Belize Times September 2, 2018- Snapping Nich Dry!

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2018

The Belize Times

Established 1957

2 SEPTEMBER 2018 | ISSUE NO: 5112

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

SAPPING NICH DRY! Shyne Barrow

Sapna Budrani

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Belize City. Thursday Aug. 30, 2018 In his response to the growing public criticisms of National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) President Sapna Budhrani, aspiring UDP leader and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Patrick Faber said, “Whatever it is they accuse Ms. Budhrani of; they really should be accusing me of.”

Our newspaper suspects that Faber is somewhere try-

Patrick Faber ing to swallow those words, especially since his Cabinet colleagues have called for Budhrani’s suspension and an external audit of NICH amidst evidence of financial irregularities. Although the self-righteous Music Ambassador, Shyne Barrow, led the crusade against Budhrani, a pair of leaked internal memos have hammered the nails into her coffin. The first memo dated August 11, 2018 was sent by internal auditor,

…Will GOB pay or allow Interest to grow?

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GOB Willfully Manipulating the Importation of Pharmaceuticals?

UDP FISCAL FAILURES ACCUMULATE Another Special Sitting of the House

Roberto Matus, to Financial Officer, Edwin Alvarado. In that memo, he revealed that on March 7th a total of $1315 in cash had been collected by NICH from the sale of tickets to Altun Ha. However, those monies have not yet been deposited and had only been discovered missing by auditors who found that NICH employee, David Griffith, had signed that he collected it.

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GROSS MISMANAGEMENT! …at the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB)

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FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION... CALL TOLL FREE 0-800-7874636

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SAPPING NICH DRY!

Continued from page 1 When auditors approached Griffith, he came down with a sudden case of amnesia and could not recall what he had done with the outstanding $1315. A month later, in April more money went missing from NICH. The audit suggests that a total of $850 vanished from a concert in Belmopan by the National Youth Orchestra of Belize. Furthermore, reported missing was petty cash to the tune of $117 and an invoice book belonging to the San Ignacio Santa Elena House of Culture. The audit further revealed that over $4,000 in cash was collected for an event held at the San Pedro House of Culture in April.

However, in July only $265 had been deposited by the NICH employee in question after auditors took measures to recover the outstanding figure. The audit further revealed that a water pump had magically disappeared from the Government House of Culture while NICH security staff had been on duty.

In a similar case, musical instruments donated by the Korean Embassy to the National Youth Orchestra of Belize are nowhere to be found although they had been stored inside the Bliss Institute. According to the internal auditor, it was disturbing that such large instruments could have been stolen from inside the heavily guarded facility.

Strangely, these instruments were never reported to the Finance Department and not recorded within NICH’s accounting software. The audit continues by suggesting that Budhrani abused her fuel card assigned by NICH. Unlike other ordinary employees, her fuel card was not assigned to a particular vehicle and there were no measures in place to prevent her from abusing this privilege.

The audit documented that between April to July, a practice of hers would be

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2018

GOB Willfully Manipulating the Importation of Pharmaceuticals?

to fill a vehicle with 19 gallons of premium gasoline, and in less than 24 hours later she would return and fill another vehicle with 21 gallons of regular fuel. This allowed for her to exceed the budget for fuel by nearly $60,000.

Aside from her abusive fuel consumption, Budhrani drew the attention of auditors for purchasing a spanking-new vehicle which cost NICH almost $70, 000. In the second memo dated August 12, internal auditor, Roberto Matus, wrote Financial Officer, Edwin Alvarado, informing him, “Obviously sharing with Ms. Budhrani is a waste of time.” “It appears that Ms. Budhrani is not interested in financial transparency and accountability,” he added.

While Ms. Budrani has been publicly embarrassed and dragged through the mud by her own party for purported financial irregularities, it is left to be seen whether the same will be done to Music Ambassador, Shyne Barrow.

Earlier this month, Budhrani wrote him about $35,000 disbursed to his office for music week last month. According to the letter, the documentation presented by Barrow’s office, “contravenes standard accounting practices.” And so Budhrani requested that Barrow provide invoices, and signed cash vouches to indicate how those monies were spent. We understand that to date he has not done so.

All this mismanagement is happening at NICH while its assets are deteriorating right before our eyes. Case in point is the Bliss Centre for the Preforming Arts that has long gone from a beautiful and world class facility to a facility that has become non-functional (the air-condition system is broken) and aesthetically unpleasant.

This is obviously a result of the lack of maintenance due to the incompetence of the authorities at NICH.

on page 31 ExchangeContinued rate (USD): $ 0.50 of One Belize Dollar

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THE BELIZE TIMES

By: Micah Goodin Belize City Thursday August 30, 2018 Despite a local shortage of medication, the Government of Belize (GoB) is hell-bent on preventing anyone else from importing medication into the country so that a pharmaceutical company owned by a Cabinet minister can rake in maximum profits.

For legal purposes, we can’t name that Minister, but we can tell you that it is because of his company GoB passed news laws last year to frustrate other companies that import pharmaceuticals.

The new laws are so asinine that it requires instructions for medication be in only the English or Spanish language. Even if a translation is provided that medication imported is still denied.

One company currently frustrated by this idiocy is the James Brodie and Co Ltd. It stands to lose an estimated BZ $90,000 in medications denied entry into the country.

The company has since released a statement explaining its position and that of the Government of Belize.

Firstly, it applauds the government for trying to regulate the

importation of medication into Belize. According to the company, it has always complied with laws and ensured that citizens get the highest quality medications at a reasonable cost.

Furthermore, it explained that it had been importing Turkish medication through Ziotis Company for many years with approval from the Ministry of Health. And not once, have there been any backlash to these medications which come from reputable companies like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis.

These companies have been manufacturing plants in many other countries and according to the statement that is why the instructions are in foreign languages.

The statement argues that while the laws say that the medications must be in English or Spanish, James Brodie and Co Ltd. understood that once an English or Spanish label was affixed to the medication, they were compliant.

And so it continued to provide those medications which the affixed translations.

While that is what the

GROSS MISMANAGEMENT!

company understood, the company said that GoB had discouraged it from this practice.

As it relates to the shipment of medication currently denied entry into Belize, the company said that from May it with an official from the Ministry of Health and alerted that medication from Ziotis was in transit to Belize.

This is an order that was placed since 2017 to not have a shortage of crucial medication were reportedly placed.

Shortly after that meeting the shipment arrived and was denied entry into Belize.

The company concedes that there were some discrepancies, which were merely typographical errors.

However, it was willing to have the government withhold those medications with discrepancies and offered to re-label all the remaining medications in English as had previously been done upon entry into Belize.

James Brodie and Co Ltd. also informed the government that it had canceled all other orders that had not been shipped and informed those companies overseas that there would not be further orders unless the medications appeared in English.

Still the government denied the shipment from entering Belize.

However, two patients received governmental approval to get medications, which were included in the shipment.

Our newspaper questions then, if the medication provided to these two people were perfectly fine, why not approve the rest of the shipment.

In 2018, it is hard to imagine that a government would disallow its people from receiving medication simply because it is not in the English or Spanish language.

…at the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) Belize City:Thursday 30th August 2018 While sugar cane prices are the lowest it’s been in years and farmers are struggling to remain in the industry, the regulatory body, the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) today is plagued with, what is described by Dr Carlos Itza as, gross mismanagement.

In documents leaked out to the media, Itza describes what is happening at the SICB as mismanagement. There is lack of proper budgeting, lack of expenditure records, missing equipment, improper inventory, over spending, improper accounting procedures, abuse of vehicles and fuel and lack of proper records.

Most of the financial resources used for office administration comes from the Sugar Industry Development Fund, while projects and programs are being funded by other agencies.

It is clear that the farmers’ hard earned money is not being properly invested and while the SICB chairman, Gabriel Martinez, is reported to be living lavishly from continuous salary advances farmers are desperately seeking finances to feed, clothe and school their children.

With schools ready to resume classes on Monday, parents are desperately seeking refinancing from the commercial banks, who due to low sugar cane prices, have denied hundreds of requests.

While this is so, Chairman Martinez is reportedly spending hours at the Casino.

Only two meetings of the Sugar Board have been convened since 2017, which were essentially to discuss budgetary constraints.

The Minister of Agriculture, Godwin Hulse, is called upon by the cane farming community to do his job and remove the non-functional Gabriel Martinez as Chairman of the SICB. The millions paid to the SICB from the Sugar Cane Development Committee is farmers’ money and should not be squandered by Gabriel Martinez. So cane farmers expect to see a change at the SICB before the next Zafra (crop) commences. Gabriel Martinez must go!!!

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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$1.00

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2018

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THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP FISCAL FAILURES ACCUMULATE …DFC GROSSLY UNDERPERFORMING The United Democratic Party (UDP) came to power in 2008 and inherited a robust economy from the out-going People’s United Party (PUP) government. The present government was left on such solid footing that they did not approve a budget until July, 2008. They ran the economy on surplus funds that were available beyond the end of the fiscal year.

Fast forward ten years and look at what the UDP has accomplished. Fiscal incompetence, mismanagement and corruption those are the hallmarks they will be remembered by. Most alarming is that the contagion has spread as far as NICH, National Bank, DFC, and most government ministries and departments.

The recent scandal erupting from inside NICH is just the tip of the iceberg.

Opened with great fanfare the private piggy bank of cronies and special friends of the ruling party, also known as the National Bank, was es-

tablished to provide lending to public officers who legitimately qualified. At the time it was heralded as the beacon of the UDP’s financial transformation.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dean Barrow borrowed $40M of Petro Caribe funds to finance the bank’s operation. The appointed chairman of the National Bank was none other than the present Central Bank Governor, Joy Grant. She was to bring at least the illusion of integrity to the operation with her credentials and reputation for honesty.

However, the National Bank became a free for all. The UDP crony’s elite began to bleed the National Bank. To date, the accumulated loss of this bank is well over $10M. It is the only bank in Belize that continues to steadily record losses. Normal Belizeans benefit in no way from the huge investment.

The DFC said the Prime Minister would run like a Rolls Royce. He brought in all his best financial gurus. The wife of his reverend and his good

friend from BEST. Now there is nothing to show except for a whopping $11.4M in accumulated losses in less than four years. This is simply scandalous, because upon revision of the DFC’s 2017 Annual Reports it is noted that in that year alone they recorded a loss of $5.7m from lending operations only. The report further claimed that the “economy of Belize is sluggish.” That is simply a code for “don’t expect any better in 2018.” They are already making excuses for what we are sure is going to be another dismal year at the DFC. Under the PUP government, the DFC did not record any losses from its lending operations. The DFC had a strong loan portfolio despite problems from a few large loans. The assets of the DFC grew to more than $600M. The revelation in the annual report is disappointing and depressing because all the debt obligations have already expired with the last one expiring in 2012 (North American note). The DFC kept their less than stellar performance well under the radar from 2014 to 2017, for which they recorded massive losses. The DFC Chairman (from BEST) shamelessly admitted

in the annual report that DFC has recorded its fourth year of consecutive losses. These people will need to be called to account for failure to do their jobs.

The DFC is broke. Its capital has shrunk from $43M under the PUP to a paltry $29M in 2017 and, if we believe them, expected to shrink further in 2018. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) who monitors the DFC should be asked why they have not reflected this stink bomb of a performance at their AGM. At this rate, the DFC and the UDP government will need to come clean with the people of Belize. The names of these cronies who have received and those that have defaulted on their loans should be made public. A comprehensive analysis of arrears and enforcement of collection practices should be made. Incompetence, and corruption has plagued this government from the start. The Prime Minister has a reverse “Midas Touch” everything he and this government touch fails.

Message from Hon. John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

Happy St. George’s Caye Day Belize Hi Everybody.

The Celebrations are here and all across Belize people are getting ready for the festivities. Back in the 70’s as a part of our celebrations we used to say: get your head together for independence. Thirtyseven years after our independence we need to keep our heads in the game as we continue to build our nation.

As usual, the celebrations begin with all the traditional 10th of September songs, the flags on the cars, floats, events like the Queen of the Bay and the various other activities and parades to commemorate the Battle of St. George’s Caye. This year will mark the 220th Anniversary of that historic day when as our anthem proclaims: “Our fathers the Baymen, valiant and bold, drove back the invaders this heritage hold.”

As the historians tell it, our ancestors were tired of running each time the Spaniards wanted to remove them from their home. So in September 1798 they decided they would run no more. But only after following the democratic process by taking a vote where the majority decided to stay and stand up for Belize.

The failed Spanish invasion of September 1798 was the last time that any foreign power or interest ever tried to take our territory by force. So we should all celebrate the 10th of September because in so doing we are celebrating the courage of those brave settlers who chose not to run and who believed that this jewel was worth fighting for and if necessary worth dying for. We also celebrate the 10th for it reminds us just how far back we can trace those democratic traditions we so cherish here in Belize.

From settlement to colony, from colony to self-government with full universal adult suffrage and on to our most important achievement yet Independence, we are sons and daughters of this Baymen’s legacy.

Showing the world that we are a people who desire to build a nation with democratic institutions where all of us can work and prosper together.

As we engage in the 10th festivities, let us not forget that just as our ancestors had an appointment with history, so too must our generation meet our own appointment with history.

