belize times april 15, 2012

Sunday, April 15, 2012 THE BELIZE TIMES 1

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Issue No. 4791SUNDAY April 15, 2012

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EASTER BLOODBATHwww.facebook/Belize Times

UDP spends $300,000 on 3 Gov’t vehicles!!

Choto Brings the Garland

HomeGangs infiltrate nation’s security

strategy

See p

age 9

SCAN HERE

23 yr. old gunned down on Albert St.

Gapi gets a 2012 Land CruiserIndependent polls and opinions

forecast PUP win

Lake I & Cayo eLeCtIonS UnDeR ReVIeW

aRtISt BenjamIn nIChoLaS paSSeS

U.S. InCReaSeS VISa feeS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

031619

See page 12

Vega’s new luxury ride, a 2012 Land Cruiser, will be paid for by taxpayers

BELIZE CITY, Tuesday, April 10th, 2012By Alton Humes

Michael James Garbutt, aged 23 years and a Belizean deportee exiled from the US, was viciously and unrepentantly killed in what

is now a full-fledged spate of violence continuing to spread through the very heart of Belize City, and the country of Belize at large.

Garbutt, who resides in the T Street area of Belize City, was at the family residence just above Dee Dee’s Res-

Belize City, April 10, 2012

The gun war-fare continued wantonly over the Easter holidays and the bloodshed and grief did not escape the Lanza family of Casaurina Street in the Lake Indepen-

Herman Lanza ripped apart By sHotGun BLasts

Belize City, April 9, 2012In these hard economic times, almost every-

one has had to readjust their lifestyle to survive. Belizean families are forced to stretch their dollars to meet their daily needs. Business owners spend restless nights figuring out how they’ll pinch

Belize City, April 10, 2012It has become very clear

that criminal elements in Be-lize City gangs have been getting very special and dif-ferential treatment from the Barrow Administration. Special job assignments throughout

the districts, special meet-ings with the Prime Minister where payments in exchange and extortion deals for “peace” are negotiated, and the use of taxpayer’s money to maintain gang members’ lifestyles with

Michael Garbutt’s senseless murder on Holy Thursday was the start of a bloody Easter Holiday weekend, with 4 murders

and 9 deaths overall

2 THE BELIZE TIMES Sunday, April 15, 2012

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITOR

Alberto Vellos

OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo McKay

PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR

Doreth Bevans

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

STAFF REPORTER

Alton Humes

TYPIST

Rachel Arana

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte

Printed & Published ByTHE BElIzE TIMEs lTD.

#3 Queen StreetP.O. BOX 506

Belize City, BelizeTel: 671-8385

Email: [email protected]@yahoo.com

Poor man’s public

transportation needed in Belmopan

PUP Northern Caucus calls

UDP’s attacks

“mischief”, “malice”

Prime Minister Barrow envies the PUP

PUP Leader pledges to defend the People’s Will

in Freetown

To Whom It May ConcernA city bus service would re-

ally be appreciated in Belmopan, wouldn’t you agree with me?

When you leave your village to go to Belmopan you pay eight dol-lars round trip, then when you get there it is so far to walk to the of-fices you have to visit. Sometimes it is raining, sometimes the sun is so hot that when you reach your destination you are either all wet or covered in sweat or just totally tired.

People will not always have $12 to pay for a taxi. Most of the time, we have to walk. Many people in Belize City appreciate those bus-es that run only for a dollar. Those people could never afford $6 or $7 a drop. Thanks to whosoever came up with the $1 bus, because it helps to save in these hard times.

Once, I watched a lady heading to the hospital. She had three small children crying behind her because they were tired and a young baby in her hand. Please remember it is the poor people who stand in the sun hot waiting to cast their vote don’t forget us. We must think about them. Let’s get a bus service run in Belmopan soon.

Sincerely,Mrs. Gertrude Velasquez

Dear Editor,Many Belizean have been misled by

the UDP leadership that former Prime Minister Said Musa created the super bond for all of us Belizeans to pay the 2 billion dollars debt. What Mr. Barrow did not tell us is that the UDP owed 5 hun-dred million dollars that were included in the super bond! What Mr. Barrow also did not tell us is that the oil company

BNE came to produce oil under Prime Minister Said Musa and the PUP Admin-istration.

We Belizeans should understand that the PUP left for all of us over one hundred million dollars revenue every year from the oil. Although Mr. Barrow tried to divert our attention to the super bond, he depends on the oil revenue left by former Prime Minister Said Musa.

April 5, 2012Release from the Office of the Area Rep-

resentative of the Freetown Division, Hon. Francis W. Fonseca

On April 4th, 2012 the applicants in Su-preme Court Claim No. 195 of 2012 were granted leave by the Supreme Court to file an Election Petition in respect of the Freetown Division.

It is now expected that this Election Peti-tion will be filed and heard before the Supreme Court of Belize within the next two months.

While I do not agree with or understand the Courts reasoning for granting leave, I am of course duty-bound and obliged to respect and abide by that decision.

As this matter is now before the Supreme Court, I am restrained in my ability to fully comment on the facts. I however wish to as-sure the people of Freetown and indeed all Belizeans that it is my intention to vigorously defend the integrity of our election victory in Freetown and the integrity of those individuals in Freetown who have been targeted by the UDP for personal destruction because of their loyalty and commitment to the PUP.

I categorically and unequivocally deny any suggestion or allegation of bribery on the part of anyone associated with the PUP Freetown Election Victory.

Our election victory in Freetown was won thru hard work, sweat, and yes sometimes tears contributed by hundreds of good, hon-est, faithful members and supporters of my-self and our great Party.

We will not allow a failed candidate and a few paid UDP activists, seemingly willing to perjure themselves before the Supreme Court, to thwart or undermine the will and destiny of the people of Freetown.

I thank all those across the country for their expressions of support and offerings of prayer. The fight continues!! The work contin-ues!! God Bless Belize!

April 11, 2012 The Northern Caucus of the People’s

United Party (PUP) expresses its unequivocal support for the Honourable Francis Fonseca, leader of the People’s United Party, in the battle to restore integrity to the democratic and electoral process through the filing of election petitions. It is the belief of this Cau-cus that those petitions filed by the PUP are the result of clear infractions in the electoral process by representatives of the U.D.P. Any such infraction is an attack on the people and an attack on our democracy and cannot be tolerated in any instance.

In a nonsensical response to the petitions filed by the PUP, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has taken the decision to file their own petition against the Honourable Francis Fon-seca in Supreme Court Claim #195 of 2012. The U.D.P. has produced five (5) of their loyal supporters who claim that they were alleg-edly bribed by Freetown operatives to vote for the Hon. Fonseca.

The Northern Caucus of the PUP wishes to state categorically that it considers that allegation unfounded and based on nothing more than political mischief and malice. The Caucus is furthermore confident that after due consideration, the Court will find it so. We stand in support of the Party Leader as he stands to defend the integrity of his clear victory in the Freetown Division on March 7th and the integrity of those individuals who have come under attack by the U.D.P. for their loyalty to our great Party. (Press Release)

This oil revenue allowed Mr. Bar-row to write-off many home loans and because of the oil money the UDPs were able to squander our money on election campaign. When we feel so good about the write-off we also must know that the PUP oil revenue was the security for the write-off.

The PUP believes in growing the economy while the UDP stifles the economy. Many businesses have closed down under the UDP lead-ership while money circulated well enough under the PUP. Be the judge my people, the teachers got wage in-creases under the PUP and the UDP stifled the teachers with high cost of living.

The truth is from 2005 Prime Min-ister Said Musa left over one hundred million dollars in revenue to secure continuously for money borrowed for the development of our country Be-lize. And for this, Mr. Barrow envies the PUP.

Signed.Luke Palacio


Court to review Lake I & Cayo North East election processes

Continued from page 1


EASTER BLOODBATHtaurant and Bar, just after Delta Store on Albert Street on the afternoon of April 4th, 2012. He was there greeting numerous relatives, who came in from the United States just to see him. He stepped outside the restaurant, look-ing to smoke a cigarette, when a lone gunman appeared from the direction of nearby Simmons Alley, and fired a sin-gle shot in his direction, which caught him in the head. What happened next is more conjecture than proven, as the gunman is believed to have stood over Garbutt’s already prone body, and shot him twice more to the head, furthering the chance to hasten Garbutt’s demise. The gunman then escaped back into the alley after committing his vile act.

The scene right after was heart-breaking as the family rushed outside to find their family member lying dead on the ground. A horde of bystanders had gathered, gawking and in awe of the senseless rush of what they wit-nessed.

The Police are now searching for the killer, as trying to discern a motive for the shooting.

The BELIZE TIMES understands most of the victim’s family plan to leave for the United States, with the sad remembrance of this Easter trag-edy. Garbutt was buried on Easter Sun-day, April 8th, 2012.

Herman Lanza ripped apart By sHotGun BLasts

dence area. At around 7:30 on Holy Saturday night, Herman Lanza, 32, was on his way to buy at a shop when his killers, described as a large group of youths, accosted him and perforated his body with eight bullets.

