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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
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The San Pedro Sun
Best yet: Carnival Road March 2015!
If there's one thing Belizeans know how to do, it's partying- and there is no better party than the Carnival Road March! I'm talking colorful costumes, pounds of glitter, blaring soca music and lots of booze. Since its inception in 1975, the Carnival Road March has only being getting bigger and better, and is now a highly anticipated event in the September Celebrations calendar. This annual event has had thousands of Belizean flocking to Belize City on a designated Saturday in September to not only witness, but be part of, the largest show of culture, pride and patriotism. So what were my observation on Saturday, September 12th Carnival Road March 2015 - AMAZING, sign me up for next year! The family and I were out from early to get just the right spot at Princess Margret Drive. Loaded with snacks and refreshments, we eagerly waited for the parade to come by.
The San Pedro Town Council signs Memorandum of Understanding with CARILED
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday, September 11th, between the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED), a project funded by the Government of Canada. The program is on its second phase and is been implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with the sole aim to promote local economic development by supporting small businesses to start up and grow. This initiative is being held in seven countries in the Caribbean including Belize. San Pedro Town has become the first municipality in the entire program to get signed into the project's second phase. Present at the meeting were members of the SPTC, Pastor Clive Welch, representative of CARILED Leidi Urbina, and representing the Government of Belize was Director of Local Government Eugene Palacio. CARILED representative Leidi Urbina, explained that this project, unlike others which come directly from central government, starts at the municipal level. "The first phase of the project began in three municipalities, which included Belize City, Belmopan and San Ignacio. This approach focuses on the stewards being the local authorities working in partnership with the private sector, other NGO's and the civil society to stimulate and encourage business activity in the municipalities. After finishing phase one we are now moving into phase two, where we will have additional municipalities benefiting from the support we provide."
Ambergris Today
Why You Should Not Miss Out on Belize City's Carnival Parade
The sights, the sounds, the colors, the people, the spirit, the joy, but most of all the PRIDE! Witnessing the Belize Carnival Parade, that takes place during the country's September Celebrations honoring Independence Day, is nothing short of spectacular. Immerse yourself into the celebrations and you will get to experience first hand why Belizeans are considered such a happy and celebratory people.
Boys and girls as young as six years old are decked out in full costume to the theme of their mas band camp and their energies are as, if not stronger, than those of the adults who swing, twerk and gyrate their bodies to the high-energy sounds of "Jump Up" music, as they call it in Belize.
The route is a lengthy one (about four hours long) that takes place during one of the hottest months of the year, but that does not keep the parade participants from suiting up (or down to the bare essentials in some cases). Spectators also set up chairs and umbrellas along the parade route, picking their favorite location to witness all the fun and excitement.
Belize Observes World Suicide Prevention Day 2015
Recognizing the importance of suicide prevention, the Belize Mental Health Program of the Ministry of Health joined the international community in the observance of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2015. In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, San Pedro High School students paid recognition to the day by donning yellow ribbons on their uniforms during the September 10th/Battle of St. George's Caye Day parade and celebrations.
The Ministry of Health has medical officers at all health centers and hospitals across the country trained on how to diagnose and treat depression and other mental disorders attributed to suicidal behavior. Additionally, mental health clinics are situated at all district hospitals and at the Cleopatra White and Port Loyola Health Centers in Belize City.
Misc Belizean Sources
Macal Riverside Upgrade
The area between the Hawkesworth and wooden bridges is getting a little upgrade. The Town Council has cleared some of it, and now it can be used for parking and other fun events. Looking good!
"The transformation continues with Mayor Earl Trapp Jr. and the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council here in the Twin Town of San Ignacio and Santa Elena providing more parking spaces by the river side that will assist to alleviate traffic congestion down town San Ignacio especially by the Market Square. This upgrading by the river side can also serve for multi purposes, that includes recreational and possibly hosting of future culmination of September Celebrations Parade. A different setting, ambience, and certainly environmentally friendly. Your Town Council and the Government of Belize working together to provide a safer and healthy Municipality."
Government reaches agreement on BTL compensation
The Belize government says it has reached an agreement with the former shareholders of the Belize Telemdia (BTL) that was nationalized six years ago and could cost the country in excess of BZ$160 million (One Belize dollar =US$0.49 cents).