So if you are 18 or older and haven’t done so yet, get registered. Wherever you are or whatever Party you support, get engaged in the debates and discussions about submitting the Guatemalan claim to the ICJ. Also let’s all do our part to make our communities cleaner and safer. And yes, we must always be ready to defend our free and democratic way of life, do everything possible to live in peace with our neighbours and be a part of the work to build a Belize that works for everyone.

From all of us in the PUP to Belizeans at home and abroad Happy St. George’s Caye Day.

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2 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS

1. Will the Minister of Education and Culture please inform the Belizean people if he will call in the police to investigate the reported wrong doings at NICH? And will the Minister also say if Ambassador Shyne has responded to the letter dated 20th August 2018 asking him to account for the $35,000 he spent for music week?

2. Will the Prime Minister (PM) and Minister of Finance please inform the Belizean people how much the government has paid out so far in legal fees and to which companies in connection with the cases involving the UHS settlement? And will the PM also inform the nation which law firm is representing the government in the UHS case?

3. Will the Minister of Health please provide a list of the top 5 companies that are providing medicines and medical supplies in Belize and will the Minister also say if he or any of his family and friends have shares, is a director, partner or owner on any of these companies?

4. Will the Minister of Works please inform Belizeans, especially the poorer Belizeans of the names of the persons or companies that received more than 7 million dollars in Contracts that were handed out with any proper approval? And will the Minister also inform the nation how many SUV’s were purchased in the Ministry of Works over the past six months and to whom these vehicles have been assigned?

2018

2018 CALL FOR PROPOSALS The Belize Nature Conservation Foundation (BNCF) provides grants to registered management organizations of terrestrial protected areas including, non-governmental organizations and community based organizations that are involved in conservation and management for sustainable use of Belize’s natural resources and terrestrial protected areas. The BNCF is now accepting project applications for its 2018 grants cycle.

Only projects which fit the following three priority areas for funding will be considered: 1. General park management - protection, environmental education and equipment; 2. Training; and, 3. Research.

Some project activities that are eligible for funding include but are not limited to: a) The establishment, restoration, protection and maintenance of protected areas and reserves; b) The development and implementation of scientifically sound systems of natural resource management, including land and ecosystem management practices; c) Training programs to increase the scientific, technical and managerial capacities of individuals and organizations involved in conservation efforts; d) The restoration, protection, or sustainable use of diverse animal and plant species; or e) Research and identification of medicinal uses of tropical forest plant life to treat human diseases, illnesses, and health-related concerns.

Maximum Grant: BZ$38,000.00 for one year Past recipients may apply For application forms and more information contact PACT’s Conservation Investment Manager or email cimanager@pactbelize.org. Submit complete applications and supporting documents no later than September 28th, 2018 to: Submit Completed Application package to: Conservation Investment Manager, PACT #3 Mango Street/P.O. Box 443 Belmopan, Cayo District Re: BNCF Grant Application

Belize City Council Notice of Summons Pursuant to Section 25 (c) and 21 (1) of Towns Property Evaluation Act, Chapter 65 of the Substantive Laws of Belize R.E 2000 the Belize City Council hereby serves this Notice Summons on the following property owners to appear in Municipal Court No. 1, Second Floor, Wellworth Building on 14th September, 2018 to settle the following fees arrears:-

Names of Last Registered Owners Haylock, Kent Yorke, Violet Robateau, Joan Elizabeth Munoz & Bradley, Marie & Rosalind Bennett, Mervin Cuellar, Mark Pilgrim, Gertrude Marin, Maria Staine, Albert Young, James Guzman, Gilroy Rodriquez, Armede F. Cole (Est), Hildebrandt Hoy, George Mckay, Delbert E. Sabido, Norberto Miguel, Isolene Bautista, G.V Pascacio, Sandra Welch, Kent Arnold, Joel Guerra, Rosita Banner, Alpheus Coye, Alfred Toure, Arcella Ortelia Chan, Efrain Smith, Lorin & Karen Thomas, Wilfred Middleton (Est), Marva Castillo, Amalia Neal, Jeanette Henry, Theodore Winston Reneau, Charles & Angela Godfrey, Nicholas

Address & Description of Property

Parcel #508 #36 Cleghorn Street Parcel 3949 #122 Euphrates Ave Parcel #734 #22 Guadalupe Street Parcel #293 #9 Broaster Ave Parcel #1194 #137 Albert Street Parcel #2753 #23 Alejo Beni Street Parcel #1272 #32 Lindo’s Alley Parcel #3243 Lauren Burgess Street Parcel #262 #62 Amara Ave Parcel #729 Balan Street Parcel #3247 Lauren Burgess Street Parcel #1000 Central American Blvd Parcel #247 #36 Amara Ave Parcel #678 #21 Freshman Lane, Coral Grove Parcel #1320 Crown Cone Ave, Coral Grove Parcel #2510 #10 Sir Hunter Street Parcel #159 Rear of St. Jude Street Parcel #15 #5 St. Joseph Street Parcel #202 #30/30A Far West Street Parcel #603 #159 George Street Parcel 31136 #44A Racecourse Street Parcel #849 Antelope Street Parcel #2385 #7 Samuel Haynes Crescent Parcel #275 #17 Ebony Street Parcel #1986 #4 Guerrero Street Parcel #223 #20 Courtenay Crescent Parcel #695 #11 Chapel Lane Parcel #513 #92A West Street Parcel #445 #32A Castle Street Parcel #854 #8 Barrack Road Parcel #1249 #76 Regent Street Parcel #44 #21 Matron Roberts Street Parcel #1025 #2 Gabourel Lane Parcel #705 #47 Pickstock Street

Total Arrears $6,192.38 $6,188.49 $6,179.50 $6,168.83 $6,163.20 $6,160.68 $6,141.92 $6,132.56 $6,110.38 $6,106.32 $6,094.08 $6,090.93 $6,071.76 $6,060.00 $6,016.95 $6,002.46 $5,988.96 $5,950.17 $5,930.64 $5,922.45 $5,919.48 $5,918.80 $5,917.32 $5,915.16 $5,915.16 $5,915.16 $5,915.16 $5,915.16 $5,910.84 $5,908.31 $5,896.55 $5,890.81 $5,889.24 $5,889.24

Period of Arrears 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

Kindly be advised that if any changes have been made to the ownership of any property in this listing above, it is the onus of the new owner to update the Council.

2 SEP

2018

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

“MUCH ADO

ABOUT NOTHING?”

L

ast week it seemed as if it was just another case of “much ado about nothing”. At least that is what this UDP government would have us believe as they posed and postured happily with their bags of rice. What exactly is the big deal? Let us just say that there is more than the obvious and seems very much like peeling an onion truth be told.

Now before we are again accused of looking a gift horse in the mouth let us look at the conditions to be met before we cry crop dumping.

Crop dumping is the direct result of trade and agricultural policies that countries set which encourage over-production. When this increase in production leads to falling prices in their own economy they seek other markets (that’s where we come in) to release all this excess. The main reason is to protect their own prices and so their farmers will not lose. The prices at which those crops come into the developing countries, in this case Belize, is far lower than the prices for the same product being produced here. Obviously making them more attractive to the local consumer. Free stuff is very attractive! It is often times even disguised as donations or aid so that they are made more palatable to the recipient country.

Sound familiar? If you are thinking that this is an isolated incident then guess again. Developed countries have long practiced crop dumping to stabilize their market prices and protect their agriculture industry and farmers.

The reason farmers in more developed nations overproduce is because they are encouraged by their governments and policy makers to do so. They do this by offering subsidies and crop insurance in case crops fail due to natural disasters.

These policies encourage farmers to plant even in risky and marginalized areas because they do not bear the brunt of failure. The Taipei Times of June 12th of the current year for instance reported that the Taiwan Council of Agriculture (COA) refuted allegations that they would release their rice reserves on their national market. The COA further assured farmers that prices for rice would remain stable. They went even further to state that in case of a natural disaster farmers would be given cash relief of NT 18,000.00 per hectare in addition to the state buying the rice at NT 141,600.00 per hectare. In the January 10th issue the Taipei Times also claimed that the COA would offer Taiwanese farmers some US$677M in yearly subsidies. Clearly with all these subsidies the cost of production for rice in Taiwan is significantly lower than it would be in Belize where subsidies for agriculture are non-existent and inputs such as fuel are taxed excessively. Farmers here have never experienced crop insurance and have had to face droughts and the losses they brought all alone. Our excess rice production is difficult to sell in the international market for just these reasons.

The USA is another monster rice producer. Reuters claims that we are in a Global Grain Glut and that the over production and record harvests that countries like the USA and Taiwan are having seriously affect. The most horrifying example of what can happen with crop dumping is the USA – Haiti debacle. In 2010 President Bill Clinton apologized for the policies he set in place that drove Haiti from being a strong rice producing economy into an economy dependent on foreign aid. In the 1980’s Haiti was pressured into trade liberalizations at about the same time that the US Food Securities Act began to subsidize rice farmers heavily in the USA. The surplus rice that resulted was dumped in Haiti where it became impossible to compete with free rice and the Haitian rice farmers went broke. Decades later Haiti has become one of the most impoverished states in the Caribbean dependent on the handouts more developed countries want to give.

Crop dumping in Belize is dangerous. Our products are very expensive because we are taxed so heavily on the inputs we need to produce. We must ask perhaps why the gifts why now? International diplomatic relations are akin to a labyrinth but we do know for sure that Taiwan needs friends. Belize is one of just 19 countries that recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. We also recognize that free could cost us entire industries. It is not perhaps that we are ungrateful but as many a granny in Belize has said “nuthin dah fu free.”

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en Español “¿SERA MUCHO ALBOROTO POR NADA?”

L

a semana pasada parecía como si fuera simplemente otro caso de “mucho alboroto por nada.” Al menos eso es lo que este gobierno UDP nos quería hacer creer mientras se presentaban posando felizmente con sus bolsas de arroz. ¿Cuál es exactamente el problema? Digamos que hay más que lo evidente y esto a decir verdad se parece mucho a pelar una cebolla. Ahora antes de que se nos acuse de estar examinándole el dentado al caballo regalado miremos las condiciones a cumplir antes de quejarnos del dumping de granos.

El dumping de cultivos es el resultado directo de políticas comerciales y agrícolas que establecen los países que fomentan la sobreproducción. Cuando este aumento en la producción conduce a la caída de los precios en su propia economía buscan otros mercados (allí es donde entramos nosotros) para liberar todo este exceso.

La razón principal es para proteger sus propios precios y así sus agricultores no perderán. Los precios a lo que llegan esos granos/cultivos a los países en desarrollo, en este caso Belice, es mucho menor que los precios para el mismo producto que se produce aquí. Obviamente haciéndolos más atractivos para el consumidor local. ¡Las cosas gratis son muy atractivas! Muy a menudo incluso son disfrazados como donaciones o ayuda para que sean más apetecibles para el país receptor. ¿Suena familiar? Si usted está pensando que esto es un incidente aislado entonces adivine otra vez. Los países desarrollados durante mucho tiempo han practicado dumping de granos/cultivos para estabilizar los precios de mercado y proteger su sector agrícola y sus agricultores.

La razón por la que los agricultores de las naciones más desarrolladas sobre-producen es porque son alentados por sus gobiernos y legisladores para hacerlo.

Hacen esto ofreciendo subsidios y seguros de cultivos en caso de que las cosechas fracasen debido a desastres naturales. Estas políticas alientan a los agricultores a sembrar incluso en zonas marginadas y de riesgo porque no sufren los embates del fracaso. El Taipei Times del 12 de junio del año en curso por ejemplo, informó que el Consejo de Agricultura de Taiwan (COA por sus siglas en inglés) refutó las acusaciones que lanzarían sus reservas de arroz en el mercado nacional. El COA adicionalmente les aseguró a los agricultores que los precios del arroz se mantendrían estables. Incluso fueron más lejos afirmando que en el caso de un desastre natural se le daría a los agricultores alivio en efectivo de NT 18,000.00 por hectárea además el estado compraría el arroz a NT 141,600.00 por hectárea. En la edición del 10 de enero de 2018 el Taipei Times también afirma que el COA ofrecería a los agricultores taiwaneses unos US$ 677 millones en subsidios anuales.

Claramente con estos subsidios el costo de producción de arroz en Taiwán es significativamente más bajo que en Belice donde no existen subvenciones para la agricultura y los insumos como el combustible se grava excesivamente. Los agricultores de aquí nunca han experimentado el seguro de cultivos y han tenido que enfrentarse a las sequías y las pérdidas que estos traen por su cuenta. Nuestra sobreproducción de arroz es difícil de vender en el mercado internacional por estos motivos.

Estados Unidos es otro productor de arroz gigantesco. Reuters afirma que estamos en una superabundancia mundial de granos y que la sobreproducción de cosechas en países como los Estados Unidos y Taiwán nos afecta seriamente.

El ejemplo más horrible de lo que puede ocurrir con el dumping de granos es el ejemplo del fiasco Estados Unidos - Haití. En 2010, el Presidente Bill Clinton se disculpó por las políticas que puso en lugar que llevó a Haití de ser una economía fuerte en la producción de arroz a una economía dependiente en ayuda extranjera.

