it has two bedrooms, a bathroom, dining and living area. The second concrete building has four bedrooms, one bathroom, and measures 768 square-feet. Being the Freehold property Marcus Kingston.

All that parcel or piece of land situated in Sarteneja. Being Parcel 833/1, Block 3, Registration Section Sarteneja, Corozal District. The land measures 849.30 square-meters. The property holds a concrete family bungalow with a gross floor of 921 square-feet. The building has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living, a dining area, a front porch and a back porch. Being the Leasehold property of Guiermo Rodriquez.

All that lot, piece or parcel of land, in Louisville. Being Parcel 1, Registration Section Louisville, Block 1, Corozal District. The building is 1051 square feet, it has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a living room, a kitchen and dining area. Being the Fee simple property of Saturnino Coba

Continued on page 25

22 OCT

2017

25

THE BELIZE TIMES

Continued from page 24

ALL THAT pieces or parcels of land being 1 Parcel 120 containing 50.2 acres Parcel 97 containing 14.798 acres, Parcel 95 containing 62.79 acres and Parcel 86 containing 88.16 acres situated in Libertad Rural Registration Section cane land only being the Freehold properties of Armando Martinez and Ervin Rancharan.

IN MEMORIAM

All that piece or parcel of land being Block 1, Parcel 13, Libertad Rural Registration Section. Land only. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait

All that parcel or piece of land situated in Sarteneja Village. Being Parcel 1022, Block 3, Registration Section Sarteneja. The property is a vacant land that measures 888.70 square-meters.

Being the Freehold property of Elton Sosa.

All that parcel or piece of land in Chan Chen. Being Parcel 209/1, Block 1, Registration Section Chan Chen, Corozal District.

The property holds a one-story building which measures 928 square-feet. The building has 2bedrooms, a living-room, a kitchen and 1 outhouse as a bathroom. Being the leasehold property of Lizandro Murray.

All that lot, piece or parcel being Block 1 Parcel 93 Libertad Rural Registration Section. Land only. Being the Fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait

All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1, parcels 302 Libertad Rural, Registration Section. Only being land is the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait

All that parcel or piece of land situated in Carolina/ Calcutta. Being Parcel 339, Block 1, Registration Section Carolina/ Calcutta.

The property holds a concrete building. The building has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen and dining area. Being the Freehold property Luis Rosales.

ALL THAT LOT, PARCEL OR PIECE OF LAND, IN SAN ANDRES/RANCHITO being Registration Section San Andres/ Ranchito Block 1 Parcel 792 Corozal District. The building contains 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living, and kitchen area being the Freehold of Jorge Zetina

All that lot, parcel or piece of land in Libertad. Being Parcel 225, Block 1, Registration Section Libertad Rural. The property is land only. Being the Fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait All that parcel or piece of land in Chan Chen. Being Parcel 209/1, Block 1, Registration Section Chan Chen, Corozal District.

The property holds a one-story building which measures 928 square-feet. The building has 2bedrooms, a living-room, a kitchen and 1 outhouse as a bathroom. Being the leasehold property of Lizandro Murray.

In loving memory of

HAROLD MORTIS Who departed this life 2 sad year ago.

Sunrise: June 2nd, 1950 Sunset: October 22nd, 2015

Time speeds on, two years have passed Since death its gloom, its shadow cast Within our home, where all seemed bright And took from us a shining light, We miss that light, and ever will, His vacant place there is none to fill.

Down here we mourn, but not in vain, For up in heaven we will meet again.

Sadly missed by children, brothers, sisters, friends and family

All that lot, piece or parcel of land being Block 1 Parcel 221 Libertad Rural Registration Section. Building is 1410 square feet.

Contains 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, a living, kitchen and family room. Being the fee simple property of Leonardo Folgarait

All that parcel or piece of land. being Parcel 1458, Block 1, Registration Section Consejo Road S.E., Corozal District. The parcel is on Finca Solana Layout, Corozal. The lot has direct access to the street in the town’s network which is connected to the Northern Highway. The property is a vacant lot. Being the freehold property of Ian Glory.

