FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, 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
Belize and Mexico Sign MOU to Foster Business Relations
The MOU sets forth the procedures of co-operation for the expansion of investment and trade relations between Belize and Mexico, including the strengthening of institutional relations and capacity building through mutual cooperation between the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and ProMexico.
BELTRAIDE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Trade, which seeks to enhance Belize's prosperity by fostering investor confidence, entrepreneurship, business growth and innovation.
ProM�xico is a public trust considered a public entity, sectorized to the Secretary of Economy, incorporated under the laws of the United Mexican States, being the Mexican federal government entity in charge of promoting exporting activities, internationalization of Mexican companies and activities which tend to attract foreign direct investment.
BA -1 project participants inquire about disbursement of funds
Back in May 18, 2015 the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC) a unit of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) hosted a training seminar for women in San Pedro Ambergris Caye. The training, titled "Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking project BA- 1" targeted victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, with the goal of assisting these victims in becoming more self- confident by empowering them with the necessary tools to help them gain personal development. At the end of the training, qualified participants were eligible for a grant in order for them to start or expand their businesses. The program was held in collaboration with the Women's Department of Belize and the Central American Integration System (SICA) at the San Pedro Town Council conference room, and was held for three weeks. On Friday, June 5th, 34 women graduated from the training. However, since then, the graduates have been waiting to receive the grants from the program so they can start their business ventures. After over three months the group of women are desperate for answers and have had no clear indication of when they will receive the economic assistance. According to the participants of the project, the wait has been too long without any clear explanation as to what will happen and they are eager to know if they will be granted the funds promised in the program. One of the participants indicated that they have been receiving calls from the mainland from different people who inquired about the state of their businesses. This has created confusion between all of them who are seeking information, since participants in other communities might have already been awarded the funds. Apparently not even the project's former coordinator, Jorge Aldana, has been able to provide them with an answer.
Ambergris Today
Prime Minister Barrow Announces Early General Elections - November 4
When you turned to the United Democratic Party and gave us your confidence in 2008, it was for us to fix all that had gone so horribly wrong in the decade of misrule since 1998.
Our country was burdened by the super bond; strait-jacketed by fiscal austerity; unable to operate a bankrupt DFC and a near insolvent social security; suffering from surging levels of poverty and neglect; and shunned by international concessionary lenders disgusted with the last Administration's thievery of public monies. The UDP's overwhelming priority was thus to replenish the state's coffers; restore local and international confidence; rescue citizens desperately in need of relief; and bring back integrity to the Office of the Prime Minister whose outgoing PUP occupant had, in 2005, been presented with a certificate of corruption by Union and Civil Society leaders.
Belize and Mexico Sign MOU to Foster Business Relations
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed recently between Belize and Mexico with the aim to establish a practical framework for the development of stronger business relations between both countries.
The MOU was signed on Thursday, September 10th at the Centro de Convenciones Peninsula in Cancun, Mexico on the occasion of the "Foro de Cancun 2015." The Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection signed on behalf of Belize while Mr Francisco N. Gonz�lez Díaz, Director General of ProM�xico, signed on behalf of Mexico. The signing was witnessed by Quintana Roo's Governor, Roberto Borge Angulo.
The MOU sets forth the procedures of co-operation for the expansion of investment and trade relations between Belize and Mexico, including the strengthening of institutional relations and capacity building through mutual cooperation between the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and ProMexico.
Misc Belizean Sources
First Friday of October Trash Pickup. Tres Cocos!
Come on out and join the fun!!!! Join us at the Paradise Theatre (just north of the bridge) for our monthly two hour roadside and beach clean up! Locals, expats and tourists are all invited to help out and show some Isla Love! Please be there by 9:00 am :-)
Saving Belize's Scarlet Macaws
Have some time to hear about our efforts? You can come do the Belize Audubon Society's Urban Birdwatch in the morning in Griga, then my talk in the evening. Double for one trip! Sunday October 4th Pelican Beach Resort, Dangriga. An "evening chat' with Belizean Roni Martinez of the Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team!
