Sunday, February 26, 2012
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THE BELIZE TIMES
SCAN HERE
SUNDAY February 26, 2012
www.facebook/Belize Times
Issue No. 4785
SEDI Scandal
Belize City, Thursday February 23, 2012 Foreign Minister Wilfred (Sedi) Elrington is presently engaged in a court battle in the Supreme Court with an American investor. The case involves millions of dollars (at least US $12 million) of land sales in Belize City by a company called Progresso Heights Ltd. According to court records of the proceedings, Sedi Elrington is claiming that he is a 20% shareholder in the company and, US national, Lawrence M. Snyder and his son own 80% of the shares in the company. The record also reveals that for every land sale made by the com-
Wilfred (Sedi) Elrington
Barrow
and Yankee Dollars Belize City, February 23, 2012 What message is Barrow sending to the Investment Community in Belize when he is depositing any money in US bank accounts? He holds an account at
pany, Sedi should be collecting 2% of the proceeds of the sale amounting in total to thousands, if not millions of dollars. What has caught the eye of this BELIZE TIMES reporter is that Mr. Lawrence Snyder through his attorneys in Belize has informed the court that he is scared of coming back to Belize because he has been threatened by Minister Elrington that if he
does he will be arrested and jailed. As a result, attorneys here in Belize applied to the Supreme Court on behalf of Mr. Snyder to have him give his evidence from the United States of America, where he resides, by video link. The Supreme Court after hearing the application gave permission for Mr. Snyder to testify by video link. And his evidence by all accounts raised eyebrows in court questioning Sedi’s “legal” dealings with this multi-million dollar business as a 20% shareholder while deposits of commission were allegedly made to Sedi’s Bank of America US Account in Miami Florida.
PUP MANIFESTO
Wachovia Bank which is a US financial institution of the Wells Fargo and Company. This bank is a big fish’s bank that is a diversified financial services company
Continued on page 4
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.pup.org.bz
PUP Supports Referendum on Offshore Oil Drilling
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Lynn Young Strikes Back SEDI No Ready Dear Mr. Editor: I thought I should share the following story with you. Please feel free to share it with your readers. Back in 2008, right after getting elected as the U.D.P. Area Representative for Pickstock, Mr. Sedi Elrington was a guest of LoveFm’s Open Paki with Rosalie Staine. I called the talk show and asked him to do something positive about Berger Field which is in his constituency. I told him that Berger Field is in a deplorable state and that the place is more like a large open-lot than a football field. I said to him that it would be wonderful for the young footballers of the area to have a decent field that is fenced (chain-linked) and equipped with bleachers. He responded by stating that it is in his plan to transform Berger Field into a place that all Belizeans would be proud of, especially the residence of his constituency. Knowing that politicians love to
make empty promises, especially when it pertains to anything having to do with poor people, I said to him that I hope this is not going to be another empty promise. He then assured me by replying that it will be done sooner than later because he understands how important the football field is to the community. Well, we are in 2012 and Berger Field is still more like a large open-lot as the attached pictures will prove. However, now that general elections are scheduled for March 7, 2012, the constituency is being wooed by a large billboard with a spectacular picture of a new Berger Field coming soon. As I suspected back in 2008, it was just another empty promise. I say to Mr. Elrington, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Wake up Pickstock! Kindest regards, Frederick E. Robinson, J.P.
Debates: Opening Eyes Dear Editor, For the first time in my many years as a voter in this country, we, the citizens of Belize have had the benefit of seeing the various candidates in action. This is welcomed whether it be in the debates on Love TV, Plus TV or as they showcase their platforms on Channel 5’s Open Your Eyes Talk show in the mornings. Admittedly, I must confess that I voted for the UDP in the last election, not because I felt that they had the better candidates but I guess because I believed the hype that surrounded them. This election has been a real eyeopener for me. I was once one of those UDP supporters jumping in the streets with my beer bottle in hand partying behind Dean Barrow and his posse. I can’t say that I blame the people of Belize City for taking the money since they have suffered for the last four years and if they’re “gonna do what they say they’re gonna do”, Dean Barrow is in for the shock of his life when he wakes up on March 8th. But getting back to the point of my letter, I saw Ann Marie and Mr. Gegg on Love TV the other night saying that we should not look at party colors but
rather at the candidates themselves. Thanks to the different media outlets, we have seen what these people have to offer and without sounding biased, I must say that the PUP candidates have outshined the UDP candidates on every single occasion. In some instances, the UDP do not even show up to the debates. This to me, shows utmost disrespect to us the voters in this country. This election will not be about the incredible amount of OUR money that the UDP are spending (I think Dean Barrow said he just TOOK $1.5 million of our money to spend on his rallies and parties) but rather it will be about the candidates. For four years, I have regretted the horrible mistake I made in putting my X for Dean Barrow. It is my sincere hope that come election day my people will not be drunk, they will not be asleep but rather they will vote for the candidates that can make a positive difference in our lives. Finally, on March 7, I will have the chance to fix my mistake, vote for the PUP and get good candidates back in Government. Sincerely, J. Locke
Rene Montero vs. Family of Innocent Victim February 13, 2012 Dear Editor: Please allow me the space to vent my frustration at the current justice system of our country. As you may recall, my son was murdered in a home invasion in Santa Elena Town on the night of December 23, 2011. From the time it occurred, the San Ignacio Police Department under the lead-
ership of the Inspector in charge has been dragging their feet in resolving the case. On the said night, the Policemen at the scene who have no training in administering medical treatment refused to let the Loma Luz Doctors attend to my injured son who could have had a chance of surviving had the Doctors been allowed to do their
Continued on page 8
Dear Editor, I do not know who penned your (Amandala) editorial of February 22nd 2012, but personal attacks aside, the editorial reflects an alarming level of ignorance. I have always admired (and shared) the Amandala’s commitment to the development and prosperity of Belize. But if it is that your editorial reflects the position of your paper, then we clearly differ widely in our approach to developing our country and improving the quality of life for our people. I do not need to defend Fortis. They are quite capable of defending themselves and their record speaks for itself. However, we in Belize need to understand that just as there are good cops and bad cops; good politicians and bad politicians; good newspapers and bad newspapers; there are good corporations and bad ones. Kremandala for example is a corporation same as Fortis, except that you are much smaller and you are not a multi-national. The owners of Kremandala invested money and labor to build what has become one of the leading (if not the leading) media organization in Belize. When I joined BEL as a young engineer in 1981, the price of electricity in Belize was approximately 43 cents per kWh, as oil prices spiked to US$40 per barrel. The price of the weekly Amandala was about 50 cents. When I left BEL last year with oil prices more than double what it was back in 1981, the price of electricity was approximately 44 cents per kwh. Meanwhile, Amandala has grown. You now have two papers weekly, one priced at $1, and the other at $1.35 cents. You also have a radio station and a television station, and your advertising rates are the highest of all the media houses in Belize. You have done well. You have provided a good quality media service that the Belizean public appreciates and are willing to pay for. They have supported you, and personally, I believe that you deserve to be well paid for the service you provide. Who knows, but someday Kremandala may even become an international news corporation and to finance your growth, you may even invite ordinary Belizeans to invest with you. The internet makes that quite achievable. But you could not have been so successful by giving away the money that your owners invested in Kremandala. You could not have been successful by selling your paper for less than it cost you to produce, and you would not have been able to build your media empire if the Government of Belize had insisted on maintaining state control of the media (remember Radio Belize). Certainly, we would not want to see your media empire nationalized by the state especially without you getting fair compensation, in an effort to turn back the hands of time. It doesn’t matter if you are locally owned or foreign owned, nor what race your owners are. It would be wrong and I would stand against it. Many Belizeans, influenced by the opinions of the media, believe that state control of public utilities is
best. Perhaps so. Whether a business is owned by the state or by the private sector does not necessarily determine whether it will be successful or whether it will provide a good service. Good management, well trained employees and access to capital for development will determine the quality of the service. I happen to believe (based on past experience at BEB) that a state owned utility in a country plagued by political cronyism and corruption will quickly deteriorate despite the best efforts of the competent people that run the utility. But speaking to the bigger picture. I recall the days when I coached Santino’s Hotpoints and went up against the Raiders. The Raiders of course were perennial champions. But I believe that the approach of winning “by any means necessary” will (and did) ultimately lead to the demise of the sport. That is my problem with the way the current Government has been handling the affairs of our country. When you play unfairly, buy off the referees, and pay the news media to make you look good, you will have short term victories, but you will eventually find that no one wants to play the game with you and you will end up as champions of a league that means nothing. Finally, let me say that not being a friend of the Government does not mean that one is an enemy of Belize. At any rate, the way this Government has been treating it’s friends, (Merlene, Audrey, Castro, Marcel, Yasmin, Karim, and the list goes on) I think I am better off if they don’t consider me a friend. My friend (dare I hope?) I trust that you will print my response and not demand that I pay to have it printed as I was told the last time I tried to present my side of a biased and misleading story that your paper printed about me. Sincerely, Lynn Young
THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR
Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER
Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR
Doreth Bevans
LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST
Chris Williams
MARKETING/ADVERTISING
Rafael Sosa
STAFF REPORTER
Alton Humes TYPIST
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Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd.
#3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com
Sunday, February 26, 2012
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THE BELIZE TIMES
PARTY PAGE
PUP
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HON. FRANCIS FONSECA FREETOWN
HON. FLORENCIO MARIN JR. COROZAL SOUTH EAST
Martin galvez lake independence
CAROLYN TRENCH-SANDIFORD COLLET
HON. JOHN BRICENO ORANGE WALK CENTRAL
RT. HON SAID MUSA FORT GEORGE
Rodwell Ferguson Stann Creek West
GREGORIO “PAPAS” GARCIA COROZAL BAY
DAVID CRAIG albert
IVAN RAMOS Dangriga
Valdemar castillo Corozal North
mike espat toledo east
oscar requeña toledo west
gilroy usher sr. port loyola
phillip palacio mesopotamia
JULIUS ESPAT CAYO SOUTH
anthony sylvestre jr . queen square
ARTHUR SALDIVAR BELIZE RURAL NORTH
DR. DAVID HOY caribbean shores
dr. francis smith pickstock
patty arceo belize rural south
dr. amin hegar belmopan
collet montejo cayo central
oscar sabido cayo west
dr. MARCO tulio mendez orange walk east
abelardo mai orange walk south
orlando habet cayo north east
dolores balderamos garcia belize rural central
jorge briceno orange walk north
joseph mahmud cayo north
RAMIRO RAMIREZ COROZAL SOUTH WEST
TEAM BELIZE
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Police Force Resists UDP Arrest As soon as the Operational Order was read over the fence at the Police Station. It was rushed over to the BELIZE TIMES. We agree with the officers who are stressed out and under paid not to mention unappreciated. They were slapped with a circular dated 21st February, 2012 that they would be robbed of recuperation and rest on 22nd February, 2012. They explained that this is dangerous for civilians because when officers are stressed, naturally, they
Barrow and Yankee Dollars Continued from page 1 based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States based on total assets. Wachovia provided a broad range of banking, asset management, wealth management, and corporate and investment banking products and services. The checks tell the tale. A picture here is worth US$ 57,000 in words. Barrow also has an active US Bank of America account in which he recently deposited another check as shown. Now these checks prove three unflattering, possibly even criminal things. The first is that Barrow was receiving monies from Ashcroft’s Belize Bank and getting it in US currency. Secondly, that he, in secret, maintains as the Prime Minister, foreign bank accounts. Third, it would appear that he violated Foreign Exchange Control Regulations by depositing the checks directly into those accounts without clearing it in a local Belizean bank or the Central Bank of Belize. Honest and prudent person would know that one must get a permit to maintain a US bank account and that the applicant, normally a business man, that uses regular and sizable bulks of foreign exchange, would show that it is a necessity for his business. But why does Barrow have this personal US bank account? Show us the permit. Was it for legal fees? He said he closed his practice and well he knows better than doing that. Was it for his wife’s medical bills? But he could have done that through other facilities. Explain this and explain it quickly, young man. It raises more than eyebrows like issues of the flight of capital from our Jewel in these harsh economic times. What is the example being shown by this self-endorsed immaculate god? But it also gives us pause to wonder if it was included, declared and disclosed by “Spotless” Dean when he filed his assets under the Integrity in Public Life Act. We, at BELIZE TIMES will dig some more, as we learn there is a lot more to this story.
have the temptation to act out wrongfully against residents. One officer who is studying paralegal explained that this is something that the law of Tort warns against. That law says that employees must have a safe environment, which not only means the proper tools, but proper and healthy work schedules and hours. The document that they brought to BELIZE TIMES is a circular ordering 100 Police officers to be “drawn from the Eastern Division.” This is important because the usual shift of Police Officers from the Patrol Unit is only eleven
(11) officers. In total for a normal shift, there are only about 67 officers keeping order at any given time in this District. We learnt that this includes: PM “Sentry”, Fabers Road Ext, Caribbean Shores, Mahogany Street, Check points, Governor General and Taiwanese postings. One cannot count, we are warned, the Inventory of five hundred and fifty police officers for the District because that includes off and on duty personnel, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Specialized Units ( such as the CIB, CIU, SPU, DVU and GSU).
