28 APR SCAN HERE
2013
1
The Belize Times THE BELIZE TIMES
Established 1957
28 APR 2013
|
ISSUE NO: 4842
The Truth Shall Make You Free
Case #666 Supreme Court Justice Oswell Legal has declared sections of Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s 6th Constitutional Amendment as null and void
www.belizetimes.bz
|
$1.00
Court halts Barrow’s manipulation of judges Belize City, April 25, 2013 The Supreme Court ruling of Justice Oswell Legal is a landmark decision in Belize’s legal and political history. The Claim which is ominously listed with the markings of Action number 666 of 2010 was defended by the UDP government. In a crushingly condemning judgment dated April 19, 2013 Justice Legal struck down the unconstitutional amendments of Dean Barrow and the UDP in a diplomatic flogging of twenty two pages. It is particularly rare for there to be actions of this caliber which include constitutional issues as well as judicial big wigs as parties to the claim. Espe-
Pg. 3 PC Jose Pam pulls trigger on himself Belize District, April 24, 2013 The Police community is in shock following the report that one of their own committed suicide by pulling the trigger of his service revolver on himself. The many questions that surround the death of PC 956 Jose Pam may never be answered. Pam, who was stationed in Gales Point Village, was described by many as a jovial fellow who built a solid relationship with the community as part of his job to maintain law and order. He
Page 31
Downtown taxis disrespected Mayor admits he failed to consult and inform before evicting taxi drivers
PC Jose Pam Ex-President “Girl” Robinson says the Council is disrupting their livelihoods
Mayor flirts with jail time Pg. 31
Pg. 4 FOLLOW US! on the social media
2 02
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
OPINION OUT
PUP respects Court rulings
Are new streets properly equipped?
April 22, 2013 The People’s United Party (PUP) notes with interest two very important Supreme Court decisions made last week against the Government of Belize, namely, the Oceana Decision and the Bar Association Constitutional Challenge. In the Oceana case the Court ruled that various Offshore
!
A day for labourers!
!
Dear Editor, Wednesday May 1st 2013 will be recognized as Labour Day in Belize, as well as throughout the world. It is an appropriate time to analyse the condition of workers in Belize and re-commit to fighting for their cause. Do workers in Belize have anything to celebrate? Are our Belizean workers free from exploitation, victimization and lack of proper representation? Are their rights respected? Are workers’ wages sufficiently meeting the standard of living we seek and cost of living we endure? The answers to questions might make is sad and depressed, but the history of Labour Day should remind us that giving up nothing is accomplished. The truth is that under the tyrannical UDP our Unions have been sold out for greed and self-preservation by most if not all of the current union leaders. You might say this is too harsh, but answer this: is any union leader truly standing up on behalf of their comrades? In most other institutions of Government, workers are being forced into silence, tolerance and acceptance – as a result, their families now face economic hardships, suffering and pain. The fight for improved conditions for workers have been shattered.
Dear Editor: Everybody I presume is happy with the paving of streets in their neighbourhood, the Mayor and his crew is redesigning the look of the city, kudos to them. But noticing the streets that have been cemented, I haven’t seen any FIRE HYDRANTS on the streets. I think that should have been part of their plan when designing. BWS have already dug up the streets replacing pipes, why HYDRANTS haven’t been in the plan on those streets. We always hear complaints about the Fire Department not having enough water to fight fire, now in this new plan the City Council should have consulted with the Fire Chief about putting Hydrants on every street. If the HYDRANTS are there I congratulate them, but I don’t see any. H.B.
SATIIM wants Rosewood Amnesty Cancelled! April 19, 2013 The Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) calls on the Prime Minister to immediately rescind the Rosewood Amnesty that was declared by the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry and Sustainable Development on April 9th, 2013. The Amnesty’s objective of taking stock of previously cut rosewood for export is severely undermined by the fact that the Government did not 1) identify a location in which the rosewood should be stored and guarded, 2) Ensure that no rosewood is purchased and transported during the night, 3) have road check points at strategic locations to monitor transportation of rosewood, especially during the night, 4) identify and license the agents who would buy the previously cut flitches. The absence of these measures for the amnesty has only served to trigger flurries of illegal Rosewood cutting in Toledo. SATIIM’s pictures below are some of its evidence that rosewood flitches are being cut in numerous areas in Toledo. It also demonstrates that the government is not providing the adequate re-
May 1st should remind us that we do not have to be silent. We can replace tolerance with intolerance for corruption and injustice, and demand fair and true leadership. May 1st is for workers and workers’ organisations. May 1st should be about Antonio Soberanis and his legacy. Soberanis was a workers’ champion. “Rather die as a hero than a living coward” are words that came out of his mouth, as he championed the rights of workers. It took negotiations then protests, but he was a true leader. As we commemorate Labour Day, let us labour to develop a better Belize where true justice is had by Belizeans. A Belize free from exploitation and all types of victimization. Workers, unite. Take action for your rights. You are our Government’s greatest asset. Keep the struggle alive and don’t move your focus from moving forward. Signed, Stanley Lemus
Continued on page 6
weather
LOCAL 26 Apr
27 Apr
28 Apr
29 Apr
2013
2630 Mar Apr
27 Mar 6 1Feb May
Contracts were not valid as not having complied with the Environmental Protection Act. Secondly, the Court ruled in favour of the Bar Association that short term contracts for Judges are unconstitutional because they violate the requirement that Judges must have security of tenure. The PUP fully supports the Court rulings and pledges to abide by these decisions in a PUP government. In addition the next PUP Government will: - respect the decision made in the People’s Referendum on Offshore Oil exploration as held by Oceana. - not issue any Oil exploration licenses which are not in full compliance with the Laws of Belize inclusive of the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and no licenses will be issued to a company which clearly lacks the capacity to carry out oil exploration. We regard the Constitutional Amendments which have been struck down by the court as attempts by the Barrow Administration to undermine the Rule of Law and the independence of the Judiciary. The decision of the Court vindicates the condemnation of those amendments and upholds the requirement for security of tenure for Judges. In abiding by the Court’s decision the next PUP government will not offer short term appointments to Judges, so that Judges will enjoy full security of tenure.
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
Chris Williams
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize
Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com
editortimes@yahoo.com
Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar
United States (USD): $ 0.4947
Barbados Eastern Caribbean (BBD): $ 0.9891 (XCD):$ 1.3362
Euro (EUR) : $ 0.3800
Sterling Pound Guatemala Quetzal CANADIAN DOLLAR CHINESE YUAN Trinidadian (TTD) INDIAN RUPEE (GBP): $ 0.3203 (GTQ): $ 3.8588 (CAD): $ 0.5042 (CNY): $ 3.0530 : $ 3.1736 (INR): $ 26.779
28 APR
2013
03 3
THE BELIZE TIMES
Devouring forests: China & the illegal timber trade By Peta Gaye Levy Take a look at the tags on your clothes or your children’s toys, you name it, just take a look. Where is that product made? Chances are it is made in China and that isn’t accidental. China is the world’s second largest economy with a growth rate of 7.8% in 2012. During this global recession, in which, the world’s largest and third largest economies, USA and Japan, are expected to register growth of 2%, this is noteworthy. China is also outpacing its competitors in the production of goods and the demand for raw materials to fuel its industries. One such demand is for timber, be it legally or illegally obtained. China is synonymous with fueling the illegal global timber trade. Importing in 2011, “18.5 million cubic metres (round wood equivalent [RWE]) of illegal logs and sawn timber worth $3.7 billion - enough to fill Beijing’s Olympic Stadium more than six times or around 900,000 standard 20ft shipping containers.” This according to a report published in November 2012 by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), an NGO tackling environmental issues globally. It is no secret, that while China
has emerged as the world’s leading trader in illegally logged timber, it has made impressive strides in halting the deforestation of its forests. Countries such as Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Russia, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Belize have all fallen prey to China’s insatiable need for precious and rare woods. Fallen prey is an understatement. The EIA report notes, for instance, that in the Solomon Islands, “exports to China are seven times higher than the sustainable logging rate, with forests predicted to be emptied of commercial timber by 2015.” Other figures presented show “major flows of illegal logs include 5.6 million cubic metres from Russia, 2.5 million cubic metres from Papua New Guinea, 1.5 million cubic metres from the Solomon Islands...” Where does Belize fit in with these figures? In 1927 estimates of Belize’s forest cover range was stated to be 87% (Stevenson, 1927); 79% (Fairweather & Gray 1994) and in 2010 two studies present slightly varying figures of 61.6 % (Meeraman et. al) and 62.7% (Cherrington). In 2010, Belize’s deforestation rate was assessed at under 25,000acres/year (0.6%) between 1980 and 2010. (Source: CoP16 Prop. 62 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES))
Case #666 Continued from page 1 cially when those names are as credible and respected as Hon. Elliot Motley and the impeccable C. Dennis Morrison. These accurate legal and moral jurists have been a fixture in Belizean appellate courts for a combined generation. This case was the only of its kind that we were able to research at the BELIZE TIMES. Other cases which involved sitting Judges are few and we were only able to find three matters particularly the 2005, Meerabux v Attorney General of Belize, British Caribbean Bank (BCB) v. Samuel Awich, 2012, and BEL v. Dennis Barrow, for apparent bias. This however was the first time that the issue of the security of tenure, impartiality and the consequent poltical pressure were examined by a court. The basis of the case arose from an application to the court to pronounce on the constitutionality of sections 15 and 16 of the Belize Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2008 which amended section 101 and subsectino (1) of section 102 of the Constitution. There are three arms of the Government. The Judiciary is to be the impartial referee of the three branches especially to be a check and balance against a rogue, abusive and intruding political arm. To do this, it must be independent, impartial and secure. This independence comes from an absence of bias and influence and pressure from the political dictates explains the judg-
ment of Justice Legal. Justice Legal was particularly sharp in his words at paragraph 20 of his judgement where he opined: “An independent judiciary is a judiciary, in relation to its judicial functions, that is free from controll of the executive power of the State. Independence entails that a judge should be free from governmental and political pressure, likely to affect or percieved to affect the judge in the exercise of his judicial functions”. The test which is applicable in law according to the judgement is was whether a well informed observer “would … perceive …that the executive pressure was being put on the judge” and “to that observer, the judge may reasonably be perceived as not independent and impartial”. Judges then should be comfortable and assured that they are safe to make decisions until they are of retirement ages. This is how we should protect justice. Those who strip that away are tyrants and dictators. The effect of the amendment that was done by the UDP was to remove the perception of independence and security of tenure from the judges. This is extremely dangerous and particularly tyrannical – to borrow a word which is used in the judgment. The amendment would have stripped respected judges of security of tenure and replaced it with appointments for one single year. Thereafter they would be
One document sourced, examines the plight of the Dalbergia stevensonii, common name Honduras Rosewood or Rosewood. It is, according to CoP16 Prop. 62 of CITES, “threatened by high levels of logging (legal and illegal) and increasing deforestation...” Based on data from inventories of the Dalbergia stevensonii conducted in 2007 and 2011 (Toledo) and an examination of the extraction of wood from 2010 - 2012 during a period known as the ‘Rosewood Blitzkrieg’. It is estimated, if harvesting had continued at a rate of 13% over 3 years, as it did during the ‘Rosewood Blitzkrieg’, Dalbergia stevensonii would have been wiped out commercially from Belize by 2033. It states, “assuming that the demand for the species remains the same, if the moratorium is lifted and if stricter control measures on cutting and exporting are not put in place and properly enforced, Belize’s commercial trade in D. stevensonii will be gone in two decades or less.” What about reforestation? Surely, things are not so grim. CoP16 Prop. 62 states that due to the removal of a high number of large, mature, seed-bearing trees and “problems associated with regeneration from seed, over-harvesting may well have already seriously impeded regeneration of the species in the wild....” Belize cannot afford to feed the
greedy appetites of China or any other country. Neither can we afford to set ablaze this precious natural resource. Consider the following “a study by INTERPOL and the United Nations Environment Programme reports that up to 30 per cent of annual timber production, and a massive 50-90 per cent of timber harvested in tropical countries, is illegal, creating a $30-100 billion global trade in illegal timber... Illegal logging causes developing countries to lose an estimated $15 billion a year in revenue and taxes. Environmental impacts are equally if not more significant than financial losses; the World Bank calculates that an area the size of a football field is cleared by illegal loggers every two seconds...” (Source EIA) Illegal logging thrives in countries where there is poor regulation and monitoring. It has been reported that there are only 3 forest officers stationed in the Toledo District to oversee roughly one million acres of forest. It is time for a reassessment of the failing policies relating to the protection of our forests from external and internal threats. The forests are the heritage and legacy of all Belizeans.
at the whims and mercy of the UDP politicians. The decision was expressed in practical layman’s terms and had a tone of deep concern for the mischief that could result from the effect of the amendment. In cases like these where a Judge hung on by the thread of a year contract he declared: “…the judge especially in circumstances where he may not be in a position to enjoy a similar standard of living outside the judiciary, may feel political and governmental pressure, in order to get an extension of his appointment after the one year period, to comply with the dictates and wishes of the Executive…”. The striking down of these portions of the constitutional amendments which erode and destroy the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the very democracy which we live in is all at hands of a boldfaced UDP administration. They were trying to control and manipulate the judges. The UDP had amended section 2 to say that as long as the amendment is put into the constitution it cannot be challenged. Well, Justice Legal pointed out that the National Assembly did not possess the power to destroy, damage or remove the independence and impartiality of judges which is a fundamental structure of our constitution. Even though this judgment is sprung from the Court of Appeal Justices the same applies to what the UDP have been doing to the Supreme Court Judges and the Magistrates. They have attacked the Courts from their first day in office beginning with Sedi’s verbal assault at the opening of the Supreme Court.