NOEL J. CODD

All that parcel or piece of land. Being Parcel 441/1, Block 1, Registration Section Grants Land, Corozal District. The property measures 743.0 square-meters. The property holds an incomplete two- storey structure.

The building has a gross square footage of 1,286 square-feet. The building comprises of three bedrooms, one bathroom, a living-room, a kitchen, a dining area, a covered entry veranda and a shed. Being the Leasehold property of Rogel Tzul.

Licensed Auctioneer Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District Tel: Office: 677-5184 cell: 624-5184 Email:noelcoddaction@yahoo.com www.noelcoddinc.com

@Noel Codd Auctioneer

26

ESPAÑOL

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES La periodista murió por la explosión de una bomba en su vehículo, en la región de Malta

INDIGNA EN EUROPA ASESINATO DE PERIODISTA DE LOS PANAMA PAPERS La maltesa Daphne Caruana Galizia había denunciado corrupción de autoridades y cómo estas se relacionaban con los Panama Papers

Gobierno renueva visa a Iván Velásquez pero le envía una advertencia

GOBIERNO RENUEVA VISA DE IVÁN VELÁSQUEZ, PERO LE PIDE “ABSTENERSE DE INMISCUIRSE EN ASUNTOS INTERNOS”

El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores confirmó que se renovó la visa a Iván Velásquez, jefe de la Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad en Guatemala, pero en la carta de notificación se envió una advertencia.

Prensa Libre, Guatemala 17 de Octubre de 2017 "Cumplió -Iván Velásquez- con el requisito para la visa oficial, la cual ya se encuentra vigente", fue lo informado por la Cancillería a los medios de comunicación.

Junto con la confirmación oficial de la renovación de la visa al comisionado, adjuntaron una fotografía que solo muestra un sello de la Cicig de recibido a las 8.30 horas.

Horas más tarde se difundió la carta enviada por la vicecanciller Alicia Castillo Sosa, en la que enviaba el siguiente mensaje al comisionado.

“Debo recordarle que los privilegios e inmunidades de que ha gozado en el país de conformidad con lo establecido en el artículo 10 del referido Acuerdo -de la Cicig-, no le eximen de obligación de respetar la Constitución Política de la República de Guatemala y las leyes del Estado, así como abstenerse de inmiscuirse en asuntos internos mientras se encuentre en territorio guatemalteco”, cita la misiva.

La semana pasada, cuando el comisionado se disponía a presentar el informe de labores del último año, la Subdirección de Privilegios e Inmunidades del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores notificó a Velásquez que su visa había sido revocada.

En la carta de notificación de la revocaciòn de la visa, firmada por Myriam Pinto, se leía: “la solicitud de

2222OCT OCT

2017 2017

Por AFP y DPA 17 de Octubre de 2017 La Comisión Europea dijo este martes estar "horrorizada" por el asesinato de Daphne Caruana Galizia, una periodista maltesa que había denunciado la corrupción en su país, asesinada por la explosión de una bomba en su vehículo.

"Estamos horrorizados por el hecho de que una periodista conocida y respetada, la señora Daphne Caruana Galizia, haya perdido la vida en lo que parece ser un ataque específicamente dirigido contra ella", dijo el portavoz del ejecutivo europeo, Margaritis Schinas.

"Es un acto escandaloso", aseguró, "lo que ahora cuenta es que se haga justicia".

Caruana Galizia "era una pionera del periodismo de investigación en Malta", dijo el portavoz, y explicó que el presidente de la Comisión, Jean-Claude Juncker, y sus comisarios "condenan con la máxima firmeza este ataque".

El hijo de la periodista, Matthew Caruana Galizia, que también es miembro del Consorcio Internacional de Periodistas de Investigación (ICIJ), acusó este martes a las autoridades de Malta de ser cómplices del asesinato. "Ustedes son cómplices, son responsables", dijo en Facebook.

