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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
Over $600K in fire damages at Exotic Caye Beach Resort
With the help of volunteers from the community and police officers, the fire was brought under control around 4AM. "Three structures (and the laundry room) were destroyed, and each had four units. At the moment of the fire, the units were occupied by tourists. When the security guard saw the fire, he quickly notified our guests and they were able to leave the buildings with most of their belongings. They had enough time to evacuate the area," stated Rodriguez. As such, no-one was hurt as a result of the fire.
The fire comes at the peak of the tourism season, and for the resort that had been booked for this season, affected guests had to be accommodated elsewhere. "The first order of business was to ensure that our guests were taken care of and we managed to put them at a sister resort. Those who were unable to be accommodated at our resort were diverted to other resorts who had offered to assist us."
Minister Heredia Visits Medical School Campus in San Pedro
Washington University of Health and Science (WUHS) takes great pleasure in announcing the visit of the Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation on Tuesday February 3rd 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Upon his arrival the minister met with WUHS Vice President, Peggy Allen who updated the Minister on the community outreach and health care events the WUHS Student Government Association participate in within the community of San Pedro. Following their meeting, the Minister addressed both medical students and faculty, sharing both the history and the future planning of tourism and culture within Belize. After his encouraging address to the entire university medical students and faculty members, the Minister took the time to address and congratulate the Belizean students on their academic success of completing the pre-medical program and WUHS BELIZEAN STUDENTS transitioning into the Doctor of Medicine Program.
Elias Zetina and Mia Cannon to represent the island in Spelling Bee District Finals
The 21st annual National Coca Cola Spelling Bee zone eliminations 2015 are well underway in various parts of the country. For the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, the Zone 5 Elimination took place on Friday, February 20th at the San Pedro Lions Den. After six rounds of eliminations, Elias Zetina of New Horizon Seventh Day Adventists School and Mia Cannon of La Isla Bonita Elementary School emerged as the top Zone 5 spellers.
A total of 14 students from seven different schools participated in the Zone 5 elimination. They were Trevon Habet and Brandon Worthington of Ambergris Caye Elementary School, Lupita Aldana and Andrew Novelo of Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School, Givelie Orellano and Kaiden West of Holy Cross Anglican School, Mia Cannon and Joyce Martinez of La Isla Bonita Elementary School, Aiesha Moreira and Elias Zetina of New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist School, Rachel Alamilla and Ayanna Staine of San Pedro Roman Catholic School, and Emil Nu�ez and Tahryneh Pott of the Island Academy were the participating students.
Castillo's Hardware Ltd. Celebrates 15 years of business with grand raffle
Castillo's Do It Best Hardware has been on the island providing excellent service and best value for 15 years now. This amazing feat can be credited to the hard work and dedication of owners Mr. Alfonso and Mrs. Elida Castillo, who are backed by their loyal staff. Mr. Castillo shared a few words of thanks with supporters who were on hand to witness the celebration. "I would like to express our sincere thanks to our customers - without your loyal support, this wouldn't have been possible�It is our pledge to continue to provide quality service and products for the best value�we feel very blessed and privileged to have been able to open our doors to serve the community of San Pedro 15 years ago, on February 19, 2000�It seems like just yesterday, Ms. Miriam and I, along with one other worker opened our hardware store downstairs at the present Social Security building. We started out with 2,500 sq ft and a hired delivery truck and driver. Today we have 8,500 sq ft when we relocated here in August 2002. We have 15 dedicated staff members, some of whom are serving for over 10 years�Forever thankful to our customers, we have shown our appreciation and gratitude to them by giving back through anniversary and Christmas raffles."
Coast Guard confiscate gill net on Lighthouse Reef Atoll
On Saturday, February 21st the Belize Coast Guard, with the assistance of the Belize Audubon Society, confiscated a gill net illegally placed off of Hat Caye in the Lighthouse Reef Atoll within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The netting caused the death of many fish, including a reef shark and the protected bonefish. The Coast Guard not only removed and confiscated the net, but they also apprehended the fishermen involved in the situation. The Coast Guard was informed on Saturday, February 21st of the whereabouts of the net. Force members stationed at Long Caye were deployed to the scene where the gill net was immediately removed. After further inspection, authorities confirmed that the net was not registered. The gill net had caused the death of close to a hundred fish, including a reef shark and several protected bonefish. The unnamed fishermen face charges of a fine of $500, six months imprisonment, or both, for fishing without a registered net. In addition, they face separate charges for the killing of a protected species.
