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Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Mayor says there will be public parking included in the Saca Chispas project
Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero has gone on the record to state that the island will have public parking, even if it is not a part of the Saca Chispas project. Mayor Guerrero made the public statement in response to several concerns as a result of a story published in the October 4th issue of The San Pedro Sun. In the story entitled, "Will there be parking space at the Sunset Boardwalk Project?" it was revealed that there was a human error as it relates to a portion of the land that was once the old Saca Chispas football field. The eastern portion of old football field registered as land Parcel 963 originally designated as parking area in the San Pedro Sunset Board Walk and Water Taxi Terminal Project, locally referred to as the Saca Chispas Project, was erroneously registered at the Lands Department in the name of Jeffery Kahn. Appearing on a local radio show on October 5th, Mayor Guerrero and his advisor Claudio Azueta Sr. reiterated precisely what our story reported. It was human error at the Lands Department, which was actually confirmed by our source at the Lands Department. However, Mayor Guerrero reassured residents that works are underway to resolving the issue, which should be a simple matter of assigning a different parcel number to the 0.6 acre parcel in question. The original Parcel 963 measuring 50 feet by 75 feet, will also be assigned to its rightful owner Jeffery Kahn, who bought the parcel via Club Caribbean located on northern Ambergris Caye.

Tropic Air extends service locally and abroad
Tropic Air has announced that they are expanding their services both locally and abroad. In two separate press releases, Tropic Air revealed the newest flight services being offered. Locally, the airline will now offer flights to San Ignacio/Benque Viejo del Carmen while internationally, Tropic Air is introducing direct flights to Cancun, Mexico! Starting December 10th, Tropic Air said that they will be offering daily non-stop passenger as well as cargo services from San Pedro and Belize City and will use the Maya Flats Airstrip, which is conveniently located between San Ignacio and Benque Viejo, and near to many of the major hotels in the area. The release further states that the expansion of the service in Belize "will allow for the growth of tourism in both regions, facilitating easy and quick transfers for visitors and for increased trade between Cayo and the rest of the country."

Rabies Vaccination campaign in San Pedro
The Ministry of Health is working along with the SAGA Humane Society are on a mass Rabies campaign for San Pedro. Spearheaded by San Pedro Health Inspector Miss Lisa Tillett, the initiative hopes to issue rabies vaccination to some 900 dogs throughout the month of October. The activity comes after a notable increase in reported dog bites through the past months. In addition to the increase in dog bites, Lisa stated that the venturing by developments into unchartered mangrove wetlands, exposing animals such as raccoons, only adds to the threat of rabies infections to both dogs and consequently human beings. The house to house visits started during the first week of October and will continue through the end of the month on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In order to facilitate for pet owners that are not at home during the day but would want their dogs to be vaccinated, Miss Tillett, along with volunteers chose two Saturdays during the month to offer the service at the Central Park.

Misc Belizean Sources

1881 Belizean population: A salad bowl
The census-returns taken this year are probably tolerably near the mark....

PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL AQUARIUM OF BELIZE
...a proprietary proposal from linkedin Belize has the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere - a marine area rich in biodiversity, and a strong attraction for tourists from around the world. Belize's rainforests also support amazing creatures and are an exciting destination for Belizeans and visitors. For fifty years Belize has been establishing protected areas. The designation of these protected areas has made Belize one of the most environmentally advanced countries in the world, with extensive areas of the national territory now designated as protected areas. A conservation fee of BZ $7.50 paid by visitors to Belize upon their departure and a 20% commission from cruise ship passenger fees are administered by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT.) PACT has grant money available for Environmental Education and Awareness of these protected areas. In Australia there is the Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium which functions as the National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

VIDEO: Lionfish Hunt, Sponsored Dive
You can assist with our efforts to create awareness of Lionfish reef habitiat destruction by sponsoring a dive.

Torch Run and Ignite the Peace March
The University of Belize, one of the three schools that participated in the Ignite the Peace Initiative, got some pictures of their events. There are some nice ones from the Eternal Flame of Peace Torch Run.

Model Casting Call at SIRH
Rebecca Stirm is having modeling auditions today at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. She is looking for 16 to 30 year olds, that are 5' 7" or taller. More fashion shows are coming soon.

National Sports Fest in Benque
This weekend is the National Sports Fest in Benque. Today they are playing basketball and volleyball. Tomorrow, they are playing football. These are the Cayo elimination tournaments. Good luck!

