Belize Times January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Issue No. 4728

SUNDAY JANUARY 23, 2011

More UDP Pain!!! IMF recommends tax increase, wage freeze & employment cap

Belize City, January 20th, 2011 In 2010, the Barrow Administration hiked General Sales Tax by 25%. That measure, which is still causing greater hardships for middle and low-income earners and slower business, was a direct recommendation from the International Monetary Fund in 2009. Today, the Prime Minister is

reviewing a set of new recommendations from the IMF, which call for even higher taxes, among other austerity measures to curtail GOB spending and increase revenue. In its 59-page 2010 Article IV Consultation, the IMF issues a number of red flags to the Barrow Administration, warning that if specific responsible fiscal manage-

ment steps and key policy decisions are not taken, things could spiral out of control for the country. The IMF warns that under the present policies of the Barrow Administration, GDP growth would be restrained “below historical trends” which could also “lead to high external financing needs” at Continued on page 3

Taxing the Dead!! UDP City Council increases burial space fee by over 300%

Belize City, January 20, 2011 This article could have also been titled “Thanking the dead”, because that’s exactly what Belize City Councilor Wayne Usher did in an interview in which he revealed that the Belize City Council has found a new way to extract even more money out of Belizeans – through their dead loved ones. With the Lord Ridge Cemetery now out of burial spaces, the City Council has opened a new cemetery at mile 13 on the Western Highway. But it won’t come cheap for anyone planning to Continued on page 3

Orlando Wade to be sentenced for Murder

See page 7

Haad times leads to suicide in San Pedro??

See page 31

Greg Cho’c takes on PM Dean Barrow

Belize City, January 17th, 2011 A declaration from Prime Minister Dean Barrow that the Government of Belize would readily allow oil drilling in national parks if oil companies are prepared has angered environmental organisations. The PM made the statement during an adhoc interview with various media houses on the morning of Wednesday, January 5th. He said “In terms of the national parks, we are hopeful that the U.S. Capital Energy people in the south will be able to proceed. Everything is coming up roses in terms of seismic that has been shot. And I’m telling you, since that matter has already went to court, if they say they are ready to drill they will be allowed to drill.” The Prime Minister apparently is among the very few who are exuberant about the high-risk activity inside our national parks, because a few days later, environmental organisation officials began speaking out against the statement. The loudest among them is Gregorio Cho’c, the leader of the SarstoonTemash Institute for Indigenous Continued on page 3

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Stop playing games, Mr. Prime Minister It is an understatement that the tourism industry has been in reverse mode ever since the United Democratic Party took office in 2008. Tourist arrivals have declined which has led to a reduction in tourism receipts over the last two years. Investments and employment in the industry during this same period are at an all time low. Even the most efficient businesses are not generating the revenues that they are used to. There has also been a concerted attack by certain government officials to marginalize Belizeans from participating in the industry. And the environment, which is the main draw for Belize, is mismanaged and abused at the whim and fancy of special interest groups that have ties to the government. Talk to anyone who is not a rabid supporter of the UDP and he or she will tell you that the tourism industry is under serious stress whether it is cruise or overnight tourism. The recent uproar in cruise tourism as a result of the attempted hostile takeover of the tendering business by major foreign interests follows the ruckus that occurred down south on the Placencia Peninsula due to the Government ramming a cruise port down the resident’s throat. Even more recently, mayhem erupted at a meeting in San Pedro where tourism officials of the government where chastised by residents of the island as a result of a potential development that could have significant impacts on the environment. The ugly event is now on YouTube for the world to see. There has been one failure after another for this government and nothing to benefit the tourism industry to date. One week after the Prime Minister led a delegation to Miami to beg some cruise executive, who is not Mickey Arrison (Chairman of Carnival), the tender operators here in Belize are still under attack from some major “sharks” who want to swallow them up. Just after returning from Miami, the PM had a press conference to advise the country that he “saved” the day. We know now that he lied just like he has done on so many other issues. What the PM and his buffoons fail to realize is that the PUP implemented the necessary policies and regulations necessary to protect our local investors. If Belizeans cannot benefit from the tourism industry then it serves no purpose to engage in the industry. In fact, Section 7 of the Cruise Ship Licensing Agreement states “The Licensee will endeavor to utilize the services of local tenders of acceptable standards, duly licensed by the Belizean authorities, for the transportation of passengers from ship to shore. Ship’s tenders may be utilized only when absolutely necessary.” Also, Section G of the Cruise Ship Policy states “As part of the licensing procedures implemented by the Belize Tourism Board, all cruise ships are required to offer passengers inland and island excursions operated and owned by Belizean tour operators and conducted by licensed Belizean tour guides. The port agents, tour operators and tender operators will be responsible for ensuring that all services for excursions, including but not limited to transportation, food and beverage, handicraft sales, guide services, etc are sourced within Belize, and that all laws are adhered to.” These requirements are non-negotiable and must be agreed to in writing by the port agent, tour operator and cruise lines prior to the issuance of any license. It is inconceivable that the Prime Minister, a learned attorney, or the Minister of Tourism, who was also a member of his special delegation to Miami, were unaware of those sections of the law. If they are, shame on them. If they have been aware, yet so willing to surrender to the whims of foreign interests, shame on them even more. The cruise tourism is not your private chess-board, Mr. Prime Minister. Stop playing your games.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Open letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow Dear Prime Minister Barrow, In a recent interview with the media, on January 7, 2011 with Channel 5 Belize, you stated: “…In terms of the national parks, we are hopeful that the U.S. Capital Energy people in the south will be able to proceed. Everything is coming up roses in terms of seismic that has been shot. And I’m telling you, since that matter has already went to court, if they say they are ready to drill they will be allowed to drill. That matter I was involved in the issue when it went before Mister Justice Awich and that’s been cleared and so I believe that’s also part of your breech. But while I can’t give you a definitive position on offshore, I am giving you a definitive position on that one. Drilling will be permitted.” I am shocked that you would make such inaccurate statements about the Supreme Court ruling. As former Lead Council for SATIIM, you shouldn’t have to be reminded of the the 2006 Supreme Court Decision regarding SATIIM v the Government of Belize. That case was specific to the seismic testing aspect of oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park (STNP). You said so yourself in a September 28, 2006 interview with Love FM: “…we asked for the decision of the forest department to issue that permit be quashed. It has been quashed. The sole release sought was the quashing of the permission granted by the forest department to the US Capitol energy to enter the national park and to conduct and to conduct seismic surveys.That permission has been quashed.” SATIIM wanted the Supreme Court to find seismic testing (setting off explosives below the ground to generate seismic waves to test for oil) illegal in the park. However, the court accepted seismic testing as “research” as provided for in the National Parks Act. The court quashed the permission granted by the Forest Department because by law it required an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Hon. Prime Minister, your statement to the press gives the public the perception that the court also gave a green light for oil drilling inside the national park. Your statement is not only irresponsible, but also inaccurate and misleading. It is not a done deal Mr. Prime Minister. Respectfully yours Gregory Ch’oc

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR

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Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

More UDP Pain!!!

Continued from page 1 about 8.5% to 10%of GDP. Furthermore, the Washington-based group said foreign reserves would decline gradually to under two months of imports by 2020. To avoid those complications, the IMF has recommended measures that will be painful to Belizeans, but which, as we have seen before, the Prime Minister won’t have a hard time in accepting. Those measures include increasing GST to 15% (currently at 12.5), reducing Government’s wage bill, limiting growth in non-priority areas, capping Government employment to where it stood in 2009, and possibly even reintroducing the full fuel excise tax, which the Barrow Administration claimed it removed. While the nation’s finances need improved management, the IMF also noted that the banking system, which is supervised and regulated by the Central Bank, has become unstable. “…the overall health of the banking system has deteriorated, with three banks facing financial weakness… The authorities recognized that the situation of the three banks, if not addressed, could threaten the stability of the banking system.” The banks’ instability is as a result of a high number of nonpaid loans (NPL). One of the banks, noted the IMF’s report,

doubled in NPLs to 34 percent of total loans from January to June of 2009. The high volume of non-paid loans is indicative of the hard times Belizeans are living in. Those hard times were discussed by the IMF Report which noted the increase in poverty, the highest it’s ever been at 40% of the population. The IMF Report also made special mention of two legislative steps taken by the barrow Administration which could adversely affect the economy. One of them is the expropriation of Belize Telemedia Limited. The IMF said it is necessary for an “early resolution” in the matter of negotia-

tions between Government and the previous owners, to avoid affecting the investment climate, or pressure on public debt. The IMF report was even more suspicious about the Government’s legislation on contempt of court, which was introduced in March 2010. The document says while Government imposes increased penalties or imprisonment for contempt of court, the amendment could be viewed by investors as limiting the scope for arbitration in commercial disputes, with the unintended result of deterring private investment. Prime Minister Dean Barrow is yet to discuss the IMF Report publicly.

Taxing the Dead!! Continued from page 1 use the grounds. While the cost of a burial space at Lord Ridge was $75, CitCo has announced that the cost at the new location is $250. That’s 333% more! The cost to bury a baby has also been hiked by over $300, as it went from $30 at Lord Ridge, to $100 at the new grounds. Meanwhile the cost to re-open a grave for burial of a family member is now 500% more, as

the cost went from $100 to $500. Usher insisted that the increase in cost has taken effect, even though a law has not been passed. Meanwhile, City undertakers are up in arms over the increases because they know the public will not afford them. They have called the decision “ridiculous” and “inconsiderate”, and claim that Usher has been acting as if the new burial ground is his private cemetery.

NOTICE:

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Greg Cho’c takes on PM Dean Barrow Continued from page 1 Management. Cho’c has penned an open leader to the PM in which he outrightly calls Barrow a liar, and warns that SATIIM would be ready to stand in the way of any oil drilling in national parks in Southern Belize. [See Cho’c’s letter on page 2] Cho’c accused the PM of being irresponsible in suggesting that the Court has given permission for oil drilling in national parks in Southern Belize. The PM, indicated Cho’c, should know that the Court has made no declaration regarding oil drilling, only on seismic study by oil companies. Barrow should be aware of this, added Cho’c, because he was hired as lead counsel for SATIIM when they challenged the permission granted to oil companies to carry out seismic study within the Sarstoon-Temash National Park in 2006. Back then the Supreme Court accepted the carrying out of seismic study once it followed procedure. “Hon. Prime Minister, your statement to the press gives the public the perception that the court also gave a green light for oil drilling inside the national park. Your statement is not only irresponsible, but also inaccurate and misleading. It is not a done deal Mr. Prime Minister,” wrote Cho’c. There has been no clarification or apology from the Prime Minister’s office.

