AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News Daily news prior to today Today's Belize News: October 25, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Mooring Buoys Donated to Hol Chan
Marker buoys have been installed to demarcate the no-take zones of Mexico Rocks and the mooring buoys will be installed in early November to have it ready for the 2015 start of the tourist season. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve management has also scheduled to commence management with the presence of a Park Ranger by late November. For further information please feel free to contact the Hol Chan office on Caribbe�a Street, San Pedro Town, phone 226 2247. Dive shop owners are encouraged to schedule a "Responsible Tour Guiding Seminar" to become updated with all the rules and regulations of the newly annexed zones of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We take this opportunity to express our sincere Thank You to Canary Cove for their kind donation. They have also expressed their interest to continue supporting coral reef conservation programs undertaken at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Duke the Hound wins Saga's Photo Contest!
In mid- September, Saga Humane Society launched their newest fund raising event, 'Potlickers in Paradise' photo contest. The contest was open to all dogs, of all breeds and destinations, and in order to participate in the contest, owners were required to submit their pet dog's photo along with a minimum donation of $20 per picture. At the end of the contest, taking the highly coveted prize, was Duke the Hound dog! After the polls closed the top three winners were announced. In third place with 340 votes was 'Lola on our Dock' from Tara del Sol, who won a prize of a photo and a story featured in the Saga Humane Society November Happy Tails Newsletter. Wagging away with the second place spot, with 1,591 votes, was boxer Macie Beans, owned by Paul LoCascio.

PC Arthur Anthony is September's Officer of the Month
The San Pedro Police Department has reinstated its Officer of the Month Program, and taking the honor for September was Police Constable (PC) 888 Arthur Anthony. PC Anthony has been placed as supervisor in charge of one of the reliefs at the station for the past couple of months. The Officer of the Month Program is part of a larger project being implemented to increase efficiency and productivity within the San Pedro Police Department. PC Anthony has been on the police force for the past fifteen years. According to Superintendent Sandra Bodden, PC Anthony is the type of officer that is reliable and has a great potential for leadership. "He reports for duty on time everyday and is someone who can take charge and lead the others while at work, even though he is only a constable and is holding a non-commissioned officer position. Thus, for his dedication to service, the qualities he has exhibited for the past couple of months and along with his hard work, he was chosen as Officer of the Month," said Bodden.

Misc Belizean Sources

THE WALL OF DEATH - HELP US SAVE BELIZE by Charles Leslie Jr.
During 2003 and early 2004, Hon. Servulo Baeza, Minister of Fisheries, under the People's United Party - 2003 to 2008 - showed great interest in protecting the fisheries and the country's economy. He held public meetings, took polls and made surveys regarding gill net fishing and its effects. He concluded that to save our fisheries, gill net fishing had to be outlawed in its entirety. On April 22, 2004, in Monkey River, at the first public,Belizean fishermen acknowledged the great harm to our fisheries due to gill net fishing, and supported outlawing gill netting. They expressly noted that the only reasons that they, the Belizean fishermen, continue to fish with gill nets was because the Government of Belize allowed Guatemalans to do so. The Belize fishermen made it clear - they would give up gill net fishing if the Guatemalans were prevented from gill net fishing. During that same time frame there were at least 40 Guatemalan boats with over 100 Guatemalan gill net fishermen who came to Belize annually, with miles of gill nets, to fish in our Belize waters.

Caye Caulker, Photos of yesterday morning's cancer walk

Mr.Belize 2015 Oyinkro Akpobodor

Hillside Health Care International
It provides free medical care and community education throughout the Toledo District of Belize. (www.hillsidebelize.org) The organization is celebrating its 15th Anniversary on November 7, 2015 in Chicago, IL, USA at The Keith House. They would like to invite you and additional members of the Diaspora to our 15th Anniversary Event. As you may know, we would like to offer you (and friends/family) tickets to our event for $37.50 which is 50% off the regular ticket price of $75.

DISTANT DRUMS
THE CALL FOR A FOREIGN POLICY FOR THE BELIZEAN DIASPORA!

