Belize Times February 10, 2013

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The Belize Times

10 FEB SCAN HERE

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Established 1957

10 FEB 2013

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The Truth Shall Make You Free

ISSUE NO: 4031

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THE MAD KING “SLAP ON THE WRIST”

Belize City, February 6, 2013 The Opposition People’s United Party has described Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s response to

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No Salary Increase!

Pg. 6 Gang Minister Mark King charged for assaulting and threatening a Police Officer The UDP’s Mad King is on the loose and on a rampage

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$540,000 for Sugar Roads Vanishes

Drug Racket in Health Ministry?

Imagine the Possibilities

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Two Murders in 12 Hours

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FOLLOW US! on the social media

Source reveals top officials are scheming off pharmaceutical supply program

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Barrow wants Unions to

Can the Minister of Health say who is behind the company Allied Health Services?

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Belizean-American Dr. Angela Banner-Joseph writes on crime and violence Dear Editor, Each day in Belize, we experience a large number of crimes that seriously affect our community. There is no doubt that Belize is becoming more violent. We need to create real-world strategies to strategically address the problems that plague our community and families.

It saddens me that the criminal offenses have become so serious that our children and seniors, as well as other members of our community, are afraid to conduct routine activities and have difficulty with normal daily living. If that is not bad enough, we realize that today’s unlawful activities may go from bad to worse. The major crimes of robbery and murder are committed for a variety of reasons: not only economic, but because of gang activity, to support a drug habit, or for “fun.” What is truly happening in our neighborhoods and what can we do about it? How do we address the

growing amount of negative activity threatening our personal safety and economy in our Belize? I could offer many different explanations for all this and I still might not reach any concrete or comprehensive conclusion.

We must look within, asking what we expect from ourselves and from each other. We may also have to ask ourselves if our expectations are too high to resolve these problems without quick rewards from society. Years ago, people worked for and purchased the items in their homes. However, with the age of technology—television, the Internet, newspaper, and radios—we now see members of our community who want such items quickly, fast, and in a hurry. They have a want-it-now mentality.

These new electronic media show us what we can get, if only we have the necessary funds. Without

the necessary funds, some people react however they can, using any means necessary, to get the material things they want. They seem to do it without a care in the world, even if they hurt someone to get it.

Today I read about our young adults who embrace criminal activities because of not wanting to work, lack of obtaining an education, or the simple temptation to solve their problems using the quick fix of major criminal activity. These criminal activities cannot be overlooked. They are often sensationalized and glorified by peers, but in a small country like ours, we must reduce these violent crimes.

The world is watching and our economy will be impacted, so we must find a way to collaborate with government officials, educators, religious personnel, and community leaders to ensure that the dangers present today within our community and schools are addressed.

Our young children and young adults need guidance and they are crying out for help. They live in fear for their personal safety while walking to and from school and they worry about the safety of their immediate families. Members of our government, schools, churches, and community must address the core root of the violence. Doing so will reduce the complex problems that poverty, laziness, and joblessness have created in our community. We cannot count on quick fixes. We must instead develop concrete solutions that are both short- and long-term to change the

Remembering Thomas Francis Martinez Dear Editor, I am very happy that in your Sunday, February 3rd, 2013 edition you chose to highlight the life of one of Belize’s most respect but least known Union leaders – Thomas Francis Martinez. I would appreciate the opportunity to share with your readers what was my personal remembrance of Tom with whom I had the privilege of working.

Thomas known to a lot of us a “Tom” served the General Workers Union (GWU) in various capacities and later as the President up until the time of his retirement from trade unionism. Among some of his many achievements were seeing through the amalgamation of two fragmented unions to become the largest and most active and progressive unions

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in the history of Belize, in the 70s and into the 80s.

Tom was a small man in structure and build, but when it came to championing workers’ rights, he was tall and fearless. He was deeply involved in the workers’ struggle no matter if it was the sugar industry, the rice industry, citrus and even Belize Electricity Board. Despite the setbacks caused by a lack of resources, Tom never relented. His fight for social justice accomplished many positive changes in the trade rules, many of which are being eroded today.

I consider Tom as a powerful giant in unionism. We owe him respect and gratitude for his selfless work. We thank his family too for supporting him

as he devoted time to the country. I am personally grateful for the humility, instructions, mentoring and guidance given to me.

Maximum respect Tom, you left a legacy and desire to understand that as long as rights are being eroded, we must not fall short of continuing to speak out against them. In the meantime, farewell and may God grant you eternal life and peace, and love to your family.

Signed, Steve Latchman Editor’s Note: Steve Latchman is a Former officer of the United General Workers’ Union and the current PUP Marshals Service Corps President.

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conditions and to strengthen Belize as we move forward in the 21st century. These changes must be strong enough to protect each individual member of our community, as well as our learning institutions. We cannot continue to have people live each day as fearful, anxious, or traumatized.

Life as we know it in Belize has changed forever. Life has become more violent and more dangerous for families. Last year we reached a record high in murderous crimes (145), which showcased us as a nation with serious problems. Why does such a small country have so much crime and what can we do to remedy the problems? We must be concerned, because violence can happen at any moment.

Our children and families are witnessing more violence on our television than at any other period in our history. I would be lying if I did not think that the mass media did not impact the current violence we witness and experience. The correlation is there; heavy exposure to violence on television increases aggressive behavior in criminal activities. So, Belizeans, we must continue to collaborate to address this urgent issue and take a stand towards rebuilding our community. Like you, I too want a country with peace and harmony. We must work hard to protect each other.

As Vittori Alfieri contended, “Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it”.

Signed Dr. Angela Banner-Joseph (Dr. Banner-Joseph holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Change from the Fielding Graduate University)

THE BELIZE TIMES serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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PUP continues to assist family of slain cane farmer

Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Hon. Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez and Hon. Ramiro Ramirez with Ewens family San Victor Village, Corozal District, February 4, 2013 PUP Leaders gathered in San Victor today for a special occasion; to continue respecting the life and sacrifice of cane farmer Atanascio Guttierez, who was killed by security forces during a cane farmers’ protest at the BSI Tower Hill entrance on February 2, 2009.

To pay tribute, PUP leaders Hon. Florencio Marin Jr, Hon. Ramiro Ramirez, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai and Hon. Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez visited Atanascio’s

widow and family in San Victor Village.

Losing her family’s sole provider has been difficult for Ms. Ewens and her family of 6. She has continuously requested assistance from the Barrow Administration, but the Prime Minister refuses to show any sympathy.

But PUP officials have not forgotten the family. They constantly assist with small donations to help the student through school so that they could become educated and skilled in order to maintain their family.

On Saturday when the PUP leaders visit the Ewens family, they handed over a donation of food items.

Hon. Ramiro handing over food donation

03 3 PUP Calls for Mark King’s Removal February 5, 2013 The People’s United Party (PUP) voices its concern over the gravity of the unlawful behaviour of the Minister of State, Mark King and the feeble response of the Prime Minister to Minister King’s conduct.

Following a criminal altercation that took place at the Princess Casino in the Corozal Free Zone involving Minister King, the Prime Minister of Belize has elected to downplay the conduct of his Minister by classifying his behaviour as “unbecoming” and imposing a suspension on Minister King for three months.

At a time when the general public has lost confidence in the legal and criminal justice system, it is absolutely imperative that the Prime Minister demonstrate a policy of zero tolerance against Ministers of Government who behave as though they are above the law.

Elected officials, and in particular Ministers of Government, should be held at a higher standard than ordinary Belizeans. They should show respect for their office, and more Continued on page 22

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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A ROGUE GOVERNMENT

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he moral squalor and crime-ridden sink hole in which our country Belize finds itself today is unprecedented in the thirty one years of the post-independence era.

We now have a Minister of State in the Barrow government with special responsibility for gangs who himself behaves like the leader of a criminal gang.

At around 3 am in the early hours of Tuesday morning Mark King and some of his fellow gang members including one Diego Witz were involved in a criminal rampage at the Princess Casino in the Corozal Free Zone. The place was trashed. The police were called to quell the drunken brawl.

Minister King reportedly objected and tried to prevent the police from taking Witz from the premises into their police vehicle. A firearm was drawn and shots fired.

When the dust settled, Witz was arrested and later charged in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court. Minister King was not however detained. He was granted a police bail and served with a summons charging him with aggravated assault of a police officer, disorderly conduct and use of threatening words.

The Cabinet had its usual Tuesday meeting. A press release was issued. King was suspended from his ministerial duties for three months. On Wednesday morning the Prime Minister was on the radio, defending his Minister as “an extremely self-contained” person who deserved “a second chance”.

In any self-respecting civilized country, a Minister behaving in such unruly violent behavior defying the police in their enforcement of the law, would have been called upon to resign, failing which he would have been removed permanently.

Here was a Minister who, irrespective of the outcome of the court case against him, clearly from all accounts, violated the code of conduct he is expected to observe under the Belize Constitution. He should have been dismissed for demeaning his office and for endangering or diminishing respect for, or confidence in, the integrity of the government.

Cynics might however conclude: you cannot diminish respect for integrity in a government that has for some time now, displayed a total lack of integrity.

The rot that has infested this Barrow government has eaten away all remnants of integrity. There is no sense of shame in this administration.

This is a rogue government in which nepotism, shameless greed and cronyism pervade the corridors of power at the highest level.

The Prime Minister sees nothing wrong with awarding his immediate family with highly lucrative government le-

gal retainers of millions of dollars in fees paid for by the taxpayers. The Attorney General’s Office meanwhile is staffed by a high paid Solicitor General and several Crown Counsel – trained lawyers who should be the ones to defend the government in these civil cases.

The Prime Minister sees nothing wrong in having as his Deputy Prime Minister a man who admits he is not normal; a Minister of Natural Resources who has presided over the most corrupt lands department in the history of this country where bribes and kick-backs are demanded as a matter of course for the processing of land titles; a Deputy Prime Minister who openly admits to giving his immediate family members hundreds of acres of national land including choice real estate government property in San Pedro Ambergris Caye. This is the UDP bag-man that the Prime Minister has publicly endorsed to remain as his deputy – the second highest political office in Belize.

Mr. Barrow brushes off as a silly mistake an unelected Minister who violates the law governing the disposition of government property by personally lighting up and burning a large quantity of confiscated rosewood valued at $500,000.

This is indeed a rogue government of Ministers who see themselves as being above the law. After all they came to power by threats and intimidation. Barrow as opposition leader behaved like a thug calling for sustained disobedience of the law. As Prime Minister he has moved from the base of George Street to the boardroom in Belmopan. But behind the face of brass of his lies and deceit lurk a dangerous power-mad despot for whom the ends always justify the means.

We should have known better; all of us teachers, nurses, police officers, soldiers, business people, professionals, students, mothers and fathers. We all are now feeling the backlash of this out of control arrogant bunch of thugs.

We should have known better. How can you ever get a silk purse made from a sow’s ear?

Mark King is an accidental representative of the people of Lake Independence. He lives high in a $7,000.00 a month rented mansion on Sea Shore Drive a few lots down from the Prime Minister’s residence.

Before and after the March 2012 election he has been generously awarded with lucrative security contracts by the Barrow administration over most public buildings and government facilities. He will soon be further rewarded with additional security contracts. The KHMH contract is reported to be next.

We are dealing here with an arrogant rogue government, determined to run things for five years regardless of the outrage expressed by the people over their persistent abuses and shameless serial wrongdoings.