The BELIZE TIMES advises its readers and advertisers that next month it is reverting to its former publishing day of Thursdays. Starting on its Sunday, February 6th 2011 issue, the newspaper will publish on Thursdays. Advertisers are advised that the deadline for ads will be Wednesdays at midday. For any inquiries, please contact our office at 6718385 or visit us at #3 Queen Street.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011

PUP National Executive

settles Belize Rural North issue, recommends strengthening of candidate vetting process Thursday, 20 January 2010 The National Executive of the People’s United Party met in emergency session on Wednesday 19th January 2011, to discuss several urgent issues. The decisions of the meeting are as follows: 1. To affirm the decision of the Party Chairman for an endorsement convention for Belize Rural North Constituency on the basis of the following facts: (1) Two candidates applied to represent the Constituency in the next general elections. (2) The Order of Distinguished Service [ODS], interviewed both candidates, and recommended that one candidate be disqualified, stating the grounds for their decision. (3) The aggrieved candidate appealed the recommendation, and his

appeal was upheld. (4) In preparing for the convention, both candidates signed an agreement, which stated among other things, that the convention will be conducted in conformity with the constitution of the PUP and that: a. It will be a closed convention, and only members of the PUP who are registered voters in Belize Rural North Constituency, as collated by the PUP Constituency Executive of Belize Rural North will be allowed to vote. b. The vetting and finalization of the Voter’s List will be done on 16th January 2011. The Parties agreed to waive the right to vet and complete the list 14 days prior to the convention date. c. The agreement was witnessed by the Chairman of both the

PUP calls for investigation into irregularities in UDP Czl Bay convention 17 January 2010 Mr. Chairman: The People’s United Party is seriously concerned about allegations made by senior members of the United Democratic Party involving irregularities at the Election and Boundaries Department in Corozal and is calling for a full investigation into the matter. In a television interview conducted in Corozal on 9th January 2011, Mr. David Akerman of the United Democratic Party made the following statement: “Honestly, I have been very disappointed as to what had occurred since Friday. Well Friday we had an incident where the Elections and Boundaries was still operating at seven thirty in the night with people inside....” [ that] “.... the election and boundaries was operational and no public notice was on that.” The Elections and Boundaries Department is tasked by law to register electors and to prepare accurate Electoral Lists for the purposes of electing leaders to govern municipalities and the country. The Electoral Lists are the lifeblood of our democracy and the compiling of such must be conducted with much transparency and accountability. The PUP reiterates Mr. Akierman’s concerns for the late opening and more so the lack of public notice on the part of the Elections and Boundaries Department. The Party also has concerns as to the Department’s accommodations of the UDP as is evident from the 10th January 2011 news items. In the spirit of good governance and true democracy, an electoral office must be above any suspicion of wrong doing and/or biased accommodations. The PUP is therefore calling on the Elections and Boundaries Commission to immediately conduct a full and public investigation into this incident. Sincerely, Henry Usher, Party Chairman cc: Minister John Saldivar Members of the Election & Boundaries Commission Chief Elections Officer file

Party and the Constituency Branch. (5) One candidate protested at the point where the list of voters was being vetted, and determined not to participate in the convention, leaving one remaining candidate. (6) Consequently, the Chairman ruled that there was only one candidate, and as such the convention will proceed as was approved, on Sunday 23 January 2011 to endorse Mr. Arthur Saldivar as the Party’s standard bearer for Belize Rural North. (7) Mr. Arthur Saldivar was mandated by the Party to reach out to the candidate who decided not to participate in the convention to encourage him to be a part of the Belize Rural North PUP Committee. 2. To amend the criteria for standard bearer conventions to facilitate the ‘broad tent’ approach for more openness and transparency, and greater participation and engagement of the electorate and the local constituency committee in deciding the candidates to represent the Party in the next general elec-

tions as follows: (1) That the Registered List of Electors for the Constituency, as provided by Elections and Boundaries Department, in which the convention is to be held, shall be the Voters List for all future conventions; (2) That this list will be vetted by a committee comprised of the candidates, the constituency chairperson and the Party Chairman or his designee, to disqualify any know supporter of any other political party to ensure that they do not influence the outcome of the convention; (3) That the vetting committee serves also as the appeals committee, and its membership be expanded to include the Chairperson of the Constituency Branch of the Constituency from which the appeal originated. 3. That these amendments be considered transitional and that they be submitted to the next National Party Council for ratification, as is required by the Constitution of the Party.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Broken Promise

GOB refuses to lower fuel prices, despite promises to Belizeans Belize City, January 18th, 2011 In 2010, the Barrow Administration adjusted fuel prices thirteen times, which led to sharp, relentless increases at gas pumps. The last increase occurred three days after Christmas, which saw prices surge closer to the $11 mark. This year the Government has resumed their mission to dig deeper into the pockets of Belizeans early, even during hard times, as fuel prices went up with no official announcement on January 14th. The new increase imposed by GOB now takes fuel prices even higher, with Premium gas now at $10.45, Regular at $10.25, Diesel at $9.32, and the poor man’s fuel, Kerosene, at $10.00. Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow has repeatedly broken his promise of keeping the cost of fuel low. On April 1st 2009, GOB tagged a $1 fuel tax on every gallon Belizeans buy. Barrow indicated that if the prices went beyond $7.00, he would consider removing the tax to lower prices. Within days, the price of fuel hiked past the $7-mark, and when asked about his promise, Barrow flip-flopped, saying he believed $8.00 should be the new mark. “If the prices start going north of $8 it has to mean that the acquisition costs are increasing which also mean

that then our exports of petroleum begin to fetch additional revenue for the government. Once that happens and we start getting more money on the front end then we can give up some of that money on the back end to keep the prices as manageable as possible for Belizeans.”– Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, April 22, 2009 (7News excerpt) On June 6th 2009, fuel prices increased past the $8.00, yet the Prime Minister failed to show genuine concern.

“The truth is that while the high gas prices are a burden, additional revenue is being provided to government and it is additional revenue that is desperately needed. So there

is a balancing act that I am doing. As soon as we can complete that work, I will make an announcement as to exactly how we propose to proceed.” –

Butane gas prices shoot through the roof

Officials investigate faulty price pumps in Cayo

Belize City, January 18th, 2011 While Belizeans are feeling the pain from fuel prices, the energy it requires to cook the food you are about to eat now costs $4 more per 100 lb cylinder. If you are living in Belize City, Orange Walk and Corozal to fill up will now cost you $126. If you live in any other municipality or area, it gets worse for you. Belmopan and San Ignacio residents are now paying $128 dollars, while in Benque Viejo the price is up at $129. People living in Dangriga and Punta Gorda will feel the pinch the most as they now have to find $130 and $131 respectively. Over the past six weeks, butane has gone up a whopping $12 per 100 lb cylinder.

Continued on page 10

Monday, January 17, 2011

A recent series of inspections by the Bureau of Standards of fuel pumps in the west of the country revealed that three of them were found to be functioning inaccurately. The areas inspected were Spanish Lookout, Belmopan and Roaring Creek. The three that were found to be faulty were sealed off to discontinue its use until the station manager gets it adjusted, then the Bureau has to verify the reading before it is put back into use. The Bureau advises motorists that gas stations must have their conformity stickers on the pump to show that it has been inspected and is working properly.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Belama becomes a warzone! Police shootout with armed robber

Belize City, Wednesday, January 19, 2011 On Monday night, residents of the Belama Phase 1 area experienced the closest thing to living in a warzone when a hail of gunfire prevailed for several minutes as Police battled it out with an armed robber. The Police had responded to a report of a robbery of a local Chinese store. Just before closing time, a masked gunman carrying a black bag entered 828 Supermarket and held up the owner and her son of an undisclosed amount of cash. The incident was quick and ended without harm, but as the thief was fleeing, he ran into a police mobile patrol and the officers pursued him. Despite the fact that there was sustained crossfire, he still managed to elude cops by diving into the Haulover Creek and swimming to the other side, which links the Northern Highway to the Saint Martin de Porres area.

Normally there is peace and quiet in the Belama area, but ever since the nearby Police Substation was closed in December, people have seen an increase in robberies and thefts. Only last week, Freetown Area Representative, Hon. Francis Fonseca, wrote a letter to the Police Department, expressing concerns about the closure of the station and the increasing crime rate as a result. The patrols that have been taking place since the closure have shown that thieves will continue to pounce undeterred and the residents are clamouring for a quick reopening of the police substation, at least to provide a sense of safety. Although no one was injured, the incident proves the point that Belize City, even the northside, is not immune to street crime. It has left residents shaken as many recollect that they had to stop, drop and wait, while the loud sounds of gunfire echoed in the night.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Riding off the backs of Belizeans

GOB imposes new “Rider’s fee” for airline passengers Belize City, January 17th, 2011

Without notice or a logical explanation, the Barrow Administration through the Belize Airport Authority has imposed a $5 fee on Belizean airlines which will be paid by all passengers. The new tax, titled “rider’s fee” was a secret until January 14th 2011,

when a notice was issued to local airlines informing them that starting January 24th they must charge the fee on every ticket sold. The tax was legislated, we understand, since May of last year through Statutory Instrument #44 passed by the Minister of Aviation. It didn’t come to light; however, until several days ago.

3rd Annual Belize District Family Chess Day

PRESS RELEASE The Belize District Chess Association invites all Chess Clubs, Parents, teachers, Community Volunteers, and Chess Players to attend our 3rd annual Family chess day to be held on Saturday January 22nd, 2011. The event will be held at St. Ignatius Primary School starting from 9:30am until 3:00pm. Don’t know how to play chess? Want to learn? There will be FREE BASIC CHESS LESSONS, and a Chess art competition, as well as a Chess puzzle section for players. For experienced Chess players, we will have a 5-round G-7

SPEED CHESS TOURNAMENT using the Swiss system. The 7-minute Speed Chess tournament is open to all districts, but due to high numbers of interested participants, players must Pre-register by 12:00pm mid day January 21st, 2011. Pre-registration can be done via email with David Martinez at davidvalle2003@msn.com or call 6209315. Please submit Players full name, school, gender, age & District. Checkin time for the tournament will be between 9:30am and 10:30am. Tournament sections will be 18 & under, and an open section for adults. Food will be provided for Tournament Players and Volunteers participating in the event.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Orlando Wade to be sentenced on Friday for Murder BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 By Roy Davis Orlando Wade, 24, a resident of Sandhill who was charged with the murder of Dorla Pitterson Slusher, 45, was found guilty of the charge in the court of Justice Adolph Lucas on Monday, January 17. The jury of 8 women and 4 men deliberated for about 3 ½ hours before it

Continued on page 14

Orlando Wade

Unitedville stunned by shooting death of football player accused of burglary Tuesday, January 18, 2011 The villagers of Unitedville, a community which spans from miles 58 to 59 along the Western Highway, are at a loss for words over the shooting death of one of its villagers - a father of an infant son and a member of the local football team. Paul Benjamin left his girl-friend, Eva Machoro, and their infant son on Sunday afternoon at home and said he was going to play a football match in San Ignacio Town. She never saw him alive again. Sometime between 3:30 and 4:00 Paul Benjamin on Sunday morning, Benjamin was shot dead outside Three Flags Supermarket, located just a five-minute walk from where he lived. His family says that based on how the scene looked they feel like Benjamin’s killing was planned. A neighbour who heard the gunshots also attestScene of shooting, Three Flags Store ed that she heard about nine shots, five first, and another four, cess, leaving behind the stolen loot a stash of assorted liquor and pepper but that was several minutes later. Ulrick Willoughby, who shot Ben- sauces. Police are not in search of that jamin, operates the business. He told other person. police that he got a call that thieves Police are awaiting instructions had broken into the store, located on from the Director of Public Prosecuthe highway. Willoughby called the tion’s office as to whether they should Police and when they did not respond, charge Willoughby for using excessive he decided to go to the store, armed force on Benjamin, since his body had with his handgun. He said that on ap- six bullet wounds, including one to proaching the back of the store, one of the head. Willoughby was detained at two burglars attacked him with a ma- the San Ignacio Police Station but was chete and that was when he shot the released on Monday evening. That deassailant several times, killing him. cision will come following the results The other burglar escaped in the pro- of the post mortem exam.

Cop accused of neglecting duties faces trial Tuesday, January 18, 2011 San Ignacio Police have interdicted a Police Officer, identified as Corporal Toledano, for allegedly neglecting his duties. Toledano was the officer in charge of the overnight patrols during the morning of the burglary and subsequent fatal shooting which occurred at Three Flags Store in the Cayo District. Reports are that the store owner had called the Police Station to report the burglary in progress, but Toledano never acted on the information. There were two teams patrolling,

and the other team was dispatched to another incident. Toledano faces two disciplinary charges: Failing to respond to a report of burglary, a charge to which he pleaded not guilty on Monday in a tribunal, and neglect of duties by failing to record that report in the police diary. In the tribunal, which started on Monday January 17th, Toledano did not offer any explanation as to why he failed to dispatch the second team to investigate the report of the burglary, a call which he received a full 45 minutes before the deceased/accused burglar, Paul Benjamin, was shot and killed.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Boston Villager shot & left dead on Old Northern Highway Thursday, January 20, 2011 The quiet community of Boston Village, located 22 miles north of Belize City on the Old Northern Highway, is where the nation’s sixth murder occurred for 2011. The victim, Harris Gabourel, 46, was walking home from a funeral on Tuesday night when he was targeted. His body was discovered in a patch of bushes just along the roadside on Wednesday morning by a fellow villager heading to work. Gabourel, a father of one, was shot multiple times in the upper body. His mother, Linda Gabourel, has been confined to wheelchair since her legs were amputated due to diabetes said Harris had been providing for her and taking care of the daily household chores. She said that she didn’t think much about it when Harris didn’t come home on Tuesday night because that was a regular practice of his, but by Wednesday morning when she saw that his bed was still empty, she started to worry.