From the date of the short-term appointment the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Francis Fonseca, had sent out his stern disapproval and denouncement of the actions of the UDP Government. This decision proves that the Party Leader, Francis Fonseca was right. This was during the time the UDP had mistreated the Chief Justice and embarrassed him out of office. They had abruptly and unjustifiably sent off Justice Carey into the night and were so rude to Justice Motley that he resigned. Our interview with a former executive and senior member of the Bar Association says that the actions of the UDP had been so bad as to unify all political factions in the Bar Association. We at BELIZE TIMES asked about how this would be enforced particularly in light of the behavior of the UDP in other cases of constitutional decisions which were not respected. We were told that the Court would not order a writ of mandamus against the Government because as a matter of convention the UDP is expected to follow democratic principles and repeal or amend the offending sections. We will wait to see what happens. This case brings us to fact that none of the constitutional amendment which were hurriedly done are good. All the UDP tampering from the Constitutional Amendment six to eight have all been declared as having fundamental and dangerous errors. This is a huge victory for the whole of Belize and although the common man on Albert Street may not recognize it, democracy has been given new air today and freedom and justice have been released from the UDP’s unconstitutional chokehold.
4 04 Pickstock Jaguars
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
debuts as Champions
Belize City, April 23, 2013 The Pickstock Jaguars claimed their 1st victory in the Pickstock Jaguars Inaugural Football Marathon held at the St. Martin’s De Porres football field on Sunday 21st April 2013. Participating in the marathon were the football teams: Third World, America, Jireh, West Lake, Chonbo and Pickstock Jaguars. The marathon started off with a draw between Pickstock and West-Lake, 1-1. Chonbo lost to Jireh, 2-4. America dominated Third World 2-1. Jireh lost to America and in the re-match between Pickstock and West-Lake there was a draw, 0-0, but Pickstock prevailed in penalties 5-4. In the finals, Jaguars clashed with America and Jireh with West-Lake. The Pickstock Jaguars picked up the first place trophy and $300 prize, the America team got second place trophy with $200 and West-Lake
took home third place trophy with $100. The games were well attended and violence free. This is extremely important to note, since the area has been prone to violence, but everyone kept the peace in the name of football. Reassurance was given by the presence of eight police officers and regular patrolling police vehicles. The many spectators, mostly from the Pickstock and Lake I constituencies, enjoyed music from DJ Buggy and patronized the Pickstock Constituency Committee’s fund-raising efforts, with sales of soft drinks, bottled water and “dollar beer”. Even small Pickstock entrepreneurs profited with food sales during the day. The Pickstock Constituency Committee thanks all sponsors of the Marathon and thanks the police officers present for their
professionalism in keeping the peace during the football marathon. The Committee believes that regular participation in sports is an excellent way to direct youthful vigor away from mischief and crime, helping them to learn and acquire discipline, cooperation, team-work, good sportsmanship and friendships. The event was organized through the efforts of PUP Picktstock standard bearer Dr. Francis Smith. The Pickstock Constituency Committee thanks all sponsors of the marathon, Father Matt Rhule, S.J. and Mr. Lennox of the St. Martin’s Parish for their facilitating of the football field and electricity, and police officers present for their professionalism in keeping the peace during the football marathon.
Hon. Francis visits
Belama Police precinct Belize City, April 23, 2013 Hon. Francis Fonseca, Freetown Area Representative and Opposition Leader, made a drop- in-visit to the Belama Police Precinct on Albert Hoy Avenue in the Belama Phase two area on Tuesday 16 April 2013. During the visit, Hon. Francis met and spoke to the policemen on duty about the crime situation in the area and their capacity to carry out their work. Through Hon. Francis’ leadership, the precinct was opened in Belama under the former PUP administration. Under the UDP, the
precinct was closed down for many months, despite protest from the PUP representative. The precinct was re-opened several months ago in response to an increase in crime. The Policemen in return thanked Hon. Francis for his special visit and assured him that the Police are doing all in their best in addressing the crime and many other concerns of the residents. Accompanying the PUP Leader and Area Representative on the visit was Albert Vaughan, Chairman of the Freetown Division.
2013
Downtown taxis disrespected Belize City, April 24, 2013 He may consider himself lavender but his modus operandi indicates that the Mayor of Belize City is a cold and insensitive politician. Definitely a UDP politician. This week Mayor Darrel Bradley, through the authority given to him by the City Council, abruptly moved taxi drivers from their parking area which they have utilized from time in memorial. There was no notice, no warning of the eviction. About thirty-plus taxi drivers belonging to the Albert Street Taxi Union and Downtown Taxi Association say they feel “disrespected” by the Mayor, who simply barricaded their parking area next the Battlefield Park to prevent access. After they were removed, the taxi drivers were told that they would have to utilise the public parking area behind the Supreme Court, but this is not feasible. During the week, access to that area is limited to Court officials. Also, there is no access to a telephone, from where the taxis get almost 50% of their business. On Monday April 22nd, in protest of the decision to move them, the taxi drivers parked at their original location on Albert Street, or as close to it, causing a traffic disruption and forcing the Mayor to the negotiating table. But instead of compromise, there was more disrespect. The Mayor told the taxi drivers that new areas would be designated for them. He said six parking spaces would be opened for the taxis, three on Albert Street for the Downtown Taxi group and three on Church Street for the Albert Street taxi group. On Tuesday morning when the Downtown taxis attempted to park on Church Street, they nearly ran into barricades again. The Council began infrastructure work on that street without giving notice. One taxi driver belonging to the Albert Street Taxi Union said the United Democratic Party has tried to shut down their organization before. He said Hubert Elrington had promised to see them out one day, and it appears it is now happening. The Council said they blocked areas surrounding the park since they are carrying out an unannounced reconstruction of the historic public grounds. But taxi drivers want to know why they weren’t informed before they were targeted by the Council. “Nothing in writing to at least notify us and give us time to do what we need to do in conjunction with what they are doing out here. Whenever you interfere with somebody’s way of liv-
ing, then it creates problem because if you stop mi from eat, yo stop mi from making an honest living. What you ah do with we? Fill up the prison with we and fee we and disgrace we and all kinda things? We must reason,” remarked former Association President, Albert “Girl” Robinson. Renan Alfaro has been a taxi driver for over 45 years. He said the Mayor needs to stop making decisions arbitrarily. “I consider it more than a disrespect because they did not notify us; they told us nothing at all. The word is that the mayor does what he wants. He doesn’t consult with anybody; he just does what he please. We have wah union and this car stand has been gazette so how can they just take it away from us,” said Alfaro. The Mayor refused to apologise for his insensitivity. Instead, he admitted that there was no consultation and said it is his greatest failure. “It’s actually our biggest problem. I have to admit that that is a failing of this council—especially when you are dealing with people’s trade and business,” he said. The future of both taxi groups is unknown. The Mayor has moved them without giving any commitment they will get back their parking locations once the work is completed in the area. A draft plan of the construction work around the park which was shared with taxi groups by the Council shows no designated area for taxis.
No answers to Boco T’s murder Belize City, April 25, 2013 Friday, April 26th, will mark one year since the brutal killing of Kevin “Boco T” Kelly which occurred while he was detained by San Pedro Police. Two post mortems conducted on Boco T found that the cause of death was “Hypervolemic shock due to internal bleeding, due to multiple abdominal trauma, due to blunt instrument type”. Despite reports of an Inquiry into the killing, the authorities are yet to reveal the findings of their investigations. One year after, the public and the family of Boco T are waiting for justice to be served.
28 APR
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
05 5
EDITORIAL Vultures and Tyrants Here Linger
I
n a recent case brought by the Bar Association of Belize against the Government of Belize, Supreme Court Justice Oswell Legall decided that the provisions of the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution which removed the security of tenure of two Judges of the Court of Appeal Mottley P. and Morrison J.A. were a violation of the Constitution, null and void. The Sixth Amendment passed by the Barrow Administration was a blatant attempt to flex their political muscles over the Courts. It was later followed by the 9th Amendment which was the direct attack on the rule of law and the Constitution as the supreme law of Belize. The decision on the Sixth Amendment handed down by Justice Legall exposed the Barrow administration’s attempts to undermine the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary. This landmark decision upholds the requirement for security of tenure of all Judges which is essential if Judges are not to be beholden to the politicians in power. Under Barrow’s 6th Amendment the Court of Appeal Judges could be appointed on short term contracts. This, said the Judge violated the principle of the Constitution which upholds the impartiality and independence of all Judges. There were two other very important points made in the Judgment. One was a quote from the philosopher Montesquieu that Tyranny pervades where there is no separation of powers and that there would be an end to everything “were the same man or same body to exercise those three powers, that of enacting laws (legislative) that of executing public resolutions (the executive) and that of trying the cause of individuals” (the judiciary). The second important point is “the rule of law at its core means that governmental power must be exercised according to law”. We have witnessed over the past 5 years how there has been a systematic dismantling of various institutions of governance. We have seen how the Barrow government has hypocritically and arrogantly behaved with total disregard of the rules of transparency and accountability. In fact Transparency International which was invited by the former PUP administration to report on governance issues in Belize has been totally disrespected and no reports have been made since the UDP came into office in 2008. We have seen how the Integrity Commission, the Public Accounts Committee of the House, the Contractor General and the Ombudsman have been emas-
culated and made virtually inoperative. We have witnessed a government on the rampage defying the law and the Constitution in taking over Belize Telemedia Limited and Belize Electricity Limited without paying for the millions owed as compensation to the former owners. We know of hundreds of Belizean families whose land and properties have been confiscated by this gangsta government. We have a Minister of Natural Resources who presides over a Ministry that daily commits blatant acts of impropriety and corruption. Deputy Prime Minister Vega is untouchable. He runs his Ministry like a family business. His brother German Vega is given the exclusive contract by the Cabinet to exploit and export the rosewood illegally cut without a forestry permit and confiscated by the government as well as rosewood illegally cut during the amnesty period. In other words the Cabinet has condoned and legitimized this shocking stealing and rape of the nation’s patrimony with no compensation and not even a word of apology to the Maya people of Toledo in whose villages this massive stealing is taking place. The Minister in charge of Forestry was wheeled out to defend the Cabinet decision and this lady Minister who professes high environmental credentials shamelessly complied. Vega is such a big financier for the UDP that his abnormal brazen acts are treated with impunity. The other Ministers are either so infected with their own cancer of corruption or their failure to disavow is the product of their own insecurities for fear of being removed from the Cabinet by el Jefe dictator Dean. We watch with amazement but not surprise as Minister Godwin Hulse accuses the media of creating a fuss and of being premature because of the report that the Norwegians are pursuing the building of a cruise terminal on an island off Placencia. Hulse describes the discussion with the Norwegians as at the very “preliminary stage” and downplays the fact that any such development would have a serious impact on that caye which has been declared a World Heritage Site for being a critical habitat and nursery for the fishing sector. It is that all these Ministers have become totally addicted to the perks of their office and are hyperventilating with the sense of power that they enjoy. So while the vultures of greed feed off the rich resources belonging to the Belizean people, the Ministers of Government who should be the servants of the people looking after the people’s interest have become their masters looking after their own interest.
6 06
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
Former OW Mayor, Henry Castillo, passes
SATIIM wants Rosewood Amnesty Cancelled!
Orange Walk District, April 24, 2013 The Orange Walk community is mourning the passing of former Mayor and veteran educator, Henry Castillo, who was better known in the community as Teacher Henry. Castillo passed away today at the Northern Regional Hospital. He had suffered a stroke several weeks ago and had undergone treatment. He recovered, but had to be hospitalised once more on Tuesday of this week. Residents in Orange Walk Town are planning to pay tribute to the community leader. Castillo was a career teacher. He taught Mathematics at La Inmaculada School for years, before becoming Principal of the Middle Division. He retired in 1995 and decided to continue serving his community by entering Continued on page 31
Continued from page 1 sources to deter the illegal cutting and to monitor the unscrupulous buyers who are buying these illegal flitches in the middle of the night. These newly cut rosewood flitches will be sold; in fact some have already been sold. We have not yet heard of any confiscations or arrests. Where are the flitches going? Where are the rosewood flitches being stored? The amnesty is only serving to perpetuate a vicious cycle of the destruction of our precious resources for short-term gain. Again, Hon. Prime Minister please rescind the amnesty now. These trees were harvested this week and are located at GPS coordinate 0285165 1777350; 0285169 1777360.