Caruana Galizia, de 53 años, causó revuelo más allá de las fronteras de Malta al revelar que una empresa involucrada en el escándalo conocido como los "Panama Papers" era propiedad de la esposa del primer ministro, acusación que Muscat calificó como una "mentira descarada".

En febrero de 2016, la periodista y bloguera publicó un artícu-

lo cuyo contenido fue confirmado después por los "Panama Papers": miembros del Gobierno de Malta habían fundado en Panamá empresas secretas.

Caruana Galizia también estaba trabajando en la publicación de los "Malta Files" (Expedientes Malteses), documentos confidenciales de las autoridades financieras de Malta que revelan prácticas de evasión fiscal a gran escala por parte de empresas y particulares.

Malta ha sido desde hace tiempo el blanco de críticas por su sistema fiscal, que beneficia a las empresas con un tipo impositivo mínimo.

visa no fue formulada por la persona competente”, en otra parte de la misiva decía: “Le ruego informar esos extremos al interesado y dar las debidas consideraciones a lo aquí comunicado, en virtud de que las autoridades migratorias del país han sido notificadas de esta situación” El requisito: Según una fuente informada sobre el caso, cuando algún colaborador de la Cicig, que sea de nacionalidad extranjera, debe hacer el trámite de renovación de su visa, el proceso se inicia a partir de una solicitud enviada por el superior, en esos casos, Iván Velásquez.

El mismo protocolo se establece para los permisos del comisionado Velásquez, cuyo superior es el secretario general de Naciones Unidas, António Guterres, por lo que la solicitud de renovación de la visa debió llegar por parte del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD), pero quien la hizo en el primero proceso, fue un subalterno de Velásquez.

Ante tal extremo, se notificaron y corrigieron los errores en el proceso, lo que permitió la emisión de la nueva visa oficial para la permanencia del comisionado.

Empresa israelí pretenden financiar proyectos agrícolas en Nicaragua

Una empresa transnacional israelí pretende abrir microfinancieras en Nicaragua, para facilitar créditos y asesorar a productores agrícolas, con la intención de mejorar las cosechas, además hizo un compromiso de comprarles sus productos.

Empresa israelí busca financiar proyectos agrícolas y beneficiar a campesinos nicaragüenses en su economía familiar Por Redacción y EFE / Nicaragua 17 de Octubre de 2017 El presidente y fundador del Grupo LR de Israel, Roy Ben-Yami, se encuentra de visita en Nicaragua y anunció su interés de establecer "microfinancieras" para apoyar a productores agrícolas del país, según información oficial del Gobierno.

"Nosotros pensamos que debemos construir microfinancieras para apoyar a esos finqueros y después poCont’do pagina 27

18 JAN

22 OCT 22

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES 2015

2017

MADURO AMENAZA A FACEBOOK E INSTAGRAM; PAÍSES PIDEN AUDITORÍA DE VOTOS

ESPAÑOL

27

Nicolás Maduro arremete contra las tecnológicas durante un encuentro con medios internacionales

Presidente venezolano acusa a jefes de firmas tecnológicas de vetar sus mensajes durante campaña electoral Por EFE y DPA / Venezuela 17 de Octubre de 2017 El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, anunció este jueves su intención de citar a los responsables de Facebook e Instagram para su país, a quienes acusa de "vetar" sus mensajes durante la campaña electoral a las regionales del domingo y amenazó con "una sorpresita" en las próximas semanas.

"Yo no sé quién es el jefe por Venezuela de Facebook e Instagram. Yo quiero citarles. Citar a los responsables de Instagram y todo. Bueno, por qué nos vetan, por qué vetan al presidente", dijo Maduro durante una rueda de prensa televisada de forma obligatoria por todos los canales.

El jefe del Estado había hecho referencia poco antes a la "ley contra delitos de odio" que debe aprobar en los próximos días la plenipotenciaria y oficialista Asamblea Nacional Constituyente.