12 yr old Janessa’s murder still unsolved; Police question mother

Janessa Jones Thursday, January 20, 2011 Exactly seven days after the family of 12 year-old Janessa Jones laid her to rest in Ladyville, her mother, Arlene Bainton, alleges that elements of the Police investigative team have directed their investigation of the girl’s murder at herself and her boyfriend, Ornel Caliz. Bainton points to numerous detentions that they have been subjected to, all of which have not resulted in any charges brought against them. The teenager was found floating in Haulover Creek on Wednesday, January 12th, two days after she was reported missing by her mother. She had three fractures to her skull and it is believed that she died of drowning when her killer discarded her. Janessa had been sent by Bainton on an errand from Ladyville to

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Harris Gabourel She got the news not long after, that his lifeless body was found on the road. Harris had a dispute with some neighbours recently over his family’s land. The nature of the argument was not over squatting, however, but over the fact that they had begun to extract logwood from it. It is an angle that police are looking into for a possible motive for his killing.

Gunman shoots businessman while he held a child in his arms Belize City, Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Businessman, Glenn Leslie Jr., 33, survived an afternoon attack by a gunman who shot him in the abdomen around 3:00 on Monday afternoon at his family business, Leslie’s Block Factory on Carnation Street on the south side of town. Leslie was standing in front of the factory when he noticed two young men riding towards him. As they got closer, one of the men pulled out a handgun and demanded money from Leslie. As this was happening, one of Leslie’s children ran out to him and he picked up the child, but this did not stop the robbers from carrying out their plan. Even with his child in his arms, the thief with the gun shot Leslie, an injury which fortunately did not critically wound him. Injured and scared for his and his son’s life, Leslie dropped his cell phone and about $150 he had on him. The thieves picked it up and rode off, but one of them left behind a foot of slippers, which may or may not help police with their investigations.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

OW resident kidnapped and stabbed, dies of injuries Monday, January 17, 2011 The killing of a resident of Carmelita Village, who was kidnapped, beaten and viciously stabbed, is the first murder for the new year in the Orange Walk District. At around 2:00 on Monday afternoon, David Middleton, was found in the bushes not far away from his home suffering from numerous stab wounds. He was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, and then transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. The injuries were too severe, and Middleton passed away on Thursday January 13th. The Police are not saying much, but residents who saw the victim just minutes before he was found seriously injured, say he was being chased by an armed gunman who had exited a white car. After running through several yards, and dodging bullets, Middleton was ambushed when a black pickup truck appeared. Several men alighted and forced Middleton inside the vehicle.

Broken Promise Continued from page 5 Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, June 12, 2009 (7News excerpt) The Prime Minister’s most recent comments regarding the high price of fuel indicate that he is still not willing to intervene and provide some sort of relief for Belizeans. Barrow said during media interviews on January 5th that gas prices were not high enough, and that until he recognizes that there is a trend that prices are going up, he doesn’t see the need for intervention. The People’s United Party, on the other hand, believes the Prime Minister has waited too long to act. In a press release issued on Monday, January 17th, the PUP condemned the Government’s refusal to act even though fuel prices continue to soar. The Opposition Party said prices are increasing at a time when Belizeans can least afford it.

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David Middleton

Middleton was then dumped on the road, severely beaten and suffering from six stab wounds, three to the torso, one to the buttocks and two more to the leg. The incident has left both his family and Orange Walk Police searching for clues.

12 yr old Janessa’s murder still unsolved; Police question mother Continued from page 9 Belize City, but the little girl never reached the location, nor did she return home. Bainton says that since the little girl’s murder, Belize City police have returned to her house a number of times and the reason is never to give them. She said the harassment has prevented the family from mourning their loss. She said one officer even accused her of killing her own daughter, an allegation that she has profoundly denied. The Police Press Officer, Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood, has since told the media that his office has no comment to the allegation of harassment and that the family is free to record that allegation at the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit. From reports, Janessa was last seen at the bus stop in Ladyville. A friend of the family says he saw Janessa standing at the bus stop around six that Monday evening and that she hailed him to tell him that she had recently won an award in the Festival of Arts. It is believed that it was from that same bus stop that Janessa’s killer stopped and picked her up.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

43 Belizeans fired by BATSUB, 53 more by summer Belize City, January 18, 2011 Following its announcement in December that it was pulling out a majority of its personnel and equipment from the country, the British Army Training Support Unit Belize has sent out official termination letters to 43 Belizeans. The termination will take effect on April 1st, also known as All Fools Day. BATSUB is downsizing its presence in Belize, following directives from the UK Ministry of Defense’s decision to reduce its military spending. As a result, BATSUB’s adjustment will see 160 Belizeans losing their jobs, while millions of dollars generated by their activities in the

Ladyville and wider Belize District areas will be gone. While personnel will be let go, BATSUB will also reduce its equipment and resources, including helicopters and tankers, which are currently used by the Belize Defense Force for transportation, patrols, training, and emergency purposes. The British Army say they will maintain a small presence in Belize, but with limited functionalities.

Did family problems drive 17 year old to commit suicide? January 17, 2011 Dangriga Police have ruled that the death of a 17 year old male in Hope Creek Village was suicide. Around 10:20am on Sunday January 16th morning, Christopher Kerr was found dead, hanging from an extension cord which had been attached to a beam inside a room in his house. The grisly discovery was made by Kerr’s grandmother, Elba Kerr, who said she had returned home from attending Church when she checked her grandson’s room. Investigators have not found any signs of foul play on the teenag-

er’s body; therefore, they have ruled that it was a self-inflicted death. It is not clear what may have pushed the 17 year old to the brink of killing himself, but the BELIZE TIMES has learnt from family sources that it could have been caused by family problems. Kerr, who was living with his grandmother, did not have a good relationship with his father. In fact, on Monday, January 17th, the 17 year old was scheduled to appear as a defendant before a Magistrate’s Court trial in which the claimant was his very own father.

Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage supports SATIIM’s Opposition to Oil Exploration Belize City, Belize, January 19, 2011 – The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage supports SATIIM in its opposition to oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park, a protected area, by US Capital Energy. The Coalition also firmly rejects the Prime Minister’s publicly stated position that oil exploration and exploitation should be allowed in protected areas. Protected areas in Belize have been designated as such to safeguard ecosystem services such as the provision of clean water, clean air and food, and to maintain biodiversity. In addition, both marine and terrestrial protected areas are the primary tourist visitation sites in the country. Countries such as Ecuador have allowed oil compa-

nies to exploit oil from ecologically sensitive areas with devastating effects. Over three decades after fourteen thousand barrel of oil spilled in the Ecuador Amazon, the effects on people’s health and lives continue. The minimal economic benefits that the people of Belize are receiving from tax revenues from oil exploitation do not outweigh the high risk of an oil spill in ecologically sensitive areas during the exploratory or exploitation phase. We call on the Government of Belize to rescind its policy of allowing oil exploration and exploitation in protected areas and in our marine waters through the cancellation of leases issued within these areas, and protect the livelihoods and health of all Belizeans. (Press Release)

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Construction worker fined $5,000 for stealing bicycle BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 By Roy Davis Enrique Alvarez, 21, a construction worker of Jane Usher Boulevard, who was charged with robbery for a beach cruiser bicycle with a value of $75, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared in the #8 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 17. Because he did not have any previous conviction for robbery, Magistrate Emmerson Banner did not give him a custodial sentence. Instead, he fined Alvarez $5,000 and ordered him to pay $1,000 forthwith and the balance by March 31 in default 5

years. Alvarez was unable to pay the fine, so he was taken to prison to begin to serve 5 years. The robbery occurred around 12:45p.m. on Saturday, January 15. The complainant, Oscar Portillo, reported to the police that he was riding his bicycle on cemetery Road and when he reached near Pound Yard Bridge, he was accosted by Alvarez who knocked him off his bicycle and caused him to fall to the ground. Portillo said Alvarez picked up his

bicycle and rode away. Portillo pursued Alvarez and with the help of some on-lookers, Portillo managed to apprehend Alvarez and retrieve the bicycle. A police mobile patrol that was in the area appeared and when they were told of the incident, they took Alvarez into custody and charged him.

Enrique Alvarez

Pakistani accused of keeping weed under his mattress, acquitted

Mohammed Faisal BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 By Roy Davis Pakistani national, Mohammed Faisal, 25, who was charged with drug trafficking 79.9 grams of cannabis that was allegedly found under his apartment mattress, was acquitted of the charge in the #2 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 17. Faisal took the witness stand and testified that he had no knowledge that the cannabis was in his apartment. He said that he believes it was planted there in an attempt to have him deported to Pakistan. Faisal’s attorney, Hubert Elrington, submitted that there was nothing before the court to show that Faisal assisted or could have operated a drug trafficking business. Elrington said statistics show that Indians and Pakistans in Belize do not sell drugs and the Police Officers, who found the cannabis, were not members of the Police’s Anti Drug Unit. Elrington submitted that Faisal was set up and that the cannabis was planted in his room. The defense attorney also submitted that Faisal’s brother-in-law had threatened to have Faisal sent back to Pakistan. The police, acting on the strength of a search warrant, went to Faisal’s apartment at 1838 Chancellor Drive in West Landivar around 9 p.m. on May 9, 2010 and claimed that they found the cannabis in a black plastic bag. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser said that she found it strange that the Police went to Faisal’s apartment and that they knew exactly where to find the cannabis. In addition, she doubted the police’s story because the cops had lied about the finding Faisal at the apartment.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011

19 year old charged with Attempted Suppression of Evidence, remanded to Prison BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 By Roy Davis Accused robber, Glenmore Burgess, 19, put himself in more trouble when he appeared yesterday in the #8 Magistrate’s Court. Burgess was answering to a robbery charge for which he was arraigned last year, but he got in more hot water when Police officials claim he approached the complainant, student David Iglesias, and asked him to drop the charge because he was ‘family’. Iglesias gave the police a statement and as a result of that,

Orlando Wade to be sentenced on Friday for Murder

Murder victim, Dorla Pitterson Continued from page 7 arrived at its verdict. Justice Lucas has deferred sentencing until Friday, January 21, in order to give Wade’s attorney, Kevin Arthurs, time to prepare a plea for mitigation. The incident occurred on June 24, 2008, in Sandhill. Slusher was found nude from waist down in an abandoned latrine behind Sylvia’s Cool Spot. A post mortem examination done by Dr. Mario Estradabran revealed that she died from Asphyxia due to strangulation apparently from a rope that had been tied around her neck. The forensic pathologist also disclosed that Slusher had vaginal and anal intercourse before being killed. Barry Rosales, the chief witness for the prosecution, testified that at around midnight on June 24, 2008, he passed by the latrine and saw Wade on top of Slusher beating her. Rosales said when he saw Wade the next day and asked him about the incident, Wade told him that he killed the woman and if he does not believe he can go and look in the latrine. When he went and looked in the latrine, Rosales found Slusher, apparently dead. He called the police to report the shocking discovery. When Wade was at the dock, he denied he committed the crime. He couldn’t convince the jury; however, and they The prosecution was represented by Senior Crown Counsel Yohanseh Cave.

