Belize Times September 6, 2020- 40 Healthcare Workers Infected

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The Belize Times

6 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

APP

2020

Established 1957

6 SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE NO: 5214

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00

1000 PLUS

40 Healthcare Workers Infected According to the UDP Ministry of Health, we now have over a 1000 positive cases for SARS-COV2 in our land of the free. Many are now ignoring these numbers due to the high level of anxiety it causes. The reality is that in less than a UDP month, our infection rate went beyond exponential and at par with the UDP government’s failed health policies. Possibly the most glaring proof of UDP blame is the infection of some 40 healthcare frontline workers. Barrow promised transportation, care for their children, ex gratia payments and, biggest of all, and overabundance of Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs). All have been more Barrow broken promises. The PPEs which includes N95 masks, gowns, respirators, gloves and other specialized equipment have somehow went missing in action.

Each time the experts are asked as to the availability and whereabouts of the PPEs the answer would include the words like stored, warehouse, donation, and coming.

The nurses and doctors have found it nec-

NANA SPARES MOST OF BELIZE

UDP

Ignores Mile 38 Pg. 2 EVERYBODY FI WIN!

Pg. 7

AGRICULTURE THE BASIS OF DEVELOPMENT

Pg. 8

Pg. 2

CASTRO AGAIN

Pg. 2 20K STUDENTS WON’T GET A LAPTOP

essary to come out publicly to denounce the conditions that they have been facing. The frontline workers are not equipped. Where are the PPE’s? If these are available and being hoarded for some inexplicable reason then heads need to roll.

In a flood of government press releases, PM statement, Ask the Experts replies, CEO Gough flurries and Pablo stammers, Belize is constantly getting donations of PPE equipment. There should be enough for our frontline workers to use. Micro management is certainly something that for the healthcare workers does not allow for the PPEs to be used optimally.

The government has largely failed Belize in being able to test in an expeditious manner.

Flying past Taiwan, a country of 24million people, for example, is still inexplicable. Taiwan is still at 479 cases with 7deaths. Has the UDP not asked for help? Is their pride too big and cumbersome? Or are they only used to asking

Pg. 7

SHYNE

Shakedown

Pg. 2

planBelize

TODOS GANAMOS!

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1000 PLUS 40 Healthcare Workers Infected Continued from page 1 for money and unable to ask for technical help? What good is it to get a donation and not know how to handle it?

It is five months now since they rejected SICA and South Korea testing kits, the UDP failing Belize is showing in the number of cases and deaths. If we were able to test more efficiently then we could have averted the sudden rise of cases that can be blamed for infected people waiting for a result and not isolating. The blame for not isolating falls squarely on the government. They failed to lead our population in how to handle themselves once they have come in contact with someone who was positive.

Orange Walk District and San Pedro have both suffered high rates of infection due to the UDPs inaction, and lack of leadership where and when it matters the most.

There is a price to pay and the UDP will face the wrath.

NANA SPARES MOST OF BELIZE Since Monday, August 31, Belizeans have been glued to their radios, televisions and social media as they intensely monitored tropical system Nana. It was announced that countries such as Jamaica, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Yucatan should monitor the progress of this disturbance.

The tropical wave formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea just west of the Windward Islands. By Tuesday morning, September 2nd the fast moving wave continued to display signs of organization and development, and was quickly upgraded to Tropical Storm Nana.

Since Tuesday all weather models were indicating that the storm was moving west straight toward Belize. And, by 11am NEMO had raised the first warning l flag declaring a Tropical Storm watch for the country.

By Wednesday morning at 3am forecast models were predicting Nana to become a Category 1 Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale just as it reached in front of Belize.

At 9am the second red flag was raised which meant a hurricane warning for the entire country.

Belizeans scurried to make all the necessary hurricane plans and businesses closed by midday to allow employees to bunker down and brace for the hurricane.

The storm which was predicted to hit sometime between midnight and 6am Thursday made landfall in the Stann Creek District as a category 1. Fortunately the damage was minimal and majority of Belizeans woke up to a beautiful sunrise. PUP Area Representative for Stann Creek West Honorable Rodwell Ferguson, was on the grounds since 6am Thursday Morning following the hurricane. He said damages were minimal but asked that Belizeans contribute to those who did get affected. The residents of Stann Creek west voiced to Hon. Ferguson that they are very grateful that they have been spared. No

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THE BELIZE TIMES

injuries or death were reported.

Honorable Rodwell will continue to visit villages and communities located in the Stann Creek West constituency.

AT 9am on Thursday, The National Meteorological Services of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued the “All Clear” for the entire country but, advised that flooding and landslides are still possible. This meant that the hurricane was no longer over Belize but the damages on the ground were not yet known.

The 2020 hurricane season, which runs from June to November, has been more active than average, with meteorologists forecasting between 19 and 25 tropical storms, of which seven to 11 will turn into hurricanes. In typical years, only a couple of named storms would have formed by August, with an average season producing a total of 12 named storms. In 2020, all storms up to Nana have been named earlier than ever before. Up to now, the record year was 2005 when for the first time the Greek alphabet was utilized.

As the peak of the season approaches on September 10, two other systems are currently under surveillance – one in the central Atlantic and one off the African coast – which could develop as they move westward.

After a hurricane, it is strongly advised to drink bottled, boiled or treated water. Stay out of flood waters and disaster areas as the water might be contaminated or electrically charged.

Turn off your electrical switch box if your home will flood. Watch out for snakes and wild animals.

Be prepared for flooding.

In the times of Covid, keep on your masks, practice social distance, clean their hands regularly and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.///

2020

SHYNE

Shakedown When you borrow, borrow, borrow till you cannot anymore in the name of Belize it is extremely reckless. But when you attempt to mirror Saldivar’s tranches in your own name you are in a definite fight with FIU regulations and legalities.

As to the latter point, Shyne Barrow again has another viral video (others show him being slapped silly, offending women, refusing to leave an establishment, and suing his own benefactor) where he is seen in video chat with a person that goes as Fat Joe. A Google search clears up that he has no ties to Belize and much less to Mesopotamia.

In the video chat leak, Shyne is trying to change even as Fat Joe says he, Barrow, has not changed his way of being. Shyne asked Fat Joe to bring “the bags.” He seems to be asking Fat Joe to also beg for him in the name of Shyne Barrow for Mesop.

UDP

Ignores Mile 38 “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do for the day after.” That is the UDP inaction described in one FB comment.

If you are a regular commuter from Belize City to Belmopan and Beyond, you will understand this clearly as it is your daily experience.

In the middle of June, a Pacific Ocean overnight rain literally caught the UDP from behind and left them a gash across the George Price Highway at mile 38. The ready to work and enterprising engineers went to work and by 10pm that June 18 they had built a temporary passage over the section of the highway waters had managed to breach through an unrestored culvert that was not upgraded when the UDP ‘fixed’ that section of said highway. The infrastructure hustle highly depends on cutting corners on material, wages, culverts and anything that a highway can do without...in the near future. In this case, it was a few months and nature did not fail to expose the on-thecheap work.

In the days to come, cement culverts were brought to the area and one would think that restoration of the gash was underway. Vintage UDP, that was all for show. Nothing was done.

There were other priorities than ensuring that Belize City and its capital City are not isolated from each other...this could be a tragedy in a time of Emergency.

So tropical system Nana appears on the International radar; not Belize’s since the UDP has no weather radar. It wasn’t until a few hours before Nana

For a little context: Just four days before the year 2000, Shyne Barrow got into a gun incident at Club New York with Sean Combs, dude of multiple names, which led to jail time.

The details are for another article. But early in this UDP’s three recession administration, Shyne was deported and gallantly welcomed by the UDP. There was no argument by the UDP when this anti role model was made the Music Ambassador. Under this non-functional role he was and is paid by Patrick Faber’s ministry.

Barrow’s everlasting goal is to return to the USA and he believes that with his Mesop standard bearer gift he will be able to accomplish that. Of course, deportee Barrow claims to be a changed man. We at this paper still believe he should be given a second chance. He should resign and earn his own keep like Candice Pitts. Can Shyne Barrow survive a real 8 to 5 job? made landfall that the UDP decided to do some more patchwork on Mile 38.

That is criminal incompetence.

In a time of impending emergency and real urgency, traffic got backed up for miles when people should have been huddled at home already. Some 80 days after the George Price highway was seriously breached the UDP went to work again.

Are they that broke? Mentally? The UDP is a useless party. Their actions or, best yet, their inactions are all criminal and must be prosecuted as malpractice and negligence to the citizenry they are supposed to be protecting. Where is the improving of lives?

Some of Belize dodged another bullet this September 4. According to Shyne that would be two months before the people end this UDP’s reign of terror.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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6 SEP

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

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EDITORIAL When The Going Gets Tough….

W

e are now deep into an economic recession, the Belizean economy contracted over the last five consecutive quarters. This economic downturn had been upon us long before the pandemic that only served to intensify and amplify the very obvious flaws in an inadequate structure plagued with systemic corruption and ineffectual leadership. A depression by definition is a deeper contraction of the economy during a longer period of time. The Great Depression saw the economy of the USA contract by roughly 16.1 percent the first year in 1931 and unemployment reached unheard of levels of 25 percent. Already Belize’s economy has contracted by 23.3 percent just this first year alone. The last figures for unemployment are pre-pandemic figures in September that put us at 10.4%. During the Depression unemployment stood at 25%. The SIB (Statistical Institute of Belize) was unable to carry out scheduled collection during the lockdown earlier this year and conveniently has not scheduled to conduct the Labour Force survey which is due in September. Based on these figures alone we were headed down the slippery slope toward a depression of our own making since last year. The panorama has worsened this year with the effects of Global Warming and the extended drought we have been experiencing over the last few years and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SIB has managed to give us some information recently. Of particular note is that this second quarter our economy has contracted by 23.3 percent. Wholesale and retail sales have declined sharply by 37.1 percent due to a fall in demand and the shortages of available foreign exchange. Cattle production and sales explains the Minister of Agriculture are both down but at different rates. While the reduction in sales is down by 60 percent due to the recent block of informal and now illegal cattle trade through Bullet Tree Village. Livestock production Minister Hulse explains is down by only 36.9 percent due in large part to his tremendous effort in securing the legal sale of 27 head of cattle through formal and established routes. We take this opportunity to remind the minister not to over exert himself with so much effort on behalf of the cattle industry which brought in close to $50M in sales per year before he shut it down completely during the worst economic crisis in our history. Cattle exports are down 68.9% Minister Hulse.

As we had argued before the sudden decreases in demand would cause an initial over supply that would disrupt the market forces. Prices would fluctuate, then supply but an eventual balance would be restored where the new supply and demand were established. The poultry industry did just that and now it has found its equilibrium at 29.4 percent reduction in output. Citrus enjoyed a longer harvest due to dry weather and allowed it to increase production slightly. Banana also increased as acreage increased. Losses in the tourism sector affected beer production by lowering it to almost half at 46.6 percent. The market for soft drinks proved a bit more inelastic as the production was only decreased by 7.7 percent. The North having been hit particularly hard with the closure of several industries during the administration of the current UDP government will now suffer again from a drop of 24.9 percent the earnings of Sugar Industry affected by dry weather. While foreign exchange is low it is interesting to note that local flour production was down 14 percent largely due to increased importation.

Times are tough for normal Belizeans. The Belizean middle class who are the backbone of our economy are disappearing, being thrust into poverty and debt by the reckless spending of the UDP. There is currently an absence of a sound investment and monetary policy in Belize. The PUP will introduce a plan that will put people to work by returning investor confidence and providing sustainable incentives to increase investment.

The creation of jobs and the protection of the working class is the only way to move our economy forward, of increasing productivity and ensuring that Belize will once again flourish.

Before the pandemic we were already well down the road to an economic depression. The SIB seems unwilling to provide us with current data a scarce two months before a general election because it could only have gotten worse. We may not have the whole picture, but Belizeans on the ground and in the street who have been feeling the pinch for a while now, they know that we are in deep trouble. Belizeans also know that when the going gets tough…only the tough stick by you. John Briceño is the leader that has the stamina to stick with Belize a #planbelize and the vision to rebuild a Belize that works for all of us.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

E

6 SEP

2020

en Español

Cuando Las Cosas Se Ponen Difíciles....

stamos ahora en una profunda recesión económica, la economía de Belice se contrajo durante los últimos cuatro trimestres consecutivos. Esta recesión económica estaba sobre nosotros mucho antes que la pandemia que sólo sirvió para intensificar y amplificar los defectos muy obvios de una estructura inadecuada y plagada de corrupción sistémica y liderazgo ineficaz.

Una depresión por definición es una contracción más profunda de la economía durante un período de tiempo más largo. La Gran Depresión hizo que la economía de los EE.UU. se contrajera aproximadamente un 16,1 por ciento el primer año en 1931 y el desempleo alcanzó niveles inauditos de un 25 por ciento. La economía de Belice ya se ha contraído en un 23,3 por ciento sólo en este primer año. Las últimas cifras de desempleo son cifras pre pandémicas de septiembre que nos sitúan en un 10,4%. Durante la Depresión el desempleo se mantuvo en un 25%. El SIB (Instituto de Estadística de Belice por sus siglas en inglés) no pudo llevar a cabo la recolección programada durante el cierre a principios de este año y convenientemente no ha programado llevar a cabo la encuesta de la Fuerza Laboral que se debe realizar en septiembre. Basándonos únicamente en estas cifras, nos dirigíamos por la pendiente resbaladiza hacia una depresión de nuestra propia creación desde el año pasado. El panorama ha empeorado este año con los efectos del Calentamiento Global y la sequía prolongada que venimos experimentando en los últimos años y la pandemia del COVID-19.

