Today's Belize News: January 18, 2015

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Today's Belize News: January 18, 2015 #500045 01/18/15 04:34 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. Specials and Events Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3 Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials The San Pedro Sun Sargasso all up on our shores! Dear Sargasso Sea, Thank you for being so generous with your bounty, but really, you SHOULDN'T have!! Not last year. Not this month�at least, not this much. Really, it's TOO much!!! We get it; the currents have been depositing the marine plants and refuse into your waters�but sharing sometimes isn't all that caring� Unidentified Woman Found Dead North of San Pedro Town The unidentified remains of a partially-clothed woman were discovered today, Saturday January 17th in the Grand Belizean Estates Area 3 � miles north of San Pedro Town. At approximately 11:30 AM passer-byers on the road that runs through Grand Belizean Estates noticed a foul smell and vultures in a specific area. On closer look they found the body on the north side of the road, lying face down in the mud and water. They promptly notified the police who arrived within minutes to the scene. Due to the advanced stage of decomposition and animal predation, forensic authorities will conduct a post mortem at the scene. Police suspect foul play. Police Report On Wednesday, January 14th, San Pedro Crime Investigation Branch (CIB) and Special Branch (SB) personnel conducted a search at the apartment room of 28-year-old Belizean Willis Estrada Davis and 24-year-old Belizean Christian Smith in the San Marcos Area. A thorough search was conducted inside the room which led to the discovery of 1.1 grams of suspected cannabis. They were both charged jointly for Possession of Controlled Drugs. Solid Waste transfer station on Ambergris Caye to be completed by March The Solid Waste Transfer Station on Ambergris Caye is scheduled to be completed in March, almost two years after the project was expected to be finished. The project is part of the national Solid Waste Management Project (SWMP) which will see the garbage generated from several parts of Belize including Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, transferred to mainland Belize for proper disposal. The transfer station in San Pedro is being built at a cost of almost $1 million, which is part of a larger loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) obtained by the Government of Belize (GOB). It is estimated that annually over 3,500 short tons of solid waste from commercial and residential usage are collected on Ambergris Caye alone. One short ton is equivalent to about 2,000 pounds which indicates that on Ambergris Caye, over seven million pounds of garbage is generated annually. It is projected that by the year 2030 the island would be generating approximately 8,173 short tons of garbage per year or 37.5 million pounds. Saga - 15 years of community service Saga Humane Society recently celebrated its 15th year as a not-for-profit humane organization on Ambergris Caye. In order to know where you are going, it is often said you need to know where you have been� Although the organization was named after one of the founder's dogs, it is an appropriate name as Saga is a seemingly endless story of a community's tireless dedication to its animals. In March of 1999, Dr. Bronwen Eastwood, a Veterinary Surgeon, got together with six other members of the island community (Walker Marchal, Sari Frank, Eileen Jamison, Ruben Gonzalez, Ramon Nunez, and Lane Llewelyn) to form The Saga Society (also known as The Saga Humane Society or just "Saga"). On June 16th of that year, it was officially registered as a non-profit, non-governmental organization under the Laws of Belize, possibly the first of its kind in Central America, as a means to address stray animal challenges. US Student teachers learn to be 'global citizens' while on Ambergris Caye "One of the main objectives of the course is to develop knowledge, skills and disposition in our students so that they can be stewards for the common good," stated Dr. Shelly Fairbairn. Fairbairn, along with two other professors, Dr. Sally R Beisser and Lynda Brown are on Ambergris Caye with 21 students from Drake University located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The students have been divided into three groups, working along with the Belize Strombus gigas Alliance (SGA), Marco Gonzalez Maya Archeological Site and Holy Cross Anglican School. During their 12-day stay on the island, the students have been involved in several projects that have given them a taste of the real world. This is the ninth consecutive year that Drake University has been sending students to Belize and the second time they have done so in January. The January group is on the island as part of their course called January Term. According to the three professors accompanying the students, the