May, 2010 Volume 1,
NAVCO Newsletter Village Council Election
April 25, 2010 Unitedville Villa
April 25, 2010 Valley of Peace Village Council Election Day
Esperanza Village Council Election Day
Chairman of Esperanza Village Council, new Internet Café for Esperanza Village
As previous years Village Council Election was held every three years without any political interference. The villagers go to the poll, cast their votes peacefully and quietly to select a new chairperson and six councilors, while some village councils have uncontested elections. After so many years of peaceful Village Council Elections, it is sad to write that these elections are not so peaceful any more. Within six years Village Council Elections have moved to a higher level, it’s not just only about villagers anymore. It is so extraordinary that the two most famous parties of the country, United Democratic Party and Peoples United Party, have rallied into the Village Council Elections. As we all know the Village Council Elections is in its third week, and at the end of every election the results are posted and each party claims victory. The end of the first set of Village Council Elections in the Cayo District is finished. The National Association of Village Councils (NAVCO) and District Association of Village Councils (DAVCO) will continue to observe Village Council Elections until the first week in the month of June 2010.
As the election continues there will be newly elected and re-elected members to the village councils. We welcome new leaders, and we at the National Association of Village Councils look forward to continuing to work with everyone to make Village Councils efficient, effective and dedicated to their villagers.
“Strengthening Local Governance to Enhance National Development”
NAVCO Highlights Village Council Elections First Round of Elections Feature of Orange Walk DAVCO National Agricultural Trade Show Grounds 2010
Activities for month of April
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First Round of Elections By Hilbert Lopez My observations of the First round of Village Councils Election in the Cayo District. Sunday April 25, 2010 was the first round of NAVCO NEWSLETTR Village Council Elections in the Cayo District. These villages included Valley of Peace, Blackman Eddy, Unitedville, Esperanza, El Progresso/7 miles, and Buena Vista. In some villages like El Progresso, Unitedville, Buena Vista and Valley of Peace the two major political Parties Presence were evident by the display of Party flags, political T-Shirts and banners. The morning started very subtly with nomination taking place from 9 am to 10 am. Throughout the day in all communities voting was a constant flow of voters in line. The villagers went about the business of the day voting. Thereafter some gathered under the tent of the political party that they associated with while those who had no affiliation with any of the parties left for home. Noticeable in communities where party politics were evident, there was constant flare up of heated arguments among representative from both political parties coming from outside the communities to the extent where the police had to intervene. This type of behavior coming from agents of the political parties was common in El Progresso and Buena Vista. It was very disturbing to see our political leaders and those aspiring for political office act in such demeaning manner. While it was agreed that would be difficult to keep politics out, I expected politicians to behave in a more respectable manner.
Based on my observation of the first round of Village Council Elections in the Cayo District it was evident that the presence of politicians and political interferences, if not controlled by police, contributed significantly to incidences of lawlessness. I take this opportunity to urge those who are running either for chairperson or councilors to run for the right cause; to help develop their communities to benefit all villagers.
NAVCO RESOURCE CENTRE Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm Computer access, personal training on Email available Reading of New Articles Access to Spanish & English Village Council Acts Access of Village Council Acts on DVD Government, NGO’s and Villages Information
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Introducing Olivia Canul Orange Walk DAVCO
Mrs. Laureana “Olivia” Canul is the Orange Walk DAVCO Secretary. She has been working with the Orange Walk DAVCO Board for the past four years. Mrs. Canul publishes a monthly newsletter, “The Village Voice”, and emails to the Ministries, NAVCO and the DAVCO’s and other organizations. The newsletter is very informative; Ms. Canul gives highlights of all the wonderful work they have accomplished in the Orange Walk District. They assisted many villages in their monthly financial report, writing letters, and other needed communication.
Mr. Fidelmar Hernandez President Orange Walk DAVCO
Mr. Fidelmar Hernandez is the President for DAVCO Orange Walk for the past two years. He’s also the 1st Vice – President for the National Board (NAVCO), and the chairman of San Estevan Village.
The Orange Walk DAVCO opens three days a week. Their office is located at the Town Hall Building in Orange Walk Town.
The Orange Walk DAVCO is responsible for the collection of Liquor License fees for villages and disbursement of the funds to the villages. Visit to Orange Walk DAVCO Monday: 8am – 5pm Thursday: 8am – 5pm Friday: 8am – 5pm Ms. Olivia Canul is always at the DAVCO office to assist Village Council Members.
In photo left to right (Mr. Fidelmar Hernandez – President OW, DAVCO, Ms. Jacklin Ingram, Office Assistant – NAVCO, Mr. Orlando Dawson, President NAVCO, Mr. Hilbert Lopez - Chief Administrative Office NAVCO.
Missing from this picture was NAVCO Peace Corp. Volunteer Sandra Yamakishi. She was the one that took the picture.
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National Agriculture & Trade Show Grounds 2010 NAVCO Office Hours
President Orange and Walk The National Agriculture Trade Show Ground is a three day event DAVCO
that is held every year. It is where farmers, producers, business owners, agencies, ministries and other organizations have the opportunity to promote and display their products and services to the country of Belize. The Ministry of Agriculture has done a very exceptional job at this year 2010 Agriculture Show; awards were given out to farmers of the year. This year the youngest farmer was a seventeen year old female from San Antonio village Cayo District. The National Agriculture Show is innovative, informative, and educational. It’s very enjoyable with all different type of foods, drinks, games and mechanical rides and it’s also fun - fill weekend for you and your families. So, if you missed this year’s show here are some photos, and you all can look forward to 2011.
Belize Red Cross Boot
Arts & Craft design of Ancient Mayas
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 pm. Office Asst: Jacklin Ingram Monday, Wednesday Friday at NAVCO Delicious Bar-B-Que chicken
Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:30am – 2:00pm Cayo DAVCO Office: Georgeville Village
Mechanical Rides
Livestock
Cassava and breadfruit on display Main street of Agriculture Trade ShowGrounds
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CONTACT INFORMATION NAVCO OFFICE: ”Happy Mother's Day" To all You Wonderful Moms!!!!!
Address: Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds, P.O. Box 648, Belmopan, Belize, Central American Telephone: 822-02053
"Happy Mother's Day" means more than have a happy day. Within those words lie lots of things we never get to say. It means I love you first of all, then thanks for all you do. It means you mean a lot to me, And that I honor you. But most of all, I guess it means that I am thinking of your happiness on this, your day, with pleasure and with love.
Fax: 822-0192 Email Address: navcobelize@gmail.com New forthcoming email address on Microsoft Outlook: belizenavco@navco.org.bz Website:
http://.www.navco.org.bz
Ms. Jacklin Ingram: belizenavco@navco.org.bz Mr. Hilbert Lopez: Chief Administrative Officer manager@navco.org.bz
From:The National Association of Village Councils Staff
Mr. Orlando Dawson: President president@navco.org.bz
Quote for the month of May:
“Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.” Frank A. Clark
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