Maduro llamó a liberarse de "la tiranía de los

dueños de las redes sociales del mundo", a quienes "les tenemos una sorpresita para las próximas semanas". "Y después no se quejen, compadre", concluyó el gobernante, que aseguró que su país se encuentra ante "una nueva guerra" que "más temprano que tarde" ganará.

Según se adelantó desde la propia Constituyente, la ley se

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 29th day of May, 2002, between KEVIN ENRIQUEZ AND ANDREA CAIN ENRIQUEZ of # 9 Mahogany Street, Belize City, Belize District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 20 of 2002 at Folios 857- 884, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 1, comprising 886.493 Square Meters situate in Lord’s Bank Village, Belize District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 299 of 2001 attached to Minister;s Fiat Grant No. 299 of 2001, TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and standing and being thereon.

DATED this 3rd day of October, 2017.

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

ocupará entre otras cosas de los contenidos que se escriben y difunden en las redes sociales.

"Si yo saco un video de una información importante, yo no puedo meter publicidad, (...) pero sí puedo recibir publicidad del mundo entero y de Venezuela en Instagram y Facebook. (...) Y me meten retardadores para sacarme seguidores o para que no les lleguen mis vídeos o mi verdad", explicó Maduro sobre el supuesto veto en las redes.

El líder de la llamada revolución bolivariana se quejó además de un supuesto boicot durante la campaña de las cadenas privadas del país, a las que acusó de ceder espacios gratis a los candidatos de la oposición, que también se quejaron de no tener acceso a unos medios públicos copados por los contenidos

oficialistas.

Exigen auditar resultados Unos 12 países países de América exigen que se efectúe una "audotoría urgente" en Venezuela tras los comicios del fin de seman último en lo que el chavismo arrasó.

En tanto, alcaldes opositores venezolanos acusaron a Nicolás Maduro de una política de Estado sistemática para desbaratar el poder municipal opositor, en el marco de las audiencias en la OEA en las que se analiza si en el país latinoamericano se están cometiendo delitos de lesa humanidad.

"Doce alcaldes (opositores) han sido destituidos en Venezuela: cuatro de ellos están presos, seis estamos en el exilio y dos permanecen en Venezuela destituidos o inhabilitados. Representamos a 10 millones de venezolanos, un tercio de la población", dijo David Smolansky ante un panel de expertos internacionales en la sede de la OEA, en Washington.

Empresa israelí pretenden financiar proyectos agrícolas en Nicaragua

Cont’do de pagina 26 demos comprarles la producción", dijo Ben-Yami al presidente nicaragüense, Daniel Ortega, durante un encuentro, informó este sábado la Presidencia.

El empresario, dueño de la transnacional de cacao Bean & Co., con operaciones en Nicaragua desde 2015, afirmó tener experiencia en este tipo de financiamientos en países de África y Oceanía, con "una colaboración fuerte con los Gobiernos y las comunidades", lo que ha contribuido a desarrollar la agroindustria local.

Ortega manifiesta interés: "Eso ayuda indiscutiblemente a mejorar las condiciones de los pequeños productores que son los que pasan más dificultades para poder desarrollar las actividades agrícolas o ganaderas", enfatizó Ortega.

Bean & Co. ha invertido US$ 25 millones en Nicaragua y tiene proyectado sumar otros US$ 250 millones en la siembra de 3.040 hectáreas de cacao, según la información oficial, que no precisa en cuánto tiempo se hará esa inversión.

El Grupo LR tiene inversiones similares en Brasil, Colombia, Camerún, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, México, Malasia, Nigeria, Papúa Nueva Guinea, Perú, República Dominicana, Surinam, Uganda y Vietnam.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Mr. Government - What Are Your Priorities?