personal experience on trips, such as the one on the island, is a life changing one for the participants. "Part of our mission statement is to prepare students to be responsible global citizens," said Dr Fairbairn. Misc Belizean Sources REMEMBERING ANDY PALACIO: BELIZEAN CULTURAL LEGEND! The Day of Triumph: A Glimpse in the Life of World Cultural Icon. The true heroes behind our music are really those first Garifuna fighters who in the 18th. Century on the island of Yurume, St. Vincent, stood up against slavery, colonization, and cultural domination. Andy Palacio Those were the passionate words that a spiritually uplifted Andy Palacio uttered at the World Music Expo, WOMEX, in reception of the internationally acclaimed music prize in Spain in October 2007. He had finally culminated his cultural and musical crusade for the Garifuna people, and laid the seal to the mission to which he was called. The work of this incredible personality in Belizean history was a life that was lived and not preached. His was the life of a splendid character, whom if you had got to know him and the beliefs that embodied and drove his way of life, was the epitome of a humble cultural revolutionary. He was a man from the inception of his career who had a vision to change the present status quo of what today we call Belizean culture and music. He was the quiet warrior, sometimes quite unpredictable, who sacrificed most of his life for a cause that he truly believed in, the liberation of the Garinagu. PlusTV BSI/ASR sends BSCFA back to members or no agreement signing The BSCFA are in limbo as they await the outcome of a discussion between Prime Minister Dean Barrow and ASR. On Wednesday the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) sent a letter, signed by the majority of its members, saying they are willing and ready to sign the agreement with BSI/ASR. As we told you on Thursday, fragments of BSCFA signed the agreement with ASR as the Corozal Sugar Producers Association or CSPA. We also understand that another group, the Progressive Sugar Producers Association or PSPA signed the same agreement with BSI on Thursday evening. Together, officials say the two associations along with other individual reaping groups, registered under the Sugar Industry control Board, surpass the minimum tonnage of 5 thousand tons required to start the crop . All this was happening while old-faithful sat and waited for BSI's response. PM Barrow updates on sugar agreement and BSCFA predicament Prime Minister Dean Barrow met with selective members of the media on Friday. PlusTV was not invited. However, media reports are that the PM said that he does not envision the start of the sugarcane crop without the involvement of the Belize sugar Cane Farmers Association. The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to bash, what he called, the extremist minority, referring to Matura, Ortega and company, and blamed them for the current predicament of the BSCFA. "The ASR position now is precisely the position taken by Matura, Ortega, Teck, and the extremists when they started their campaign to undo the first BSCFA decision to sign. Indeed they filed an application in Court for an injunction to stop the BSCFA from signing without going back to the General Assembly. So it is they that have places this noose around the neck of the BSCFA. For they can hardly be heard to say now that ASR is wrong in merely insisting that what they, the extremists, billed as non-negotiable, is what must prevail Will the fragmented BSCFA protest at Monday's House Meeting? The amendment to the Sugar Act set to be passed on Monday is of historical importance. It changes the very fabric that has governed the sugar industry since its early years of inception. Farmers jumping onboard one of the new Associations say it is a step in the right direction; but not everyone is of the same opinion. As a matter of fact, we have received reports that the BSCFA is planning a protest to coincide with Monday's House Meeting. We contacted Alfredo Ortega, Chairman of the Orange Walk Branch for the BSCFA, to confirm the validity of those reports. He refused to speak on record, nevertheless he told us that the decision to protest is still on the table and that it is up to Chairman Ezequiel Cansino and the other directors to make that call. But Alfredo Ortega is not known to go with the flow. So we asked him point blank, if the majority directors voted against a protest what would be the next move. He said that he will still protest. Government did not follow the law on Sugar Act Earlier this week Attorney General Wilfred Elrington admitted that the Government deliberately ignored a consent order obtained by the United Cane Farmers Association a few years ago detailing amendments to the Sugar Act to de-regulate the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) as sole representative of sugar cane growers. The Government is now belatedly going to the House of Representatives to pass the