Lanza was at home and left say-ing he would return. He never did. His siblings sat at home and heard a mul-titude of gunshots. When it was over, Lanza lay mortally wounded. He had been attacked by a group of gunmen who assaulted him with weapons in-cluding a shotgun, which was fired at him from close range ripping apart his hands, and causing fatal injuries.

Although the homicide occurred early in the night, no one has stepped forward with information about the kill-ing, and the police have little to go on.

Lanza, who spent more than ten years behind bars for a robbery he claimed he never committed, has been out of prison for about five years and has been living on a low profile, wash-ing vehicles and driving for a doctor. He was the father of one child.

Belize City, April 10, 2012Two final Supreme Court appli-

cations submitted by the People’s United Party, involving the elections in the Lake Independence and Cayo

North East divisions, were success-ful as the Court granted permissions for reviews.

In the case of the Lake Indepen-dence constituency, PUP standard bearer Martin Galvez applied to the Court for permission to challenge the validity of the UDP candidate, Mark King. In Galvez’ application, the at-torneys cite that King was disquali-fied by Section 58 of the Constitu-tion which states that “no person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Repre-sentatives who…is a party to, or a partner in a firm or a director or manager of a company which is a party to, any contract with the government for or on account of the public service”.

The section declares that the candidate should make known such contracts by publishing it in a news-paper 30 days prior to the election.

King, who according to docu-ments at the Companies Registry, is the proprietor of Brints Security, is the beneficiary of a $135,216 con-tract signed with the Government of Belize to provide 24-hour security of the Charles B. Hyde building on Ma-hogany Street, also known as the Complex Building.

The contract between King’s Brint Security and the Barrow Administra-tion was signed on July 27, 2011 for a period of two years.

Galvez’s application states that King contravened section 58 and therefore is disqualified from being the elected representative for the Lake In-dependence division. Galvez asks that the Court grants a declaration voiding King’s election, which would result in a by-election for the area.

After hearing the arguments, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin granted the permission on Thursday April 5th.

The Supreme Court also granted permission for the PUP’s Cayo North East standard bearer Orlando Habet to file an election petition against El-vin Penner and the March 7th Election Returning Officer Jose Castellanos.

Habet’s attorneys, Senior Coun-sel Rt. Hon. Said Musa and Anthony Sylvester Jr. argued that the denial of a recount in a hotly contested election in which Habet lost by only 17 votes, and 37 ballots were considered ques-tionably rejected, was wrongful.

They argued that among those rejected ballots, possibly lied enough valid votes that could have given Ha-bet the advantage, and that Castella-nos should have allowed for a recount.

Justice Minet Haffiz-Betram saw merit in the argument and ruled that the permission to file an electoral peti-tion be granted.

The BELIZE TIMES understands that the PUP’s three election peti-tions, against Herman Longsworth in the Albert Division, Mark King in Lake Independence and Elvin Penner in Cayo North East have been filed, and now await setting of dates.



kevin pott & teen girlfriend shot on mahogany Street UnPOPULAR UDP

WHERE iS THE BUDgET?

UDP spends $300,000 for 3 Gov’t vehicles!!

through decreasing revenues to meet expenses and keep staff intact. But the politicians in the Barrow Administration don’t seem to be practicing any kind of financial discipline whatsoever.

Documents obtained by the BE-LIZE TIMES show that since taking of-fice in their second term, spending tax payers’ money recklessly and without restraint has been the order of the day for the UDP. Here are the cold facts: in two days, March 26th and March 28th, the Barrow Administration spent almost $300,000 on three new vehicles for its new Ministers.

One of Mark King’s first decisions as the junior Minister of Gangs was to get a new ride for himself. We understand King had the option of using any of the vehicles used by previous Ministers, but that’s not how a King rides so he chose to buy a fancy SUV for $74,500 that was billed and paid for by the Ministry of Fi-nance with Invoice Number 0018614.

King has been seen cruising mind-lessly in his new SUV with a bodyguard-like crew in his dark-tinted vehicle. He was given no major responsibility in Cabinet, he is responsible for one of the poorest areas of Southside Belize City, yet his priority was to buy a new car.

But King’s misdeeds cost taxpay-ers much less than the real King’s right hand. Gaspar Vega has gained quite a reputation as Deputy Prime Minister. In the north, he is known as the Don. His financial prowess has extended in the past few years with ownership of man-sions, large tracts of land, multiple cars and increased personal wealth, and for a man who just a decade ago was fighting the Court to pay a $200 per child main-tenance, let’s just say he can do much more now.

Vega has also been constant about one other thing: driving the fanciest, most expensive vehicles your money can buy. Since becoming a member of the House in 2008, Vega has changed ve-hicles quite often, and it’s not just swap-ping parts or changing the paint. This UDP Minister changes an entire vehicle and doesn’t get anything less fancy than Land Cruisers and Lexus. And so, with a brand new five-year term in Orange Walk North, it appears its time Vega got a new vehicle: a 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser. It is one of the worst fuel-economy vehicles but when it is your money is paying for the gas the UDP hardly cares. What they care about is the luxury they will be living in at your expense.

The BELIZE TIMES understands the Ministry of Finance has also purchased a new 2011 Toyota Hilux but this isn’t for a Minister. This one is for the new CEO in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, Dr. Colin Young.

Together, Vega and the CEO’s vehi-cle total to a whopping $225,000 bill paid for by tax payers. Add to that King’s new ride, and the bill increases to $299,500.

Spending so much money on mate-rial items, when so many Belizeans can barely afford a basket of basic goods, is like committing a grave financial sin. It’s made cardinal by the fact that it’s the people’s money going to waste. It is in the book of Mark that we’ll find the wise scripture: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”. Take heed, you greedy, wasteful UDPs.

BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, April 11th, 2012By Alton Humes

On Easter Monday, April 9th, 2012, officers from the Belize Police Department’s responded to yet an-other senseless vicious murder in the bowels of Belize City’s Southside.

Police discovered the lifeless body of 22-year-old Kevin Pott, a Belizean La-bourer and resident of #6437 Mahog-any Street, along with that of 18-year-old Shanice Rowland, a high school student residing at #28 Santa Barbara Street, Belize City, who was hit only once in the chest area, specifically her right breast. Kevin, on the other hand, was shot three times, all deemed fa-tal: a gunshot wound to the back of the head, a gunshot wound on the right side of stomach and a gunshot wound to the left lower back. He was pronounced dead that night at the Karl Heusner Hospital, while Shanice is still

Kevin Pott

Shanice Rowland

being treated for her injury at this time. Both were on Mahogany Street

when the shooter, who was on bicycle, rode up to them and fired shots. The gunman is described as a dark-complex-ioned male person dressed in a white T-Shirt, blue short pants and a blue hat. The shooting occurred almost in front of Brick City Barber Shop, which is only a stone’s throw away from the Mahogany Street Police Sub-Station.

The shooting has left Kevin Pott’s family in total shock, and abject confu-sion. No one really knows who would have a ‘beef’ with the young man, who according to his mother Barbara, was employed and only commuted between work and home, with friends, and his girlfriend visiting him at the residence.

Mrs. Pott also told the media that specific Police officers were harassing Kevin some time before, although she’s not fully sure whether that had anything to do with this incident.


HARD HITTING

Word coming out of the UDP hierarchy suggests that the UDP strategy to file an election petition against the People’s United Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca comes out of the Barrow/Espat alli-ance. We are told that it is designed to attack and distract from a lackluster UDP second term which still, after four years, has no solutions to the harsh socio-economic problems affecting Belize, espe-cially Belize City and the Southside.

For example, the UDP is getting away with a huge discrepancy in that the new financial year is already here and Belmopan has still not presented a budget. There has neither been a supplementary budget, which means spending is going on with no kind of accountability and planning whatsoever. But all of this hoopla, which on an ordinary day would have even gotten Godwin Hulse calling for transparency, is being overshadowed by the UDP’s games. The weak allegation in UDP’s petition is that PUP agents bribed voters, but they seem to be ignoring their deceitful plot to steal the election before all of our eyes. The UDP have still not explained how is it that the UDP candidate in Freetown ended up with over a hundred grand, of taxpayers’ money, to spend on the election in Freetown. Re-member that Lee Mark wasn’t the duly elected represented, yet he was granted $40,000 and $50,000 of tax dollars for electioneering. What hypocrisy! The UDP petition simply comes off as cheap politi-cal strategy to counter the PUP bona fide petitions in Lake I, Albert and Cayo North East.

Even more sinister is the fact that one of the UDP’s applicants, who swore in an affidavit submitted to the Court that he was bribed to vote in the Freetown Division and that he voted for Lee Mark, is actually a registered voter in the Albert Division. So, how did the UDP get him to vote in Freetown and for their candidate? Of course, the UDP will shove this admittance of fraud under the rug as we understand the applicant has mysteriously removed himself from the case, but it has already been exposed.