En la década de 1980, Haití fue presionado a aceptar liberalizaciones comerciales aproximadamente al mismo tiempo que la ley de seguridad alimentaria de los Estados Unidos de 1985 comenzó a subsidiar a los productores de arroz los Estados Unidos. El arroz excesivo fue vertido en Haití donde fue imposible competir con el arroz gratis y los agricultores de arroz haitianos terminaron en la bancarrota.

Décadas después Haití se ha convertido en uno de los Estados más pobres del Caribe dependiente de las limosnas que los países más desarrollados quieran dar.

El dumping de granos en Belice es peligroso. Nuestros productos son muy caros debido a que nos gravan tan pesadamente en los insumos que necesitamos para producir. Tal vez debemos preguntarnos ¿por qué los regalos? y ¿por qué ahora?

Las relaciones diplomáticas internacionales se asemejan a un laberinto, pero lo que sabemos con certeza es que Taiwán necesita amigos. Belice es uno de sólo 19 países que reconocen a Taiwán como un Estado soberano. También reconocemos que lo gratis nos podría costar industrias enteras. No es que tal vez seamos ingratos pero como muchas abuelitas en Belice han dicho “nada en esta vida es gratis”.

6 06

2 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

Another Special Sitting of the House

Belize City: Thursday, August 30th, 2018 There will be a Special Sitting of the House tomorrow morning in Belmopan where a bill for the payment of an overdue $95 million dollars will be tabled. At this, sitting all 31 Area Representatives will have to vote.

The House of Parliament must take a decision on what has become a controversy regarding the judgement against the Government of Belize last November by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) who instructed that the debt of $90Million dollars must be paid.

This debt was acquired by the then government when it served as a guarantor with the Belize Bank in reference to a loan for the Universal Health Hospital which would have in turn allowed Belizeans to own 49% of the hospital with accessibility to a more advance, higher-quality high-tech medical services from UHS. UHS would have worked in tandem with the National Health Insurance scheme which the then government was rolling-out but was met with growing public outcry instigated by UDP agenda. The previous government in conformity with the wishes of the people, retracted and paid the debt to the Belize Bank in December of 2007.

Upon coming to power in 2008, the UDP government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow instructed the Bank to return the money that was paid and recreated the debt that saw nine years of litigation until the CCJ ruled last November.

Since the ruling, government is adamant about paying and by January 2018, interests grew by $2M added to the $90M judgement. In January government tabled a bill in the House

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Zenaida Sinturion is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at ” Golden Lounge” located at # 116 East Collet Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Xinhua Zhu is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ” Golden Sky Store” located at # 32 Cemetery Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Harrison Smith is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at ”Bombay Cool Spot” located in Hattieville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

CALL

671-8385 or

EMAIL: belizetimesadvertisement @yahoo.com

To place advertisement in the Belize Times Newspaper

for the payment of $92 million dollars but no vote was ever taken to urge the government to pay.

The three per cent increase in the new bill is attributed to a 17 percent interest rate accumulating on the judgement.

The CCJ came to a conclusion which led to its judgment by agreeing with a previous 2013 ruling by a Tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration, which at the time, was of the view that the 2004 loan guarantee to UHS by GOB was binding after the hospital could not meet payments to the Belize Bank Limited.

2018

str wh fic an m ing co

PUP NOTICE The People’s United Party hereby announces its conventions to elect Standard Bearers in the following Constituencies: Cayo West Cayo Central Queen’s Square Collet Mesopotamia Freetown Fort George Orange Walk Central p.m.

Be 20

Closing date for applications is Friday September 14, 2018 at 4:00

For further information please contact the PUP Secretariat at 6779168.

37 old up fen

th wa co ve inc rat lic ce cri wh of th th

in te Bu led co

Belize City Council Notice of Summons Pursuant to Section 25 (c) and 21 (1) of Towns Property Evaluation Act, Chapter 65 of the Substantive Laws of Belize R.E 2000 the Belize City Council hereby serves this Notice Summons on the following property owners to appear in Municipal Court No. 1, Second Floor, Wellworth Building on 28th September, 2018 to settle the following fees arrears: Name of Last Registered Address & Description of Total Periods of Owners Property Arrears Arrears Everett, Majorie E. Alpuche, Ambrose Pakeman, Medose Elrington, Errol & Ann

Parcel #3766 University Heights Parcel #57 #24 Antelope Street Parcel #86 #52 regent Street West Parcel #369 #5 Keating Crescent, Buttonwood Bay Parcel #1011 #2 Handyside Street Parcel #1373 #7 Rivero Street Parcel #1129 #17 Gill Street, Port Loyola Parcel #183 #12 Bachelor Ave, West Landivar #20 North Front Street Parcel #721 Cebtral American Blvd

$8,267.74 $8,257.86 $8,238.00 $8,222.14

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

$8,207.28 $8,185.74 $8,168.46

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

$8,168.32

2008/18

$8,165.91 $8,122.50

2008/18 2008/18

$8,114.37 $8,102.64 $8,098.10 $8,031.42

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

$8,009.28

2008/18

Burgess, Grace Espat (Est), Helen Escobar, Florence Osling, Alfred Cadle, Olive Margaret Young, John Alexander

Parcel #2726 Bradley Crescent Parcel #721 #52 New Road Parcel #227 McKenzie Street Parcel #1128 #15 Gill Street, Port Loyola Parcel #163 Phillip Goldson Hwy L.H.S to Bridge Parcel #768 Mahogany Street Extn Parcel #418 #2 Freetown Road Parcel #2529 #3 Waha Street Parcel #896 #106 Amara Ave Parcel #585 #9 6th St. King’s Park Area Parcel #883 #50 Daly Street

$7,977.96 $7,944.44 $7,942.11 $7,935.80 $7,931.86 $7,930.62

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

Reneau, Lincoln

Parcel #441 Jasmine Street

$7,906.14

2008/18

Rhaburn, Gernald

Parcel #3867 Coney Drive, Coral Grove Parcel #1145 #13 Cemetery Road

$7,893.01

2008/18

$7,889.76

2008/18

Zelaya, Celia De Pasos Matthews, Gilbert Perlalta, Felix Gillett, Tina Turton (Est), Lorna Prince & Thurton, Doyle & Sydney Young, James Alvarez, Bernadino Mendoza, Ian Richard Peralta, Carmelita THE OWNER

Logan, Carrie

Kindly be advised that if any changes have been made to the ownership of any property in this listing above, it is the onus of the new owner to update the Council.

2 SEP

07 7

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

IN MEMORIAM

Voice of the Common Man 123 Poverty Avenue Belize City, Belize District Court of Port Loyola Poor People: Plaintiff vs Socks man: Defendant {Case No: 3 CAT THIEF} COMPLAINT Plaintiff: Poor People brings forth causes of action and alleges the following: 1) Plaintiff is an individual and resident of Port Loyola , Belize 2)

Defendant is constituency representative and a resident of Belize City, Belize

3)

On or about December 5, 2014 the government bought for the

Belize City council the following: a. 1-unit John Deere 320 skid steer bob cat valued at $24,000 b. 1-unit dtc cat valued at $31,500 c. 1-unit 2014 big text gooseneck trailer 102” x 20” model #zocn-205 valued $10,000 4) On or about December 5, 2014 socks man illegally possessed 3 pcs of equipment herein identified ref [exhibit A] plaintiff bring forth the following counts and allegations supporting cause of action.

5) Count 1. a.) misfeasance defendant failed to follow rules and procedure of the city council act section 007 subsection 3heavy duty equipment and public authority ordinance.

Count 2 b.) Damage to property defendant reckless abuse caused damaged to with : i. 1-unit John Deere 320 skid steer Bobcat ii. 1-unit D4C Cat 1. Ref [exhibit b] Damages Therefore, plaintiff seeks compensatory damages in the amount of $2,000,000 together with the attorney fees and court cost.

Dated this 27th day of August 2018, Common Man

CARTOON

In Loving Memory of

Rosa “Rosita” Baltazar Sunrise: August 16th, 1960 Sunset: July 6th, 2015

I had a wonderful Mother, one who never grew old.

Her smile was made sunshine and her heart was pure as gold.

Her eyes sparkled like diamonds and her cheek fair as a Rose.

I had a wonderful Mother and that’s the way it will always be.

Mother, I will always love you and you will always be in my heart.

Gone but will never be forgotten!!!

Sadly missed by Gary, family and students

8 08

2 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

Belize City Council Notice of Summons Pursuant to Section 25 (c) and 21 (1) of Towns Property Evaluation Act, Chapter 65 of the Substantive Laws of Belize R.E 2000 the Belize City Council hereby serves this Notice Summons on the following property owners to appear in Municipal Court No. 1, Second Floor, Wellworth Building on 28th September, 2018 to settle the following fees arrears:Name of Last Registered Owners Address & Description Of Property Total Arrears Period of Arrears Williams (Est), Henry Castillo, Deborah Alvarez, Alvan Gill, Donald & Ida CITY INVESTMENTS LIMITED Coleman, Virgil Lloyd M. Reneau, Nina E. Baptist, William and Peggy Reyes, Lena White, Millicent Castillo, Jose Espat, Luke Young, James A. Zabaneh, Julius Zetina, Alfredo Urbina, Louise Williams, Carol Cawich, Carmen Tillett, Barry Geggs, David & Deborah Myvett, Karl Matar, Niam Gongora, Benito El Sayed, Maria Del Carmen Hulse, Norman PRICELESS HOLDINGS LIMITED Ma (Est), Chung Chiang Vasquez, Collet Tedgar, Henriques Coleman, Sheila Kumar, Pinky Jamnadas Moore McArthur, Terrence Herbert, George McCord, Nellie Tyndall Pena, Darlene Westby, Hissie Canul, Oswaldo COLONIAL BAND ASSOCIATION Bautista, Gustavo V. Arnold, Karl Gabourel, Gary Andrew Staine, Idolly Neal, Denise Marie Burgess, Grace Tseng, Frank Et Al Lightfoot, George & Era Williams, Yvonne Mendez, Luis Bucknor, Sidney Clarke, Juana Adelia Young, Jerome Martinez, Anthony Speer, Matilde & Melanie Lopez, Tomasa Robateau, John Guild, Stephanie Marie INDECO ENTERPRISES LIMITED Bucknor, Michael

Parcel #356 #89A Vernon Street Parcel #1335 Ordonez Street Parcel #459 #30 Dolphin Drive, Buttonwood Bay Parcel #947 #13 Tanoomah Street Parcel #979 Phillip Goldson Hwy R.H.S to Bridge Parcel #1218 #8 Blue Marlin Blvd Parcel #223 University Drive Parcel #1021 Partridge Street Parcel #107 #19 Central American Blvd Parcel #395 #67 West Street Parcel #1104 #35 Albert Street West Parcel #2059 Phillip Goldson Hwy L.H.S to Bridge Parcel #1816 Henderson Ave Parcel #178 5 ½ Mls George Price Highway Parcel #148 #18 Seagull Street Parcel #843 #40 Regent Street Parcel #1095 #5 Queen Helmet Ave Parcel #958 #11 New Access Parcel #1065 #18 Wagner’s Lane Parcel #950 Bella Vista Parcel #3275 Queen Helmet Ave Parcel #1057 #11A Handyside Street Parcel #1043 #195 West Collet Canal Parcel #2779 #17 Lord Rhaburn Street Parcel #978A Phillip Goldson Hwy R.H.S to Bridge Parcel #1937 Drift Wood Bay Parcel #1010 #6 Handyside Street Parcel #290 #12 Douglas Jones Street Parcel #722 #42 New Road Parcel #659 #18 Campus Ave, West Landivar Parcel #817 #37 New Road Parcel #252 #1 Matron Roberts Street Parcel #2185 Guzman Crescent Parcel #322 #6 Bay St. Buttonwood Bay Parcel #498 #57 Baymen Ave Parcel #1232 #17 Sunray Ave Parcel #125 #20 Vasquez Ave Parcel #661 #76 East Collet Canal Parcel #759 #22 St. Joseph Street Parcel #46 #15 Richard Street Parcel #43 #8 Vernon Street Parcel #144 #41 Cleghorn Street Parcel #3658 Sweet Ave, Coral Grove Parcel #765 Mahogany St Extn Parcel #3624 2 ½ Mls Phillip Goldson Hwy L.H.S to Bridge 2 ½ Mls George Price Highway L.H.S Parcel #120 Faber’s Road Parcel #94 #34 LIzarraga Ave Parcel #54 #65 Lizarraga Ave Parcel #3183 #21 Venus Crescent Parcel #1316 #6 Crown Cone Ave, Coral Grove Parcel #430 #133 Cemetery Road Parcel #742 #124 North Front Street Parcel #372 #11 Keating Crescent, Buttonwood Bay Parcel #2426A Palm Grove Estate Parcel #3271 Teacher’s Street #29 Calle Al Mar Street Parcel #680 #13 Jimmy Dyer Ave

$10,196.20 $10,088.28 $10,078.22 $9,933.75 $9,914.40 $9,912.60 $9,884.00 $9,844.20 $9,840.90 $9,806.91 $9,789.79 $9,768.60 $9,754.06 $9,694.00 $9,683.08 $9,662.00 $9,638.22 $9,916.36 $9,599.14 $9,547.85 $9,527.65 $9,452.00 $9,415.77 $9,395.00 $9,317.60 $9,316.13 $9,297.72 $9,297.72 $9,227.46 $9,109.68 $9,076.50 $9,012.15 $8,984.14 $8,870.73 $8,922.85 $8,884.05 $8,880.46 $8,874.18 $8,872.74 $8,864.10 $8,770.74 $8,742.06 $8,697.90 $8,668.08 $8,613.00 $8,593.20 $8,522.91 $8,519.16 $8,465.29 $8,451.55 $8,444.34 $8,438.95 $8,438.95 $8,423.76 $8,406.72 $8,400.99 $8,348.40 $8,311.86

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

Kindly be advised that if any changes have been made to the ownership of any property in this listing above, it is the onus of the new owner to update the Council.