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THE MAD KING Corozal Town, Thursday, February 7, 2013 The Princess Hotel and Casino’s 10th Anniversary celebration held on Monday, January 4th, drew a packed crowd of local and tourist partygoers who went to enjoy some of Belize’s top entertainers such as Supa G and the Gilharry 7 Band. But instead, they were treated to an episode of terror and panic when UDP Minister of Gangs Mark King and his entourage got into a physical and near deadly confrontation with the casino’s security guards.

This morning King was escorted to the Corozal Magistrate’s Court and arraigned for three criminal charges. he was given bail of $4,000 and ordered to return to court on April 16.

On Wednesday afternoon, Corozal Police charged the first-time UDP Lake Independence politician with Aggravated Assault, Threatening Words and Disorderly Conduct after Police Corporal Nelson Ramos reported that King turned violent on him as he carried out his job to maintain law and order.

According to the Police, around 2:30 on Tuesday morning Ramos was carrying out special duties at the Princess Casino located next to the Subteniente Lopez/Rio Hondo Bridge at the Santa Elena border, when he saw a person identified as Diego Witz Jr. attempting to punch one of the security guards outside the Casino. Ramos said he intervened and was punched

by Witz. He subdued the 22 year old resident of Punta Gorda, placed him under arrest at the Police Booth located close by and waited for a Police vehicle to arrive from Corozal Town.

While waiting, said the Police’s report, UDP Minister Mark King showed up and demanded that Witz be released.

When the Police mobile arrived, Witz was placed on the back of the pickup, but King allegedly protested and climbed onto the truck too. According to Ramos, during the confrontation, King threatened and assaulted him.

King was detained, while Witz was charged a few hours later with the serious offence of Assaulting a Police Officer.

The above is the Police’s version, which is not as thorough or nearly as revealing as eyewitness’ reports of what occurred. The BELIZE TIMES contacted several witnesses who testified that the violent behaviour started inside the casino when security guards allegedly found one of the men who were part of King’s entourage engaged in unsuitable behaviour with a female person inside the male bathroom. This person, who was reportedly Witz, was escorted out of the casino, but he found a way back in. When security guards saw him inside the Casino once again, they surrounded him and told him to leave immediately. Unbeknown to the security guards, Witz was a member of King’s entourage and they were on a late-night party binge. The entourage of about four men intervened and created a loud scene which startled the

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Diego Witz Jr. was charged for assaulting a Police Officer patrons. Witnesses say that King, who was seen consuming beverages earlier, went ballistic and shouted at the security guards to leave Witz alone and that they better listen because he is a Minister. During the scuffle, the Casino manager was assaulted when King re-

portedly grabbed him around his neck and slapped him. This got the security even more heated and hell bent on kicking out the trouble makers. The Casino’s alarm went off and patrons began rushing out.

The shoving and shouting moved outside of the casino, where witnesses say, guns were pulled out by members of the entourage and security officers. To onlookers it looked like a mob scene, with guns drawn by the men and pointed at each other. All of this, we have learnt, was caught by surveillance cameras which surround the building and are in possession of the Police. The Head of the Casino’s Security is also an elected UDP Corozal Town Councillor and there was a heated exchange between him and the entourage, with threats made by the entourage that he would be stripped of his post very soon.

When the Police arrived, they eventually arrested Witz and took him away.

King and his group then left towards the Belize border checkpoint, where the

2013 Police were. There, another scuffle began, this time with the Police and Customs Immigration Officers when the entourage arrived with guns on hand, demanding the release of their friend.

All of this was also caught on security camera at the Customs and Immigration facility.

The Police seem under pressure to cover up the degree of violence involved in this incident, and especially directly involving the Minister of State Mark King. The Corozal Police Department is led by Superintendent of Police Andrew Ramirez. The report of guns being used against the Police is not included in their official report. This reduced the gravity of the lawless behaviour. If anyone in King’s entourage had been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, bail would have been automatically denied and remanded to prison for at least two weeks until the Supreme Court hears the bail application.

The lesser charges are allowing King and his posse to be on bail, even though the charge of police assault is a serious matter in our society in which law and order is fast eroding.

King and Witz, who were the only ones charged after the incident, are currently out on bail.

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“SLAP ON THE WRIST”

Continued from page 1 King’s lawless behaviour as “feeble” and a “slap on the wrist”, and has called on Barrow to remove King from office immediately.

Barrow has maintained that his decision to impose a threemonth suspension from Cabinet without pay is sufficient because King has allegedly “owned up” to his actions and apologized. But King’s so-called apology is incredibly devoid of any acceptance of wrongdoing. In fact, King is adamant that he did no wrong. He has publicly stated that he was only attempting to “save and innocent citizen (sic)”. But if by “saving” King meant forcibly stopping casino security officials from doing their job and then going mad and berserk, then King is suffering some dangerously delirious disease.

The Barrow Administration and Police Department should demonstrate zero tolerance for crime and violence but instead they are clearly excusing it and subduing the graveness of King’s wrongdoing. The matter is at the very least a public relations blackeye and, at the most, a political disaster for

Gang Minister Mark King and his entourage driving around in luxury Government vehicle the UDP Government with very serious repercussions. If King was facing a more serious charge, one that included the illegal use of a firearm, the Prime Minister would have had to respond with much more than just a slap on the wrist. Is this why the Police were peculiarly careful with how it reported the incident (so much that in its original report King was not even mentioned while a Cabinet release had already acknowledged the UDP Minister’s bad judgment and pending criminal indictment). The Police

eventually released an amended but carefully scripted version followed by filing charges which did not fully coincide with eyewitness accounts.

There are grave consequences.

The matter threatens to bring King’s eligibility as area representative of the Lake Independence division into question. If convicted of any wrongdoing King faces disqualification. Part VI Section 59 (2) (c) of the Constitution declares that “a member of the House of Representatives shall… vacate his seat…subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of the sec-

07 7 tion, if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the House of Representatives, would cause him to be disqualified for election thereto by virtue of section 58(l) of this Constitution”.

Section 58 (I) (d) referred to above reads that “No person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Representatives…who is serving a sentence of imprisonment exceeding twelve months imposed on him by such a court or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him by such a court”.

This would require a bi-election in the Lake Independence area where residents, like every other Belizean, are undoubtedly tired of the UDP Government. The UDP holds a slim 17-14 majority in the House of Representatives which once cut, even by one, could destabilize their rule.

Prime Minister Barrow is fully aware of the volatility and is clearly making every effort to avoid political turmoil. The Police and Court system must resist collusion with corrupt politicians and remain free of interference, but already there are troubling signs.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

No Salary Increase!

Barrow wants Unions to Imagine the Possibilities in 2014 Belize City, February 5, 2013 Prime Minister Dean Barrow rejected the Unions’ request for a salary increase for teachers and public officers for this year when they met inside the Cabinet room in Belmopan last week Friday, February 1st. This is even after the Unions held a massive demonstration with over 3,000 protestors marching around the National Assembly, which is a stone’s throw away from the Prime Minister’s office.

The three Unions – the Belize National Teacher’s Union, Public Service Union and Association of Public Service Senior Managers – entered the meeting with a huge upper-hand, having flexed their muscle with the demonstration three days before, but possibly short-handed and undermined, after their economics man, Jose Castellanos, had mysteriously pulled out of the negotiations with Government.

It was expected that the Unions would have held a hardline, especially since the Barrow Administration has stalled negotiations for a salary increase for the last five years. Instead, the Union leaders seemed to have softened up before Barrow.

The BELIZE TIMES understands Government officials concocted all kinds of excuses as to why they could not afford to give a salary increase this year, while merely giving assurances that they “would look into” areas of waste and reckless spending pointed out by the Unions. No real commitment.

The meeting ended with a series of extended promises made by Prime Minister Barrow.

The first is that a salary increase MAY be possible until the year 2014/2015 IF there is a positive outturn in GOB’s revenues.

The second is that the increase

would commence in July 2014, three months after the start of the fiscal year, but six years after

the Unions started negotiations for a salary increase in 2008.

Essentially, Barrow has

09 9 tricked Union leaders once more into “imagining the possibilities” of an improved economy, something that the UDP Government has failed miserably at. This year alone, the Government is facing a $70 million deficit and increasing Government spending.

According to a release by the Unions, their Joint Councils have supported the proposals but the buck doesn’t stop with them, their members will vote whether to support the proposals. The Belize National Teacher’s Union, whose members have been the most affected by Government’s tactics to delay salary increase talks, have begun branches consultations.

It is not expected that the teachers will fall for Barrow’s trickery. The teachers have been imagining the possibilities for the last five years. That is why they sacrificed a day out of their classrooms to protest in huge numbers last week.

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FACES & OPINIONS

What special would you like for Valentines Day?

by Micah Vernon

DEIDRA

JENNA

ZARIA

Being around my family especially my big sister, gifts don’t matter.

It dosen’t really matter.

Its the thought that counts, even if its only a 25 cents chocolate

A hug from my valentine.

ACC High School

WESLEY COLLEGE

TRICIA

JIANNY

RAY

A hand-made card expressing his most sincere feelings. A human-size teddy bear and a night out.

Chocolate, hug, kiss, text and flowers

Tender loving care from a good woman.

PALLOTI HIGH SCHOOL

WESLEY COLLEGE

FLORENCE

MAGDALENA

JORDAN

A big hug.

For the people that I love to be around me because material stuff don’t last forever, but love does.

I want my valentine to hold me close and tell me I mean more than life itself to him, pure and simple stuff.

WESLEY COLLEGE

WESLEY COLLEGE

ST. CATHRINE’S ACADEMY

WESLEY COLLEGE

ST. CATHRINE’S ACADEMY

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Drug Racket in Health Ministry?

CEO Peter Allen

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THE BELIZE TIMES

the hospital recently revealed that things are again “business as usual” but this time, the hustle involves a top official in the Ministry of Health.

Our source in the Ministry, tells us that shortly after the dust settled from that scandal at the KHMH, and shortly after the IDB system was put in place in the Ministry of Health, a pharmaceutical company was suddenly created in Belmopan. This company was registered in someone’s name as a front for the two top officials. This company, we understand has been planted into the system and surreptitiously enjoying the award of government’s pharmaceutical supply contracts, based on insider information.

Information to us indicates that most of the drugs are imported from India and the UK. Could this explain why from time to time, the CEO in the Health Ministry has been seen teeing off with agents of certain pharmaceutical companies at the Roaring River golf course, which is near to Belmopan?

Of the three pharmaceutical agents in the Belmopan area, Belize Chemical on George Price Boulevard and Biomeds have not been able to get any business from the government. But not so for Allied Health Scientific of Valencia Street in Cohune Walk, Belmopan. The company was registered around the time the IDB system was put in place.

Allied Health Scientific has recently and almost exclusively been awarded a contract to supply the government with its pharmaceutical and other supplies, our source in the Ministry of Health revealed.

It appears that Allied Health Scientific operates out of the Belmopan Medical Centre on Garbutt Street off Constitution Drive. We have been unable to ascertain who the front man is, except to be told that he is “Mr. Francisco”. But we were also informed that this, apparently very new company, imports its supply of pharmaceuticals from India and the UK. This information dovetails with the information we gathered from the Ministry of Health.

In related matters, our source in the Ministry confirmed that the relationship between the CEO and the health professionals continues to be “very rocky”. He has been accused as being “devious and manipulative”. As proof of this, recently his office was stormed by a group of nurses when he refused to allow them to pursue more training locally.

Belize City, February 4, 2013 There are strong allegations coming from a songbird in the Ministry of Health, and independently backed-up by two members of the Belize Medical and Dental Association (BMDA), that some very senior officials in that Ministry are moonlighting in a drug racket, in which they are raking in thousands, if not millions of dollars.