2013
NOTICE
For Sale by Mortgagee Belize Bank International Limited, a company duly formed and existing under the laws of Belize with registered office at 60 Market Square, Belize City, Belize HEREBY gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under Mortgage Debenture dated the 28th day of July, 2008 made between Belize Bank International Limited of the First Part, Hopkins Bay Limited S.A. of the Second Part and Belizean Dreams Estates Limited of the Third Part and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 27 of 2008 at Folios 99 – 204 as rectified by Deed of Rectification of Mortgage Debenture dated 30th March, 2009 and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 9 of 2009 at Folios 401-420. Belize Bank International Limited will at the expiration of 2 months from the date of first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the schedule hereto. ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Barrow & Company LLP, P.O. Box 63, 1440 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained. The properties are being sold subject to any rights of user or easements which may now exist in favour of neighbouring property owners. The Schedule Above Referred to
Health Fair Saturday, 27th April, 2013 10:00am to 4:00pm Corner Dean & George Streets, Belize City
EE R F
t s e se T
co u l G od o l B Health Lifestyle information
st e T re
u
ss e r P
st e T IV
H
Entertainment
Come out and bring the entire family
1. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 0.57 acres situate at False Sittee Point, Stann Creek District and shown and described as Common Area on Plan of Subdivision Survey of Tract No. 98 by Licensed surveyor J. A Keith dated 4th April, 2009 and registered at the Lands and Surveys Department as Entry No. 8031 in Register 18. 2. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 1,046.76 Square Metres situate at False Sittee Point, Stann Creek District and shown and described as Lot No. 1 on Plan of Subdivision Survey of Tract No. 98 by Licensed Surveyor J. A. Keith dated 4th April, 2009 and registered at the Lands of Survey Department as Entry 8031 in register 18. 3. ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 740.010 Square Metres situate at False Sittee Point, Stann Creek District, and shown and described as the Parking Area on Plan of Subdivision Survey of Tract No. 98 by Licensed Surveyor J.A. Keith dated 4th April, 2004 and registered at the Lands and Surveys Department as Entry 8031 in register 18. Dated the 24th day of April, 2013. Barrow & Co. LLP 1440 Coney Drive Belize City, Belize Attorneys-at-law for The Belize Bank Limited
28 APR
07 7
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
Stann Creek West residents welcome
Hon. Francis PUP Leader continues countrywide tour
Stann Creek District, April 21, 2013 On Saturday, April 20th, 2013 Party Leader Francis Fonseca visited five communities in the Stann Creek West Constituency along with the Area Representative for that Division, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson and the Area Representative for Dangriga, Hon. Ivan Ramos. The visit started in the beautiful and vibrant community of Georgetown where the residents came out in full force to meet their leaders and to have a spirited discussion about the challenges facing the community. The team then moved on to Maya Mopan, Maya Centre, Silk Grass and Pomona. In every village community, the PUP Leader and the Stann Creek Representatives were warmly received and embraced. The villagers talked emotionally about the neglect and abandonment of their villages by the cold UDP in Government. The Party Leader thanked the community residents for their support and encouragement and reminded them that they had already made the important first step of getting rid of their UDP representative and putting in a PUP. Together we must all take the final step of ensuring the election of a PUP Central Government that will work with all Area Representatives to bring development to our rural communities. The UDP Central Government is doing everything possible to undermine the work of our duly elected PUP representatives but we will not lose hope, we will not give up! The PUP will keep fighting and keep exposing the corruption, vindictiveness, and incompetence of this UDP Administration. The Party Leader also spoke to villagers about the PUP VILLAGE COUNCIL AGENDA that sets out a refreshing, bold reform agenda to bring true development to our village communities. TRUE DEVELOPMENT WILL COME ONLY WITH A PUP GOVERNMENT!!!
PUP Leader Hon. Francis & Area Representative Hon. Rodwell Ferguson dialogues with residents during community meeting
Hon. Rodwell & Hon. Francis were welcomed to the homes of residents during their visit
Hon. Rodwell greeting his constituents
8 08
THE BELIZE TIMES
28 APR
2013
28 APR
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
09 9
10
THE BELIZE TIMES
If you were a Minister for 48 hours, which Ministry would you take and what would you do?
Dejuan Ministry of Youth and Sports and my first goal would be to start a few projects including restructuring of most major basketball courts along with other sporting fields in order to improve their conditions. Then I would plan a year’s worth of camps to appeal to different athletes from the various disciplines. I would spend all 48hrs planning those projects without rest. So that when the Minister takes back his position all he has to do is work. Youths are the future; prove it to them.
Brittany Ministry of Education because there are a lot of problems in the education system today which if fixed would make a better society. Half the population is uneducated and these are the persons causing the society to be inhumane. The problem is the cost of education is very high so I would bring back options for scholarships and grants. Also the teachers that are being hired are not as qualified as they should be. All these things are changes that need to be made.
Miles
Ministry of Sports and I would fix all the playgrounds, courts and football fields and host events for younger kids. I would let them do this to stay out of trouble. A basketball court in every area would interest the younger minds in Belize and mold them to become future athletes who will one day represent the country.
FACES & OPINIONS
Gorlee Ministry of Science because I have the necessary expertise and knowledge about environmental issues. In the 48hrs I would strengthen the protection of natural sites especially caves, rainforest and marine reserves by hiring more tour guides so that tourists can be closely monitored. I would also limit the number of persons entering the ecosystem over a specific time.
Vanessa
Ministry of Tourism because Belize is a natural wonder. I would promote Belize worldwide in order to get more tourists in our country. This would bring more business into Belize. I would invest more in overnight tourism and put a program in place to train front desk staff or people that are employed within the tourism industry.
Raquel
Ministry of Agriculture because we see a lot of people who are unemployed. I would give jobs to everyone going into the business field. This would leave opportunities in agriculture field for Belizeans and reduce the unemployment rate. More importantly it would help the Belizean economy in the sense that we would import fewer goods from our neighboring countries
28 APR
2013
Terrylee Ministry of Education because I know that life is hard for some children who want an education but simply do not have the finances. So I would give the needy a chance to get an education by providing incentives for foreign investors to sponsor our children. That education would allow them to know their rights because everyone has a right to an education.
Nizalina Ministry of Health and in that time I would offer and provide free medication to the poor and homeless. Secondly, I would deploy more nurses and doctors in permanent postings in rural communities while at the same time increasing the pay and incentives for those nurses.
Shary
Ministry of Education and I would offer children who are less fortunate and those whose parents really cannot afford for them to attend primary school, the opportunity to successfully attend primary school for free.
28 APR
11
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
PUP Orange Walk Town Council
IN HIGH GEAR
...the infrastructure work continues
Drainage work on Santa Familia Street
Mayor Bernard getting feedback from residents talking to residents
Street repairs are taking place throughout the town
Belize Street is now paved
Upgraded Muffles Street
DELIVERING PROMISES!
12
THE BELIZE TIMES
28 APR
2013
28 APR APR 28
THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE
2013
TOPMODEL 13
ENTERTAINMENT
NEWS
Christine Syme (Reigning Queen)
Miss Top
Celebrity Pageant 2013 kicks off
Teens Belize has kicked off the 6th Annual Miss Top Celebrity Pageant from April 22 – May 6, 2013. During this time span, you can visit www.teensbelize. com and vote for your favorite candidate. In addition, Miss Photogenic will be chosen via “Most Likes” on Facebook. The candidates vying for the crown this year are: Roxannie Bowman, Leilani Nah, Victoria Canul, Marilyn Lopez, Charlyn Flowers, Nikki Chan, Shanice Flowers, Ivorie Mendez, & Jenny Ramirez. We invite you to tune in during these two weeks and support the nine amazing young ladies vying for the coveted crown. The candidate with the highest score will be crowned Miss Top Celebrity 2013. The candidates participate in four segments: Application Form, Preliminary with the Judges, FB Dialogue and Internet Voting. Percentages of each segment are tallied to select a new winner. The winner and runner-ups receives numerous prizes donated by generous sponsors from across Belize.
Miriam • • • •
Height: 5’ 6” Career Plan: Journalist Sign: Virgo Favourite Food: Belizean food
• • •
TOP MODEL Clothing and Accessories provided by CATWALK FASHIONS
Likes: Traveling, reading, music Lives in Belize City Fav. Quote: “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times
Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City
Follow us on facebook
14
THE BELIZE TIMES
Makoabi R
12
x:
28 APR
2013
PUBLIC AUCTION SALE
Relationships, Love Tips & Advice…
SECRETS OF HAPPY
RELATIONSHIPS
(part 1)
BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the time as listed. At No. 80 Bougainvilla Street, Ladyville, Belize District on Friday, 3rd May 2013 at 10:00am
1
They celebrate a unique anniversary Your wedding anniversary is a lovely date to remember, but it’s not the only milestone that matters. It’s even more intimate to celebrate less public moments of which only you two know the true meaning, such as your first kiss, first vacation together or -- hey -- even the first time the pregnancy test turned blue. They stash pleasure money Sure, you have funds earmarked for bills and savings, but every couple also needs a just-for-fun account to fund the occasional, much-need indulgence. Put some money aside that won’t destroy your budget when you use it. Spend it on a spur-ofthe-moment weekend trip, a pricey bottle of champagne or dinner reservations at a fancy hotel restaurant in San Pedro or Placencia.
2
3
When the going gets tough, they don’t call Mom or
Dad The first task facing all young couples is separating from their families of origin. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go home for the holidays. But if there’s a crisis over whether to have a second child or even if there’s good news about a big raise or the results of a medical test, the couple should talk about it together first before dialing Mom.
ALL THAT piece or parcel of land situate on Bougainvilla Street, Ladyville Village Belize District, being the Lot No. 80 and more particularly delineated and described as shown on Plan No. 1651 in the Lands and Survey Department, Belmopan, recorded at the General Registry in Crown Lands Book (Plans) TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of KAY USHER DATED this 25th day of April 2013
They never lose their sense of humor Humor, as many psychotherapists have observed, is the Krazy Glue that keeps a couple together. When a couple can no longer laugh together, it’s a signal that the soul has gone out of their relationship and they are headed for trouble. But lighthearted couples never mock each other. They instinctively know what is -- and isn’t -- fair game.
4
5
They get busy, period You don’t have to do the deed every day -- or every seven days, for that matter -- to have a great relationship. But there’s no way around this fact: The happiest couples have sex on a regular basis.Avoiding a sex drought is crucial, because healthy sex reinforces and deepens closeness. That said,there’s no need to stress if you sometimes let a week or two go by without sex. What’s key is that you’re both happy with your number.
6
They never withhold nooky as punishment Warning: “Expressing anger by never being in the mood will doom your sex life,” Why? Besides the fact that it turns what should be a loving and giving act into a commodity, once sex becomes part of a couple’s power struggle, so much resentment builds that soon neither partner wants sex. So instead of feigning fatigue or rolling away from your guy the next time you’re annoyed, speak up and clear the air — without sex being on the table.
All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact:
HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738
28 APR APR 28
SPORTS 15
THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE
2013
Belize takes 4 of 9 Belize City, April 20 2013 Belize won three of nine bouts on the fight card when the first ever UFC-style Mixed Martial Arts competition was held in Belize. Shihan Ray Kelly and the Belize Shotokan Karate dojo hosted fighters from the Eagle Park tae-kwon-do dojo of Chetumal, Quintana Roo for fights in the octagon at the Belize Elementary auditorium on Saturday night. The fights played to a packed house of fans who got their money’s worth. Belizean fight fans have been long-starved for some blood sport as boxing on the “Island” is now only a dim memory. In the 1st bout on the card, Mexico’s Randy Gonzalez clobbered Belize’s Barnie Rock until Rock was out on his feet. In the 2nd bout, Mexico’s Ury Gamino pinned Belize’s Mario Vasquez to the canvas in the 2nd of the 3 rounds, so even though Vasquez was able to pin Gamino to the canvas, the Mexican won on points. In the 3rd bout, Belize’s Ralph Hulse Jr. got Mexican Darwin Sandoval to tap out. In the 4th bout, Belize’s Jessie Mejia’s kick-boxing was no match for Carlos Escobar’s no holds barred brawling style. Escobar caught Mejia’s leg when he was off-balance in a kick and threw him to the canvas; Mejia tapped out.
Champ Jameel “The Iceman” Smith said he’s ready for a re-match anytime
Galera and Smith clash in the octagon in Belize’s 1st MMA fight on Saturday
In the 5th bout, Mexico’s Eddie Pech deflected Lester Alvarado’s kicks and pinned him to the canvas. In the 2nd round Alvarado tried to kickbox, but Pech picked him up and slammed him to the canvas. Alvarado won some points in the 3rd round, but Pech won the fight. In the 6th bout, Belize’s
Joel Meyers fell to the canvas early in his fight with Mexico’s Erick Flota. Maybe he slipped but he was soon back on his feet. The referee wasn’t so sure he was not TKO, but Meyers checked out and pinned Flota to the canvas, where he hammered him until Flota cried uncle. In the 7th bout, Mexico’s Chamaco Pech picked up Williams N’duka and locked him in a painful submission to win the fight.