We must also expose another important equation. Both Prime Minister Barrow and Opposition Leader Fonseca commented publicly on the matter and the responses show a clear difference in the quality of leadership. Barrow’s response was in his usual condescending I don’t give a damn attitude saying that “nothing will come out of them”, while Fonseca, like a true statesman, said “the matter was before the courts, therefore I have no comments but [I] respect the decisions of the Courts”. Those two lines show a stark difference in the kind of leaders Belize has. A true Leader Francis versus King Dean.

While the petitions are only at a preliminary stage, one must wonder what would happen if the PUP’s petitions are forced all the way outside of Belize to the Caribbean Court of Justice. If the CCJ would decide in favor of the PUP to hold a bi-election in the Lake I and Albert Divisions, who is there to force Barrow to comply with the Court’s orders? This is the same Prime Minister who used state police and security forces to overrule the Court of Appeals ruling in the matter of BTL’s owner-ship, and illegally takeover BTL. This is Barrow, the dictator we’re talking about.

The issue for the PUP, then, is not the strength of the petitions, but the real might of the Courts over King Dean. It is whether Barrow will comply with the Court or defy them as he has done in the past. This is what the PUP Leader and the rest of Belize is now up against, and no amount of passive resistance or peace revolution will move King Dean. It will take a striking militancy in the streets, in the schools, the offices and all over. The election petitions have been filed, we wait, we watch, and we prepare for that call for militant resistance. We must remain awake and wary, there are dangerous curves ahead.

Dangerous Curves Ahead!




Future Prime Minister embraced by Social Partners, BCCi

udp mayor darrel Bradley refuses to listen

Continued on page 8

Apology to Punta Gorda Councillor Fern Guttierez

Gangs infiltrate nation’s security

strategylittle demand for rehabilitation have been some of the benefits granted by the UDP Government.

Between September 2011 and January 2012, the Barrow Administra-tion spent $887,000 to pay gangs for peace in Belize City. Since then, the vicious killing the old capital has not stopped nor slowed down.

Now, here comes news that at the request of gang members, the Po-lice Department is selecting where to transfer and deploy Police officials. Let-ters have already been issued, directing the sudden transfer of various Police of-ficials, and sources indicate that the de-cision to move the officers came out of a recent meeting with gang members.

This report was confirmed today when the Minister of National Secu-rity John Saldivar issued a release an-nouncing its decision to contain the Gang Suppression Unit from its tactics

against gangs in Belize City. One of the measures to be taken, indicated the re-port, is that “ground commanders and individuals…will be removed from their specialized units”. This came out of rec-ommendations of a report carried out following the GSU’s alleged brutality of Taylor’s Alley residents on March 21st.

The report finds that the allegations were true, and the actions of the GSU were excessive. As a result, the Minis-try apologized to the residents of Tay-lor’s Alley, even though it also accepted that some of them had embellished their claims of assault.

At a time when the violent crime cycle has become even more vicious, Belizeans feel no more secure with the decisions made by the Barrow Adminis-tration. Awarding criminal elements an opportunity to interfere or infiltrate se-curity strategies in any way is the worst security decision ever, and it is only Be-lizean lives that will suffer.

Belize City, April 9, 2012“People are telling us that they

want us to focus on the core things that really matter to them, streets, drains, crime prevention, and job cre-ation.” – 7News February 17, 2012, Dar-rell Bradley during Municipal Election campaign.

Going by Mayor Darrel Bradley’s own accord, the UDP Belize City Coun-cil after one month in office has been an utter failure and, like wolf in sheep’s clothing, they have deceived the resi-dents of Belize City. Speaking to the media three weeks before the 2012 municipal election, Bradley laid out the people’s needs saying that “they want us to focus on… streets, drains, crime prevention, and job creation”. But pre-tending to listen was part of the game or mere political campaigning and as shown by the Mayor’s actions and inac-tions, for the UDP things will continue to be business as usual.

Worst streets, no drainsThe infrastructure throughout Be-

lize City continues in a terrible state of disrepair. Having neglected road repair and maintenance for six long years, the

Darrell Bradley

UDP Council still doesn’t have a clue on how to fix things. In fact, with the rainy season about to begin, residents should brace for much worst as the state of streets and drains will only worsen.

Under Mayor Zenaida Moya the UDP Council had mismanaged its fi-nances to the point that it budgeted a pittance for street maintenance, and nothing for repair. It relied heavily on the Ministry of Works for funding and assistance with equipment. It appears

that this dependency syndrome will continue under Mayor Bradley, who is yet to say how he’ll fix streets. Instead, he seems to be waiting on the Prime Minister’s promise that the World Bank will provide a loan for city infrastructure repair. Bradley is all too willing to help Barrow turn Belize into a beggar nation.

What crime prevention?Since taking office, the UDP has

presided over even more bloodshed on the streets of the old capital. Over a dozen shooting murders, multiple stabbings, brutal home invasions and vicious attacks have taken the city by hostage in such a short period. Safety and security is near non-existent, as at times residents have come under as-sault of our very own security officials that are supposed to serve and protect.

This weekend, holy Easter week-end, there were FOUR murders in the Belize District and SEVEN brazen shoot-ings. Three were cold and merciless murders at the hands of gunmen. The weekend ended and the shootings con-tinued Monday morning, as if the dan-ger alarm had not been sounded.

Not a single crime fighting or social support plan has been proposed by the UDP Council. If it is the people’s priority, then it is your priority Mr. Mayor.

UDP FiresOne of the worst sins is to lie. As

part of their election propaganda, the UDP promised to create jobs. Yet, only 23 days into office they fired 25 work-ers. In these hard times, who fires hard-working men and women? Who takes away bread from the mouths of men, women and children and burdens them with greater suffering? One of the men is 43 year old Bernard Richards, a father of twelve children. Richards, like his father, worked at the Lord Ridge Cem-etery for 23 years, under PUP and UDP. In fact, Richards was so industrious he was promoted to Assistant Caretaker of Cemetery. Yet, he was one among 25 who were on the chopping block along single mothers and fathers. Richards’ termination letter didn’t even contain a reason for dismissal. Simply said, “Please be notified that effective im-mediately your services…have been terminated”. Cold like that.

It’s been only weeks since the UDP took office at City Hall, but they are al-ready showing how vindictive and cruel their reign will be.

Belize City, April 10, 2012In its Easter Edition, April 8, 2012, the BELIZE TIMES published a

greeting from the Punta Gorda Town Council. In that greeting, a pic-ture of Mr. Bernardo Coc was erroneously published as part of the Town Council. Mr. Coc did contest the elections; however, he was not successful. Miss Fern Gutierrez was successful. We apologize to Mr. Gutierrez, who was duly elected in the Municipal elections on March 7th, 2012, Mr. Bernardo Coc and the Punta Gorda Town Council for the error.


OW Mayoral Candi-date

Humor in UDP Politics!

At this week’s Cabinet meeting the following matters were discussed:

1. That Santino refrains from bringing in any mercenary riders just for a Santino win. Cabinet members felt its time Santino rode himself, won the race and paid himself the mon-ey he would have paid a Guatemalan or American to come and beat our local boys. Cabinet also instructed John Saldivar and Herman Longsworth to train with Santi, which caused both to say that they couldn’t because they lived in Belmopan. Mark King refused to provide security, and when Castro offered to provide a truck for Santino just in case he will need it, Sedi said Santi will likely ride in the back of it with a barrel of red bull.

2. Bill was given special permission to take a brief to Cabi-net on behalf of Cordel. When in front of the dodo bird crew, Bill explained how Cordel wanted to be Ambassador, but wouldn’t take it, at least not now, as the heat is still on. “But since Cordel noh want it”, Bill stuttered, “uno cu give me”.

3. Sedi filed a report that his media blitz in which he tried to explain the fraudulence behind the official Cabinet release appointing Cordel as Ambassador was a huge success. Sedi then banged the table and declared that this was the last time he would take a hit for stupid mistakes, and said he now has the Ambassador on speed dial, for when he changes his mind.

4. Gapi stood up and questioned why Cabinet didn’t make Chendo an Ambassador after he spent millions in the elections. Just then Faber got up and said “because he is already a royal screw-up”.

-------------------In other news:Mark Espat and Sammy D were seen going at it at the

first Bond session. “We got CDB credentials to back up what I say”, so stated Sammy. “And I’ve got the Ramada,” fired back Mark. “Oh I read your reports as Governor of the Central Bank and there were lots of mistake,” commented Sammy D, which caused Mark to snap back “ask yourself, wid all you’ve got why Barrow made me boss over you, God-win, Fin. Sec., etc, etc. Sammy D then whispered, “Sketel”.

-------------------John Saldivar was explaining to a group of kids how Blue

is for Danger and Red was for desire. “So why the Fire Truck is painted Red?” asked a youngster. “Because it’s to save homes from burning,” replied John John. “But why don’t bulls like red?” they asked. John John responded, “I believe that it is a myth”. “Well”, asked the kids, “would you stand in the bull pen with your red shirt of desire?” “Hell no” said John John, “that’s too dangerous”.