Our Ministry of Health source says that this high-level hustle began recently after the Inter-American Bank (IDB) provided money to the Ministry of Health, through a bi-lateral agreement between the IDB and the Government of Belize, to fund a Health Information and Management System. This system includes programmed assistance in the monitoring, procurement and distribution of pharmaceuticals throughout the government-run national health services, including hospitals and clinics. This includes the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City. This hospital, about two years ago, was engulfed in a similar drug procurement racket involving cronies of the UDP government, and more specifically, Cabinet Ministers.

It was a doctor and whistle blower, who is also a member of the BMDA that blew the lid on the mismanagement and corruption at this hospital.

This stink embarrassed the government and forced the Prime Minister to appoint a Commission of Inquiry.

While this fraudulent scheme was confirmed by the Commission of Inquiry, despite the fact that it was politically appointed, the evidence of corruption at the KHMH was too strong to be ignored. However, the recommendations of the Commission amounted to naught.

No one was criminally charged, nor was the hospital’s Administrator made culpable for mismanagement and incompetence for overlooking the drug racket. In fact, the Finance Officer kept his job, so did the CEO of the hospital and Ministry, and the Minister, under whose watch it all occurred.

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BELIZE TIMES

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 Mortgage under a Deed of Mortgage made the 27th day of March, 2006, registered in Deeds Book Vol. 10 of 2006 at Folios 729746, between Atlantic Bank Limited (the Assignor) Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., and Edison Menzies and Ella Menzies, and under a Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 20th day of February, 2003, recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 7 of 2003 at Folios 1061-1100, between The Belize Bank Limited (the Assignor) and Atlantic Bank Limited, which said property was mortgaged by the said Edison Menzies and Ella Menzies to the said Belize Bank Limited on the 4th day of June, 2002, recorded in Deeds Book Vol 21.

Of 2002 at Folios 347-386; 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 lot LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Block No. 2 situate in the Agricultural Area, Sittee River, Stann Creek District, and bounded as follows:- On the North for 77.556 metres by a portion of Block No. 10; On the South for 59.512 metres by a road; On the East for 390.034 metres by Block No. 3; and on the West for 371.334 metres by Block No. 1; containing 6.882 acres of land as shown on Plan No. 1938 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 22nd of January, 2013.

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

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Racist Barrow?

Belize City, February 5, 2013 A nasty racial tension is brewing in the United Democratic Party. The cause is Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s remarks on national television that he supports Gaspar Vega in the January 17th convention for UDP Deputy Prime Minister because of “ethnic and geographic” reasons.

The ethnic difference is that Vega is Mestizo/Hispanic, while Faber the contender is

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Creole/Black. The geographic difference is that Vega comes from a mostly-Hispanic district, Orange Walk, while Faber is based in Belize City, which is dominantly Creole.

It’s quite strange that Barrow, a black man, would not support Faber, another black man, and that Faber’s blackness is the reason he is being rejected. But as Belizeans have been finding out, in the UDP you can expect just about anything.

Faber almost went into traumatic shock when he learnt of Barrow’s support for Vega.

Good thing he doesn’t suffer from vertigo, like Barrow.

“I am a loyal and faithful Dean Barrow supporter, so that’s why it shocks people when he says he doesn’t support me. He and I are of the same skin color,” he cried.

Loyal or not, Barrow doesn’t want Faber as his right hand man and it has stirred up serious trouble in the UDP.

2013

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 12th day of July, 2004, between REGINA BAIDE of Pomona Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in the Deeds Book Vol. 22 of 2004 at Folios 5988, 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 or parcel of land being Lot No. 2 and comprising 835.844 square metres situate in the New Pomona Village Site, near Mile 11, Stann Creek Valley Road, Stann Creek District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 10 of 2004 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 10 of 2004 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 4th day of February, 2013.

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

10 FEB FEB 10

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2013

TOPMODEL 13

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Tricia

Gabourel Visit www.Facebook/ Tricia Gabourel

Wayne

Marshal

& Tami Chynn expecting

Danchell artist Wayne Marshall has announced that he and his wife are expecting a baby.

Marshall, who married fellow dancehall artist Tami Chynn in 2009, announced the happy news on Twitter. “@tamichynn & I are so happy to announce that we will be welcoming our first child later this year.

Exciting times ahead.

Love,” he wrote.

This will be Chynn’s first child, but the second for Marshall who has a son, Giomar.

• • • • •

Janine Height: 5’ 4” Career Plan: Attorney • Sign: Taurus • Favourite Food: Lasagna Likes: Outdoor person, Listening to music, Traveling,

Health and fitness Lives in Belize City Fav. Quote: “Treasure your relationship, not your possessions”

visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

Follow us on facebook

14 SPORTS

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES

2013

Female National Football Team

National Female Football squad

prepares for International Matches

Belize Bank Bulldogs win annual canoe race Burrell Boom, February 2, 2013 The Belize Bank Bulldogs Armin Lopez, Amado Cruz and Daniel Cruz won Saturday morning’s annual Haulover to Burrell Boom to Manatee Lookout canoe race organized by the Belize Canoe Association as a warm-up for the 14th annual Ruta Maya River challenge.

The Bulldogs clocked 2:06:43 on the 19-mile paddle to win 1st overall and 1st in the Male Division.

Male Division 2nd – NICH’s Oscar Cordon, Efrain Cruz, Felix Cruz (2:06:45) 3rd – Westrac’s Jerry Cante, Erwin Cruz, Henner Cruz (2:06:46) 4th – Chukka Thrillers’ Mario Portillo, Elmer Garcia, Miguel Cruz (2:21:56) 5th – Fast Forward’s Simon August, Steven Castillo (2:41:08) Female Division 1st – Molly’s Girls’ Jayda Guydis, Louise Rodriguez, Shanice Ferguson (2:31:17) Juniors 1st – Sprouts Kenrick, Michael and Wilberto Daniels (2:12:18) 2nd – Boomers’ Matthew Mask, Jeffrey Seguro, Allan Lopez (2:30:33) 3rd – Hunter Boys’ Ellis Metzgen, Martin Gideon, Dominique Alvarez (2:36:12) Intramural Division

10 FEB

Belize City, February 5, 2013 Belize’s Female Football National Team is in training for a series of international matches scheduled for mid-February and March.

24 athletes have been called by the Football Federation of Belize to try-out for the national squad that will play international friendlies in Merida, Yucatan on February 15th and then the official in San Jose, Costa Rica from March 3 to 17.

The BELIZE TIMES wishes out national team the greatest success as they represent the jewel

Devaun Zuniga takes on Sydney Bradley Muslim Community School girls team

Leads in Primary School Softball in two-way tie

Devaun Zuniga takes on Sydney Bradley

1st – Natius Boys’ Alfred Lopez, Byron Cruz, Armando Lopez (2:12:33) 2nd – What Eva Boyz’s Sergio Lopez, Adrian Williams, Jimmy Valdez – 2:13:33 Mixed Division 1st – Coast Guard Guardians’ Tony Franzua, Keyren Tzib, Glen Jones (2:15:07) 2nd – Guydis Canoe’s Tyreek Thompson, Amber Guydis, Euken Arnold (21:19:08) Masters Division 1st – Sea Sports’ “Watt

a Ting” Francis “Bunky” Codd, Chris Guydis, Johnny Searle (2:22:20) 2nd – “Grumpy Ol’ Men” Joe Segura, Stanley Bailey, Jerry Wilken (2:23:38) Pleasure Division 1st – Police Crimefighters’ Nery Waight, Tyrell Alvarez, Jesus Linares (2:25:52) 2nd – Print Belize’s Rudolph Gentle, Timoteo Vanegas, Javier Guardado (2:34:12) 3rd – Rebels’ Lennox Myvett, Felipe Reyes, Leon Lord (2:55:17)

Belize City, February 1, 2013 There is a two-way tie for the top spots of the Belize City primary schools softball in both the male and female competitions.

Undefeated St. John’s Vianney RC School and the Muslim Community School girls have 3 wins, while the St. Mary’s Anglican and St. Martin’s RC School boys are also tied with 3 wins.

On Friday, pitcher Princella Samuels led St. John Vianney School girls to victory against the Salvation Army School girls 16-4.

The St. Mary’s School boys defeated the Salvation Army School boys 10-3. The Mary’s boys also walloped the St. John’s Anglican boys 12-8.

The Muslim Community School girls beat Buttonwood Bay Nazarene 17-1. Winning pitcher Essenie Ciego gave up only 1 run. The Muslim girls also won 18-0 against Wesley Upper School.

The St. Martin De Porres School boys shut out the Queen Square School boys 30-0. They also won 8-3 over Wesley Upper School on Thursday.

Other games: Unity Presbyterian girls vs. Wesley Upper – 7-0 Winning pitcher Alison Arnold Salvation Army boys vs. Central Christian – 8-7 Winning pitcher Keron Patnett Queen Square boys vs. Wesley Upper – 11-4 Winning pitcher Ashton Lawrence Salvation Army girls vs. Central Christian girls – 14-2 Winning pitcher Britney Meighan

10 FEB FEB 10

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2013

SPORTS 15

Wesley’s Keeron Young

SJC defeats

Excelsior in playoffs

Erica Milligan scored Wesley’s 1st goal in game 1

Wesley girls bomb Excelsior 3-1 in GM2 Belize City, February 2, 2013 The Wesley College girls are No. 1 entering the high school football finals, after defeating Excelsior High School 3-1 in Game 2 of the playoffs.

Goals were scored by Kimberly Garcia, Imane McKenzie and Shanice Neal.

Wesley had also won Game 1, 2-1 at the M.C.C. Grounds on Friday.

The unexpected withdrawal of the No. 2 seed Ladyville Technical High School girls from the playoffs allowed the Excelsior girls to advance to the playoffs. Wesley’s goalie was surprised by a long shot from outside that beat her to give the Excelsior girls a 1-0 lead up to the half.

Wesley’s Erica Milligan and Elisha Bernardez led a furious counterattack,

ACC girls

and Erica Milligan soon equalized and Elisha Bernardez scored the 2nd winning goal and the Excelsior girls never recovered.

The Anglican Cathedral College girls follow could possible overtake the 2nd place held by St. Catherine’s Academy girls after beating them 1-0 on Saturday morning.

ACC’s Ajahney Carr scored the first goal. The ACC defenders goofed into giving up a penalty, but ACC’s goalie Brianny Stephens came up with a big save denying the SCA girls the chance to equalize and secure the 1-0 win.

The winners will advance to the finals, on Thursday and Friday, February 7 – 8 and the national football championships in Orange Walk on February 15-16.

Belize City, February 2, 2013 The St. John’s College boys have advanced to the finals after defeating the Excelsior High School football team by more goals after game 2 of the playoffs ended 5-3, in favour of Excelsior.

In the game on Tuesday night SJC’s Tarique James scored two goals while Excelsior’s James Fitzgibbon scored a hat trick. While it was a comeback for Excelsior, it was not enough as game 1 had ended 3-2 in favour of SJC. Dimitri Fabro, author of two goals in Belize’s 2-1 win against Mexico that led Belize’s under-15 national team winning gold in Santo Domingo last December, scored a hat trick for SJC on Friday.

Raheem “Hendy” Flowers added a 2nd goal with a long lob over Excelsior’s defenders that beat goalie Luis Gamboa.

In the 2nd half, Kareem “Ton-ton” Flowers caught up to a long forward pass from Jovan “Head” Clare and drilled the SJC keeper with the equal-

izer 2-2.