The House of Shotokan Karate Academy MMA athletes
In the 8th bout, Belize’s Alaine “Bullet” Alexis took the fight to Mexico’s Juan Carlos Nah from the get-go, refusing to grapple. Alexis’ superior boxing skills were too much for Nah and the referee had to stop the fight to save him. In the 9th bout, the “main event”, Mexico’s Alberto Basulcar Galera lived up to his billing, while Belize’s Jameel “Iceman” Smith felt the pressure. Smith pinned Galera to the canvas, but Galera was slippery as an eel, getting out of the hold and reversing the pin on Smith. In the 3rd round, Smith tried to slug it out, but Galera pinned him to the canvas and pounded him into submission. During the scuffle, Galera committed a move which officials said was illegal. Sensei Kelly consulted the officials, arguing that Galera had used an illegal technique, and in the end the judges awarded the fight to Smith, disqualifying Galera for the illegal technique. Mexico won 5-4 to Belize, but the fans will want a rematch, pronto! So Kelly will keep his fighters in training.
SMART Harrison Parks National Cricket Competition
DHC Excellence out-bowls Police 74-71
Belmopan, April 20, 2013 Defending champions Excellence Cricket Club of Double Head Cabbage are undefeated as they arrested the Police 74-71 in Belmopan on Saturday. Excellence enjoyed their 8th win as they surpassed the Police with 5 wickets in hand. Excellence bowler Erwin Flowers took 3 wickets to hold the Police to 71 runs all out, even though Percy Flowers scored 27 runs for the Police. When Excellence came to bat, Byron Clare took 3 wickets, Kenny Broaster led the Excellence batting with 20 runs and only 5
wickets had fallen by the time the visitors equalled the police score. Sunrise is ranked 2nd in Zone 1 and also won handily 150-139 when they hosted defending subchamps Western Eagles of Rancho Dolores in Lords Bank. Jonathan Benjamin led the sunrise batting with 28 runs, while the Eagles bowlers Dirk Sutherland and Andrew Banner took 3 wickets each. When the visitors came to bat, Martin Joseph scored 41 runs but sunrise bowler Mykelt Anthony was in top form, bowling 6 wickets to limit the visitors to 139 runs all out.
Other matches: Brilliant of Crooked Tree vs. Brilliant batsmen – 58-54 Bright Star vs. Surprise of Lemonal – 99-97 Berlan vs. Isabella Uprising – 37-35 Strugglers of St. Paul’s Bank vs. Alfred Dawson Cricket Club – (Strugglers win by forfeit)
Mitra Meenavelli, Nabil Musa, Johnathan Marshalleck & Naim Musa Jr.
Naim Hamid Musa/ Jonathan Marshalleck win “mix-it-up” doubles tennis tournament Belize City, April 22, 2013 A “mix-it-up” doubles tennis tournament took place at the Belize Pickwick Club tennis Courts this past weekend under the auspices of the Belize Tennis Association. This unique type of tournament matches more advanced Continued on page 16
16 SPORTS
28 APR
THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES
2013
3rd Annual Veterans “5 BARREL” table tennis championships
Carlos Cui wins
“5-Barrel”
Veterans table tennis championship Belize City, April 22, 2013 National veteran champion Carlos Cui successfully defended his title against Billy Musa Jr. when both advanced to the finals in the 3rd Annual Veterans “5 BARREL” table tennis championships hosted by the Belize Table Tennis Association at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium on Sunday April 21. Musa gave the champion a challenge but Cui won 3-0. All three games were closely contested, with both players, at some point, having a clean advantage and in a position to take the title. The final 4 positions were: Carlos
Cui - back-to-back champ; Billy Musa Jr. – 2nd; Dan Habet from San Ignacio, Cayo – 3rd, and Sui Pan Chen of Dangriga, Stann Creek – 4th. Trophies were awarded to all 4 finishers, and the champion also received a bottle of 5 BARREL aged rum from Travellers Liquors, who sponsored this event. Some 16 veteran players had started off the double elimination format competition in the morning, but by late afternoon they were down to the final 4. Cui reached the finals undefeated, besting Toni Liu, Harold Young, Yasser Musa, and then Dan
Carlos Cui
Habet in successive rounds. Billy Musa Jr. won his first match against Hector Lopez, but then had to fight his way back out of the “losers’ bracket”, after his loss
to Dan Habet. He did so by eliminating successively Francis Gegg, Hector Lopez, Yasser Musa, Sui Pan Chen, and finally Dan Habet in the semifinals.
Naim Hamid Musa/Jonathan Marshalleck win “mix-it-up” doubles tennis tournament
Central Division athletes dominate athletic championships
CCC’s Tanaya Cahueque
TCC wins Javelin Jrs.
Ladyville’s Jervis Myvette wins 100m Sr.
Benque Viejo, April 20 2013 The Central Division athletes won the most gold medals, 27 in total, at the national high school national track and field championships, hosted by the Mopan Technical High School at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen over the weekend. The Central athletes also won 17 silver and 16 bronze for a total of 60 medals. The South took 43 medals total: 14 gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze. The North won 38 medals: 7golds, 14 silver and 17 bronze. The West was 4th with 28 medals: 8 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze.
Continued from page 15 players with beginner to intermediate players as doubles team mates, and so it encourages the entire tennis community, including children and adults to play with one another. Sixteen persons entered and so there were eight doubles teams which were divided into two groups of four. Group one consisted of #1 ranked player in Belize, Mitra Meenaveli & Nabil Musa age 9, the father and son team of Andrew & Adrian Marshalleck, 16 year old, Khalid Musa & 9 year old Samron Pott, and Billy Musa Sr. &12 year old Jodi Pott. Group two consisted of Samira Pott & 10 year old Gavin Riveroll, the teenager duo of Naim Hamid Musa & Jonathan Marshalleck, Pamela Svojanovster & Ankit Chandwani, and Naim Musa & 12 year old Harnadar Tut. Each group played round robin format and each match consisted of four games. The top two teams from each group proceeded to the semi-finals. The first semi final saw Mitra Meenaveli & Nabil Musa edging Naim Musa and Harnadar Tut 6-5. The second semi final saw a very tight match between veteran Billy Musa Sr. & Jodi Pott and the teenage duo of Naim Hamid Musa & Jonathan Marshalleck, but the teenage duo proved too strong and edged Musa & Pott in a tie breaker. In the finals the teenage duo of Naim Hamid Musa and Jonathan Marshalleck defeated Meenaveli and Nabil Musa 6- 2 by displaying fearless offensive shots and excellent court craft. 1st and 2nd place trophies were awarded to the finalists and prizes were also given to most promising, youngest, oldest, friendliest, most improved, and best dressed player. The Belize Tennis Association takes this opportunity to announce its next tournament as this Saturday April 27th for kids including U8, U10, U12 and U18, and it encourages the children and teenagers to sign up early.
28 APR
Of this and that… LAVENDER SAYINGS Darrel Bradley tore down Battlefield Park. There was no consultation. People are upset. Taxi men are upset. Bradley said he is renovating the park. He told us the reason. He said it is a space for for “marches and demonstrations”. Check the transcript. That is what he said. He is building a space so people can protest. Protest and demonstrate. This is what I call realistic planning.
Barrow laughs at Sedi. Belize look bad. They say no referendum for them. Not October. They say “unu go first”. We di humnn and haww. Wondering if Belize will still go ahead. Stewpidniss!! Diplomats make things complicated. Politicians make things complicated. Ask anybody on Albert Street. Ask a homeless person in Battlefield Park. Ask someone from Succotz. From Jalacte. It does not take a big paper. High degree. We need to stop tolerate “they”. All of “dem”
HURRICANE COMING Belize is hot. We should not call hurricane. God knows. We cannot afford one. This weather is hotter than hell. Hotter than the saddle on Ramsey Mule. Hotter than the heat those Christians in Belmopan are putting on John Saldivar. Wicked heat. Hurricanes go to hot waters. We are on the hurricane belt. A hurricane is setting up to come. Our goose is cooked. The public is not prepared. Mentally. Financially. No education. No public service. Nothing. Poor people will be blind-sided. The Mayor will run lef we again. Memba last time. We need to encourage citizens. Encourage them to have a plan. A stash. Buy an extra tin of potted meat. An extra Ramen. Do not be one of the five foolish virgins.
ALL THE KINGS HORSES… The referendum thing died a natural death. There were two ads in the newspaper. Four in the Guardian. There was a big opening and launch. There was one TV commercial. The commercial was racist. There were two women. One was black. One was Hispanic. The Hispanic one had money. She had a cement house. She was smart. She knew a lot. The black woman was poor. She caught the bus. She did not know. She had to be taught. It is normal. It slipped everyone. It is ok for black people to be dumb. Poor. It is ok for them to take that role. That is where they belong. None of the “black people” leaders saw this. No one cared. We only have white picket fences in Belize. No metal, zinc or chain link ones to look out for poor people. Talkers.
AGRIC SHOW This is a waste. No one goes to this show for Agriculture. It is a day of drinking. Cheap phones. Kiddie rides. Modeling. Fights. Food. Walking and sun-hot. It should be renamed. May Bazaar. The rodeo is in the back. You can count the farm animals on one hand. No one learns anything. It is not a family event. It is a spending event. Good for profit. Bad for knowledge. TUNUBALL Guatemala stay bavv up. Now they di violate! They do it for spite. They are playing games. Someone wanted to know if we could take out a restraining order against another country. Our Government is too soft. They sound confused. Why they do not stand up to this foolishniss? The Guatemalan Government punk Sedi. They lone abstract him. They punk him over and over. Dean
17
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
BRUK REFERENDUM PIPPLE Now we can comment. This referendum thing is done. Looks like moey done. No more ads in the paper. No more meetings. No more commercials. No more education. Nada. Money done. Thing done. YOUTUBE Youtube is big. It is the second biggest thing on the internet. Facebook is first. It was created by three co-workers. Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim, They worked at Paypal in America. The first YouTube video is called “Me at the zoo”. It was 20 seconds long. It was uploaded on April 23, 2005. Now youtube.com has 1 billion users. Anyone can post videos. It is free. Youtube is powerful. It is a digital library. It is a gem. Belizeans miss
the point. You can find topless girls fighting. You can find a dancehall artist in Belize. He is disrespecting Belizean women. This is in front of one billion people. We should use this tool. Use it to let Belizeans love ourselves. Respect ourselves. Show off ourself to the world. Serious. SAY THAT AGAIN? It takes three and a half hours to Dangriga. This is by bus. That is half of a work day. Dangriga is gorgeous. Someone made a road to Griga. It is 52 miles to Belmopan. Then 56 miles to the Drums of my Father monument. That is a total of 108 miles of travel. Of road. Of gas. Of time. Arthur Saldivar called Positive Vibes. The morning talk show. He said Dangriga is only 36 miles away from Belize City. Wow. I checked it. Dah true ting. So why we have to go through all that rig mi jig? Push a straight road. Put it along the coast. Stop wasting money. Stop wasting gas. Stop wasting time. It is like they do not want us to go to Grigadan. YOU MIGHT BE A CRUFFY IF… Belizeans are survivors. We can stretch beans. We can share a tin of Vienna sausage and a pack bread between eight pickney. We survive. In everything we survive. We know how to get ahead. Out of nothing. For cruffy the fixing of streets is an opportunity. We take buckets and shovel in the night. We fill our swampy yards. We fill it with the sand and gravel scrapped up. We will use wheel barrow. We will roll in sand brought by the truck for the street. That is once it is left out over night. We will send our children. Our single mothers will do it themselves. Things hard. DEAD MAYA vs. DISREPECTFUL CITCO This is terrible. Imagine Citco have bones di knock around. They have them in malic bags. The black plastic bags. We are supposed to be modern. In 2013 the bones of our dead are kept in plastic bags. Dr. Awe found a Mayan grave. It was in Santa Rita. That is in Corozal. The remains in the tomb were well kept. That is from 600 A.D. We should be ashamed. We are going backwards. Not even cavemen disrespected their dead. Those ghost should go pinch Darrel toe when he is sleeping.
