Belize Times December 15, 2013

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

15 DECEMBER 2013 | ISSUE NO: 4875

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

Deal or No Deal?

ASR/BSI to Cane Farmers:

No More Byproduct After Bagasse!

PUP Leader denounces

BSI places controversial conditions on cane farmers in their letter to the Prime Minister

Pg. 9 Photo by: Plus TV

UDP cronyism

Barrow doles out more sweets for illegal caretakers

Pg. 31

PUP Leader Francis Fonseca flanked by Mayors of Orange Walk Kevin Bernard, Punta Gorda Anthony Fuentes and Dangriga Gilbert Swazo

Union Leaders were demanding the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill

UDP KICKS UNION LEADERS OUT OF HOUSE SITTING

Julius Keeps It Real!!!

Last House Meeting for 2013 ends in ruckus

PUP SUPPORTS CANE FARMERS

Pg. 6

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OPINION OUT

OUT

GOB, give us the best Christmas gift, JOBS!

!

Dear Editor, The best Christmas gift the Government can offer many people on Caeser Ridge Road, Jane Usher Blvd, Pen Road, and other streets on the Southside in Belize City are JOBS. Things are dread this Christmas for hundreds of people on the Southside because of the huge unemployment problem on this side of the city. Lots of people south of Haulover Creek don’t have any money to fix-up their homes for Christmas, because they have been unable to find work for more than a year.

The main concern for our brothers and sisters, who have been unable to find work month after month, is how to survive for another day. The Government’s big election promise to create five thousand new jobs has turned out to be just another of its many broken promises to the Belizean people.

Our people including high school and sixth form graduates are looking for work every day all over the place and can’t find any. Although the Government says it has millions and millions of dollars to spend, more than 25% of the young men and women on Southside on Arlington Drive and other streets in the hood can’t find work.

Someone needs to remind the Ministers that the thing they should be giving out this Christmas is jobs for hundreds of people on Reggae Street and other streets on the Southside of the city to enable those persons and their families’ to have a Merry Christmas as well.

Sincerely yours, Peter Arnold

LOCAL 13 Dec

15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

A Brutal Attack May Have Been Prevented If…

!

Dear Editor, On November 26, 2013 the media reported a brutal attack on a Canadian couple, Mr. and Mrs. Baier, on the Placencia Peninsula. The social and economic short term externality effects were immediately obvious, and the long term externality effects are yet to be observed. I would like to send my deepest condolences to the victims of this incident.

The physical and emotional trauma the victims endured, the unfortunate and untimely death of one of the alleged suspects, Mr. Tyson Rodriguez, and Officer Shal whom it is being alleged had something to do with the death of Mr. Rodriguez, are all tragic circumstances for everyone involved.

We Need Resources Incidents like this, and worse, have taken place across Belize. A part of what is needed is the restructuring of our administrative arrangement. Only in this manner will we get equitable distribution of taxes, which will allow us to subsidize rural development, inclusive of proper security, which is a must for any country that wants to call itself a top tourist destination.

Belize has 9 Towns/municipalities, however, the municipalities’ Councils are only responsible for the town and not the surrounding villages.

Villages are responsible for themselves, yet get zero resources guaranteed to them via the Village Council Act, and the national budget. Liquor Licenses and fundraisers are archaic and insufficient, in modern day Belize, to properly run a village. Villages are hamstrung even further, since it can’t collect building fees, trade license fees, land tax, and does not get a guaranteed allocation of the national budget.

All go to the Consolidated Funds for

weather 14 Dec

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Government to use arbitrarily. Example: With the amount of money the Placencia Peninsula pays into the Consolidated Funds via taxes; if we were to get a guaranteed budgetary allocation of only 2% to 4%, we would be able to easily subsidize the hiring of more police officers and better equip them.

Where to Start Township status would allow more equitability and autonomy. We would get to collect land tax, trade license, building fees, liquor license etc. This would garner the resources, generated locally, to better manage the public mandate.

To draw a comparison; if we look at the State of Quintana Roo, in the republic of the United Mexican States, it is made up of 10 Municipalities, and all villages fall inside one of those municipalities. The Government started a Budgetary Allocation Reform in 1997.

This reform created a legal and financial framework that guarantees each municipality an annual percentage from monies collected via taxes, and also allow for the application of, conditional or unconditional, budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.

In Belize, municipalities are not guaranteed anything from the national budget, even much less for villages.

That power is arbitrarily held in by the office of the Prime Minister and the ruling party.

The result of this is apparent in the constituency I call home - Stann Creek West - where most villages have very little economic development, and infrastructure is rudimentary at best.

Placencia Peninsula and Hopkins, for example, have had hundreds of millions of foreign investment pumped into its economy; and we still lack real organic economic growth, and the locally elected Councils are almost impotent, and in a few more years, I fear, will become obsolete in this current administrative arrangement. Why is this so? There is no legal and financial framework that allows autonomous local collection of taxes, no guaranteed percentage of the national budget.

Among the many issues this is causing, it frustrates and delays the development of public infrastructure that is needed to compliment these foreign developments.

In Conclusion The residents and the business community of Placencia Peninsula may want to consider lobbying the Government for Township status as a necessary next step. The benefits far outweigh the risks, and this status will put us towards a more equitable legal and financial framework. The demo-

2617Mar Dec

2013

graphics on the Peninsula give us a high probability that there are more than sufficient qualified individuals capable of being effective and efficient Mayors and Council Members, to properly govern and manage the Peninsula’s public mandate.

This should be a grassroots movement all across Belize. At current, it is fairly easy to gain Township status. The first step would be to get a general consensus from the community, and I believe that consensus is already established in the Peninsula 20/20 Final Report. We need to realize that if/when the Municipal Bill 2010 is passed, a village will only be eligible for Township status if it has 15,000 people or more, among other stipulations. This will make it very difficult to gain Township status, and social and economic development will be thwarted for a long time to come.

Season’s Greetings, Charles Leslie Jr. Placencia

NOTICE

to advertisers: Our Christmas/New Year’s issue will be published on Sunday December 22, 2013.

The Belize Times will resume printing on the week ending January 12, 2014

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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

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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

27 Mar Dec 6 18 Feb

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Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar

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15 DEC

2013

GOB Pays Big Bucks for GSU brutality Belize City, December 12, 2013 On the 26th of August, 2011, residents of George Street and mourners of the late Charles Woodeye were subjected to one of the most terrifying experiences of their lives.

Without warning or reason, the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), a rogue arm of the police department established by the Barrow regime, executed a violent attack which ended with over twenty residents being physically brutalized and detained against their will for sixty two hours.

After the attack, a recording of a meeting of the GSU was leaked to the media, disclosing that the onslaught by the GSU was not a random act of violence. It was a well orchestrated and premeditated plan to terrorize the residents of George Street.

On that tape the officer in charge could be heard giving clear directives to his team: “yesterday boss said he wants to embark on a War against George Street. Today is the funeral for Charles Woodeye at 2 o’clock. The boss said he wants us to work the funeral. Not to escort the funeral, but

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THE BELIZE TIMES

to work the funeral. Drag out people out of the procession, drag them out their vehicles and search dem. He said he will take the heat. He doesn’t mind taking the heat he said, but we just have to bring it pan them.”

And “bring it pan them” they did.

The mourners were savagely brutalized by over 30 GSU officers carrying guns, batons, taser guns, and pepper spray.

The medico-legal forms showed injuries ranging from cut wounds to the head and face to broken ribs, arms and legs.

After the unprecedented attack, the Government did not come to the aid of the residents. The Prime Minister, who is also the area representative for the residents, offered no help, legal or otherwise. There was no investigation carried out by the police department despite the clear evidence that a crime had been committed against the citizenry. Not a word from the Ombudsman or the DPP. With no criminal justice in sight, the residents decided to take a civil claim against the GSU for damages for this most disturbing and uncalled for

incident.

On Wednesday, the 11th of December, 2013, the Supreme Court Claim of the George Street residents versus the GSU came to a close with the Government now having to pay damages for the GSU’s abuse to the tune of $175,000.00.

This is not the first allegation of abuse that has been leveled against the police department. Kevin “Boco T” Kelly, Arthur Young, Travis Mckay and Tyson Rodriguez, all suffered death at the hands of the department. There are also countless instances of police brutality including another GSU attack on the residents of Dean Street.

The BELIZE TIMES spoke with the Attorney for the George Street residents, Kareem Musa, who said that “As a society we must remain vigilant, gather our own evidence and investigate our own matters. We cannot expect that the police will police themselves. There are now criminals among us who wear uniforms. It is indeed an unfortunate state of affairs, but it is the harsh reality that we now live in”.

PUP NOTICE

Toledo East/Toledo West Joint Standard Bearer Endorsement Conventions The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Conventions for Toledo East & Toledo West Standard Bearer to be held on Saturday, December 14th 2013.

PUP NOTICE

Corozal South East Standard Bearer Endorsement Convention The People’s United Party announces the Endorsement Convention for Corozal South East Standard Bearer to be held on Sunday, December 15th 2013.

PUP NOTICE

Corozal Bay Standard Bearer Convention The People’s United Party Standard Bearer Convention for the Corozal Bay Electoral Division is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2014.

Application are available from the Committee Chairman Mr. Roberto Pasos or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City.

Completed applications must be filled and returned to Mr. Roberto Pasos and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee is to be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application package.

Deadline for submission is Wednesday January 15, 2014.

4 04

THE BELIZE TIMES

on the

EDUCATION REFORM

By Francis W. Fonseca A few weeks ago, John Briceño gave me a book entitled “How Children Succeed-Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character” by Paul Tough.

The book has become a New York Times Bestseller by challenging conventional thinking on Education and for introducing a new generation of researchers and educators who, for the first time, are using the tools of science to ex-

amine CHARACTER. In education, success is generally measured by intelligence and scores on tests but Paul Tough argues that the qualities which are most important are skills like perseverance, curiosity, optimism, and self-control, all of which we collectively described as character.

It is clear that most parents do not possess the necessary skill set

to adequately prepare their children for adulthood and the education system in place is equally unprepared and ill-equipped to create the young adults needed to move our country forward.

This means serious societal problems.

What I found particularly useful and encouraging was the new insights into tack-

15 DEC

2013

ling the education needs of children in poverty.

Children in poverty face specific, difficult challenges which must be addressed if they are to have a fair opportunity to a quality education.

