Sunday, January 29, 2012
1
THE BELIZE TIMES
SCAN HERE
www.facebook/Belize Times
SUNDAY January 29, 2012
Issue No. 4781
Belize’s Cruise Tourism
In Serious Danger
Royal Caribbean and Carnival “fed up” with Belize GOB Belize City, January 25, 2012 Members attending the annual FCCA (Florida Cruise Companies Association) meeting in Florida this weekend got the clear message “present operating conditions in Belize endanger the future of Belize’s Cruise Tourism Industry”. Operating companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival stated openly that they were “fed up” with the indecisiveness of this government and its relevant parties to resolve issues such as tendering, crime
Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia, has failed to provide leadership in the Cruise Tourism Industry
and marine safety. Attending the meeting for GOB were, among others, Lindsay Garbutt, the CEO Tourism, and Kevin Gonzalez, BTB’s CEO. Some of the most well known personalities in the Industry were there including Mike McFaden, Cruise Tourism renowned specialist. Mention was made of last week’s cancellation of two of Carnival’s newest and largest ships, the MV Valor and MV Glory. Each cancelled ship hits Belizeans in the pocket by some $320,000. Thanks to a “Do Nothing” government, last week Belizeans lost $640,000 that could have put food on the table for their loved ones. Ten years ago when the then PUP Government ab-
Continued on page 4
Execution style murder on Boom Road
Berthen Garay See page 6
Barrow’s Poorest of the Poor NAME
DESCRIPTION
LOAN AMOUNT
Belizean Textile Limited
Business
$122,315
Emy Ramirez
Business Woman/UDP supporter
$124,436
Merlene Bailey-Martinez
SSB CEO/ Privy to information
$80,000
Velda Flowers
Registrar of Supreme Court/ Well paid
$29,355
Herbert Panton
Barrow boot licker/ former Guardian editor
$73,000
These are some of the special beneficiaries to Barrow’s write-off initiative. What happen to the real poorest of the poor?
Patrick and Darrel Punk Out See page 31
Former PUP councillor Leonardo Chavarria, PUP Leader Francis Fonseca & former PUP mayor Tony Westby pledge victory for the PUP - see page 8
Too Little Too Late in Port Loyola By Gilroy Usher, Sr. (PUP Standard Bearer for Port Loyola) Jane Usher Boulevard and Neal’s Pen Road are two of the longest streets in the Port Loyola Division and as such they serve hundreds of pedestrians and vehicles daily. Given their importance, one would think the Area Representative Boots Martinez, who has been the Minister of
Works since 2008, would have given priority to the proper upkeep of those streets the day after elections. Not so, however. For the four years, and with millions of dollars at his disposal every month, Martinez totally abandoned those and every other bad street in the division. He refused to even
Continued on page 14
Boots Martinez
2
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
What is happening at Social Security PUP Orange Walk Central calls for Elections Commission to respect the law Chairman Elections and Boundaries Commission Dear Mr. August, I write to you on behalf of the Hon. John Briceño, Member of the House of Representatives for the Orange Walk Central Electoral Division, and the People’s United Party Committee for Orange Walk Central. As you are aware, the Government of Belize has recently engaged in a mass naturalisation of non-Belizeans. It is clear to all that this has been done in order to facilitate registration of some of these persons to vote in the upcoming elections. The media has reported extensively on the irregular, if not illegal, practices attendant to the mass registration. No doubt your Commission will take seriously the evidence of widespread irregularities, and take the steps necessary to maintain the integrity of the voters list. Enclosed please find clear and compelling evidence of irregularities relating to the Orange Walk Central Division. This is being brought to your attention so that the Commission at its meeting on the 25th January 2012 can consider what steps it will take to ensure that no unqualified person is included in the list of voters that is presented to the Revising Court. There are supposedly 343 new voters in Orange Walk Central alone.
PARENTS,
Are you having some problems in parenting your teens? Do you feel that there is little or no communication between you and your teen? Do you want some help in better understanding and communicating with your teen? The United Women’s Group of the Freetown Constituency is coordinating a session just for moms and dads with a qualified & certified Social Worker/ Counselor on Wednesday February 1, 2011 at 6:00 pm at Corner Sixth/F Streets in Belize City. “It takes a village to raise a child”
The majority of these persons are recently naturalised. This is unprecedented. Based on the evidence that has been collected so far, it is clear that many of these persons do not qualify to be registered. We are very concerned that the Revising Court will not be able to process the very many objections likely to be in the hundreds, on the 3rd February 2012. We would strongly urge the Commission to take all steps necessary to ensure that persons who are not qualified to be registered, and who names have regrettably found their way on
Dear Editor, At page 6(c) of the Social Security handbook it states that – all employees are forbidden to become involved in any overt political activity… At page 6 (b) it also speaks to national political questions which employees should stay away from. The question therefore is ‘are some animals indeed more equal than others?’ It is no secret that one
the provisional list, be removed by the Elections and Boundaries Department. Further, we request that the Commission ensures that the Revising Court will be able to deal with the hundreds of objections that will be lodged. We will not allow the illegality of this Government to corrupt the voters list in Orange Walk Central. We hope the Commission is of a like mind. Yours truly, Eamon Courtenay LLP
PUP Reform Agenda National Party Council passes resolutions on 4-Year Government term & ending naturalisation program abuse 23 January 2012 The People’s United Party, at a meeting of its National Party Council, held on Saturday, 21st January, 2012, passed the following resolutions: RESOLUTION ON FOUR YEAR TERM AND FIXED DATE ELECTIONS CONVINCED THAT the work that a Belizean Government must undertake during its time in office CAN AND SHOULD be accomplished an efficient manner during a four year term; COMMITTED to the belief that NO Prime Minister should abuse the power to determine that General Elections should be held at any time during his term in office; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY: PLEDGES TO AMEND THE LAW TO PROVIDE FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM OF OFFICE; RESOLUTION ON IMMIGRATION LAW AND POLICY REFORM BEARING IN MIND the current and illegal WAVE OF MASS INSTANT CITIZENSHIPS being promoted and perpetrated by this UDP Government in a desperate and naked attempt to subvert our democracy; CONSCIOUS THAT the Belizeans are outraged by the gross
flouting of the law and those long established practices, procedures and safeguards of the Immigration Department in respect of citizenship applications; RECOGNIZING THAT it is necessary to reform our nation’s immigration law andpolicy so that the current situation never occurs again; ASSERTING that Belize will remain a strong democracy only when we restore confidence in ourselves, our laws and institutions, when government is accountable to the people, and the politics of selfgratification, greed and vindictiveness is replaced by the participation of all; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY WILL: PASS A LAW TO STOP THE ISSUANCE OF NATIONALITY CERTIFICATES THREE MONTHS BEFORE NATIONAL AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS REMOVE MINISTERIAL DISCRETION CONTAINED IN S. 29(3) OF THE BELIZE CONSTITUTION APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO REVIEW IMMIGRATION POLICY AND LAWS AND IMPLEMENT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS For further details contact Senator Lisa Shoman, Communications Director at phone number 610-3575.
Chandra Cansino, a senior employee, ran in an open political convention. Why would the Board and particularly the CEO allow this to happen? Others have been victimized just for suspecting to be from another party. Talk about wolf in sheep clothing. Whilst this writer supports women who may try to make a difference, we must have in mind that there is a policy that all staff must abide by. It is no wonder that the CEO has lost all credibility and respect from the staff. In fact staff is so frustrated that nothing positive is happening at SSB. Ask anyone who is the worst CEO SSB has ever had and quickly you will be referred to the lady who attempted to get her housing loan paid for by the poor tax payers of this country. What a shame! The word etiquette seems to have lost its meaning with her. This is supposed to benefit the poor and destitute, not those senior staff who are well paid and can pay. The interest on their loan is a pittance, damn it, so let them pay! At page 6 (d) of the same handbook it states – at no time will employees use for private advantage to themselves, or anyone else, information known to them by reason of their official position. Isn’t the CEO guilty of this? Of course! How about the rest who ate of the apple. How about the conflict of interest that’s occurring. Does anyone know who is the architect on the Board who gets to supervise/approve all constructions? Someone needs to check his costs quickly. Robin Hood (Being a staff member, of course, I can’t sign my name)
THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR
Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER
Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR
Doreth Bevans
LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST
Chris Williams
MARKETING/ADVERTISING
Rafael Sosa
STAFF REPORTER
Alton Humes TYPIST
Rachel Arana OFFICE ASSISTANT
Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd.
#3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
3
4
Pre-classic Mayan bones & artefacts discovered in San Ignacio Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Real estate value on Burns Avenue in San Ignacio Town might have just gone up this past weekend after regular street digging six feet under to install new culverts yielded a handsome find of handmade Mayan vases and bone fragments dating as far back as 300 years before Christ. On Saturday afternoon, workmen using an excavator to penetrate the hardened pavement were going about their work when the first pieces of disintegrating pottery appeared among the rocks that were scooped up. At first the men didn’t think much of the fragments, but then on Sunday when the work progressed a little further a larger, more interesting discovery was made. A number of pieces of handmade pottery moulded out of red clay with simple engravings and then baked to hold them together were found. The news spread like wildfire, and soon enough, reports are that some people wanted to do more than just gaze in awe at the find. They wanted to take some for themselves. And that is just what some eyewitnesses say happened. The Director of Archaeology, Dr. Jaime Awe, warns that it is illegal to have in possession any piece of artefact without a permit given by his Department. In furtherance of that, no one can receive a permit for a gem that was found on public property such as Burns Avenue, only if it is found on one’s private property. Awe warns anyone who might have removed any of the pieces before his Department was called out, to turn in the pieces and avoid getting caught. While that appeal remains in effect, on Monday some even more interesting discoveries were made. This time, it was actual human bones, including a bone fragment measuring roughly four inches in length that could possibly be a small portion of a leg bone or that of the forearm. More bones and pieces of a skull were also sifted from the dirt pulled up from the manhole. Interestingly, as Awe explained it, the vases and remains were where they are because, as history enlightens, the present-day San Ignacio as we know it was once the outskirts of a mecca that was located where Cahal Pech now stands atop the municipality. From there, the community stretched out, starting with the regal, then following in sequence of status right down to the meek. The vases indicate that the families who once occupied that immediate area were the lowly, everyday Mayas. By practice, Awe said, they buried their dead beneath their humble dwellings, and the bones quite likely were those of a typical Maya person. Awe supposes that perhaps a major flood, such as the devastating tidal waves caused by 1961s Hurricane Hattie, might have washed away the dwelling in the area from the hilltops in the distance. Time eventually played its part and the earth reclaimed the pieces until the street work rediscovered history.