THE AFRICAN BELIZE / MEXICO CONNECTION: PART TW
Many Belizeans of African descent have relatives in Mexico because of the African presence in Mexico, and the fact that many runaway slaves in Belize sought refuge in Mexico. The featured article explains how and why.

AVA LOPEZ: A BELIZEAN EDUCATION EXPERT IN THE DIASPORA!
There was a time when Belize produced some of the best educators in the world through its Belize Teachers College (BTC), and many of them migrated to the United States mostly as economic migrants who began the process of cross-cultural pollination, and to enriched the American education system with this valuable Belizean resource that Belizean-American educators like Ava Lopez is a product of. Not only was this Belizean education product and brand enriching the educational life of the U.S., but it also developed powerful leaders and role models who were responsible for producing some of the best in the U.S. and around the world, where Belizean migrants landed. This Belize diaspora education that rebuilt itself through professional Belizean educators in the diaspora like Lopez and many others, had also recycled itself back into Belize where many of these Belizean educators are returning through various workshops and forums to transfer the extension of their Belize bred educational expertise to revive a deprived Belizean education system today after the demise of BTC.

We released 3 parakeets lately
They came to us with old breaks that healed badly. We know it is way better for them to enjoy the 'sanctuary' part of Belize Bird Rescue than spend the rest of their life in a cage, however big or luxurious. They probably won't ever travel far, but that really doesn't matter. They have survived for 3 months now, they interact with the wild birds, two have paired up, and here at BBR they have everything they need and can do exactly what they please. Lucky parakeets, in the end!

The Reporter

BYM launches agenda for now
The Belize Youth Movement (BYM), the youth arm of the People's United Party (PUP) launched it's Youth and Culture agenda on Saturday. The launch, held at the Image Factory, presented a document which the PUP says is their vision for youth development, art and cultural advancement and national development. The document has 25 points which the BYM says forms a part of the PUP's commitment to the youths of Belize. There were 15 points on youth and 10 points in the area of culture. The youth points included: making education free from preschool to the associate degree level, establishing a national job placement program, and the appointment of a youth senator.

UDP responds to the burning of Ralph Huang's office
The United Democratic Party (UDP) expressed its disappointment this week, with the burning of the political office of its Cayo South representative Ralph Huang. The UDP in response, said that it categorically opposes the violent, illegal activities and desperate actions of the perpetrator(s) of this incident of arson. They also asked that their supporters desist and restrain themselves from engaging in any act of retaliation. "We emphasize that our campaign is focused on victory for the people of Cayo South who deserve leadership and development. We will continue to proceed with our non-violence and positive campaign", the UDP said. According to the police, officers from Roaring Creek responded to a call at around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday to find Huang's office engulfed in flames. The office, which measured 20�30 feet was extinguished by the Fire Department but by that time, the entire contents had been destroyed. The building was valued at $7,500.Police are ruling it as a case of arson.

The Belize Times

A BETTER VISION FOR BELIZE - PUP Launches Progressive Plans
GOOD GOVERNANCE taking the profit out of politics CONTRACT WITH THE PEOPLE Reactivate the Integrity Commission and restructure the Public Accounts Committee. Bring into force the appointment of the 13th senator. Repeal the illegal Petro Caribe Loans Act. Repeal the draconian Gun Law which has caused many innocent people to be jailed unjustly. Replace the oppressive Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) with a more effective anti-violence unit. Establish a unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Internationalize the Belize Guatemala controversy. Begin the phasing out towards the total abolition of Income Taxes and replace with a restructured Business Tax. Maintain a moratorium on offshore oil drilling and support the call for a referendum on the issue. Provide a regime for taxpayers to directly identify, manage and undertake community group projects at public expense. Four (4) year fixed term for General elections on a set date.

What Transformation?
Are Darrell and Dean responsible for the massive flooding in Belize City over last weekend? The answer is yes. While we can't hold them fully responsible they contributed to the set of circumstances that made life a living hell for poor people in Belize City. Part of the story is that Mayor Darrel Bradley spent over $50 million in this city and in his addiction with cement streets for pure showtime and a strategic political agenda. He hurriedly paved streets and failed to build drains. The problem is as plain as that. He even stated that the streets will serve as drains. How ridiculous.