The next PUP government will embrace Education Reform.

We will bring technology into our classrooms and to our children and we will address the structural challenges facing our education system. 50lb backpacks will be a thing of the past and our children in poverty will be given special attention.

As we mourn the loss of the great Nelson Mandela, let us recall his words: “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD”.

15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

05 5

EDITORIAL Mandela Mayors vs. Pinocchio Prime Minister

B

arrow’s explanations make no sense.

We at BELIZE TIMES are not sure if he has second term fatigue or if the scandals are too big. It could be that he is losing his touch. It might be that he has given up and simply does not care. Whatever it is, the effect is that his mulberry bush defense of his government’s corruption is laughable.

They say that “kids say the darnest things” but surely these people have not met Barrow. He gets away with saying some of the stupidest things.

It is amazing how a few big words and an attitude that you are smarter than everybody else can make you get away with political murder.

After the Opposition leader, Hon. Francis Fonseca, turned up the heat by consolidating the elected PUP Mayors, Barrow was forced to throw up one of those famous “I have no apology to make” speeches.

Barrow has said that he is entitled to run the town and city councils and to use his caretakers to be in charge of town council spending. What???

Let’s break this down a little.

Yes, that is essentially what he said: “When they spend, they hire their persons that they wish to hire, so when government spends, to me, it is perfectly in order that government should provide the list for the recommendees from employment, so I will not resile from that at all…. As I indicated we have entered into a contract with Mr. Woods directly.”

What a bag of foolishness! That makes no sense. None.

Look, first of all, each town or city council is a part of “Government”. In fact they fall under the ministry of “local government”. What Barrow meant to say is not that they are “non-government” but that they are “nonUDP”.

Secondly, could someone please give Barrow a law book. Each and every town or city council are autonomous government bodies. Autonomous is a big word, meaning “independent”. It means they are in charge of their own affairs so long as it falls within the geographical area that they control. Property taxes. Garbage collection. Trade license and, yes, street repairs.

Ministry of works? UDP central government nor Ministry of works has any lawful power to enter into any contracts for city or town streets.

There are three laws which expressly say that what Barrow is doing is wrong. These are the Belize City Council Act, Chapter 85 of the Laws of Belize, the Belmopan City Council Act, Chapter 86 of 1999 and the Town Council Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Belize.

Barrow thinks Belizeans are fools.

Remember just recently when the stubborn Belize City Mayor wanted to cement a four lane highway from Palotti to Halouver Bridge and Boots Martinez “brakes” him saying that he controlled that stretch while Bradley controlled the other streets?

Ministry of Works signing contracts? What a bag of foolishness? Wow. We are proud of our PUP Mayors. Mayor Gilbert Swaso, Mayor Kevin Bernard and Mayor Fuentes. Nuff respect. They could have taken the pittance and broken the law and said “thank you massa” but like Francis Fonseca, they are leaders cut from Mandela clothe.

As we mourn the global loss of Mandela, BELIZE TIMES remembers that after being sentenced to life imprisonment Mandela was offered freedom several times if he just endorsed a wicked and illegal system.

Madiba stood his ground. Now the Mayors are asked to participate in this illegal system where the UDP control and interfere in local government business. The PUP has said “hell no”. Belize is proud.

What should happen by law is that central government should make the monies available to the town councils and allow the duly elected officials to carry out the work. This is what the people of Dangriga, Orange Walk and Punta Gorda voted for.

How can Barrow continue to pretend that the elections did not happen? Ignore that in those elections Belizeans voted in PUP officials?

The UDP are the boss of corrupting systems.

This circumventing of the town council is no different from the UDP corruption of the Public Accounts Committee. Their corruption of the 13th Senator Law, their corruption of the Judiciary.

Look, this “caretaker” phenomenon is simply out of order.

In the road works project, the duly elected Mayors will select only 10% while unelected UDP caretakers will choose 90% of workers. Imagine that! What craziness is this?

Hold the horses, let us remember the last time that the UDP gave a “caretaker” a contract to do work in a municipality. Remember when UDP caretaker Kenard Smart got the contract to do the Dangriga Market?

That did not go so well.

So, excuse the deterioration of our language when we at BELIZE TIMES suck our teeth and say: “we tiyad a deh bally yah”.

6 06 Hyde’s Lane turned into Hyde’s River?

Julius Keeps It Real!!!

Last House Meeting for 2013 ends in ruckus

UDP’s COSTLY MISTAKES Street in Collet Division badly neglected

15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

Belize City, December 12, 2013 PUP Deputy Leader Hon. Julius Espat turned up the heat on the UDP at today’s House Sitting, causing the Speaker of the House Michael Peyrefitte to release fumes through his ears and order Hon. Espat to leave the National Assembly building or he would be ejected by Police Officers.

Peyrefitte, a former UDP political candidate who got trashed by the voters of the Freetown Division and who would be lost in a political abyss were it not for the special appointment, got all defensive on behalf of his Party when the fearless Deputy Leader Hon. Julius began reminding the Prime Minister that he was yet to deal with the corruption in his administration.

Peyrefitte, it seems, wanted the only subject of the day to be his Prime Minister’s “Christmas Cheer”, but the PUP members did not succumb to the distraction. When Hon. Julius addressed the House he disclosed that the Barrow Administration was yet to deal with the monster scandals such as the bucket sale of visa. The Speaker interrupted, in an attempt to get Hon. Julius to change the subject. But the Deputy Leader persisted, and upon mentioning that certain members of the UDP Cabinet are involved in human trafficking, the Speaker’s circuits began sparking.

Peyrefitte interrupted again and said to the Deputy Leader, “I give you 5 minutes to leave and if you don’t leave I will get the police officers to remove you”.

With that, the entire House fell into chaos, with the Government side screaming away. The Opposition members, realising that the Speaker was out of line and was hell-bent on being bias, got up and left in protest.

2013

Notice

I, Gilroy D. Usher, Sr. hereby gives notice that I have applied to Magistrate Court sitting at 10 o’clock a.m. on January 6th, 2014 at Orange Walk Town for certificate to be granted to me under the Moneylender’s Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a Moneylender in 2014 under the name Monica’s Pawnshop, situated at #2 Belize Corozal Rd., Orange Walk Town.

Notice

I, Gilroy D. Usher, Sr. hereby gives notice that I have applied to Magistrate Court sitting at 10 o’clock a.m. on January 6th, 2014 in Belize City for certificate to be granted to me under the Moneylender’s Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a Moneylender in 2014 under the name Monica’s Pawnshop, situated at #29 Cor. Banak St. and C.A. Blvd., Belize City.

Notice

I, Gilroy D. Usher, Sr. hereby gives notice that I have applied to Magistrate Court sitting at 10 o’clock a.m. on January 6th, 2014 in Belize City for certificate to be granted to me under the Moneylender’s Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a Moneylender in 2014 under the name Monica’s Pawnshop, situated at #18B Orange St. Belize City.

15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

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15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

THE STATE OF AIDS On December 1, 2013 the world marked World AIDS Day. The themes for this year’s celebration were “Justice for All” and “Getting to Zero” for new cases and for discrimination.

I chaired the National AIDS Commission for the first eight years of its existence, first as Minister for Human Development and then as Special Envoy for Children, Gender and HIV/AIDS. The fight against HIV had of course begun long before that, and we must acknowledge and thank all who have gone before, especially in the early days of the nineteen eighties and nineties.

From 2000 until 2007 there was serious advocacy and a coordinated and concerted effort to place the struggle against HIV/AIDS front and center of the national agenda.

I recall various persons who have

put in their pound: Martha Carrillo, Ruth Jaramillo, Paul Edwards, Rodel Beltran Perera, Jewel Quallo, Joan Burke, Gabriel Carrillo, Arreini Palacio Morgan, Lisa Lara, Philippa McDonald, and many others who have been at the forefront. We should salute them all.

Breaking new ground in combatting the rising epidemic was exciting, and it consumed the time and efforts of myself and so many persons committed to the cause.

We raised an unprecedented $100,000.00 for the charity Living with Hope, introduced the Human Rights based National HIV/AIDS Policy, promoted prevention and treatment, provided anti-retroviral medicines free of cost, fostered the Mother to Child Prevention program, fought stigma and discrimination, and conducted numerous forums and workshops.

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

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

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

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 717.468 square yards being Block 16, Parcel 1024/1 Caribbean Shores/Belize Registration Section situate at No. 1024 Graduate Crescent, Belize City, Belize District, the leasehold property of TREVOR JEFFRIES DATED the 10th day of December 2013

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

2013

Even in the twenty-first century not everyone wanted to hear about the use of condoms as a key means of prevention. And I came to regret promoting the criminalization of knowing HIV transmission once I became more exposed to the many human rights issues involved in the struggle.

There is no doubt that strides have been made in Belize and throughout the Caribbean. AIDS Commission Chairperson Kathleen Esquivel has said that prevalence is now under 1%. However, Dr. Marvin Manzanero has put the figure at around 1.4%, down from over 2% in earlier years.

Belize as part of the Caribbean seems poised along with the region to eliminate mother to child HIV transmission by 2015, and care and treatment have seen significant advances. It is also now accepted that employment is crucial to the successful treatment of people with HIV. Those with a job are 40% more likely to stick to their treatment regimens.

Living with Hope has, since its inception in 2004, assisted scores of persons with HIV with a hand “up,” and I want to thank Judith Alpuche, Sidney Lightburn, James Sanker, Lisa Lara and Arreini Palacio Morgan for continuing to serve on our steering committee.

At the moment I regret, though,

that we are not seeing and hearing the level of advocacy that I feel is still very much needed. The job is far from over, and with the global resurgence of a gay epidemic, there is no room for complacency.

I was therefore particularly dismayed to attend a funeral a week or two ago and to listen to the preacher saying that condoms are no good because they have holes in them! This kind of ignorance in 2013, when we must all continue to put our shoulders to the wheel to prevent new infections and to combat debilitating stigma and discrimination which only make the situation worse.

As an example of the need for continuing advocacy, the AIDS Commission has not changed the HIV prevention signs near the Haulover Bridge in the last six years. We simply need to see and feel greater efforts in the area of advocacy if we are to get to zero new infections and zero discrimination. Fighting HIV/AIDS is not an overnight thing; the modest reductions seen now are largely the result of advocacy and response in the nineties and the first years of this millennium.

