The Reporter Remix

THE REPORTER

Volume 52, No. 27

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 1

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Price: $1.00

FELIX BROTHERS EXECUTED Police & City Brace for Retaliations

Pg. 3

Thursday, July 4, 2019

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By Marion Ali

wo brothers, Maurice 34, and Emory Felix, 33, were riddled with bullets when their killers – reportedly two persons - pounced on them while they were playing pool at Sky Deck on Baymen Avenue in Belize City on Wednesday evening.

The pair were on the second flat of the establishment sometime around 6:45pm, when they were targeted. Preliminary reports indicated that Maurice was shot first, and died on the ground beside the pool table. Emory managed to run, but he did not get very far. He was shot and collapsed on the street in front of the business.

Emory Felix was reportedly shot at least seven times, and 13 expended shells were found on Baymen Avenue near where he fell and died. Maurice Felix was shot, sources say, at least three times, and 17 expended shells were found in the area near his body.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ale

Dangriga Man PUP Calls Out PM on BTL Scandal

Killed and Dumped

Thursday, July 4, 2019

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Pg. 3

Pg. 3

Pg. 4

he People’s United Party (PUP) has written to Prime Minister Dean Barrow requesting full public disclosure regarding documents that show that BTL potentially owes the GST Department upward of $50 million in outstanding taxes, penalties and interest. PUP leader John Briceño and the party’s shadow minister

Tangled Web at BTL Who is Lying?

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n the last three years rain has become a bigger danger from hurricanes than the strong winds. Windspeed is used by meteorologists to forecast the danger that a hurricane poses. But the rain factor which can cause flooding in areas far from the coast has now become an area of concern resulting from climate change.

Weather experts are now showing that a slowmoving, category 1 hurricame can do as much damage than a faster-moving, nore powerful hurricane because of its capacity to dump vast quantities of water on the land. Water laden winds also have more bruising force than wind without the water.

With warmer seas providing a more abundant supply of water vapor, the new genre of hurricanes can distribute an unbelievable quantity of water over the land.

Hurricane Harvey two years ago brought more than 50 inches of rain which it let loose on parts of southeast Texas. In the past three years, as the impact of climate change has become more apparent, rain has pushed aside storm surge to emerge as a principal cause of death and damage.

As sea temperatures become warmer, more water vapor becomes available. As the climate system warms, there is more fuel for tropical storms to become hurricanes. One study completed in 2017 showed that climate change on warmer water can increase rainfall by more than a third.

Belize is a country blessed withmany rivers and numerous lakes or lagoons. These rivers and lagoons will hold and storewater during moderate rains, but in times of deluge they will spill over and cause havoc.

The Maya Mountain range which is like a huge backbone supporting the rest of the country, keeps Belize gently watered throughout the year, so that we do not suffer extremes of drought like so many other countries. But as we have seen this year, climate change can upset the balance of things.

From now on Belize will have to assess tropical storms and hurricanes by their wind force, but also by their capacity to suck up water vapor from a warmer Caribbean Sea and let it loose in the form of rain over the land.

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Social Security Fleecing Belizeans Dear Editor: This week, July 1st, the new social security contributions for the working Belizeans kick in. As an employee I am paying the maximum contributions of $15.68 weekly for the period July 1st, 2019 to January 5th, 2020. After that my weekly rate will increase after January 5th, 2020. My employer will now be paying $21.72 weekly for every employee.

As I understand it, my benefit will only apply from my weekly contributions and nothing will come from the employer’s contributions, in the event I am sick or in the event of retirement at the age of 65 years old.

What most Belizeans don’t know is where do the employers’ contributions go and who gets it? Remember the employer pays in $21.72 weekly for every employee who makes a salary of $420.00 and over, weekly.

Let’s look at this scenario here: Let’s say there are 50,000 employers’ contributions weekly at $21.72, multiply that by 52 weeks for a year.

That’s a staggering $56,472,000. Imagine, that’s

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he Central Bank of Belize introduced new fees to commercial banks in the country for use of its Automated Payment and Securities Settlement System (APSSS), which was first implemented in 2016. The fees, which became effective as of July 1, have been passed on at an increased rate from the bank to the customers on simple transactions, making it even costlier to do business in an economic climate where salaries across the country have been affected by a contribution raise to Social Security.

The fees being charged by Central Bank to financial institutions using the service are as follows: $3.50 per transaction for Electronic Funds Transfer over $50,000 or time critical transactions of any value, $0.25 per transaction for Electronic Funds Transfer under $50,000, $0.50 per payment for Instant Funds Transfer, $1 per check for processing of checks up to $50,000, $50 per check for processing of checks $50,000 to $100,000 and $100 per cheque for processing

over 56 million dollars a year. What is SSB doing with those funds?

Remember, SSB also has investment portfolios in BTL and BEL that they collect interests on every year.

The disbursements of the social security money are not being done fairly. I have a disabled uncle and an aunt who have reached retirement age and are very poor, and they were not qualified to receive any funds from social security, according to SSB. This is very unfair for our older generations.

I believe part of the employers’ contributions should be used to take care of our most vulnerable population.

I also believe that the retirement age of 65 to receive a pension from SSB is not realistic. Let’s be real. Very few people in Belize will reach age 65 in this day and age. And by the time you are 65 years old, you won’t be able to enjoy your pension.

Thanks for publishing my letter, Editor.

M. Brown

Long Distance Advisors Commentary Dear Editor: Why are there still Belizeans who do not believe in the ability to compete on an equal footing with the white establishment?

In a recent article in the Reporter, by Mr. Neri Briceño, he chastised the Government for repossessing our utilities; emphasizing that in the past, governments were not able to manage these facilities. I am sure Mr. Briceño is aware of the disastrous, trickle-down economics which was introduced to small economies when they were coerced to sell their utilities to foreign conglomerates. Well. Sir, can I inform you that Belize is one of the few countries which has recovered from that disaster?

Do you remember the occasion when these foreign owners refused to comply with the decision of our regulatory bodies, refused to allow interconnection, and refused to upgrade or allow

New Banking Fees Put Pressure on Business Community Thursday, July 4, 2019

THE REPORTER

of cheques above $100,000.

“These fees will be used to offset the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the system so that the Belizean people can continue to enjoy a modern and secure financial system. Furthermore, the fee structure was strategically designed to encourage the usage of the more efficient payment instruments,” the Central Bank said. As a result of the fees implemented by Central Bank, banks have adjusted their service fees for the customer as well. The banks, however, have passed on those fees with additional rates, with some banks charging $2.25 to process checks from other banks.

People United Party Leader, John Briceño, said this week “we have a tax and spend government. They find any which way they can get their hands into the pockets of the Belizean people and you say well Central Bank is taxing them but at the end of the day the profits from Central Bank are transferred to central government, so again, this is an indirect tax from this government”.

competition? Grant you, we paid a high price for the renationalization of our utilities. I quote from the Briceño article – “The nationalization of BEL, BTL and BWS which I was also against brought us no relief in terms of rate reduction, but rather gave us massive levels of corporate corruption, nepotism, pilfering and the state having additional control over a large number of employees.”

Can he reveal those instances of MASSIVE corruption, nepotism or pilfering? These are inflammatory accusations. Today BTL, BEL and BWS are 99% locally managed, contrary to what Mr. Briceño says. These utilities are private sector/public sector owned. All profits remain in Belize. Contrast that to what used to happen before nationalization.

Outages are minimal. Expansion is ongoing.

One of these utilities has been awarded an international award. Are there shortcomings? I would be stupid not to admit.

To those Belizeans abroad. Come home – get involved! The air is 100% pure and you can still get 8 oranges or 10 bananas for US$0.50.

If you don’t see life as a challenge, you are not living.

Mr. Briceño, please continue to write, objectively.

Henry V. Young Sr.

THE REPORTER

Phones: 501- 227-2503 / 227-1767 Fax 501-227- 8278 P.O. Box 707 e-mail: reporternewspaper@gmail.com editoreporter@gmail.com website: http://www.reporter.bz Publisher Harry Lawrence Editor Mike Rudon Jr.

Assistant Editor Marion V. Ali Financial Controller Rosa Maria Lawrence General Manager Lithographer

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Lisbeth Ayuso Rodolfo Castro Michelle Sutherland Alexis Milan Jackie Fuller Rodolfo Castro Leroy Bood Misael Muñoz

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 3

FELIX BROTHERS EXECUTED

jandro Cowo told the media on Thursday that based on charges that the pair had before them at the Courts, coupled with guilty verdicts for a murder several years ago, the two were prime targets of gun violence. He added that Police canvassing have helped them to gather material information into the incident. So far, however, no one has been arrested.

Cowo admitted that Police expect street retaliation for the double murder, but that they are conducting operations in the "hotspots" areas Cont’d from pg. 1

where they expect the street violence to occur.

Just minutes after the murders, an alert was sent to officers assigned to and patrolling in the Caesar Ridge, Kraal Road, Jane Usher, Taylor's Alley and Banak Street areas, instructing them to search as many vehicles heading into and coming out of those area.

The two were charged for the murder of Mark Gentle, 27, who was killed in May 2015, as well as for the attempted murder of Gentle’s mother, Pamela Cumberbatch. The mother and son were shot at their residence on Caesar Ridge Road.

After several years on remand, the Felix brothers

were granted Supreme Court bail of $20,000 each and were required to report to the Raccoon Street Police Station twice a week.

Before that, in 2010, they were found guilty of the 2006 murder of Mitchum Heredia, 29, and the attempted murder of Romel Palacio, but they appealed and the Court found that the trial judge misdirected the jury and ordered a new trial. The jury in that new trial could not come to a verdict and the pair were remanded until a third trial could be heard. The jury in that trial also could not come to a verdict and the prosecution rested its case and the brothers were freed.

lizeans will be forced to take more drastic actions…,” Briceño stated.

“We are now seeing evidence based on an audit report that was conducted by the GST Department that BTL has been grossly underreporting its financials and has not been paying taxes,” Musa said.

“They can’t pay their fair share of taxes but the rest of us have to?

And this is the bottom line, ladies and gentlemen - why are there two sets of rules, one

for the UDP and one for the rest of Belize?” he openly questioned.

“So Belizean business people are subject to arrest but when BTL is alleged to have committed worse violations of the law, then there is nothing to see, nothing going on and not a penny owed. This is a blatant cover up,” he continued.

“These documents show that there is some $240 Million of underreporting by BTL between 2012 and 2017.

If that is a lie, then please tell us the truth,” Musa challenged the government. He pointed out the inconsisten-

cies in comments by BTL Chairman Nestor Vasquez and Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, with Vasquez claiming there is no on-going audit and that BTL doesn’t owe, while Waight stated that an audit is currently on-going and that a meeting had been arranged to sort out the matter.

Briceño, whose family also owns a telecommunications company (SMART), explained that telecom companies are taxed GST at 19% so a marketing company is set up to sell talk time at 1.75%.

“That is where BTL is

playing with the numbers, trying to see how they can avoid paying some of the taxes. Basically that is what we have been informed from the people we have spoken to in the GST Department. That is the bone of contention, they believe that within their companies they should not be paying taxes when GST is very clear that you have to pay taxes on those sales,” he elaborated. The party says it expects Prime Minister Dean Barrow to take appropriate action in addressing the matter, now rather than later.

Thursday, July 4, 2019 ust after 6:30 this morning, an individual who was traveling along the Frank’s Eddy road in the Cayo District noticed a strange ‘package’ on the side of the road, and when he stopped to check it out, he realized it was a human corpse wrapped in a deflated air mattress and dumped in the bushes.

A call was made to Police to alert them, and shortly after, a team of Police Officers was dispatched to the crime scene where they identified the body as that of Jermaine Baltazar Flores, 44, a resident of Yampa Street, Dangriga Town.

Flores was found about 300 feet from the

George Price Highway in a face-up position, bound with duct tape and extension cords to both his hands and feet. He had a gunshot wound to his head and authorities are trying to determine whether he was executed at the location or if he was killed elsewhere and his body discarded along the deserted road.

Up to press time, information has been scarce. Sr. Superintendent Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch had to make a hasty departure from the crime scene to brief the media, and explained that "He (Flores) had two addresses - one in Belize City and the other in Dangriga. We don't know where he

was prior to the incident or what transpired. We have dealt with him in the past but that is all I will divulge at this point."

The Reporter was additionally able to confirm that while residents in the village did not know Flores, he had family members who live in the vicinity where he was found. The Reporter additionally tried to get a comment from one of the deceased’s sisters, but she informed the newspaper that the family will not be granting any interviews to the media.

Romero noted that a post mortem examination will determine the victim's official cause of death as well as a time frame when he was killed.

PUP Calls Out PM on BTL Scandal

Cont’d from pg. 1 or telecommunications Kareem Musa put pressure on the government this week during a press conference, calling out GOB for its lack of urgency, and its nonchalance in addressing the issue.

Briceño said the party has reviewed the available documents and have confirmed from their sources that they are valid. “BTL cannot deny the existence of this audit because there is a full report, hundreds of

f

line items that were looked into…you need to ask who is telling the truth,” Briceño stated.

“Their common indecency, their total incompetence and the massive levels of corruption are destroying this nation,” he said adding that “never before has a government been so indifferent to all that has gone wrong, with our economy in shambles, our health system in crisis and our institutions in disarray it may soon come to a point where Be-

Dangriga Man Killed and Dumped J

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Page 4

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Tangled Web at BTL Who is Lying?

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ollowing reports last week that Belize Telemedia Ltd. owed upward of $29 Million in unpaid taxes to the General Sales Tax (GST) Department, BTL Chairman Nestor Vasquez told the Reporter this week that the company does not owe a “single penny” to GST and that an audit had been completed, proving so. In conversations with the Financial Secretary, the acting GST Commissioner and the previous Commissioner, however, they each confirmed an ongoing audit of BTL and did not deny that BTL had an outstanding debt.

Vasquez, when asked about comments from Financial Secretary Joseph Waight that a GST audit of the company's finances was ongoing, said firstly BTL does not owe any money to the GST Department and secondly that there is no audit of BTL currently underway. According to Vasquez, there was an audit which was conducted and completed months ago but there was no determination BTL owed any outstanding sums.

Furthermore, Vasquez said he spoke to Waight following his comments to the media last week and informed him "...you are wrong, the answer is simple, we do not owe you a penny," emphasizing that comments to the contrary were "inaccurate.”

Former GST Commissioner, Betty-Ann Jones, who retired earlier this year, would only confirm that during her tenure an audit of BTL had been conducted. She would not entertain any further questions, however, current acting Commissioner, Evan Brown confirmed to the Reporter that a GST audit of the BTL was indeed ongoing. He said he was not at liberty to divulge any further details. Yet, if there was

no audit and if the answer was as simple as BTL suggests, then why would the three most knowledgeable government officials regarding the matter not just state definitively that there is no outstanding debt owed by the company?

BTL issued a press release this week confirming its position that it does not owe any money to the GST Department. The company says it has made all of its monthly payments to GST consistently. Following our conversation with Brown, the GST Department issued a release informing that an audit is currently being conducted. The Department then declared its position, "that BTL is compliant in fulfilling their obligations to file and pay monthly as is required by law,” before concluding “The Department is presently awaiting the completion of the audit to determine BTL’s tax position,”

which seems a clear contradiction.

The Reporter also sought further clarification from the Financial Secretary, however we were informed he was out of the country and would not be back in office until next week.

Notably, two days after news broke about BTL’s purported tax woes, BTL’s Chief Executive Officer, Rochus Schreiber, resigned from that position. A press release said the resignation is for personal reasons but there has been chatter that Schreiber is leaving amid high tensions. His resignation also comes on the heels of new legislation passed by the government which applies criminal liability to directors of corporations which withhold and are non-compliant with tax payments. The company’s former Chief Financial Officer, Ivan Tesecum, has been reported as a likely replacement for Schreiber as CEO.

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THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 5

BPD Launches Parallel Investigations After Homophobe Allegations Thursday, July 4, 2019

By Michelle Sutherland

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his week, the Belize Police Department came under fire after several cell phone videos made their rounds on social media depicting off duty Police Officer Ralph Gillett being restrained in a chokehold by an on-duty officer while he was slapped into consciousness by another officer.

Gillett, along with four friends, was reportedly making his way back from Caye Caulker Lobsterfest on Sunday evening when they attempted to secure a seat on the water taxi which was already full. While reports on what happened next vary, Gillett allegedly attempted to sit beside a woman on the boat but she refused to give up her seat which she was saving for a family member. That led to a heated exchange, and then a physical alter-

cation in which Gillett threw some blows before he was mobbed.

