Belize Times February 8, 2015

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8 FEB

The Belize Times THE BELIZE TIMES

SCAN HERE

2015

Established 1957

8 FEBRUARY 2015 | ISSUE NO: 4931

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

Santi vs. Darrell Pg. 23 Mayor spent $40 million in 3 years, says Santi

UDP

Pic; Oceana Belize

GOB LEAVES STRANDED SAILBOAT NEAR BARRIER REEF Pg. 13

Witch Hunt!!!

Pg. 19

Senior Citizen

Slaughtered in Belmopan Victim was chopped on the head; his arm was severed

Pg. 3

PUP = INTEGRITY - LEADERSHIP - VISION

Alfredo Kuylen Mayoral Candidate Benque Viejo Town

David Vega Mayoral Candidate Corozal Town

Jose Chacon Mayoral Candidate City of Belmopan

Ramon Quiroz Mayoral Candidate

San Ignacio/Santa Elena

Yolanda Schakron

Mayoral Candidate Belize City

Kevin Bernard

Mayoral Candidate Orange Walk Town

Gregory Ovado

Mayoral Candidate Dangriga Town

Anthony Fuentes Dr. Giovanni Solorzano Mayoral Candidate Mayoral Candidate San Pedro Town Punta Gorda Town

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8 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

Tourism Minister picks fight with Police, after bailing out accused drug offender San Pedro, January 30, 2015 Tourism Minister and Belize Rural South area representative Manuel Herredia has picked a fight with San Pedro

Police officials, accusing them of abusing the rights of island residents.

Herredia made the accusations when he de-

Mesopotamia pulled together for a united cause

This weekend, 24th January, 2015, the community of Mesopotamia pulled together for a united cause, remembering the loss of four of their Belizean brothers.

On January 8th, 2013, Albert Fuentes, Leonard Meyers, Anthony Perez, and Keino Quallo were brutally slain, which caused a panic within Belize City on that day.

Mrs. Dorla Vaughan along with other community members created a day of healing, where the community comes together in a very unique way preparing food and drinks, free of cost to share for the kids and all citizens, also to raise awareness, just knowledge that when you bring a community together, great things can happen.

The day of healing also brings comfort to the family members, to go from merely sharing in a tragedy to becoming a community that helped one another live our lives in the aftermath.

Mrs. Dorla Vaughan extended her appreciation to all who contributed to the cause, Mr. Sanja Pitts who is a part of the PUP Belize City council team, also a member of the Mesopotamia community, was all hands on in the event, cooking up B.B.Q. for his community. Special thanks to Ms. Barbara Frazer, Mr. Perry Smith a.k.a. Sticks and Mr. Timmy Stamp.

fended his decision to post bail for a San Pedro Resident, whom the island Police charged for alleged drug possession.

Herredia himself is under fire for that decision.

The accused, identified by the Police as Edwardo Jones, avoided being sent to prison after he was charged on Monday, January 19th, thanks to Herredia’s intervention.

Jones was detained by the island’s Police Officers on Saturday January 17th. They have reported that they saw him standing at the corner of Almond and Tarpon Streets and that he was acting suspiciously.

The Police claim that they saw a male person approach Jones, and he handed something over.

The Police went to Jones and performed a search which revealed nothing. But according to the authorities, they found a black plastic bag with cannabis in the same area where Jones was standing.

In the plastic bag, the Police found marijuana. He was then

taken to the Police Station and was almost held for the rest of the weekend that is until Herredia showed up to bail him out.

According to Herredia, the accused is employed by him and carries out personal errands.

He then told the San Pedro Sun newspaper that Jones is the real victim.

“He has been targeted by police, and there are witnesses who can testify to that; people

saw what happen. On more than one occasion Mr. Jones has been arrested by this particular officer who has detained him and released the man without charges.

In the past he has been beaten by police and this is on the police record. In that regards, I did what I had to do – I bailed him out because I gathered that the man did nothing wrong,” Herredia said.

Herredia’s comments have strained his relationship with the island’s Police. The local authorities saw a spike in crime and violence last year. They believe that the majority of the crimes were drug-related; therefore, their fight against drug use and trafficking has heightened.

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

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8 FEB

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

New NTUCB President says Advocacy is Priority Belize City, February 3rd, 2015 There is renewed hope in the National Trade Union Congress of Belize following the election of a new leader this past weekend.

Marvin Mora went unchallenged for the position of President to lead very important umbrella workers’ representative group. Mora and a new Executive Council were elected when the NTUCB held their Annual General Meeting in Caye Caulker with sixty seven delegates present.

Mora is still a relatively new personality for a majority of Belizeans, but he has been a leader in the union movement for several years. He entered the scene as the President of the Belize Energy Workers Union. Mora also served the last two years as the NTUCB’s 1st Vice President and has been a main figure behind the re-organisation of the

Newly Elected NTUCB President Marvin Mora NTUCB, which has seen the group pick itself off the floor where the former leader, Dylan Reneau, had left it.

Also elected to serve in the Executive were Adelaide Guerra as 1st

PUP Statement on Formal Charging of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez 3rd February, 2015 It has been confirmed to Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca that today, February 3rd, 2015, the Hon. Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, Area representative for Orange Walk East, has been formally arrested and charged with certain criminal offences.

On the basis of this development the Party Leader, in accordance with the power vested in him by the National Executive, has with immediate effect removed Hon. Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez from his position as Chairman of the Northern Caucus and has suspended him indefinitely from all other Party

related duties, responsibilities, and activities.

As the public will know, Hon. Mendez has already stepped down from his position as the Standard Bearer for our Party in Orange Walk East and the Party has elected a new Standard Bearer in that Area in the person of Mr. Josue Carballo who has from the date of his election assumed full responsibility for the work of our Party in Orange Walk East.

As a Party, our thoughts and prayers are with the alleged victim(s), and with our colleague and friend Dr. Mendez and his family.

Vice President and firebrand Christian Workers Union President Audrey Matura-Shepherd as 2nd Vice President. Officers include General Secretary Rebecca Suazo; Assistant General Secretary, Francisco Zuniga; Treasurer, Jose Ruiz; Trustee, Jorge Mejia and Ramiro Gongora; Councillor, Luke Palacio; Auditor, Hortence Humes; Education Director Kathleen Flowers and Director of Gender, Leanne Bardalez.