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Belize’s Cruise Tourism
In Serious Danger
Continued from page 1
sorbed an abundance of criticism by taking the bold and visionary step of working with the private sector to develop the Belize Tourism Village, Cruise Tourism soared from 43,000 to almost a 1,000,000 tourist coming to our shores to spend and buy our goods and services. Thousands of jobs were created, hundreds of new productive opportunities were invested in. Belize was on the move with its many attractions and loving people to become the crown jewel in the Cruise Tourism Industry. Since then, the PUP advanced the agenda every year to keep the companies involved interested in growing Belize as a
destination. The next step was to build a facility to dock the ships providing more safety and security for the Cruise Tourist and their hosts. Since the Government changed absolutely nothing new has happened, as a matter of fact when we hear on the news about this industry it is because someone was robbed, arrested or there is utter chaos in some corner of a now misgoverned industry. If the Valor and Glory (4,500 passengers) find our facilities lacking, how will we attract the Oasis class (5,000 passengers plus) or worst the upcoming Genesis class (6,000 passengers plus)? These new ships along with the competitiveness of the industry demand constant attention and innovation. The plans and financing are avail-
able to solve the docking and safety problems, and reduce crime significantly. This Government must understand, as the Companies said at the FCCA meeting last weekend “if there is not a precise date for the execution of the required plan to solve their problems, Belize will be off their charts”! Thousands more Belizeans will be left destitute without a means to make a living!!
Visit Us Online at: www.belizetimes.bz
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
CHANGE!
5
The UDP El Guardian newspaper either through political arrogance or ignorance, or perhaps a case of both, lashed out at two former UDP campaign managers Berges and Andrews for presenting their poll to the Belizean people. What the Berges/Andrews Poll did was put to rest the misleading notion that the UDP got this election. In fact, what is quite interesting is that not one but now two polls have confirmed that they want an early election. Over fifty percent said yes. Therein lies the heart of the matter. Why do people want an early election? The answer is simple, the call for early election is a call for the government to go home, that the people are dissatisfied with the UDP government and simply put, it is a call for change. What is even more important is that the Berges/Andrews poll was done after the Christmas giveaways, the song and dance about lowering electricity rates, and more interestingly, after the SSB mortgage write-offs. The poll therefore represents a kind of measure of four years of starvation versus one day belly full and giveaways. To compound the problem, the UDP Area Representatives have made a mad rush over at the Immigration Department in order to give birth to a new batch of Belizeans in order to get them register so that they can vote in the upcoming double elections in March. But the Belizean people are disgraced by it and see it for what it is, a desperate bunch trying to hang on to power, a desperate act of a beleaguered government trying to steal the elections. On the subject of change, the People’s United Party must face its critics and skeptics. Its leadership must remove any doubt that what happened in the past will not reoccur under his watch. The PUP must defend its proud record of accomplishments such as one of the best record when it comes to education, building far more class rooms and new schools, granting scholarships and free text books to all. The PUP must defend its record of rolling out National Health Insurance and Pension Schemes for seniors, of building and upgrading health care all over Belize, new ITVET centers, and the very house Barrow grand stands on. It was the PUP who invested in infrastructure like the Marine Parade, the Orange Walk bypass, bridges and roads, growing the economy, tourism and investment and creating jobs that set the PUP apart. The PUP also knows how to take reform seriously, and was the one to enact the Finance and Audit Act, increase the check and balance of SSB and DFC, give more say to NGOs and community groups and in the last election, attempted to strengthen the senate by making it an elected body. The People’s United Party new leader, at his swearing in, set the tone for the party calling for it to return to its roots of social justice and George Price motto of “Serve The People”. The Party Leader admitted that the people had chastised the PUP for doing wrong and our leader apologized for the past while pointing forward, reaffirming the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability and declaring that change must come to the PUP. The winds of change are blowing Belize. The people want a change – a change from Barrow’s four years of suffering, a change from under depositing, a change from the killings, and the special treatment for the gangs over victims of crime, a change from a depressed economy, lack of jobs, and hopelessness. It is change the people want plain and simple. CHANGE will come!
6
Execution style murder on Boom Road Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Berthen Garay, 26, had just left his common-law wife of seven years, Elicia Lopez, at their house through “Pregnant Alley” at around 6:20 pm on Tuesday evening, January 24th, to go to his mother’s house through Taylor’s Alley, which runs parallel to the one where he lives. He was not going to stay for long, but when he did not return home by 7:30 pm Lopez grew worried and called his cell phone. To her shock, a policeman answered the call and informed her that he had just been found murdered. The murder scene was six miles from Hattieville Village, on the Boom Road. There, Garoy’s murderers shot him and left him on the road with four 45 calibre expended shells near his body. His blood still freshly covered the pavement along a far-flung area from businesses or residences. Police believe that he was killed at around 7:30 pm, just 15 minutes before he was discovered by a team of policemen on special patrol from Ladyville to the Hattieville Prison. Garoy’s killers shot him six times at point blank range, once in his forehead, three times in the back and twice in the right shoulder. While the police have many theories, including that he was taken to the area by someone he knew that picked him up, they cannot definitively pin-
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Broken UDP promises, empty dreams for Collet residents Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Almost six years ago, Zenaida Moya was swept into Municipal office, all smiles and on the backdrop of a heap of fantastic prom-
point who his killer or killers were, or why they murdered him. Already we can see that 2012 has picked up right where 2011 left off, with countless unsolved homicides and many families without closures to their losses. This UDP government has no meaningful investment for the Police Department. There’s always “ongoing investigations” into murders that become several years old and no solution than the first day they occurred. The people of this nation deserve better, Mr Barrow. First do something about the high crime rate and murder counts, and then, when crime does occur, have a strong system in place that can turn over more convictions. Berthen Garoy’s family, and those of all the other murder victims in the previous years, deserve justice.
PUP Mayoral Candidate Karen Bodden leads PUP team through streets that have been neglected by the UDP. Better is possible under proper leadership
ises for a better Belize City. The residents, perhaps hoodwinked by the grandiose promises, gave Moya a chance to deliver. One of the promises was that in the Collet Constituency specifically, there would be a new project to revitalize the area near the natural lagoon on Antelope Street Extension and to create an attractive area where tourists can go and do bird-watching, since many birds are drawn to the lagoon. She even mentioned that the project would create op-
portunities for residents of the area because visitors to the area would mean food and handicraft sales. It is now January 2012. Six round years have come and gone and residents are still hoping for a chance to see the project. It has just become another false promise to the residents who voted for this set of impotent UDP politicians. There have always been excuses as to why the work cannot proceed. Either the equipment is unavailable to do the necessary clearing, or Continued on page 8
Sunday, January 29, 2012
7
THE BELIZE TIMES
PUP National Party Council Meeting Saturday January 21, 2012
Members of National Party Council attending Saturday’s meeting
President of Marshals Steve Latchman, United Women’s Group Wendy Castillo & Belize Youth Movement Carla Bradley
Mrs. Anne Palacio introduces the Party Leader
PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca delivers address to supporters
Communications Director Senator Lisa Shoman
PUP Chairman Henry Usher
PUP Leader
attends Northern Caucus election By Carla Bradley On January 14th 2012, the Party Leader, Hon. Francis Fonseca met with the Northern Caucus to elect a new executive. All nine constituencies were present and Mr. Valdemar Castillo Sr., Corozal North Standard Bearer, was re-elected as the Chairman of the Northern Caucus. Every Constituency gave a report on the status of residents, issues and concerns. All members expressed the importance of unity and that together with the Hon. Francis Fonseca they will be victorious, and will be elected to serve the people once again. It must not be forgotten that the northern districts have taken a hard blow, as now the Corozal District has been downgraded to the second poorest district in our country. The sugar Industry is in peril, the papaya industry is almost non-existent and the Free Zone has become a scene from an old western county, abandoned because of crime and poverty. The Northern District of Corozal and Orange Walk are ready for elections whenever the Prime Minister is ready to call it.
Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca addresses Northern Caucus before election of new executive
8
THE BELIZE TIMES
Don Valde on the campaign trail in Cristo Rey Village Cristo Rey Village, Corozal District, January 23, 2012 Valdemar Castillo, PUP candidate for the Corozal North constituency, concluded a house to house campaign in the Maya Mestizo Village of Cristo Valdemar Castillo with PUP stalwart, Ms. Emilia Ek Rey in the Corozal District over the past week. Whilst campaigning, Valdemar and his cian. team met and listened to the many conShe grew and established her family on cerns of the people, who had many stories the basis of a PUP government. She grew to share; including their struggles under this her children, and today they remain loyal to oppressive UDP government. One special the PUP, and the George Price principles of story that captured Valdemar’s attention service to Belize. was the story of Emilia Ek. When visited by Valdemar Castillo Miss Emilia is 93 years old and was along with the campaign group and BYM brought to Belize as an orphan during the members; Emilia managed to impress them Caste War in Mexico. She grew up and with her treasured picture of a young Rt. quickly realized how hard life was in the Honourable George Price. Stories like these colony of British Honduras. She now relates motivate the PUP to keep the fire burning, many stories to her grandchildren about the and increases hope of a near victory for the constructive revolution, the idea brought people of Corozal North and Belize. We learn about by the Rt. Hon George Price, who at from persons like Miss Emilia and really bethat time was a very young and vibrant politi- lieve in the PUP for a brighter Belize.
Unity in Toledo East Belize City, January 24, 2012 Party Leader Francis Fonseca on Monday January 23, 2012 met with Former PUP Punta Gorda Town Councillor Leonardo “Chavo” Chavarria and former Punta Gorda Mayor Tony Westby. Both men visited the Party Leader to express their full support and confidence in the PUP under his leadership and to assure the Leader that they would be doing everything they could to ensure a victory for the Party both in the municipal elections in Punta Gorda and in Toledo East for the general elections.
The Party Leader thanked them for their support and confidence and expressed his strong desire to see a united team in Toledo East under the leadership of the PUP Standard Bearer Mike Espat. Both men agreed that they could and would work with Mike Espat because the people of Toledo East need and want a PUP Government. As they said to the PL, “The interest of the people must always come first and whatever differences we had with the Party in the past must be set aside so we can elect a PUP Government for the good of Toledo and Belize”.