Video footage shows when Gillett was taken off the boat and subdued in a chokehold by one officer, and then slapped by another. The entire melee, but particularly the manner in which Gillett, an alleged homosexual, was treated by his fellow officers led to a public outcry and a demand for answers from the BPD. Was Gillett a victim of a hate crime and if so what is the BPD doing to address the actions of their officers who executed the use of a defense tactic that has been banned in other states?

ACP Edward Broaster explained on Monday that “that is in no way close to the truth. Everyone saw the video where from the reports we gathered there were several interventions to prevent several outbursts on the vessel and

the officer subsequently PC Ralph Gillett. subdued the individual who was belligerent in fighting with the passengers in the boat and so I would not associate that with any hate crime. The question now is whether or not the officer that did the chokehold did the proper procedure that we have in place. We have been doing training for our Police Officers in deby UNIBAM demanded fense tactics so that they that the Commissioner can use the least amount of Police ensure that a of force necessary to thorough and impartial subdue individuals." investigation is launched Broaster additionally into the actions of the confirmed that Caye arresting officers as well Caulker Police are inas the women who were vestigating the criminal involved in the melee. aspect of the incident UNIBAM advocate as it relates to the fight Caleb Orosco spoke to onboard the vessel while the Reporter on Thursthe Professional Stan- day and expressed his dards Branch is investi- disgust, stating - ''one can gating the actions of its accuse the PC of poor officers, including the judgment in the way he use of the unsanctioned reacted. But one can also chokehold and the slap. argue that there is enough The incident has also blame and criticism to raised the ire of the go around. The Police LGBT community and Department did not do a press release issued its job in investigating the incident from the start. The women should have pulled back and had some sense and the PC should have some level

Ralph Gillett subdued in unsanctioned chokehold of restraints. In any case, selves and told the press it doesn't take away from that PC Gillett was the the fact that there was a one who assaulted them call for the public lynch- first and that they do not ing of the PC. There have any type of diswas mistreatment of the crimination against the witnesses and the Po- LGBT community. lice Department showed As we go to press, poor judgment when there has been no confiramplifying homophobia mation of whether any by the crown as well as person has been charged their own." for Sunday’s incident, The women involved disciplinarily or otherin the melee later came wise. out defending them-

Belize Gets Upgraded On Human Trafficking Ranking

By Marion Ali

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or the first time in four years, Belize has been upgraded, by US standards, from the lowest tier rank (tier three) to a tier two watch list status in the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report released on June 20 The US Embassy has informed that Belize has shown "notable improvements in victim services and strengthening the antitrafficking police unit."

Belize’s improved ranking comes two years after the Human Trafficking Institute started to work with the Government.

“The Ministry of Human Development and its private-sector partners did a commendable job in increasing efforts to protect victims and boost prevention through awareness,” US Chargé d’ Affaires, Keith Gilges announced. He told the press on Tuesday that based on the information that the US Embassy provides to the US State Department,

Thursday, July 4, 2019

they decided that Belize has taken steps to combat human trafficking in our efforts in victims' services and screening, and the release by the government of a national action plan to address the problem.

For Belize, the recognition is welcomed.

Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Human Development, Judith Alpuche told the Reporter on Thursday: "I'm glad that our efforts are being recognized. It is validating for us because these are efforts that we have been making for years. We have been working diligently."

But Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards to be eliminated from the trafficking in persons list, and Gilges called on the government to fully implement the anti-trafficking law by vigorously investigating and prosecuting suspected traffickers, including complicit officials, and

imposing strong prison sentences on convicted traffickers. He also encouraged the government agencies to implement adequate screening and identification procedures of trafficking victims.

These are all things that CEO Alpuche told us they have been working on, and specified that over the next year, the Ministry will continue the dialogue with the various agencies, and work towards getting more convictions at the Court level against persons engaged in human trafficking.

The rankings are not confined to some countries as even the efforts by the US are subject to analysis. The rankings are made based on the efforts displayed by governments and the momentum built to do more. The 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report assessed the antitrafficking efforts of 187 governments.

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Fire Department Digs Deep To Address Challenges

Thursday, July 4, 2019 ing, but last week's

By Marion Ali fire that burned for t is a given that hours and destroyed - no matter what F a s h i o n N M o r e - there is no good Boutique and all its news about a fire, contents in Belmoand whenever there pan exposed, once is one, the Fire De- a g a i n , t h e d e p a r t partment's resources m e n t ' s i n e ff i c i e n ( o r l a c k t h e r e o f ) , cies in fighting large f i r e f i g h t i n g t e c h - fires for an extended niques, promptness period of time. to respond, or comThe department petence will come has only one truck into question. But in Belmopan, with t h e D e p a r t m e n t i s a fire-fighting cad i g g i n g d e e p t o pacity of about four come up with ways minutes maximum. of improving its ca- That is as long as its pabilities by acquir- 1,000-gallon water ing new equipment, tank can last. Thererepairing whatever after, as with most l i m i t e d v e h i c u l a r other fire trucks, it resources it has or needs to source wagetting a couple new ter from somewhere ones, and is now in to continue to fight the process of ac- a fire. quiring new fire hyThe lack of addrants that will be equate fire hydrants, strategically placed compatible to work around the country with the fire trucks' to better aid in its hoses, was also an firefighting effec- issue, as it is in evtiveness. ery district. The oldThe measures have er fire hydrants that long been in the mak- exist are not capable

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of handling the Belize Water Services' new connections, hence, they play hardly any role in fighting a fire.

But hope is on the horizon in that regard.

Acting Fire Chief, Benisford Matura told the Reporter on Thursday that the Fire Department, which is responsible for acquiring fire hydrants, is in the process of getting a set of new ones from the United Kingdom for the entire country. " We h a v e m o n e y assigned to buy the hydrants so it's just a

Figueroa Out‌Gough In

By Marion Ali

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Thursday, July 4, 2019

(L) Dr Ramon Figueroa (R) Dr George Gough

he Reporter broke the news earlier this week on our Facebook page when we announced that a new Chief E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r had been named to replace Dr. Ramon Figueroa in the Ministry of Health. We were able to confirm the new appointment and thereafter, there was a terse press release, just over 55 words in length, announcing the change.

Since the news broke, the Reporter has made countless attempts at getting someone from the Ministry to comment, including the Minister of Health,

Pablo Marin, and the new CEO George Gough, but our efforts have all been futile.

The current CEO, D r. F i g u e r o a , h a s been out of office on leave, reportedly after a "fallout" with the Minister over differences over fundamental ministry matters. He has served in the capacity since August of 2015, and prior to that office, had held various posts in Belize's Health System, including M e d i c a l O ff i c e r, General Manager of the National Health Insurance (NHI), and was key in the development of Belize's

National Health Sector Plan.

Figueroa's replacement, Gough, took over on Wednesday.

His more recent posts were as Chair of the National Health Insurance Committee and Chair of the Belize Medical Council. Gough, also a politician, had run against the PUP's former Prime Minister, Said Musa in the Fort George constituency.

This is the second change at the top echelons of the Ministry in as many months, following the sudden departure of another medical doctor, Angel Campos, who was Minister of State in the Ministry.

matter of getting the order in line and get the hydrants down to us. ...it will be between 50 and 100 hydrants," Matura said, informing that it will take another two to three months for the hydrants to arrive. When they arrive, BWS and the Fire Department will install the hydrants at strategic locations. The municipal governments in these districts will be expected to keep the areas where the hydrants are installed clean and accessible.

Matura shared that there is a fire pump, worth around $80,000 on its way from Canada that

will be assigned to Corozal when it arrives, and that San Pedro received a fire pump two weeks ago through the aegis of the Rotary Club of Belize. He also said that a fire truck that had been under repair for a few weeks will be as-

signed to Belmopan when it is finished.

He said that Belize City has three fire trucks available and also has a truck in Ladyville as backup, all of which are functional. Altogether, Belize has only 23 fire trucks across the country.

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 7

Lee Mark Beats Leila in Caribbean Shores

Lee Mark Chang, far left, with UDP Chairman Alberto August

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he United Democratic Party (UDP) held its latest party convention this past Sunday in Caribbean Shores with candidate Lee Mark Change securing the seat comfortably over perceived partyfavorite Leila Peyrefitte.

The party now has a few more conventions scheduled before the end of the year as it prepares to elect new leadership next year.

In the Caribbean Shores convention, there was a total voter turnout of 1,267. Of the ballots cast, 15 were rejected and Peyrefitte tallied 476 votes while Chang secured the victory by a handy margin, with 776 votes. Heading into the convention Chang was confident he had established enough traction in the constituency to propel him to a win.

Chang told us he expected to secure the seat despite his opponent having the support of Prime Minister Dean

Thursday, July 4, 2019 Barrow. He was the lat- representatives are being est in a number of candi- challenged. In Corozal dates put in position by South West, area reprethe UDP’s senior leader- sentative Angel Campos ship to take the political is being challenged by reins, with none of those Elvis Correa. In Belize candidates emerging Rural South, Manuel Heredia is being chalvictorious.

In an interview with lenged by Gary Grief the Reporter, when and in Dangriga Frank asked if it was any in- “Papa” Mena is being dication of eroding trust challenged by Mayor in the party, UDP Chair- Francis Humphries.

August said no dates man Alberto August said have been set for those the only indication such three conventions but results give is that the UDP is a truly democrat- said they should be comic party, enabling voters pleted by November and the right to choose who a leadership convention they want as leaders in would take place around a free and open process. February of next year.

“We all have our prefer- He added that so far, the ence, but at the end of only names officially the day it is the voters submitted for leadership that decide. We don’t of the party have been manipulate the system,” those of Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber, he said.

According to August, and Minister of National the other three conven- Security John Saldivar. tions scheduled are for PM Barrow had previthe Corozal South-West, ously said he expected Belize Rural South and a leadership convention Dangriga constituencies, to be held not later than where all the sitting area May of 2019.

Belmopan CitCo Says No Retrenchment B

elmopan City Administrator, Ralston Frazer, in an interview with the Reporter on Thursday, clarified reports t h a t h a d b e e n c i rculating regarding an incident at the Council with a disgruntled employee and further reports that the City Council was retrenching staff. According to Frazer, this was an isolated incident and there is no such process under way.

Frazer said to his knowledge there has not been any mass wave of dismissal

Thursday, July 4, 2019 of staff approved or any escalation of tendiscussed. He con- sions. According to f i r m e d , h o w e v e r, Frazer, the employee there were recently demanded payment t w o s e p a r a t e a n d in full by the end of isolated dismissals the work day upon from the Council. He r e c e i v i n g h i s d i s also explained that missal notice. in one of those inFrazer says the stances, one employ- p a y m e n t w a s p r o ee was dismissed for cessed the following his behavior toward day and the ex-emc o l l e a g u e s a t t h e ployee received his Council so a deci- d is mis s a l p a y me n t sion was made to and the issue was release him. resolved. He added The employee was that it was simply so upset with the de- a minor misundercision that as a pre- s t a n d i n g a n d h a d cautionary measure, been “blown out of the Mayor called in proportion.” the Police to prevent

Page 8

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 9

FSM Roberto Pop Tops International Course Wednesday, July 3, 2019

By Michelle Sutherland

S

enior Enlisted Advisor Force Sergeant Major Roberto Pop, a long-time member of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and a resident of Big Falls in the Toledo District recently made history after he was inducted into the NonCommissioned Officers (NCO) Leadership Center of Excellence International Students Hall of Fame.

FSM Pop, who has over 24 years in the BDF, earned his recognition after he graduated among the top six out of 600 other students from 39 participating countries worldwide. Pop excelled in the United States Sergeant Major Course which took place over a 13-month period.

According to Pop, the course was centered on leadership skills aimed at preparing Sergeant Majors who are pursuing higher responsibilities working along with their commanders. The training also included soldier care, soldier discipline, maintenance of morale, test command climate of any organization, restructuring organization and manning of the entire force, not only within their own organization but to also operate in a joint agency or multinational settings.

This week when the Reporter spoke to Pop, he classified the training as difficult and noted that it is due to the fact that the US handles situations differently from the BDF. Nevertheless, Pop stated that he enjoyed the training

because it was interactive learning based on experiences and best practices from all over the world.

While speaking with Pop, he told the Reporter that he never set out with the goal to top the course or outshine anyone. Rather he went there to perform to the best of his abilities - "it was a lot of hard work and dedication. It is always about achieving and wanting to do my best and after being placed in some tough situations prior to that, all my training I believe prepared me for that level that I went and performed at the academy."

Pop lost his father when he was just 3 years old but shortly after, his mother remarried a BDF volunteer. With the new father figure in his life Pop said that he started to appreciate his step-father's discipline and the way he carried himself and he knew from back then that someday he would grow up and serve his country too.

FSM Roberto Pop enlisted in the BDF on September 24th, 1995 immediately after high school. He then went on to graduate from basic training at the top of his class. Since then his vocation has taken him across the length and breadth of Belize, Puerto Rico, Salvador, Honduras, the United States and the United Kingdom. Pop has excelled in local and international courses in jungle warfare, signals, communications, military and language exchange course, in-

FSM Pop telligence and global information system, among others.

FSM Pop never lost sight of where he came from, and when asked to offer a word of advice, he stated simply - "I have always recommended to all of my subordinates and even to my family members and friends alike…do something different and to challenge themselves to become involved in something much larger than themselves. The military is about service to your country.

It’s about discipline and commitment. If you get into the force for any other reason than loving service you will be disappointed because it requires a lot of sacrifices, a lot of time away from home.

However, the rewards are great when you help people and when you know that you are doing something for the greater good of your

FSM Roberto Pop country. My advice to them has always been and I sit in the position of being an advisor to my subordinates and I always advise them not to set out to be a superhero but to do what you can do and the recognition will follow.''

During his years of

service to the BDF, FSM Pop served as a recruit instructor for four years, then as a member of the Reconnaissance Platoon, sections commander and platoon sergeant.

FSM Pop went on to serve as Company Sergeant Major and as

Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). FSM POP additionally held key positions as Field Intelligence Senior Noncommissioned Officer (FINCO), Senior Permanent Staff Instructor (SPSI) and Force Quartermaster Sergeant (FQMS).

Elderly Man Loses Both Legs in RTA

Wednesday, July 3, 2019 with a notice of intended prosecution pending charges.

Requeña told police that shortly before the accident he was heading in a northerly direction and made a short stop in front of the park to let off passengers. According to Requeña when he drove off he heard a noise as if he had just run over something. ReElderly man loses legs in road traffic mishhap. queña said that when he behind the rear wheel exited to make checks rimitivo Itza, 69, of the bus with blood he realized that Itza was of a Palmar Road seeping from both of his underneath the bus.

Address on the outfeet which had just been At a press conference skirts of the Orange flattened underneath the on Monday ACP Joseph Walk District lost both heavy bus.

Myvett of the National, of his legs over the Cops along with the Crimes Investigation weekend after he was assistance of emergency Branch reserved his crushed underneath a personnel managed to comment on whether Tillett passenger bus extract Itza from under- investigators have been on Queen Victoria Avneath the wheel and he able to confirm who was enue. was rushed to the North- at fault in the accident.

Shortly before 6:00 ern Regional Hospital Myvett did mention p.m. on June 28th for treatment. Due to that the elderly man Central Park became the serious nature of his attempted to cross the crowded with spectainjuries, doctors made street while the bus was tors, Police Officers a decision to amputate moving. and traffic wardens both of Itza’s legs.

Up until Wednesday, who rushed to the scene The driver of the bus, the Reporter confirmed of the ghastly accident.

Jovel Requeña was takwith Police sources that Itza could be seen lyen into Police custody Requeña has still not ing on the pavement where he was served been charged.

By Michelle Sutherland

P

Page 10

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

How SSB Reached the Point of Near Collapse

Thursday, July 4, 2019 n July 1st, the to correct issues known first in a series to plague the Board.

One former board of hikes to Social Semember told the Recurity contributions to porter that the fund save the fund from total collapse, came into ef- was well designed and fect, affecting employ- would be healthy today ers, employees and the were it not for unanticibottom-lines of most pated politically engievery working person neered and inspired in the country. With shocks. The former many criticizing the board member cited protracted inaction of $43 million spent on administrations past in government’s National addressing the eroding Health Insurance (NH) public fund, a number program; $48 million of issues affecting the on Non-Contributory board’s decision have Pensions; $8 million on Securitization; an come to light.