Glenmore Burgess

Burgess was charged with suppression of evidence. Burgess was arraigned on the new charge when he appeared today in the #4 Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty. The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the incident occurred right at the #8 Magistrate’s Court, signalling Burgess’ brazenness, ad further, because the accused has a history for robbery charges. Burgess, in his response to the objection, said he is the father of a 3 month old baby and he works for Minister of Works, Anthony “Boots” Martinez. But then later in the hearing, Burgess contradicted his earlier excuse when he said his baby is 6 months old. Magistrate Roberto Ordonez found him to not be a credible person and as a result he upheld the objection to bail and remanded Burgess into custody until February 23rd.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Andy Palacio – Globalization and Central Americanization of the Garifuna People Presentation delivered at the Image Factory Belize City, Wednesday, January 19th 2011 By Dr. Joseph Palacio

Introduction It is now three years since our brother Andy Vivien Palacio made his transition from this earth on his way to Seiri, the final resting place for all souls, according to the belief of our Garifuna ancestors. It is certainly timely to reflect on some of the profound impacts that Andy left us in Belize and especially the Garifuna people in Central America and further in the diaspora. There are two related themes that I would like to elaborate with you this morning, both of which were dear to Andy as he promoted his music within the wider world. They are globalization and Central Americanization. I am certain that had he been still alive he would be pushing his involvement in these two fields. I will try to do justice to them in a way that he would have approved. Globalization and Central Americanization There is no need to start with a definition of globalization and Central Americanization. But there is a need for us in Belize to understand that both are referring primarily to a change of attitude about ourselves and our regional and international environment and commitment. Globalization does not mean flying to Miami or Houston and looking forward to migrating to North American cities where thousands of Belizeans are now found. Similarly, Central Americanization does not mean crossing the border to Melchor de Mencos or Puerto Barrios to purchase consumer goods at lower prices, especially at Christmas time. Globalization means taking our place as active players at the world stage; becoming the best that we can

be; and proving to the whole world that we are the best – that we are numero uno! Similarly, Central Americanization means showing to our neigbours that we have a commanding presence in this subregion and that we are leaders in areas where we want to be. In the rest of my presentation I will give a brief profile of younger Andy as an active player in Central America. I then focus on the Garifuna nation’s historical experience of globalization in the island of St. Vincent in the Eastern Caribbean and subsequently in Central America. Finally, I return to how Andy has championed the Garifuna culture firstly in Central America and secondly at the pinnacle of world music achievement. The Central Americanization of Young Andy We start with a spotlight on Andy and the theme of Central Americanization. Everybody has heard the story that it was in Nicaragua that Andy first came face to face with the slow but surely reversible death of the Garifuna language. I quote from writings on the jacket of the world acclaimed Watina CD. “… he travelled to Nicaragua and met an old man who was among the last in the country to still speak the Garifuna language. The elder couldn’t believe his ears when he heard young Andy greet him in Garifuna, crying out, “Are you telling the truth?” Andy replied, “Yes, my uncle; I am Garifuna just like you.” And the man embraced him and would not let go. He could not imagine that someone so young could speak Garifuna, having thought that the language would perish with him.” What was Andy doing in Nicaragua at that time when most in his peer group

would have been migrating to the United States? He was working with a cadre of young volunteers teaching reading and writing to Creolespeakers along the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. He was part of a team of Belizeans lending much needed support and solidarity to the government and people of Nicaragua. Nicaragua realized that Belize had some talents that it needed and asked us for help. In return we gladly obliged and Andy, along with a few others, was the beneficiary. Before going to Nicaragua, Andy’s Central Americanization had started in his home village of Barranco. As a transboundary community in Belize, a short distance away from Guatemala, Barranco at that time did much trading in fish with buyers from the neigbouring towns of Puerto Barrios and Livingston. Andy’s father was a fisherman who relied on a good part of his annual income from selling corned fish to his customers during the Lenten season. A friend of Andy’s confirms that one of his first recollections of Andy was hearing him bargaining in Spanish with a fish buyer from Puerto Barrios. Facility in the Spanish language came to young Andy from the scores of visitors from the neigbouring Guatemalan province of Izabal, including his own close relatives, who came regularly to Barranco. He would have heard it from the radio stations that beamed their broadcast to southern Belize. It is not surprising, therefore, that he early developed his skills to sing in three languages – Garifuna, English, and Spanish. From these examples that I have given Andy’s early introduction to our surrounding portion of Latin America was certainly no different than what continues to take place among young persons living today in the Toledo, Cayo, Corozal, and Orange Walk Districts. Further below we will answer the question what transbound-

ary experience has to do with excellence at the global level. Globalization – the St. Vincent Experience Let us make some quantum leaps backwards from Andy Palacio in Barranco to the larger context of the Garifuna nation, more especially its formation within the Eastern Caribbean during the second half of the 18th century. We will show that globalization has always been at the core of the Garifuna experience. At that time the small island of St. Vincent, the home territory of the Garifuna, was the crown jewel of the Caribbean, for whose control the two most powerful empires on earth were vying – the French and the British. For over 150 years the fierce Caribs had held the Eastern Caribbean at bay from European domination and the centre of Carib domain was the island of St. Vincent. When there were desperate efforts to expand the profitable sugar trade within the Caribbean, only the Eastern Caribbean had new lands that could be converted into sugar plantations. St. Vincent had some of the richest volcanic soils in the subregion. It had been the most populated during the pre-contact period. And it gave the most problems for subjugation. The Caribs and their progeny, the Garifuna, became experts in playing the two imperial powers one against the other – doing this through negotiations, fighting, yielding territory when necessary, and when possible re-bounding. The image of the Caribs as primitive cannibals wielding bows and arrows was far away from the truth toward the end of the 1700s. Central Americanization of the Garifuna Nation Because these experiences inexorably drew the Garifuna into westernization, the Garifuna exiles from St. Vincent arrived in Central America in 1797 as a virtually gloContinued on page 19

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“Nationalise Caribbean Creole”, regional officials say Published: Friday | January 14, 2011 By Dania Mckenzie, Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper Prominent regional officials are declaring that Caribbean Creole are languages in their own right and believe they should be treated as such and nationalised. The Caribbean officials and professional linguists were attending the first half of the two-day International Conference on Language Policy in the Creole-Speaking Caribbean held yesterday at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge, University of the West Indies. The participants met on the first day to discuss the final draft of the Charter on Language Rights and Language Policy in the Creole-Speaking Caribbean before meeting to approve it today. The charter, compiled by professional linguists and Caribbean officials, calls for the implementation of Creole languages within the education system and in government and public administrations of Caribbean countries. According to Professor Ian Robertson, it is important that Caribbean nations come together in support of the charter. “We are all part of a linguistic experience with much more in common than

Professor Hubert Devonish (right), coordinator of the Jamaican Language Unit/ Unit for Caribbean Language Research, raps with Sir Colville Young, governor general of Belize, and Dr Marta Dijkhoff, former minister of education in the Netherlands Antilles, during the International Conference on Language Policy in the Creole-Speaking Caribbean, held at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, yesterday. - Ian Allen/Photographer

separate,” said Robertson, a linguist. “These languages give a deep sense of self. When we lose self, we become a blob of people. People who speak a language have a greater degree of maturity

than those who don’t,” he added. Comfortable with mother tongue Dr Marta Dijkhoff, a presenter at the conference and former minister of education in the Netherlands Antilles,

Sunday, January 23, 2011 argued that children are more comfortable within themselves when they are taught in their mother tongue. Dijkhoff added that in Jamaica, Patois can be used to teach English. Admitting she understood that parents would be cautious about their children being taught through an inexperienced language in the education system, she, however, stressed that the real success lay in the teachers’ ability in knowing how to teach to ensure clarity. According to Robertson, there is a need to train persons in the justice system to understand the subtle differences in Creole speakers’ speech as there is a thin line between confession and rejection. “I don’t know that any legal system caters to this,” he added. Though the Caribbean officials who were present expressed their full support of the charter, they admitted that strong arguments supporting the charter would have to be presented to convince other country officials. “We will have the greatest fight with the teachers’ union but I come to this conference with an open mind,” said Jacqui Quinn-Leandro, minister of education for Antigua and Barbuda. Sir Colville Young, governor general of Belize, said it was time for the Caribbean to focus on the role Creole can play in its development. “No longer are the Creole languages described as mongrelised or bastardised jargonised languages. We must accept our Creole languages,” declared Young.

Steps to generate regional growth Published Sunday, January 9, 2011 Dennis Morrison, Contributor While CARICOM countries, especially those under the thumb of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will have to give priority to repairing their fiscal and external deficits, at the same time, their main focus must be on the steps to be taken to generate growth. There are several areas where Caribbean leaders - in government and business - can act to stimulate economic activity necessary to make up for the losses in production and jobs caused by the stabilisation measures. They must also lay the groundwork for rapid growth to meet the development needs of the population. With all the studies and plans that have been made, it should not be difficult to identify some of the main areas (agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and other services) and the actions to be taken. And, after all, the Caribbean has a population of more than 37 million, including Cuba and the Dominican Republic, a sufficiently significant market size to achieve economies of scale. In the 1970s, CARICOM put together the Regional Food Plan and actually established the Caribbean Food Corporation (CFC) as the chief agency to implement the plan. It was then recognised that the region was becoming increasingly dependent on imported food because agricultural activity in individual countries was on the decline, even as world food prices were ris-

ing rapidly. The CFC mechanism had mixed results, and with the liberalisation of markets in the 1980s, the CARICOM food initiative lost momentum. In recent times, world food prices rose to worrying levels, even causing riots in 2008, and after a brief decline during the recession, they are climbing again. This has spurred renewed interest in CARICOM about implementing a food plan. In the meantime, countries like Jamaica are becoming increasingly dependent on imported food (the bill will soon reach the US$1.0 billion mark), even though their foreign-exchange earning capacity has contracted. REVITALISATION The CARICOM food initiative has languished because of the failure to reach agreement on how to fully activate the vast natural resources of countries like Guyana and Belize that could be the basis for production, to ensure regional self-sufficiency in a range of crops, as well as the revitalisation of export crops like sugar. Bound up in this failure is the issue of the framework that must be laid down by governments regarding access to land, tariffs, the range of crops, and subsidies to be provided. There is also the critical matter of how to spur regional and/or external private-sector participation. Yet lessons should have been learned from Petrojam’s aborted investment in growing sugar cane for ethanol production in Belize in the 1980s. And

there is, as well, the reasonable success of rice production in Guyana by regional interests to supply regional markets. Right now, regional sugar producers must expand refining capacity if they are to meet rising domestic demand and to supply export markets. Can’t the governments of Belize, Guyana, Haiti, and Jamaica agree on where the new refineries should be located, and collaborate in mobilising investors? Caribbean people speak proudly of the region’s tourist industry, and are convinced of its importance to economic activity. Just about any man in the street can tell of the linkages that can be developed with other industries - agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment, health, financial services, real estate, and so on. Yet, over the last many years, individual countries have not really made a big dent in integrating tourism with the rest of the economy - the import content of the industry remains extremely high. TOURIST INDUSTRY Nor have Caribbean countries cooperated so that a greater share of the inputs for the tourist industry that attracted nearly 19.5 million stopover visitors and 18.3 million cruise passengers in 2008 can be supplied by regional producers - in what is essentially their domestic market. So, for example, food supplies for the tourist industries of The Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua, and Barbuda, and, in some items, for Jamaica, could be produced in Guy-

ana or Belize. Food requirements for the tourist industries of most regional countries are currently met from outside the region. Shouldn’t the region be able to produce fruits, vegetables, spices, pork, beef, mutton, and seafood to satisfy the demands of the tourist industry? The decline of manufacturing output in Jamaica after the liberalisation of imports has weakened the linkage of this sector to the tourist industry. This was evident in the recent massive investment in new hotels in Jamaica where local products accounted for only a small amount of the materials and supplies for the construction phase. The weakened capacity of Jamaican manufacturers was a major factor limiting the impact of the hotel investments’ economic growth rates in the 2000s. Joint production arrangements between Jamaican firms and manufacturers in Trinidad and Tobago could strengthen our capacity to supply such inputs. Imports now also make up a higher share of the operating supplies - food, chemicals, etc - for hotels. Opportunities exist for expansion of regional production to meet these demands, but price and quality standards have to be met. This raises the vital question of energy supply to regional countries, which requires urgent attention because of its impact on the competitiveness of manufacturing and other industries of the region.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Bruce says: January 13, 2011 at 7:59 pm This is sad. Never in my wildest dreams did I thought that I would be scared to go back home. Mister prime minister, please bring back the death penalty. Rip killa. Me says: January 13, 2011 at 11:33 am GOB AND ALL IN POWER YOU ALL NEED TO TIGHTEN UP AND CARE MORE FOR THE STREETS AND PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY AND DO BETTER TO MAKE OUR HOME SAFE FOR ALL!!!!!!!!! I WROTE THIS WITH PAIN IN MY HEART TO KNOW THAT OUR BLACK POEPLE ARE DYING OUT EACH DAY AND IT SEEMS AS IF NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO STOP IT!!!!! Earl Grey says: January 15, 2011 at 2:56 am THEY NEVER TELL US BEFORE PRICES GO UP………………ALWAYS AFTERWARDS……..Hummmm Oscar says: January 14, 2011 at 4:49 pm In 2008 when gas prices dropped to their lowest, Barrow claimed it was his govt that was responsible for the drop in prices (completely ridiculous). He said nothing about international prices back then. Iin fact, he promised to revisit the his new fuel taxes if the price of gas was to rise again. Now that prices are going through the roof, he blames it on international prices. It is true that international prices dictate local gas prices, whether they fall or rise. However, why the hell are we drilling for oil if we continue to allow local fuel prices to soar so high? Oil revenues could be used to offset the rising international prices. We might as well stop drilling for oil as it is not benefitting us in any way. REGGIE says: January 18, 2011 at 8:48 am Mr.Cho”OC”S glad to see you standing up for the rite thing to happen.This Pm is only about money.All the Country that have Oil only a few is rich while the average people stay poor.Pm forget where is came from. Now as the Prime Minister Of Bze.he think he own the country and the people.He can do what he want. But what goes around come around.He change all Law to suite himslef and other in his G.O.B, Unless you guys get together and protest and show the world what a corrupt Leader we have nothing will change.Start Protest Get the Media Involve.stop the people from entering the area they want to drill or hire a few Guat. to protect the area.we must start to make some of our protected area a hostile area for anyone who want to come in n destroy for a few $ in some of the Minister Pocket.Shake a Leg and Make a move my People. Belama Resident says: January 18, 2011 at 10:38 am last night the once quiet neighborhood of Belama sounded like a warzone. just a mere 100 yards away from the Police Station that this Barrow government chose to close down to spite this division a Chinese grocer was robbed at gunpoint. Cops responded and the entire neighborhood was terrorized and geopardized for an hour with numerous shots fired at the robber . How can they Restore Belize if everything they do is poltical, if this Police Station had remained open this incident most definitely would have been avoided!!!!!!!!!!! Dissapointed UDP says: January 19, 2011 at 12:24 pm this UDP administration came on the platform of “imagine the possibilites” now we get all these apologists saying things likecrime is inevitable and that the society needs to get organized, that a police station is not needed. so why do we pay all these ministers huge salaries and perks.CRIME is the #1 problem in BELIZE today. we can get 50 million of taxpayers funds to buy BTL but we can’t get zinc for a Police Station roof. something is wrong hereo