Ambergris Today
Celebrity Spotting - Steven Jackson of NFL's Atlanta Falcons in San Pedro
In his latest blog post, running back NFL player of Atlanta Falcon Steven Rashad Jackson stated that at the end of the NFL season he took time off to relax and recover to embrace one of his passions: travel. Well Ambergris Today caught up with Steven just as he was ending his vacation in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Technically the NFL football player was enjoying the luxuries of the private island of Cayo Espanto during his stay in Belize. Prior to arriving in Belize, he had toured Panama City, Nicaragua and Antigua, Guatemala. He mentioned that he is very interested in the Maya and had interest in learning more about their culture.
Saga Humane Society Starts Education Seminars at R.C. School
Students discussed humane treatment of animals, cruelty and kindness - San Pedro Roman Catholic School students were in awe of little Trooper on Monday and Tuesday of last week as they learned about this little puppy, abused and abandoned fighting for his life. They learned of Troopers story while attending a Humane Education program delivered by Sandie Betz-Eisenberg, Saga Director of Humane Education.
"Troopers story is a success, but a sad reality, and that is why this education program is so vital to the enrichment of our community," states Betz-Eisenberg.
While on vacation from Canada, two visitors discovered a very disturbing scene while walking on the beach. "A group of boys on the beach were throwing him around like a football,"Julie said as she arrived at Saga Humane Society with this tiny near death puppy in her arms.
Fire at Exotic Caye Beach Resort Destroys Three Buildings
Fire quickly spread from the laundry room onto an adjacent concrete structure with a thatch roof. Security of the resort indicated that the fire fighters arrived around 20 minutes after they called in about the fire, in which two other buildings had caught on fire as well.
By the time the fire was brought under control, the second stories of all three buildings had suffered extensive damage. Nine units of the resort were destroyed, all of which were occupied by guests; luckily all of them were able to evacuate safely.
Misc Belizean Sources
Presentation of donations to the San Pedro Police Department
The San Pedro Town Council cordially invites you to the presentation of donations to the San Pedro Police Department. The event will take place, Thursday, February 26, 2015 at ten o'clock in the morning at the San Pedro police station.
COROZAL TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS -APPOINTMENT OF RETURNING OFFICER AND ELECTION CLERK FOR COROZAL TOWN AND MAP OF POLLING AREAS 39, 40 & 41 AND COUNTING AREA
IT IS NOTIFIED for general information that the Elections and Boundaries Commission, pursuant to Section 18 (1) of the Town Councils Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Belize, has appointed the RETURNING OFFICERS named below for the Town Councils Elections to be held on Wednesday, the 4th day of March 2015, and the Chief Elections Officer, acting pursuant to Section 18(2) of the said Act, has appointed, with the approval of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, the ELECTION CLERKS named below for the said Town Councils Elections:-
RETURNING OFFICER
Mario Tun
District Technical Supervisor
Public Works Department
Ranchito Village
Corozal District
ELECTION CLERK
Fulton Barry Palacio
Agriculture Officer
Agriculture Department
Corozal Town
Mexico Rocks!
It's in stone now. The big wigs have inaugurated and we got the free h'orderves.
Carnaval de San Pedro
If you haven't seen the Carnaval Photographic Exhibition yet, please stop by the House of Culture. The exhibit will run until March 24th.
Do you want to study in the U.S.?
Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy partnered with the Leo Bradley Library to OFFICIALLY launch the FIRST EducationUSA Reference Center in Belize.
The center is located at the Leo Bradley Library in Belize City and features free internet access for U.S. college searches, provides up to date reference books and materials needed to apply and study at colleges and universities in the U.S., provides regularly-scheduled introductory public orientations on U.S. study, information on financial aid, pre-departure information/orientations and other topics based on EducationUSA' s "Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study," participates in college or education fairs, hosting an EducationUSA booth, and provides information on local government and foundation scholarships. The center is staffed by two librarians dedicated providing EducationUSA Advising Services to library patrons.