Many have criticized outstanding $5 million not just this govern- owed to the board by ment, but previous gov- Minister Rene Montero ernments’ handling of for an island previSSB, essentially using ously owned by SSB; the fund as a safety net $14 million spent on and often for bad gov- Sunshine Holdings; ernment investments. and housing giveaways Certain politicians, as burdens that have senators and members played significant roles of civil society and the in deteriorating the unions have pointed fund to the point of out a deficiency in the equilibrium.

Beyond bad investsystemic management ments, the SSB has of SSB and have called been criticized for its for legislative reforms

O

lack of commitment to minimizing abuse and fraud and enforcing compliance. In 2016, SSB paid out $536,000 to the government of Belize for sickness benefits to GOB workers.

In 2017, this increased to $2.9 Million, an incredible 439 percent increase.

The percentage of employed persons paying contributions fell to its lowest in at least 4 years in 2017 to 69.7 percent, the last year of available data from SSB. “Rather than seeking to collect from these noncompliant parties, SSB is seeking to penalize those who have been compliant by increasing contributions payable by all,” the former board member told the Reporter.

Expense mismanagement has also become a critical issue, which many believe is imperative to address if SSB is to be successful in the long-term. Administra-

Coastal Road Bidding Process Begins

By Marion Ali

T

he design of the Coastal Road is now complete and it will be another five months or so before the contracts for the raising and resurfacing of the road are awarded, after this - the pre-qualification bidding process.

Chief Engineer Lennox Bradley told the Reporter today that the Ministry of Works is in the process of informing contractors what are the criteria that must be met in order that they may bid for the contracts.

Those contracts are broken into two - one that will be for the portion of the road from the La Democracia junction to Soldier Creek and the other that covers from Soldier Creek to the Hope Creek junction on

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Portion of the Coastal Road the Hummingbird Highway. Both contracts can be awarded to the same or to two different contractors and the bidding is open to Belizean and international contractors.

The work will include the replacement of six bridges and the refurbishment of four more, and the lifting of the road in areas where it is now flood-prone. The specifications for the all-weather road will be done in accordance with a study that was conducted by consultants, Politecnica Ingegneria ed Architettura Societa Cooperativa (Politecnica) of Italy, which determined an environmental and social impact assessment, drainage design, and

road safety on 36.3-mile road.

The actual work on the Coastal Road is expected to take 18 months since both contracts are expected to be carried out simultaneously. When the road is complete, it will give motorists much quicker access - albeit not as scenic a journey as the Hummingbird Highway - to the southern reaches of the country, shortening travel time between Belize City and Dangriga by well over an hour.

Mr. Blades shared that part of the funding for the project will come from grant funding from the British Government and part will come from a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

tive expenses for 2017 represented over 21 percent of SSB’s total income as operating expenses increased by 15.5 percent over 2016 far exceeding the annual inflation rate which averages around 2 percent per annum. There have also been calls for an evaluation of SSB’s staff. Operating expenses represented almost 29 percent of contribution income in 2017, far in excess of the Caribbean average of 18 percent.

“Clearly operating expenses are out of control,” the former board member said.

It is also of note that SSB has pitched the coming contribution raises as being implemented over a three-year period, but with the first increase set to take effect on July 1, 2019 and again in January 2020 then once more in January 2021, that is actually a year-and-a-half window. The former board member also stressed that SSB’s choice of

utility investments have largely been determined by political directorate and not based on investment analysis. “GOB cannot continue to pick winners and losers,” he told the Reporter.

Certainly there is no magic-bullet solution to fix the myriad issues plaguing SSB, but there is enough data to suggest that stringent reforms are necessary to ensure that the success of the public fund can be ensured for the long-term.

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 11

YEA Summer Program Launched Tuesday, July 2, 2019

By Michelle Sutherland

C

hildren who are already out on summer break and looking for an opportunity to get out of the house and make new friends through hands-on agriculture activities and educational field trips now have the opportunity to do so through the launch of the Youth Engaging in Agriculture (YEA) Summer Program.

The two-week program which was launched earlier this week at the National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) grounds in Belmopan is a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Belize Police Department. The program was modeled with an underlying goal to inspire youths between the ages of 9-15 to take up and appreciate agriculture as part of their daily lives.

This week we spoke to one of the coordinators of the program, Gary Ramirez, who explained that

"the purpose is simple. Belize like most other regional countries, both in Central America and the Caribbean, has an aging farming population.

The average age of our farmers is around fifty-five-years and so there is a need to reach out to our younger generation to try and attract a bit of their interest to agriculture."

The program off i c i a l l y k i c k e d o ff on Monday, July 1st with its first seventyfive participants from the Cayo district. The next intake will be from July 8th to the 12th and will be designated for children from Belize City.

This week students from the Cayo District were taken on field trips to Spanish Lookout, Western Dairies and the aquaculture and sheep project at Central Farm in Cayo. They received training in horticulture, agroprocessing, aquaculture, livestock production, pesti-

Kids and organizers working together to make a difference cide control, horse a success. But in the program or partici- grounds. There is no grooming/training, short term when they p a n t s c a n p r e s e n t cost associated with and horseback ridc o m p l e t e t h e p r o - themselves at 8:30 participating in the ing. gram they will all be a.m., at the NATS program.

A c c o r d i n g t o given packages for Ramirez, this is the activities that they fourth year that the could do at home to p r o g r a m h a s b e e n start their own garcarried out and apart dens." from planning to The program will roll it out countryend on July 13th wide, the Ministry with a grand rodeo o f A g r i c u l t u r e h a s followed by games also rolled out school and family activigardens in the parties such as a horse ticipants' respective parade, greasy pig schools - "basically c o n t e s t , l i v e s t o c k we are looking for as show, dog show and much interest as we calf roping. Entrance can possibly get and is free and the event so if we can get a few will be open to the of these kids to show public. a little bit of interest Interested parents in becoming or ex- are asked to visit Poploring educational lice Stations in their opportunities in the respective commuagriculture field, this nities to sign their would be considered children up for the

Page 12

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

What was Crown's Killer After?

By Michelle Sutherland

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

missing wallet, cellular phone and footwear, as well as evidence of damage to the front door of his home, are tell-tale signs that Neal Penn Road resident Errol Crown, 57, met his tragic end at the hands of someone who came to rob him.

Crown's body, with cut wounds to his face and head, was discovered lying face-up in some grass at the back of his yard just after 6:05 a.m. on June 29th.

Reports are that the discovery was made by one of Crowns tenants, who later called Police in to investigate.

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB Belize City told the media that "we know that some of his belongings are missing.

We cannot ascertain the amount of cash that was stolen from him, but we understand that his wallet and some monies are missing from him.

We are looking at the angle of that possibility of him being robbed as we understand that on the previous morning he had collected some money for some rent from people that are living at his residence."

Prior to his death, Crown was last seen alive on Friday night when he left from a family gathering on Dunn Street and headed home on his bicycle. One

Errol Crown family member spoke cash and decided to rob to the Reporter, stating him. that "He was at his sisPolice say that resiter's birthday party but dents living in the Racdidn't stay long. He left coon Street Extension the party early, I would area reported hearing say between eight and a commotion around nine. He wasn't even midnight that night and acting like himself as if so they suspect that was he knew that his death when Crown was being was coming. He was a attacked. friendly and kind person.

Crown's family is He never mentioned if concerned that the murhe had any arguments der of their loved one is with anyone, however just going to go down his tenants told us that he as another unsolved stahad little arguments now tistic. Police, however, and again with strangsay that they are doing ers." all in their power to Family members adtrack down whoever is ditionally noted that responsible for Crown's Crown had a habit of death. They revealed bragging about how that while they spoke much money he had on to several of the tenants him and so they suspect in Crown’s yard, no that on his way home he useful information was might have done exactly obtained and so far they that or that someone had have not been able to seen him with a wad of identify a suspect.

A

British National Drowned

By Michelle Sutherland

A

Police investigation into the death of retired British National Phillip Crabtree, 58, which occurred in Placencia over the weekend has concluded with the results of a post mortem examination which confirmed that he died from asphyxia consistent with drowning.

Police made the announcement of the post mortem's finding at a press briefing on Monday, July 1st. Crabtree, dressed in a button up shirt and a long pants without any footwear was found floating in a face-up position near the south end of Placencia Village around 6:00 a.m., on June 28th.

According to a preliminary Police report, Crab-

Wednesday, July 3, 2019 tree had what appeared to be a cut wound above his left eye and abrasions to his right hand. Prior to the results of the post mortem examination authorities clarified that the injuries found on Crabtree could have been consistent with Phillip Crabtree a fall, but they were inves- seeing Crabtree heading tigating all possible angles towards the beach with a relating to his death. bottle of rum in his hand.

Crabtree, who was Crabtree never returned reportedly residing in from his night visit to the Placencia since April of beach and early on Friday this year, was seen social- morning residents in the izing in the village with area made the shocking a man and two women discovery of his body earlier that night. Around floating near the beach10:00 p.m. after dropping side. off the two females at their Police say that they respective hotels, Crab- have informed the Brittree's friend reportedly ish High Commission of left him at a local Chinese Crabtree's death, and they shop in the village. Ac- are working on trying to cording to Police, later that locate Crabtree's family in night witnesses reported the United Kingdom.

THE REPORTER

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 13

Prime Suspect in Double Murder Released Tuesday, July 2, 2019

By Michelle Sutherland

D

espite having personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) aiding them in their investigation into the double murder of American doctor Gary Swank and his tour guide Mario Graniel, Police have not been able to crack the case wide open.

In fact, one of the few developments that authorities are reporting this week is the release of their main suspect from custody.

On Thursday evening of last week, social media was abuzz with news that Christian Espat, who was being sought for questioning in relation to the

double murder, had released a video professing his innocence.

Hours after, Espat in the presence of his attorney turned himself over to Police and after extensive interrogation and without sufficient evidence to support any charges, he was released.

Another development which occurred over the weekend was the detention of another suspect. Cops say that on Saturday they raided the suspect's home and confiscated a vessel for processing.

Up to Monday, the unnamed suspect was still being held in detention.

On Monday when the media challenged ACP Joseph Myvett of

DCP Edward Broaster the National Crimes been had from some of Investigation Branch those leads."

Swank and Graniel on whether authorities are getting any closer were both executed on to solving the double June 23rd while they murder he commented were on a fly fishing - "I would not go into expedition near San details, other than to Pedro. Police suspectsay that the investiga- ed that Graniel was tion is progressing, and the intended target of certain evidence has the shooting due to

ACP Joseph Myvett a personal misunder- Police issued a wanted standing he had with poster for Espat's dea gang figure earlier tention. that week. It was adThe murder of the ditionally suspected American national that Swank was killed who was vacationing as collateral damage. in Belize reached the After authorities de- international press and tained a female suspect created a major black who had connections to eye for the tourism both Graniel and Espat, industry in San Pedro.

Will Police Officer be Charged for Shooting?

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

By Michelle Sutherland

T

he Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is reportedly reviewing a case file to determine whether justifiable force was used in a Police-related shooting over the weekend which left three persons including a woman and another Police Officer injured.

The findings of both criminal and internal investigations will determine whether charges will be brought against Police Constable Tyler Castillo for causing gunshot injuries to Raquel McKenzie, 26, Police Officer Keon Augustine, 24, and former Police Officer Edmond Cayetano.

McKenzie reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to her left leg while Cayetano was shot to his right leg. It is still unclear to what part of his body Augustine was injured and authorities say that they are still investigating whether Augustine received his injuries in the same shooting.

The group was reportedly at a dance in Dangriga Town around 2:30 a.m., on June 29th when a fight broke out inside the club. Police say that in his line of duty as an officer of the law Castillo intervened in the commotion and attempted to put an end to the brawl which was breaking loose.

Unfortunately, during the scuffle, Castillo became involved in an altercation with Cayetano and he pulled out his service-issued firearm and fired a single shot at Cayetano, causing the above mentioned injuries. In the process, the bullet ricocheted and injured Mckenzie.

On Monday Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch, ACP Joseph Myvett explained that "there is an ongoing investigation or a parallel investigation which is a criminal investigation as well as an investigation being carried out by the Professional Standards Branch. His weapon was taken into custody and he was brought in where he was interviewed taking into consideration that he was acting in the line of duty. However, an investigation is still ongoing and that file is being put together to be submitted to the DPP for her advice on whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with any charges."

As to whether the officer should or shouldn't have fired off live rounds in a congested area, Police reserved their comment but noted that it all boiled down to the officer's discretion to use his weapon if he felt like his life was in danger.

Page 14

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

National Security Takes Heat in Wake of Tourist’s Murder

T

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

he Ministry of National Security and by extension, the Police Department, has come under intense public scrutiny and criticism for its response following a particularly violent week of crime culminating with the murder of an American national.

The sensational nature of American Gary Swank's murder in San Pedro last week along with Belizean tour guide Mario Graniel has been viewed as the determining factor in the department's new strategies aimed at cracking down on crime on San Pedro, however, certain members of the public have pointed out a perceived double standard in the way measures are implemented in response to the death of locals versus foreigners.

On Monday Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edward Broaster, dismissed that notion.

"That is not true, and you all can attest to the fact that you've had local murders where the Commissioner of Police has expended all resources and effort to investigate those murders," he said, noting specifically the recent triple-murder of a well-known teacher and two others with her. Broaster assured that any perceived double-standard is certainly not the case adding, "...we have a lot of resources being expended to investigate those murders."

Following the double murder of Swank and Graniel in San Pedro, several suspects have been detained for questioning with no charges being brought against anyone as yet.

The Ministry of National Security, in the meantime, has organized a task force on the island to strategize ways to tackle an ever increasing crime problem on the popular tourism destination. The task force also includes members from the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA).

The department has also announced a recruit intake of 170 new officers with a number of additional officers and tourism police being dispatched to San Pedro. The department is also hiring 12 special constables to keep watch over the northern portion of the island. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams visited San Pedro this week along with Broaster and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Marco Vidal and heads of specialized units to discuss the progress of operations there and establish a long-term plan for better policing on the island. Williams also met with members of the BTIA to hear their concerns and is overseeing crime prevention efforts being put in place.

Broaster also reported that since deploying additional security forces to the island, operations have led to several minor busts including that of two firearms, drugs of various quantities and the arrests of several individuals. In the weeks ahead more officers are expected to be deployed to the island as operations continue and police ramp up efforts to crackdown on gang and otherwise criminal figures fighting for control over the trade of narcotics on the busy destination.

Dr. Gary Paul Swank

Mario Graniel

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 15

PUP/UDP Jostle for Rural Majority Tuesday, July 2, 2019

By Marion V. Ali

T

here are four more weeks of Village Council elections to go, and while the Elections and Boundaries website has provided the officials results of which candidates were successful elected as Village Council chairpersons and councilors in these villages, the claim by the two major political parties to the rural majority and the jostle between them is fierce, with both again coming up with different numbers.

For last Sunday's elections, the UDP is claiming 178 of the 322 seats in the 46 villages that held elections, while conceding

129 to the PUP, and 15 to Independent candidates. But the PUP is also claiming victory.

Its numbers are showing that they won 155 of the 322 seats, giving up 132 to the UDP and

35 to the independents.

The UDP issued a press release late Monday, expressing extreme satisfaction with the results so far, claiming a total of 302 seats over the first two rounds, including 40 chairpersons in the first two rounds of elections. The party concedes 220 of the seats to the PUP and 38 to independent candidates.

The UDP felt proud of a "clean sweep" in all eight villages in Corozal and its performance in Toledo. "The United Democratic Party congratulates those bold and competent community leaders who now form an integral part of the national transformation agenda, team-

ing up with the wider leadership of the United Democratic Party, and indeed the people of Belize, as together we continue advancing the growth and development of our nation," the

UDP release states.

During the first round of elections, the UDP claimed that from the 35 villages that held elections, it won 124 seats to only 91 for the PUP, while conceding 23 to independent candidates. But the PUP also claimed victory, saying that it won 123 of the seats to 73 for the UDP, while conceding 49 to independents. The Elections and Boundaries Department has posted the official results of the elections for last week Sunday on its website: elections.gov. bz but its charts do not show any PUP or UDP candidates, so there is no way of telling officially which party is really winning majority votes in the rural areas.

Chairman of the UDP, Alberto August had indicated to us at the start of the elections that the party was putting its slates together and was prepared for the "test of rural strength.”

PUP Leader, John

Briceño saw things differently, and felt it was more important to just go in and support who the people decide to nominate rather than to put up slates "and divide these small communities." Briceño indicated that in some instances, the people in the villages would indicate that they want to set up PUP slates while there are others who prefer run as independents, although they support the PUP. The PUP leader said that with more than

S U D O K U Medium Puzzle

Sudok u rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 3x3 box.