Prime Minister Dean Barrow told a news conference that the accord was agreed to last weekend.
"The government of Belize has settled the BTL issue. We have reached an agreement with the former shareholders of BTL, the Employees Trust and with British Caribbean Bank Ltd," Barrow said, adding that the "ink was put to paper last Friday and Tuesday we will take to the House, a bill for an act to appropriate further sums of money in order to pay compensation and will also take the Telecommunications Acquisition Settlement Act 2015".
Barrow said that when the government first nationalized BTL n 2009, "we acquired both the shares in Telemedia and the loan that British Caribbean Bank (BCB)�we acquired the loan that the BCB had made to Telemedia at a time before the acquisition but which loan naturally remained on the books.
Commentary: Analyzing the Guatemalan presidential election
By Wellington C. Ramos.
In looking at the results of the Guatemalan presidential election, the next president of Guatemala will be a person that has civilian background and that is good news for Belize. Over the years, when the president of Guatemala comes from the military, he is always a hard and difficult person to negotiate with. These individuals always assert Guatemala's claim to Belize and spend most of their presidency focusing on the Guatemalan claim to Belize. A civilian president will come in and try to focus on improving the living conditions of the people of Guatemala. The danger is that, if the military come to the conclusion that the civilian president is spending too much time on improving the living conditions of civilians and neglect them, then they will overthrow the president.
The military will also overthrow the president of Guatemala if they think that he or she is making too many concessions to Belize with the claim. Why? Because the Guatemalan claim to Belize is the cow that provides all the milk that the Guatemalan military feeds on. Without this claim, they would cut down on their military spending and focus on improving the living conditions of their poor citizens.
BATTLE OF ST. GEORGE'S CAYE UNIFORM PARADE & CORONATION
San Pedro Town celebrated the Battle of St. George's Caye on the 10th of September with its annual Uniform Parade and Miss San Pedro Coronation.
The Uniform Parade sees the participation of all the schools in San Pedro; from pre-school to high school. This year we counted with the participation of the staff of the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II and the staff of Elvi's Kitchen. Kudos to these two groups for their participation. We hope next year, more businesses and organizations can join us in promoting patriotism and civic pride in San Pedro.
Emergency power interruption 5:00am to 7:00am, Thursday, September 17: entire City of Belmopan
Necessary for BEL to urgently replace damaged recloser at Belmopan Substation.
Memories Art Exhibit
The Memories Art Exhibit opens next Tuesday at the George Price Center.
Urban Bird Watch 2015
Ready for some birding? I'll be leading the San Ignacio, Benque, San Pedro and Caye Caulker trips. And maybe Dangriga if anyone can promise me some Sere or Hudut.
Channel 7
BTL Settlement, Did Lord Ashcroft Get The Better of GOB?
Is the deal to settle the BTL takeover with the Ashcroft Alliance a good one? Well, the agreement was signed Friday, it was made public yesterday and it went to the House of Representatives for debate today. Not surprisingly, the PUP says it's a bad deal because it's costly and open ended. Opposition leader Francis Fonseca spoke about the 97 million dollars BTL will have to pay to Ashcroft's British Caribbean Bank to settle what was originally a 45 million dollar debt:
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"This 97 million, let be clear. The original loan was 22.5 million US, which is 45 million Belize dollars. With interest of 16% over 6 years. That has now amounted to 97 million Belize dollars. It gone from 45 million dollars to 97 million Belize dollars, all because of one man's stubborn pettiness. And now the Belizean people must pay 52 million dollars for that stubborn pettiness. We are being asked to approve a settlement and compromise which is still not very clear. We don't know what the full terms and cost of it will be Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister made mention of some figures earlier in his introduction I believe when he talked about specific share values and he suggested that perhaps we may end up somewhere with a five - eight five share value. If you use even the 5 dollar number, what you are looking at, at the very least is an additional 230 million dollars. That is what this blank cheque is all about and it may very well turned out to be more than that."
PUP Demands Protection for FCIB Employees
The First Caribbean International Bank vesting bill also went to the house today. That's to provide for the transfer of banking assets from FCIB to Heritage Bank. But, inevitably, the issue of the 60 FCIB employees who will lose their jobs came up. Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca called on government to give them some undertaking of security:..