2 SEP

09 9

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

OSCAR MIRA FOR BELMOPAN!!!

Who is Oscar Mira?

Oscar is from Salvapan, a suburb of Belmopan, he also comes from a humble but well respected family background. Oscar is known in the community for his hard work and dedication. He attended both primary school and graduated from the Belmopan Comprehensive High School.

He enlisted and served Belize in the Belize Defence Force for over twenty three years, retiring as a Major of the Belize Defence Force. As a soldier, he patrolled our borders from north to south in defence of our territorial integrity.

In 1993, Mira attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, United Kingdom. He also attended the University of the West Indies in Jamaica where he earned a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Additionally, he received training at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, Canada; the National Defence University, USA; the National Defence University, ROC – Taiwan; Cranfield University, United Kingdom; and the George C. Marshall Centre for Security Studies in Germany.

He is fluent in verbal and written English

and Spanish.

During his tour of duty, he served as Belize’s Military Attaché at the Belize Embassy in Guatemala City. In his last assignment, Oscar Mira served as the Deputy National Security Coordinator at

the National Security Council Secretariat in the Ministry of National Security.

In September 1995 he served with the UN Peacekeeping Mission to Haiti during operation “Uphold Democracy” as part of the CARICOM battalion.

Today, he is serving the people of Belize once again as the proud Standard Bearer of the People’s United Party in Belmopan. This time, his mission is to serve the people of Belmopan seeking prosperity and security for all.

He said that his endeavour is to serve the residents of our Capital City and to bring prosperity and security for all. “I want to work hard to support the dreams and aspiration of our city residents for a higher quality of life. I see us accomplishing this mission in four areas” he said: 1. In Employment and Business Development – Mira said “As a growing city, we have many residents both young and old who need jobs to support their families. I will work with the business sector, both large and small to expand employment opportunities for our people. We will ensure that Belmopan businesses are treated fairly both in taxation and in the efficiency of municipal support provided to them.

2. Education and Training – We need to ensure that our children are well educated and have the best quality of education available. I will work with all our schools to ensure that they are well equipped to meet the demands of a modern society. We will establish, with our community partners, a vocational school for our young people to learn

trades from which they can create their own self-employment.

3. Citizen and National Security – We cannot allow crime to take root in Belmopan. We will tackle crime head on. At the same time, we will work with our residents to establish alternative and structured activities such as sports that build a sense of belonging, especially for our youth. At the national level, I will use my experience and knowledge developing effective strategies in dealing with the Guatemalan claim to our country. I will also push forward an agenda to address the issue of corruption in government as this contributes to insecurity by robbing resources that can be used to meet the needs of Belize.

4. City Expansion and Green Growth – We will implement proper spatial planning and land use for the managed development of our city. In the process we will make available more house lots, green spaces, parks and playgrounds, and infrastructure. This way, we can address the growing problem of squatting and also create a green city of the future with efficient transport, energy and climate change resilience”.

He is committing his political will to accomplish these four main areas.

He concluded: “I believe that if we can accomplish these plans, we can create a city that families can enjoy, a city that is secure and a city that is prosperous.

I invite you to join our movement. Let’s be the change we want to see. Support Oscar Mira – Prosperity and Security for All”!

BDO Belize LLP

Celebrating 46 years of exceptional client service:

(Formerly Horwath Belize LLP)

Our Firm is celebrating 46 years of assisting businesses in banking and financial services, hospitality, retailing, logistics, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, aquaculture, utilities and health care. For 43 of those years we have represented international accounting networks, including Big 4 networks firms.

Our services include financial audits, accounting and internal control reviews, business risk analysis, project monitoring and evaluation, outsourcing, tax, business advisory and corporate services to the private and public sectors. Our Firm is the only firm in Belize registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) enabling us to audit U.S. public companies or their significant subsidiaries.

We recently joined BDO International, the 5th largest international accounting firm, advancing our international network ranking from 8th to 5th amongst the largest accounting firms in the world. BDO will help us grow our capacity to remain at the cutting edge of our profession.

BDO’s Regional CEO Americas, said on our joining BDO: “I’m delighted to welcome this new firm which already has an excellent reputation in its local market. Stanley Ermeav and his team represent an important milestone in the development of BDO in the region. We now have a footprint in every country in Central America. I am confident that BDO Belize will help to ensure that our clients right across the Americas can benefit from the combined expertise of all BDO firms - while at the same time find the service capabilities to fulfil their complex needs at local level”.

BDO International is a network of over 1,500 offices in more than 162 countries, providing comprehensive service offerings, with expertise across virtually every major industry, and a wide range of clients from regional businesses to global leaders. But BDO is more than its depth of experience and technical excellence. What really sets BDO apart is its commitment to exceeding expectations on every engagement, big or small, for every client, local or multinational. BDO is about a firm-wide dedication to delivering exceptional client service, doing things exceptionally well and delivering that quality consistently.

BDO Belize LLP will continue the Firm’s record of providing exceptional service every day, to every client, without exception. We thank our clients, past, present and future, and our people for their confidence and support.

Stanley Ermeav, FCA (UK), AMLCA

Lisa Zayden Alvarez, MSc, AMLCA

Ann McField, CPA, MBA

10 SPORTS

21 29 AUG JAN 2 SEP

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES

2016 2017 2018

Team DigiCell’s Giovanni Lovell wins 12th annual Elite Kulture Cycling Classic Top 5 - A division

Team Santino’s David Balam wins 12th annual Kulture Cycling Classic

Gardenia, August 26, 2018 Team Santino’s Mexican import David Balam won the Weekend Warriors’ 12th annual Kulture Cycling Classic on the George Price and Philip Goldson highways on Sunday morning.

Weekend Warriors’ 54 A Division riders began the 58-mile ride from Leslie’s Imports to the Hattieville roundabout on the George Price Highway, via the Burrell Boom bypass onto the to the Crooked Tree Junction on the Philip Goldson Highway, returning to Slim’s Bar in Gardenia; 42 riders finished.

A Division 1st David Balam - Team Santino’s - 2:05:15 - $750 prize & trophy.

2nd Barney Brown - Team Scotiabank - 2:15:25 - $650 prize & trophy.

3rd Fitzgerald “Palas” Joseph – Team Lampaz - $500 prize & trophy.

4th Warren Coye - Team Santino’s - $400 prize & trophy.

5th Roque Matus – Team M&M Engineering - $300 prize & trophy.

6th Dwayne Wade - Belize Boyz - $250 prize & medal.

7th Derrick Smith – Team BSFC El Pescador - $200 prize & medal.

8th Alvan Gillett – Team

Kulture Megabytes - $150 prize & medal.

9th Philip Burns – Team Valvoline - $100 prize & medal.

10th Santino “Chief” Castillo - Team Santino’s - $75 prize & medal.

11th Stephen Bissett – Team Furnished Apartments 12th Collet Maheia – Team Kulture Megabytes 13th Windell Williams – Team SMART Zoom 14th Roydell Reneau – unattached 15th Daniel Cano - Team Santino’s 16th Kirk Sutherland – DigiCell 4G 17th Ray Cattouse - Team C-Ray 18th Dean Belisle - Team BelCal 19th Anthony Tun – Team Valvoline.

20th Ryan Willoughby – Team Valvoline.

B Division 1st Michael Wagner - Team Valvoline - $500 prize 2nd Steve Gill – Team SMART Zoom - $350 prize 3rd Kaylynn Gillett – Team Kulture Megabytes - $250 prize.

4th Armando Morales – Team Valvoline - $150 prize.

5th Taralee Ordonez - Team Kulture Megabytes - $100 prize.

Top 5 winners - B division

Top 5 Elite winners: Santiago, Pope, Lovell, Robateau, Arana

Top 5 Jrs - Avila, Chaplin Li, Codd, Armstrong

Gardenia, August 26, 2018 Team DigiCell 4G’s Giovanni Lovell won the Weekend Warriors’ 12th annual Kulture Cycling Classic on the George Price and Philip Goldson highways on Sunday morning.

Elite cyclists rode 72 miles from Leslie’s Imports to the Hattieville roundabout on the George Price Highway, via the Burrell Boom bypass to Mile 40 on the Philip Goldson Highway, returning to Slim’s Bar in Gardenia, while Juniors and Females rode 58 miles, turning at the Crooked Tree junction.

1st Giovanni Lovell – Team DigiCell 4G - $750 prize.

2nd Keion Robateau – Team Westrac Alliance - $650 prize.

3rd Byron Pope – Team Benny’s Megabytes - $500 prize.

4th Nissan Arana – Team Westrac Alliance - $400 prize.

5th Richard Santiago – Team Westrac Alliance - $300 prize.

6th Joslyn Chavarria – Team DigiCell 4G - $250 prize 7th Henry Moriera – Team SMART Zoom - $200 prize.

8th Gregory Lovell – Team DigiCell 4G - $150 prize.

9th Anthony Marin – Team Cabral/Marin - $100 prize.

10th Dillon Abraham – Bel-

Cal - $75 prize.

Females 1st Alicia Thompson - Team Kulture Megabytes 2nd Kaya Cattouse - of the C-Ray team Juniors 1st Henry Li – Team Depredadores - $500 prize.

2nd Tevin Chaplin – Team Marie Sharpe - $350 prize 3rd Shaun Codd – Team Recino’s Imports - $250 prize.

4th Christian Avila – Team Depredadores - $150 prize.

5th Shawn Armstrong Jr - Team SURGE/ D&A Construction - $100 prize.

CALL

671-8385 or

EMAIL:

belizetimesadvertisement@ yahoo.com

To place advertisement in the Belize Times Newspaper

MAY 31 26 JUL FEB 24 NOV 19 JUN 14 28 SEP AUG

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2016 2017 2016 2018

11 SPORTS 11

MOES, FSTV, Ramada, & BWS win Mcalean Insurance Interoffice football playoffs Belize City, August 24, 2018 The MOE & Sports/Premium Wines, Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV), Ramada Gray Enterprises/Brothers Habet, and Belize Water Services all advanced to the Maclean Insurance BDFA Interoffice football semifinals, by big wins in the quarterfinals at the MCC garden last Thursday and Friday nights.

In Game 1 Thursday, Ramada eliminated the Belize Bank: 2-1 with goals by .

FSTV wins 3-2 KHMH

Alfred Garnett scored BWS’ 2nd & 3rd goals

Kareem “Ton-ton” Flowers and Travis Eiley, only Francisco “Peely” Briceño scored for Belize Bank.

In Game 2 Thursday, MOE&S/Premium Wines won 3-0 by Latinos eData’s default.

In Game 1 Friday, FSTV eliminated KHMH 3-2, with a goal apiece from Thomas Castro and Carlos Lino, and a KHMH autogoal; while Alex Saldivar scored 2 goals for KHMH. In Game 2 Friday, BWS eliminated Atlantic Insurance: 4-1, with a goal apiece from Ashton Lewis and Denroy McCord and 2 goals by Alfred Garnett. Only Delroy Buckley scored Atlantic Insurance’s consolation goal.

The Ramada squad takes on BWS, while FSTV challenges MOE&S/Premium Wines, when the semifinals kick off on Wednesday, August 29.

Dragons, Bulldogs, Infotel & TuffeNuff win thru to FBL semifinals Belize City, August 24, 2018 Undefeated Dragons, Infotel, Tuff eNuff and Belize Bank Bulldogs won through to the Firms Basketball League (FBL) semifinals at the Swift Hall in St Martin de Porres parish last Thursday and Friday.

In Game 1 Thursday, Dragons eliminated DigiNet: 71-59, led by Andrew Vasquez with 15pts. Auburn Rivero scored 13pts, Eyan Rene added 12pts, 11 rebounds, and Sydney “Bucket” Bradley hit 2 treys for 11pts. Frank Williams and Densford Bevans threw in 6pts apiece. DigiNets’ Lupito Acosta top-scored with 18pts, Travis Lennan added 13pts, and Ed Thompson put up 10pts.

In Game 2 Thursday, Infotel eliminated Armed Forces: 72-54, led by Russell Humes with 21pts. Kurt “Chengo” Burgess posted 18pts, and Andre Martinez and Glenford Chimilio scored 10pts apiece.

Keith Pollard Sr netted 8pts.

Armed Forces’ Ernest Tench scored 15pts, Raheem Zung-

ia added 12pts, and Shaquille Crawford had 11pts. Gerald Gillett put up 6pts apiece.

In Game 1 Friday, Tuff eNuff eliminated the Gladiators 87-70, led by Elvis Olivera with 26pts.