Tip. Use a soft erasable pencil. Start with the easy puzzles, then move on to the harder ones. Make small pencilmarks to show which numbers are allowed in empty squares. This will come handy when analyzing techniques are used.

Never guess! Only make moves based on logical deductions.

50% of Belizeans living in rural areas, he feels that more focus ought to be given in the amenities and services that affect the lives of these people, such as feeder roads that lead to farms, electrification, and more investments in medical supplies at the health clinics.

"We have to set up what we call a Constituency Development Fund where each [Area] Representative - it doesn't matter which party he belongs to will have access to that

Answer to Puzzle

fund to be able to do small projects in the villages in the area that they represent," Briceño shared. He explained though, that if the PUP is victorious and forms the next government, it would ensure that the monies disbursed are not controlled by the Area Representatives but by a committee that would identify the areas where the money would be spent.

He also felt that water boards need to report to the village councils on revenues collected and the villagers and he said this is because there have been instances where monies have been collected with no accountability.

Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai had indicated to the Reporter that the department does not need to know the political affiliation of candidates at the village council level, neither for the nomination process or the preparation of the ballots. She said that all the candidates’ names are listed on the ballot and differentiated only by who is the chairperson candidates and who are the councilor candidates.

Page 16

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Beautifully Belizean

For The Love of Dogs...

By Marion V. Ali

“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated� --Mahatma Ghandi Our country's streets are littered with strays and on garbage days, there are probably as many strays as there are garbage bags as they try to get a bone, if not a meal out of a bag before the truck cleans up. Strays have been a problem to everyone for as long as the country has been developing. It is a problem for people whose garbage bags get torn apart for the leftovers, for the sanitation workers who have to then pick up the smelly contents to discard, for the passersby who get barked at while they pass, and for the dogs (and cats) themselves who must fend every day in rain or shine, whether they are well or not, for scraps of food and water

dogs, using her own resources, her vehicle to transport them, her money to feed them, and her property to house these animals until she can find a foster home for them.

She gets called out of her bed many times late in the night to rescue some dog that had just been hit by a vehicle or that had taken up shelter in some dangerous place where its life is now at stake. And she responds to these calls selflessly and voluntarily because she cares.

Michelle explained to us that when there is a report of a sick or injured dog or cat, her first reaction is to try to find the animal and to take it to the Animal Medical Centre off the Philip Goldson Highway, which then examines the animal and makes an assessment of whether euthanasia is necessary or whether the animal stands a second chance at life after treatment. The accompanying

eLise Arelie and one of her rescued dogs in order to carry on.

But strays have become a problem because of careless humans who do not spay and neuter their pets and allow the animals to roam freely or abandon and neglect them.

The stray problem could still be much worse than it is were it not for a few good people who really care about these voiceless creatures. There are too few dog rescuers in our society and that is because it takes genuine concern, money and sacrifice.

For over 20 years, Michelle Rudon has been rescuing and fostering

bill is never cheap, but thankfully too, it often times is a discounted figure from what the real cost would be. Enter the Belize Humane Society.

The various branches of the Humane Society consist of volunteers people just like Michelle who get up and drive to the areas where dogs are reported roaming or suffering from some ailment in order to try and save these poor creatures.

These people are never acknowledged for what they do, but these unsung heroes play a huge role in the lives of the rest of us who scorn the animals they try to save while

removing them from our midst, as for the animals themselves who need the care being given. eLise Arelie, another dog rescuer, shared a touching and sad experience with us of a lactating dog that she wanted to help, but because of limitations, could not before the animal was struck by a vehicle. In the process, one of the puppies was lost, either to others who cared enough to help, or to traffic mishaps. eLise said she got the report of the dog that took up shelter with her pups in an inappropriate environment and went looking for the mom and her litter.

She took food and fed the mother and became her friend over some days and then day by day started to remove the pups as she found homes for them. eLise was already taking the mother and her last puppy to someone who had agreed to adopt them but the person changed their mind and there was nowhere else to take the mother and puppy but right back to the same unsafe location. eLise said she wept and consoled herself by promising she would return the next day after finding them a safe home, but by the time she returned, the dog had already been struck by a vehicle and her puppy was nowhere in sight.

With night setting in, she decided to return the following day and found the dog taking cover in high bushes with a broken leg. Needless to say the dog got the treatment it needed for a hairline fracture on her leg.

Michelle and eLise are two of the volunteer dog rescuers who live and rescue animals in Belize City. Judos to them and to Tirsha Cabral, Annette Garel, Renee Wentz, Gillian Kirkwood, Monique Wade and Diandra Peralta, and the rest in others across Belize who care about these helpless animals.

Rescuers keep as many of the animals as they are able to, but finding foster homes until "furever" homes are located is another challenge. Many times the unpleasant decision has to be made at the vet when a dog has overspent his time and foster homes or adoptions are taking too long to occur and the bill to keep

them and feed them gets too high while new cases of other animals with more urgent needs keep streaming in.

The Belize City branch of the Belize Humane Society shared with the Reporter that the scope of animal rescue encompasses resources that are often times in scarcity: time, transportation, love, patience, money and a place for them to get back to health. "Finding a foster home is the biggest challenge we face. ...Once we find a foster home for the animal, we take care of the medication, vaccination, and spaying/neutering. Once they are fully vaccinated and fixed, we find them "furever" homes. We just do what we can, hoping to inspire others so they too can help as much as possible," the Society shared.

Animals have to be rescued because of human cruelty and neglect as well, the Society shared. There are people, children and adults,

Michelle Rudon, Dog rescuer with one of her pets who do cruel, despicable who see sick or injured things to animals that animals or animals in are not worth repeating. danger to join in the efThese cases are diffi- fort to save these animals cult to deal with as well while preventing those because, as we learned, same animals from bethe traumatized animal coming nuisances in their either runs away or fights area. They encourage back thinking that he is people to give a hoot and again faced with danger see if they can get the at the sight of a human. animals to the Animal The Society and the Medical Centre and they rescuers appeal to people will take care of the rest.

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

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YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Belize Girls Win Silver at IV Central American Championships Managua, Nicaragua, June 29, 2019

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he Belize under-23 volleyball girls won the silver medal, their best result ever, at the IV Central American U-23 Championships at the Alexis Arguello Sports Complex in Managua on Saturday, June 29, and returned home to a heroes’ welcome on Sunday, June 30.

The Belize girls finished with a 4 win-2 loss record after their fourth win: 3-0 over El Salvador on Saturday afternoon. They dominated the “cuzcatlecas”: 26-24, 25-21, 25-22, led by middle blocker Melanie Palacio, outside hitter Fatima Ramirez and Mya Musa each scoring 11pts! Melanie hammered 10 spikes and served an ace; while Fatima and Mya each scored nine hits, a kill block and an ace. Kevanna Sebastian had four kill blocks, two hits and served an ace, and outside hitter Sherika Burton scored five points on three kill blocks, a hit and an ace. Setter Karen Quan also served an ace. Salvador’s Gabriela Funes scored 15pts. The teams were very evenly matched with Belize edging the cuzcatlecas: 6 to 5 on service points, 9 to 5 on blocks and 31- 28 on hits.

Belize also profited from 30pts on their opponents’ errors, but conceded 29pts on errors.

The Belize girls had also enjoyed their third victory 3-1 over Guatemala on Friday afternoon. Maria Villagran scored 17 hits and three blocks for 20pts, to lead the “chapinas” to win the first set: 25-21. Fatima Ramirez rallied Belize’s counterattack, hammering 14 hits, five kill blocks and an ace to tally 20pts.

Mya Musa scored 14 hits, a kill block and an ace for another 16pts, and Melanie Palacio hammered eight spikes. Sherika Burton scored six hits, and Kevanna Sebastian had three kill blocks, two spikes and an ace. Karen Quan served an ace.

They had enjoyed their second victory: 3-0 over Panama last Wednesday. They dominated the “canaleras”: 25-16, 25-17, 25-18 led by Sherika Burton hammering eight spikes, 2 kill blocks and three aces for 13pts. Melanie Palacio hammered six spikes and had five kill blocks for 11pts, and Fatima Ramirez scored nine points, hammering eight spikes and an ace. Kevanna Sebastian scored six hits, Mya Musa hammered four spikes and a kill block for five points, and Zazie Mckenzie hammered two kills. Belize had the advantage on hits: 33-21, blocks: 9-1, and aces: 4-1. They benefited from their opponents’ 29 errors, but conceded 19pts on errors.

The Belize team had scored their first win by upsetting the eventual bronze medallists: Nicaragua; 3-1 on Tuesday. They prevailed over the “pinoleras”: 25-19, 15-25, 25-13, 25-16, led by Fatima Ramirez with 18pts, and Mya Musa added 14pts. They gained 28pts by their opponents’ errors, but gave up 33pts on errors. The “pinoleras” had better blocking: 11-6, and Naomi Smith scored 11pts for Nicaragua, and Masiel Brenes added 8pts.

The Belize team had not done so well in their fourth match, which they lost 1-3 to the four time gold medallists, Costa Rica. Mya Musa led the attack hammering 16 hits and serving two aces for 18pts and Fatima also hammered 14 kills as they took the first set: 25-22. Sherika Burton hammered 12 kills and scored two kill blocks, while Kevanna Sebastian had five kill blocks, two hits and served an ace; as they forced the “Ticas” to extra points, but the “Ticas” took the second set: 31-29. Aya Safa served two aces and scored a hit, and Melanie Palacio had two kill blocks and a hit. Belize matched the Ticas in blocking 9-9, aces 5-6, but the “Ticas” had 54 spikes to Belize’s 46.

Belize gave Costa Rica their hardest match of the tournament, as the “Ticas” had dominated their other opponents: Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala 3-0 each, with the exception of El

Salvador, which won one set: 25-14 in the “Ticas” 3-1 win. Costa Rica finished with the best scoring record, winning 500pts, while conceding 359pts for a 1.392 ratio, and winning 18 sets, losing only two sets. Belize had the second best scoring ratio of 1.052, winning 497pts but conceding 472pts, also winning 14 sets, but losing eight. The “Ticas also had the best setting with 147 excellent sets, and the most digs: 247, while Belize had 147 digs. Belize served 38 aces in the tournament, to the Ticas’ 30 aces.

Belize lost 1-3 to Honduras in their debut on Sunday, June 23. Belize tied the game 1-1, when they won the second set; 25-22, led by Fatima Ramirez with 19pts, and Sherika Burton adding 16pts. It might easily have been a Belize victory, as they tied the score 22-22 in the third set, but they lost their concentration, and the Catrachas prevailed 25-22. They

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also tied the fourth set: 16-16, but their loss of focus cost them as the Catrachas won 25-19. Belize gained 26pts by their opponents’ errors, but made 29 errors.

In individual awards, outside hitters Fatima Ramirez and Mya Musa won awards as the Best Spiker and second best attacker respectively. Costa Rica’s Tatiana Sayles won awards for the Most Valuable Player and Best Opposite, Maria Castro won Best Defense and Best Libero, and Mariana Rodriguez won Best Blocker. Honduras’ Nahtaly Perez won awards for Most Points and 2nd Best Blocker. Nicaragua’s Maria Campos served the Most Aces, and Guatemala’s Jessica Caal won Best Setter.

Honduras led the tournament in scoring with 351pts of which 242 were spikes, 49 blocks and they served 60 aces! Belize scored a total of 321pts: 237 spikes, 46 block and 38 aces.

Fatima Ramirez & Melanie Palacio scored 11pts each

Belize U-23 girls win silver medal REPORTER

July 7th, 2019

YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

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St Francis Xavier RC Girls Win

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Belize City, June 26, 2019

he girls of St. Francis Xavier RC School of Esperanza Village, Cayo, won the national primary schools basketball championships organized by the National Sports Council at the Belize City Center last Wednesday, June 26.

Allyishia Bowman scored 10pts as she led the St. Francis girls to a 14-13 win over Stann Creek district champions, the Holy Ghost RC School girls, in the championship final. Ceneia Apolonio scored seven points for Holy Ghost lead 7-2 in the first quarter, 11-4 at intermission and 13-8 at the end of the third quarter. The Holy Ghost girls

were leading 13-12 when Nyiesha Obando scored the winning basket to take the lead 14-13. Obando finished with four points.

It was sweet revenge, as the Esperanza girls lost 10-14 to the Holy Ghost RC girls in the fifth game of the morning. Ceneia Apolonio led Holy Ghost with 13pts; while Bowman and Obando scored five points each for St. Francis.

Bowman also scored 13pts; as the Esperanza girls eliminated the Orange Walk champions, the girls of La Inmaculada RC School: 17-8 in the seventh game in the semifinals. Nyiesha Obando scored another four points. MVP Nisaan Martinez scored all eight points for La Inmaculada.

The Esperanza girls edged past the Toledo district champions, the St. Peter Claver RC girls: 8-7 in the opening game of the tournament, with Bowman scoring four points, and Nigelee Myers and Obando each scored a basket. Shania Garbutt led the St. Peter Claver girls with five points.

The Holy Ghost girls advanced to the finals undefeated, eliminating the Belize District champions, the Lucky Strike Government School girls: 9-8 in the eighth game in the semifinals. Tamara Hemsley led Lucky Strike with four points, and Shanelle Smith and Taja Tillett each scored a basket. The Holy Ghost girls had also triumphed 14-1 against the St. Peter Claver girls in the third game of the morning, led by Ceneia Apolonio and Khalydia Velasquez scoring six points each.

Toledo’s Yessenia Ocampus scored a free throw.

The La Inmaculada girls reached the semifinals undefeated; as MVP Nisaan Martinez scored 13pts to lead them to a 17-4 win over the Lucky Strike girls in the fourth game, and Shaneel Pratt added four points. Thea Hemsley scored three points for Lucky Strike. Martinez scored another 20pts to lead La Inmaculada RC to a 22-0 over the Corozal champions – the St. Francis Xavier School girls in the sixth game.

The Lucky Strike girls qualified to the semifinals by a 21-0 win over the Corozal girls in the second game. Thea Hemsley and Alaine Wallace led Lucky Strike with six points each, Tamara Hemsley added five points, and Taja Tillett and Rosanie Herbert each netted a basket.

MVP Nisaan Martinez also scored four points for La Inmaculada to win the consolation game for third place: 4-2 over the Lucky Strike girls. Thea Hemsley netted a basket.

The champions, sub-champions and third place winners received team trophies and individual medals from the two-time primary schools MVP Breah Clarke and National Sports Council executive director Ian Jones in the awards ceremony.

Nisaan Martinez won the Most Valuable Player award, having led her team with the highest individual score in the tournament – 45pts.

Holy Ghost RC girls won sub-champions

Orange Walk’s La Inmaculada RC girls won 3rd place

July 7th, 2019

Allyishia Bowman scored 10pts

REPORTER

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE

St. Martin’s Boys Win National Basketball Championship Douglas Longsworth added five to lead the Sacred Heart RC boys to a 24-17 win over the Toledo district champions, the St Peter Claver RC boys in the third game of the day. Hassan Sanchez and Kelby Armstrong scored four points each for Toledo.

Marquis Rodney and Douglas Longsworth scored eight points each, as Sacred Heart dominated the St. Andrew’s boys: 27-19 in the fifth game of the day, Tayshawn Haylock led St. Andrews with 9pts, Kazean Crawford added six points and Roberto Hernandez netted a basket.

Tayshawn Haylock scored 17pts, as he led the St. Andrew’s boys in a 27-14 romp over the St. Peter Claver boys in the opening game of the tournament. Kazean Crawford added six points, and Philip Medina and Jashan Gamez each netted a basket. Toledo’s Kelby Armstrong scored 6pts.

Tayshawn Haylock also scored 10pts to lead the St. Andrew’s boys to a 34-32 win over the San Francisco RC boys in the consolation game for third place. Orange Walk’s Anthony Popper scored 13pts.

The San Francisco RC boys qualified to the semifinals by a 30-8 rout over the Corozal boys in the sixth game of the day, led by Asair Garcia with 10pts. Corozal’s Aiden Daniels scored four points.

The champions, sub-champions and third place winners received team trophies and individual medals from the two-time primary schools MVP Breah Clarke and National Sports Council executive director Ian Jones in the awards ceremony.

Jerome Diaz of St Martin’s won the Most Valuable Player award.

MVP Jerome Diaz scored 17pts

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Belize City, June 26, 2019

he boys of St. Martin de Porres RC School won the national primary schools basketball championships organized by the National Sports Council at Birds Isle in Belize City last Wednesday, June 26.