Worldwide there is now the new goal of an AIDS free generation. Let us keep up the work.

There is a long way to go and miles and miles before we sleep!!

For Sale

By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 4th day of April, 2002 GARY AYUSO of Lot No. 39A Mile 8 Western Highway, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 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 the 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.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece and 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 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 5th day of December, 2013.

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

15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Deal or No Deal?

ASR/BSI to Cane Farmers:

No More Byproduct After Bagasse!

Belize City, December 11, 2013 American Sugar Refining Inc. (ASR), the foreign owners of Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), has bowed to tremendous pressure from cane farmers and has agreed to put the issue of paying for bagasse on the negotiating table.

Today ASR wrote to the Prime Minister, who they accepted reluctantly as a mediator in the dispute, to inform him of their new position.

“We do advise that we are prepared to discuss the claim for payment for bagasse with the BSCFA,” stated the letter to the Prime Minister.

This new position by ASR is a breakthrough for cane farmers, who have insisted for several years that they deserve a financial stake, even if minimal, in the

profits derived from the sale of electricity that the company produces by turning the waste from sugar cane known as bagasse into energy.

The cane farmers and BSI are bound by an agreement to negotiate for payment for any byproduct of sugar cane. The cane farmers have been adamant to negotiate for bagasse now or they would boycott the start of crop season, which normally starts in December every year.

ASR had insisted, up to today, that the cane farmers should not get any benefit because bagasse is not a byproduct of sugar cane.

They argued that bagasse is of no value until they transform it into an item of value through their cogeneration plant, which they owned and started through their investment. ASR said they are

right in principle and legally.

But ASR is not bowing gracefully, and while cane farmers can pat themselves on their backs for standing up boldly and in solidarity they know the fight is not over yet.

In fact, the full content in Montalvo’s letter to the Prime Minister has raised eyebrows.

ASR/BSI’s willingness to negotiate a payment for bagasse is on certain conditions, controversial ones too.

Most contentious is ASR’s demand that once a payment for bagasse is agreed on, that will be it for any kind of negotiations for payment for a by-product. What this means is that if ASR/BSI decides to produce ethanol, cane farmers would not be able to seek payments for it as a byproduct. This is just another example of ASR/BSI’s bad faith and corporate greed.

09 9 Another demand by ASR/BSI is that the negotiations would also clarify the issue of who owns the cane and all of its components such as the waste material (bagasse), once and for all. Cane farmers can expect that ASR will muscle its position that once they buy the cane, it all belongs to them.

And for the avoidance of doubt, ASR/BSI makes it known that the capitulation to a negotiation does not mean that their position, in principle and legally, that cane farmers do not deserve any cent of the cogeneration profits has changed. Their letter states, “…any negotiation will not be deemed to prejudice either party’s legal position”.

This coming Sunday, December 15th, cane farmers will gather by the thousands in San Roman Village to consider and state a position regarding ASR/BSI’s proposals.

Cane farmers will also consider whether the proposals are good enough to give in to BSI’s plea for the crop season opening date to be agreed on. Experts say that because of the rains and bad road conditions the crop season will not be ready until early January.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

The Hon. John Briceno, the Quality of Life and the New Revolution

By C. Trench-Sandiford - Deputy Party Leader For the Hon. John Briceno, the quality of life of the Belizean people must be a constant thread in the New Revolution, if it is to fulfill the promise of the peaceful constructive Belizean Revolution.

In consulting and learning lessons from our former leaders, I turned next to the Hon. John Briceno, whose contributions to the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution are many, including serving as a Councillor of the Orange Walk Town Council, still as the Area Representative for Orange Walk Central, and as a former Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, where his legacy of unprecedented land distribution and registration secured tenure for tens of thousands of Belizeans and the establishment of protected areas co-management which continues to be hailed as a landmark achievement in conservation best practice in Belize, the region and the world, remains unparalleled.

As a Party Leader, he worked tirelessly to pull the party out of the slump of defeat, was a fierce fighter and champion for the poor and more vulnerable, and initiated far reaching reform of the party, broadening and deepening its purpose and democratic processes, the former, to specifically incorporate economic and environmental justice as components of social justice, and the latter, increasing the number of party members participating in the election of the our leaders, and making the People’s United Party the first political party in Belize and the region to enshrine in its constitution a minimum requirement of thirty three percent women in positions of leadership.

The Hon. John Briceno contends that central to the New Revolution and the quality of life of our people is the fortifying and sustaining of strong family units and structures, building and sustaining a vibrant economy and ensuring the safety and security of our people.

Why? According to him, the family unit and structure is pivotal to resilient communities, for it is within the family, that children are nurtured and instilled with values and traditions that contribute to character, integrity, discipline, self-confidence and worth. This is a foundation upon which entry, participation and success within

the education system and in life is anchored, and inevitably will have implications on the preservation of the nation state of Belize.

Building and sustaining a vibrant economy to facilitate investment and employment opportunities to create good paying jobs is also intrinsic to the New Revolution, as this has a correlation to the quality of life of our people, as it determines the ability of the government to earn revenue to provide for the infrastructural, safety and other needs of our people, and for our people to fulfill their individual and family nutritional, health, housing and retirement needs, goals and aspirations.

The prevalence of crime and violence destroys the economic and investment climate and building and sustaining resilient and successful communities. According to the Hon. John Briceno, there is need to restore trust and confidence in our security forces, for an overhaul of the justice system for our people to believe that it functions in the interest of all of them, and not a few, the elite, and for emphasis to be placed on recreational, sporting and cultural programmes and activities for the young people to remain in the safety net during their growth from infancy to maturity.

Other issues which we discussed included but were not limited to challenges in environmental management, particularly in light of the growth in tourism and the illegal encroachment upon our territory by Guatemalans and the weak institutional and regulatory systems for enforcement of violations of our laws, immigration and nationality, cultural diversity and the Belizean identity, accountability and

15 DEC

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transparency in governance, and the role of the public service in a changing Belize in a globalized environment.

The Hon. John Briceno believes in the People’s United Party, he believes in the New Revolution and our Party Leader, the Hon. Francis Fonseca, and he believes in Belize. He is integral to the New Revolution, a Revolution that shall build on the achievements and successes of the peaceful, constructive Belizean revolution, that shall value the contributions, experiences and lessons learned from our former leaders, that shall be anchored in our philosophies of social justice and democratic nationalism, and that shall stand on the three pillars of governance, economy and education as defined by our Party Leader, all of which is to achieve four goals: - To protect and the people and nation state of Belize, for if there is no nation state, there is no us, and if there are no us, there is no Belize.

- To regain the confidence of the Belizean people in our party and our democratic processes; - To eradicate poverty and bring about social progress; and - To forge national unity and create the Belize that all of us can be proud to leave for our children; Only so can the New Revolution be meaningful and bring about true change and reform, so that all Belizeans, not a select few, can enjoy a high quality of life in a just and safe society.

15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

The Prime Minister spins in a cyclone of lies

By Norris Hall Has the Prime Minister of Belize been caught lying? Is this just his standard practice, or is his lying a part of his political territory for incompetence and cover-ups?

There is a case to be made about lying by politicians in an attempt to cover up secrecies in the national interest. Such a case could be made for

covert operations and in times of conflict. In the 70s, with the evolution of new media, there was a national debate on the State’s right to secrecy and the right of the media to know. During the Cold War this debate was heightened. Older readers of Alfred Newman’s MAD magazine, an American publication of cartoons about current events would recall the very popular cartoons of deception in Spy vs Spy. But neither is the Barrow Administration’s multiplicity of deception, cover-ups and the media’s difficulty to get public information in the national interest nor in the public’s interest.

UNFOLDING SCANDAL With the unfolding, since September, of a national passport scandal, the Prime Minister and his government have been virtually paralyzed.

Much too much time was spent by the Prime Minister in trying to lie and cover up the increasing evidence of cor-

rupt practices by his Minister of State for Immigration in the fraudulent issuance of nationality and visas. This same Junior Minister was using the nationality scams to pad the voters’ list in his Constituency. But it was ok then for the Prime Minister. It ceased to be ok for this man of double standards when Interpol notified him of one standard: his Minister’s criminal activity for providing passports to Orientals including a South Korean who was imprisoned at the time in Taiwan.

The Minister involved was shoved under the bus, so to speak, but all the Prime Minister’s said about was rhetoric. The Junior Minister remains tranquilo and honkey dorey and is still receiving his ministerial salary and the accompanying perks. This is the Prime Minister’s standard for dealing with the rampant corruption in his government. And so very suave until he is challenged or asked the tough questions by the media whom he no longer intimidates.

With an on-going series of unprecedented investigative journalism, Channel Five television has upped the ante against the antics of the Barrow Administration and its flaunting of corruption at the very core of this government and its deeply entrenched

11 unspoken and generally accepted politics of deception.

AMERICAN EMBASSY The American Embassy was also caught in the web of deception - well more of a routine denial -standard practice one could assume in the daily affairs of diplomacy. When a Whistle Blower blew off the lid in another scandal involving another Minister, Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Edmund Castro, she was interviewed by American officials, not necessarily Embassy officials. Let’s just call them Agents, just for convenience.

An Embassy official in speaking to the media commented: “We are concerned about any allegations of visa and passport fraud…the US Embassy has not recorded anyone including any government officials in connection with what is going on here.”

This was an official response to allegations made by the Whistle Blower who claimed that she was interviewed

by American officials who played her recording of alleged telephone conversations between her and a government Minister.

The “US Embassy” may not have recorded any conversations, but there are over one hundred American intelligence agencies apart from the Central Intelligence Agency - the CIA. So with that very suave explanation we say “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” as we invoke the name Edward Snowden. Press pause.

Continued on page 19

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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15 DEC DEC 15

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2013

TOPMODEL 13

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Local artists release Christmas Album Whether looking for a Christmas gift or some Christmas music with local vibe, the Heights of Vibes Christmas CD was released just in time.

The CD features 13 Belizean artists who sing various Christmas melodies, including T.R. Shine, Positive Vibez, Adrah, Bastic, Melody Man, McBride, Sandoval, Mr. Pop, Denise Castillo, Continental Cat and Shanelly.

The CD includes two bonus tracks and is available by calling 663-2480 or 604-1052. Support our local artists.