Ignite the Peace Initiative pictures
The Capital newspaper has some great pictures from the Ignite the Peace Initiative in Columbus Park. "When people are afraid of the government, there is tyranny...when a government is afraid of the people, there is liberty!"

LOVE TV

Jalacte resident wants justice for home invasion
A home invasion last month in the rural Toledo village of Jalacte has slipped from the headlines; but the family continues to suffer the effects of the traumatic incident. Our Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung spoke with the family recently and files this report.

San Pedro man dies in tank explosion
A man from San Pedro town was killed in an explosion on Monday afternoon. The victim has been identified as thirty nine year old Hector Duran. Duran who worked at the Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop in San Pedro town was killed around four forty five yesterday afternoon, when a dive tank he was refilling [...]

Belize observes Postal Day
Today the world is observing World Postal Day and it coincides with World Wellness Day. In Belize, the Postal Service has teamed up with various government departments to hold an open day and a week of activities, which started on Sunday. Belizeans in all six districts can receive free blood pressure, HIV and glucose tests. [...]

Cayo agitation getting results
Residents of San Ignacio and Santa Elena who say they are fed up with crime and violence in their municipalities demonstrated on Monday in Cayo. Hundreds of residents gathered inside the Columbus Park carrying placards and banners expressing their frustration and calling on government to do something to address their concerns. Juliana Guerra was one [...]

Turmoil at Orange Walk high school settles
On Monday Love News reported on a walk-out of teachers and students of Orange Walk Technical High School in that northern municipality. The matter, however heated and ominous it appeared then, seems to have quailed quite a bit over the past twenty-four hours. And it happened when the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, visited the [...]

The Jackpot winners
The numbers two - three - six - eight and twenty three may not have any significance to most people; but for a Belmopan man, it meant a visit from lady luck. Retiree Eduard Wade Sr., won the big lotto jackpot on Saturday and today traveled to Belize City to claim his big payday of [...]

Charges brought against Haitian nationals
Three Haitian nationals have been charged with immigration offences. [VO STARTS] They are Wilner Celeson, Dieuleils Florent and Sillon Oriental. Celeson was charged with the unlawful possession of 6 Haitian passports while Florent was charged with the unlawful possession of four Haitian passports. Oriental was charged with failure to produce a visitor's permit. Oriental pleaded [...]

Toledo UDP prepares for next elections
General elections are a ways off yet; but one political party has already started the preparations. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports.

Central Bank Governor's home robbed
The home of the Central Bank Governor Glenford Ysaguirre was robbed on Tuesday afternoon. The Governor was not at home at the time of the incident. Reports are the the maid was accosted and tied up and the house ransacked. Police have not released by official information on the incident.

Charges brought against Haitian nationals
Three Haitian nationals have been charged with immigration offences. [VO STARTS] They are Wilner Celeson, Dieuleils Florent and Sillon Oriental. Celeson was charged with the unlawful possession of 6 Haitian passports while Florent was charged with the unlawful possession of four Haitian passports. Oriental was charged with failure to produce a visitor's permit. Oriental pleaded [...]

Guatemalan shot dead in the Chiquibul identified
On Monday, police press officer Rafael Martinez gave some basic details about the death of a Guatemalan man inside the Chiquibul National Reserve on Thursday of last week. While the details were basic and did not include the man's name, the Guatemalan press has been providing more details and putting their own spin on the [...]

Turmoil at Orange Walk high school settles
On Monday Love News reported on a walk-out of teachers and students of Orange Walk Technical High School in that northern municipality. The matter, however heated and ominous it appeared then, seems to have quailed quite a bit over the past twenty-four hours. And it happened when the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, visited the [...]

Government and Unions reach partial agreement on benefits package
After four years of ironing out the rough edges, this afternoon, a partial bargaining agreement was reached between the Government of Belize and the unions that represent the teachers and public officers over allowances. Lead Minister at the Head Table, Patrick Faber, explained what the benefits include. These increases in allowances also include for police [...]

Toledo residents repair broken street
Repairs to a bad section of Front Street in Punta Gorda town are currently being undertaken by a team of volunteers. Our Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung reports.

ICT Road Show starts in Belize City
A forum known as an ICT Roadshow opened today in Belize City. Over the course of the next four days, people from four Districts in Belize will gather to discuss using the latest technological advances in communication. Love News spoke with Dr. Colin Young, the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Science and [...]