Changing the Conversation
TEDxBelmopan will be hosted under the theme, Changing the Conversation, in an attempt to prompt discussion on issues affecting Belize and the world at large. As the world advances, and Belize with it, this generation is more aware of the importance of changing the conversation on how we perceive and do things. It is our hope that attendees will be inspired and moved to dig deeper into these issues and continue the discussions long after TEDxBelmopan. October 1, 2015
9:00am - 3:00pm CST
5.1 quake offshore Belize about 30 minutes ago startled some Belize City residents.
SBDC Belize Workshop: UNDERSTANDING TRADEMARKS
Free Workshop Date:
October 1st, 2015
9am to 12pm. LOCATION: BELTRAIDE OFFICE, BELMOPAN
Time: 9am to 12pm. Trademarks are an extremely valuable asset that not only help sell a business's products or services but also have tangible value. For many, a trademark is the means by which the customer identifies and distinguishes the products or services of one company from those of another.
This presentation aims to take the mystery out of trademarks, explains what they are and how to obtain rights in them, and provides a brief overview on how to protect them.
The presentation is aimed at business people within a company who seek a basic knowledge of trademarks and why they are important.
Presented by: Mrs Candace Westby Fisher,
Deputy Registrar, BELIPO
September 10 should have been Belize's Independence Day
By Wellington C. Ramos.
Any Belizean who was born in Belize prior to the 1960s attended the Battle of Saint Georges Cay Day Parade, which was held on September 10 every year. During those days, all Belizeans would gather at their schools with the adults and men dressed as Baymen to be a part of this patriotic parade.
As time went by the People's United Party (PUP), under the leadership of George Cadle Price, decided to conduct a different day for the parade. Not only did they conduct a different parade but they also changed the name of the Queen from Queen of The Bay to Miss Independence. This dispute continues up to today because the UDP still support the Queen of the Bay and the September 10 celebrations, while the PUP support Miss Belize and the Independence Day celebrations held on September 21 of each year.
We now have two national holidays in one month, which is senseless, costly and inconvenient for most of us, when we could have just decided to make September 10 our Independence Day.
This move by the PUP began the separation of the festivities between the People's United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Belize. According to a testimony given by the late Philip Goldson, a man I consider to be our best National Hero, George Price even said that the Battle of Saint Georges Cay that occurred on September 7-10, 1798, was a myth. This is despite the fact that there is overwhelming evidence to support that these battles did in fact happen.
BELTRAIDE participates in the Caribbean Investment Summit in London
The Belize Invest arm of BELTRAIDE, represented by Mr. Brian Lin, Manager of Investment Genegration, BELTRAIDE, participated in the Caribbean Investment Summit in London, United Kingdom on September 10, 2015 hosted by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA).
The summit forms part of a larger project developed by CAIPA to promote investment opportunities in the Caribbean to potential investors in Europe. BelizeInvest highlighted a list of upcoming projects that were selected based on a criteria suggested by CAIPA. The projects include:
* GSR Energy Ltd. : Bio ethanol plant and co-generation facility
* Orchid Bay Belize : Commercial residential and resort development
* Mel Ltd. : Development of an international airport in Placencia
Following the summit, a survey was conducted to evaluate BelizeInvest's service during the summit.
INDEPENDENCE JUMP-UP PARADE 2015
Winners of the Independence Jump-Up Parade are as follows:
Best Group Category:
1st Place - Mystic Mas Band
2nd Place - ABC Pre-School
3rd Place - Dj Debbie
Best Float Category
ABC Pre-School
Why another early Belize General Elections?
Now that we know that the 15th Belize General Elections will be called this November 4th, we ask "why the early, sort of scurvy call for the day?"
During his tenure, Prime Minister Barrow has been a good doctor at silencing the harshest of his critics. In his September 21st Independence Day speech we noted that he took credit for more right-offs and perks for the electorate. It was just another show of a politician taking down as an entertainer. Most of the promises that he made was to create more debt for the poor and middle class.
The Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) saga looming are too significant to have been put to bed this early. This hot bed of a situation no doubt has played into the PM's calling for early elections.
Plastic..plastic and more plastic, everywhere
his past Saturday, the local Scouts of Belize and Oceana Belize participatedin in an exhausting but productive Clean Up Campaign at Mangrove Park in the Finca Solana area.
The weather may have kept some volunteers away but we are grateful to all those made the effort to come out and help with picking up trash and garbage around Mangrove Park.