-------------------In his first session of business, the Minister of Foreign

Affairs was asked to shine a light on Shyne’s new “Get me a Visa” campaign. He smiled and said, “You know Shyne is an artificial Belizean, and truthfully a Jewish. But somedays he is an upjewish or somedays a downjewish – you take your pick”.

-------------------Bill Gates arrived in Belize on Tuesday and almost left an

hour after when he got a confidential cable that the Barrow Administration wanted to nationalise his $250 million yacht, the Attessa IV. When a diplomatic spy eavesdropped on the Cabinet meeting, he overheard them plotting and Finnegan reciting his “Captain poem” and asking if it were possible to stretch the Easter holiday weekend to next week. The spy saw Contreras jumping on his chair, saying “Cancun here I come again”.


Auto Mechanic remanded for traffic fatality

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duo accused of breaking into Judge’s House

Three lives claimed by Easter weekend drowning

THE WORLD IS READING THE BELIZE TIMES

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Christopher McKoy Jr,

Deon Spencer

Kent Smith

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 11, 2012By Roy Davis

Two men who were allegedly caught red handed inside the house of the President of Belize Court of Appeal, Justice Manuel Sosa, were arraigned on a charge of burglary yes-terday in the #1 Magistrate’s Court.

They are Christopher McKoy Jr, 38 and Kent Smith, 44. McKoy and Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that McKoy is on bail for a similar offence, that the evi-dence against the accused persons is over whelming and the investiga-tion is still ongoing.

Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith did not uphold the objection.

She offered McKoy a bail of $1,000 with the stipulation that he must post $200 and the balance as a signed surety. She offered Smith a bail of $1,000 as a signed surety. But before Smith met bail he had to pay an outstanding court fine of $430.

The incident occurred in the evening on Holy Thursday, April 5.

The police reported that they received information of a burglary in progress at Justice Sosa’s house, located at #29 Southern Foreshore. The police said when they arrived at the house they found McKoy and Smith inside. Nothing was reported stolen.

BELIZE CITY, Wed. April 11, 2012By Roy Davis

Julian Martinez, 32, an auto me-chanic of 22 Caesar Ridge Road who allegedly knocked down Deon Spencer, 33, was charged with Manslaughter by Negligence and 3 other offences when he appeared yesterday in the #1 Magis-trate’s Court.

The other charges were causing death by careless conduct, driving with-out due care and attention, and driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol above the prescribed limit.

No plea was taken because the of-fences are indictable.

Although the prosecution did not object to bail the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, denied Martinez bail and remanded him into custody until May 28.

Martinez was not represented by an attorney.The incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. on Holy

Thursday, April 7 between Miles 16 and 17 on the Western Highway.

According to reports, Spencer, a construction worker who resided in Hattieville, was riding a white racing bicycle in the direction of Belmopan when he was knocked down by a Mitsubishi Montero driven by Martinez that was heading to Belize City.

Spencer received injuries to his head and body and died on the spot.


This past Easter weekend brought Belizeans good food, good fun and hot cross buns. But it also brought the un-precedented series of violent murders, and for all those who love the waters, a precipitous spate of mysterious drown-ing incidents that all eventually and inevitably angled for death, but were mostly under strange and tragic circum-stances.

19-year-old Victor John Foreman was swimming near his home in Vista Del Mar Area, Ladyville, on Easter Sun-day afternoon, April 8th, with friends, when he apparently swam into what is being described a dredged hole sub-

merged with water, and with danger-ous currents, and never resurfaced. His body was eventually recovered with assistance from others nearby, and his mother Teresa is calling on the Gov-ernment to place buoys marking such features in the area, as they can easily lure the best of swimmers, which Victor might have been, into a dangerous trap.

44-year-old Belizean American, An-toine (Edgar) Tillett, a/k/a ‘Yenkie’, who also died on Easter Sunday while in a canoe at a family day in Placencia Vil-lage in the Stann Creek District. But in his case, his family is outraged because they firmly believed he could have been saved had it not been, in their view, due to the ill-preparation of the Belize National Coast Guard and the Police.

As expressed by one of the relatives of the victim, “Where’s the emergency people that comes when something happens? They’re [the Coast Guard] like: ‘We don’t have that here’. Excuse me? What do you mean, ‘you don’t have that here?’”

By most accounts, 41-year-old art-ist Herbert Moore, from Vista Del Mar, Ladyville, was the ‘best in his arts’ of

diving and snorkeling. Moore was with his Canadian wife, Mary Unger, and two friends known. They were fishing off St. George’s Caye just past an area known as ‘Chicken-and-Head’ on Easter Mon-day, April 9th, when Daton’s fishing line caught what is believed to be a sea tur-tle, and Moore, using breathing appara-tus (a diving mask and fins), went into the water to untangle the line. He never resurfaced, even as his wife believed he was merely enjoying the water. He was later taken to the KHMH and was pro-nounced that evening.

There is no word from the Coast Guard on their procedures (or a lack thereof) when going on potential search-and-rescue missions as these turned out to be. Police investigations into all incidents continue at this time.


This Week’sTOP MODEL

BeLIZetImeS SUnDay apRIL 15, 2012see full color at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

Krista• CareerPlan:Medical Doctor• Sign:Gemini• FavouriteFood:Ceviche• Likes:Modeling, reading,

dancing, hanging out with friends

• LivesinBelizeCity• Fav.Quote:“The purpose of

life is a life of purpose”

Make-Up

tipsBy Tania Tanesha

If you know you spent too much time under the sun, now you’re back to work with the painful evidence. No wor-ries, here are a few tips on how to treat that nasty sunburn.

Keep cool:1. Wear loose-fitting clothes, es-

pecially cotton and other breathable ma-terials. Polyester and other man-made materials can rub harshly against skin causing irritation.

2. When you’re at home, try wear-ing as little clothes as possible to allow the skin to breathe and from hurting your skin.

3. Drink plenty of water and sports drinks to rehydrate your body. Chances are your body is pretty dehydrated.

Don’t make it worst1. Peeling of the skin after a sun-

burn is the natural process. Little can be done to prevent it, but using soothing lotions like those that contain aloe vera and the natural aloe vera plant can help prevent the itching and keep the skin moisturized.

2. When taking a bath, try not to use soap on the affected area. Soap can be harsh and dry out your skin even more, causing much more discomfort. You can try taking a bath with sooth-ing green tea or some baking soda. This helps to cool and soothe the skin.

3. If your sunburn was pretty bad and small unbroken blisters develop DO NOT BREAK THEM. Leave them alone. Do not cover them with a tight bandage. If they must be covered, try a loose wrapping method. Avoid rubbing the blisters or touching them too much until they have healed. For blisters that have been broken, wash and disinfect hands thoroughly. Do not remove excess skin.

Prevention is better than a cure1. As long as you’re going to be

out in the sun, never forget your sun-screen. Even on a daily basis, sunscreen can prevent the harmful damage of the sun’s rays; reduce wrinkles and sun-spots on the skin. Nowadays, founda-tions in liquid and powder-form come with SPF protection already formulated in their product. How cool is that?

For symptoms of fever, chills, and headaches, take an anti-inflammatory agent such as Ibuprofen. But if these symptoms persist, you should consult a doctor. Don’t let Mother Nature rule your skin’s appearance. Take sun-control and protect your skin at all times for your best face forward all day, every day.

CATWALK FASHIONSWhat’s hip...What’s hot...What’s now!

Phone: 203-2936 / 620-7481#148 Cor. Queen & North Front Streets

Belize City, Belize


Student leaders seek paradigm shift

Bill gates vacations in Belize

Despite spike in crime, Belama Substation

remains closed!

Belize City, April 10, 2012Students at St. John’s College Ju-

nior College (SJCJC) are quietly prepar-ing for the important election of their Student Council to be held on April 23rd. With only a few weeks left, the BELIZE TIMES met with two aspiring Council members who shared some of their visionary plans for the school.

18 year old Micah Goodin is vy-ing for President of the SJCJC student council. Micah, a first year student en-rolled in the Criminal Justice program, displays strong characteristics of a role model and leader. Micah is not alone, as his team includes candidates for the three other posts: Ruth Rivero running for Vice-President, Shantel Carter vying for Secretary and Leandra Bodden who is contesting the post of Treasurer.

Joining Goodin in his interview with the BELIZE TIMES was Vice-President Candidate, Ruth. The 17 year old first-year business student also displayed strong, yet humble characteristics. To-gether, Micah and Ruth discussed their ideas for the school.

The team has named itself “Vision and Voice”, to make it known that their mission is to empower students to be-come “architects of intelligence”. There was a lengthy discussion on how this would be accomplished, and the ideas

Team Vision & Voice’s, Micah Goodin & Ruth Rivero

were many, indicating just how much careful thought Micah and his team have invested.

Micah and Ruth outlined those ideas in core areas: Education, Health, Social integration, Entrepreneurship, Promoting Critical Thinkers, and Secu-rity, to name some. Under those gen-eral topics fall specific programs such as the introduction of sex and drug ed-ucation which is non-existent although the prevalence of both are increasing among our youth; a plan to reach out

and include marginalised students injecting a sense of unity and rich participation; promoting youth entre-preneurship and creating an enabling environment to allow students to uti-lise their skills; starting up a school feeding program to deal with a serious problem many don’t readily recognise as a grim reality at tertiary level institu-tions; and ensuring better security for students and their property.