The opening of this center will serve as the base to explain to Belizean students the incredibly diverse U.S. higher education landscape and decentralized admission process for thousands of U.S. institutions.
2015 Youth Ambassadors
Yesterday the Ambassador had the opportunity to meet with the 2015 Youth Ambassadors traveling to the U.S. on an exclusive exchange program sponsored through Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State. While visiting the Embassy the group had the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador, discuss their upcoming U.S. travel plans, and attend a luncheon in their honor hosted by the Deputy Cheif of Mission at his home.
The Youth Ambassadors Program brings together high school students and adult mentors from countries across the Americas to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities. Youth Ambassador Program exchanges are primarily from Latin America and the Caribbean to the United States, but also include delegations from the United States to select countries.
BOLEDO DRAWING for Wednesday, February 25, 2015: 18
SHJC Dean's List and Merit Awards
Sacred Heart Junior College had an awards ceremony for all the students that made the Dean's List or received Merit awards. Congratulations to all the future leaders!
"SHJC acknowledges and awards our academic achievers"
Wildlife Medicine at the BWRC
The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic has done quite a few surgeries over the years. They did an ovariectomy on a turtle the other day, and Daniel Velazquez was there to record the event. Thanks, BWRC, for saving so many animals!
In related news, they are gearing up for this year's Wild Spring Break, where vet students study abroad in Belize, and get some wildlife medicine experience.
Channel 7
Broad Daylight Gang Shooting In City, But Victim Survives
There hasn't been a murder in Belize City for over a month - and this morning, a 21 year old escaped death when he was the victim of what is believed to be a gang related shooting. 21 Year old Ian Adolphus Jr., was shot to the arm and the chest in broad daylight on Freedom Street in the Port Loyola Area. According to his facebook page, he identifies with one of a nest of gangs in that area. Today, police discussed the shooting:�
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson - OC, Police Precinct 2
"Sometime around nine thirty this morning, police responded to a shooting incident on Freedom street. What they learned was one Ian Adolphus, 21 years Belizean was walking on Freedom street - and upon reaching it's intersection with Justice street, a male person on a bicycle rode up in front of him and fired several shots. One caught him at the right elbow, one to the right shoulder and one to the left side of his chest. The male person then rode off and made his escape. At this time, the victim Adolphus is stable at the KHMH and police are looking for the suspect."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Could you give us an idea - I know the investigation is just preliminary but in terms of a motive?"
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
"It's too early in the investigation to give a motive at this time."
"Exotic" Resort Burns In San Pedro; Firefighters Say Thatch Roof Was Hazard
Early this morning, the Exotic Caye Resort, located on Coconut Drive in San Pedro Town, was the scene of a major fire which destroyed 3 buildings that was part of the compound. The owners of Exotic, which has reportedly been doing business for the last 20 years, must now make repairs and try to recover from over half a million dollars in damages.
The fire started at around 2:30 this morning, and it is believed to have started from inside a laundry room. That fire quickly spread to 3 nearby structures, and the fire officials say that a huge contributing factor to the quick spread of the blaze were the thatched roofs on the buildings.
These 3 buildings were occupied by guests who had booked for the tourism high season, and the quick thinking of the security guard on duty allowed for the resort staff to alert their guests and get them out of the rooms with most of their items intact.
San Pedro Police Will Have Community Meeting
The community of San Pedro continues to be outraged at senseless murder of the 2 year-old toddler Daniel Espat, who was killed in his bed as he lay beside his mother and father. Well, police aren't making much headway, and so, they're appealing to the community, especially residents of the San Pedrito area, to come forward and give them information.
Commanding Officer Luis Castellanos told us this evening, that the investigation is somewhat stalled because they have no leads. So, San Pedro Police has a community meeting scheduled tomorrow in which the residents are being invited to come out and voice their opinions. Castellanos is hoping that the meeting is a step in the right direction to restore the public confidence in the police so that information about this and other open murder investigations can move forward with the help of informants within the community.