El SIB ha logrado darnos alguna información recientemente. De particular interés es que este segundo trimestre nuestra economía se ha contraído en un 23,3 por ciento. Las ventas al por mayor y al por menor han disminuido bruscamente un 37,1 por ciento debido a la caída de la demanda y la escasez de divisas disponibles. La producción ganadera y las ventas, nos explica el Ministro de Agricultura han bajado, pero a ritmos diferentes. Mientras que la reducción de las ventas se ha reducido en un 60 por ciento debido al reciente bloqueo del comercio informal y ahora ilegal de ganado a través de Bullet Tree Village. La producción ganadera, explica el ministro Hulse, se ha reducido sólo un 36,9 por ciento debido en gran parte a su tremendo esfuerzo para asegurar la venta legal de 27 cabezas de ganado a través de rutas formales y establecidas. Aprovechamos esta oportunidad para recordarle al ministro que no se esfuerce demasiado a favor de la industria ganadera, que consiguió cerca de 50 millones en ventas al año antes de cerrarla por completo durante la peor crisis económica de nuestra historia. Las exportaciones de ganado han disminuido 68.9% ministro Hulse.

Como habíamos contradicho antes, las reducciones repentinas de la demanda causarían un exceso de oferta inicial que perturbaría las fuerzas del mercado. Los precios fluctuarían, luego la oferta, pero eventualmente se restablecería un equilibrio donde se establecieran la nueva oferta y la demanda. La industria avícola hizo precisamente eso y ahora ha encontrado su equilibrio en una reducción del 29,4% de la producción. Los cítricos disfrutaron de una cosecha más larga, debido al clima seco y permitieron que aumentara ligeramente la producción. El banano también aumentó a medida que aumentaba la superficie cultivada. Las pérdidas en el sector del turismo afectaron a la producción de cerveza al reducirla a casi la mitad, en un 46,6 por ciento. El mercado de refrescos resultó un poco más inelástico, ya que la producción sólo disminuyó un 7,7 por ciento. El Norte se ha visto especialmente afectado con el cierre de varias industrias durante la administración del actual gobierno del UDP, ahora sufrirá de nuevo con una caída del 24,9 por ciento de las ganancias de la industria azucarera afectada por la sequía. Si bien las divisas son bajas, es interesante señalar que la producción local de harina se redujo en un 14 por ciento, en gran medida debido al aumento de las importaciones.

Los tiempos son difíciles para los beliceños normales. La clase media beliceña que es la columna vertebral de nuestra economía está desapareciendo, sumida en la pobreza y la deuda por el gasto imprudente del UDP. Actualmente, en Belice no existe una política monetaria y de inversión sólida. El PUP presentará un plan que pondrá a la gente a trabajar devolviendo la confianza de los inversores y proporcionando incentivos sostenibles para aumentar la inversión. La creación de empleos y la protección de la clase trabajadora es la única forma de hacer avanzar nuestra economía, de aumentar la productividad y de asegurar que Belice vuelva a florecer.

Antes de la pandemia, ya estábamos en el camino hacia una depresión económica. El SIB parece no estar dispuesto a proporcionarnos datos actualizados a escasos dos meses de unas elecciones generales porque solo podría haber empeorado. Puede que no tengamos el panorama completo, pero los beliceños en las bases sociales y en la calle que han estado sintiendo el pellizco desde hace un tiempo, saben que estamos en serios problemas. Los beliceños también saben que cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles ... sólo los fuertes te apoyan. John Briceño es el líder que tiene la resistencia para luchar por Belice con #planbelize y la visión de reconstruir un Belice que funcione para todos nosotros.

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2020

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THE BELIZE TIMES

BELLY of the

BEAST

Nana The nation has been miraculously spared the devastation usually visited on countries by any serious natural disaster. Hurricane Nana came and went, and thanks be to God there are no reports of loss of life or injuries, and seemingly minimal infrastructure damage. And while we must give thanks to the Almighty for allowing us to escape unscathed, if it were up to the government, we would have been in a hell of a lot of trouble. It seems that all our Ministers were busy planning how to hustle the last pennies from the coffers before elections and nobody in power seemed to even know there was a storm out. By the time NEMO woke up, Belizeans, thankfully, were already aware of the storm because of international weather news. Imagine that one day before the storm hit, the Ministry of Works was hurrying to try to fix a section of road on the western highway that had washed away three months ago. If the storm had hit with any kind of force or rains, Belmopan and the west and south of the country would have been cut off completely, AGAIN. It is really time for the UDP to go.

Rona Nana may be old news now, but Rona has sure as hell been kicking up a storm. The numbers are in and as we write this there are more than 1100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Already our health system is overwhelmed and almost 50 frontline workers have been infected. We know for sure that the Ministry of Health is way backlogged, which means that persons that are infected are not being tested, even if they show the symptoms. Even old bad back Barrow seems to have gone quiet, because the truth is that he has nothing constructive to say. Every now and then he talks about some relief funding that never shows up. Farmers are still waiting for drought relief funding from two years ago. Belizeans are still waiting for unemployment relief funding which never showed up, and then Grampa Dean was on TV talking about hurricane relief funding. What a sick joke. People have already gotten enough of the UDP. Just a matter of waiting for elections now. Let’s do this Dean.

Petty Hustler A lot of people probably find it funny to see a video of Jamal bin-Laden Moses Leviy Barrow shaking down another man, telling him that he needs to come to come to Belize with ‘bags’ of money to persuade voters to put him into office. The truth is there’s nothing funny about it. This is a man who wants to be a leader in this country begging for money, just like his best friend John Saldivar begged for tranches from convicted fraudster Lev Dermen. Think about it. If a man like Jamal can so shamelessly hustle money when he isn’t even an elected representative, imagine what kind of hustling would go down if he ever gets hold of some sort of power. The truth is that this guy has always been a petty hustler. He was deported to Belize and tried to reinvent himself as his daddy’s mini-me, but he is the same all glitter and no substance. We need to do better than that. We have to do better than that. Jamal is an embarrassment to this country, and not only because he used to play drop the soap in a federal

penitentiary. Serious.

The Ghost Sources in Belize Rural Central say that there was a mysterious sighting of a woman calling herself Bev just hours before the hurricane. We hear she had bags of $5 groceries in hand and was knocking on doors. Good thing our people know that they shouldn’t open their doors to persons they don’t know, and worse shouldn’t accept gifts from strangers. Old-timers in the division tell stories of a UDP politician known as Bev who once begged them for votes, and when she was elected in the area she disappeared without a trace. As legend has it, she shows up around election time only, begging and pleading. Ain’t no time for that, the people say. Voters in Belize Rural Central ain’t afraid of no ghosts. Haul yuh R…Bev! The Scorpion If the Police weren’t manipulated by politicians, Pablo Marin would be behind bars right now, charged with murder, or at least manslaughter. Everybody knows that if a normal Belizean had shot a fleeing burglar in the back, he would be charged.

The law is the law. At first, the story was that Pablo had found a burglary around his home and shot him as he ran away. Then suddenly, a knife appeared in the mix from somewhere, and the story became that the man charged at him with the knife, yet somehow was still shot in the back as he ran and jumped over the fence. Fair is fair. We call on our friend Chester to do the right thing.

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between CLARA LUCY PAZ of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the Schedule below. ALL offers to purchase the said properties must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1917 Area: 703.012 s.m.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1918 Area: 703.012 s.m.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1942 Area: 703.012 s.m.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1943 Area: 703.012 s.m.

DATED this 2nd day of September 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 E-mail: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

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6 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS

1. Will the Minister of Police please inform the head of the Criminal Investigation Branch to provide Belizeans with all the details of the incident that led to Pablo Marin shooting a Belizean citizen, including all the information on the number of shots and exactly where the shots entered the body?

2. Will the Minister of Culture and UDP Leader elect Patrick Faber please tell the nation exactly how much was paid to Shensea for her song and will he also not agree that there are many talented Belizean musicians who could use the work?

3. Where is the Minister of State for Trade, Tracy Taegar? Was she involved in the deal that saw the sale of a few heads of cattle to Mexico?

4. Will the Minister of Labour Carla Barnett, who is also the minister with responsibility for the unemployment relief, please inform the Belizean people how many Belizeans have received unemployment relief in the second part of the unemployment relief program?

5. Belize, let’s keep alert and work together to bring down the number of COVID cases by practicing social distance (6 feet apart), wearing your mask in public, practicing good hygiene and being safe.

2020

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under and by virtue of a Deed of Mortgage registered at the Land Titles Unit between ELSIE GARCIA and STUART GARCIA (Jointly) of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 1532A comprising 245.789 S.M. situate along Tanoomah Street, Belize City, Belize District being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 125 of 2000 dated 18th February 2000 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey by C. W. Arnold, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan City, Cayo District as Tra. 168, Entry No. 1416 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ELSIE GARCIA and STUART GARCIA (Jointly) DATED this 26th day of August 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

CARTOON

6 SEP

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

MY HEALTH - MY RESPONSIBILITY YES, WHATS GOB’S RESPONSIBILITY?

By Senator Hon. Isabel Guadalupe Bennett Some people, myself included, stayed up doing hurricane watch to ensure that my family was safe and stood ready to assist if there was a neighbour in need of help. With hurricane Nana gone her merry way having done minimal damage, as a nation we give thanks. As the saying goes, God won’t give us more than we can bear! We would all love to see Covid disappear just the same, and of course not just Belize but the world over. Instead, Covid continues to spread like wildfire in our country with a total of 1101 as of yesterday September 2nd according to the post from the Office of the Director of Health Service. And with its deadly presence, the issue of stigma and discrimination is presented not just by family members in some cases but also by the larger community as well as GOB. Whilst on my hurricane watch, I happened upon a worrisome Facebook message posted by an angry villager. As I dialogue with the facebooker, hoping to gain empathy for the affected Covid-19 patient and eliminate the stigma and discrimination in the post, I quickly realized the situation was not as clear cut because of what was being shared.

However, I was keen in trying to understand this situation before some concerns I had after reading the Office of the Director of Health Service August 30, 2020 update which indicated one (1) confirmed case in 13 villages.

The Facebook situation

shared has become even more worrisome to me because of three reasons - the stigma and discrimination directed to the “one” confirmed case in the small village which had one shop and one village bus (typical of many of our rural communities), worrisome too because of the possible total disregard for the safety of the wider community and the law on the part of the individual who is not exercising self-quarantined and thirdly the loud absence of GOB to address these obvious issues at a community level in respect to follow-up health and social services and law enforcement.

The stigma and discrimination in and of itself presents additional harm and distress for the affected individual. Some might argue and say that’s only if the individual understands the gravity of this deadly condition and really cares about his or her health and that of his/ her family. What is additional alarming and very, very sad is the fact that the stigma and discrimination can present in various ways and from various levels within the individual’s own family, the community and even government.

So added to the mental anguish of confinement, social isolation, emotional/mental issues and definitely loss of income and financial difficulties, persons with Covid-19 can, in most cases, be further exposed to verbal and physical abuse possibly by immediate family members and they have no access to quick health information especially without internet on a smartphone.

And in our rural communities, confirmed cases do not have access to preventative and emergency healthcare in an emergency because the nearest health facilities are usually miles away or the health care providers only work certain hours. And the absence of culturally-sensitive Covid-19 health information will for sure, if not already since March 2020, create huge cultural barriers as we see the deep rural communities now being affected.

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CASTRO AGAIN Insulting words hurled publicly at women Caught with contrabanded beers Riding a bike publicly when SoE regulations did not permit it Cheating in the cross country cycling classic International Incidents Land grabs Immigration Hustle Going maskless while selling food Chronic absenteeism from work...and many others The latter from the list above is the latest entitlement grabbed by a Castro here and there.

According to reports this past last Friday of August, the Public Service Commission would decide the fate of Belize Tax Service employee, Jumoke Castro, son of Minister Edmond Castro. The charges of repeated and unapproved absenteeism and habitual tardiness might seem grave to many normal Belizeans but to a Castro it is negligible.

Had somebody been clocking in for Jumoke? So it seems.

So even after being warned for his attendance at work shenanigans, Castro is the repeat offender. Will there be real action and release of Mr. Castro from the public service which has a high bar of proof to fill for there to be termination?

One should not hold their breath as normalcy is not something that reigns in any UDP Minister’s family.

20K STUDENTS WON’T GET A LAPTOP At best estimate twenty thousand plus Belizean children have no device to work with. The UDP leadership seems content to expect distant learning for some and not for all.

They UDP is so used to the UDP first mentality that they are subjecting our children to the same process. Today when even pre-schools are asking for an electronic device Faber expects to give to some. Any bets that the most disadvantaged kids will not get a laptop. Did we hear that the students getting the laptops will still need to pay something for them?

The last time leader elect Patrick Faber was allowed at the head table of the PM’s Press Conference he had taken one out of a magic and imaginary hat. The broke UDP government had 8000 laptops to give to select children. The exDPM was cagey as to where these devices would be coming from.

But, the questions are too many.