MVP Jerome Diaz and Egbert Smith each scored eight points as they led the St. Martin’s boys to a 25-24 victory over the Stann Creek district champions, the Sacred Heart RC boys in the championship final at the Civic Center. Egbert Smith put up six points, Devonte Bennett netted a basket, and Denvritt Bevans chipped in a free throw. Marquis Rodney led Sacred Heart with 14pts, Shamar Thomas posted five points, Douglas Longsworth threw in three points and Royal Enriquez netted a basket.

Denvritt Bevans scored seven points and Egbert Smith added six points to lead the St Martin’s boys to a 28-27 win, eliminating the Cayo district champions, the St Andrew’s Anglican School boys in the seventh game in the semifinals. Joseph Williams and Devonte Bennett put up five points each, and MVP Jerome Diaz and Ganphill Dorch each scored a basket. Tayshawn Haylock led St. Andrew’s with 15pts, Assan Juan scored four points and Andre Pinelo, Philip Medina and Kazean Crawford each netted a basket.

Egbert Smith top-scored with 20pts, as he led the St. Martin’s boys to a 38-6 win over the Corozal district champions, the Church of Christ boys in the second game of the morning. Denvritt Bevans and Devonte Bennett posted four points each, and MVP Jerome Diaz and Jermain Smart each added three points. Corozal’s Aiden Daniels, Rayjae Gilharry and Lejay Logan each scored a basket.

Egbert Smith also led St Martin’s with eight points in their 21-19 win over the Orange Walk champions, the San Francisco RC boys in the fourth game of the day. Jerome Diaz added four points, Devonte Bennett put up three points, and Dedron Dawson netted a basket. Orange Walk’s Tevaughn Dawson with 10pts, and Asair Garcia added six points.

Douglas Longsworth scored 10pts as he led the Sacred Heart RC boys to a 36-16 win over the San Francisco RC boys in the semifinals. Marquis Rodney posted eight points, Jeeze Betancourt put up seven points and Tevaughn Dawson added three points. Anthony Popper led San Francisco with 6pts.

Marquis Rodney had scored six points, and Sports 4

St. Martin de Porres RC boys win

Sacred Heart RC boys won sub-champion REPORTER

July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 21

YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE NEBL All Stars Bounce Westminster Titans

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Belize City, June 27, 2019

he Belize All Stars bounced the Westminster University Titans 89-57 in an international basketball friendly organized by the Belize Basketball Federation for a charity cause at the Belize City Center last Thursday, June 27.

Raheem Thurton struck from outside the circle as he and Francis Arana led the All Stars’ offensive with 13pts each, to lead 22-14 in the first quarter. Glency Lopez and Stephen “Muerte” Williams each struck thrice from outside the arc, Lopez scoring 11pts and Williams – 9pts to lead 41-25 at intermission.

Edgar Mitchell followed suit from outside the circle twice, as he and Farron Louriano put up nine points each, and Elvis Olivera drove to the rim for eight points to lead 60-38 at the end of the third quarter. Nick Phillips posted seven points, Akeem Watters added six, and Matthew Young threw in four points to seal the 89-57 win.

Ricky Roth struck twice from outside the circle to lead the Titans with 13pts, and Lloyd Chatham followed suit thrice from outside the arc for 11pts. Blake Payne put up nine points, and Dylan O’Hara added six points. Isaac Stamatiades drained in a long 3-pointer, and Deontay Scott, African Grant II, Clay O’Dell, Kai Skinner and Dakota Hill each netted a basket.

Francis Arana led with 13pts

Ricky Roth led Titans with 13pts

Orange Walk U-15 Girls Bomb Belize Girls

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Orange Walk, June 29, 2019

he Orange Walk Under-15 girls drilled the Belize District under-15 football girls: 5-0 when the national Interdistrict youth tournament organized by the Football Federation of Belize continued at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk on Saturday morning, June 29.

Alexandra Aguirre and Nicole Hernandez led the Orange Walk offensive, supported by Jasmine Uh and Liany Sanchez on the wings and by Katherine Caal and Josefin Reyes at midfield. The Belize defenders Angelean Paredes, Akeelah Lopez, Khalia Valerio and Akina Alamilla were hard pressed, and could not stop Aguirre from serving a forward pass to Jasmine Uh on the right flank, who shunted the ball across to Josefin Reyes for the finish: 1-0 after seven minutes of play.

Erin Sosa and Destinee Lopez led the Belize girls’ counterattack, with the help of Emaya Ku and Premelie Hope on the wings, and by Shakeisha Jones and Ruth Flores at midfield. But Maileen Mendoza anchored the Orange Walk defense, with the help of Cianni Ayuso, Kristen Duran and Kristy Jones to secure the 1-0 lead up to intermission.

Katherine Caal headed a second goal past goalkeeper Amberlin Dawson into the left corner of the net three minutes after the break: 2-0. Josefin Reyes capitalized on Shakeisha Jones’ error when she kicked the ball out on a goal kick. Reyes intercepted the pass and drove into the area to drill home a third goal six minutes after the break: 3-0.

Some 16 minutes of regulation remained when the Orange Walk girls won a free kick 30 yards in front of the center of the goal, and Kristy Jones’ execution sent the ball ricocheting off the right upright and into the back of the net: 4-0. Maileen Mendoza mounted a solo effort driving the ball past three defenders to embarrass goalkeeper Dawson with a fifth goal seven minutes before the long whistle.

July 7th, 2019

Josefin Reyes scored OW’s 1st & 3rd goals

Katherine Caal scored OW’s 2nd goal

Elsewhere in the league, the Stann Creek the Mid-South Elite girls at the Victor Sangirls came from behind to win 2-1 over the chez Stadium on Saturday, July 6, while the Mid-South girls at the Michael Ashcroft Sta- Orange Walk girls take on the Corozal Elite dium in Independence Village on Saturday. girls at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium, and the Aaliyah Godoy struck first for the Mid-South Belize Elite girls await the Belmopan girls at girls in the final minute of the first half to the Marion Jones Stadium. lead 1-0 at intermission. Shendra Casimiro equalized 1-1 for Stann Creek six minutes after the break, and international striker Khalydia Velasquez scored the second winning goal eight minutes later.

The Cayo Elite U-15 girls also enjoyed a 1-0 win over the Toledo Elite U-15 at the Victor Sanchez Union field in Punta Gorda on Saturday, when Nigelee Myers scored the winning goal 10 minutes before the final whistle.

The tournament continues on Saturday, July 6, with the Toledo Elite girls hosting REPORTER Sports 5

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE

Orange Walk U-17 Girls Drill Belize Girls goal area to equalize for Orange Walk 15 minutes after the break, drilling home a shot to the left corner of the net: 3-3.

Adriana Can also came off the Orange Walk bench to join the fray, replacing Zul, and the Belize 10 was once again reduced to nine, when Lorraine Stephens fouled Katie inside the box, and was issued her second yellow card, and she was ejected with a red card. Katie Jones stepped up to convert the resultant penalty, but her shot was denied by the crossbar!

Katie tried again from the left flank, but Amani Gonzalez

Jahliah Williams scored Belize U-17’s 1st & 3rd goals

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Orange Walk, June 29, 2019

he Orange Walk Under-17 girls drilled the Belize District under-17 football girls: 5-3 when the National Interdistrict youth tournament organized by the Football Federation of Belize continued at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk on Saturday mo rning, June 29.

Football phenom Katie Jones and Anahie Blanco led the Orange Walk offensive supported by Christina Zul and Geidy Andrades on the wings, and by Jenessi Garcia and Amani Alvarez at midfield. But they cou l d no t g e t p a st the staunch Belize defense anchored by Saudy Rivera, along with Lorraine Stephens, Davan NelsonRudon and Isabella Portillo who helped goalkeeper Amani Gonzalez keep a clean slate in the first 20 minutes of play.

The Belize girls took the field with only 10 players; as star striker Jianna Usher was obliged to sit out the game on the bench, because her name was not on the roster sent from the FFB in Belmopan!

Belize scored first when Aaliyah Herbert centered the ball on a corner kick into the goal area, where Jahl-

iah Williams headed the ball into the left corner of the net, and there was little than goalkeeper Ashanti Ayuso could do about it: 1-0 after 13 minutes of play. Three minutes later, Aaliyah Herbert drilled home a second goal for the Belize girls to lead 2-0 after 16 minutes of action! But then Aaliyah Herbert suffered a knee injury, and the Belize 10 was reduced to nine.

Down at the other end, Anahie Blanco set table for Katie Jones to get off a shot, which went directly to goalkeeper Amani Gonzalez. Katie eluded the defense to mount another solo effort, but this time her shot drained wide of the right upright. It was Geidy Andrades who finally found the back of the net to reduce the Sugar City deficit to 1-2 after 20 minutes of play.

The pressure of the Orange Walk attacks won a free kick 25 yards in front of the goal, and Abby Sanchez executed with precision, sending the ball curling over the wall of defenders, and Amani Gonzalez was beaten as it skidded under the center of the crossbar into the net to equalize 2-2 at 10 minutes before

winning goal after 16 minutes of play to lead 1-0 at intermission. Shendra Casimiro scored a second goal seven minutes after the break and scored a third goal seven minutes after.

The Cayo Elite U-17 girls romped to an 8-0 win over the Toledo Elite U-17 at the Victor Sanchez Union field in Punta Gorda on Saturday.

A scant two minutes of play had passed when Florine Vasquez scored their first goal.

Kelly Dawson added a second goal nine minutes later, and Therese Martinez struck home a third goal a minute later. Kelly Dawson

Aaliyah Herbert scored Belize U-17’s 2nd goal

intermission.

Coach Daniel Smith introduced Latisha Anthony to replace Herbert after the break. Katie Jones eluded Rivera’s marking to get off another shot, but again Amani Gonzalez proved up to the challenge.

The Belize ten took the lead again, when Ailani Gonzalez forwarded a pass to Karlene Tillett attacking up the right flank.

Karlene shunted the ball across to Jaliah Williams on the left, and again goalkeeper Ayuso was beaten, as Williams’ shot found the back of the net: 3-2 three minutes after the break! Cirilia Bol came off the Orange Walk bench to replace Garcia at midfield, and Anahie Blanco mounted a solo effort into the

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managed to block the shot! Anahie Blanco recovered the rebound and tried again, but her shot skidded outside the right upright.

Katie finally got on the scoreboard when her shot hit the inside of the right upright and deflected into the net - 4-3 with 20 minutes of regulation remaining. Katie now exploited their numerical advantage over the visitors to escape a weary Saudy Rivera to drill home a fifth goal 10 minutes before the long whistle: 5-3 final.

Elsewhere in the league also on Satu r d a y, t h e S t a n n Creek girls schooled the Mid-South girls: 3-0 at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in I n d e p e n d e n c e Vi l lage. Car ina Casimiro scored the first

drove in a fourth goal three minutes later, and Xania Dubon delivered the fifth goal after half an hour of play. Dubon struck again three minutes later to lead 6-0 at intermission. Dawson completed her hat trick with a seventh goal 13 minutes after the break. Only four minutes of regulation remained when Martinez scored her second goal of the match to complete the 8-0 rout.

The Corozal U-17 girls also enjoyed a 2-0 win over the San Pedro U-17 girls at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium, when Joselin Sho scored the first winning goal after 12 minutes of play, and Darina Tzul delivered a second goal 15 minutes later.

The tournament continues on Saturday, July 6, with the To l e d o U - 1 7 g i r l s hosting the MidSouth Elite at the Victor Sanchez Stadium. The Orange Walk girls will visit the Corozal U-17 girls at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium, and the Benque girls visit the Stann Creek girls at the Carl Ramos Stadium.

Abby Sanchez scored OW’s 2nd goal

REPORTER

July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 23

YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Barrack Rd FC & Caesar Ridge FC Enter Finals

Francis Andrews struck Barrack Road’s 1st goal

Belize City, June 30, 2019

and Quince Briceño pressed for more goals, and the Atléticos’ defenders Richard Gillett, Arnoldo de la Rosa, Andrew Allen and Jose Guy had their work cut out to keep them at bay Julian Maldonado and Tyriq “Hammer” Ciego led the Atléticos’ counterattacks, supported by Charleston Gardiner, Yimmy Saquic, Myvette Pagoada and Carlos Gonzalez at midfield. But the Barrack Road defenders Matthew Leal, Jael Ottley, Dejean Thompson and Denmark Gill held them scoreless up to intermission.

Cameron “Tulu” Diego and Kevin “Motto” Alvarez came off the Barrack Road bench af-

Tyriq Ciego attacks ter the break, replacing Harold Thompson and Jorge Aleman. Then

Steven “Bredds” Baizar scored Barrack Rd FC’s 2nd goal

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aesar Ridge FC will challenge Barrack Road FC in the championship finals of the national amateur Interdistrict first division tournament organized by the Football Federation of Belize at the MCC Grounds on Sunday, July 7.

Caesar Ridge eliminated Roaring Creek FC 2-1 at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night and Barrack Road eliminated Club Atleticos 2-1 at the MCC Grounds in Belize City on Sunday afternoon, June 30.

Orlando “Bredda” Velasquez headed in Caesar Ridge’s first goal after 20 minutes of play to lead 1-0 up to intermission. Clifborn Neal and Michael Lewis pressed to get Roaring Creek on the scoreboard, with the help of Shemar Ingram and Amir Torres at midfield. But the Caesar Ridge defenders Tyrel “Hulk” Rowley and Tyrell Estrada, Ulysses Rodriguez and Kishane Swazo held them scoreless up to the break.

Only eight minutes of regulation remained when the Caesar Ridge goalkeeper deflected a shot by Clifborn Neal, and Tyrel Estrada’s attempt to clear the

ball only succeeded in sending it into the net: 1-1.

Estrada made amends when he drilled home the second winning goal past goalkeeper Brandon Anderson in injury time: 2-1 final.

At the MCC, only two minutes of play had passed when the Barrack Road defense blundered into conceding a penalty, but Atleticos’ kicker missed the goal completely!

Two minutes later, Francis Andrews struck Barrack Road’s first goal past goalkeeper Orlando Galdamez.

Steven “Bredds” Baizar, Stefan “World” Diego, Jorge Aleman July 7th, 2019

Barrack Road blundered in fouling Tyriq Ciego when they contested a header inside the goal area, and the referee ruled penalty.

Arnoldo de la Rosa converted to equalize 1-1 with 19 minutes of regulation remaining.

Four minutes later Cameron Diego was fouled inside the goal area, and again the referee ruled penalty in favour of Barrack Road.

Steven “Bredds” Baizar converted to give Barrack Road a 2-1 lead. Allen Armstrong came off the Atléticos’ bench to replace Saquic, but both sides were reduced to 10 men when Myvette Pagoada was fouled by Jael Ottley, and both players were ejected with red cards.

Barrack Road’s goal-

keeper Alvin Mangandi was playing like a man possessed, leaping like a jack-in-the-box to stop shots by Atléticos’ Carlos Gonzalez and Jose Galdamez.

The game was in five minutes of injury time when the Barrack Road defense blundered into a hand ball infraction and again the referee ruled penalty. But the visitors never got to convert the penalty, as an argument ensued as Barrack Road protested the call, and the Referee called the game, because he feared his life was threatened.

Barrack Road Fc advances by the 2-1 win, however controversial the ending!

Game 2 of the Finals is scheduled for the MCC Grounds on Sunday, July 14.

Arnoldo de la Rosa scores Atléticos’ penalty: 1-1

REPORTER

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YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Orange Walk U-15 Boys School Belize Boys

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Orange Walk, June 29, 2019

he Orange Walk Under-15 boys recovered from a 0-2 deficit to prevail 5-3 over the Belize District under-15 boys when the national Interdistrict youth tournament organized by the Football Federation of Belize continued at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk on Saturday afternoon, June 29.

Darnell Jones and Brandon Smith led the Belize offensive with the help of Keiffer “Beefy” Perteau and Chris Maskall on the wings, and

by Cesar Garcia and Enoch “Monster” Rhaburn at midfield.

T h e O r a n g e Wa l k defenders Kevin Gonzalez, Armando Patt, Calvin Reid and Ivan Cruz tried to contain the attacks, but conceded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box after 18 minutes of play. Cesar Garcia executed with aplomb to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later Cesar Garcia executed a corner kick t o f in d C h r i s Maskall who headed the ball into the net: 2-0!