ONE HORSE POWER Some Mayan leaders were on TV. We learnt a lot from them. We realize that Toledo is a different world. In Toledo there are remote villages. There are no roads. If you have a horse, things di go one fi you. People buy cars in Belize City. A small car is about $2,500. This is for a 1998 year car. No one wants a car in these villages. A horse is the thing. That same twenty five hundred will be spent on a mule. A mule is like a tractor. Seven hundred dollars gets you a small horse. A big one is like $1,200. Life in these areas is happy. It is clean. It is pure. It is real. We can learn. Learn to appreciate life. JESUS WOULD BE MAYAN Jesus would have come as a Mayan. This is if he came in 2013. That is if he came to this side of the world. He would have been born in San Benito Poite. He would be the son of a cacao farmer. He would have traveled to Belmopan. He would have whipped the politicians out of Cabinet. Mark Espat would have kissed him on his cheek. Mark’s sidekick would have collected thirty pieces of silver. The Bar Association would not lift a finger to help him. Jules would call him an “old guard”. The UDP would have told lies on him. They would have asked for Barabbas, from George Street. Jesus would have called them white washed tombstones from Lord’s Ridge. Godwin Hulse would have washed his hands of him. And Barrow would have hung him by the neck. OKEKE That bust does not look like Phillip Goldson. It is funny. Ok, not really. One person had an opinion. I believe it. They said the bust is not of Phillip. It is of Stephen Okeke. It is a rendition of himself. He used himself as the model. The bust is Okeke. Trust me. It is him when he gets old. It is a trick to get us to put up a statue of him. Funny? Look at the statue. Look for yourself. Look when you pass Palotti. Try not to crash. Try not to die laughing. Please no statues of Okeke. BIG BACKATIVE “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalms 18:2
18
THE BELIZE TIMES
28 APR
2013
EDITORIAL Spanish Los buitres y tiranos asechan
E
n un caso reciente interpuesto por el Colegio de Abogados de Belice contra el Gobierno de Belice, el juez de la Corte Suprema de Justicia Oswell Legall decidió que las disposiciones de la Sexta Enmienda de la Constitución que elimina la inamovilidad de los dos jueces del Tribunal de Apelación P. Mottley Morrison JA eran una violación a la Constitución y es ahora nula y sin efecto. La Sexta Enmienda aprobada por la Administración de Barrow fue un flagrante intento de flexionar sus músculos políticos en los tribunales. Más tarde fue seguido por la novena enmienda, que fue el ataque directo al Estado de Derecho y la Constitución como ley suprema de Belice. La decisión de la Sexta Enmienda dictada por el juez Legall expone los intentos de la administración de Barrow para socavar el estado de derecho y la independencia del Poder Judicial. Esta decisión histórica confirma la necesidad de la seguridad de la tenencia de todos los jueces, que es esencial para que los jueces no deban estar en deuda con los políticos en el poder. De acuerdo a la sexta enmienda bajo Barrow, los Magistrados de la corte de apelación podrían ser nombrados con contratos a corto plazo. Esto dijo el juez, violó el principio de la Constitución que defiende la imparcialidad y la independencia de los jueces. Había otros dos puntos muy importantes en la sentencia. Uno de ellos era una cita del filósofo Montesquieu que impregna la tiranía donde no hay separación de poderes y esto pondría fin a todo “eran la misma persona o el mismo cuerpo para ejercer esas tres facultades, la de promulgar leyes (legislativo) la de ejecución de resoluciones públicas (el ejecutivo) y el de tratar la causa de las personas (el poder judicial)”. El segundo punto importante es “el estado de derecho en su esencia significa que el poder gubernamental debe ejercerse conforme a la ley”. Hemos sido testigos en los últimos 5 años de cómo se ha producido un desmantelamiento sistemático de las diversas instituciones del gobierno. Hemos visto cómo el gobierno de Barrow se ha comportado hipócrita y arrogante con un desprecio total de las normas de transparencia y rendición de cuentas. De hecho, Transparencia Internacional, que fue invitado por el gobierno anterior del PUP para informar sobre cuestiones de gobierno de Belice ha sido totalmente despreciado y ningún informe se ha hecho desde que el UDP llegó al poder en el 2008. Hemos visto cómo la Comisión de Integridad, el Comité de Cuentas Públicas de la Cámara, el Contratista General y el Defensor del Pueblo han sido castrados y hechos prácticamente inoperantes. Hemos sido testigos de un gobierno que en el alboroto
desafía la ley y la Constitución al haber tomado la Belize Telemedia Limited y Belize Electricity Limited por la fuerza y sin pagar por los millones adeudados en concepto de indemnización a los anteriores propietarios. Sabemos de cientos de familias Beliceñas cuyas tierras y propiedades han sido confiscadas por este gobierno criminal. Tenemos un ministro de Recursos Naturales, que preside un ministerio que comete todos los días actos flagrantes de irregularidades y corrupción. El viceprimer ministro Vega es intocable. Dirige su ministerio como un negocio familiar. A su hermano German Vega se le dio el contrato de exclusividad por el Gabinete para explotar y exportar el palo de rosa cortado en forma ilegal sin un permiso forestal y que fueron confiscados por el gobierno, así como de palo de rosa cortada ilegalmente durante el período de amnistía. En otras palabras, el Consejo de Ministros ha tolerado y legitimado este impactante robo y la violación del patrimonio de la nación, sin compensación y sin ni siquiera una palabra de disculpa al pueblo maya de Toledo en cuyas aldeas este enorme robo tiene lugar. La Ministra encargada de Bosques fue instruida para defender la decisión del Gobierno y la señora ministra que profesa altas credenciales medioambientales ha cumplido descaradamente. Vega es uno de los principales financiadores del UDP, por lo cual sus actos descarados anormales queden impunes. Los demás ministros están tan infectados con su propio cáncer de la corrupción o su incapacidad para oponerse es el producto de sus propias inseguridades por temor a ser retirados del gabinete por el Jefe dictador Dean. Observamos con asombro, pero no con sorpresa como el Ministro Godwin Hulse acusa a los medios de comunicación de crear un escándalo y de ser prematuros debido al informe que dieron de que los noruegos están llevando a cabo la construcción de una terminal de cruceros en una isla de Placencia. Hulse describe la discusión con los noruegos como en la “etapa preliminar” y resta importancia al hecho de que tal desarrollo tendría un grave impacto porque el área ha sido declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad por ser un hábitat crítico y un área de incubación para los peces. Es que todos estos ministros se han vuelto totalmente adictos a las ventajas de su puesto y están hiperventilando con la sensación de poder que disfrutan. Así, mientras los buitres de la codicia se alimentan de la riqueza de los recursos que pertenecen al pueblo de Belice, los Ministros de Gobierno que deben ser los agentes de las personas que cuidan de los intereses del pueblo se han convertido en sus amos al cuidado de su propio interés.
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
Scales of JUSTICE
by anthony sylvestre
The Thirteenth! The number thirteen is regarded universally in many cultures as a bad number! And indeed, here in Belize, many of us suffer from triskaidekaphobia (fear and suspicion of the number 13). But the number 13 also has some important symbolisms. The Aztecs had a week with thirteen days. The moon covers on average thirteen degrees per day and there are thirteen lunar moons per year. They also say that there are thirteen gates of a woman’s body. Thirteen is also said to represent the eternal love illustrated by Jacob and his 12 sons as well as Jesus and his twelve apostles. There were thirteen guests at the Last Supper. A deck of cards has in 13 hearts, 13 spades, 13 squares and 13 clovers. And here is an interesting one for you. In the Gospel of Saint John, Jesus explains who He is in 13 ways: I am “the Bread,”,“Light”, Gate”,“Good Shepherd”, “Resurrection”, “the Way”, “Truth”, “Life”, “Vine”, “King”, “Son of God”, “in the Father” and “I Am”. Thirteen is also said to be the number that cleans and purifies. And, it is also the first prime number which is the sum of two even numbers greater than two plus one (6 +6+1= 13) But, as said before, thirteen is a suspicious number. Many people dread when the thirteenth day of the month falls on a Friday; they feel something dreadful will come their way. Thirteen also has significance in our system of governance in Belize; or rather, it should have. Am talking here of the supposed Thirteenth Senator. In 2008 after he won the general elections, the first thing Dean Barrow did was to tamper with the Constitution of Belize. He did this by enacting what is now infamously regarded as the “6th Amendment”. The 6th Amendment was a series of proposed changes to the Belize Constitution. (Interestingly, just last week, a judge of the Supreme Court of Belize declared that one of these proposed changes to the Belize Constitution made by Barrow in that 6th Amendment, which took away Judges of the Court of Appeal’s ability to be impartial, was illegal and unconstitutional). One of these changes included in the 6th Amendment, was one in which the powers and functions of the Senate of Belize would be expanded. The Senate would now be given powers to
power. He would, he had promised, “cede” control of the Senate to the non-government senators- that is, the opposition and the church, business and union. The formula to achieve this result, it was agreed, was to increase the composition of the Senate from twelve to thirteen. And the thirteenth Senator would be a non-government Senator appointed by the NGO and civil society people. Thus, the Senate would now have seven non government Senators and six Senators representing the government. So, the Senate would now not be rubber stamped and controlled by the government. And the NGO’s and civil society, acting on this promise by Barrow, had gone ahead in October, 2008 and selected their 13th Senator, in the person of Greg Ch’oc.
initiate and conduct public inquiries into mismanagement or corruption by persons in central government or persons serving on public statutory bodies. Lisel Alamilla has entered the Senate through Some of the back door and taken her NGO colleague the specific powers of Greg Ch’oc’s seat. And in so doing, no Minthe Senate ister of government or CEO will be would now summoned to appear before the be summonSenate to give account of the waste ing before and corrupt practices that we see it any Chief Executive daily in the government ministries. Officer in a BIL will be accountable to no one. government Ministry reBy these two constitutional garding any matter which he has knowledge of and summoning before any amendments, then, Barrow appeared Committee of the Senate any Minister to have been living up to his campaign of government. Thus, the Senate was promises to the NGO’s and civil socigiven powers for which it could now, for ety. By the inclusion of a 13th Senator, instance, summon the Prime Minister Barrow as well, seemed to have rid to appear before one of its Committees himself of the triskaidekaphobia (susto answer questions relating to ques- picion of the number 13) many Beliztionable decisions he made as Prime eans suffer from. He appeared to have Minister or to summon the Financial embraced the number thirteen, its omSecretary or the CEO in the Ministry inous nature, notwithstanding. Now, all of this sounds nice and of Works to appear before it to answer questions as to why there has not been good and makes for a healthy democracy; EXCEPT, it never happened and proper and adequate accountability. But the Senate, of course, has NEVER will happen as long as Barrow traditionally been regarded as a rub- is Prime Minister. Even though, if you ber stamp- that is to say, that Senate were to pick up a Constitution of Bedoes what the government of the day lize, it is there in black and white that instructs it to do and the Senate would the Senate of Belize shall consist of 13 not dare summon a Prime Minister to members. Barrow said so when confronted appear before it; especially a Prime Minister like Dean Barrow. And this is true, largely because of the makeup of the Senate. The Senate consists of six government Senators and six non-governmental Senators (three Opposition Senators and a Senator representing the Church, Business Community and the unions respectively). Given that makeup, there is the possibility of a tie in voting in the Senate on a Bill or motion or resolution. However, the government still retained control by virtue of the casting vote power of the President of the Senate (who is appointed by the government). So, Barrow had promised the NGO’s and civil society people in the run up to the 2008 general election that he would not only expand the powers of the Senate to do meaningful things, but he would also ensure that the Senate would be able to do these things by shifting the balance of
19 by Jules Vasquez in August, 2010. “It ain’t gonna happen!” he emphatically said. And it hasn’t- even a year into his second term in office. The Senate of Belize still remains defunct with only twelve members, six representing the government and the remaining six representing the Opposition, Church, Business and trade union. And the President still has the casting vote. So, we ask ourselves? What was that all about anyway? Why did Barrow go through that elaborate step of amending the constitution of Belize to include these provisions if there was no intention to bring them into effect? Because it does not suit his purpose and he was never serious about implementing this 13th Senator in the first place. This idea for a 13th Senator was merely a ploy by Barrow to get the support of the NGOs and civil society for the 2008 general elections. And too, Barrow calculated that he would get away with it without resistance from the NGOs and the civil society. Indeed, there have been no attempts by the NGOs and civil society to bring Barrow to task for playing them. They have remained mute as though their lips are imprisoned. In fact, the whole thing has been a joke. Barrow has gone ahead and appointed one of their own in the person of Lisel Alamilla to the Senate and as a Minister of government, thus nuetralising and dividing the NGO’s and civil society people. Lisel Alamilla has entered the Senate through the back door and taken her NGO colleague Greg Ch’oc’s seat. And in so doing, no Minister of government or CEO will be summoned to appear before the Senate to give account of the waste and corrupt practices that we see daily in the government ministries. BIL will be accountable to no one. It is an extremely dangerous thing in any country when one man can use his supermajority in the House of Representative and ram through a constitutional amendment and then decide that he “aint gonna” implement it because it does not suit his purpose again. But this is the country of Belize under Dean Barrow.