Carla & Patrick deny assistance to single mothers
Even in times of disaster, emergency and need, as Belize City residents are experiencing following the weekend's severe flooding, UDP politicians are displaying ruthless cruelty, playing petty politics and practising victimization as they pick and choose the people they want to help. Those most affected by the UDP pettiness are single mothers like 28 year old Kayla Stevens and her 3 young daughters who live on Neal's Pen Road in the Collet Division, and Maria Marin and her family who live in Belama Phase 2 in the Freetown area. Both mothers experienced much worse than flooding when the UDP candidates in their areas, who are flushed with funding from Government sponsored aid, refused to assist them for petty reasons.

Bag with passports found in Cayo - Charles Cabral, campaigner for Elvin Penner, named as person of interest
Belizeans have been hurled into full guard mode this week after clear evidence of possible serious election hanky panky by the UDP surfaced. It is the 2015 version of the Penner passport scandal, and the UDP has employed the same cover up tactics. A bag containing eight passports was found inside Studio 7 in San Ignacio Town on Tuesday afternoon. Studio 7 is a printing press. Inside the bag were 1 Honduran, 1 Guatemalan, 1 United States, 1 Belizean, and 4 Salvadoran passports. Among the passports was a Belizean passport belonging to Charles Cabral, who is a rabid UDP supporter, former Town Council hopeful, and known campaigner for Elvin Penner and now John August. Upon learning of the discovery, the PUP leaders in Cayo Daniel Silva, Orlando Habet and Michel Chebat mobilised supporters to stand guard and keep watch so that the bag doesn't suddenly disappear. The Police collected the bag and moved it to the Police Station.

Think About It
UDP politicians are now frantically and personally giving out clothes, food baskets, mattresses and anything else they can get their hands on to show how they are so loving and caring for the people who have suffered due to the recent flood and high water crisis. It is a disaster and emergency with a small "e". For Belize City residents; they have never seen such a disaster outside of a hurricane or tropical storm. There was no warning to the thousands of innocent residents living in some of the most deplorable physical conditions. Thank God it was not a tropical storm or hurricane or thousands would today be homeless. Whoever is responsible in the government for residents to be warned of impending high water or floods failed miserably. Even when the whole of Belize City started facing the crisis of rapidly rising water reaching two, three feet, residents refused to go into the hastily opened shelters.

Open Skies
On Sunday last, the citizens of Belize woke up to a virtual lake with many parts of the old capital submerged under several feet of water. Notwithstanding that the flood was preceded by several days of constant raining, but while we had seen this type of rain before, we have never to my memory, experienced such a subsequent deluge. Something is out of the ordinary. In November of 2012 after being elected to his first term as mayor, Darrell Bradley launched a municipal bond for twenty million dollars and proceeded to "transform" Belize City into a concrete jungle. The problem is that in doing so, he applied himself more to aesthetics than to pragmatism. In his plan for his new city, the mayor decided to forego quality and necessary drainage in favor of quantity and political mileage. In less than a year, he was beating his chest and bragging about pouring concrete over more than a hundred streets. Many of these streets were poorly constructed however, and little or no consideration was given to the heavy rains that pelt us each year. This was a nightmare waiting to happen.

The People will Win
The People's United Party will win the general elections on the 4th of November. The PUP will win because it is time for Dean Barrow to be sent to his mansion in Miami or wherever. The PUP will win because after eight years of UDP mismanagement, incompetence and corruption the nation has had enough. In the words of Hon. Francis Fonseca, the one thing Belizeans know for sure is that Dean Barrow will not change. If he should get back in power his government will become more arrogant, more corrupt and more dictatorial. For the past eight years, the country has been frightened by rising crime and violence with carnal knowledge, rape, robberies, home invasions and murders. To this disturbing trend, Barrow has no solutions to offer. The PUP will win because the people of Belize deserve a government that will not bow down to the behaviors of Guatemala. The territorial integrity of Belize has come under serious threat and Barrow and Sedi Elrington have been behaving like appeasers and risking the loss of Sarstoon River and our Southern communities.

