Belize Times January 26, 2014

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

26 JANUARY 2014 | ISSUE NO: 4879

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

9 LIVES??

Castro Hustles,

Barrow Forgives Again

Castro has been feeding from the public trough

Pg. 3

Faber lambastes teachers Pg. 2

ARREST PENNER NOW!

2 02

OPINION OUT

Belize City, January 22, 2014 Like pouring gasoline on a wildfire, the words blared at Wednesday’s House Meeting by Minister of Education Patrick Faber in his attack on teachers who are protesting the UDP Government’s refusal to give a salary increase, will likely intensify the battle.

Faber, who has proven time and time again that he is a big-time UDP politician with a small mind, referred to the teachers and their leaders belonging to the Belize National Teachers Union in all sorts of offensive ways.

He poked at the BNTU for barely attracting half of the number of teachers in the Belize District at last week Friday’s protest and rally. He said that out of 1,700 teachers, only about 400 came out. Faber also questioned the Orange Walk teachers’ motives, whom he claimed protested for a few hours then went off on their own business, or as he said, “wasting the entire

Tarpon Caye Belize calls on Government to Map Belize’s Barrier Reef

!

Dear Editor, When Dean Oliver Barrow got into power in 2008 I was so happy that finally we will have a Prime Minister that would bring accountability and transparency in government, but after his first term and into his second term I must say that I am so disappointed in him.

Look at all the nonsense his Ministers are doing and whenever the media questions him he always defends them. Look at this latest scandal about Minister of State Castro with those cheques coming out of Belize Airport Authority, it seems like he’s using the Authority bank account for his personal piggy bank, then the PM has the nerve to say that its distasteful and wrong but not corruption. Now he’s blaming the Authority Board. Well if they can recommend that those junior officers be terminated from Immigration why don’t he recommend that the Minister of Transport fire the whole board since what they did was wrong.

Come on Mr. PM, do your job as Prime Minister and stop protecting those ministers and cronies Signed, Hakeem Bush

24 Jan

Faber lambastes teachers

OUT

Shame on the PM!

LOCAL

26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Dear Editor, On January 14, 2014 it was reported on amerisurv.com’s website that the Mexican National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) have commissioned EOMAP, a value added service provider of satellite data, to take the very first high resolution sea-floor and bathymetry survey of the Mexican Riviera Maya.

The article goes on to say that the Mexican CONABIO’s main purpose of this investment was to garner finescale spatial information, derived for the entire coastline, which will serve as the first baseline dataset of the Maya coast, and will help to understand and preserve the vulnerable ecosystems.

Speaking from the vantage point of our niche tourism market of the salt-water fly fishing industry, which brings in over $60 Million United States Dollars per annum to Belize’s GDP, we call on our Government of Belize, via any and all relevant Government entities, to take into serious consideration the investment in such a service of getting high resolution environmental information of the entirety of Belize’s Barrier Reef.

Our main reason for this call is that we at Tarpon Caye Belize Fishing Lodge, are very concerned about the future of the salt-water fly fishing tourism industry. Our Government passed a catchand-release law for permit, tarpon and bone-fish, and subsequently banned commercial trawling, and we applaud both initiatives. However, it is not enough. The permit, tarpon and bonefish stock are being severely affected in many ways, one of which is legal and

illegal gill-netting. We believe the framework and manpower for oversight, is insufficient. Please, do not take this as an attack on anyone. Our country has made great strides in creating the proper legislative framework to protect these and other fish species, and the mechanisms and personnel put in place; however, what we are saying is we shouldn’t stop now.

To elaborate; the more we can understand our vulnerable ecosystems, the better we will be able to preserve it. We believe that acquiring this data will help us to better understand what are the negative and positive effects on permit, tarpon and bone-fish stock; how we can continue to create a better balance between commercial fishermen fishing in a more sustainable manner, without negatively affecting the already fully sustainable salt-water fly fishing industry.

We will follow up in another article as to our personal experience and observations of the devastating effects that commercial fishing has on permit, tarpon and bone-fish stock, as well as many other species such as dolphins, turtles, sharks etc... in our area, and some recommendations on how to mitigate these effects.

Reference: http://www.amerisurv. com/content/view/12157/2/ Warm Regards, Charles Leslie Jr. Tarpon Caye Belize Placencia

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afternoon”.

Faber said the BNTU is being misled and is also misleading a small flock of teachers who cannot see all the wonders his Government is doing for them. Those who have benefitted from his Government’s generosity and still march in the rallies are ungrateful, he alluded.

Faber claimed the teachers’ actions are personal against him and said that he does not support it.

He also refused to apologize for past derogatory remarks against the teachers, including that some teachers are lazy drunkards and child molesters.

Meanwhile the BNTU remains steadfast with their campaign for a salary adjustment and will continue to hold their scheduled protest rallies in San Ignacio Town this Friday, January 25, and Thursday February 6th in Dangriga Town.

Last Friday, most schools closed in the Belize District as hundreds of teachers attended the protest downtown and rally at the Battlefield Park. Speeches were made by former Union Leader George Frazer, UB Faculty and Staff Association President Allison Crawford, senior Union leader Eloisa Trujeque, BNTU National President Luke Palacio and other union leaders and supporters.

Speaking before the crowd of teachers, Palacio said that their mission will not be derailed by anyone, especially Minister Faber, “We are talking bread and butter issues. The only persons that have gotten a raise in this country since 2005 are the ministers of government because you remember they were in opposition, so their salary was smaller. We have not gotten a salary adjustment since 2005 and therefore we stand up today in solidarity and we want to send a message loud and clear to the Minister of Education to try and stop this scare tactics because he cannot scare the teachers because we teachers build this nation”.

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

The Truth Shall Make You Free

ISSUE NO: 4840

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

27 Mar Jan 6 29 Feb

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

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Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar

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26 JAN

2014

9 LIVES??

Castro Hustles,

Barrow Forgives Again Belize City, January 22, 2014 Over $42,000 siphoned from the account of the Belize Airport Authority, a Government-run Department, was wrongfully and possibly criminally dished out to UDP Minister Edmund Castro, members of his family or to the embattled UDP area representative for supposed political purposes.

To everyone’s shock, Prime Minister Dean Barrow defended Castro’s latest scandal with all his might and with a twisted tongue, after the Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca lashed out at the level of corruption that exists under his

03 3

THE BELIZE TIMES

Kenworth Tillett has to explain the abuse of public funds

administration. According to Barrow, “it is distasteful and wrong...but it’s NOT corruption” and so no offense was committed, in his almighty opinion.

Castro has become a radioactive UDP politician, emanating much more than whiffs of poor judgment and a lack of discretion, but Barrow has chosen to protect him time and time again.

In 2010, Castro was kicked out of Cabinet after the Prime Minister received convincing evidence of him being involved in a land hustle. Castro was forgiven quickly and welcomed back into the fold in time for the early general elections called in 2012.

Since being returned to office, Castro has not changed his stripes and instead stepped up his debacles a couple notches.

In late 2013, the Prime Minister confirmed reports of complaints from Taiwan that Castro had made unwelcome sexual advances on a female Taiwanese protocol officer during his official visit to that country. Like the land hustle allegations, Castro denied the report, of course. The Prime Minister didn’t investigate it.

Then came the bombshell allegation that Castro was neck deep in a visa hustle.

Whistleblower Alvarine Burgess said that Castro charged $2,000 for every visa he got, using his Ministerial authority for over 200 Chinese nationals. Burgess said she was the link between the Chinese nationals and Castro, and she was the one who handled the payments to Castro.

Instead of dealing with Castro appropriately, Barrow has protected him. He has also described growing evidence that other UDP Ministers are involved in similar visa facilitations as not even “remotely a smoking gun”.

This latest scandal in which Castro finds himself was initially exposed by the BELIZE TIMES in late December 2013, and further investigated and exposed to the public in the New Year. It disclosed Castro’s use of the Belize Airport Authority funds as a personal and political piggy bank. A minister of Government cannot have personal access to public funds. It’s even worst that the Government department under question falls under the Ministry for which Castro has some level of authority as the Minister of State.

The cheques exposed by the BELIZE TIMES showed Cas-

tro being paid three cheques totaling $10,056.55 by the Airport Authority. When questioned by other media houses, the Airport Authority General Manager Kenworth Tillett claimed that there was nothing wrong with the cheque as it was approved by the Board. One of the cheques, for $4,000, was a donation to Castro to assist in the burial of his mother, Tillett claimed.

But there were more cheques. Almost $2,500 paid to Jafari and Ionie Castro, who are Castro’s son and wife.

Then there are other cheque payments, totaling almost $23,000, made out to businesses such as Caribbean Chicken, Bowen and Bowen, The Dental Center, Ordonez Bike Shop and two funeral homes, for private services received by Castro or persons connected to Castro.

And then, there are the cheques paid to various schools.

What does the Airport Authority have to do with schools? Absolutely nothing! Except in this case, Castro was so facey to use the Authority’s funds to pay for school fees for families of his political supporters in Belize Rural North.

Castro who gets a Ministerial salary and perks of over $100,000 and who receives a community fund of almost $5,000 monthly, must explain why he needed to dip his hands into funds belonging to a Government department to feed his political adventures in his constituency.

In any functioning democracy, a public officer or politician found doing this kind of hustling would be fired, arrested, prosecuted for exploiting public funds and banned from ever holding public office. But Belize’s democracy, justice and the rule of law are held in a straightjacket by Dean Barrow and the UDP. It is only released and made to function against Belizeans and members of the Opposition or any entity that goes against the UDP Government.

Dean Barrow has chosen to play a dangerous political game in which he is taking all of us Belizeans for fools.

call 650-8429

4 04

THE BELIZE TIMES

on the

STOP DEFENDING CORRUPTION

By Francis W. Fonseca It appears that every time a new corruption scandal, and they seem to be coming monthly, rocks this UDP administration, Prime Minister Barrow reverts to LAWYER MODE, becoming the chief explainer and defender of those Ministers whose actions and conduct are under public scrutiny.

One could fairly argue

that this is perhaps Mr. Barrow’s role and responsibility as the Prime Minister and UDP Leader but we have sure come a far ways from the man who staunchly declared that he would wield a double sided machete and leap to action at the whiff of corruption.

Whether Mr. Barrow, his Ministers and many political advisors know

it or not, a widespread growing perception has set in that this UDP Government is drowning in corruption.

More troubling is the increasing sense that Mr. Barrow is either unwilling or unable to do anything about the corruption eating away at his Government.

Whether it is simply

26 JAN

2014

the fear of political implosion or a case of Barrow being completely out of touch with the mood of the Belizean people is hard to determine, but what is clear, is that Mr. Barrow is seriously miscalculating when he fails to adequately act against Ministers like Penner and Castro.

This UDP administration is sinking under its own dead weight but it appears that they have made a decision at the highest levels that their political interest must prevail even at the expense of the national interest.

These are dangerous times in Belize. It is every man for himself in the UDP cabinet and the Belizean people continue to suffer‌ CALL THE ELECTIONS NOW!!!

26 JAN

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

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EDITORIAL What Needs to Change In presenting the New Social Justice Agenda at Independence Hall on Wednesday morning PUP Leader Francis Fonseca said: “It is fair to say that at times, we have walked away from the straight path that we have been on, and today, we’re saying that we recognize that. We accept that, and we are absolutely committed to making sure that we are walking on the path of social justice.”

Poverty is on the rise in Belize today. Almost half of the population is living in poverty. Thousands of Belizeans are living in abject misery, no job, no income, wretched housing conditions, dependent, unskilled, hopeless and penniless. What is equally disturbing, hundreds of families who once were part of a growing middle class of Belizeans are now falling into the poverty trap, a vicious cycle that finds many high school and Sixth Form graduates at the street corners of our cities and towns struggling, begging, caught up in the sub-culture of gangs, crime and violence.

We see so many mothers desperately trying to find food for their children. So many cannot pay their grocery bill, the light bill, the gas bill, the water bill, the school fees. The high cost of living and the high cost of dying (with the ever escalating funeral expenses) are a heavy burden for the many struggling jobless families.

One way out of this vicious cycle is through an effective education system.

Education is crucial. Firstly we will all have to have some skills if we are to survive in this cruel state of affairs where opportunities for gainful and dignified employment in the Belize today under a heartless and vindictive UDP administration are extremely limited. Secondly we have to be equipped to cope with life. We need an education system that actually prepares our people for living in the real world – and then helps us to change ourselves when we have to change.