Raheem Baptist posted 16pts, Ray Gongora Jr put up 14pts, and Douglas Valley added 13pts, 13 rebounds. Gladiators’ Keith Pollard Jr scored 16pts, Dave Apolonio hit 2 long treys 15pts, and Lonnie Trapp added 14pts.

Neil Nicholson and Delroy Faber scored 10pts apiece.

In Game 2 Friday, the Belize Bank Bulldogs eliminated the Police: 88-82, led by Rupert Brown with 32pts. Earl “Bolo” Johnson added 26pts, 12 boards. Roscoe Rhys drained in 3 long treys for 10pts, and Lincey Lopez scored 9pts. For the Police, Davis Guzman scored 22pts, 18 rebounds, Matthew Young posted 18pts, 21 rebounds, and Sheldon Williams added 13pts.

Marcus Lewis put up 10pts, and Albert Longsworth and Joseph Sutherland netted 8pts apiece.

Alex Saldivar scored KHMH 2 goals

BELMOPAN BANDITS LEAD PLB FOOTBALL Georgie Welcome scored Bandits 3 goals

Belmopan, August 26, 2018 Undefeated Belmopan Bandits moved to the top of the Premier League of Belize standings with 10pts from 3 wins and 1 draw, after they arrested the Police United: 3-0 at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Sunday.

Bandits’ Honduran import Georgie Welcome scored a hat trick for their 3-0 win, with goals in the 53rd, 73rd and 81st minutes.

The Belzie Defence Force enjoyed their first win to hand the San Pedro Pirates FC their 2nd loss: 1-0 at the Ambergris Stadium last Saturday night, when Dinsdale Rogers scored the winning goal in the 8th minute.

Verdes FC also enjoyed their 3rd win 1-0 over the Altitude Assassins FC at the Norman Broaster Stadiym on Sunday, with a strike by Brazilian import in the Roberto De Silva in the 40th minute.

Wagiya FC tamed the Freedom Fighters FC: 3-2 at the Carl Ramos Stadium on Sunday, with Highking Roberts scoring a hat trick in the 21st, 81st and 87th minutes; while only Hector Gomez and Alexander Peters scored for the Freedom Fighters.

56 12 2018 2 SEP

THE BELIZE TIMES

Oscar Mira

FOR

BELMOPAN!

2 SEP

2018

2 SEP

2018

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

13

PUP PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS MEETING

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

BENEFITS OF SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH “Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose, it teaches you about life”. – Billie Jean King– By: Dr. Pedro Villegas.

I. Background We are still exited after the recent results of Central American Women Volleyball Championship where our team got silver medal and defeated Guatemala in an epic final match. Belize was one of the lowest ranked team in this tournament competing against professional teams.

Good luck and good fortune are not the same; good fortune can come from a stroke of good luck but is underpinned by hard work. We also enjoy different sports worldwide, but we never realize all sacrifice, discipline, hard work, determination and training hours behind all these excellent sport players that we admire, it motivated this reflexional analysis about the importance of sport practice at early ages.

Sport is a means of personal development. That is, sports can serve as a vehicle for the psychological, physical, cognitive and social development of those who practice it. Sport and physical activity reduce stress, improves the quality of sleep, prevents diseases and has been helpful in the therapy of several chronic diseases. In addition, the practice of sports and physical activity regularly arouses interest in taking care of one-self and staying healthy, which is why it is usually associated with a tendency to eat healthier.

II. Discussion Sports play a fundamental role in the educational, training and disciplinary process of children. The combat sports in particular are very dynamic, since they require several skills and physical coordination to perform all of their specialized techniques, which require great discipline and will, accompanied by a very good physical training, with a high mental concentration.

Sports are the way to perfection through repetition and systematization, it requires the use of both cerebral hemispheres to perform the techniques on the right and left, deepening in the emotional and physical for all its practitioners.

It’s well known that 4-5 years old is the stage where there is differentiation between left and right hemispheres of the kids’ brain. Specialization allows children to develop a sense of laterality and directionality and improvement of motor coordination and body awareness in space. How to develop: physical exercises that deal with the notion of left and right, up and down, forward and backward, are advisable. Swimming, dance and martial arts help develop spatial awareness of children.

Martial Arts are efficient, ethical, they help to develop respect and discipline.

Martial Arts since its emergence, not only took care of the physical part of the sport, for which they created a great system of exercises and techniques, for its development; they also laid the foundations of an ethical and formative code in disciplinary and emotional matters for all its members: federative, sensei, referees, athletes or practitioners. This code is required to apply both inside and outside the tatami, in your private and professional life.

UNESCO has declared Martial Arts in general as the best sports as initial training for children and young 4-21 years and a regular practice at any age, allowing a “full physical education”, promoting, through knowledge of the sport, all psychomotor possibilities: space location, perspective, ambidexterity, handedness, playing, pull-

ing, pushing, crawling, jumping, rolling, falling, joint and independent coordination of both hands and feet, etc., and relationship with other people, using the game and the fight as a dynamic integrator element and introducing technical and tactical initiation sports, in addition to seeking a general, ideal suitability.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also considered that Martial Arts are the more completed sports since they promote the values of friendship, participation, respect and effort to improve. Martial Arts training is much better activity for kids than team sports such as, Baseball, Basketball or Soccer. If you are inclined to sign your child up for some organized sports activity, here are some reasons why you should choose Martial Arts for your kids: 1. Self-Defense: The first reason why most people practice martial art is for self-defense. Not only will the martial arts teach you the techniques to defend yourself, but also the way to think about defending yourself.

They also help you build up the reflexes you need if you’re ever in a difficulty, and give you the confidence to fight back.

2. Belts and Ranking: Belts are a great way to help children track their progress and motivate them to strive higher. Belts and ranking may help build the child confidence and their desire to succeed. For this purpose, most Martial Arts styles use a system of Colored belts to indicate the knowledge and skill levels of their practitioners. In many cases, the first belt promotion can be attained in few weeks and when children obtain that first belt, it shows them that with the right motivation, they can succeed. One belt is always not enough, once a child passes one belt test he or she is already thinking about the next one.

3. Self-Confidence: As children become more skillful in their selected style of martial arts, their confidence gets increased significantly. They become more self-assured and confident. The Sensei’s (Teacher’s) encourage their students a lot to help them achieve this goal, but the confidence level will extend far beyond the Dojo (Martial Arts Studio).

4. Exercise: The classical martial arts class will often be comprised of warm-up calisthenics, teaching and practicing of moves and possibly some sparring. The warm up and practice include the bulk of the time, and for that time your child will be constantly on the go, stretching, crunches, punches and kicks. The workout each child gets will not only assist in the natural development of his/ her muscles but also help them build stronger cardio-vascular systems. Even in the most active of team sports such as Soccer, Hockey, or Basketball, children don’t get that much of a workout simply because they generally don’t play the whole game and even if they do, there are still breaks in the action.

5. Emphasis on Individual Achievement: In the martial arts, each child’s success is

based on his or her own individual qualities.

Yes, your kid may not be the most winning in his class, but that will be because he tried and lost, and not because he wasn’t good enough to make it off the bench like other sports in which he may not play the game at all because his coach told him so. Knowing that their own ambition and hard work will drive them to succeed, they will be motivated to follow their dreams without the fear of hating the sport or not having the chance to practice it.

6. Discipline: The core of any martial art is “practice makes perfect”. There is a constant repetition in drills and practices with emphasis on details and rhythm. Kicking, punching and throwing are practiced and repeated over and over. Those practices teach them the benefits of frequent practice, and the patience to get there. All of this teaches children to respect one another, their opponents and colleagues, and how to play games fair and square.

7. Martial arts isn’t about brute force, it is about control: It teaches emphasize the concept of maximum efficiency. This is evident, as the root of many techniques is not necessarily brute force, but using your opponents’ movements and strength against him or her. While physical strength and size are important, mental strength is probably the most critical factor in competition.

8. Gender Equity: Most parents consider martial arts for their sons, not nearly as many would consider it for their daughters.

However, the martial arts are one of the few sports where both boys and girls can play together. There are also tremendous international opportunities in Women’s martial arts as well. Your daughter’s yellow belt will not be any easier for her to attain than your son’s yellow belt will be for him. It also gives brothers and sisters an opportunity to practice together and learn from one another as well.

9. Respect for Strength: The first thing parents think about when they send their kids to martial arts class is: “Is my child going to use this to hurt others?”. Although this is a legitimate concern, it is always addressed early by instructors who remind students that the techniques they learn in the dojo stay in the dojo except in self-defense, and shouldn’t be used to intimidate people. As children learn the ropes, they will learn to respect their new-found strength and techniques.

10. Competition: Similarly, to team sports, Martial Arts are all about competition. The latter is great for kids to test their skills and show their progress. Unlike team sports, the loser can’t really blame anyone beyond his or herself. But then this gives them a sense of respect for their opponent, as well as motivation to do better the next time. Each tournament is a fresh start, and it is seldom that you get only one match even in the Olym-

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2018 pics where there is a single-elimination for the Gold and Silver medals, there is a second-chance round for those who have lost their first matches for them to be able to win a Bronze.

The comprehensive training of the athlete comprises three types of education: knowledge education; physical education and, finally, moral education.

These three kinds of education provide their practitioners and especially children, the physical and combative as well as the defensive capacity acquired from the first two educational ones. Respectful, humble, ethical and safe conduct characterizes the majority of those sports; as founder of Judo Jigoro Kano stated: “I am always working to be better than yesterday”.

III. Conclusions Sports are beneficial for children and young people, since it allows: a comprehensive physical education, enhancing, through knowledge of the sport, all psychomotor possibilities (spatial location, perspective, ambidexterity, laterality, throwing, pushing, crawling, jumping, rolling, falling, independent joint coordination of both hands and feet, etc.), and relationship with others students, using play and fight like an integrator-dynamic element and introducing technical and tactical sport initiation of shape adapted; in addition to seeking a general, ideal fitness.

It has been demonstrated that lack of physical activity or sedentary lifestyle is associated with the elevation of many risk factors responsible for diseases such as high blood pressure, increased blood glucose, increased body fat, etc. There is a relationship between the practice of exercise and the improvement of the immune system. In addition, more and more researches are being done as the practice of exercise can slow down the rate of aging and, more importantly, help to age in a more functional way and with a better quality of life. However, we are still investigating what is the “dose” or parameters that define the most appropriate exercise program for the improvement of each of the factors that influence health. Well, the most important thing is effort, perseverance, discipline and teamwork. If these characteristics are met, everyone can achieve what is proposed.

You can reach your own conclusions.

God bless Belize.

Follow us at: www.cubel.org & www. facebook.com/cubelconsultancy IV. References 1. Cobbold, C. (2018). “Battle of the sexes: Which is better for you, high- or low-intensity exercise?” Journal of Sport and Health Science, pp. 1-4, June, 2018.

2. Darren, E. R.; Warburton, C.; Whitney, N.; Shannon, S. D. (2016).

“Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence” Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174 (6) pp. 801-810, March 14, 2006.

3. Herzog, W. (2018). “Do recreational team sports provide fitness and health benefits?” Journal of Sport and Health Science, 7 (2), pp. 127-128, , April 2018.

4. Jaroslav, B.; Luboslav, S.; Kováčová, N. (2018) “Interaction of physical activity, joy of physical activity and quality of life of high school students with different level of sport performance”. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 5 (4), pp. 12-18, July-August, 2018.

5. Pate, R. R.; Trost, S. G.; Levin, S. (2000) “Sports Participation and Health-Related Behaviors Among US Youth”. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescents Medicine Journal, 154 (9), pp. 904911, September, 2000.

6. www.unesco.org/new/en/goodwill-ambassadors/champions-for-sport/

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15

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

COMMONWEALTH

CITIZENS AND THE VOTE Not surprisingly, there are a number of election and electoral law issues that I have been considering. One such is what is the requirement for Commonwealth citizens to vote in elections here at home ? We have known that persons from a Commonwealth country who have lived in Belize for one year are eligible to register and to vote in our elections. I was curious to see what is the requirement for a number of Commonwealth Caribbean countries. What I have found is quite interesting.

The requirement for several CARICOM countries varies widely.

For Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago the law says a Commonwealth citizen must reside in the country for a period of one year.

For Barbados one must reside there for three years. For Saint Lucia one must live there for a long seven years. And for Guyana the Commonwealth person must be “domiciled and resident” in Guyana in order to vote. I did not go further to check for Guyana what their meaning of domiciled and resident is, but we can get the picture of quite some variation in the requirements for these CARICOM sister countries.

I next took notice of an intriguing article from the publication Barbados Today from December last year which considered this issue. It said that as members of the British Commonwealth, English speaking Caribbean countries “have adopted a number of institutions, structures and practices of their former metropolitan mother country. Not least among these are rules pertaining to voting, inclusive of the qualifications for the vote and the electoral system.” In the UK every individual who is registered to vote and who possesses valid leave to enter/remain in the country and who is eligible to hold public office is qualified to vote in elections. Nationality is therefore not seen as a precondition for exercising political rights in the UK. Recently about one million non-British citizens participated in the BREXIT vote in 2016 !

