AMEN KATIE!!!!

Mayor Says Belize City Is Loveable, Not Most Hated

Last night we told you about the list that appeared on CNN-Go's website. IT placed Belize city at spot number ten on the list of most hated cities in the world. Well, to be fair that list included Los Angeles, Paris, France, and Sydney Australia.

But, no matter what, the Mayor of Belize city says he doesn't like it one bit and challenges the writer to actually visit Belize.

Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council
"I think that these types of websites that do these articles are very unfair. Councilor Espejo brought to my attention the person who is the author of the site has never visited Belize, so how can you make an assessment as to the quality of life of a city if you haven't even gone there. I give no credit to that article. I can tell people that I lived in Belize City for all my life and ask somebody who lives in Belize City what their experience in Belize City has been."

"I have also been told by councilor Espejo who is a member of the BTB Board of Director that BTB will extend an invitation to this woman to come to Belize - to see what Belize is really like and to speak to residence of Belize City and to get an experience for herself so that she is then able to make an accurate report and she is able to say having had firsthand knowledge of what being in Belize City is like."

"I don't give any credit to anything like that if you have not come to our city."

No word yet on whether the writer has accepted the invitation.

Channel 7

Belize earn high rank on Most Hated Cities in the world list

You may have heard of America’s Most Wanted captures in Belize, but there is a report that Belize is one of the most hated cities. CNN Go has released a list of the top ten most hated cities in the world. Belize comes in at number ten, with an article captioned: “Hate Belize? No, no, no. I’d just prefer to be somewhere else”. The article says that while the Jewel has been dubbed “Central America Lite,” “the other Caribbean” and “the gateway to the world’s second largest barrier reef”, Belize City has a reputation as the sorriest port of call on either edge of the Caribbean. But that’s only the start of the criticism. It goes on to say that; “Crime, drugs, dilapidation, welcoming committees of bored, desperate touts, a vibe that screams avoid being out after dark and wait for your real itinerary to begin; Belize City has it all.” Belize’s Director of tourism is quoted as saying that the city is “consistently rated as the worst destination” among cruise passengers. It ends with a final jab that; “something more than the city’s famous swing bridge may need adjusting. Until then, it’s full speed to the puddle jumpers and water taxis.” The damning article was discussed at the P.U.P.’s Press conference this morning and Senator Karen Bodden, who was also an aspirant for mayor in the last election, had this to say.

Karen Bodden, P.U.P. Senator

“Take a close look at the new Belize—a country that was once characterized as being a haven of democracy, now bears the fifth deadliest country in the Americas and the sixth deadliest country in the world. A country that is now known as the murder capital of the region with sixty-seven murders being committed this year so far—and we still have six months to go. Thirty-five of those murders were committed in Belize City; that’s for the period of January to June 2012. A country that hosts the city that is the tenth most hated tourist destination. A country where our national symbols seems to have been replaced by guns, gangs, crime and violence. The current state of affairs in Belize contravenes both the laws of God, which clearly states and I quote; “thou shall not kill,” end of quote. As well as section 2(a) of the constitution of Belize which protects the right of every Belizean man woman and child to life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law. The constitution of Belize, although the supreme law of the land however, is not able to guarantee life or the protection of it in this new Belize.”

The other countries the list are Cairo, Egypt at number nine, followed by New Delhi, India; Jakarta, Indonesia; Lima, Peru; Los Angeles, United States; Timbuktu, Mali; Paris, France; Sydney and Melbourne, Australia and at the top of the list, the number one most hated city is Tijuana in neighboring Mexico.

Channel 5

Ernie you're so cute.....I'm sure there's a line of Ladies who would like to take you on a cruise.....I've heard rumors that some of them might even return with you.

Whatever you and Ernie do, just don't venture out of tourist village when you dock! BTW: Wet Lizard carries the Green Fairy

I aint scared.

No Ernie you and I are not scared. The problem is the impression that people off their cruise ship get. This is what has to change. We take necessary precautions and we do OK. The incidence reports about tourist crime that I have read don't seem too bad.

It gets back to perception. How do you land thousands of people into a troubled city and make it feel great to them? How do you make a statement that the visitors leave with that is, I want to return? That is the problem.

The people I know that have taken a cruise to BZ I can place into two categories. The group that stayed in BC and walked around there hated the place. The group that took buses to tube, the zoo, a ruin, etc absolutely love their time in BZ.

I lived in BC for a while and there are some rules. Stay away for George St, never cross the bridge at night, and do not leave anything in the yard that you want to keep. So basically same as anywhere else.

The person that wrote the article probably has never visited any of the locations they spoke of and only sat in an office and read some data.

BZ has always been on the chopping block with Cruise ships due to the port being inadequate. BZ fixed that but did so by giving two cruise lines sole access to the new port, Big lawsuit. The tourist that drowned while tubing because the operator sent them into a flooded cave, not smart. BZ does have some issues as does any other cruise port, BZ can clean up a bit as we all know.

As far as Marty being safe in BC while shoppping, that is because Katie is there to protect you.

Judyann, could you please give me some names ?

SnoopysMom, I dont know nuthin 'bout Wet Lizards or Green Fairies and plan to keep it that way

Ernie, I would rather not name names.....However, I recently remember a bit of tug-of-war over you at El Divino's Bar.