SCA girls lead high school volleyball
The undefeated St. Catherine's Academy girls enter the playoffs of the 2015 high schools volleyball competition at the No.1 spot with a 5-0 record, as they look to clinch their 21st city championship at Bird's Isle. On Thursday, October 15, the SCA girls hammered Wesley College: 25-5, 25-2, with the Wesley girls profiting from SCA's 5 errors. Melanie Smith scored Wesley's only hit.

Galen Eagles ready for ATLIB basketball championships
In preparation for the (ATLIB) national basketball championships the Galen University Eagles and the SHJC boys played a practice friendly, which Galen won 54-33 at the Sacred Heart auditorium in San Ignacio town on Friday night. Jarrell Velasquez led Galen with 13pts, Kevin Brown scored 11pts and Edgar Mitchell hit a long trey to add 10pts; while Bryton Codd added 4pts and Dijon McNab tossed in a bucket. SHJC's Nigel Martinez also drained in a long trey for 14pts; Jamie Carbajal added 8pts, and Elvert Ariola had 5pts, while Gustavo Pech, Nasser Aldana and Justin Ford scored a bucket apiece.

Young School are OW U-12 Football Champs
A low-pressure front dumped torrential rains on the field, but could not cool down Young School's Menalio Novelo and Belarmino Esquivel, who were scorching hot in their attack on Vibes Alive's goal in the Orange Walk Under-12 football 8-a-side competition held at the Orange Walk Technical High School field on Saturday afternoon. The attacks paid off when Menalio Novelo executed a corner kick to curl the ball into the net for the winning goal, and Young School footballers repeated as champions. Vibes Alive's Katie Jones, Carlos Canelo and Luis Sosa Jr tried to equalize, but the wet field conditions did not allow for much finesse. Young School's defense triple-teamed Katie to keep her off the scoreboard.

Red Humour
It is rumoured that during the first UDP land scandal the corrupt UDP Lands Minister used to write "NOT APPROVED" on all the papers that were sent to him by his assistants. He always left a significant space between NOT and APPROVED. When the affected persons finally agreed to pay off some monies to him for the "favour", he would recall the files and just add an "E:" after NOT so that it became "NOTE: APPROVED". This was the beginning of UDP e-Business. Many years age when the former UDP Area Rep of OW East was Minister of Education, he wanted a special postage stamp issued with his picture on it. So he instructed his people to order these stamps stressing that it should be of international quality. The stamps were duly released and he was pleased. However, within a few days of the stamp's release, he began hearing complaints that the stamp was not sticking properly, and he became furious. He called the people responsible and ordered them to investigate the matter. They checked the matter out at several post offices, and then reported the problem to him. The report said, "There is nothing wrong with the quality of the stamp. The problem is that people are spitting on the wrong side of the stamp."

A Man Who Builds Streets Without Drains Has No Brains!
ENGINEERING FACT ABOUT BELIZE CITY DRAINS AND STREETS Drainage has to be a system, not a piece-meal street by street effort, especially in a low, flat area like Belize City. The Mayor talks about putting in drains after paving, but this is ridiculous as he doesn't know how big culverts have to be, and will have to break into concreted streets to put cross culverts to tie drainage together. It's simply not done that way. Drains should be properly planned and designed as a part of any multi-street municipal project. This isn't "sexy" so the mayor didn't want to do it, but neglecting it has wasted taxpayer money. Drainage construction usually precedes street paving because otherwise paving can make the drainage situation worse because water cannot absorb into paved streets, and also paved streets are often higher and push water unto lower streets and into yards.

Squandering Poor People's Money
Boots Martinez received $100,000 per week (EVERY WEEK) to assist poor people in the city. The rains fell on Belize City for little over thirty two hours and we see the deplorable conditions the city of Belize is in. Where did Boots spend the $100,000 per week? That question will be answered on November 4th at the polls. The UDP is squandering Petrocaribe loans money for its political campaigns, in the names of Tracey, Carla and Bev. They pay for banners, flags and shirts with Petrocaribe money. With what authority do they have to spend our Petrocaribe money? The Prime Minister said he gave Bev, Tracey, Carla and also Mayor Darrel Bradley received over $50,000 each of Petrocaribe loans money for political gimmicks such as the Mother's Day program. Mayor Bradley, when asked where he got money for his Mother's Day event, replied that he got assistance from the business community. So if he didn't use Petro dollars, which the PM said he got, then where is the Petro money Darrell? Don't lie. On November 4th, the voters of Caribbean Shores will deal with you.