In speaking to the media about his plans for the next two years, Mora said the NTUCB must engage its members more seriously. “…the members of the union to start to understand that they are indeed the bosses,” he pointed out.

Mora also said that the NTUCB will also engage in more advocacy.

PUP Marshalls Meeting Attention all Belize District PUP Marshalls You are invited to a VERY IMPORTANT meeting to be held on Sunday February 8th 2015, at 2:00pm at Independence Hall.

Come join us for a very informative meeting. Let us continue the task of working together as we continue to Serve the People!

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Senior Citizen

Slaughtered in Belmopan City of Belmopan, February 3, 2015 Belmopan Police continue to investigate the horrific murder of senior citizen, 60 year old Feliciano Richard Norales, a.k.a Mr. Mac, which occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday February 3rd 2015.

Norales, who was employed as a security guard at Anchor Security, was on duty at the company’s two-storey office located on Entrepreneur Drive, when he was ambushed by his attacker who was armed with a machete. His work supervisor, Mark Munnings, who was also on duty that morning, had left the building around 2a.m. to inspect other sites when the attack occurred. When Munnings returned he found Norales lying in a pool of blood.

Police authorities say that Norales suffered chopping injuries to his face and head. One of his arms had been completely chopped off.

The Police say that they believe the motive for the attack is robbery. Norales’ service issued 9mm Luger brand pistol and eight 9mm rounds were missing, along with his work issued Smart phone and an undisclosed amount of money.

Norales had just celebrated the birth of a three week old baby.

The Police have recovered the cellular phone and have detained one person who is being questioned.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

on the

BARROW: DIVISIVE LEADERSHIP

By Francis W. Fonseca With a population of some 350,000, Belize is a relatively small country yet it boasts a a uniquely diverse and multicultural society.

The Creole, Mestizo, Garifuna and Maya remain the major cultural and ethnic groups but Belize has over the years also warmly welcomed growing communities of Indians, Arabs, Muslims, Mennonite, Asians, Europeans, North Americans, and Africans, to our shores who all now

form an integral part of our social fabric.

I believe that this diversity, grounded in a spirit of shared respect and understanding, is good for Belize’s future socio-economic development.

This is the Belize that our Father of the Nation George Price envisioned, nurtured and cultivated in his constant travels across the country. He was a UNITER who understood and appreciated the unique strength and

beauty of each ethnic group but recognized that the success and strength of our Nation required us all accepting each other as Belizeans.

George Price knew, as he so often articulated in his speeches, that if Belize was to grow and develop into a sovereign, independent Nation State confident of its place in the world community, then we would need all

8 FEB

2015 Belizeans to contribute to the work of nation building and development.

Since 2008 Belize has had a Leader in Prime Minister Barrow who represents the opposite of what George Price stood for.

Barrow is a DIVIDER who places his political agenda ahead of the national interest and national unity. He loathes criticism and is characteristically petty and vindictive in his approach to governing. He has chosen fear and intimidation over love and unity.

It is time for Belize to return to the path of UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT! All our people must be respected and valued.

It is to this path that we in the PUP are committed to returning! JOIN US!

PUP Team Hit the Ground Running in Corozal Town

PUP Mayoral Candidate “Dido” and Councillor candidates meeting residents and listening to their ideas to improve Corozal Town

The future of these children will be in better hands under the next PUP Corozal Town Council and PUP National Government

PUP Mayoral Candidate David “Dido” Vega (3rd from Right) and Councillor Candidates flanked by PUP Corozal North Standard Bearer David Castillo (far left), former Corozal North Area Representative Hon. Valdemar Castillo, and former Mayoral Candidate Ruben Cruz during campaign in Corozal Town

8 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

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EDITORIAL

A SICKENING SCANDAL

I

n an effort to dupe the citizens of Belize and specifically the voters of Belize City, the Mayor has put out some accounts of the financial positions of the City Council.

The Mayor, it must be remembered is paid as a full time Mayor but is also a businessman and a practicing attorney at law. No amount of public complaints has daunted him in continuing to travel to district courts and spend time in the Belize City courts for his personal bank accounts when he should be at the City Council office doing the work of the City. A work seriously neglected as evidenced by the dirty state of affairs, the lack of drain maintenance, over-grown abandoned yards and broken down streets with craters and potholes.

The Mayor, it must also be remembered is a round-faced, bald faced mimic and mini-me of his Prime Minister, although the evidence is increasingly clear that the two cannot get along. Like the Prime Minister, the Mayor is fast and loose with taxpayer’s monies. Driven by an outsized ego and ambition the Mayor thought he had hit the jackpot. He borrowed twenty million dollars to cement one hundred streets claiming it was ordained in some semi-secret “master plan” for city tourism.

The real motive continues to emerge that it was nothing more than blind ambition to be propelled into a Ministerial position. No sooner had the first cement started pouring than the Mayor announced he was campaigning to take over the Caribbean Shores constituency. There was no vacancy in that constituency, nor had its representative ever mentioned he would not be seeking re-election.

A collateral benefit of the spending spree that depleted twenty million dollars was the enrichment of the UDP’s political cronies/financiers. Overnight millionaires and thousandaires emerged flaunting their new wealth and expressing their greedy appetites for more.

There has been no tendering process for the concreting of the Belize City streets. It was all hand-picked cronies complete with nepotism and the attendant corruption that such a process inevitably invited.

To date, there has been no accountability for the expenditure of the huge loan of twenty million dollars. No one knows what these individual streets have cost the taxpayers. No one has the slightest idea what a street of some steel, concrete and labour measuring x in length by y in width has cost.

There is NO ACCOUNTABILITY. None whatsoever.

Interestingly, the Belize City Council like other municipalities falls under the portfolio of one Godwin Hulse, whose claim to fame is his purported championing of public accountability. He has turned a blind eye to the reckless abuse being committed by his party’s Mayor. This, of course, is entirely understandable given the blatant abuse and total lack of accountability taking place with three hundred million dollars

of Petro Caribe funds and the waste and corruption in which Belmopan is wallowing.

So now, with City Council elections a few weeks away the Mayor finally releases some figures. It is not a financial statement as there is no independent audit of the figures.