Continued on page 6
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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THE POLITICS OF HYPOCRISY AND BETRAYAL Four years ago Dean Barrow and the UDP was voted into office on a platform of good governance, transparency and accountability. In his first budget speech to the nation the Prime Minister made a studied attempt to sound humble. Said he: “We are always open to discussion. We are always willing to listen. We are always open to discussion. We are always willing to listen. We take all views into account as we secure now the future for Belize.” But it was not long before the old ugly side of Barrow reared its arrogant and abusive persona. The House of Representatives was soon converted into his bully mush-pit to insult and vilify Opposition members. No one was spared who dared to express views contrary to the dictate and wrong-headed policies of this budding ego-maniac. Who can forget the jibes and gross insults he hurled at the lady President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the lady President of the Bar Association, the Doctors at KHMH who dared to accuse his Ministry of Health and senior management staff at the hospital of corruption. Who will forget the disrespect he exhibited to the cane farmers for protesting over the core-sampler at the Tower Hill sugar factory and the callous manner in which he dismissed the cold-blooded killing by a member of the security forces of Atanacio Gutierrez a poor cane farmer who was demonstrating to protect the livelihood of his family. Will we forget that this Prime Minister proudly proclaimed that his government would not tolerate any corruption, not even the whiff of corruption. “As soon as it rears its ugly head I personally will cut it off.” Yet he had no problem with awarding millions of the people’s money (over $4 million at last count) to his former wife for “legal fees”. It is this same UDP leader who would spend the better part of his four years to demonize the B.T.L. investor – Michael Ashcroft while he and his law firm continued to collect millions in legal fees from the very Ashcroft Belize Bank. “I was being handsomely paid” boasted Barrow. A crusade against corruption was the rhetoric. The reality however saw the Barrow Government approving a lucrative oil concession to the Prime Minister’s nephew the son of the brother who was elevated to the Court of Appeal for an unprecedented tenure of 18 years while other distinguished judges of the Court were driven out of office by having their contracts reduced to one year. The same fate befell the Belizean Solicitor General who was forced to resign. Transparency was turned on its head when the UDP Cabinet awarded a monopoly of the Boledo/Lottery business to a joint venture owned by a Chinese UDP financier and a close relative of the squeaky clean master of the game. The hypocrisy of these self-righteous Pharisees who have occupied the seat of Government in Belmopan is mind-boggling. Vega the number 2 man in this outgoing government has presided over the most corrupt Lands Department in Belizean history. Hundreds of leaseholders who received their house lots and farm lands have had their property wantonly and arbitrarily confiscated. The reports of kickbacks and bribery paid for choice parcels of land issued to wealthy UDP land speculators are legion. The “struggling” Minister of Foreign Affairs has been busy. He is today a very rich man posturing like he cares so much for the poor people of Pickstock who are much worse off today than they were four years ago. The recent mass naturalization of Guatemalans and other Central American immigrants in order to pad the voters list just days before the close of voter registration is the ultimate act of betrayal and a direct attack on our democracy and the rule of law. In their desperation to try and steal the elections over a thousand of these immigrants to our country were made instant citizens in one day with no proper verification carried out. This blatant illegality was compounded by the manipulation of these people in having them registered at addresses they never resided in their life. An egregious hypocrisy is exposed. It is this same UDP Government whose Minister of Works Boots Martinez called these very same immigrants – criminals! And it is this UDP Government that displayed the most brutal abuse of human rights when many Hispanic people were driven out of their houses on Chetumal Street, Belize City in the dead of night, their homes torn down and destroyed by a heartless government. The cries of the children and their distraught mothers was something reminiscent out of a dark period in Nazi Germany’s history. This will forever be a stain on our once cherished tranquil haven of democracy. So too will the many instances of gross human rights violations carried out on the South Side of Belize City by the thuggish behavior of the now infamous Gang Suppression Unit (GSU). Four years ago the UDP proclaimed in their manifesto that they will implement immediately “an unjust enrichment law” and that there will be an “air-tight accountability to the Auditor General, Contractor General and Ombudsman.” Today four years later there is no unjust enrichment law. Ministers have however become unjustly enriched. And as for air-tight accountability, there is no one holding any of them to account. There is no Auditor General, no Contractor General, no Ombudsman. The Integrity in Public Life Law has been blatantly violated by the Barrow Administration. Enough said. Change is coming. Change must come. Deliver us from evil, we pray to the Almighty and Eternal God who through Jesus Christ has revealed your glory to all nations. Please protect and preserve Belize our Beloved Country. Amen.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Future Prime Minister embraced by Social Partners, BCCI
Party Leader Francis Fonseca delivering BCCI address
In his address to Belize Chamber of Commerce, on February 20, 2012, PUP leader Francis Fonseca gave a powerful presentation. So inspiring that in addition to the overwhelming thunder of applause to a normally conservative crowd, the hope and confidence of relief was restored in the eyes of the business community. BELIZE TIMES was asked by some members of that community
to share the entire speech with the nation and world so we have extracted, some excerpts. The speech is reproduced in its entirety on the Party’s website at www.pup.org. bz. He started by introducing his vision as an
indicator of his “political moorings” which would influence the policy making approach. We invite you to enjoy. “I would like to lead a movement for change that puts Belize squarely on the path to progressive growth and development by finally casting aside personality politics and adopting a problem-solving, solutions approach to governing.
Police Force Resists UDP Arrest
Continued from page 4
The hot spot is Belize City. What the UDP has done is to force the Police to work their pappyshow event and do so for free. If you look at the circular, it plainly says “Compensation: Nil”. The Police have been instructed that they will get no “Time back” nor “time off either” until after the elections. Now if Patrol Branch normally has eleven officers on that duty and you draw all eleven plus twelve more, all to babysit a political rally, who is watching the streets? Or are the UDP saying that all the thieves and crooks are on the UDP stage at the Rally? The officers are threatened that if they think about not being there “Absentees will be dealt with disciplinary”. Funny the officers say that the UDP rally Orders are being designed by UDP OC Eastern Division, with the expensive UDP last name, ACP Elodio Aragon Jr. The story is troubling as we watch a group of public servants trampled on. One officer reminded the BELIZE
TIMES that at a paid event in 2004 which was a high energy, riff –raff event, that was a concert for the Jamaican dancehall artist Beenie Man, only 49 police officers successfully policed the crowd. It was a sizable crowd at that, with over three thousand six hundred party goers. Now just to show and tell at the expense of the health of the officers and the public, you double that figure and leave the entire City unguarded. There must be something wrong with Dougie and Barrow. Whose idea was this? The Crime Control dunce and UDP attorney, Michael Young? Do you see why our country is in the worst state it has ever been in terms of security? The problem is not the country, it is the stupidity of the UDP. The PUP respects the Police Department, Nurses, Teachers and Public Servants, we will take care of you beginning March 8, 2012, just hold on good officers. Hold on. We make this promise to you and we will Deliver.
So where do we begin? The next government we elect must have demonstrated that it has a credible plan to find solutions to our social and economic problems. This means setting aside grandiose plans and unrealistic goals and settling down to the basics of governing. It also means that leaders must suppress egos and the urge to settle scores against the opposing political party and focus on the task of building Belize. I have enough experience in government – as well as in Opposition – to know that what we have to do is get the basics right. If we can accomplish that we would have
laid the proper foundation to move Belize forward. The Party Leader ended with this inspiring footnote: My Party and I are prepared to lead Belize
on this new, exciting path. I ask for your support not only for March 7th, but more importantly on March 8th when the work begins. Thank you and May God continue to Bless our beloved Belize.”
Marcel Comes Home
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Political Mischief Makers in Lake I Contributed Belize City, February 21, 2012 On February 20, 2012 after all the trauma that the PUP had be dragged through by the UDP and compromised officers, a bombshell was dropped. The headlines were that the “Cordel” Lake I Committee for the PUP had resigned. At BELIZE TIMES we were at first rocked and then confused. After all, the people of Belize had been through, we still had to deal with backwash of sabotage from those divisions? Was it just a sadistic act of seismic selfishness? But it just did not sound right. The people of Lake I are PUP, not man above country. They know that they would suffer under another UDP Government and they had already been abandoned and left to die for the lunacy of possibilities under reject Mark King. Oh, the indignity of it: Mark King representing Lake I? No way. We got much relief and explanation when the BELIZE TIMES was contacted by the Lake I, PUP Committee who are insistent that they have not resigned. The members of the Committee are upset in fact. They made it clear that it was only Cardinal “Wiley” Usher and Evan “Duck” Garnett who removed themselves from the Com-
mittee and they sent out the release making it appear that the entire committee had stepped down. They asked us to look at the language carefully, to guess who wrote it and whether it made any logical sense. The PUP Lake I Committee members are out and on the ground working with Mario Galvez in Lake I “right now” as one said. They wished to tell the other PUP supporters nationwide not to worry about Lake I, that Committee is yet to lose an election and they say they are not about to lose one now. They are PUP. They want a say and a voice in the next Government. We received similar information from the committee members in the Albert Division who are on the ground campaigning for the Party. They also say that they cannot give up on Belize because they PUP’s. The BELIZE TIMES is informed that they will continue to work in the Albert Division for the PUP despite being told otherwise by the previous Area Rep. BELIZE TIMES has listened to some of these attempts by operatives, have even been recorded on tape. Belize does not need mischief, we march on to solutions. Deliver them Father, for they know not what they do.