Grateful for some of those who came out: Mayolita Santos, LeAnn Aldana, Karizia Sanchez, Jamil Nicholson, Samantha Moralez, Ryan Chi, Mery Moralez, Hector Loria and Gisellie Hernandez. Yvette Sanker Riverol. The help you rendered Saturday is appreciated by our community.
World Culture Band in Peten
The World Culture Band represented Cayo at the Peten Reggae Festival this weekend. Daniel Velazquez was there to get some fantastic pictures.
"San Francisco(Peten) Reggae Festival 2015
Thousands of people took over San Pancho Peten, with a jamming Reggae music festival, our Belize World Culture band was there, good vibes! Photos by Miriam Antoinette and Daniel Velazquez"
Independence Day Parade 2015
It's been a week since Belize had its 34th birthday. The SISE town council got some great pictures. The Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association also got some good pictures.
The ceremony at Falcon Field went well.
Remembering Hurricane Keith 15 Years Later
Hurricane Keith slammed into Belize's northern islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye on October 1, 2000 leaving a swath of destruction in its wake. While always wary of storms that venture nearby, the northern islands had not been hit by a Force 4 storm for close to 40 years.
What began as a tropical depression on September 28, 2000. As the storm tracked westward, it continued to intensify and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 30. Shortly thereafter, Keith began to rapidly deepen, and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane less than 24 hours later.
While islanders are always keenly aware of storms due to the high vulnerability of living on such a remote and low-lying island, it usually takes days for a storm to intensity. This one caught everyone off guard!
The hurricane produced a 4 ft (1.2 m) storm surge from the west. Winds were unofficially estimated to have reached 125 mph (201 km/h) on the island. In the aftermath, downed trees and power lines blocked most roads. Keith damaged the roofs of about 90% of houses. About 50% of the houses in Caye Caulker were destroyed, with reports of only five dwellings still standing after the storm.
THE WEBB: BELIZEAN SOUL MUSIC IN NEW YORK!
The 1970's Belizean band in New York called, The Webb, has passed right under the radar of many Belizean music enthusiast and has been forgotten somewhat along the way as the 1980's and 90's brought American pop music through the airwaves of Radio Belize, and later the private radio stations of Belize.
They became a popular R&B band that was made up of Belizean musicians like band leader and keyboard player, Jeffrey Adolphous, guitar player Eugene Adolphous, Patrick Pinkard on bass guitar, Patrick Flemming on trumpet and flugle horn, Erling Henderson on Saxaphone, Harrington Trapp on trombone and lead vocals, Ivan Domingo on drums, and Anthony Richards on percussions and lead vocals.
They rose to American acclaim in Brooklyn, New York among the large Caribbean and American community there, playing for colleges and other popular venues in Brrooklyn New York and Bronx, New York. The Webb was produced by Belizeans Carrie Fairweather and Compton Fairweather who promoted the band among other popular African-American band like Brass Construction and Cameo.
Responsible Tour Guiding Seminars
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve invites all dive shops and free-lance tour guides from San Pedro and Caye Caulker to participate in our 2015 "Responsible Tour Guiding Seminars." Important for this year will be the recently amended Hol Chan Legislation (Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 2015) that includes the expansion of the protected area.
Channel 7
PM Calls Snap Election For Nov 4th
We all knew it was coming - and now, it's here - in 37 days, on Wednesday, November 4th - general elections will be held in Belize. It's a snap election, and a very early announcement for the Barrow administration - which will be only 3 years and eight months into a five-year term when the election is held in 5 weeks. The rumour went out like a wildfire at around 11:0 am, and by 12:30 Prime Minister Dean Barrow made it official with this statement - which was sent out in audio form initially. . The Prime Minister explained why his government wants a new, early mandate:...
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Having secured this period of restoration, I believe the time has come to ask you for a fresh mandate. The clean-up having been completed, the UDP must focus now exclusively on the positive, on forwarding opportunity and change. A New Belize must burst forth, where progress, prosperity and stability can reign untrammeled."
"To fertilize this new bloom of change and advance and inclusion, we must re-inscribe our compact with the people. Accordingly, I have today advised the Governor General to dissolve the National Assembly and to fix Wednesday November 4, 2015 as the date for the next general elections."