For what they are worth, the figures confirm a worsening state of affairs than even the Mayor’s harshest critics could offer. His worshipful the Mayor has ran the City Council finances deep into the ground. He has succeeded in overspending by a whopping ten million dollars. Let it be clear, these figures have to do with the City Council subvention and the multitude of taxes, all of which were mercilessly increased by the Mayor on a struggling citizenry.

Former Mayor Zenaida Moya became a laughing stock for her “under-depositing” of the city’s funds.

What the current Mayor has been doing to an overburdened tax-paying city population has been a wasteful, tax-spending spree that would make Roman Emperor Nero envious.

While businesses have been closing, others struggling to survive, students and their parents fighting against rising cost of living, his worshipful has been full of it.

The figures from the City Council show that for the previous year of 2013, a whopping sum of four hundred thousand dollars was spent on legal fees.

For the year 2014, the amounts spent on legal fees sky-rocketed to an astronomical ONE MILLION, THREE HUNDRED thousand dollars. Whose legal fees are these? Who exactly have been feeding at the Mayor’s trough?

We know for a fact the Mayor gives priority to HIS legal fees while collecting City Council salaries and perks at the same time. We know also that at least one City Councillor is also an attorney and indeed works from the same “lavender” law office as the Mayor of Belize City.

Which law firms and which lawyers have done what type of legal work to have collected the unheard sum of almost two million dollars from the City Council? This amount equals almost half of the total subvention gifted by Central Government to the Belize City Council.

We do not wish to detract public attention away from the “over-deposit” of excessive expenditures of ten million dollars at the City Council. Nor do we wish to highlight at this time the many instances of waste, abuse and apparent corruption that the Mayor’s own figures disclose.

There are answers which must be provided to the people of this country. Urgently. And with audited, independent confirmation of what exactly has been going on under this glib, fast-talking, political shyster.

As to the oversight responsibilities entrusted by law to the Minister of Local Government and the Capo de Capo Minister of Finance, whose personal nepotism and family enrichment stinks to high heaven to such an extent that it is has entered the Guinness Book of Record; their silence is deafening.

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8 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

PUP CitCo Team

on the campaign trail in Belize City

Caribbean Shores

Standard Bearer Kareem Musa & members of the CitCo team visiting residents

Lake Independence

Mayoral Candidate Yolanda Schakron & CitCo team walking the streets

Collet

Mesopotamia

Collet’s Ras Pita conversing with Councillor Candidates Michael, David, Natasha & Jermyn

Councillor Candidates Tambran, Jermyn, Micah & Natasha with supporter

Standard Bearer Yasmin Shoman & CitCo team meeting Collet residents

Pickstock

Freetown

The support for Yolanda Schakron has been tremendous across the city

Party Leader Hon. Francis leads CitCo team in Freetown campaign

Standard Bearer Dr. Smith introduced Yolanda Schakron to resident

Belmopan PUP CitCo Team Reaching Out Chacon sharing a message of hope and change with Belmopan resident

Orange Walk Central Area Representative Hon. John Briceno supporting the PUP campaign in Belmopan

Mayoral Candidate Jose Chacon greeting the matriarch of a Belmopan family

With a dedicated and solid team of supporters and workers, the PUP team in Belmopan will soon celebrate victory

PUP Standard Bearer Patrick Andrews invites resident to support new and progressive leaders for Belmopan

8 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

THE GENDER AGENDA In early December last year I was fortunate to have attended a forum of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas. It was held in San Jose, Costa Rica, and my participation was sponsored by the Fundacion Justicia y Genero based in Costa Rica. It was an excellent though challenging two days of conference, as the proceedings took place entirely in Spanish. It was a pleasure to meet and share experiences with women parliamentarians from various Central and South American countries.

I was particularly impressed with the ‘diputadas’ from Bolivia, one of whom is blind and who is an accomplished and forceful representative of her people. The Bolivian women all spoke highly of their President Evo Morales, who has been untiring in his promotion and encouragement of women in politics. Bolivia boasts close to forty percent women in parliament, and is clearly forging ahead with a gender agenda that is redounding to the benefit of all Bolivians.

Rodrigo Jimenez, coordinator of the Justice and Gender Foundation approached me then about the possibility of having a forum of women here in Belize to promote the sharing of good practices for a gender perspective in lobbying for human rights, justice and more women in the legislative process. On returning home I contacted Minister Joy Grant, CEO Judith Alpuche, and Director at the National Women Commission Pulcheria Teul, along with women from within my own People’s United Party.

This past Monday and Tuesday we brought the meeting to fruition, with the kind sponsorship of the Justice and Gender Foundation, and with the participation of Diputada Maureen Clarke of Costa Rica, who has over twenty years of experience in the Congress of her country. On both days we had bumper attendance of women from political parties, especially my PUP sisters including Senator Lisa Shoman, the Women’s Issues Network, Haven House, Youth Business Trust, the Cancer Society, and other non-governmental entities.

The discussion and sharing was rich and invigorating, with calls for us to overcome the barriers to women’s full participation. Former Minister and House Speaker Sylvia Flores stated that she firmly feels that political parties need to mentor and provide finance for women and also accept the redefining and reconfiguring of women’s groups within parties so that they are not merely auxilliaries.

Maureen Clarke is fluent in English and her presentation of her ex-

periences of the system in Costa Rica was excellent. She said that she is the first black woman in her country to have been Minister of the Interior and Justice, and that women have to struggle to claim our rightful place at the table.

Men are not going to just give it to us!

She is now in the Opposition, and she continues to work tirelessly for women’s rights and to ensure that Gender Issues and a Gender Perspective are incorporated in all Legislative Assembly functions. In addition, I also shared my own experiences, views and insights on the topics at hand.

If I have any disappointment about the forum it is that no government woman Member of Parliament attended, if even for a few hours or half a day. I must, however, acknowledge the commitment and input of Judith Alpuche, Esther Ayuso, who is Chair of the Women’s Commission, and Pulcheria Teul, the Director.

Some outcomes of the Forum are as follows: 1) There is the great need to see all management and administration in the governance systems of the three governmental powers: Executive, Legislative and Judicial, through the lens of Gender. 2) A Gender Perspective will allow us to be more successful in eliminating gender gaps in human resources. 3) We must not just support our political parties, but also we must demand that parties address our own agendas and priorities as women. 4) There must be some forms of affirmative action if women are to be included at high levels of representation. And 5) There is urgent need for a policy of Gender Mainstreaming in the Legislative and Budget processes that affect all citizens.