The task of education is to develop competence and capabilities as much as to impart knowledge. Education should be more about learning “how” than about knowing “things”. With the information revolution all the information that you actually need to know is available to you. The real educational questions are how to obtain access to that information, what to do with that information, how to turn that information into something that is useful to other people and how to relate to other people so that the information can be sold or imparted to them.

Our education system needs major changes. The present Minister of Education spends his time beating up on the teachers. Says Faber, the teachers are lazy; some of the teachers are child molesters. How dare these teachers take to the streets and criticize my government about the national issues that plague our country. They cannot be trusted, says the Minister, all they want is a raise of pay.

Well Minister, your confrontation style of arrogant scolding and blaming the teachers for the sorry state of our education system under your vain, conceited, visionless administration, is simply driving the final nail in the coffin of this corrupt, incompetent Barrow government. The teachers have every right to protest the many failed promises made to them for a salary ad-

justment. After all they have been waiting patiently while the cost of living has skyrocketed during the past six years of the UDP. The last salary adjustment that the teachers and public officers (police, nurses, BDF) received was in 2005 under a PUP administration.

The irony is that it is the leaders of these same teachers and public officers who sold the rank and file members of the unions, Barrow’s phony promises of manna from heaven and who helped to install Barrow and the UDP to the seat of power in Belmopan. Is it any surprise that the vast majority of teachers and public officers feel betrayed?

Barrow promised transparency and accountability. The only thing that is transparent is the blatant, in your face, corruption and the cover-up of corruption.

Elvin Penner has broken the laws of Belize – the Passport Act and the Nationality Act. He has lied and fraudulently sold our birthright – Belizean citizenship to a South Korean accused of criminal wrongdoing who never one day set foot in Belize and who was at the time in a jail in Taiwan. But the Prime Minister and his Cabinet have rallied to the defence of Penner, refusing to allow any investigation by the Senate. The police have been instructed not to investigate Penner for crimes he may have committed. They have only investigated how files from the Immigration Department got into public hands and the media. Instead three public officers, two of whom are data entry clerks have been made the scapegoats. The other, a known UDP public officer, has already left the country assisted by his political friends in high places.

We have to dig ourselves out of the morass in which Belize under the UDP is fast sinking.

The PUP leader in his 10 point dynamic agenda for social justice described the way forward for the party which was founded in the labour and union movement to return to its roots of advocating for social justice and reforms.

Our vision and programmes must be rooted in values. Values provide a compass with which to navigate our way through the political jungle of greed and corruption our country finds itself.

Our value system which must be instilled in a reformed education system is based on a belief that the people must have a stake in society – equal opportunity, sharing and caring for each other in a strong and active community – the very essence of social justice.

But for all Belizeans to share in the fruits of production and wealth of the nation, there is need for economic growth and greater investment in the productive sector. The historical record has shown that economic growth is a powerful force for pulling poor people above the income poverty line. This growth must however be sustainable and the benefits spread equitably if we are to break the pattern of growing income inequality.

The goal is to achieve true human development based not just on sterile statistics like GDP but also standard of living issues like life expectancy, infant mortality, rate of employment, literacy. This human development approach emphasizes empowerment, expanding people’s choices, our freedoms and capacities to lead long healthy and creative lives and to find fulfillment in doing so.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Shameless!

Corrupt UDP Elvin Penner surfaces, stinks up National Assembly

UDP Area Representative Elvin “Passport” Penner is being protected by Barrow & the UDP

Belmopan, January 22, 2014 The audacity and sheer shamelessness of disgraced Cayo representative seems to know no bounds; but even he reached a new low when he dared to show his face in the National Assembly for Wednesday’s special sitting of the House of Representatives.

Penner sat alone in a corner on the back bench of the ruling United Democratic Party side of the House. His UDP colleagues seemed to be in no discomfort at the sight or proximity of this political pariah.

Why Penner even bothered to attend remains a mystery, as he uttered not a peep in the entire session. Which is just as well, as he as lost all credibility. The cold hard fact that citizen Kim Won Hong was in a Taiwanese jail at the time his Belizean passport was issued has totally exposed Continued on page 12

26 JAN

2014

Chamber responds to Faber’s insults & threats

Belize City, January 23, 2014 The Belize Chamber of Commerce has warned that Minister Patrick Faber’s insults and threats launched at them at Wednesday’s House Meeting is not being taken lightly by their organization and is not considered “the wisest course of action”.

Faber attacked the Chamber of Commerce for supporting the teachers’ request for a salary adjustment in a press statement last week Thursday. He said he was “baffled” by the Chamber’s public support, and suggested that if the Chamber was really concerned about the better wages, they should instead increase the salaries of the employees in the private sector, deal with business-

es that overcharge the public and “raise the minimum wage”.

“If they think that the Government can afford a raise for the public servants, then why is it that they can’t afford to raise the minimum wage, and raise the salaries of all the other Belizeans who are not working in the public sector. Let’s have that discussion. But you see, Mr. Speaker, they don’t want to have that discussion. When we have that discussion, there will be problems. They don’t want these people to get a raise,” Faber ranted.

The Chamber did not find Faber’s antics any entertaining, and warned in a press release sent today, that the “attempts by a Minister to insult and threaten the largest taxpaying group in the country because he had not carefully read our press release is certainly not the wisest course of action for healthy partnership and development”.

The Chamber clarified that they support “a phased-in approach to increases in teacher’s wages, based on responsible financial management principles.”

The release said that the Minister’s severe criticism for “daring to support the teachers” is “alarming in a constitutional democracy which should encourage freedom of speech”.

26 JAN

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

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26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Gilroy Usher for Port Loyola PUP Chairman swears in Gilroy Usher Sr. as the Port Loyola Standard Bearer

Chairman of Eastern Caucus Dr. Francis Smith & Deputy Leader Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia added their support to Gilroy Usher Sr.

Gilroy & PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca will work for the betterment of Port Loyola

HAVE HOPE! The PUP will Serve The People

26 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

For Sale

By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under:1) A Deed of Assignment and Transfer of Mortgage made the 20th day of October, 2005, between ATLANTIC BANK LIMITED (the Assignor) SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., and CHARLES LESLIE, which said property was mortgaged by the said CHARLES LESLIE to the said ATLANTIC BANK LIMITED on the 12th day of September, 2003, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Volume 33 of 2003 at Folios 341– 380; THE SCHEDULE ALL THOSE pieces or parcels of land being Lots Nos. 84 and 85 in Independence Village Extension, Stann Creek District and bounded as follows:- On the Northeast for 30.476 meters by Lot No. 86; On the Southeast for a total distance 30.476 meters by a street; On the Southwest for 30.476 meters by Lot No. 83; and on the Northwest for30.476 meters by Lots Nos. 70 and 71, containing a total area of 928.786square meters of land shown on Entry No. 6418, Register No. 4 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

2) A Deed of Mortgage made the 18th day of September, 2006, between CHARLES LESLIE, SR. of Independence Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 34of 2006 at Folios 281 – 350, THE SCHEDULE All THOSE pieces or parcels of land being Lots Nos. 68 and 87 containing 556.179 Square Meters and 556.129 Square Meters respectively and situate in Independence Village, Stann Creek District the subject of Minister’s Fiat (Grant) 23 of 2005 and more particularly described and shown on a plan of survey by licensed surveyor G. E. Valdez with reference Entry 6418 Register 4 lodged at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

The said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the properties described in the schedules hereto.

All offers to purchase the said properties must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. DATED this 15th day of January, 2014 MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

NOTICE Be it known that PASSAGEWAY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a Belize International Business Company, is in dissolution, effective 19 December 2013. The liquidator for said Company is Mr. Lewellyn Crawford of Belize.

NOTICE DEEPAK MARINE SERVICES, S.A. (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that DEEPAK MARINE SERVICES, S.A. -

is in dissolution

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commenced dissolution on December 11th 2013; and

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Fidelity Overseas Limited of Suite 508 Marina Towers, Newtown Barracks Road, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the compay

Fidelity Overseas Limited Liquidator

NOTICE GTF Co. LTD. (“the Company”) Notice is hereby given that GTF Co., LTD. -

is in dissolution

-

commenced dissolution on January 17th 2014; and

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Fidelity Overseas Limited of Suite 508 Marina Towers, Newtown Barracks Road, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the company

Fidelity Overseas Limited Liquidator

NOTICE TUNA PRO Co., LTD.

Notice is hereby given that TUNA PRO Co., LTD. -

is in dissolution

-

commenced dissolution on January 17th 2014; and

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Fidelity Overseas Limited of Suite 508 Marina Towers, Newtown Barracks Road, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the company

Fidelity Overseas Limited Liquidator

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26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

Women Rising There was an event last week which in my view should not have been the footnote that it was. It ought to have been headlines. I am talking about the “elevation” to Senior Counsel of three women attorneys-at-law, which was announced by the Chief Justice at the ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court.

A formal ceremony admitting them to the Inner Bar will take place later.

If I am correct there are presently only four women Senior Counsels – Lois Young, Denise Courtenay, Lisa Shoman and Antoinette Moore, and this is in some forty or so years of women practising law in our country alongside

our male colleagues. To have three women admitted at one time to Senior Counsel status is, I think, momentous and shows that women are definitely rising.

I wouldn’t give a shilling for one or two of the male Senior Counsels, although most of the men who are Senior Counsels have accomplished much and have been worthy of the honor of being named Senior Counsel. Again, it is my feeling that to have three women elevated ‘one lick’ is proof positive that women too are accomplishing great things and are truly deserving of joining the men in the Inner Bar. And I do believe that women need to work harder to prove their worth.

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

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

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

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel or block of land being Block No. 65 consisting of 5.80 Acres situate along the George Price Highway near Mile 8.5, Belize District being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 524 of 2002 dated 5th July 2002 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey No. 524 of 2002 by G.E. Gill, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan, Cayo District as Plan No. 1347B TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of LUIS SOSA DATED this 10th day of January 2014 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

2014

It could not have happened to three more deserving individuals. They are smart, they are tenacious, and they have learned well to get along and to thrive in a still male-dominated legal, judicial, and working world.

Magali Marin Young has worked assiduously for many years in her profession and is an expert researcher. I recall that when I asked her, she readily agreed to represent Maria Roches in her case in what later became a landmark constitutional ruling by then Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh defending women’s right to equality of treatment within the school system. Magali is passionate about her politics and about the rights of women. She very generously referred me to The Shriver Reports, a series of reports on the status of American women by famous journalist Maria Shriver. These are no doubt very instructive about the condition of Belizean women as well and must be recommended as essential reading.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal has risen to become the Director of Public Prosecutions, a key constitutional post, and has worked in the Office of the DPP for many years. I remember visiting then DPP Kirk Anderson along with Dr. Carol Fonseca about a serious matter, and it was Cheryl Lynn Vidal, on being called in, whom I realized

was doing the heavy lifting. For her hard work she has gained the respect of the Judiciary, especially the Court of Appeal. Recently she sat with us House of Representatives Committee Members for a five hour session in order to advise and help to ensure that we were able to get the best possible Criminal Code amendments to further protect our children against predators.

Last but not least is Jacqueline Marshalleck, who has been a bright star in the legal profession. She has served more than once with distinction as Bar Association President. She has also been the Belize Bar Association’s representative to the regional Council of Legal Education, and just recently she has been appointed to the Caribbean’s Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a big thing indeed.

She has always quietly and without fanfare made a solid and positive difference in whatever she undertakes.

These women have earned their stripes and deserve the recognition of the Judicial system and of their peers. I want to commend them and to wish them well. I invite Belizeans to similarly salute them as we carry on our work so that women can continue to rise.

For Sale

By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 26th day of September, 2005, recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 29 of2005 at Folios 1181 – 1210, between BELIZE MORTGAGE COMPANY 2002-1 (the Assignor) Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. (the Assignee), and the said AURA YOUNG, and under Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 13th day of June, 2003, recorded in Deeds Book Volume 23 of 2003 at folios 157 – 188, between DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (the Assignors) and BELIZE MORTGAGE COMPANY 2002-1, which said property was mortgaged by the yourself to the said DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION on the 5th day of May, 2004 and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 15 of 2004 at Folios 409 – 452; and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedules hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 300 situate in the Mile3 Area, Northern Highway, Ladyville, Belize District, as surveyed

by Kenneth A. Gillett, Licensed Surveyor and recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan at Register 16 Entry4460 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 15th day of January, 2014.

