Belize Times May 29, 2011 by Belize Times Press

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Issue No. 4746

SUNDAY May 29, 2011

Barrow & Bar President plot against Magistrate Sharon Fraser

Belize City, May 25, 2011 This story is a must read and as big as it gets. Truth is that the people of Belize have seen Barrow lie about almost everything, including getting caught with his sticky tentacles in the thick of the oil jar. Dean is eloquently

pathological about it. In fact, the oneterm Prime Minister seems to have a terminal strain of the political disease called multiple personality disorder. Studied observers have categorically identified that the triggering element

Continued on page 4

GSU TERROR

A Flippin’ Bus Mess! Bus owners’ give Hulse a noon deadline…or else! Belize City, May 24, 2011 By Carla Bradley Members of the Belize Bus Owners Association have warned the Prime Minister and Ministry of Transport that if a set of demands are not met by Thursday midday, they will take action to protect their livelihoods. Over 120 bus drivers belonging to the Belize Bus Continued on page 6

Belize City, May 23rd, 2011 The Prime Minister’s specially-funded elite-security team, the Gang Suppression Unit, has come under heavy criticism for their handling of a purported search of

Mike & Iliana are behind bars following the GSU raid

a home in Belmopan after the residence, in which children slept at the time, was riddled with almost 50 bullets, and then raided with mighty force. Today the residence located across from Continued on page 4

ORLANDO

FOR CAYO NORTH EAST

17 yr. old

Taxi driver is murder

victim #54!

massacres

Belize City, May 25, 2011 A taxi driver identified as 52 year old Charles Anderson who was found dead inside his vehicle today, with a gunshot wound to his head, is this year’s murder victim #54. 2011 has been a year which has been most gruesome and deadly for city residents, while the Barrow Administration is unable to quell the violence. What’s worse is that we are not even five full months into the year. The latest murder victim was found on Guzman Crescent in Belama Phase One. He was inside his

See page 26

See page 27

charged for

15 yr. old’s murder See page 6

3 dead

in Antelope St. See page 15

Will the Flippin Minister continue to protect self-interest over hardworking Belizeans?

See page 13

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 29, 2011

From the ghetto streets

“Out Of Control”

Belize Bus Association gives Minister until Thursday midday May 24th, 2011 Minister of Transport Belmopan Bus Terminal Belmopan City, Belize C.A. Hon. Melvin Hulse: We, the Members of the Belizean Bus Association, are calling upon you to immediately re-instate the Belize Bus Owners cooperative on the route they were executing on the Western Highway and to remove the newly formed Westline from the schedule it has been placed on. In our previous meeting, you had assured us that we would have been given twenty one days to dialogue with our members and also hold an audience with the Board of Transport, however we have not been given that opportunity due to the fact that you have gone against your word and removed the Cooperative from its runs. We are outraged and do not believe that this was done in the best interest for an amicable relationship between ourselves and your ministry. Therefore we have come to the consensus that we are allowing twenty four hours, ending Thursday 12:00 MD, during which we are expecting a valid response. In the absence of a response further action will be taken. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation. Yours Respectfully, Thomas A. Shaw Belizean Bus Association (BBA) President

The Party is nothing but the vanguard of the people, the active organ of the people, working at all times in the service of the people.”

Economics of the south… Dangriga Dear Editor: I cannot recall the first time I went to Dangriga but it was many moons ago. It is the roots of my Garifuna mother and as far back as I can remember I love there. My first memory of Dangriga was the beach and the river. Much later as a teen I would spend a considerable part of my teenage life there when I attended Sixth Form and for the most part my life revolved around the river, the beach and inevitable the 19th celebration. I remember that the first visit I made back from the States, I went straight from the plane on to Z-line Bus and to Dangriga…my yearning to get south was so much that my duration in Belize City was as long as the bus took to leave. During those times the economy revolved around citrus, bananas, the port at Commerce Bight and the local urban businesses within Dangriga. Today economically the place is a ghost town. Gone are the days of bananas and citrus which have now moved to the Port of Big Creek. Additionally like in the rest of the country most of the local businesses have moved out of the hands of locals and like in any other municipality it’s almost impossible to find a locally owned grocery store. The population which has the highest Garinagu concentration nationwide is still terrible dependent on overseas subventions and carving out a living from what few resources and local jobs exist. The place is rapidly becoming a mini Belize City and like the nation as a whole remains a bouncing ball for the politicians. To salvage Dangriga will require resources, innovation and a new way of looking at the future. Partisan politics will have to be put aside and the people will have to collectively clamor for their share of the limited national resources. The key to this development lies in the reopening of the port. A senior officer in the Port Authority once told me that Dangriga has the best naturally occurring port in the nation and would have been a better choice to put the national port at, but the politicians at the time dare not raise the wrath of Belize City residence which at the time and still is the largest population center and not to mention is where the vast majority of the political and social elite live. The opening of the port will bring growth, employment and opportunities for people who otherwise did not have. It has the potential to attract tourism to one of the towns with the longest shoreline. While there are some legal issues regarding the port, the people of Dangriga should not be made to punish because of this, we cannot afford the ants to be killed because the elephants are fighting. The people need to agitate and organize for something that could add economic benefit to them. However, this does not seem to be the case. In the recent dispute regarding putting a tourism port in the south, Placencia rejected it, Big Creek wanted it but they have more an industrial port and Dangriga which has a port that

Dear Editor, Kindly save a little space for me to publish this letter. Each time I bring my news to the streets of Belize, it’s strictly reality and personal to this Prime Minister and his clueless government. When the pain will ever stop? That’s what Belizeans want to know. Out of control that is how Dean Barrow and his government have this country, just out of hand. Everyone is just doing their own thing and from the day this UDP government got into office it has been a disaster. It’s like hell came down to earth and all of the criminals just got their freedom. What can I say? That’s just the UDP way or no way. Everything is out of control: crime, cost of living, gas at the pump, the youths, unemployment, garbage, the police, the ministers, the criminals, the industries. Even Dean Barrow. Oh I forgot, also the three doo-doo birds on the Wave morning show. They’ve been talking all kinds of crap, their mouth is too disrespectful when it comes to the Belizeans.

It looks like Dean Barrow doesn’t have control over anything. He can’t even find a solution to our problems, but the kind of control he knows about is to hijack the country of all its wealth and millions that was to help the poor Belizeans. For the last three years, Dean Barrow has changed everything so he could control it to suit his needs. Still, the UDP are unable to come up with even one single positive thing for this country since February 2008. All we can hear is the poor Belizeans crying out for HELP and they can’t take it no more. When do you think the people of Belize will see any type of change in this government? Maybe when their term is almost up? The People’s United Party will show this non-government how to properly manage a country along with its people, take them into the future for a better today and tomorrow and that’s reality. No more imagining things will get better when it won’t. Remember Belizeans, come the next election we will control our future. Rise up Belizeans and respect to all, till next time. Roberto Peyrefitte

Three men & two minors charged for assault doctor in OW Belize City, May 25, 2011 Today, Police charged five persons, including two minors, for the brutal attack on Dr. Enrique Guerra, who once served as the Medical Chief of Staff at the Northern Regional Hospital. 29 year old Crispin Moreno, 28 year old Richard Nuñez, Alejandro Berry, and two minors were charged for Dr. Guerra’s assault which occurred on Saturday, May 21st on Main Street. Dr. Guerra was found in front of the Scotia Bank, lying unconscious on the street side. He was badly bruised and beaten. He was taken immediately to the hospital, and had to be transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He underwent surgery for internal bleeding and currently is admitted in a critical condition.

Police have reported that Dr. Guerra’s personal items such as two cell phones, credit card, and money were taken during the assault.

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR

Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR

Doreth Bevans

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

MARKETING/ADVERTISING

Rafael Sosa

STAFF REPORTER

Carla Bradley TYPIST

Rachel Arana essentially has been mothball remained mute about it. Development will not come to Dangriga unless they want it and are willing to stand up for it. This is not about party politics, this is not about special interest. The fact is that people cannot be denied opportunities because party politics dictate otherwise. Speak up Dangriga…let the nation hear you. It’s all about the people!!! Sincerely, Neri O. Briceno

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd.

#3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

GSU TERROR

Continued on page 1

La Cabaña nightclub, owned by club owner 34 year old Mike Menjivar, appears something from the aftermath of a raid in a Godfather movie scene.

Barrow & Bar President plot against Magistrate Sharon Fraser Continued from page 1

to his lapses between personas depends on which side of the election calendar or the House of Representatives he sits. We at BELIZE TIMES have been watching the sustained dismantling by Barrow of the Judiciary. His clumsy fidgeting with the legal system looks more like a dyslectic fumbling with a rubric cube. This is as obvious as his fixation with foreigners over blue collar Belizeans. But this story may be a combination of that vice and Barrow’s flamboyant readiness to be complicit in bogus exposés. Remember the circus for the “rink of corrupt cops”? Or his giving unreliable evidence in the persecution of his political opponents? The BELIZE TIMES has uncovered that the Prime Minister may be at it again. Our investigations reveal that Dean Barrow is involved in a conspiracy to tear down another Belizean, all so that he does not have to give her the job as Chief Magistrate perhaps. The BELIZE TIMES has proof that the head of the UDP Government is deep in the plotting against Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, who is believed to be next in line for the post of Chief Magistrate. On Sunday March 20, 2011 the Prime Minister, who has said he intends to import a foreigner to take up the post, was spreading a vicious rumor against the learned Senior Magistrate to the President of the Bar Association, Jacqueline Marshalleck. Barrow, in his effeminately vindictive manner, told Marshalleck that “a lady…has reported that Sharon was paid $5,000.00 to let off her son and that she arranged the payment.” The conspiring between the President and Prime Minister led to Barrow agreeing to try to interfere in the investigation and get the woman to make a formal complaint or to provide a legal document called an affidavit. The game plan of the two appears not to be only to derail the natural progression and the eventual entitlement of Ms. Fraser to the post of Chief Magistrate, but they could have her not continue to sit as a Magistrate at all. Could this UDP Government be any more vindictive? Barrow promised and pledged to take action at even a “whiff of corruption” but what has he done when the stench has been coming from his own armpits?