I am staunchly of the view that if we are to make positive changes in women’s involvement in politics we must walk the walk. Opportunities for women to share good practices are important, and those few of us who are deeply involved have a duty to mentor and to demonstrate our commitment.

Many participants have told me how much they learned through the sharing of experiences for the mentorship of young women as well as the opportunity to focus clearly on what we can do to advance this vital Gender Agenda in political and legislative processes in Belize.

My hope is that there can now be a genuine coming together of like-minded advocates. It can be done with real commitment that will flow from the realization that we are women, mothers, sisters, wives, aunts, and grandmothers first, and then after that, participants in the social and political life our country, so that each of us must put in our pound to make it better.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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2015

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2015 2015

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10 SPORTS

8 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

2015

BES girls & Holy Cross boys advance to basketball nationals Belize City, February 3, 2015 The Belize Elementary School girls of Belize City and the Holy Cross Anglican School boys of San Pedro will be representing the Belize District at the national primary schools basketball championships at the Birds Isle on Friday, February 6, after both teams won the district championships at Birds Isle on Tuesday, February 3, 2015.

The BES girls won the championship finals 10-5 over the Belize City sub-champs, the Holy Redeemer School girls. BES was led by Allyana Musa with 8 points while Holy Redeemer’s Wareyni Gillett and Yu Ting Li scored a bucket apiece.

The San Pedro boys won over the Belize rural champs, the Burrell Boom Methodist School boys 26-17. They were led by Christian Orellana with 14 points while Burrell Boom’s Jerwin Seguro scored 9 points.

BES’ Allyanah Musa scored 8pts

BES girls

San Pedro’s Holy Cross

Toledo Scorpions & Moen Stars win volleyball champs Belize City, February 1, 2015 The Toledo Scorpions and Moen Stars won the Belize Volleyball Association’s national volleyball championships held at the Belize Elementary auditorium over the weekend.

Toledo’s Giovanni Arzu, Arnie Agustine, Nuani Cayetano, Elton Moore and Ernroy Caliz hammered the San Pedro squad with plays set by Alwyn Mahung to win 25-9, 25-23.

In the 3rd place match, the Jaguars hammered the Belmopan Blingz 25-18, 25-23.

Eight male teams had entered the tournament and competed in two groups of four, which each played a round-robin competition, from which the two top teams from each group advanced to the finals The Scorpions also had to go to extra points to win the second set 31-29 over the Dangriga men, after taking the first set 25-18.

The Moen Stars upset the defending champs, the Lady Jaguars, 2-0 to post their 17th national title.

The Star’ hitters Sherika Burton, Kelsey Balderamos, Nelissa Ramirez, Jahshema Saunders and Shelmadine Cacho scored on plays set by setter Krystal Bevans and libero Nayala Tun to win 25-20, 25-23.

Revenge was oh, so sweet for the Stars, as the Lady Jaguars’ Tichelle Solis, Shantell Arnold, Zaire Garbutt, Maurissa

Toledo Scorpions team

Holy Redeemer Yu Ting Li scored 2pts

Williams and Kay-de Vaughn had hammered the Stars with plays set by Tanesha Encalada and libero Tisha Solis to win Game 1: 25-18, 25-22.

In the match for 3rd place, the Belmopan girls won over the Dangriga girls 25-20, 25-19.

Male Semi-finals San Pedro vs. Dragons - 25-17, 25-18 Toledo Scorpions vs. Belmopan Blingz - 17-25, 25-21, 15-9 San Pedro vs. Jaguars - 25-23, 22, 25, 20-18 How they won (Male): Toledo Scorpions vs. Orange Walk Bad News - 12-25, 25-18, 15-12 Belmopan Blingz vs. San Pedro - 29-27, 20-25, 20-18 City Dragons vs. Corozal Massive - 25-17, 19-25, 18-16 City Jaguars vs. Dangriga - 25-20, 25-20 Belmopan Blingz vs. Dragons - 25-23, 25-20 Orange Walk Bad News vs. Dangriga - 25-23, 25-23 San Pedro vs. Corozal Massive - 25-20, 30-28 Toledo Scorpions vs. Jaguars - 25-23, 29-31, 16-14 Toledo Scorpions vs. Dragons - 25-18, 31-29 Belmopan Blingz vs. Corozal Massive - 27-25, 25-23 Jaguars vs. Orange Walk Bad News - 25-10, 25-15 Female Playoffs Lady Jaguars vs. Dangriga girls - 25-18, 25-17 Moen Stars vs. Belmopan girls - 25-14, 25-15 How they won (Female): Belmopan Bandits vs. Dangriga - 25-21, 25-16 Moen Stars vs. Belmopan Bandits - 25-21, 25-8 Lady Jaguars vs. Dangriga girls - 25-11, 25-6 Moen Stars vs. Dangriga girls - 25-13, 25-13 Lady Jaguars vs. Belmopan Bandits - 25-15, 25-14

Team Digicell 4G’s Greg Lovell wins 4th C-Ray circuit race

Moen Stars team

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11 SPORTS 11

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

2015 2015

SCA & Gwen Liz girls to clash in football finals Ladyille, January 31, 2015 The defending Belize City champs, the Gwen Lizarraga High School girls and the St. Catherine’s Academy girls, will meet in the Belize District high school football championship finals at the Ladyville community field on Saturday, February 7, after both squads posted big wins.

The Excelsior High School gave the Gwen Liz girls an easy bye into the finals, when they forfeited their game.

The SCA girls had to work for theirs, but bombing Ladyville Technical High School girls 3-0 turned out not that difficult. SMART mundialito star Jennifer Estrada beat the Ladyville defense to drill the first goal past the Ladyville goalie Dejeane Noralez at the half.

Ladyville’s Kayla Fuller and Saleny Goodin tried to put the village girls on the scoreboard with the help of midfielders, but SCA’s sweeper Alina Aguet gave no room.

In the 2nd half, SCA defender Renisha Martinez lobbed the ball forward from the halfway line for a miracle shot that beat Ladyville’s substitute goalie Michelle Tillett, floating in just under the crossbar for a 2nd goal.