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

26 JAN

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

Another president walks the political highwire at UB

By Norris Hall, January 15th, 2014 The University of Belize continues to be on life support as the Ministry of Education and a politically-appointed Board of Trustees lock horns with yet another President of this faltering Institution.

Given the present uneasy state of affairs and the repetition of conflicts between the Ministry of Education and successive Presidents of UB, one needs to again question the competence of the Minister of Education and the Ministry in manipulating the functions of the University with political dictates rather than guiding its role to meet the developmental needs of the country.

There are evidently no guiding policies practiced by the government as to how it perceives the role and functions of this State-owned Institution to prepare a high caliber cadre of young men and women that will be able to fill the demands across the board to meet the development expectations of this nation.

MISGUIDED As was envisioned by the Musa Administration which gave birth to the Institution, the vision was that the University of Belize was to become the premier centre of higher learning and to provide the opportunity for more young Belizeans to attain a high quality of tertiary education to prepare for the professional world of work.

However, under the present Barrow Administration and with the failure of the Ministry of Education to establish policies to guide the role of the University, successive Presidents have found themselves in conflict with a clueless Ministry of Education. They have all tried to establish meaningful guidelines and policies which are persistently shot down by the political directorate who seem to be too myopic to comprehend a long-term vision for the University beyond a shortterm political agenda.

In a letter to the Minister of Education, the current President of the University dared to walk the political plank by saying: “There is a lack of a long term vision for the University’s institutional development”.

NO VISION The Minister of Education has persistently failed to articulate government’s vision (if there is one) for this institution with a clearly defined set of policies to guide the University in its role. The persistent conflicts between the Ministry of Education, the Board of Trustees of UB and successive Presidents and even the faculty have become debilitating. The Board of Trustees does not appear to have a Terms of Reference. In any case they have misplaced their role as they try to usurp the authority of successive Presidents and in attempts to manipulate and micro-manage.

To add to this state of affairs, where conflicts and chaos reign at the expense of the student body, is the fact that the government has persistently reneged on its annual budget allocation to the University.

Despite the current dysfunction-

al state of affairs at UB, parents and students are still expected to meet the higher demand for education cost while quality falls almost below the level of even mediocrity. Yet, against all odds there are a number of students who have managed to excel despite the continuous political hanky-panky and interference. This is proof that if left alone to do their jobs, a qualified faculty could fulfill the national functions of the University. But no matter

how well these students do, unless UB receives some sort of accreditation from a reputable university abroad, its academic awards will hardly be recognized.

A CONFRONTATIONAL GOVERNMENT A member of the faculty, who does not wish to be identified, commented that the fundamental problem with UB is that the present government “is very confrontational”. In a not too subtle reference to the Minister of Education, she

11 made an off-the-cuff comment in reference to the Minister of Education: “If you have an ego bigger than your brain, disaster follows”.

There is clearly a total disconnect and discord between the Ministry of Education and the University. There continues to be overbearing political interference and manipulation with indifference to real issues and concerns faced by the University in the current political climate which includes disrespect for professional educators.

The President has stated that there are important policies that need to be clearly articulated to ensure that the University is seen as functioning according to international standards. His remarks have fallen on deaf years.

FROM ANTS NEST TO SNAKE PIT Since the University of Belize was established, it has changed five Presidents in thirteen years, three of them since the Barrow Administration came to office in 2008. It has also changed nine Provosts for the same period. Given this dismal statistic, there is serious reason to ponder the future of the University in Continued on page 16

12 Shameless!

Corrupt UDP Elvin Penner surfaces, stinks up National Assembly Continued from page 6 the untruth of Penner’s claims that he personally escorted “Kim Wong Hong” to the Immigration Department to ensure that he got his passport as fast as possible.

Does Penner really take the voters of Cayo North East for such “cunu munu” that he would have them believe that citizen Kim had a body double who was in Belize at the time his citizenship application was processed?

Does Penner expect the electorate to believe that he had known this doppelganger for 3 years as he claims?

Does even Penner believe his claims?

Perhaps he is in need of a psychiatric evaluation; if he is non compus mentis, that would be adequate reason for him to be removed from public office: by reason of insanity.

The other mystery is Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s restraint in not bringing the full force of the law down on Penner, who continues to enjoy all the perks of public office: $45,000 a year salary, with all sorts of allowances. He may have been fired from his post of Minister of State responsible for Immigration, but he continues to drive a government vehicle, a perk of his post as Chairman of a house committee. Penner has even been seen cruising in his GOB vehicle in Chetumal!

Is there no end to the duplicity of Prime Minister Barrow who has publicly stated that he is convinced of Penner’s guilt? Penner is the only one involved in the citizen Kim passport scandal who has not been penalized, while other “small fish” have either been transferred or suspended; and Immigration director Maria Marin has recommended the dismissal of the 3 Immigration officers who were responsible for processing citizen Kim’s passport.

If the UDP really wants to be democratic, why did the Election and Boundaries Commission derail the recall process for a by-election to remove Penner? Will someone please tell “Emperor Dean” he is not wearing any new clothes, and in fact the “Emperor” is naked, and the naked truth behind all his lies is plain for all the world to see! Dah fool di talk but da no fool di listen!

Barrow claims he does not fear a by-election, or even a defeat at the polls in Cayo North East as the UDP could still govern with a one seat majority in the House, but growing scandal around Belize Rural North area representative Edmond Castro could trigger another recall process. What is equally plain for all the world to see is that the UDP’s days in office are numbered, that they are clinging to power by their fingernails, and whether it comes in 2014 or 2017, the People’s United Party will set Belize free!

THE BELIZE TIMES

Shame on the UDP for Sabotaging Recall

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. It is shameful what the UDP government has done to stop all efforts to trigger a recall of former UDP Minister of State Elvin Penner for his handwork in the provision of a Belizean passport to a criminal, who was in Taiwan and has never visited Belize.

In making sure the number of petitions to trigger the recall fell short of the desired amount, government functionaries said the petitions of many persons were not valid because they aren’t on the Cayo North East voter’s list. That of course was a big fat lie as the same names have appeared on every voters list for

the area for the past fifteen years.

Secondly in undermining the efforts to recall the disgraced Penner, government functionaries disqualified the petitions of scores of persons for the least difference with their signature even though most of the signatures in the election binders were written from decades ago and with age the signature of many persons change slightly.

And to scare people from participating in future recall efforts, functionaries of the government are vigorously looking for ways to bring criminal charges against some persons, who sign the recall petition. If those things aren’t shameful enough, the cronies of

26 JAN

2014

the government at the Immigration Department have suspended three low level employees of the department, who they are trying to use as scapegoats for the entire scandal. They have put those employees, who were only following orders from the top, on half pay with the aim of firing them from their jobs altogether.

While all those things are being done to sabotage the recall effort as well as a proper investigation in the country’s biggest corruption scandal, the bad man Penner and other UDP passport hustlers remain in the House of Representatives with full pay and all their perks.

The government has so far stopped the petition to recall Penner just as it stopped Oceana’s petition to prevent offshore drilling.

Shame on them.

26 JAN JAN 26

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2014

TOPMODEL 13

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

It took less than a month for all 2,300 available cabins in the first ever “Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise” announced by reggae superstar Damian Marley to sell out.

The Cruise will sail from Miami to Jamaica in October 2014, docking for daytime excursions and beach parties in the island’s resort towns.

The enthusiastic, globe-spanning response to the cruise (cabins were purchased by reggae fans from Asia, Australia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas), signifies a new kind of cruise tourism for Caribbean top destinations with internationally-recognized music artists.

The hook line was the stellar line up for the Cruise. Artists include Damian Marley and his older brothers Stephen and Julian Marley; dancehall superstars Sean Paul and Shaggy, contemporary roots singers Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure, and Etana; Busy Signal, and Morgan Heritage. Also on board will be renowned United Kingdom selector Sir David Rodigan and three veteran reggae sound systems: Jamaica’s Stone Love and Renaissance Disco and Japan’s Mighty Crown.

Imagine a Belizean Reggae Cruise, with Tanya Carter, Melonie Gillett, Nello Player, Positive Vibz, T.R. Shine, Denise Castillo, and the many other talented Belizeans.

Wouldn’t that be a hit!

Location: Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza

1st ever Reggae Cruise a major hit!

Tiana • • • •

Height: 5’ 10” Career Plan: Primary Education Teacher Sign: Taurus Favourite Food: Lasagna

TOP MODEL Clothing and Accessories provided by CATWALK FASHIONS

• • •

Likes: Time with Friends and Family Lives in: Belize City Fav. Quote: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

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

Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

Follow us on facebook

14 SPORTS

26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

Belmopan Bandits assault BDF 3-0

Ricky Ricketts challenged by Deon Macaulay

Woodrow West saves the ball

Germaine Foster attacks

Belmopan, January 18, 2013 The Belmopan Bandits are almost into the Belikin Cup football finals, after they blasted the Belize Defense Force 3-0 at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday night.

The BDF remain undaunted, even though they now need 4 goals to win the rematch when they host the Bandits at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga on Saturday night, January 25.

The Bandits got the early lead when Ricky Ricketts took down David “Mikey” Madrid inside the 18yd box in the 14th minute. Central referee Christopher Reid awarded Bandits a penalty and David Trapp stepped up to convert for a 1-0 lead.

The BDF’s Shane “Chucky” Flores and Ambrose “Fubu” Thomas tried to equalize with the help of midfielders Paul Nunez, Abraham

2014

Chavez, Phillip Lewis and Khalil Velasquez, but the Bandits’ defense: Dalton Eiley, Ian Gaynair, Eric Rodriguez and Lincoln Wiltshire, broke up their plays, sending the ball forward to their midfielders: Deris “Colombia” Benavides Denmark Casey and Denis Serano to renew the attack In the 2nd half, BDF goalie Derol Roches deflected a shot by Mikey Madrid to the feet of Deon Macaulay who sent it right back into the net to lead 2-0.

Another defensive blunder by BDF defender Harrison Tasher caused referee Reid to award the Bandits a 2nd penalty in the 76th minute, which Macaulay converted for the 3-0 win.

Verdes FC of Benque Viejo del Carmen entered the playoffs as the top seed, but the No. 4 seed FC Belize held them scoreless in the other playoff game at the MCC Garden on Sunday. Verdes will have the moral support of their home fans when they try for the win in Game 2 at the Marshalleck Stadium on Saturday night, but FC Belize will also be trying for the win to enter the finals.

At the MCC, Verdes’ Marlon Meza and Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton had the support of midfielders Richard “Cheety” and Orlando “Lichy” Jimenez, Shamir Pacheco and Norman “Tilliman” Pipersburgh, but did not impress FC Belize goalie Glenford Chimilio.

FC Belize really needed to win at home, rather trying for a win on the road, but their strikers Jarret Davis, Devaugn Zuniga, Jorge Alexman, Kevin Lino, Mark “Kelo” Leslie and Ryan Gill, and even the subs: Germaine Foster, Avian “Chi-chis” Crawford and Stephen Baeza all came up empty.

SJC leads high school football

ACC’s Sergio Luna tries a header

SJC team

Belize City, January 18, 2014 St. John’s College is undefeated with a 4-0 record in the high school football competition, posting their 4th victory in a 5-1 win over Wesley College at the M.C.C. Garden last Saturday afternoon.

SJC’s Sydney “Bucket” Bradley and Dimitri Fabro now lead the competition with 9 goals each after Bradley scored a hat trick and Fabro scored 2 goals for the 5-1 win. Jorge Perez and Trey Guy

had supported their attacks on the wings, backed up Luis Acosta and Rayan Figueroa at midfield.

Bradley scored the 1st goal when he connected with a header in a cross to center from Trey Guy. SJC won a free kick and the execution by team captain Dimitri Fabro was textbook, sailing 35 yards just under the crossbar and into the net to make it 2-0.

Keiron Young embarrassed SJC’s goalie Khristopher Majarrez with a bouncer that found the back

of the net, but it was Wesley’s only flash in the pan. SJC’s next attempt won a corner kick and again Fabro worked his magic with a banana kick that curved the ball over the goalie to the far post as SJC led 3-1 at the half.