20
THE BELIZE TIMES
28 APR
2013
28 APR
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
uty Prime Minister. The problem is that at this point, Vega is basically seen as a sacred cow for this government. With only a slim margin in government and the fact that he is one of the few Hispanics in the echelon of the party, regardless of how corrupt he is, Vega isn’t going anywhere. Belizeans will have to find a way to keep our politicians the fact that one of the key players in check. As long as politicians is no other than the brother of the can do as they will and face no Deputy Prime Minister. A recent censure, corruption will remain poll by Channel Five Television rea part of how we are governed. veals that 95% of those polled There are adequate checks and were in disagreement as opposed balances in place but until we to only five percent who believe the people start demanding their that what the government did was implementation, we will be releacceptable. gated to calling talk shows and This week, the focus of discomplaining among ourselves. content seems to have once Chapter 12 of the Laws of Beagain shifted to land. Residents lize provides for the Prevention of Ranchito Village in the Corozal of Corruption in Public Life. This District are standing behind their law is quite clear and provides Chairman, Orvin Rancharan. Acfor the establishment of the Incording to Rancharan, chairman of tegrity Commission. It demands the village for the past 30 years, disclosure of assets by all public more than two hundred parcels officials. All we need to do is to of land are in the process of being start demanding that these electtaken away from villagers who aled officials declare their assets ready have a lease. It is obvious and prove how they have come to the villagers that the move to about all possessions. According deny them their land is political. to the records, two of the only politicians to have consistently declared their assets is former Prime Vega is basically seen as a sacred cow for this Minister Said Musa and current Leader of the Opgovernment. With only a slim margin in governposition Francis Fonseca. ment and the fact that he is one of the few HisBelizeans have a right to panics in the echelon of the party, regarddemand this and by law, politicians have a duty to less of how corrupt he is, Vega isn’t going comply. We might nevanywhere. er be able to fully stop or stamp out corruption but we can do a lot more than we are currently doThe Lands Department obviously there ever was a prime candidate ing. We owe it to ourselves, to has its hand deep in this matter. on who to test this recall mechaour children and to our country, A part of the problem is that nism, it would have to be our Deplet us begin to begin! Ranchito Village has a lot of PUP supporters. With Village Council elections around the corner, you can be sure that there is a move afoot to tamper with the dynamics. Many of these lands are now being issued to people who do not even live in the village, most likely, ardent UDP supporters. Again, the root of this problem can be traced directly to the Lands Department and the minister in charge. Shortly after taking office, the UDP government introduced the sixth Constitution
Reid Call For Recall By G. Michael Reid The current United Democratic Party government was elected in 2008 on a platform of reform, transparency, accountability and good governance. To date, the people of Belize are still waiting for any of the above to be realized. There has been no reform in the ways things have been done, no Integrity Commission to secure accountability and no Public Accounts Committee to ensure transparency. As for good governance, we have seen instead a move in the opposite direction. In his after-election speech of 2008, Belizeans were encouraged by a speech given by the newly elected Prime Minister in which he pledged to “jump into action at the slightest whiff of corruption”. Six years and two terms later, despite repeated and blatant examples of corruption by his government, we have seen neither jump, skip or hop from our Prime Minster. Instead of a leader providing good direction, he has been more like a skilled defense attorney, offering counsel to and excuses for the actions of his ministers. The morning talk shows have been full of stories of corruption and shady deals by ministers of this government. Many citizens who were once ardent and staunch supporters of this government can be heard calling in to condemn the events of corruption. The rosewood issue is a prime example and it is difficult to find anyone who supports the government’s decision to give back confiscated rosewood to the criminals from whom it was initially seized. What makes this situation even more appalling is
21
Amendment Bill. The bill allowed for a revision to the referendum act, (a move which has us in deep trouble with the Guatemalan referendum), a limit of three terms for any Prime Minister and the introduction of a recall mechanism. These are all now enshrined in the law and this third part of the bill is of much interest. The idea of a recall mechanism to rope in wayward politicians has been tossed around in Belize for a long time. Way back in 2000, the Political Reform Committee presented the idea to the people and upon assuming office in 2008 Prime Minister Dean Barrow presented the bill to House. This is a concept that is very important but given the order of things in Belize, one has to wonder if we will ever see this come to fruition. Looking at the rosewood situation and also at the many shady land deals that have gone down of late, one would wonder if it is not the time to test this recall mechanism. Deputy Prime Minster Gasper Vega’s name has been called way too often, in particular as far as unscrupulous land transaction is concerned. And now this rosewood matter. If
22
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
Home Economics
Beauty & Fashion Industry – Its true value By Richard Harrison with other buyers....depending on Scouts from the Caribbean have the fine print....and the flexibility come to Belize to try to identify that is negotiated in the contracts. models and fashion designers who Investors, financiers and busimay have potential for playing roles ness managers in Belize need to in the international marketplace. become more in tune with the Very encouraging indeed.... BEAUTY INDUSTRY....and provide Physical beauty is a charactermore guidance and material (huistic of the genetic pool in Belize.... man and otherwise) to foment unique among the Caribbean and this industry....as there are many Central American genetic mix..... young Belizeans who are interestwhich gives it special powers...and ed in pursuing this field of engagebrings with it the responsibility of a ment professionally. rather high ambition. It is important not to sell out Successful models also have to for cheap....as we seem to want to have character, attitude, discipline do with everything else. and other non-physical attributes... Do we have a clear VISION for which need to be developed....bethis industry? Do we have clear fore taking on the international marobjectives and a strategy to reach ket in a concerted way. those objectives in SMART fashFashion designing also needs ion.....sustainable, measurable, creativity, innovation, market knowlachievable, realistic and timely? edge and other attributes that will Do we recognize the value of allow them to develop products and our genetic pool, human, plants services that are unique and profitand animals? Do we wish to opable at the small-medium scale.... timize the value of this most imand these need to be developed. portant resource? Who are the It is important that greed not guardians of this great value? cloud the vision.....the speed don’t Even more now.....the issue of come at the expense of accuracy. morals and values need to be disBelize fashionistas would be cussed. well advised to be careful in signRichard Harrison is a local ing contracts....especially long-term businessman and investor in the contracts. Jumping into the lap of manufacturing and service industhe first buyer is not necessarily the tries. Mr. Harrison holds a Masmost astute thing to do. ters in Business Administration Knowing yourself well....knowdegree from Lancaster University, ing your true value potential....is United Kingdom. Send comments of vital importance here. Value of to harrisonbz@yahoo.com self....and self-esteem...plays a big role in the determination of ambition. Every opportunity comes with a cost-benefit.....opportunity-cost....binding-in with a first buyThe fastest selling newspaper in Belize er.....can many times preclude relationships
BELIZE TIMES
2013
For Sale By Order of the Mortgagee
Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a Company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 9th day of March, 2011, between AMOS VELASQUEZ of the one part, and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. of the other part , and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 6 of 2011 at folios 591 - 652; and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO ALL THAT piece and parcel of land situate in San Roman Village, Stann Creek District, Belize, and being Lot No. 66 comprising 1137.57 Square Yards bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 356 of 2003 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 10th day of April, 2013. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street, Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.
28 APR
23
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
WOMAN IN THE HOUSE By Dolores Balderamos Garcia
NOT A BAD THING Who said it I don’t really know, but it is said that if you repeat a lie often enough, it can or does become the truth, and at least for those who repeat or spread the lie. Lies and propaganda are many times associated with Adolph Hitler’s right hand man and chief propagandist Joseph Goebbels, who remained loyal to his boss until the end. One lie that the UDP propagandists Nasty Joe and others started and spread about me is that I wipe my hand after I shake hands with black people. I believe they started it and repeated it on their radio station from my Port Loyola days. Later, when I accepted the Prime Minister’s appointment as Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission and Special Envoy for Gender and Children, they advocated violence by saying that if I am seen driving my government issued vehicle, I should be dragged out of it. But the lie that they have revelled in repeating has now changed, as they have added on all kinds of frills to it. They are now saying that I carry around hand sanitizer and use it frequently. They are even saying now that I wash my hands every minute and after each and every hand shake or contact with anyone. I was initially chagrined on being told that this is being said by the UDP propagandists. None of it
is true, and it is all clearly malicious. In my contact with people whether out in the field, on the campaign trail, or even in my office I shake hands quite often and I hug people a lot. The human contact is great, and nothing is further from my mind than thinking of wiping or washing my hands. I have been peeved at the lie, but my friends have said to me “Dolores, don’t sweat the small stuff,” and “You know deh no weh stone empty mango tree.” I have taken note that “Colin” in his column in the Amandala newspaper has taken to repeating the lie. He has written about it at least twice. The last time he wrote he was talking about the bad flu season in the United States and saying that Americans should take a page from Dolores’ book and frequently use hand sanitizer and wash hands to avoid the spread of flu bugs! As silly and ridiculous as the UDP lies have been, I have come to laugh about it all! The Ministry of Health and PAHO are at pains to encourage children to wash hands. In addition there are now several public service messages on the various media about promoting the healthy practice of washing hands. I have thus come to the conclusion that it is not a bad thing that I may be associated, by those who care to repeat foolishness, with the promotion of hand washing to reduce the spread of bugs!
Vacancy
Looking for a young, hardworking, honest and willing female person for domestic personal assistant. Job offered is part time. If interested, please contact 203-0809.
Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that NEELAM ISSRANI is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Sonys Store”, situate San Antonio Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
Notice is hereby given that XIN CHEN is applying for a Retaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Winnie Restaurant”, situate Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
For Sale By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a Company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 4th day of April, 2002, between GARY AYUSO of the one part and SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD of the other part recorded in Deeds Book Volume 17 of 2001 at folios 765 – 818; and Deed of Assignment and Transfer of Mortgage made the 22nd June, 2009, between SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD, of the first part, SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. of the second part and GARY AYUSO of third recorded in Deeds Book Volume 14 of 2009 at folios 1317 – 1340; and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 39A situate on the southern side of the Western Highway at Mile 8, Belize District, Belize and bounded as follows: On the North for 30.996 metres by Lot No. 37B; On the South for 30.996 metres by Lot Nos. 39B and 39C; On the East for 15.008 metres by a street; and On the West for 15.008 metres by Lot No. 39 containing 465.188 square metres of land as shown on Plan No. 2042 at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. DATED this 16th day of April, 2013. MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street, Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.
24
THE BELIZE TIMES
Pan-Roasted Recipe of the week Chicken & Gravy A cast-iron skillet is the perfect for this simple roast chicken. INGREDIENTS 1 large clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 3 1/2-pound chicken, giblets removed 1 teaspoon peanut, olive or coconut oil 2 teaspoons butter, softened, divided 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish PREPARATION • Preheat oven to 400°F. • Mash garlic and salt into a paste in a small bowl, using the back of a spoon. Stir in pepper and thyme. • With a sharp knife, remove any excess fat from chicken. Dry the inside with a paper towel. With your fingers, loosen the skin over the breasts and thighs to make pockets, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub the garlic mixture over the breast and thigh meat. • Heat oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a 12-inch castiron skillet over medium heat.
MARRIAGES Gilbert Donald Ramirez, Jr., 27, of Seine Bight, Stann Creek District, to Ishell Renee Witty, 29, of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District Isaac Joel Anderson, 29, to Haley Kathleen Dake, 29, both of Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A. August Dewayne Barber, 32, to Nicole Kathleen Waldmier, 31, both of Windsor, Colorado, U.S.A. Peter Douglas Stoyshich, 22, to Anna Lisa Duke, 25, both of Belize City Edward Floyd Robateau, 42, to Lisa Marie Hemmans, 21, both of Belize City Edwin Emmanuel Neal, 50, to Rose Chirilen Kelly, 60, both of Crooked Tree, Belize District Henry Michaels, 47, of Mesquite, Nevada, U.S.A., to Michelle Garcia, 37, of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District
Juan Carlos Baeza, 25, of Paraiso, Corozal District, to Thrichia Desideria Gongora, 25, of Corozal Town, Corozal District Jose Walter Castillo Ramos, 39, to Ana Elizabeth Bellini, 42, both of Belmopan Calbert Maxwell Neal, Sr., 59, to Edilma Puresa Oliva, 55, both of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Albert Llewellyn Munnings, 33, to Shantel Karim Morris, 31, both of Belize City Douglas Keith Whitlock, 53, to Rebecca Jane Reed, 43, both of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, U.S.A. Jianfu Xu, 32, to Mavelia del Cid, 18, both of Ladyville, Belize District Chukwuemeka Sidney Elijah, 39, of Belmopan, to Mary Chika Anya, 24, of Irving, Texas, U.S.A. Edward Elsworth Bow-
en, 37, to Khephara Dessia Tesecum, 20, both of Hattieville, Belize District Young Hoon Kim, 29, to Mena Pavlova Valiknova, 29, both of Astoria, New York, U.S.A. Reymundo Lemus, 18, to Grisheldy Annett Guerra, 17, both of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Jeffrey Lynn Fuller, 64, to Michele Ann Baker, 58, both of Davenport, Iowa, U.S.A. Filadelfo Herrera Lopez, 26, to Lilian Elizabeth Mejia Soriano, 24, both of Valley of Peace, Cayo District Pedro Choc Tiul, 37, to Teodora Choc Cal, 33, both of Valley of Peace, Cayo District Jose Alexander Lopez, 21, to Elma Anita Sanchez, 19, both of Valley of Peace, Cayo District Orlando Enrique Bustamante, 24, to Brenda Naomi Perez, 20, both of Santa Cruz, Cayo District Bartolo Vicente Sanchez, 41, to Bartola Maggie Lino, 28, both of Progresso, Corozal District Juan Elias Guerra, 40, to Anna Cristina Quinones Orellana, 43, both
of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Wilfrido Silberto Lino, 23, to Veronica Maria Rodriguez, 20, both of Progresso, Corozal District Mainor Rodolfo Lobos, 35, to Martha Lidia de la Rosa, 29, both of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Herman Contreras, 19, to Ancelma Canti, 18, both of Belmopan Isaias Noel Jimenez, 34, to Mirtala Esmeralda Monzon, 20, both of Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo District Celestino Leonzo Rivera, 28, to Iris Natalie Garcia, 21, both of Santa Familia, Cayo District Al Besa, 41, to Mary Anne Jinkee Leoncito, 29, both of Manila, Phillippines Guillermo Rayo, 43, to Esmeralda Menjivar, 25, both of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye Eric Donald Canto, 27, of Ladyville, Belize District, to Celina Garcia, 28, of Guinea Grass, Orange Walk District Damian Augustin Moh, 26, of Yo Creek, Orange Walk District, to Marieli Celene Medina, 20, of August Pine Ridge, Orange Walk District
28 APR
2013
• Add the chicken and cook, turning often, until nicely browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. • Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the chicken until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F, 50 minutes to 1 hour. • Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board; tent with foil. • Meanwhile, mash the remaining 1 teaspoon butter and flour in a small bowl until a paste forms. • Place the pan (use caution, the handle will be hot) over medium-high heat. Add broth and bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. • Gradually whisk in the butter-flour paste a few bits at a time, until the gravy thickens, about 8 minutes. • Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes, allowing any fat to rise to the top. Skim off the fat with a spoon. Carve the chicken and serve with the gravy. Garnish with parsley, if desired. NUTRITION • Per serving: 223 calories; 10 g fat ( 3 g sat , 3 g mono ); 95 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 31 g protein; 0 g fiber; 216 mg sodium; 253 mg potassium.