When it comes to equipping our children with the necessary tools then it is money well spent. But with the UDP and their Imer-type modus ope-

randi, one has to question.

Will our children get value for money?

How will a child qualify for one?

What level school are we talking about?

Would primary school students be getting any?

Who is setting up the virtual based learning in his Ministry of Education that likes to talk about curriculum?

Why do High School teachers need training while Primary School teacher not need? The real distant teaching requires an entirely new skill set.

What guarantees that this won’t be an electronic pantry--politically contaminated?

What is the official word on the Digi-Learn programme?

Faber incompetence in the Ministry of Education is only rivalled by Pablo’s own incompetence in Health. Both men should call it a failed career and move on.

They have failed the people miserably.

There only embrace is that their leader has probably messed up the economy and a slew of other Ministries. In all instances the people of Belize suffer. Our children deserve better.

8 08 8

THE BELIZE TIMES

CRIME NEWS SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 A man lost his life after he was fatally stabbed on Royal Palm Street, Louisiana area, Orange walk town. The incident happened Tuesday, September 1, 2020 sometime around lunch. According to reports Joaquin Perez (22) left his home to go purchase items at a nearby neighborhood grocery store when he got into an altercation with two men. During the altercation Perez was stabbed three (3) times; once to the face, neck and stomach. Perez was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.///

A shooting in the Cayo district has left two men dead. According to reports Joshua Villas (29) was hanging out with his neighbor and friend Anthony Tzul at their house when they were targeted by a gunman who fired as many as 8 gunshots toward them. Villas received multiple gunshot wounds and died while receiving treatment. Tzul died hours later while receiving treatment.

Crime Stoppers Belize is offering a two thousand-dollar reward for credible information in the double murder of Villas and Tzul. ///

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AGRICULTURE THE BASIS OF DEVELOPMENT Agriculture has been at the foundation of Belize’s development. It has survived natural forces of storms, floods, droughts and other pestilence. It has struggled under the strain of globalisation. But today, under an inept, visionless United Democratic Party Government, the agroindustry has buckled, brought to its knees, gasping for air, and immensely suffering a slow demise in these virulent 13 years of the UDP. Farmers, for almost a decade, have been crying out for relief from the UDP in rescuing the dying industry. The papaya industry, Fruta Bomba, which had become the second largest exporter of papaya to the USA and Canada, second to Mexico and ahead of Brazil was forced to close its doors. Papaya is considered the fourth most important traded fruit globally. Banana, mango and pineapple fills the top slots. Prior to damages done to the industry by Hurricane Keith it had peaked at US $15million controlling 11% of our exports. The industry employed between 500 to 1,000 workers either directly or indirectly, 1% of Belize’s labour force. Instead of expanding industries, the UDP continued to watch them fold thus compromising the longterm development of Belize The Barrow administration refused to grant permits for two wells that would have helped Fruta Bomba to survive the onslaught of drought. The owners have since moved their business elsewhere.

The traditional export crops, sugar, citrus and banana are facing dire times and are being held in total disregard by the red regime. Fortunately, most of the agro products were spared the wrath of Nana.

However, in an Orwellian twist, a rather epiphanic moment the UDP has realized the importance of agriculture.

During the Agric-Food Response and Mitigation to COVID-19 Stakeholders Meeting, March 24, 2020, it was stated that “now more than ever, Belizeans must recognize and respect the work of farmers and local producers in their herculean efforts to keep food on our tables.”

Godwin Hulse, the Minister of Agriculture, garbed in the cloth of the agrarian God, at the launch of the Farming Assistance Program commented with veiled hypocrisy on a proposed sixteen million (eight million USD): “that is one of the legacies of the dedicated support of the Government of Belize to agriculture.”

The money is to support the market contraction as a result of COVID- 19 “principally”, but also by drought and

floods. However, the financial assistance is rather belated as monies in the form of coupons was promised almost a year ago. That was when Godwin uttered “yuh nuh wah get money inna yuh hand because wi nuh know weh unnu wah duh with the money.”

This revealed once again the contempt the UDP has for most Belizeans. Notwithstanding, Godwin acknowledges that “we have challenging times ahead.” To understate it, Belize has been facing turbulent times from this three failed terms UDP government.

It is the writer’s opinion that the sudden interest in the agro-productive sector is drenched in farce painted with the brushes of illusion. They have been spurred to action by the People’s United Party and the leadership of Honorable John Briceño and the plan(s) for national development as the next government.

The PUP is getting ready to roll out their agricultural policy which will be incentive-driven with a focus on the interest of the 5,372 farmers and that includes men, women, and junior farmers, who will again lead the development of this tiny jewel call Belize. As the Leader Emeritus echoed to The Belize School of Agriculture in San Ignacio on July 22, 1984, “Agriculture The Basis Of Development” we must not forget, in our uphill work, that the rich industrial countries built their vast economies on agriculture. “When the tillage begins, other arts follow.” – Daniel Webster The Voice of the Common Man Hilly Bennett

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICE: Notice is hereby given that Yue Shao Ruan is applying for a Renewal of a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “R & L Snack Shop” located at # 7680 Fabers Road Ext., Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Meng Yan & Angela Hui are applying for a Renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “88 Shop” located at #9066 La Croix Blvd. Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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STANDARD BEARERS

Belize Rural Central: Dolores Balderamos Garcia

ON THE MOVE Corozal Southwest: Ramiro Ramirez

Cayo West: Jorge ‘Milin’ Espat

Orange Walk East: Kevin Bernard

Queen’s Square: Allan Pollard

Mesopotamia: Candice Pitts

EVERYBODY FI WIN!

planBelize

TODOS GANAMOS!

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STANDARD BEARERS

2020

Collet: Oscar Arnold

ON THE MOVE Belmopan: Oscar Mira

Belize Rural North: Marconi Leal

OW North: Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes

EVERYBODY FI WIN!

planBelize

TODOS GANAMOS!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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The PUP is ready for day one in government to aggressively confront the present COVID-19 pandemic which is a catastrophe of the 21st century.

We are not grieving or dwelling on it except to point out the failures and shortcomings of the present administration.

John Briceño | Leader of the People’s United Party

Belize has a population of close to 400,000 people with a health system characterized by poor accessibility, poor quality and unaffordable health services. The average life expectancy is estimated at 72 years for males and 74 years for females, and specific indicators demonstrate there is ample room for improvement. Our population is mostly young, with 35.6 percent under the age of 15 years and 53.7 percent over 20 years of age, The elderly (60 years of age or older) only account for 6 percent of the total population.

A snapshot of our current state of our nation’s health shows that infant mortality is at 12.8 per 1,000 with higher mortality rates in the southern region of the country and there is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes type 2, heart disease, cancer, homicides and road traffic accidents, All are basically lifestyle-derived and costly. In addition to health care cost all of these afflictions also contribute to low productivity at work, absence from work due to illness and a strain on our social welfare system. In addition, frequent infectious diseases of which the most important are dengue and HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), Tuberculosis (TB) and the superbugs and the result is a constant challenge to our already fragile health system.

To turn this around, the next PUP government will promote health as a basic human right where the main goal is universal health care for the entire population. It will bring out the best of the public, private sectors and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the short and longterm quality, efficiency and financial sustainability of the system. Our health sector will not only be sustainable but will contribute to the country’s economic growth and sustainable human development where access to quality health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines will be granted.

In light of the Covid-19 threat, it becomes most imperative for government to place highest priority on investing on raising the capabilities, quality and timely services of the national public healthcare system.

Continued on page 12

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In terms of specific actions, these are proposed: 1. The long-awaited roll-out of the National Health Insurance program to the entire nation will be done within the FIRST TERM in government. This will guarantee optimum primary health care and management of our most frequent EXPENSIVE and DEVASTATING diseases attacking our nation such as Covid-19, dengue diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, cancer, HIV, to name a few.

2. KHMH, as the premier and national referral hospital, is one of the main pillars of our national health system. In its present state, KHMH needs urgent attention from GoB to find the appropriate model and solutions that will facilitate the improvement of its organizational leadership and management, medical staff competence and remuneration, plant infrastructure and maintenance, financial management, and accountability and transparency.

3. All health facilities will be upgraded and essential equipment and supplies will be provided with state-of-the–art technology to deliver health care with minimal invasive surgery as laparoscopy, endoscopy, minimizing long hospital stay. An additional WING will be constructed at the KHMH to provide enhanced specialized services of the heart, kidney, brain, lungs and those suffering from cancer expanding our present health care services which our country needs NOW. Also a Public Health Centre for Disease Control will be established in the most accessible location.

4. A PUP GoB will construct a new health facility in Punta Gorda and Belmopan. The construction of these facilities will address the problems of the severely dilapidated infrastructure of the Toledo Hospital and Belmopan health facility, thus improving the health care services for people in the western and southern districts, and decreasing the need for referral to the already congested KHMH. Also a well-designed community hospital will be constructed in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, with the aim of improving the services to all pregnant and new-born babies providing excellent-quality and accessible maternal services and other secondary services in that important community.

5. Fully equipped MOBILE CLINICS for the elderly population will be created in each district improving the accessibility of health care to our aging population.

6. A National Health Body where people can seek assistance and response to complaint of inadequate health service will be established. The PUP will institute a Patient’s Bill of Rights that will stress the key role patients play in staying healthy by laying out rights and responsibilities for all patients and health care providers. This will assist in the monitoring and evaluation of health services given to all Belizeans.

7. A strategic investment will be made in the health workforce. At the primary and secondary levels, there is shortage of primary health care providers, of doctors and nurses needed to provide adequate coverage to some essential interventions and core SDG-related health services. Thus an in-depth analysis of the low motivation and retention of graduated Belizean nurses will be conducted and a structured approach will be implemented for the nurse training program since ad-hoc training sessions are not sufficient to fill gaps in the nursing field.

8. Because health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, a mental health policy will be implemented to strengthen the community mental health services. This policy will address the care of acute psychotic crisis, the forensic psychiatry and the basic anti-psychotic medications.

9. From the lessons learnt during the so-called first wave of Covid-19, the policy will ensure an adequate supply of essential materials, i.e. personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, therapeutics, etc, as well as the availability of proper guidelines and protocols for health professionals in the public and private secotors to do their work with confidence and without fear of being infected.

10. To ensure accountability, a practical, measurable and reliable monitoring and evaluation system will be put in place to tract performance in line with resource allocation in the public sector, thereby ensuring good value for money and assessing sustainability of the policy.

Continued on page 13

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2020 planBelize

THE BELIZE TIMES

ACTIONS

TODOS GANAMOS!

EVERYBODY FI WIN!

13 planBelize

PUNTOS DE ACCION

Our financing reform measures combined with our focused to eliminating waste 1. Roll out of commitment NHI system to the entire country. and inefficiency will allow us to fully our 2. Improvement of services at ERs in thefinance entire country.

Plan of Action for 2020 to 2025: 3. Skill management of high-risk pregnancy with indus-

try standard technology for all nursery departments at the regional and KHMH. 1.

Free Education from Pre-School to tax to be 4. Legislation for revenue collection of “sin” used solelyCollege for NHI Junior 5. Legislation for NHI: separation of functions where 2. Universal Pre-School Education MoH is regulator, an independent body to monitor 3.

A Teacher Learning andEstablish be purchaser, privateand hospitals or public polyclinics are providers.

Institute 6. Update laws and regulations within the Medical Act 4.

100% Trained Teachers and Ministry of Health.

7. 5.

Audit of4th NHILaptop programComputer & Central Medical Stores.

4 to Program 8. 6.

Update of National Health Fair Access $5m HighFormulary.

Education Fund 9. Formation of National Health Body where people 7. $3m Rural Education canEqual seek Opportunity assistance and response to complaint of inadequate health service. Institute a Patient’s Bill of Grant Fund Rights 8. National Healthy Start Feeding 10. Need to establish max cap for medico/legal cases Program within public and private entities 11.

Establishment of educational program at prima9. Free Textbook/e-Book Program ry, secondary and tertiary levels on prevention of Expansion To High School non-communicable diseases.

10. Expansion of of aAfrican and Mayan 12. Establishment fair, competitive & transparent tendering Historyprocedures.

Program 13. Establishment of private/public health/PAHO com11.

Civics At Allhealth Levels mission to Education facilitate integral system.

3. Manejo de la habilidad de embarazos de alto riesgo con la tecnología estándar de la industria para todos los departa1. Educación gratuita regionales desde el preescolar mentos de guardería y el KHMH. hasta 4. junior Legislación para la recaudación del impuesto sobre el concollege sumo perjudicial (sin taxes) que se utilizará únicamente para 2. Educación preescolar universal el NHI 3.5. Establecer un instituto docente yde defunciones aprendizaje Legislación para el NHI: separación donde el Ministerio de Salud es el regulador, un órgano independi4. Maestros al 100% capacitados ente esta para supervisar yportátil ser comprador, 5. Programa de ordenador (laptop)los dehospitales 4 al privados o las policlínicas públicas son los proveedores.

6. 4th Actualizar las leyes y reglamentos de la Ley médica y el Ministerio de Salud.

6. Fondo de préstamos para la educación superior de 7. 5Auditoría del programa millones de dólares de NHI y de los almacenes médicos centrales.