In the 2nd half, Young eventually shifted to defense, because he could not escape the marking of SJC’s Kevin Garcia. The boys in blue brought in fresh troops: Tarique James, Gilbert Cal and Jorge Ramos, and when Wesley’s defense goofed into giving up a penalty, Bradley convert-

ed for a 4-1 lead. Guy found Bradley with another cross to center, and again Bradley did the honors with a right-away kick into the net, completing his hat trick for the 5-1 win.

Other matches: SJC vs. Gwen Lizarraga - 2-1 Goals by Sydney Bradley, Dimitri Fabro, July Barrientos ACC vs. Excelsior High 2-1 Goals by Jamal “Kaka” Ford, Jose Machuca, Sergio Luna (2)

26 26 JAN JAN

2014 2014

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

SPORTS 15

Gwen Liz & SCA trail undefeated Wesley College girls

Belize City, January 18, 2014 The Wesley College girls are undefeated as they lead the female high school football competition in the Belize District, posting a 3-1 win over the St. Catherine’s Academy girls at the M.C.C. Garden last Saturday afternoon.

Elisha Bernardez embarrassed SCA’s goalie Mariana Moguel with Wesley’s 1st goal, but Jody Pott scored her 3rd goal of the tournament when she sent the ball right over past Wesley’s goalie Brenda Brown to equalize 1-1 for SCA. In the 2nd half, Gwendolyn Roches and Rondean Young refreshed the Wesley defense, while SCA brought in Alas and Gongora, but Shanice neal escaped their marking to score Wesley’s 2nd goal and Berandez returned to score a 3rd goal to seal the 3-1 win.

Wesley has a 3-game winning streak, putting them on top of the standings. They are closely followed by SCA and the Gwen Lizarraga High Schools who have two wins so far.

Gwen Liz team

SCA’s Jody Pott eqalized 1-1

Other matches: Gwen Liz girls vs. Belize High School - 3-1 Goals by Kishay Bevans, Chelsea Williams, Eyandra Henry, Tyra Moreira Gwen Liz girls vs. Belize High School – 2-0 Goals by Kishay Bevans, Tyra Moreira SCA vs. Excelsior High - 2-0 Goals by Sophia Diego (2)

Wesley is undefeated

Trial Farm team

Trial Farm boys are national football champs Belize City, January 17, 2014 The Trial Farm Government School boys from Orange Walk won the 2014 national primary school football championship at the MCC Garden on Friday.

The finals went to a penalty shootout, with the Trial Farm boys outgunning the Cayo boys 5-4, after a 1-1 draw in regulation from goals by MVP Jhonny Cawich and a properly executed penalty kick by Elston Augustine.

In the penalty kicks, Trial Farm’s Amir Herrera, Leo Briceno, Johnny Cawich, Jeovanni Marroquin and Brian Martinez all converted their tries; while only Cayo’s Elston Augustine, Darwin Ayala, Kevin Harris and Imer Torres converted.

Trial Farm’s goalie, Amir Herrera, stopped Cayo’s 5th try and was the hero of the match.

3rd place went to the Corozal boys who defeated the San Pedro boys 4-2, also in penalty shootouts.

Team trophies and individual medals were presented to the champs, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the award ceremony. The Most Valuable Player award went to Jhonny Cawich.

Richard Quinn RC girls win football nationals Belize City, January 17, 2014 The girls of Richard Quinn RC School of Georgetown, Stann Creek District, won their first national football championship at the MCC Grounds on Friday, January 17.

The Georgetown girls outgunned the Santa Elena Primary School girls 2-1 in a penalty shootout after regulation time ended 2-2.

Cayo’s Kelly Dawson scoring 2 goals before the half, and Stann Creek’s Eliciey Ramirez and Anita Augustine equalizing after the break.

In penalties, Stann Creek’s Anita Augustine and Renisha Requena scored while only Cayo’s Keilin Witt scored.

In the game for 3rd place, the San Pedro RC School girls outgunned Toledo’s San Jose RC School girls 4-2 with Cinthia Cerpa, Lesbia Guity, Janelly Chinchilla and Yakzari James scoring for San Pedro. Only Benita Bol, Brigida Coh and Juanita Cal scored for Toledo.

Team trophies and individual medals were presented to the champs, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the award ceremony. The Most Valuable Player award went to Renisha Requena of Richard Quinn RC.

Big up, Play Big Foundation Orange Walk, January 17, 2014 On Saturday January 11th, the Play Big Foundation donated to the Orange Walk Football Association an assortment of football equipment including footballs, vests, discs and cones to assist in their efforts to develop the sport of football.

The donation was made possible by funds generated at the recent Belize Day – Dallas 2013 outdoor event organized by VIBES ALIVE INTERNATIONAL and CORIAN ENTERPRISES. Play Big Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization whose sole purpose is to assist Belizean youths in their quest to participate in high-level sporting disciplines at the national level.

16

Fail to the Chief!

Dean’s dull machete for corruption Belize City, January 21, 2014 “…I tell you…any UDP Government that I lead will never be engaged in corruption. As soon as it rears its ugly head, I personally will cut it off. And I will tell you I will sharpen a special machete with blades on two sides so that every time it springs up ‘right so’ I will chop it off. And if it means the government has to fall then so be it.” – Dean Barrow, on November 18, 2004.

It has been almost ten years since Dean Barrow uttered the words he did above, in his bid for the highest and most powerful political office in Belize. At that time, Barrow was seeing the stars aligning in his favor as the Unions fell for his sweet talk of promises and his propaganda intensified against the PUP Government.

Barrow was riding a crest that was fueled by his Opposition Party under false

26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

pretense. He was soon to be crowned king to rule over all peasants in his Animal Farm. Like Napolean, Barrow promised many things: lower fuel prices, lower cost of living, more jobs, less crime, a 13 Senator, pay raise for teachers, accountability, good governance and transparency.

But when it came to rule, Barrow had a different plan. Among the promises was the pledge, as Barrow himself put it, to “cut off” corruption as it rears its ugly head. In a statement before a meeting with hardcore UDPs, Barrow promised to sharpen a “special machete” with “blades on two sides” to chop off corruption wherever seen.

Well, it seems that Barrow’s special machete is so dull that it couldn’t even cut through butter. In the face of growing corruption under his leadership, Barrow’s words are as empty as the thinking capacity of the heads around the Cabinet table.

Recently, the Prime Minister who normally is always the wisest ass in the room, slipped up

Another president walks the political highwire at UB Continued from page 11 the current climate that has been created by this government. Unless the Minister of Education takes a serious review of the independent role and functions of the University and its contribution to Belize’s development and with clearly defined road maps and educational policies, every future President will be performing a circus act of walking the high wire and eventually finding him/herself progressing from an ants nest to the political snake pit.

The Minister of Education does not have much of a backdrop to lean on given the scathing and even embarrassing Inter-American Bank Report, which was published last year on the collapsing system of education in Belize. It is dismal. Yet the Minister, who likes to make pronouncements without putting his brain into gear, has not publicly addressed this issue, nor have responded to the IDB report.

A COLLAPSING EDUCATION SYSTEM The current President of the University has been attempting to assist the government in drafting a clearly defined chart for the University. Some of his professional observations, has independently dovetailed into the analysis by the IDB on the many shortcomings which are leading to the collapse of the country’s education system.

A part of this has to do with the Minister’s confrontation with the churches in trying to manipulate the appointment of teachers. In doing so, he has disrupted a long and mutual partnership between the church and the state in education.

The President asserted that there is too much political interference by the politically appointed Board of Trustees. Last year, all the political interference resulted in a virtual shut down of the University during a one-day protest by its faculty and staff who demonstrated against corruption and mismanagement by the University’s Board of Trustees.

ONLY THE POLITICALLY CONNECTED NEED APPLY This has not phased the Minister of

Education. It has now emerged that faculty and staff appointments are based on political connections with secondary regard for qualification and confidence.

An individual who has recently been appointed Dean of one of the University’s faculty has taken an unusually very long time and is yet to present his doctorate credentials. The type of Phd. qualification has also been another debate in the UB academia over the ability to teach at this level. It has been commented that “there has been so little exposure to the range of scholars’ qualification.” It has been alleged that, like some members on the Board of Trustees, some members of the faculty have displayed a lack of social skills and a broad outlook in addition to allegations that some lecturers “cannot function in standard English.”

MYOPIA BUT BEYOND THAT TALENT This government, because of political myopia is missing a great opportunity to tap into the vast talent bank of the diaspora. There are more than a handful of Belizeans living abroad who have excelled in academia as well as in the arts and sciences. These highly skilled people want to give back to Belize. This is a great opportunity for the Minister of Education to tap into this resource to form an academically qualified team of professionals who have excelled abroad to serve on the University’s Board of Trustees. We need these people, regardless of their politics.

Most of them are apolitical professionals.

But the Prime Minister has indicated that he is more interested in your politics rather than your skills.

The government and the Minister of Education is messing around with the future and the future of our bright young people and the future this country. The by-product will be a workforce of morons.

But there is always a future for that type of talent. It is in politics-UDP style where there is currently a terrible shortage on brain but lots of brainless power.

2014

twice, uncharacteristically, to admit the reeking corruption in his administration.

First, he publicly confessed to losing his cool when he begged his Cabinet colleagues to “STOP IT!”; referring to the constant rumors he was getting of a visa hustle involving Ministers getting kickbacks for the facilitation of visas for foreign nationals. No one listened to Barrow, it seems, because the bonanza continued unwarranted and unchecked. The rumors are now substantiated reports and have caused the Prime Minister to grow a white beard for Christmas, as he attempted to disguise himself as Santa Claus and hide the failed leader that he is.

Then there were the “LA confessions”, when the Prime Minister, in responding to a serious complaint about a land hustle in Belize brought forward by a

member of the Belizean Diaspora in Los Angeles, said that the Ministry of Lands under his Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega is a “HOTBED OF CORRUPTION”.

But instead of calling out Vega, who has presided over the worst kinds of scandals in the Ministry, Barrow said the public officers were at fault and he cited at least one case in which the Government attempted to get rid of public officers but faced resistance.

Barrow seems to have reversed his hardline policy against corruption. He did promise that “any UDP Government that I lead will never be engaged in corruption”. He might need to be reminded of his words.

Barrow has no special machete sharpened on both sides. His machete is dull, and it is not swung at any of his corrupt UDP Ministers. Rather, is swung and used on the backs of Belizeans who after six years of being brutalized by the Barrow Administration are left bruised and battered.

BELIZE under British Rule Progresso Village 1970s

BELIZE under UDP Rule Progresso Village 2014

26 JAN

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

For Sale

For Sale

By Order of the Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 3rd day of July, 2002, between FRANCISCO CAL of Red Bank Village, Stann Creek District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded at in Deeds Book Vol. 24 of 2002 at Folios 787 – 808, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule here to. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece and parcel of land being Lot No. 10 comprising of 1505.92 Square Yards situate in the Red Bank Village, Stann Creek District, Belize bounded described as shown on Plan No. 276 of 2002 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 276 of 2002 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 15th day of January, 2014.

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

By Order of the

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 5th day of April, 2000 between PEDRO GUERRA and VICTOR GUERRA both of 25 Miles Stann Creek Valley Road, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (Belize) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 18 of 2000 at Folios 27 - 52 will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece and parcel of land being Lot No. 53 situate in Hummingbird Community Village, Stann Creek District, Belize and bounded as follows: On the Northeast for 62.397 metres by a street; On the Southwest for 47.851 metres by Lot No. 54 and Lot No. 55; On the West for 5.833 metres by portion of Lot No. 52; and On the Northwest for 33.571 metres by portion of Lot No. 52 containing 1191.04 square yards of Land as shown on Entry 3713 Register 12 at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 6th day of January, 2014.

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

18

26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

UDP infighting in Dangriga gets nasty!

Dangriga Town, January 20, 2014 The UDP in Dangriga are in a bitter war amongst themselves as they prepare to select a losing candidate this Sunday. Just how bad it is? Very bad! So bad that someone woke up to the sight of a dead dog placed at the footsteps of her house, days after she made public her discontent with the quality and capacity of the candidates that were offering themselves for the upcoming convention.

“Come better than that guys. All you can do is put a stinking dead dog in front of my door? Come for some dog soup later........and I am not even running for office,” was her cool response to the attack.

The real uproar is not over dead dogs; however, but over dead political candidates who are angry that they were not allowed to run and that the UDP hierarchy is showing bias toward a preferred candidate.