Tillett continued to live dangerously as SCA’s star striker from last year’s competition, Jody Pott, bombarded the goal with shots, and something had to give. Pott finally got the better of Tillett with an assist from Zoila Tun to punctuate the win emphatically with a 3rd goal.

Ladyville Tech, E.P. Yorke, Gwen Liz, SJC & Wesley boys eye football finals

Ladyville Tech boys

EP Yorke boys

Ladyville, January 31, 2015 This weekend the E. P. Yorke boys will take on the Wesley boys, while the Gwen Liz boys will meet SJC and one of the winners of the 2 games will get a bye into the final, while the loser of the bye will meet Ladyville Tech to decide who goes to the finals.

That’s how the stage is set in the male high school Belize District football competition going on right now. Ladyville Technical High School, Edward P. Yorke High School and Wesley College boys are all hopeful as they each posted big wins in their games last Saturday.

The E.P. Yorke boys eliminated the Maud Williams High School boys 2-1. Goals were scored by Trey Gentle (Maud Williams), followed by E.P. Yorke’s Kelvin Franklin (penalty) and Kevin Najera.

The Wesley College schooled the Nazarene High boys 2-1.

Goals were by Wesley’s Jonathan Perera and Shemar Thompson, and Nazarene’s Mario Rivera.

The Ladyville Tech boys stomped the Excelsior High School boys: 4-0. Goals were scored by Dedron Baptist, David Solorzano, Winger Aaron Perez and Ascer Vasquez.

Gwen Liz girls

SCA girls

Verdes FC leads PLB football

Belize City, February 1, 2015 Verdes FC of Benque Viejo is leading the Premier League of Belize after they were the only team to post a win in the 1st week with a 2-1 win over San Ignacio United at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Sunday.

Ryan Gill scored first for Verdes in the 7th minute, but Garret Bermudez equalized for the home squad in the 34th minute for a 1-1 draw at the half.

It looked like the game would have ended in a draw, as the San Ignacio defense dug in to try to avoid giving up another goal. In the end, this tight defense proved their undoing; as Julian Maldonado inadvertently beat his own goalie with the dreaded auto-goal to give Verdes the 2-1 win.

All three other games ended in a draw. The 4-times champs, Belmopan Bandits, and their arch-rivals, Police United ended in a disappointing nil-zip draw at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night, even though the Bandits have beefed up their striking lineup with some imports. Wagiya fans could

not stifle their yawns as the Griga-dang squad also failed to produce a goal on their home turf at the Carl Ramos Stadium, where they hosted the King Energy/Freedom Fighters to a nil-zip draw on Sunday.

The Belize Defense Force brought all their artillery to their encounter with FC Belize, who seemed doomed to play without home venue until the newly refilled MCC garden was opened up for them to play the soldiers on Sunday.

FC’s Carlos Lino embarrassed BDF’s goalie Tevin Gamboa with the 1st goal in the 10th minute, but BDF’s Leon “Lem” Jones equalized in the 22nd minute, and FC’s goalie Elroy “Shabbles” Rowley came off his line to meet the charge of Shane “Chucky” Flores, who beat him to add a 2nd goal in the 26th minute to lead 2-1 at the half.

The BDF still couldn’t taste success as BDF’s Harrison Tasher took down FC’s Brian Martinez inside the 18-yard box, and the referee awarded FC Belize a penalty; which Albert Thurton converted for the 2-2 draw.

Benny’s Megabytes Kent Gabourel wins Weekend Warriors race

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THE BELIZE TIMES

8 FEB

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8 FEB

2015

GOB LEAVES STRANDED SAILBOAT NEAR BARRIER REEF Belize City, February 5th, 2015 There are mounting concerns and calls for immediate action over a sailboat that has been lodged extremely close to the Barrier Reef since December 31st 2014.

The sailboat, according to reports, missed the proper channel and ran aground in shallow water approximately 5 feet in height. It sits on coral rubble, but local marine experts including Oceana Belize’s Marine Scientist, Dr. Isani Chan, believe that increased wave action could slowly push the sailboat onto living coral and cause tremendous damage.

It is shocking that the Government has not done anything to remove the sailboat before it does more damage to the Barrier Reef. The Barrier Reef is among Belize’s most attractive visual marketing point utilised in the tourism industry to attract millions of dollars in revenue for the country

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that NIGEL MEJIA is applying for a renewal for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “NJ’s Cool Spot”, situated at Santana Village, Mile 33½ Old Northern Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that NIGEL MEJIA is applying for a renewal for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “NJ’s Store”, situated at Santana Village, Mile 33½ Old Northern Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ZHUFENG LOU is applying for a renewal for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Homever”, situated at Mile 13, Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ESTELA TORRES is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “J&J Store”, situated at San Jose Nuevo Palmar, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

annually. The large coral bed forms part of the Meso-American Barrier Reef System, an area that is protected and cherished by other Governments. Globally, it is recognised as the world’s largest living Barrier Reef and second-largest Barrier Reef, second only to Australia’s. UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site.

In Belize the Government shows very little regard for the reef system. The Barrow Administration has even been pushing for offshore oil drilling near the Barrier Reef, sending alarm among marine conservationists around the world.

An independent contractor reviewed the current reef situation and has reported that the vessel can be removed by first lifting it. The cost of this operation would be around $70,000.

PUP NOTICE

Belize Rural North Division Standard Bearer The People’s United Party is accepting applications for Standard Bearer for the Belize Rural North Constituency.

Application forms are available at the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City.

Application must be filled and returned to the Secretariat, addressed to the Secretary General by Monday, February 16, 2015.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

8 FEB

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8 FEB

2015

UDP’s Top 50

Ridiculous Moments!

Things have gotten Ridiculous in Belize under the UDP. What is Ridiculous?

Ridiculous is allowing a Guatemalan company to build a base for our military and then have Sedi say we should be thankful for it.

Ridiculous is Mayor Darrel Bradley spending most of the day, every day, working as a Lawyer, while the city crumbles.

Ridiculous is having UDP Ministers spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to drive 2015-model vehicles from the year 2014 at the expense of taxpayers.

Ridiculous is the case of 2,680 rounds of deadly M16 and M4 assault rifles being stolen from the BDF facility, yet the Minister of National Security keeps his mouth shut.