PUP Leader Says His Party Ready
And so are the PUP ready? After all, pundits would agree that probably one of the main reasons driving the Barrow Administration to call an early election is the state of the PUP - which is strapped for cash, fractured by disunity and has lost three major elections this years. But today, opposition leader Francis Fonseca told the media that his party is ready, united, and focused on ejecting the UDP from Belmopan:..
Jules Vasquez
"Elections was called 3 hours ago. Is the PUP prepared for a general elections in 37 days' time?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"We are prepared. We have been getting prepared. We ask why the sudden urgency. Just a few weeks ago the Prime Minister hinted that elections would not be until next year February or March I think he said. So the question is why? Why the sudden urgency and we believe the answer is very clear, there are looming crisis facing the Belizean nation and people. The Petrocaribe monies are drying up. The banking system is in trouble. There are so many serious problems and of course there are other issues facing the government internally that we are aware of that I think will come to the forefront very shortly and all of these things I think have led to this early unexpected call for elections more than a year early than they are due."
Jules Vasquez
"And then what position is the PUP in terms of: 1) its elections machinery and also that most important lubricant for all elections initiatives, money."
PM Answers The Press On Election Date
And, just in we have our interview with the Prime Minister which was conducted at 6:15 pm in Belmopan. The Prime Minister used his statement to outline the reasons for calling the earliest election in Belize's history. He spoke about a new mandate to embark on a new programme of development. But today the press probed him for the deeper reasons behind the snap election. We caught him at an event to honour Phillip Godson in Belmopan this evening - and here's the lively exchange with the media.
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, why call elections early? Its 3 years and 8 months."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Well I said that the 4 year point is the marker and so since that was my calculus, we are not too early, in terms of that yardstick. This particular juncture though, seems to me to be right. We've had a string of elections already in this current year. Everybody knew that the election was coming sooner rather than later. It struck me that let's get it over and done with, so that whoever wins can then concentrate fully on the business of governance, on the business of development, on the business of improving people's lives. If the longer I had waited, the more difficult it would have been to continue to focus on issues of governance - all important issues of governance. I hate to put it like this, but to some extent, the fact that this was an election season, was a distraction and if we had prolong it, if we had extended it, a great deal beyond today's date, it would have meant that that distraction would have been compounded."
Will Ashcroft Finance PUP?
And, so, 7 weeks of torrid campaigning begins tonight - and the greatest game changer in this election season is Michael Ashcroft. Will he fund the PUP? Or will he stand back - and count the 162 million dollars in BTL compensation that Government paid him last week? Right now that's what is called a known unknown - and today the leader of the opposition:..
Jules Vasquez
"Do you expect Mr. Ashcroft to provide campaign financing for the PUP? Will anyone be reaching out to him?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"The question is what did the government get in return for that big cheque? That's the question. That's what you should be asking Dean Barrow. What did he bring back with him for that sweet deal that he gave Mr. Ashcroft? We have had no communication. If I do I will let you know."
Ashcroft had tweeted that he would be in Belize last week - but best information says that he never arrived.
Hon. Finnegan Gets A Jump On Competition
And so in the next few weeks you can expect to see politicians beating the pavement in your neighborhood or knocking on your door - and there will also be dozens of signs going up on every corner and lamp post. One man who got a jump on the competition today was UDP Mesopotamia incumbent Michael Finnegan. He started putting up street signs this afternoon - one hour after the election was announced. Now, Finnegan had the largest margin of victory of any UDP candidate in the 2012 general election - and his is considered one of the safest UDP seats in the country. But, still, he told us he has to go to work because on an election day, any number can play:..
Jules Vasquez
"Why did you feel it important to jump out of the gate, to bolt out of the gate? As the election call, your spring into action. There are signs all over Mesopotamia."
Hon. Michael Finnegan, Mesopotamia Area Representative
"This is what I always do. This is my modus operandi."
Jules Vasquez
"You won with over 81% going over 82% in the last election. You are perhaps the person who least needs to prepare."