BIRTHS Born to David Jones Guzman and Lisa Ruby Guzman nee White, a boy, David Junior Born to Gerzon Eliel Gomez and Ana Noemy Gomez nee Rauda, a girl, Ailyson Celeste Alondra Born to Brad Henry Steadman and Alison Denise Steadman nee Robinson, a girl, Kenasha Anika Born to Elias Ismael Teck and Yasmina Esperanza Teck nee Saquil, a girl, Emilie Reanna Born to Andre Anthony Young, Sr., and Jenna Marie Young nee Bradley, a boy, Andre Anthony, Jr. Born to Johan Bergen and Margarita Bergen nee Fehr, a boy, Jacob Born to Jianbo Huang and Weiyong Huang nee Ma, a boy, Hong Rui Born to Ian Michael Robinson and Daisa Dorcina Robinson nee Seguro, a boy, Javen Lionel Born to Marvin Alvin Locke and Nicole Brendalee Locke nee Anthony, a boy, Mason Marnic
DEATHS Ophelia Demaree, 61 Narcisa Saldona, 76 Colin Maxwell Hill, 58 Lidia Ester Cruz, 86
28 APR
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
25
26
Taking action beyond Earth Day By Hon. John Briceno, PUP Orange Walk Central Area Representative Monday was Earth Day and all week long the world focused on ways to protect and preserve our planet earth. For the nearly 7.5 billion inhabitants of planet earth, this week we are united behind the cause of environmental awareness and protection. Earth Day and by extension Earth Week has always been important to all Belizeans, and for us in the People’s United Party, it is of great importance. This is so because we believe in environmental protection and preservation. Our commitment to this is so strong that environmental justice is included as a part of our Party’s Constitution right along with social and economic justice. As a Party we always speak of the cornerstone of our political roots, which we express in those three sacred words, “serve the people.” Every PUP should understand that to do right by all Belizeans we must truly embrace our social justice roots and care first for Belizeans who are less able to care for themselves. Through economic justice we can heed the words of our dearly departed leader and father of the Nation, Mr. Price who used to tell us, never envy the rich, but work so that the poor could have more. In embracing environmental justice, we affirm our commitment to protecting our natural resources while at the same time using them in such a manner that it can benefit everyone, even those Belizeans who will come long after we are gone. Social justice, economic justice, environmental justice. These are not just simple words we must say, but words we must believe, embrace and live. We must respect one another, do right with each other and we must always value the relationship between our humanity and nature. All of us know that we must protect and preserve our natural resources and when we were in government our PUP acted to do just that. In was because of our vision that today while many of our neighbours have no lobster industry we still have one. It is because of sustainable management of our resources that we continue to benefit so much from the reef, from our forests, from healthy water and from clean air. Of course all of us know that more has to be done. We also know that while we have worked to protect and preserve our natural resources, the UDP have not been doing enough, in fact they have made things worse. Just look at what is currently happening with the illegal logging of rose-
wood and you will see how their misguided policy in forest management is destroying our natural resources. Where is the social justice when the Deputy Prime Minister’s family get’s the only license to export Rosewood? Where is the justice when only special friends and cronies of the UDP can own choice parcels of lands of the jewel? Instead of respecting the rights of our indigenous people, they trample on them. Instead of helping small farmers who produce onions and vegetables for the Belizean dinner table, they allow UDP cronies to import from abroad. From deforestation to illegal cutting of mangroves the record of this UDP administration is one of disaster that can only lead to endangering our valuable natural resources. Under the PUP, we worked with the environmental Community to devise a National Protected Areas System Plan to develop our protected areas. We successfully managed to get UNESCO to declare our Belize Barrier Reef a World Heritage Site and we developed plans for sustainable tourism management so that we could create opportunities for Belizeans to earn a living wage through good tourist jobs. This is how we made social justice, economic justice and environmental justice work hand in hand. We cannot sit back and watch things deteriorate, we must do our part to ensure that we protect this beautiful land. Let us keep up the pressure on government to stop the illegal cutting of rosewood. At the same time, we should all continue to encourage our fisher folk to respect the laws on seasonal fishing. Tell your area representative that government must develop an effective land management programme. Other actions we can take in our own homes include turning off lights when we leave the room to conserve energy and save money. Plant trees in our yards and around our playgrounds to provide shade for our children. Instead of driving two blocks to the store, walk, you will get some exercise and save on fuel. There are so many things we can do at home and at work that can save us hundreds of dollars monthly and help to protect and preserve our environment. This is our land and our home. We are lucky to be living in a country with such abundant natural beauty. It is all gifted to us by our Creator and as Belizeans we must fight to protect and preserve it for the next generation. It is an important part of our work to create a truly fair and just society.
Answers for last week’s puzzle
Answers for last week’s puzzle
SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #13/2013
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
BRAIN
TEASER
SUDOKU PUZZLE #14/2013
See answers NEXT WEEK
See answers NEXT WEEK
28 APR
2013
THE BELIZE TIMES
27
28
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
A +C
2013
notes + ideas by yasser musa
Having the Idea and Doing It Mali Cayetano’s new work
By Yasser Musa Mali Cayetano is an artistic and literary dynamo. In April 2010 she burst onto the artistic scene in Belize with her first illustrated book, music album, mural and art exhibition We Are Free. Mali, an illustrator, musician, artist, and youth educator has been teaching children in Belize and Germany about the Garifuna culture of which she is rightly proud. That first book offers a lucid portrayal of the social and cultural journey of the Garinagu people from Africa to St. Vincent and eventually Belize. It also established Mali as a serious and diligent artist. She collaborated with her mother to produce the narrative and then spent over a year to arduously construct the visual storyboard for what has become a children’s classic in Belize’s nascent literary output. Mali Cayetano, nurtured in the home of Pen Cayetano, Master Garifuna artist and Musician, and Ingrid Cayetano from Germany, an artist in her own right, was raised with the desire to preserve and disseminate the Garifuna culture. The Cayetanos of Dangriga have made it their mission in life to preserve and disseminate the Garifuna culture, music and dance. In March 2013 Mali completed her Master’s thesis in Ger-
many with the creation of a new book titled Jankúnu based on the traditional dance of the Garinagu. This was a family effort with brother Beni who created the storyboard and brother Ibo who co-authored and mother Ingrid who helped with management and writing. It is hoped that this book will also make it as a commercial product in Belize so that the young generation can benefit from such an elegant effort. When Mali released her 1st book she told a local TV news station: I want to show that the book is not a book from the beginning; you have to have some ideas and you have to make some sketches so I would like to show the process, how a book is getting developed. It’s not a fast thing that you’re having the idea and doing it very quickly. It took me like one year to realize the whole book and it’s a lot of time, lot of research, lot of thinking, lot of drawings so it’s a lot of work so I want to show the process also. These two books are outstanding examples of visionary literary and artistic products. Mali is becoming a leader in this field of the illustrated arts. She is writer, artist, illustrator, muralist and manager in one. Projects such as her illustrated books require industry and serious
intellectual development. Her strongest artistic gift is the ability to assimilate ideas, research and plans into a strong coherent project. And once that is done, to functionally collaborate with others to create an outcome acceptable to all. It is rare when we can point to an artist with such range as it relates to such artistic activity.
28 APR
2013
29
THE BELIZE TIMES
Good Samaritans in Belize Contributed by NMA (a 16yr old student)
It’s become a norm; as regular as getting up and going to school and learning. I expect that when I tune in to the evening news I hear of another murder, another burglary and another repercussion of social corruption. I have gotten so use to evil that it no longer seems to be that big of a deal. Unfortunately, my callousness is a reflection of a more widespread attitude of resigned acceptance. A few weeks ago, at my old school, a teacher’s purse containing her money, her identification cards and other personal effects was stolen. An adult simply waltzed into her class, plucked her purse from the desk and strode back out of the school yard. The teacher was devastated. But what could she do? Only the empty bag was returned. She no longer expects it to be returned, though she might secretly hope. One morning, I caught a segment of a morning talk show. Apparently, someone had left their wallet on a bus. The bus driver and conductor completed their route and came upon the missing item. They drove all the way to the radio station headquarters and delivered the wallet. The next day, the owner was contacted and, being overjoyed with the return of his money and i.d.’s, offered to compensate the persons who had exercised such integrity. To everyone’s surprise, the “do-gooders” refused to give their names or accept the monetary reward! Another more common place accident happened to one of my aunts. She had just gotten a new phone as a gift, but lost it at a local supermarket. She was so distressed that she cried. The phone meant a lot to her, and she faced the fact that she more than likely would not receive the phone back if someone found it. A few days later, my aunt’s sister got a phone call. A customer had found the phone and was persistently calling the sister in order to inform the owner of the phone that she could pick up her cell from the supermarket during working hours! My aunt was as shocked as she was grateful. She had, like the most of us, already given up on ever getting that phone back. She’d already imagined someone finding it and discarding her SIM and selling her cell, as that seems to be the standard of life nowadays. I highly commend these good Samaritans. The persons who found the phone and the wallet could have taken them. No one would have known. Lots of people do it anyway. But they didn’t. They chose the path least travelled, the path of truth, of integrity and of honor. Imagine, Belize, if we held each other to such a standard. Imagine, Belize, if we stopped making excuses for our society and our politicians and started holding ourselves to that standard! Can you see it? Politicians no longer leaving the office with pockets deeper than when they entered and with no proof of how the money got there. Contractors no longer cutting corners on quality in order to widen their profit margins. Imagine people protecting their neighborhood houses instead of breaking into them. Come on, Belize! Let’s demand this type of behavior from our leaders and ourselves and stop tolerating nonsense because ‘everyone does it’! Let’s speak up and promote upstanding and moral behavior. Let the bus driver and conductor become common place heroes. Let’s expect the phones to be returned. Let’s make it a standard within our country, from our kids up to our leaders, to function with this quality of integrity, justice, honor and morale. Until next week, God bless.
Dry Eye Dry eye is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the By Dr. David Hoy health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults. With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts, in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain in the back of the nose. What causes it? Inadequate amount of tears – Tears are produced by several glands in and around the eyelids. Tear production tends to diminish with age, with various medical conditions, or as a side effect of certain medicines. Environmental conditions such as wind and dry climates can also affect tear volume by increasing tear evaporation. When the normal amount of tear production decreases or tears evaporate too quickly from the eyes, symptoms of dry eye can develop. Poor quality of tears – Tears are made up of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. Each component serves a function in protecting and nourishing the front surface of the eye. A smooth oil layer helps to prevent evaporation of the water layer, while the mucin layer functions in spreading the tears evenly over the surface of the eye. If the tears evaporate too quickly or do not spread evenly over the cornea due to deficiencies with any of the three tear layers, dry eye symptoms can develop. How to diagnose? Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with special emphasis on the evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears produced by the eyes, may include: - Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the dry eye problem. - External examination of the eye, including lid structure and blink dynamics. - Evaluation of the eyelids and cornea using bright light and magnification. - Measurement of the quantity and quality of tears for any abnormalities. Special dyes may be instilled in the eyes to better observe tear flow and to highlight any changes to the outer surface of the eye caused by insufficient tears. Using the information obtained from testing, your optometrist can determine if you have dry eyes and advise you on treatment options. How to treat? Dry eyes can be a chronic condition, but your eye doctor can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy, more comfortable, and prevent your vision from being affected. The primary approaches used to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes.
30
THINK ABOUT IT BOOKS CAN CHANGE YOU Day.