Broken UDP promises, empty dreams for Collet residents Continued from page 7
the squatters in the area would have to be relocated first, or there needs to be a proper survey conducted. Whatever the real reason is, the project, like the swamp, sits unattended. The people who could not wait for a proper survey done have begun to “connect” their own electricity and “create” their own garbage dump, and Antelope Street Extension looks like an unsightly jungle rather than a recreational site for tourists. But the residents of Collet were not tricked once but twice by the UDP. They got it on the double when then came along Patrick Faber, campaigning back in 2008 for votes. One resident vividly recalls with the BELIZE TIMES
when Faber promised to open a shopping centre where the less fortunate could buy their necessities at cheaper prices than regular stores. Either that shopping centre was another pie in the sky or still on Faber’s very long “things to do” list. This UDP administration has squandered away the money and recklessly given more in inflated contracts to their cronies and relatives, leaving a practically broke bank account. But there is hope, residents of Collet. The work will come and your needs will be met by the woman who can do the work for you. Carolyn Trench-Sandiford will deliver the goods and services for her people, and she will show Faber how the work is done.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
9
THE BELIZE TIMES
PARTY PAGE
PUP
31
HON. FRANCIS FONSECA FREETOWN
HON. FLORENCIO MARIN JR. COROZAL SOUTH EAST
HON. cordel hyde lake independence
CAROLYN TRENCH-SANDIFORD COLLET
HON. JOHN BRICENO ORANGE WALK CENTRAL
RT. HON SAID MUSA FORT GEORGE
Rodwell Ferguson Stann Creek West
GREGORIO “PAPAS” GARCIA COROZAL BAY
HON. mark espat albert
IVAN RAMOS Dangriga
Valdemar castillo Corozal North
mike espat toledo east
oscar requeña toledo west
gilroy usher sr. port loyola
phillip palacio mesopotamia
JULIUS ESPAT CAYO SOUTH
anthony sylvestre jr . queen square
ARTHUR SALDIVAR BELIZE RURAL NORTH
anthony mahler caribbean shores
dr. francis smith pickstock
patty arceo belize rural south
dr. amin hegar belmopan
collet montejo cayo central
oscar sabido cayo west
dr. MARCO tulio mendez orange walk east
abelardo mai orange walk south
orlando habet cayo north east
dolores balderamos garcia belize rural central
jorge briceno orange walk north
joseph mahmud cayo north
RAMIRO RAMIREZ COROZAL SOUTH WEST
TEAM BELIZE
10
THE BELIZE TIMES
Kraal Road residents call out PM Barrow BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) has triggered the ire of yet another neighborhood in Belize City. The confrontation between the residents of Kraal Road and the allpower GSU started yesterday afternoon; Tuesday, January 24th, when the GSU reportedly carried out a search of residences in the neighborhood. According to one of the area residents, Albert Smith, he was outside of one of the yards when he saw the GSU arrive. After being ordered to kneel, he witnessed many atrocious, uncivilized acts, including an officer hitting a young man with a two-by-four piece of wood, and the use of a table leg to hit another young man. What’s worse, when he told the officer he would ‘call di media’ about their reckless behavior, the officer tried to pick up a pregnant dog and hit Smith with it. The residents say there was also an incident involving a pregnant young woman who was nearly assaulted with a chair by a ‘Mr. Nah’, who has been publicly accused of other crimes committed in the course of his GSU duties. Most of the residents said the GSU continues to disrespect and ignore the strides they have taken not to provoke violence with anyone. The GSU are making people angry, and that much was seen when the residents turned
Caye
Caulker roughed up by cops
BELIZE CITY, Monday, January 23rd, 2012 By Alton Humes Police brutality is becoming a lot like the flu or a cold: it gets more and more common with time. Sometimes it’s ‘for a reason’, like the kind of brutality the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) visits upon criminals and their ilk. But there are other times that, well, it literally makes no sense. The case of Kennedy Flores, a resident of the island village of Caye Caulker, is one that fits solely and solidly into the second category, and what aggravates this situation more is that the person who had an issue Continued on page 11
livid during news interviews. “Ih look like dehn di find problem fi mek ih be wah problem,” Leon, aka ‘Southy’, grumbled audibly. But the capstone of all their vengeful bitterness is directed solely at the Prime Minister, who is no less than their Area Representative. The residents are making it crystal clear that “dah lot ah [we] vote yuh een, so dah lot ah [we] could vote yuh back out…” and are calling the Prime Minister’s socalled ‘giving hand’ to ‘take’ the GSU away from their area immediately, because if he doesn’t, “ih nuh wah have we eena Queen Square…”.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Lexus faces the music for alleged murder of Jonathan Faber Belize City, Wed. Jan. 25, 2012 By Roy Davis A jury of 9 women and 3 men is hearing the case of Alexander Underwood, a.k.a “Lexus” charged with the murder of Jonathan Faber, who was shot and killed around 2pm on June 20, 2009, while he was in his green Ford Escort car at the junction of Yarborough Road and Cemetery Lane. The case is in the Court of Justice Adolph Lucas. Two witnesses have testified for the prosecution. They are Scene of Crime technician Brian Lopez and police corporal Manon Dennison. Lopez testified that he retrieved 6 copper casings from the scene. He said they were all 9 millimetre caliber
slugs. Lopez said one slug was retrieved from the dash board of the car. Lopez said the left side glass on the driver’s side of the car was damaged apparently by a bullet and there was some red substance in the car and a $10 Belize currency note was in the substance. Dennison testified that he was at his residence at 101 Racecourse Street when he heard the gunshots and it took him 15 to 20 seconds to arrive at the scene. According to Dennison he saw Underwood removing a stocking mask from his face when he arrived at the scene. The trial continues tomorrow.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
Female student charged with attempted murder BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 25, 2012 By Roy Davis Janine Kelly, 20, a student of Wesley Junior College, was charged with attempted murder when she appeared in the #2 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 23. Kelly was also charged with grievous harm and use of deadly means of harm. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser explained to her that she will not take a plea because the offences are indictable. She also explained to Kelly that the court cannot offer her bail because of the nature of the offences. She remanded Kelly into custody until March
2.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 19 on Pitter Street. The complainant, school warden Rose Marie Reyes, 24, reported to the police that while she was on Pitter Street she and her neighbor, Kelly, had a misunderstanding. She said Kelly took out a knife and stabbed her multiple times. Reyes was stabbed in her chest and leg. Reyes was taken to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where the doctor who examined her classified her injuries as grievous harm.
Alleged Burglar Remanded To Prison By Roy Davis BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 25, 2012 Robert Jefferies, 28, a resident of Amara Avenue who allegedly broke into the Fisheries Department building, located on Princess Margaret Drive, was charged with burglary when he appeared today in the #1 Magistrate’s Court. Jefferies pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that Jefferies is already out on bail for another burglary charge, that he is a repeat offender, that the penalty for burglary has been upgraded, that the prosecution has a strong case because Jefferies has been identified by two independent witnesses and that none of
the stolen items have been recovered. Jefferies was unable to give a good reason why he should be granted bail. As a result, Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith upheld the objection and remanded Jefferies into custody until February 28. The burglary occurred on Thursday, January 19. Hampton Gamboa, an employee of the Fisheries Department, reported to the police that his office was burglarized and two underwater digital cameras with a combined value of $1,600 were stolen. The cameras are blue and silver in color. Their brand is Olympus and the serial numbers on them are B4E504426 and B4E504430.
Caye
Caulker roughed up by cops Continued from page 10 with him allegedly ‘sicced’ the Police on him (one of two that attacked and manhandled him is believed to be the woman’s boyfriend). The incident in question happened last Wednesday, January 18th, after he and a few others were drinking at a local bar. But when Flores arrived at his home, there was the woman, waiting for him. She then proceeded to ‘cuss’ him out over a trivial matter, hitting him repeatedly. Flores, who admits he’s not a ‘fighter’, tried to restrain the woman, and later made an attempt to go to the nearby Police Station. But that’s when Flores would become a victim to a scorned woman’s rage, as she somehow managed to call Police, and two off-duty officers responded, including the alleged boyfriend
of the woman. They proceeded to follow Flores, and then ‘sneak-attacked’ him, forcing him off his bicycle, and then physically slammed him into the paved street, causing injuries and severe scrapes to his face and shoulder. Flores has filed a complaint with Caye Caulker Police (although the Press Officer has said they know nothing of the matter). Flores has been charged with the offences of ‘Using Insulting Words’, ‘Boisterous Behavior’, ‘Harm’, ‘Use of Threatening Words’ and ‘Resisting Lawful Arrest’. He was given bail of BZC$300 and is to report back to Court tomorrow, Tuesday, 24th January. The incident remains under investigation at this time.
11
12
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE
Gwen Liz footballers beat SCA 1-0 Belize City, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 The Gwendolyn Lizarraga High School girls posted their second win 1-0 over the St. Catherine’s Academy girls when the high school football competition continued at the MCC grounds on Tuesday, January 24. Deandra Coote and Ann Ma led the Gwen Liz offensive supported by Jersha Estrada, Khadijah Wilson, Shanese Burgess and Roslyn Smith at midfield, but at first were held in check by the SCA defenders Ashley Pelayo, Daedra Gill, Samaurie Samos and Aaliyah Williams. But they could not contain Gwen Liz’s speedy striker Jersha Estrada who broke through to embarrass SCA’s goalie Ashley White with the first winning goal. Leolyn Martinez and Leera Carr led the SCA counterattacks supported by midfielders Tyra Moreira, and Brianny Flowers and Kiana Singh, but they made little impression on the Gwen Liz defenders Maureen Rhaburn, Micah Tench, Roxanne Andrews, Leandra Myvett and goalie Kishay Burgess who held the convent girls scoreless the entire game to secure the 1-0 win. It was also Jersha Estrada’s 3rd goal of the competition as she had struck twice in Gwen Liz’s 2-1 win over the Wesley College girls last Thursday. Elisha Bernardez scored a consolation goal for Wesley. Other matches: Gwen Liz vs. ACC – 2-2 Wesley vs. Maud Williams High – 2-0 SCA vs. ACC – 0-0 SCA vs. Maud Williams High – 3-0 (win by forfeit)
Wesley’s Imane Mckenzie controls the ball
Shanice Neal scored Wesley’s 1st goal
Ruby Jimenez fires a kick
Ladyville Tech blasts Nazarene 8-1 Belize City, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 The Ladyville Technical High School boys blasted the Nazarene High School boys 8-2 when the high school football competition continued at the MCC grounds on Tuesday, January 24. Denroy McCord and Nathaniel Sedacey led the Ladyville attacks supported by midfielders Eck Garcia, the Parchue brothers, Tyrell and Tyrone, and Gustavo Salazar. Nazarene’s defenders Benjamin Hyde, Calvin Caceres, Roger Burgos and Tevin Conercy held them in check for a while, but it was not long before Nathaniel Sedacey picked up a rebound in the goal area and blasted past the hapless goalie to lead 1-0. Denroy McCord added a 2nd goal for Ladyville, and then midfield Eck Garcia launched a long range missile from 35 yards out, which screamed in just under the crossbar above the goalie’s outstretched fingers for a 3-0 lead. Next Nathaniel Sedacey
played give and go with McCord who drilled a 4th goal into the net. Tajohn Gillett finally succeeded in embarrassing Ladyville’s goalie Ismael Burgos with Nazarene’s first goal, but that was their only consolation goal, as Ladyville won a corner kick and the Nazarene goalie failed to hold on to the ball allowing Tyrone Parchue to blast it into the net. Sedacey did the same on another attack for a 6-1 lead at the half time break. Denroy McCord completed his hat trick scoring Ladyville’s 7th goal in the 2nd half, and Tyrell Parchue added an 8th goal to complete the 8-1 rout. Other matches: St. John’s College vs. Ladyville Tech – 1-0 Nazarene vs. Maud Williams High – 1-0 Gwen Lizarraga High vs. A.C.C. – 2-2 Wesley College vs. Excelsior High – 0-0 SJC vs. Maud Williams High – 1-0
Sydney Bradley
SJC’s Raheem flowers with the ball
SJC’s Tariq James
Dimitri Fabro scored SJC’s goal against Maud Williams
Sunday, January 29, 2012
13
THE BELIZE TIMES
Green Movers bombs
BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE
Atlantic Bank 10-1
Belize City, Monday, January 23, 2012 The Green Movers bombed Atlantic bank 10-1, when the Belize City interoffice football competition continued at the MCC grounds last Friday night. Clinton “Pin” Jorgenson and Germaine Foster led the Green Moers’ attacks with the help of midfielders Joshua Salam, Michael “Soup” Hernandez, Tyrone “T-bone” Muschamp, Thomas Castro and Norman Bonell. Germaine Foster scored a hat trick plus one to give the Green movers a 4-0 lead. Clinton “Pin” Gill added two goals. The Green Movers’ defenders Leon “Chow” Cadle, Alexander Belisle and Marlon Clarke held off the Atlantic Bank offensive and goalie Valentine Ferguson took care of all other challenges to secure the Green Movers’ 6-0 lead at the half. In the 2nd half, Atlantic Bank scored a consolation goal, but the Green Movers’ rolled over the bankers unopposed as Leon Cadle scored 2 goals, Tyrone Muschamp and Michael Hernandez scored a goal each for and the final, long whistle sounded to a 10-1 win. Other match: Belize City Council vs. Jireh – 2-0
BCC’s David Macaulay scored 2 goals
BTL softballers beats 4 opponents in a row
Belize City, Monday, January 23, 2012 The Belize Telemedia softballers posted four consecutive wins in the Belize City interoffice softball competition when it continued at the home of softball at the Roger’s Stadium on Monday. In its last victory, Telemedia’s defeated Babba Shop Kitkat 12-5 on Monday evening. The game was called by mercy rule in the 5th inning. Its 3rd win was on Saturday when it blasted Belize Water Services in 3 innings by the score of 25-4. Telemedia pounded the pitching of BWS for 11 hits. Meanwhile, BWS scored 4 runs on 6 hits. Last Friday, Telemedia handed Ministry of Education its first defeat by the score of 15-8 in “Mercy” 5 innings. Telemedia scored 15 runs on 17 hits including a 2 run double by third baseman Nelson Tillett and a triple by shortstop Omar Gordon. Meanwhile, Education scored its runs on 7 hits. The winning pitcher was Francis Usher and the losing pitcher was Joel Wade.