Fabro regained the initiative with a solo drive on the right flank to beat the goalie with a shot to the far corner of the goal for a 3-2 lead and again “Ton-ton” Flowers equalized with Excelsior’s 3rd goal.

SJC’s Rhondre Lewis took a hand with a long pass Fabro into the goal area, and Fabro completed his hat trick with a right-away left foot kick into the. Fabro returned the favor for Raheem Flowers to score a 5th goal in SJC’s 5-3 win.

The heavens opened up and poured down a cooling shower as Wesley’s Keeron Young and Marquis Stamp each scored a goal in their 2-1 win over ACC on Saturday morning, while only Calvin “Bodies” Reneau scored for ACC. SJC will play the finals on Thursday and Friday, February 7 – 8. The city champs will represent the central division at the national football championships in Orange Walk on February 15-16.

San Estevan advances to OW football finals

San Estevan secured its spot in the OW Football Association first division championship finals after beating San Lazaro Revolution by an 8-6 goal aggregate.

Edwani Munoz scored 4 goals in the 4-4 draw.

A PAID AD BY THE BELIZE REFERENDUM COMMISSION

16 THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

10 FEB

10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Scales of JUSTICE

By Anthony Sylvestre Jr.

Four Weeks Later, and still nothing…

On the serene morning of Tuesday 8th January, 2013, the residents of Dean and George Streets awoke and busied themselves as is their daily routine.

The stillness in the air (which in retrospect now should have been a foreboding of things to come) was abruptly ended with the frantic cries and wails spurn on by the ghastly discovery. It was like none the people in that community had seen before. True, the boys from the area were viewed as warlords, but the throat slittings, stabbings, butchering and near decapitation of the four men in that building at the corner of Plues and Dean Streets, was still too much.

The initial shock quickly turned into an internalizing of what had transpired. Men or ghosts (you take your pick) had secretly entered the apartment and slain the men, unbeknown to anyone. Not even the police officers at the police sub-station 100 yards down the street knew what had taken place. And as luck would have it, the police camera on the nearby lamppost was malfunctioning at just about the same time, so there was no video footage to see who went in and out of the building.

And so, naturally and understandably, the residents began pointing fingers and laying blame. It had to be the GSU they conjectured. For they alone had a motive; that is, to destroy the George Street Gang which is based in that community. The head of the GSU had publicly stated so in unequivocal words.

And, the residents reasoned further, no rival gang would dare come into the George Street turf.

To do so was a sure suicidal mission, not even the bravest gangster was up to.

Dean Barrow in his meaningless press conference later in the afternoon related the residents’ belief: “… the bad news is that the

people from George Street are absolutely convinced that these were state sponsored murders that not to put too fine point on it that it was the GSU that killed the 4 persons in that apartment building.

Barrow then flippantly dismissed the allegations of the residents of the area and said “…it constitutes a very serious allegation in deed against the integrity of the GSU; against the integrity of the police department; against the integrity of the security forces and against the integrity of the government.”

When the integrity of a government and its security forces is questioned on the scale that Barrow’s one has been, a serious and responsible leader will

do something to try to quell that tainted public perception.

So what has Barrow done?

NOTHING! By doing nothing, the distrust in the security forces has only worsened. This can never be good for communities like the George Street area nor for the general public. The belief by residents in such communities that the police and security forces are out to “kill them out” is the breeding ground for more gang members to be created. The distrust of the residents of the security forces pits them against the State; adults and children alike.

PUP Party Leader Francis Fonseca understands this.

How can Dean Barrow not see that it is in the public welfare/interest to have a public inquiry into the deaths of the four men?

This is why he went into the area to meet with the residents.

This is why he has called for a Commission of Inquiry into the four murders.

The Commissions of Inquiry Act states that the Prime Minister may appoint a Commission to inquire into any matter which in his opinion would be for the public welfare. The Act further prescribes that the inquiry shall be

17 held in public unless otherwise decided by the Commissioners.

The purpose of a commission of inquiry is to fully and impartially inquire into a specific issue and to return an opinion or report on the issue.

How can Dean Barrow not see that it is in the public welfare/interest to have a public inquiry into the deaths of the four men?

In other countries, faced with similar growing distrust of the security forces, the government has held commissions of inquiries in an attempt to quell the public perception of a tainted security force.

This is what transpired in Jamaica following the 2001 killing of seven young men in Braeton, Portmore. The young men were all reputed members of a criminal gang. The residents in the Braeton area decried the killing as unjustified state sponsored killings.

A Commission of Inquiry was eventually held into the circumstances of the killings of the seven young men.

A Commission of inquiry would be the ideal way to publicly show that the GSU or the security forces were not involved in the mass murders on Dean Street. It is an ideal way to start the needed process of restoring confidence and trust of the security forces in communities like George Street.

But four weeks after the Dean Street massacre and the public perception of the GSU has worsened, Dean Barrow has not appointed a commission of Inquiry into the deaths. The question is, why?

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

Of this and that…

RACIST BELIZE? February is Black History Month. It is celebrated because of blacks in the USA. Black people celebrate the dignity of their culture. The power structure is wicked. February is the shortest month. That is the month they gave blacks. They took the rest of months.

What a thing.

The UDP does not respect Black History Month.

There is no Mestizo month. They get one day. It is called Pan American Day. We, Garifuna, get one day too, in November.

The Mayans were here first. We hog up all the money from tourists.

They come to see their sites. Maya people no get no day at all. Not a single hour. Only thing we celebrate is the ending of the Maya world.

This is wotless.

QUESTION Restore Belize is a fraud.

How come they bring a white dude during black history month? He is here to inspire black kids….. Hmmmmnnnn…..He is going to all the schools.

This is disrespect.

We forget quick. Remember Farrakhan was to come. Why could they not bring him instead?

KING OF FOOLISHNIS Mark King is loose again. Lock your doors. Close your windows. A gun was involved. He will not have to go to jail for ten business days.

Barrow is playing self-righteous.

We all know he does not like Mark King. King is the perfect sacrificial lamb. He is not the brightest bulb. Not the sane –est cat. He is expendable.

His actions give Barrow a golden opportunity. Barrow wants to double up.

He can pretend to deal with “corruption”. He will get rid of royal baggage.

Barrow was on Love FM. He was already talking of by-elections.

We want Barrow to try it. The PUP has the candidate ready.

This thing with King is bigger than what the eyes see. Why would a corrupt government punish a corrupt Minister?

Ask the “why” not the “what”.

MILLION DOLLAR KINEL There is a massive infrastructure project going on. It is in Belize City.

There is the cementing of streets. We hate the traffic inconvenience. It is a lack of planning. Smooth streets are good news.

There is a huge hustle going on. It has gone unnoticed. The UDP slipped it in. The public was happy that the potholes would disappear.

The UDP is cementing East and West Collet Canal. Not just the street but the kinel itself.

It really is a big hustle. Some smart guy suggested that they not just cement it. They are also driving “piles”.

Concrete ones.

Piles are used in Belize City to build two storey houses. They are expensive. They are $1000 each.

The UDP are using these piles like they are toothpicks. They are using over a hundred piles in the North Creek Kinel alone.

That is $1,000,000.00 on piles for a kinel side! What a waste.

KICK BACK Why is the City spending so much on piles?

A contractor told us why. There is a kick back policy. The contractor gets the bid. The Council and Government do not publish the details of the bid.

This is done in secret. The contractor gives 10% back to the politicians.

The Belize CitCo project is $40 million. Someone in City Hall done start get fi dey $4 million.

Guess who.

BIG PIPPLE TING Those lace blouse are in style.

They are sexy. The turks have them.

It is the sexiest thing since low rise jeans. Now jeag-in are it. They are the in thing for bottoms.

Why are they selling this big pipple thing to pickney? Parents put their children in this thing. No. No. For decency sake and protection of our children. There are some sick people out there. They cannot tell the difference between a child and an adult.

These sick pedophiles do not need any more confusion.

SCHOOL BUS We need to pay attention Belizeans.

School children catch the bus to go to school. The same bus as every color and creep of adult. The children have to scrounge up. Four in a seat next to an adult.

It is a bad formula. America has school buses for a reason. It is faster.

It is more organized. It is cheaper. It is more disciplined.

Most of all. It is safer for our children.

Jamaica has bad things happening on the buses. Adult men and little girls.

We no want that yah.

Belize is different now. Dis ya time da no like befo time.

JAH OVER ALL Michael Buffer has nothing on James Aderley. Michael says “let’s get

ready to rumble”. That starts off the fight. James shuts it down with “Jah over all”. That closes the curtains.

We need more from Jah. We need more from Sports Monday.

How about letting the Government get serious? How about some analysis? How about some hard questions?

STOP PLAY Belize did done good. We are happy with football. We love our little win.

History. We have arrived. Gold Cup here we come!

But wait. The commentators said we get tired in the last 20 minutes of matches. It is because our players are not full time professionals.

We are playing against the Messi’s and Ronaldo’s of the world. These guys are treated like gold. They have nutritionists. They have therapists.

They have chefs. They have personal trainers. They sleep in oxygen tanks.

Players in Belize work eight hours.

They are truck drivers. They are messengers. They are carpenters. Then they work out for two hours. Then sleep on sponge.

Stop di bavv.

The next round of games is in July.

How about this? How about the government show that they are serious. How about turning our team into full time professionals. At least from now ‘til July. Give them a salary. Put a program around them.

Let Belizeans see what can happen. What can happen when raw talent gets polish.

Do not just talk love. Show the team real love. Spend a money!

MAKE SENSE A car is dangerous weapon. The driver has a lot of responsibility.

The law people in New Hampshire are changing the law. This is in the USA. They want people over 80 to retake the driving test.

This is a good idea. It will make sure the roads are safe. It will make sure the older drivers are jiggy.

This is a great idea. You can literally “buy your licence” in Belize. It makes our road unsafe.

Our licensing system needs progressive policies. The only policy now is increase in fees and collection.

ORANGE WALK TACOS Taco is morning food. One corn tortilla, a shred of chicken and a sprinkle of cabbage. Heaven in a roll.

Each morning the tacos vendors make hundreds of dollars. Tacos is the breakfast of Belize. Milo and egg is second.

It is made all over the country.

Orange Walk tacos is succulent. It is spicy.

It makes you want to catch a Morales bus. Go to Queen Victoria Avenue and buy six dollar worth.

10 FEB

2013 Plates up. Hats off to OW. They cannot touch unu tacos.

PAULINE RODRIGUEZ Housing is big in Belize. There is even an entire Ministry for just Housing. Finnegan is a messed up failure.

He has not built a single house. There is not policy in the Housing Department.

Pauline Rodriguez is a business woman. She is a PUP. She is strong.

She is not a scaredie cat. She is a visionary. She is the daughter of the first Ombudsman. She is a devout catholic. She is the owner of CP Building. They build homes.

Pauline alone has done more than the whole government. Put together.

She has a housing site. It is at Western Pines. It is about nine miles from Belize City. It is on the Western Highway. The George Price Highway to be p.c.

It is very affordable.

Pauline is a genius. She has worked out a brilliant arrangement.

Poor and middle class people can “rent to own” a home. Imagine that.

Think how long you have been renting. You could have paid for your own house already.

Pauline has put the UDP to shame. Big up Pauline.

DO NOT PASS GO The teachers went on strike. The agreed as a union. Classes were cancelled. Unity was declared. Teachers taught students about civic duty. They taught them how to stand up. How to be constructive. It was a lesson in social studies.