Man Charged For Knocking Down and Killing Pablo
As we reported last night, accident victim 58 year old Pablo Martinez died of a heart attack 12 hours after he was knocked down by an 18 wheeler. Before this tragic news, the driver Levi Figueroa was served with a notice of intended prosecution but now that Martinez has passed away, Figueroa has been charged for manslaughter by negligence, driving without due care and attention, failed to keep as close as possible to the right hand side and death by careless conduct. He met bail and is scheduled to re-appear in court in May.
A Titanic Waste of Time
The Magistrates' Court has ruled that Bahamian securities traders Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach were stopped prematurely by police who were trying to stop them from leaving the country. Local Law enforcement were cooperating with agents of the US Government who were trying to prevent both men from going back to their home country. They have been indicted on grand jury charges in the US for securities fraud in which it was alleged that they participated with 4 others in defrauding the US Government of a billion dollars in tax revenues.
Viewers may remember that on September 12, of last year both men tried to leave the country on a chartered flight, and when they went to check in at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, police detained them. That was around the time when an extradition request was being prepared, but hadn't come as yet. So, both men were charged with failing to declare funds over 10 thousand dollars while leaving the country. Informed observers concluded that this was a holding charge to stop the men from leaving while the formal documents for extradition requests were being finalized.
Pressing The Political Panic Button
We're now down to just days before the municipal elections and this is when the political operators in both PUP and UDP camps turn up the panic.
The PUP sure did that today when it sent the Chief Elections Officer a three page letter expressing grave concerns about the Belize City Returning Officer's decision to simultaneously count the city's 85 ballot boxes at 10 different counting stations. They are usually done in aggregate at the ITVET compound, but returning officer Hugo Miranda decided to do it differently. He told the political parties that he will oversee operations from the Elections and Boundaries office. But the PUP says that the letter of the law requires that as returning officer he has to unseal all the boxes himself - and can't delegate counting clerks to do it at the ten counting stations.
Now, Miranda's approach is far more efficient, and it would mean that the counting in Belize City would be finished possibly as early as 10:00 pm - when normally it finishes until morning of the following day.
Selling Tablets Like Pills
In last night's newscast we told you about the over 500 tablets that government distributed to university students. The students we saw were busy trying out their tablets, but at least one of them is giving in to the pull of the marketplace. We found this facebook post today from one of the students who has put his on sale. It offers, "ASUS memo pad 7, sealed in box, for sale or trade for anything of reasonable value..(and that) it needs to go as soon as possible." We called the contact number and the seller told us that he's selling it for 150 Belize dollars and he has more on offer. Now it might seem a cynical twist on a positive initiative, but Minister of Education, Patrick Faber is unfazed. He commented on FACEBOOK today, quote, "There is no other indication that our students are engaging in selling their tablets. As to the post, it is clearly some hater who wants to try and diminish the wonderful success of the government's initiative."
Mexico Wants A Trade Agreement With Belize
Mexico's new Ambassador to Belize Carlos Quesnel presented his credentials to the Governor General three weeks ago. Since then, he and a mostly new senior team at the Embassy have been familiarizing themselves with Belize - a country that calls Mexico its second best trading partner.
Belize's exports to Mexico grew by over 100% in 2014 - which we would say is attributable mostly to cattle exports. And, the Mexicans want the trade relationship to expand. At a media breakfast this morning, Ambassador Quesnel said that they want a trade agreement - and that comes form their President:�
Carlos Quesnel - Ambassador of Mexico to Belize
"The present government, headed by President Enrique Pe�a Nieto, is focusing strengthening our relation with Belize as neighbours and strategic partners. The embassy will work closely with public and private sectors of both countries to facilitate reaching a trade agreement with our countries. Mexico is already the 2nd supplier of foreign products to Belize and there is no doubt a commercial agreement would force and integration between both countries. Mexico also wants to increase it's presence in CARICOM countries. What a better way to do it than through Belize."