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14 SPORTS

15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

2013

Lady Jaguars outshine Moen Stars in volleyball championships Orange Walk, December 8, 2013 The Lady Jaguars won the 2013 Belize Volleyball Association’s national senior female volleyball championships held at the Orange Walk Multi-purpose Complex on Sunday, December 8.

The tournament was played in a round robin format with 5 teams all playing each other once.

In the finals, the defending

champs, the Lady Jaguars, upset the 16-time champs, the Moen Stars, 25-13, 2521. Zaire Garbutt, Maurissa Williams, Shantell Arnold and Tichele Solis led the Jaguars’ attacks scoring hits at the net on plays set by Sherylee Thurton, Leanne Garbutt and libero Tisha Solis.

The Stars’ Shelmadine Cacho, Sherika Burton and Analisa Habet counterattacked with plays set by Jahshema

Tyrone Tun triumphs in national table tennis tournament

Lady Jagaurs are champs

Saunders, Emma Hoare and Nerissa Ramirez. Krystal Bevans, Marika Zuniga and Sherlen Johnson came off the bench and joined the party but the Jag-

uars took the second set: 25-21.

3rd place winner was Belmopan who defeated the Dangriga girls, 25-2 and 25-22.

Brown Bombers take on Hattieville United in

Sherwin Requena makes header to score 4th goal

Tyrone with trophy Belize City, December 8, 2013 Tyrone Tun won the men’s singles championship when the Belize Table Tennis Association held the 2013 Belize Natural Energy annual national table tennis championships at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium on Sunday, December 8.

Petie Matus won the female championship and teamed up with Arturo Tux Vasquez to win the mixed doubles championship, while Tyrone Tun teamed up with Billy Musa Jr. to win the Men’s doubles championship.

32 players contested the men’s singles championship. In the end the results were as follows: 1st - Tyrone Tun; 2nd - Ian McField; 3rd Carlos Cui; 4th - Tux Vasquez.

6 players contested the women’s singles championship with the reigning champion, Petie Matus making it all the way to the Finals. The results were: 1st Petie Matus; 2nd Su Sen; 3rd Nikki Chen; 4th Samira Pott.

6 teams contested the Mixed Doubles championship. The final rankings were: 1st - Petie Matus/

Tux Vasquez; 2nd - Hector Lopez/Su Sen; 3rd - Bryton Codd/NIkki Chen; 4th - Samira Pott/ Samron Pott.

16 teams contested the Men’s Doubles championship. The final results were: 1st - Tyrone Tun/Billy Musa Jr.; 2nd - Carlos Cui/ Sen Sen; 3rd - Tux Vasquez/ Ian McField; and 4th - Armando Gomez/Amir Grajalez.

Trophies were awarded to all the top 4 finalists in each category by the sponsors Belize Natural Energy, who have been the sponsors of this event since 2010, making it now 4 years that they have supported this event as the main sponsors.

BTTA president Tux Vasquez thanked all the players, participants, organizers, supporters, spectators, and especially the sponsors in making this national championships a great success. He invited the public to the upcoming Junior national ranking tournament with 18 and under, 15 and under and 12 and under categories on Sunday, December 15 at the BES Auditorium.

SMART Mundialito Belize City, December 7, 2013 The Brown Bombers and Hattieville United Youth Sporting Club will clash in the 2013 SMART Mundialito football championship finals, as both teams won their playoff matches against City Boys Jrs. and Ladyville Rising Stars of Ladyville on Sunday, December 15.

The Bombers bombed the Rising Stars 4-0 with goal scorers: Tyreek “Pippin” Muschamp, Dion Cacho, and Naheem Gentle who increased his tournament goal scoring lead to 9 with the 4th goal.

Hattieville United stopped city Boys Jrs. 1-0, when Mario Rivera beat the keeper and headed in the winning goal into the empty net.

finals

Mario Rivera scored Hattievile’s 1st goal

ACC boys & Wesley girls eye national basketball title Belize City, November 29, 2013 The Wesley College girls edged out the Gwen Liz girls 2524 in Game 3 of the central diviContinued on page 15

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THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

Alpheus Williams Cycling Criterium results

Barney Brown won 1st in Masters Category

Byron Pope won 1st in Elite Category

Youth Junior: 1st Delawn Abraham of Bennys Megabytes 43:11 2nd Tarique Flowers of Bennys Megabytes 44:11 Masters 4/5: 1st Barney Brown of Scotiabank 59:10 2nd Dean Belisle Unattached 59:10 Open Elite: 1st Byron Pope of Bennys Megabytes 1:14:09 2nd Mark Staine of Bennys Megabytes 1:14:45

Belmopan Bandits bomb Verdes 2-1 Belize City, December 1, 2013 The Belmopan Bandits have climbed to the No. 2 spot following their 2-1 win over Verdes in Week 9 of the Belikin Cup football competition at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night.

Verdes midfielder Shamir Pacheco scored in the 10th minute but Dion MaCaulay equalized for the Bandits in the 29th minute. In the 2nd half, Denmark Casey scored the Bandits’ winning goal in the 64th minute.

The Belize Defence Force are ranked 3rd after holding the Paradise Freedom Fighters to a 2-2 draw at the Toledo Union Field in Punta Gorda on Sunday.

Only six minutes remained in the first half when Ashley Torres scored the first goal. Two minutes later, Eduardo Martinez added a second goal as the Freedom Fighters led 2-0 at intermission. The BDF bounced back eight minutes into the second half when Khalil Velasquez scored. He added a second goal three minutes later to equalize 2-2 up to the long whistle.

Other match: San Ignacio United vs. Police United – 2-1 Goal scorers: Joel Guzman 2 Harrison “Kafu” Roches Upcoming matches: Bandits vs. Paradise Freedom Fighters, Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Saturday night Verdes vs. Police United, Marshalleck Stadium San Ignacio United vs. FC Belize, Norman Broaster Stadium, Sunday night

Denmarck Casey scored Bandits’ 2nd goal

Belmopan Blingz win volleyball championships Orange Walk, December 8, 2013 The Belmopan Blingz broke the long reign of the Belize City teams by winning the 2013 Belize Volleyball Association’s national senior female volleyball championship at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex on Sunday, December 8.

Blingz won the championship final over Orange Walk’s Bad News as Brian Castillo, Marlon Salazar, Anwar Zetina and Kadeem Bernard spiked home points at the net on balls set by Radin Santos, Keron Lamb and libero Sheldon Arnold to win the 1st set 25-22.

Bad News’ Jason Cabral, Aidan Urbina, Luis Cunil and Gilberto Cisneros counterattacked on plays set by Omar Mendez and Gustavo Montoya and Abimael Godoy, but Blingz also won the 2nd set: 26-24.

3rd place went to Jaguars who defeated Corozal Hard Core 25-11 25-20.

ACC boys & Wesley girls eye national basketball title Major National Boxing Tournament this Sunday Belize City, December 11, 2013 The Belize Boxing Federation will hold the “ROAD TO GLORY” Boxing Tournament this Sunday, December 15th at 1:30pm at the Big Bird’s Isle.

The tournament will result in the selection of the members of the Belize National Boxing Team.

Participants will include athletes from Smart Boxing Club, Lion’s Den Boxing Club in Cayo, Lions Den Club in Ladyville and Lion’s Den Boxing Club in San Pedro.

Continued from page 14 sion finals on Saturday, December 7 to advance to the nationals this weekend.

Wesley was led by MVP Shanice Humes with 14 points. The most Valuable Player award went to Shanice Humes while Ann Ma Chang won the Silent Heroine Award presented by Emory Bennett.

Wesley will take on the Northern regional champs, the Orange Walk Technical High School girls while the southern regional champs, the Delille Academy girls challenge the Western regional champs, the Belmopan Comprehensive School girls.

The Anglican Cathedral College boys will represent the Central Division after they blew away SJC 72-55 in Game 2 on Friday. Antwan Rivero and Francis Arana led with 17 points.

The Most Valuable Player Award went to Douglas Valley, while ACC’s Holdane Swazo won the Silent Hero Award presented by Emory Bennett.

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15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

EUROPEAN UNION

Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites FED/2012/306-304

56 Regent Street, 2nd Floor P. O. Box 325 Belize City, Belize

Tel: (501) 227-1781 Tel: BTB (501) 227-2419 Ext 303 Email: info@brdpIItourism.bz

A project funded by the European Union and The Government of Belize

INVITATION TO TENDER EIGHT (8) PACKAGES Construction Works at Archaeological Sites in Orange Walk (1), Cayo (4), and Toledo District (3) Date of First Publication – December 6, 2013 The Government of Belize has received counterpart funding from the European Union via the Belize Rural Development Program II (BRDP II) to finance a project entitled “Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites:” Co-financing for the project is being provided by the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture represented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History. The project is being implemented by the Belize Tourism Board and the National Institute of Culture and History through a Project Execution Unit housed at the Belize Tourism Board offices.

The objectives of the project are: • To improve economic opportunities in rural communities and contribute to the reduction of poverty; • To enhance the tourism experience through improvements in tourism infrastructure and services at selected sites.

The project intends to achieve three main sets of results: • Results One: Improve the monitoring systems at archaeological sites; • Results Two: Improve health and safety provisions and infrastructure at archaeological sites; • Results Three: Enhance the diversification of community based tourism products and services offered at archaeological sites in Belize.

The Project targets communities adjacent to the following nine archaeological sites: Xunantunich, Actun Tunichil Muknal, Nohoch Che’en (Caves’ Branch), Nim Li Punit, Barton Creek, Lubaantun, Blue Creek, Altun Ha, and Lamanai.

The Project Execution Unit (PEU) now intends to apply a part of the proceeds for infrastructure improvements works at: LAMANAI, Orange Walk District - PACKAGE #1: – Construction of Docking facility CAVES BRANCH, Cayo District - PACKAGE #3: Construction of Safety Stairway to Cave 4 Steps, Ramp and Floating Platform ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL (ATM), Cayo District - PACKAGE #4: Construction of Restroom BARTON CREEK, Cayo District - PACKAGE #5: Renovation of Access Bridge XUNANTUNICH, Cayo DIstrict- PACKAGE #6: Convert Old Visitor Centre to Education Centre NIM LI PUNIT, Toledo District - PACKAGE #7: Construction of Vendor Stalls LUBAANTUN, Toledo District - PACKAGE #8: Construction of Vendor Stalls BLUE CREEK, Toledo District - PACKAGE #9: Construction of Vendor Stalls and New Restroom

NOTE: Each Package to be tendered on an individual basis.