Dozens of bullet marks and holes can be found throughout the house, even in the rooms of Menjivar’s children, including his epileptic daughter, who were sleeping at the time of the raid. The GSU claims they were responding to a tip-off at 4 in the morning on Friday, May 20th. They have not indicated what information they got. They reportedly responded by surrounding the residence with numerous vehicles and armed security forces. Head of the GSU, Marco Vidal, claims he called out for the owner of the house, and instead of opening the door, gunshots were fired at them. But Menjivar, his family, and a horde of witnesses claim the Police are fabricating stories. They claim that the Police simply raided the house without a warrant, and brutally assaulted Menjivar and his family. Menjivar’s brother in law, Jose Chacon, claims the GSU went about in a menacing manner. Chacon said the GSU surrounded

the house in private vehicles, shot out the lights around the house and shot the guard dogs dead in the yard. He said if Menjivar did fire at them, it would have been because he thought he was being assaulted by criminals and did not recognise them as officers of the law. The claim the family was terrified by the assault and even called the Police-911 to report that their home was being invaded. Menjivar’s family has said that he was viciously beaten, and sustained cuts, bruises and a broken jaw. Menjivar had just returned from a medical check-up in Guatemala following a surgery that helped him recover from a near-fatal motorcycle accident. Chacon has promised to reveal the entire video of the assault, but hasn’t delivered. After the raid, the GSU was empty handed. They found no drugs, and no illegal guns. They did find $19,000 in different currencies inside a safe, but nothing which would attract such military action. On Tuesday Menjivar, his wife 29 year old Iliana Chacon and their maid,

Sunday, May 29, 2011 41 year old Rumilda Perez, were arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court in Belmopan and charged. Menjivar was charged with nine counts of attempted murder, aggravated assaulted and damage to property. His wife Iliana and the maid were charged with nine counts of attempted murder and aggravated assaulted. Additionally, Menjivar was taken before the Income tax department where the money found in the vault was assessed.

GSU shot the guard dogs

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Anti-Democratic People may have a variety of definitions for the word “Democracy”, but most, if not all of them, will resemble the democratic ideals found in the days of ancient Greece when power and rule began to gradually transfer from the powerful Lords to the commoners. Today, democracy is no longer a mere concept, but a pillar of modern society. It can be found in charters, declarations and in our case, the Constitution of Belize. People elect Governments to govern democratically, and we now see the world’s super power engaged, more often than before, in a prowl of nations under the pretext of protecting and preserving democracy. The trend Belize is taking since 2008 when the Barrow Administration took office, could soon attract the watchful eyes and mighty whip of that superpower. What we have been seeing is no less than a dictator in the making. Never in the history of any Government Administration has there been as many alterations to the Constitution as there have under Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Since 2008, Barrow has introduced THREE constitutional amendments, but none promulgated by some consultative exercise for political reform. In fact, when Barrow sought his very first Constitutional Amendment in May 2008 (sixth amendment), it contained two very controversial proposals that never formed part of his election platform three months before. The draconian measures of preventative detention which extended police lock downs and watering down our constitutional rights were not a mandate of the people. The more important item of a thirteenth Senator for the NGOs was widely accepted, even though the majority of voters had voted for an elected senate. Barrow has now reneged on that promise. Then there was the seventh constitutional amendment in 2009 which sought to remove landowners’ rights to seek redress and compensation, and allow Governments to expropriate land at will, which was downright disingenuous. In 2011, after witnessing the passing of legislation for phone tapping, we now have constitutional amendment #8, which seeks to re-impose preventative detention as a deterrent to crime. Such an idea was bad in 2008, and it is just as bad in 2011. Many have said the legislation, if passed, will turn Belize into a Police State – which will wreak fear and abuse first, then ultimately havoc and more crime. Many have said Barrow’s preventative detention and the proposal to repeal trial by jury are the most glaring sign, of recent, that he lacks the ability to govern. The move to arrest an entire citizenry by force is most anti-democratic. But there is more of Barrow’s hazardous leadership everywhere. It can be seen in the arrogance of his Cabinet. The way the Minister of Agriculture can disenfranchise hundreds of onion farmers and get a way is callous. The way in which the Minister of Works has been allowed to abandon his duty to the people of the South and ignore the dangerous crossing at Sittee River is heartless. The way in which the Minister of Youth doesn’t even budge when almost every day a youth is gunned down is cold. The way in which the Minister of Transport can use bus owners as pawns in his chess game and kick 120 employees to the curb is cruel. It is all a reflection of their leader, a Prime Minister who will reign over people without respect or restraint. It reminds us of Lord Acton’s most famous quote, “Power corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely”. We are now anti-democratic Belize.

79 DAYS TO BARROW’S CRUEL PREVENTATIVE DETENTION

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 29, 2011

17 yr. old charged for 15 yr. old’s murder Cayo District, May 25, 2011 A 17 year old has been charged and remanded to a youth facility for the murder of 15 year old Alberto Valdez that occurred in San Ignacio on Sunday night.

Valdez had been stabbed to his chest and hand, while his throat had been slit. He was found by a resident who saw him running towards him, barely able to speak because of the blood oozing out.

Student robbed in Belize City

A Flippin’ Bus Mess! Continued from page 1 Owners Cooperative (BBOC) are today without a job and left wondering how they will take care of their families and bills that are going to stock up due to the Transport Minister’s mismanagement and political games. On Friday May 20th, 2011, the BBOA along with bus line owners and workers finally met with the Minister Hulse, and were able to voice their concerns and dissatisfaction over bus runs being imposed on the northern zone. The Ministry of Transport had decided to take away bus runs from bus owners operating on the northern highway, in order to allow the BBOC buses runs in the north. The BBOC which traditionally operated in the West would no longer do so, which would then allow a new entrant in that zone, which is West line, a bus line owned by UDP-supporter and affiliate Sergio Chuc. It is the entry of the new operator that is destabilizing the transport industry. At the end of Friday’s meeting, Hulse publicly agreed to give the bus owners a period of 21 days until the new runs take effect in the north. But on Sunday this wasn’t the situation. BBOC buses were not allowed to enter the Bus Terminal in Belize City and as a result the bus drivers decided to block the gate with the buses and not allow any other operator to enter until they figured out what was going on. The situation grew hostile when the Police were called in. Eventually, the BBOC backed off their resistance and two of its drivers were detained. At a press conference yesterday, President of BBOA, Thomas Shaw, accused that the owner of Westline of not following the right procedures to obtain bus runs and should; therefore, not have been allowed to operate and kick out bus owners who have been there for years. In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, the Bus Association charged that they believe “we have been disrespected and betrayed by our Transportation Minister, Hon. Melvin Hulse”. The Association demanded that the Prime Minister to intervene. It believed Sergio Chuc’s West Line should be removed from its present runs, while the BBOC’s runs should be reinstated. Once West Line is removed, said the release, the Minister should give bus operators 21 days to negotiate the new zone changes. If their demands are not met by midday Thursday [today], “we will take further action”, warned the release. Yesterday, drivers of these buses shared their feelings on this situation. One driver said that “dem dih play with man Johnny cake, and you shouldn’t do that.” The feeling was mutual throughout the entire room as members of the

BBOC, BBOA, Guerras, Chells, Griga Line, and Gilharry bus-line gathered. Today the Coalition for Liberty through Action announced that they supported the Association’s demands, and said they would assist to carry out any action if the demands are not met. The BELIZE TIMES understands that today Minister Hulse avoided meeting with the Association, and simply informed them that he would make a decision by midday Thursday.

found near the rear wheel. The victim’s family says they are unsatisfied that only one person has been charged, since they believe more than one person is responsible for the murder.

Alberto Valdez

Valdez made it to the hospital, but didn’t survive. The victim’s family says Valdez had left earlier that evening with a group of friends. They suspect that those friends launched an attack of their loved one for unclear reasons. Family members say the reason for the attack could be a dispute over a bicycle which Valdez sold to one of the friends. Police have recovered a black in colour beach cruiser bicycle, along with a small knife

Belize City, May 25, 2011 A female student was robbed on Tuesday night in the old capital, as she walked through the West Landivar Area. Keira Usher said she was simply walking when she was approached by a male person riding a green beach cruiser. She reports that the man got off his bicycle and placed his right hand around neck, and searched her. The man tried to take away her cell phone, but didn’t succeed. He then reached to her gold chain and ripped it from around her neck. While the student is terrified, fortunately she was not harmed.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

FROM THE DESK OF THE

PARTY LEADER

Small is Good Over the past few weeks I have been writing about our economy but more specifically on the issue of jobs. In last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s article I promised to offer some suggestions about the importance of promoting the development of small business as a part of an economic strategy that will generate jobs. Indeed, I believe fervently that small business is a key pillar of our economic growth. So what can we do to assist small businesses and create the kind of climate that will see more small business develop? First I believe that Government must lead the charge. To show our commitment I plan to go to the leaders in our party and propose a Legislation that will allow the Government to assist small businesses by giving them access to tax credits. Many of the people I speak with, who own a small business, complain that too often successive Governments seem to only be concerned with the big boys. They say it is the big companies and the foreign investors who always get the incentives. This is why I want to develop a plan that will provide incentives for small business development. Of course we would tie in these incentives to job creation. For example, a small business could be given a tax credit for infrastructure development or for training of its employees. Second, we must work with local banking institutions and credit unions to continue opening affordable lines of credit for small investors. Without inexpensive credit small businesses cannot expand. In the past we have used government funding to help small farmers and people in small businesses. This was an excellent concept, however, because of political patronage, the money soon dried up and much of the investment was wasted on bad investments and poor quality output. Especially because of past experience, I believe that government should not manage these kinds of funds and should use institutions

like the credit unions and the banks to manage and allocate money. However we must be clear about the rules so that we can hold them accountable. Small businesses need a source of fresh and low-cost capital and we have to make sure that they receive the resources they need to continue doing business and expanding employment opportunities. In addition, we must continue to properly utilize our scarce resources to encourage growth and help to stabilize the economy. We must ensure that in times of crisis, like hurricanes and floods, bridge funding is available to small businesses, but particularly small farmers. Again these funds must be directed to the appropriate agencies and the incentive should be to help with the loss, but also to both create and retain jobs. Finally, we must continue to encourage new ideas for small business development. In agriculture, organic farming is one area that we can easily transition into and along the same lines, cut flowers and small farms that specialize in exotic fruits. Of course, if this is to work sustainably, then we must look to a tested and proven way to make this profitable, the cooperative movement. For example, small organic farmers can form a cooperative that would help to seek markets for their products outside of Belize and help with distribution and most importantly develop standards that will keep the industry vibrant and growing. Small Business development is one area that can generate millions of dollars of much needed revenue to our economy and hundreds of jobs. While it is not the only area of the economy we must focus on, we would be well-served by investing government resources in assisting small businesses and in creating an enabling environment to foster their development. These small businesses will revitalize our neighbourhoods and communities in addition to help accelerate our national development and will put more Belizeans back to work.

THE BELIZE TIMES

19 yr. old freed

of double murder & attempted murder BELIZE CITY, Tues. May 24, 2011 By Roy Davis Gian Staine, 19, who was charged with 2 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder, was acquitted of all charges today in the court of Justice Herbert Lord. The only evidence against Staine for the murder charges was a caution statement he gave to the police admitting that he shot and killed Roberto Flores and Eugene Torres. But at a voire dire that was held determined that there was doubt that the statement was given voluntarily. Staine testified at the voire dire that sergeant Nicholas Palomo found a cartridge in his room and told him that if he gave the statement he would not be charged for the cartridge. Palomo admitted under cross examination that he found the cartridge in Staine’s room and did not charge him. As a result, Justice Lord ruled that the statement was inadmissible as evidence. The prosecution had no further evidence to offer so Justice Lord directed the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty of the murder charges.