amendments on Monday but according to president of the Bar Association of Belize, Eamon Courtenay, the law has been violated and it will be difficult to undo the damage. "Every order of the court takes effect immediately upon its being pronounced, unless the order itself suspends its effect or appoints a later date for its coming into force. So, to the extent that there was an undertaking given to the Court, as to the basis on which that case was settled, there was a duty from that date on the Government to do what it promised the Court. Avian Influenza in poultry detected in Cayo District A limited outbreak of Avian Influenza Type A in poultry has been detected in two farms in Spanish Lookout, according to BAHA. The organization has already implemented containment measures in effect prohibiting poultry and poultry products from exiting the affected farms. There are very little clinical signs in the affected birds, and this suggests a low pathogenic infection. BAHA has heightened its surveillance at all other poultry farms. Samples have been sent to a reference laboratory in the USA for confirmation and sub-typing and the results are expected in 4 days. BRC Printing sues GOB The Ministry of Education has been purchasing readers and work books from BRC Printing Ltd since 2009. Over the years, BRC readers have grown into household names. Every year, as part of an unsigned agreement, the Ministry of Education sends a request for a quotation for textbooks to BRC Printing Ltd, who then sends a quote and thereafter the Ministry of Education places its order with BRC. Last year was no different. The Ministry submitted its request in January and BRC followed up with a quote in the sum of over $463 thousand dollars. Then, according to BRC executives, based on the practice developed over time and the legitimate expectation that the Ministry would proceed to purchase its books, BRC began production of the said books. CCJ President visits Belize Belize ascribed to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 2010 as the final appellate court, and has so far sent 29 cases to its seat in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. It is one of only three Caribbean countries to do so, Barbados and Guyana being the others. With the fifth anniversary of its joining coming this year, the Bar Association of Belize this week hosted CCJ's president, Sir Dennis Byron, in Belize for a round of consultations with senior legal, judicial and government officials. Scheduled in between those meetings was a rare sit down with the press on Friday morning, where all subjects save discussion of actual cases before the Court was in play. Sir Dennis reported on progress in the region to expand accession to the appellate jurisdiction of the Court, with several countries expected to make decisions shortly. Bar Association hosts law conference We spoke to President of the Association Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay. "There's a wide range of topics that will take place throughout the day, starting with a discussion by a presenter from England on digital assets. Things like if a person dies, suppose they don't leave a will or if they don't leave a will who has a right to contact [sites like] Gmail [or] Yahoo to get their password. Who has the right to their Facebook and that type of thing? So there have been cases in that area, and she will be talking to us about that. Then we get into the criminal reform. There are some significant reforms that are being proposed, and are very near implementation in Belize. For example, anonymity of witnesses, circumstances in which witnesses will be able to give evidence in cases from remote locations, and no one knowing who they are. Parents plan picketing over late school bus runs Many children who attend school in rural areas depend on the public transportation to take them home after school. In some instances, however, the Ministry of Education makes arrangement with a Bus Operator to transport the children to and from school. The St Margaret Mary Primary School in St Margaret's village in the Cayo District sits on the Hummingbird Highway, and 60 of its students are ferried to and from school by a Ministry of Education Contracted Bus owned by Westline. According to the School's Administrators, the bus line has been coming to pick up students extremely late in the evenings. This is putting the lives of the kids at risk, as some of them still need to walk a couple of miles to reach their homes in the dark of night after being dropped off. On Friday evening, the 60 kids waited at the school until 6:15 pm, before the Westline Bus came and picked them up. Butane prices down by more than $10 per 100 pound cylinder There's some good news directly affecting the pockets of consumers. The price of LPG has dropped by $11 or $12 per 100 pound cylinder depending, on the mixture of propane to butane. Compared to 2014 LPG, prices are at an average of $32.00 lower on the 100 pound