Ministry of Health Warns On Measles
Fever, a runny nose, coughing and rashes: those are a few of the common symptoms of measles - now turning up regularly in the USA where there is a measles outbreak. According to 'Reuters', over 123 people are infected in California and most cases are linked to the outbreak at the Disneyland theme park in December. Now, how does this affect us? Well according to Primary Health Care Coordinator Dr. Javier Zuniga, we are at risk but measures are in place to prevent the transfer of this disease to Belize.
Dr. Javier Zuniga - Primary Health Care Coordinator
"The problem is that a lot of people has this mentality that if they get the measles vaccine, that their children will have autism. And that is the association some of the people in the United States have and that notion is false. So not because your child gets the measles vaccine means that your child will have autism. So they're a lot of groups in the US - minority group, like the Mennonites and some others, they refuse to give their children this vaccine."
Inflation Rate Down in January
According to the Statistical Institute of Belize - the inflation rate in January of 2015 was down 1.1% from one year ago. This is owing to a sharp downturn in fuel prices - which also drove down the price of international airfares.
And while the price of beef, pork, fish, seafood and potatoes were up Red Kidney beans, eggs, sweet peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, and watermelon were down - leading to an overall 2.4% decrease in food prices.
Looking at the map, Punta Gorda was the only municipality to record an increase in consumer prices for the month, and that was a marginal 0.3 percent, while Belmopan had the greatest decrease, with an inflation rate of minues 1.8 percent.
Restore and Rotary Team Up
The students at the Queen Square Anglican Primary School got to enjoy their newly built playground set today. A ceremony was held in the school's compound to officially open the park which is equipped with swings, slides and monkey bars - a kid's paradise. Some of partners in the Literacy and Community Development project discussed how this playground will contribute of the student's social development.
The Literacy and Community Development program is a 3 year program. The cost of the playground is over $250,000 Belize dollars.
Lloyd Loving The Solo Life
Lloyd Augustine, you may know him as frontman for the band, Garifuna Collective, which has taken on the late Andy Palacio's torch of spreading Garifuna Music to the world. The Collective has recently been touring the world, but Augustine also has a solo career which he's nurturing.
He's released his second solo album "Yugadan" (yu gada), which features 12 songs that he's held on to for some time, but never recorded. Today, he stopped by and told us why you should pick up his new album:
The album officially launches in Hopkins on Saturday with a concert featuring some of the prominent paranda artists from the south, and Augustine wants everyone to come out. He told us that it's going to be a beach party filled with good clean fun and people celebrating Garifuna music:
Channel 5
Bahamians Acquitted in Magistrate's Court
The trial of two Bahamian nationals who were charged by the Financial Intelligence Unit back on September twelfth, 2014, came to a close today after months before the courts and [...]
Massive Fire Guts San Pedro Resort
An early morning inferno caused over half a million dollars in damages to the Exotic Caye Resort, on the island of San Pedro Ambergris Caye. The twenty year old resort [...]
"Uno" Shot on Freedom Street
This morning, at least six gunshots rang out on Freedom Street, Belize City and when the echoes died away, twenty-one year old Ian Adolphus lay on the ground bleeding. The [...]
Minister Heredia on P.G.I.A. Shutdown
It shook the tourism industry this past Saturday when air traffic controllers at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, called in sick and did not show up to work to land [...]
2 Detained for San Pedro Murder
Two year old Daniel Espat was shot twice to the head at two o'clock on Tuesday morning as he slept in his small family apartment.� His mother, Aleyda Espat, who [...]
P.U.P. Condemns Municipal Elections Procedure
Municipal Elections are exactly one week away, and while the candidates get in their last days of campaigning, Party officials are busy ensuring that the election process is fair and [...]
Are Citrus Growers Being Paid?
A year ago, after weeks of financial instability within the citrus industry, the Government of Belize, along with various stakeholders, including the Social Security Board, the Citrus Growers Association and [...]
Taylor's Alley Youth Claims Police Abuse
Allegations of police brutality in Belize City are commonplace.� Every so often victims would come to our studios to vent their frustration with the manner in which officers go about [...]
Police in Precinct 2 Increase Presence
Bloodshed in the area known as Precinct Two was not so long ago almost a daily occurrence. But as we told you, thing have calmed down in the city while [...]