Rene Montero vs. Family of Innocent Victim Continued from page 2
job. Due to the incompetent and unprofessional Policemen, the Doctors were not allowed to do their job. Furthermore, on Christmas Day a relative called the number of my deceased son’s cell phone. Someone responded on the other end and even had the audacity to return a call to find out who was calling the said number. Several days later, I called BTL to check on my son’s cell number and was informed that there was a lot of activity on his cell phone but that they couldn’t do anything since it would have to be a CIB case. Upon visiting the Police Station to make a report, I was greeted very rudely by the officers on duty. This further angered me since even though I was grieving and trying to seek justice. These Policemen were unsympathetic in offering any assistance. It was only until the new OIC Superintendent Gentle arrived that I managed to get an audience with someone. I finally got hope and assurance that something was being done. I must also mention that I am very disappointed in the current Area Representative for Cayo Central, Rene Montero. I have
been made to understand from sources within his camp which includes relatives of the criminals responsible, that he is paying attorneys to fight the case whenever it is called. He has assured them that these monsters will be set free to continue their reign of terror in Santa Elena and surrounding communities since it is these same individuals who are responsible for other home invasions and other criminal activities recently. This just shows the incompetence of the Cayo Central Area Rep and by extension this current administration when it comes to crime and other social issues. In closing, I reiterate the fact that my family’s lives have been changed forever with the loss of my eldest child. My heart goes out to other families who have lost their loved ones and have not gotten any justice under this current administration. I know that my God is not asleep and his justice will be more severe than man’s justice. To those responsible I say to you, “I leave you in God’s hands and may He deal with you accordingly.” Sincerely, A Grieving Mother
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Oil is to water as UDP is to Truth Belize City, February 22, 2013 With double elections just two weeks away, the UDP has officially released “Imagine the Possibilities Part II”. Their new manifesto contains a multitude of pledges, but if Belizeans have learnt any lessons from the 2008 manifesto which promised a forensic lab, more jobs and lower fuel prices, it is that anything that cometh out of the Dean Barrow’s mouth must be taken with heavy dosages of salt. But while the UDP is desperately doing all it can to buy votes, one of its promises stinks heavily of hypocrisy and must be exposed immediately. The promise to establish a national oil refinery is downright deceitful. In its four years in office, the UDP has actually protected the
multi-millionaire private interests in the oil industry and has colluded to enrich themselves and foreign interests while Belizeans barely benefit from a slow trickle of the tremendous oil profits. As one of its 2008 election promises, the UDP said it would create a national oil company for Belizeans to own shares. Well, four years later we are still waiting. That is what makes this manifesto promise to establish an oil refinery even crueller. Having lied to the people about a national oil company, Barrow now says he will refine oil. Can he get any more devious?? Not only is it a cunning and naked attempt to deceive voters, but the UDP’s record in office proves that they have never been serious about Belize’s oil inde-
pendence. There have been at least two known instances when small oil refinery operations have actually been targeted for immediate shutdown by the UDP Government. In late 2009, Government agents were sent to close down Farm Diesel Supply, a small oil refinery in at Shipyard Camp 5 which was operated by Mennonite pioneer Jacob Wall and his son. Farm Diesel Supply produced 6,000 gallons of cheap diesel with crude oil purchased from Belize Natural Energy. The cheaper fuel was attractive to a number of companies including PUP and UDP bus lines, Belize Sugar Industries and hundreds of cane farmers. Aside from hard work and ingenuity, the Wall family invested over half a million dollars into the operations
When the Constitution died: Total Destruction On Nomination Day, Friday, February 17, 2012, the Government of Belize was turned against its own people and Constitution in the Courts of Belize. By law the Attorney General’s Ministry, whose litigation (or going to Court) is headed by a Solicitor General and manned by a pool of Crown Counsel ( public servant lawyers), was hijacked. In the Court of 63 year old, Guyanese foreigner, Justice Oswell Legall, and in plain view our constitution would be shredded and walked on. The small court was rammed packed with everyone. Everyone except the controversial Jamaican Solicitor General, Cheryl Krusen . The last time we saw her she was spouting political gibberish on the 9th Amendment Bill. She is yet to do any major public media covered legal work. In a flip, the legal work was being done by a legion of Dean Barrow’s political minions. There was a puff
of five attorneys in the room. Imagine that the Respondent was the AG, who was absent as always, but in his place the worst political replacement was installed to conduct the case of political victimization by an all-powerful UDP state. Michael Young, no other than the official attorney for the UDP Party, the political enemies of the people and PUP lawyered the case. He began the desecration of our Constitution but the very law partner of the UDP Prime Minister, Rodwell Williams, was also there animatedly putting in legal cheap shots. Should we have expected more from Rodwell? Money over all, to paraphrase James Adderly. But the gang included Magali Perdomo, who is the niece of the fired and humiliated UDP Minister of National Security. Then, in the cracks of the wall and banished to be lead by the UDP extremists, the Crown Counsel, Nigel Hawke was restricted to supplying the legal knives to put in the hearts of our Belizean vot-
ers. Hawke is a Guyanese foreigner who was brought in and is paid by the UDP government. He does not live here he can fly back to Guyana from whence he came but Belizeans have to live with this political tampering. The carnage was so endearing that Hawke brought along his dear wife, who received a cushy job as the Police Legal Advisor, under the UDP. Despite, it being a busy work day and full of crime and police work, Mrs. Hawke, also a Guyanese, remained content in court all day. What is she being paid for? We end with a quote from a real Caribbean brother, Robert “Nesto” Marley: “Check out the real situation: ...Where did it all begin? When will it end? Well, it seems like: total destruction the only solution, And there ain’t no use: no one can stop them now. Ain’t no use: nobody can stop them now. Give them an inch, they take a yard; Give them a yard, they take a mile (ooh); Once a man and twice a child And everything is just for a while. It seems like: total destruction the only solution”
and were barely making it when they got the bad news that the Government was forcing them shut. So much for supporting an oil refinery, right? The same unfortunate fate struck a stealth operation just outside the City of Belmopan, where a Cuban national was refining oil to produce kerosene and diesel. The discovery was made in September 2011. The UDP Government, instead of seeking to partner with the Cuban national, a 55 year old Cuban Roberto Igarza Velazquez, the UDP shut him down. This same manifesto waving UDP arrested and charged him for “breaking the law”. Again, so much for wanting to provide cheaper fuel! These are just two known instances that prove that the UDP has never supported oil independence in Belize, which expose their new promise of establishing an oil refinery as a total sham. When the price of fuel skyrockets special interests benefit and Belizeans suffer. The only one not bothered by this is Dean Barrow who promised to cap fuel prices at $7.00, yet allowed prices to jump near $12. Barrow’s promises are comfort to fools.
Reason for Profanity It is not that any one takes Dean Barrow serious anymore. But he is still, after all the caretaker, Prime Minister. So, when he with only a couple weeks to go before Election Day, arrogantly and condescending tells the world that he will continue to break the singular most important promise that got him elected in 2008, then you know that the man needs help. You know the pain killers aren’t working. Belizeans will remember that the promise of an expanded Senate was one of Barrow’s most enticing campaign promise in 2008. This promise was given on the backdrop of a clamor for transparency, accountability and reform in the lead up to the 2008 campaign. The promise of an expanded Senate with the appointment of a 13th Senator from the NGO community was said to be just what the people ordered and welcomed. Fast forward to 2010 when Barrow proudly, disrespectfully and callously told the nation that “It ain’t going to happen.” It was Yolanda Schakron and her Belizeans for Justice NGO which challenged Barrow in the Supreme Court over his refusal to implement the promised and “referendumed” 13th Senator. This makes you understand now why Barrow doesn’t like the woman. Barrow got a break in the courts, as somehow they ruled that the question of the implementation of the 13th Senator was a political question. The Court therefore refused to tell Barrow to bring the 13th Senator into the law as he was due to so do by the national referendum and an Act of his own parliament. Now, it was agreed on all fronts and from all different quarters, that an expanded Senate was an excellent idea to tilt the balance of power. Yet, Barrow found and continues to find, all sorts of reason why he should never bring the 13th senator into law. Barrow is a ….we will not use obscene language to describe his obscene behavior.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
PUP RALLY
Deep Blue North: 11,000 and 6,350 PUP Supporters At two separate PUP Rallies in the two most Northern District of this jewel, Belizeans came out in the thousands. The first Rally in Altamira Corozal which was absolutely massive, the two PUP parliamentarians were the stars of the rally and the other candidates and standard bearers charismatically charged up an anxious crowd. The love for Party Leader Francis Fonseca was only surpassed by the fresh air of unity. Gregorio “Papas” Gracia was in top form as usual, reminding the crowd, ““We here in Corozal, the four standard bearers and the four future representatives of Corozal will work together for you all. Aquí los cuatro del norte de Corozal estamos juntos siempre y vamos a trabajar duro para traer Victoria para el Partido Unido Del Pueblo y la mejoría para el distrito de Corozal.” Tried and true, Valdemar Castillo, the veteran spoke with authority, ““No hay duda que después de las diez de la noche el siete de Marzo vamos a tener siete candidatos del PUP electos para la municipalidad y por su puesto los cuatro candidatos del distrito y vallamos a ayudar el gobierno de Belice en Belmopán.” While the military excellence of the much loved, Florencio Marin Jr., PUP Area Rep for Corozal South East, stirred up the session and was lifted in cheers, as he said “Estoy campaneando en mi área en Southeast y una cosa se me es difícil hacer es criticar el UDP, la verdad que si esta duro criticarlos porque no hicieron ninguna expansión de luz entonces yo no puedo criticar que dieron a algunos y otros no consiguieron porque no hicieron ninguna expansión, no adquirieron terreno a la gente entonces yo no puedo criticar a ellos que solo los allegados consiguieron, en mi área no hicieron nada entonces eso esta duro criticar.” But the main fire came from the former Party Leader Honorable John Briceño who addressed the
crowd, and exploded a spirit of revolution and change in the air. The Past Party Leader was impressive as usual, leaving the attendants with goosebumps, hope and inspiration: “Señoras y Señores el UDP siempre dice que quiere hablar del pasado, pues vamos hablar del pasado ya que quieren hablar del pasado pero vamos hablar de los últimos cuatro años porque en el 2008 el pueblo de Belice decidió que querían un cambio, porque les dieron tantas promesas recuérdense, fueron 21 promesa que le dieron al pueblo de Belice y hoy en día debemos de hablar del pasado los últimos cuatro años del UDP, cuando nos prometieron que iban tener una economía que iba a expandir, que la economía iba a crecer pero solo necesitaba en gobierno de Deán Barrow y el UDP, hoy en día a donde vamos y todos nosotros estamos de campaña visitando diferentes
áreas en nuestras vecindades y nos estamos dando cuenta que muchos negocios se han cerrado, acá en Corozal me recuerdo como en el 2006 no había gente para trabajar porque teníamos el Corozal Free Zone, teníamos la Papaya que había tanto trabajo que no había suficiente gente para trabajar, cuatro años después, Corozal hay muchos jóvenes que no pueden conseguir un trabajo, cuando salimos de gobierno el desempleo estaba en 8.4%, hoy está en 24% solo en cuatro anos del gobierno de Dean Barrow Y el UDP.” Independent estimates of the crowd puts the figure at over 11,000 PUP supporters. So damaging was the turn out that rumor is that the UDP want to go back to Corozal to try to stage a competitive event. Tuff luck, Deano. On Sunday February 12th at the Banquitas Amphitheater, in Orange Walk Town an equally boisterous crowd packed in. Yes, the crowd was over 6,350 according to Independent Police records. The North gone BLUE! Respect to our soldiers in the north. See you on the other side of March 7, 2012.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Another taxi driver senselessly murdered: Barrow continues with election campaign
Monday, February 20, 2012 Taxi drivers across the old capital are up in arms and in utter disgust over the murder of one of their own. Alexander Montero, 53, who started to run his taxi business only last year, was brutally stabbed more than 10 times inside the Civic Honda fourdoor car he rented to do his business. Montero, a father of five, conducted his business from in front of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and from the Farmer’s Market area, but sometime around ten last Saturday night, someone hired his services from
Alexander Montero
the KHMH compound. He was seen driving out of the yard in front of the Emergency Unit and that was the last time he was seen alive. Montero’s taxi car was discovered off Lacroix Boulevard in an overgrown open lot near the river in the Lake Independence area at around midnight that same night. He was stabbed about his head, shoulders and back and his blood covered the interior of the vehicle. Tire marks on the adjacent lot show that he entered the area from about 200 feet off the other side of the street and came to a stop in a
swampy part of the lot. No one in the area heard or saw anything unusual that night. The interior of the car was covered with Montero’s blood and his personal belongings were on him. So far, police are at a loss as to the motive behind this latest homicide since Montero’s family says that he never had a conflict with anyone nor did he live a shady lifestyle. He had the ambition to discontinue renting cars and to purchase his own vehicle to run his business because the business was becoming too burdensome for him as it was. His son, Clinton Montero, has said that his father was a jovial easy-going person who enjoyed life. Police have not recovered the murder weapon, but they have impounded the car which Montero drove.