Paul Jex, Alleged Home Invader
Former accused murderer Paul Jex was caught red handed trying to pull off a home invasion in San Pedro on Friday night. Jex, who got off for the murder of Aubrey Lopez in 2010, allegedly barged into the home of Alden Augustine at 8:30 carrying a .22 revolver with two live rounds. He trailed Augustine into the home and demanded his belongings, but Augustine put up a fight and managed to knock the gun out of Jex's hand. Jex dashed out of the house, and fell which is when Augustine and some neighbors subdued Jex and gave a him a sound beating. The home is in the area of the airstrip and police happened to be nearby. They responded immediately, arrested Jex - and later took him to the island polyclinic for the injuries he sustained when he was caught.
29-year-old Jex of the DFC Area, San Pedro Town, has been charged for Aggravated Burglary, "Kept Firearm without a Gun License" and "Kept Ammunition without a Gun License".
Cement House Drops In Ladyville
We often report on city residents whose wooden houses have collapsed but we've never seen a cement house falling before. But, that's just what we saw in Ladyville today. 64 year old retired Security Guard Vincent Bahadur and his family were inside their home on Friday night when the structure buckled on its 12 foot stilts and crashed to the ground. When we go there today the aftermath looked like an earthquake had hit. Bahadur told us today how he and his family escaped major injury, or death.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
These trophies, which are the pride of this Dart playing family, once stood on a pedestal. But now, they lay bent and broken on the living room floor among the rubble.
The rubble that was left after their home collapsed with them in it on Friday night. The cement walls that once sheltered and kept them safe are now cracked and crumbling
And the verandas where Vincent Bahadur used to take his evening smoke caved in and flattened the rear end of this Plymouth Voyager.
Bahadur was left trying to reattach the iron frame that used to be his front door. This family is lucky to be alive - they all could have been crushed inside because the fall happened so sudden.
Former Area Rep Says BWSL Should Seek Solution For Sewage, Swiftly
Since last week Wednesday, we've been telling you about the sewage problem on the Placencia peninsula. There has been a plan for an integrated sewage system in that area for almost 2 decades because the prevailing scientific wisdom is that in coastal communities, septic tanks are inefficient in keeping the nutrients generated from human waste from escaping, and it seeps into the Lagoon. That slowly poisons the marine environment, and for an area of the country which depends heavily on tourism and shrimp farming, that's a very great risk.
One person who has been intimately involved in how this integrated sewage system idea solidified is former UDP Minister and three time Area Representative for Stann Creek West, Melvin Hulse. Today he outlined in detail his role in the process that has been protracted and long delayed, much to the frustration of the communities living on the peninsula.
Melvin Hulse, Former Area Representative for Stann Creek West
"Back in 2008, we started to aggressively pursue, because out of the blue, you would never believe a place could have started to grow and tourism took off. So we brought in Herman Longsworth. He was the chairman of the BWS board then, came into Placencia and we have several meetings with him - Seine Bight Village Council, Placencia Water Board and Seine Bight Water Board - many meetings. We were looking to tender it out so that we could get the best job because it is a big job - from the point to Riversdale. Herman said that the most qualified people really in this country would be BWS.
Two Hundred New Belizeans
213 new Belizean Citizens from 26 countries were sworn in on Friday afternoon at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan. Now, you might say it's right in time for the election, but the registration and transfer period closed on September 10th, so these new citizens won't get to vote this time around. But they did get a lesson in Civics from Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse. Here's what he said:..
Jules Vasquez reporting
After an anthem by new citizen Pablo Collado the new Belizeans took the oath of nationality and then received their nationality certificates - a group from varied backgrounds:
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Americans, Argentineans, people from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Salvador, Sierra Leone, Trinidad, Bolivia and the United Kingdom."
And while they came from all over - he urged them to adopt the official language:
Searching For The Scientific Solution
Last week Friday, we told you about the opening of the Third Annual Sagicor Visionary Challenge. Belizean high school students are being prompted to develop programs to help their country through ideas rooted in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Well for the course of today and tomorrow, Chemistry teachers from all over are part of a 2-day Sub-regional Micro-Science Workshop.
Its a program that UNESCO and the Belizean Ministry of Education, and the Guyanese Ministry of Education are all collaborating on to see high school and sixth form students in Belize can make use of energy and water efficient chemistry testing sets. The idea is that these students can get an intuitive, hands-on, practical education in chemistry that is cost-effective.