Glan Staine

In connection with the charge of attempted murder, the complainant, Ron Thomas, the only witness who testified at the trial, said he did not see who shot him. Justice Lord also directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty for that charge. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on February 14, 2008, on Gill Street. Flores, Torres and Thomas were riding bicycles on Gill Street when they were shot. Flores and Torres succumbed to their injuries but Thomas survived. Crown Counsel Shimieza Smith represented the prosecution.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Pete Matthews

charged for shooting of Calvin Osman BELIZE CITY, Wed. 25, 2011 By Roy Davis George Matthews Jr., 29, a.k.a. “Pete”, a laborer of 7 Pinks Alley, who allegedly fired shots at Calvin Osman a.k.a. “Pango”, was charged with aggravated assault when he appeared yesterday in the #6 Magistrate’s Court. Matthews pleaded not guilty to the charge. Magistrate Dorothy Flowers explained to him that the Court could not offer him bail because of the nature of the offence. She remanded him into custody until June 24. The incident occurred on Friday, May 20. Osman reported to the police that while he was at home at Raccoon Street Extension Matthews came and fired several shots at him but missed.

George Matthews Jr. Police detained Matthews the following day, Saturday, May 21. The police were unable to confirm whether a shooting incident which occurred later on Antelope Street Extension was related to the incident.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Miss Y Pageant Promises To Be Entertaining

this Saturday

BELIZE CITY, Wed. May 25, 2011 By Roy Davis Seven women, all of them senior citizens, will compete for the prestigious title of “Miss Y” in the YWCA pageant which will be held at Bird’s Isle on Saturday, May 27. They are Marie Jones, 62; Eleanor Stanford, 60; Lorn Theus, 62; Evadine Welch, 70; Linda Augustine, 61; Shermadine Gentle, 63 and Muriel Cummings, 80. Mrs. Jones still does fishing and diving at her age. She said her performance for the talent segment of the pageant will be singing. Ms. Stanford is a businesswoman who makes and sells natural juices. She also bakes and sells whole wheat bread and bun. For her talent performance she will blow the harmonica. Ms. Theus, a housewife, is a retired nurse who used to live and work in Los Angeles. She will dance and do a skit for the talent segment of the pageant. Ms. Welch is retired. She used

to do voluntary work for the Red Cross and the Fire Service. She will do a monologue in the talent segment. Ms. Augustine works at the Good Samaritan For Homeless Children. She is the only candidate who has had some pageant experience. She was Miss Yumerei in 2002. She will recite a poem. Ms. Gentle is a cook at Biltmore

Plaza Hotel. She has worked in that capacity for 11 years. She will sing a Tina Turner song. Ms. Cummings is retired. She was a child monitor in Brooklyn, New York. She loves to socialize, dance, shop and do craft work. She will perform a skit and dance. The reigning Miss Y is Ms. Olga Cook, 78. She was a psychiatric technician in Los Angeles where she lived for 48 years. The Miss Y pageant will be in its 16th year since it started in 1993. The MCees will be comedian Lauren Burgess and Rafael Martinez. The women are very talented and are working hard to make sure

9 they give a good performance, said Mrs. Sonia Linarez, the General Secretary of YWCA. Besides the talent segment the pageant will include an introduction of the contestants, a group performance and a formal wear.

Muriel Cummings

R to L: Marie Jones, Eleanor Stanford, Lorna Theus, Olga Cook (reigning queen), Evadnie Welch, Linda Augustine & Shermaine Gentle

THE BELIZE TIMES

Queens of Delhart Courtney Cup

Sunday, May 29, 2011

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Triple B’s win 4th football title

Orange Walk Town, May 22, 2011 Defending national women’s football champs Triple B’s, won their 4th title by winning the 2011 Delhart Courtney Cup on goal aggregate, even though the Sugar City Gurlz won Game 2 of the finals 1-0 at the Louisiana field in Orange Walk Town on Sunday. Sheriann Tracy and Rhonda Hernandez led Triple B’s attacks with the help of their midfielders Kaya Cattouse and Gianne Cayetano, but the Sugar City defenders frustrated their attempts and kept them scoreless at half time. In the 2nd half, Triple B’s Jinelle Pott replaced Jahna Trapp and Windy Thomas entered the ball game for Kaya Cattouse. Even so, Sugar City’s Karen Garcia scored the winning goal in the 49th minute, but try as they might, they coud not get a 2nd goal to take the game into overtime. FFB President Dr. Bertie Chimilio presented the championship trophy to the Triple B’s girls and the 2nd place trophies to the Sugar City Gurlz. Corozal United’s Margarita Aguilar received the 3rd place team trophy, while Triple B’s Idania Ramirez won the Best goalkeeper award.

How they won: Crooked Tree Government vs. St. Jude’s RC

Crooked Tree

St. Jude

Winning Pitcher: Elma Wade

Independence Primary School vs. Louisiana Gov’t School

Independence

Louisiana

Winning pitcher: Camryn Linarez

St. Jude’s RC vs. Corozal Methodist

10 St. Jude

Triple Bs are 2011 champs

Jinelle Pott takes on Sheyla Peña

Sugar City Girls won 2nd place

St. Jude RC triumphs in softball nationals

Corozal

St. Jude girls are champs

Winning pitcher: Leonelle Aldana

Louisiana School vs. Forest Home Methodist

Louisana

Forest Home

Winning pitcher: Zelita Catzim

Crooked Tree vs. Corozal Methodist

Crooked

Corozal

Winning pitcher: Elma Wade

Independence girls vs. Forest Home Methodist

Independence

Forest Home

Winning pitcher: Camryn Linarez

Crooked Tree vs. Louisiana School

Crooked Tree

Louisiana

Winning pitcher: Elma Wade

St. Jude RC vs. Independence girls

St. Jude RC

Independence

Winning pitcher: Leonelle Aldana’s

Independence girls vs. Louisiana girls

Independence

Louisiana

Winning pitcher: Camryn Linarez’s 3rd win

MVP Leonelle Aldana

Crooked Tree girls placed 2nd

Belize City, May 19, 2011 The St. Jude RC School girls, the champs from Camalote Village in the Cayo District, won the national softball championship when the National Primary School Softball Tournament was held at the home of softball, Rogers Stadium, last Thursday. The Camalote girls faced off against the Crooked Tree girls in the finals, but star pitcher Leonelle Aldana held the competition off to a 5-1 win. Former national team coach Raymond Lashley presented the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place team trophies and medals to the winners, and the MVP award to St. Jude’s pitcher, Leonelle Aldana.

Brown Bombers bombs Westlake 7-6

Belize City, May 20, 2011 The Brown Bombers took Game 1 of the Belize City 1st Division football championship finals by blowing away the West Continued on page 13

Jarret Davis defended by Francisco Briceno

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Brown Bombers bombs Westlake 7-6 Continued on page 12 Lake boys in a penalty shoot-out at the MCC garden last Friday night. Francisco Briceño and Clinton Jorgenson led the Bombers’ attacks to lead 2-0 at the half. The Bombers’ defenders, Chris Gilharry, Felipo Alario, Matthew Leal and Rasheed Pollard, held West Lake scoreless at the half, but in the 2nd half Jarret Davis and Leon “Lem” Jones came off the West Lake bench to embarrass Bombers’ goalie Glenford Chimilio with 2 goals to tie the ball game at 2-2. The game went into overtime, when

How they advanced: Succotz vs. Central Christian School

Succotz

Central Christian

Winning pitcher: Sergio Chan

Independence Primary School vs. Louisiana Gov’t School

Independence

Louisiana

Winning pitcher: Gregory Almendarez

Succotz vs. Our Lady of Guadalupe School

Succotz

Our Lady

Winning pitcher: Sergio Chan

Toledo Christian Academy vs. Louisiana School

Toledo

Louisiana

Winning pitcher: Santiago Chuc

Central Christian School vs. Our Lady of Guadalupe School

14 Central

Independence boys vs. Toledo Christian Academy

Toledo

Winning pitcher Gregory Almendarez

Succotz vs. Toledo Christian Academy

Succotz

Toledo

Winning pitcher Sergio Chan

Central Christian School vs. Independence boys

Central

Independence

Winning pitcher: Miguel Delgado

Independence boys vs. Toledo Christian Academy

Independence

Bombers’ David Ramos chased down by Jose Caceres

the West Lake’s 5th penalty and Briceño converted for the

Succotz boys win national softball champs

4-3 win. Game 2 of the series comes up on Friday, May 27.

Succotz boys are champs

Belize City, May 19, 2011 The San Jose Succotz RC School boys, the Cayo district champions, were victorious in the national softball championship in which took place at the Rogers Stadium last Thursday. The final game was between Succotz and the Central Christian School of Belize City. The Succotz team outlasted them 7-6, giving the winning pitcher Sergio Chan the edge to receive the MVP Award.

Central Christian boys won 2nd

Our Lady

Winning pitcher: Miguel Delgado

Independence

Bombers’ Germaine Foster embarrassed West Lake’s goalie Francis Lemott with a 3rd goal in the 2nd overtime period. The Bombers were winning 3-2 until Davis blasted in the equalizer some 14 seconds before the long whistle. The game went into a penalty shootout and Leon Jones, Jarret Davis and Reynaldo Duran converted West Lake’s first 3 penalties. The Bombers responded with goals from Felipo Alario, Chris Gilharry and Avian Crawford. It was West Lake’s 4th kicker, Michael Hernandez, who missed the goal completely, but Francis Lemott kept his squad in the game by stopping “Pulu” Gillett’s try. The score was tied at 3-3 until Glenford Chimilio stopped

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Toledo

Winning pitcher Gregory Almendarez

Placencia Assassins upsets O.W. United, 2-1 Orange Walk Town, May 21, 2011 The Placencia Assassins kept their hopes alive of making it unto the Belize Bank Superleague football playoffs when they posted their 7th win against the high-flying Orange Walk United, 2-1, to rank 4th with 23 points. Under this pressure, the Orange Walk defense goofed in giving up a penalty, and the Assassins’ sweeper Dalton Eiley, embarrassed goalie Charlie Slusher by converting the kick to take a 1-0 lead at the 41st minute of the game. In the 78th minute, Oliver Hendricks caught up to a forward pass and made the Assassins’ goalie Stephen Lopez pay. The game was almost over, and both side seemed to be settling for a draw, when Slusher failed to clear a ball and his attempt sent the ball directly to Ashley Torres, who issued no pardon as he blasted the ball into the empty net for the 2-1 win.