61 Year Old Pedophile Guilty
Man shot in the eye during fight with policeman
Man dies in police custody
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Anger, a weapon and perhaps too much alcohol was the perfect recipe for an almost fatal shooting in Orange Walk Town on Monday night. Sometime around nine that night Jorge Celis, a resident of the Town, was at the Picame Bar. So were Sergeant Novelo, armed with his service firearm and his brother, Moises. Both became embroiled in a fist fight with three men, who the police say were drinking. The officer claims that one of the men, Francisco Mendez, attempted to take away his gun during the fight and the gun discharged. But three times? One of the bullets struck Celis in the right eye and fragments from the bullet are lodged behind the eye socket. Celis was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, and then transferred by his family to the Belize Medical Associates where he is now being treated. Both Jorge and Moises Celis have tell tale signs on their bodies that suggest he was in a fight Sergeant Novelo’s service weapon has been taken as evidence and he is detained pending investigations. Even if the story goes as he claims, he has violated police rules because he was at a bar socializing with his weapon, and obviously in plain sight, since he claimed Celis wrestled for it. To help police along, they are looking for Francisco Mendez for questioning.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 It is double trouble for the Belize Police Department which is under public scrutiny after a man died in their custody the same night that another man was shot by a police assigned weapon while invovled in a fist fight with a policeman in Orange Walk Town. In San Pedro Town, Miguel Martinez, 32, a resident of the San Pedrito area, died in the police holding cell in San Pedro Police just after dawn on Tuesday. Police say that he was taken into custody for disorderly conduct near a hotel sometime after one that morning. Police say that Martinez continued to make noise inside the holding cell, but suddenly he stopped, and when they went to check on him they discovered him motionless at around five am. There are no reports that Martinez was beaten while in police custody, but the autopsy report, not yet completed, will determine if had any signs of violence. When he was discovered, he was lying on his back and the handcuffs were still around his wrists.
BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 22, 2012 Taxi driver Godfrey Mortis, 61, a resident of 27 Amara Av-
Godfrey Mortis
enue charged with aggravated assault of an indecent nature upon a girl 8 years old, was sentenced to 2 years yesterday by the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith, after he was found guilty of the charge. The maximum sentence for the offence is 3 years. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on June 5, 2011. The child, a primary school student, testified in camera. She said she went with her mother to the house of a friend of her mother who resides in a house next to Mortis’
house. She said while she was there Mortis asked her to buy water for him. She went to a grocery shop nearby and bought the water. She said when she returned with the water, Mortis grabbed her and put love bites on both sides of her neck then he fondled her private parts. The child’s mother testified that she did not know about the incident until the following day when she saw the bite marks on her daughter’s neck. She said when she asked her daughter who did it, her daughter told her it was Mortis. Mortis testified and denied he committed the offence. But Chief magistrate Smith did not believe his testimony and she found him guilty. Offence such as the one Mortis was convicted of have become quite prevalent in our society. There have been cases in which step-fathers have sexually assaulted stepdaughters and some of those cases that identity of the culprit has been kept secretly in order to protect the child.
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BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Discovery Expeditions’ Canoeing Kings Belize City, Saturday, February 18, 2012 The defending Ruta Maya champs, Discovery Expeditions was in top form again. Their team of Jerry Rhaburn, Efrain and Felix Cruz, clocked 2:36:02 as they paddled their Ziprider canoe across the finish line in front of the Riverside Tavern in Belize City to win first honors. Their purse included the $300 first prize and a trophy in the Belize Canoe Association’s Annual Burrell Boom to Belize City canoe race. This event is sponsored by Guinness Stout and Belikin Brewery on Saturday. The Belize Bank Bulldogs Daniel, Erwin and Amado Cruz had been hard on their heels all the way, clock-
ing 2:36:07 to win the $100 2nd prize in the male category. The N.I.C.H. canoe paddled by Oscar Cordon, Jimmy Valdez and Armin Lopez clocked 2:36:11 as they took 3rd place overall while the BTL Cobb’s Arm canoe paddled by Eric Cano, and Roberto and Clayton Cobb clocked 2:38:27 as they cruised into 4th place. The Belize Coast Guard “Redemption” canoe paddled by Jack Alford, Godfrey Alford and Arthur Garbutt clocked 2:39:02 as they finished 5th overall, while Leroy Romero and Jermaine and Jerry Sanchez paddled their “3 de Haad Way” canoe to a 6th place finish in 2:44:36. 7th Place- The All In - Francisca Cruz Phaender
and Andreas and Keron Cabb 2:45:31 (1st Mixed Division) 8th Place Oceana - Euken Arnold Jayda Guydis, 16yrs, Chris Guydis - 2:47:27 (2nd - mixed Division) 9th Place – Missille Sheraine Faber , Nolbert and Jamel Seguro - 2:53:33 (3rd - Mixed Division) 10th Place - Westrac Jerry Cante, Elmer Cruz and
UB girls Sweep up National ATLIB basketball Championships
UB girls are champs San Ignacio, Saturday, February 18, 2012 The University of Belize Black Jaguars basketball girls won the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) National Basketball Championships hosted by Galen University at the Falcon field in San Ignacio Town on Saturday. In Game 1, the Ecumenical Junior College girls secured their berth in the championship finals by eliminating the Wesley Junior College girls 31-13. Game 1Top Scorers Twila Castillo and Ethel Martinez scored 9 points each for Ecumenical Eleanor Martinez added 6 pts, Veronica Arzu added 4 points and Jacklaine Arzu – 3 points Wesley’s Dana Herbert - 7 points, Deandre Baiza - 5 points. Sheryn Nunez - 1 point from the charity stripe. In Game 2, the UB girls moved on to the finals by a 39-13 win against the St
John’s Junior College girls. Game 2 Top Scorers UB’s Stephanie Jones - 12 pts, MVP Glenda Torres- 11pts. Kimberly Spence - 5pts. Loren Henry – 4pts Louise Rodriguez - 3points, Kaylani Reid and Melba Lewis – 2 points each. SJCJC’s Marjeli Alvarado led her team with 5 pts. Margaret Flowers and Devonnie Herrera - 4 points each. In Game 3 the consolation game for third place, the Wesley girls won 6-4 against the SJCJC girls, after leading 1-0 at the half. Sheryn Nunez led Wesley with 5pts and Kamisha Ariola added a bucket, while Margaret Flowers scored all 4pts for SJCJC. In the championship final which was Game 4, MVP Glenda Torres led UB with 16pts points and Stephanie Jones added 6 pts as UB led 15-8 at the half. Ecumenical’s Twila Castillo scored 12 points, while Jacklaine Arzu and Carmita Swazo put back 4 points each.
Ziprider are champs Adrian Waight - 2:53:35 11th Place - Print Belize - Rudolph Genlte, Jesus Flowers and Javier Guardado - 2:53:54 (1st Pleasure Division 13th Place - St Ignatius High School - Alfred and Armando Lopez and Bayron Cruz - 2:55:47 ( 1st -Intramural Division) 14th Place - Police “Peacemakers” - Audrey Moody, Jane
Usher and Ruth Cruz - 2:57:03 (1st Female Division) 16th Place - Sea Sports’ “Watt a Ting” - Paul Hyde, Mike and Johnny “Watt” Searle - 2:58:25 ( 1st Masters’ Division) The next race in this series of short races leading up to the annual Ruta Maya River challenge will be held in the Spanish Lookout lagoon on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
UB Men head class in ATLIB National Basketball Championship
UB men are champs San Ignacio, Saturday, February 18, 2012 The University of Belize Black Jaguars basketball men won the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) national basketball championships hosted by Galen University at the Falcon field in San Ignacio Town on Saturday. In Game 1, the UB men secured their berth in the finals by a 58-44 win over the San Pedro Junior College men. UB’s MVP Farron Louriano averaged 16 pts per game and led with 17 pts, and Winston “Air Jun” Pratt added 11pts. Travis Lennon added 10 pts for UB to be up 29-22 at the half. San Pedro’s Franklin Aranda led with 13 pts, while team captain Whitman Williams added
11pts. Luis Rubio had 9pts. Kevlin Rhodean - 6pts and Alfred Young – 5pts. The UB men dominated the second half as Daniel Nolberto added 9pts, Michael Martinez - 4pts and Alfred Bainton, Lindbergh Graham and Kent Welch each tossed in a bucket and Ryan zuniga scored 1 pt from the charity stripe for the 58-44 win. In Game 2, the Wesley Junior College men squeaked past the Galen University men 40-39 to enter the finals. Paul Swasey led Wesley with 13pts, Jaleel Arnold - 8 pts, and Oliver Solis - 7 pts. Evan Rene and Stafford Young - 4pts each Galen Eagles’ Jamaal Harris led with 12 pts while Jarrel Velasquez and Shelton Defour added 9pts each. In Game 3 the consolation game for third place, the Galen Eagles won Continued on page 13
BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE
Sunday, February 26, 2012
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Team C-Ray wins at home and abroad Belize City, Saturday, February 18, 2012 Team C-ray dominated almost all categories when the C-Ray Cycling Team held its weekly “C-Ray’s Full Throttle Saturday Race” on Saturday February 18, 2012 Finishes 1st - Team C-ray’s - Riis Cattouse (Junior Category) 2nd - Team C-Ray’s -Brandon Morgan (Junior Category), 3rd - M&M Engineering - Eldon Simmons 4th - Unattached - Delawn Abraham 5th – (1st Master’s Category) - Ernest “Jawmeighan” Meighan 2nd - (Master’s Category) - Horizon team - Kenroy Gladden 3rd - (Master’s Category) – Team Depredadores Omar Gomez (Mexican)
1st – (Female/Youth Category) - Delawn Abraham 2nd –(Female/Youth Category) - Team Depredadores - Alejandro Manrique 3rd –(Female/Youth Category) Team C-ray’s Kerah Eiley 1st - (Over-50 maters’ category) - C-Ray- Raymond “Ray Catt” Cattouse
Matthew Usher wins BTTA Cadets table tennis ranking tournament Belize City, Sunday, February 19, 2012 Matthew Usher emerged as the No.1 player in the under-15 cadets category when the Belize Table Tennis Association held its 2012 RF&G 1st Bi-Annual National Ranking Tournament at the Belize Elementary School auditorium on Sunday, February 19. The under-15 cadets category took “center stage, even though as per tradition, this event consist of different Categories of players. Some 17 young players registered for the competition which started at approximately 9:30AM with welcoming remarks by the BTTA president Arturo “Tux”
UB Men head class in ATLIB National Basketball Championship Continued from page 12 40-31 against the San Pedro men. In Game 4 the championship final, UB’s MVP Farron Louriano hit long trey and stuffed in 2 dunks to lead with 15pts in their 66-38 blowout of Wesley men. Alfred Bainton drained in a long trey to add 9pts, while Winston “Air Jun” Pratt rammed home 12 pts to put UB up 31-22 at the half. Wesley’s Oliver Solis had drained in 2 long treys to lead with 14 pts, and Jaleel Arnold also drained in 2 long treys as he added 8pts. Paul Swasey played big defense and added 8pts. It was all UB in the 2nd half, even though coach Darrel Bovell took advantage of their large lead to give his bench players some court time.