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Andy Palacio

from his Garifuna culture based in Central America and moulded it to reach the highest level of excellence. And the world responded giving him the accolades that he truly deserved. Are there still some budding Andy P’s out there in Barranco, Seine Bight, Hopkins, Livingston, La Ceiba, Trujillo, and Plaplaya? I think that his humble answer would be in that inimitable smile of his “I tried to show them how to do it and among the clergy is a reflection of I hope they have learned.” There was the prolonged association it has had another aspect of artistic expression that Andy was painfully aware of. with the Garifuna people. It is the political dimension that is Andy Palacio’s Globalization We have already seen that An- so essential to enable the artist to dy’s exposure in southern Belize produce to his best ability. The powas greatly influenced by the neig- litical directorate can stifle or embouring parts of Guatemala and power the artist. And – more than Honduras. We can add that his success in Cancun, Yucatan also helped in pushing him toward taking his rightful place as a global musical icon. In the end Andy P was an artist promoting his Garifuna culture whether it originated from Belize or other parts of Central America. He no longer saw Belize separate from Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. He saw them as all parts of a globalized world. He drew his inspiration, the soul that drove him along, from Central America. But the exciting challenge for Andy was to massage the source of the inspiration, give it his own unique style and then project it on the world stage. It is the work of the consummate artist. A brief overview of the work he did on his Watina CD will show his indebtedness to Central America. From the twelve songs on Watina at least three were based in Honduras and at least another two could have also taken place there. Watina [1], Miami [3], and Sin Precio [4] were certainly rooted in Honduras. Watina [1] is the lament of a man refused a ride because of being black and appearing to be poor. Miami [3] is a land claims protest song about a man being prevented from visiting a tourism development project along the north coast of Honduras. Sin Precio [4] is a woman’s cry against her poverty and the ill repute she is consequently suffering at the hands of her community. The themes in these songs could be found in any rural community – whether Garifuna or not. Through the Watina CD Andy projected them onto the world stage, giving them a global seal of approval as Garifuna music. Conclusion What is my final message on Andy P within the context of globalization and Central Americanization? Andy was a perfectionist. His band members had difficulty keeping up with him as he kept striving for that perfect sound. His aim was to start with concrete situations on the ground and to move them ever higher to reach a world appeal. He took his inspiration

Globalization and Central Americanization of the Garifuna People Continued from page 15 balized nation. They had acquired applied expertise in diplomacy; many spoke English and French and quickly learned Spanish in Central America. They were among the best fighters, soldiers, and sailors. Given the relatively low priority that the Spaniards gave to their Caribbean coast of Central America, they relied on the Garifuna to implement the sundry tasks of empire building, such as constructing and maintaining forts, growing and producing food, and starting new settlements. The reality of the Central Americanization of the Garifuna up to this day stems from the fact that along the Caribbean coast of the mainland we make up the largest bloc of black people from Yucatan to Panama. From the Belize side, the Garifuna people have been among the most influenced by Central America, pulling along a Belize that has always been ambivalent of its Central American identity. The Garifuna who came from Honduras and Guatemala to settle in Belize often went back and forth, forever putting a stamp on themselves as a nation across borders. On exhausting the mahogany on Belizean territory by the early 1800s, British loggers jumped over to the Mosquitia in the border area of Nicaragua and Honduras, bringing along Garifuna workers from Belize, many of whom had originated in the same parts of Honduras. The Roman Catholic Church, which has the largest proportion of its adherents from among the Garifuna people, established its large scale presence in Belize from Guatemala through the intermediary of the Garifuna. The first Jesuit priest to start a mission in Belize, Fr. Genon, came this way after working with the Garifuna in the Puerto Barrios/Livingston area. He became convinced that he should dedicate himself to working with them but the only concession that he received from the church was to found the mission in Punta Gorda in 1861. As the only resident priest, for years he travelled bringing the sacraments from Barranco to Dangriga until the church was able to send more priests to assist him. For a long time the Catholic Church was called the “Spanish” church in Belize in contrast to other sects that were not Spanish-speaking. The disproportionate representation of Garifuna

19 we often realize – Andy did pay the price of not receiving political support when he most needed it. But did he migrate to the greener fields abroad? No, he battened down and tried various sources of livelihood while working his music as the opportunities presented themselves through such friends as Ivan Duran. So, we can say that he achieved the global achievements despite not always receiving political support. The lesson for us is that our artists should infuse into our governance system their rightful political space within our democratic framework. In the 1960s and 1970s the refrain was “power to the people”. We can now change that to “power to the artist among the people”. Thank you.

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Three notable Belizeans pass away Tuesday, January 18, 2011 Belize lost three prolific individuals in their own right within a matter of days. On Tuesday evening, dramatist and playwright, 47 year old Joey Clarke, who is the husband of Senator Lisa Shoman, died after he suffered a massive heart attack. The regionally-recognised theatre director and author was feeling ill from earlier in the day and was taken to the Belize Medical Associates Hospital for treatment. It was while being attended to that he suffered the heart attack and died. Clarke relocated to the jewel in March of 2009 and tied the knot with Shoman on September 9, 2009. He quickly became a popular face on the local television talk-shows for his unparalleled talent in theatrical arts. Clarke directed three well-known plays: Treasure, Devilish, and The Best Medicine. Those who worked with him describe him as a “perfectionist”, always wanting to bring out the best in his actors and in the plays. Clarke transformed a number of works and injected a more local flavour to suit the Belizean way of life. His actors say he was so good at what he did that he wanted

NICH grieves the passing of ‘Granny Tomasa’ Press Release – National Institute of Culture and History The management and staff of the National Institute of Culture and History extend heartfelt sympathy to the family of Carrie Fairweather-Belgrave on her passing on 13th January 2011. Her contribution to the arts in Belize as a poet, writer and actress of both stage and television is substantial. We at NICH were pleased to have worked along with her for our Voices of Sisterhood program in March 2010. In December 2010 we had the opportunity of sharing in the accomplishment of her final wish - a compilation of her life’s work in poetry and literature entitled ’Parchment Pages’, launched at The Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. Her death leaves a void in the hearts of Belizeans at home and abroad who will remember her most for her television role as Granny Tomasa. To her children, grandchildren and husband Ellis Belgrave we offer condolences. Her memory will live on…Noh Matta Wat.

Carrie Fairweather-Belgrave nothing but the best, and if they had to go over a particular scene ten times until they got it right, he would opt for that. Clarke recently launched his “Gato Negro Theatre Company” and the National Institute for Culture and History worked with him for the staging of two of his productions.

Norman Neal Sr. Born in England, Clarke left his mark in a number of Caribbean countries where he also shared some of his life. He will be buried on Saturday afternoon in Belize City, following a funeral service at Holy Redeemer Cathedral. The entertainment industry also

Joey Clarke in “the Best Medicine” saw the passing of 77 year old Carrie Fairweather-Belgrave, who died last Thursday evening after battling three months with pancreatic cancer. She starred as “Granny Tomasa” in the television series, ‘Noh Matta Wat,’ and was considered as the matriarch of the Continued on page 24

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Strictly Personal

Barrow is bogus is back

By glenntillett@yahoo.com A caller to my morning talk show on Vibes Radio (90.5 & 102.9 FM) said that if Prime Minister Dean Barrow really wanted to rescue something he should start with our municipal government – the Belize City Council. I had to laugh at the recommendation simply because while it sounds audacious, it reminded me that when history judges Dean Barrow, his checkered relationship with the Belize City Council and its Madame Mayor will also be there. There are many lessons to be learnt from any study of the relationship between Dean Barrow and nearly any institution in Belize that he has had any meaningful interaction with whilst in Opposition and whilst in Government. Just this week that schizoid dynamic was again brought to sharp focus via an open letter to the Prime Minister by Gregory Ch’oc, the man I like to call the 13th Senator. In that missive that was circulated to the press, Ch’oc told Barrow that in a January 5th, 2011 interview broadcast on Channel 5 Belize, he had stated: “…In terms of the national parks, we are hopeful that the U.S. Capital Energy people in the south will be able to proceed. Everything is coming up roses in terms of seismic that has been shot. And I’m telling you, since that matter has already went to court, if they say they are ready to drill they will be allowed to drill. That matter I was involved in the issue when it went before Mister Justice Awich and that’s been cleared and so I believe that’s also part of your breach. But while I can’t give you a definitive position on offshore, I am giving you a definitive position on that one. Drilling will be permitted.” Ch’oc then went on to express his shock and dismay that this inaccurate interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling if only because Barrow was the lead counsel for SATIIM (Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management) that had brought the suit and had garnered the 2006 Supreme Court decision to which he was presumably referring. I too wonder how Mr. Barrow could interpret that ruling as the Courts giving anyone a green light to