7.8. Fondo de subsidio para la educación Actualización del Formulario Nacional de rural Salud.de 3 millones dededólares para igualdad dedonde la gente 9. Formación un cuerpo dela salud nacional pueda buscar ayuda y respuesta a las quejas de un servicio oportunidades de salud inadecuado. Instituir una Declaración de Derechos 8. Programa nacional de alimentación para un del Paciente 10.comienzo Necesidadsaludable de establecer un tope máximo para los casos médico-legales en las entidades públicas y privadas 9. Expansión del programa de libros de texto/e11. Establecimiento de un programa educativo en los niveles, librosgratuitos a la escuela secundaria primario, secundario y terciario sobre la prevención de las 10. Expansión delno programa de historia Africana y enfermedades transmisibles.

12.

Establecimiento de procedimientos de licitación justos, Maya competitivos y transparentes.

11. Educación cívica en todos los niveles 13. Establecimiento de una comisión de salud pública/privada/ OPS para facilitar el sistema de salud integral.

TARGETS

The goal of a PUP government in education is to efficiently allocate the necessary resources with TODOS appropriate incentive mechanisms to align and GANAMOS! streamline the roles and objectives of all key stakeholders- students, teachers, parents, management, communities and government- with a view to not only deliver quality education but also enhance overall student learning using measurable results not only in increased enrolment but more in importantly in and clear, a) Construction of new hospitals Punta Gorda Belmoimproved pan. student learning outcomes. b) Construction of San Pedro Community Hospital.

The next PUP government will form a team of creative c) Construction of a sub-specialty WING at KHMH thinkers who are ofbold, passionate, smart and d) Increase number physicians per 1,000 population progressive reform andnumber advance Education e) Increase to and organize ofour specialists per Policy 1,000 popAgenda.

This team will come from the public and private ulation. sectors as well as ourofsocial sector partners. f) Increase number nurses per 1,000 population g) Complete and support accreditation of all health facilities With over 100,000 students enrolled rates in ourofeducation h) Decrease prevalence and mortality non-communisystem from pre-school to university, we have a unique cable diseases opportunity shape future, change the future, build i) Improve to care for the diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular the future. diseases and cancer j) Decrease prevalence of dengue and HIV. WE MUST NOT LOSElife THIS OPPORTUNITY! k) Increase average expectancy.

WE MUST NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY! l) Improve assessment of NHI providers. m) Decrease prevalence of malnutrition among children.

WE MUST MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE! THE PUP WILL MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE!

planBelize

Nuestras medidas de reforma de la financiación, combinadas con nuestro compromiso, centrado en la 1. Desplegar el sistema de NHI aytodo país. eliminación del despilfarro la el ineficiencia, nos 2. Mejora de los servicios en las salas de urgencias todo el permitirán financiar plenamente nuestro Plan de en Acción país. para 2020-2025:

El objetivo de un gobierno del PUP en materia de educación es asignar eficientemente los recursos necesarios con mecanismos EVERYBODY de incentivos, adecuados para alinear y racionalizar las funciones FI WIN!y objetivos de todas las partes claves interesadas -estudiantes, maestros, padres, administradores, comunidades y gobierno- con miras, no sólo para impartir una educación de calidad, sino también a mejorar el aprendizaje general de los estudiantes utilizando resultados mensurables no sólo en el aumento de la matriculación, sino de lo nuevos que es más importante, en unos a) Construcción hospitales en Punta Gorda y Belresultados de aprendizaje claramente mejorados.. mopan. b) Construcción del Hospital Comunitario de San Pedro.

El próximo gobierno PUP formará un enequipo c) Construcción de undel ala de subespecialidad el KHMHde pensadores creativos audaces, apasionados, inteligentes y d) Aumentar el número de médicos por cada 1.000 habitantes progresistas para reformar y avanzar nuestra Agenda de e) Aumentar y organizar el número de especialistas por cada Política Educativa. Este equipo vendrá de los sectores público 1.000 y privado, asíhabitantes. como los interlocutores sociales. f) Aumentar el número de enfermeros por cada 1.000 habitantes Con más de 100.000 estudiantes inscritos en nuestro sistema g) Completar la acreditación de todos los tenemos centros de educativo desde y elapoyar preescolar hasta la universidad, salud una oportunidad única para dar forma al futuro, cambiar el futuro, construirlaelprevalencia futuro. h) Reducir y las tasas de mortalidad de las enfermedades no transmisibles ¡NOi)DEBEMOS PERDER ESTA OPORTUNIDAD! Mejorar la atención de la diabetes, la hipertensión, las en¡NO DEBEMOS DESPERDICIAR ESTAyOPORTUNIDAD! fermedades cardiovasculares el cáncer j) Disminuir la prevalencia del dengue y el VIH. ¡DEBEMOS HACER QUE LA EDUCACIÓN FUNCIONE PARA k) Aumentar la esperanza de vida promedio.

BELICE! l) Mejorar la evaluación de los proveedores NHI.BELICE! ¡EL PUP HARÁ QUE LA EDUCACIÓN FUNCIONEde PARA m) Disminuir la prevalencia de la desnutrición en los niños.

planBelize

METAS

TODOS FI WIN! BLU GANAMOS! EVERYBODY

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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2020

SIX STEPS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE First, we will ensure an Independent Public Accounts Committee. One that is strengthened so that substantive ministers cannot be members of the PAC. As well, all House Committee meetings, including PAC meetings will be open to the public and streamed live.

Second, the Integrity Commission must do its job effectively. To do so it should no longer be controlled by the Party in Government. Likewise, we will put in place a mechanism to ensure the financial independence of the Integrity Commission with a budget to be approved by the National Assembly. They need the tools and personnel to get the job done!

Third, the recent cases of misappropriation of government funds is a clear indication that we need a strong and independent office of the Auditor General.

• The next PUP Government will ensure that the Auditor General’s Office has unrestricted access to information and with full powers of investigation, including subpoena powers to ensure that requests for information and documentation are complied with expeditiously.

• The Auditor General’s office will be permitted to submit their budget directly to the National Assembly for approval.

• Most important, we will ensure that the Auditor General is allowed to present reports directly to the National Assembly and not only to the Prime Minister.

Fourth, the PUP will not only implement UNCAC, but we will also enact Campaign Finance Legislation.

• In the first 100 days, the new PUP government will direct the Office of the Attorney General to draft Campaign Finance legislation which will be subject to national consultations and review before a final bill is tabled and passed into law.

Fifth we must make the National Assembly function as the centerpiece of our government, complete with all requisite checks and balances.

• That means that the next PUP Government will ensure a minimum of one House Sitting per month.

And sixth now that Senator Aldo Salazar has finally released the findings of the Senate Select Committee on the hustle at the Department of Immigration.

• We demand follow up action including criminal investigation and prosecution as deemed necessary.

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THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

TEAM 31

Allan Pollard for Queen Square The new voice of the people in Queen Square Allan, a young entrepreneur himself, is the owner of “Supreme Automotive”, a venture he manages with pride after being awarded with the Emprende Belize fund in 2016.

He graduated from St. John’s College High School then further earned an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from St. John’s College Junior College and plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

This young general, currently a City Councillor, has always had a passion for serving the people of his city. He was born and raised on Faber’s Road where he worked even before politics to uplift the residents and build community spirit in his neighbourhood.

With a passion for helping others and a natural drive to be a part of a thriving community, Allan has spearheaded various community- based ventures, supporting young entrepreneurs in their initiatives and coordinating positive social events.

He was recently elected to serve the city as the youngest Councillor on record, and holds the portfolio of traffic, Community Participation, Public Relations and Special Events at the Belize City Council. Among other projects, he has seen the installation of traffic lights for swift traffic movement, equipping traffic officers with vehicles, establishing a cooperative agreement with bus and taxi operators and has also contributed towards the progressive economic development plan for the old capital.

Allan is ready to be the new voice of the people in Queen Square, bringing visionary and energetic leadership to an area that has been stagnant for too long. It is time for a new, revitalized Queen Square.

Gilroy Usher for Port Loyola Lion of Port Loyola Gilroy Usher Sr. is the lion of Port Loyola, a tireless warrior for his people and the man who has shown time and time again that he has only the interests of his people at heart. The people have shown him the same love and respect that he has shown them. They will have him as their Area Representative, whenever general elections are called.

Usher was born in the Belize District, in the small community of Bermudian Landing. He attended St. John’s College, and then the Belize Teacher’s College. He is at heart an educator, having been in the teaching profession for 25 years. He is also a selfmade businessman who started small and has now built a successful family-owned enterprise in the country. Always driven by the need to learn, he recently returned to the University of Belize to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

Usher, since childhood had a passion for politics. He has long advocated for equality of the working class in Belize, and an upliftment of the quality of life of disadvantaged Belizeans. He has been the PUP Standard Bearer in Port Loyola, since 2012 and has slowly but surely won the hearts of the residents through his unending work to transform the division, neglected under the United Democratic Party.

Today, Usher remains committed to providing meaningful jobs, access to land, proper housing, better educational opportunities, affordable health care and a safer community to all his people. Along with the PUP, Gilroy Usher in Port Loyola will make it happen.

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19

ANNUAL FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Welcome Address

Councilor Allan Pollard, Jr.

September 1, 2020 To Mayor Bernard Wagner, Pastor Ruth, the Scout Association of Belize, fellow colleagues of the Belize City Council and of course all Belizeans tuning in across the nation and the diaspora this morning, I warmly welcome you to the annual Flag Raising Ceremony.

Needless to say, things are different this year. My heart goes out to those stalwart patriots who never fail to wake up early every year and join us in this deep-rooted tradition. While I’ll admit, I miss the collective show of civic pride, I want to reassure our people that our inability to congregate does not affect our patriotism and unity. The love of one’s country is not tangible. It is a feeling, and there is an abundance of it in the atmosphere this morning.

The month of September is a reflective period when we bring to mind where we came from and how we got to where we are today. It is no secret that my colleagues and I hold these moments dear because we share the common goal of serving the people of this country just as our forefathers did. So while this September may not portray the same characteristics as the ones before, it carries the same weight, if not more so, because our loyalty to those flags must not waver despite our limitations.

With so many things coming into question due to the effects of the pandemic, ceremonies such as this one, delivered in whatever fashion, remind us of what is constant. Love of self, love of our country and love of our fellow countrymen and women are things that we live and breathe as Belizeans. These are the things that you can rest assured will not be taken from you no matter how unpredictable the world around us is becoming.

This year as you participate in this ceremony from the comfort of your safe havens, I hope that your perspectives can be shifted from all the things that are lacking. Our message today is one of hope for a brighter tomorrow which is beautifully depicted in this year’s September Celebrations theme: “Overcoming adversity. Creating Opportunity. Belizeans: Unite for prosperity.” That vision of hope must start within our own borders first so that it can transcend beyond and the best way to achieve that is through platforms such as this.

As we draw nearer to our own Independence I invite our residents and all citizens around the world to continue to tune into the virtual festivities that have been prepared for you. We have been so engaged with the state of despair the world has been in, and understandably so, but these ceremonies are your opportunity to see that in spite of it all it is still a blessing and a privilege to be a Belizean.

I hope that this ceremony reawakens the true patriot that I know resides within each and every one of you. May it set a positive tone for the month ahead and the remainder of 2020, so that next year around this time, we can all celebrate our country the true Belizean way!

Thank you and stay safe.

Keynote Address

Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner

The last time we stood at this monument, I spoke of our ancestors and the sacrifices they made so that we could congregate, celebrate, and commemorate the events that fortified us as a nation and as a people.

Unfortunately, it only took a matter of one year, for life as we know it, to change in our country, and around the world. For our own safety, we are now encouraged not to congregate, but this in no way diminishes our rea-

son for some sober reflection.

Throughout this year, we have been reminded of all the things we cannot and should not do, in light of this unprecedented pandemic. So you can imagine my anticipation, as I stand here bearing the news, that there is still so much we have to be thankful for, and so much to be proud of, in spite of our fears and uncertainties.

This month, our country turns 39, and although we are often regarded as a young and developing nation, we must reflect on our resilience. Uncertainty has never permanently shaken us as Belizeans.

We have withstood poverty and unemployment long before this virus came to attack our economy.

We have withstood many natural disasters before, and each time have lifted ourselves up and rebuild.

We have defended our sovereignty in the face of an unfounded territorial claim, and today stand strong as an independent nation.

My fellow citizens, there has never been a more appropriate time to remind ourselves that this too shall pass.

Ordinarily, our annual flag raising ceremony symbolizes the start of an extended period of jubilation. But under the new normal, these flags dancing gaily overhead this morning portray a message of hope.

Every time you pass by in the days and weeks ahead and see that coat of arms flying majestically, know that you are among one of the most blessed nation in the world. Every man and woman with Belizean blood flowing through their veins knows that we have recovered from every obstacle that life has thrown our way.

This is why we celebrate. This is why in the face of all our pain, all our anxiety, and all our frustrations, we still pay homage to this nation. I am aware, that this is not a time for indifference nor is it a time for a false sense of security. People are mourning the loss of loved ones, resources are depleting and when we look to the rest of the world, we see an abundance of questions and a scarcity of answers.

Our collective grit is being tested like never before. But our resolve is unwavering.

My fellow Belizeans, let your flag remind you of challenges that we have faced in the past, but have overcome each and every time we have been tested.

Let the blue, white and red console you every time you wonder what tomorrow will bring. Let the chorus of our anthem strengthen your faith in our country, in our people, and most of all in yourself – for you are a Belizean!!!

My brothers and sisters, I stand with you.