Queen Square Anglican gets New Playground
There are few parks in the south side of Belize City and where they can be found, the conditions are less than ideal for use by children. So there was [...]
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Expansion Signed Off
The southern tip of San Pedro Ambergris Caye is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan, which is Mayan translation for "Little Channel," was officially established as a protected area [...]
CSME Holds Workshop
The CSME Unit in the Ministry of Trade held a workshop in the Belize City to sensitize key front line personnel on how to handle and tap into opportunities to [...]
Mexican Ambassador Hosts Media Workshop
The new Mexican Ambassador to Belize, Carlos Quesnel Melendez, has hit the ground running. This morning, he hosted the media to breakfast and spoke on some of the projects that [...]
Parandero Lloyd Augustine Releases New CD
Belizean Parandero, Lloyd Augustine, a member of the renowned Garifuna Collective, is releasing a long-awaited solo album entitled Yugadan.� The twelve-track CD is a musical reflection of his life and [...]
CTV3
Fatal Traffic Accident Is Still Being Investigated
Recently, two residents from the North have lost their lives due to road traffic accidents, particularly hit and runs. The first incident was recorded on Monday February 16th whilst Christian Villalobos was walking on the Philip Goldson Highway near mile marker 61 and was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle. The second incident took place over the weekend in Santa Martha Village where David Thiessen, a Mennonite worker was knocked down in a hit and run and left for dead. Officer commanding the Orange Walk Formation, Superintendent Dennis Arnold says that the person they had in custody for the Santa Martha incident was released and the department is awaiting the cooperation of a source that can help in Villalobos' case.
SUPT DENNIS ARNOLD - Officer Commanding, OW Police
"The first one we are still investigating apparently the person who we believe saw what happened apparently they just have to give him some more time maybe he might change his mind and come forward and the second one with Mr Theisen it was just circumstantial evidence so far so we are still investigating both of them, the person we had detained we had to release him and in both cases are cane truck we are looking at."
WHO And CDC Advices Of An Outbreak Of Measles At Disneyland Resort
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advised Belize's Ministry of Health of an outbreak of Measles at the Disneyland Resort in California in the United States of America.
We understand that cases are also being reported in Canada and one case related to the Disneyland outbreak has been reported in Mexico.
Although Measles remains prevalent in many parts of the world, Belize has been free from the disease since 1991. In order to maintain the country's measles free status, the recommended and most cost-effective public health approach is to advise persons to get vaccinated with the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. In Belize, vaccination coverage against measles has been greater than 95% over the last 10 years, according to the Ministry of Health.
Sixty One Year Old Woman Arrested For Drug Trafficking
Corozal Police arrest a sixty-one year old woman for drug trafficking. The arrest was made in Ranchito Village by the Corozal Special Operation Team during the search of the residence of sixty-one year old Rosa Lidia Funes. Authorities report that the team, armed with a warrant, found suspected cannabis almost immediately after entering the house. A plastic bag containing the suspected drug was on a wooden dining table. Funes was alone at the house and was arrested by police. A further inspection of the bag revealed it contained fourteen parcels wrapped in transparent plastic bags. Funes was escorted to the Corozal Police Station where the drugs were weighed in her presence and amounted to 444 grams of Cannabis. She was arrested and charged for the offence of Drug Trafficking.
Sexual Misconduct By Teacher On The Rise
Reports of sexual misconduct by teachers continue to rise across the country. Reports have been made at the University of Belize, at Mopan Technical School and even here in Orange Walk at the Orange Walk Technical High School. The matter as we have reported is being investigated by the board of management of the school. The District education center is also aware of the allegations.
Yesterday, while speaking with Minister of Education Patrick Faber, the media asked him about his efforts to get answers into the reports at least at the University of Belize where allegations are that three teachers have engaged in sexual misconduct with students.
It Is A Fundamental Right For Employees To Vote Says Labor Commissioner
Municipal elections are exactly one week away and thousands of Belizeans will be making their way to the polling stations across the country. The elections are taking place on a weekday which means that the majority of voting population will be at work. Regardless of their job, the law stipulates that employers are to allow employees some time off their duties to go cast their vote. Often times, there are problems surrounding this as reports are made that employers refuse their employees that right. Today we asked Labor Commissioner Ivan Williams just what exactly the law says surrounding this matter and how employers should approach it.