Other games: Police vs. Tuff E’Nuff – 17-6 Babba Shop Kitkat vs. Tuff E’Nuff – 20-19 KHMH vs. Ministry of Education –7-0 (win by forfeit)
BTL’s Shanti Roches
St. Martin’s & Caye Caulker boys win basketball games Belize City, Friday, January 20, 2012 The St. Martin De Porres School boys posted their 2nd big win when they blew away the Belize Elementary School boys: 85-4. Clency Lopez led the St Martin’s boys with 37 pts while Kristian Swasey and Sahir Guerra scored 2 pts each for Belize Elementary School. The St. Martin’s boys blew
out the Ephesus boys: 58-8, last Tuesday, with Clency Lopez scoring 19 pts, while Antawn Palacio scored 4pts for Ephesus. The Caye Caulker School boys edged past the Ebenezer Methodist School boys: 21-19. Zimmer Perez led Caye Caulker with 15 pts while Harold Thompson scored 12 pts for Ebenezer. Other games (Female): (Female) Ephesus 7th Day Adventist vs. Buttonwood Bay Nazarene – 10-8
Wesley’s Shaquille Crawford scored 38 points
Other games (Male): Ephesus 7th Day Adventist vs. Buttonwood Bay Nazarene – 26-12 Wesley Upper vs. Holy Redeemer - 37-24 Queen Street Baptist vs. Calvary Temple School – 34-9 Queen Street Baptist vs. Holy Redeemer - 19-18 James Garbutt 7th Day Adventist vs. Unity Presbyterian School – 37-13 Wesley vs. St. John’s Anglican – 52-4 Belize Elementary vs. Queen Square Anglican – 17-14 St. Martin De Porres vs. Ephesus SDA School – 13-4 All Saints’ School vs. Grace Primary School – 20-0
Referee & Judging certification course held Belize City, January 21, 2012 The Belize Karate Federation held its second Referee and Judging certification course over the weekend. Karate athletes and instructors were invited to participate so that they could be abreast and updated with the current Sport karate rules which was revised and took effect 1st January 2012. Sensei Herman Pastor Jr. travelled to El Salvador in December 2011 to participate in one of the first Referee training in the region that updated Referees on the new competition rules which were changed by the World Karate Federation. The primary objectives of having a more vigorous karate match are to foster a stronger attitude amongst competitors, minimize winnings by penalties and to make the competitions easier to understand by spectators. The Belize Karate Federation thanks the British Caribbean Bank International for sponsoring their participation in the International Referee Course held in San Salvador, El Salvador.
14
THE BELIZE TIMES
Too Little Too Late in Port Loyola Continued from page 1 full up the huge water holes on Jane Usher Boulevard and Neal’s Pen Road to ease the suffering of school children and adults who traverse the areas. It would have only taken two truckloads of hard core material. Over the last four years as Area Representative for Port Loyola and Minister of Works, Boots Martinez, had lots of opportunities to upgrade Neal’s Pen Road, which was last paved by the PUP, and Jane Jane Usher Boulevard and Neal’s Pen Road were left Usher Boulevard. Evabandoned by Boots and the UDP sinc 2008 ery time, however, he chose to upgrade the streets in other of Boots Martinez and the UDP politics divisions such as Caribbean Shores and of convenience. After four years of neFreetown and scores of miles away in glect, Boots Martinez and the UDP are the districts. trying to bribe people to vote them into Upon turning his back on Port office again by using taxpayers hard Loyola, Boots Martinez forced the resi- earned money to sponsor election gimdents of Port Loyola, who elected him micks such as free ham and groceries to office, to fight their way through mud for Christmas, petty reduction of light and water and in huge potholes and cra- bill rate by 3 cents, and the write off of ters. mortgages at Social Security while they Upon being elected to office, Boots remove 1,500 senior citizens from the immediately forgot that charity begins pension scheme started by the PUP. at home. As demonstrated by the total Today residents of Port Loyola neglect of his constituency for the past know that a vote for Boots Martinez 4 years, Boots Martinez simply has no and the UDP will be a vote for 5 more care or love for the residents of Port years of neglect in their constituenLoyola. cies. Even a poll conducted by the UDP In fact, in taking the good people themselves shows that 86% of the Beof Port Loyola for granted, over the last lizeans polled believed their standard of four years, Boots Martinez has stated, living have gotten worst under the UDP. repeatedly, that the people of Port As a man of my word, I, Gilroy Loyola will still vote for him although he Usher, Sr. has assured the residents is doing absolutely nothing to improve of Port Loyola that as the next Area the constituency. What arrogance by Representative for the division, he will Boots Martinez. work seven days per week throughout With municipal and general elec- the year to ensure that their needs for tions around the corner and the beating better streets and other things are adhe has been taken from the PUP Port dressed. Loyola Committee for the total neglect Again we advised the residents of of Port Loyola, Boots Martinez suddenly Port Loyola and Belizeans in general to remembered that Jane Usher Blvd and take all the freebies that the UDP are Pen Road need urgent attention and an- offering. It’s your money, take it and nounced plans to pave those streets in vote them out of office in the upcomtime for the upcoming elections. ing elections for the massive neglect Residents of Port Loyola are tired of the country.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
UDP Chairman
tells Edmund Castro to “come clean”
Crooked Tree, January 24, 2012 Aside the politically battered UDP Minister, Carlos Perdomo, former UDP Minister Edmund Castro is probably the least popular among all UDPs. He was accused, even by the Prime Minister, of some wrongdoing and he paid the embarrassing price of being exposed publicly, kicked out of Cabinet and flung to the backbench. Castro is not wanted – not in the Cabinet, not in the UDP and certainly not in Belize Rural North. This is why he was called out by one of the UDP village chairmen, George Guest, who said that as far as he knows not one of the needy residents of Crooked Tree benefitted from the UDP’s Christmas assistance programme. In an email sent to Castro this week, the UDP Chairman asks the UDP representative for a list of the names of persons who benefitted from the program. Guest said that none of the needy residents were assisted and that only the greedy benefitted from Castro’s hand outs. In his email, Guest says, “I am the chairman of Crooked Tree and he never gave any hamper to any needy people in my village or any other village in the Belize Rural North”. As usual, the UDP candidate was arrogant and disrespected the elected Chairman. Castro reportedly responded that he doesn’t need to answer to Guest who speaks for all the residents of Crooked Tree. Castro, nor any UDP candidate who received $40,000 to spend during Christmas, has refused to make public the list of so-called beneficiaries, as if they have something to hide.
Liquor License Notice
Notice is herby given that JIE LIANG PENG is applying for RESTURANT Liquor License to be operated at HOLIDAY FAST FOOD, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
THE BELIZE TIMES
15
16
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
17
18
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
UDP baits and disrespects Dangrigana The UDP are again up to their usual games. They are so desperate as the municipal elections near that they are again working hard to try to deceive the Dangrigana. This time the trap is the last minute upgrade of the Dr. Aranda Crescent and the Gadby Ramos Street. Essentially Mayor Jake who lives on the said street is giving himself a parting Gift, at the In a last-minute effort the UDP Dangriga Council is expense of taxpayers. trying to repair roads in town. Voters are aware of Similarly, or should we their gimmicks and will have none of it. say, coincidentally, UDP Minister Turo also has to use the very Also note that the disregard and same street on his way to his ‘hide- disrespect continues because the away’…oh sorry, we meant his office. Town Council usually dumps several It is our information that the money loads of sand and gravel on many of being used is the same which was ini- streets adjoining the street that is tially budgeted for the bait on the old getting the upgrade. Furthermore, poisonous hook; that is extension to instead of offering meaningful assisour present market. The price tag of tance to our school youths, the UDP this mirage is a whopping $1.2 million. Town Council uses the under 18 year Note that this project is now underway old youth to cut the grass and clean and we are yet to see the advertise- the existing drain along the same Jake ment for Tenders to the very Project. To Street. Once again it is ALL VERY add insult to injury, Mayor Jake is us- CLEAR THAT THE UDP WAY IS NO ing the services of his in-laws to do the SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS, EMPTY upgrade. So to make it appear as if he PROMISES AND CONTINUED DISloves Dangrigana he has offered them RESPECT FOR DANGRIGANA. Danthe job to clean the existing drains grigana your vibrant and motivated along his street. We also understand PUP Mayor and Town Council Candithat part of the Gift to Jake is to name dates will work with you to restore digthe street in his honour. Wow Jake, nity and hope because they come with you have done yourself well. a sincere promise to SERVE ALL.