The UNESCO representative, who is also from the Ministry of Education in Guyana, explained why this micro-science kit could be very useful:
Mercury Levels In Macal Bay Snook Alarming
Mercury Levels in Bay Snook in the Macal River have tripled - and the Ministry of Health is saying you should not eat it! A public advisory was issued today. It says that 12 types of fish in the Macal River were tested. Of the twelve, 6 had mercury levels above the recommended level - but only three of those types of fishes are normally consumed by persons living in around the Macal River. These fish include the Bay Snook, Baca and Botasi - those three have elevated mercury levels.
Levels were highest in the Botasi, second highest in the Bay Snook - both species had approximately three times the recommended levels. The mercury levels in Baca were only slightly elevated.
But, the Bay Snook is the most concerning. Mercury levels have increased almost three times since the last test. That means that adults can only safely eat half an ounce per week - but to be safe the Ministry of Health says, you should not eat it at all, until further notice. Consumption of the Botasi and Baca should also be limited.
The Street Sense On Elections
So the date for general elections has been set - Wednesday November 4th - we all knew it would be soon but just not this soon! That was the reaction from several people we spoke with today on Albert Street. Others were more spirited about the announcement and told us they are ready for elections in 37 days. Here is what they had to say.
San Pedro, The Road More Travelled
And while that's the mood in the city - on San Pedro, the UDP Representative is hoping that the continuation of the Northern Ambergris Road will be an incentive to voters.
The Prime Minister announced in Independence Day address last week that 4 more miles of that road would be concreted. Last week, our news team got an opportunity to see it for ourselves, and here's what the Area Rep. told us:
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
"From the bridge north is 2/3 of the island. Around the Basil Jones area is the widest area of the island. Practically 5 miles wide. San Pedro itself, the town core is just about 1/2 a mile wide and again if we put everything together development wise, Grand Belizean Estate had surveyed over there and have sold practically over 2,000 lots. Government land that have been given to locals and Belizeans around the nation, there is probably another, with the past administration and this administration - there is practically another 4,000 lots that is available."
Basil Jones International?
And the plan is that road will eventually lead to an international airport on Northern Ambergris.
We asked the Mayor and the Tourism Minister about the prospect of San Pedro getting commercial airlines flying directly there, instead of going to the PGIA. Here's what they had to say:
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
"There is 200 acres that is allocated for that airstrip, which I believe is more land than what PGIA have at this moment."
Daniel Ortiz
"We already have the PGIA. Why one specific tailored for San Pedro?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
"San Pedro is 30% of the entire tourism destination of this country. And to my belief it will be very soon more than 40%. And if we have a mega project which we know will happen as it happening in the Mexican territory. Once you have this mega project and the amount of people, why not have something that is readily available close to where this tourism resort will be along - complimenting what we have over here. Our local airlines will be about 15 miles away, so if anyone want to stay in our downtown hotel, they can come either by road, or if they want to make it faster they can come with our local airlines Maya or Tropic."
House For A Hero
3 weeks ago, the National Celebrations Commission held an event in memory of National Hero Philip Goldson, the super patriot who was a founding member of both the PUP and the UDP. As a follow up to that, the Institute of Social and Cultural Research today opened the Goldson House, a museum to honor the Great Man's memory and contribution.
In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said that this opening was convenient for his official announcement of the next elections. So, we asked him to comment on the memory of the man himself. Here's what he had to say:
Daniel Ortiz
"It appears that his political opponent Rt. Hon. George Price, has a position that is etched, can't be forgotten, but while Mr. Goldson was right there with him in the echelons, he appears to the younger generation such as myself to be someone forgotten. Whose responsibility for that you would say?"
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Well I think it's the responsibility of all of us not to forget. Of course there is stuff that authorities can do. We should be sure for example that in our schools the history of both national heroes is taught. Something like this now that we are doing under the auspices of NICH, this will no doubt help again to assist with research, with historical memory, but ultimately Philip Goldson's life was so extraordinary.
Parents At Faith Nazarene Send Their Kids Back
On Friday we showed you the latest on Faith Nazarene Primary school - when a few teachers joined the protest against their own principal. Well, after school on Friday, a group of concerned teachers and parents including PTA members met to discuss the way forward.
According to a press release today, they agreed, quote, "that all parents with children at Faith Nazarene Primary School should be encouraged to permit those children, to return to classes on Monday, September 28."