All schools were to have been closed. Edward P. Yorke High School still had classes. Belize was disappointed. Then we were angry.

The principal is Rodrick Cardinez.

Students tell us that the principal not only kept the school open. He went around taking attendance. What message is he sending the students.

He is not alone. UB students tell us a sad story too. Organizers went from classroom to class room. They tried to get students to the UB protest. Some lecturers called security on them.

Hot coals of fire on that kind of behaviour. Spineless. These are not teachers. They are cowards. They are part of the problem. They should resign. We do not want them teaching our kids.

We do not want our kids to become sheep, servants and slaves.

KNOW YOURSELF (REMIX) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19. The Ralph Waldo Emerson remix: “what lies behind us and what lies before us are but tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.”

10 FEB

2013

Area Representatives and Ministers… for whom?

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. Queen Square, Mesopotamia, Collet and Port Loyola are four divisions on the Southside that voted red in the last general election. In those elections the victorious candidates were Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Michael Finnegan, Patrick Faber, and Anthony “Boots” Martinez.

I contested the Port Loyola Division and with hardwork was able to drastically reduced Martinez’s victory.

With more hardwork, and looking at the gross neglect by Boots, the people of Port will entrust me with their confidence to represent them properly. Barrow, Finnegan, and Faber won their divisions by a large margin. Barrow has been the Area Representative for his division for over 25 years.

Finnegan is approaching 25 years as the Area Representative for his area, and both Faber and Martinez are serving their third term in Collet and Port Loyola respectively. Throughout most of their time in Government these four persons have held very powerful ministries such as Housing, Works, National Security, Education, Sports, and Economic Development. Before becoming PM, Barrow also served two terms as Deputy P.M. With so much influence in government one would expect that the those Area Representative would have helped their constituencies with opportunities to afford the most basic needs such as proper housing, jobs, better streets, a safe commu-

nity, and greater access to education and improved sporting facilities. That however is not the case.

The need for improved housing, jobs, better streets and drains, less crime, and greater access to education and sporting facilities is glaring throughout the four divisions.

Crime is so rampant in some areas of those divisions that residents are scared to come out of their homes in those specific neighborhoods.

Despite their fat salaries as Area Representatives and Ministers along with a subvention of around five thousand dollars every month to assist their divisions Barrow, Finnegan, Faber nor Martinez can point to anything of consequence that they have done to improve the lives of their constituents. They can’t refer to a park that they have built; a special project to create needed employment for their constituents; a feeding program, or anything of consequence that they have done to improve their divisions.

Needless to say as Areas Representatives and Ministers of Government these four self-centered politicians have amassed huge wealth for themselves, while their constituents have seen no improvement in their standard of living.

Barrow, Finnegan, Faber, and Martinez have been Area Representatives and Ministers for many years. The question is: for whom?

They see the answer to that question every time they look in a mirror.

JP Association condemns actions of Mark King Belize City, February 6, 2013 The Association of Justices of the Peace & Commissioners of the Supreme Court condemns the behavior of the Hon. Mark King. Mr. King is a Justice of the Peace who was appointed through the association.

The Association believes that as a Justice of the Peace Mr. King has violated the JP Code of Ethics in part it reads: “A Justice of the Peace shall at all times be courteous, cooperative and respectful to legal and judicial officers, police officers and any other members of the Belize Defence Force, any member of the public service and the community on a whole. A Justice of the Peace

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

shall refrain from any conduct that is detrimental to the office of a Justice of the Peace or which may tend to discredit the office or bring it into disrepute.”

His conduct in public was uncalled for and he should have remembered the office he was elected and also remember that he is a Justice of the Peace. We know that other JP’s conduct themselves improperly in public but that does not give the right to any other JP especially an elected Member of the House of Representatives to behave in that manner. Let us hope that justice is served. (Press Release)

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 Mortgage under a Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 25th of November, 2005, recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 39 of 2005 at Folios 989 – 1002, between The Belize Bank Limited (the Assignor), ScotiaBank (Belize) Ltd., and MARTINA ARANA (the Mortgagor), which said property was mortgaged by the said MARTINA ARANDA to the Belize Bank Limited on the 21st day of August, 2000 and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Volume 50 of 2000 at Folios 799–836; and the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of three 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 the property comprised in and granted by the Crown to Martina Arana by the Minister’s Fiat (Grant) No. 529 of 2000 and entered at the Land Titles Unit in Belmopan in Crown Lands Book (Grants) being the lot numbered 191 containing 766.235 square metres situate in Silk Grass Village, in the Stann Creek District of Belize and bounded and described as shown coloured red on Plan No. 529 of 2000 attached to the said Fiat TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 4th day of February, 2013.

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

20 Recipe of the week

Fluffy Pancakes 3/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 2 tablespoons butter, melted Cooking spray

Born to Ulette Reginald Coleman and Yuri Areli Coleman nee Lemus, a girl, Regina Collette Born to Nigel Earl Yarde, Sr., and Stephanie Ernice Yarde nee Paulino, a boy, Nigel Earl, Jr. Born to Jose Enrique Perez and Gladys Lizeth Perez nee Lopez, a boy, Juan Alberto Born to Steven Omar Lewis and Sarita Rozela Lewis nee Edwards, a girl, Shalom Danielle

DEATHS Huldah Archangel Neal, 59.

Olivia Dawrel Robinson, 89.

Keino Malcolm Quallo, 40.

2013 Directions Combine milk with vinegar in a medium bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to “sour”.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

Whisk egg and butter into “soured” milk.

Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk until lumps are gone.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and coat with cooking spray.

Pour 1/4 cups of batter onto the skillet, and cook until bubbles appear on the surface.

Flip with a spatula, and cook until browned on the other side.

Serve with maple syrup.

You can also add a side dish of delicious fruit salad of banana slices, orange, papaya and melon cubes.

It may be a busy workday, but with a quick and easy recipe you can still have a special Valentine’s Day breakfast…

BIRTHS

10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

riquez, 32, to Maria del Carmen Leon, 31, both of August Pine Ridge, Orange Walk District Manolo Chan, 22, to Deylin Magana, 16, both of Valley of Peace, Cayo District Vinicio Geovany Tobar Santos, 26, to Astrid Arlett Gary Christopher Sanger, San Felipe, Orange Walk Morfin, 17, both of Benque 61, to Glenda Fay Floyd, District Viejo del Carmen Town, 61, both of Baton Rouge, Jorgen Hannes Locks, 65, Cayo District Louisiana, U.S.A. to Ariane Marie EdmundJose Cupertino Martinez, Ludovic Sebastian Roy, 33, son, 55, both of Houston, 36, to Rosa Margarita Rato Stephanie Karen McTexas, U.S.A. mos, 31, both of Duck Run Mullen, 33, both of GatinEdwin Yovany Guzman, I, Cayo District eau, Quebec, Canada 23, of Benque Viejo del Jose Neftaly Martinez DuRupert Alexander Baptist, Carmen Town, Cayo Disbon, 36, to Deisis Carmita 52, to Virgin Mary Arana, trict, to Ravenna Edwena Sanchez, 26, both of Duck 56, both of Hopkins, Stann Polanco, 24, of San Ignacio Run I, Cayo District Creek District Town, Cayo District Edwin Tovar, 35, to Deisis Afolabi Oluwasegun Israel Jimenez, 33, to Silvia Carmita Sanchez, 29, both Adeoye, 22, of Belmopan, Salam, 19, both of Indepenof Duck Run III, Cayo to Luz Adriana Perez dence, Stann Creek District District Reyes, 32, of Bonnyville, Renaldo Maquin, 22, to Alfred Anthony Moh, 20, to Alberta, Canada Beatrice Elizabeth Cal, 18, Shajeda Nazira Guerra, 22, Kevin Bryce Supple, 40, to both of San Isidro, Toledo both of Benque Viejo del Colleen Cronin McCann, District Carmen Town, Cayo District 34, both of Robbinsdale, Omar Mendez, 29, to VictoReymundo Edwardo ReMinnesota, U.S.A. ria Shack, 26, both of Valquena, 42, to Hilda EsErick Guerrero, 25, to ley of Peace, Cayo District peranza Alba, 40, both of Lydia Loewen, 37, both Olvin Mauricio Urias, 36, to Benque Viejo del Carmen of Placencia, Stann Creek Julia Granados, 46, both of Town, Cayo District District St. Matthew’s, Cayo District Dwayne Evan Gardiner, 38, Juan Jose Serrano, 38, of Paul Rodriguez, 27, to to Shurny Tanisha Trapp, Santa Cruz, Stann Creek Lisbeth Mayen, 24, both 28, both of Mahogany District, to Juanita Maria of Valley of Peace, Cayo Heights, Belize District Acosta, 16, of Bella Vista, District Ian Robert Bohn, 29, to Toledo District Jose Ramiro Mejia, 46, Jennifer Rose Mariscal, 32, Rocky Santos Esquivel, to Sara Amaya, 56, both both of Sacramento, Cali35, of Blue Creek, Orange of Valley of Peace, Cayo fornia, U.S.A. Walk District, to Jeomara District Carl Russell Godoy, 29, to Elizabeth Cortez, 22, of David Alexander Hen-

MARRIAGES

Jessica Janeth Herrera, 25, both of Independence, Stann Creek District Dean Denroy Flowers, 39, to Michelle Elizabeth Bowers, 39, both of Ladyville, Belize District Jared Duncan Brackett, 37, to Laura Tay Dennis, 31, both of Rogerson, Idaho, U.S.A. Kevin Mark South, 52, to Karla Patricia Garcia, 30, both of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District Joseph Lee Lasater, Jr., 42, to Kenda Badgett Hughes, 31, both of Hazel Green, Alabama, U.S.A. Miguel Antonio Romero, 40, to Floridalma Menendez, 29, both of Belmopan Steven Douglas Thompson, Jr., 30, to Anabel Bixby Fay, 31, both of Houston, Texas, U.S.A. Timothy Blake Anenson, 47, to Lupe Izavel Kent, 43, both of Martinez, California, U.S.A. Dion Carlton Gabourel, 41, to Alma Louise McKenzie, 34, both of Belize City Taylor Edward Rowland, 25, to Megan Elizabeth Domholt, 27, both of Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.A.

”

10 FEB

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid The Facts As They Are

By G. Michael Reid Aside from being published in the BELIZE TIMES, I have a few internet lists and forums to which I post my articles. I get feedback; some folks agree and some folks disagree. Such is the nature of the game. I always enjoy hearing from my readers whichever way it comes and am not one to confuse opinion with judgment.

One reader wrote to me recently and had high praises of how I wrote. It was what I wrote about that had her dander raised. She suggested that I obviously write about the things I do because I am a PUP. I gave it some thought and came to this conclusion. I do not write about the things I do because I am a PUP. On the contrary, I am a PUP because of the way things are that spur me to write about them.

Sometime aback, someone coined the term PUDP to suggest that there was no difference between Belize’s two political parties.

I beg to differ! There are profound and distinct differences between these two parties.

A fundamental difference between the PUP and the UDP is attitude; the respect that elected representatives tends to show to the people who elect them. The PUP is more humble and compassionate while the UDP’s are arrogant and callous. The PUP tries to reason with the electorate while the UDP tend to bullyrag and intimidate the people in any way possible. We saw a perfect example of this difference on display this past week.

The unions have been haggling with government for the past five years for a much needed and deserved cost of living adjustment to their salaries. Inflation has been

beck and call, the Police, the BDF and the dread Gang Suppression Unit. (GSU) This man is totally out of order!

