The August 18th, 2013 issue of The Capital Weekly is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

  • Belize In the Foreign Press: Miami Herald Headlines Norwegian Cruise Project:
    Norwegian Cruise Line has bought two islands in southern Belize to develop as a port of call for its western Caribbean cruises. The line announced Wednesday that it had bought 75 acres in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts that previously were approved for development of a resort. Norwegian plans to invest $50 million in the Harvest Caye project, which it expects to complete in 2015. "While the master plan for the 75 acres is still under development, the vision is to create a world-class cruise destination, consisting of two locations: an island destination with docking/ tendering facilities and a mainland connection point for inland tours," Norwegian said in a press release. "Major components of include a floating pier, island village with open-air structures on raised platforms, marina, transportation hub for tours to the mainland, a lagoon for a variety of water sports and a relaxing beach area. The goal is to design an authentic experience grounded in the storyline of nature, ancient culture, art, adventure and music that celebrates Belizean, Mayan and Garifuna history and culture."
  • Creations for the Celebrations!:
    It's an old tradition that was somehow lost along the way, but has been reclaimed and rekindled since 2008. And it has now become one of the most anticipated events associated with the Annual National September Celebrations. It's the National Song Competition, and it was held this past weekend at the Memorial Park in Belize City. Broadcast live on all the major national television and radio stations, the event attracted a large crowd. When the night was over, the winners that emerged in the three categories were as follows: In the Junior Category, First place went to Jael August who received $1,500.00 and a trophy; and second place was taken by Marilyn Vansen who took home $1,000.00 and a trophy.
  • Belmopan's Queen of the Bay Competes in National Pageant:
    Miss Mikayla Banner is the 2013 Queen of the Bay for Belmopan City. She won the title on Friday August 2, 2013, competing among four other ladies in the Queen of the Bay Pageant which was held at the University of Belize Gymnasium in Belmopan. Mikayla Banner will represent Belmopan in the National Queen of the Bay Pageant 2013, which starts August 17 with the Talent Night, and culminates August 30 at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts in Belize City. For residents of the area who wish to attend and support, a bus leaves Camalote at 4:30 PM Saturday August 17, and from Belmopan at 5:00 PM. Fare is $10.00. Let's Support our lovely Queen.
  • Please, No More Distractions!:
    In our last edition, we wrote about distractions that can affect the focus of the current administration, and at last Wednesday's Special House Meeting, we saw a very good example- a good example of a bad thing, that is. The biggest issue of the day was the motion that fittingly sought to bring the former Prime Minister and current Leader of the Opposition to account for the great injustice they inflicted on the Nation in signing away major giveaways through tax write-offs to a foreign Billionaire on the backs of the hardworking People of Belize, and attempting to bind the current administration to the perpetuation of the unholy arrangement.
  • University of Belize Awards Scholarships:
    The University of Belize has awarded scholarships for the new school year to a total of 83 students. The students were awarded the scholarships at the University of Belize Scholarship Award Ceremony at the Jaguar Auditorium, Central Campus in Belmopan on Friday, August 9, 2013. The awards to the students were in three categories: Barton, UB Alumni Association, and Student- Athlete Scholarships. The Barton Scholarship fund provides full and partial scholarships to students enrolled in University of Belize's Associate and Bachelor Degree programs. A total of 15 students were awarded this scholarship. Funding for this scholarship is provided through annual support from one of the University of Belize's benefactors, Nick and Debbie Barton from the United Kingdom.
  • Investing in the Future of Belmopan: Saldivar & Recondev Donate to El Shaddai Primary School for Computers:
    Minister of National Security and Area Representative for Belmopan, Hon. John Saldivar, in conjunction with the Reconstruction Development Corporation (RECONDEV), has donated $3,000 to El Shaddai Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in Belmopan to assist in purchasing computers for the School. Hon. Saldivar presented the cheque of $3,000 on Monnday, August 5, 2013 to Vice Principal Valentine Diego at the School's campus on Macal Street in Belmopan City. Accompanying the Minister was Chairman of RECONDEV Rodney Neal and the Corporation's General Manager Hector Sabido.