The article goes on to assert that given the high stakes involved in elections, changes in electoral laws are not unusual. In Antigua and Barbuda in 2010 an amendment was made to their Representation of the People Act,

which extended the residency requirement for Commonwealth citizens who wished to register to vote, from three to seven years.

Gaston Browne, then Opposition leader and now Prime Minister, challenged the constitutionality of this change, arguing as he did that the amendment unfairly deprived Commonwealth citizens of their vote. However, the court dismissed his case and ruled that Parliament could by legislation increase the residency requirement and that this did not violate the constitution. I agree with the court’s ruling.

Most recently, earlier this year that is, the Barbados High Court upheld a challenge by several Commonwealth citizens living in Barbados to the attempt by the Freundel Stuart administration to disenfranchise them, despite the legal provision that three years of residency qualified them to vote in Bajan elections. This means that the law as it stands must be respected, but governments can change the law as they see fit.

I can speak from personal experience, not armchair commentary, on this issue. I therefore believe that we in Belize should increase the residency requirement to at least three years. In previous village council and general elections in Belize Rural Central a number of students from India who attend the Central American Medical College near the Burrell Boom Road junction and who live in and around Los Lagos have been taken to register and to vote

by Michael Hutchinson. They have influenced the outcome of BRC elections, but they only reside in Belize for two years, after which they politely leave.

This was and is unfair. They should never be allowed to vote after being here for only one year, as they are surely transient. We should certainly prevent this kind of thing from happening. Commonwealth citizens should establish some permanency in order to be eligible to register and vote in Belize. As the Barbados Today article concludes: “A small number of Commonwealth voters can impact the outcome of an election in a decisive way. Hence, electoral laws and the manner in which they are applied do have serious political consequences.” Tell me about it !!

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 20th August 2018 Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garcia, (Ret’d) psc. OBE was appointed Receiver of Messrs. Robert’s Grove Limited of Point Placencia, Stann Creek District.

Any person having a claim upon ROBERT’S GROVE LIMITED is asked to send in the particulars to: Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garcia, (Ret’d) psc. OBE, Receiver, Robert’s Grove Limited, P.O Box 2649, Belize City, Belize.

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 24th day of April, 2013, between DIEGO LOZANO & MIRIAM LOZANO both of Independence Village, Stann Creek District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrowers”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Bank”) of the other part, and recorded as LTU-201300741, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Block No.1 comprising of 2.00 acres, situate along the North Side of the Malacate Road, Mango Creek, Independence Village, Stann Creek District, shown on Plan 161 of 2010 attached to Minister’s Fiat (Grant) No. 161 of 2010 being more particularly shown on a Plan of Survey by Licensed Surveyor LLOYD S. Tingling, recorded at the Lands & Survey Department at Entry 7342 Register 15 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 22nd day of August, 2018.

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

16

ESPAÑOL

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES

Daniel Ortega arrecia persecución contra los medios de comunicación que lo desafían Carlos Pastora, gerente de Canal 10, que se negó a recibir un emisario del gobierno de Daniel Ortega que pretendía censurar la programación, se refugió en la embajada de Honduras, después de una orden de retención en su contra.

Prensa Libre/ Nicaragua 22 de Agosto de 2018 Pastora, quien también tiene la nacionalidad hondureña, inentaba viajar por negocios a EE. UU. cuando se enteró de que había una orden de retención en su contra y que no podía salir del país, según publicó este miércoles La Prensa.

El lunes último, un emisario del oficialismo, Óscar Ortiz, se presentó a las instalaciones de Canal 10 diciendo que era el nuevo jefe y que de allí en adelante sólo se transmitirían temas sociales y nada de coberturas políticas, pero fue rechazado por todos los periodistas de la sede.

Como represalias, el gobierno orteguista no sólo instruyó la orden de retención de Pastora, sino también una investigación financiera del canal y el envío de un contingente de an-

timotines que rodeó las instalaciones.

Francisco Palmieri, subsecretario adjunto para el Hemisferio Occidental del Departamento de Estado de los EE. UU. condenó el hecho intimidatorio e instó a garantizar una prensa libre para los nicaragüenses, según el matutino.

El hecho se suma a otros sucesos del oficialismo contra los medios de comunicación. En abril último, medios locales de Nicaragua reportaron la muerte del periodista Ángel Gahona en el municipio de Bluefields, en la costa Caribe de ese país, quien fue baleado mientras transmitía una protesta.

En ese mismo mes, unos 15 periodistas de medios leales al gobierno orteguista renunciaron a sus puestos de trabajo, como protesta a que los estaban obligando a no informar sobre los hechos violentos que estaban aconteciendo en esos momentos.

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2018 2018

Las protestas, tanto en contra como a favor de Ortega, continúan en Nicaragua.

“Crecí en el seno de una familia sandinista, que vivió en carne propia la Revolución. Crecí escuchando historias de líderes que luchaban por el honor de su patria, historias que inspiraron mi vida, que forjaron mis valores y mis principios. Crecí creyendo en los ideales de una Nicaragua Unida. Pero esos líderes que un día admiré, hoy me defraudan. Y no sólo a mí sino al pueblo que depositó su confianza en ellos”, dijo entonces Stefanía Alemán, presentadora del noticiero Crónica TN8, Canal 8, citada por La Prensa.

El 16 último, la Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP) y Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF), en un comunicado, demandaron al gobierno de Daniel Ortega frenar la violencia contra periodistas y familiares, además, que se investiguen y sancionen las agre-

siones.

“Las prácticas de agresión en contra de periodistas independientes, se ha manifestado en amenazas, persecución, intimidación y campañas de difamación, en especial en casos que involucran a periodistas del interior del país, entre cuyos casos graves se destacan la explosión contra las instalaciones y trabajadores de Radio Darío en la ciudad de León y el asesinato del periodista Ángel Eduardo Gahona en la localidad de Bluefields”, resaltaron las entidades en el texto.

La represión orteguista no cesa.

El Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos (Cenidh) reportó este miércoles la existencia de al menos 320 “presos políticos” en Nicaragua, más del doble de lo que se estimaba hasta ahora.

En condiciones infrahumanas y dentro de sótanos: así rescataron a 49 “esclavas sexuales” en Colombia Policía colombiana desvela forma de operar de redes de explotación sexual después de haber liberado a casi medio centenar de mujeres retenidas en negocios con fachadas de discotecas.

Prensa Libre/ Colombia 21 de Agosto de 2018 En condiciones infrahumanas y dentro de sótanos incomunicados con el exterior fueron encontradas 49 mujeres que eran explotadas sexualmente en negocios de Colombia, según un reporte de Univisión Noticias publicado este martes.

Se trata de 26 mujeres colombianas y 23 venezolanas que fueron “reclutadas” con engaños por una extensa red de proxenetas que opera en Cartagena de Indias y otros antros nocturnos en las urbes de ese país sudamericano.

La operación confirmó la forma de operar de este tipo de negocios: “Arriba eran discotecas. Abajo, en los sótanos, antros de explotación sexual donde las mujeres sobrevivían en condiciones precarias, bajo la amenaza de sus proxenetas”, consigna la cadena de

La trata de personas deja cuantiosas ganancias a las estructuras dedicadas a la explotación sexual. En la imagen, una de las presuntas líderes presume sus lujos en las redes sociales.

noticias.

La estructura, que prácticamente secuestraba a las mujeres, les hacía ofertas laborales atractivas, las llevaba a determinados lugares y les retenía los documentos de identidad a quienes los tenían.

Después las confinaba en los sótanos, comunicados sólo por medio de pasadizos ocultos, y las obligaba a mantener encuentros sexuales con clientes selectos. “Cuando descu-

brían el engaño, ya era demasiado tarde”, dice la nota.

La Fiscalía colombiana estableció que la mayoría de mujeres eran indocumentadas y la banda de proxenetas les imponía la cantidad de encuentros íntimos que deberían mantener al día, a cambio de supuesto alojamiento y de manutención.

Red internacional Las autoridades no descartan que estas estructuras

delictivas dedicadas a la explotación de “esclavas sexuales” tengan vínculos o sean dirigidas por Liliana Campos Puello, la Madame, capturada a principios de agosto y señalada como una de las mayores líderes de estructuras de explotación sexual a escala internacional.

Este es el segundo golpe que las autoridades asestan a esta red criminal, que suponen se extiende hacia otros países en la misma forma de operar, y cuya principal característica es la trata de personas, delito que en Colombia se penaliza hasta con 23 años de prisión y con cuantiosas multas.

Por ahora, los edificios en los que funcionaban los antros podrían pasar a poder del Estado, y las mujeres serán albergadas en centros estatales y de migración, donde recibirán la atención adecuada y donde se decidirá su futuro legal.

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17

THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

Belize City Council Notice of Summons Pursuant to Section 25 (c) and 21 (1) of Towns Property Evaluation Act, Chapter 65 of the Substantive Laws of Belize R.E 2000 the Belize City Council hereby serves this Notice Summons on the following property owners to appear in Municipal Court No. 1, Second Floor, Wellworth Building on 14th September, 2018 to settle the following fees arrears:Names of Last Registered Owners Ysaguirre, Carlos Williams, Caroline Elizabeth Davis, Geraldine Francis, Collin Christopher Hoy, George Pou, Estrella Luz Rowland, Stephen Cunningham, Henry Bruce, Minelva & James Springer, Kenneth Kelvin, Ramnarace Matinez, Stacy Maxine Bennett, Allan Kelly, Mehetebel Flowers, Lloyd Edwards, Beulah Brown, Joseph Gabourel, Frezine Rhaburn, Winston Swazo, Irene Gabourel, Caren Wittaker, Peggy & Walter Tennyson, Loretta Louise & Marilyn Marion Aguilar, Raul Good, Fred Wright & Wynter (Est), Clarine & Charles Tillett Gonguez, Shelmadine Flowers, Glenda Ramclam, Yvonne Lisbey, Carmen Elizabeth KEAS NEW ROAD LIMITED McCord, Liston Morena, Celida Gullap, Iris Arthurs (Est), Hildebrant Betson, Alfred Vergo, Ashton Jones, Dennis Hernandez, Lucas Lino, Alberta Pickwood, Consuelo White, Errol Lambey, Victoria Hulse, Marguerita Vernon, Eustace Elrington, Carolee Villar, Princesa Jex, Robert Gray, Carrie Perez, Paola C. Ewens, Charles Belgrave (Est), Raymond Gabb, Lorna Gill, Cherryl McKay, Karen

Address & Description of Property Parcel #520 Lovely Lane Parcel #2576 #47 Bradley Crescent Parcel #510 #70 West Street Parcel #286 Basil Coleman Street Parcel #678 #21A Freshman Lane, Coral Grove Parcel #289 #11 Broaster Ave Parcel #2819 #6 Jesus Ken Street Parcel #864 Lloyd Wright Subdivision Parcel #146 #39 Mahogany Street Parcel #491 #6A Myvett Street #88 Krooman Road Parcel #2157 Starfish Crescent Parcel #283 #11 Bocotora Street Parcel #386 #53 Freetown Road Parcel #548 #12 Partridge Street Parcel #1172 #11 Dickenson Street Parcel #877 #196 East Collet Canal #73 New Road Parcel #1883 Phillip Goldson Hwy R.H.S to Bridge Parcel #253 #21 Meighan Ave Parcel #686 #16 Pickstock Street Parcel #297 #7 Broaster Ave Parcel #970 #9 D Street, King’s Park Area

Total Arrears $6,703.56 $6,690.12 $6,689.98 $6,678.72 $6,674.40 $6,674.13 $6,638.25 $6,638.25 $6,631.18 $6,620.58 $6,608.71 $6,606.06 $6,591.51 $6,569.12 $6,557.68 $6,550.47 $6,550.47 $6,511.32 $6,478.15 $6,475.75 $6,452.70 $6,444.36 $6,434.56

Period of Arrears 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

Parcel #397 #39 Fairweather Street Parcel #154 #30A Foreshore, St George’s Caye Parcel #587 #34 East Collet Canal

$6,431.09 $6,417.00 $6,409.45

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

Parcel #2382 #1 Juliet Soberanis Street Parcel #2941 #10 Wilfred Peters Street Parcel #733 #24 Guadalupe Street Parcel #203 #15 Flambouyant St, St Martin’s Parcel #2429 Palm Grove Estate Parcel #1390 Phillip Goldson Hwy R.H.S to Bridge Parcel #1916 Phillip Goldson Hwy R.H.S to Bridge Parcel #484 #24 Mex Ave Parcel #872 #129 Amara Ave Parcel #872 #129 Amara Ave Parcel #290 Haulze Street Parcel #168 #10 Racoon street Parcel #575 #23 Berkley Street Parcel #917 #40 Rio Grande Crescent Parcel #2143 #1 Bauhinia Street Parcel #8 #15 Croton Lane, St Martin’s De Porres Parcel #875 Sunflower Street Parcel #1503 L.A Street, Coral Grove Parcel #73 #9 Vernon Street Parcel #1018 #28 Graduate Crescent, Coral Grove Parcel 32413 #35 Samuel Haynes Crescent Parcel 3709 #59 new Road Parcel #114 #32B Mahogany Street Parcel 33837 Jesus Ken Street Parcel #481 #1 Young Street Parcel #681 #82A East Collet Canal Parcel 3100 #9 2nd Ave. Buttonwood Bay Parcel #1568 #17 West Collet Canal Parcel #1096 #10 Applestar Ave, Coral Grove

$6,408.81 $6,408.68 $6,397.13 $6,391.64 $6,389.28 $6,373.48 $6,381.18 $6,351.40 $6,342.10 $6,341.51 $6,340.14 $6,340.14 $6,340.14 $6,338.70 $6,335.82 $6,303.96 $6,303.96 $6,300.18 $6,284.64 $6,275.04 $6,230.04 $6,216.21 $6,214.02 $6,213.02 $6,209.12 $6,201.22 $6,198.48 $6,198.48 $6,195.60

2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18 2008/18

Kindly be advised that if any changes have been made to the ownership of any property in this listing above, it is the onus of the new owner to update the Council.