That preferred candidate is failed leader Frank “Papa” Mena, whom the UDP Dangriga Chairman Anthony

Noralez supports and claims enjoys the blessing of UDP Leader Dean “Papa Doc” Barrow. According to Noralez who launched a vicious smear campaign on the social network, Facebook, the other candidate Arturo Roaches has “lost the vision” and involves UDPs who have “self-interest and greed for power” as their agenda.

Noralez said he has been grooming Papa Mena, who is his nephew, and believes he is the better candidate. Noralez chooses not to speak about Mena’s failed record as Mayor of Dangriga.

Then there are the Facebook spoilers like Charles Mariano, who has had all sorts of political miscarriages in the UDP. The latest is his failed bid to run as a Standard Bearer candidate.

Mariano claims he is being victimized by the UDP who he says operates a “boys club system”. He complained that after many attempts to contact Noralez in his capacity as Chairman, he ended up taking his application letter to Noralez’s home but learnt lat-

er that the letter had arrived after the 5 o’clock deadline. His candidacy was later rejected by a Barrow-controlled “scrutinizing committee” at the UDP headquarters in Belize City.

Noralez claims that Mariano is giving “poor excuses”. The truth is, he claims, that Mariano “does not have the finance and support of then minister Melvin Hulse Jr. who financed his candidacy in 2008”. The Dangriga Chairman even questioned Mariano’s “UDPness” saying that while the rejected candidate claims he is UDP, “his sentiments have been bitter ever since he lost that first convention in 2012”.

Roaches has not sat by as his reputation is dragged in the mud by Noralez.

He said the Chairman has a gripe because his nephew will not be endorsed this coming Sunday. He also lashed out at the Chairman for not showing impartiality and fairness as the convention nears.

And then Roaches claimed that his challenger was buying votes and support

“Tek the fiftee and vote Patee”, he said, at the end of his Facebook comment.

It is just fine if the UDP want to tear off each other’s heads as they assassinate each other, but as the Prime Minister said when he learnt of visa hustles

by UDP Ministers, can they please “Stop it” when it comes to harming innocent animals in an attempt to intimidate and frighten each other. No matter what they do, Dangriga will stay blue!

As BIG as you think you are...

Building on Kut Avenue

Building in Belama Ph. 1

Building on Euphrates Avenue

Building on Fabers Road

Boots Martinez

Building on C.A. Boulevard

Building on Western Avenue

Building on Fabers Road

you’re living in a small world

26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Scales of JUSTICE

by anthony sylvestre

“He thinks we are fools!”

I am now convinced that Dean Barrow believes that he is lord and master of us all, and as such, that what he says does not have to make sense: it is what it is because, well, just because he says so and because we are fools. For only that can explain the foolishness Barrow was telling the media on Wednesday about Penner and Castro.

Anyone will tell you that the Barrow government had more scandals and corruption in 2013 than the entire second season of the ABC television series “Scandal.” And undoubtedly, the awardees for the most scandalous of them all in 2013 were Ministers of State Elvin Penner and Edmond Castro for their roles in the nationality-passport-immigration scandals. And this dah because the two had serious competition, for scandal was the order of the day for the UDP last year; with rosewood, the death of the 13 babies at KHMH, Noh Mul, Mark King’s casino royale, and so on and so forth. Yet, if you listen to Barrow, rather than his ministers being the ones who have wronged us with their scandals and corruption, it is we who have it all wrong.

It’s not Penner’s fault; it’s all the public officers’ fault!

On Wednesday, Barrow was at it again.

“There is no question in my mind as to Penner’s guilt as to the wrong that he did,” Barrow started off saying.

As just about every Belizean listening to him would have thought, Barrow’s follow up comment would be that he would give the time and place where Penner would be charged criminally for committing offences under the Belizean Nationality and Passports Act? For lest we forget, Penner was busted and exposed as committing offences under the Passports Act and Belizean Nationality Act last year September. South Korean Won Kim

Hong, as is now known by all, was in prison in Taiwan from July, 2013 awaiting extradition to South Korea, where he was wanted for the crimes of theft and embezzlement of billions of dollars. A scheme was concocted to fraudulently facilitate the South Korean Kim to obtain Belizean citizenship and passport to avoid extradition; even though Kim had never set foot in Belize. So, Penner, for his part, signed a Belize nationality certificate for Kim and backdated it to March, 2013. With this backdated nationality certificate, the same Penner signed a passport recommendation form for Kim, fraudulently stating that he had known him personally for three years. With these documents, a Belizean passport was issued in Kim’s name in September and was later taken to the prison in Taiwan for Kim. It was there that the passport was seized by the Taiwanese authorities, the Belize government was informed, and Barrow, clearly under international pressure, put Penner on administrative leave.

For that really is what it is. For Penner has not been fired: he still gets all the benefits and perks he enjoyed as a Minister before the sordid details of his facilitation of a fugitive criminal to get Belizean nationality and passport was revealed. Had any ordinary Belizean been guilty of what Penner has done (and these are serious and grave things), they would have been charged and prosecuted for the crimes that they have committed, not pampered and protected.

But as said earlier on, it does appear that as master and lord of us, Barrow doesn’t need to operate in that vein. He says what he wants to say, just because, and all of us are fools.

Which is what I thought as I continued to listen as he spoke and these words came out: “…. Now public officers are clearly under the gun. For them to say that the minister, whom we all accept was guilty of wrongdoing, as it were leaned on us or persuaded us to do things without the proper documentation, to do things that were wrong; to my mind that can’t serve. “ Can you imagine that? Penner is the mastermind, but it is the public officers who are under the gun. What utter foolishness.

Which was my sentiment as well as I listened to Barrow try to explain away Castro’s corruption at the Airport Authority.

Weh Castro duh dah nuh koruption 2013, it seems, was not only the year of visas for Castro. The man was busy. As the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Francis Fonseca exposed in the

19 House on Wednesday, in 2013 Castro was busy as well at the Airport Authority, using his influence as Minister responsible for the Airport Authority to have the same Airport Authority issue checks to him personally, to a bike shop for the repair of his bike (Castro, is an avid cyclist), to a funeral parlour for payment, to schools, to constituents, and so on and so forth.

“I find it utterly and completely distasteful and I think the Airports Authority and the minister are both wrong,” Barrow started off saying in the House.

Then later to the media, Barrow said: “…had I been on that board, I would have absolutely resigned in protest if other board members in the majority had insisted in doing what was done.”

You would have thought then, that there was no escaping the obvious: Castro was guilty of corruption and Castro would be dealt with. For, the last time I checked the dictionary, corruption includes the use of public power to benefit a private interest. That sounds like what Castro did: using his power and influence as Minister of the Airport Authority to have them issue checks in his name.

Sounds like corruption to me and just about everyone who has heard about it.

But according to Barrow, that is not so.

“It is not corruption. He didn’t steal the money from the Airports Authority; he didn’t get the money under false pretenses.”

Barrow clearly thinks that we are all fools.

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26 JAN

2014

26 JAN

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

Reid Error of Impunity

By G. Michael Reid If the Prime Minister and Elvin Penner are indeed waiting for this matter to “blow over”, they are in for a very long wait. Channel Five on Monday released even more information on Pennergate and the cry for justice is getting louder. The consensus is that Elvin Penner should be arrested and charged in a court of law. If he is not, the credibility of deterrent effectiveness is lost and a dangerous precedent is set.

For a quick recap, it was revealed on September 19th that Won Hong Kim, a fugitive from South Korea who was at the time incarcerated in a Taiwanese jail for over two months, had obtained a Belizean passport.

Won Hong Kim was wanted in South Korea for embezzling millions of dollars from SK Shipping Company, a huge South Korean Firm. Another executive of the same firm Chey Tae-Won had already been convicted and had fingered Kim as the mastermind behind the embezzlement scheme. Kim had fled to Taiwan where he was arrested and imprisoned pending extradition.

It seems that is when Belize City Councilor Eric Chang, who is himself a Taiwanese native and who makes frequent trips to Taiwan, contacted Penner who was at the time serving as Minister of State in the Department of Immigration. Penner by his own admission, filled out all the forms, affixed his signature as needed, certified that he knew Kim for three years and made sure that the passport was prepared and approved in one day. This folks, is a process that can normally take anywhere between seven and nine years.

to trigger a recall to sign a petition.

Those signatures must then be presented to Elections and Boundaries Department for verification. This Elections and Boundaries now, is a body controlled by appointees of the very government whose member the people would be trying to recall. That Department then, would need to only disqualify without explanation, any number of those signatures. They did it to Oceana and have now done it again to the PUP. That of course would be only the first hurdle. After that, anyone wishing to recall a representative must ensure that 65 percent of all eligible voters make it to the polls. Even in a full scale election with machineries of all parties grinding at full steam, it is difficult to get that percentage of voters to the poll. In fact, Guatemala used that very situation as the basis for cancelling the simultaneous referendum that was to decide whether we go to the ICJ or not.

It seems that 65% is inordinately

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a long course of due process to be followed. Rarely is it ever done. The trick here is to distract people’s attention away from Penner. Our fight now will not be to prosecute Penner but to defend our public servants. That dog won’t hunt!

Belizeans will be satisfied with no less than Penner’s head Thereafter, it is assumed, rolling. It is unfair that Elvin PenChang accompanied by Belize ner is collecting over a hundred City Mayor Darrel Bradley and thousand of taxpayers’ money Minister of State Edmund Casevery month and will thereafter tro, hopped on a flight to Taiwan collect a hefty pension for life. and delivered the passport to Kim This is very wrong from any anin prison. Reports are that both gle that it is viewed. Mr. Barrow the Honduran and Panamanian in one of his press conferences embassies got wind of the sheadmitted to hustling going on at nanigans and raised an alarm. the Immigration Department.

The Prime Minister then hurriedHe warned his Ministers that if ly called a press conference and they did not stop, it would bring announced that he had asked his government down. Here’s Penner to resign from his cabinet. the thing Mr. Barrow, it is not so Funny thing is that Penner was a much the hustling at ImmigraMinster of State and as such, nevtion that will bring your governer was a member of Cabinet. ment down but your refusal to do anything about it.

The reality is that PenBelizeans will be satisfied with no less than ner will fall; must fall. If Mr. Barrow and his UDP Penner’s head rolling. It is unfair that Elvin Pencontinue to defend, proner is collecting over a hundred thousand of tect and embrace Penner taxpayers’ money every month and will then it is obvious that the entire government will fall thereafter collect a hefty pension for life. along with him. Mr. BarThis is very wrong from any angle that it row was willing to spend is viewed. “millions and millions” in Cayo Northeast to keep Penner in the House. The high for any country and not likeThe opposition People’s Unitquestion that this loudly begs, ly to be attained. It was not done ed Party thereafter embarked on is how much does Penner realwithout reason. a process to recall Penner from ly know and about who? How Last week, it was announced his seat in the House of Repremuch does Mr. Barrow know that three public officers, two of sentatives. Unfortunately, the reand how long has he known them junior level, who had been on call mechanism, put into law by what he knows? How involved suspension since shortly after the the UDP in 2008 is a joke and was is Godwin Hulse and how many scandal broke, were going to be never meant to work. The “recall” other Ministers are involved? Infired. This is a ruse. Public officers requires that 30 percent of regisquiring minds want to know… cannot be easily fired for there is tered voters in any area wishing Belizeans demand to know!

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26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

AIDS: Deadly but Preventable!

By Dr. Angela Banner Joseph This is the story of Matthew, a law student who gave me a brief synopsis of how he believed he contracted the HIV virus that progressed to AIDS. It was after my first encounter with him that I spoke with the Dean of the law school where I worked who “counsels administrators when we experience many life-changing decisions with our students”.

I remembered enrolling in a graduate course, “From Tuberculosis to AIDS,” to provide myself with the understanding, causes, and symptoms of major illnesses and the short-term and long-term effects each could have on an individual.

This course helped me change the way I communicated with students who were experiencing a life-threatening illness and made me aware of the humanistic touch needed to assist others.

Matthew shared with me that after high school, he became homeless and lived on the streets, where he engaged in illegal and sordid unprotected affairs to survive. He strayed from his family for over ten years before he decided to communicate with them again. Afterward, Matthew enrolled in college to earn his bachelor’s degree, where he received on-campus housing that took him off the streets and provided him with a place to stay to pursue higher learning. He was awarded financial aid and a partial scholarship and he graduated four years later with his degree.

Matthew worked for several years after college before he decided to attend law school. During his stay in law school, he became seriously ill and learned that he had AIDS. He shared with me that he felt ill and believed he had the flu.