  • Taiwan Donates $40,000 to Belize for Celebrations:
    His Excellency David .K. Wu, Ambassador to Belize from the Republic of China (Taiwan) on Wednesday August 7, 2013 donated a check for $40,000 Bze to the Co- Chairperson of the September Celebrations Commission, Diane C. Haylock at the House of Culture in Belize City. In his presentation, His Excellency David K. Wu Wu voiced his pleasure in being able to contribute to the 32nd anniversary celebrations of Belize's Independence and the 215th anniversary of the Battle of St. George's Caye. In accepting the donation, Co- Chairperson of the September Celebrations Commission expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Chair Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. to the embassy for their continued show of friendship and solidarity to the people of Belize and conveyed that the money will be used to enhance various cultural activities on the calendar of events this year.
  • Orientation Luncheon for Belizean Students to Study in Taiwan:
    to Study in Taiwan Last Saturday, August 10, 2013, an Orientation Luncheon was held for 26 Belizean Students who have obtained full scholarships from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to begin studying in that Country in the upcoming academic year. Saturday's event, hosted by the Taiwanese Ambassador in Belize, H.E. David Wu, was called the Belize Taiwan International Collaboration Development Fund Alumni Society Scholarships Orientation Luncheon, and it was held at the Chateau Caribbean Hotel where the recipients gathered with past recipients. In an interview with Love TV, Ambassador Wu noted that this is the largest number of students to be granted such scholarships at the same time.
  • Oak Foundation donates $2 Million for Pediatric Care Unit:
    The Ministry of Health was pleased to be a part of the announcement by Ms. Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children on the generous donation of two million dollars from the Oak foundation towards the construction of the new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
  • Technical Mission on Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer:
    The Ministry of Health has been selected as one of the participants in a global project with the goal of "Strengthening policy frameworks to reduce premature death toll from Non-Communicable Diseases." As part of the project, a technical mission led by regional consultant, Silvana Luciani, Pan American Health Organization's Washington Office was in country from the 15th to 10th, July to advance work in the area of national plans for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer.
  • Mental Health Annual Workshop:
    The eleventh Annual Mental Health Workshop was held from July 18th - 20th in Placencia Village under the theme, "Integrating Quality into Mental Health Care. In a short opening ceremony to welcome the participants, Dr. Phillip Castillo encouraged the nurses to elevate the conversation to improve what exist in Mental Health while, Matron Augustina Elijio ask the nurses to adhere to principles, ethics, scope of practice and standards at all times when carrying out the duty of nursing. Mental Health Program Nursing Administrator Eleanor Bennett welcomed and introduced Dr. Wesley Quimbo, Psychiatrist for Ministry of Health; he takes over from Dr. Claudina Cayetano who moved on to PAHO earlier this year.
  • Vector Control gets pickup trucks to increase ULV Spraying of Mosquitoes:
    The Government of Belize recently purchased two 2013 Great Wall - Wingle 4 x 4 pickup trucks for the vector control program to assist with Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spraying in the Corozal and Toledo districts. The total cost of both vehicles was BZ$78,800.00. One of the trucks was handed over to the Northern Region and the second pick-up was sent down south to do work in the Toledo District. The Ministry of Health has stepped up its surveillance and interventions to prevent dengue - from health education, mass larviciding, to ULV spraying.
  • Suspected Bovine Rabies Case Notified:
    The Ministry of Health is hereby notifying the public that a suspected case of bovine rabies (rabies in cow) was reported on the 24th of July 2013 by Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) in the New Road Area of the Toledo District. While there is no confirmed case as yet, the public is reminded that periodic cases are seen in the country alluding to active circulation of the rabies virus. Officials of the Ministry of Health and BAHA will contiue to monitor the situation and we encourage you to report any suspected case.
  • Which is your "Last-Days" Attitude?:
    The pages of history are filled with the memoirs of those who assisted in evil and those who labored and sacrificed to reverse it and to do good. Then there were those who just observed; those who chose not to get involved thinking that their very own survival was at stake. This same scenario plays out in our world today. The recent events in our own nation have proven that these three aforementioned attitudes also exist. Although the "observers" in the war between Good and Evil may be okay in the court of public opinion, God's Word places them in one of the two categories. The truth is that when we remain silent and untroubled amidst all the mayhem, we are joining forces with those that oppose good. We must reflect on the Scriptures to determine which attitude we must choose, especially in these Last Days.