By Karim Adle

Governments are elected to represent the best interests of the people, provide social justice and ensure stability within the country. In Belize, we are stuck with a government which continues to blatantly lie to those whom they represent. You see, they came in 2008 telling the people to Imagine the Possibilities. They came back 4 years later and said “Always for the People.” And most recently, like a punch in the gut, they said the best is yet to come. 43% of our Belizean brothers and sisters living under the poverty line are left wondering where the hundreds of millions spent by their government have gone. They surely have not felt development. They are still imagining what could be and are still waiting for the best to arrive.

While many would be quick to say the UDP lied when they gave us those three slogans, I would beg to differ.

When they said imagine the possibilities and later said always for the people, they meant the possibilities for their own people, and amassing riches for their inner circles, their cronies. While the country battles high unemployment rates, a failing health sector, a debt to GDP ratio that stands at an astounding 100%, just to name a few, we were recently blasted with not one but two obviously political motivated and influenced bloated contracts. Imer Hernandez, the nephew of disgraced former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, was awarded the contract to resurface the Faber’s Road area to the tune of 7.9 Million dollars. Readers may recall it was this same contractor who raked in contracts in the Orange Walk District, collected the money and never worked on the roads for which

he was paid. As a further gut punch, the same Minister of Works signed another bloated contract to the tune of around $7 million for works between the Hawkesworth Bridge and the Loma Luz junction. That span of road amounts to little under a mile of road, further fleecing the country and awarding their own. Important to note is that both of these contracts were done by selective tendering, meaning that it was closed and not all contractors were allowed to bid.

Two contracts awarded to the tune of almost 15 million dollars for a combined 2 miles of road. That is 15 million dollars that could have been invested in our people to make the lives of those living under the poverty rate better. Homes could have been built, scholarships could have been given to the underprivileged youth trying to make a name for themselves and break out of the poverty shell.

Mr. Minister of Works - you Sir represent the Cayo Central area. Are you not aware of the conditions of the San Ignacio Hospital? Are you not aware that the air conditioning has been down for over a month? Are you not aware that there is a pink eye outbreak and the hospital is in dire need of maintenance? Do you see it more important to sign two bloated contracts than to secure the health and well-being of those very same people you ask for support and who have supported you?

I urge readers to remember all the wrongdoing when heading to the polls.

Remember a vote for the UDP signals your approval to Imer Hernandez continuing to rake in millions from bloated contracts. A vote for them signals that you are content that this government has kept 43% of our brothers and sisters in poverty. A vote for them signals that you are okay with the Minister of Works fleecing the country and awarding contracts like these to his brother who has suddenly gotten into construction and was awarded the new Town Board building. It is time to call out the UDP for we cannot continue to imagine while we see that they are always for their cronies that still haven’t gotten the best yet to come. The time to rise and send the strong message at the polls is on the horizon and I urge Belizeans to show their dissatisfaction and cast their vote for the party that Believes in Belize and in its people. A better Belize is possible under the People’s United Party.

22 OCT

2017

Youths Just Wanna Have Funds

By Brittney Galvez Even though youths appear to be solely concerned about enjoying the weekend, one of the main issues affecting us today is access to and affordability of education.

According to the Ministry of Education’s website “three out of five Belizean children of high school age are not in high school,” with the main reason for this being that parents simply can’t afford it. These statistics become even more alarming because out of the 41% of Belizeans living below the poverty line, only 5% are expected to complete high school.

Youths are often forced to leave school because of the rising cost of tuition, books and general fees.

Poverty-stricken youths are often expected to work and help with their family’s financial constraints while leaving their educational goals behind. This trend can be seen in a report conducted by the Statistical Institute of Belize which showed that 42% of the labour force in Belize had only achieved primary level education. If, according to Nelson Mandela, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” then how equipped are we?

Belize spends more money on education than any other country in the Caribbean and Central America. Despite this large investment, the Ministry of Education webpage informs that, “enrolment rates are the lowest and dropout rates and repetition rates are high by comparison to other countries in the region.” This is extremely troubling

because even with numerous investments in education, Belizean youths are still falling short of graduating.

Without the availability of necessary educational opportunities, too many of our impoverished youths will not be in school and are not likely to earn a degree.