19
20
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
Don’t Stop Thinking of Tomorrow and the Next Revolution
One Belize-Prosperous, United and Free By Carolyn Trench-Sandiford – Deputy Leader People’s United Party - Belize
A young man sat before me today with tears in his forlorn eyes because he had no job. He tried to hide it, for a man is not to show emotions. He has been working from the age of sixteen. Several weeks ago, he was terminated from his employment, and to date has received no benefits. His visits and cries to the Labour Department have so far proven to be futile. For them, there is no urgency, for this is just another file, but for him, his world has fallen apart, and he is helplessly entangled in it. He said he used his meager savings to start a small business, but that has not worked out. He wants to work. He does not want hand outs. He has approached several businesses seeking employment, but all have turned him away. No one is hiring. The response is the same. It is now the chorus of a song he hears regularly. The economy is the worst it has ever been. He is frustrated as he cannot pay his bills. He has pawned out his last possessions. He has borrowed money. No one seems to care what is happening to him. He is giving up slowly. Another young man stood in front of me today with anger in his eyes, telling the tale of being marginalized as a black male because he has not the assets of a woman (his words were descriptively graphic so I am substituting to paint the picture) to sit in front of the minister and area representative to get a temporary reprieve to survive. He has skills but no job prospects, and has bills to pay. He is convinced that he is been discriminated against because of his colour and sex. He was very verbal in his condemnation of a system and circumstances that forces young men to become criminals, and young women to compromise their dignity to survive, and of the selfish exploitation of the poor and vulnerable by those in power, who seem not to care that many of the young women who sat before them were of the age of some of their own daughters. His views were supported by his peers who stood around him. He has lost faith in the future. A mother of three walked me through her home, which is one of several houses in the neighbourhood that collapsed during Hurricane Richard, because of age and condition. The ceiling had pieces of black plastic garbage bags taped up to catch the water when it rained. The wooden flooring had caved in
many places, and was very uneven and problematic to walk on. The plywood external walls have deteriorated, and one could see the outside through them. The beaver board internal walls are like paper and porous, streaked with water stains from the rains, and an unfinished plywood addition completes the picture. She has three children and no job. She used her hands to illustrate the size of the rats, ‘wowlas’ and other animals and insects that she has had to battle with for control of her home. Her common law husband is neither employed and has to ‘ketch and kill’. She is proud of a certificate from ITVET that she has earned, and simply wants to live in a decent house and finish the addition to
open a ‘little business’ (her own words). According to them, Housing and Planning personnel has visited them several times since the Hurricane and promised to fix the house and make it more livable. An Area Representative and Minister promised some plywood to finish the addition, so she could open her ‘little business’ and earn a living and provide for her children. Neither has materialized. They joked about it, but you could see that it was a front, for in their eyes was disillusionment, and an acceptance of a life in which nothing was going to change. These are just some examples of the stories of the campaign trail. Many times I find it difficult to even talk, and to some extent, have resigned myself more and more to simply listen, and draw deeply from a spiritual deposit passed on to me by either my mother, grandmother or great grandmother, that has gained interest over time. I willingly pass it on to them, hoping beyond hope, that it will help. So I would tell them as they had told me, of reminding themselves from time to time, of the man who had no shoes. So as he walked, he cried out, because the stones were hurting his feet. Then he
21 turned the lane, and met a man without feet. Thereafter, he started to hopscotch to avoid the bruising stones and became very fit. Or the most frequently used one that ‘God never gives you more than you could bear.’ I know it does not change their circumstances today, but it may make them, and the many other Belizeans who have lost hope for a better tomorrow, to pause, just for a moment, and perhaps open their minds to the following lyrics of Bill Clinton’s classic presidential campaign song by Fleetwood Mac. If you wake up and don’t want to smile If it takes just a little while Open your eyes and look at the day You will see things in a different way. Don’t stop thinking of tomorrow It will soon be here It will be better than before Yesterday is gone, yesterday is gone. Perhaps if we all do this, we will appreciate the significance of joining the Next Revolution to create One BelizeProsperous, United and Free. For it is about them, and the next generation. For comments email: ctrenchsandiford@yahoo.com
22
THE BELIZE TIMES
SOBER Reflections SOBER By: Mike Rudon Jr.
We Have
Something For You!
A
grand total of one person commented on the internet version of my column last week. According to that bright fellow, my judgment has become skewed because of my hatred of Dean Oliver. No worries…I can take and dish out criticism with the best of them, but I’d like to make a small clarification here. I don’t hate Dean Oliver. I just hate everything he and the UDP have stood for in the past four years. I hate the victimization and the abuse, the arrogance and pettiness, the bad decisions based on personal agendas, the nepotism and favouritism, the use of taxpayer funds without accountability and transparency, the mismanagement, the corruption and unbridled greed and the slow, painful stifling of hope in the Belizean people. I think Dean Oliver is a megalomaniac blinded by the perception of his own greatness. I think he is a selfish, cold, callous man who has been so cocooned in the wealth and luxury afforded to the very rich that he has lost all sight of what is real on our streets. I think he is a consummate liar…a brazen, bold, despicable, disingenuous liar who cares little for what is good and just and right. Dean cares only about Dean et al, and has gone to pains to show how much he cares for the ‘et al’ to the detriment of the public coffers, justice and good governance. Enough said on that? Okay. It’s not easy to write these columns right about now, simply because there are so many emotions and thoughts swirling and churning in my mind. Each and every day there is more to scorn about this government, more to disgust, more which confuses and angers me. Like with this naturalization thing…everybody knows that the
way it is being done is wrong, wrong, wrong. EVERYBODY! Even the UDPs know it is wrong. But I have to sit and listen to the fat, worthless, odiously pious Minister John Saldivar state that there is nothing wrong with the naturalizations because the Immigration Department is a bastion of integrity and can do no wrong. BULLSHIT. I also listened to the man on Channel 5 stating that the UDP promised to pay for his naturalization and expedite the process if he would vote for them. I listened to the immigrants innocently revealing to reporters that they didn’t have to take any medical exam to get their certificate…it was just handed to them; and yeah, they didn’t have to go through any vetting by the Police…their Police report was just given to them. I listened to Minister Elvin Penner state on national television that he is paying half the cost for the hundreds of people he is pushing through the naturalization process. Seriously! Do we all believe that he didn’t do it for four years, but now just a few weeks before elections he is doing it just out of the goodness of his heart? Wait…that’s not the best one! The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sedi Elrington says he doesn’t watch television, so he doesn’t really know what is going on with this naturalization thing. Saint Sedi says that when he gets around to finally checking out the naturalization thing, he would support a Commission of Inquiry into it if there is any impropriety. Yeah, sure, we’ll look out for that Inquiry in 2022. And then there’s the situation in Belmopan, where drivers of UDP Ministers were caught coming out of the Immigration Office with loads of files late at night. And there’s the case in San Pedro where an aspiring UDP candidate was given full access to the Elections and Boundaries computer. How about in Orange Walk, where UDP candidate in Orange Walk Central Denny Grijalva’s political operatives were caught on tape illegally registering people from Belize City? They were also caught on tape admitting that Grijalva has a whole bunch of UDPs in Orange Walk Central who are giving their addresses so people from other areas
can be illegally registered to vote. The Chief Elections Officer says she hasn’t had time to really check out the report about Grijalva or to listen to the tape recording. Maybe she’ll get to it in 2022, around the same time as Saint Sedi’s inquiry. I feel no sympathy or liking for the UDP political operatives at the head of these departments, and I feel no compunction for stating blatantly that that is what they are… simply political appointees who are singing for their supper and doing wrong things at the behest of their political masters. In my opinion, the Chief Elections Officer is without a smidgeon of integrity. In my opinion, the head of the Immigration Department lacks the integrity to fill a thimble. They are a discredit to the public officers beneath them, to the people and to Belize.