Government’s next move was to ensure that a key member of the union’s negotiating team was removed from the picture. Exactly what happened is still not clear but at the eleventh hour, Jose Castellanos informed the other union leaders that he could not be a part of the team. Ap-

crippling and while salaries remain stagnant, prices of everything have been going sky high. Just this month, electricity went up a whopping Consider the leadership of the 17 percent and while two parties. Francis Fonseca there has who leads the PUP is a been no humble and approachofficial notice of able individual. Dean higher waBarrow is arrogant, obter rates, the bill noxious and aloof. gets bigger by the month. Gasoline pricparently, he had been intimidated es are hovering near $13 a gallon and felt that he had too much to and this has caused transporlose. What the other union leadtation costs to also rise. Many ers should have done was to reteachers and public offices must fuse to go into the meeting until commute daily, and to quote Bob a full understand was had as to Marley, “who feels it knows it”! why Castellanos did not feel safe The teachers have been feelenough to attend. With Dylan ing it and last week, decided Reneau and other government that enough was enough. They plants leading the negotiations, organized a massive demonstrait was a given that they would tion and took their gripe to the emerge from that meeting with foot of Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, as much as they went in; noththe government radio station ing! George Frazier did get a has been lambasting and derocake and a song however, so gating the teachers because of maybe all was not lost. their demands. They have been The difference between tocalled greedy, selfish and deday and back in 2005 when the void of any social conscience. teachers had once before demonSimultaneously, students have strated, was that back then, they been protesting government’s did receive a raise. Back then, it decision to raise tuitions at the was a different government and University of Belize but unfortuinstead of intimidating and stacknately, students do not have anying the deck, government negotithing close to the cohesive and ated and gave the teachers their organized union that represents just due. There is a big difference the teachers. Their objection was shrugged off, brushed aside and basically ignored even by the media. Pay or stay ignorant.

For the teachers now, their dismissal could not be so simple.

As per normal, this government’s first resolve was intimidation.

John Saldivar, not even a part of the negotiating team, first calls a meeting of teachers in Belmopan. The unions cried foul but he proceeds anyway. He then goes on national radio to warn that he would go countrywide to meet teachers and if they refuse to attend his meetings, he would go knock on their doors.

It is important to note folks that John Saldivar is the Minister of National Security. He has at his

21 between these two parties.

Consider the leadership of the two parties. Francis Fonseca who leads the PUP is a humble and approachable individual.

Dean Barrow is arrogant, obnoxious and aloof. Many of his ministers have adopted his style and what we have is a country run by despots. Francis Fonseca leads by inspiration while Dean Barrow rules by intimidation.

The PUP has promised a fouryear term of government, while the UDP plays games. In 1998, they lingered long past their fiveyear tenure. In 2012, they called elections early and pulled every trick in the book and still only squeaked by with a narrow majority. With all the money that was spent to buy that election, the teachers, public servants and every other government employee could have gotten a raise. Utility rates could have remained the same and the tax on fuel could have been reduced.

The PUP held a referendum to change the rubber-stamp senate to an elected body. The UDP ignored the people’s decision. The UDP, before election, promised a 13th Senator to insure that government’s will was not always the order of the day. The Prime Minister went on television and boasted that he had no intention of keeping that promise. There were many more promises, like lower cost of living, a national oil company, an oil refinery and the list goes on and on.

The cold fact is that these two parties are as different as chalk and cheese. Unfortunately, it has taken us this long to realize it and we must now grin and bear until we can run these tyrants and despots from our midst. May GOD help Belize!

22

Big money politics

Patrick Faber Belize City, February 5, 2013 UDP inside sources tell the BELIZE TIMES that they expect anywhere between one million to two million dollars to be spent in the upcoming convention for Deputy Leader.

“Money will be rolling,” said the insider.

But why will so much money be involved in an inter-party election that will involve a few hundred voters? The answer lies in what is at stake. Vega, who is one of the richest politicians in the UDP, is not willing to give up his seat and is expected to do whatever it takes to retain his post.

This morning while on the Love FM morning show, Prime Minister Dean Barrow pointed out that one of the reasons he is supporting Vega is because he is “good” at winning elections, especially village council elections.

For the record, Vega lost ground in the last general elections in northern Belize, but Barrow does have a point with elections in the villages. Anyone who has attended a village council election in Vega’s constituency has seen how extravagantly money is spent.

Dozens of vehicles, campaigners, T-Shirts and banners flood the area and then there is the under-the-table vote buying done by the UDP. While Patrick Faber has been media aggressive in his campaign for Deputy, Vega has been hiding – a complete shut off of any media appearance. Vega knows he’s not articulate and often ends up shoving his foot up his mouth. He might not be the brightest bulb but he is not a “normal” Belizean; he is an extremely wealthy one and that’s where his confidence lies.

10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

Gapi Vega There are already reports of known UDP cronies visiting his large mansion on Clarke Street in Orange Walk Town, and walking out with large manila folders on hand. Several of these manila people include those who have supposedly pledged support for Faber.

Faber knows he cannot trust anyone. On the day of elections none of his television ads will matter, none of the favours or scholarships will mean a thing. On that day the UDP will be at their best and big money politics will dictate the results. Your guess on who will win is as good as ours.

PUP Calls for Mark King’s Removal Continued from page 3 importantly, respect for the laws of our country.

The PUP strongly considers the behaviour displayed by Minister King not only unbecoming but also a breach of the Code of Conduct under Section 121 (1) (b) (d) (e) and (f) of the Constitution of Belize.

As such, the PUP views the sanction imposed by the Prime Minister as a slap on the wrist and calls for the immediate removal of Mark King from office. The PUP also calls upon the Police Department to conduct a full and proper investigation and on the Director of Public Prosecution to ensure that the appropriate charges are levied against Minister Mark King.

(PRESS RELEASE)

2013

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 Mortgage under a Deed of Mortgage made the 5th of December 2008, between MARTIN STUART GOLDBERG and BARRY MAIKEL GOLDBERG both of #12 Paz Villas, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District, Belize of one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in the Deeds Book Vol. 41 of 2008 at Folios 575– 642, 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 lot, piece or parcel of land, containing 10.722 acres situate in the Little Vaqueros Enclave, Mountain Pine Ridge Area, Cayo District, as shown on Plan Entry No. 6399 Register No. 17 lodged at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan.

DATED this 22nd of January, 2013.

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

10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

23

Home Economics

Banks’ Fire Sale Auctions – Shooting themselves in the leg

by Richard Harrison The banks in Belize are the largest advertisers in the weekly newspapers....promoting the auction of peoples’ hard earned assets....avoiding acknowledgment of Belize’s depressed economy....and the need to refinance most sectors of a structurally, increasingly uncompetitive economy....which is the primary cause of decline in real incomes for individuals and legally operating businesses.

These fire sales are causing major devaluation of assets values...and thus collateral values and investment capacity....not only of the assets that are going on fire sale....but also of the assets that are in their vicinity.... regardless if those are current with their liability obligations.

If there is one thing that I have learned in all my life experiences....is that every knife cuts both ways.

The banks have extended credit to all those property owners in the vicinity of those properties that they are putting on fire sale. That credit is being collateralized by the very same properties that are in the vicinity of these fire sales. The banks are thus devaluing their collateral that they are holding on the credits they have extended to all those property owners in the immediate vicinity. The more fire sales they conduct....the more devalued paper collateral they are creating....they are wiping out their own balance sheet....and destabilizing their very own credit base.

The Central Bank of Belize.... and the Commercial Banks....need to acknowledge that Belize has been through one of its worse economic challenges over the past 5 years.... which has brought much hardship to individuals and businesses alike.... who would have otherwise been in good economic health. Only loan sharks and bankers’ bonuses benefit from this misguided thinking that is driving policy.

They should make provisions to clean up their books....by refinancing individuals and businesses....in consideration of reduced principal, lower interest rates and longer terms...exactly as our government is doing with restructuring of their liability obligations....rather than this reckless push to fire sale assets and collateral values.

They should push for policy changes that will correct the structural imbalances that make our economy uncompetitive and under-productive.

This way....collateral values will be preserved....individuals and business-

es will be better able to weather the storm....and they will have the investment capacity to “live and fight another day”.

All indications are that the world economy is slowly rebounding and growing again....especially our principal trading partners, the USA and Mexico.

Belize will take a while to pull

out of this slump...especially because of our uncompetitive economic structure...and poor policy and planning.

Everyone will have to gain from heeding this recommendation. We will

all stand to lose much if we don’t.

Richard Harrison is a local businessman and investor in the manufacturing and service industries. Send comments to harrisonbz@yahoo.com

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10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

In my perspective

Stand for something!

by Rayford Young In the early 1970s, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story for The Washington Post and set the standard for modern investigative reporting. Their investigations into the scandal of the Nixon administration brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon.

I remember these two young reporters as if it was yesterday. Their tenacity and dedication to the truth has set the standard for many reporters around the world. The Nixon administration like so many corrupt politicians did all they could to silence these two men but it did not work. These two men would not be scared or intimidated by the powerful president and his administration because they knew the truth had to be told and they were going to tell it regardless of the Nixon administration’s dirty tricks. We need men like Carl and Bob in this world.

Without men like them politicians would steal their countries wealth as we’ve seen President Robert Mugabe do in Zimbabwe. Once a bread basket and the envy of most African countries it was reported this week that the Government has $270.00 US dollars in their coffers. Mugabe has been in office for 30 years and after all the alleged stealing he has done he just can’t get enough. He is almost 90 years old and will not give up power. How much more money does this man need?

But once in power and with access to the wealth of your country, one just doesn’t know when to stop. It’s like an addiction.

Where are our Carl and Bob in Belize? Who is watching out for us and has the tenacity and integrity and drive to do the reporting and investigating that are so needed in Belize. In the United States of America the house of representative and the US Senate is charged and has subpoena powers to investigate and hold hearings of any government official accused of a crime and turn over their findings to the Justice department for prosecution if warranted. Nothing like this exists in Belize and that’s the reason this crowd of politicians are not intimidated and do what they wish knowing they will not be prosecuted.

I can’t help but sympathize with the people I see receiving stiff prison sentences and fines for shoplifting. Many of the women are just trying to feed their babies but they’re hauled off to jail for a pack of kool aid. Yet politicians who grab land for themselves, friends and family walk free. The Prime Minister who takes over private businesses and appoints family members to boards of businesses they know nothing about; or gives huge contracts to law firms belonging to his brother and ex-wife is not investigated. What’s the real story behind the missed payment to the bond holders? One minister had the audacity to say that the money paid to the gangs is chump change. Well Mr. Minister if it’s so small then tell us how much was paid to the gangs. After all, it

is tax payer dollars and they deserve to know. Some say the figure is one million and as high as five million paid to these murderers.

Who is looking into these million dollar deals and mismanagement? This is where I think the media in Belize has failed us all. We’ve had enough of the coverage and hype we are bombarded with each evening on our TV sets. Murders and traffic accidents don’t take courage to cover. What takes courage is the determination to get to the bottom of a story regardless of intimidation and scare tactics. The media is the only hope we have left in Belize. But we must have men and women with the tenacity and courage to do this. I read that the Government is the main advertising sponsor for one of the leading newspapers in Belize. How can they be objective in their news reporting while taking huge sums of money from the Government?

The media in Belize is nothing more than headline news. No in-depth reporting, no investigative reporting, no Meet the Press or 60 Minutes type programs where politicians have to answer tough questions and be accountable to the people.