Coastal Zone Forum in Belize City
Experts from around the Caribbean and Central America which include Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Canada, the United States and Belize are convening at the Princess Hotel and Casino where a three day regional conference to discuss climate change is being hosted by the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute in partnership with [...]

PlusTV

Belize University students make Anticrime demands
The point of the mass people movement and solidarity stand is to bring the needs of a hurting and frustrated society to bare directly on the back of government. A list of ten demands have been presented and today those demands were very aggressively re-iterated before the throngs assembled in the park. SPEAKER ONE: We are the heart of Belize. We are the youths of the future. We are the future and the change starts with each and every one of us. Do you want peace? Do you want unity? Do you want justice? Well today October 11, 2012, marks that day. Today we move forward. There's no turning back. Today the change has to happen in each and every one of you. The current situation The current situation is Belize is instilling fear and a feeling of insecurity within our society. It is affecting us emotionally, educational achievemants, and with leasure and recreation. We the students of the Western tercery institutions have gathered today in San Ignacio, Cayo, to ignite the peace, to proclaim the eternal flame of peace declaration.

Harvest for kids makes second historic reaping
Harvest for Kids held a second crop reaping, this time in the remote location of San Carlos Lamanai in Orange Walk District. A festive atmosphere pervaded the countryside, as farmers and their families gathered for this monumental occasion. Mayor of Blue Creek, Abe Dyke, opened up in prayer, and children from San Carlos Government School sang the National Anthem. Founder of Harvest for Kids, Alexander Perez, said it was historis as 5 of the eleven combines had steel wheels. Founder of Harvest for Kids, ALEXANDER PEREZ: The steel wheels are combines. There from Shipyard. They're traditional Mennonites where they don't believe in using rubbers, and so that's why you see the steel wheel tyres. That's a big thing to see that these people are responding to the call. When I sat down with them they said to me that they know that these kids need help, and because of that they're going to bring their machines today. Those machines came from an hour away. They're very heavy duty. You don't want to ride on one of those, because your back hurts at the end of the day. I have high expectations. There were lots of prayers asking the Lord for that rain to hold up, because I know last night we had one inch and a half of rain. When we came here it was raining left and right, and I was saying 'Lord, just hold the rain.' To see that the rain was held down, I praise God for that. But to see that the machines are responding from different areas. We have from Shipyard, Indian Church, from Blue Creek, and San Carlos. It makes me excited to see that people care for our children in Belize.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Finga Licking Barbecue
If you are looking for delicious barbecue any time of the week, you don't need to look further as Otis & Paula are out every day from 10:00 a.m. in front of the Tropics Hotel. Their delicious barbecue are to die for. From Jerked Chicken to grilled pork chops and let me tell you, the pork chops are big. Everything is made fresh and seasoned a day before. So if you are craving for some barbecue, come and check with Otis & Paula!

Blogs

Quiet Saturday morning
After an early morning trip to the store for brown sugar, I just reconfirmed something, I like ham Johny cakes much better than chicken, which is now almost off my list. Of course hands down the winner is bacon and egg johnny cakes from Ruby's cafe. Those set off my craving meter so much so that I will usually order 2 and make sure I get my fill even though one is usually enough.You have to get there early for those [usually before 8:00am] or you will be SOL :) El Fogon another great place in town to put on your Ambergris Caye restaurants to do list. They cook all kinds of delicious Belizean recipes over an open fire. Hence the name Fogon meaning hearth, which is used in old fashioned country fire-wood cooking. I have had their conch fritters, pork, stewed beef, stewed chicken, fried chicken, fish and fresh made lime juice.

Shopping in Chetumal, Mexico and the "Free Zone": Super Fun or Super Frenzy?
I am not a great shopper. Perhaps my attention span is too short. But I know people that travel from San Pedro to Chetumal, Mexico with huge empty suitcases and return packed to the gills with groceries and merchandise after a marathon day of shopping all over town. I can usually last about one hour tops. I know things are cheaper but what are they buying? How do they bring it all back? Do they get charged duty? Where exactly are they going? Time to find out. A group of ladies I know had a trip planned. I'm in. There are two basic ways to get to Chetumal from San Pedro. You can hop on the water taxi which takes about an hour and a half (longer if the water is choppy...which it generally is on the way back). Pretty easy and reasonably priced...I do this one quite a bit. (Here is my last trip about a month ago.) Or you can fly from San Pedro to Corozal. More expensive, great views and faster. AND in October, Tropic Air is offering a special on the flight. Only $49bzd each way (with fees it actually works out to about $62bzd). A deal. Let's do it. The flight takes about 20 minutes and the views are pretty cool to me. A few minutes over the sea, you see Cayo Espanto and Blackadore Caye, the island owned by Leonardo DiCaprio and crew. And then you fly over the mainland, most of which is hardly land at all...more very pretty marshland.