He suffered from fever, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and coughing, so he assumed it was the flu. He said the symptoms occurred frequently and he realized he was not getting better, so he visited his local emergency room for treatment. The hospital healthcare providers took a series of tests; however, it was the result of his blood work that would change his life forever. The emergency-room doctor gave him the shocking news that he had full-

blown AIDS. After receiving his test results, he said he was scared and did not know who to go to or where to turn. He confided in only a small group of friends about his illness.

He was aware of his reckless behavior as a youth but never thought that one day that he would contract AIDS, a well-known killer. He accepted the test results and decided to focus on finishing law school.

Matthew was in his third and final year of law school when he found out he had AIDS. He wanted to complete his law school studies because he was the first person in his family of five brothers and sisters to earn a high school diploma, college degree, and law degree.

Matthew wanted to instill in his nieces and nephews the value of obtaining an education. Moreover, he was brutally honest with them about his past behavior and asked that they choose the positive path of earning their college degree to become contributing members of society. He wanted them to learn from his mistakes and to remove themselves from society’s dark side.

Matthew graduated from law school, and shortly thereafter, his condition worsened. He was in and out of the hospital and his immune system weakened. His weight began fluctuating and he lost nearly 100 pounds. He felt blessed to have his family and close friends by his side to support him in his final days. Matthew passed away about a year after the initial diagnosis of his illness.

I share this story because I want our children to realize that their actions have significant consequences. I want them to learn about this killer called AIDS. This deadly disease is nothing to play with and is an equal-opportunity killer that does not discriminate whether victims are rich or poor or what ethnic background they are from.

AIDS begins with the HIV infection. Scientists have given the global community at least 25 antiretroviral drugs to treat and maintain the HIV infection. Even when these HIV medications are effective, those infected can still transmit HIV to others. Many types of HIV exist and new types continue to arise. Almost all people infected with HIV will develop AIDS if they are not treated.

Today, despite extensive and ongoing research, there is still no cure for AIDS. So, protect yourself!

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

2014

For Sale

By Order of the

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Assignment of Mortgage made the 2nd day of September, 2009, recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 22 of 2009 at Folios 313 – 328, between THE BELIZE BANK LIMITED (the Assignor) SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., and LEONARDO OBANDO, JR., which said property was mortgaged by the said LEONARDO OBANDO, JR. to the said BELIZE BANK LIMITED on the 21st day of June, 2003 and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 22 of 2003 at Folios 647 – 696 will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said properties must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

THE SCHEDULE ALL THOSE LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being “A Lot” situate in Santa Familia Village, Cayo District and bounded as follows: On the North for a 30.419 metres by Lot No. 22; On the South for 29.990 metres by a portion of Lot No. 20; On the East for 29.309 metres by portion of Lot No. 20; and on the West for 29.337 metres by a street, containing 883.39 square metres of land as shown on Entry No. 6568, Register No. 14 at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 17th day of December, 2013.

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

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell the following property at the place and time listed.

At the Parking Lot across the street from the office of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Monday February 17, 2014 at 2:00p.m.

ALL THAT parcel of land together containing 20.703 acres being Block 24, Parcel 1776/1 situate in the Society Hall Registration Section (Blackman Eddy Village) TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon the leasehold property of GEORGE DAVIS (Deceased).

DATED this 22nd day of January 2014 All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

26 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

Home Economics

Huge potential in Clay Bricks Industry

By Richard Harrison Over the weekend, I stopped in at mile 32 George Price Highway to see the progress being made at a small business that manufactures kiln-fired clay bricks. I have had a long-term interest in this industry and was very happy to see this development by a roots investor.

This business should be of great interest to Belize because clay is naturally abundant in Belize and these bricks are made of 100% Belize raw materials..... unlike cement blocks, which includes 30-40% of imported cement value.

Clay bricks (or ladrillos as they are called in neighboring republics) are used in building homes across our region. They are built in different sizes and designs for various purposes, from wall construction to facing and adornment.

There are ways of plotting the bricks so that very little steel is required to build a home. They are known to have higher insulation than cement buildings, reducing the life-time cost for cooling homes.

Housing construction has been proven very effective in rapidly lowering unemployment rates in many countries. During the period 20002004, this was witnessed in Belize, so we know it works. Some things were done wrong....but that does not mean we should bury our heads in the sand and negate the obvious need in Belize for more and better AFFORDABLE homes. We need to learn from our mistakes....and correct them, as we move forward.

The “mistakes” that were made were: 1. Home mortgages required payment of over $450/month, double what the people can afford.....due to financing using the outdated formula that factors high interest rates and short terms.

2. The capital used to fuel the boom was obtained via foreign currency denominated debt instruments at relatively high interest and short terms.

3. Many of the homes were built by fly-by-night contractors with sub-standard design and methods.... mostly pre-paid and/or over-paid via political links, preventing the opportunity to inspect and certify housing deliveries to ensure compliance with a minimum standard.

4. Most of the materials (around 70% of cost) were from foreign sources, thus as the money from loans came into Belize, it left our shores to pay for those materials....and only the people importing and selling construction supplies got rich.

5. Many of the persons who were afforded the houses did not qualify in terms of income stream, and could not afford the mortgages.

Our ambition should be that every

family earning $250 per week should be able to own their own home on a plot of land (in village, 80’x100’, in town or city 70’x90’). This means that home financing for lower and middle income families should be at 6.25% p.a., 25 years....so that people can live like people....with monthly mortgage payment around $250.....or 25% of income.

With this formula, there will be more than 5,000 new entrants into the housing market each year..... which will be a boom for Belize.

The Ministry of Housing should allocate $2 million to finance a mini-project via contract.....for the building of various copied designs of houses using clay bricks (no need to reinvent the wheel)....which can be used as a “show room” for potential home owners and contractors and to establish real costs and comparisons....and to train masons in best-practices for building with clay.

Development finance should work along with the clay brick manufacturers so that they automate their processes to produce most efficiently and effectively....so that they be more competitive in quality and price.

I can see scores of these small businesses opening up to supply the millions of clay bricks that will be required for another housing boom in Belize. There should be standards, of course.

Behind them, there will be suppliers of material to fire the kilns.....to mine and supply the most appropriate clay material.

In front of them, there will be those that transport and sell the bricks in all major towns....and those that will develop more value-added products for pottery, ceramics, adornments (grills, chimneys, etc.) and products for facing, among others...and those that export these products.

There will still be those that insist on building with cement blocks, so there should not be cannibalization of jobs but rather growth in jobs.

Indeed, we should produce our own cement as well!!

The clay brick industry can be another pillar upon which the ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE of Belize is built.....by development of natural resources, to supply more of what we need, reduce importation, grow our exports of products that we have the capacity and capability to produce, reduce our growing deficit and grow our wealth as a nation.

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

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell the property described in the schedule below at the time as listed.

At the Parking Lot across the street from the office of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Friday 31st January 2014 at 2:00p.m.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 290, comprising 888.89 Square Yards situate in Ladyville Village, Belize District, being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 333 of 2011 dated 28th September 2011 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey No. 333 of 2011 dated 18th September 2011 by G. E. Gill, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan City, Cayo District in Register No. 23 Entry No. 6209 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of KIRK GRIFFITHS DATED this 16th day of January 2014 All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

Application for a Moneylender’s Certificate I, Adan Cal, hereby give notice that I have applied to the Magistrates’ Court sitting at Punta Gorda on the 28th day of January, 2014, at 9:00 AM for a Certificate to be granted to me under the Moneylenders Act, Chapter 260 to authorize me to carry on business as a Moneylender in the name of The Best at Main Street, Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize.

Adan M. Cal

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2014

Recipe of the week

Cardamom Citrus Fruit Salad Fruit salads are a great way to start your day. Here’s a cheerful fruit salad made with colorful citrus fruits.

Ingredients 1 large ruby pink grapefruit 3 navel oranges or a combination of naval oranges, blood oranges, mandarin oranges and/or tangerines 1/4 cup honey 2 Tbsp fresh lime or lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamon Directions 1. Peel the fruit. Cut away the membranes of the individual segments with a sharp knife. Collect the peeled segments in a bowl.

2. Drain off any excess juice from the fruit into a small saucepan. Add the lime juice, honey and cardamom to the saucepan.

3. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes and then remove from heat and let cool to room temp. Pour over fruit mixture and gently fold in so that all the fruit is coated.

4. Let stand for 15 minutes or chill until ready to serve. Serves 4.

26 JAN

2014

THE BELIZE TIMES

How are karate and ballet alike?

My cousin is doing ballet with the House of Shotokan Academy Ballet School. How can a karate school have a ballet school? I thought that was weird!

How are karate and ballet alike?

Here’s what my cousin said… they are both beautiful art forms that use gentle and firm movements

along with quick and slow movements. She also said that like the karate school they also help in the community by doing projects to help others. Right now, they are collecting blankets to give to homeless persons who don’t have any protection from this chilly weather. Want to help?

Stop by the House of Shotokan.

MKC is celebrating ballet! Lets have fun!

Can you help the girl learn more about ballet by finding and circling the words below?

CONNECT THE DOTS!

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26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that NIGERIA MURTHA MOIR is applying for a Malt and Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Pink’s Cool Spot”, situate at Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that JUNGHUI WU is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Good Day Shop”, situate at 20 St. Joseph Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that GILBERT FLOWERS is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Moon Light Cool Spot”, situate at Double Head Cabbage, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that SHENG PING LIU is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “18 Grocery Store”, situate at 6 Hopkins Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that TYRONE VALDES is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Coco Cart” situate at 8 Fort Street (Tourism Village), Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that HERLET CLARKE is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “M&J Cool Spot”, situate at Rancho Dolores Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

2014

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE #50/2013

See answers NEXT WEEK

JL’s Real Estate Loans Designed to fit your budget

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

Answers for last week’s puzzle SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #49/2013

Answers for last week’s puzzle

See answers NEXT WEEK

26 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2014

BELIZE TIMES WEEKLY

SCIENCE & TECH R

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Kazakh mathematician may have solved $1 million puzzle 22 January 2014 by Jacob Aron and Katia Moskvitch Mathematics is a universal language. Even so, a Kazakh mathematician’s claim to have solved a problem worth a million dollars is proving hard to evaluate – in part because it is not written in English.

Mukhtarbay Otelbayev of the Eurasian National University in Astana, Kazakhstan, says he has proved the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem, which concerns equations that are used to model fluids – from airflow over a plane’s wing to the crashing of a tsunami. The equations work, but there is no proof that solutions exist for all possible situations, and won’t sometimes “blow up”, producing unrealistic answers.

In 2000, the Clay Mathematics Institute, now in Providence, Rhode Island, named this one of seven Millennium Prize problems offering $1 million to anyone who could devise a proof.

Otelbayev claims to have done just that in a paper published in the Mathematical Journal, also based in Kazakhstan. “I worked on the problem on and off, for 30 years,” he told New Scientist, in Russian – he does not speak

English.

Mathematical Babel fish However, the combination of the Russian text and the specialist knowledge needed to understand the Navier-Stokes equations means the international mathematical community, which usually communicates in English is having difficulty evaluating it.

Although mathematics is expressed through universal symbols, mathematics papers also contain large amounts of explanatory text.

“Over the years there have been several alleged solutions to the Navier-Stokes problem that turned out to be wrong,” says Charles Fefferman of Princeton University, who wrote the official formulation of the problem for Clay. “Since I don’t speak Russian and the paper is not yet translated, I’m afraid I can’t say more right now.”

Otelbayev is a professional, so mathematicians are paying more attention to his proof than is typical for amateur efforts to solve Millennium Prize problems, which are regularly posted online.

The Russian-speaking Misha Wolfson, a computer scientist and chemist at the Massachu-

Becoming a millionaire mathematician

setts Institute of Technology is attempting to spark an online, group effort to translate the paper. “While my grasp on the math is good enough to enable translation up to this point, I am not qualified to say anything about whether or not the solution is any good,” he says.

Stephen Montgomery-Smith of the University of Missouri in Columbia, who is working with Russian colleagues to study the paper, is hopeful.”What I have read so far does seem valid,” he says “but I don’t feel that I have yet got to the heart of the proof.”

Otelbayev says that three colleagues in Kazakhstan and another

in Russia agree that the proof is correct.