The release explains that sending the kids to school does not mean that parents and teachers quote, "have stopped, or will stop advocating or agitating for change at Faith Nazarene Primary - including the demand that Principal Pech cannot continue her tenure", end quote.
They say they have gotten legal advice and have clarity as to the next steps forward, including a demand to be heard by the Teaching Services Commission.
Channel 5
Prime Minister Announces Election Date!
Prime Minister Dean Barrow put all speculation to rest today when he announced November fourth as the date for the general elections. Of his two terms in office, he has [...]
General Elections to be held on November Fourth!
We can't say that the early elections are a surprise because it has been felt for some time that the P.M. would so do taking advantage of a number of [...]
Leader of Opposition, "We're a Little Surprised"
Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca reacted within hours to the announcement of the date for general elections. Querying why so early, he said the country is in crisis and things are [...]
Francis Fonseca Says PUP is Financially Ready
With only five weeks to prepare for general elections is the P.U.P. financially ready to launch a national campaign?� That's what we asked Party Leader Francis Fonseca earlier today since [...]
Five Weeks for Parties to Campaign
The rollout of the party's countrywide vote-seeking activities will see an energetic campaign to shed light on a number of issues, including corruption and misconduct.� The launch of the P.U.P. [...]
How Will Social Issues Affect Election Outcome?
So, where does the P.U.P. stand on the issues of Petrocaribe spending, the nationalization settlements of B.T.L. and B.E.L. as well as the Belize/Guatemala dispute?� Well, according to Fonseca, that's [...]
UDP Seeks Third Consecutive Term in Office
As the nation prepares for general elections in the wake of this morning’s announcement of early elections, the Prime Minister and his administration is anticipating a place in the political [...]
P.M. Barrow Sure of Victory at Polls
According to the P.M., while he doesn’t want to sound too confident or cocky, anything other than a victory at the polls would come as quite a surprise. � Dean [...]
What's the Confusion Over Remaining BTL Compensation?
The Opposition has lashed out at one particular aspect of G.O.B.’s settlement with the Ashcroft Group – what they call a blank check issued by government. The reference is to [...]
P.M. Resents BCWU Release
Following the announcement of the settlement over the nationalization of B.T.L., the Belize Communication Workers Union fired off a nasty release aimed directly at the Barrow Administration. They followed it [...]
Francis Fonseca Vs. Carla Barnett for Freetown
Party Leader Francis Fonseca has not lost an election in the Freetown constituency where he will be facing political opponent Doctor Carla Barnett on November fourth. Since offering herself as [...]
Will P.U.P. Campaign be Funded by Lord Ashcroft?
One more issue on the elections, the leader of the opposition was also asked about financial contributions to the P.U.P. from Lord Michael Ashcroft. Fonseca's response is that the question [...]
Caneros Murdered Execution-style in Corozal
There was a double homicide in the Corozal District last Friday. Two farmers were shot and killed in a cane-field in the outskirts of the village of Paraiso. As they [...]
Weekend Fire Leaves One Man Homeless
Police are investigating a weekend fire in City. A small house belonging to Arturo Pasos went up in flames on Saturday afternoon. Pasos lived alone in his wooden house off [...]
Mek Mi Rich Back in Court
This morning, the final case management session for the claim of Curtis Swasey against Belize Telemedia Limited (B.T.L.) and M.M.R. Belize Productions, creators of the television game show Mek Mi [...]
COLA President Takes Aim at Minister of Labor Over Rat Remark
The Minister of Labour, Godwin Hulse, last Friday, blamed the local media for inciting the international coverage of the story of the rat that bit a baby in the incubator [...]
NTUCB President on Senator Ray Davis
The National Trade Union Congress has plenty on its plate to deal with and among the myriad of issues, is the current situation involving Ray Davis. The President NTUCB, Marvin [...]
Marvin Mora Explains Process for Removing Senator Davis
While the N.T.U.C.B. is made up of ten unions, the Civil Society Steering Committee is made up of two organizations: WIN Belize and APAMO. Mora explains that the process for [...]
The Weekend Sports Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening I'm James Adderly and this is Sports Monday. It appears the PLB football National Completion had hit a rough spot as none of the advertised match was [...]
AmbergrisCaye.com 