Sunday, January 29, 2012 It is a sad time for Belize. I say that not as any member or supporter of any political party, but as a Belizean who still has this basic idea of right and wrong. I applaud the members of the PNP, the VIP and independent candidates who have had the courage to stand up boldly and tell Dean Oliver that if he doesn’t do the right thing in terms of naturalization and registering voters they WILL call in international observers for the elections. To paraphrase a quote I like and to get semibiblical on Dean O’s ass… ‘all that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.’ I do not believe that the good men and women of Belize will do nothing in the days ahead. I believe firmly that the people in their own way are sending out a message to Dean – please call elections NOW…WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Reid as “a most remarkable reef”. Now bear with me folks, this is not a tourism promotion, I’m getting to something here. The fact is that we are blessed with something very, very special; Belize is truly heavenly. Then there are the people! Belize is a melting pot of different cultures all co-existing, if not fully harmoniously, then certainly without the type of strife and racial discord found in other places; at least to this point! ur beautiful little Mark my words here though, for if “jewel” of Belize this current administration continues sits strategically lo- the current and oh so asinine policated at the cross- cies, all this will be likely to change in roads between Cen- the blink of an eye! tral America and the Caribbean. For For many years, the UDP and a long time Belize was touted as a their predecessor the NIP, tried to possible bread basket for the entire convince the Belizean people that Caribbean and for even much of the the “Father of our Nation” George outer region. We have eggs in many Price was trying to sell or give Belize baskets, including citrus, banana, away to Guatemala. They clung dessugar, fisheries and aquaculture, perately to the cloak of colonialism tourism and now oil. We are blessed and it was not without much prying with prime, arable land and pristine and wresting that we were able to marine resources. We free ourselves from boast a wide variety of the nest and fly; albeit exotic wildlife, (probon shaky wings. Given ably more per square that no nation is ever mile than anywhere truly independent, BeCitizens are else on the planet), flora lize has not done too being forceand fauna galore, (over very badly after thirty 4,000 different speripened and years. We have all our cies of native flowering given nation- territories intact, our plants), a mystic and border is anything but ality, in less richly rustic Mayan heriartificial and we have tage, and I can go on maintained our sovertime than it and on and on. In fact, eignty. Can we now would take with your permission say that they were and indulgence, I will. to reach from telling us a lie? “70 percent of the Recent developconception country is under some ments though, have kind of forest cover, to birth while left the begging of a and almost half of our the rest of us very serious quesprimary forest is still tion. “Who is really must wait a standing”. Twenty six putting this Jewel up percent or roughly 2.6 full eighteen for sale?” The blatant million acres of Beliztransgression of rules ean land and sea is pre- years. The na- and regulations to garserved within a total tives have true ner votes by the UDP of close to a hundred left many Belizreason to be has natural reserves. At last eans; blue, indepencount, some “700 spegetting restdent and even red, cies of trees and sevsick to the stomach. less.” eral hundred species Thousands of immiof other plants” along grants, the majority with fish and birdlife as from Guatemala, are varied and plentiful as anywhere this being ushered in, processed, naside of paradise. “The pamphlet enti- tionalized and registering to vote in tled “Checklist of the Birds of Belize” our upcoming elections. Many if lists over 530 species including more not most are not going through the than 200 migratory birds from North necessary and mandatory vetting America who winter in the tropics”. process. Police records and mediJust a tad bid more if you don’t mind. cal forms are soaped through, foreOur famous barrier reef, rivaled going all normal and vital processonly by the Great Barrier Reef of Aus- ing procedures. Citizens are being tralia is home to some of the most force-ripened and given nationality, exotic fish, other underwater life in less time than it would take to forms and spectacular coral forma- reach from conception to birth while tions. It offers incomparably scenic the rest of us must wait a full eighsnorkeling and scuba diving. Lauded teen years. The natives have true as one of the most diverse ecosys- reason to be getting restless. tems of the world, Charles Darwin There is a grave danger in what once described Belize’s Barrier Reef Dean Barrow and his hapless band
O
23
THE BELIZE TIMES of dodo birds are doing here. We already have a record 23 percent unemployment rate, over- crowded classrooms and a heavily burdened social services network. The Prime Minster has admitted to paying as much as $50,000 per week to local gangs to “hold it down”. To his credit, it has been somewhat effective but the question is, how long will we be able to sustain this? And what happens now if many of these new immigrants are themselves gang members or get recruited by the local dons? Have they heard of the dreaded MS-13? What happens when our local homebred homeboys see these new citizens gobbling up the few jobs that exist? See them cutting down our forest reserves where we can’t even go. See them devouring our precious resources, eating anything that flies swims or runs. See them flooding our hospitals and health services with their infirmed. These are not highly qualified individuals. Folks, these are mainly unskilled, menial laborers. What in the hell are we doing here? Why was
not a proper screening and vetting process not demanded and put in place here? There is going to be a very serious and completely different sociological noumenon at play here and it will have irreparable consequences and severe repercussions. The elections will be gone and decided but this problem will linger and will forever change our way of life and much for the worse. There are those who claim that Belize needs numbers to grow. Really, how big would you like to get, and how quickly and how desperately? What are we willing to sacrifice for a few pennies more or in this case, a few votes more? I started this article on a positive note and I would have loved to have maintained the same level of discourse throughout. These events would not permit however and life is real. This situation is troubling, it is concerning and it warrants serious discussions. I cry for you Belize, I cry for you! Research taken from the following websites: http://www.turq.com/ belize/belflora.html, http://www. belize.com/belize-sport-fishing . html#ixzz1kNEhGcaE
THE WORLD IS READING
THE BELIZE TIMES www.belizetimes.bz
24
THE BELIZE TIMES
In my perspective… A Different Way of Governing
By Rayford Young It was really a joy to be home in Belize for the New Year’s celebration. I was at the BTL Park to bring in the New Year and except for one brief fight outbreak between three young guys the evening was a pleasant one and everyone had a good time. The music was loud and the DJ spoke while the music was playing which made it hard to enjoy the music. But I realize that things are different these days and it didn’t seem to bother anyone but me. Belize folk really know how to celebrate and enjoy themselves and most times it’s peaceful and everyone respects one another. I also had the opportunity to meet a school mate of mine in Corozal. We haven’t seen each other for 30 years or so and we had a lot to catch up on. So we met at a local restaurant for breakfast and ended up staying there for several hours. He lived in Los Angeles for several years, was trained in the construction business and decided to return to Belize to share his experiences and to help build up the Country. This is what so many Belizeans living abroad would like to do if things were different and they could make a decent living. My friend builds and repairs roads and brought over the large equipment he needs to make the work easier and efficient. A big sacrifice and investment on his part and has been successful so far. He also told me that the political situation is a very tricky one to maneuver in this Country. He does not comment on politics at all. He stays neutral to avoid potential consequences which would be severe and devastating to his business. Both parties indulge in this kind of politics where loyalty is demanded or you will not work in this Country for the years the party is in power. Even if you are the only one with the tools and equipment that is needed for the job it does not matter. You will be dealt with severely if you criticize the party in power. Conversely, the parties are loyal to the people that supported them and brought them to power. And they take care of those people regardless. This is not good for democracy. One should be judged on the merit of their work, not their thoughts or party affiliation. I believe things like this that have not served the country well at all. The pettiness and revenge exhibited by both parties does not help the Country whatsoever. It’s been 30 years since self government and I believe most would agree with me that things are just awful in our Country. Politicians bickering at each other,
blaming each other for the condition of the country, and no one seems to have answers for the problems we face. Some even think after 30 years of self government it’s still the fault of the British and colonialism. We need someone to blame. Here is a comment the deputy Mayor of Belize City posted on his face book page that illustrates the thinking that is pervasive by our politicians in Belize. Dean Trevor Collin Samuels “WAS WATCHING TALK SHO THIS MORNING AND HEARD, A HOST SAID SOMETHING SO INTERESTING HAD TO LAUGH!! THIS IS WAT WAS SAID: IF THE PUP BELIEVE WHAT THE UDP ARE DOING WITH THE NATIONALIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS IS SOO WRONG AND ILLEGAL,TELL THE PUP HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AND TELL THE COUNTRY, THAT WHEN THEY GET IN THEY WILL TAKE AWAY BACK ALL THE ILLEGAL NATIONALIZATION FROM THE PEOPLE!! bet they wont say that!! aye politics mein, get up off unuh asses and start help some of those people instead of sitdown di bawl about something that u did for all the years u been in government , now in opposition yo start si the eRror of ur ways and FINALLY see what u were doing to Belizeans HYPOCRITES me she !!!” So let me see if I get this - because the PUP did it when they were in office it’s ok for you to do it now because they did it when they were in office. No matter if it was wrong and illegal. This is how they think. No sense of right or wrong, it’s our turn to do whatever so long as we get reelected. In Michigan where I live there’s a government role in place called Emergency Manager. It gives the Governor the authority to appoint a caretaker or an administrator to come in and run a city or a school district when they are in financial trouble and they don’t have the will or the know how to get themselves out of the mess they are in. This person has all the power he needs to disregard union contracts, he can lay off city workers, close departments, cut back departments and do what he thinks is in the best interest of the City or school district to make sure they become solvent again. The Mayor and the elected officials and the City Council have no say in what this administrator says or does. He, and he alone, has total control and the elected officials have no say in anything he does. Of course this is very controversial and some are trying to get rid of this law. It is clear to me and I bet to many that the two party systems in Belize just cannot or are unwilling to do what it takes to put our country on the right track. The system is rigged to award themselves and their cronies. After thirty years of corruption, kickbacks and inept management it is time for something different. Here is what I would recommend. It would take courageous men
who are unselfish and truly looking out for the Country for this to work. I would bring the two parties together and see if we could come up with a solution to this problem. The parties themselves cannot solve the problems in Belize. 1. Have the parties select an administrator whose integrity is intact; who knows how to get things done; whose character is unblemished, to run the government and do what is necessary to put the Country back on a sound financially footing. Create jobs. Fix the roads and infrastructure. This administrator will report to the House of Representatives. 2. The Administrator would select the Department Managers. These will be men of integrity and qualify for the post they assume and the department they would be asked to run. They will report to the Administrator. 3. The parties will come up with all the initiatives or goals they expect the administrator and the Department managers to achieve. 4. This is a four-year experiment. After four years, elections will be called unless the people want them to stay in place to continue their work and finish the job they started. 5. These men do not report to politicians or party hacks. Their only assignment is to get the Country working again and get us out of dept.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Let’s be clear what this means. The two parties will not run for office for the next 4 years. Instead they will appoint an administrator to govern for the next 4 years. This administrator will do whatever is necessary to get the Country working again and get us on the right track. The administrator will appoint the Managers for the Departments. They will make the tough decisions that the two party system cannot or is unwilling to make to get us back on a sound financial footing and put people back to work and get this Country moving again. I know this is a long shot and probably will not be adopted. The fact is some of us have to be thinking this way to show how awful the situation has become. Government after government has failed the Country and its people. How can anyone drive around Belize City and be proud of this City? The place is a disaster and an eyesore. Sure, there have been some improvements but overall it’s a sad situation indeed. I am just trying to think out of the box for solutions. One thing that is clear to me is that the two party system has not been equipped, skilled or creative enough to solve these problems. The stench of self enrichment is too powerful for a serious change in this Country. The solution? Something drastic, like what I outlined here, is needed if this Country will rise out of the sewer we find ourselves in.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
25
26
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
REALITY CHECK! We all know that saving is a key component of financial responsibility, but did you also know that it can affect other aspects of your life? A new survey conducted revealed that young adults, 25-34 year olds, have made saving a priority this year—ahead of losing weight, living healthier and other typical New Year’s resolutions—since financial concerns take a toll on their friendships and personal lives. Here are a few of the key findings. • Economy fears. Nearly three in four Belizean young adults are worried more about personal finances because of today’s economy. • Social life on hold. Almost half, 48 percent, said they are socializing less with friends due to financial anxieties.
• Losing zzz’s. 38 percent said they are losing sleep from worrying about their finances. • Worrying at work. 34 percent said their financial worries cause them to be distracted at work. • Fights with friends. 31 percent said they are short-tempered with family and friends because of financial concerns. • $25 too much. Even with these reported negative effects, almost four in ten, 38 percent, said they have a hard time saving even $25 a week. Saving can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort. Just remember: Put away a few bucks, it will feel like a million bucks. Have a Blessed, smart and prosperous 2012. Even the Mayans will tell you, this surely is not the end of the world so save.