Vasquez, followed by the tournament Referee explaining the rules to the participants. The tournament format included all players participating in a first Round Robin event, followed by a Double Elimination FINALS for players advancing from the Round Robin event. The players were divided into 4 groups, and the top 2 finishers in each group advanced to the Double Elimination finals. Advancing to the Double Elimination round were: from Group 1: Fabio Carballo and Emil Gillett; from Group 2: Ashar Arthurs and Joshua Gegg;
from Group 3: Gian Lisbey and Mishek Musa and from Group 4: Matthew Usher and Steve Flowers. These 8 players then competed in the Double Elimination event and Matthew Usher, Gian Lisbey, Ashar Arthurs, Steve Flowers advanced to the finals. In the upper bracket, Matthew Usher defeated Steve Flowers, to advance to the final, while in the bottom bracket; Ashar Arthurs defeated Gian Lisbey to advance to final. Matthew Usher emerged the champion after losing the first set to Ashar, and then winning the last set to take the championship. Gian Lisbey finished 3rd and Steven Young 4th overall.
NHS girls Dominate CSSSA: 4 wins Belize City, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 The Nazarene High School girls are leading the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association softball competition with four wins after they crushed the St Catherine’s Academy girls at the Roger’s Stadium on Wednesday evening. Ashley Lucas had led the Nazarene High School girls to their third win: 16-1 by mercy rule over the Gwen Lizarraga High School girls last Friday, February 14; Ashley Lucas had pitched a shut-out win as she led the Nazarene High School girls to their second win: 17-0 by mercy rule over the Anglican Cathedarl College girls last Wednesday, February 15; ACC pitcher Leanne Davis was credited with the loss. Lucas had also pitched a 4-1 win for Nazarene high over the Ladyville Technical High School girls in the opening game of the tournament on Monday, February 6. Ladyville Technical High School won 22-11 over the St Catherine Academy’s girls on Saturday, February 18.
Gilda Estrada scores Briana Ara (Pitcher) had toughed it out to lead the Wesley College girls to their first win 14-13 over the ACC girls on Monday, Febraury 20. Wesley had led 6-0 when Alundra Hernandez, Shanice Humes, pitcher Briana Ara, Jenna Peck, Breanna Meighan, and Ianney Pelayo had come home in the bottom of the first inning, but ACC soon tied the score at 6-6 when Susana Matura, Raydene Belgrave, Ainsley Gentle, Ashley Felix and Synthce Johnson came home in the top of the 2nd and they ACC girls led
row
1st - ( Elites) - Darnell Bar-
2nd – (Elites) - Gregory Lovell 3rd - Team C-Ray - Christian McNish (Panamanian) 4th - Team C-Ray - Brandon Cattouse 5th - Team Benny’s Megabytes - Byron Pope 6th - Team C-Ray’s - Nissan Arana 7th - Jairo Campos 8th - Team Galen Eagles Western Spirit - Peter Choto 9th - Ernest Meighan 10th - Team Horizon - Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden ( Triple Lionman triathlon champ) The C-Ray Team also competed in a race in Chetumal on Sunday, February 19 where the sponsors gave top 3 prizes for the Elite Category and ONLY first prize for the Master, Junior and Female Categories. Riis Cattouse won the race overall, and was 12st among the Juniors. Nissan Arana won the Elite category with Brandon Cattouse second ; Ray Cattouse Sr. won the Masters, and Team CRay’s Kaya Cattouse won the Female Category.
11-6 when Matura, Belgrave, Sharon Brooks, Shantell Middleton and Johnson came home again in the top of the third. Wesley trailed 9-11 after Kaylin Williams, Ianney Pelayo and Jasmine Trapp scored in the bottom of the 3rd inning. ACC ballooned their lead to 13-9 when Johnson and Matura scored in the top of the fourth only to see the Wesley tie the score with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Relief pitcher Breanna Meighan would shut out the ACC batters in the top of the fifth, and she scored the winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning. LTHS Pitcher Rebecca Nicholson had help from her sister Mardy Nicholson on the mound, as she led the Ladyville Technical High School girls to a 8-4 win over the Gwen Lizarraga High School girls on February 14. St Catherine Academy’s Erin Brackett shut out the Wesley College girls as she led the SCA girls to a 17-0 win last Thursday February 16; Wesley’s pitcher Kaylyn Williams was credited with the loss. Brackett had also led the SCA girls to a 28-8 win over the Anglican Cathedral college girls in their first game on Wednesday, February 8; pitcher Leanne Davis was credited with the loss. Roslyn Smith led the Gwen Liz girls to their first win 17-7 over the Wesley College girls on February 18.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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The People’s United Party Manifesto 2012-2016
Deliverance for Belize
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Systematic Desecration of Belize’s Jewels Contributed by Mila Stevens February 21, 2012, Belize City The children of Belize deserve to be protected from sexual predators and September 2011- January 2012 marked a crossroad for the children of Belize. The period was a call to action. Yet, none has been taken. During that period approximately ten children have had the courage to speak out against their molesters. How have we rewarded their courage? Has the Government strengthened the laws protecting our children? Have we held rallies or marched in solidarity to send a message to the pedophiles? Have our pastors and priests stood in their pulpits and condemned these actions every Sunday? Perhaps, I too, have been walking around with my “eyes wide shut” so I missed the flurry of consistent and sustained activism. I certainly, however, did not miss the outrage levied against the attempt to decriminalize anal sex. As I watched the morning talk show circuit, I couldn’t help but wonder, have we gone mad? A four year girl was taken from her primary school and brutally raped but decriminalizing anal sex trumps her desecration on the nation’s agenda of important issues. We will hear rumors of children, male and female, being traded to give sexual favors in return for benefits from UDP ministers of government, business men, tourists, sugar daddies or any Tom, Dick, Harry or Jane who
can put the money in people’s pockets. Yet, nothing happens. Our eyes and ears remain “wide shut”. In a report published in August 2009 regarding policing and prosecuting sexual assaults the author lamented: “ the stories and the cases are so common that the public has become accustomed to rape and carnal knowledge as a routine part of the weekly news. It is feared that the frequency of hearing about these crimes has resulted in a desensitization of the public to the victims and their trauma. Some even say that there is now an expectation that children in Belize will be sexually abused because sexual predators are hard to detect and identify and we can no longer protect our children from this seemingly pervasive danger...” With a population the size of small town in the USA, why have we accepted this as a way of life for our children? Is it hard for us to detect when a child is being used to gain a favor? Is hard for us to see when a child is clearly being abused? I don’t believe so, I think we choose not to see. We chose not to hear. We chose not care, yet, we say to our children, the nation’s greatest accomplishments and assets, “You will be harmed and we will do nothing to protect you.” With roughly half of our population being under the age of eighteen, can the approach of “see no evil, hear no evil” be the right one? In our hearts we all know the an-
The improvement and building of sporting and recreational facilities is a must for the mental and physical development of our young citizens. For four years the youths of Corozal Bay have been neglected while our sporting facilities and fields have been left to deteriorate. I shall: • Upgrade and retrofit the Andres Campos Civic Centre to a state of the art sporting facility • Work in partnership with the various sporting organizations and associations to ensure yearly tournaments are held in all major sports • Promote and support neighbourhood sports clubs and competitions • Work along with the schools to maintain an active sporting program as part of the curriculum • Build beach volleyball facilities and promote the sport by holding regular competitions • Upgrade and maintain other sporting fields, basketball courts and football stadium • Promote the development of sporting associations in non traditional sports like chess, tennis, table tennis, cycling and water sports
swer is no. However, we seemingly lack the will power to move from recognition of the problem to a creating a solution. As much as I wish it possible, I am not saying that pedophilia can be completely exterminated from our society. The reality is that there are people who take pleasure in abusing others. Some were also abused as children and are continuing a cycle of abuse. However, I strongly believe that we can strengthen our laws, step up our awareness campaigns and implement a sexual predator registry and a child watch system. Strengthening our laws will require redefining and expanding our definition of rape and consolidating the sexual assaults laws in one sexual offences act and revising the penalties as recommended by the above mentioned report. The report also recommends the creation of a special unit in the DPP’s office to deal with sexual offences and that police officers and prosecutors receive specialized training on how to process and prosecute sexual offences cases against minors. Belize should have a sexual predator registry that is accessible via the internet and otherwise to all members of the public. This way citizens can play an active role in monitoring persons who come into their communities. Also, deportees who were sexual offenders in the USA or any other country should be placed on this list. Sexual offenders should also
be required to report to their nearest police station once every quarter. Additionally, they should be attending mandatory counseling sessions at least twice per quarter and undergo annual psychological evaluation. Yes, I believe that sexual offenders should be on life long probation. A child watch system should be implemented in every neighbourhood. I am applying the tried and true results oriented concept of a neighbourhood watch to the protection of our children. However, instead of watching houses, we will, as concerned Belizeans apply ourselves to looking out for the children in our area. Personal safety modules should be introduced to our students from as early as four years old. Teaching them about “good touch and bad touch” and that they have a right to protect their bodies. They should also be encouraged to speak up if they have been harmed or are made to feel uncomfortable. I also believe that every child should be taught basic self-defense. In fact, if left up to me, I would ensure that every school has a mandatory martial arts program. It is my deepest hope that the energy we have applied to decrying the decriminalization of anal sex will also be shared in decrying pedophilia. While we focus on the “scourge” of homosexuality, our children suffer. Sad truth is that suffer in silence at the hands of pedophiles. Many of these pedophiles hide behind the masks of being “good people”.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
Tear drops from Lake I: Barrow, a Misogynist? Nomination day drama over PUP Lake I proposed candidate Mrs. Schakron exposed some serious flaws in the handling of the matter by Chief Election clerk Noreen Fairweather, a closet UDP who we knew would have upheld a directive from her UDP bosses to bar Mrs. Schakron from running on Nomination Day. That move could have underhandedly given the Lake I seat to the UDP had the PUP not been able to place a candidate before the 4 pm dead line. On the other hand the battle in the courts further eroded our belief in the justice system which started way back in 2008 with no other than the Barrow public chiding of the former CJ and then the AG public outburst at the opening of the Supreme courts. It was further exacerbated with the removal of the former Chief Justice, Abdulia Conteh, and by the appointment of Denny Barrow, the brother of the Prime minister’s Dean Barrow to the Court of Appeal Bench, casting perception and shadow of compromise in the High courts. In other words Mrs. Schakron had no chance with Noreen, and in similar likeness with presidential candidate AL Gore against the US Atlanta courts had no chance. But having said that, it begs the question, what was all the fuss about? The UDP argues that Schakron candidacy did not matter, and then it begs the question, why could they not let her run? But what is most interesting is that the UDP are so certain that they got this election, but if they are so certain why is it that Lake I was so important to them then on Nomination Day and still is? You better ask yourself this, Belize. But the treatment of Mrs. Schakron in the Lake I debacle, goes further than Nomination Day , as it confirms what we have been saying all along when we questioned Barrow’s behavior towards strong independent Belizean women. His behavior towards Mrs. Schakron was un-called for it was cruel and downright inhumane and may have exposed a side of Barrow as a hater of strong Belizean women. In the early days of the UDP administration Barrow’s first national exposure in proof of this came by his way of treatment to the former solicitor general Mrs. Tanya Longsworth Harwanger. Under Barrow she did not last 6 months and was thrown under the bus. Her crime was she made an honest legal decision in the Administrative law case involving Inspector of Police, Chester William. The UDP government was intent on illegally retiring him from the police force. This caused Barrow to lash out on her making a public statement on televsion asking her, how dare SHE make such a decision. His statement was as to suggest that only he had that right. She lasted less than six months under Barrow. She packed up and left a crumpled and broken UDP. Barrow’s public fight with a woman would go on to involve Amalia Mia, former Ambassador of Belize and now head of Channel 5. What Barrow did to her was similar to a public ban on her, saying publicly that she and Channel 5 were banned from all Government office information. This proved too much for Amalia who brokered a deal with her lawyer friend to restore relations. In the end it did send her into some