Tuesday 23 April is International Book
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has declared this week as Book Week. Belize is a member of UNESCO, but it is not clear what the Ministry of Education has done for this important occasion. Books are to the mind, what food and exercise are to the body. Who is not reading is losing out. The less you read, the less you know. The opposite is even more so. The more you read, the more you know. Please know more, not less. The world of books is severely challenged by the world of movies and television. As we enter the age of trivialities, the more silly movies we watch, the less we learn. Information and knowledge are not in movies. Movies are for entertainment. Television, spelt tell-lie-vision, for all its wide variety, ranging from idiocy to documentary, cannot replace books. It is mainly watched for escapism and entertainment. There is no joy like the joy of reading. Reading and obtaining knowledge at the same time is like being in the company of good friends, the company of loved ones, the company of special people. If you have any doubts about the joy of reading and learning go to the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. Words of wisdom pour forth from each sentence, each verse. The King James translation combines poetic imagery with the words of knowledge and helpful advice. There are so many books that will bring you joy and at the same time leave you a better person. For Book Week, Belize should have had a book week. B.T.L which supposedly belongs to the Belizean people could have spent a tiny fraction of its millions promoting a daily discussion on books by a variety of persons. Our local writers, artists, teachers, students, professionals, politicians, lawyers, journalists, preachers, sinners, housewives, fishermen and farmers. Even prisoners. Find time to read, please. ANOTHER BLOW TO GOVERNMENT No sooner had Audrey Matura Shepherd made the media rounds and hammered the nails in government’s coffin over the illegal oil contracts, than another blow from the Supreme Court fell on the government’s head. This time the issue is a legally sacred principle which is vital to our justice system and our democracy. It has to do with government’s perceived interference in the judiciary in relation to the independence of the Courts and the judges. Judges cannot be considered to be performing their important functions if they have to be worrying about whether the government will re-employ them or terminate their jobs. Judges must be independent of the executive and the politicians. Especially these petty politicians who currently occupy high positions in Cabinet. This present set will soon be gone but their damage would linger on. Belize lost a brilliant Chief Justice in the person of Adulai Conteh. We also lost the President of our Court of Appeal, Hon. Elliot Mottley, a Caribbean man with a sharp mind. In the case of Conteh, the UDP government told a naked lie to the nation, that the Chief Justice had reached the retirement age of 65. (Judges go to 74) In the case of Hon. Justice Mottley, the government changed the Constitution to give itself power to appoint him and other
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
judges for one year. Yes, one year treating Judges worse than clerks or office secretaries. Being the man of principle that he is, Judge Elliot Mottley quietly resigned and left Belize. Court of Appeal Judge Boyd Carey, who had given years of sound judgments to the country was told by the UDP government his services were no longer wanted. He left and went home. A loss of decades of legal knowledge and experience. Why would any government wish to behave so badly with senior judges in our Appeals Court and Supreme Court? Unless the government is up to no good. The tragedy of undermining the sacred tenet of the Constitution that judges are not only to be impartial but are to be seen to be impartial. They do so only if they have security of tenure and are independent of the executive, which is always seeking to influence their judgments. What Justice Oswel Legall has done with this major pronouncement is to do what any of the judges would have done. Stand up for a basic but sacred principle which every first year law student knows is a fundamental part of the justice system and protection of the rights of Belizeans. It is also worth mentioning, especially in the light of recent government proposed changes to another law, that those responsible for challenging the attack by government against the Judges, was our own dear Bar Association. We are disappointed to report that it was attorney Michael Young, son of the esteemed jurist Horace Young, who represented the government in such a dastardly deed. God is Great, a wicked thing by the government has been exposed and cut down. AND MAGISTRATES TOO Don’t think that it is only at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court that the government is attempting to interfere. Recommendations made to then Prime Minister Musa by the Political Reform Commission was for Magistrates to be safe from political manipulations. The preamble to Act 23 of 2005 which became law on 9 July 2005 says it is “an Act to amend the Belize Constitution, Chapter 4 of the laws of Belize….to recognize the Magistracy as an integral part of the judicial system of Belize and to provide security of tenure for qualified magistrates…” Yeah! Right! A foreign magistrate with little experience was recently employed to be in charge of the San Ignacio Courts. A few months ago she was ordered to go to Corozal Court. It was learnt that not only was the Magistrate on a short term contract set to expire in three months’ time, but that the Magistrate was made to sign a contract which expressly says she will carry out the directives and instructions of the Executive (meaning the UDP government). COCONUT TREES “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree” “A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arm to pray.” Joyce Kilmer must have been writing about a coconut tree when she was inspired to pen his beautiful poem. A coconut tree is above all else, a thing of beauty. Created by the same awesome force that forged the galaxies and constellations. The roots of a coconut tree spreads all over the neighborhood. The trunk is a mighty post. The long tentacles of the roots, not only hold the trunk and the tree firmly but are busy collecting nutrients to nourish the tree.
The coconut tree reaches skyward. Its magnificent leaves ever swaying in the breeze. Like a Rasta prancing to reggae. And then there is the coconut. These magical fruits of a thousand uses. One day the cure for cancer will be concocted from its sweet copra. Coconut water is magic, coconut milk is magic, coconut oil is magic and the coconut meat itself is extra magical and healing. Joyce Kilmer went on to write that, “poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a (coconut) tree.” Smile. Fifty miles East of Belize City lays the majestic isle of Half Moon Caye. At night under the soft mellow moon’s light when things are tight and the winds blow right, you can see this sight- each coconut tree is smiling happily, swaying and dancing quietly, mysteriously, joyously. THE MONTH OF MAY In Belize, there is no month like unto the month of May. The March winds can be heavenly in the tropic heat of the days. The breeze is for sailing boats and flying kites. April is for the long Easter weekends; Cross Country Cycling race and every caye, sea, river and water hole to cool the heat. But here comes May, the best of the three. At Half Moon Caye you are under the galaxies’ Milky Way. You look up at clear skies and see millions of stars. Their combined glow is like an earthly fluorescent light. Planets reveal themselves more openly. Falling stars, shooting stars are bursting and flaming across the wide expanse of the sky. You can see every shooting star and follow their trail with the quickness. All across Belize; from proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon, through coral isles to every lagoon, clear blue skies, swaying breeze, blooming trees, and fruits of such varieties. Our former poets all said that it was God’s goodness that gave this land to we. Baby! Here comes the sun, here comes the wind, here comes the merry month of May. MONKEY CHASE THE WEASEL This ain’t no way to run a government No way to run a country. Check this. Former prison employees have highlighted poor management in running the prison. They have proof of “mass” firings of staff and irregularities in treatment of prisoners and employees. They take to the air waves. The same media that ignored all the warning of things going wrong. They eventually got an audience with the Prime Minister. This be the very Prime Minister who three months ago renewed the private management contract of the private company managing the prisons. They are given a five year contract and no audit, no renew, no oversight. Prime Minister listens to the disgruntled employees, smiles, pat them on their backs and his major decision is…….you guessed it, nothing. He promises to arrange for them to meet the Minister of the Prisons, Police and Army. Oh! Oh! This be the same Minister under whose watch the prison has been deteriorating, mass firings, irregularities. Here, we go round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush. The monkey chases the weasel. Pop! Goes the weasel. GOODBYE TO ALL THAT Surprise! Surprise! Guatemala has officially announced they ain’t having a referendum on the matter of taking their claim against Belize to the I.C.J. The Belize Government is confused and don’t know what to do. They are waiting on the British and OAS to sketch out a
2013
response. For months, any fool could see that Guatemala was not going ahead with a referendum. Among their meritless excuses was one that makes sense. Belize referendum law requires 60 percent of all voters to participate in the referendum for it to be valid. This is a high threshold and could have caused Belize not to reach a yes or no vote that is valid. To prepare for a referendum and carry out a referendum is costly. Guatemala was saying it would be too costly an exercise for them where on the Belize side a referendum could possible result in a negative. The cost to Guatemala to hold a referendum is more than $30 million. Belize should have been prepared for this day when Guatemala retreated from its written commitment to hold a joint referendum with Belize. Belize should have had its diplomats and spokespersons cocked and ready. Formal protests to Guatemala, to O.A.S., to Caricom, Africa and United Nations. We should seize the time. DESERVE A RAISE Police officers deserve a raise of salary. Call it a cost of living adjustment. Call it inflation review. Call it incentive award. Call it whatever is convenient. Just give police officers an increase. The last time police officers saw an increase in their take home pay was almost ten years ago. During the last ten years the salaries of Ministers of Government has gone from thirty odd thousand dollars a year to ninety odd thousand a year. The high and mighty politicians give themselves huge salaries increase and multitude of allowances and perks. Why police officers and Belize Defense Force soldiers can’t be given a reasonable salary adjustment to bring them in line with the ongoing upward swing in the cost of living? The high living, gambling, drinking and carousing Ministers; some of whom pull gun on security officials and citizens are being unfair to our police and soldiers in refusing to grant a salary increases. When it suited their purpose, these politicians took fifteen million dollars (or was it fifty million) out of social security board (workers’ money) and put it into B.T.L. Why can’t they take out a little three million for police and soldiers? These men and women and their children and families are suffering under the harsh cost of living. All public officials serving this country deserve a salaries increase. Nurses, teachers, police, soldiers and public officers; as well as City Council and Town Board workers. DARELL CARTER Darell Carter, like the former Prime Minister and the present Prime Minister of Belize, is a graduate of St. Michael’s College. In Darell’s days, St. Michael’s was a strict denominational high school. Students had to do a five year course before they could graduate. Teachers were strict and dedicated. Thanks to athletes like Glenford Quallo, Harrison Pilgrim, Floyd, Colwin Flowers and others, St. Michael’s was also a top athletic contender in the intercollege sports competition. The education consisted of Literature, History, Math, Sciences, Geography, Divinity (Religion), Singing, Debating and Sports. Darell a thinker and political analyst, is the product of that superb education. He was a three time elected City Councillor and former Deputy Mayor of Belize City. He has always been a hard-working and dedicated entrepreneur and hosts a business talk show on Mondays on Love FM. Nuff respect Darell.
28 APR
THE BELIZE TIMES
2013
Mayor flirts with jail time Belize City, April 24, 2013 While city businesses and residents are constantly harassed, threatened and denied services for monies owed to the Belize City Council, the Mayor of Belize City has been trying to get away with not paying an outstanding debt to the sanitation company. The situation is so bad that Mayor Darrel Bradley could be facing jail time if he continues to renege on the Council’s debt obligations. The Belize City Council owes $2.3 million to Belize Waste Control. When the UDP took office in 2006, the debt was only a fraction of its current amount. Former Mayor Zenaida Moya neglected to pay and the debt increased to a million. In 2009, Waste Control took the Council to Court for non-payment. Darrel Bradley was the attorney for the Council then and he committed to the Court that payments would be made monthly. But the broke Council failed to do that. Three years later, in February 2012, Waste Control returned to the Court. This time Bradley, whose verbal commitment to the Court turned out to be a lie, is now the Mayor. Waste Control asked the Court to cite Bradley for contempt, but after discussions with the Mayor, a schedule of payments was negotiated and the Council bought some time. But Waste Control has had
to return to Court. Attorney for the sanitation company, Fred Lumor, said the Mayor has failed to keep his word again. “The affidavit is filed after the last adjournment. They had written a letter in which they indicated that they are prepared to pay $1m over eighteen months. Then they would have negotiated the balance of the money with my client. That was reasonable. As you can see another letter was sent on Thursday which changed the game plan altogether. If they stick with the affidavit they filed in court after the last adjournment; my client was prepared to consider those proposals to pay the $1m over the 18 months and negotiate the balance of the money in one way or the other,” said Lumor. The Council apparently wants out of the deal. Their letter sent on Thursday offers to pay $10,000 monthly or $120,000 yearly. The Council also submitted a $50,000 cherub, but Lumor said that’s a pittance. The interest that accrues in a year alone is $82,000. The Court has granted Lumor’s request for another hearing on June 10th. Lumor has said that if the Council does not accept a reasonable binding payment term before the hearing date, on the day of Court he intends to pursue full legal reparation, and this will include activating a bench warrant against the Mayor for his contempt of Court.
Continued from page 1 visited schools, participated in sports, mingled with village residents often and even wanted to raise funds for community projects. Pam seemed very happy. But something triggered the opposite on Tuesday night when Pam took his own life. His wife, 30 year old Simeona Pam, said he arrived at home under the influence of alcohol. He was complaining about life and the stress from his job. His wife said she left him to bathe their 2 year old son. While doing that she heard a loud bang and when she went to see, she found her husband on the ground, lying in a pool of blood. Pam screamed for help, calling the attention of the villagers. Even though the officer was breathing, there
was little anyone could do. The village does not have a vehicle to transport anyone in cases of emergency. The Police sub-station has no vehicle. When Police from the Dangriga Sub Station arrived at the scene, they found the officer’s service .38 revolver with five live rounds. There was one expended shell on the floor. A wound was seen on the officer’s head, apparently from a bullet that entered near the right ear and exited the other side of the head. Pam was place in the pan of the Police pickup and transported to the Southern Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Former OW Mayor, Henry Castillo, passes Continued from page 6 political life. He contested the 2003 Municipal Elections and won as the PUP Mayor candidate. Orange Walk Central Area Representative Hon. John Briceno, who was Deputy Prime Minister at that time, said Mayor Castillo was an exemplary leader. “He was always humble, caring and attentive to the needs of the people of Orange Walk. He embodied the true values of a PUP,” said Hon. Briceno. Hon. Briceno said Mayor Castillo was also a hard worker who partnered with him in numerous projects to develop the town. Some of those projects include the upgrade of the Banquitas House of Culture, the construction of the new Fort Cairns market and the expansion of town with new water, streets and electrification.
Another community leader who remembered Castillo is former La Inmaculada School Principal Eufemia Guttierez. “He was a Principal with a strong faith,” commented Mrs. Guttierez, “he tried to instill that in his fellow teachers and students”. She also remembered Castillo as a humble man, who was always willing to listen. Castillo, she said, was also a sports advocate. He supported the development of football in the school and even participated in a football team made up of teachers. Today, La Inmaculada School has the top football team from the northern region. Funeral services for Castillo will be held on Friday, April 26th, at 2:00pm at La Inmaculada Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife and two children. Castillo passed away at the age of 75.
CARTOON
PC Jose Pam pulls trigger on himself
31
32
THE BELIZE TIMES
28 APR
2013