Other games: City Boys vs. Griga Knights

City Boys

Griga Knights

Paradise Freedoms Fighters vs. Hattieville Monarchs

Paradise

Hattieville

Third World vs. Cayo South United

Third World

3 Cayo

Dalton Eiley scored Placencia’s 1st goal

THE BELIZE TIMES

OW Day

Horse Race

results

Orange Walk Town, May 22, 2011 By Ladrick Shepherd Some of the best jockeys and trainers gathered at the People’s Stadium horse track on Sunday May 22nd to witness the Orange Walk Day Horse Race Competition kick off. With some of the best trained studs and Phillies from across the country, and the defending champ Victory Kiss of the Cuello Stables not running anymore, the competition was bound to be a heated. 2 FURLONG 1ST place – Stacious 2ND place – Rampage 3rd place – Run Away Bride 2 FURLONG 1ST place – Se llrasi Jockey: Carlos Rodriguez 2nd place – Whilly Jockey: Manuel Rodriguez 3rd place – Melody Jockey: Shawn Leng

UB Jaguars win four in a row

5 FURLONG 1st place - Twinkle Twinkle Jockey: Alesandro Rodriguez 2nd place – Quadrito Jr. Jockey: Carlos Rodriguez 3rd place – Lady Coviar Jockey: Anthony Barkley

6 FURLONG TIME 116.5 SEC 1st place - Blessed Kidd Jockey: Earl Budd 2nd place – Brittany’s Choice Jockey: Finley “The Iceman” Tomas 3rd place – 24K Jockey: Erick Martinez 1 1/8 mile time 147.2 1st place – Overdrive Jockey: Erick Martinez 2nd place - Perfect Storm Jockey: Chris Tillett 3rd place - Dawn Jockey: Earl Budd

Michael Martinez scored goes up for two points

Kremandala upsets O.W. Running Rebels

4 FURLONG TIME 50.2 SEC 1ST place - Lady V Jockey: Anthony Barkley 2nd place - Prospector de cash Jockey: Erick Martinez

6 FURLONG Time 119.1 sec 1st place - Kiss them and leave them Jockey: Erick Martinez 2nd place - Eclipse Jockey: Carlos Rodriguez 3rd place – For a few dollars more Jockey: Alesandro Rodriguez

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Belize City, May 22, 2011 The undefeated University of Belize Jaguars posted their 4th win in the Digicel “Ballin for Life” senior basketball competition at the Belize City Center on Sunday. The UB Jaguars won 75-57 in their rematch with the Maxboro Mavericks. Winston Pratt led UB with 24 points, and 12 rebounds, while Ian Lennon led the Mavericks with 15pts, 9 rebounds as the Mavericks led 21-16 in the 1st quarter. Mavericks Devon Defour added 15pts, 4 reOther games: bounds, but UB led UB Jaguars vs. San Pedro Tigersharks 35-33 at the half. UB’s Farron Louriano and TraUB Jaguars San Pedro vis Lennon added 10pts each, while San Pedro Tigersharks vs. Belmopan Bandits Randy Usher added 9pts to lead 5248 at the end of the San Pedro Belmopan 3rd quarter. MavMaxboro Mavericks vs. Black Mambas ericks’ Dwayne Davis added 12 pts and Keemar King – Maxboro Black Mambas 9pts in the loss.

3 FURLONG TIME 38.8 SEC 1st place - Pocotiempo Jockey: Alesandro Rodriguez 2nd place - Black sugar Jockey: Erick Martinez 3rd Marr girl Jockey: Carlos Rodriguez

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Roger Reneau tries to stop KREM’s Jonathan Walker’s lay-up

Belize City, May 22, 2011 Kremandala posted a 93-72 win over the Orange Walk Running Rebels to get some payback for their season opener loss to the Rebels in Digicel “Ballin for Life” under-20 basketball competition at the Belize City Center on Sunday. Kremandala was victorious with Kachief Thomas leading with 29 points. The Rebels had no bench, and Krem’s Elvis Olivera scored 21 points while Raheem Gaynair and Andrew Ortiz had 10 points. Rebels’ Roger Reneau responded with 21 points, Vince Garbutt added 19 points and Jarrel Velasquez scored 16pts.

Other games: Kremandala vs. Smart

104 89 Kremandala

Smart

Running Rebels vs. Thunder

Running Rebels

75 Thunder

Thunder vs. Smart

104 97 Thunder

Smart

Thunder’s Luis Barcelona scored 24 points

Jarrel Velasquez goes for the basket

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

This Week’s

13 BELIZETIMES SUNDAY MAY 29, 2011

see full color at www.belizetimes.bz

E-NEWS AURELIO

& Garifuna Soul Band Concert May 27 & 28

Laru Beya Album Review on RootsWorld Three years in the making, Laru Beya shows considerable musical evolution, and is a worthy follow up to Aurelio’s Garifuna Soul (2004). He is a consummate performer with an engaging stage presence, a gifted vocalist and a stunning dancer¬not to discount his work on acoustic guitar, turtle shell percussion and maracas. Production corresponded with Aurelio’s selection by Youssou N’Dour to collaborate under the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, and the two spent a month trading songs in Dakar. N’Dour can be heard on “Labara Wanwa” and “Wamada” (Our Friend), the latter a call-out to Andy Palacio, now living among the ancestors. Aurelio stalwarts Rolando “Chichiman” Sosa (tenor sax, Garifuna drum, congas, percussion, vocals), Guayo Cedeño (a smoking lead electric guitar), Onan “Sambo” Castillo (lead Garifuna drum), Ivan Duran (bass, electric guitar), Al Ovando (electric guitar), Phil Nicolas (electric piano) and a superb women’s chorus (Esmeralda Arzu, Sofia Blanco, Neta Fernandez, Nelsi Flores, Andrea Lambert, Esther Valerio and Idalia Valerio) blend in a modern yet unmistakably Garifuna sound. The songs generally address themes of everyday Garifuna life, interpersonal relations, labor migration, language loss, spirituality, illness, death, encroachment on traditional lands, and the deleterious influences of global popular culture. To truly appreciate the rippling texture of this recording, listen with headphones¬several times. Every audition will reveal more depth and detail. Much of Laru Beya was recorded in a makeshift Honduras village beach studio, and the background sounds of daily life are woven through the music. It’s a warm and engaging aesthetic, antithetical to the laundered, jimmied, digital clang of commercial production, but absolutely true to the spirit of Garifuna life, reflecting producer Ivan Duran’s dedication to capturing the quotidian feel of this precious and artistically prolific if little-known Central American culture and people. If Andy Palacio’s Wátina set a high standard in vaulting Garifuna music squarely onto the international stage, Laru Beya reveals a worthy successor and promise yet to come in Aurelio and his Garifuna collective.

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TOP MODEL

Sharyn • • • • •

Attends SJCJC Sign: Aquarius Likes: dancing, singing, reading Career Plan: become a lawyer Lives in Belize City

NEW ARRIVALS

THE BELIZE TIMES

UG, UWI & UB

launch Master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development May 25, 2011 8:47 The University of Guyana has formed a partnership with the University of Belize, university of the West Indies (UWI) and Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname to assist Belize University in the launching of a Master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development. The official release says that the program is geared towards building and strengthening capacity in environmental management, biodiversity and sustainable development issues in the region. It is designed to target professionals and technical staff employed in land, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, freshwater or marine resource management activities from public agencies, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders; as well as persons who wish to pursue careers in land and natural resource management, forestry, agriculture and marine resource management and sustainable development. It is designed to target professionals and technical staff employed in land, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, freshwater or marine resource management activities from public

agencies, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders; as well as persons who wish to pursue careers in land and natural resource management, forestry, agriculture and marine resource management and sustainable development. The masters course will not be offered at the U.G. rather by the University of Belize however Guyanese desirous of partaking this this course can enroll online. Given the modules and core academics of the course it is somewhat surprising that U.G will not be offering such as program, since the Guyanese university have a major role in the successful outcome of this program, said a senior U.G. lecturer. Courses for the program will be offered via online distance learning; but, according to UB, students from the Caribbean region will have the opportunity to meet and participate in a field course of their choice in either Suriname or Belize. Students will also be able to benefit from fact-to-face supervision for their research project if they apply and register at the University of Belize. Persons wishing to take part in this new Master’s program can enroll in the program prior to July eight.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Mexico offers 15 CONALEP

scholarships to Belizeans Belmopan, 12 May 2011 - Mexico is offering 15 scholarships to Belizean Nationals to study at the Professional Technical Level in Mexico. The call for submissions for the Academic year 2011-2012 is coordinated by the National College of Professional Technical Education (CONALEP) of Mexico and the Belize’s Ministry of Education. CONALEP provides more than 33 different technical degree programs at different campus in Mexico. Careers are available on 7 different areas, such as Electricity and Electronics, Maintenance and Installation, Production Processes and Physical Transformation, Chemistry-Biological production and Transformation processes, Information Technology, Tourism and Health. The Mexican government scholarships are granted under an agreement between the CONALEP and the Belize’s Ministry of Education. This exchange education program started in 1991 and in the last ten years, more than 140 Belizean students have benefited from this agreement and have obtained technical education certificates from Mexico. The length of the scholarships is between two and three years depending on the program. They include registration and tuition fees, as well as food expenses. Applicants must meet all minimum requirements of

CONALEP which include: to be at least 17 years old, must reside in Belize, and submit the following documents: a copy of birth certificate, current medical certificate issued by a public health institution, 2 (two) pictures (in color), intermediate level of Spanish, application form duly completed, explanatory letter of persuasion describing the importance of the selected career and how these studies will help Belize; copies of certificates of primary and secondary schools and a commitment letter (electronic print out provided by the Ministry of Education) to return to study or work for Belize at the end of the studies in the CONALEP system. Applications, along with all required documentation, must be submitted to the Ministry of Education no later than May 26th 2011. Applicants will be interviewed by CONALEP examiners on June 8th and 9th 2011 and sit an exam on June 10th 2011 in Belize City. Applicants may obtain a CONALEP Scholarship Application Form from any District Education Center countrywide and from the Ministry of Education website, www.moes.gov.bz. Four copies of forms and all other documents are to be submitted. The Application Form and personalized attention is available at the Institute of Mexico in Belize, corner of Newtown Barracks and Wilson Street, Belize City. For more information call 223-1408 or write to institutodemexico@embamex.bz

Lie (intransitive verb)

Definition: 1: To make an untrue statement with intent to deceive 2: to create a false or misleading impression

UDP Imagination:

“If the prices start going north of $8 it has to mean that the acquisition costs are increasing which also mean that then our exports of petroleum begin to fetch additional revenue for the government. Once that happens and we start getting more money on the front end then we can give up some of that money on the back end to keep the prices as manageable as possible for Belizeans.”– Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, April 22, 2009 (7News excerpt)

Cold REALITY!: Gas Prices Today: Premium: $11.97 Diesel: $10.29 Regular: $11:67 Kerosene: $8.77

LIAD BARROW!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

ORLANDO HABET wins

Cayo North East Nancy Marin, PUP Secretary General Rachel Montejo & Cayo North East Standard Bearer Orlando “Landy” Habet

Swearing in of “Landy” Habet...a pledge to uplift the people of Cayo North East towards real prosperity