Bidding documents will be available for prospective contractors, interested in carrying out the infrastructure works, as of Monday December 9, 2013 at the address below between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm from Monday to Friday.

Deadline for submission of tender documents is Friday, January 24, 2014 no later than 4:00 pm at the below address. Absolutely no proposal for these packages will be accepted after this date and time. Proposal for EACH package must be placed in separate envelopes and must be clearly marked, identifying package name and number.

PLEASE ADDRESS PROPOSAL TO: Patrick Tillett Finance Officer Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites 56 Regent Street Belize City BELIZE All applicants, that have not already done so, must complete pre-qualification contractors’ registration form and submit it to the Works Manager. The form will be used to evaluate the capacity of the contractor to carry out the works. Registration form may be picked up at the project office at the address below or it can be emailed to the prospective contractor on request. Completed forms can be submitted by email or delivered to the office. However, it is the responsibility of the prospective contractor to ensure that the form was received by the MTBCAAAS office. Proposals will not be accepted from contractors that were not pre-approved to carry out the works. Deadline for the submission of this form is FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 at 4:00 pm.

For more information, please contact: Works Manager, John Arana @ john.arana@brdpIItourism.bz Administrative Officer, Rubiceli Bradley @ rubiceli.bradley@brdpIItourism.bz 56 Regent Street, 2nd Floor Belize City Tel: 227-1781 Email: info@brdpIItourism.bz

15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

The

WINNING CASE

By Kevin L. Arthurs

NEVER LOSE AGAIN

Y

ou can win every and all your court cases.

The purpose of this syndicated column is to share with you a few secrets of the justice system as well as to empower you with some basic legal knowledge about Belizean law and courts.

The reluctant truth is that for the most part there is a social constipation in the sharing of useful knowledge. This cannot be the case when it comes to legal rights.

It should and must be that in each and every case before any court that the person who is right wins and being right is a byproduct of knowledge. The probability of winning a court battle should not depend on the size of your credit union account. Most persons are unsuccessful because they get to court innocently without being given the required knowledge.

There is no magic trick to law or mystic formula of words that allow a person in court to win. Fancy and expensive lawyers do not guarantee victories.

The secret to success in the justice system is simply a combination of knowledge and being prepared.

No matter who you are, the single mother with two children on the dollar van or the career public officer, you can win every legal battle you are faced with, whether it be land issues, family matters, employment woes or confusions in the administration of the estate of a deceased loved one.

Law is not as complex as you may think it is. The commonly repeated adage that the “essence of the law is common sense” boasts of much truth, in fact, informed common sense is impossible to beat.

There is an international shift from the parsimonious hoarding of information and restrictions in access to justice.

Belize has experienced only fumes of this revolution. This revolution is legal blasphemy against traditional views of all things legal. The revolution is a leveling of the playing field. It attempts to empower the lay person with either the tools to defend himself fairly against trained professionals or to afford that common man the benefit of government subsidized legal aid.

Of the three branches of Government, the Judiciary and legal system are the most important to the citizenry. It keeps greedy, zealous and corrupt governments in check as well as buffers the powerless from the powerful, the “chancey” from the vulnerable.

This is done because the court has the power to level the playing field. That rocky playing field is leveled with knowledge and infrastructure that guarantee fairness and justice.

A court case does not start when the

Parties get out of the taxi on Regent Street or when you walk up the stairs to your attorney’s office. No. When informed, you are your best lawyer.

In this column we will go through a bit of legal education, which I hope will bring confi-

dence and hope to litigants, parents, employees, and the disadvantaged.

In this corner for the upcoming few weeks, we will deal with basic to moderate legal questions such as: how to write a will? How to make a fail proof contract?

What the Police can or cannot do. Protecting yourself as a tenant. How much money should a father pay for maintenance? How do I sue? What happens when someone dies without a will, what does the family do? What to do if the Government is taking advantage of you. What are my human and constitutional rights and how do I protect and enjoy them in a tangible way?

The Leader of the Opposition has requested as part of the Reform platform that the PUP share and empower our citizens in this way by letting them know what their legal rights are. This column hopes to begin that process and to re-kindle the confidence and hope that we, as Belizeans, live always knowing that our

17 pursuit of happiness and prosperity is within our own control.

It is a feeling of pride to be part of this venture to light this fire of knowledge and to be part of this new constructive rebellion.

In the end, hopefully we will together move closer to overthrowing the ignorance, confusion and suppression that paralyzes our citizens and drowns us in injustices.

In the next eight (8) weeks we will build a foundation of legal discourse and knowledge to guarantee that you win each and every righteous case you have in court.

Insh’Allah

DID YOU KNOW? The Court of Appeal building in Belize City is named in honor of the first Belizean Chief Justice: Sir Albert Staine

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

The Prime Minister spins in a cyclone of lies Continued from page 11 This erupted into a scandal never before witnessed in Belizean politics. This passport and visa scandal formed like a mushroom cloud. When they denied and said there was no proof, the daily evening news presented the evidence to the public.

FOR GOD’S SAKE STOP IT! The Prime Minister at one of his first Press Conferences, sitting alongside his Minister of Immigration, declared that he was informed that members of his Cabinet may be involved in a Passport and Visa hustle: He declared that he had asked members of his Cabinet: “If this is so, for God’s say stop it! This could bring down the government “.

That was a clever move by the PM, knowing that the situation was about to explode. He simply did not know how much.

But overcome by his arrogance and his indignation towards the media, his slip began to show. He called for proof. As the chips began to fall, he responded to the media: ”If I hear you (a Minister) intervene ten times and I hear you intervene 20 times - what am I to think?

Except that you are in a hustle. If you hang out with Ali Baba you must be one of the 40 thieves,” he said.

The Prime Minister then took his arguments to the Legislature saying that both he and his mini-me Immigration Minister had personally carried out further investigations into the scandal and that they found no evidence of a scam or wrongdoing by the Minister of Transportation, as was alleged by the Whistle Blower.

Channel 5 rebutted the PM by delivering more evidence in the news, not only against this Minister but also by four other Ministers involved in the scandal.

A NAKED EMPEROR By this time, at his most recent Press conference, the Prime Minister was sitting completely naked only this time substituting some if nakedness by growing a grey beard. Having failed to intimidate the media, and having failed miserably in a cover-up, he found himself cornered like a rat hiding the cheese.

He then declared after all his sanctimonious defences, arrogance and bravado: “Man, if he (the Minister of Transportation) signed two hundred visa recommendations; if he signed one thousand, I can do nothing. I can say to him, boy, I have my own view and you must realize that out there people won’t think that you are signing one hundred visas or seventy five visa application just like that.”

This is a cop-out. Unless the Prime Minister is suggesting that he has lost the ability to govern. Another truth is that he never had it and never did.

Sitting next to him and by now

equally naked, was, the Minister of Immigration - also known as Sabe lo Todo - an Auto Mechanic, Engineer, Business Expert, Deal Maker, Rice Farmer, Sugar Exporter, Constitutional Law Expert, Doctor, Senator and now Sleuth. He was assigned by the Prime Minister to carry out an investigation into himself and his Ministry, into the passport and visa scandal. Any rational thinking person would have to conclude that this was an attempt at a cover-up. Then the Police were directed by the Prime Minister to do their own investigation (not independently but by the Prime Minister).This makes the point that the Police IS a State Apparatus. And so was the Auditor General. We will wait and see where these three “independent’ inves-

tigations take us after the evidence is in the public domain and with the Prime Minister’s mea culpa.

TAMPERING WITH THE CONSTITUTION The Prime Minister has dismantled the pillars of the Belize Constitution. He has blurred the lines between the separation of powers to consolidate his own power. Once upon a time, a few years ago, when he enjoyed a super majority of the Legislature, he even began to tamper with the Constitution when he could not have his way with the still then independent Judiciary. He has been paving the way towards a dictatorship.

His main nemesis now has be-

19 come the Fourth Estate - the media, as a functional part of our democracy. He has tried, amid international outcries, to shut down Channel 5 and later and quietly the Opposition press.

We say again: The Prime Minister has lost the moral authority to govern. Given the extent of the passport scandal, for all intents and purposes, his government should resign. In fact members of his Cabinet are now criminally culpable. By law, and the Prime Minister knows this, his government should fall - fall because of overwhelming evidence, when it is all pieced together, that will prove that the Barrow Administration is a criminal cabal.

The Prime Minister CAN do the right thing. He has disciplined Ministers of his Cabinet for less, why not now, Mr. Barrow? Why not now?

This is an insight into the head of this tin-pot dictator.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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2013

15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid Triskaidekaphobia

By G. Michael Reid Belize’s first ever referendum was held on February 7th, 2008.

It coincided with the general elections which were also held on that same date and at the same time.

The referendum was in response to a consistent and loud call for a change to the makeup of the Senate, Belize’s supposedly “Upper House”.

Since its creation in 1981, the Senate has served as little more than a rubber stamp and an opportunity for party sycophants to gain prestige and receive a nice salary.

An example would be current Senator Juliet Thimbriel, whose sole qualification was to strew propaganda and slander on her party’s radio station prior to the 2008 general elections. This senator has never risen to make any contribution nor has made even a single comment in the Senate, yet she receives a tidy salary and by virtue of serving two terms, stands to receive a handsome pension for the rest of her life. Nice work if you can get it.

On December 19th, 2007, then Prime Minister Said Musa introduced a bill in the House of Representatives and a month later on January 7th, Governor General, Sir Colville Young issued a writ of referendum to decide if the people of Belize wanted an elected Senate.

The 2008 referendum was by and large, successful. A total of forty-six percent of registered voters participated in the referendum and a majority of sixty-three percent of that number voted yes for an elected Senate.

Unfortunately, while the referendum was successful, the People’s United Party was not. A tyrant was elected to rule and his first mot d’ ordre was to totally ignore the result of the referendum. Dean Barrow promised Belizeans that he would, instead, allow them to appoint an additional Senator from the NGO community which would bring the total number to thirteen.

As it stood, the Senate was comprised of six members appointed by the ruling party, three appointed

interview in 2010; the Prime Minister basically said that he would not put it through as spite to the Opposition.

“Why should I make it easy for them”, asked the Prime Minister.