  • Revolutionizing Public Transportation: South Korea and Belize Collaborate to Forge Master Plan:
    A Major undertaking is in the making that promises to revolutionize and modernize Belize's Public Transportation System. It's a collaborative undertaking between the Government of South Korea through the Korea Development Institute and the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Public Utilities and other relevant Ministries and Departments. A meeting took place two Mondays ago, on August 5, 2013 at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City between the relevant bodies to begin forging and formulating a Transportation Master Plan for Belize. The meeting follows the signing of a bilateral agreement some time ago with the Government of the Republic of South Korea through its Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
  • Staying in Touch with the People: Saldivar Holds Belmopan Neighbourhood Meetings:
    More than a hundred and fifty residents of Belmopan came out last Wednesday, August 31, 2013 to a town-hall style meeting conducted at the Governor General Field at the Corner of Libertad Street and the Ring Road. It was only one in a series of neighborhood meetings held by Honorable Saldivar in every zone of the electoral division that he serves, the Belmopan Constituency. It is a very effective way of staying in touch with the people, keeping them informed about ongoing developments, about the work of their Government and Area Representative, and to hear and address their concerns and issues. Following the meetings, residents also get to speak one and one with their Area Representative and discuss whatever personal issues and concerns they might have.
  • NBA Champion Inspires Young Belizeans:
    Former NBA player, Derek Anderson delivered a Motivational Speech on Entrepreneurship to basketball players and members of the surrounding areas of Belmopan on Thursday August 8, 2013 at the Jaguar Auditorium, University of Belize, Central Campus, Belmopan. He is one of 13 players who won an NBA Championship (in 2006 with the Miami Heat) and an NCAA Championship. Growing up poor and without parents who had left him to the streets, Derek found his inner self-motivation that led to his success as a producer, philanthropist, inventor and author. His inspirational story is detailed in his book titled "Stamina." Derek's visit to Belize at the invitation by the US Embassy was to reach out and help others who have found themselves in similar situation as he did. He retired from the NBA in 2008.
  • Belmopan Day - Saturday, August 3, 2013:
    Photo collage
  • Discipline - Teamwork - Leadership: National Security Minister visits BDF Youth Cadet Corp Summer Camp:
    In our last two editions, we featured the Belize Defence Force's Battle Camp conducted annually for members of the Volunteer Battalion. This week, the Volunteer Battalion is in the news again, this time with respect to the annual summer camp that it conducts and supervises for members of the BDF Youth Cadet Corps (BDFYCC). The camp, which was just completed this past weekend, ran for one week and a day, from Saturday, August 3 to Saturday August 10, 2013, and was held this year at the Julian Cho Technical High School in Big Falls, Toledo. Close to 300 children and youth attended the camp, which is almost half of the total number of members that now make up the BDF Youth Cadet Corps. That total number, which last year stood at just over 500, has now been increased to around 650, with about 120 additional members added as part of the commitment by Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar.
  • Special Fireworks at Special Sitting! Musa & Fonseca Rebuked & Retaliate:
    than the traditional Friday, it was called a Special; and it was special, indeed, in more than one. For one, last Wednesdays House Meeting in Belmopan had more than its fair share of drama; and according to some, the discourse descended to a new low. There were a total of 13 Bills that were introduced, but none of those turned out to be the big news of the day. As anticipated, the attempt by PUP Cayo South Representative, Julius Espat, to bring a motion to the House to alter the composition of the Public Accounts Committee was pretty contentious. But that was heavily rivaled, if not eclipsed by a motion which Prime Minister Dean Barrow presented which he defined as a resolution to, "deplore and deprecate the actions of the member for Fort George and the Member for Freetown, while in government for�granting tax concessions entirely contrary to the laws of Belize."
  • Dead On Arrival! Much Heralded Julius Espat Motion Falls to the Floor:
    He had created quite a stir in the local media about his intentions to introduce a motion in the National Assembly to alter the composition of the Public Accounts Committee which he presently chairs as a member of the Opposition. But when Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat brought his much heralded motion to the Special House Sitting last Wednesday, it was almost anti-climactic, as Prime Minister Dean Barrow followed through on his promise to dismantle and expose the motion as ill-conceived, procedurally out of order and therefore unfit even to be debated in the House, let alone passed. Here is how Espat attempted to introduce his misconceived motion, and how it immediately got knocked to the floor and literally thrown out of the National Assembly:
  • Belize Wins Game One: CONCACAF Under -15 Football Tournament Underway in Cayman:
    CONCACAF kicked off its first ever U-15 championship in the Cayman Islands yesterday with Bermuda beating the Virgin Islands 8-0 and Belize beating St. Lucia 1-0. The championships, an initiative of CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, will be played through to August 25 with 23 national teams competing for the title. The tournament marks another step for the confederation under its new management regime, and its determination to raise all elements of the game throughout its region to higher levels - both on and off the field. "It is important for coaches and players to have competitions for development," said Webb. "This tournament was conceived to intensify our grassroots efforts while helping to identify and develop talent that will eventually create our future stars."