Ridiculous is when Nuri Muhammad is fired from Love FM morning show because the UDP Government considers his “outspokenness” a threat to their rule Ridiculous is Dean Barrow appointing an electrician and plumber as our Minister of Health for the last seven years.

Ridiculous is Dean Barrow appointing his criminal-convict son as Belize’s Musical Ambassador.

Even more Ridiculous is Barrow appointing his ex-wife as Ambassador to New York, his son as the head of BTL, his brother to the Court of Appeals, and his niece as a member of the Belize Electricity Limited.

Ridiculous is the Commissioner of Police telling the Supreme Court that he “acted” in the immigration scandal involving Elvin Penner by choosing to “not act” and not investigate the corrupt UDP area representative. In response the Supreme Court told the ComPol he acted ridiculous.

Ridiculous is the internet speed in Belize. Just two months ago 128k was an option in a time it’s as archaic as dinosaurs.

Ridiculous is having to import onion from Holland. …and, Ridiculous is the UDP claiming to be “pro-poor” while poverty grows in Belize.

Only under the UDP. More next week.

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid The Magna Carta

By G. Michael Reid Over the past couple of weeks, legal experts from the Caribbean along with a few local pundits have been busy making the media rounds in an effort to stir interest in an age old document called the Magna Carta.

Of course, it is obvious that whoever decided to include Belize in this type of exercise would have been quite aware of our current situation. If ever a country needed to be educated on the contents of the Magna Carta, it is Belize.

Considered to be the chief building block for many Constitutions including our own, the Magna Carta is an agreement that was signed on June 15th of 1215 by King John who ruled England from 1199 until the time of his death in 1216. This is the same King John who is portrayed as the petty, spiteful and vindictive ruler in the ageless saga of Robin Hood. Again, if ever a modern day ruler fit the profile of that despot it would have to be our very own Dean Oliver Barrow. It is important to understand that King John did not sign the Magna Carta on his own volition but was forced to do so by his Barons. The people of Belize need to mindful of this.

Magna Carta is Latin for The Great Charter and has also been referred to as the Great Charter of the Liberties (Magna Carta Libertatum).

Historian W. L. Warren has observed that “many who knew little and cared less about the content of the Charter have, in nearly all ages, invoked its name, and with good cause, for it meant more than it said”.The Magna Carta is considered a historical anchor for many of the rights that are guaranteed today (albeit not enjoyed in Belize) and has influenced and formed the foundation for many a current and prominent document. These documents include but are not limited to: the U.S. Bill of Rights of 1791, the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982.

The signing of the Magna Carta

marked the first time that an English monarch had ever consented to written limits on his power. Before the Magna Carta, King John and his predecessors ruled on the principle of “vis et voluntas” (force and will) and under the understanding that a king was above the law and not subjected to it. The Magna Carta has been hailed as the “cornerstone of freedom, modern democracy, justice and the rule of law” and is widely viewed as one of the most important legal documents in the development of modern democracy. The Magna Carta is also considered a crucial turning point in the struggle to establish freedom and justice across the globe.

Lord Alfred Denning, who was a senior judge for 38 years and lived to be all of a hundred, described the Magna Carta as “the greatest constitutional document of all times – the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot”.

The Magna Carta was written in Medieval Latin, which might explain why much of today’s legal jargon is in Latin. It contains four key principles that serve as the foundation for most legal systems in the English-speaking world. The first and probably most important is that nobody is above the law; neither King, nor President nor Prime Minister. Are you listening, Mr. Barrow? Secondly, the Magna Carta guarantees habeas corpus which is “freedom from unlawful detention without cause or evidence”.Thirdly, and considered by many to be the most relevant passage, the Magna Carta lays down the foundations for and explicitly guarantees a trial by jury of one’s peers: “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, nor will we proceed with force against him, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.”

Are we now beginning to get an idea of the kind of distance we have put between ourselves and these worthy principles of governance?

The fourth principle of the Magna Carta is considered to be the first major step in the fight for women’s rights. It is one of the first official documents that speak directly to the rights of women. Jane Bennett, Head of the UWI Open Campus Belize explained to a gathering of students at the University of the West Indies Campus in Belize City last Thursday that “the Magna Carta has shaped our Constitutions and societies and our judicial systems and the whole human rights agenda. It is good to know where all that came from” noted Miss Bennett, “and how a lot of the things that were discussed 800 years ago are still being experienced and lived today; and not lived as well.” How very true!

Now some scholars have argued that the Magna Carta spoke strictly to

2015

the rights of Barons and had little regard for the rights of ordinary people, but throughout the ages, this document has helped to define the relationships that exist between any people and their elected representatives. The Magna Carta remains “a powerful, iconic document”. While academics have interpreted the Magna Carta as 63 numbered clauses, the original charter formed a single, long unbroken text. This document signed eight hundred years laid the foundations for common law and still forms an important symbol of liberty and justice in today’s world. It is held in high esteem by most legal minds of the day.

On June 15th of this year, we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the signing of this historic and significant document. Organizations and institutions across England and her previous colonies including Belize are planning celebratory events. Multiple copies of the original document were reportedly published and sent out across England at the time but today, only four copies are known to exist. As a part of its celebration of the Magna Carta’s 800th birthday, the British Library plans to unite all four surviving original copies under one roof for the first time.

In keeping with the year of the signing, 1215 members of the public have been selected through a special lottery to receive the honor of viewing those original copies. One would have hoped that among those selected to view and

study this historic and significant document would have been our very own Prime Minister.

In his book A History of Britain, historian Simon Schama writes that the Magna Carta was not necessarily just a “birth certificate of freedom but rather the death certificate of despotism”. He might need to visit Belize because 800 years later, despotism is alive and well and living right here. The Magna Carta established “principles of due process and equality before the law” and “contained provisions forbidding bribery and official misconduct”. It addressed the “the right of the church to be free from governmental interference, the rights of all free citizens to own and inherit property and to be protected from excessive taxes”.

Among the things that the English Barons rebelled against was that “Foreign friends and relatives of the king were given or bought key positions in the country” and a few instance here, come immediately to mind. Dr George Garnett, history lecturer at Oxford University described the Magna Carta as a “quick fix in an impossible and unprecedented set of circumstances.” Boy, do we ever need such a type of fix for our “set of circumstances”. June 15th 1215 was the birth date of the Magna Carta and its high ideals but here in Belize, February 8th 2008 might yet be marked as the day when those noble principles died. May GOD guide Belize!