Burden of proof Understandably, a high burden of proof is required to claim the $1 million prize. Clay’s rules say the solution must be published in a journal of “worldwide repute” and remain unchallenged for two years before it can even be considered.

Nick Woodhouse, president of the Clay Mathematics Institute, declined to comment on Otelbayev’s proof.

“It is currently being translated by my students, and will be available soon,” says Otelbayev.

He says that he will publish it again once it is translated into English – initially in a second Kazakh journal, and then perhaps abroad.

To date, only one Millennium Prize problem has been officially solved. In 2002, Grigori Perelman proved the Poincaré conjecture, but later withdrew from the mathematical community and refused the $1 million prize.

A possible solution for another problem, known as P vs NP, caught mathematicians’ attentions in 2010, but later proved to be flawed. Whether Otelbayev’s proof will share the same fate remains to be seen.

New species of river dolphin born of Amazon rapids 22 January 2014 by Adrian Barnett A new species of river dolphin has been found, the first of its kind for a century.

Tomas Hrbek of the Federal University of Amazonas in Manaus, Brazil, and colleagues took DNA from river dolphins in the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers. He found they differed from all other species in Brazil. They also only have 24 teeth per jaw, rather than the 25 to 29 found in the Amazon’s other river dolphins. He calls the species Inia araguaiaensis.

Already a rare sight (Image: Nicole Dutra)

The team’s analysis of I. araguaiaensis’s genes suggest that the species formed 2.08 million years ago, when the Ara-

guaia-Tocantins basin was cut off from the rest of the Amazon river system by huge rapids and waterfalls. River dolphins are slow swimmers that rarely leap, so the shifting landscape isolated the dolphins from their fellows.

Hrbek thinks the formation of rapids has been crucial to river dolphin evolution. The Madeira river’s Inia boliviensis arose 2.87 million years ago when the Teotônio rapids formed, while the Casiquiare rapids in the Orinoco river gave rise to the subspecies Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana.

Dammed However, a different obstacle poses a threat to I. araguaiaensis. Hrbek

says dam construction on the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers may wipe it out. “Its future is pretty bleak,” he says. “The Araguaia-Tocantins basin suffers huge human disturbance and there are probably less than 1000 I. araguaiaensis in existence.”

That means it could soon follow in the footsteps of China’s iconic baiji, which was declared extinct in 2007.

“It’s exciting evidence for a previously unrecognised species within the ancient lineage of Amazon river dolphins,” says Scott Baker of Oregon State University in Newport. “Yet it’s already rare, and its habitat is now fragmented by dams.”

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2014

Diabetic

Chasing Tails

uman beings have a tendency of chasing things. Like a dog chasing its tail, we run after that elusive happiness that always seems to be right there, just out of our reach, but still so far away. Some ‘tails’ that we run around and around in circles to capture are: the perfect husband/wife, the perfect job, or the perfect physical look. In and of themselves, nothing is wrong with wanting to pursue a better life. If a young lady aspires to find the right match, if a man wants to climb the ladder of success in his company until he is at the top, or even if a naturally stocky child dreams of slimming down in order to be healthier, the goal is a worthy and well-sought one. The problem arises when the pursuit of these various things becomes the priority.

One question that all people, from all nations, whether black, white, purple, or yellow, ask themselves is Who am I? This would answer why young people cut themselves in order to deal with pain. This is why young women choose men that put on a screensaver of gentlemanliness but, after marriage shakes the ‘mouse’, the real and abusive sides of the men emerge. This is even why those men abuse their women. We all want to know. Who. Am. I. See, we can have everything in the entire world and still not know who we are. We can have the fancy clothes, the fancy car, the perfect life and still wonder. On the opposite hand, we could have the mashed up jalopy for a car, no job, and barely enough to make ends meet and still be uncertain.

There are a lot of little details on the journey of discovering who you are. But I am not talking about the fact that you discover you like dancing, or that you’re allergic to pepper.

These fine points aren’t the meat of the matter. I’m talking about discovering Whose you are before you can fully discover who you are. Once you begin to understand Who you belong to, the rest will fall into place. Seek God’s Kingdom and “all these things will be added unto you” (Mat 6:33).

See, God says that we are “heirs in Christ Jesus.” When we accept His Son into our lives we become new creatures (2 Cor5:17). We are given free access into His Kingdom through Jesus and therefore we all become sons and daughters, making us royalty.

When we understand that we are functioning in a completely different mentality, being in the world but not of it, it changes the way we answer the question ‘who am I’. TV says only skinny women are considered beautiful, but what does the King of Kings say? The hip-hop songs say it’s all about getting that ‘booty and paper’, but that’s a one-way street to loneliness. What does God say? When the shine wears off from the dazzling persona that the world calls us all to be, we realize there is only hopelessness and confusion wherever discovering our identities is separate from God. Thankfully, getting an identity in the Kingdom is free.

Jesus is in the business of offering free passports for all those who make Him a priority. I encourage you to find a local embassy for more information.

Until next week, God bless

26 JAN

By Dr. John Sosa, Neurologist

Neuropathy

Nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy resulting from chronically high blood sugar can be one of the most frustrating and debilitating complications of diabetes because of the pain, discomfort and disability it can cause, and because available treatments are not always successful.

Symptoms: Pain or numbness in the legs or feet may be the most common complaint from people diagnosed with neuropathy. Depending on whether nerves in the legs, gastrointestinal tract, or elsewhere in the body are affected, the symptoms can vary from inability to adequately empty the bladder of its contents, resulting in frequent infections, nausea, vomiting, abdominal fullness or bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. It may be the culprit for low blood pressure upon standing that causes fainting or dizziness. The inability to lift the foot or new deformities of the foot, or foot ulcers may result. Men may trouble achieving or maintaining an erection.

Prevention is key!

Prevention is the key ingredient in diabetics. Hemoglobin A1C readings should ideally be at 7.0% or lower. People who keep their blood sugars consistently in this healthful range can decrease their risk of nerve damage by more than 50%. Some patients find some relief from this nerve damage or neuropathy by keeping blood sugars as closely controlled as possible, getting regular exercise and keeping their weight under control.

Treatment: Some medications and other treatments help ease the symptoms in some people. Non-narcotic pain relievers are the drug of choice if pain is present. Narcotics do now work well for neuropathic pain. Certain antidepressants also seem to be particularly helpful for pain. Amitriptyline (Elavil®), desipramine (Norpramin®) or imipramine (Tofranil®) are members of the tricyclic antidepressant category of drugs. These are used long term and block pain. They are taken at night because nighttime pain is worse for patients and it also helps them sleep. If a person is not B vitamin deficient the B vitamins will not help.

They will be excreted in the urine.

There are medications such as gabapentin (Neurontin®) and pregabalin (Lyrica®) that also work on the nerves and the pain.

Other forms of pain management, such as biofeedback, meditation, or acupuncture.

For gastroparesis, in which the stomach is not emptying properly, doctors may prescribe metoclopramide (Maxolon®); for those experiencing bladder neuropathy, which results in the bladder never completely emptying, bethanechol (Urecholine®) may be prescribed.

Cialis, Levitra®, and Viagra®, that may be an option, for impotence, although patients should definitely check with their doctor before taking the drug.

One of the major issues with neuropathy, particularly sensory neuropathy, is that eventually the affected nerves die, and the patient experiences a complete loss of sensation in the area. For this reason, if you have developed neuropathy in your feet and legs, you need to check your feet every day for cuts and other problems that you may no longer feel. You need to make sure your shoes are in excellent condition and don’t have pebbles or rough spots in them that could damage feet without your knowing. If you have neuropathy, you should not use heating pads because you could seriously burn yourself without knowing it. You should be especially careful when taking baths to ensure that the water is not too hot, as it would be relatively easy to scald your feet or legs if they have become desensitized to pain.

The majority of patients will have pain until the nerves go dead. Therefore pain control by whatever means that is comfortable and safe for the patient should be utilized, even if of the alternative type.

26 26 JAN JAN

2014

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

29

The marijuana economy Could legalising the drug really lead to less crime and more revenue for states and governments?

Morocco repeals ‘rape marriage law’ Controversial article previously allowed rapists to avoid charges if they married their victims 23 Jan 2014 M o r o c c o ’s parliament has unanimously amended an article in the penal code that allowed a rapist to escape prosecution if he married his underage victim.

The amendment to Article 475 of the penal code, first proposed by the country’s Islamist-led government a year

ago, was amended by lawmakers on Wednesday, parliamentary sources said.

The article in question made international headlines in March 2012 when Amina al-Filali, 16, was forced to marry a man who had allegedly raped her.

After seven months of marriage to the 23-year-old

man, she committed suicide in 2012. Her parents and a judge had forced the marriage to protect the family honour.

The incident sparked calls for the law to be changed.

The traditional practise of forced marriage can be found across the Middle East and in countries such as India and Afghanistan, where the loss of a woman’s virginity out of wedlock puts a stain on a family’s honour.

An official study published last month

said nearly nine percent of Moroccan women have been physically subjected to sexual violence at least once.

More than 50 percent of violence against women is thought to take place within marriage, and marital rape is not recognised as a crime.

A bill proposed by the Moroccan government, threatening prison sentences of up to 25 years for perpetrators of violence against women, is still in the drafting stage.

Uruguay, not a country usually in the headlines, made a bit of history late last year when it became the first country in the world to legalise the growing, selling and consumption of marijuana.

Latin American nations have openly debated the legalisation of drugs as the US-led ‘war on drugs’ has widely been seen as a failure. Fed up with the crime and endless bloodshed, they hoped liberalisation would break the stranglehold of the drug cartels.

The US marijuana business is worth $113bn. And ‘business’ refers to the growth and usage for - amongst other things - medical use. More than $1.43bn worth of legal marijuana was sold in 2013, an amount which is estimated to increase by 64 percent this year to around $2.34bn.

However, most marijuana use remains underground, meaning the US tax authorities could be missing out on about $31bn in revenue. It is also important to note that more than $10bn is spent on enforcing marijuana laws, which takes the total potential loss to around $41bn.

Patients suffer on Delhi streets Brazil looks to attract foreign workers Country to change its immigration law to encourage professionals from abroad join its labour market.

Brazil has announced the country’s plan to change its immigration law to make it easier for foreign workers to enter the country and meet growing demands for labour.

Marcelo Neri, Brazil’s strategic affairs minister, said on Thursday that the government aimed to attract highly qualified professionals such as engineers, doctors and technology specialists.

Neri said the changes would include reducing the bureaucracy involved in obtaining a work visa for Brazil and allowing workers to change jobs without having to request a new visa.

Foreign workers are needed because the current “situation of near-full employment” could jeopardise the country’s future economic growth, he added.

The unemployment rate in November 2013 was 4.6 percent, the lowest level since 2002.

Disused buses often serve as makeshift shelters for patients and their kin.

Delay at India’s premier AIMS hospital forces hundreds seeking treatment to sleep rough in open for days 22 Jan 2014 Every one took note when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slept on the street for a night during his unprecedented protest against the police earlier this week. What, however, has gone unnoticed is that thousands of other lesser mortals are forced to sleep rough in the open in the Indian capital.

Meet the poor patients and their family members seeking medical treatment at India’s premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital (AIMS).

The treatment offered at the hospital is world-class and cheap. Run

by the government, it boasts of the best doctors and the state-of-the art treatment.

But the rush at the hospital from every nook and corner of the country with a population of more than a billion people is immense and the waiting period for securing a doctor’s appointment is excruciatingly long. Media reports suggest patients needing an immediate surgery for the removal of a tumor are at times asked to come back six years later.

The inordinate delay means that hundreds of patients and their relatives from outside the city camp out in the open – through the op-

pressive heat of summer and the icy chill of winter months - in the vicinity of the hospital, awaiting their turn for a doctor’s appointment.

AIMS runs a night shelter for the benefit of outstation patients.

But it is grossly inadequate, considering the rush at the hospital.

AIMS is known to treat 1.5 million outpatients and 80,000 inpatients annually.

Already ailing, the patients suffer more on the streets of New Delhi. Ironically, their plight has found little play in the media, engrossed in the coverage of a high-profile sit-in demonstration.

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THINK ABOUT IT

CHAMBER SUPPORTS TEACHERS For ten years the teachers of Belize have received not a single salary increase.

For ten years they have been patient.

Their patience has been wearing thin.

For ten years the cost of living has been galloping out of reach. Basic food items, medicine, rent, mortgage, electricity, water, cable, and most of all diesel and patrol.