I too battle with steadily rising anguish.

I too shed tears every time we lose another loved one to this merciless disease.

And while we will never be able to understand the individual pain and grief of families that have loss love ones.

On this day, and this month that is usually link with nationalism, I am restored by our nation’s history, and I pray that you are restored as well.

I am reassured by you, the residents of this city and this country that COVID-19 is a season, but Belize is forever.

Let’s celebrate our past, let’s look hopefully to our future and remind ourselves who we are amid the chaos.

Thank You.

Closing Remarks

Councillor Aisha Gentle

Friends and colleagues, it was a pleasure being a part of this experience today and delivering our annual Flag Raising Ceremony to the people of Belize despite the new measures we needed to adhere to. I would like to thank Pastor Ruth, the Scout Association of Belize, the Belize City Council’s Works and Sanitation Departments and all other contributors who made this event a success.

Our greatest deal of gratitude though is owed to the Belizeans in the country and beyond, not only for viewing this broadcast but for inspiring us to proceed with this ceremony. We continue to push our mantra of be ‘Always ‘bout di people’ and the upcoming virtual September festivities are a testament to that.

Like the Mayor and Councilor have said, this is a time to think about the things that we have that cannot be taken from us. Our true calling as Belizeans is to celebrate our country no matter the circumstances and we do hope that that message rang through and continues to ring through as we enter September.

At this time I remind our beloved residents to stay safe and exercise all the practices that are in place for your benefit.

Thank you all for viewing and may God bless each and every one of you.

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THINK ABOUT IT

THE HURRICANE THAT WASN’T Hurricane Nana has come and gone. It was a tropical storm pushing winds at 60 miles an hour and the forecast was for it to become a hurricane just before it hit Southern Belize.

Belize City, overcrowded and bulging with poor desperate people was spared. Thank God. We city people just can’t take no more. What!...with a crooked UDP government whose incompetence has brought hard times and sufferation. The Covid jumping over one thousand infected persons, and further sinking a bankrupt government; a hurricane was the last straw if it had slammed into us at 90 miles an hour.

All praise and thanks are due to Almighty God whom we serve.

Now Lord, hear the main cry of your people and help us overthrow this wicked, thieving government that has grown up among us.

CALL THE ELECTION NOW General Elections are due no later than 4th November, 2020. This is the law as written in the Constitution.

It is expected that come 21st September, 2020, outgoing Prime Minister Dean Barrow (the worst Prime Minister Belize will ever have) will give one of his annual fancy speeches. We will all hear the fabulous projects he has planned, the long and winding words which like smoke evaporates shortly thereafter. Lies, half-truths, fake news, false promises, to the applause of crooked, corrupt Ministers, the usual set of hustlers, sycophants and cronies.

The Prime Minister is expected to then announce the date of the general elections.

There must be thirty days under the law.

The end is near.

MINISTER MARIN STORY IS UNVBELIEVABLE If a man comes into your yard, he is trespassing. If he breaks into your house and you have a gun, he better run.

Minister Marin has an even better version. As told by the Commissioner of Police, as if he was actually present, the intruder had a knife. Minister Marin fired a warning shot. The intruder did not run. Instead he rushed at Minister Marin. The Minister blasted him with two bullets.

That is when he ran. He jumped a barbed wire fence and was found in the adjoining yard, dead or dying in a crouched position.

The story is too unbelievable to be true. But then again truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. We find it hard to believe that a burglar who comes to steal from a person’s home will want to confront a man. Burglars are not generally brave, attacking persons.

Much less, do they have a death wish in even standing up to the home owner who is armed and angry. Much less to a powerful Minister of government who cannot be arrested, no matter what he does.

The sister of the wretched, unfortunate, poverty stricken thief has stated that her brother was shot in the back.

If that is so, then truth has become a lie, and there is no justice for poor people in

6 SEP

2020

a country called Belize.

Even if the entry wounds are not in the intruder’s back, we simply find it incredible, that a petty burglar would face a Minister with a gun in hand, a warning shot is supposedly fired and the person does not run for his life.

In Belize, like most poorly run countries under petty tyrants, anyone with connection to the corrupt government can chance and kill anyone else who is a “nobody”, and get away with it.

And to make the story more suspicious, the Police say when they complete their investigations the file will be sent to the D.P.P. As somehow should anything in the file be otherwise, the D.P.P. will say the Minister should be arrested. Ha! Ha! Ha! THIS IS CORRUPTION Dean Barrow law office on Albert Street, which he does not use, as he built a new mansion-like building over the next side, has been rented. Meaning, Dean Barrow as Prime Minister rent his own building to be used by the government for the Police department.

Yes, it is true, pass on Albert Street and see the Police Scenes of Crime Unit.

A little further down on Regent Street, the same Dean Barrow as Finance Minister rents Michael Young building to be used for Legal Aid department of government. This tiny department only needs three offices, a reception room and a meeting room. Bet you, the rent is like ten thousand dollars each month.

In Dangriga, an agreement was reached to rent a newly renovated office alleged belonging to the Minister. He called someone in Belmopan and the rent was doubled to ten thousand dollars a month.

This is how public monies can be stolen. A place can be rented for three or five times higher than the actual rent.

And please don’t forget that just three months before general elections, the government of Dean Barrow awards or is it rewarded Brads and a secret partner, the multi million dollars contract to own and control the boledo and lottery for the next TEN YEARS. Them people facey bad.

This is corruption or is this corruption?

SPEAKING OF CORRUPTION Transfer of voters has come and gone. It took place during July and August. The law requires that persons who have moved from an address in an electoral division to another division should go to an election department to be transferred in their new division.

The corrupt UDP government over the past twelve years has conducted themselves in a low down, scurvy and dishonest rut. They bribe poor voters and fanatic UDP supporters to tell lies in order to transfer to other divisions.

This year the big bribe was to transfer for money and Land Papers.

The UDP controls the election department and has crony UDPs employed therein.

Did you notice the deafening silence of the government for the transfer process?

There was no Call the Experts TV programme. There was no fat person threatening to jail anyone who falsely attempted to register in another division. Neither was any reward offered to election officers or police for arresting these liad and dishonest persons claiming they now live where they don’t.

None of this will help them. Their time is up. Government will change come Election Day. Message to all poor voters. Take their money and vote them out.

6 SEP

2020

Presentation at the Launch of the PUP Health Policy

Dr. Deysi Mendez Garcia “Healthcare that Cares”

National Health Policies, Strategies and Plans play an essential role in defining a country’s vision and policy direction that is best for ensuring the health of its population. Today, the People’s United Party presents a plan that responds to the growing calls for strengthening the health system and renewal of health care: universal coverage, people-centered care, emphasis on public health and health in all policies.

A health system is more than a mix of facilities and medical consul-

tations. It is a structure within which people and organizations interact to mobilize and allocate resources for preventing and treating diseases and injuries, hence, for a health system to be effective it must rest on certain fundamental pillars. One of them being Information, Surveillance and Research.

Today I want to focus on this pillar and with good reason! Where once there was a public boast that the ministry is ready and prepared, now there is uncertainty to get test-

BARROW AND THE UDP DISRESPECTS VILLAGES Dean Barrow respects nothing except the dollar. In August 2009, Barrow in the cover of night forcibly and physically took over BTL at St. Thomas Street and Princess Margaret Drive. That attack began a six year legal circus that saw Barrow assigned lawyers lining up for the government...sorry, for BTL... to defend the indefensible. Barrow had seized a business without having money to pay for it. He would the use the same BTL and Belize and her taxpayers to pay more than half a billion of an over bloated pre-election price. So, early on he showed that the rule of law in Belize was for him, Barrow, to fix and legislate and manipulate at his Prime Ministerial convenience. Villages…he could not care less for them.

Now in 2020, he cannot even buy a plate of food for villages he locks down. See, there was no quick money to be made in quickly opening Guinea Grass/Santa Martha/Shipyard nor in feeding San Pedro.

He cannot immediately shut down San Pedro since he has to wait for a legal SI. Since when does Dean Barrow have to wait for

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the legal path? He spent 1.5 Billion without the approval of the House of Representatives as the law requires.

So Guinea Grass and its people pointed out that it was not logical for the lockdown to continue when multiple other communities surpassed them in Covid-19 cases and were never locked down.

Barrow is happy to castigate villages with PUP Village Councils. Actually that would be most villages.

Today when Village Councils write the PM it is backed by the National Association of Village Councils of Belize. The villages have had enough of the 13 years of disrespect.

In the specific example of the locked down villages, days after the open letter to the PM, the people of Guinea Grass along with other villages were re-opened, so was San Pedro Town and the rest of Ambergris Caye. But the damage was done. Barrow locked up more communities for the heck of it.

Barrow has no working knowledge of the lives of the people beyond his small circle. The UDP had lost touch with normalcy even before Gapi shouted it to the world.

ed, knowing results and pleas of health care workers being burnt out, henceforth, affecting surveillance, information and research for better decision making for the country’s health….we are faced with a health system that is overburdened and unable to cope! This is not the Health System that the PUP envisions for the people! The strengthening of this pillar will steer the health sector from a command and control model to engaging interaction and collaboration between the health sector and other sectors in society.

The PUP recognizes that health information is key for the analysis, dissemination and use of reliable and timely health information for decision makers, both on a regular basis and in emergencies. To achieve this the PUP will have a skilled team with: - The capacity to detect, investigate, communicate and contain events that threaten public health security; with emphasis in public health surveillance, - The capacity to provide epidemiologic laboratory support so as to facilitate accurate analytic results in a timely manner and, - Promote the use of telemedicine and telehealth in the country.

This will be well organized with policy and protocols taking into account the recommendations of the Belize Medical and Dental Association.

The importance of data cannot be stressed enough. Covid 19 has proven that public health surveillance comprises a wide range of efforts not only from public health sector but other health partners and the community so as to effectively trace and respond to the disease trends and threats. The health system is the heart of how the country responds to disease threats and protects its people, reason why PUP commits to investing in technologies and human capital by building on epidemiological and laboratory capacities and improving the required supply chain management to respond to the country’s needs during health security threats.

We are committed to continue to build upon the lessons learned so far from the pandemic, unlike the cuts in health investments that our country has experienced for the past 12 years, the People United Party, under the leadership of the Hon. John Briceno, commits to adjust its strategies to enhance preparedness and response to this pandemic and other future health crisis accordingly.

The decisive leadership by the future PUP government will ensure that the implementation of the strategies for the strengthening of this pillar, will not fail on its transparency, solidarity, accountability and effective communication.

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between SEFERINO PAZ (Chargor) and CLARA LUCY PAZ (Borrower) of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the Schedule below. ALL offers to purchase the said properties must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1916 Area: 989.682 s.m.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1940 Area: 1591.035 s.m.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL San Ignacio South 23 1941 Area: 950.144 s.m.

DATED this 2nd day of September 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 E-mail: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Jamaica election: Voters go to polls amid surge in Covid-19 cases

The prime minister has heralded authorities’ success in reducing poverty…Getty Images

Jamaicans are voting to elect a new parliament as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness called for the early vote last month in what analysts saw as a bid to capitalise on people’s satisfaction with his economic agenda and early response to the virus.

But he has faced criticism amid a rise in cases as restrictions are lifted.

Face masks and temperature checks will be mandatory in polling stations.

Jamaica’s parliament has 63 seats, and members are elected in a first-pastthe-post system. The campaign was dominated by discussions over the economy, how to fight crime and the coronavirus pandemic.

Who are the main players?

2020

of 39, but governed for only 74 days after losing an election to Portia Simpson Miller, the country’s first female head of government. His wife, Juliet, is also a member of parliament and is running for a second term.

At Saturday’s debate, Mr Phillips said his PNP was an alternative to “economic stagnation [and] major crime” and that he could offer a “future of relief from Covid-19 pressures”.

During the campaign, the 70-year-old said the “majority of the people and the poorest were being left behind” and that education remained an issue.

After finishing a treatment against colon cancer, he declared he was “free” of the disease.

Jamaica at a glance • The Caribbean country heavily dependent on tourism has a population of 2.9 million • It became independent from Britain in 1962, and Queen Elizabeth II is its head of state • Crime and violence remain high while youth unemployment and access to education are key issues • It is the birthplace of reggae music and Bob Marley was one of its greatest exponents Sources: BBC Monitoring, World Bank What are the Covid-19 measures in place?

• Voters must wear face masks and temperature checks will be carried out before they are let into a polling station.

• Upon entering, they will be required to wash or sanitise their hands.

Electoral officials will also enforce social distancing measures.

• Special rules have been announced for people who have been in quarantine or in isolation, including restricted voting hours.

BY ORDER OF MORTGAGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under and by virtue of a Deed of Mortgage registered at the Land Titles Unit between DELFIN MUNOZ of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

Mr Holness, a former education minister and leader of the conservative Jamaican Labour Party, has been prime minister since March 2016. The 48-year-old is hoping to gain seats from the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), led by Peter Phillips.

At a televised debate on Saturday, the prime minister said 100,000 jobs had been created during his time in office while 22,000 Jamaicans had had the chance to buy their own homes. Taxes had been cut, he said, and poverty was at its lowest level in 10 years.

According to the World Bank, inequality in Jamaica is lower than in most countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, but the poverty rate is still significant - 19% of the population in 2017.