“Our group is visionary. We often times end up in debates and healthy

discussions before coming to a consensus, and that is healthy. We pledge to challenge the status quo, because only then can real change come,” explained Micah.

Ruth added that while their plans are sombre since they deal with seri-ous issues, they are also mindful that unlocking the potential and creativity of young people must also be a fun pro-cess. She said in the plan of action are also ideas to expose the students’ in-nate and non-intrinsic talents and skills.

“We want to make junior college a place of fun learning. We want stu-dents to feel excited about our 6th form,” she said.

One of the ideas is to introduce a television program “SJCJC TV” to pro-vide an avenue for expression and infor-mation for the students and administra-tion.

Undoubtedly Micah and his team represent the fountain of ideas and spring of energy that can bring about much needed improvement to the life of students at SJCJC. Already with a prov-en history of community service and leadership whether it is through his care-fully-scripted and passionately-delivered poetry as part of the Youth Voices Belize group, his leadership in the youth-edu-cation group A.R.M.E.D., or his work at CYDP, Micah is growing into the kind of community advocate that understands the power of education in the develop-ment of positive citizens. His candidacy then becomes an opportunity, not only for himself as a young leader to make a real impact on the lives of his peers, but for society to benefit meaningfully from his young leadership and vision – a scarce resource in our troubling times.

Belize City, April 10, 2012The world’s second richest man, Bill Gates, is currently

vacationing in Belize along with family members.Gates and his family arrived in Belize Tuesday morning in

a super-yacht, the Attessa IV, which moored just off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef.

The BELIZE TIMES understands the party of seven left the yacht shortly after arriving, and were flown by helicopter to Cayo Espanto Private Island Resort. Thereafter, they left enroute to Hol Chan Marine Reserve to enjoy the diversity of Belize’s marine life.

Gates’ super-yacht is a wonder. The 33-foot yacht is con-sidered the largest in North America and the 23rd longest private yacht in the world with a value of $250 million. It can accommodate 36 guests and around 23 crew members. It comes equipped with a helicopter.

The yacht has been cleared to stay in Belize until May 9, and the helicopter has been given permission to operate.

Belize City, April 10, 2012

One wonders whether the UDP can ever get things right. In a reces-sion, they increase the cost of living. There is a mortgage crisis, and they al-low banks to keep high interest rates. There is an increase

In fact, they are so blatant, that they walk into Police Stations and shoot at Police Of-ficers at close range as the case of the Be-lama substation shooting last year.

We wouldn’t want to think that it’s the Police Officers’ fault that the Belama substation is closed, and criminals are given a free pass. Police Officers only fol-low the instructions of their superiors, and at the top is Minister John Saldivar, who wouldn’t even be able to pass a Police physical exam himself much less come up with an anti-crime strategy.

Belama residents ought to turn their fury at Minister John John. One has to wonder whether because he resides in Belmopan he will care less about Belize City.

in crime, yet they keep police stations closed. The latter is the dilemma in the Belama area of Belize City, where an increase in incidents of burglaries and thefts has yet to signal to authorities the need to boost security efforts.

Instead, the only physical presence the Police has in the area, the substation located on Chetumal Street, is open for less than 12 hours a day. The substation shuts down by nightfall, allowing crimi-nals to roam free.

There is no logic in this thinking. Why close the substation at night when that is when residents are most vulnerable? Under the UDP’s rein, criminals have become so brazen that they break into homes even with persons inside them.

The Belama Police substation is closed for most of the day, every day allowing criminals to prey

Bill Gates’ super-yacht, the Attessa IV


Continued on page 12

How Giovanni Choto did it!

Giovanni Choto brings home the garland

BEL

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The winner takes it all!

Belize City, April 8, 2011Giovanni Choto, of the Western

Spirit Galen Eagles cyclists of the Cayo District, has brought home the garland to Belize.

Giovanni not only brought home the garland of roses in the 84th annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic he also made out like a bandit with over $25,000 in cash prizes. He won the $5,000 1st prize offered by Bowen & Bowen, and the champion’s trophy from the Belize Cycling Associa-tion. He also won a $5,000 prize from the Ministry of Sports if a Belizean won and another $5,000 prize from United Insurance if a Belizean were to win. He also claimed 4 trophies, including the Jeffery O’brien trophy in memory 4x champ Jeffery O’Brien, the Elston Kerr Cup and the Altreith Smith Memorial trophy.

Giovanni won $3,880 as he swept up 23 station prizes heading from Be-

lize City to San Ignacio in a break-away trio with Benny’s Megabytes’ Allen Castillo and capital City Cycling team’s Sherman Thomas. Choto won the $300 prize offered by the San Ig-nacio Town council and Quality Poul-try products at the turn around point at the Columbus Park in front of the San Ignacio Police Station.

Choto and Castillo shed Thomas at Camalote on their way to Cayo, and Choto lost Castillo at mile 61 coming back to sweep the 32 remaining sta-tion prizes and clean up $6,000 more in cash plus many other prizes: a cow, a case of assorted Traveller’s liquors, a cellphone, a Hewlett-Packard print-er, a Rubbermaid cooler, a marble cake, a jersey, and two gift packages.

No records were broken as Giovanni clocked 6:16:45 on his 140 mile ride. Ryan Baumann of the USA holds the record of 5:40:12, set in 2008.

Belize City, April 8, 2011Some 78 riders had be-

gun the race in front of Les-lie’s Imports. Mexican rider Carlos Lopez of the Ben-ny’s Megabytes team had won the first $125 prize at CISCO construction. Allen Castillo of Benny’s Mega-bytes team took the next two prizes $50 at Prosser Fertilizer at mile 7 and a rum cake at Karla’s Cakes. Sherman Thomas of the Capital City Cycling Team took the next $100 prize at the Western Paradise junction and Choto took the $100 prize at mile 13 as he, Thomas and Castillo formed a three-man break-away which departed from the main peloton at Gann’s

farm at mile 14. This trio led the race all the way to San Ignacio.

Working together, they soon opened up a two minute lead on the main group as they shared the station prizes with Choto who won the $250 prize in memory of “DJ Scorpio” Ste-ven Hall at the Hattieville roundabout, while Castillo took a $50 prize from Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia at the Hattieville Police Station.

Thomas took the next prize at mile 20, and Castillo claimed a $25 prize at mile 21, then Thomas took the next $76 prize at mile 25 and a $250 prize at Cheers restaurant and bar. Castillo took the $100 prize at Harmonyville at mile 41 and won the big $500 prize of-fered by the Belmopan City Council at the city limits and another $200 prize at the Belmopan cutoff, surging ahead to also win the $500 prize at the Gar-butt’s Service Station in Roaring Creek,

while Giovanni right behind, took the $150 second prize.

Sherman Thomas fell off the pace and was gradually reeled in by the main peloton at Camalote, and was heard from no more. Choto and Cas-tillo had increased their lead to five minutes or two miles, and raced on to San Ignacio with Castillo taking a $50 prize in Blackman Eddy, another $100 prize at the bus shed in Georgeville, as well as $200 prize offered in memory of Cristopher Chuc, another $175 prize offered by Jose Orellano at the top of the hill at mile 65, and $25 from Mutrie Auto sales.

Choto left Castillo behind at mile 61 when he opened up a seven and half minute lead from the main pelo-ton. By this time, Gian Ochaeta of the Santino’s team and Peter Choto began a chase opening up a two and half

Giovanni Choto wins

Brandon Cattouse won the sprint for 2nd placeByron Pope won 4th & Darnell Barrow won 3rd



Police & BDF lead Premier

League footballB

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#1 S

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2012 Cross Country finishers

Perfect Storm wins 8 Furlong at Castleton Track

minute lead from the main pelo-ton, closing to within five minutes behind Geovanni, who maintained his lead passing the Brick Wall, On-tario villages and on to Mahogany Heights and mile 30.

By mile 22, Donizetti Vasquez, Carlos Lopez and Ernest Meighan were leading an attack that broke away from the main peloton, and Darnell Barrow, Greg lovell and Quinton Hamilton followed work-ing to try to bridge the gap to Geo-vanni.

But they would never catch him even though Geovanni was within sight only a mile ahead by Mile 9 and heading solo to the fin-ish line.

Team Western Spirits has won the Cross Country twice in a de-cade: Shane Vasquez in 2006 and now, triathlon champ, Giovanni Choto in 2012.

How Giovanni Choto did

it!

Belize City, Sunday, April 1, 2012The undefeated Police FC and the Belize Defense Force teams

are leading the 2012 Premier League football playoffs.The Police posted their 8th win, 3-1, over San Ignacio United at

the Norman Broaster Stadium on Holy Saturday night. National team striker Victor Morales embarrassed the Police goalie Japhet Young with the 1st goal for the Cayo squad in the 2nd minute of play, and the Cayo squad held their 1-0 lead almost to the half, before Andres Makin equalized for the Police: 1-1 in the 45th minute. In the 2nd half, Trevor Lennon scored the Police’s 2nd goal in the 63rd minute, and Lennox “Criminal” Castillo iced the win with a 3rd goal in the 72nd minute.