For Sale

By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage dated the 18th July, 2007, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 27 of 2007 at Folios 1377 to 1406, a Deed of Conveyance made the 9th day of December, 2009, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 30 of 2006 at Folios 115 to 128, and by a Supplemental Deed of Mortgage made the 6th day of February, 2012, made between Michael Hobbs of Independence Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 3 of 2012 at Folios 1007 – 1024, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the schedules hereto.

All offers to purchase the said properties must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. THE FIRST SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 125 comprising of 555.6 square yards situate in Independence Village, Stann Creek District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 143 of 2004 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 143 of 2004 TOGETHER with all buildings erections and development standing and being thereon.

THE SECOND SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot or parcel of land being Lot No. 64 comprising of 555.6 Square Meters of land situate in Independence Village, Stann Creek District and bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 1212 of 2003 at the Land Titles Unit Belmopan TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 29th day of January, 2015.

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

8 FEB

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2015

AALM Consulting Services Ltd. # 66,025

SICHSTONE HOLDING LIMITED # 73,639

(“the Company”)

(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Compa-

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Com-

nies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000,

panies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition

notice is hereby given that AALM Consulting Services Ltd. has

2000, notice is hereby given that SICHSTONE HOLDING LIM-

been dissolved as at 28th January, 2015 and has been struck off

ITED has been dissolved as at 28th January, 2015 and has been

the Register of International Business Companies.

struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

Cititrust International Limited

Cititrust International Limited

Registered Agent

Registered Agent

GOLDBERG LTD. # 48,322

ELSAMEX ENTERPRISES LIMITED # 47,936

(“the Company”)

(“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Compa-

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Com-

nies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000,

panies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition

notice is hereby given that ELSAMEX ENTERPRISES LIMITED

2000, notice is hereby given that GOLDBERG LTD. has been

has been dissolved as at 28th January, 2015 and has been struck

dissolved as at 28th January, 2015 and has been struck off the

off the Register of International Business Companies.

Register of International Business Companies.

Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

DANGRIGA

P.O.S. Belize Limited Registered Agent

18

THE BELIZE TIMES JL’s Real Estate Loans Designed to fit your budget

As low as $39.00 per month for $1,000.00 #11 Douglas Jones Street Belize City Tel# 223-5845/2283

NOTICE Be it known that BLUE WATER LOGISTICS INC. and NEWSPAPER REPUBLIC INC., Belize International Business Companies, are now dissolved and have been struck off the IBC register.

Global Formations and Management Limited

8 FEB

2015

8 FEB

2015

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Witch Hunt!!!

Belize City, February 5, 2015 The United Democratic Party has demonstrated how desperate they have become in the face of growing discontent at their failing governance of the country. Their representatives in the north in particular have recognized that they been sentenced to total political demise after the Prime Minister and UDP Leader Dean Barrow did the most evil and treacherous thing of siding with the rich multi-national company, American Sugar Refinery (ASR), instead of supporting and protecting the hardworking Belizeans cane farmers in ASR’s campaign to gain more control of the sugar industry.

Facing this gloom, the UDP has decided to distract Belizeans by launching a witch-hunt against dissenters and opponents of their government. This much has become clear after the UDP used the Police Department to charge two PUP representatives in Orange Walk where the political dons wield tremendous influence over Police officials.

On Tuesday February 3rd the PUP Orange Walk East Area Representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez was formally charged for alleged acts that date back to ten years ago. Rumors of his arrest spread like wild fire two weeks ago, with all sorts of allegations swirling against him– none which could be confirmed by the authorities, including the Police. Credible reports were that the UDP was trying their very best to concoct serious charges against him. We are told they have been heavily leaning on individuals involved in this case, offering huge incentives if the allegations were made to look “very serious”. Their objective has been to smear Dr. Mendez’s reputation and force him to resign from the House of Representatives, to cause a by-election in the Orange Walk East constituency. In the end, Hon. Mendez was charged with six offences on Tuesday for aggravated assault.

The following day, on Wednesday, February 4th, PUP Orange Walk Central Area Representative Hon. John Briceno was summoned to Court to be charged criminally. The accusation against him is that he drove over Christopher Hendricks’ foot. Hendricks is the driver for Deputy Prime Minister and UDP Deputy Leader Gaspar Vega. Now, you see just how despairing and drastic UDP are getting?

The charge stems from January 22nd, almost two weeks ago, when Hon. Briceno attended an event at the Belize High School of Agriculture in Trinidad Village.

He drove to the event and as he was preparing to park, but a group of persons including Hendricks were in the way. He signalled for them to make way for him, and everyone except Hendricks did so immediately.

Hon. Briceno has said that he run over Hendricks foot. In fact, he indicated that he got out of the vehicle and had an exchange of words with Hendricks and at no point Hendricks claimed to have been injured. Now, two weeks later, there is a trumped up charge against Hon. Briceno.

It is clear that the UDP are willing to do anything, and take any measure to persecute their political opponents. This comes at a time when their disapproval rating is at an all-time high, and when the Opposition PUP is gaining strength daily under the leadership of Hon. Francis Fonseca.

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2015

8 FEB

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2015

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

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

DRAGON FLY TRADING CORP. # 64,147 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that DRAGON FLY TRADING CORP. has been dissolved as at 28th January, 2015 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

Cititrust International Limited

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 891.09 square yards being Parcel 2461, Block 16 in the Caribbean Shores/Belize Registration Section situate at No. 2461 Palm Grove Estate, Mile 4 ½ Philip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of MINOR CASTELLANOS

Registered Agent

TRIDENT CAPITAL LTD. # 30,927 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that TRIDENT CAPITAL LTD. has been dissolved as at 29th January, 2015 and has

DATED the 4th day of February 2015

been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

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

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

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

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel or block of land being Block No. 41 consisting of 49 Acres situate along the San Ignacio – Benque Viejo Road, Cayo being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 800 of 1999 dated 16th October 1999 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey No. 800 of 1999 recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan, Cayo District as Plan No. 1514 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of MINOR CASTELLANOS DATED this 4th day of February 2015 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

Cititrust International Limited Registered Agent

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2015

Fuel prices hit record low, but cost of living still very high Belize City, February 2, 2015 Fuel prices have hit a record low, locally and internationally, following the announcement last year by large oil-producing nations that they will maintain the supply of oil at peak levels. Fuel prices in several parts of the United States are competing at around US$2.00 per gallon, while in Belize the Government which controls the pricing appears to continue the gouging of consumers, charging over BZE$8.00 per gallon for Premium gasoline.