In January of 2011, four of Belize’s non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), namely Belizeans for Justice (BFJ), Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO), Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) and the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) put forth a challenge before the courts in an attempt to force the Prime Minister’s hand in implementing their Senator. The NGO’s had already elected Greg Cho’c to represent civil society and to shift the balance of power to the non-government members.

In September of 2011 Justice Samuel Awich delivered a ruling. The judgment was almost hilarious. Awich declared that “pronouncements made by politicians in the press are not entirely reliable as evidence, given the tendency to allow spin and political bias.” The promise of

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had this to say when asked if he would consider fulfilling his promise.

“No, do you see what’s happening in the United States where they have a system where paralysis is able to be engineered because the way that republican model to work so you can have one chamber controlled by the party that doesn’t form the administration, one chamber Democrat, one chamber Republican. You see the difby the opposition and one each by ficulties they have been having with the Unions, the Chamber of Comdebt ceilings and shutdowns. No, merce and the Churches. This means the thirteenth senator will then mean that it doesn’t matter what bill is sent that the senate will be controlled by up to the Senate, the worse that the opposition and non-government could happen for the government is senators and they will have the powa tie. Section 73 (4) of the Constituer to paralyze the government. I am tion then reads: “If upon any quesvery sorry, I am the one who pushed tion before either House the votes of it into a U.D.P. manifesto, and this the members are equally divided the government pushed it forward in motion shall be lost”. Any tie and the terms of constitutional reform. But government wins! then I quickly realized it is a wonderThat, more than anything else, ful ideal but in practice it will make no ensures the Senate as indeed a “rubsense. The opposition is there to opber stamp”. Whatever bill is sent up pose, the so called social partner secfrom the “Lower House” can be detors are not there to be friends of the bated but can never be affected. Any government. And if you gave control motion put before the Senate that of the chamber to that combination I am telling you there will be paralysis. Now other people might have a different point This means that it doesn’t matter what bill is of view and I respect that but sent up to the Senate, the worse that could hapas far as I am concerned the role of the senate is to be a pen for the government is a tie. Section 73 (4) of watchdog, is to shine the the Constitution then reads: “If upon any light on what is happening, question before either House the votes of It’s like the Public Accounts Committee it is not to subthe members are equally divided the mostitute for the government, tion shall be lost”. Any tie and the governit is not to substitute for the ment wins! government, it is not there to frustrate the government, it is not to stop the governis not in line with the ruling party’s course, was not made in the media ment from operating, so I am telling agenda has not even a slim chance but in the UDP’s election manifesto. you I cannot at this juncture, I cannot of succeeding. This was proven in They were elected to do what they support the notion of any thirteenth the last sitting when the Opposition said they would. Awich went on to senator.” put forth a motion for a Senate Inquistate that “the courts under the sepThe Leader of the Opposition ry into the widespread corruption at aration of powers doctrine cannot quickly shot down that argument, exthe Immigration Department. All the legally interfere in matters between plaining to Barrow that if he Barrow government Senators voted against the Executive and Legislature”; such cannot convince even one of the soit, as is customary in our system of as he considered that case to be. You cial partners to support his bill then play-play democracy. It exposes the mean there really is a separation? Who that should give reason for pause.

Senate as a joke. would figure?

Belize needs a functional Senate and So the Prime Minister proposed Recently, the Prime Minister has it is time for Mr. Barrow to obey the to fix this situation by appointing a changed his tune as to why he no lonlaw and fulfill his manifesto. Good thirteenth Senator. On the 22nd of ger wants a thirteenth Senator. At his governance is not a privilege, it is a August 2008, The Belize Constiturecent Press Conference, Mr. Barrow fundamental and inalienable right! tion 6th Amendment Bill was passed into law by the National Assembly.

The law was supposed to “inter alia, expand the number of seats in the Senate from 12 to 13, impose a three-term limit for any individual holding the Office of the Prime Minister; make provision for the recall of House of Representatives members; include the Belize National Coast Guard Service under Belize’s security services; reconstitute the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; and provide for the termination of the Auditor General for failure to produce a timely report to the National Assembly.” The bill in its entirety was read and passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Everything else was sent up to the Governor General for his signature except for the part relating to the thirteenth Senator. That is still on the Prime Minister’s desk and in an

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2013

15 DEC

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Home Economics

Social Security, Credit Unions & Christmas

By Richard Harrison The Belize Social Security Board (BSSB) is one of the biggest cash cows in Belize, raking in an estimated $2 million on a weekly basis. That amounts to over $100 million annually. Theoretically, this money belongs to the workers of Belize.

Credit Unions have traditionally behaved like Savings & Loans financial institutions, pooling the resources of mostly the lower and middle income workers of Belize....i.e. the same people that own the Belize Social Security Board.

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus...and is a time for sharing, caring, giving and merry making.

The level of sharing, caring, giving and merry making at Christmas time is directly related to the level of satisfaction that the lower and middle income earners feel about their progress during the entire year...and their forecast for the year ahead.

How can these three institutions improve their relations? How can the BSSB cash cow work better for the very people that purportedly own it so that they can enjoy better Christmas’ on a sustainable basis?

1. A significant chunk of the money available in the commercial banking system comes from the BSSB; thus the BSSB has leverage in helping to set the interest rates that commercial banks pay on deposits. If BSSB demands 7% p.a. on its deposits...banks have to charge upward of 12% to make a profit...however, if BSSB accepts 4% p.a., then the banks can lend to customers at 7% p.a. and make the same profit margin.

2. The Credit Unions are not as strong institutionally as the commercial banks, in terms of performance bench marks and oversight requirements, but they can reach this level with minor investments in human and capital/technology resources. The BSSB needs to deposit more of its resources into these credit unions accepting lower interest rates of 2-3% p.a...and earmark the funds they deposit for specific loans in low-risk financing for home mortgages, home improvement and land purchases to on-lend at 6.25% p.a. over 25 years ....not for medical, education and consumer loans. This way Belizeans can own more and better homes that require less than 25% of family income to pay for them each month. The government can bundle these mortgages in a way that IDB, CDB, CABEI and/or World Bank can insure them against default....so that in the event of defaults, the Credit Unions are better able to help people experiencing difficult times to remain in their homes....instead of the mass foreclosures and disposals of assets currently taking place. These

multi-lateral institutions who are interested in poverty alleviation...and especially in home financing for lower and middle income persons...do this all over the world. So why don’t we in Belize to fix our situation so that they can provide us this service? Are we too wealthy that we don’t need this kind of coverage for our lower and middle income earners?

3. The credit unions and development financing service organizations that exist in Belize have been and are adopting/adapting the same concept of “risk” and “opportunity” that the commercial banking system uses… indeed, there is a move to stock these institutions with personnel trained in the commercial banking principles. These preconceived, warped notions of “risk” and “opportunity” that are cooked up by these foreign-owned financial institutions are what are responsible for the high rate/short term model of financing currently being used in Belize. In developed countries home mortgages are financed around 3-4% p.a., over 25-30 years the working, income-earning life of a normal human being. In Belize, most home mortgages are currently financed at 10-13% p.a., over 15 years.

This puts excessive burden on home owners, forcing many to allocate much more than 25% of family income to paying mortgages....causing undue stress...and constraining the ability of families to invest more in education, health/nutrition, travel & leisure, cultural and social life. The Credit Unions, being owned by the same people who own the BSSB (the lower and middle income Belizean workers) need to challenge this foreign model for financing based on very short-life spans experienced in Belize when this model was set up in the middle of the 1900s. The Government of Belize is also partially responsible, since for political reasons, they have lowered the retirement age, even as the life expectancy in Belize was increasing. This does nothing to enhance the productive life of its citizens...and only serves to unjustly burden the existing work force.

4. The industrial sector of Belize needs to form up its own development financing institution... since those institutions that are currently in place have proven their inability to propel the industrial sector to levels that would bring our trade deficit within manageable limits....which is the principal cause for our growing poverty and indebtedness.

Perhaps an amalgamation of the credit unions of sugarcane farmers, citrus growers, banana growers, grain and chicken farmers, and shrimp and papaya growers...could allow workers and investors in these areas to pool their resources in a better way to serve their own industrial interests better. Belize needs long-term development financ-

ing...instead of the quick-fix, socalled “low risk” model of high rates/short terms...which by all measures of our macro-economic performance, is showing us clearly that it is actually VERY HIGH RISK to our long-term national economic health. It’s only low or no “risk” is to the foreign bank owners, not those Belizeans who require and use their services. With the industrial financial interests so organized, under one tent, the BSSB could play a much more important and necessary role in development financing...using our own “risk” and “opportunity” concepts... based on our own real lives...and not on the whims of a few loan sharks in their ivory towers.

According to the latest WHO data published in April 2011 life expectancy in Belize is: Male 71.3, female 76.1 and total life expectancy is 73.6 If the amount of homes lit up so far for this Christmas season is any indication of the kind of

Christmas that the vast majority of lower and middle income Belizean families will be having.....it is obvious that most Beliceños were left wanting this year..... and/or do not see the coming New Year with exciting promise for better.

This in a time when Belize has never before had so many BMW’s, Range Rovers, Hummers, Jaguars, Million Dollar homes and yachts.

If you cannot light up one string of lights Beliceños...show the world and our creator...that we are a people who never give up on hope...and at least make small plans for a little sharing, caring, giving and merry making among those who brought the positives to your lives this year.

Of course, please make VERENA’s food products a part of your Christmas holidays!!! Merry Christmas to one and all.

Richard Harrison is a local businessman and investor in the manufacturing and service industries. Mr. Harrison holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Send comments to harrisonbz@yahoo.com

The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), a national non-profit organization providing Comprehensive Eye Services, has a vacancy for a Clinic Assistant at each of our clinics in Dangriga and Orange Walk.

The full-time position requires the following skills: Knowledge and confidence in computers and programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and QuickBooks are required; Minimum high-school education required; Good inter-personal skills with a pleasant personality, willingness to learn and the ability to multitask; Bilingual applicants preferred (Spanish & English); Applicant must reside in the District in which they are applying; Must be willing to cross train at other BCVI offices.

Some on-the-job training will be provided. *Please note that only those who are short-listed will be contacted.