San Ignacio United is now out of the playoffs, even though they are No. 3 in Zone B with 13 points from 3 wins and 4 draws.

The BDF enjoyed their 6th win, 1-0, over the former undefeated FC Belize at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio on Easter Sunday, April 8, when Dion Macaulay scored the winning goal in the 49th minute.

Police FC now has 25 points from 8 wins and a draw, and the Belize Defense Force has 20 points from 6 wins and 2 draws.

Other matches:San Felipe vs. World FC – 3-2Goals by: Eliazar Itza, Carlos Vasquez, Chistopher Hendricks, Ja-

vier Habet (1 goal, 1 autogoal)Comment: San Felipe Barcelona is ranked No. 3 in Zone A with

15 points and need the 3 points from a win against the San Pedro Sea Dogs this weekend to advance. They also need FC Belize, who has 16 points, to lose or draw with Juventus in Orange Walk on Sunday, April 15.

Placencia Assassins vs. Belmopan Bandits – 3-1Goals by: Luis Torres, Ernie White, Ashley Torres, Ronaldo AlvarezComment: The Placencia Assassins, who are ranked 2nd in Zone

B with 17 points from 5 wins and 2 draws, have secured a berth in the playoffs.

San Pedro Sea Dogs vs. Juventus – 6-0Goals by: Jesse Smith (3), Francisco Mejia, Ethnie Figueroa,

Kenny “Maestro” WitzilHankook Verdes vs. Paradise Freedom Fighters – 7-1Goals by: Julio Ayala (2), Julian Maldonado (4), Jose Monroy,

Leonard ValdezComment: This is Paradise Freedom Fighters’ fifth loss at the

Marshalleck Stadium on Holy Thursday night. Verdes and the Freedom Fighters each have 6 points, and both are out of the playoffs.

Upcoming matches:World FC vs. Norman Broaster Stadium, Saturday April 14Belmopan Bandits vs. Paradise Freedom Fighters, Isidoro Beaton

StadiumPolice FC vs. Hankook Verdes, MCC GroundsSan Pedro Sea Dogs vs. San Felipe FC, Ambergris Stadium, Sun-

day, April 15Placencia Assassins vs. San Ignacio UnitedJuventus vs. FC Belize, the Peoples Stadium

2nd place – Team C-Ray’s Brandon Cat-touse

Prizes: $3,000 prize & Altreith Smith Memorial Plaque

3rd place – Team Santino’s Darnell Bar-row

Prizes: $2,000 & $1004th place – Team Benny’s Megabytes

Byron PopePrizes: $1,000 & trophy5th place – Team Santino’s Greg Lovell

Prizes: $800 & trophy6th place & 1st Masters – Jamaican-American

Anthony Taylor Prizes: $600 & trophy, $275 7th place - Team Depredadores Donizetti

Vasquez Prizes: $400 & trophy8th place – Team Santino’s Quinton HamiltonPrize: $300 9th place & 1st place Under-23 – Western Spirit

Galen Eagles’ Peter ChotoPrizes: $200, $67510th place – Jose ChotoPrize: $15011th place - Lionman 3x triathlon champ, Ken-

roy “Smokes” GladdenPrize: $10012th place – Team Santino’s Leroy CassasolaPrize: $100 13th place – Team Benny’s Megabytes’ Herman

“Hejo” RequenaPrize: $10014th place & 2nd Under-23 – Team D&D Austin

Armstrong JrPrize: $100 & $150 prize rider15th place – Western Spirit Galen Eagles Shane

VasquezPrize: $10016th place – Western Spirit Galen Eagles Rich-

ard TroyerPrize: $50 prize17th place – Team Benny’s Megabytes’ Carlos

Lopez (Mexican)Prize: $50 18th place & 3rd under-23 – Team Depreda-

dores Edwardo Adrian Lada-Cocom (Mexican)Prize: $50, $7519th place – D&D team Eduardo Reyes20th place & 1st place 4/5 Masters –Liam

Stewart of the M&M Engineering Prize: $150.21st place – Western Spirits Team Ron Vasquez22nd place & 2nd Over-35 Masters – Ernest

Meighan23rd place – Team C-Ray’s Nissan Arana24th place – Capital City team Erwin Middleton25th place & 2nd 4/5 Masters – Kenrick GrayPrize: $100 rider26th place & 3rd 4/5 Masters – Michael “Big

Wire” LewisPrize: $50

April 11, 2012By Ladrick “Mad Bull” Shepard

Horse race was back at the Castleton Track in Burrell Boom Village on Monday April 9th, 2012. Here are the results:

3 Furlong1st place – “Jah Bless” of Corozal StableJockey: Pressly Rancharan2nd place – “Wylli” of Cayo StableJockey: Emory Baptist3rd place – “Sangry” of Cayo StableJockey: David Smalls4 Furlong1st place – “It’s me again” of Gabourel StableJockey: Emory Baptist2nd place – “Diabla” of Duncker StableJockey: Alesandro Rodriguez3rd place – “Chispa” of Bradley StableJockey: Manuel Rodriguez 5 Furlong1st place – “Lady V” of Vasquez StableJockey: Erick Martinez2nd place – “Cherry Bomb” of Esquiliano StableJockey – Young Wally3rd place – “Twinkle Twinkle” of Guy StableJockey: Emory Baptist5 Furlong1st place – “Lady Anna” of Hulse StableJockey: Earl Budd2nd place “Eclipse” of Rodriguez StableJockey: Manuel Rodriguez3rd place – “Imported Master” of Banner StableJockey: Myvette

Khalil Velasquez takes on Francisco Briceno


in my perspective…Telephone tapping

crosses the line

By Rayford YoungIn the United States, under the

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, federal intelligence agencies can get approval for wiretaps from the United States Foreign Intelli-gence Surveillance Court, a court with secret proceedings, or in cer-tain circumstances from the Attor-ney General without a court order.[3]

Under United States federal law and most state laws, there is nothing illegal about one of the parties to a telephone call record-ing the conversation, or giving per-mission for calls to be recorded or permitting their telephone line to be tapped. However the telephone recording laws in most U.S. states require only one party to be aware of the recording, while 12 states require both parties to be aware. It is considered better practice to announce at the beginning of a call that the conversation is being re-corded.

The Belize Perspective - Belize Telecommunications Act

This was contained in a docu-ment published in the Nov 6 2011 is-sue of the Reporter, as a letter sent by the then Minister of Public Utili-ties, Information, and Broadcasting to the phone companies that says: “4 January 2011...This letter serves to inform that the Government of Belize intends to accomplish the registration of cellular phone us-ers and equipment and access call records for reasons of national se-curity. These measures are sought pursuant to the powers granted to the Minister of Public Utilities un-der Section 75 (1) of the Telecom-munications Act. “[The company] is hereby advised that it shall re-quire all new and existing custom-ers to register their cellular phone...phone’s International Mobile Equip-ment Identity (IMEI) number, and require proof of identification (Pass-port or Belize issued Social Security Card only). Furthermore, [the com-pany] is required to capture and store Call Detail Records (CDRs) for a period of no less than 24 months. CDRs include - the cellular number of caller and receiver - subscriber identity module (SIM) number of caller and receiver - IMEI number of caller and receiver - date, time and duration of call - the result of

the call (whether it was answered, busy etc.) - call type (voice, text) - the content of voice mail and text - the location of cell site(s) used to transmit from cell site(s) to cellu-lar equipment used to transmit or receive the call and all applicable data pertaining to foreign cellular phones operating under “roaming”.

My Perspective - The Country of Belize has such

a small population I’m puzzled why we need this kind of intrusion in our private lives. A phone call or our text messages are so personal knowing that Big Brother might be listening or have access to my conversation or messages is appalling indeed.

The reason given for this dra-conian law is National Security and the ability to listen in on conversa-tions that might lead to criminal ac-tivities. Our population in Belize is so small everyone knows everyone all you need to do is to go to any street corner and you can find out who the thugs are or who are the gang members and drug dealers. You don’t need a law to register ev-eryone that owns a cell phone or who texts to find this out. This is especially demeaning and degrad-ing to all the law abiding citizens that have not committed a crime in their lives to now have their con-versations recorded and listened to by some government hack and should alarm everyone. This is such an over reach by government I’m not sure why this is not discussed or covered in the media more. Are we in this country so timid or fear-ful of the government that we just sit back and allow them to roam through our messages and phone calls and do nothing? Are we so beaten down? It’s amazing.

In many developed countries there is a special court set up so the government has to show a judge that there’s a reasonable cause to wiretap or listen in on someone’s private conversations before they can proceed. I don’t see the Belize government putting forward any guidelines or safeguards to assure the Belizean public that this prac-tice is for the purpose they claim it to be; and that they won’t use this method to go after their enemies or the opposition. This is where trust comes in. Do you trust your government with your private text messages or telephone conversa-tions? From the silence I guess the answer is yes, and this is a sad day indeed. Another one of our free-doms taken away and we just sat back and did nothing. The silence is deafening...