cylinder. Man walking home with 6 year old son was shot There was another shooting in Belize City on Thursday night just before 8 PM. 33-year-old George Matthews of Lacroix Boulevard was shot twice; to the left arm and the lower back. According to police, Mr Matthews was walking home along with his 6-year-old son, and when they reached on Lacroix Boulevard Extension a perpetrator came out from behind a fence and fired several shots at him, causing his injuries. George Mathews was admitted to ward in a stable condition. Independence Police Officer Arraigned for unlawful sexual intercourse P.C. 860 Patrick O'Brien was arrested and charged for the crime of 'Unlawful Sexual Intercourse'. He was arraigned on January 14 and was escorted to the Hattieville Prison on 15th January, 2015. P.C. O'Brien was accused of carnally knowing a girl while she was 15 years old. The matter attracted attention when the nude picture of the girl, allegedly sleeping on a bed at the police barracks, made its rounds on Face Book. His case was adjourned until 14th April, 2015. Trio caught visiting Belize illegally The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) recently celebrated having more than 1.2 million persons from around the world visiting Belize by airplane, cruise ship or otherwise, but a trio from Mexico are accused of failing to obtain a permit to come and stay here.. 61 year old Michael Huston of Australia, who captains the sailing boat Pristiq, and passengers 30 year old Marketa Rychecka and 34 year old Frantisek Gaspar of the Czech Republic, pleaded guilty to illegal entry before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart and paid fines of $1,000 each, avoiding jail time. On Friday morning, they docked the boat at the Radisson Fort George Hotel's marina after coming from San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Immigration officers visited the boat and checked the passport of Michael Huston, which indicated he did not have a visa or permit to stay in Belize. Frantisek Gaspar and Marketa Rychecka were caught at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, where Rychecka was attempting to board a flight to the United States. Her passport indicated no visa or permit to stay in Belize, while Gaspar did not have a passport or other identification at all. There is no indication if the trio face deportation from Belize. Security guard charged with assault of teenager A 14 year old teenager accuses a man nearly three times her age of assaulting her earlier this week. On January 13, according to the minor, 55 year old Adrian Cruz inappropriately touched her in her private area. Adrian Cruz, a security guard, pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual indecent assault before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart, who agreed with prosecutors that Cruz should not be offered bail. The prosecutors contended that Cruz may interfere with the complainant, is a flight risk and asked that the girl's status as a minor be taken into consideration. Caye Caulker Chronicles Caye Caulker Fuels holds Christmas Raffle Caye Caulker Fuels held their annual Christmas Raffle on December 22, 2014 providing customers the opportunity to win fabulous prizes every year as a part of Customer Appreciation since its inception. Mr. Noel Blanco of Caribe�a Enterprises along with Miss Caye Caulker Lobster Fest, Ms. Britney Ysaguirre, who picked out the winning tickets were on hand to conduct the raffle. Third place was first called out and winner of a picnic ham was Carlos Ayala, a well known Tour Guide, Second place went to Eduardo Hernandez who won a gift certificate valued $100 to purchase fuel or supplies from the gas station, first place went to Leon Gordon who won an LG flat screen TV. A heart Congrats to all those winners! The Management and Staff of Caye Caulker Fuels thanks their valued customers for their support and patronage throughout the years and they look forward to serving the general public during 2015 and onwards. The Belize Times PUP's Revolutionary Education Agenda - New ideas will unleash Creativity and Technology Leader of the People's United Party Hon. Francis Fonseca today introduced revolutionary ideas which the next PUP Government will pursue for today's old education system to undergo much-needed transformation which will allow teaching and learning to become more relevant and productive in the present technologically-advanced society. "The next PUP Government will lead the way in making relevant and meaningful investments in new, bold and appropriate technologies that can support modern methods of teaching and learning from pre-school to universities," declared Hon. Francis Fonseca to the energetic crowd of young people as he unveiled the "Education Agenda" at Independence Hall in Belize City. Finnegan lashes out at UDP CitCo for Dean St. disaster When it comes to talking the ugly truth about the UDP Belize City Council's term in office, being "magnanimous" is the