obscurity. Barrow’ s next casualty was Zenida Moya. Former Mayor of Belize who dared to stand up to Barrow. That fight resulted in Zenaida being arrested and charge for theft and Zenaida spitting out a public challenge against Barrow. Zenida defiance to Barrow was extended to the Farmer’s Market courts of opinion within the UDP and had it not been for her life time friend Finnegan, Zenaida, for all intent and purposes, would have been considered finished politically. Well, that would have been the case as long a Barrow was the UDP leader. Dean Barrow seems not to be able to help it when it comes to strong Belizean women. The recent fight with ex-UDP senator now Oceana convert jumped the line. Audrey, whose own people turned on her under Barrow’s orders was condemned as a “Bembe woman”. With condescending vile, Audrey Matura- Sheppard has earned “beef” with Barrow’s Woman hate. Barrow has gone on record not once but twice, to snap at Audrey publicly on the Love FM morning show and in a press conference where he told the nation and got away with it. As if this woman were of inferior gender pedigree he ordered the public “to send anybody to negotiate with him, but NOT AUDREY!” He diced Audrey’s worth and works on the coalition referendum, as not going to happen. There are more women who are out there who are currently on Barrow’s list, strong successful Belize an women such as Cynthia Ellis who dare to run as Deputy leader under Barrow and was beaten down, such as Ann Marie Williams who dare to run as UDP candidate as was literally told that she had to know her place. Is it any wonder then that at the end of nomination day Friday February 17, 2012 that Barrow and the UDP had NO WOMEN CANDIDATES RUNNING ON HIS TICKET!! On Friday February 17, Nomination Day, Mrs. Schakron dropped teardrops for Lake I. Barrow may have beaten her down that day. Noreen and the Courts may have blocked her from being a candidate, but she is a strong Belizean woman. At the end of the day she dusted off herself, got up and took her brother to be nominated in her steed. The war for Lake I has begun and in the hearts and minds of the people of Lake I Mrs. Sackhron’s teardrops meant something. It had value. That value will translate to victory come March 8! FOR REAL! There are additional women who have also felt the political, sexist or maybe physical abuse of Barrow. Yasmin Andrews, Sharon Pitts Robateau, Gina Tillett, Margaret Mckenzie-Gabb, Kay Menzies, Jacqueline Marshalleck, Ms. Emma Boiton, Cynthia Pitts, Lisa Shoman and even Lois young are all strong upward, successful Belizean women who at one time or the other have felt the harsh attacks of Barrow. If there are any women whom we at BELIZE TIMES have not mentioned, who have fell victim of Barrow’s wrath for being a woman, we encourage you to enter into this discussion by writing to us at editortimes@yahoo.com. The PUP loves women. Simple as that, nuff said.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, February 26, 2012
National Human Rights Campaign launched By: Alton Humes BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 How often do Belizeans forget that even as we continue to live in a good country, as espoused by former Prime Minister and Fort George area representative Hon. Said Musa? Most times, our higher authorities such as the State, Police, BDF and various powerful institutions tend to conveniently forget their charge to serve and protect our beloved nation? There have been numerous and many more atrocities, both unnamed and unspoken, committed under the less-than-watchful eyes of the Dean Barrow-led UDP Government. But through the efforts of such legal and social activist luminaries like Antoinette Moore and Simeon Sampson, stepping towards the goal of strong Human Rights, with equality and fairness for all Belizeans, is well on the way. The national Human Rights campaign was launched this morning at the Radisson Fort George Hotel under the theme “Human Beings, Human Rights ….. Protect Them, Respect Them”. The BELIZE TIMES was interviewed Ms. Moore, via phone today. The long standing member of the Human Rights push in Belize was gracious enough to speak to us. Ms. Moore told us that
through a concerted and focused educational campaign that will span the next three months or so, various methods to spread the message of progression towards equality, justice and fairness will be addressed. Various song and poster competitions will be held throughout the school system and with the general public, while lectures will be held for the general public, and later others for ‘special interest’ groups, including one this Saturday, February 25th, at the UWI Open Campus here in Belize City. Ms. Moore also expressed her fervent hope that the PUP, which has extensive ideas that would improve Human Rights for all Belizeans, including disbanding the GSU as well as numerous reforms, and by extension other political, social and other organizations will continue to be on board with their plans.
A NEW VISION
for Caribbean Shores
EDUCATION
The People’s United Party Believe in Education.
We believe that Education is the great Equalizer. I, DAVID HOY, ALONG WITH MY CARIBBEAN SHORES COMMITTEE AND THE NEW PUP GOVERNMENT HAVE SET OUT THE FOLLOWING GOALS IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION:
- Improve access to Preschools and afterschool programs in the area. - Feeding Programs need to be established starting in all Pre and Primary Schools. - We are committed to FREE Education for the Primary and Secondary levels. - Implement the “one laptop per student” program with internet access at the primary and secondary level in a phased development. - Aggressively expand access to ITVET , so that our youth can develop practical skills in order to achieve better job opportunities. - Increase tertiary level enrolment at Junior Colleges/Sixth Forms. -Greatly expand the University of Belize Scholarship Program implemented by the P.U.P. Government in 2004. - University education is expensive and low interest loans need to be made available so that parents who can afford to pay back can help to educate their children.
vote
DAVID HOY
PUP DELIVERS
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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THE BELIZE TIMES
UDP disrespects Holy Day Belize City, February 22, 2012 While thousands of Belizeans flocked to church pews today, on the holy Ash Wednesday, to pray, repent and solidify their faith in God, the dastardly United Democratic Party disrespected the holy day with a mammon dedicated rum bash. Reminiscent of the Old Testament golden calf celebrations, the UDP had empty and bribed “song and dance”. With women and young girls scantily clad gyrating to loud music and young men fighting each other for alcoholic beverages, the area in front of the UDP headquarters on Youth For the Future Drive was turned into a rowdy beer fest. It took no less than 100 unpaid and overworked police officers to control the unruly UDP crowd. These officers, instead of being deployed to safeguard
crime-ridden communities were used to protect political hooligans. The UDP has already shown that they barely respect anything – not the Courts, not the rule of law, not the business community, and not the people, but to show absolutely no respect for a holy day passes the mark. Ash Wednesday initiates Lent, a period which marks the forty days and forty nights Christ spent defeating the Devil’s temptations. But the UDP does not fight the Devil’s temptations, they have knowingly worshiped and participated in them over the last four years, crucifying the needy, victimizing the destitute, chastising the meek and persecuting the poor. The UDP simply has no heart and no shame. Weeping and gnashing of teeth is soon to come on March 7.
Beating the Color Off Yellowman
Belize City, Friday, February 18, 2012 On Nomination, Friday, February 17 after the rent a crowd of persons marching in the UDP paid entourage had settled down, the real drama unfolded. BELIZE TIMES has the proof and that proof is something Brian “Yellowman” Audinett will always “REMEMBER” because he wears it on his face in black and blue. Yellowman, “poor fellow, poor fellow” was beaten up and mobbed by a group of unpaid marchers. In the very yard of the UDP headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive, several persons who wore UDP shirt in the march and
campaigners were discontented and feverish. They made it very clear that they had not gone to march in the “sun hot” for love. They wanted the money they were promised. “No mek no ghost fool yuh!”, it was all about the money. After demanding their payment which was not forthcoming, an altercation ensued where the “poor little fellow, Yellow” got as they say, “thump up”. The scene was ugly. It was so ugly that Patrick Faber, was in a panic. Official information to the BELIZE TIMES from inside the Police Department is that he demanded and called for no less than four police officers to escort him out of the UDP Headquarters where he was trapped inside and sure to be next. We wondered why Dean Barrow kept on begging for a “peaceful elections”. We know now. Belizean’s votes and integrity cannot be bought. Have you UDP’s not learnt anything? Well, at least Patrick and Yellow have.
UDP Printing Election ballots in Guatemala? Belize City, February 22, 2012 The BELIZE TIMES received an email copied to seventy nine recipients including media house. Circulated by a Lincoln Pandy it reads: “There is serious talk in the grapevine that the ballots for the upcoming elections has been contracted to Santino Castillo (Angelus Press). Furthermore, it is being fronted by BRC Printing, but is actually being outsourced to a printing press in Guatemala because neither BRC Printing nor the Angelus Press can handle enterprise printing of this magnitude. This is a breach of democracy and conflict of interest to
say the least. I believe the media and social interests should demand full disclosure on this matter to lay aside any such allegations.” Is there any truth to this grapevine info? Does the UDP want us to use Guatemalan ballots for Belizean General Elections? Will the UDP and past Government please put the Belizean public at ease and “say it ain’t so, jack”. Inquiring Belizeans want to know. Please clear this up and do it quickly. We await an official Press Release from the Government confirming or denying this query. This is an issue of national importance and interest.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
Reid Duality The whole hullabaloo surrounding the Shakron affair has been a major distraction to the real issues facing Belizeans as we head into elections. Cost of living continues to climb, bodies continue to pile up and our credit rating has plummeted to unprecedented lows. Our cities and towns get filthier by the day, streets and roadways deteriorate to a deplorable state, unemployment and poverty levels continue to rise and every major industry is fraught with problems. Yet, the big focus is on whether or not Yolanda Shakron is eligible to represent the people of Belize in Lake Independence. Shortly after she was endorsed to succeed Cordel Hyde as standard bearer for the Lake Independence constituency of Belize City, it was discovered that Shakron was in fact, a dual-citizen; she also carried a US passport. The whole issue of allowing dual citizens to run for office was proposed by the current administration but was resoundingly rejected by the people of Belize a year or so ago. The UDP was able to dig up some old tapes showing both Lisa Shoman and Francis Fonseca vociferously opposing the very concept at the time it was being proposed. Fact is, they were basically representing the views of their entire party and many other Belizeans who felt strongly then about the issue. Those sentiments have not changed but this situation is not the same. What Dean Barrow was proposing was to bring in Belizeans from aboard to run for elections and subsequently represent our affairs in parliament. It is in actuality, a bla-
tant disrespect to the integrity and competence of locally bred scholars and artisans. In fact, the Prime Minister has shown consistently that he has no confidence in the competence of our Belizean people. He has appointed foreigners to many key positions, including Chief Justice, Chief Magistrate, Solicitor General, President of UB, CEO of Health and is currently seeking a foreigner to become Chief of Police. Upon becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Barrow immediately looked abroad for persons to fill key positions in his administration. The CEO in his Ministry Audrey Wallace plus his Head of Financial Unit, Marilyn Williams, as well as a number of others, were all living abroad when they were brought in and given preference over many qualified at home Belizeans who were standing in line for those jobs. The man obviously has no trust in things Belizeans. Might very well be why he felt he could not even marry at home but had to travel to Savannah Georgia to fulfill his vows? Interestingly enough, the very same Marilyn Williams who heads the Financial Unit was herself a candidate for office in 1998. It was also discovered at the time that she was in fact, a US citizen but was allowed to run anyway. . Interestingly enough, Mike Campbell, an independent candidate for Belize Rural South posted the following to his FB homepage: “Yesterday I was officially nominated to run for Area Representative for Belize Rural South. I am a Dual-National as I currently enjoy both Belizean and British citizenship and am entitled to the right to run and serve if elected by the Belize Constitution.” Nobody objected showing that there is an obvious double standard being applied here. Yolanda Shakron, upon being informed of the situation and conditions, immediately volunteered to do whatever was nec-
The CEO in his Ministry Audrey Wallace plus his Head of Financial Unit, Marilyn Williams, as well as a number of others, were all living abroad when they were brought in and given preference over many qualified at home Belizeans who were standing in line for those jobs.”