Rayford Young is a Belizean-American, who currently lives in Michigan, U.S.A. Send comments to [email protected]


A PARABLE FOR TODAY:

The Mom, the Toddler and the Snake

Of this and that…9 LIVESBullets and death descended on

Belize. This is despite the Christian Easter weekend. Nine lives are done. Nine hopes shattered.

For the rest of Belize we get the reminder. It is easier to die in Belize City than to get a “forward”.

Easter was bloody, again. A big Pastor from Plus TV said that Easter is about blood. Jesus’ blood. He said this on TV. Again, I was wrong. Old Father taught me wrong. He said Easter was about the Resurrection.

Easter is not about death. It is all about God’s gift. His gift is of life and life more abundantly.

What is going on with this political televangelist in the nation’s capital? He should be careful. He could gain the political world but lose his soul.

At this pace the church will not go to heaven.

MINISTRY OF GANGSPoliticians have really failed us.

Only crime and gas prices go up in Be-lize.

We should fire the Minster of Gangs. Do not look to the government. They will not do it. They are a waste. They are a joke. Remember they cre-ated this fool fool Ministry.

Lake I has erupted in gang vio-lence. Brick City is “hot” again. Mark King’s block is awash with blood. All the gang shootings happened in the constituency of the Minister of Gangs. This is simpleness.

SHAMEThe Mahogany Street Police sta-

tion should be closed down.Children and citizens are regularly

shot within arm’s reach of that station. A grandmother was robbed inside her home. She was gun butted while looking at the police station building through her window.

WHAT A THINGA truck of full of Police witnessed

a shooting on Banak Street. The gun-men took their slow time and rode off. They went in the direction of the po-lice. The Police men drove right pass the two gun men. They were afraid. We cannot blame them. The police did not even have sling shots with them.

This is no laughing matter.Police deserve a raise. They de-

serve better treatment from the gov-ernment. They deserve life insurance. At the very least, they deserve equip-ment. They have to deal with bad people every day. They do it to protect good people.

We do nothing for them. STYROFOAMBelize is the greenhouse of heav-

en. Styrofoam is the packaging of hell. Belizeans love Styrofoam containers. It is used for everything. It is used for fry chicken. It is used for BBQ. It is used for turkey dinner. It is the dog food plate.

It is the worst thing ever. This white piece of devil plastic is really expanded polystyrene foam. It is not biodegradable. It stays around for over five hundred years.

Belize preaches ecotourism. But Belize is addicted to styrofoam. This abomination called Styrofoam is ter-rible.

It takes 2,593 litres of oil to make just one ton of Styrofoam. That 1 ton turns into 2,055.8 tons of nasty poi-

sonous gases. Why are we importing this poison? The environmental tax on Styrofoam should be 470%. This is how much poison comes from it.

In the name of nature, no more Styrofoam.

Edmund Oliver PennilEdmund Oliver Pennil is a rock. On

this rock was built a court. He is big. He is what Seferino Coleman is to Radio. He is what Sharon Matola is to wildlife. He is what Althea Sealey is to dance. He is what Sylvana Udz is to language.

He is the Charles Maurice de Tal-leyrand-Périgord of Belizean court of-fices.

Edmund Pennil is a legend. He is the backbone of the court in Belize. He is the Deputy Registrar.

Everyone was happy in 2004. The government gave him the Meritorious Service Award. The PUP was in gov-ernment.

Edmund Pennil is a professional. He served under the colonial system. He has served an independent Belize. His service is unbroken. He is an ex-pert. He is in his prime.

The government wants to put him to pasture. They will not renew his con-tract. They want to throw him in the garbage. They want to sell him for glue.

Edmund Oliver Pennil has given his life in service to Belize. He should not be disrespected.

What he really deserves is a CBE, OBE or MBE.

DEAD AT 9Belizeans do not get sick after 9

o’clock in the night. This is what the Ministry of Police believes. This is what the “poco-tiempo “ Minister of Health believes.

There is no medicine at 9:05pm. Not a single pharmacy is open after nine. Not even at the private hospitals. The only drugs you can get at 9:05pm in Belize are weed and crack. But for diarrhea, tooth aches, or infections you have to wait until the next day.

Dog eat your supper if your baby is in pain. Better hope that the Vicks and rubbing alcohol holds ‘til morning.

You can get expensive gasoline 24hours.

But you cannot get Tetracycline or Excedrin.

SO YOU JUST COME BACKI wish you Were more realNow you’re just a red herringTrying hardTo prove to usHow much more smarter you are How better you are At pretense, extortion, destruction,You try hardCould it be behind your fencesThere is fearThere is envyThere is paranoia That Belize discovers the real youAnd all about you.PART TIME MAYORDarrel Bradley is the shittiest may-

or. He is worse than Zenaida.He got the least number of votes.

He came in last. Every single elected councilor got 20% more votes than this child.

The councilors get a fat stipend. They are part time.

Mayor is the only full time post. Darrel Bradley is Mayor. He is still go-

ing to Court full time. So he is mayor part time.

The only full time thing he can do is fire half the staff at City Hall.

This is true wotlissness. $1 WHAPDonald Gordon Jr. is an impressive

brethren. The streets call him “Ban-june”.

Gordon is a black entrepreneur. He sells “dollar chicken”. You get fried chicken and fries in a brown paper bag for a buck. The ghetto calls it “dalla whap”.

The dude sets up shot on Ceasar Ridge Road. He has his operation in-side the relic of the old Rosado bakery. That bakery had burnt down.

Donald Gordon Jr. is big. He is doing something that “chiney” can-not do. Not even “chiney” sell “dollar chicken” again. He is doing good. This is right smack in front of a “chiney” restaurant.

This is impressive.WILLIAM HENRY GATES III The big man is here in Belize. He

is here for a month. He should do the Barron Bliss thing.

He cannot use any of his computer programs. The internet speed in Belize is causing his equipment to overheat.

It is a shame to have Mr. Micro-soft in our country when internet

speed is still as slow as air mail. I hope he never uses the internet here.

Nowhere in the world do they still have 128k internet speeds. Not even Haiti.

BELIZE IS BOOTLEGBootlegging is not big business

in Belize. It is the only business. Belize is the only country in the

world like this. You cannot go to any store in Belize and buy an original movie DVD, Blue ray or music cd.

This is original pirate country. This is our history. It remains true today. Belize pirates everything. It is the norm. Dean Barrow goes to Ron G Movies for bootleg movies.

Bootlegging is a “no no” in for-eign. You can get fined $250 smack-aroos for each DVD. The big movie people are the Motion Picture Associ-ation of America. They want to make bootlegging a crime. They want the punishment to be a $1,000 fine plus a year in jail.

Pressure is going to come down on Belize soon. I wonder if they will arrest Barrow first?

PSALMS 1:1Blessed is the man that walketh

not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

By Paul RodriguezTo Eva a farm is where every family should be raised. Little

Adam was born on a bright, sun-shiny day. Seconds after, his dad had wrapped him in a towel and gently but proudly carried him outside to get the feel of nature at its best. The smell of the pines, the aroma of the cashew blossoms wafting all around, the soft mayflower petals floating down on the grass would surely become a part of Adam’s sub-conscious. He would cer-tainly become nature’s man, a composer of great music, a poet or a philosopher.

As Adam grew, he became aware of the bouncy quality of what Mom called grass. Dad had taught him to spread himself out on it, and he would imitate him, adding to his repertoire “pupaliks” and the motions of swimming.

On a fateful day Mom took him along the pathway lead-ing into the bush. But, today she held his hand. The boy felt strange, for he had become used to being without constraints. His was this beautiful garden he had known all his life. It was gorgeous and everything in it was to be loved, treasured and caressed.

Up the path some twenty feet away a snake slithered from under dry leaves. Adam had never seen one before. In the mo-tion of advancing toward it, his mother scooped him up, but she advanced a little so that the boy could see it better and ad-mire its beauty and its slithery motion through the leaves. She thought they were a safe distance away from the tommy goff and put him down gently holding his left hand. It was his first experience with a snake. Its sliding, slithering motion thrilled him! He broke away from Mom! The snake struck with lighten-ing speed, before mother could grab him and run!

We all know what happened to poor little Adam. He died an hour later!

Cry, Eva! We all cry with you! Too often we have all obeyed touchy- feely sentiments instead of the Law engraved in stone.

Stone seems cold and hard! Many humans prefer warm flesh and adjustable rules.

The tablets are inflexible, they proceed from Omniscience.Warm flesh and blood grow cold in death- they are oh so

temporary, so fleeting, so easily… deceitful?


“give me back my son” Belmopan mother pleads for missing son’s return

The iconic artist

Benjamin Nicholas passes


A Belmopan mother is enduring sleepless nights and worrisome days, in fear that the worst may have hap-pened to her son who has been miss-ing for 21 days. Delvin ‘Peelie’ Galvez

Heledora Cruz visited the BELIZE TIMES today to make a public call to whoever may know of her son, 28-year-old Delvin ‘Peelie’ Galvez’s whereabouts, to assist the family in returning him.