Please submit applications to: Executive Director The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired PO Box 525 Belize City Or via email bcvibze@gmail.com Closing Date for Applications is January 2nd, 2014

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Recipe of the week

Honey-Orange Baked Ham Ingredients 1 whole smoked ham (14 to 18 pounds), bone in and rind on 1/2 cup honey 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 large onion, cut into 6 wedges 1 large orange, cut into 6 wedges 4 sprigs rosemary 1/2 cup cider vinegar 3 1/2 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper Directions STEP 1 Rinse ham with cool water; dry with paper towels.

Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature 1 hour. Meanwhile, whisk together honey, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, and mustard; set aside.

STEP 2 Preheat oven to 300 degrees, with rack in lower third. Fit a roasting pan with a rack, and place ham, with the thicker rind on top, on rack. Scatter onion and orange wedges and rosemary around ham on rack. Transfer to oven, and cook 1 hour.

STEP 3 Remove pan from oven, and let ham cool slightly.

Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees. Trim fat all over the ham to a layer of about 1/4 inch (it does not need to be perfectly even; the bottom will have less fat and more skin).

Turn ham, bottom side down.

Score fat on top of ham in a diamond pattern, each 1 to 2 inches, cutting about 1/4 to 1/2 inch through the fat and into meat. Baste with honey mixture. Add enough water to roasting pan to fill the bottom by about 1/4 inch.

STEP 4 Return ham to oven, and cook 1 hour more, basting often with remaining marinade (do not baste with pan juices). If necessary, add water to pan to keep juices from burning. Remove from oven; transfer ham to a serving platter; discard orange, onion, and rosemary. Let stand 30 minutes before carving ham.

STEP 5 Meanwhile, make gravy: Strain liquid from roasting pan into a liquid measuring cup or bowl, and skim off fat from surface with a large spoon. Place roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add cider vinegar, and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated. Return defatted juices to pan along with 2 cups stock. Bring to a boil, and let simmer.

STEP 6 In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1 1/2 cups stock and the flour; whisk into sauce. Continue simmering until liquid is reduced by half and slightly thickened.

Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with ham.

15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

Follow the dots

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15 DEC

THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP NOTICE Port Loyola Standard Bearer Convention The People’s United Party Standard Bearer Convention for the Port Loyola Electoral Division is scheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2014.

Application are available from the Committee Chairman Mr. Norman Usher or the PUP Secretariat, Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City.

Completed applications must be filled and returned to Mr. Norman Usher and the Secretary General. The non-refundable fee is to be submitted to the Secretariat along with the necessary documentation to complete the application package.

Deadline for submission is December 18 2013.

2013

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE #47/2013

Liquor License NOTICE Notice is hereby given that ZEN SI CHE is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Andrew Chee Restaurant”, situate at Hattieville Road, Burrell Boom, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that MARIO AYUSO is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Aisha’s Mini Market”, situate at #4 1st Street, King’s Park, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that JAMES M. YOUNG is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Lakers Cool Spot”, situate at 42 Lawrence Avenue, Belize City under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CHUANG QI RONG is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Candy’s Shop”, situate at #19 George Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RIXIS MEJIA is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Long Island Bar and Lounge”, situate at 1223 Blue Marlin Boulevard, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that EDMUND KWAN & YUEDI KUANG is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Moon Grocery”, situate at 1743 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that MING CHEN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “DK Ltd.”, situate at 3 Miles Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that PERCY CHOW is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Yinkee Restaurant”, situate at #64 Freetown Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Answers for last week’s puzzle

Answers for last week’s puzzle

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #46/2013

See answers NEXT WEEK

See answers NEXT WEEK

15 DEC

2013

Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that RAYYANG LAING is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Tawa Restaurant”, situate at 2136 St. Thomas Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that ZHENGXIAN LI is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Red Lantern Restaurant”, situate at 2136 St. Thomas Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that VINCE YOUNG is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Bird’s Isle Restaurant”, situate at 90 Albert Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that LIN SHENG LUO is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Quan Singh Shop”, situate at 45 Racecourse Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

THE BELIZE TIMES Notice is hereby given that JIAN WEN LI is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “Our Chinese Shop”, situate at 3752 Central American Boulevard, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that GILBERTO NOVELO is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Xunan Cristina Piano Bar”, situate at 20 Lover’s Lane, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that VIRGINA VAUGHAN is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Jeany’s Restaurant”, situate at Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that DOMINGO PEREZ is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Nohoch Mak Restaurant”, situate at Market Lane, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RODOLFO PALMA is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Palma’s Brother Liquor Shop”, situate at San Andres Street, Orange

Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that NORMA CECILIA DIONICIO is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Roxy’s Bar and Restaurant”, situate at 2209 San Martin Avenue, City of Belmopan, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that XINGU HUANG is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Los Lagos Shop”, situate at #29 Los Lagos, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAMON GALVEZ is applying for a Night Club License to be operated at “MJ’s Bar and Pool”, situate at #9 West Collet Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that TAI KAN CHENG is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Waik Grocery Shop”, situate at #7226 Caesar Ridge, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that JIANHUAN JIANG is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be op-

27 erated at “Holiday Food House”, situate at #13 Orange Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAUL MAGAÑA is applying for a Publican Special License to be operated at “Riverside Patio”, situate at Regent Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAUL MAGAÑA is applying for a Night Club License to be operated at “Raul’s Rose Garden”, situate at 10 ½ Miles George Price Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAUL MAGAÑA is applying for a Night Club License to be operated at “Studio 88”, situate at 2 Miles Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that DELVORINE HERRERA is applying for a Publican Special License to be operated at “Dee’s Cool Spot”, situate at Bermudian Landing, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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2013

Deal or No Deal?

Almost every night my family gathers around the television set to enjoy episodes of The Chase, Lingo, or Family Feud. Despite the variations in our ages and entertainment preferences, the game shows unite us. Together we laugh at the funny answers of the participants and the cheesy jokes of the game show hosts. We groan in sympathy when a team misses a win by a second. We rage at the television when an obvious answer is ignored as though the contestants can hear us. As I observed the features that all game shows have in common, I noticed some parallels to life. I began to wonder what life would be like if it truly were a game show. To explore my curiosity, I constructed a game show scenario with the help of my eldest daughter. The results were quite surprising.

The rules of the game are simple. To the right, behind an exotically decorated stand is quite a familiar face. Your own. Yes. You. It is your own reflection, your desires, and your flesh. And might I say, you are looking spectacular this evening! To the left, silhouetted by a wooden cross is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. He’s standing proud and tall. The scars in his hands are stark and scabbed against the blue of his light polo T-shirt and jeans. These two competitors are your advisors. In this game, you’ll be given only one important question to answer. I will read to you the scenario that goes with that question. Your desires and Jesus will attempt to guide you to a decision, but ultimately you pick exactly what you want to do. Are you ready? Let’s go.

Here’s your scenario. You’re at the funeral of a close friend who died unexpectedly. As you are sitting in the church, you are forced to acknowledge the uncertainty of life. You wonder if there really is an afterlife or if humans came from a big bang and only sleep for eternity when they die. You are open and curious, so when the pastor begins to speak, you listen. He talks about life and death, but not in the usual way. He speaks about finding life in death, about finding joy in sorrow. You’re grasping to understand. The game show host allows Flesh to have the floor first. Flesh begins: You’ve got time, time to live your life the way you want to. Do you really want to give up all the pleasures of sleeping around, drinking till you’re tipsy, and having as much fun as you want to without guilt?

You can accept Jesus when you’re old and hooked up to a machine. Flesh returns to his stand. Jesus approaches slowly, his voice calm and sure. He warns: No man knows the time or the hour of his death. I urge you to accept me.

I love you. I died for you. See my scarred hands. Feel the gash in my side. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me. The ‘Deal’ or ‘No Deal’ button is before you. What do you choose?

The decision is entirely up to you. You can ignore God and refuse the Kingdom citizenship He freely offers. You can accept the pleasure and consequences of living by your own rules. But I urge you to consider the uncertainty of life. Deal or No Deal?

Until next week, God bless.

Don’t be left out!

If your Business doesn’t give credit, you will be left behind in today’s competitive economy.

Let CMS help you get started. It’s easy and free.

Credit Master Systems #11 Douglas Jones Belize City Contact: Ms. Virginia Echols Tel: 223-5845 Email:cmsbz@btl.net * CMS Complaint System allows an individual to obtain a copy of all information held on him/her as well as the right to correct any discrepancies.

15 DEC

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT CAÑEROS SHOULD STRIKE There is a problem in the sugar industry in our country.

The men who plant the sugar cane, tend to it, cut it, pack it in trucks and transport it to the factory are unhappy. They feel betrayed. They have been betrayed. Twice betrayed.

The sugar factory and the grinding equipment was being sold by B.S.I. - the Belize Sugar Industry. The cane farmers as part of their Cane Farmers Association wanted to buy the B.S.I. The government brought in a certain A.S.R. – American Sugar Refining. Instead of being a real government and do all it can to help the cane farmers, the government pushed the cane farmers aside and allowed A.S.R. to buy B.S.I. The government gave all types of tax and economic incentives A.S.R. A genuine government would have loaned the Cane Farmers Association some or all the money it needed to buy B.S.I. A genuine government would even have guaranteed a loan for the Cane Farmers Association and do everything to make Belizeans the owners of the B.S.I. Now here we are, the cane season is supposed to open on the 15 December. Thousands of acres of cane are proudly swaying in the fields. Its harvest time in Orange Walk and Corozal. This is when the cane cutters are out in full force. This is when the delivery trucks own the roads and the feeder roads.

Day in, day out, all morning, all evening, all night. The trucks are travelling from the cane fields to the cane factory. Taking tons of sugar cane to be ground the jaws of the factory at B.S.I. The sugar is extracted and the cane trash, called bagasse, is thrown away.

In a written agreement between the cane farmers association and B.S.I./A.S.R., there is a part that says where B.S.I. gets benefits from any by-product of the cane delivered by the cane farmers, those farmers are to share in the benefits.

The cane trash bagasse has turned out to have value. It is sold to a small company called Belcogen which turns it into energy and sells the energy to the Belize Electricity Company. B.S.I. is collecting millions of dollars by selling bagasse.

The cane farmers, called cañeros in Spanish, say, but what about us?

Are we not to get something from our cane trash? Isn’t that the written agreement?

B.S.I says, the trash is not yours.

The trash is not a by-product of the cane. A.S.R. calls the shots. You are

fools for allowing your government to sell us B.S.I. You getting nothing.