essary including the denouncing of her US citizenship. She visited the US Embassy and initiated the process. This is no small matter and a step that few would take. It showed great love of country and the willingness to comply with requirements and the rule of law. US citizenship is a treasured status to many Belizeans and the fact that Shakron was willing to denounce says a lot about this lady. Dean Barrow spared no cost or influence in still disqualifying and preventing her from running in the elections. It is obvious that Yolanda Shakron was making the whole UDP camp very nervous. No doubt that we will continue to hear from Yolanda Shakron and she will continue to be a thorn in the side of the Dean Barrow and the UDP’s. Dean Barrow for a long time has been wooing and courting Belizeans in the Diaspora. He spends much time abroad and does not miss the opportunity to meet and address these Belizeans in absentia. Belizeans at home have no hatred or envy for our brothers and sisters who have chosen to migrate in search of financial security. We hope that they would all one day return and help to build a better Belize. We do not believe however, that they should just waltz back in and direct our affairs. Each election, thousands return to Belize just to vote. Dean Barrow’s longevity in his division is attributed directly to Belizean Americans who
23 come in, cast their votes and return to the comfort of their American existence. It is their right and no law prevents them from doing so. There is something not too right however, for we are the ones that are left to suffer the consequences of their decisions. Barrow and his crowd has lately been promising Belizeans in Diaspora a vote by proxy. In other words, they will no longer even have to visit to be able to cast votes and decide our destiny. This will not go over well with Belizeans at home. A more pragmatic proposal is to allow Belizeans abroad, representation in the House. What could happen is that citizens in the Diaspora, and there are large and well organized committees in most large cities of the US, Canada and the UK, to be allowed to vote for a member of their fold. That person could then sit in parliament and represent them in land matters and other concerns pertinent to their needs. If we are to survive and compete in this global environment, we will need every able bodied citizen at home and abroad to be on board and involved. Those on the ground manning the fort however, face distinctly different challenges than those who love our “Jewel” from a distance. Yolanda Shakron has been at home and on the ground and her ostracization is without much merit. gmikereid@hotmail.com
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THE BELIZE TIMES
PUP/Oceana/ Coalition, on Same page with holding ‘The People’s Referendum’
L to R - Audrey Matura Sheppard, Francis Gegg, Jim Scott & Tanya Williams
By: Alton Humes BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 It’s now official - the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage and Oceana in Belize (OiB) will take the national issue of offshore oil drilling to the Belizean public after being blatantly and unjustly thwarted through the machinations and minions of the UDP government. Today, the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage, represented by their Coordinator Tanya Williams-Thompson, and Oceana in Belize’s Vice-President Mrs. Audrey Matura-Shepherd, held a press conference to launch ‘The People’s Referendum’ on offshore oil exploration and drilling, something they forthrightly refer to as ‘a national issue, one that affects, will affect people’s lives.’ But well before that event, the BELIZE TIMES stopped by for a chat with Mrs. Matura-Shepherd earlier on about the event that precipitated it all - the poll that was conducted by researcher Yasmine Andrews, using two separate samples: from the 20,000 original signatories of their petition, sampling 13,000 people with mobile and/ or home phones to narrow down to 4,000 and 4,000 random people sampled from throughout the country that also had mobile and/or home phones, for a total sample population of 8,000 people, officially considered representative of Belize’s 300,000-plus population. The sample population was then asked to answer between 7 to 8 questions, ranging on topics related to, among other things, offshore drilling, the opportunity to vote on the issue, the government’s response to the referendum, reason(s) why the referendum was called off, and what the Coalition and OiB’s next moves should be. The numbers and percentages are the real story here, and even though details of the poll are truly worthy of more thorough dissection, the best that can be said is that is that Belizeans definitely feel they were shafted out of the opportunity to vote on such a ‘hot-button’ issue, and feel the UDP Government under Prime Minister Dean Barrow, robbed them of such an opportunity.
What is worse, in the view of Mrs. Matura-Shepherd, OiB and the Coalition is that the Government somehow made their recent amendment to the Referendum Act in a way that no referendum would be binding to their Government or any Government in future. That sort of outright betrayal had Mrs. Matura-Shepherd really riled up, saying that, “Government(s) must listen to the people”, especially on this and other high-priority issues, and expressed her fervent hope that a PUP government, once elected, would honor its manifesto promise to place a moratorium, and then a permanent ban on offshore drilling. That brings us right back to today’s launch, which was a small, tight yet well-choreographed affair, with presentations from notable pundit, businessman and the Referendum’s National Coordinator Mr. Francis Gegg, President of the Belize Tourism Association (BTIA) and General Manager of the Radisson Fort George Hotel, Mr. Jim Scott. But perhaps the most passionate and unbridled form of support for this colossal effort came in the form of Mr. Jervis Menzies, a Belizean-American concerned citizen with ties to the tourism industry, both at a ‘ground level’ and with the BTIA. He made it crystal clear that Belize ‘doesn’t need oil exploration’ if it will negatively affect the modern Belizean ‘civilization’, and further cited the Exxon Valdez and the more recent Deepwater Horizon oil spills as further proof that Belizeans would not be able to bear the cost once something went awry in our marine shelf. But all passion and rhetoric aside, to make it to the official February 29, 2012 date for the Referendum, OiB and the Coalition need the people’s help. Polling stations will be announced in various media in the coming days, and should people wish to contribute money to the cause, they can do so at The People’s Referendum Account at Scotiabank # 913-8870, while a call center has been established to get word out there. Whenever and however the Referendum goes down, the BELIZE TIMES will be the first to cover and bring the results to the people.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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Deliverance Is Coming: PUP launches National Manifesto
is now simulcast live on CCV Channel 19, CBC Channel 53 and Southern Cable Network, Channel 98 BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 The atmosphere inside Independence Hall this afternoon was a palpable charge of raw energy and excitement. It was full, as the People’s United Party, with their humble but unrestrained flourishes that comes forth when an Election Manifesto is launched, unrolled it new 2012- 2016 road map. The focus and vigor glistened today, as the PUP launched ‘Deliverance for Belize – The Peaceful, Constructive Revolution Continues’. Of course, such a revolution would not be envisioned, possible, or even be meaningful without respectfully invoking the revolutionary spirit and dignity of the first Leader of the Revolution – the Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, as well as all those who served with and under him. Today, as all of the pledges of the manifesto, the singing of the National Anthem, “Land of the Free”, and the recitation of the National Prayer were all done in his honor. Beneath all of the pomp and festivities, the PUP manifesto, by indicative design, had little to no links with the past, and instead of revisiting impractical, impossible promises, like its City Council counterpart, it focused on and pledged real solutions, tangible and practical, that are meant to bring forward real solutions to the nation’s depressing problems. The standard bearers, from all political corners of the nation, spoke on several of the topics put forth in the manifesto – Food and Agriculture, Edu-
cation/Youth, Healthcare, Jobs and Job creation, Sports/Culture, Tourism, Reform/Foreign Affairs, Land and Housing and Crime/Security and Justice. Some of the key ideas tabled include the end of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), 1 Meg Internet for $30 per month, freehold land title for young people, cultural and art prizes in honor of Belizean luminaries, and the reduction of General Sales Tax. The Party Leader, Hon. Francis Fonseca, flanked by the powerful and capable PUP team of candidates, was upbeat. The manifesto is refreshing. It is bold. Its feel and aura is consistent with the reform and changes which have been fleshed out by the PUP’s as they make their journey back to Belmopan. The Party Leader invited all Belizeans to discuss the manifesto, and armed with its contents to cast their vote for all PUP candidates. So now, it’s on to March 7, where all the sweet and true victories await all of Belize…. Adelante, Belizeans!!!! PUP…. ALL THE WAY!!!!
PUP: Winning the Cyber Campaign Logging on to Facebook, Youtube and all the other social network platforms, we at BELIZE TIMES are proud to say that you, the foot soldiers of the peaceful, constructive revolution have gone viral with our campaign as a Party. It is a reassuring reminder that you, Belize, in all 8,887 square miles of cyber space are the real PUP. You fight for truth, freedom and justice without reservation or fear one status update at a time. The latest tool to get the war drums echoing is a completely awesome new PUP song. The vocals are professional and top class and the rhythm is the catchy and contempo-
rary pop hit of “Intentalo”. Give it an ear and a shake of the hip. You can check the hype for yourself at: http://www.youtube. c o m / wa t ch ? fe a tu r e = p l aye r _ embedded&v=Xs6NQY_Pezw. The song entitled “Rise Up” has taken popular music website Sound cloud by storm. It is becoming the most viewed political song in Belize, with over two hundred downloads and just as many “likes”, we at BELIZE TIMES blast our speaker boxes and say “Rise up” ye soldiers, put on that armor and drive back those tyrants with absolute prejudice and without mercy or tolerance, let those despots flee to internet oblivion.
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THE BELIZE TIMES
Lead Your Heart Is it possible to separate your heart from your mind? One afternoon I came home from school with a long-time friend. We had got into a little argument and it led up to a stand-off. We finally reached my house and I knew it was time for a fight. I was much smaller than my friend. In light of this, I was afraid to start the fight. Deep in my heart I did not want to fight but it seemed unavoidable so I stood facing him trembling as the smoke kept blowing out his nostrils. I had stood him up the day before promising him a fight but rather I took another direction to school causing him to reach late. As you would expect, he was not only mad but refused to take “no” for an answer. We had to fight. While in front of the house, we prepared for battle. My little brother sat on the verandah having a first row seat to this wrestling match. My friend and I were both in the same Standard 5 class at the same school. We were friends for years. In fact, we live just a street from each other. Well, the time had come. My heart was pounding. It was going so fast that it almost sounded like a motorcycle engine! Since I was the instigator and at the same time faking bravery, I began my attack. The plan was to suggest to him to throw the first punch. “Punch me then” I squeaked in a highly pitched voice. If he only knew that I spoke this way because I could hardly catch my breath. I could hardly even swallow the lumps of my own saliva as I was scared to death! He came forward with a punch that seemed to go right through my stomach coming out my back. I saw a couple of stars. I am sure Michael Jackson was one of them. After a few seconds, I responded with a harsh retaliation by saying in the same squeaky voice “That didn’t hurt!”.The only difference this time was that he had knocked all the air out my stomach so the squeaky sound was ‘legit’ this time. As my little brother, who was five years younger than I was sat there enjoying the show, it got worse. My statement really made my friend extremely upset and he ran into me and began beating me in the drain, right in front of my house, with my little brother watching! It took a neighbor from in front of my house to come and rescue me. She called my mom and I was saved from a further whipping from my friend! See I did not want to fight, I wanted to run, I was afraid of him. Now instead of thinking about ways to avoid the fight, I followed that part of my heart that said you are a coward; you will look small in front of your friend, so fight him! How many times we follow our heart instead of leading it? In Jerimiah 17:9 , it says the heart is desperately wicked and there are times when we need to follow our heart but there are also times when we need to lead our heart. Yes you can separate the heart from the mind. In fact by doing this, you begin to carve the heart into something that you can trust. One of the best ways to carve and train your heart is to submit it to the ownership of the word of God. I remember doing devotions with my family this past Sunday and we looked at Mark 11:1-5 where Jesus sent for a donkey to ride on. I found it interesting that he specified a young donkey that was never ridden, never ‘broken in’ before. I see this as a prototype of a heart where many of our hearts are not broken in and we function like animals stealing, killing, fornicating and choosing to do whatever comes to our heart. Well God is calling us to submit our hearts to him, to renew our mind. Rather than follow our wild heart, we should instead lead and train it. This will guarantee that our behavior and lifestyle will show others the glory of God. In closing remember to keep an ‘eye’ on your heart. Live day by day leading it when it desires to get out of hand. A man that can bridle his heart has control over his whole body! Until next week God bless
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
Why should I vote?