go drill at will in any national park or protected area. At the time I thought it was more the opposite. Furthermore Gregory Ch’oc, who is SATIIM’s Executive Director, points out that Barrow gave a contradictory interpretation in a September 28, 2006 Love FM interview. Ch’oc’s transcription is that he said: “…we asked for the decision of the forest department to issue that permit be quashed. It has been quashed. The sole release sought was the quashing of the permission granted by the forest department to the US Capitol energy to enter the national park and to conduct and to conduct seismic surveys. That permission has been quashed.” Ch’oc explains that “SATIIM wanted the Supreme Court to find seismic testing (setting off explosives below the ground to generate seismic waves to test for oil) illegal in the park. However, the court accepted seismic testing as “research” as provided for in the National Parks Act. The court quashed the permission granted by the Forest Department because by law it required an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).” Ch’oc calls his most recent statement “… not only irresponsible, but also inaccurate and misleading.” Ch’oc and SATIIM is yet another ally Barrow has thrown under the bus of what he thinks is political expediency, but is really only self-convenient, and the list grows with each passing month, or if not, with the eruption of yet another issue. And in the case of Gregory Ch’oc and the Mayan people the betrayal has been double served – remember the Maya Land Rights issue? For Gregory Ch’oc, SATIIM and the wider NGO community the betrayal has been triple-served – remember the 13th Senator issue? Mr. Barrow would no doubt like to say that philosophically, as an attorney, he serves the client who pays him, and that that relationship is neither bonded by honour nor bounded by time. Mr. Barrow would probably say that he ceased being an attorney when he left his law firm and announced that he was seeking office as the Prime Minister of Belize. And on the day he took the oath of office, everything changed as in all bets were off. As far as I can tell, Mr. Barrow has been a lawyer/politician since 1984 (or maybe it is the other way around when his party is in government). Back when he was arguing Gregory Ch’oc and the Mayan People’s causes (and please note the plural) before the High Court, he was a lawyer/politician. In any case I knew then, and the Belizean people all know now, that he was just being self-serving. And that he has never stopped. Barrow is bogus.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Go Free! Who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36) Our Belizean National Anthem begins “O land of the free by the Carib Sea!” I wonder many times if we grasp the meaning of this word “freedom”. Many do not understand that the word ‘free’ is very complicated. Freedom comes only with great responsibility! It is as much an adjective as the word rich is an adjective. I hope to speak with you in some later article on “how the rich think”! Rich is a result of how you both think and act and not how much money you have! To be rich, and wealthy, are really two different things! In the same way, freedom is a direct result of how you think and act. It is not always automatic as many times you have to literally fight for it! A country with freedom and no responsibility is a country in chaos! In fact let me put it in other words; freedom without rules is nothing less than a total mess!! If you love basketball you will know Michael Jordan, Lebron James, or Kobe Bryant. Those are and were free men as it relates to their skills. Although the NBA has many rules, because of their individual skills, they are each able to do whatever they want on the basketball court, while remaining within the confines or parameters of the regulations. This, my friend, is true freedom. Freedom is not an excuse to be lazy. It is not the answer to our problems. Freedom is rather the result of choices. Choices are keys. Each key opens a different door, and it is important to note that some doors lead to increased risks while some lead to death. Some lead to success, while some lead to failure! Whether the choices were made by our ancestors, parents, ministers of government, or the bus driver, it does not change the effect it has on freedom. A schoolbus driver for example, who is free to drink whatever he wants and still drives, may affect not only an oncoming motorist, but may put at risk the lives of each child on his bus! Freedom, then, is not an individual and separate entity that lives on an island somewhere. Freedom affects those around us as well! Rightly said, there is no true freedom except that which comes from the Son! As it is written: he who the Son sets free is free indeed! There are many people who were intelligent and full of potential, who are sadly fast asleep under the ground or spending time at the Hattieville ‘Ramada’ because they misunderstood freedom. Our biggest problem in our little country – “land of the free” – is that everyone wants to do whatever they want and get away with it. It’s like the 2003, Universal Pictures blockbuster movie, Bruce Almighty, where when the lead character, Bruce Nolan, became God and gave everyone a “yes” answer to their prayers. So many people ended up winning the lotto that they each only got a penny! Freedom has some close friends and family that are important to its very survival! Let me name a few with some examples included: Discipline and responsibility: You may want to be free and leave your parents’ home. This requires discipline on your part. You now have to work to pay your newly owned utility and rental bills, or you might find yourself living on the street! Standards and boundaries: You are free now, so mommy can’t tell you what to do! You go about messing around with boys because you “FEEL LIKE IT!” and now you “feel” pregnant! Or I’m going out to party with my friends and I am free to drink as much as I want because I am my own man, only to end up in a fatal car accident because of driving under the influence. Proverbs 4:7: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” If our desire is to be free, King Solomon tells us that the first thing we need is wisdom, and even after we get wisdom, seek to get understanding. Sadly many of us are very smart but lack wisdom. We are highly educated but make childish decisions. How many smart people who were at the top of their classes intellectually are now walking around on drugs, or addicted to the casino, or drinking out their pay on the weekend? Not to wander from the topic but I’m laughing, whilst writing this piece. This portion makes me remember a true story, where a wheel fell off a truck. The men had the spare tire but didn’t know what to do as all the nuts were lost! This happened by the former Rockview Hospital and one of the guests, a mentally-challenged person, came out and offered them some advice. “Since each of the other three wheels has five nuts, just take one from each wheel and use it to replace the lost ones” he said! These were all sane men but it took someone who wasn’t so sane to offer them wisdom for their situation. One of the biggest and most important ‘freedoms of choice’ we have is to choose our own eternal destiny. While we are free to reject the free gift of salvation, this choice has a hot eternal destination. Matthew 16:26 says “it is not wise for a man to gain the whole world and to lose his soul”. This is a scripture screaming out to us about the reality and the freedom of the choices we have, with adequate warning for us to choose wisely. Finally keep in mind that freedom is about choice. Our choices are huge and go further than what we can see, therefore let’s practice to look ahead and coin our choices from the future results we would like to attain! God bless and see you next week!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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A Party in Transition…. By Carolyn Trench-Sandiford – Deputy Party Leader People’s United Party - Belize

Perhaps I was a week ahead of time when I wrote last week of a point in time when stocktaking of our country, our party and oneself become a necessity, and not an option. This week I was to continue expanding on my thoughts as to the trajectory of the country in these turbulent times, and the role of the Party in reversing it, but after the National Executive Meeting of yesterday, decided to divert and put to paper some thoughts as to the grand old party. Two items were on the agenda, the Belize Rural North Constituency Convention, and a review of the process to be applied in future conventions to elect standard bearers. In regard to the first, the facts are as follows: (1) Two candidates applied to represent the Constituency in the next general elections. (2) The Order of Distinguished Service [ODS], interviewed both candidates, and recommended that one candidate be disqualified, stating the grounds for their decision. (3) The aggrieved candidate appealed the recommendation, and his appeal was upheld. (4) In preparing for the convention, both candidates signed an agreement, which stated among other things, that the convention will be conducted in conformity with the constitution of the PUP and that: a. It will be a closed convention, and only members of the PUP who are registered voters in Belize Rural North Constituency, as collated by the PUP Constituency Executive of Belize Rural North will be allowed to vote. b. The vetting and finalization of the Voter’s List will be done on 16th January 2011. The Parties agreed to waive the right to vet and complete the list 14 days prior to the convention date. c. The agreement was witnessed by the Chairman of both the Party and the Constituency Branch.

(5) One candidate protested at the point where the list of voters was being vetted, and determined not to participate in the convention, leaving one remaining candidate. (6) Consequently, the Chairman ruled that there was only one candidate, and as such the convention will proceed as was approved, on Sunday 23 January 2011 to endorse Mr. Arthur Saldivar as the Party’s standard bearer for Belize Rural North. This was done in accordance with the authority vested in him by the National Executive. The arguments for and against affirming Party Chairman’s decision was fierce and emotionally charged. In fact at times I felt it got too personal. Notwithstanding, it was a battle, a battle between logic and passion, status quo and change, tradition and modernization, personalities and egos, and not necessarily in that order or mix. While at times I wonder if this scenario is also played out in other organizations, whether political, social, business, religious or other, I have no doubt that it does, because organizations are comprised of human beings, each bringing to the table something different. The challenge is always to balance the forces and minimize the casualties, to acknowledge the will of the majority, but to protect the voice of the minority. In the end, the National Executive agreed to affirm the decision of the Party Chairman on this matter based on the facts, the provisions of the constitution of the party, the agreement which was signed by both parties, and the action of one of the candidates to walk away from the table, despite having signed the agreement. In the view of the majority, one candidate remained. However, the majority of members of the National Executive also recognized the merit of the arguments that were forwarded vociferously and also logically by those against affirming the decision of the Party Chairman. This included many who also supported affirming the decision of the Party Chairman. This school of thought was grounded in the need for the Party to be more inclusive, modern and open, considering the emerging group of independent voters. This way the Party can continue to attract the highest caliber candidates, for conventions to be a temperature gauge of the sentiments of the electorate towards the best candidate for the Party, while mindful of the need to ensure that candidates are

also supporters of the Party’s philosophy and creed, work on behalf of the party, and are not just opportunists or operatives of other organizations on a mission to undermine the viability of the work of the party. Consequently, using the lessons learnt from Belize Rural North, the executive agreed to amend the criteria for standard bearer conventions to facilitate the ‘broad tent’ approach for more openness and transparency, and greater participation and engagement of the electorate and the local constituency committee in deciding the candidates to represent the Party in the next general elections as follows: a. That the Registered List of Electors for the Constituency, as provided by Elections and Boundaries Department, in which the convention is to be held, shall be the Voters List for all future conventions; b. That this list will be vetted by a committee comprised of the candidates, the constituency chairperson and the Party Chairman or his designee, to disqualify any know supporter of any other political party to ensure that they

do not influence the outcome of the convention; c. That the vetting committee serves also as the appeals committee, and its membership be expanded to include the Chairperson of the Constituency Branch of the Constituency from which the appeal originated. While these amendments will be debated at the next National Party Council, as it is a departure from the Constitution and the use of PUP membership cards in conventions, they undoubtedly, at a time of ambiguity, bring further clarity to the process, and pave the way for a more inclusive party. This decision is also in tandem with the National Convention directive of decentralization and empowerment of local constituency branch, as at each step of the decision making process, the local constituency committees are involved. It also points to a Party that is in transition and willing to embrace change, for only if it continues along this path, will the revolution continue and a NEW BELIZE be born, which will bring to all Belizeans a better life and a just share of the national wealth……

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

BES girls defeat St. John’s Anglican 4-2 in basketball match Belize City, January 18, 2011

The Belize Elementary School girls enjoyed wins when the Belize City primary schools basketball competition organized by the National Sports Council continued at the Belize City Center on Tuesday, January 17. The BES girls outlasted the St John’s Anglican girls 4-2 on Tuesday. Twinkle Bhojwani scored two free throws and Chelsea Williams added a bucket for the 4-2 win, while Ashley Bailey scored for the St John’s girls. The St Martin De Porres RC School girls got the easy by for their 1st win when the Central Christian School girls were a no-show for their scheduled game on Tuesday afternoon. The undefeated Holy Redeemer girls posted their 3rd consecutive win over the St. Luke’s Methodist School girls 12-67 on Monday. Shanice Neal scored 6pts for the Holy Redeemer girls while Jenelly Lamb scored 3pts for St. Luke’s. The Holy Redeemer girls posted

BES girls have won their first two games

St. Martin’s girls their 2nd win over the Central Christian School girls last Thursday as Kayla Arnold, Melanie Arzu and Alleyea Alford scored a bucket each for a 6-0 win. Kayla Arnold had also scored 8pts for Holy Redeemer’s 8-0 win over the Ephesus 7th Day Adventist School girls last Wednesday. The Queen Square Anglican Primary school posted

their 2nd victory over the Ephesus 7th Day Adventist School girls on Monday; when Tyra Bradley scored a bucket for the 2-0 win. The Central Christian girls tasted success last Friday when Tricia Jefferies scored 12 pts as she led them in an 18-0 railroading over the James Garbutt 7th Day Adventist

School. The St John’s Anglican Primary School posted their 2nd win 9-8 over the St. Luke’s Methodist School girls last Thursday. Ashley Bailey scored 5pts for St. John’s Primary School while Jenelly Lamb scored 5 pts for St. Luke’s Methodist School.