Teachers work but their salaries cannot keep up with their expenses.

For the past six years the government has been tricking and deceiving teachers over the need for an increase. The lie repeatedly told is: no money no deh.

Suddenly, the government has “millions upon millions”. Not for teachers but for party political expenditures.

On Friday 10th January, 2014, the teachers of Orange Walk and Corozal under the leadership of their unions held rallies in their respective district towns.

On Friday 17th January the ongoing rally was held in Belize City.

On Friday 24 January the teachers take their message and publicize their cause in San Ignacio, and each Friday they will continue in the other districts.

We support our teachers, whole heartedly and without reservation.

Their cause is just. Their request is reasonable.

To our surprise, the Chamber of Commerce on Friday January 17 came forward publicly to support a salary increase for the hardworking and dedicated teachers of the country.

This is unprecedented. The Chamber of Commerce has never supported public employees. No doubt out of selfish concern that private sector employees could be inspired to request similar increases.

The Chamber of Commerce has matured and is showing leadership. For this, maximum respect is due.

A society which stays deaf and dumb and sits back watching its teachers leave their classrooms and take to the streets to publicize their economic plight, is a society which deserves what it gets. And what is it that we are getting? A worthless government with worthless Ministers, crime ridden, indiscipline, rising unemployment and underemployment, low wages, lack of direction and vision and worst of all, poverty that has crawled over 50 per cent.

Our teachers are not asking for a huge increase. It seems their leaders are prepared to accept as little as a meagre 5 percent increase. While that is small, it underscores their desperation.

We repeat, we are proud of the members and leaders of the Chamber of Commerce for supporting our teachers.

We respectfully ask the students of Belize and in particular those student unions at Sixth forms, Galen University, and the University of Belize to speak up and stand up for the teachers of our country.

When we sent our young ones to school, it is the teachers who got deh back.

When the teachers are being chanced by government dah we fi got deh back.

26 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

lations Chapter 17 verses 1 and 2:“I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

The United States of America, as represented in Belize by the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, surprised the citizens of Belize last Friday with a public media release which says in part:“The Department of State condemns the brutal slaying of transgender teenager Joseph Sanchez in Belize on January 12th.

We send condolences to Joseph’s friends and family and the entire LGBT community in Belize.”

Whew!

Let’s take a deep breath and count to ten.

The Police in Belize have publicly stated that from their investigation the killing of Joseph Sanchez was a robbery. Does the US Embassy have evidence to the contrary? True, the Police story doesn’t wash.

Is the US Embassy unaware of the killing of Arthur Young at Ladyville at the hands of the G.S.U.?

Is the US Embassy unaware of the unprecedented violations of the human rights of scores of Belizeans by the GSU and the Anti Drug Unit?

Of course not.

But it is the U.S. which trains, finances and equips these special units which are increasingly operating outside the laws and the constitution of our country.

On these matters the U.S. is deafeningly silent.

For the record we agree with the US release which went on to state: “No one should be subjected to violence because of who they are or who they love.”

Tell that to those who yu put in uniform and train those who are increasingly beating and torturing our defenseless, poor people, with impunity and no press release.

DEATH SQUADS Death Squad – that’s the exact heading of a sensational article in the Sunday 19 January 2014 Jamaica Gleaner article.

The Gleaner was quoting two Police Officers who said they know for a fact that members of the Jamaica Police have been organizing themselves into Death Squads and executing criminals. They do so with support from senior officers who got their back.

This is not just the usual rogue officers who are out of control.

This is organized, systematic murder being done by Police Officers.

Jamaica is a beautiful jewel in the Caribbean which is plagued with endemic poverty and high levels of violent crime.

Early last year several Police Officers came under investigation for writing and signing false statements in efforts to convict citizens.

This latest explosive revelation will not go down well in Jamaica.

GAY GETS U.S.A.

FREEDOM FOR RHETT

It is written, in the Holy Bible, at Reve-

The case of Rhett Fuller is the stuff of

novels. Perhaps Colin B. H. would want to consider it for one of his books: How to Escape Babylon.

Rhett was accused of committing a serious crime in the U.S.A. in 1990. He came home to Belize. For years several F.B.I. (Federal Bureau of Investigations from USA) contacted him, trying to get his assistance in being a witness in another crime. He kept declining. They started visiting him in Belize. They made offers to help with his criminal matter if he helped them in their other criminal case. He kept declining the offers and inducements.

They got the Belize Police to get Rhett in “custody” at one of the Police Station and had a conversation with him. He was, of course, secretly taped and probably videoed. They returned to the USA and used information from the conversation to seek Rhett’s extradition; even upgrading their allegation from conspiracy to full time murder. By this time it is 1998.

It is easy to extradite Belizeans to the U.S.A. A Magistrate quickly ordered his extradition. He took his case to the Supreme Court. His attorney, Eamon Courtney, raised serious constitutional issues such as abuse of the court process; undue delay and breach of the separation of powers in Belize. The Supreme Court did not buy the arguments.

At the Court of Appeal, each constitutional issue was strenuously argued by Eamon. Their Lordships declined the challenge and stuck to quoting English judges who have no binding written constitution to uphold. By this time it is 2009. Rhett is in and out of jail.

Undaunted, Eamon appealed to the Privy Council. There the judges are more familiar with the core importance of written constitutions which guarantee fundamental rights. The judges agreed with Eamon’s submission and laid down new law to guide our disappointing Appeals Court which had failed to stand up for Belizeans constitutional protections. There is a serious lesson here.

As Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh (may Allah continue to bless him and guide his pathway back to our shores in three showings of the planet) had earlier stated the issue should go from exhausting the court process to an administrative decision of the Foreign Minister. So was it written, was it done. In 2011, to no one’s surprise, the Foreign Minister of Belize ruled that Rhett should be sent to U.S.A. Still yet undaunted Eamon challenged the decision or the Foreign Minister for arriving at his decision contrary to how the law requires such decision to be arrived at. More submissions at Supreme Court, more arguments at Court of Appeal which directed the Minister to re-hear the matter properly and in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

Then hallelujah! Friday 17 January in the year of our Lord 2014 A.D., FREEDOM! UHURU! Tears, Joy, Jubilation.

Rhett is free. Rhett is free.

TWO MORE Three career public officers, whose names have been dragged through the mud and whose reputations are forever tarnished because of Elvin Penner, are supposed to have their employment cut short by a complaint to Public Services Commission.

Now comes confirmation that the Immigration Director has recommended

2014

disciplinary action for two more public officers.

Five sacrificial lambs or rather goats.

They were used by their Minister Penner who personally handled the “documents” and promised he would provide all the missing ones, which he never did.

Twenty more illegal transactions have also surfaced. But guess what? The files are missing.

What a lucky fellow Penner is. He was the one signing citizenship papers prior to the 2012 general elections. Does anyone really believe he didn’t sign such suspect documents for new votes to get on the voters list of other UDP candidates?

We wonder when files from Contreras and Montero will turn up.

As William Shakespeare would say: “there is something rotten in the state of Denmark” Despite not even a whiff of corruption.

Ha! ARAGON IS STILL A POLICE Elodio Aragon, Assistant Commissioner of Police, is in Orange Walk campaigning to be the candidate to represent the ruling party at the next general elections.

He sent his resignation letter to take effect end of March 2014.

In the event his campaign is not successful he can recall his letter and continue to work as the country’s second highest cop.

COMMR AND C.E.O. Public Officer Wilbert Vallejos is the Commissioner of Lands at the Ministry of National Resources. Pound for pound this is the most corrupt Ministry in the government. No reforms dare enter its door.

Bureaucracy and red tape are a disguise, a façade for the cesspool of corruption that has left the majority of Belizeans landless while a chosen few get to pick the close choice properties.

The Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry is out of office. Presumably resigned, as she is campaigning in the Belize Rural Central area to represent the ruling party in the next general elections.

While she is out of office, Vallejos is both Commissioner of Lands and his own boss as he is also Chief Executive Officer.

It is not clear if he is getting the full C.E.O. salary and is authorizing himself to collect his regular Commissioner salary.

What is clear is no one person can be both commissioner of Lands and at the same time Chief Executive Officer in the same Ministry.

What an este.

What a messed up government.

CHECK DIS 85 multi-billionaires have a combined wealth of one trillion dollars. This is more than what 3½ billion people or half of the world’s population has.

One percent of the richest people in the world own one hundred and ten trillion US dollars - $110 trillion.

In the U.S.A, the wealthiest one percent captured 95 percent of financial crises growth since 2009. While the bottom 90 percent of Americans became poorer.

In tiny Belize with just over three hundred thousand person, 50 percent or 150,000 Belizeans are now living in poverty.

2014

Belize Airport Authority must undergo an audit!!!

Belize City, January 23, 2014 With the mounting evidence of corruption at the Belize Airport Authority, one wonders why the Prime Minister has not ordered the immediate removal of the members of Belize Airport Authority Board, headed by UDP cronies Chairlady Barbara Miller and General Manager Kenworth(less) Tillett.

Miller and Tillett’s signatures appear on the cheques, either together or alternately, that were paid to Minister of Transport Edmund Castro and his family.

Tillett has also endorsed the siphoning of funds, including a $4,000 cheque to Castro, claiming they were legitimately approved by the Board as special donations to the Minister.

Our source claims that the cheques, first exposed by the BELIZE TIMES, were a part of a grander scheme concocted by certain members of the Board to “create a budget for the Minister because he wasn’t doing too good (financially)”.

But the questions are, what if there are more cheques than those which were obtained and have been exposed by us? What if the total amount of money abused by the UDP is more than the $42,000 counted by us? What if Castro or the Board acted swiftly to do away with evidence of much more money “donated” to him? Only a properly conducted Audit would be able to verify this.

Is this why the Prime Minister chose to diminish the extent of corruption at the Belize Airport Authority? He claimed that while the Board has the legal authority to award public funds to anyone including the Minister, he believes that Castro was wrong in taking it. “It is wrongdoing, not corruption,” claimed Barrow shamelessly.

The Prime Minister is having a hard time convincing anyone. The Chamber, in commenting on the serious matter, objected to the Prime Minister’s notion that his Ministers “can treat statutory bodies within their portfolios as though they are their own private businesses”.

And regarding Castro’s excuse given to the Prime Minister that he didn’t know he couldn’t take the money, the Chamber said ignorance is certainly no justification.

While the Chamber fell short of demanding a thorough investigation or that the Board members be removed, they did place responsibility on the Board, stating that they “have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the public purse”.

For the avoidance of tremendous doubt and the satisfaction of all Belizeans and concerned groups, there must an audit at the Belize Airport Authority and the Board members must be forced out.

Liquor License NOTICE Notice is hereby given that SCOTT OSCAR ESQUIVEL is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Scotty’s Tavern”, situate at 11 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP bullies Union Leaders NTUCB banned from National Assembly

City of Belmopan, January 23, 2014 Under directives of the UDP-appointed House Speaker, uniformed Police Officers blocked Union leaders from entering the National Assembly building prior to the start of the House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday.

Union leaders belonging to the umbrella group, National Trade Union Congress of Belize, were told by the police officers that they have been banned from three meetings for their outburst at the last session of the House of Representatives held in December last year.

The Union leaders were told that they will have to stay outside and would only be allowed in at the special discretion of House Speaker Michael Peyrefitte. They were told that they had to beg to be allowed back in.

Some members of the NTUCB chose to plead their case and were allowed back in. But fiery Union leader, BNTU Belize District President

Kathleen Flowers, stood her ground and launched a one-woman protest at the footsteps of the Assembly building for the disrespect shown to them.

Flowers explained that the aggression towards them was totally unnecessary. She explained that they had to take a stand at the last House Sitting, because if they hadn’t the Government would have continued to ignore them. At the December

12, 2013 House Sitting, the union leaders got up from their balcony seats, during the House meeting, and began shouting “Introduce the Occupational Health and Safety Bill”. The House Speaker then ordered that they be removed from the gallery.

Flowers said that Speaker didn’t have to ban them. A warning would have been a better approach, she said.

The Unions have

dubbed 2014 as the Year of the Workers, which means they plan to be more outspoken and aggressive. It means they will no longer sit back as the Barrow Administration tramples over workers’ rights.

Already the Belize National Teachers Union have launched nationwide protests at the Government’s refusal to honor a promise to give teachers a salary increase.

UDP: Promoting corruption since 1974

CARTOON

26 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

26 JAN

2014