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
"It is our understanding that there are some 60 employees who, to use their words, find themselves in limbo. They find themselves facing growing uncertainty about their current status and their futures. Before we pass this bill, this vesting bill, we at the very least get an absolute undertaking from the Honorable Prime Minister who is the Minister of Finance, that this First Caribbean International Bank Belize Branch has fulfilled each and every of its legal obligations to these employees including but not limited to the negotiation and conclusion of what they have termed their exit packages. But we certainly what it to go beyond that. We want to make sure that there is an undertaking by the Minister of Finance that these employees will be assured a fair and reasonable exit strategy before we pass this bill. So we can't support this bill while these 60 workers and their families remained in the dark about their exit packages. We certainly expect and I expect that the bank will act in good faith. I know the people involved. I certainly expect that from them, but we certainly have to place on the record here in this house today our absolute deep concerns about this matter."
CWU President Fires Back At PM
So then, last night, and again today, the Prime Minister lathered and lambasted the leadership of the Christian Worker's Union. Well, 3 hours ago, their President, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, called a press conference to respond to the Prime Minister. Here's what she had to say:
Audrey Matura Shepherd, President - CWU
"We have copies of letters again to prove that the Prime Minister has once again been misinformed and by extension of him going only by heir misinformation has mislead this country."
"One of the questions that the workers say that it's unfair that the Prime Minister and those who spew his propaganda has been pushing is that CWU has failed FCIB workers. To that, the answer I am asked to give is and the answer to which I believe is that the government is the one that has failed the workers, because he never sat down to discuss with us or to hear our side of the story.
Man Charged For Cruel Coro Beatdown
Last night we told you about the vicious beat down in Corozal where 42 year old Mark Villanueva was almost buried alive. The family told us that between Friday night and early Saturday morning Villanueva was dragged out of his dwelling and severely beaten. He was found unconscious on his relative's nearby property. Well that relative is his cousin Alberto Hall and he has been arrested and charged with grievous harm. Now, for context, we re-air the interview we did with Villanueva's niece Shanna Pott who described the heinous attack.
Shanna Pott, Niece
"The person who attacked my uncle came into his camp where he works his farm in Chan Chen Village. So he stays there by himself in this area, him and this other person. They live a few yards away from each other and my uncle was asleep in his camp at the time when he was attacked by this person. The person came into his camp and knocked him out.
PG Suspects For Otoxha Murder of Guatemalan
Police are looking for 3 men in connection with the murder in the Toledo district. Guatemalan Oscar Xol Ic's body was found yesterday afternoon at 2 in some bushes near Corazon Creek - 45 miles away from Punta Gorda. Ic was killed sometime between Sunday morning and 12 midday yesterday. His body was found with a wound to the neck. Police say that robbery was the motive because Ik came from Guatemala and sold clothes in the villages in PG. But on one of his deliveries that he was robbed and killed. The men police are looking for are from PUNTA GORDA.
Caretaker Killed, Cops Looking For Threat-Maker
No one has been charged for the murder of Salvadoran care taker Jorge Aguirre. Aguirre was murdered late Wednesday evening on his boss Carl McCulloch's farm in May Pen Village off the northern highway. Aguirre's body was found floating in the Belize River on Saturday morning with chop wounds to the neck, foot, hands and head. Aguirre was killed on the farm then dragged and dumped in the river. Police told us yesterday that they have a person of interest who had threatened Aguirre before but they are still investigating the case.
Students Slow To Show Up To School At Faith Nazarene
Yesterday, only 106 students showed up for classes at Faith Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio. That's after teachers and the principal, Policarpia Pech, had agreed to proceed with regular classes, despite the breakdown in their professional relationship. Well, on the second school day since that truce, we're told this evening that only 180 students, less than half of the school's total enrollment, showed up today.
So that's another half a week lost for more than half of the student body, and there is uncertainty about tomorrow's attendance. That's because the parents plan to stage another protest at the school tomorrow.