More Nationalisations�just in time for elections - 188 persons, including 37 Guatemalans to get nationality & Voters ID
The Barrow Administration is playing some sick games. Under significant pressure to win the upcoming election, they are doing anything, even if that means trampling upon the Belize Constitution. On Friday, September 25th, less than four weeks ago, 213 persons were given Belizean nationality in a rushed manner. Several persons shared with the BELIZE TIMES that they received phone calls late at night the day before the ceremony, informing them that they must rush to Belmopan for their documents. After the ceremony, several persons were marched straight to the Elections and Boundaries Office, where they have received new voter cards. According to Minister Godwin Hulse, the new nationalisations are a quarterly exercised, but documents leaked to the BELIZE TIMES indicate that a new list of 188 persons will be given Belizean nationality tomorrow, Friday, October 23, 2015.

Why I will support Dolores in Belize Rural Central?
Dear Editor, As Elections draws nearer, as a voter of Belize Rural Central I feel compelled to state some of the reasons why I am now supporting the People's United Party and their candidate, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, instead of the UDP and their candidate. I cannot support their candidate. She is not a very humble person and displays arrogance like her mentor, the Deputy PM Gaspar Vega, who also finances her campaign. She has no political record and worse of all things, she presided over the Lands Ministry as a CEO, where she left to enter electoral politics. Imagine the possibilities. That same Ministry was dubbed as a hotbed of corruption by her very own political boss, the PM Dean Barrow. I was a long-time support of the UDP in BRC but I must admit I cannot continue. In the PUP's candidate, our area representative, I have found a dedicated hardworker who doesn't wait to be fed by the Government bubby to get the job done.

Transformation - UDP Style!
Dear Editor, The basic meaning of transformation is a dramatic or profound change in the structure of form of a person, an organization or an organism. The key word here is CHANGE. Over the last year, the United Democratic Party woke up out of their fantasy land and started touting the word transformation. As is their true form, they felt that springing this word on an unsuspecting people and nation at a time when our people were experiencing so much difficulty in their lives, they would be able to mask the true pain of our people. And so began the propaganda campaign of "transformation" funded by Petrocaribe. But where were the Petro dollars when the cost of health care was mounting on poor families? Where were the Petro dollars when families had lost their children to violence on our streets and had no money to bury their loved ones? ANSWER: NO WHERE!!!

Micho Chebat challenges UDP candidate to debate
Dear Hon. Omar Figueroa, In my capacity as the Standard Bearer for Cayo North, I take this opportunity to extend to you an invitation to a candidate's debate before the election day of November 4, 2015. The voters of Cayo North deserve the opportunity to see and hear the candidate's positions on issues of importance to the Cayo North Division, as well as issues of national importance. I propose that we each appoint a representative to agree upon the terms of the debate, including date, venue, topics and a non-partisan moderator mutually acceptable to both candidates. Should you accept this invitation, please let me know on or before October 23, 2015 so that we can proceed with the necessary plans required for this important event. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Michel Chebat PUP Standard Bearer Cayo North

Disrespectful PM
Dear Editor, "Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength"- Eric Hoffer It has been Prime Minister Dean Barrow's modus operandi to adopt an air of superiority at his press conferences and Sunday's wasn't the exception. "I can't fault you for asking the question and doing what you conceive to be your job" was his answer to one of Daniel Ortiz' question. Barrow, in his usual condescending and cocky manner, was pointing out to the reporter that he was not doing his job correctly! This display of arrogance was on the verge of rudeness. He would have come out as a strong leader in the face of crises if he had instead, adapted a humble stance. But to my dismay, the other journalists found this act of "shaming" Ortiz, humorous. It seems to me that they enjoy this warped sadist-masochist relationship. If this is not so, can someone please explain to me why the journalists seem to approve of Barrow's bullying tactics?