The pandemic is likely to affect the country’s economy, heavily dependent on tourism. Meanwhile, the prime minister has also faced criticism over high rates of crime and violence, and alleged corruption among public officials.

In 2011, Mr Holness became Jamaica’s youngest prime minister at the age

HRCU will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 40, comprising 1021.613 Square Metres situate East of the Northern Highway (now Philip Goldson Highway), Near Mile 18, Sandhill Village, Belize District, being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 628 of 2012 dated 21st November 2012 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey dated 21st August 2012 by G.E. Valdez, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan City, Cayo District in Register No. 4, Entry No. 12681 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon the freehold property of DELFIN MUNOZ DATED this 19th August 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

6 SEP

OUT

!

Dear Editor, I read all over Social Media that our Belizean friends returning from the USA where being rebranded repatriates and mistreated as they left the planes and receiving no welcome. All this sounds unacceptable.

This is a little of what I read…in my own words.

The UDP has been consistent all along. The UDP virulently sneezes on anything they place their paws on. Land, Immigration, environment, works, education, finance, transportation, utilities, trade, economy, health, and Covid response, just to name 12, have all been crucified by the despicably dirty hands of the United Democratic Party. Repatriation is just another example of how UDP infamy is putrefying each of our national institutions or policies.

What our repatriates met is the incompetent and corrupt UDP. Most likely some money was placed on the repatriation process but most was sidetracked by those involved leaving nothing to the actual execution of the repatriation. That is the modus operandi of the UDP in everything--overbloated prices for on the cheap products. One person to look at is Gapi Vega’s nephew, Imer Hernandez, and his infrastructure company which provides the best example of UDP’s vehicle for incompetence and over bloated contracts.

Dear repatriates... more of you should expose your stories of truth and how in one fell UDP swoop you were not Belizeans but you were repatriates. The UDP salivated at your applications to return as they saw fixes to their sick addiction to the dollar especially the American one. By the way, it is very normal for us to desire more money but most times we find WORK to earn these dollars. Not the UDP, they have attempted to be creative at accumulating money in the vilest and at the expense of legality: Sanctuary Bay, Puerto Azul, Citizen Kim and passport scandal, Imer and all UDP Infrastructure, Dermen Tranches, Legal Fees for GoB ping pong law suits, Drug Planes(reselling), Pharmaceuticals, Land Compensation, and Environmental Clearances, just to name a few. Now we can add repatriation.

So, reading of our Belizeans burning under the sun, no rehydration, standing for long lengths of time, horrible attitudes from overworked Immigration and Customs personnel(need to change job), disorganized process, lack of any health protocol, sudden fees, duties charge for personal items including worn shoes, sweat-filled masks, luggage mishandling, di-

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OUT

!

Dear Editor I would like to say that the UDP is deliberately trying to infect Belizeans with the coronavirus. All their actions seem to be in that direction. I read that we have more Covid-19 than many countries with greater population. Are Belizeans that reckless or UDP conspiracy? I believe we have a useless government. Like the PUP seh, it is time for them to go. Belize needs a change and fast.

Belize needs an urgent CHANGE of leadership and direction.

We know that the UDP are not capable. So the UDP are not deliberately misusing the PPE.s, nor under-testing deliberately, nor having turned a blind eye to infected ground zero San Pedro in early August allowing for a mass exodus, nor praying to the coronavirus to allow the loan people relevant reasons to grant Belize Covid funds.

The UDP is just plain ‘duncey.’

If the UDP government is not guilty of conspiracy then the other end is total and rank incompetence.

The hot beds of corruption are all the UDP government departments since each has clueless Ministers and unskilled UDP cronies embedded within. The Health Ministry may have the champion of incompetent Ministers. I say may since their official elected champion is the woeful Faber--a subject for another day.

The people of Belize are chomping at the bits waiting for the paddock of liberty to free them from the life stifling grip of the UDP. We cannot wait to see the PUP Education plan actually happen and so with the health. Us Belizeans deserve that and more.

Thanks Eyes are Open

nosaur bus, long waits, horrible food and no access to laundry services makes $2000 price gouging.

Now, to add insult to all this… the rules will be changed after many have paid these thousands. To the UDP this is just luck but lives have been burdened.

The UDP has to bear the burden of all that they are doing. It is just the way of the world. Everything seems unfair and unjust but life has away to castigate. Nothing immoral goes with impunity and the UDP will meet this equalizer. It will be painful...wait for it UDP. Belizeans are FEDUP. Thanks Editor, Not a Repatriate, A Belizean

OUT

!

Dear Editor Our land of the free is being rented. I heard them PM at a Press Conference, as Faber sat to the side all accepting, that if you are rich and have a plane you can come into our Belize.

He even set up some private rules only for them. These rules are definitely not public.

Did the oversight committees accept these? Was the Opposition consulted?

It hurts whenever the rich are given priority to do whatever they want to this country. There is still a doubt...who brought in the coronavirus that is raging across Belize now? Many are saying that it came from this private jet. Now the PM confessed that Heredia brought in a person from St. Louis…or somewhere in the US. I see it this way...Border migrants are blamed except if you flew in with loads of money to give to a few...probably UDP. When will the UDP rule end?

The matter really isn’t the private planes, nor the passengers nor the coronavirus they could be bringing. The matter is an administration that does not care for all that either. They care for what they can do to make money even if it meaning cheating at our most sacred of our institutions--our elections.

After too many years, the UDP cannot plan nor execute plans so they attack our democracy.

OUT

!

Dear Editor, There are those of us who have not yet registered to vote in the upcoming General Elections. Mr. Editor, I cannot emphasize enough the need for this to be done.

If elections are November 4 as has been indicated, then we have up until September 9 to get registered so that our voices of discontent can be heard.

This UDP government has to be voted out and in order for that to occur, we must register to vote.

Those of us who have not yet secured our birth certificates, this UDP government is ensuring that you do not get on the voters roll by closing down the Vital Statistics Unit and using Covid-19 as an excuse to do so. This is yet another affront to our democracy and cannot be taken lightly.

Mr. Editor, we must rise up against all the corruption and mismanagement of this UDP government.

Belizeans cannot sit out this election or take it lightly. This UDP set will do whatever is necessary to remain in power. It is up to us to fight them with all we got.

To do so we must register to vote. After today we have only five more days. Arise my Belizeans friends, register and vote BLU…

Signed

Yours,

Am Seriously Concerned

Anxious Voter

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6 SEP

2020

PUP Councils on the Move

Mayor Rigo Vellos, the Corozal Town Council and the September Celebrations Committee invites everyone to participate and show patriotism with these Stay at Home patriotic events. Hip Hip Hurray!!!!! Visit the FB page for details./// Flood Mitigation The CTC is carrying out improvement works along a main drainage vein in the Chula Vista area to assist in flood mitigation.

The works will entail cementing the drainage floor and walls to ensure that it serves the community for a long time. As is the style of Mayor Rigo Vellos and Councillors, they will themselves assist handson with the improvement works.

Your Corozal Town Council AT WORK!

Orange Walk Town Council: “The Work Continues.”

Belize City Council, Always ‘Bout the People

6 SEP

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2020

PUP Standard Bearers

Appealing to their Constituents Excerpts of FB Posts and other

Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Stann Creek West

Never in their wildest dream did the Government of Belize ever contemplate on paving the access road to Cowpen even though the European Union had funds for project such as those.

Now they running and trying to claim credit. They know I, Rodwell Ferguson, initiated the project through the then Cowpen Village Council. I asked the then village Chairman to write a letter and I personally hand delivered the letter to the European Union. They approved it and by agreement it was implemented through the Ministry of Works.

I was not even given an invitation to attend the inauguration ceremonies.

Mr. Zabdiel Martinez past chairman of San Juan/Cowpen, please make your comment on the post even though you are no longer in the country.// Ministry of Works bring Nana, after months of damage to a culvert due to flooding on our main corridor, work is now underway on a temporary fix on the George Price highway. Traffic is backed up for miles on both sides. In time of national emergency, I hope the crossing can hold up when Belizeans want to travel to safer grounds.

Jorge ‘Milin’ Espat, Cayo West

¡TU VOTO TIENE PODER! Constituents of Cayo West, the time is coming for decision day. It is pivotal that you participate in the decision making process; this election will determine your future.

If you haven’t registered as yet, you are still on time to do so. We can assist you in getting your Birth Certificate papers. If you are living in Cayo West and you haven’t transferred to vote in this constituency, you still have 3 more days to do so. Also, as good citizens, I urge you to not engage on illicit acts by transferring to an area in which you do not reside. We need every single vote to win and transform Cayo West!

The campaign has been very welcoming in every home so far. We will continue to work hard until the last vote is counted and we secure a victory for the people of Cayo West!

Let’s do this! We are in this to WIN! Everybody fi WIN! Please remain safe. Follow the recommendations given by health authorities and protect your family and Community. We are optimistic about a brighter day for Belize. God bless you all!

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Freetown The Work Continues....

Our Freetown Area Representative Francis Fonseca and members of our Freetown Committee have been out since yesterday morning checking on the elderly members of our Freetown Community and those most vulnerable.

We have visited the flood prone areas of Belama and shared all relevant information with those residents. We have also assisted with basic food supplies. We believe that our Freetown Community is ready for this storm but we pray God’s blessings and mercy on our beloved Belize.

We encourage all members of our Freetown Community to take this storm very seriously and to follow the instructions of our National and City emergency authorities. Please look out for eachother particularly those in our community who are elderly, disabled, sick and in need.

Oscar Arnold, Collet

Early Saturday On The Campaign Trail, Collet Da Love, After 17 years COLLET going back BLU.....

IT’S OUR TIME COLLET, PUP ALL THE WAY VOTE OSCAR ARNOLD ON ELECTION DAY..

Oscar Mira, Belmopan

There is still time to register: Hello Belmopan! Have you registered to vote? Do it today, or call us at 670-9555 for information or help.

••• Hola Belmopan ¿Te has registrado para votar? Hágalo hoy o llámenos al 670-9555 para obtener información o ayuda.

It is in our hands to control, contain and defeat this virus if we follow simple but effective measures. Avoid unnecessary travel.

Practice social distancing. Wash hands regularly with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap is not available. And of course, wear your mask but wear it properly. Let’s all do our part and support our authorities in doing theirs. Be safe and be well.

Prosperity and Security for All! #TeamMira #PlanBelize #Blu Candice Pitts, Mesopotamia

Since we cannot celebrate our September festivities the traditional way, we decided to start off the month with acts of patriotism.

Today, members from the community and from our team are at the office packing pantries to give to residents in need in Mesopotamia, because we know these are still very trying times for our residents.

While certain politicians are saving money to spend on elections, we are here trying to ensure our residents can get by during a difficult time for all of Us. Our priority is clear: People First!

We continue checking-up on residents and checking-in at all the schools in Mesopotamia.

Our candidate is a servant-leader who truly Cares.#TeamCandicePitts

is a whole vibe!

Since schools remain close, our team was out distributing some school

Continued on page 26

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2020

Continued from page 25

bags to children in Mesopotamia with supplies that will aid with their homeschooling and their psycho-social development.

We will continue to reach out to our families and their children and help them, albeit with our limited resources, to maneuver this extremely challenging time in our country’s history. #mesopotamia #reachingoutwithLove #CandicePitts #mesopotamiaschoice2020 David J. Castillo, Corozal North

Louis Zabaneh, Dangriga LEADERSHIP FOR THE PEOPLE. Greetings Brothers and Sisters. Elections are getting closer and a lot of low-down nasty acts are being and will be tried, in desperation, by the UDP

Vote for change, vote for betterment, vote for David Castillo!

Por doce años el UDP ha abandonado a Corozal y la área de Corozal Norte. Por doce años la gente de Corozal han sufrido abajo este gobierno. Ya es tiempo para un cambio! Ya es tiempo para sacar el UDP! Ya es tiempo de votar para el PUP! #daveforcorozalnorth #planbelize #changeiscomming Dolores Balderamos García, Belize Rural Central

Ms Dolores and her committee have recently renovated the Lord’s Bank Bus Shelter!

Despite negative behaviour from her opposition, she continues to work and develop our beloved communities. Another positive step forward and another hurdle crossed. More to come; here to serve my communities and my people. While renovating a bus shelter in Lord’s Bank. It was halted by the Police.

The chairlady in fact gave full no-objection and approval. So police had no business in this at all. It is for the good of the entire community !!!!

Allan Pollard, Queen’s Square

“Queen Square, let’s embrace a new beginning... one that is filled with hope and great optimism for the empowerment of a neglected and abandoned people. We have a chance now to free ourselves from the bondage and shackles that have been placed on us for decades. It is now or never...

We have a chance to end the oppression and herald in a new era... let’s open all the doors and windows and let the light shine in Queen Square!! #VOTE Hon. Kareem Musa, Caribbean Shores I was proud to witness and be a part of the launch of the #planBelize health policy formulated with the input of the professionals and placing people at the center of the benefits. #planBelize #BLU #EverybodyFiWin #TimeToRiseThe talent is here homegrown and world-class. Ten years ago Belizean artist, Mr. Program delivered a timeless classic “See I Rise”. Last year the #Shores musician dropped this equally brilliant remake. Respect and thanks Mr. Program and to all our Belizean artists who remain committed to taking their music and country to the #NextLevel #TeamKareem #TimetoRise #Blu #BluShores #Belize #Vote2020

administration and local UDP reps and standard bearers to try to maintain control. This period will expose the true character of those competing. The people will be able to see qualities indicating who true, capable leaders are and who are pseudo, false, leaders.