last thing in UDP senior politician and party whip, Michael Finnegan's mind. There is clearly bad blood between him and UDP Belize City Mayor Darrel Bradley. On Monday, January 12th, Finnegan personally called into Wave Radio's "Wus Ting Da Mawning show" to bash the Mayor for the infrastructural disaster in the Mesopotamia constituency. Finnegan told the show hosts Joe and Fonso that the Mayor has really messed up parts of Mesop. He pointed specifically to Dean Street between West Canal and Collet Canal, where the water rises and remains stagnant for days following a brief period of rain. PUP to GOB: Roll out Petro-Caribe Support for Cane Farmers The People's United Party has called on the Barrow Administration to urgently provide financial support to the cane farmers through available Petro-Caribe funds. As a result of the impasse with American Sugar Refinery, and a prolonged delay in the start of what was supposed to have been a 2014/2015 crops season, cane farmers in northern Belize have suffered tremendous economic loss and hardship with no delivery of sugar cane. The Barrow Administration has virtually abandoned the cane farmers, leaving them to be crushed under ASR's might. Faced with the realities of economic loss, throughout the Christmas season and now as schools are about to resume, the cane farmers called on their association, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, to provide support using the funding available. The BSCFA was able to meet the request of such spending prior to Christmas, disbursing $2.5 million, but a second request has placed the Association's future in trouble. THINK ABOUT IT In their hour of need, the Cane Farmers of the North have been betrayed by the Prime Minister. Just when they needed their leader of government to provide them with leadership and get the crop season started while negotiations with B.S.I. continue, the Prime Minister sold them out. For the first time in history, ca�eros were treated like the Taliban. They were called radicals and made to understand that the power of their government was completely against them. Like the last paragraphs of George Orwell's book, Animal Farm, the pigs in charge of the farm looked and talked and walked just like the new investor humans who came to negotiate business. The Prime Minister clearly sounded like ASR/BSI. He behaved like ASR and he adopted all of ASR'S arguments. Death Knell for an Industry Prime Minister Dean Barrow bared his fangs and snarled at the cane farmers in a press conference last week Thursday. It was a frightening sight to see and a very disturbing expos� of the position taken by this, the leader of our country. The cane farmers had been locked in an impasse with multinational company American Sugar Refinery (ASR) who in 2012 bought majority shares in Belize's sugar cane industry. By coming out and openly siding with ASR in the fight, the Prime Minister practically pulled the rug from under the feet of Belize's 5,300 sugarcane farmers. As was also revealed in the press conference, no other than the nephew of the Deputy Prime Minister (who also serves as the minister of agriculture and the man responsible for the industry), has been busy convincing farmers to break away from the long established Belize Sugar Cane Farmers' Association (BSCFA) and form another association. The farmers had received an infusion of hope and energy when their cause was taken up by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and in particular firebrand attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd. UDP Politics as Usual� In terms of this crime thing, can we realistically expect 2011 to be any different from 2010? Can we expect a decrease in murders, in home invasions, in assaults, in robberies and shootings and thefts? The government has offered nothing different from 2010 - no new initiatives, no new agenda, no new plans, no bold, visionary ideas. There is nothing new coming out of the Ministry of Police, nothing new coming out of the Police Department. Operating Restore Belize is still putt-putting merrily along on the wings of a song. Poverty is increasing apace, as is unemployment. Frustration and desperation are heading on up. There have been no social programs offered and no move to address the school dropout rate. There is still no state of the art forensic/DNA lab which Mr. Barrow promised something like three years ago. He continues to promise the lab periodically but still nothing. That's all we've gotten from this government - NOTHING. The Minister of Police did his media thing the other day but while he may be cute (or not) we were given NOTHING concrete, nothing to base our hopes for better on. So far 2011 isn't looking all that great� Editorial: Francis vs. Barrow - The Difference is Clear After seven years as Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow has turned out to be the biggest disappointment since Melting Pot Disco closed. Those seven borrowed years have been brutal