Wesley Upper & Grace Primary boys triumph in basketball games Belize City, January 18, 2011 The Wesley Upper School and Grace Primary School boys both posted their 3rd wins in the Belize City primary schools basketball competition. The undefeated Wesley Upper School posted their 3rd win 25-8 over the Ephesus 7th Day Adventist School boys on Tuesday, January 17. Fredrick Williams led the Wesley with 15 pts while Shaqille Thurton scored 8 pts for the Ephesus boys. The Wesley Upper boys posted their second win 34-26 over the St. John’s Anglican Primary School boys last Thursday. Shaquille Crawford led the Wesley Upper boys with 13 points while Derrick Gentle scored 11 points for St. John’s Primary School. The Grace Primary School boys got their 3rd win easily when the Central Christian School boys were a no-show for their scheduled game on Tuesday afternoon. The Grace Primary boys had posted their 2nd win 27-14 over

the James Garbutt 7th Day Adventist School boys on Monday. Rakeem Flowers scored 10pts for Grace Primary, while Kenyon Thurton scored 6pts for James Garbutt. The Grace Primary School boys had posted their first win 11-3 over the Stella Maris School boys. Aaron Grinage led Grace Primary with 4pts while was Adian Rosado tossed in a bucket for Stella Maris School. The St. Ignatius RC School boys posted their 2nd win 45-34 over the Queen Square Anglican School boys on Tuesday. Sydney Bradley led the ‘Nashus’ boys with 22 pts, while Jason Anderson scored 16 pts for Queen Square. The Caye Caulker School boys won 15-11 over the St. Luke’s Methodist School boys on Tuesday. Carlos Jimenez scored 12 pts for Caye Caulker School while Trey Mckenzie scored 3pts for St. Luke’s. The Holy Redeemer School boys posted their 2nd win in 4 outings 34-

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Wesley boys are on a winning streak

St. Ignatius High male basketball team

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Wesley College boys lead high school football Belize City, January 18, 2011 The Wesley College male football team leads the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association football competition with back-to-back wins, while Edward P. Yorke, Gwen Lizarraga High School, St John’s College and Ladyville Technical High School posted their first wins at the MCC grounds on Monday and Tuesday. The Wesley College boys, who are defending champs, outlasted the Excelsior High School boys on Monday. Alex Broaster scored first for the Excelsior boys, but Michael Perrera soon equalized for the Wesley boys with his 6th goal of the competition and Brian White scored the 2nd winning goal. The Wesley College boys had stomped the Maud Williams High School boys 18-0 last Saturday afternoon. Calbert Jefferies scored the 1st goal, when his header put the finish on a corner kick by Perrera. Perrera then scored a hat trick with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th goals to lead 4-0 after about 20 minutes of the 1st half. Keynon Lopez scored the 5th goal from long range, and Junior Najera made it 6-0 with a shot from the edge of the goal area. Godwin Neal converted a penalty for the 7-0 lead at the half. In the 2nd half, Perera returned with a vengeance with his 4th goal to lead 8-0, and Calbert Jeffries scored his 2nd goal to make it 9-0. Other players joined the goalshooting derby as Perrera created a play for Keynon Lopez to drill home his 2nd goal and a 10-0 lead. Brian White headed in the 11th goal, and Perera added a 12th goal, then set table for Brandon Lopez to score a 13th goal. Brandon Lopez also booted a 14th goal and Perrera found Kevin Higinio to the right of the goal area for 15th goal. But that wasn’t all, because Wesley sweeper Khambrel Blease blasted in the 16th goal, then goalie Mervin Mendez, who left the goal area to playing out, scored the 17th goal. Elston Flowers blasted in an 18th goal for the 18-0 win. The Edward P. Yorke boys enjoyed a 3-0 win over the Anglican Cathedral College boys in their 2nd outing. Dylan Smith razzle-dazzled his way to score the first goal. In the second half, midfielder Ceton Martinez outran the ACC defense for a 1-on-1 with the ACC goalie, who did not even move as he blasted the ball into the left corner of the net. The ACC goalie was outplayed as he came out to meet an attack on the left flank, and he was beaten when the ball was crossed to Tyrel Rowley who smacked it into the back of the net for the 3-0 final score. The Gwen Lizarraga High School boys also ran over the Excelsior High School boys 13-0 last Saturday. Donovan Madrill scored the 1st goal when his shot deflected off the crossbar and the goalkeeper’s back before bouncing into the net. John Valerio added a 2nd goal and Raheem Flowers

1-0 lead at the half. In the 2nd half, substitute Wilson Franco scored a 2nd goal, and Joe Pandy added a 3rd with a long range missile which the E.P. Yorke goalie just could not handle.

Wesley Upper & Grace Primary boys triumph in basketball games Continued from page 25

2010 Defending Champs, Wesley boys, are rulinghigh school football scored the 3rd, Othniel Falaise added a 4th and Akeem Jones nailed a 5th for a 5-0 lead at the half. The Excelsior boys tried to get an attack going, but were frustrated by Gwen Liz sweeper Alfred Garnett who said “no way”. Raheem Flowers scored a 6th goal, Akeem Jones added a 7th, and Edwin Mendez blasted in an 8th goal. Alfred Garnett drilled home a long range shot for the 9th goal, and Ralph Martinez made it 10-0. The Excelsior goalie’s defensive error

allowed John Valerio to intercept a pass and exact the maximum penalty with an 11th goal. Valerio completed his hat trick plus one with 2 more goals for a 13-0 final score. In a similar fashion, the St John’s College blew out the Anglican Cathedral College boys 11-0 in the opening game on Friday night. The Ladyville Technical high School boys enjoyed their first win over the Edward P. Yorke boys 4-0 on Saturday afternoon. Eck Garcia scored the 1st goal for a

Pallotti High School girls beat Ladyville Tech 1-0 Belize City, January 18, 2011 The Pallotti High school girls lead the secondary school’s football competition with back-to-back wins, while the St Catherine’s Academy girls posted their first win at the MCC grounds on Monday. The Pallotti girls posted their 2nd win 1-0 over the Ladyville Technical High School girls on Tuesday evening. Athnee Alford, Kedidra Tun and Latwanda Enriquez led the Pallotti girls’ attacks supported by Shinelle Lord, Kerlin Garcia, and Vivian Noralez at midfield. Jinelle Pott succeeded in evading the Ladyville defenders Shadieah Garcia, Shameka Franklin, Natalie Allen and Daisy Williams to score the 1st winning goal before the half time break. Khadejah Wilson came off the bench to refresh the Pallotti attacks in the 2nd half, and the Pallotti girls held the Ladyville girls scoreless to secure the 1-0 win, which was marred only by the ejection of Gorlee Marin with a red card. Jinelle Pott had also scored the winning goal in the 1st half win over the Wesley college girls on Saturday

morning. The St Catherine’s Academy girls handed the Wesley girls their 2nd loss by a 3-0 win on Monday evening. Kursha Pollard had scored the 1st winning goal, and Christine Rodriguez added a 2nd goal and Khiana Gordon added a 3rd for the SCA girls’ 3-0 win The SCA girls had settled for scoreless draw with the Gwen Lizarraga High School girls last Friday. Leera Carr and Tatiana Habet led the SCA attacks with the help of Kursha Pollard, Kathrine Maradiaga, Christiane Rodriguez and Leolyn Martinez at midfield, but made no impression on the Gwen Liz defendrres Faith Mejia, Justine Westby, Jasmine Joseph and Kristel Augustine. Keira Dawson and Jersha Estrada tried to get Gwen Liz on the scoreboard, supported by Deandra Coote, Jennifer and Jakeima Mieghan and Sheridiann Gillett, at midfield, but SCA’s sweeper Ashley Pelayo held them off. Diedra Gill, Leanne Murray and Aaliyah Williams helped clear away the ball and goalie Ashley White took care of all other challenges. The Anglican Cathedral College girls had also battled to a scoreless draw with the Ladyville Technical High School girls when the competition kicked off last Friday.

13 over the St. Luke’s boys on Monday. Jover Lopez led Holy Redeemer School with 11 pts, while Jamie Williams led St. Luke’s with 10pts. The St. Martin De Porres School boys posted their 2nd win 34-14 over the Holy Redeemer boys last Friday. Ashton Pitts led the St. Martin’s boys with 14 points while Jover Lopez scored 9pts for Holy Redeemer. The St. Martin’s boys had posted their first win 39-15 over the Queen Square Anglican boys last Wednesday. Clency Lopez scored 12pts for St. Martin’s while Ashton Pitts added 7pts. Devin Parham led the Queen Square boys with 7 pts, and Jason Anderson and Travis Williams scored 6pts each. The All Saints’ School boys posted their 4th win over the Stella Maris School boys 29-11 on Monday. Keyvon Evans led All Saints’ School with 13 points while Glen Bowen scored seven points for Stella Maris. The All Saints’ boys had posted their third win 37-7 over Ephesus 7th Day Adventist School last Friday. Keyvon Evans scored 22 pts for All Saints, while Antoine Palacio scored 4pts for Ephesus School. All Saints boys’ had posted their 2nd win 28-11 over the James Garbutt 7th Day Adventist boys on Thursday. Keyvon Evans led All Saints’ School with 18 points while Hubert Fraser scored 6pts for James Garbutt. Keyvon Evans also scored 19pts for All Saints’ School in their 1st win 29-25 over the Central Christian School boys last Wednesday. Anfernee Brooks had led the Central Christian boys with 14 points. The Central Christian School boys enjoyed their first victory when they triumphed 34-6 over the boys of James Garbutt School. Marques Stamp led the Central Christian boys with 11 points while Christopher Zelaya scored four points for the James Garbutt boys.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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l o ñ a p En Es Issue No. 4728

DOMINGO ENERO 23, 2011

Aldeano asesinado y abandonado en la carretera vieja del Norte Jueves, 20 de Enero del 2011 La Comunidad tranquila de la aldea Boston, ubicado a 22 kilómetros al norte de la ciudad de Belice en la carretera vieja del Norte, es donde se produjo el sexto asesinato de la nación para el 2011. La víctima, Harris Gabourel, 46, había asistido a un funeral el martes por la noche cuando fue objeto de un balazo. Su cuerpo fue descubierto en una sección de arbustos al lado de la carretera el miércoles por la mañana por un aldeano compañero de trabajo. Gabourel, padre de

Harris Gabourel

Belama se convierte en una zona de Guerra! Tiroteo de policía con ladrón armado Ciudad de Belice, Miércoles, 19 de Enero 2011 El lunes por la noche, los residentes de Belama fase 1, experimentaron lo más parecido a una zona de guerra cuando una lluvia de disparos prevaleció durante varios minutos mientras la policía intentaba atrapar a un ladrón armado. La policía respondió a un informe de un robo de una tienda local de Chinos. Justo antes de la hora de cierre, un pistolero enmascarado llevando una bolsa negra entró en el supermercado 828 y despojo al propietario y a su hijo de un monto no revelado de dinero en efectivo. El incidente fue rápido y concluyó sin daños, pero al intentar huir el ladrón se encontró con una patrulla de policía móvil y los oficiales lo persiguieron cuando intentaba darse a la fuga. A pesar de que se encontraba entre dos fuegos, el hábil delincuente logró eludir a los oficiales al zambullirse en el riachuelo Haulover y nado hacia el otro lado que une la carretera del Norte a la zona de San Martín de Porres. Normalmente, hay paz y tran-

quilidad en la zona de Belama, pero desde que la subestación de policía del área fue cerrada en Diciembre, la gente ha visto un aumento de robos y hurtos. Sólo la semana pasada, el representante de la zona de Freetown, el honorable Francis Fonseca, escribió una carta al Departamento de policía, expresando su preocupación por el cierre de la estación y la creciente tasa de delincuencia como resultado. El patrullaje que se ha llevado a cabo en el área desde la clausura ha demostrado que los ladrones siguen haciendo de las suyas sin perturbarse y los residentes están reclamando una rápida reapertura de la subestación de policía, al menos para proporcionar una sensación de seguridad. Aunque nadie resultó herido, el incidente demuestra que la ciudad de Belice, incluso el norte de la ciudad, no es inmune a la delincuencia callejera. Ha dejado a los residentes sacudidos y angustiados al recordar que tuvieron que detenerse, tirarse al piso y esperar, mientras que escuchaban los sonidos fuertes de disparos en la noche.

un niño, fue herido varias veces en la parte superior del cuerpo. Su madre, Linda Gabourel, quien desafortunadamente ha sido limitada a una silla de ruedas ya que sus piernas fueron amputadas debido a la diabetes, nos dijo que Harris le proporcionaba el pan de cada día y se hacía cargo de las tareas domésticas diarias. Ella dijo que no se preocupo al inicio cuando Harris falto a la casa el martes por la noche, debido a que era una de sus prácticas regulares, pero en la mañana del miércoles cuando vio que su cama

todavía se encontraba vacía, ella comenzó a preocuparse. Al poco tiempo recibió la noticia de que su cuerpo sin vida fue encontrado en el camino. Harris tuvo una disputa con algunos vecinos recientemente sobre terreno de su familia. Sin embargo la naturaleza del argumento no fue debido a intrusos en el terreno, sino por el hecho de que habían comenzado a extraer madera. Es un ángulo que la policía está investigando para dar con el posible motivo de su asesinato.