1,000 plus voters of all ages turned out

Counting the ballots

Supporters from many communities came out in numbers to rally behind the PUP

THE BELIZE TIMES

POLICE DEATH SQUAD? By Victor Vidal Concerned Belizeans are questioning the real motive and purpose of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) in their latest pre-dawn terrorist attack against a business citizen, endangering his entire family in the City of Belmopan last week Friday. This GSU are supposed to make us feel safe in our homes and communities but instead, the GSU is making us feel intimidated and afraid of the very unit that is supposed to reduce crime in our country. The actions of GSU reminded Belizeans of the dark and dreaded days of the Security Intelligence Service (SIS), a UDP organization led by Ramon Witz that was set up to spy and report on Belizean. Esquivel and Barrow went as far as to amend our Constitution to accommodate the SIS. The UDP Government has resurrected the SIS with the GSU. What makes the GSU more dangerous is the fact the head of the GSU is a senior Police Officer that is CIA-trained, who is married to the country’s Director of Public Persecution (a foreigner). The GSU operates undercover and is based in two private locations in the wealthy part of Northside Belize City. They terrorize citizens based on

unfounded information, even from their clinically substance abuser informants. They conceal their identity with Black Ski mask in the execution of their duties. The GSU are better equipped than the regular Police. They are heavily financed by the CIA/DEA and only take orders and only report directly to the Prime Minister Barrow. That is dangerous. The recent behavior of the GSU is a sign that this Unit will eventually become, if not already is, a death squad at the whim of Barrow. Their focus seems to have shifted from the Gang Violence that continues to escalate and wreak havoc in Belize City and other areas in the Country, to terrorizing our Citizens. As the political loop hole tightens on Barrow and the UDP administration, both at the local and national level, it is expected that Dean Barrow will do anything and everything to hold on to Power and that might be why we see the Gang Suppression Unit diverting from what was their original purpose to suppress gang bangers to attacking citizens in the wee hours of the mornings under darkness. Has Barrow now turned the GSU into the official Police Death Squad?

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Measles outbreak warning! Belmopan, 25th May, 2011 The Ministry of Health notifies the general public that a outbreak of Measles is ongoing in 33 different countries in Europe and transmission has been reported in 5 countries in the Americas. The last cases of measles in Belize were reported in 1991. Measles is a very contagious disease caused by an infection with the measles virus. Transmission of the virus occurs through unprotected coughing and sneezing of an infected person. A single case of this virus can cause an epidemic among unvaccinated persons. Signs and symptoms of Measles infection include: • Fever • Rash • Cough • Runny nose (coryza) or, • Red eyes (conjunctivitis) All persons, especially young children, who have not been vaccinated against measles are asked to contact the nearest public health center during normal working hours. Travelers going to or coming from Europe, North, Central and South America are advised to review their immunization status and to seek measles vaccine if unvaccinated. The general public is urged to immediately report signs and symptoms of this disease to community health nurses in the districts or to public health personnel at the Ministry of Health.

Teacher says: May 25, 2011 at 10:10 am

What a shame on the Minister and the ministry. Minister is not a man of his word. What else will this government do to the people of Belize. Sergio Chuc already has enough, why should he be given more. He is greedy and wants more and more. It’s a shame on our country. Where is the Prime Minister and all his pretty words. What else is coming for us?

Submitted on 2011/05/21 at 9:29am

dean barrow is so CORRUPT, there’s no development in our country under the UDP /dean hitler barrow,our country is going bakwards. now looks like its party name must change from UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY, to UNITED DICTATOR PARTY.we are really tired of dean hitler barrow why he no call elections now?

carlos says: May 24, 2011 at 10:32 am

I really against any one doing drugs and worst in drug trafficking, but the way the GSU do thing is not the correct way. Mr. Vidal is not telling the truth. Don’t you think that the same bullets shot at the house could have been the same bullets reflected by the hard surface of the walls of the house? How many persons were inside the house to respond to more than ten or twenty GSU? Common sense will tell you that the head of GSU is not telling the truth. As somebody said why not go against the same people in the police department of high ranking people in government involved in drug trafficking?

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Strictly Personal Barrow is bogus

By glenntillett@yahoo.com I am not in the least surprised that the Gang Suppression Unit showed up a private citizen’s home in the wee hours of the morning and ended up firing almost 50 rounds through his windows and doors. In fact I had been anticipating just such an event since one morning about six weeks ago when one of my co-workers and her family woke up to find them about to break down their door and barge in.

There has to be a more comprehensive plan to address southside Belize City, and Mr. Barrow has known this all along. It has to be carefully calibrated and balanced to ensure growth and development in all areas.” They are respectable people in a working class residential northside Belize City community and they could hardly have imagined such an occurrence. Unlike Mike Menjivar they do not own a licensed gun and so after initially resisting the demand to open their door they recognized one of the officers and let them in without incident. All Mr. Barrow’s new laws have done is criminalize an entire nation because he cannot deal with the criminals he represents. I have to put it that way because Mr. Barrow is the area representative for one of the most violent areas in the nation. He and fellow cabinet ministers Michael Finnegan, Boots Martinez, Patrick Faber and Sedi Elrington represent 5 of the 7 southside Belize City constituencies. I wrote in this column over two and a half years ago that if you were to

subtract the number of murders and other violent crimes which occur on southside Belize City from the national total, Belize would immediately revert to being one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Unless he simply has become too adept at ignoring reality Mr. Barrow knows that southside Belize City was a growing, festering problem that is now erupting. But Barrow is bogus and doesn’t even want to have a clue. The deployment of the GSU, like Restore Belize, like the increasingly draconian laws, was welcomed by many until it became clear that they were square peg policies for round hole problems. We should be prepared for the Mexican/Guatemalan/Columbian cartels moving in on Belize with the near total departure of the British Army and the failure of the Barrow administration to negotiate a replacement strategic “training” arrangement with the US. And when that happens we are going to need something that may have to be even bigger and ‘badder’ than the GSU. But in the meantime the GSU can’t solve the “gang violence” problem because it is not a “gang” problem per se. There has to be a more comprehensive plan to address southside Belize City, and Mr. Barrow has known this all along. It has to be carefully calibrated and balanced to ensure growth and development in all areas. Southside Belize City needs more schools, more jobs, better living conditions period. To suggest that a few social dependency programs and heavier policing is the solution is insulting and ultimately an aggravating factor. It can’t just be so called pro poor projects and heavyhanded policing. It has to address the myriad problems through a variety of ways. I have to believe that the decision to halt the building of the cruise port and the delay in implementing the southside poverty alleviation project are also aggravating factors. I have to believe that discontinuing the PUP-initiated program of giving land to Belizeans that was extending Port, Collet and Lake I is an aggravating factor. I have to believe that not building more schools and providing more government services to those areas is an aggravating factor. I have to believe that the lack of proper streets, drainage, lighting and other “amenities” is an aggravating factor. I have to believe the squalor, the congestion, the grime, the generally deplorable conditions are all aggravating factors. I have to believe that the now institutionalized neglect is the greatest aggravating factor of them all. And Dean Barrow has been the area representative since 1984 and has done nothing about it in all that time. Barrow is bogus.

THE BELIZE TIMES

REALITY CHECK! We wah have to “Barrow” we way out of dis unemployment hole!

By Carla Bradley Belly dih bawl out yah and people are suffering, yet the prime minister and his government say we are living in a good country. Our country is good in the sense of its beauty and natural resources, but ugly when we look at the suffering on the streets. Mothers are searching for food for their kids and fathers not wanting to face their families with empty pockets and it slaps us back into the reality which we are living in. Sons, fathers, brothers, friends are falling like flies and all this government can do is make it worse on our people by bullying, victimizing and even abusing their power and our people. Twenty three percent is what the statistics office announced was our unemployment rate. I am trying to figure where they did their survey, because looking at the reality out here, in my opinion, it is far more. We have businesses closing down, workers losing their jobs over political affiliation, workers losing jobs over favoritism and selfishness shown by the ministers of this current administration. This past weekend four people were killed, 3 to gun violence and the other just as horrible, and on Friday a family was ambushed and abused in the capital city of our country. I will not bash the GSU, because I do believe that they are needed. I just want to see them better trained and following proper procedures without hurting anyone or abusing their power. We must understand that these arms of the defense answer not to any of the ministers but to the prime minister himself, which in my opinion makes no sense. We have seen HL’s, a Belizean business that employed many single mothers, close down. We have seen people with government jobs lose their jobs because of their political preference or because they showed dissatisfaction with the

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current actions of this administration. We have seen people put aside because they just don’t know the right people in power. Instead of doing this they could hire people for their knowledge of the job and not for the knowledge of corruption. The bus workers of BBOC are the new victims to this unemployment disease cause by the “Barrownians”. One hundred and twenty more people and their families are without a source of income. More kids are asking “why can’t I have something to eat mommy?” Come on people, open your eyes and your mouths, we need to take a stand and fight for what is ours. This is not the Belize we all once knew, it is now sadly to say, a hole filled with corruption and violence. The question of what you think is the cause of the escalating crime was placed forward and Belizeans in different areas of our country said that while some of these killings may be as a result of gang rivalry, not all are. The people believe that the reason the crime has escalated in this country is because the poverty level has increased, with over 148 thousand people in poverty in our country. The lack of jobs, high cost of living and lack of education have been contributing factors to the rising crime in our country. The problem is that the people of Belize need jobs; they need to feed their children and if the resources aren’t there, they will do what it takes so that at the end of the day their families are taken care of. One talk show host, who probably forgot they are the ones in power, said just that when she remarked that if there are no jobs, people will commit crime. She hurriedly tried to retract but the damage was already done. We can clearly see that these people do know what is going on but try to trick the people into believing that all the government does is to be adored and cherished. Barrow and his ‘Barrownians’ need to understand that enough is enough. Our families need a better living condition and our kids need a safer and brighter future. Unfortunately, since these people are caught up in their luxury vehicles, mansions and exotic getaways they cannot comprehend the situation in which we poor Belizeans are experiencing day by day. Dah fool dih talk but dah noh fool dih listen PM Barrow, so wake up!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Destruction of Belizean Rights, Part I By Judge Kenneth Gale To describe the proposed preventive detention measure that was brought before the House as a constitutional amendment as draconian, would be an understatement. The proposal of such a law is a testament to either the inability to do what is right, under existing laws or it is a disregard for the appropriate manner in which Belize’s problems should be resolved. The preventive detention that is proposed is a major step toward creating a police state in Belize that could create a stigma that is detrimental to Belize’s future. Such a detention could not be successfully questioned by a writ of Habeas Corpus and could end the right to be free from persecution. It would open the door to retaliation and an abuse of power that could lead to successive 21 day retentions, where the Government does not even have prima facie case. Such preventive detention should never come into existence. The present detention laws are sufficient. If the Government seriously wishes to reduce the crime rate it should look at the facts as they exist. If they do they will be faced with the undeniable conclusion that corruption in the Government provided the foundation for Belize’s high crime rate, with a murder rate that is out of control. If the Government really wishes to limit crime it should immediately initiate and enforce laws that eliminate the corruption in the Government. Though promised this has never been done. The police have done remarkably well in solving crimes. The problem that exists is not in policing as they are doing a great job. The problem is the failure to properly prosecute Defendant’s after they have been apprehended and charged with a crime. The Government statistics show that the conviction rate for murder is only 7%. Many witnesses in murder cases have been murdered and many witnesses have refused to testify due to their fear of retaliation. The fact that it is easy to get away with murder makes the criminals bold. The low conviction rate is an invitation to commit murder, as the crime is seldom punished. However, the police are also in charge of the prosecutions. They see that the case is filed and retain the file. It is thereafter, that at times, the file turns up missing or the witness does not show up in court and the case is dismissed at the time of trial. Such prosecution procedures are not followed in jurisdictions that have high conviction rates. In such jurisdictions it is a sep-