to the people of Belize. By all types of measuring stick, Barrow has come up very short. The most murders ever to occur in the country have happened during his tenure. The most incursions into Belize by Guatemalans have taken place under Barrow. The most Police abuses against citizens have become common place during Barrow. The worst kinds of plunder, daylight cronies stealing of public monies and Ministerial corruption have been under his watch. Buttonwood Bay Nazarene & BES girls lead basketball competition The Buttonwood Bay Nazarene School and the Belize Elementary School girls each have 3 wins and are leading the Belize City primary school basketball tournament. On Monday, January 12th the Buttonwood Bay girls posted their 3rd win in 5 outings: 3-0 against the St. Luke Methodist School girls with Alliyah Moore scoring 2 points. Last Monday when the tournament resumed after the Christmas break, the Belize Elementary girls had also blown away the winless St. Luke's girls: 12-2; with BES' Allyana Musa scoring 12 points while Deandrea Parham scored 2 points for St. Luke's. Holy Redeemer RC & St. Luke's boys win in primary schools basketball The Holy Redeemer RC School and the St. Luke's Methodist School boys both posted wins when the Belize City primary schools basketball tournament continued on Monday, January 12. The St. Luke's Methodist School boys won 18-14 against the Buttonwood Bay Nazarene School boys; with St. Luke's Justin "Akon" Menzies scoring 15pts, while D' Shon Staine and Edmond Flowers scored 5 pts each for Buttonwood Bay. OCB Wavemakers win Boom to Manatee Lookout canoe race The OCB Wavemakers: Chris Guydis, Jerry Rhaburn and Wilberto Daniels won the 2015 annual Burrell Boom-Manatee Lookout canoe race organized by the Belize Canoe Association on Saturday, in preparation for the 16th annual Ruta Maya River Challenge coming up over the Baron Bliss Day weekend in March. The next race comes up on Saturday, January 24, from Haulover Bridge to Burrell Boom. Here are the results: 1st Team/1st Male Category - OCB Wavemakers - 1:17:48 2nd Team/2nd Male Category - N.I.C.H.'s Alex, Felix & Efrain Cruz - 1:17:49 "Boots" Victimizes Fire Victim for Supporting PUP Dear Editor, The denial of housing assistance to Port Loyola fire victim and single mother, Rose Williams, is one of the most outrageous, spiteful, unconscionable, and heartless acts of political victimization by the Area Representative Anthony "Boots" Martinez. One year ago a fire completely gutted Miss Williams' home. As a result of the blaze she and her children were left homeless, and they were unable to save any of their belongings. Once I became aware of the unfortunate situation, I immediately rendered some financial assistance to the family. On the other hand when Miss Williams approached the elected Area Representative for housing assistance, "Boots" Martinez told her that she has no help to receive from him, because she is a supporter of Gilroy Usher, Sr. and PUP. Lawsuits against GOB: A cost to taxpayers Dear Editor, Of late, a number of lawsuits have been brought against the Government of Belize (GOB) some of which have resulted in GOB having to pay thousands of dollars in compensation. While I celebrate the sufficient empowerment of people to resort to the courts for redress, I am also keenly aware that any monetary penalties levied against GOB, is paid by taxpayers. In most instances it appears to me that liability suits against GOB appear to have resulted from personnel/worker culpability. Good agencies strive to have clear policies and procedures to protect themselves from potential liability resulting from personnel/worker malpractice. Good agencies have personnel/workers sign that they have read and understood agency policies. Further, some agencies have personnel/workers purchase malpractice insurance. As a social work grad student in Oklahoma, United States of America, I had to purchase malpractice insurance with liability limits to the tune of One Million dollars. Without this no social work agency would admit me into practice. More Autonomy for Village Councils Dear Editor, If you take a quick glance at the average budgetary allocation for out-district communities, it is approximately $6,000 to the duly elected Area Representative to be spread among, for example in Stann Creek West, approximately 20,000 people, which would give a measly 30 cents for assistance, per month, per person! What can you do with 30 cents? Buy a small pack of soda biscuits? Out-districts have very little autonomy and do not have the ability to take advantage of 1). The collection of property taxes, 2). The collection of trade license fees and 3). The submission of estimates of revenue and expenditure to the Minister of Finance. In this article I will focus on just how important and how easy it is for villages to gain more financial autonomy, especially villages that have a high level of tourism investment, such as Placencia, Seine Bight and Hopkins. Searching