THE WORLD IS READING
THE BELIZE TIMES www.belizetimes.bz
My tour of Santa Elena
By Carla Bradley Over the past few days, I spent some time touring areas of Santa Elena Town with PUP standard bearer, Collet Montejo, Mayoral Candidate, Mr. Ramon Quiroz and council candidates Joe Marr and Albert Bradley in the quest of listening to the concerns and opinions of the residents of Santa Elena. On the campaign trail, we came across young and old, and even the old that are young at heart. The outcry of NO JOBS, NO EDUCATION, and VICTIMIZATION were rampant throughout the area. Single mothers have been forced to remove their children from school because they cannot afford to keep them there. Senior Citizens, Like “Papa Goito” Pinelo, who served the Town Council under the PUP, has been given the run around for years under this UDP administration for his small pension. Over one thousand senior citizens have been swiped off the pension list, and according to reports, it is because they “cannot afford” to have them on the list. How can you deny citizens of this country a pension after serving our nation, in whatever way they have? SHAME! It is true that the world is in a recession, but why is it that the UDP administration only finds people or countries to blame for their mismanagement, lack of vision, and in my opinion lack of COMMONSENSE! I have toured this country, listening not only to the youths but citizens on a whole and all agree on one thing, the UDP Government is more than incompetent to lead this country. I go south and I see haad beans, dirty sugar, poverty covers the south like a blanket on a homeless person. I go north, my
cane farmers are lost, the papaya tree refuses to bear because their fruits are taken for granted, free zone has become an abandoned dream. In the west, my people are tired sick and tired. They have been under a UDP Town Council for over 9 years and sadly my twin towns have seen minimum infrastructure growth if any. Now that elections are coming up, a couple streets are being upgraded, why now? Why not 3 years ago or six years ago? People are no longer blind or deaf, we are seeing, we are listening, we have learned! THE UDP IS NO GOOD FOR THE YOUTHS! THE UDP IS NO GOOD FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS! THE UDP IS NO GOOD FOR ECONOMY! THE UDP IS NO GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY! We must take a stand now; take a stand for our country! Our country is not for sale! Our country is our home, our jewel, our baby! We deserve better living conditions! We deserve a safer environment! We deserve more jobs! We are tired of living day to day, wondering if we will see another day, wondering if our children will eat, wondering if we will have enough money to pay our house rent, to buy food, to pay bills! We cannot, must not and will not allow the United Democratic Government to take us further into the hole! They have done nothing but take us NO WHERE fast! Let us unite and take back what is ours! This is no longer politics, in my opinion this is about fighting for our sovereignty, our rights as Belizeans. This Jewel has taken enough blows from Hurricane Barrow; it is now time for the cleanup. Let us clean up the country and get rid of the UDP Malice! Carla Bradley is the President of Belize Youth Movement, the People’s United Party youth arm.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
Seriously, Jesus wasn’t white As the mass naturalization of largely Hispanic Belizeans continues to be executed under the damp dark of night and hushed under the open snarls of flash lights, I wondered how, as a Christian, does the entire balance of race relations play out. Jesus was probably the most extreme immigrant, how much more of an “alien” or “foreigner” can you be than to be begotten from God himself. God “crossed” or mixed with someone who really had disputed his sovereignty. As a brother of mine prefers to classify it, Jesus was from the Kingdom of God, and we lost souls had been expelled into the Land where the dead buries the dead. Jesus was really the worst of the immigrant population at that. In filling out his Immigration cards, where it said “race”, no one would argue that he would tick the “Caucasian”, Garinagu, Mestizo, Creole or Mayan box. Surely he would have filled in space beside the category “Other”. His parentage was a mixed couple. I mean 100% man and 100% God; born of virgin mortal woman and son of the Living God. It won’t be easy to find an immigrant with whom Jesus would not be able to sit under a Sycamore Tree or at a table under the “bashment” of a wedding party and not be able to identify with them. The revolution of Christ was his absolute disgust of superficial rules and classifications. Jesus concentrated and reduced his mission and challenge to mankind in a “one syllable” type of culture. We have many examples. When asked who was the greatest amongst the followers. Jesus said “that is easy, the one that is last”.When asked, how do I migrate to this place that you prepared for me. How do I get “naturalized” to heaven, Jesus was again elementary. I could imagine him saying in very clear and peasant friendly language: “Mi family, mek a tell unu something “, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3. Now Jesus’ description of God’s Immigration policy was very simple, forget hurting your brains to remember all the laws of the Torah, converting to Judaism and slavishly memorizing the words of the Ten Commandments in perfect sequential order. Nope, to us he gave one nauseatingly easy cleansing potion after he gave his only son to become a naturalized human and be tortured, ridiculed and inhumanely butchered. All we have to do is to denounce our citizenship to this corrupt world and repent. All we have to do to get that passport to the kingdom of God is “believeth in Him” then we “shall not perish but have everlasting life”. John 3:16. That is big news, because there is nothing you were born with or have done that can disqualify you. God used the word “whosoever” I could imagine the angel who was taking God’s dictation say, “boss, are you sure you don’t want to use another word like “someone who accepts the Jewish way of life and has qualified and then believes shall not perish…?” And with an understanding smile I could imagine Him saying “no, papito, I mean whosoever… what I will remind the new citizens is that they must “must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” And with resignation saying confidently “I am sure that will be more than enough.” Jesus’ race and immigration status was a serious issue and controversially discriminating factor of his day. In first-century Palestine, the Jews and Samaritans were locked in a blood feud. Divided by geography, religion and race, the two groups spewed venom. Each had its own turf. Jews considered the Samaritans to be racial “half-breeds.” The two groups disputed which followed the Bible better and on whose land proper worship should occur. The Samaritans were often inhospitable to and hostile toward the Jews. Many Jewish pilgrims deliberately lengthened their journeys to bypass Samaria. Jews publicly cursed Samaritans in their synagogues, would not allow Samaritan testimony in Jewish courts, and generally considered Samaritans excluded from eternal life. John 4:1-45. Once a Jewish lawyer asked Jesus of Nazareth, “Who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29 Jesus, who, as Jew, surprised people by mixing freely with Samaritans, told him a now famous story. Robbers attacked a Jewish traveler, beating him and leaving him half-dead. Two Jewish religious leaders ignored the injured man as they passed by. But a Samaritan felt compassion for the Jewish victim -- his cultural enemy -- and bandaged his wounds, transported him to an inn and provided for his care. Jesus’ point? This “Good Samaritan” was an example of how we should relate to those with whom we differ. Nothing can stop the corruption of a man’s heart but the love of Christ. A politician is very often a super corruptible man. So the current Immigration scandal is a sin that we will all suffer the wages of. Together, as a country, we will have to be exercising social and political penance while the greed of power chokes our children and our children’s children, to the third and fourth generations. That being so, we are now ALL Belizeans, equally; those who freshly exited the George Price Center after two months in Belize and the promise to have a black market exchange of an unearned birthright for a vote to the Mayans who are the only nonimmigrants to this swamp. So the message to the “new” Belizeans is to not cheapen your lives in the corruption of “Caesar” but to live by the laws of God. Even though some of you, my brothers and sisters, have been exploited and led into the shadow of illegal activities to get a citizenship that you would have been entitled to anyway without breaking the law. On behalf of the body of Christ let us welcome you in and reassure you that Belize is a country that respects the law and is founded on laws. In fact, Belize has a supreme law, i.e. our Constitution, the first law of this land says: “Whereas the people of Belize affirm that the nation of Belize has been founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God.” This is what you now believe. Your assurances are from God not the politician who is taking advantage of you and trying to steal your soul for a vote. We love you and welcome!
27
28
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Make-Up
tips
Write to us at: editortimes@yahoo.com
“Spoken Word” fires up youth voices As a makeup artist, I get asked tons of questions about how to apply makeup; what looks good and what doesn’t; what products I use and how to properly use them. Eye-shadow has been around since 10,000BC and we can pay homage to the Egyptians for it. Eye-shadow does wonders in making your eyes more attractive. It brings color to your eyes and enhances your natural eye color. Bring depth and dimension to your eyes with beautiful eye-shadow. Now, a lot of women have this issue: After you’ve found the perfect eye-shadow, and applied it, what lip-color should you pair it with? Matching your eye-shadow to your lip-color shouldn't be a chore. Here are tips to keep in mind the next time you glam up your eyes and not quite sure what color would match your lips: Categorize your colors in two: Warm shades and cool shades. With warm colors, think about fire and heat and the colors associated with them. These colors would be your reds, oranges, gold, yellows, and so on. On the other hand, your cool colors would be your blues, purples, greens, and so forth. Just think of the sea when you think of cool colors. Pink is a color that can be both warm and cool, depending on the shade of pink, but it is very versatile. After you’ve applied eye shadow to the eyes, always alternate the color on the lips. So, if you’re wearing warm on the eyes such as gold, bronze, or peach; you would alternate to a cool color on the lips such as a sheer or nude pink. If you’re wearing cool colors on the eyes such as green, blue, or even pink, go with a warm color on the lips such as a bronze, or peach. Wearing blue eyeshadow with a pink lip-color will make your appearance too 80’s, and way too colorful. In general, I always alternate between the warm colors and cool colors to be able to balance off the look. Now, if you’re rocking that dark smokey look on the eyes, nude colors on the lips are key because there’s already a lot going on with your eyes. Makeup is fun! Never over-think it. Makeup is art, and the vision is really up to you. If you're not sure what will work anyway, just try it, and take a few pictures and review. If you’re not comfortable with the lip-color, nudes always work best. You can always play it safe with tans and sheer pink as these will pretty much go with everything. No matter what, though, always put your best face forward.
Belize City, January 23, 2012 The historic Battlefield Park was the venue for an exhilarating open mic session for some of Belize’s talented young poets and artists. Hosted by Youth Voices, the night saw poet after poet taking the stage and showcasing their lyrical gifts. Young participants also displayed their singing and freestyle rapping abilities, as they wowed the audience. During the night, the documentary “Youth Voices” was unveiled. The mini film documents life’s challenges from a young person’s perspective, and captures some of their dreams and aspirations. The event was the first event for Youth Voices in their 2012 calendar.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THE BELIZE TIMES
“Mind Your Ps & Qs”: Watching Our Manners What if you were working in a store and someone came up to you and said, “black gial or creole gial or latino gial sell me a wata! How would you feel? Would you think that person is rude? Well think about this…every day we talk to the Chinese women and men in our community like this…We don’t say good morning, good afternoon or good evening
we just go “chiney gial, chiney man or chiney sell me …”
nonite or African) who serve us or those we meet.
Our manners are slipping away from us and being courteous (respecting other people’s feelings) is important.
Next time you go to your corner shop, food stall or restaurant just say good morning, afternoon or evening.
Our community is small, so we should take the time to respect the people (Creole, Mayan, Mestizo, Chinese, Turk, Indian, Latino, Men-
Remember also those important words please and thank you!
29
Having manners is how we show others respect and show how we too want to be treated. Let us make a fresh start this year and start showing respect.
30
THE BELIZE TIMES
THINK ABOUT IT ELECTION BUT NO BUDGET? Belize City Council and the Town Council elections are fixed by law. The date is the first Wednesday after the elections were last held. That places it at 7th March 2012. The General Elections can be called anytime before and even months after February 2013. Speculation continues that both municipal and general elections will take place 7th March this year. One sure sign is the mass registration of Central Americans which has given rise to anger among Belizeans. But can the government really call an election just days before presenting the annual budget? It would be a frightened matter to the electorate, knowing as they do that the government is broke, that there will be mass layoffs and that the economy will come crashing down to the ground. What excuse the government will give for not presenting a budget before asking the electorate for another chance in office? In the words of a pre-election Jamaican song – “Read the Budget. Read the Budget”. HERE COMES TRIALS WITHOUT JURY Belize has taken a huge step backward. The age old safeguard that a person should be tried by a jury of his or her peers has been taken away by the government. A law hurriedly passed some months ago comes into practice this month. Three cases are in the present Supreme Court session in which persons charged for murder will be tried without the benefit of a jury. A single judge will now become both judge and jury – it is an unbelievable situation. From the days of slavery in Belize until this year 2012 every person tried for serious offences have had the safeguard of a jury. A jury of twelve or nine citizens is far more superior than the mind of a judge. The judge is legally trained and versed in the law. He cannot step into the shoes of the citizen who is applying knowledge of the streets, the culture, the behavior of our fellow citizens and the common sense of the ordinary person. The Judge has always been the one knowledgeable in the law. The Jury are knowledgeable for the facts. This has been the time practiced procedure. The situation is more perilous because no judge in Belize has any experience, knowledge or training in trying a case without a jury. They and the accused persons will be functioning as guinea pigs for a system not even thought out. One hastily rushed through the National Assembly without public consultation or debate. The British, in seeking to suppress the Irish, introduced trial in criminal matters without a jury for Ireland. They did so with the intention to jail members of the IRA (Irish republican Army). This is what has been so hastily imposed on Belize. The collateral injustice has already kicked in. There are literally hundreds of accused persons languishing in prison, many for years unable to get their day in court. How come a new law merely months old already has new “victims” to be tried before those who were charged years ago. This alone is cause for suspicion.