The world has had enough of the Robert Mugabes and the Hosni Mubaraks who are nothing more than thieves. These are crooks dressed up in expensive suits but are nothing more that common criminals who steal from their country to enrich themselves. Belize is no different if we let them. It is so important the media do its job.

Every day thousands and thousands of people go to work for the government.

Many of these people know and see a lot of the corruption. All the media has to do is contact these people. That’s what Carl and Bob did. They met with whistle blowers in a parking garage and got the information and documents they needed.

The same can be done in Belize as long as the people know you won’t turn them in when things get hot - they will work with you.

Thanks to the BELIZE TIMES who is doing some of this investigative reporting, but they cannot do it all. We need all hands on deck - all the media outlets to get onboard and do the hard work that our country badly needs.

A popular phrase comes to mind - if you stand for nothing you fall for anything.

My plea to the Belize media is to stand for your country. The people need your experience and expertise. They depend on you to bring them the truth. You have access to power most regular people don’t. Do your job regardless of the consequences.

You owe it to your country and your fellow Belizeans. Stand for something. Who will be the next Carl or Bob? Rayford Young is a Belizean-American, who currently lives in Michigan, U.S.A. Send comments to rayfordyoung@ comcast.net

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

NOTICE Foxitec Ltd. # 69,248 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102(8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Foxitec Ltd. has been dissolved as at 19th January, 2013 and has been struck off the Register of the International Business Companies.

CITITRUST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Registered Agent

NOTICE KREMLENT COMMERCIAL GROUP INC. # 103,262 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102(8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that KREMLENT COMMERCIAL GROUP INC. has been dissolved as at 27th January, 2013 and has been struck off the Register of the International Business Companies.

CITITRUST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Registered Agent

NOTICE Mediterranean Systems Inc. #67,520 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102(8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Mediterranean Systems Inc. has been dissolved as at 26th January, 2013 and has been struck off the Register of the International Business Companies.

CITITRUST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Registered Agent

10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Valentines Day On Valentine’s Day you can show your family a little more love.

You could get help to make Valentine’s Day cards, bake cookies, make breakfast or help around the house a little.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Follow the dots

25

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10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE #3/2013

Energy

Saving Tips With the ever-increasing cost of living in Belize, and most recently, the crippling, Government-approved raise in BEL fees and rates, more and more Belizeans are looking at ways to save money. One way Belizeans can offset the increased electricity rates is by practising Energy Saving Tips. This week’s tips: Smart Refrigerator Use! The EnergyGuide label on new refrigerators tells you how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a particular model uses in one year.

kept at 0°F. • Check the refrigerator temperature by placing an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator.

Read it after 24 hours. Check the freezer temperature by placing a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you may consider buying a new unit.

• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator.

Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.

• Regularly defrost manual-de-

The smaller the number, the less frost freezers and refrigerators; energy the refrigerator uses and frost buildup decreases the enthe less it will cost you to operate. ergy efficiency of the unit. Don’t In addition to the EnergyGuide label, allow frost to build up more than don’t forget to look for the ENERGY one-quarter of an inch. $ Long-Term Savings Tip $ STAR label. A new refrigerator with Look for the ENERGY STAR laan ENERGY STAR label uses at least 20% less energy than required by bel when buying a new refrigerator. current federal standards and 40% Select a new refrigerator that is the less energy than the conventional right size for your household. Top freezer models are more energy models sold in 2001.

Refrigerator-Freezer Energy efficient than side-by-side models.

Features like icemakers and water Tips • Don’t keep your refrigerator dispensers, while convenient, do or freezer too cold. Recommended use more energy. temperatures are 37°40° F (Farenheit) for the fresh food compartment and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate The fastest selling newspaper in Belize freezer for long-term stor¬age, it should be

BELIZE TIMES

See answers on page 30

See answers on page 30

10 FEB

27

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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V

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Selected By Chris Williams

Universal bug sensor takes guesswork out of diagnosis 6 February 2013 by Nic Fleming EVERY day, doctors prescribe antibiotics based on an educated guess about which bugs are causing the symptoms they see before them.

Sometimes they guess wrong and it can take days or even weeks for tests to identify the true culprits. In the meantime, people are taking ineffective drugs, contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

A solution could come in the shape of a machine capable of identifying all bacteria, viruses and fungi known to cause infectious disease in humans. Tests of the PLEX-ID universal biosensor suggest it is more accurate than the standard method, which involves growing the offending pathogen in a dish and then identifying it by its shape and characteristics.

The device, developed by US pharmaceutical company Abbott, combines and adapts two existing techniques. Microbe samples from fluids such as saliva and blood are processed to isolate the genetic material. Regions of this DNA are selected according to their likely origin and copied, using a common process called a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These DNA fragments are then effectively weighed by passing them through a sophisticated mass spectrometry device.

From this, the composition of base pairs A, G, C and T - the chemical building blocks of DNA - can be calculated. Cross-checking base pair compositions for multiple DNA regions against a database of genetic “fingerprints” of known microbes reveals the bug’s identity. A repeatedly blank result suggests the microbe is new, and one whose profile matches some DNA regions but not all implies that a known microbe has mutated.

PLEX-ID has been used for research purposes for several years, with early work focused on identifying potential biological warfare agents.

In 2003, an earlier model correctly identified a new kind of coronavirus as the cause of SARS, and six years later, it was used to identify the first two cases of H1N1 swine flu in the US. The existing version identifies microbes in 8 hours. If the smaller version currently in development can do so within 5 hours as planned, it could allow doctors to wait for an accurate diagnosis before prescribing treatment.

In most cases, taking ineffective antibiotics while waiting for a definitive diagnosis doesn’t harm people,

Facebook: two thirds of users log off for weeks at a time Tuesday 5 February 2013 Two thirds of Facebook users have taken a voluntary break from the site for several weeks or more, citing reasons ranging from “excessive gossip or drama from their friends” to “concerns about privacy”, according to new research.

But much as its critics might like to think otherwise, the world’s most popular social network is showing no signs of losing its audience. The most

common reason stated for taking a break is that users are too busy, following by “just wasn’t interested” and that it’s a “waste of time”.

According to a new survey published by the US Pew Research Center, only 4% of Facebook users cited privacy issues, with just 1% saying they did not like to share their lives via Facebook. Only 2% said they preferred to communicate face to face.

Some of the comments from those that were polled included “I was tired of stupid

comments” and “I had crazy friends.

I did not want to be contacted”. Others cited the mundane nature of their friends’ posts – “People were posting what they had for dinner” – or “I didn’t like being monitored”.

Pew found the vast majority, 92%, still maintained a profile on the social networking site with two thirds saying the site is as important in their lives now as it was a year ago.

But a significant minority, just

because their immune systems tackle the bugs anyway. It can, however, be fatal for those with impaired immunity, says Mark Wilcox at the University of Leeds in the UK, a member of one of several independent groups evaluating the device for clinical use.

Wilcox presented preliminary findings from his group’s analysis at a Society for Applied Microbiology meeting in London last month. They found that PLEX-ID outperformed a culture-based approach in identifying the bacterial and fungal pathogens in 250 human tissue and fluid samples. Other tests suggested that the device is also more sensitive than sequencing small regions of the genome to identify the microbe.

“Currently we can only look for the known knowns,” says Andrew Sails of the Health Protection Agency public health lab in Newcastle, UK. “The advantage with this kind of technology is that it can look for the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns.”

Sails cautioned that the time taken for PLEX-ID to generate results might be longer than claimed because of the practicalities of transporting samples to labs and processing them in large numbers.

under a third, said the site is less important to them now and just over a third reported they have decreased the amount of time they have been on the site.

Just over one in 10 said they spend more time on the site, particularly women.

Of concern to Facebook will be reports of decreased usage among 18 to 29-yearolds, with 42% saying the amount of time they spend on the social network in a typical day has decreased in the last 12 months.

Pew Research is a non-partisan think tank based in Washington, which conducts online behaviour surveys on internet usage, both in and outside the US. The survey was conducted in December and based on a sample of 1,006 American adults aged 18 and over.

28

THE BELIZE TIMES

Border Dispute A couple years ago, our Standard 6 teacher gave us a task to build some projects. My good friend and I decided to go to a popular company in Belize and get a few phones and different internal parts such as the wires, etc for our assignment. Both of us found different parts, and it happened that I stumbled upon a complete unit that was pretty to look at and very desirable. After a couple hours, we were satisfied and decided to call it a day, so we packed up everything and left for home. We decided to use his parent’s house to separate the spoils, so that evening on the trunk of a car in his yard, we began separating everything. ‘This is yours; this is mine, etc’.

To cut a long story short, we had one big problem! The complete unit I found was so nice and pleasant to the eyes that it was better than the sum of everything else we had acquired. We started to quarrel over it! I believed it was mine since I found it and that was the law we had indirectly agreed to. Whatever you found was yours. He wanted it and so believed that it should have been for him.

Our fight got so heated that his father came out to see what was happening. As a parent he began mediating and upon hearing our stories decided that I should get the phone that I found. To tell you the truth, it didn’t matter to me whether or not I got anything else as long as I had my phone.

I must tell you, had it not been for his father, I probably would have walked from that row with my two long hands. In fact, had it been anyone else I would have left empty handed.

Here we are a couple years later as a country, finding ourselves in a similar predicament. Our neighbor Guatemala has been laying claim to our country for years and years, and we have decided yet again to try another way to solve this issue.

Our current option seems to be to take it to an international court where a group of trained judges will once and for all make a decision in this regard. Well, I would like to take this opportunity to slip in my opinion as to taking the claim to court.

A couple days ago I saw a map defining our new borders and what it would look like if Guatemala got its way. To tell you the truth, the remaining portion of Belize looked to me like a surf board with the lower half bitten off by a shark.

Who has the authority to define your borders? Do you have an option to give up your sovereignty and place it in the hands of a court? Do we need a court to confirm for us and our neighbor where our border line falls?

Let me leave this following line of thought with you as I relate it to my opening story. In our situation, there was one true referee and that was my friend’s father. Our other friends would not have gotten the same respect.

Having a court decide our borders would be to me the same as having my peers decide on the little squabble.

The person that decides your borders is God. I believe that taking this issue to the court would be taking it from His hands and placing it in the hands of man. How many times have hurricanes come to our shores only to pass and go to the neighboring countries? Many would say, ‘this must be God that protected us this time’. See, somehow we get the sensation that we should have been hit, but there was some divine interference. I believe we should function the same way in regards to our borders. Do as much confidence building measures, live as peaceably as possible with our neighbors but when it comes to defining our boundaries be willing, like our forefathers, to risk our lives to protect this resource that God has given to us.

Therefore, my conviction as it relates to the Belize-Guatemala issue is yes to taking it to court. Make the sacrifice and find the time to gather the evidence, and prepare our arguments and fully obey the decision of the Judge because whatever He decides is best for us as He knows far better than us and have our best interest at heart!

But before you run off with that statement, I need to finish. I also recommend obtaining lawyers who are skilled in the court system and laws governing this situation, and finally I would adamantly insist on changing the court that we take our case to from the International Court of Justice to the court run by the God of the universe. Should God spare life and give direction, next week I will attempt to show you how to prepare for and build a case for this Higher Court.

Until next week God Bless!

By Dr. Mark Musa

10 FEB

2013

An Aspirin a day…or Not?

An Aspirin a day may lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and maybe even cancer; but taking a daily aspirin isn’t for everyone. Is it right for you?

How does Aspirin work?