for my family Dear Editor, I am writing as I am looking for any family that I may have in Belize. My name is Raymond Willis Oliver. Dorothy Willis and Joseph Gillett married at the civic centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on 15th June 1968. I heard that Dorothy, Thaddeus, Juanita and Tanya went to Belize in 1968.I heard that Dorothy and Thaddeus were legally separated in 1971 or 1972. Dorothy moved to Belize City living in a small hotel for 2 years before moving to USA it is thought and Thaddeus also known as Teddy, moved with my two sisters to live in Corozal Town with a common law wife whose name I don't know. Teddy died and my 2 sisters continued to live with the common law wife until possibly 1979. After that I have no information. I know it is sketchy but if you could possibly publish this in your paper and if anyone could contact me on [email protected] I would greatly appreciate it. I will be visiting Belize this April-May. REFLECTIONS ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE - THE SUGAR CRISIS By Francis W. Fonseca On Monday January 12th, 2015 the People's United Party held a Press Briefing to outline for the Belizean people our Party's position and concerns regarding the present crisis in the Sugar Cane Industry. I presented the following points: The crisis in the Sugar Industry is not one which we in the PUP seek to exploit for political advantage. This is a national issue. The great majority of the cane farmers are already supporters of our Party whom we represent in the National Assembly. We care deeply about the Ca�eros, their families and their livelihood. The Sugar Industry is the lifeblood of the North and its survival and success is vital to our national economy. This Industry has had a long history of growth and development based on a working tri-partite relationship including the Farmers, the Miller (BSI/ASR), and the Government of Belize. Each of these parties has a critical role to play in the work of the industry and must be valued and respected. Kudos, Rosita Baltazar!! On December 17 last year, just before Christmas, Rosebud's Dance School presented its Christmas Recital at the Ladyville Community Center. The fact that there is a full-fledged dance school right in Ladyville makes me quite excited. For many years as a child and then as a teenager, I danced with the Mary Valdes School of Classical Dance (Ballet), and the love of dance is still very much a part of me. Needless to say I am thrilled that Rosebud's Dance School was able to hold an exquisite recital of dance in my home village/municipality. In attendance were veteran dance instructor and choreographer Sistie Fairweather Harmes, Village Chairman Albert Magdaleno, and myself, as well as many adoring moms, dads and relatives of the girls who are members of Ladyville's first dance school. Fisherman murdered in speedboat shooting Already there have been five murders and it is just mid-January. 29 year old Pedro Aldana is the latest homicide victim and the Police are trying to figure out who is responsible for this crime. The method of the murder is also strange, as it is believed that the gunman or gunmen were travelling on a speedboat along the New River which runs right through Belize City. Aldana was inside his fishing boat near Belcan Bridge when it was approached by another fishing boat in which the attacker travelled. Two shots were fired, which caught Aldana in the abdomen. He died inside his boat. Reports are that Aldana had just returned from dropping off a friend at Conch Shell Bay. They had gone fishing earlier in the day. Hon. Dolores continues the support in Belize Rural Central Continuing her energetic outreach to Belize Rural Central Communities, Hon. Dolores has recently contributed to a special children's party in Mahogany Heights. Also she has made a significant financial contribution towards school fees for seven needy children who attend St. Agnes Anglican School in La Democracia. The photos show Hon. Dolores handing a cheque to Chairlady of Mahogany Heights Nurse Raquel Vega and also the presentation of funds to Principal and Teacher Pamela Neal and Kamel McFadzean, along with the parents and children. Patrick Jones Belmopan Bandits 3-Peat for PLB Football Competition The packed Football Stadium in Belmopan was a testament to the love of the game called Football in Belize. Fans for Police United Football Team and Belmopan Bandits brought life to the stadium and energy to the players as each fan had his/her say. In the end [�] Belize City man fatally wounded near his home A man was fatally injured in an assault tonight in Belize City. Details are not yet fully known, but the victim has been identified as Denver Villafranco, a resident of Police Street. According to reports received, Villafranco who is a volunteer of the Belize Defence Forec (BDF), was accosted and [�] Good weather for Belize the next couple of days Fair weather is prevailing over our area this weekend. The