arate department that does the prosecuting. In California it is the District Attorney’s office (DA). When the initial investigation is completed, the investigating officer takes the file to the District Attorney’s office, where the case is reviewed. If the District Attorney determines there is sufficient evidence he retains the case file or a copy thereof and files charges against the Defendant. If the District Attorney determines that, additional investigation is required he will request the additional investigation. If there is not sufficient evidence the file will be returned to the investigating officer who then seeks the additional evidence. The District Attorney has its own process servers. The DA sees that the case is prepared for trial and all the witnesses are subpoenaed and are present. There are no lost files, the witnesses that are supposed to be in court are present and the case is successfully tried, at an early date. Late date prosecutions have a tendency to fail due to the lapse of time affecting memories. The only problem that occurred under such a system occurred many years ago. What happened was that the arresting officer would advise the arrested Defendant as to what attorney he should engage. Thereafter, when financial arrangements were made though the attorney, evidence would be withheld from the District Attorney and the criminal case was never filed. The manner of withholding such evidence was referred to “as blowing the case down”. After many years of such a practice, Los Angeles appointed a Police Chief named Parker. Parker was tough on anything that was not above board. With stringent use of the Internal Affairs Division he put an end to such practice. A separate Department of the Government should file and prosecute the cases, bringing them to trial at early dates. There would be no more missing files or witnesses that were not subpoenaed. The conviction rate, with jury trials, could then easily exceed 90%. There are jurisdictions that have been faced with greater crime problems than those of Belize. One such California jurisdictions, whose court handled as high as 280 murder cases a year, resolved crime problems with a conviction rate in murder trials, tried before juries, in the excess of 90%. They did so for more than 20 years without one witness being murdered or refusing to testify. They tried their criminal cases within 90 days after the Defendant’s arraignment in the Superior Court, unless the short time would create an injustice. It appears that the Government does not wish to learn from other jurisdictions that were successful. It appears that there is an ego problem, that is, it must be their way or no way.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

The Next Revolution……and the People of Belize By Carolyn Trench-Sandiford – Deputy Leader People’s United Party - Belize

constitution cannot be divorced from a country and its people, as it defines and legitimizes both. Thus, the 2010 Population and Housing Census provides us Belizeans with a reference point…a baseline profile if we so wish…of us, the people that the constitution is to represent. It can be compared with historical data as to who we were, and be a point of departure to predict the physical, social and economic needs of this and the next generation. The following represents a summary of some, not all of the main findings of the census. The detailed report is unavailable at this time and could not be referred to. Furthermore, the focus will be on the population distribution. • Population Distribution In 2010, the population of Belize was 312,698, of which 138,796 or 44% was classified as urban and 171,827 or 56% as rural. Interestingly, this is almost similar to the urban rural dichotomy of 47% and 53% in 1921. This was reversed in 1981 to 52% urban and 48% rural. Of note is that between 1921 and 1981 [60 years], the percentage change of the population of Belize District and the city to the total population [45,297 in 1921 and 145,353 in 1981] was minimal, from 38% to 35% for the district, while that of the city to the total population remained constant at 27%. However, between 1980 and 2010, [30 years] the changes are significant, with the Belize District and City having only 28.5% and 20.8% of the total population respectively. Cayo District happens to be the fastest growing district with 23% of the total population in 2010, up from 15% in 1981. The result of this is the reduction in the dominance of both Belize City and District, and the rise in prominence of Cayo District, with an urban population of 11.6% of the total population. Notwithstanding, San Pedro Town in the Belize District, is the fastest

growing urban area. While the rural population count includes approximately 192 villages and communities with extreme population differences, that is, from 200 to in excess of 5000 persons, many of these villages are already configured as urban centers. If these and the other major urban areas continue to be magnets to internal and external migration and immigration patterns, and grow in an unplanned and unregulated manner, it is inevitable that the problems associated with urbanization, as what occurred in Belize City during the 70’s and 80’s, and which is manifesting itself today, such as the proliferation of squatter settlements, overcrowding and poverty, urban decay, traffic congestion, unreliable garbage disposal, inadequate social and community facilities, substandard infrastructure and unprecedented crime and violence, and environmental degradation will undoubtedly follow. These are the challenges that both municipal and central governments will be confronted with in the next decade. In addition, the population changes may also require redefining representation in parliament. Other findings of the census are: • Ethnicity and Religion In 1980, the Creole represented 39.7% of the total population while the Mestizo was 33.1 %. In 2010, the Creole is 21% while the Mestizo is 50%. This could have implications to English as a first language, considering also that 15% of the total population are foreign born, with Guatemalans numbering 40% or 19000 persons. Interestingly, a ‘mixed ethnic grouping’ has emerged, representing 6% of the total population which broadens and begins to blur the lines of ethnic diversity. Notwithstanding a reduction from 57.8% to 40%, Roman Catholic is still the dominant religion. However, the number of persons not belonging to any religion has doubled to 15% of the population. This may have an impact on the future of the church/state education system as well as traditional values instilled through religion. Budhism and Rastafarian were introduced as religious categories. • Education Approximately 88000 or 28% of the population is enrolled in formal education with 63,700, 17,200

and 7,400 at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels respectively. While males slightly outnumber females up to primary education, females outnumber males by a ratio of two to one at university level, and completing secondary to university levels. This suggests that policies on gender equality must now target young men and secondary and tertiary enrollment must be the focus for the next decade. The population is becoming more technology conscious, as 25% of the total population uses the internet, with internet usage of 45% amongst the 15-24 years age group. • Labour Force The labour force is estimated at 131,000 persons with an unemployment rate of 23.1%. Highest incidences are in Cayo, Corozal and Belize Districts, two women to one man are unemployed, and the 14-19 years age group has the highest unemployment of 57%. This should inform and shape economic policies to target age and sex groupings and geographic areas for job creation. Of concern is that 58% of the population is dependent on 42% of the population, the latter including children ages 14 to 17 years or 9% of the labour force. • Land Dwelling Units 62.5% of households now own

19 the land their house sits on, and 50% of households own their home without a mortgage. Belize and Stann Creek Districts record the lowest rates of ownership, and must be the beneficiaries of any housing programmes. • Women in Leadership Position This was a new feature of the census and the prime minister and a minister of government are the two most popular positions out of several choices that households would like women to occupy, with 27.4% and 18.8% respectively. If we understand the characteristics of our current population, utilize historical and current data to determine trends and predict the profile of the next generation, we can project corresponding needs for land, housing and jobs, and can craft policies which are targeted to solve problems, where resources can be optimized and results are measurable. Only if this is done, shall we begin the journey of breaking the cycle of perpetual subjection of our people and birth a NEW BELIZE, which will bring Prosperity, National Unity and Happiness to all Belizeans. Next week we will look at national budgets utilizing the 2011-2012 budget as a case study. For comments please email carolyntrench@gmail.com

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Reid By G. Mike Reid In February of 1998, the MS Leeward sailed into Belize’s harbor and created quite a stir. The ship was met at the harbor by placard-carrying protesters comprised of religious zealots and conservatives who were concerned about the adverse effects that the ship of gay visitors would have on our country. The ship came and left without major incident and less than a week later, another ship load of same-sex lovers were docking with GOD knows how many other ships following. While Belize certainly seems to have gone to the dogs, there is no evidence to suggest that any of our current problems are as a result of any visitor, gay or otherwise, to our shores. Those who protested seemed to have come to grips with the futility or their cause and the mootness of their point. That is until recently, when a challenge to Belize’s law against homosexuality was mounted in the Court by the United Belize Advocacy Movement led by Caleb Orosco. Like hot water bringing out roaches, this recent challenge has given lure to a latent jaundiced sentiment. It might not be a majority view but it comes from strong and influential quarters. The issue of homosexuality and lesbianism has, for the most part, been taboo in Belize although most will agree that the practice is almost widespread. Rumors run rampant about the many prominent citizens who are believed to be living in said “sin” and if half the rumors are true, well then the numbers are at the very least, significant. At some point, the issue will have to be brought to the forefront and made to undergo the scrutiny of open and intelligent debate. What Caleb Orosco has done is to bring this issue right into our faces and is forcing us to take a long hard look at our biases and convictions regarding this matter. Many are taking the hard-line stance of intolerance and condemnation while others employ the age old axiom of “God loving the sinner but hating the sin”. Some are questioning whether we should truly label same-sex matters as really even a wrong or a sin or only a GOD given right to choose. There is also the possibility of it being a predetermined condition. Which brings us to the very crux of this matter; are people born that way or do they choose to be what they are? This entire argument is bogged and mired at that very premise which must first be properly defined and clarified

before we can begin to move forward. Countless studies and research have been done, and continues to be done, which ranges from isolating DNA to observing gay behavior in animals. As of yet, the jury is still out and no one absolute explanation of homosexuality has been found. The question has rightly been pondered; would society even accept the answer should it be found and happen to not coincide with the majority view of the day? As far as I understand it, Orosco and his UNIBAM are asking the courts to distinguish between homosexuality and bestiality. I find no major problem with that. I believe that sexual intercourse between two human beings (however wrong it is perceived to be) cannot be equated with sexual intercourse between man and beast. By the same token, I am not in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage nor would I advocate for open acceptance of homosexuality. I am not convinced though, that one would necessarily lead to the other. A press release from the Council of Churches and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches presents a rather flawed argument and one that is laden with ridiculous presumptions. UNIBAM is described by the Churches as “being heavily influenced by foreign interest who seek to impose a worldview that directly contradicts the supremacy of GOD as reflected in our laws…” Many homosexuals are in fact, staunchly religious and can be seen in church on more regular a basis than most heterosexuals I know; so where is the challenge to the “Supremacy of GOD”? The release goes on to suggest that the UNIBAM lawsuit “challenges our national sovereignty and threatens our very way of life, not least by targeting our children.” Disturbing if true but why do I feel that they are reading way too much into all of this? The question is, “what are we afraid of?” Are our convictions and morals so fragile that we would be influenced by the mere observance of behavior different than ours? Or is it a case of sexual insecurity? There have been instances when those crying out the loudest against homosexuality were found to be themselves engaged in their own “unnatural acts.” A classic example was evangelist Ted Haggard, who while bashing gays and lesbians from the pulpit, was secretly using drugs and seeking sexual gratification from a male prostitute. If you ask me, hypocrisy is a much bigger sin than homosexuality. Notice I have made no attempt at disclaimer here; I feel no need to. I am quite secure in my orientation and worry little about anyone accusing me of carrying a torch for homosexuality. I am just not homophobic and find it as repulsive as racism or any other type of prejudice. I prefer to live by the words of the poet, Joaquin Miller who wrote: In men whom men condemn as ill, I find as much of goodness still In men whom men pronounce divine, I find so much of sin and blot I do not dare to draw a line, between the two where GOD has not.