Promesa Rota…. Gobierno de Belice se niega a bajar los precios del combustible, a pesar de promesas hechas a beliceños 18 de Enero del 2011 En el 2010, la administración de Barrow incremento los precios del combustible trece veces, llevando el combustible a implacables aumentos en los surtidores de gasolina. El último incremento se produjo tres días después de Navidad, que vio el aumento de los precios más cerca de los 11 dólares. Este año, a muy tempranas fechas, el Gobierno ha reanudado su misión para excavar en los bolsillos de los beliceños, incluso durante los tiempos difíciles, cuando los precios de los combustibles subieron sin anunciarse oficialmente el 14 de enero. El nuevo aumento impuesto por el Gobierno de Belice ahora incrementa los precios del combustible con gas Premium ahora a $10,45, Regular a $10.25, Diesel en $9.32 y combustible del ciudadano pobre, el queroseno a $ 10,00. El Primer Ministro Dean O. Barrow repetidamente ha roto su promesa de mantener bajo el costo del combustible. El 1 º de abril del 2009, el GOB había etiquetado un impuesto de un $1 sobre el combustible en cada compra de un

galón. Barrow indicó que si los precios van más allá de $7.00, él consideraría eliminar el impuesto a precios más bajos. Pocos días más tarde, el precio del combustible paso de los $ 7.00 dólares y cuando se le preguntó acerca de su promesa, Barrow se retracto diciendo que él creía que $8.00 debería ser el nuevo precio. “Si los precios empiezan a subir mas allá de los $8 significa que los cos-

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THE BELIZE TIMES

en Español Basta de juegos, Senor Primer Ministro No es exagerar decir que la industria del turismo ha estado en picada después de que el UDP tomó posesión del cargo en 2008. El turismo ha disminuido situación que ha conducido a una reducción de ingresos de turismo durante los dos años pasados. Las inversiones y el empleo en la industria durante este mismo período han estado bajos. Incluso los negocios más eficientes no generan los ingresos a los cuales ellos están acostumbrados. También hubo un ataque concertado por ciertos representantes gubernamentales para marginar a Beliceños de participar en la industria. Y el entorno, que es el principal atractivo de Belice, es mal manejado y abusado al capricho y la imaginación de los grupos de intereses especiales que tienen lazos al gobierno. Pregunte a cualquiera que no sea un partidero fiel del UDP y le dirá que la industria del turismo esta en serios problemas sea este un crucero o turistas de paso en Belice. El alboroto reciente en el turismo crucero como consecuencia del intento hostil de intereses principales extranjeros sigue el alboroto que ocurrió en el Sur del país, para ser más exactos, la península de Placencia, debido a que el Gobierno habilito un Puerto cruzero ante las protestas de los residentes. Incluso recientemente, en una reunión en San Pedro donde los funcionarios de turismo del gobierno fueron amonestados por los residentes de la isla como consecuencia de un desarrollo potencial que podría tener impactos significativos sobre el entorno ambiental. Este acontecimiento desagradable puede verse en YouTube para que el mundo lo vea. Ha sido un fracaso detrás de otro para este gobierno y nada para beneficiar la industria del turismo hasta el momento. Una semana después de que el Primer Ministro condujo una delegación a Miami para pedir a algún ejecutivo de cruceros, que no es Mickey Arrison (el Presidente de Carnival), los operadores aquí en Belice todavía se encuentran sufriendo los ataque de algunos “tiburones” que se los quieren tragar. Pocas horas luego de volver de Miami el PM llamo a una rueda de prensa para informar al país que él había “salvado” el día. Sabemos ahora que mintió justo como él ha hecho tantas otras veces. Lo que el Primer Ministro y sus bufones fallan en realizar es que el PUP implemento la política y regulaciones necesarias para proteger a nuestros inversionistas locales. Si los Beliceños no pueden beneficiarse de la industria del turismo entonces no sirve ningún objetivo tener una industria turística. De hecho, la Sección 7 de los Estados de Acuerdo de licencia de Barcos de Crucero dice lo siguiente “ el Titular de permiso procurará utilizar los servicios de las ofertas locales de normas aceptables, debidamente autorizadas por las autoridades Beliceñas, para el transporte de pasajeros del barco a tierra, las ofertas del barco pueden ser utilizadas sólo cuando sea absolutamente necesario. “ También, la Sección G de la Poliza de Barcos de Cruceros dice “ Como la parte de los procedimientos licenciativos puestos en práctica por el Consejo de Turismo de Belice, requieren que todos los barcos de crucero ofrezcan a pasajeros excursiones de islas y costa adentro operados y manejados por propietarios Beliceños y conducido por guías autorizados Beliceños. Los agentes de Puerto y operadores de viaje serán responsables de asegurar que todos los servicios para excursiones, incluyendo, pero no limitando el transporte, alimento y la bebida, ventas de artesanía, servicios de guía, etc. sean de fuentes Beliceñas, y que todas las leyes al respecto sean adheridas debidamente. “ Estas exigencias son intransmisibles y deben ser acordadas por escrito por el agente de puerto, el operador de viaje y líneas de crucero antes de la emisión de cualquier licencia. Es inconcebible que el Primer Ministro, un abogado culto, o el Ministro de Turismo, que también fue un miembro de su delegación especial a Miami, estén inconscientes de aquellas secciones de la ley. Si es así, que pena. Si ellos han estado conscientes, y aún así están dispuestos a rendirse a los caprichos de intereses extranjeros, es una vergüenza! El turismo de crucero no es su tablero de ajedrez privado, Sr. Primer Ministro…. Deje de jugar sus juegos.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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l o ñ a p En Es Issue No. 4728

DOMINGO ENERO 23, 2011

Imponiéndole alza de precios a los muertos!!!!

Aumentan la cuota del espacio de enterramiento en más del 300%. 20 de Enero del 2011 Este artículo debió haber sido titulado “ Un agradecimiento a los muertos”, porque eso es exactamente lo que el consejero de la ciudad de Belice Wayne Usher dijo en una entrevista en la que reveló que el Consejo de la ciudad de Belice ha encontrado una nueva forma para extraer aún más dinero de beliceños – a través de sus muertos, nuestros seres queridos. Ahora que ya no hay espacio en Lord Ridge Cemetery, el Ayuntamiento ha abierto un nuevo cementerio en la milla 13 en la carretera occidental. Pero no será nada barato para las personas que piensan utilizar los servicios y el espacio. Mientras que el costo de un espacio de sepultura en Lord Ridge era de $75, CitCo ha anunciado que el costo en la nueva ubicación es de $250. ¡ Eso es 333% más! El costo para enterrar a un bebé tam-

nados sobre los aumentos porque saben que el público no podrá pagar la cuota. Ellos le han llamado a esta decisión “ridícula” y “desconsiderada” y afirman que Usher ha estado actuando como si el nuevo cementerio fuese privado.

bién ha aumentado por más del 300%, cuando que se cobraba $30 en Lord Ridge ahora aumento a $100. Mientras tanto el costo para volver a abrir una tumba para el entierro de un miembro de la familia es ahora 500% más, cuando que el

Promesa Rota….

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tos de adquisición están aumentando, que también significa que entonces comiencen nuestras exportaciones de petróleo a obtener ingresos adicionales para el Gobierno. Una vez que esto suceda y comencemos a recibir más ingresos, a continuación, podemos dar un poco de ese dinero para mantener los precios tan manejables como sea posible para los beliceños”: El Primer Ministro Dean O. Barrow, 22 de Abril del 2009 (extracto de 7News) El 6 de junio del 2009, los precios del combustible aumentaron pasado los $8.00, sin embargo, el Primer Ministro no mostro una genuina preocupación. “La verdad es que mientras los incrementos en los precios de gas son una carga, son ingresos adicionales que le llegan al Gobierno y esos ingresos adicionales se necesitan desesperadamente. Así que existe un acto de equilibrio que estoy haciendo. Tan pronto como completemos ese trabajo, voy a hacer un anuncio de como exactamente nos proponemos continuar.”: Primer Ministro Dean O. Barrow, 12 de

Junio del 2009 (extracto de 7News) Los ultimos comentarios del Primer Ministro con respecto a los altos precios del combustible indican que todavía no se encuentra dispuesto a intervenir y proporcionar algún tipo de alivio para los beliceños. Barrow dijo durante las entrevistas de los medios de comunicación el 5 de Enero que los precios del gas no eran lo suficientemente altos, y que hasta que él reconozca que existe una tendencia que los precios están subiendo, no ve la necesidad de intervenir. Por otro lado el Partido Unido del Pueblo, por el contrario, cree que el Primer Ministro ha esperado demasiado tiempo para actuar. En un comunicado de prensa emitido el lunes 17 de enero del año en curso, el PUP condenó la negativa del Gobierno para actuar a pesar de que siguen disparándose los precios del combustible. El Partido de la Oposición dice que los precios van en aumento en un momento cuando los beliceños menos pueden disponer económicamente.

costo era de $100 y incremento es de $500. Usher insistió en que el aumento de gastos ya está en vigencia a pesar de que la nueva ley no ha sido aprobada. Mientras tanto, los sepultureros de la ciudad están conster-

43 Beliceños despedidos por BATSUB, 53 más seran despedidos este verano Ciudad Belice, 18 de Enero del 2011 Tras su anuncio en Diciembre que extraeria una mayoría de su personal y equipo del país, la Unidad de Apoyo de Capacitación del

Ejército Británico en Belice o sea BATSUB (por sus siglas en Ingles) ha enviado cartas oficiales de terminación a 43 Beliceños. La rescisión surtirá efecto el 1 de abril, también conocido como “All Fools Day”. La meta de BATSUB es reducir su presencia en Belice, siguiendo las decisiones de la directiva del Ministerio de defensa del Reino Unido para reducir su gasto militar. Como resultado, el ajuste de BATSUB verá a 160 beliceños perder su empleo, mientras millones de dólares generados por sus actividades en Ladyville y áreas más amplias del distrito de Belice desaparecera. Mientras que parte del personal será despedido, BATSUB también reducirá su equipo y recursos, incluyendo helicópteros y camiones cisterna, que actualmente son utilizados por la Fuerza de Defensa de Belice (BDF) para transporte, patrullas, formación y emergencias. El ejército británico dice que mantendrá una pequeña presencia en Belice, pero con funcionalidades limitadas.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Haad times leads to suicide in San Pedro?? Art Gallery owner found dead

San Pedro, January 20, 2011 A written note found next to the lifeless body of Karen Sue Brown, an American national, who owned and managed the Isla Bonita Gallery and Frame Shop in San Pedro Ambergris Caye, has led authorities to suspect that the

death was a result of suicide. Brown’s dead body was found inside her place by Tamara Sniffin, the co-editor of San Pedro Sun newspaper, on Tuesday afternoon. Although the content of the note has not been revealed, Police have indicated they believe Brown

killed herself. Persons close to Brown say she had been going through a depression recently, and that she constantly lamented the difficult economic times, and how it was crippling her business.

Honduran man wanted for alleged rape, caught in Mexico Belize City, January 17, 2011 Police sources have confirmed that an Honduran national, who is wanted in connection to a rape case in Belize, was caught by Mexican cops and will soon be transferred to local authorities for prosecution. 38 year old Justo Norberto Galán Ortiz was arrested by Mexican Police in the community of Botes, which is located along the river bank adjacent to the Orange Walk District. Mexican authorities say they were called by anonymous persons who reported that a foreigner was drinking in public and harassing persons. When the Police arrived in the community, they

fore, he was taken into custody. While under detention, Mexican authorities cross-checked with Belize’s Police and discovered that Ortiz was wanted for an alleged crime of rape. According to Mexican press reports, there has been a $20,000 reward for Ortiz’s arrest and conviction, but the BELIZE TIMES has not confirmed if it is true. Ortiz appeared before the Court, where the Magistrate orfound Ortiz and warned that he could dered that he be detained by imget arrested. They asked for his immi- migration officials in Chetumal gration documents or identification, until Belizean authorities are but Ortiz could provide none; there- ready to receive him.

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Three notable Belizeans pass away Continued from page 20 show. She was honoured in December for her contributions to the arts during the introduction of her last production, with a 53-page publication entitled “Parchment Pages - Speak to Me Through Poetry”. Fairweather discovered only three months prior to her death that she had developed pancreatic cancer, and that the disease had already taken root for any kind of treatment to prolong her life. Doctors had given her up soon after the discovery was made but she survived a surgery and went on to live about a month longer. The third person who passed away is 57 year old attorney, Norman Neal Sr., also known as “Charlie Bogues”. Once a Magistrate and an attorney, who worked pro bono on a number of cases while at the Legal Aid office, Neal practiced law privately, mostly from his home in the latter part of his life. He became totally blind six years ago but continued to work right up until the time of his death. The attorney underwent a physical examination last summer and it revealed no sign of any problems. Three months after he became ill; however, tests revealed that Neal had prostate cancer. He lost the battle with the disease on Sunday. The BELIZE TIMES joins the rest of the nation to mourn the loss of these three notable personalities and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to their families.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, January 23, 2011