The Government of Belize must do more to ensure that these statistics begin to change and that no student is lost because of financial problems. Every Belizean youth deserves the right to an education no matter their financial situation because one youth lost is one too many. What if the cure for cancer is trapped inside the mind of someone who can’t afford an education?

What would we achieve as a society if only a handful of our youth are educated? We were never a country based on education for some, instead it should be education for all no matter societal status, financial position, political affiliation, ethnicity, or gender.

Education is exceedingly important, for it is one of the major avenues to alleviating and breaking the cycle of poverty. Therefore, all Belizean youths must be equipped with the academic tools necessary to succeed in and carry on the future. Too many youths are hanging on the street corners, soliciting in parking lots or working long hours for little pay while their peers are sitting in a classroom. Instead, all youths should be in school discovering their talents and reaching their academic goals because when the working day is done, our youths just wanna have funds.

22 OCT

29

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Blood Paved Streets!

By Ivan Valencia Bang! Bang! Yet another father shot in front of his children. Bang!

Bang! A young boy shot while going to the store. Bang! Bang! A ghetto youth rides away from the crime scene where yet another hard-working man/woman suffers the wrath of the stray away bullets. This is the sound of my city, this is the sound of my Belize, this is the sound I don’t want to hear any more!

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them and do nothing, claims Albert Einstein. In effect, he is right, sad to say, he is right!

I wonder if GOB still has that gang portfolio. I wonder what is the real role of that. I wonder, with all the players involved, why can’t our state be in a better position! The sad reality is that NO REAL ATTENTION is put towards the SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ILLS OF THIS COUNTRY. We continue to be BLACKLISTED AS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. Our children continue to bury their parents.

We cannot afford to just watch things happening before our eyes.

We must take a stand. Bad governance is no governance at all. We need accountability at all levels of government. When the head of the Police force does not want to tell the truth and give an accurate account of what is happening in our community, something is seriously wrong!

I will be honest with you. I still believe in the Police force. I believe

that there are genuine people out there that care. But I also believe that when you have a head of department that doesn’t seem to give a rat’s ass about our safety and be accountable for such a rise in criminal activity then that person needs to be removed!

But you see ladies and gentlemen, the problem is that you cannot be a corrupt person and reveal your corrupt ways onto other, then expect to scold them when they are doing wrong! That is why you have good men and women going beyond the limit of their powers. That is why picking up a dead body has become the new norm in the city and in the districts. That is why people don’t respect each other anymore, and that is why they don’t respect themselves.

“I am convinced that we came into this world’s existence for a true purpose, one that does not entail learning to point a gun at your country’s men.” I make a call to the young people of this nation to not be a part of this! Let’s stop the violence. Our families and friends are tired of weeping over dead bodies, ones that can surely be us the next time. We need to unite and be one. We need to live another day, not just another ordinary day, but we need to live for those who love us. We need to live for us most importantly. WE ARE TIRED OF THE BLOOD PAVED STREETS! For further information on the work of the Belize Youth Movement, contact 6721988. Let’s Unite and Join the Efforts for “A BELIZE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.”

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 36 of the Administration of Esates Act Chapter160 of the Laws of Belize that all creditors having any claims or demands upon or against the Estate of ROBERT SPINDLER, deceased, late of Burrell Boom Village, Belize District, Belize who died on the 5 th day of June, 2015 in whose estate Grant of Probate have been granted to Executrix MARY L0UISE SPINDLER, should lodge such claims or demands with the said MARY LOUISE SPINDLER c/o M.H. CHEBAT & CO., Attorneys-at-Law of No. 53 Barrack Road, Belize City, Belize on or before the expiration of the three months from the first publication hereof AND NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the expiration of the said three months the Executrix shall proceed to distribute the assets of the said ROBERT SPINDLER, deceased, amongst the parties entitled thereto having regard to all the claims or demands of which particulars are lodged and the Executrix shall not be liable for assets of the deceased or any part thereof so distribute to any person or persons whose claims or demands they shall not then have had notice.