Getting Serious About Sexual Violence
"Sexual Violence is no joke:" that is theme of the new educational campaign on violence against women and children. This is the 3rd campaign of its kind - the first 2 focused on violence against women and girls but this campaign also targets sexual violence against boys. It's an issue that is often overlooked, but today at the launch of this new campaign it was discussed extensively. The coordinators told us it's not only about getting that message across but about constantly reinforcing it until there is a significant decrease in sexual violence against women and children.
It is a 3 year campaign which will include visits to schools and other educational programs organized by the Youth Enhancement Services.
Audrey Scolds Media
11 days ago, we told you about that article from the Guardian Newspaper which reported that Northern Cane Farmer Lucilo Teck may be on the hook for bill of $60,000 in legal fees. That's because he sued the Sugar Industries Control Board and lost on a case of huge public importance which was resolved before the court could make a ruling.
That could spell a deathblow for Teck's assets and properties, and so, while we had the opportunity, we asked his attorney, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, to confirm the report. She told us that the court hadn't ruled on issue as yet. But then, she decided to scold us for taking an interest in this case and not digging into how much legal fees the Government is paying for the BTL and BEL settlements. Here's that back-and-forth:
Audrey Matura-Shepherd - Attorney for Lucilo Teck
"There is a hearing that we attended, but there is not a decision as far as I know. But I see that that suddenly comes up as an issue, while the court is in recess since the start of August to the 15th September.
How's It Coming At KHMH
7 weeks ago, the staff at the KHMH staged a go-slow to send a message that they wanted a raise just like all the other workers in the public healthcare system. The government rushed in a team of negotiators with cabinet credentials to give the message that the staff's request was being taken seriously, and that the go slow should end.
It did, and meetings have continued with the most recent being held yesterday, with the KHMH Administration, Government officials, and representatives of the 579 employees.
Today, we asked the CEO if any progress is being made:
Dr. Adrian Coye - CEO, KHMH
"As I've said in the past during this process of negotiations we have agreed not to make any formal disclosures and so all I can say is that the process has been a very healthy one. I think it will have a conclusion very soon and we will have a joint release in the near future that will basically informed the public as to the outcome of it."
KHMH @ 20
And while the negotiations continue, The KHMH, the country's national referral hospital, is celebrated it's 20th birthday today, but unlike the rest of us, the Administration wants to celebrate that milestone for an entire week with different events.
It started yesterday with the ground breaking for the Petro-caribe funded Chapel to be completed before December. And today, KHMH continued the celebration in its parking lot today with it's staff. Here's what the CEO had to say about the significance of the hospital's importance:
Dr. Adrian Coye - CEO, KHMH
"Everyone has a birthday and every year it's celebrated. So in the same way as we celebrate life and achievements, this is an institution that have a life on its own and we are now passing the teenage years into what we would say adulthood and I think in a way this is the journey that Karl Heusner has taken. It's taken us a while to reach where we are and it's been exciting, many challenges, many difficulties, but I think there is a bright future for Karl Huesner and we are excited to celebrate the staff for the achievements that they do daily, recognizing them for such and of course reaffirmed more desire to serve the public in the best way possible and so we celebrating, I think it's a good thing."
16 Mil. For Hummingbird Rehab
The Kuwait fund will sponsor the 16 million dollar rehabilitation of portions of the Hummingbird Highway. And they are starting with the beginning and ending sections. The first portion is Belmopan Roundabout junction to the Sibun Bridge, and the second is Dangriga to Alta Vista. The Government of Belize has signed a contract with a Cayo based company A&N Construction for these two sections.
To engineer the upgrade, the Ministry of Works hired the Kuwaiti Consulting Firm led by Owner and Managing Director Dr. Nabeel Abdul-Raheem. He and his team did extensive surveys and studies on what is the best way to refurbish the highway. Here's what the consultant had to say:
The road pavement will be improved, and single lane bridges will be replaced among other things.
RAT ...