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

THE WORLD BANK

NO WOMEN, NO GROWTH — THE CASE FOR INCREASING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN LATIN AMERICA

By Paula Tavares and Otaviano Canuto Latin America is up against a momentous year on multiple fronts. On one hand, game-changing national elections in six countries, including three of its largest — Brazil, Mexico and Colombia — are poised to reshape the political scenario in the region. In parallel, the economic agenda is front and center of countries’ efforts to overcome imbalances, implement reforms and accelerate growth. As a backdrop to all this, an important feminist movement is unfolding on the heels of a year marked by discussions on gender equality, with critical implications on both the political and economic spheres.

How do these connect?

Political uncertainties can affect the economy as they tend to curb foreign investment, devaluate local currencies and increase interest rates. On the flip side, fostering gender equality supports economic resilience and boosts growth. It is also critical in achieving development outcomes, as outlined in Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Latin American countries have made great strides toward reducing gender inequalities in recent decades. Women have gained a greater foothold in the labor market and in access to health. They now exceed men in years of schooling and in life expectancy rates. And women’s political participation has increased.

Despite these advances, however, a wide gender gap remains.

According to the Global Gender Gap Report the region still needs to close a 29.8% gender gap, which will take another 79 years.

The figures are a stark reminder that women represent about 50% of the region’s population, but account for 41% of the labor force and earn on average 16% less than men. Moreover, occupational segregation remains high and better educational achievement has not led to higher paying jobs for women.

Indeed, wage disparity in skilled jobs — as high as 25.6% — continues to impede women’s economy empowerment.

The gap further widens when moving up the ladder of leadership. Only 29.3% of parliamentarians regionally are women (Figure 1), with considerably lower rates in a number of countries. And this year’s elections marathon may not accelerate progress. As of March, Latin America has no female heads of state. In 2014,

however, the region boasted the largest number of women heads of state, with female presidents in Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Now,

national assembly is over 50%, a zipper system requires political parties to alternate genders on candidate lists.

Failure to comply results in rejection

According to the Global Gender Gap Report the region still needs to close a 29.8% gender gap, which will take another 79 years. there is little expectation of achieving that again in the near future.

What’s the impact?

Gender equality and women’s political participation have broad impacts on development, as well as economic repercussions. They promote economic stability and lead to heightened democratic outcomes and economic participation (Figure 2). Higher female representation in national parliaments is also linked to greater progress in reforming discriminatory legislation and more investment in social services and welfare.

Gender inequality, on the other hand, carries high costs. Recent World Bank estimates show this global cost to be as high as $160 trillion, $6.7 trillion of which are attributed to gender gaps in earnings in Latin America and the Caribbean.

What can be done? Laws and policies matter Legal gender equality is associated with a range of outcomes, including higher female labor force participation, more women in parliament, and a lower wage gap. As the Women, Business and the Law report shows, laws and policies can drive women’s economic inclusion. Beyond eliminating legal discrimination, affirmative-action policies, including quotas, can level the playing field. Indeed, in Latin America women’s political participation was largely driven by gender quotas and parity laws.

In 1991, Argentina pioneered the movement, introducing the first ever quota law for female representation in Congress. Other countries have since followed, with positive results.

Across the region, 19 countries have so far adopted some form of legislative quota for women (Figure 3), eight of which have shifted to parity regimes — requiring 50/50 gender representation. Four of these — Bolivia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Mexico — are among the top 10 countries worldwide in female representation in national parliaments.

Quota laws carve out a space for women, but by themselves are often insufficient. Differences in quota systems may affect outcomes. In Bolivia, where women’s representation in the

of the party list. In Brazil, 30% of candidates must be women, but those elected are far fewer. Brazil’s poor performance is in part attributed to its quota law, whereby no rules exist

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2018 for favorable placement of female candidates on lists. Beyond establishing electoral quotas, laws allocating budget to female candidate campaigns — such as was recently regulated in Brazil — and establishing reserved seats for women may serve to effectively increase female representation.

Opportunities for women leaders have improved. The recent turnout in Mexican elections this year is an achievement for women’s political participation. Come December, when the new congress sits, Mexico will be the only country with a majority female elected senate. And Colombia has just elected its first female vice-president.

However, more is needed.

Laws and policies promoting women’s empowerment can affect their opportunities. With so much evidence on female leadership being key to closing the gender gap — which in turn is key to economic growth — let’s hope this year, with so much at stake for political and economic prospects in the region, can also be one to boost gender equality.

US and Mexico tentatively set to replace NAFTA with new deal Monday, August 27th 2018, 9:25 am CST

By PAUL WISEMAN, LUIS ALONSO LUGO and ROB GILLIES Associated Press The Latest: Periodic review of new US trade deal required WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration and Mexico have reached a preliminary accord to end the North American Free Trade Agreement and replace it with a deal that the administration wants to be more favorable to the United States.

President Donald Trump, in announcing the tentative agreement Monday at the White House, said a new deal would be called “the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement.

Trump has frequently condemned the 24-year-old NAFTA trade pact as a job-killing “disaster” for the United States.

Still, any new agreement is far from final. The administration still needs to negotiate with the third partner in NAFTA, Canada, to become part of any new trade accord.

Without Canada, America’s No. 2 trading partner, it’s unclear whether any new U.S. trade agreement with Mexico would be possible.

The president said that he will be calling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“If they’d like to negotiate fairly, we’ll do that,” Trump said.

Trump put pressure on Canada by threatening to tax Canadian auto imports and to leave Canada out of a new regional trade bloc.

NAFTA reduced most trade barriers between the three countries.

But Trump and other critics say it encouraged U.S. manufacturers to move south of the border to exploit low-wage Mexican labor.

Talks to overhaul the agreement began a year ago and have proved contentious.

U.S. and Mexican negotiators worked over the weekend to narrow their differences. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said Monday that Mexico had agreed to ensure that 75 percent of automotive content be produced within the trade bloc (up from a current 62.5 percent) to receive duty-free benefits and that 40 percent to 45 percent be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour.

It remain unclear where Monday’s announcement leaves Canada.

Adam Austen, a spokesman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said: “Canada is encouraged by the continued optimism shown by our negotiating partners.

Progress between Mexico and the United States is a necessary requirement for any renewed NAFTA agreement.”

Austen said the Canadians had been regular contact with the NAFTA negotiators.

“We will only sign a new NAFTA that is good for Canada and good for the middle class,” he said, adding that “Canada’s signature is required.”

The No. 2 Senate Republican, John Cornyn of Texas, hailed the “positive step” but said Canada needs to be party to a final deal. “A trilateral agreement is the best path forward,” he said, adding that millions of jobs are at stake.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

Gilroy Usher, Sr. Assist over 200 Deserving Students of Port with Back-to-school Supplies

by Gilroy Usher, Sr. On Saturday August 25, 2018, Gilroy Usher, Sr. and the PUP Port Loyola Committee assisted over two hundred deserving students of the division with their annual back to school program. The students were the recipients of school bags, composition books, and exercise books as well as pens, pencils , and rules.

The items were distributed at the basketball court opposite the Muslim School on Central American Blvd. This contribution was

financed from two successful barb-q sales that were organized by the PUP Port Loyola Committee.

Since education is the key for youths to realize their dreams and improve their standard of living, the event has been held annually for the past 7 years to assist parents with the heavy financial cost of getting their children ready for the start of the new school year.

Many thanks to all those who assisted in anyway in making our 2018 Back-to-school program a successful event.

IMAGINE BELIZE: An austerity Government System

By: osilbz@np The way in which a nation is bankrolled (funded), the amount and destination of resources it has is a reflection of the economic policies and political images of those who have held power. In his book, ‘The State’, past, present, future, Bob Jessop points out three ways to study austerity.

First, it cites short-term austerity policies, which are introduced as response measures in the face of short-term problems. When the conjuncture returns to be favourable, these policies are eliminated.

Secondly, it mentions the policies of enduring austerity, which are supposedly fostered to respond to a “chronic” crisis, real or created, in the economic and fiscal sphere.

This policy of enduring austerity leads to a more lasting constant reorganization of certain economic elites who benefit from the measures, in deterioration of actions to protect people and the economy in general.

Finally, it describes the austerity government system, which is the product of an institutional and continuous reorganization of the relations between the economic and the political. This system can be the snowballing result of policies of lasting austerity, which aggravate economic and fiscal crises, forcing new and greater reductions. It can also be part of a premeditated strategy by those sectors that win by subordinating the administration of the public to the appetite of the market. For those who advocate for an austerity government, it is always time to reduce public spending, avoid paying taxes or privatize functions that the increasingly diminished public administration is unable to execute successfully.

The austerity government sys-

tem not only has short-term quantitative effects on public spending, it also induces qualitative and structural changes by causing larger and larger areas of social life to end up subordinated to the logic of the market and of accumulation.

The restructuring and reorientation of public spending converts the rights of individuals and groups into privileges that can only be accessed if you have money in your pocket: The ‘commodification’ of daily life.

In an austerity government system, the reduction of public capacity is fostered and the commercialization of rights is promoted -health, education, security, for example-; this facilitates corporate infiltration - private individuals taking public decisions - that paves the way for widespread corruption of the public. In addition, the possibilities of employment are diminished like in Belize and the idea that only the worker has the right to welfare is encouraged. Wages and jobs decrease at the time when profits and social inequality increase. Values are promoted that support social stratification and sadistic competitiveness, as opposed to solidarity and equality.

Belize has an austerity government system. Its coarse roots have grown and multiplied from the colony to the present. Changing this model of society requires profound reforms that must begin by claiming the leading role of public administration - and of fiscal policy - in the democratic life of the country.

It also implies shielding the public from particular interests; build mechanisms of probity and accountability on what is spent, as well as a new tax architecture designed for horizontal equity - equal income, equal tax - and vertical more income, more tax.

NOTICE Wellington Business Limited #159,485 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that Wellington Business Limited: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 24th day of August 2018; and c) Michalis Michail whose address is Tymfristou 6, 3011 Limassol, Cyprus is the Liquidator of the Company.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

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T&T and Venezuela sign historic gas deal Belize City 25th August 2018 Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro have signed a historic gas deal, which will allow T&T to access gas from Venezuela’s Dragon Gas Field.

The Prime Minister along with a delegation arrived in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday for the signing of the agreement of the final terms for the development of cross-border gas from the Dragon Gas Field between NGC, PDVSA and Shell.

The delegation included Minister of Energy Franklin Khan, Minister of National Security Stuart Young, Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Denis Moses, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Alyson West and high-level executives of NGC and Shell.

The historic signing took place at the Palacio de Miraflores in Caracas.

Speaking following the signing, Prime Minister Rowley hailed the agreement.

“What we have just witnessed is the coming together, in a situation which existed for two years but which has now come to the fore, to be operationalised for the people of T&T and the people of Venezuela.

“Geologically we are connected and historically we have used our hydrocarbon resources as the engines of both our economies. There have been many changes some for better, some for worse but in recent times under recent and current leadership, a new impetus has attended our requirement to cooperate in our hydrocarbon legacy.”

“Trinidad and Tobago is a processor and exporter of natural gas.

Venezuela’s resources of natural gas have never been an input but after today...Venezuelan gas will come to the international marketplace to be monetized for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the people of Trinidad and Tobago...and that being so, the sky is the limit,” Dr Rowley said.

He added that interesting discussions were had and said this model of cooperation shows tremendous promise for cooperation in other areas.

Five things to know about the Dragon Field gas deal 1. The Dragon field, part of the Mariscal Sucre offshore gas project, is projected to produce an estimated 150 million cubic feet per day in the first year, with plans to increase to 300 million cubic feet later on. The Dragon Field contains approximately 2.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The Mariscal Sucre Dragon and Patao fields, located in water depths between 328-427 feet (100130 metres), are situated nearly 25 miles north of Venezuela’s Paria peninsula in Sucre state.

It’s expected that production from Venezuela’s four fields which comprise the Mariscal Sucre project – Mejillones, Rio Caribe, Dragon and Patao – will reach 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas and 28,000 barrels per day of condensates, and will be directed primarily toward export.

2. The gas will be transported to the Hibiscus platform off the northwest coast of Trinidad, just 18 kilometres from the gas field. Hibiscus is jointly owned by the T&T government (NGC) and Shell.

According to a report by Offshore Energy Today, the project scope covers supply and installation of subsea flowlines, supply and installation of gas processing equipment onshore, and operational support for the subsea, offshore and onshore facilities.