"Workers have a right to go and vote and that is their fundamental right, however depending on and this have to be worked out by the parties because depends where you live and where you are voting, I know at times people like to take more than it is allowed and so that is the challenge in other words it is not week off or so much days off it would just enough to allow you to but it depends again and employers know that relative to their situation there's no specific.
Community Policing Conducted In Orange Walk Town
You may have seen an increase of uniformed police officers around your neighbourhoods but it's not on crime business, instead it is an on-going community policing initiative that is being implemented at the Orange Walk Police Station. Under the directives of the Commissioner of Police all formations across the country are being encouraged to work in partnership with the community to help prevent and reduce crime. Officer Commanding the Orange Walk Police, Superintendent Dennis Arnold, says only by working together can we enhance the quality of life for a safer town.
"Community policing extend way back as I had mentioned earlier so that back in the mid 80's up to the end of the 80's we use to have the saturation duties, this is where Senior officers from all over Belmopan, Belize City would walk on different streets of Belize city greeting people but now they put a tweak to it and they call it Community Policing right the meet and greet so here in Orange Walk we are doing meet and greet...
Police Ready For Municipal Election
Final plans for intensive security arrangements are being put in place for the Municipal elections next week Wednesday. Police presence will be felt at polling stations and on the streets to prevent any election violence and to keep order. We asked Officer Commanding the Orange Walk Police Formation about their plans for town and it appears the entire formation will be out on the streets.
SUPT DENNIS ARNOLD - Officer Commanding, OW Police
"We will ensure that the police officer hold the hundred yards line and we will not take sides the hundred yards line is the hundred yards line; PUP, UDP, NIP have to stay behind the hundred yards line, the media as well, unless you talk to the presiding officer they are the only ones who can give that permission for you guys to be within the hundred yards line, basically we are there merely to assist them right."
Maria Novelo - Reporter
"Usually in elections there is a lot of filed up energy aggressions and stuff like that do you guys have to be safe in terms of if push comes to shove hell broke loose, how is it that we will remain at order?"
Corozal Police Looking For Woman For Obtaining Property By Deception
In Corozal Police are looking for one woman for obtaining property by deception. Forty eight year old Belizean businessman, Eliceo Rivero of Corozal Town, owner of Thunder Bolt Water Taxi, told police that on February fifth he received a call from Tammy Peterson of San Pedro indicating that she was part of the San Pedro Island Sailing Club. Peterson allegedly sought Rivero's water taxi services to move four small sailing boats from San Pedro to Corozal Town on the same day. Rivero says he agreed to do the job for which he charged four hundred dollars. On the day after, Rivero says Peterson called him once more but this time to transport her and eight other persons from San Pedro to Corozal. Rivero charged an additional four hundred dollars for that trip for which he requested that both services which amounted to eight hundred dollars be paid by three that day and Peterson agreed to have someone take the money to boat captain Miguel Dominguez. According to Rivero, Peterson has not made any payments and has not answered his calls. Police are now seeking Tammy Peterson for the crime of obtained property by deception. The San Pedro Police has been informed of the situation.
Belize Labor Department Conducts Education Session Campaign
The Labor Department is on a countrywide campaign conducting a labor education session in all municipalities. The officials are presenting information on the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers under various labor legislations and international or regional commitments that Belize has signed on to. Labor Commissioner Ivan Williams told us more about the objectives of the sessions.
Ivan Williams - Labor Commissioner
"The purpose of this training workshop is to bring the awareness of the legal framework under which employers and workers operate, to hear from the workers the experiences and the challenges and most importantly to try to ensure a proper understanding of the labor legislations and to foster a harmonious relationship in the workplace where right are respected in the workplace and responsibilities working simultaneously in a proper manner."
We asked Williams whether, from their experience, Belizeans are knowledgeable on these rights. Williams says Belizeans need to be more aware of their labor rights as an employer and employee.