We've reported extensively on the rat that was found in an incubator in the KHMH nursery after it had bitten a newborn infant. Well, today that became grist for debate in the House of representatives when one PUP representative said that the millions being used to settle the BTL acquisition would better be used to invest in a failing healthcare system. Here's what Michael Finnegan had to say about that:
Hon. Michael Finnegan, Mesopotamia
"Look what you are glorifying in and you are happy because you all think that will give you a political advantage over the government. A rat ends up in there and bite the baby. Oh God we are sorry for that. But it's not Barrow who sent the rat in the place to bite the baby, It is not Finnegan who sent the rat in there to bite the baby. The hospital at Cayo is run by the public service. Some public officer is in charge on maintaining and keeping the hospital - the competence of not doing his job. So what will you do? You will lash Barrow for that? You think that Barrow actually took the rat and carry it into the incubator and drop it in there and tell it to bite the baby. You don't clap about that. You don't glorify that. All of us must get up and say that we must make sure that these things doesn't happen."
The newborn suffered no lasting effects from the rat bite.
Channel 5
Settlement of B.T.L. Nationalization Goes Before House of Representatives
The House of Representatives met in special sitting today. There were two main issues on the agenda-the passing of the Vesting Act relating to the sale of FCIB to Heritage [...]
P.M. Divulges Settlement Figures with Ashcroft Group
Against that backdrop, the PM also got into more detail on the financial aspect of the settlement package between G.O.B. and the Ashcroft Group. As a first payment, the agreement [...]
Leader of Opposition Finds Fault with G.O.B. Settlement, Blames P.M.'s Arrogance
Those figures aren't sitting well with the Opposition People's United Party, which doesn't share G.O.B.'s triumphal touting of the settlement with the Ashcroft Group. Fonseca says that the only reason [...]
P.U.P. Can't Support Vesting Bill with Employees on the Chopping Block
Also on the agenda today was the vesting bill, which will facilitate the sale of First Caribbean International Bank assets to Heritage Bank. While the transaction is a private one [...]
Mesop Area Rep Says G.O.B. has Nothing to do with FCIB Employees
Since Fonseca was demanding answers, the Mesopotamia Area Representative decided to give him some, in his own 'special' style. According to Michael Finnegan, G.O.B. has absolutely nothing to do with [...]
Said Musa Says Government is Mishandling FCIB Situation
Not surprisingly, former Prime Minister and Fort George Area Rep., Said Musa, disagreed with that position by G.O.B. He claims that the entire situation has been mishandled because of government's [...]
�No Commencement Date has been Written into Vesting Act
The Prime Minister has come under fire for proceeding with the vesting act while the employees at the FCIB are still trying to negotiate an exit package. But he says [...]
CWU President Responds to P.M.'s Criticism on Collective Bargaining Agreement
While parliamentarians were winding up the first of two consecutive house meetings to formalize the sale of FCIB's assets to Heritage Bank Limited, CWU President Audrey Matura-Shepherd was appearing before [...]
Is the CBA Excitement Really Just a Red Herring?
Matura-Shepherd says that all the fuss about a collective bargaining agreement is merely a diversion from the real issue at hand, a severance package that should be given to all [...]
Are There Any Options for FCIB Employees?
Is there anything that can be done under the law that can provide an alternative to the peremptory measures being taken by government in ratifying the sale of FCIB's assets?� [...]
Finnegan Zeroes in on Audrey Matura-Shepherd
No House sitting in recent memory has lacked the requisite name-calling ad tawdry insults, and today there was more of that, aimed at Christian Workers Union president Audrey Matura-Shepherd. Member [...]
Toledo West Area Rep and Finnegan Trade Shots over B.T.L. Settlement
One more thing on the settlement of B.T.L. At today's sitting, firebrand area representative for Toledo West, Oscar Reque�a also got in some shots at Prime Minister Dean Barrow for [...]
Guatemalan Vendor Murdered in Toledo District
Around two p.m. on Monday, the lifeless body of Guatemalan national Oscar Ik was discovered in some bushes forty-five miles outside of Punta Gorda, near Corazon Creek in the Toledo [...]
Barry Johnson is Charged with Aggravated Assault
A third person linked to an alleged gun assault that occurred back in August was arraigned this morning before Magistrate Ladonna John. Belize City resident Barry Johnson was charged with [...]
P.M. on Relationship with Ashcroft Group
A wide range of issues came up during Monday's press conference when Prime Minister made the announcement that he had reached settlement with the previous owners of Belize Telemedia six [...]
P.M. Says He Won't Honor Accommodation Agreement
The issue of the accommodation agreement between signed between government and the previous owners of the B.T.L. has been the elephant in the room. So how does it factor in [...]