Technip has been contracted to oversee procurement, installation and operation support contract by Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), covering subsea, onshore and offshore facilities for an accelerated production system on the Mariscal Sucre Dragon development.

In March 2017, Shell signed an agreement with NGC and PDVSA to build a 17km pipeline from the Dragon Gas Field to the Hibiscus platform.

3. Details of the deal are ‘confidential’, according to Dr Rowley, as per the terms of the agreement, but he said the agreed-upon price was ‘competitive’.

According to a release from PDVSA Minister of Popular Power of Petroleum and president of Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA), Manuel Quevedo, will travel to Trinidad and Tobago to pursue agreements for ‘a comprehensive oil association and gas at all levels, with the idea of boosting the full potential of both nations in terms of energy’.

4. In the first phase, the gas from the Dragon will boost the country’s gas supply for both the LNG and the petrochemical sectors. T&T plans to expand domestic gas production to 4.14 Bcf/d by the end of 2021.

5. The project will cost an estimated US$100 million, according to media reports. First gas from Dragon is expected in 2020.

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2018

Belize Times Columnist Selected for ‘International Visitor Leadership Program’

Prominent online Belizean journalist and contributor to the Belize Times newspaper, Zoila Gonzalez has been selected by the United States Embassy in Belize to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program. Zoila will join journalists from across the region in Washington DC, Boston, Tampa, Michigan and San Francisco, California to engage in training on “Building Digital Literacy and Media Responsibility in Democracies in the Digital Age”.

Zoila is currently a Journalist and News director for Breaking Belize News. She continues to expand her growth in her journalism career and has been described by her Editor as a “Phenomenal Journalist” who contributes invaluably to the growth of their media organization. Zoila has often been described as a ‘Super woman’ among her Superiors since she passionately makes it her duty to inform Belizeans and also manage her family’s owned business in Santa Elena, Cayo.

Apart from her full time employments, she also makes Community service one of her priorities . She is a Former member of the Special Constables committee, an active member of Bishop Martin Neighborhood Watch and Public

Relations manager for the Cayo Central Executive Committee.

Zoila has also served as the President of the Belize Youth Movement- Cayo Chapter in 2015.

Her accomplishments also include being Valedictorian of her graduating class in 2007 and recognized for outstanding performance in 2013 when she graduated with Top honors from Sacred Heart Junior College in San Ignacio, Cayo. Zoila will undoubtedly represent Belize well during her program.

The International Visitor Leadership Program is a 3 week professional exchange program fully sponsored by the United States Department of State. Gonzalez today expressed her excitement for being given this opportunity, “ I am ecstatic to participate in this prestigious International program.

I am grateful to God, the United States Embassy in Belize, to all my family and friends for thier unwavering support.

I am looking forward to the amazing opportunity and I plan to grasp the knowledge and concepts shared and come back home to share with my fellow colleagues.” Gonzalez explained to us that the specific program focuses on enhancing digital capabilities in relation to media in Belize. Gonzalez is scheduled to also visit Media Universities and International Media Organizations in the United States of America.

The cultural and professional exchange program was founded in 1940 and sees over four thousand participants benefiting from the training and cultural exchange programs in the U.S. It is administered as a partnership between the U.S. Department of State, World Learning, private sector partners in Washington D.C. and cities around the U.S. The Belize Times extends well wishes to Gonzalez as she embarks on this amazing opportunity.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

In a matter of days we will be in the month of September, the month when we celebrate our unity and proud heritage. It is the month when we recognize the achievement of our forefathers who fought for this land we now call home. It is the month when we acknowledge those Belizeans, men and women who believed in the dream of our Independence – and not only believed in it, but worked towards it with everything they had. As proud Belizeans, flying our own flag, we give thanks to the Father of the Nation, George Price, who had a vision of a sovereign nation and never backed down.

It is the time, too, when we celebrate the many races and cultures which make up this country. I think that we are one of the most fortunate countries in the world, to be able to boast such different races living in harmony, working together for the benefit of the country. Indeed we are blessed.

As I do every year at this time, I want to send out a message of peace. The truth is that we have become divided as a people. There is so much negativity out there. We can see it on social media, on Facebook, on the streets. The airwaves are for the most part filled with negativity. Every night on the news there is negativity. We are divided, honestly, not so much because of racial and cultural differences as because of political differences. I find that very unfortunate.

Just the other day a shortage of funds caused the Belize City Council to have to cancel the 10th Bram which happens in the city every year after the parade.

Immediately, there were attacks on the Council, claims that they did that deliberately to spite the UDP. Apparently, the 10th of September and everything that happens on that day belongs to the UDP, while the 21st and everything that happens on that day belongs to the PUP. I have never heard such rubbish before. I find that ridiculous. I shook my head when I saw all the posts on Facebook claiming that the PUP had killed the 10th. When will we

get past all that nonsense and understand that we are all Belizeans? Whether we support one political party or support the next, we are all Belizeans.

We are one people. We have to put all that pettiness aside.

This September, it is even more important that we come together as one. In a few months we will go to a referendum where we will be asked to decide whether Guatemala’s unfounded claim should go before the International Court of Justice. This is one of the most important decisions Belizeans will ever be asked to make as a people. If we agree to let the claim go before the ICJ, then we will be bound by whatever is ruled by that Court. That is a huge thing. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sedi Elrington, has said that we would be crazy to decide against going to the ICJ. That is HIS opinion.

But the truth is that when the time comes, he is only one man with one vote. We will all – at least those Belizeans who have re-registered – have one vote in that referendum. We will all be on equal footing – one people voting on a matter which will affect all of us and the country we love. If that fact doesn’t bring us together, I don’t know what will.

I would like to ask that we put aside all political differences as we celebrate our country this September. I know how difficult it is. Because we have become caught up in all the things that divide us. But let us try. This September, 10th and 21st and all the other days of this month, let us remember that we are Belizeans – all of us. Let us remember that we love and honour this country. And if we love and honour this country then we must love and honour its people – no matter their colour or culture, and certainly no matter which Party they support. This September, let us unite as one – one people, one flag…one purpose. Belize forever!

Bishop Martin Neighbourhood Watch recognized …for outstanding community service

San Ignacio: Thursday 30th August 2018 The Bishop Martin Neighbourhood Watch was yesterday recognized by the Belize police department for their invaluable contribution to their community. Bishop Martin Neighbourhood Watch is an active neighborhood watch volunteer group from Santa Elena, Cayo. The group works closely with the San Ignacio police formation for the prevention of crime. The group was founded in 2011 and has been working since then. At an award ceremony held yesterday at Old Belize, the group received an award for their commitment and dedication to the people of Belize. Being the most active neighborhood watch, the group is engaged in the planning and execution of family days, camp fires, movie nights, clean up campaigns and a school feeding program in Santa Elena Town. President of the group, Alberto Palma told the Belize Times newspaper that

the work was done all to benefit their community and people, “ Bishop Martin Neighbourhood Watch committee is a group of people who volunteer our time to work together with the police for the benefit of our community. We all want and need safer communities for us, our children and grandchildren.

It is vital that we as members in this community take up the mantle and work together to be safe, to watch for our neighbours and also to contribute to a better community for everyone.

We have been working along with Cpl. Jason Jones of Community Policing to make our community safer.”

The group continues to emphasize the importance of joining a neighborhood watch in your area. Cpl. Jason Jones has been instrumental in the formation of neighborhood watch groups in San Ignacio and Santa Elena towns and continues to work together with community stakeholders for a better community. The group is grateful for the partnerships with the Belize Police Department and the community.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2 SEP

2018

PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES PUBLIC AUCTION SALES: PROPERTIES Placencia Peninsula; Stann Placencia Peninsula; Stann Creek DistrictCreek District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank International Limited, Licensed Auctioneer

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs.

The Belize Bank International Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties in front Messrs.

The Belize Bank Limited, Main Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties in front Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Main Street, Placencia Village, Stann Creek District on Monday 3rd September 2018 at 10:30 am: rd Street, Placencia Village, Stann Creek District on Monday 3 September 2018 at 10:30 am: 1.

Parcel No. 2115 Placencia Residences, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Placencia North 36 2115 (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house [43 ft. X 54 ft. inclusive of a 9 ft. X 30 ft. back porch] + garage [20 ft X 22 ft.] containing master bedroom with bathroom/jacuzzi + guest room with bathroom + kitchen + dining room + large open living room + office + laundry room and lagoon side lot [876.25 square meters (1048.00 square yards)] situate in the sub-division known as The Placencia Residences near Mile 13 Placencia Road, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Dario Del Valle). ******* NB. Restrictions on use of Property is available upon request ********* 2.

Parcel No. 2109 Placencia Residences, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek:

3.

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Placencia North 36 2109 (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling house elevated 3 ft. above grade [32 ft. X 46 ft.] + side porches [5 ft X 20 ft. each side] + back porch [5ft X 42ft] containing 2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms (1 with jacuzzi) + kitchen + laundry + dining room + large open living room and lagoon side lot [902.31 square meters (1079.16 square yards)] situate in the sub-division known as The Placencia Residences near Mile 13 Placencia Road, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Giuseppe Asti). ******* NB. Restrictions on use of Property is available upon request ********* Parcel No. 2159 Placencia Residences, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Placencia North 36 2159 (Being a canal side vacant lot situate in the sub-division known as The Placencia Residences near Mile 13 Placencia Road, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District, the freehold property of Mr. Ryan Pott). *******NB. Restrictions on use of Property is available upon request*********

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing) www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 TERMS: STRICTLY CASH E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com KEVIN A. CASTILLO Face Book: Belize Auctions TELEPHONE: 223 4488 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2018

Belize, 20 August 2018

B E L I Z E:

NOTICE To: Depositors, Creditors and Lessees of Choice Bank Limited INTERNATIONAL BANKING ACT, CHAPTER 267 AND DOMESTIC BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ACT, NO. 11 OF 2012

Appointment of Liquidator – Choice Bank Limited IT IS NOTIFIED, for general information that in accordance with section 26 of the International Banking Act, Chapter 267 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011 (“the Act), the Central Bank of Belize has appointed a liquidator in respect of Choice Bank Limited with effect from 29 June, 2018.

IT IS FURTHER NOTIFIED, for general information that: 1. In accordance with sections 25, 26 and 27 of the Act, the Unrestricted “A” Class International Banking Licence of Choice Bank Limited has been revoked with effect from 29 June, 2018; 2. The rights, powers, responsibilities and authorisations of shareholders, directors, officers responsible for management of Choice Bank Limited and any other person previously authorised to act or give instructions on behalf of Choice Bank Limited have been cancelled and such persons are no longer so authorised with effect from 29 June 2018; 3. The liquidator, succeeds to all the rights, powers and authorisations of shareholders, directors, officers responsible for management of Choice Bank Limited and any other person previously authorised to act or give instructions on behalf of Choice Bank Limited with effect from 29 June 2018.

4. Mr. Henry J Hazel was appointed as liquidator of Choice Bank Limited with effect from 29 June 2018 to 3 July 2018 and Mr. Cedric Flowers was appointed to replace Mr. Henry J Hazel as liquidator for Choice Bank Limited with effect from 4 July 2018.

NOTICE FOR FILING CLAIM Depositors, Creditors and Lessees of Choice Bank Limited In accordance with section 107(4) of the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 2012 which applies to an international bank by virtue of section 38 of the International Banking Act and section 10 of the Interpretation Act, notice is hereby given that depositors, creditors and lessees of Choice Bank Limited may file claims with the Liquidator for Choice Bank Limited by – (a)

downloading and completing the appropriate Claim Form

(b)

attaching the applicable supporting documents to substantiate your claim, and

(c)

submitting your completed Claim Form and supporting documents by 29 October 2018 to the Liquidator for Choice Bank Limited:

By e-mail:

By registered mail:

cblliquidator.claims@gmail.com

Choice Bank Limited Paradise Point Building

Corner Hudson Street and Marine Parade Boulevard Ground Floor, P.O. Box #2494, Belize City, BELIZE Notice is also given that – 1. A depositor, creditor and lessee of Choice Bank Limited must complete and submit a Claim Form in order to receive any distribution which may be made by the Liquidator for Choice Bank Limited.

2. The above-mentioned method, within the stated deadline for filing a claim, is – (a) the only acceptable method for commencing a claim against Choice Bank Limited with the Liquidator; and (b) required even if you had previously submitted a statement of your account balance or requested payment to Choice Bank Limited or the Liquidator for Choice Bank Limited.

3. The Liquidator may request additional information from a depositor, creditor or lessee of Choice Bank Limited in order to allow or determine a claim under section 112 of the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 2012 4. A “creditor” of Choice Bank includes any individual or legal entity to whom any amount is owed and payable by Choice Bank Limited including: (a) a secured or unsecured creditor; (b) a financial institution or entity; (c) an officer, employee, former officer or former employee of Choice Bank Limited; (d) the Government of Belize or a statutory body; (e) Central Bank of Belize; or (f)

a financial entity.

5. Claims Forms are available and may be downloaded from Choice Bank Limited’s website www.choicebankltd.com

or

www.choicebanklimitedinliquidation.com .

DATED this 20th day of August, 2018.

CEDRIC FLOWERS Liquidator, Choice Bank Limited

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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2018