general forecast for Belize and her coastal waters is for partly cloudy skies on Sunday with only isolated showers expected. Winds over the open sea and along the coast will be northerly to north-westerly at five to fifteen knots. The [�] Security guard charged with assault of teenager A 14 year old teenager accuses a man nearly three times her age of assaulting her earlier this week. On January 13, according to the minor, 55 year old Adrian Cruz inappropriately touched her in her private area. Cruz, a security guard, pleaded not guilty to a charge [�] Protest in support of cane farmers planned for Monday in Belmopan The House of Representatives will meet in special session in Belmopan on Monday. But parliamentarians will have company on Independence Hill as a call went out today via a press release for Belizeans to come out for a protest in front of the National Assembly. According to the press release, [�] Trio caught visiting Belize illegally The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) recently celebrated having more than 1.2 million persons from around the world visiting Belize by airplane, cruise ship or otherwise. But a trio from Mexico is accused of failing to obtain a permit to come and stay here. 61 year old Michael Huston [�] Blogs Camp Belize is almost upon us This one is for all you Jerry Jeff Walker Fans, Camp Belize 2015 is almost upon us! Every year for the last 15+ years, Country Music fans have enjoyed performances by none other than Jerry Jeff Walker himself. This year is no exception. On Tuesday and Friday January 20, 23, 27 & 30 JJW will once again wow the crowd at at Fido's. There are a group of diehard fans flock San Pedro as well. "VIP" Laminates are sold from the JJW website for 2 separate weeks (the first starts tomorrow) and then again beginning next Sunday. According to Jerry Jeff's website, online passes are sold out, but Fido's still has a few for sale. Both Tuesday and Friday shows; $150.00 USD and for a single show $100 USD. Although the dates above are the only official dates for the actual concerts, the members of "Camp Belize" are known to go around town and do a bit of jamming (otherwise known as "Picking Parties") at local restaurant/bars. GORGEOUS WEATHER, A Look at the Renamed Wet Willy's Bar and a Very Strange Sighting on Ambergris Caye, Belize I walked by the FORMER Wet Willy's Bar & Restaurant - now Di Vu. I received an email from a resident saying this: A resident of South Ambergris Caye has been very concerned with something going on around his home on the island. He has installed security cameras to try and figure it out but it has only led to additional questions. He gave me two images from his security camera and I am attaching them hereto. Apparently this is terrifying the dogs so that they don't want to go outside and these were the best shots they got. The images are taken at night so they aren't clear AT ALL. But described as a "Furry Beast"� International Sources Teacher Organizes Exciting Trip to Belize This upcoming spring break, Berkeley High science teacher Russell Campisi is planning to take BHS students on a trip to Belize. Under the guidance of a research team from the Oceanic Society, Campisi will take students first to a dolphin hot spot, Turneffe Atoll, and then other wildlife-rich areas in Belize. Students will get the chance to explore Turneffe Atoll, which is the largest and most biologically diverse coral atoll in the Western Hemisphere. The trip is in association with Ecology Project International and offers a unique opportunity for students to embark on an ecotourism trip to the area of Belize, which is full of wildlife. Students will snorkel, meet other people from within the Berkeley community who are also going, and observe animals such as jaguars and dolphins. Students will also work with graduate students from the Belize area and conduct experiments based on hands-on activities they will do throughout the trip. Data will be collected and analyzed from that day's activities. Videos Wander: Journey from Belize to Guatemala, 4min. Some of our highlights from our journey through Central America, exploring Mayan cities, filming the StreetStore project, staying in a tiny island in Belize and crossing all the way to Guatemela by busses, cars and boats. We've been so impressed by the kindness and smiling attitude the locals have here, even by Guatemalan's who have 70% poverty rate. Places visited: Belize: Caye Tobacco (Paradise Lodge) Guatemala: Tikal, Flores, Semuc Champey, Guatemala City, San Pedo (Lago de Atitlan), Antigua Belize 1st Dive google tv, 6min. Belize 2015, 4min. A short slideshow of pictures from our trip to Ambergris Caye and the Cayo district in Belize. What a great time we had!! Day2 - Belize City, Belize, 3.5min. Belize Yacht Club Resort, San Pedro, Belize, 1min. San Ignacio Resort Hotel, San Ignacio, Belize, 4min. Robert's Grove Beach Resort, Placencia, Belize, 5min. Belizean Shores Resort, San Pedro, Belize, 4min.