�But if He Has to then it Will Be for Belizeans
But according to the PM, if it forms part of the valuation to the compensation, then some ground will have to be found. Prime Minister Dean Barrow "They have [...]
K.H.M.H. Celebrates 20 Years
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this week with a series of activities that are being held across the institution to commemorate that milestone.� Since assuming [...]
Awareness Campaign on Sexual Violence is Launched
Acts of sexual violence against boys and girls are constant despite a number of new measures in place that provide more protection to victims and make it harsher for perpetrators [...]
The 2015 Carnival Road March
This past Saturday, thousands of spectators gathered along the two-mile stretch of road as the 2015 Carnival Road March got underway from Caesar Ridge Road to the B.T.L. Park on [...]
CTV3
GOB Introduces Bill To Facilitate The Sale Of FICB
Today's sitting of the House of Representatives saw the introduction of a bill to facilitate the transactions between the Belize First Caribbean International Bank (Barbados) and Heritage Bank, although the Prime Minister has yet to set a commencement date for such transactions. The bill for an act to provide for the vesting in Heritage Bank Limited of the business in Belize First Caribbean international Bank (Barbados) Limited should provide for the easy transfer of assets said the Prime Minister Dean Barrow.
"This is in order to provide for the easy completion of the transfer of the First Caribbean International Bank Limited business in Belize to Heritage bank, as I said publicly yesterday and a member already had discovered from reading the provisions of the Bill and the idea is to pass this but not to appoint a commencement date until a number of things would have happened including we hope and believe the settlement of outstanding matters between the management of First Caribbean and the Staff of first Caribbean, this Bill has the recommendation of the Cabinet."
Elroy Bastarachea Goes Back To Court
Elroy Bastarachea is a name worth remembering. But in case it does not ring a bell, he is the man accused of posing as a lands official and scamming a number of persons out of hundreds of dollars with the promise of getting their land titles.
On June 3rd 2014, 31 year old Grisel Botes, a businesswoman from the Village of Libertad in the Corozal District, accused Bastarachea of swindling her of $23,875.00. Botes told police that she gave Bastarachea the money over a period of three months in exchange for several pieces of lands on San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Belize District and in the Cayo District.
Belize Listed Among Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries
Belize has been identified as one of the Caribbean Nations major illicit drug producing or drug-transit countries that are significantly affecting the United States. This is according to a statement released by the U.S State Department today.
The report says that under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, the American president is required each year to notify Congress of countries that fall into that category. On this year's list are the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, among other countries. Of those countries, President Barack Obama has determined that Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela "failed demonstrably" during the last 12 months to make sufficient or meaningful efforts to adhere to their obligations under international counter narcotics agreements.
Comedian Actor To Face Former First Lady In Guatemala Electoral Race
Guatemalan presidential candidate Manuel Baldizon quit his political party and dropped out of the presidential race on Monday, leaving Comedian Actor Jimmy Morales and former first lady Sandra Torres, who has ties in Belize, in the runoff to be the country's next president.Baldizon, of the Renewed Democratic Liberty party, told reporters that he couldn't endorse the results of the Sept. 6 vote that placed him in third place, but also in a statistical tie with Torres, though she garnered about 6,000 votes more than he did. Election authorities hadn't officially announced who had placed second and Baldizon never asked for a recount before quitting.Today though Guatemala's official election body, TSA, announced that after obtaining one million 152 thousand 394 votes, representing 23.99 percent of the valid votes, Morales of the FCN- Nacion Party moves on to the second round. Challenging him is Torres who received 948 thousand eight hundred and nine votes representing 19.75 percent of valid votes.
Corozal Police To Increase Safety Measures For 21st September Festivities
There is no doubt that Belizeans at home and abroad look forward to the month of September when we celebrate our Independence. But while Belizeans take time out to celebrate the country's sovereignty crime does not sit back and watch. Criminals are still on the loose and during the celebrations is when authorities need to heighten their patrols. To minimize criminal activity in Corozal over the festivities authorities in that municipality have set a number of strategies in place, especially when it comes to public drinking.