  • FFB Football Stadium's Lights Being Upgraded:
    On Tuesday, August 13, 2013, a contract was signed between the Football Federation of Belize and Canchas Deportivas de Centro America of El Salvador for the improvement of the lightning facilities at the F.F.B. Stadium in Belmopan. This project is being financed by FIFA US $298,000.00. In a Press Release, the F.F.B says it will keep the public informed on the progress of this project and other projects scheduled to be undertaken by F.F.B and FIFA this year.
  • Spreading the Love: National Footballers Donate School Bags:
    Football Team has been receiving generously from the Belizean population, but on Wednesday, July 31 they gave back a little. While in the USA before the last game the team was challenge to bring back a small gift for a needed child in Belize. Team Jaguars rose to the challenge and each donated US$20.00 to purchase a school bag to bring back home for the kids. Team captain Dalton Eiley handed over the money to Senior V.P. Sergio Chuc to purchase the school bags.
  • Atlantic Bank Women's Football Finals: Belmopan Triple B's confront Ladyville Jaguars:
    The undefeated Belmopan Triple B's will meet the Ladyville Jaguars in the Atlantic Bank women's football championship finals. Triple B's ran over Esperanza's Gentle Touch 4-1 in Game 2 of their semifinal series at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Saturday to advance to the finals by a 7-2 a goal aggregate. Shirley Codd anchored Triple B's defense with help from Beatrice Alfaro, Wendy Vernon and Roslyn "Chu-Chu" Cadle, but couldn't stop Gentle Touch's Kimberly "Brazilian" Perez from unleashing a left foot shot that mercifully went wide of the uprights early in the game.
  • Miley Garcia Cayo Softball Finals: Camalote Blazers vs Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy:
    Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy will meet the undefeated Camalote Blazers in the Cayo Softball Association's female softball championship finals to be played at Joan Garbutt on Sunday, August 25. This will happen after the national women's tem returns home from the VIII Pan American Women's Softball Championships in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on Monday, August 19th. The consolation game for 3rd place will also see Esperanza Wolverines do battle with the Ontario Rebels. Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy had eliminated the Wolverines from the finals by a 9-5 win in Game 2 of their semifinals series in Esperanza on Sunday, August 4. Esperanza's pitcher Indira Spain gave up 9 hits, struck out 3 batters and walked one while Esperanza's diamond made 5 errors. Roaring Creek led 3-0 when Tanya Davis, Stephanie Francis and Shadalee Ho scored in the 1st inning. Esperanza's Patricia Spain and Melinda Blancaneaux scored to lead 5-3 when Shamira Wade, Indira Spain and Pat Spain scored in the 2nd inning.
  • Cayo First Division Football: The San Martin Aguilas Beats Roaring Creek:
    The San Martin Aguilas bombed Roaring Creek: 2-0 to win the Cayo 1st Division football Championship at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Sunday afternoon, August 4. The San Martin's forwards Giovanni Lopez and Henry Nino Gomez led the attack with the help of midfielders Santiago Cruz, Carlos Tzalam, Bandido Gutierrez and Nicolas Caliz, but Brett Smith led the Roaring Creek defense with the help of Avery Galvez, Amir Torres and Kenny Williams and goalie Jose Mangar to keep the Aguilas scoreless up to the half time a break. MVP Robert Sutherland led the Aguilas' defensive line of Carlos Avellos, Victor Caliz and Nicholas Caliz to shut down Roaring Creek's top scorer Darrell Myvett the Myvett the entire game. Roaring Creek's Ajani Banner also attacked the goal, but San Martin goalie was taking care of business. Roaring Creek's goalie Jose Mangar handled Giovanni Lopez's shot on goal but when the defenders tried to get the ball out, Giovanni Lopez recovered the ball to shoot right back at goal, embarrassing Mangar with the 1st winning goal.