www.belizeandiaries.com

Life’s Lessons

bout eleven years ago when I was going through a self realization process, which naturally comes to you when are going through any hardships in life (mine being a separation) I came across this book at the Book Centre when it was located in an upper flat on Church Street. The book was entitled, “If Life IS a Game, these are the rules!” by Cherie Carter-Scott. For anyone who is in search of answers this book would have much appeal to them. The book, still in my possession albeit it taped up and somewhat tattered, sits on my bookshelf as a reminder of how to deal with life’s pressures and obstacles as they come along. I haven’t referred to it in years but that is mostly because after reading it about half dozen times the lessons stayed with me and to this day I have done my best to apply these lessons to all situations I am faced with. The book covers 10 rules of being human and because it had a positive impact on my life and how I function, I would like to share them with you. This week we will cover the first 2 rules for being human. Rule #1 – “You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for as long as you live. How you take care of it or fail to take care of it can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life.” I’m pretty sure you have been around individuals who have an obsession with their physical appearance; then there are those who don’t care what they look like or how their bodies are kept. The ones who pamper themselves are usually the ones who appreciate their bodies and are in full acceptance of it. Under this rule the most important thing is acceptance. Acceptance is being able to embrace what life presents to you with a good attitude. In this rule, the most challenging part is to make peace with your body in order for it to carry out its purpose effectively. If you are one of those persons who believes that you would be more successful or content if you were thinner, taller, larger, firmer or some physical alteration you think would magically change your life for the better, then indeed you have not learned the value of true acceptance. Always keep in mind that the second you arrived on this planet you were given a body. This body houses your spiritual being and the real you is inside this body carrying all your dreams, fears, thoughts, beliefs and

expectations. You and your body will be together for your entire stay here on Earth – you can love it or hate it but you must accept that it will be with you up until the last beat of your heart. There are no refunds and no exchanges! To master this rule, you need to nurture your body, moisturize, admire, praise and pamper your body – it’s the transportation for your soul! In studies done abroad it has been proven that the mind and the body are connected. When you refuse to accept your body you run the risk of illnesses, whereby acceptance can heal diseases. By following this rule you will find that accepting your body is not only essential to your emotional well being but also to your physical health. Think about this rule, and remember to love and pamper all parts of your body on a regular basis. Rule #2 - “You are enrolled in a fulltime informal school called, ‘life’. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but you have designed them as part of your curriculum.” Of the 10 rules for being human, this is my favourite and the one I hold on to the most. Each of us has our unique purpose on earth and as you travel through your lifetime you will undoubtedly encounter challenging situations that others may not have to face. For example your friends may be blessed with stable homes and good marriages while you may go through an ugly and painful separation. While your neighbours may be financially blessed, you may be struggling from day to day to make ends meet. The only thing you can count on is that during your lifetime you will be presented with ALL the lessons that you specifically need to learn – whether you choose to learn these lessons is entirely up to you. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will be faced with in your lifetime as sometimes your path will lead you into a life that is radically different from others. When you find yourself going thru this don’t compare your path to others around you. You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you will contribute to your own needs for growth. If you are able to rise to this challenge then you just may be able to unravel the mystery of your purpose and begin living it. For a more detailed insight into these lessons, log on to www.belizeandiaries. com

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Write to us at: editortimes@yahoo.com

What New Beginning?

By Lucia Moguel

ver the past two years I have been studying at an educational institution known as Muffles Junior College. The time never seemed to elapse and the work that we received was quite arduous most of the time, especially, if one was not prepared for class. We had to face two extensive years of paying school debts and attending house meetings and mandatory sports in which I never saw the sense of existing. Until today, I still find no adequate sense of forcing people to stay to observe mind-numbing activities which will not benefit the student in any way. In addition, we had to cope with nuisances such as teachers, classmates, deplorable school facilities and monotonous cafeteria food. However, after the intense and sanguinary battle we faced, we finally rose triumphant. Now we embark ourselves in the glorious victory of obtaining a diploma. This is when we undergo metamorphosis; we shall soon spread our wings and enter into the realm of reality in which we will have to learn to fend for ourselves and to live life. Some of us, if lucky, will immediately enter the world of work, while others will further their education after the summer break; or some will simply take a grace period in order to meditate and find what they want to do with their lives. What worries me is the number of students who are graduating. We must remember that MJC is not the only tertiary level institution in the country; we have a myriad of these institutions. Yet, a simple sublime question remains unanswered: where will all of these people get a job? We are already facing a 23% of unemployment; that is, one out of every four persons in the country faces this demon. Furthermore, there are people that remain underemployed due to the great need of having a job. If the statistics continue to show a rise in unemployment, how are we graduates supposed to find a suitable job if there are practically none? Have all our efforts gone to squander? I am a strong believer of education being one of the most important things in life as well as being the greatest key to success. Nonetheless, it is frustrating to have so much potential and to be ecstatic when you are underemployed or much worse, unemployed. I had a very interesting conversation with the owner of one of the businesses in Orange Walk Town. He asked me if I was graduating and he persuaded that I find a job. Furthermore, he shared a very remarkable comment. He stated that obtaining a job in town would be difficult; while obtaining one in Belize City is much easier due to availability, but it is a treacherous place. Such is life. What can be done about it? It is important to note that job availability is not the only problem haunting our people. There is also the lack of finance. Not too long ago, a friend told me that he would love to further his studies, but there was no money. So now he has to go out into the world in order to attain a job and to survive. Likewise, some classmates that graduated from high school with me spent a year working so as to obtain enough money to pay for their education at junior college. Life today is not easy and every day we face new challenges and obstacles which we must successfully pass in order to survive. While education is a very important tool that will remain with us for the rest of our lives, it is not easily obtained and it requires great sacrifices. However, once attained, it can assist us in obtaining a job if any are available. Education is a shield that no one can ever remove from us, but it is urgent to do something about the job availability in our country before we become saturated with graduates.

THE BELIZE TIMES

The End of the World You know one of the reasons our schools haven’t been bringing out the proper caliber of students is because education is limited to a specific time. We have smart students graduating with an employee mentality rather than an entrepreneurial one. We permit students to graduate whether they have learnt the lesson or not because May and June has come. Many have the education but are lacking in life skills. We may even pass a student because we know the parents or maybe they are well off people! Let me ask a question “Which is more important to you when you begin school”? The day school will end and you move on to work or the lessons and personal development you are to earn and learn over the years? Does God operate in this fashion? I recall in scriptures a journey through the wilderness for the people of Israel where a two week journey took forty years due to the hardness of their heart and distorted ways! No my friend God does not operate based on time. Time is something He created for us who live in the finite realm! We are dealing with live, living souls when we begin to look at the end of the world and this is something God takes very serious. So serious that yes He has predicted a time for the end of the world. You know I have found nothing on earth that surprises God. Belize is like a speck of dust when compared to the size of the world and the world is yet like a speck of dust when compared to the size of the other planets in this Galaxy. There is nothing new under the sun. In the movie ‘Matrix’ there are people changing dimensions but this is nothing new as Enoch in Hebrews 11:5 was translated from earth to heaven without dying. The only thing he probably didn’t have was the ‘ray ban’ sunglasses. Horror or alien movies often depict all types of creatures we’ve never seen before. Well apart from the fact that some very different looking creatures have been found in the ocean, we see all types of beings living before God in Revelation 4:6-8, we see beasts with eyes where eyes do not belong, and with wings where wings do not belong. But the one that’s more interesting to me is the one that is simpler - the elevator! In Acts 9:25 Paul is let down a high wall in a basket to save his life. Today we use elevators controlled by machines but here was a prehistoric one, probably the first one ever used and controlled by man power! What am I trying to say? God is not caught up into our little inventions and those things that excite us. He planted the material here on earth so we could make these witty inventions. God’s priority is more the heart and the destination of our souls. He prefers for us to enter heaven without a leg than for our whole body to be thrown in hell (Matthew 18:8,9)! So the big question is ‘when will the world end’? Is it estimation or an exact date? There have been many predictions of the end. Some said it would have been the year two thousand and that all computers would crash! Some are saying it will be twenty twelve when the Mayan calendar ends. Many dates have been set. Many movies have been made with this theme where the end is heralded in by a war, weather change, or a comet from outer space that will destroy the earth! Let’s then return to our Instruction Manual to hear what our Creator says about the end. In Matthew 24:4-6, “Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Similar scriptures (Matthew 24:36,44; 25:13) tells us that no one knows the day nor the hour and that Jesus will sneak up on us like a thief we are not expecting! Listen, any judgment as it relates to the end of the world, has to be based on the spoken word by Jesus where he says in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” In other words when the proper gospel is preached to the ends of the earth, the end will come. It warns that yes there will be wars and various events but those do not represent the end but rather the preaching of the “Gospel of the Kingdom”. We must understand that the gospel of the kingdom is not that Jesus Christ loves you. Jesus tells us he is the door and the way to the Kingdom, he taught on the kingdom, not church service, not healing, not faith, not saying a prayer to accept him as your savior. This is only the beginning! He taught on the kingdom. It says unless the ‘Gospel of the Kingdom’, not the gospel of Christ, but rather the Gospel that Christ preached, is preached in all the world only then shall the end come! This hinges the end of the world on the actions and the working of the body of Christ spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom! Until then I promise you no war, no disease, no weather conditions, no cosmic disaster, no date will cause the end of the world. God warns us in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” and He encourages us in Proverbs 2:6 that “He gives out wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” It is imperative that we all begin to carefully study what Jesus preached, and learn more about this Kingdom that He came and was sacrificed for. This he wants us to both understand and attain. Only then will we be able to get up and begin sharing with others that which we have been instructed to do. We will then be partners with God ushering in the end of the world. This is the deep desire of God for humanity! The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Until next week, God Bless!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

ON DI ROAD! VISITING ONE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL TREASURES…THE BLUE HOLE! My Mom’s mother, Andrea Lombardi, “ Nan “ as I call her, is visiting with us for a few days. On Commonwealth Day I went to the Blue Hole with my parents and Nan. We had a great time! On the way to the Blue Hole National Park my Dad told me a little about the Blue Hole. The hole is circular in shape, 410 feet deep, and 1000 feet across and is part of our Barrier Reef! Imagine that if you can! My Dad told me that it was described as “the deepest, deep blue hole... It was made out of solid rock as caves, hundreds of thousands of years ago during the last ice age. For ages, water went through the rock into the caves and then, one by one they fell in on each other, creating a deep hole four hundred feet deep. When the earth heated up, the warm Caribbean ocean swept in to fill the hole…” When we got to the park there were many cars in the parking lot. There were lots of families having fun in the water trying to beat the heat. It was my first time swimming in the Blue Hole and Nan’s as well. It was cold when we first walked into the water. We were ready to jump right out! After a while we got used to it and had a cool time paddling in the water. When it was time to go I did not want to leave but I had to say goodbye to another one of national treasures. I want to go back real soon. Do you think you would like to visit the Blue Hole? I know you would like it!