International Sources

Why I Love Columbus Day
I love Columbus Day. Each year, I recall the simple song I learned as a child about the man who "discovered" America. I still recall the innocent boy whose imagination was taken by the story of adventure and discovery. In fourteen hundred and ninety two Columbus sailed the ocean blue. On Columbus Day, I reflect on the facts of that fateful discovery. Hispaniola at the time of Columbus' arrival was home to as many as 300,000 people. On seeing the Arawak people Columbus wrote in his journal, "At daybreak great multitudes of men came to the shore, all young and of fine shapes, and very handsome. Their eyes are large and very beautiful." In the same entry he wrote, "It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion." Columbus kidnapped up to 25 people, although only seven or eight survived the journey back to Spain. By 1496, it is estimated that one third of the population had been killed or taken as slaves. In 1592, fewer than 200 Indigenous people remained. By 1555, none survived. I realize every lie and distortion I hold of my country began in that classroom all those years ago.

IMFC Statement by James Michael Flaherty, Minister of Finance, Canada
Tokyo, Japan, October 13, 2012 Statement Prepared for the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance for Canada, on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Since the last time we met, the global economic recovery is showing further signs of stress. Economic and financial risks remain very elevated and thus of serious concern to all members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We look to the IMF to provide a candid assessment of these risks, and for their guidance in navigating these challenging times. The IMF has identified a number of key risks in its latest global economic and financial outlook. Declines in economic growth and slippage on policy actions are the most pressing risks. Their prescription is clear. At the individual level, more urgent action is needed by European partners to overwhelm the sovereign debt crisis and move steadfastly towards greater integration. Almost as important is the need for the United States to avoid a fiscal cliff. At the global level, medium-term fiscal consolidation and growth-enhancing structural reforms must be pursued in advanced economies, and policy flexibility and efforts to boost domestic demand in emerging markets must be consistent with global rebalancing. The sum of our efforts will be greater than its parts if we are to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced global growth.

Le Belize, paradis touristique et plaque-tournante du trafic de drogue
Au Belize, joyau touristique d'Am�rique centrale, vedettes rapides et pistes d'atterrissages clandestines viennent confirmer la transformation progressive de ce petit pays en nouvelle plaque tournante du trafic de drogue vers les Etats-Unis. Cet Etat carib�en rural de 330.000 habitants, frontalier du Mexique et du Guatemala, pâtit de sa situation strat�gique et de la faiblesse de ses institutions face � la technologie et aux narco-dollars des trafiquants, selon experts et autorit�s. "Si (le Belize) n'est pas un pays producteur, nous faisons face � un problème de trafic. C'est un d�fi, nous entretenons une bonne collaboration avec le Mexique et le Guatemala pour �viter que les cartels s'installent", explique � l'AFP David Henderson, chef de la police du Belize.

Minister Ablonczy Supports Central American Security and Stability During Visit to Belize
The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), completed her official visit to Central America today following a series of key events that reinforced Canadian efforts to improve security and stability throughout the region. Today, Minister Ablonczy toured the Guatemala-Belize Adjacency Zone, the buffer region established to help reconcile the two countries' long-standing territorial dispute. The Minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of Belize's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alexis Rosado, Guatemala's Vice-Minister of External Relations, Carlos Ra�l Morales, and the OAS Secretary General's Special Representative for Belize and Guatemala, Ambassador Ra�l Lago. "Our government is committed to working alongside our neighbours throughout the region to improve safety and security for the people who call the Americas home," said Minister Ablonczy. "Canada is pleased that Guatemala and Belize are working closely together to resolve the issue of the Adjacency Zone between their two countries. We are confident that a resolution will improve the stability and security of both nations and are pleased to be helping to achieve a peaceful result." The work of the Organization of American States (OAS) Office in the Adjacency Zone is crucial as it contributes to reducing violence and insecurity, while improving prospects and conditions for effective conflict resolution. Canada recently announced $1 million in additional support for the Organization of American States (OAS) Office in the Adjacency Zone to help it in its work to bring Guatemala and Belize toward a permanent solution. This adds to the $445,000 Canada has contributed to the Office since 2009.