DATED this 16 th day of October 2017 M.H. CHEBAT & CO. Attorneys-at-Law for MARY LOUISE SPINDLER Administrator of the Estate of ROBERT SPINDLER

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INVESTMENT

VACANCY

FOR Driver/Office Messenger Qualifications and Experience: • Minimum qualification of a High School certificate

BY ORDER OF MORTGAGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL The Social Security Board (SSB), a Board incorporated under the Laws of Belize with its registered office situated at Bliss Parade, Belmopan, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power

•

Possession of a Police Record

•

Minimum 1 year experience in a similar job

of sale as Mortgagee under and by virtue of Charge between Civil Service Credit Union Ltd and the

• •

Possession of a valid drivers license Quick learner

SSB which said Charge is registered at the Lands Registry. SSB will at the expiration of two (2) months

Basic Skills And Requirements • • •

from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule hereto.

Must be able to handle a motorcycle.

Must be organized, reliable and punctual.

Have a mature working attitude.

Salary:

Negotiable and dependent on experience and qualifications.

Interested candidates must be a highly motivated team player with initiative, flexibility and excellent communication skills. Must have the ability to organize their workload with particular attention to detail.

Should be able to operate in a busy environment and meet deadlines.

Closing Date: November 3rd, 2017 Please send your resume and the names of at least two (2) sources of reference to the below:

Manager P. O. Box 80 Belize City, BELIZE or Email: managerlaw2014@gmail.com

1

Schedule ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 163.3 square meters being Parcel No. 688, Block 45, Albert/Mesop Registration Section, situate at No. 28 Dean Street, Belize City, Belize, TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and developments standing and being thereon, being the property of Civil Service Credit Union Ltd.

DATED THIS 17TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2017

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THE BELIZE TIMES

22 OCT

2017

One Vision…One People BILL OF RIGHTS The People’s United Party wants to share its vision with the Belizean people. It is rooted in a philosophy that goes back to the Father of our Nation the Right Hon. George Price. Mr. Price always believed ours was a work in progress; he led a revolution that is at its core peaceful, always constructive, progressive and uniquely Belizean.

These values remain true today and form a part of our PUP Creed. We are committed to the protection of our territorial sovereignty. We cannot, and will not risk even an inch of our beloved country, from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon. And we are committed to an accessible, fair and independent justice system and the rule of law in Belize.

The PUP will always seek to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. It is a commitment to the socio-economic improvement of all Belizeans. Our plan is to rid Belize of poverty. To the PUP, poverty is an ugly scar on our nation’s collective conscience, and no amount of cosmetic surgery can paste over the suffering of close to half of our people, most of them women and children, who live on less than ten dollars per day.

This is not only a task for governments. We all have a stake in this enterprise, but government must LEAD and bold leaders must show that they truly care. For us the task ahead is clear - to build a Belize that works for everyone, so that every Belizean should come to expect five things. This vision, this determination, has created what we call our BELIZEAN BILL OF RIGHTS. FIRST - Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. With land we immediately create opportunities for upliftment and personal growth.

SECOND - Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. The 17th Century Jurist and politician Edward Coke in speaking on human rights said: “A man’s home is his castle.” Every Belizean in 2017 should expect such an entitlement whether they live on Bocotora Street or on Seashore Drive.

THIRD - Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. We have to make education free from pre-kinder to Junior College. If we will give our young people a chance at success, it must start with a good education.

FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. If we can invest 42 million dollars in a basketball stadium, then we should be able to provide basic health services to all.

FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS - good jobs that can lead to meaningful careers; jobs that will give Belizeans a chance for personal growth and prosperity and provide a hand up for those at the very bottom of the economic ladder.

If we do these things, if we create a fair and just society, if we build on these principles we will then be able to change people’s lives and together we will rid our shores of the scourge that is poverty.

22 OCT

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

31

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.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

22 OCT

2017