Christian Guerra a n d A l l i s o n To r res led the Orange Walk counterattack, supported by Allen Castillo and Orlan-

do Trejo Jr. on the wings, and by Brayan Cartagena and Belarmino Guerra at midfield. But they made little impression on Peter Morgan who anchored the Belize defense with the help of Dixon Gamboa, Jam ion C acho and Ronald Saldivar to hold the homeboys scoreless for half an hour of play.

Zamir Bonilla came off the bench to relieve Trejo, and immediately made his presence felt, as he served a pass

Allison Torres scored 4 goals

July 7th, 2019

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Cesar Garcia scored Belize U15 1st goal

Keiffer Perteau scored Belize U15 3rd goal fall, as Torres completed his hat trick eight minutes later and added a fourth goal for Orange Walk to lead 4-2 with nine minutes of regulation remaining.

Keiffer “Beefy” Perteau delivered a third goal for the Belize boys five minutes before end of regulation, but Zamir Bonilla embarrassed Humes with Orange Walk’s fifth goal two minutes before the long whistle: 5-3 final.

Elsewhere in the league also on Saturday, the Mid-South U-15 boys enjoyed a 1-0 win over the Stann Creek boys at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence, when Anwar Cabral scored the winning goal 14 mint o A l l i s o n To r r e s utes after intermiswho scored Orange sion.

Walk’s first goal in The Toledo U-15 the final minute be- boys drilled the Cayo fore intermission.

U-15 boys: 3-1 at Tyrese Augustine the Victor Sanchez and Menalio Novelo Union field in Punta came off the Orange G o r d a , w h e n J o r Wa l k b e n c h a f t e r n e l L e m u s s c o r e d the break, to replace the first goal nine Christian Guerra and minute after interBelarmino Esquivel, mission. Henry Esw h i l e K e y d e n s h a y cobar equalized for Bowen relieved Chris Cayo 21 minutes afMaskall. Then Torres t e r t h e b r e a k , a n d put the finish on a only three minutes of corner kick to drive regulation remained, i n O r a n g e Wa l k ’s w h e n E l s n o r R o d s e c o n d g o a l p a s t ney scored Toledo’s goalkeeper Edward second goal. Eugene Humes, equalizing Selgado iced the win 2-2 some nine min- with a third goal a utes after the break. m i n u t e b e f o r e t h e A light rain began to long whistle.

REPORTER

The Corozal U-15 boys schooled the San Pedro U-15 boys 3-1 at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium, when Geon Ara scored the first goal a minute after intermission. Johan Basto scored a second goal with six minutes of regulation remaining. Franklin Argenal scored the island boys’ only goal four minutes before the end of regulation, but Clifford Sanker delivered Corozal’s third goal in the third minute of injury time.

The tournament continues on Saturd a y, J u l y 6 , w h e n the Belize boys host Belmopan U-15 boys at the MCC Grounds.

T h e To l e d o U - 1 5 boys host the MidSouth Elite at the Victor Sanchez Stadium. The Orange Walk boys travel to take on the Corozal U-15 at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium, and the Benque boys visit the Stann Creek U-15 boys at the Carl Ramos Stadium.

Sports 8

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 25

Briceño: Courtenay to Play Bigger Role

By Marion V. Ali

T

wo weeks ago, the Opposition People’s United Party changed its lead Senator, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay and appointed Senior Counsel Michel Chebat to take over that role. It is an important position to fill because the Opposition gets a chance to dissect what the House passes down and the Senate then debates and raises its own perspectives on matters arising. Courtenay has been acknowledged in PUP circles as arguably the best, or at least most forceful PUP senator to date. But the reason for the switch could not have been for a better reason, PUP Leader, John Briceño told the Reporter late last week.

Briceño said that Courtenay's abilities could only mean better things for his new appointment as his representative on the BelizeGuatemala Committee working with Belize’s ICJ Legal Team.

"We hate to see him leave the Senate, but what is more important staying in the Senate and representing us well? Or representing us going to the ICJ? The ICJ, as many would tell us, is an existential threat to our nation so we have to make sure that we put our best people to

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Mitchel Chebat, SC be able to work with the government, to ensure that it runs well...wi nuh wa tek no chance," Briceño reasoned.

Briceño acknowledges Courtenay as one of the country's most outstanding former Foreign Ministers with immense background knowledge on the Belize-Guatemala dispute, putting him right up there with Ambassador Assad Shoman, who has written several books and pieces on the issue.

Briceño said that from the moment that Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced the formation of a BelizeGuatemala ICJ Committee, it was almost automatic that Courtenay's new role would be to serve on that body.

The Agent and CoAgent for Belize, Dr. Assad Shoman and Ambassador Alexis Rosado report to the bi-partisan committee, which then guides them and the

Eamon Courtenay, SC legal team as the case is being prepared and presented. Courtenay and the PUP's other appointee on that committee, Attorney Leslie Mendez, will have a say in the scope of work that the legal team will be engaged with, and the fees that the lawyers will charge us.

Briceño feels that the PUP's representation in the Senate will be just as adequately filled by Michel Chebat, who is no stranger to that assembly. Chebat, has sat in before for the PUP and has done and will continue to do, in Briceno's opinion, a good job.

Eamon Courtenay served as an active member of the Belize Negotiating Team on the Resolution of the Belize Guatemala Territorial Dispute between 1999-2012. Aside from his new role in the PUP, he also continues to be the party's legal advisor.

Page 26

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

Are Humans Growing Smartphone ‘Skull Spikes’?

Study That Made the Claim Under Fire

T

he journal that published the so-called “skull spike” study is now taking a second look at the research that went into it.

The two authors of the 2018 study proposed the weird “skull spikes” present on the base of some people’s skulls might be related to the odd angles at which these people bent their necks to look at smart devices, such as iPhones.

But questions about parts of the study have prompted the journal, Scientific Reports, which is published by Nature Research, to reexamine the study’s techniques and conclusions.

“When any concerns are raised with Scientific Reports about papers we have published, we investigate them carefully following established procedures,” a spokesperson for Scientific Reports told Live Science in an email. “We are looking into issues regarding this paper and we will take action where appropriate.”

In the study — w hich included 1,200 people ages 18 to 86 — the researchers reported that boney spikes at the base of the skull were more prevalent

in younger people, especially males in the 18-to- 30-age bracket, than in older people. These spikes are

raised a number of potential problems with the study. (The research did not find a direct cause-and-

known as enlarged external occipital protuberance, or EEOPs. However, internet commenters have

effect relationship between these spikes and smart-device use, b u t u n f o r t u n a t e l y, some media outlets

said that it had. Some coverage even called them “horns.”)

Nsikan Akpan, digital science producer for PBS NewsHour, asked experts and even people on Twitter to help him spot p r o b lems w ith th e study. Here are some issues they described: The researchers did not measure smartdevice usage, so it’s impossible to know how much time participants spent hunched over glowing screens.

The study doesn’t apply to the general population, as it wasn’t a random sample of people, but rather people who had asked chiropractors to address mild prob-

lems.

The Scientific Reports study states that “the authors declare no competing interests,” but this past week Quartz reported that study first author David Shahar, a health scientist at the University of The Sunshine Coast, Australia, sells posture pillows online.

The study says that males are more likely than women to have these skull spikes, but their actual data suggests otherwise.

There are flaws in the analysis the researchers used to suggest that millennials tended to have more skull spikes than the elderly.

- Livescience

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 27

It Starts With Us

by: Gliselle Marin wo minutes after this bad, I must say that I leaving the office am on the defensive line, to get lunch down the preparing to deflect and street, I make eye contact avoid sexual harassment with a man in a truck, every time I choose to and hurriedly look away. walk down the street. I My body tenses up, and am not a special case.

I inadvertently adjust my Almost every female stride to swing my hips in Belize consciously less and hunch my back or subconsciously arms more. When I am out of themselves similarly in sight with him, I hear the streets, the workplace “Pssssss!” behind me. I and sadly for some, in know it’s him; I felt it the home. If any of you coming when I made the males feel attacked right first eye contact. I walk about now, this is not toward my favourite coming out of left field. market outdoor lunch Numerous global studies spot, and a different man on sexual harassment rides his bicycle past me show men to be the more and shouts “Gial, you numerous perpetrators woulda look sexyah if of sexual harassment. yuh hyah mih lang!” Among the victims of I ignore him and keep sexual street harassment walking. I arrive at the in the United States, only “safety” of my lunch 25% are male, the maspot, order my food and jority of whom reported begin to eat. The same experiencing homophoman from the bicycle bic or transphobic slurs sits across the table from (Stop Street Harassment, me, and begins lewdly 2014). The data is secommenting on EVERY verely lacking in Belize, SINGLE FEMALE that but just make a mental walks past. The com- estimate of how often ments are so lewd that you hear a woman verI can hardly swallow sus a man shouting out my food. “Ah woulda sexual or homophobic suck every piece a she.” remarks at a passerby, “Watch dah fat bread and it’s quite undeniable deh.” “Maakit full a lat that the trends would a deh fuh mek a work probably be similar.

This is not a trivial iswit todeh.” I stare at my phone, mindlessly sue in our society. It has scrolling through, and deep, psychologically in the moment I don’t harmful effects and deeven know what I am grades several facets of looking at. I only know societal function. Today, I cannot give him an I had a physical reaction opportunity to directly of nausea to a week of engage with me. Then an ignoring the effects of older man in a van drives this societal issue. I laup to the restaurant, and mented at my husband parks very closely to about how uncomforthis bike. They begin a able it feels to discover a public argument, each different side of a friend threatening to kill each or coworker’s personalother at some point and ity through their social we all try our best to media persona. Recently pretend that they don’t I’ve had to make an efexist. After they’ve got- fort to avoid a friend’s ten their last words in, Instagram stories where the man in van shouts he posts suggestive comhis order to the restaurant ments about Belizean owner, and remains in women and their appearhis car, waiting for his ances and tags them in take out order. “Wow, it. If I sound angry and watch deya two pretty bitter, it’s because I am. gial front ah mih.” He I am tired of people, and speaks this from his car particularly women feelwindow directly at two ing unsafe. I am tired of young women seated at being unable to speak up the restaurant for lunch. in the moment, because They ignore him. Feel- I fear the perpetrator ing sick to my stomach will become angry and and unable to take an- lash out. No, that is not other single bite, I get an irrational fear. Ask a up, leave the money for woman how many times my food on the counter, she’s gotten a “f*** and walk quickly back you” when she’s ignored a man’s advances to ento work.

My twenty minutes of gage in unwanted conlunch had just been filled versation on the street. with more sexual harass- As a society, we are ment remarks than civil desensitized now, and conversations. Now, it is a dangerous state though every day is not to be in. We are now

T

completely ignoring the human right to safety of our women and LGBTQ members of society. We are promoting a rape culture, where men are free to express unwanted sexual advances in public spaces. We ignore acts of verbal violence and assault because this has become the norm.

Our solutions punish the victims and not the perpetrators. We tell our young women to wear less revealing clothing, learn self-defense, and walk with a trusted male.

We are not telling men to stop raping and stop passing unwanted sexual remarks. Our approach to ending sexual harassment must change, and it must be a priority.

I am a firm believer in the power of education as a way to begin a positive change on the issue of sexual harassment in Belize. First, we must begin by acknowledging it is a rampant issue. We must all do our part to change this, by educating our people.

Educators must make it a point to teach students about respect, gender tolerance, and human rights. Sexual education must be a part of every curriculum, inclusive of education on consent and healthy sexual relationships to recognizing abusive situations.

Our law enforcers must receive proper training, to be able to analyze situations and determine acts of violence. They must be held accountable to protect victims, and justice must be exercised when they do not. Women and children need resources to escape situations of abuse. National Policy must be reflective of LGBTQ rights. We must stand up against sexual harassment whenever we are able to. Do not tolerate your friends saying derogatory sexual comments in your presence. Do not share social media posts showing harassment or abuse of another person. Take every opportunity to discuss these issues with your friends and family. Strive to make your schools and workplaces a safe space for everyone. Change will take time, and will require all of us to do our part.

Progress cannot happen in Belize when an entire portion of society feels marginalized, ignored and unsafe.

Page 28

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Page 29

Sober Reflections

I Only Drink on Days Ending in ‘Y’ Mike Rudon Jr.

I

discovered an amazing thing this past week. Truly mindblowing. I think there are more than seven people who read this column. I think there may be as many as nine.

I haven’t yet done a comprehensive analysis, but I think my humble column, the rant of an alcoholic with a gift for words (if I do say so myself) has gone viral.

Nine whole readers.

My unending gratitude to the seven who have been along for the journey, and welcome to those two who have come on board.

Growing up I hung out with a bunch of older guys. Orange Walk

used to be our stomping grounds. We used to drink. And drink some more. And when we got tired of drinking, we’d drink some more.

Drinking was such an amazingly cool thing that we called ourselves the Cako’s Club. I understand this legendary Cako (don’t remember the spelling because I was usually drunk) was some old drunk from Orange Walk, so he became our hero. I think we even got Tshirts at some point, with the slogan – ‘We Only Drink on Days Ending in Y.’ Boy, were we clever! And drunk a lot of the time. The good old days.

I still see some of those guys around. A couple are probably dead. A couple moved away. A couple still drink like the club never disbanded. And a couple stopped drinking because if they didn’t they would be dead. I guess I’m remembering this story because at the time we were on

top of the world. We were drinking. And it was okay. I don’t think any of us ever in those days thought we had a problem with alcohol.

Hell, to give you an idea of how good those days really were – I barely remember any of it. All a blur.

Today I know I am a drunk. I don’t like to use the word alcoholic. It sounds too cultured, too sophisticated. Alcoholics are probably those people who can afford to drink in high-class bars every weekend until they pass out, or drink Courvoisier at home on their balconies until they vomit all over themselves and all over their Egyptian cotton sheets.

Those are the ones who fall asleep in A/C rooms so that they don’t stink of rancid liquor sweat so much when they wake.

They’re the ones who can go to a whorehouse and buy six girls and drinks for everybody and close the bar and feel like they’re king of the world for a minute.

Those are alcoholics, I guess.

But I don’t fool myself. Yes, in my day I could go into a bar with $1000 in my pocket.

And yes, in my day I closed quite a few bars. I’ve gotten drunk with some real society people, and I’ve vomited in some classy hotel rooms, no doubt.

But I’m a drunk. Don’t argue with me. I’m a drunk. Where alcohol is concerned, there is no real difference between me and the man sleeping on the sidewalk.

There are differences in our situations, yes. I have a job. And I have family. And I have real friends. But where alcohol is concerned, I am them, and they are me. I think that’s important to understand.

Because some of us are still blind.

I’ve been on this journey a while now, and it is teaching me things about myself I never knew. In my own mind, I’ve gone from this place of complete

darkness, to a place where things are coming together in my life.

I’m a drunk, but I don’t drink anymore. I never believed I would find this place. I literally thought I would die, and for a time, I didn’t even care. Maybe there were times I didn’t want to die because I thought I would miss rum & cokes. Truth.

There are a lot of people out there who need help. Some of you have reached out to me. And I’m glad for that. There are a lot of people who don’t realize that they need help. I talk to you a lot of the time too. And I see you, with your ‘I have to drink every day until I pass out, but I can stop any time I want’ self. Been there, never stopped. I have talked to people who drink much more than I did before I stopped, all those 39 days ago, and they tell me that they’re not true true alcoholics. So they don’t really want to stop completely – they just want to ease back a lit-

tle. They just want to learn to control it. So that they can take two or three or four and stop.

Been there, never eased back. Never happened.

Good luck with that.

I play big and bad a lot of the time. Well mostly big, and I can’t exactly help that. But I put all that aside, and sweating like a pig, I stood up in a room and I said - my name is Mike, and I’m an alcoholic.

And I found a home in a place which wasn’t a bar, and where there wasn’t any alcohol. I never believed I could do it. I can’t explain what happened. All I know is this, and I’ll keep writing it every week if I have to. I’m a different person today than I was 39 days ago. Like night and day. Do it. Reach out.

Get help. Here if you need me. My number is #671-0731. My email is mike_rudon@yahoo. com. We know how it feels to be drunk. Let’s find out how it feels to be sober.

Anke Doehm's Trail to Start October 15

By Marion Ali

A

nke Doehm, the woman who along with her deceased husband, David Doehm, was charged with Cruelty to a Child, must return to the Supreme Court on October 15, when her case is expected to start before Justice Marilyn Williams.

Doehm has been out on bail, living in Belize City, since the residents of San Pedro banished her from the island after the couple's adopted daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, 13, died under mysterious and suspicious circumstances while at the couple's condominium on north Ambergris Caye along with her other siblings on July 3, 2017.