Among the handful of lawyers who devote their practice to defense in criminal trials there is unease. At a meeting of some six of their numbers, Hubert Elrington, a Senior Counsel and formidable defense attorney suggested that they boycott this latest outrage about to fall on the heads of Belizeans – trials without jury. The Bar Association, whose membership is primarily bourgeois, is not going to say or do much, as witnessed by this silence over the recent backward steps to make bail more difficult at the Magistrate Courts. In fairness to Jackie Marshalleck, President, the Bar did publicly express concern when the No Jury weird law first popped up last year. The opposition party is yet to say if it will abolish this law when it is returned to government. And so one more injustice becomes the new practice. Look for the Court of Appeal to be flooded with appeals from this new injustice in our midst. FIVE THOUSAND NEW JOBS It is encouraging to hear the new leader of the PUP has asked for special proposals on how many jobs his party can commit to if elected to government. Some four thousand new jobs has already been “found” and this has to be a huge part of any serious commitment to start turning around the dread situation the country is plunging toward. UDP POLL AN EYE OPENER Four the past four years the UDP considered itself widely popular with the electorate. The masses feeling the pain out here knows otherwise… First the Glen Tillett poll exposed the truth. Unable to face reality the UDP commissioned its own poll. Two well-known UDP fanatics did the polling. Result – the UDP was not more popular than the PUP. The race is on for the independent voters. RUM IN ORANGE WALK The new Senior Magistrate in Orange Walk has remarked to someone her concern over the number of cases in Court that is connected to rum drinking and intoxication. This drug, alcohol, legalized by the system and heavily advertised on radio and tv, is causing havoc in Belizean society. Alcohol is a bad thing for Belize. POLICE PROSECUTORS Police Prosecutors do the bulk of the trials in criminal cases in Belize. While the Supreme Court handles some thirty cases per session for about four courts, the Magistrate Courts dispose of thousands of criminal cases each year. Yes THOUSANDS. The Police Prosecutors are the ones saddled with this heavy overload. You won’t believe this but the Police Prosecutors get not one single cent as allowance for this extra work. They get the same pay as other officers. Yet they have to read case files, prepare legal submissions, interview witnesses, research legal points and respond to lawyers issues with case law. The government is paying quarter million a month to gang members but not a dollar extra to hardworking Police Prosecutors. BELIZE COMES FROM AFRICA Did you know the Baymen passed a law in Belize that anyone caught practic-
ing obeah will be put to death? Of course you don’t know. Lots of things about Belize history you don’t know. But you know about the Battle of St. George’s Caye. And how a handful of Baymen defeated dozens of Spanish battle ships. And you know that slaves fought with their masters against the battle ships, using puk o nuh boy sticks. The things that our people have been brainwashed into believing. Here is another. The name of our country – Belize is supposed to come from British pirate named Peter Wallace. His last name Wallace was changed over time to Walice, then maybe balice then Belize. Yea! Right! There are two places in Africa with the name Belize. The truth will eventually come out. And when Columbus sailed from Europe and reached these parts in 1492, Africans had long before travelled this way. “They Came Before Columbus” – read it in Ivan Van Sertima’s highly respected book. MARGARET VENTURA Margaret Ventura was a career public officer. She specialized in archive work and preservation and documentation of records, among other things. Miss Ventura was a highly respected and effective trade unionist and was elected and re-elected the President of the Public Services Union. She also became a Permanent Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, which is the highest position in the public service. Following general elections 2008, the vindictive UDP government terminated the services of Miss Ventura, replacing her and other competent career officers with incompetence. Would be interesting to learn what Margaret has been doing since her victimization and whether she is still in the country she loves so much. I’D RATHER GO BLIND The contributions of Black Americans to popular music in the USA and UK are so enormous it is hard for music historians to chronicle it all. The greatest singers/song writers band is unquestionable the Beatles. They let it be known that a lot of inspiration came from black singers like James Brown and Otis Redding. The king of rock and roll music – Elvis Presley had to admit that lots of his ideas and rhythms came from black singers and song writers. In a galaxy of many, many bright stars, one such was Etta James. She could sing the blues like only a few could.
Sunday, January 29, 2012 “At last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind” are absolute classics. Etta James left this world last week having left behind her immortal voice in many unforgettable songs. DUDLEY THOMPSON The former Foreign Minister of Jamaica who was an unwavering champion for Belize’s independence and territorial integrity passed away last week at the age of 85. In the 1970s when George Price, Vernon Harrison Courtenay, Lindy Rogers, Assad Shoman and Said Musa were lobbying the Caribbean countries, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Latin Republics and the United Nations for independence, it was Jamaica and champions like Dudley Thompson who were always there for us. Respect. TWO GOOD BOOKS Looking for a pamphlet in my library I saw two good books that I really enjoyed. “INWARD HUNGER” and “COLOMBUS to CASTRO” both written by Eric Williams. Since you all don’t know who is Eric Williams, he was a former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He is also the father of their independence in 1962. DEAD SEA SCROLLS The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient writings that are on important part of human history. These are parchments and writings find in caves and under the desert. I bought my first book about the Dead Sea Scrolls from the Anglican Book Store on Albert Street when I was going to college. The book store was somewhere by Mirage store is currently situated. Some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are being put on live. These are dated back to before Jesus came into this world. Five of the most important of the Scrolls will be on live. These include the biblical books of Isaiah; the Temple Scrolls and five others books. These were found in the Judean desert and were bought from antiquity dealers in 1947 and 1967. Probably only sex, family and companion of true friends are more enjoyable than reading. WOE UNTO YOU “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites’ for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” - Words of Jesus, Matthew 23:23
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Patrick and Darrel
Punk Out
Belize City, January 25, 2012 The UDPs surely talk a good talk but when it comes to putting their money where their mouths are, they always bow out like a bunch of crybabies. Such is the case with two of their most notable crybabies, UDP Chairman, Patrick Faber and UDP Belize City Council Mayoral Candidate, Darrel Bradley. As we understand it, LOVE FM had extended an invitation to the UDP Chairman and his counterpart, the Chairman of the People’s United Party (PUP), Henry Usher to appear alongside each other on the “LOVE FM Morning Show”. Obviously, the folks at LOVE FM are aware that the election season has commenced and therefore wanted to afford both mass parties the opportunity to discuss their election preparations. The belligerent Faber wouldn’t have it, though, insisting to the organizers/hosts of the show that he appears alone, a demand which they bowed to unreluctantly. Thus, the two Chairmen appeared separately, the UDP Chairman appearing on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 and the PUP Chairman appearing on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. No doubt Faber realized that he would’ve been the one in the hot seat given the awful mess he and his incompetent Government have our country in. Moreover, the big mouth Area Representative for Collet knew, all too well, that he would’ve been no match for the PUP Chairman. Sure enough, Faber’s caught cold feet but it paled in comparison to his Party’s Belize City Mayoral Candidate. By now, all of Belize City and, indeed, the entire country know that at the first of its kind Belize City Mayoral Debate, planned, organized and conducted by LOVE FM, Darrel Bradley, on the advice of his foulmouthed father, “Nasty Joe” was a no-show. Television viewers and radio listeners of the debate would recall Independent Mayoral Candidate, Ernesto Torres publicly calling out Darrel for his decision not to participate in the debate. On Tuesday, January 17, 2012, the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. John’s College Junior College (SJCJC) and Wesley Junior College (WJC) jointly hosted their own version of the mayoral debate. Lo & behold, a visibly confident Bradley showed up this time around, cheered on the entire evening by the ten buffoons on his slate and a herd of UDP hecklers. From the time word of the debate had gone out, many political observers suggested that Darrel would have gladly and willingly participated knowing that his alma mater UWI was one of the three organizers. Clearly, the UDP Mayoral Candidate knew that he would’ve received “special treatment” from UWI. Well, for his opponents and those who attended the debate, it
31
THE BELIZE TIMES
Humor in UDP Politics! The following matters were discussed in Cabinet To give Merlene Bailey a raise of pay, MBE and OBE for having the title of Mrs. UDP Goodie Old Shoes for so long. Come September it is rumored that she will receive a plaque which will read “What goes around come around.” ………………….
Darrell Bradley was obvious that Bradley was “powdered and pampered”. The BELIZE TIMES understands that LOVE FM was in the middle of planning and organizing a second round of the mayoral debates when it decided to abruptly cancel the said event. As we’ve been reliably informed, this decision by LOVE FM was as result of the UDP Mayoral Candidate running scared once again and indicating to LOVE FM his decision not to participate. While we can easily understand Darrel’s reason for opting not to participate in the debate, we simply cannot comprehend LOVE FM’s reason for canceling the debate. Has LOVE FM forgotten that there are four other Mayoral Candidates who are all too eager to debate the issues? Are we to believe
Patrick Faber that LOVE FM is “taking orders” from UDP higherups? The more Darrel Bradley continues to chicken out, the more he is viewed by the residents of Belize City as a pathetic joke. The truth is that even members of his beloved Party share this view of their Mayoral Candidate much the same as they do of his boorish father. And just when we thought we’d laughed enough at the UDP Mayoral Candidate, we’re laughing even harder now at the news that the PUP Mayoral Candidate, Karen Bodden is no longer Darrel’s greatest fear. Word is that ever since the “driving instructor” called him out on national television and got rave reviews for his performance in the UWI/SJCJC/ WJC sponsored debate, Darrel is losing much sleep as he continues to have nightmares about Torres.
A special request from Penner has asked to be reimbursed for all naturalizations he’s paid for. The request also asks Cabinet to consider erecting a new Immigration and Election and Boundaries building in his constituency. His only problem was that Contreras requested that one already be built for his constituents living in Melchor. …………………. Cabinet was asked to show by a raise of hands if they believed Darrel Bradley had won the mayoral debate. With only one opposing vote, Sedi was asked what his concern was. He responded that he didn’t know Darrel had attended the debate? Guess who made the most noise? …………………. In mother related matters At a special political caucus after Cabinet, Santino was summoned and asked how ready was he? He responded: ‘Prime Minister, or Party Leader, I done beat up Don P over there sleeping, ah done beat your wife candidate, and ah beat all the Women through Ann Marie. How I did it? I sang in the Messengers, and while they loved to say send the band but not the lee man, them forget one thing, ah got one lexus, Save U, and I know how to scrape down Belizeans’ bottom dollar.
32
THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, January 29, 2012