A Heart attack or Stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in blood vessels called arteries which carry the oxygen and energy to the heart and brain. These arteries are usually already narrowed by fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) which makes the blood clotting cells, platelets more sticky and tend to clump together to form a clot.

The clot then prevents blood flow to the heart or brain resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin works by reducing the clumping/stickiness of the platelets reducing the formation of blood clots.

Who WOULD benefit from an aspirin a day include: If you have risk factors for heart disease and strokes such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you smoke and especially over the age of 50yrs you would benefit from an aspirin a day.

Persons who have already had a heart attack or stroke, persons with stents in the arteries to the heart or who have had by-pass heart surgery should take an aspirin a day. Discuss with a doctor whether you should take aspirin.

Who DON’T need to take a daily aspirin: Healthy persons in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s who have no risk factors for heart attacks or strokes should not take an aspirin as the risks outweigh the benefits.

What are the risks?

1. Increase risk of bleeding stomach/duodenal ulcers.

People who take aspirin have double the risk of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract or developing a perforated ulcer.

2. Developing an Allergic Reaction to Aspirin.

Persons with Asthma may notice that there asthma control is worse if taking aspirin.

3. A bleeding or clotting disorder.

What is the best dose of Aspirin?

Low dose 81mg Aspirin is just as effective as the standard 325mg dose with similar protective benefits against heart attacks and strokes and less risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Persons who need to take Aspirin but have had past stomach ulcers and bleeding would benefit from adding in a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole or lansoprazole. This reduces the risk of re-bleeding by eight times. Persons who are on aspirin and then have to take anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac for arthritis pains are at a significantly greater risk of bleeding ulcers and should take a stomach protective drug such as omeprazole.

10 FEB

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THINK ABOUT IT LIFE GETS WORSE This is a terrible indictment and a failure of leadership and Government.

It is said that figures don’t lie.

The Statistical Institute has released some information on the key economic indicators.

Unemployment has not gone down, not by an inch or a single person. Instead it has reached the highest levels since labour leader Antonio Soberanis set off labour unrest in the Colonial period of the 1930’s.

From a high of 14.4 per cent, unemployment is now at 16.1% and rising.

The overall youth unemployment in Belize is at crisis levels of 47.4%. One out of every two young Belizean is idle without some form of work. And they ain’t in school or in some skills training program.

Dread.

In Belize City, unemployment on the Southside has to be way pass 50% or 60%.

Our women, as usual, are taking the brunt of the government’s failures – a whopping 56.3% of women are without work. This is dreader than dread. On the Southside of Belize City women without work must be over 75%.

The Statistical Institute did not release the percentage of our population who are living in poverty. We hope to see those disturbing figures soon.

BELIZE CAN LOSE Belize can lose some more of its territorial seas to Guatemala if we go to the ICJ. Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington, publicly stated last month that if we go to the ICJ there is a likelihood, although remote, that Belize could lose some seas down south to Guatemala. Does this include our islands?

The young generation of Belizeans does not know that in 1993 Belize was pressured by the British and American Governments to give a large portion of our territorial seas to Guatemala. A law was passed in the National Assembly called the Maritimes Areas Act fully legalizing the give away.

Phillip Goldson resigned from the UDP because they were fully in favor at the time.

COLA REMOVED BUT… At the official launching of the educational committee for the referendum, three of four persons were forced to leave.

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition laid out their views on the referendum and ICJ issues.

Three persons sitting in the audience had cloth banners reading “NO to the ICJ”. They did not shout or interrupt the presentations. They did not even stand up. All they did was hold the banners for a few minutes when the cameras were filming the audience.

Someone instructed the Police to eject them.

The Police, without any lawful authority, insisted they leave. They quietly and peacefully got up and left.

10 FEB

THE BELIZE TIMES

But the Prime Minister who at the launching of this bipartisan and impartial programme of educating Belizeans, was “facey” enough to state that he will vote yes and his Cabinet will vote yes and his Party will be asked to yes.

What a thing to do at the launch of an impartial Referendum Commission.

The Police did not ask the Prime Minister to leave but they were quick to carry out illegal instructions to remove COLA, which has a Constitutional right to peacefully express their views on the issue.

The Constitution of Belize guarantees to everyone this freedom of expression.

Section 12(1)(2) of the Constitution of Belize is as clear as day:- “a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference, (whether the communication be to the public generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from interference with his correspondence”.

What’s up with the illegal behaviour and violation of COLA’s rights?

WHY CREOLES ARE POOR In Belize and in particular in Belize City, which is the home of the largest group of Creoles, Creoles are poor for a number of reasons.

Creoles have no leaders.

Neither do they have politicians who care about their abysmal conditions and lack of future.

The small minority of Creoles who are somewhat successful have no interest in the plight of their fellow ethnic group.

Creoles are distrustful of each other and do not work together or cooperate in any ventures.

Creoles are broke and poor. They have no money and have no access to money.

Creoles are like black Americans – they are profiled and stereotyped as lazy and their young men as criminals and gang members.

Creoles are the largest numbers of pitiful persons forced to run behind politicians begging for small change. Every other ethnic group and particularly the Hispanics are hustling, selling or doing something productive.

Creole young men pack in prison.

Creoles own no businesses (with few exceptions). Hard working Chinese control the grocery and fast food shops and lottery and roadside hotels.

Indian merchants control stores selling cloth, clothes, shoes, cosmetics and anything in between.

Foreigners control tourism, sugar and citrus.

When Creoles go and buy at Chinese and Indian stores their money never comes back and circulates in their communities. It’s a one way street. Money is supposed to circulate and percolate. Otherwise, the situation is like air coming out of a balloon.

Creoles are also poor because of this.

When Christmas di come, they spend

2013

every dollar they can get their hands on.

They even borrow and pawn out items so they can spend.

When Christmas done all them money done.

They use January, February and March struggling to pay back or trying to catch up.

But! Easter is upon them and the spending pick up and the borrowing start up.

Shortly after Easter is the expensive graduation season and so called long summer vacation when some visit the “States”. Lots of spending.

Right after that is school di open and the September celebrations, more pressure, more expenditure.

A month or two of paying back little, little and then begging Christmas di come again.

The next pressures and the new deepening poverty have spawned widespread gambling, patty weed selling, hunting, a level of young girls selling their sex, stealing, robbery, burglary, pawn shop and exotic forms of begging and con artistry.

The future of Creoles in Belize is bleak.

If God could send us some kind of Brother Moses.

THE BUDGET Where is the nation’s budget?

Next month is the end of the current financial year.

Are we going to get another late budget?

Public officers long ago set up all of their figures, estimates and calculations.

Why must we wait for last minute to see the accounts of last year’s expenditure and revenues?

lover.

Being at the wrong place at the wrong time means nothing.

Being innocent means nothing.

If it was one or one cartridge, she still has to go to jail for 5 long years.

This is the crazy type of law that the government has forced down our throats.

RIHANNA AND CHRIS BROWN Nobody happy with Rihanna right now.

She has agreed to mend her broken heart by taking back Chris Brown. Rihanna is a Barbadian and Chris Brown an American.

Rihanna came across some text messages to Chris from his former girlfriend.

Argument started and Chris slapped her up, and punched her up. Police were called. Photos of Rihanna’s bruised and battered face hit the internet. Rihanna split.

That was 4 years ago.

Rihanna has asked her fans, who number in the millions, to please try to understand. She loves that man.

A GOD COMPLEX The Urban Dictionary.com gives this definition: “a psychosis based in uncontrolled narcissism, inflated arrogance and a perceived need to subjugate and/or ridicule other individuals deemed to be inferior or unworthy”.

Know anybody like that?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB The region’s greatest songwriter and the King of Reggae music would be celebrating his birthday in Reggaedom on 6th February.

SAKE A LIKE LOCK UP PEOPLE The UDP government policy is to get the Police and even the Courts to lock up as much persons as possible.

That is their solution to crime. Lock up people.

In Cayo, a Canadian was picked up for being under the influence of alcohol; allegedly.

Instead of taking him to a hospital, he was locked up.

Now he is dead.

Died inside one of those filthy “piss houses” that are not even fit for animals.

We hope the Canadian’s family won’t sue the government, because it is taxpayers’ money that will have to pay.

NATALIE COLEMAN A young mother, who is five months pregnant, has gone to jail.

For 5 long years.

Police found four rusty shotgun cartridges in a house.

Only she was there.

So she is off to jail.

Cruelty under a vicious law that makes it automatic she must go to jail a minimum of five years.

The house where the four cartridges were found is not her house. She went to visit her

SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #3/2013

10 FEB

2013

Two Murders in 12 Hours

Eddie Soriano

Gary Bowen Belize City, February 5, 2013 The city went into panic on Monday January 4th when two residents were murdered in shootings that occurred within eleven hours from each other.

17 year old high school student Eddie Soriano was fatally shot as he walked on Banak Street around 7pm on Monday night. Two men on bicycles rode past and fired into Banak Street. Soriano was near his home and could not seek refuge anywhere. He was shot four times in the upper body and was rushed to the hospital but it was too late.

Police say they have detained four persons for questioning.

Soriano’s murder occurred eleven hours after the killing of 33 year old Gary Bowen, a newspaper seller, who was shot dead around 8:00am while walking on Partridge Street. Reports are that Bowen was approached by a male person of dark complexion who was riding a bicycle. The person pulled out a firearm and shot Bowen before riding away.

Bowen received two fatal shots to his head and one on this left foot. Police found eight extended shells in the area. He had celebrated his birthday three days before, on Friday, February 1st.

It all happened a few hundred yards from the St. Martin de Porres School and Church and while primary school students were on their way to school.

Bowen leaves behind two children, aged 7 and a soon to be born daughter, and his common-law wife.

THE BELIZE TIMES Orange Walk District, February 5, 2013 After months of pleading to Central Government for urgent repairs to devastated sugar roads, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association had to travel to Belmopan to twist the Prime Minister’s arms and demand assistance with road rehabilitation in order for the 2012-2013 crop to commence.

The Association learnt that over half a million dollars were eventually allocated for sugar road repairs for both Orange Walk and Corozal District. But like with everything, it seems the UDP found a way to hustle.

Inside sources indicate that a certain Minister pushed for his supporter to be awarded with the contract, presumably to have the favour returned in the form of support in an upcoming UDP convention for Deputy Leader.

In December 2012 the company owned by the UDP crony was awarded the contract. This UDP crony is a failed candidate who ran against the Hon John Briceño in Orange Walk Central and has now been named as Caretaker of the constituency.

The BELIZE TIMES understands that the awarding of the contract infuriated UDP Corozal Representatives Pablo Marin and Hugo Patt who believed that contractors in their

$540,000 for Sugar Roads Vanishes

31 constituencies were snubbed and disrespected.

The UDP’s are fighting amongst themselves to hustle.

Today, one month after the contract was awarded the roads are in no better condition. Cane farmers are disappointed to see the poor quality of repairs done to the sugar roads and they say it doesn’t value $540,000.

In Orange Walk South, the UDP Care Taker was responsible for supervising the operations. But instead of repairing sugar roads, the caretaker fixed private roads, private properties and house lots belonging to UDPs. The little material that remained was dumped on the sugar roads.

Cane farmers are also saying that the material for repairs came from the nearest marl pits which have never been used for road repairs because they do not meet the standards due to extremely high clay content. With the heavy rainfall in January, roads are in a deplorable state.

The Ministry of Works has noted the rampant hustling taking place. The supervisor at the Orange Walk Public Works department has expressed his disappointment and frustration but can say or do nothing because the man who calls the shots is the “not-too bright”.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

10 FEB

2013