Despondent and broken hearted, the cañeros talk among themselves.

What are we to do they ask. How can we show these American multi millionaires that we are a proud people and we know our rights? What would our fathers and grandfathers have done? And the spirit of their ancestors spoke to them at their meetings. In calm and measured words.

And they all agreed, we will not take our cane to the gringos. We have no drones but we have our dignity.

No cane shall reach the cane factory. And they consulted their wives and their children. And they all agreed. If we must, we will. We will endure hardship and sacrifice. If it is only corn and beans for our meal, so be it.

And the cañeros sent a message to B.S.I. Don’t look for our trucks on the 15th December. Don’t look for any cane on that date. If you cannot behave like honorable men, then go eat your factory and learn a bitter lesson.

And the bagasse Judas who had sold out the farmers seeing what he had done, spoke up. Please give the cañeros something, least I be exposed.

It was the sixth year in the second reign of Pharaoh, at a meeting at a place called Radisson that word was to come down to the cañeros, who remained resolute in the land of their forefathers to the north.

But A.S.R. gave no answers.

They said we will go to Annas and Caiphas and we will bring you word of what we shall do.

And a dark cloud came over the land of the cañeros.

ZEE EDGELL Belize’s foremost lady of the novel is visiting the land of her birth and happy childhood.

Zee Edgell has written FOUR novels: “Becka Lamb”, “In Times like These”, “Festival of San Joaquin”, and “Time and The River”. They are all Belizean novels, with characters and events set in Belize.

Mrs. Edgell is working on her fifth novel.

Belizeans have fallen in love with Mrs. Edgell. She has always been a lady of dignity and strength and her love for her people and her country is manifest in her conversations and her writings.

It is no surprise to hear of the many literary awards that her writings have brought her. One great recognition comes from her Caribbean region. The prestigious University of the West Indies awarded her an Hon-

orary Doctorate for her contributions to Caribbean culture, history and literature.

On her current visit to Belize the media, both print and television were competing among themselves to host and interview her.

We join her fans and readers in welcoming her home once again and congratulate her on her outstanding achievements.

15 DEC

2013

ghanistan after its more-than-a-decade long war in that country. And the rock hard Taliban are nowhere defeated.

But the news over the past two weeks is how the USA will withhold billions of dollars in aid because President Karzai is now refusing to sign a so-called “Security Pact” which will allow the American military to remain Afghanistan until 2020.

GOODBYE MY LOVE A certain bank is quietly letting go staff.

Several of those who have already been told goodbyes are long term employees with over fifteen years service. One is an attorney, another was a Supervisor and one in Management. Another one in management is soon to join the list.

When Belize’s biggest bank is shedding dedicated and experienced staff, it is not a good sign for the economy. Especially with the newspapers printing pages of pages of all the bank foreclosing on mortgages.

WEAK PETROL Many motorists are complaining that as they do their usual driving they notice their petrol being used up more than usual.

These motorists believe that the quality of petrol and diesel they are buying is not what they used to get.

It should be remembered that Shell, Esso etc. have given way to a Puma and a Uno. There is a need to do some quality control checks on the petrol Belizeans are being sold.

And why is petrol in Belize so darn expensive.

REMEMBER MIKE He was the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in the world. He knocked out opponents left, right and center; sometimes in the first or second round of a fight.

In the year 2000, Mike Tyson started off with three and a half million dollars. By the end of that year he had earned sixty-five million dollars and succeeded in spending it all on vehicles, houses and drugs.

He became a big time cocaine user.

MEN AND WOMEN Men and women are so different in so many ways. They think different and so they see things different.

A lot of the differences are learned behaviors. Little girls grow up playing dolls. Little boys grow up playing with guns and cars.

Men are sex dogs. Outright cheaters and unfaithful to their partners. Women are more reserved and more reluctant to be labeled dirty names like whores and bad-woman. Men don’t care.

But deep down where it counts, scientists are now claiming that brains of men and the brains of women are distinctly different.

POWER One of China’s great leaders during 1950 and 1960’s revolution was Mao Tse Dung. He was often quoted as saying real power is the one that comes out of the barrel of the gun.

While over the decades, China has opted for another real power – that which comes from a strong economy; the U.S.A. has opted for military power.

Last month the U.S.A. unveiled its latest aircraft carrier. It is a dream come true for war-mongers and imperialists.

It carries more planes than any other aircraft carriers. It has unmanned planes. It is completely nuclear. It is equipped with space age lasers. Its deck is five acres. It is already two billion dollars over budget.

IT NEVER ENDS Which reminds us. America says its war forces are leaving Af-

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS In ten or twelve days times, Belize will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God who came into the world two thousand years ago to save us from our sins and make us better human beings.

In Jesus’ time he had to take a whip and lash the merchants and business people who were using the Holy Temple as a supermarket and shopping mall.

They are back.

Over the years Christmas has been hijacked by the merchants and business people. It’s all about buying and selling, selling and buying.

Just to make sure Jesus and his message are not seen and heard they have come up with Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer; and of course, the king of Christmas – Santa Claus.

Ho! Ho! Ho! All the way to the bank.

15 DEC

2013

Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that ELBA M. CASTILLO is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Elba’s Snack Shop”, situate at #6240 E Street, Buttonwood Bay, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that LUCIANA ESSENZIALE is applying for a Public and Special Liquor License to be operated at “ILBARETTO of OASI APARTMENT RENTALS”, situate at Av. Mangle #9, Caye Caulker Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Kenny Lo is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Benson Shop”, situate at #5 Mitchelle Estate, Ladyville, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAMON REYES JR. is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Paradise Too Hotel”, situate at Caye Caulker Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that RAMON REYES SR. is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Tropical Paradise Hotel and Restaurant”, situate at Caye Caulker Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP Leader denounces

UDP cronyism

Barrow doles out more sweets for illegal caretakers Belize City, December 11, 2013 As if preparing for early elections, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has been concocting ways to give his high-profiling but unpopular political hacks some thrust, even if it means snubbing the laws of Belize. The latest gimmick by the PM is to use more tax payers’ monies to give his political cronies some leverage in three municipalities where there are duly-elected PUP Town Councils.

The Barrow Administration has decided to play some serious political games with the infrastructure development projects in the towns of Punta Gorda and Dangriga. While the Government will provide support with international development funding for the rehabilitation of street s and roads, its manipulation of the programme is dishonest and a barefaced endorsement of cronyism.

This week the Mayors of Dangriga and Punta Gorda Gilbert Swaso and Anthony Fuentes exposed the UDP’s abuse of authority and funds.

Mayor Swaso said that he had sent numerous requests for a meeting with the Prime Minister, in an attempt to seek assistance with the fixing of streets and roads in that municipality.

The Mayor said that on October 7, the Prime Minister returned the call and, as if foaming from the mouth, the PM went off on an angry diatribe telling the Mayor that there was no need to meet with him and nothing to discuss.

Over a month later, the Prime Minister announced that the Government was willing to spend $87,000 on street repairs in Dangriga. Mayor Swaso said that tropical depressions over the past two years have caused $350,000 in damages, so he put to the Prime Min-

Notice is hereby given that ORLANDO MEDINA is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Slim Bar and Grill”, situate at Mile 24 Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CHRISTOPHER ZHENG is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “New Chon Sing Restaurant”, situate at 184 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

CARTOON

ister that no less than $500,000 would suffice.

Last week Thursday, the PM called Mayor Swaso, agreeing to the proposed amount but, in his true dictator-style he began to place ultimatums. The Prime Minister, said the Mayor, urged that that kind of spending on infrastructure will only happen on the conditions that he selects the contractors and appoints a supervisor who will decide who to hire. Well, guess who is the supervisor? None other than the UDP’s rejected Mayor, political caretaker and proposed political candidate in the constituency of Dangriga, Frank “Papa” Mena.

The same conditions were placed on Punta Gorda Mayor Anthony Fuentes, who will have to stomach rejected politician Eden Martinez’s involvement as the Prime Minister’s selected Supervisor in the work’s programme in that municipality.

The PUP held a press briefing at the Independence Hall on Tuesday afternoon to expose the UDP’s callousness. While Mayor Swaso said he was “saddened” by the Prime Minister’s “selfish actions”, PUP/Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca said the Prime Minister’s behavior was totally unacceptable.

“It is unacceptable to place the interest and authority of his caretakers above the interests of the municipality and their true leaders,” said Hon. Fonseca.

Mayor Fuentes also lamented the Prime Minister’s manipulation of the works programme and reminded him that elected officials are there to serve everyone and not just their political supporters. “…the Punta Gorda Town Council like the Dangriga Town Council has been disrespected as the duly elected body in

31 Punta Gorda Town. Its politicking, it’s wrong for Belize,” said Mayor Fuentes.

While the Prime Minister has hijacked the infrastructure projects to benefit his party and party cronies who seem to know best how to profile, last week the BELIZE TIMES exposed another of the UDP’s devious plans to use public funds. The UDP has devised a “Christmas Cheer” programme in which the UDP representatives will spend $1.53 million in tax dollars for Christmas goodies.

This annual UDP ploy means Christmas hams and cheap gifts at a time when Belizeans are in dire need of meaningful assistance such as housing support, education assistance and a long overdue salary increase. Barrow prefers to give out sweets that will cause further decay.

But the biggest slap on the faces of Belizeans is the Barrow Administration’s plan to allow 14 UDP non-elected representatives to handle $350,000 of taxpayers’ monies. Once again the UDP will turn to Frank Papa Mena in Dangriga, Eden Martinez in Punta Gorda, Denny “Noh Mul Destroyer” in Orange Walk, and even the most despised politician in recent political history, Elvin “Passport” Penner in Cayo North East.

PUP Leader Hon. Fonseca said the kind of games being played by the Prime Minister are dangerous for Belize.

“We have to maintain a line between the funds of the government and the political parties. What is the justification for him saying that he will allocate $25,000 to 14 unelected persons who are caretakers for his political party? We denounce that in the strongest possible terms. Just as we denounce this attempt to impose his UDP care takers on the work of the town councils - those days are over.

We really need collectively as a people to take a firm stand against this practice. This Prime Minister Barrow has to the victor, the spoils) taken that to an unprecedented new level in this country which now in my view threatens our democratic way of life,” stated Hon. Fonseca.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

15 DEC

2013