Peter Claude Serrano Inspector of Police
"Well, ever since the September celebrations began we have step up out patrols, we talking about foot, mobile and we even have our motorcycle patrol morning and evening along with bicycle patrols we have been moving around, we have discouraged people from public drinking and we know that it is an offence and I want everyone out there that public drinking is an offence as is coming on to the highway we have been doing highway patrols, we have been doing quite a number of vehicle check point on the highway likewise."
Guadalupe Street To Be Paved After The Celebrations
And for those anticipating the September 21st Independence Parade in Orange Walk Town, Mayor Kevin Bernard says this year, they are doing things a bit different. According to Mayor Bernard the council is incorporating marshalls, rope lines and added security to keep the public safe during the parade.
The Mayor says while the parade route will remain the same, residents raised the concern about utilizing Guadalupe Street which is yet to be paved. Those works for paving says Bernard, will be done after the 21st.
"If we were going to pave it today or tomorrow there will still be fresh asphalt, fresh loose gravel on these areas and then this heavy truck that will be passing will be stopping going, stopping going, and it could have created some problem on the newly pave road so we have decided that immediately after the 21st let the parade pass and then we will be going in and pave the road and the route remains the same and I want to advice on lookers and I want to advice that there will be no vehicle to park on the parade route the police has offered the support that we will be roping off these areas and we do not want that the spectators do not pickle into the parade as well because we always know that there is a battle neck at different locations and these are the aras we are seeking to address so it remains the same and the official it starts at 1:30pm on Monday."
Mark Villanueva Former Employer Charged For His Brutal Attack
Yesterday we told you about the severe beating received by 42 year old Mark Villanueva, a resident of Corozal Town. On Friday night Villanueva was sleeping at his camp located behind the Village of Chan Chen in Corozal in an area known as Santa Rosa when he was attacked and dragged to a nearby farm where he was nearly beaten to death.
Family members say Villanueva was able to identify his attacker but up to news time yesterday no charges had been levied upon the individual hence why we were unable to release his name.
But today we can tell you that Villanueva's alleged attacker has been charged by Corozal Police. He is Alberto Hall, A.K.A Beto Hall, Villanueva's former employer and cousin who was charged today with grievous harm. He was offered bail in the sum of $2,000 which he met and will be back in court on the 8th of December.
GOB Settles With BTL
After a few marathon meetings between Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow and Billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft, the Government of Belize announced today that they along with former shareholders of the Belize Telemedia Limited being Dunkeld International Investment Limited, The Employees Trust and the British Caribbean Bank have agreed to a settlement in the telecommunications company.
GOB says that at the time of acquisition in 2009, Dunkeld (through various holding companies) held 71.2% shares in BTL, and the BTL Employees Trust (through its holding company, Sunshine Holding Limited) owned 23% shares. Viewers may recall that in orders from 2009 and 2011, the Government also acquired British Caribbean Bank's interest and rights in certain loans and securities.
Particularly, the Government acquired a mortgage to BTL in the sum of US$22.5 million that both the Government and BTL contend was illegal. The Bank challenged the acquisition and commenced arbitration under the 1982 Bilateral Investment Treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Belize for the promotion and protection of investments. On December 19th, 2014, the Arbitral Tribunal ruled in favor of the bank and ordered the Government to pay compensation.
PM Blames CWU's Fault With FCIB Staff
Viewers may recall that in August of this year, First Caribbean International announced that it would be selling out its assets to a much smaller bank, Heritage Bank. The buy over, however, does not include FCIB staff, about 60 employees in total, who were told that they were losing their jobs and need to re-apply to Heritage Bank if they wish to be employed. Staff members were in negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement at the time of the announcement. All staff members, except for management, are members of the Christian Workers Union and since the announcement was made, the CWU had expressed disappointment with CIBC for not being forthcoming when the question was directly put to them via a letter dated July third, 2015. The union also said it would be working along CIBC to ensure that a proper exit package is put together for those employees who would be joining the ranks of the unemployed. But last week Friday, all 55 Union members employed by First Caribbean called in sick as part of their protest of the way the buy over is going; without the input of the employees. And while the First Caribbean Bank employees continue to stage a sick out, the Prime Minister spared no bullets when he came down on CWU's leadership and President, Audrey Matura Shepperd. The PM criticized Matura for what he claims is a "dense and dishonest leadership" on her behalf.