Breaking Belize News

Patricia, Strongest Landfalling Pacific Hurricane on Record, Downgraded to Tropical Depression
Hurricane Patricia was downgraded to a tropical depression this morning as it traveled inland alerting officials in Mexico and the US to shift their focus to potential flooding and mudslides that could follow the storm's massive rainfall. Rains could total eight to 12 inches and reach 20 inches in some isolated areas in Mexico.

Blogs

An Exhibit for International Archaeology Day & Beautiful Days on Ambergris Caye
The last two days have been just gorgeous - as the rain storm that lingered over us for 4 or 5 days moved out - and then headed to the Pacific to become something horrible, Hurricane Patricia. The news was in full fury last night (along with the storm) - touting (and almost rejoicing in) the strongest hurricane ever recorded. I'm not sure many went to sleep easily, worried about our neighbors and relatives to the North. The reports this morning are showing that the storm weakened considerably - THANK GOODNESS. But the exact effects will probably become more clear over the next few days and we are certainly praying for everyone. There is no smooth segue from that to the beautiful crystal clear weather we've been having here�but when a storm passes, it does leave the air almost sparkling. And it has been� Walking over the Barry Bowen Bridge on Thursday and along Boca Del Rio. The beach drive�

CHICKEN A LA COCA COLA
Preparation: � Preheat oven to 200 ° C. � Peel and cut the potatoes into slices. � Season the chicken legs and place in a baking dish over potatoes. � Pour the onion over chicken and potatoes. � Pour a can of Coca-Cola over chicken. � Bake at 200 ° C for 1 hour, turning the chicken occasionally and wetting with sauce so it does not run dry. Serve with white or brown rice.

International Sources

Hurricane PATRICIA. All I can say is: terrifying storm.
Incredible story of survival during Category 5 Patricia‬ from Josh Morgerman over at iCyclone. He has chased many Hurricanes and Typhoons but this was one for the record books. If you love Hurricane Chasers please go like his page and read their story below... Why am I posting a picture of a dark bathroom with a mattress wedged in the ceiling? Because it protected me and seven other people. After an hour or two of violent, destructive winds in Emiliano Zapata, the pressure bottomed out at 937.8 mb at 6:12 pm. We saw brightness in the sky and some touches of blue, and while the wind was still dangerous, it seemed to be a little less energetic for a few minutes. (I notice that the NHC's landfall point was *very* close to us! So it looks like we might have been skirting the edge of the eye at this time.) Then the pressure started to rapidly rise, and I assumed the worst of the hurricane had passed. Actually, it hadn't started. (Ugh.)

Belize benefits from EDC expertise
Businesses in the country of Belize are getting an opportunity to benefit from Economic Development Lethbridge following a recent volunteer mission designed to improve the business atmosphere in the South American country. Heather McIntosh-Rivera, director of business development and operations, Economic Development Lethbridge, travelled to Belize in August in order to help with the redrafting of an archaic business license law. She was part of a two-week volunteer mission with the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED), and helped with technical assistance and expertise to support the redrafting and reform of the Trade License Act that allows Belizean Municipalities to issue business licenses within their cities. McIntosh-Rivera said the Belizean law hadn't been updated since the 1930s.

Guatemalan comedian favored to win presidency with politicians in disrepute
A former TV comedian with no experience in government is poised to win Guatemala's presidential election on Sunday after a corruption scandal toppled the country's last leader and fueled voter outrage with the political establishment. Playing up his outsider status and promising clean government, 46-year-old Jimmy Morales has surged in polls since a probe into a multi-million dollar customs racket led to the resignation and arrest of President Otto Perez. Voter surveys show Morales is primed to easily beat former first lady Sandra Torres, who also vows to tackle corruption but is seen by many voters as part of the old political order. "If I have to pick, it will be Jimmy Morales," said Nelson Lemus, a 37-year-old driving instructor, offering rather faint praise for the self-proclaimed centrist. "At least we don't have anything that speaks against him yet."

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