Maze Boggle! Help Dora and Boots get around the ice blocks to rescue their friends before they sink!

COLOUR ME Colour the two explorers

who are on an adventure in a cave!

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

en Español

Anti-democrático Las personas podrán tener una variedad de definiciones para la palabra “democracia”, pero la mayoría, si no todos ellos, se asemejan a los ideales democráticos que se encuentran en los días de la antigua Grecia cuando el poder y el Estado comenzaron a transferir gradualmente de los ricos y poderosos hacia los plebeyos . Hoy en día, la democracia ya no es un mero concepto, sino un pilar de la sociedad moderna. Se puede encontrar en las cartas, declaraciones y en nuestro caso, la Constitución de Belice. La gente elige a los gobiernos para gobernar democráticamente, y ahora vemos la superpotencia del mundo, comprometida, con más frecuencia que antes, en un acecho a las naciones bajo el pretexto de protección y preservación de la democracia. El camino que Belice ha está llevando desde el 2008, cuando la Administración Barrow asumió el poder, pronto podría atraer la mirada atenta y el látigo poderoso de esa superpotencia. Lo que hemos estado viendo es nada menos que un dictador en potencia. Nunca en la historia de cualquier Administración Pública ha habido tantas alteraciones a la Constitución como las que ha impuesto el Primer Ministro Dean Barrow. Desde el 2008, Barrow ha presentado tres enmiendas constitucionales, pero no promulgadas por algun ejercicio de consulta para la reforma política. De hecho, cuando Barrow buscaba su primera Enmienda Constitucional en Mayo del 2008 (sexta modificación), contenía dos propuestas muy polémicas que nunca formaron parte de su programa electoral tres meses antes de las Elecciones Generales. Las medidas draconianas de la detención preventiva para diluir nuestros derechos constitucionales no son un mandato del pueblo. La enmienda de implementar el treceavo senador para la ONG fue ampliamente aceptada, aunque la mayoría de los votantes habían votado a favor de un Senado electo. Barrow ha renegado de su promesa. Luego vino la séptima enmienda constitucional en el 2009 que tenía por objeto eliminar los derechos de los propietarios a obtener reparación e indemnización, y permitir a los gobiernos a expropiar la tierra a voluntad. En el 2011, después de presenciar la promulgación de leyes de poder para escuchar conversaciones telefónicas privadas, ahora tenemos la enmienda constitucional N º 8, que busca volver a imponer la detención preventiva como elemento de disuasión a la delincuencia. Esta idea fue mala en 2008, y es igual de malo en el 2011. Muchos han dicho que la legislación, de ser aprobada, a su vez convertira a Belice en un Estado Policíal - que causara estragos y miedo primero luego a continuación, en última instancia, el caos y mucho más. Muchos han dicho que la detención preventiva de Barrow y la propuesta de derogar el juicio por jurado son los signos más evidentes de su incapacidad para gobernar. La decisión de arrestar a la ciudadanía por la fuerza es más que anti-democrático. Pero hay más peligro del liderazgo de Barrow en todas partes. Se puede ver en la arrogancia de su gabinete. La forma en que el Ministro de Agricultura puede privar a cientos de agricultores cultivadores de cebolla para su conveniencia es monstruoso. La forma en que el Ministro de Obras se le ha permitido abandonar su deber para con la gente del sur y pasar por alto el peligroso cruce de Sittee River es cruel. La forma en que el Ministro de la Juventud ni siquiera se conmueve cuando casi todos los días un joven es asesinado a tiros es inhumano. La forma en que el Ministro de Transporte puede utilizar propietarios de autobuses como peones en su juego de ajedrez y tirar a 120 empleados a la calle es cruel. Todo es un reflejo de su líder, un primer ministro que reina sobre la gente sin respeto ni restricciones. Nos recuerda la famosa cita de Lord Acton, “El poder corrupto, absoluto poder corrompe absolutamente”. Ahora estamos viviendo en un Belice anti-democrático.

THE BELIZE TIMES

3 dead massacres

in Antelope St. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Three more lives were lost to the crime wave in the old capital over the Sovereign’s Day holiday weekend. Two of them were youth killed on Friday

Aldeen Zelaya

Dwayne Tillett

Eric Arana

night and one was a woman killed in front of Gwen Lizarraga High School while walking home with friends early Monday morning from a night out. All murders took place on Antelope Street, an area fast competing with the established war zones for the notoriety of being the bloodiest and most violent area in recent times. Although there were two separate shootings which police cannot say still if they were connected, all three victims lived in the same area and their murders happened within 100 yards of each other. At 8:20 on Friday night residents scrambled for cover as 13 bullets, no less, were fired into a crowd that had gathered in a yard playing a card game. The victims, Eric Arana and Dwayne Tillett, 21, were conversing on a derelict car when two guys came riding from the direction of Elston Kerr Street and blasted the shots at them. A resident told the BELIZE TIMES that he saw the shooter, dressed in a dark colour shirt and wearing a dark cap, speeding up Antelope Street Extension where it meets the back portion of the Cemetery. The other, wear-

ing a stocking over his head, diverted left into an unpaved street off Antelope Street Extension. Dwayne Tillett was employed as a tour guide with the horse and carriage company of Antelope Street Extension. He had just started a course to receive his tour guide license when he was killed. He, neighbours say, could not have been the intended target, because Tillett never engaged in illicit activities. He was a youth who made home and work his way of life. Eric Arana, on the other hand, had run-ins with the law on a number of previous occasions. In fact, the same Friday when he was killed, he had been held in custody for a robbery in the Lake Independence area. He was released because the police did not have sufficient evidence to charge him. People close to him say that Arana had

on several occasions been involved in armed hold-ups in and around the Collet and Lake I areas. During the shooting, three other persons were also shot, including Khiry Haulze, 21, Juvanna Gillett, 24, and Karen Rivers, 27, who all suffered minor wounds and grazes. Friday night’s shooting would be the first of two that would plague Antelope Street because early on Monday morning, Aldeen Zelaya, 40, would be shot dead at the Antelope/Elston Kerr Street junction, right facing Gwen Liz High. She had been partying with friends on Sunday night at Palm Island night club and went to the Shell One Stop Gas Station at the Western Entrance to Belize City. Zelaya was living with her mother, Chloe Payne in the Lake Independence area up until two months ago before she moved to Antelope Street Extension. Zelaya and her friends had just stopped at the gas station around 4:30 that morning to purchase chips and as they reached Antelope Street, two guys, one described also as being fair

Sunday, May 29, 2011

skinned as in the Friday night shooting, followed the group and opened fire on them. The group of friends ran looking for cover. Zelaya, who wore high-heeled shoes, was left behind and one of the bullets struck her in the back and she fell face down to the ground. One of the shooters finished her off after she turned to look at him. That last shot, residents report, sounded muffled, suggesting that the killer committed an execution-style murder at point blank range. The barrage of bullets numbered 18 in total. A bag of chips that Zelaya was eating was found at the scene beside her body. Last year September, Zelaya mourned the murder of her son, Marlon Zetina, who was killed not far from her mother’s house in the Lake Independence area. In the shooting that claimed her life, Joseph Myers, 22, and Mary Lobo were also shot. These latest murders, like previous ones, are on the growing list of police homicides that fall in the “unsolved” category, as charges are yet to be brought against anyone.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Dangerous convict on the run Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Authorities need your help to recapture a dangerous convict who is on the loose. Fabian Bain, 31, who goes by the alias, Carlos Escalante, escaped from prison guards at the Hattieville/Boom junction shortly before noon on Tuesday, while being transported to the Hattieville Prison from court. In the late 90s Bain was charged with the murder of his grandfather, and in 1999 he and six others were charged for

Taxi driver is murder

victim #54! Continued from page 1 taxi car, and his engine had been left running for some three hours. A concerned resident, who saw the car and got curious, went to check the area and found the lifeless body. Residents say they had heard a gunshot around 2pm that afternoon. It is not clear if the motive behind the attack was robbery. Police found Anderson’s wallet with his ID, but it is not clear if he had any money on him.

Fabian Bain

the murder of Chinese businessman, Lee Yun Chong. He was not convicted, but in 2006, he was remanded for the murder of security guard, Fortunato Chun, a charge which he also managed to escape conviction, along with the murder of Dean Belisle, and the 2003 killing of Mark “T Dog” Stuart. Bain also did not limit his aggression only to the male gender, because in 2006 he beat his ex-girlfriend after she refused to give him a second chance. He was convicted for wounding. While he has spent many of his years in lock-up, Bain also took his violence behind bars, because a few years ago he was also involved in a fight at the Hattieville Prison that left him seriously injured. If you have seen this fugitive or know his whereabouts, you’re urged to call the nearest police station. Bain is quite likely armed and is considered very dangerous.

Humor in UDP Politics! Minister in charge of the Belize’s Harbour, Melvin Hulse, should ensure safety for all ships coming in and going out. That means he has just ten lighted buoys to take care of to guide the ships and the pilot, but guess what? Only two are working and this is how one marina pilot identified them: “one winks and one blinks”. ***************** Isn’t it ironic that when Mayor Moya was asked to run for Mayor of Belize City, she was living in Belmopan at the time? Now that she is mayor, she lives in Ladyville, still outside Belize City limits with Hutchinson as her Area Representative. No wonder the City can’t get anything done. ***************** The Senator for Sugar, Chamber and Industry, has been missing in action for a long time now so at a chamber board meeting last week someone asked where is Senator Hulse? The only response from the Chamber member from Orange Walk was “Buried in Sugar”. *****************

At the Taxes on Taxi meeting held by City Hall, all the Taxi Association wanted to know what they were going to get for the taxes. At that point Dean looked up, looked at the Mayor, smiled and then said “well you get to play cards, play dominoes and can I forget Mayor… free bingo”. ***************** After Flippin’s 21 days postponement was exposed as a lie, the Bus Operators wanted one thing; a psychiatrist to examine Flippin’s head. ***************** A prison guard walks into a room full of criminals and says: “All UDP dah thief !”. All of a sudden one known pocket picket gets up and says “nuhuh…you ku call me a thief, but please man, noh call me UDP!” ***************** After the UDP convention on Sunday, Nemencio “the Goatman” called “Barely Sober”Martinez and asks him how he pulled it off. Martinez replied, “Well, I did all my shopping in Chetumal the week before, and not the same weekend of my race like you did!”

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 29, 2011