By Gregory Ovado Now more than ever it appears that voting is just a commodity on the periphery of life. The ordinary citizen is disillusioned, disgusted, utterly confused as to what to do on Election Day. Some are of the view that voting is a complete waste of time and energy. Why vote when all politicians are the same? Why vote when none of the political parties have changed my living conditions? In fact, some people will tell you that they have voted on separate occasions for the blue and the red but their personal situation has only gone from grace to grass. Indeed there are enough reasons to destroy anyone’s feeble intentions of wanting to vote in the upcoming municipal and general elections. With that in mind, it is my intention to stimulate your interest in the importance of voting in the upcoming elections. Allow me a moment to dig into our past. There was a time in this country when only a selected few had the privilege to vote in elections. Women were not allowed to vote and only those with the right skin color, who owned property and wealth, could vote. The following excerpt suggested that in the 1800s voting was not a right enjoyed by the ordinary citizen. “The “free people of colour”, as they were called, had some privileges but not as many as the white settlers had. They were free, but they could not hold commissions in the military. Their economic activities were restricted. They could not become judges or even sit on a jury. They had to own more property and live in the area longer than the whites in order to vote in elections. Many of the coloured people petitioned for more privileges. They stressed their loyalty and their “whiteness”, and tried to keep separate from the black African slaves. By 1832 there were about 1,800 free coloured and black people in Belize (1,000 free coloured, 800 free black). This was almost half the total population.” Even today in these modern times there are still a number of countries struggling for the right to vote. In Saudi Arabia, for example,
women still don’t have the right to vote and the same can be said about other countries. The point I am trying to make is that many Belizeans inherited the right to vote. We never knew what it is like to fight for the right to vote and perhaps that could be the reason why we underestimate the power of “the vote.” From my vantage point, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose if you vote. Some might say that one vote will not matter; I beg to differ, because if one hundred people decide not to vote it becomes a hundred votes that have not been registered to express the true voice of the people. Let us not forget that the people who are voted into office will become legislators and will pass laws that will impact our lives forever. These representatives will eventually have the power to determine the future of this nation, the future of your children and even your unborn child. While I understand your frustration, staying away from the polls come Election Day is not a safe stance. The onus is on you to listen to issues, be critical in your analysis and don’t listen to propaganda before making a conscious decision. Many elections have been won or lost by a few votes so don’t tell me that your one vote is not important. Which is better, for you to make a decision on your own or for someone to make it for you? Essentially, when you fail to vote, you are allowing someone else to make a decision for you and you might not be happy with it. When laws are passed, they are applied equally to all citizens of the country regardless of political affiliation or whether you have voted or not. On the other hand, if there is a good policy passed by the legislators, would you refuse the benefits because you did not vote? I don’t think so! We have never seen 100% turn out for the elections in this country; perhaps that’s wishful thinking but that would be the ideal. If you stay at home this March 7th, we run the risk of a minority making decisions for the majority. It would be like going back to the dark ages of the eighteenth hundreds. Let’s take a look at this scenario: what if we have 500 people living in a community who can vote but out of the 500 only 300 are registered voters and 50% cast their votes on election day. After counting the ballots, the results show that one side got 155 votes and the other side got 145 votes. What has happened here is that 155 people have made a decision for 500 people. It’s a classic case of the minority deciding for the majority. Consequently, the right to vote should not be taken lightly. It is the people’s power that can be used to effect and affect meaningful change in a democratic country. We must not allow our leaders to intimidate us or
even to silence the power of our vote. We must pass judgement on their report card at the end of their term give them another term if they are so deserving. However, if they have failed us like the UDP, then we must not spare the rod and spoil this child. We must! Without regret! Without sympathy! Without mercy flog this government to the pulp for the injustices brought against our people over these four years. “Democracy is a system of government in which a country’s political leaders are chosen by the people in regular, free, and fair elections. In a democracy, people have a choice between different candidates and parties who want the power to govern. The people can criticize and replace
27 their elected leaders and representatives if they do not perform well. The people are sovereign—they are the highest authority—and government is based on the will of the people. Elected representatives at the national and local levels must listen to the people and be responsive to their needs.” My fellow Belizeans, especially Dangrigana, I implore you not to allow this golden, historic moment to pass you by. I trust that I have rekindled that fire to participate and the burning desire to once again stain your fingers with indelible ink. Remember that you and only you can impact the future of this nation. Your one vote is not a commodity on the periphery of life. It is actually the birthplace of a renewed spirit of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
This week think about how you treat other persons. Do you think we are showing each
other respect?
I S U X B L G P F O V O P D I
R P U U F J O B Q P W Q D I D
E J V G D L B M S K Z B C U Z
S C N N I T Q T F A E S D O C
P W G T E A D T N X V V O D T
C T A M B S M T T H B P Q T V
S H A R E S I M S A V A S E R
T J H I S H L J I F C K R C P
O A P F P Z O H L P T A T K L
T S S J N B O M R B K G R D J
H B W V L D Q H M O D I F E R
E O K M I T F E Y G Q Y N D B
C O U R T E O U S T S Y P D Z
R G P K O Q J J K E J R I B E
THE BELIZE TIMES
CARE COURTEOUS KIND LISTEN POLITE SHARE
E U E Y V X M E E D G J I N T
Find and circle the words below then use the left over letters to get our motto of the week.
words below then use the left over letters to get our motto of the
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
R-E-S-P-E-C-T 28 Sunday, February 26, 2012
COLOUR ME!
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
When we respect others it means we our best to treat them well.
This means we are polite, we listen to and we look out for other persons.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
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Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Green Card: Red Light Belmopan, February 20, 2012 There is a popular photo which has gone viral on Facebook. It’s the photo of a younger bald-headed Dean Oliver Barrow on a laminated United States Resident Alien card. The date of issuance of the card is March 30, 2004. Now all this would be meaningless and not newsworthy, except that this revelation that a US Resident Alien card (also called green card) was issued to Dean Oliver Barrow proves once again that Barrow is a hypocrite of extraordinary depths. Unless you have been living under a rock for the last two weeks, like many Belizeans, you would have been saddened last Friday when Barrow used all his powers and the tools of the State to stop Yolanda Schakron from contesting the General Elections as the PUP candidate for the Lake Independence constituency. Acting on instructions, the returning officer for the Lake I Division Noreen Fairweather refused to accept Schakron’s nomination papers, although she had already paid the required $200.00 and six voters from the constituency was on hand to nominate her. The pretext for the refusal of Schakron’s nomination was that she was a dual citizen, being the holder of a United States citizenship and therefore was disqualified to be nominated as she was under the acknowledgement of allegiance of a foreign power. Besides the fact that she is no lawyer, much less an expert in constitutional law, it behooves all how the returning officer Noreen Fairweather could decide this very complex constitutional matter of dual citizenship and what allegiance to a foreign power means. Seems as though the returning officer was either taking instructions from Dean Barrow himself or was following his commentaries on Channel 7 the nights before but Barrow in fact arrogantly foretold on the Channel 7 News that Schakron would not be able to run. John Saldivar too was on Wave Radio the morning before and could not help himself boasting ‘over my dead body
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Humor in UDP Politics! Derrick Aikman issued a press release threatening that if no one gives him any attention, he will kidnap himself…AGAIN. Flippin’ went to Miami. Astonished and bewildered, he asked the chauffer that picked him up “what is that big iron thing with all those people in it?” The guide answered “It is a bus, sir.” Finnegan is so old, he was a toddler when Boots and Salvador Fernandez were handsome. Mark King was seen below a lamppost in front of the Lord Ridge Cemetery. He was knocking on the lamppost with much insistence. Boots drove by in a Housing Truck, filled with “pool tables” and said, “Bwai, weh gone on?” So Mark King said with resolve, “Deh di hide and no want come out, but I know someone deh home, because light deh on upstairs.” Brother Fem called Patrick Andrews and told him, “Breds, there is a poll which revealed that 66% of the people of Belize disapprove of the UDP Government, enraged Patrick snaps back and says “Which idiot was bribed to do such an unreliable poll?” Brother Fem, lowered his head and answered, “Your sister, Yasmin Andrews.” Want to hear a joke? The UDP actually pay Rafael Martinez to be the Police/ Ministry of National Security Press Officer. Sedi had a massive program at the Ashcroft/ Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence. It was so excellent a program that in four years, his poultry department could only hatch one single chicken. Sedi was proudly overheard reporting that at this rate every single Belizean will have a chicken from the program in 1.4 million years.
Schakron would be nominated.’ Either way, the returning officer did exactly what she had no training or learning to do. If the returning officer in fact knew and understood the constitution as she pretended to do when she reject Schakron’s nomination, she would have known that she could do no such thing. She would have told the phantom Lake Independence voter who objected to Schakron’s nomination by the same constitution which was being relied upon, she was prevented from deciding any such matter; that was a matter which had to go before an Elections Court using a petition and would be decided after the elections. But the returning officer was a willing participant in the grave injustice that took place last Friday. Now as we said, the story of the injustice done to Schakron would have
Santi is so short, he has a full length picture of himself on his Belize Driver’s License. Someone tell Chendo Urbina that someone with a name “Zeta”, not the related to the ice factory people, is coming back for him after the elections…typo…not a joke?...not funny?...oh, yes it is!!!!!!!!..... Riddle: How do you keep Michael Young, attorney for the UDP, busy all day? Answer: Let Rodwell Williams take him to a round room and tell him sit in the corner. John “Saal diver” and Ramon “Dim” Witz had horrible showings for Nomination Day. So bad was the support that they called the Party Leader to complain about the UDP. When the two dodo birds were called in by Deano, they had nothing but sappy excuses. In the end they got on their knees and begged Barrow to draw down another fifty gran for them. Of course Barrow said “hell no”. Patrick needs that money. Pouting they stamped outside where John confided in Dim-witz that the real reason for the poor showing was because, John had already spent all his money on a brand new hot tub and a pool for his new house. Since it was confession time Witz confessed that he had bought a chain saw because he blamed the machete for getting caught on tape. SSB board of directors voted to fire Merlene Bailey. But the chair lady wanted to keep her. So in a private meeting with Bailey, she was told to stay home untill after the elections. We understand that Bailey said “Cho, if unu think I will believe that UDP will win on March 7, then I have a Swing Bridge to sell unu.” The next day she pranced right back into work wearing her dress that she thought would make her invisible. Girl, it is karma, what goes around comes back around.
been just that; but this story now takes on a new dimension. It has now been revealed that persons with green cards, like Barrow is suspected of being, are also disqualified from being elected to the House of Representative. Look at the I-485 Form which Barrow had to have filled out where obviously he put information that made it look like he was residing in the US. Look at the form here is the link: http:// www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf A green card holder enjoys the rights and privileges of an American citizen such as being the holder of a social security card, driver’s license, employment status. Indeed a green card entitles the holder to live permanently in the United States and the holder is also liable to pay taxes. This is what Barrow swore to and acknowledge to
a foreign power, the same US. The Caribbean legal case law on the issue is Abraham Dabdoub, Daryl Vaz, and Carlton Harris v. The Attorney General of Jamaica. The BELIZE TIMES wishes to thank the ex-member of the Jamaican Judiciary who heard of Barrow’s Facebook green card and shared the legal authority with us. Legal authorities, which Barrow likes to talk about, confirms that a citizen of a country enjoys the rights and privileges of a foreign country is said to be under an acknowledgment of allegiance.(see Page 9 Line 10-13 of the case law) If Barrow in fact is still the holder of the US green card issued to him in 2004, then Barrow is in breach of the Constitution and has been sit ting as a member of the House of Representative illegally since 2004. What a Hypocrite. Reject pain, Reject Sorrow, Reject Barrow.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012