I am not surprised by the tactics the UDP directorate in Dangriga is using.

They attacked me when I first entered the national assembly using the Sergeant at arms who was yelling that I am a land thief. They have also tried to lie in the past that I am a money launderer and that I come from a drug trading family. They are trying this again. And, they also put out a video that is racism at its worst, trying to portray that I am a pirate and that I hate the Garinagu people. But remember, they are most desperate to hold on to power at any cost - by any means necessary. So we are not surprised.

My approach to politics in the Dangriga Constituency has been to offer myself as a servant for a job. I am emulating the Father of our Nation’s method of going house to house to discuss and listen to everyone. So far I have visited over 80% of all homes, and it is the Covid-19 pandemic that has slowed down our visits. I go to all homes. An advantage I have is that I really don’t know who is “red” and who is “blue.” I give equal respect to all citizens.

After all, if I am given the job and the opportunity to serve, the job is to serve everyone. This, I believe, has resonated with the people. They get to ask me any question and share their thoughts. They get to know the true me and I get to know their needs and their instructions for how I am to serve them. I believe this approach has contributed significantly to the over 60% approval that recent polls have scientifically shown. We are not, however, taking anything for granted. We operate as though we are far behind and will do so until the last vote is counted. …

So in closing for now my Brothers and Sisters, it is truly sad to see the UDPs generally and in Dangriga specifically hanging on to illegal activities, shameful lies, and desperate actions to try to remain in power. It would have been nice for me to compete with an opponent ready to debate the issues that really matter to the people of the Dangriga Constituency, and to do so in a dignified way commensurate with the job sought. But this may not be in his and his close people’s nature nor in the nature of his other UDP colleagues.

This is unfortunate, because most of the followers of the UDP are decent people of high values. They are my brothers and sisters and they must be extremely disappointed. I say to you all. Let’s all come home together, to a place where we all respect each other and will work together for betterment.

We have hope for a better tomorrow for everyone, in a country that works for everyone. Our PUP, led by Hon. John Briceno, will work very hard to positively transform our country. You have my pledge that I will do my very best, as imperfect as I may be, to serve you all in the Dangriga Constituency, and all Belizeans equally with justice for all. Together We Change! Please stay safe.

GOD FIRST, GOD BLESS! Continued on page 27

6 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

27

Continued from page 26

Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Fort George

We take the time express our deepest sympathies to the family of another Fort George member, Ms. Gladys Moir. May the good Lord comfort the them, and may her soul rest in eternal peace.// Ft. George has lost a constituent, Alberto Alamina. Eternal Life with the righteous in heaven. Condolences to Rosa & family.

Alex Balona, Cayo Central

As “Tropical Storm Nana” approaches our coast it is expected to convert into a Category 1 hurricane. In Cayo we may not get much wind, but lots of rain and flooding.

I would like to advise that we should not panic, however let us make all necessary preparations for its arrival.

1. For residents living on river banks or low lying areas, we ask that you secure your property and move to higher grounds.

2. If you need to go to a hurricane shelter, make necessary arrangements early and take food and water for you and family.

3. Listen to official weather updates on the radio.

Most importantly, whatever we do in preparation and during the storm let us remember to practise all Covid-19 guidelines by wearing masks and practicing social distance.

God bless us all!

Be safe!! See Less WE THE PEOPLE DONE MEKUP WE MIND | WE WAH VOTE PUP THIS TIME | THE UDP THEM HAVE TO GO!! #VOTEALEXBALONA | #BLU2020 Hon. Mike Espat, Toledo East

Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes, Orange Walk North The San Antonio Rio Hondo Village Council: Lets stay home if there is no need. However, for essential workers, front line employees, and all those hard working Belizeans, access to basic public transportation means a lot.

Having an adequate bus stop provides shelter. In this current situation, the beautification of a bus stop can provide a sense of hope and relaxation for our daily cummuters. Let’s keep our bus stop clean and beautiful. San Antonio Rio Hondo Village Council works completed on the beautification of the bus stop. # stay home safe. May God bless us all.

Orlando Habet, Cayo Northeast

As the date draws near for our general election, I encourage all residents of Cayo Northeast, young and old, to become registered voters.

I encourage those especially who turned 18 to become registered voters.

With the state of our nation right now, I know some of you may have made up your minds about who to vote for and whether or not, you will vote at all in this election.

Let me tell you why ever y vote matters.

Your vote determines who represents your constituency in the House of Representatives.

Your vote puts faith in that candidate because you believe they represent your interests and hold basic principles for all residents.

Your vote determines your opinion and beliefs on how to move Belize for ward.

Don’t let anyone discourage you from voting. Don’t let anyone persuade you for voting for an agenda that only ser ves a few while you get a meager $50 and there is no opportunity for growth at all.

Get registered and make sure ever yone in your household who is eligible to vote, is registered too. We must come together and make our voices heard at the polls on Election Day. In order to see change, we must demand change with resounding numbers.

Only then we can save Belize and rebuild better and stronger than ever./// Our agriculture and livestock producers are hurting. The livestock industr y is poised for production for export and has been doing so for many years. Stifling exports is counterproductive, disingenuous and outrightly nonsensical. It can only be described as the actions of a non caring government that is inept and completely out of touch with reality.

The current administration failed to realize that disrupting production makes it significantly more difficult for farmers to recover any losses. The current administration also failed to realize that a market exists for export with Guatemala and El Salvador because they have a demand for food. If we were to maximize production, we could feed ourselves and sell the remainder. They did not see the opportunity to assist farmers while simultaneously increasing our exports. This could have been a chance to fix our trade deficit.

The current administration keeps reacting and therefore, their responses to crisis management is weak. They have not sought advice from anyone. Each step they make, puts us 3 steps behind.

There are no metrics to measure, no plan and no vision. Dehn Got to Go! #TodosGanamosConLandy #VoteBLU Ed. Note: Please be mindful that these are excerpts. For other pictures, comment, releases, and posts of our PUP leaders visit, LIKE and FOLLOW their FB profiles and pages. Also be a fan of the Whip Show at 7:15 on Vibes FBLive, Cable, and Radio.

28

THE BELIZE TIMES

6 SEP

2020 United Democratic Party Commitments 2015 Manifesto

PART I (1 TO 15 OF 44 BROKEN PROMISES, UDP STYLE) #

Broken Promise

Outcome

1.

Develop the Commerce Bight Port to support productive sector growth Construct a new international airport in North Ambergris Caye Develop a special financing program through DFC & the National Bank for small businesses & small farmers Develop & implement a National Transportation Master Plan to address the need for efficient & cost effective movement of people & goods Stimulate economic development as a natural deterrent against incursions through the construction of a road along the western border Develop a modern mixed-use commercial zone at the Lake Independence Boulevard junction – government offices, a national bus terminal, the National Bank, DFC, Police & Fire Stations, a Community Resource Center & retail outlets Shorten the time for accurate & efficient land registration to be no more than 30 days

Talk, Talk, Talk

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Imaginary; too much for Heredia.

The agriculture sector is still on auto pilot—no help from government.. CaneFarmers in the north were promised a measly 2Million last year and have yet to receive the few dollars each would get.

Ask the Belizean beside you if they know what this is about.

Imaginary, Not even artificial. During Covid-19 the government has found themselves guessing what to do for the economy as we know the UDP lack all economic expertises.

There is an overpriced Master Plan which cries of UDP over bloated contracts.

This is the same Lake-I Boulevard/Faber’s Road that broke up like a brownie.

The hot-bed of corruption is as corrupt as ever—this according to the present Minister Patt. The Past NR Ministers keep on visiting making sure that it remains sizzling vis-à-vis Vega, Hulse, Williams, Barnett, etc.

Construct a new road to Lamanai via Bermudan Maybe Planes land there Landing & Lemonal Pave the road to Caracol, with two points of ori- Nobody knew at this point that they would be saddled a loan of 180 million dolgin from Georgeville & Santa Elena lars sans Interest. Two-points of origin and ending up in Nowhere?? Contracts not approved by a contractor general nor house. And Contracts to Imer? This has been sly all along.

Continue the paving of the North San Pedro Road Another of Heredia’s empty promises to the Basil Jones Airstrip Improve the quality of public bus transportation The 200 or so buses used by the PUP in their immense demonstration are still by giving incentives for better quality, energy ef- recycled buses after 12 years of inaction on the transportation front. Substanficient buses; review the bus route system to dard highway built by ONE crony matched by substandard buses for Belizeans. meet peak & non-peak demand nationwide; & Only foreigners can ride in new AC buses across the jewel. enforce quality in public transport Construct a new Belize City Civic Center as a Two families lost their loved ones after the overpriced Civic was deemed compremier sports & entertainment facility to en- plete and open to the hosting of events. They fell from the unsafe scaffolding. hance the nationwide network of sport centers ONLY the UDP has access to this for their conventions. currently being developed Construct 35 new schools countrywide from Ground breaking was done by former DPM during his drive to become leader pre-school to High School of the UDP. Well we know where that got him, a loss to Saldivar Develop an institute for Science & Technology A building is planned in the dusk of the UDP. These might be like the Ministry of Health’s empty ‘polyclinic.’

Develop an institute for Enterprise & Innovation Incompetence reigned. There was no enterprise and much less innovation is this ghastly UDP.

Get to the Next Edition of the Belize Times to see the last of the UDP broken promises of November 2015.

6 SEP

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

FOOTNOTES IN BELIZEAN HISTORY

By Ricardo Moguel Rosado The first human presence in Belize can be traced to 13,600 years before present with the finding of Eva of Naharon near the city of Tulum, in neighboring Quibtana Roo. Some 4,000 years ago, these inhabitants had evolved and developed a distinguishable Maya culture. They became one of the sixth great civilization of the ancient world thanks to the domestication of corn 8,700 years before present in the Central Valley of Mexico. The are we now know as Belize was an integral flourishing part of the Maya civilization and not the end of the world as Aldous Huxley would later claim.

Then a thriving civilization evolved in our jungles that even with today’s technology, we haven’t been able to equal in Meso-America. High forms of intensive agriculture were developed, raised field agriculture dominated the lowlands as Belize became a net exporter of agriculture products such as cacoa, avocados, mamey and maize. Writing was introduced, architecture and astronomy were unequalled and all these were chronicled in stone and writing on amate paper. This was one of the first civilization to develop the concept of zero. One of the major Maya powers was Caracol in Belize that rivaled and conquered Tikal. Caracol was equal to Calakmul and Palenque so we were a major Maya center of development and learning. There were over 112 million native ‘Americans’ living in the ‘American’ continent all sustained through intensive maize farming in the north and potatoes in the south.

Ten million Maya lived in the Yucatan Peninsula, A million lived in Belize.

In the North, the Mexicas formed the strong Aztec empire under one ruler. The Maya had many city states under strong rulers. In Belize we had Dzuluinicob and part of Chactemal Sylvanus Morley noted “There was the Maya collapse because they overshot the carrying capacity of their environment. They exhausted their resource base, began to die of starvation and thirst, and fled their cities ‘en masse’, leaving them as silent warnings of the perils of ecological hubris.”

Then in 1492 the whole world changed, collapsed and globalization ushered in a new era. Two small war impoverished kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula with a high unemployed Conquistador population left over from the recent Reconquista of the Moors, Castille and Aragon, Under Ferdinand and Isabela, gambled on a risky voyage. On October 12, 1492 the world change. The riches of America developed Castille and Aragon to evolve into the Spain in 1528.

The idea that Spain came to America in 1492 is an ill-conceived plan to confound. Spain did not exist then.

In 1511, the first Europeans reached the Yucatan Peninsula when an expedition led by Valdivia travelling from Panama to Hispaniola ship-

later squared mahogany logs. Even the Queen’s bed is made from Belize mahogany. So Belize financed its own existence and helped power the industrial revolution in Europe with its natural resources.

These were native Maya Belizeans living on the land for thousands of years. Our forefathers, Nachan Ka’an dared fight the Spaniards off the coast of Northern Belize and kept them at bay. Historians tend to claim that the Maya came to Belize when 15,000 Yucatecans migrated here during the bellicose conflict. Some did but the bulk of immigrants were mestizos or hispanized Maya. The Maya were already here. The reason that the idea of the Maya coming during the Liberation War is to justify the theft of communal Maya land by the so called Baymen pirates. If no one was here then that justifies the legal registration of land in the name of Bartlett Hyde, John Locke, The Goshen Estate or the British Honduras Estate and Company Ltd. 1872 was not pontificated with the battle of Orange Walk. The ills of 1872 mirrored all that was wrong with the colonial society building an overseas department for the greater glory of England. On the shoulders of African

29 slaves, Yucatec Maya and Garifuna, the baymen forged a society that not only enslaved our bodies but also our minds. Today we are still victims. Our language was extracted from us but we hid in the jungles and the mothers taught the children Maya, kept the food, kept the Maya traditions and religion with the abuelitas conducting the prayer especially on Hanna Pixan.

Thus the emergence of a comandante like Marcos Canul was a historical necessity. He dared collect rent from the British who refused to pay. He dared claim his land that the British robbed from the Maya. He was an ordinary man that circumstances forced him to do extraordinary things.