At her last appearance in June, both the prosecution and the defense had asked the Court for more time in order to prepare for the trial - a request that was granted.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

The American nationals were arrested shortly after the child, who they described as mentally challenged, died suddenly - the post mortem for which certified as chest compression which resulted in internal hemorrhaging as the cause of death.

The autopsy also revealed that the girl had been abused.

Following the incident, Faye Lin's biological father had traveled to Belize and applied for and was granted custody of his other three daughters, Zoe, Mia, and Siri, while they remained under the care of the Belize Human Services Department for that application to be completed.

Three months later in October, the body of David Doehm was found inside a room at the Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City. He had

Anke Doehm, trial set to begin October 15 fastened to his head an airtight bag filled with nitrogen gas that was fed from a small tank.

He left a note saying that he had been the subject of witchhunting by the government.

Anke Doehm had applied to the Court for permission to travel to her native United States last September to seek medical attention but withdrew the application before the Court decided on it.

Page 30

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

One Woman’s Perspective

THE REPORTER

WHEN A WOMAN CHEATS

I

n years past the act of infidelity was associated with mostly men.

Today, the tables have turned, and women too are engaging in acts of unfaithfulness in all levels of relationships. Being in many circles I hear a lot of Belizean women being bashed for their secret lovers and affairs and while this week’s column is no way condoning these affairs, we will take a look at the reasons why women cheat as this was rarely the case in the generation of our grandparents.

Let’s start at the beginning. When a woman gets into a relationship for the long haul, she goes in with the intention of building a home and foundation that will last her lifetime. She goes in

with the belief that her partner will be nurturing, faithful and loyal but when she is disappointed her hopes for a good life and her efforts in building a home are crushed and her heart becomes heavy.

Women are emotional creatures – they will show their independence but secretly they want to be nurtured and protected from the heartbreaks they see happening to other women. So, when they too are forced to join the others who have been jilted in marriages and relationships, over a period of time (should they choose to remain in the relationship) they become accepting of their partner’s infidelity and thus the expectations dissipate into thin air.

In the last two weeks I

have spoken with women who have cheated on their partners and the reasoning was logical in my mind while there were a few who I couldn’t comprehend why they were being unfaithful.

The number one reason that I got from the women I spoke with was that they were neglected and taken for granted in their relationships. Their partners were no longer making efforts to hear their thoughts or opinions on certain things. Life got in the way and these women had become an item in the home that had lost intrigue. Women love to be heard...you may not always agree with them, but the act of listening goes a long way!

Secondly, just as men experience the urge to explore their desires, there are women who have inner fantasies and desires that are waiting to be unleashed. If men are not careful, another can come along and lure the beasts to escape from the cage.

Women tend to have a

stronger desire to unleash this inner beast when she is going through some sort of life change -- major weight loss, new job, new friends, mid-life crisis, etc. Keep the lines of communication open and she’ll be more likely to talk to you about what’s going on instead of spilling her guts to a stranger in the night.

Acts of intimacy can be an instant pick-me-up, especially for women who suffer from low selfesteem. There is nothing a woman loves more than the compliments and caresses that make them feel sexier, more beautiful and loved. This is not to say that women with low self-esteem will automatically cheat on you and in this case, it wouldn’t be the man’s fault if she does end up cheating. A man just needs to be aware of his spouse and ensure that he gives her reassurances constantly to make her feel secure. Pay attention to her, ask her questions and don’t hold back on compliments -- a little

flattery goes a long way with women.

A few women I spoke to confided in me that their acts were based mostly on seeking revenge for the betrayal levied on them from their spouses. This is a reasoning that I find very illogical! I firmly believe that when a woman goes with another man – it should be because she is entering into it wholeheartedly and not to achieve any ulterior motive. When it comes to revenge, sex is never the way to go, especially with another man. Yes, your husband may get enraged if or when he finds out, but will that take back what he had done initially?

On the contrary, it will only add to the list of things you will need to overcome if you decide to work out your marriage/ relationship.

Women are nurturers by nature - at least most of us are but the one thing a man needs to realize is that a woman will only cheat on you when you

have crossed the line of her tolerance and acceptance. We are accepting of reality and can cope with any situation we’re faced with but when a man betrays her trust over and over again and compounds that devastation with neglect or abandonment – you may as well accept that you will not be the only man admiring and sampling the beauty of your woman.

If your woman has cheated on you or if you suspect that she is, then perhaps rather than getting upset – take a look at what you’re doing or not doing! Women are not cheaters by nature!

We will cheat when our caresses and love are no longer being appreciated or noticed. Always keep in mind that a woman has the ability to maintain affairs for a long period of time and you may never know. And once you get her into that groove it is more than likely that you will become the one waiting on the other side of the door, hoping for some attention!

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

INSIGHTS

Page 31

Belize Tax Service Department: Que Pasa?

“The concern here, Madam Speaker, is there is feeling within members of staff, both Income Tax and GST, … that the government is using the opportunity to purge out people who they feel do Major Lloyd Jones not support them.”

-- Hon. John Brice(Ret’d) ño, House of Representatives meeting, June 21, 2019.

On Friday, June 21, 2019, the Tax Administration and Procedure Bill was brought to the House of Representatives by the Barrow Administration.

The Bill is supposed to “establish the Belize Tax Service Department; to facilitate the official and effective administration and collection of domestic taxes; to provide for tax procedures; to provide civil and criminal penalties for violating tax laws; and to provide for connected and incidental matters.”

The Tax Administration and Procedure Bill was ratified by the Senate on June 26, 2019, ushering in a new department of the Government of Belize

as of July 1, 2019.

The new Tax Service merges the Income Tax and GST departments and on the face of it should make for better tax administration. However, the entire process of amalgamation has been wholly mismanaged, and we have heard not a sound from the Public Service Union (PSU). Public officers serving in these two departments, for all intents and purposes, have been left to fight their own battles.

Since 2005 the Unions, and especially the PSU, have been in a perks-induced coma. Mr. Barrow was able to enlist and maintain the support of the leadership and key influencers of the PSU, so much so that the PSU is now viewed as being in the service of Mr. Barrow and not the members of the public service. Scholarships, land, promotions; all keep the PSU marking time. You hear them shouting left, right, left right, but if you pay attention they are not marching anywhere. More optics than results and so the members of the public service remain at the mercy of their political masters.

The amalgamation of the two departments has been anything but smooth, but to give the impression of fairplay, public officers are asked to apply for the job that they currently hold, only to receive a letter stating, “We regret to inform you that you

were not shortlisted. You did not meet the requirements to be interviewed.” Shamefully, senior public officers, some with more than two decades of service, are being passed over in favour of people who are far less experienced but way more politically connected.

When the Leader of the Opposition raised the issue in the House on June 21, 2019, the Prime Minister assured the House, and indeed the nation, that there would be no hanky panky at the new department and that public officers currently serving at either of the two departments would not be disadvantaged. Mr. Barrow proclaimed that those officers have a “menu of options” and that those “options, to summarize, include staying in the new department with no kind of loss of status or remunerations and with the prospects, the professional advancement trajectory remaining absolutely the same”.

If we are to believe that Mr. Barrow was genuine in his pronouncement then somebody clearly failed to advise the vetting committee which was set up to shortlist applicants. In fact, if you look at the panel you immediately have to wonder if the intent is as Mr. Barrow proclaimed it to be. The panel is being led by Mr. John Coy (an Administrative Assistant in the Ministry of the Public Service) who is assisted

by Mrs. Michelle Longsworth (reportedly the soon to be Director General), Yadira Cantun (Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Finance) and Terry Smith (Under Secretary, Ministry of Finance).

The importance of filling these new posts with qualified, apolitical personnel cannot be understated, especially now that the new law prescribes serious criminal penalties for those who are found to be in violation thereof.

In 2013 some senior officials of the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) fell under suspicion when it was discovered that starting in 2010, they created a “be on the lookout list” (BOLO) that targeted conservative groups. During this period, it was the liberal President Obama’s administration that was in power and it was widely perceived that the IRS was being used (whether on the instructions of the Obama administration or not) to pressure political opponents.

The Inspector General’s report led to House Oversight Committee hearings and the resignation of the IRS Commissioner. His deputy, who had been acting as Commissioner, was made to resign after it was discovered that she too knew of the BOLO list.

Unfortunately, Belize does not have that kind of robust oversight by Parliament and so our public service is subject to the whims and fancies of our politicians. If nothing else, the Senate hearings into the Immigration scandal involving Penner taught us that much. Those hearings are concluded but the Belizean people will never see that report. It will be hidden deep behind the legal manoeuvrings of the political class.

Good intentions aside, it can’t be that senior public officers are passed over by junior, but politically connected persons. It can’t be right that you are rejected for a post that you now hold, on the basis that you do not have the requisite “educational background,” when it is that you have been doing that substantive job for years.

I would dare say that such treatment of our public officers (especially senior ones) undermines the loyalty and commitment of all public officers. If you can treat the senior officers with such callous disdain, why should the young public officers be motivated to service us with unceasing loyalty and devotion? Would you commit yourself to an organization that can so casually discount and disregard all your years of service?

We can’t expect our public servants to be faithful to us if we treat them as if they do not matter. We can’t develop Belize without a professional, well resourced and highly motivated public service. The reported treatment of the senior public officers at the new tax department does nothing towards building such a public service.

Speak now or forever hold your peace Belize!

Page 32

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Fun at the Belize Zoo!

THE REPORTER

-

The Central Belize Corridor Goes Forward

W

hat began years ago as a concept focused upon protecting lands in the middle of Belize, striving to protect the habitat as well as the wildlife using this area gained a gigantic boost recently.

There were great e ff o r t s f r o m g r e a t people who saw the value in protecting this swath of forest, and camera traps set and monitored by students from the University of Belize, under direction from Dr. Elma Kaye, reinforced these ideas of a healthy biodiversity.

Students were astounded and delighted to see beautiful images of jaguaroundis, ocelots, foxes and other remarkable species of Belizean wildlife. On more than one occasion, the rare and disappearing yellowheaded parrot was recorded flying overhead. Our Belizean Yellow-Headed parrot is truly a species which we can be proud about. This sub species, formally being monitored by a

C O L O R

M E

Incredible Humans!

group of Belizeans, has once again shown the special unique qualities of a species and the commitment of Belizeans who, like Jamal Andrewin and Rony Garcia, are in the field for days at a time, monitoring nest behavior and checking that people do not nest rob the precious yellow headed baby birds.

Let them fledge and

add to our Belizean population. Estimates suggest that no more than 700 yellow headed parrots remain in our country.

Each bird saved is a huge boost to our local population. And now just recently, the Belize Cabinet has provided strong support by adding protective status which prom-

ises to support the objectives and goals of a brilliant team of conservation-minded Belizeans and the species they care so dearly about.

This is a story of strength, commitment, and tireless work all centered on keeping Belize the special country it truly is.

L E T T H E M F LY FREE!!!!

Cosmic Body!

There is an entire genus of mushrooms, found all over the world, that tastes like fried chicken. It’s even referred to as the “chicken of the woods.” It is most commonly found in eastern North America and is bright orange. It sort of look like a tasty piece of fried buffalo chicken.

If mushrooms were to simply drop their spores, like a tree does its leaves, the chances of mushrooms reproducing would be slim to none. But, it turns out that mushrooms create air flow around them by causing water to rapidly evaporate,Thus creating a vehicle for spreading their spores (future mushrooms) around their environment.

More and more species of mushroom that glow in the dark are being discovered all the time. As it stands now, there are more than 75 species that are bioluminescent!

For much of what we naturally lack, mushrooms have in an easily digestible form. They contain disease fighting properties, antioxidants, and a whole gamut of important nutrients. They even contain copper, a mineral that is vital to our survival that we cannot produce on our own.

The giant Armillaria bulbosa is an underground fungus that is in stiff competition with coral reefs as the largest living organism. One was found in a Michigan forest that weighs as much as a blue whale! It was spawned by a single spore more than 1500 years ago.

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

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Catholic Church and LGBT: United Intentions with an Irreconcilable Difference

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he intention of LGBT members to respond to the injustices done to our brothers and sisters with a unique social orientation of irregular sexual identity is shared by the Catholic Church.

The social teachings of the Church, which inspired the original Belize Constitution, have always encouraged the right and dignity of every human person. While one could see how a radical hate group could conflict with the LGBT message, the question arises, why is there consid-

ered a tension with the Catholic Church and the group of persons that identify with LGBT when they both claim to promote the dignity of the person?

It is good to note that the Catholic Church has promoted the dignity of the human person for about 2000 years, while the LGBT group has taken up this rights movement more recently. This scenario becomes better understood when we define our terms and remain open to dialogue. The tension is not found in the

intention to promote the dignity of every person in the LGBT movement. Although

likeness of God, and each person has an infinite value. It is entirely possible in

This generation of Belizeans must decide on what definition of sex they want for their lives and on what value system they want to build their marriages and families f o r f u t u re g e n e r a t i o n s . “ A s t h e family goes so goes the nation.” they seem to disagree with the source of that dignity, it is the Catholic Church and other Christian churches that remind us we are all made in the image and

the future in Belize, that with dialogue, the members of the LGBT group may find in the Catholic Church an ally in promoting the dignity of every person regardless of sexual orientation or sexual identity. In that case, they would join the many persons around the world who are attracted to persons of the same sex and have already found in the Catholic Church a refuge and support.

So why the tension? Good question.

In fact, the tension often comes from many people who do not know what the Church teaches, speaking for the Chur c h. This ha ppens both in and outside of the Church.

This can certainly be improved through a culture of encounter and dialogue. The real area of disagreement, and the underlying reason so many LGBT persons have failed to enter dialogue with the Catholic Church and benefit from her wisdom is human sexuality. The disagreement is about the

purpose and meaning of sex. The two bodies have two irreconcilable understandings about sex.

This is not a small disagreement. How a culture views sex affects how the next generation views life and marriage. From this comes their views on family, on education, and even the just ordering of society through ethics and politics.

It is especially significant in this case, since the LGBT g r o u p i s a rg u a b l y united by its political activism or by an expansive definition of sex which is completely severed from its unitive and procreative nature.

Rather, personal satisfaction or expression or the partner’s satisfaction is the essential criterion for happiness and the LGBT person’s reason for sexual activity. Such a definition of sex embraces vice, encourages consensual unnatural acts, and leads to a very different expression of family. This erroneous definition of sex would eventually harm democracy if it would be taught in schools and embraced by the majority.

On the other hand, the Catholic Church teaches that sex is both passionate and purposeful. The sexual intimacy shared between husband and wife is an expression of their love that unites them in a unique way, and

obviously, it is an act that can lead to bring a new child and Belizean citizen into the world. This definition of sex and family is the only one that is able to preserve the right of a child to be raised by his or her biological parents. This unique benefit to society of marriage between a man and woman is also a reason why the government gives benefits to a committed husband and wife and not to other expressions of sexual relationships, no matter how committed they may be.

Belize is changing, but leaders must be careful not to shift from foundation principles that sever the current generation from the past. It is the responsibility of each generation to take up the torch of previous generations and to contribute to future generations.

This generation of Belizeans must decide on what definition of sex they want for their lives and on what value system they want to build their marriages and families for future generations. “As the family goes so goes the nation.”

This choice is more urgent to the identity of Belize than the ICJ decision on the physical borders.

How this generation decides will determine which of two very different directions Belize will go in the future.

Saint John Paul II

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Racing Thoughts

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Contributed by Monique P.

n discussions with friends this week, we exchanged a whole lot of thoughts concerning when to get involved to help someone, or when not to get involved. There are many factors that may keep us from speaking out or doing the right thing. There are also many factors that cause us to do the wrong things. As my thoughts raced following those discussions, I started to wonder about guilt in the context of a story most of us know. I’ve always had many questions about this story, but I sort of ended up having an epiphany, not with the provision of answers but it allowed me to have more insight.

I’m not the religious type, but I have always been fascinated by the stories of Jesus.

How can a man that we were told, did no wrong, be crucified for being truthful and for trying to help his people? What perplexed me the most was when he was on that cross and said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I’ve had mixed emotions about those words. First, because I believe Jesus to be lying on the cross. I think that his own people, who put him up there, knew what they were doing. Secondly, why would he seek their forgiveness, even when they continued to torture him on that cross, up until he drew his last breath?

I now understand that although I believed people knew what they were doing, they didn’t really. You see, it brings me back to defining guilt by commission or omission.

Guilty?