In most of the Caribbean region, the drop in fuel prices has

been like a blessing to all. Prices of goods, services and utilities have fallen drastically. For example, the Barbados Light & Power’s reported last week that as a result of the significant decline in oil prices, electricity rates have dropped by more than 50% over the last six months. The lower cost of energy for businesses across the region has also improved their financial performance.

The lower fuel prices have had wide-ranging effects with positive impacts for consumers’ spending powers in a number of countries.

But in Belize, this domino effect

seems to be facing some delay, or perhaps obstruction. Yes, electricity rates fell in early January (by a meagre 5%), but consumers will not see any further reduction until the tariffs undergo a review until five months. This means that if fuel prices continue stumbling daily, consumers won’t see the benefits along the way.

Neither is the cost of living in Belize getting less painful. The prices of basic food items (except for Ramen) continue at an all-time high.

Here again, the Government has some explaining to do, as they set

the prices of goods for consumers at the shelves.

While falling prices have improved economic conditions in some countries, Belizeans are still left waiting. Of course, it may not be politically expedient for the UDP Government for conditions to improve. It would certainly reduce the need for their Government-funded political pantry program for the poor and would mean that voters would be less dependent on UDP politicians for help. This is the exact opposite of what the pro-poor UDP would want to see happen.

8 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2015

Infamous Daniel Cano re-surfaces in million-dollar project Former S.I.F. CEO had resigned following Dangriga market scandal Belize City, February 3, 2015 The former Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Fund, Daniel Cano, who was deeply embroiled in a major corruption scandal that involved alleged extortion and kickbacks and the overall mismanagement of the Dangriga Market project, has found a way to be handling another million dollar Government project.

The Dangriga market project scandal which came to light in the September of 2013 left such a bitter taste in the mouths and minds of Belizeans that it has not been forgotten. In May 2012, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development Santino Castillo joined Cano, who was then SIF’s CEO, to break ground for what

23 Carla catches cold feet?

UDP still searching for Freetown standard bearer

Minister of Works Rene Montero presides over signing of contract

Dangriga leaders protesting SIF corruption in 2013

should have been a new $1.4 million building to house the Dangriga Market.

The project should have taken less than a year to complete, but within a few months it ran into problems and came to a standstill.

The contract had been awarded to K&G Construction, a company owned by former UDP Candidate Kenard Smart and based in the Corozal District. According to Smart, he was Belize City, February 2nd, 2015 “shaken down” by a numMayor Darrel Bradley is slowly realising that ber of SIF employees who even members of his own Party have gotten demanded cash from him. tired of his immaturity and self-glorified leaderHe wrote out personal ship at City Hall. cheques as “payoffs” so This week Mayor Bradley was clobbered by that monies for the project his political rival in Caribbean Shores, Santino would be released to him.

“Santi” Castillo, who said that while the Mayor has some achievements to show for his time at City Hall the reality is that he has had it way too easy.

Santi was responding to questions about Bradley’s not-so-secret desires to challenge his candidacy in Caribbean Shores.

While Santi said he is not afraid of a contest, he also advised Bradley to stay in the municipal race and face the fire as a Mayor who has had his cake and eaten it. “…nobody will question the work he has done. Take into to consideration that he got a 20 million dollar bond and he also got another 20 million dollars from government and as a businessman I can tell you it’s very easy to spend money, it’s very hard to pay it back,” he said as he took a swipe at Mayor Bradley.

The spending of this $40 million has not been properly accounted for. The Mayor did go on a wild cement streets spree, which has earned him the title, “Cemento Mayor”, but the streets lack proper drainage and have actually turned drains when there is a little downpour over the city. The failure to work on proper drainage has left the city in a much worse situation that it was before.

And while Santi prefers for Bradley to stick to City Hall, he said that it’s not only him. Santi revealed that UDP leader and Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, had advised Bradley to take on the Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca in the Freetown Division. But Bradley was no fool.

He rejected the offer and began expressing interest in the Shores.

Santi said that Bradley has the right to challenge him in Caribbean Shores if he so desires, but it’s best for him not to, to avoid “bloodshed”.

Santi vs. Darrell Mayor spent $40 million in 3 years, says Santi

He alleged that when he took the matter to Cano, instead of the boss putting his foot down and investigating, he joined in the shakedown. Smart claims he once gave Cano a plastic bag filled with $10,000 in cash.

Faced with the serious allegations, three employees were fired and Cano resigned as CEO. He never faced any criminal proceedings, as is now common under the UDP Government shows no interest in prosecuting wrongdoers.

Cano has re-appeared today in a $4.8 million dollar road works project. Similar to the Dangriga market project, the new contract was awarded by the Government. Cano was co-representing Belize Road Construction, a construction company, at the contract signing ceremony.

If the Belizean people have learnt anything from the past, they should demand that the Government keep a close eye on Cano.

Dr. Carla Barnett has picked up her political career right where her campain manager Lee Mark Chang left it: down a losing path

Belize City, February 5th, 2015 Dr. Carla Barnett’s anomalous political campaign appears to already be dying an expected natural death.

Despite Dean Barrow and senior executives of the UDP gathering at the UDP Headquarters, two weeks ago, to introduce Dr. Barnett as their personal choice for candidate in the Freetown Division, an advertisement calling for applications from “persons interested in offering themselves as Standard Bearer for the UDP in the Freetown Constituency” appeared in this week’s El Guardian newspaper.

The publication suggests that either the UDP is not sure about Barnett’s candidacy or Barnett has caught cold feet only two weeks after announcing that she will take on the people’s champ in the division, Area Representative, PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca.

Whoever it is that the UDP puts in Freetown, whether it is Barnett or the Chinese mafia connection, the people of Freetown will reject them resoundingly.

CARTOON

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8 FEB

2015