This history written with Maya blood has been swept under the rug because it erodes the glory of the baymen as a benevolent clan who were on the opposite side of the Snyder-Enfield rifles and the bayonet. Thanks to the Confederate soldiers under Price living in Louisiana Farm did the British claim a victory over Comandante Marcos Canul. His spirit still looms on an unmarked grave in the Yalbac Hills fighting for liberation. The night stars and the Piam Piam birds keep him eternal company.

wrecked near the northern coast of Corozal. Vicente Guerrero, who later became father of the Mestizaje, and Jeronimo de Aguilar were the only survivors.

When the invasion began in 1519, Cortez conquered Tenochtiitlan, Aztec Capital, and the empire fell.

In the Yucatan Peninsula, there were 19 city states, so when Francisco de Montejo began the invasion in 1527, the Maya offered fierce resistance.

They withdrew into the Belizean and Peten jungle and kept fighting defending their homeland until 1697. The Maya were defeated but the Maya in Belize concentrated, survived and suffered around the city of Lamanai in the Yalbac Hills. When the British came the Maya were thriving in the area.

To the British, people of color were not humans so with no respect to them or anybody else, they took Maya land claiming Tierra Nullis, nobody’s land, and registered it as part of their Mahogany works. This was aided by the fact that the British local law in British Honduras stated that the Maya could not own land.

This was promulgated by the desire to steal communal land from the Maya. The British met Maya GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE resistance and laMINISTRY OF WORKS belled the Mayas as bandits.

UPGRADING OF CARACOL ROAD PROJECT - LOT 2 At first the British had no probPROCUREMENT NOTICE lems with the Maya.

The Government of Belize (GOB) has received financing from Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development During the War of (herein referred to as KFAED), and the OPEC Fund for International Development (herein referred to as OFID), Maya Liberation in towards the cost of the Upgrading of Caracol Road Project, and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this 1848, the British loan to eligible payments under the contract for which this Notice is issued. The Project consists of Lot 2 (Sections had a lucrative gun A and B and C): trade with the Maya.

Lot 2(A): comprises of the upgrading the road from Pinole Line – North of Guacamallo Bridge, a distance of London recognized approximately 23.02 km.

Maya territory as an independent repubLot 2(B): comprises of the upgrading of a road of about 525m. and the construction of Guacamallo Bridge lic. So formidable Lot 2(C): comprises the upgrading of the road from South of Guacamallo Bridge – Caracol Archaeological was the trade that Reserve, a distance of approximately 18.85 km. the Maya gave the British mahogany Provided all phases of this process suffer no delays, construction is expected to start in the month of November logs in exchange for 2020. The Ministry of Works hereby invites interested contractors in the civil works to be part of this bidding process. guns. When guns were no longer a The Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Works (MOW), Project Execution Unit (PEU). A Project priority the British Coordinator within the PEU will be responsible for the day-to-day management of project activities. Engineering signed agreements Consultants will be retained by MOW to assist with the implementation. with the Maya to The Scope of Works (3 civil works contracts) refers to: purchase the logs in cash and even en Major Earthworks tered agreements  Drainage to extract mahoga Pavement & Surfacing  Bridge Construction ny from Maya land.  Roadmarking, Furniture & Miscellaneous Works All was well until the British refused Consideration will be given to local and international firms or joint ventures of firms, who have qualified extensive to pay the Maya for experience in bridge and road construction of a similar size and complexity. logs.

Effective 4 September 2020, Bidding Documents are available at a cost of Bz$1,500.00 for Lot 2(A) and It is often said Bz$1,500.00 for Lot 2(B) and Bz$1,500.00 for Lot 2(C). (Interested firms can bid on one or more Sections) that the financiers of from the Project Execution Unit (PEU), Ministry of Works, Power Lane, Belmopan, Tel: +501-828-5220, Fax: the early Belize was +501-822-0563. Email: peumow@yahoo.com. the British. This is a All Bidding Documents properly completed in sealed envelopes, should reach the office of the Project Execution perpetual lie promulUnit, Ministry of Works, Power Lane, Belmopan on 9 October 2020 at 2:00 pm. Electronic bidding will not be gated everywhere. permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened publicly in the presence of the bidders on 9 October British were here 2020 at 4:00pm. The Ministry shall not be bound to assign any reason for not post-qualifying any contractor and shall not accept responsibility for any cost incurred by the applicants. for profit and Belize provided it with logwood barks and

30

6 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Faber, Patrick Jason Classless UDP 1st/2nd/3rd Term Final Progress Report

Issues

Term

Final

1st

2nd

3rd

Minister of Education

F

F

F

F

Retrenchment/Victimization of School Wardens

A+

A+

A+

A+

Incomplete Belize Civic Center; two deaths

U

U

F

F

Union Busting ($1Million Easter Cheer)

A

A

A

A

Herman Longsworth/Patrick Henry Money Missing

F

F

F

F

Marion Jones Stadium 2.7 Million

-

F

F

F

Visa Recommendations for Unknowns

U

U

U

U

Crime (high dropout rates)

F

F

F

F

Vega and all the Land Issues

U

U

U

U

BNTU Issues

F

F

F

F

Respect for Teachers

F

F

F

F

School Retention of Students

F

F

F

F

Danny (250K??), Intelco Hill

U

U

U

U

Lev Dermen

U

U

U

U

Sanctuary Bay (Kanantik Education Courses)

A+

U

U

U

Corozal Pibil Tacos

-

-

A+

A+

Belizean economy

U

U

U

U

Women’s Issues

F

F

F

F

Submerging/Wrecking Government Vehicles

-

-

A+

A+

Useless Music Ambassador at NICH

F

F

F

F

Sports(Local and International)

F

F

F

F

Our Children’s Access to School

F

F

F

F

Julian Cho HS/Simeon Coc’s misused $2Million

-

-

F

F

Teacher’s Commission

-

F

F

F

Scholarships for Cronies(Fraser, Willoughby, Perdomo)

A

A

A

A

Secondary Education Financing Formula

-

F

F

F

Yellow Man’s Hiring & Firing Issue

-

F

F

F

Economy in Collet

F

F

F

F

Crime in Collet

F

F

F

F

Housing in Collet

F

F

F

F

Land Programs in Collet

F

F

F

F

Job availability in Collet

F

F

F

F

The Hub still closed

-

-

F

F

Covid State of Education

-

-

F

F

University of Belize Subvention Cut

F

F

F

F

U – Ungraded meaning that is not assessable since he was guilty of inaction.

F – Definitely did not do anything to help the people of Belize.

A+ – He seemed to be happy with helping himself.

Future Outlook: With so much inaction on BIG issues happening around him, Patrick Joshua is eons away from being a leader. When half of a few delegates from a divided party vote for you there is a Patrick Joshua Faber demise awaiting. Since Patrick Joshua has to go through an election against a politically-inert Saldivar and the outcome is a virtual TIE then Patrick Joshua should start thinking of an improbable 2035 run.

Recommendation: Mr. Faber should go to John Briceño and request tips on how to beat Oscar Arnold. The UDP will be extremely lucky to come out of elections 2020 with a person in the House to be the UDP Leader of the Opposition.

6 SEP

Editor’s Choice: International

(Jorge Delgado, foto)

Juárez.

31

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Particulares se ´roban´ las playas de Cancún

Por Diego Ramos 24 de agosto - El director municipal de la Zona Federal Marítimo Terrestre, Vagner Elbiorn Vega, explicó que de los 12 accesos que hay a las playas de Cancún, cinco están concesionados y sólo siete le pertenecen al municipio de Benito

Dentro del artículo cinco de “La Zona Federal Marítimo Terrestre y Terrenos Ganados al Mar” de la Semarnat, aclara que las playas son de dominio público y no están sujetas a acción reivindicatoria o de posesión definitiva o provisional, sin embargo, los espacios de arenales siguen siendo concesionados por dicha Secretaría para la construcción de inmuebles y muelles en la zona costera, entre 2018 y 2019 se han concesionado 16 espacios playeros en Benito Juárez…

En noviembre del año pasado, se anunció que se iniciaría un Movimiento Nacional para la Recuperación de los Accesos Públicos a las Playas, al término de aquella conferencia se inició un operativo para derrumbar bardas de establecimientos de Puerto Juárez, Cancún; …

Ayuntamiento: playa del Niño, playa las Perlas, playa Chac Mool, playa Ballenas, playa Marlín, playa Delfines y playa Coral; Concesionadas: playa Gaviota Azul, playa Tortugas, playa Caracol, playa Langosta y playa Nizuc. (Lea más en poresto.net) © Peter Summers/Getty Images | Elites are flouting coronavirus

restrictions -- and could hurt us all

that

By Laura Smith-Spark August 31 – So when the powerful or influential break the rules, it provokes fierce public anger and puts society's inequalities on full view.

EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, who resigned from his post Wednesday for breaking Ireland's coronavirus restrictions by attending a political golf society event with 80 other people, was just the latest member of the political elites to be caught flouting the rules.

Ireland's Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary had already resigned over the so-called Golfgate scandal. The dinner was held a day after the government in which he served, facing a surge in cases, imposed restrictions -- effective immediately -- that limited indoor gatherings to six people, down from the 50 previously allowed.

On the other side of the world, New Zealand's health minister, David Clark, was forced to resign last month after missteps including breaking the country's stay-at-home order to take his family to the beach.

Social distancing appears to have been largely disregarded at Republican National Convention events in the United States this past week. In perhaps the most striking instance, more than 1,000 people gathered on a White House lawn, few wearing masks and sitting close together, to hear President Donald Trump accept his party's nomination Thursday night. (Read more on talksport.com)

SANCTUARY BAY SAGA

Paris

St.-Germain

Star

Neymar Tests Positive for Coronavirus

By Tariq Panja, New York Times Neymar, soccer’s costliest player, is one of three Paris St.-Germain players who played in last week’s Champions League final to test positive for the coronavirus, becoming the latest high-profile soccer star to contract the virus ahead of the new season.

Neymar suffered heartbreak last week when P.S.G. lost in its first appearance in the Champions League final, and now faces missing the start of its latest campaign because of strict local protocols that require players who have tested positive to isolate from the rest of the roster.

P.S.G., which paid a record $263 million for Neymar, a forward from Brazil, in 2017, confirmed that three of its players had tested positive without identifying them. But people familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity because the player was not identified publicly as having tested positive, said Neymar was among the three.

“When people come back from vacation there will be a number of people who come back with coronavirus, but I think it’s going to be manageable,” Víctor Manuel Martín Ortega, a vice president of La Liga, told The New York Times in a recent interview. (Read more on nytimes.com)

LIONEL MESSI has reportedly agreed a record £623m contract with Manchester City as his struggle to leave Barcelona intensifies.

September 2, 2020 Barcelona – Man City have emerged as holding a strong interest in signing Messi, and the latest reports claim he as agreed a five-year deal worth a staggering £623million with the Etihad club.

The contract would see the 33-year-old spend three years in the Premier League, before heading to the United States for two years with New York City FC – who are also owned by City Football Group (CFG).

And Font, who is running to become Barcelona president in next year’s elections, admitted Man City are the ‘top candidate’ to secure Messi’s signature before October’s transfer deadline.

“Only time will tell,” said Font on Messi’s future. “What is clear is the priority for Messi is to play in a team that can compete for the top silverware worldwide and in Europe.

“He wants to win more Champions Leagues and obviously Manchester City and Pep are top candidates.”

Discussing the Messi situation more generally, Font claimed all the talk of the Argentine’s impending exit is causing’ phenomenal damage’ to the Catalan club. (Read more at talksport.com)

Statement of FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith on the Memorandum Opinion Issued by U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte in the Matter of In re Sanctuary Belize Litigation

September 1, 2020 - The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith issued the following statement regarding the memorandum opinion issued late last week by U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte for the District of Maryland, in the matter of In re Sanctuary Belize litigation.

“With this $120 million judgment, the Federal Trade Commission has successfully put an end to the largest land fraud in the agency’s history,” said Smith. “The FTC pursued these fraudsters doggedly and ultimately brought them to justice—despite the use of foreign banks to hide their wrongdoing, the hiring of dozens of well-heeled lawyers, and a sprawling and complex fraudulent scheme spread over multiple states and countries that took a four-week-long trial to resolve.”

Case Background: In November 2018, the FTC announced that a federal district court in Maryland issued an order temporarily shutting down the largest overseas real estate investment scam the FTC has ever targeted.

According to the FTC, the scam was established by Andris Pukke, a recidivist scammer currently living in California, and he perpetuated it even while serving a prison sentence for obstruction of justice.

The alleged scheme took in more than $100 million, marketing lots in what supposedly would become a luxury development in Central America known by several names, including Sanctuary Belize, Sanctuary Bay, and The Reserve. According to the FTC, the defendants duped consumers into buying Sanctuary Belize lots by falsely promising that the development would include luxury amenities and be completed soon, and that the value of the lots would rapidly appreciate.

In filing its complaint against Pukke and a range of other defendants, the FTC sought to permanently stop the scheme and obtain a court order requiring them to turn over hundreds of millions of dollars to compensate deceived U.S. investors.

Press Release Reference: At FTC’s Request, Court Halts Massive “Sanctuary Belize” Real Estate Investment Scam: Belizean Bank to Pay $23 Million and Cease Operations to Settle FTC Charges It Provided Substantial Assistance to the Sanctuary Belize Real Estate Scam

32

THE BELIZE TIMES

6 SEP

2020