Jesus’ people could define his fate. They were given the option by Pontius Pilate to pick between him and a hardened criminal, a murderer, Barabbas. The people, because of their desire to see that a good man would fall, be hurt, humiliated and crucified, chose to spare Barabbas, whose history they knew, and condemned Jesus. Before this, Jesus’ name had been slandered by his very own people, who in the name of God and authority, decided that he was not a good man – that he was a liar, a blasphemer when indeed he spoke the truth. They did not know what they did, because they could not see beyond the power they had of being able to hurt, torture and kill. In summary, they were all narcissistic pricks.

In regards to Pontius Pilate, I always felt that he could not be blamed, because after all he gave the people an option. From the bible story to the movies and the way Pontius Pilate is always portrayed, it does seem that his conscience was telling him that he would be wrong to condemn this man. In fact, if I remember correctly, his wife had pleaded with him to not do it. After analyzing his situation and position from many angles, I realize that he could have saved the day, but instead he saved himself. After the judgement he epically washed his hands. As we know it “washing hands” has become the metaphor of not wanting any involvement.

When the people that have the power to effect change wash their hands, they are guilty by omission, just like Pontius Pilate.

THE REPORTER

This is a darn sad story you know. The so-called friends and followers of Jesus hid, they denied him, they sold him out. They were guilty by commission and omission.

Of course, the story had a happy ending.

Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.

You know what happened on the third day?

He arose again from the dead. He proved to non-believers and his disciples that what he had been saying was true. Jesus suffered, but in the end he prevailed.

The point, which I have after all that storytelling, is that sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by people who promise that they will be in our lives till the end. However, when we face some of our hardest moments, we are abandoned, or thrown to the wolves.

As humans, we have to really be cruel to let others suffer by being the cause of their suffering or for standing there, motionless when we can stop it. Jesus didn’t die alone.

Three people stuck by him until he drew his last breath. Those are the people that matter in your life. Think about what I’ve said carefully and analyze yourself. What is your placement in the world? Are you a Jesus, or are you a Pontius Pilate? When you find out who defines you best, think one more time and decide if that is the person you really want to be. If you are Jesus, you know you will be crucified, but in the end you will rise.

If you are Pontius Pilate, well just wash your hands. I’ve no more advice for you.

Buddha says “Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get.”

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

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STIs – Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

By: Dr. Abigail Joseph

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couple years ago, there were talks of a color coded condom that would change color according to the type of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) that it would come in contact with. Three teenagers from England won the Teen Tech Award for this brilliant concept. I mean could you imagine how wonderful it would be?

Wow, the condom that changes color! (sarcastic tone). But then I thought to myself, how much would this cost? How does it work? Who is it detecting - the user or the receiver? What if there are multiple infections present? What STI would “brown” mean? After all if several infections are present I would think that too many colors would turn dark somehow. SOOOOO yeah the idea was great until I started asking the questions.

The truth is, young people are not thinking about

condoms. Yes maybe they would buy a couple of them for fun in the beginning, and after paying the price… which I assume would be very expensive considering it would need antibodies on both sides of the condom and probably some sort of material that is thin enough for sensation but thick enough for protection, I guarantee you it would be more than the normal price. BUT why am I even babbling for? It is rare when you find young people using condoms. Heck, adults don’t use condoms!

There is always the “I don’t like how they feel,” “my partner will think I’m cheating if I ask to use them,” “it’s too tight” (are you aware they come in different sizes?) or “I trust my partner;” the last one is a very interesting statement because A LOT of the people that claim they trust their partner also trust their side chicks or side kick (it has become such a norm that many of you probably don’t get how twisted that is).

Let’s talk about the infections shall we? The infection is NOT the initial problem. The laid back philosophy of it “not happening to me” and the naïve concept of “seeing is believing” is what’s up. You may feel as though this column is about forcing you to use a condom. For those of you who feel that way I implore you to read it a second time. Changing the way we think is a very important aspect of protecting ourselves. Seeking to be more educated about the un-

known is the best way to tackle problematic situations.

When we learn about diseases and understand what we are looking for, we are better prepared to proceed.

According to the World Health Organization it is estimated that over 1 million are infected with an STI daily. Young people make up a large percentage of this group and as such targeting our young people and teaching better sexual habits, healthy foreplay, healthier choices and phasing out this wham bam thank you ma’am in the darkness behavior is just as important. When people think about sex education our mind automatically goes to a banana and a condom and we feel as if yeah we already know that, and we brush it off. We have the idea, we understand the concept but we never implement it, OR we use it once just to see how it works. So why are there so many people infected daily? Well apart from promiscuity and lack of condom preference there are unhealthy habits that we practice. We’ve established that we “love and trust” our partner so we rarely inspect each other. Women tend to be insecure about their bodies whether they are fat, have scars, stretch marks, etc… while men are mostly just insecure about penis size; while they may not say it often they wouldn’t question the request of turning out the lights when getting ready for that intimate moment. Your insecurities can become your biggest downfall.

How can you see if there is an abnormal discharge coming from the penis or the vagina? Were there any sores? Is there old scaring from healed sores? Are there warts hidden in the pubic hairs? How sure are you that the bumps around his penis head are pearls and not genital warts? Did you know that a woman’s vagina is not the outer part you look at but rather the canal itself? Sometimes the external genitalia of a woman can look nice and pink, smooth even - if she over grooms: peel. It’s important that you understand that warts are not limited to the outside skin and may be found inside the canal; and here you are thinking it’s ribbed for your pleasure. Women, we do ourselves an injustice when we offer to have sex in the dark, and even more so when we avoid having a regular pap smear done.

A pap smear allows the doctor or nurse a clear visual of your cervix which is tested for cancer. This procedure also gives a visual of your vaginal canal: its color, if there are warts present, if the cervix has fungus or discharge that is thick and so sluggish that it does not drain down and stain your panty for you to even know you have a discharge. Some women are of the habit of douching to get rid of odor instead of seeing the doctor. The odor could be a sign that something is present, as bacteria often carry a smell. Douching and shaving may increase your risk of contracting an infection as it removes good flora and shaving before sexual encounters causes micro tears and breakage in the skin which is your primary line of defense and barrier. I am not saying you shouldn’t douche or shave. I’m saying see a doctor if you have odor or discharge and do not shave immediately before an encounter. Micro tears and anticipated friction are a bad combination. Anal sex has become a practice for both heterosexual and homosexual partners, and often times the sentiments are that since it’s the rectum, and condoms are generally viewed as protection primarily against pregnancy, it is often ventured unprotected. The rectum’s lining is thinner than the vagina. It lacks the cells that create lubrication. These factors along with increased blood flow makes the risk of contracting an infection high.

I can go on and on about little habits we have that increase our risk of contracting infections. We fixate generally on HIV/AIDS and feel as if once we’ve done our HIV test we are OK. But the reality is that there are many bacteria, parasites and viruses that are capable of transmission sexually. 8 of these pathogens contribute to the greatest incidences recorded worldwide; 4 are presently curable: syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and chlamydia; 4 are currently incurable: Hepatitis B, HPV, Herpes and HIV. Condoms are not Armor.

Educate yourselves on signs and symptoms. Modify your behavior to protect yourself. YOU are your first priority.

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER

All about The People

The Nationalization Saga

Neri Briceno

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hile it had become apparent for those of us looking on from the sidelines that BTL was in trouble, the proverbial fish has finally come from the river bottom and really explained to us the extent of the alligator’s belly pain. In just one short week, two monumental revelations have taken place; the company appears to have not been paying its fair share of taxes, unlike other Belizean companies, to the tune

of $29 Million - and the foreign CEO announced his abrupt departure. The big question then becomes, if BTL was charging the public GST and also collecting it, where did that money go? By now it has become painfully obvious that nationalization of utilities and especially BTL has not worked and we are probably at that stage where we need to seriously consider the future of that company. Nothing will improve at BTL as long as it remains in GOB hands.

Every now and again, when the tentacles of nationalization bites us in the rear, I like to remind the Belizean public of the saga and how much I was totally against it. Let’s look back…

June 10th, 2018

I will be the first to admit that I was never in favour of the nationalization of any of our utility companies because I could see down the road that it would put even greater power and influence in the hands of the state.

Likewise, I will also be the first to admit that the direction that Belize Telemedia Ltd was taking would have guaranteed that the company and its owner were becoming too much of a powerful force in the tiny nation of Belize…While there is no doubt that BTL had become a financial behemoth in its own right, what was critical was that it controlled one of the most vital elements of any modern society and that of a nation, the ability to communicate.

The nationalization was simply a political move which was conceived, planned and orchestrated at the highest levels of government. At the time, the Prime Minister skillfully painted Michael Ashcroft as the proverbial bogeyman, while simultaneously pulling at the people’s patriotic heartstrings. To disagree with the nationalization meant that you were proAshcroft and antiBelize, but I still held my ground and to this day still say that it was a bad idea and could have being handled completely differently.

November 8th, 2017 To tally our country’s nationalization experience - today, we have spent millions upon millions of dollars in litigation, travel and associated expenses in the BTL fiasco and are still in the hole f o r t h e c o m p a n y.

BTL is bleeding at the seams. Revenues are down, service has deteriorated, the company is in need of a massive infusion of cash, while friends and family of the ruling party have benefited big time f r om the c ompa ny and the ultimate insult is that we now have a foreigner running a state-owned company. Do we expect it to get any better? Chances are, not anytime soon.

Has nationalization really worked for the ordinary man on the street? The answer to that is rather obvious. Essentially the debts that are being incurred by the nationalization of BTL, while being paid by

the nation, are rea l l y B T L’s d e b t s .

Trust me I would be hard pressed to find any company in the World today that is making that kind of monies to pay off the monumental nationalization debt that BTL has incurred and that is even more difficult in a Third World economy like ours. But, every now and again when the nationalization Bukut hits us, like it did with the $87 million USD settlement from the CCJ, I like to remind the Belizean people that history has a strange way of repeating itself.

June 23rd, 2013 I n J u n e 2 0 11 , I wrote an article regarding the recent stint of nationalization the PM had just undertaken. It was p r o mis e d th a t th is would have been the only and final round of nationalization but here I am again almost two years later to the day essentially doing the same thing.

I don’t believe that there is anyone within the Cabinet who can accurately tell me what their administration’s economic plan is because it appears to be a haphazard patchwork of varying economic decisions with taxation and nationalization as a key ingredient in it. No amount of explanation will convince me that in this recent case of nationalization was urgent, necessary or so strategic. This nationalization was a political move aimed at distracting the population from the real economic condition of the country and the recent series of scandal that seem

to be plaguing this administration.

June 16th, 2011 What does Cable & Wireless, British Telecom, Amersham International (Pharmaceutical), Britoil (Petroleum), Rolls Royce, British Gas, B r i t i s h Te l e c o m , Associated British Ports, Enterprise Oil, Jaguar/Land Rover, British Steel, Britis h Ra il, Re g io n a l Wa t e r C o m p a n i e s , Electric Distribution Companies and British Airways all have in common? These were all government owned companies which were privatized by British Prime M i n i s t e r M a rg a r e t Thatcher during her reign from May 1979 to November 1990.

In her memoirs she described the sale of state assets as essential to “eroding the corrosive and corrupt effects of socialism.”

I believe that the British PM, although a politician, understood that the state itself must curtail the limits of its involvement in a capitalist democracy. Globally, there are but a very few state owned/controlled companies that I can think of that are competitive, efficient, well managed and not corrupt.

When a company is state run, it allows the government to extend its control far beyond its mandate because it now actively employs individuals. Employment of individuals is a crucial ingredient in the control of citizens since it has control over that person’s financial ability and by extension the means for them to put food on their table.

THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

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PUP Slams GOB Over Crime Situation

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Thursday, July 4, 2019

he People’s United Party (PUP) took time from lambasting the government over the curious BTL/GST conundrum this week to offer its thoughts on an increasing wave of crime, which has seen several mass homicides over the last few weeks. The party says the situation is alarming and highlights the government’s poor efforts at resolving the root problems affecting the Belizean public.

Several sensational murders have grabbed

headlines recently, including a high profile triple murder in Hattieville, a quintuple murder of five Belizean fishers and a double murder of a local tour guide and American tourist, Gary Swank, which generated headlines in big name international publications and led to FBI participation in the local investigation.

In the wake of the onslaught of mass murders, the Ministry of National Security has scrambled to implement measures meant to restore public confidence in the security

forces on the busy island destination. This includes the creation of a task force on San Pedro, a recruit intake of 170 officers and a deployment of additional officers to the island along with several cycles and golf carts.

PUP Caribbean Shores Area Representative, Kareem Musa, who hosted a press conference along with PUP leader John Briceño, stated that while efforts are on San Pedro for now, the rest of the Belizean public also needs assurance for their safety and public confidence.

“It is very unfortunate that we’ve had mass homicides…no doubt there is a lot of alarm on the island of San Pedro and rightfully so because the loss of one American life can spiral out of control and affect their entire livelihoods on that island and we fully appreciate that but we want to urge the Police Department to place emphasis on all murders, for all Belizeans because all Belizean lives matter,” Musa said.

He added that crime is a national issue and added that the party has always extended an olive branch to the government in helping to address the issue with a national plan.

He also noted that “crime is just a symptom; the real issue is poverty and this government has failed to address poverty in this country.” He said GOB has failed to provide quality and affordable education and ample job opportunities for the people of Belize while only applying ‘bandaid’ solutions and as long as that continues, crime will remain an issue.

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Belmopan CitCo

Clears Up SSB Arrears

Thursday, July 4, 2019 he Belmopan City Council has settled arrears it had owed to the Social Security Board (SSB) after reports earlier this month that the Council owed approximately $100,000 in unpaid contributions after an employee was reportedly denied benefits due to the debt. According to Belmopan City Administrator, Ralston Frazer, the matter was overblown and given undue attention.

Frazer told the Reporter that after hearing of the report, the Council moved to investigate the claim. He said that the arrears were settled quickly after hearing of the issue and he confirmed authorizing the payment to SSB. He explained that one employee was told that they could not access their benefits until the City Council’s accounts were brought up to date.

He said instead of reporting the matter directly to the Council, the employee shared that information with the media which led to intense scrutiny of the Council. Frazer said that the matter was an easily fixable issue and added that as soon as it happened, the Mayor and the Council met and decided to pool all resources to address that matter immediately.

Frazer, when asked if the blunder was any indication of the Council’s financial position, reiterated his point that the period from June to November is traditionally a slow season in terms of revenue collection for the Council. He explained that in the beginning of the year, revenue collection is usually higher as citizens make their tax payments.

He said to make up for the shortfall in the following months, the Council adheres to strict budgeting to ensure all its financial obligations are satisfied.

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I

THE REPORTER

A Place in the World

f by any chance you were in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago last week, June 28, 2019, you would have come across The King Show International 2019. The King Show started back in 2017 and is aimed at bringing together a group of transmen, masculine-presenting lesbian, bisexual and queer women from around the globe in order to document, develop and theorize their experiences. This year there were 8 Trans masculine men and masculine presenting women, including our very own Belizean King, Star Reyes. They all competed for the title of King in the King Show International 2019, organized by the I AM ONE TnTs. Star Reyes is a Transman from Belize and is an independent activist in Belize. He is the Secretary of the United Caribbean Trans Network (UC TRANS Network) and also sits on the board of CARIFLAGS. Star strongly believes in setting aside one’s differences and unit-

ing as one to create a bigger positive impact on society. He also believes that everyone deserves to be treated equally regardless of their sexual preferences. Although he didn’t win the title of king, he did win the heart of his colleagues. The third place winner Nic Elahie, Trinidadian King, gave his trophy to Star since in the little time he spent alongside Star, he felt inspired by him.

“It was that moment where I was moved from feeling lonely to being empowered by

my brothers. It’s not about being first place but it was about having a space where often as Trans people we’re invisible. This was awarded to me in a very emotional moment, and I will never forget the energy on that stage.

“Do something with it back home, make us proud, ‘’ I was told as we cried together and we embraced each other in a space of love and compassion. We’re not perfect but love is love and I will die for what I believe in. Thank you for everyone who sup-

ported me on my journey to this International king conference” - Star Reyes.

Star hopes to make the best of these encounters by continuing his work of promoting the lives of Trans men and the challenges they face as well as working towards improving the health education and human rights for Transmen in Belize. Thank you Star Reyes for being an inspiration to other Trans people and for proving that coming together as one, we are stronger.

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THE REPORTER

Sunday, July 7th, 2019

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Sunday, July 7th, 2019

THE REPORTER