Galvez, a short, muscular, tattooed gentleman described by his ‘grieving’ mother as someone who was friendly to all manner and persuasion of peo-ple, has been missing since March 22nd. The story involves high-profile figures in the Belize Police Depart-ment, and the ‘stink’ runs to the near top of the current sitting government, but no names can be put out there at this time, for various reasons.

According to Ms. Cruz, “Peelie” was at her home in the City of Belmo-pan, babysitting 3 children belonging to his late sister while his mother was

at work, when he received a pair of visitors: one Mr. Hyde (believed by the family to be in varied nefarious activi-ties) and another described only as a Hispanic male, who arrived in Hyde’s vehicle and spoke with Galvez. Shortly after, the family says “Peelie” told the next-door neighbor he had to leave and was later picked up by the same His-panic man. “Peelie” has not been seen or heard from again.

The family suspects that Hyde may have something to do with their loved one’s disappearance. They said Hyde is linked with a prominent member of the sitting Government, and was in a rela-tionship, termed as brutally abusive, with Galvez’s other sister, something which the family insists he was using to even more devious advantages.

The family reported the matter to

the Belmopan Police and they say that is when they realized how well con-nected Hyde was. The family says a Senior Officer who detained Hyde told two subordinates that they were to take a statement from him and not to detain him any further.

But for an already soul-sick and de-pressed Mrs. Cruz, she’s not interest-ed in anything but the following: get-ting her son back, alive or otherwise.

April 11 2012The People’s United Par-

ty extends its condolences to the family and friends of the great Belizean visual art-ist Benjamin Nicholas. Mr. Nicholas has been a beacon of creativity and vision for our vibrant Garifuna, culture creating many paintings and sculptures for over four de-cades. His works are part of our cultural fabric and Beliz-ean identity.

Since the early 1970s right through to Independence and to the time of his death Mr. Nicholas remained a dedicat-ed and committed artist. His art hangs on the walls of or-dinary folks across the globe, in our national collection and has been presented as official gifts to countless heads of state and governments.

The life and work of Ben-jamin Nicholas has influenced several generations of Beliz-eans. The great body of work he has left behind is a legacy that we must cherish in years to come. His work ethic and artistic longevity is an inspira-tion to the entire nation.

Visit Us Online at:

www.belizetimes.bz


DAY 2012Earth Day is almost here, it is celebrated on April

22 every year. It is a day to think about our planet and what we can do to protect our environment; to think about saving water and energy, reducing pollution and recycling.

What good things will you do over the next six days to celebrate Earth Day?

You could:• Plant a tree.• Get your family and friends together to do a

clean-up of your neighbourhood. • Set up a recycling centre in your home or school.• Talk about saving water when brushing your

teeth and saving energy by turning off the lights when you leave a room.

© DisneyKaboose.com


THINK ABOUT ITHALLELUJIA AMONG POLICEExcept for the GSU, most major

units are in glee over the results of the inquiry into the abuses of author-ity investigation.

Former Compol Hughington Wil-liams headed the inquiry.

GSU has taken a beating from the results of the inquiry. Disciplin-ing measures and training are recom-mended although no criminal charges were suggested.

Some senior officers are to be re-assigned.

Respect is due to former Compol Hughington Williams.

BLOODY EASTERThe Easter weekend was a bloody

one.Gang revenge claimed at least

three murders, while a fourth murder may be woman jealousy.

Three persons drowned at sea, unnecessarily.

And two more deaths came from traffic accidents, one of which was drunk driving.

It was as if the country was un-guarded by adequate security. On Holy Saturday, in Belize City on Cen-tral American Boulevard where thou-sands lined the Boulevard awaiting the arrival of the Cross Country race, three brazen gun men entered a house.

They entered the house in broad-daylight with thousands just sixty feet away and shot at the residents in an-ger for not locating the victim they sought. That intended victim was not at home so two persons in the house were shot out a bad mind.

There were several other reports which did not make the news. On Holy Thursday and Good Friday gun men were jumping out of cars on Dean Street and other areas search-ing for rival gang members in hopes of settling scores. No one was arrested.

STILL NO BUDGETIn March 2011, the National As-

sembly passed a law approving the government’s budget for the period 1st April 2011 to 31 March 2012.

The legal principle and the legal position is that the government can only collect taxes from citizens and can only spend tax-payers monies as those which are approved in the bud-get for the financial year.

Once the financial year ends the government can only proceed with a new budget that is approved by the National Assembly.

Of course, in cases on national disasters and emergencies such as a war, major insurrection, etc. the gov-ernment has to be allowed a neces-sary period to be able to submit and get approval for its Budget.

The general election on 7 March is the poorest of excuses for not pre-senting a budget for approval.

If the government wishes to make major financial or economic or policy changes it can seek approval for a supplementary appropriation or new tax measure.

We submit that even a panades shop, a grocery store, a school or a boutique needs to operate on an ap-proval budget.

How then can the government justify not presenting a proper budget to the people and nation?

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONThe new Cross Country champion

is a Belizean.Sports fans, and cycling fans

country wide were beaming with pride on Holy Saturday after GIOVAN-NI CHOTO crossed the finish line with ease to become the 84th Cross Coun-try Champion.

Choto is from the Cayo District. Two of his brothers featured in the top twelve.

Belizeans had become so broken hearted each year with a succession of foreign riders taking their top sport-ing prize.

Hopefully, Choto’s big win is a harbinger of many more to come. We are becoming a nation of losers and disappointed people in sports as in other areas of our national life. Let’s hope what Choto did on Holy Satur-day is the start of a return to national pride in our abilities and our achieve-ments – both large and small.

THE TITANICOn 10th April, 1912, the world’s

largest and most luxurious ship set sail on her maiden voyage from Brit-ain to New York.

The Titanic carried 2,224 people. She was described as unsinkable. She had airtight compartments below the water line.

My grandfather was 27 years of age at the time (1885 - 1986) and told me the Titanic story more than a doz-en times.

The Titanic was travelling too fast in waters infested with icebergs. It was almost midnight on a bleak moon-less night on 14 April 1912. An iceberg ripped open the side of the box and within two hours, the unsinkable was sinking in the freezing Atlantic Ocean in the early morning of 15 April 1912.

One thousand, five hundred per-sons lost their lives. It was the worst maritime disaster ever, barring the wars.

AL JAZEERAAl Jazeera, a reputable news sta-

tion which was being seen in Belize on CBC by a few Belizeans has disap-peared.

We say seen by a few Belizeans because Al Jazeera was at Channel 117 or 114. Who looks at 117? Only those hungry facts and searching for truth.

Belizeans are left inundated by CNN, NBC, etc., which presents only the USA version of events.

Even local cable stations and ra-dio stations in presenting their “for-eign news” unashamedly repeat word for word what their newsrooms copy from CNN, including on many occasions what is openly biased and blatant lies.

“Where ignorance is bliss, it’s folky to be wise”.

CHEAP OIL FROM VENEZUELAIn our ignorance we cannot un-

derstand how our government for the past FOUR years has deliberately turned its back on the offer from Ven-ezuela to get cheap petrol.

For four years our people and our

economy has taken a tremendous beating from high oil prices through the traditional rip-off sources.

Four years of sufferation, high cost of living and a great drag on our weak economy while cheap petrol was available from Venezuela through the special Petrol-Caribe initiative.

If we didn’t know better we would think that there are some in our gov-ernment who represent Esso, Shell and the American oil interests.

If we didn’t know better.DISGRACE AT HALF-MOON

CAYEWhen the UDP became govern-

ment in 2008, Half-Moon Caye still had its tall, majestic Light-house.

This light-house was more than one hundred years old. It was a na-tional monument.

It was terribly neglected. It’s sturdy iron girdles were showing the years of lack of maintenance and its marvelous base, made entirely of bricks from Britain, had been pum-meled open by two previous hurri-canes. It was crying out for attention. Waves were beginning to enter the huge opening in its base. Two years ago, the cruel neglect with help from hurricane Richard was too much. The proud, historic light house could not hold up with huge tidal waves surging at its base. With as might crash this piece of our history came crumbling down.

Where she fell, there she lay; tes-timony to the type of official bureau-crats and politicians who have posi-tions but pay scant attention to their responsibilities. We can only watch our history and way of life, crumbling and falling bit by bit all around us.

The government house on the is-land is an eye sore. It advertises to all tourists and visitors the type of offi-cials in charge of the country. Here, by the thirty-feet beach on this pristine and unique island, more than a mile in length shaped on two sides like a half-moon squatting like a large hawksbill turtle less than a five hundred feet from our incredible barrier reef sits an unpainted literally falling down house which we are told is home for the humble light-house keeper.

The pervious light-house assis-tant, the indomitable “Rooster” has been chased off the island by the high and mighty bosses in his air-condi-tioned office, who, more than likely has never set foot on Sand bore Caye,

Northern Caye, Long Caye nor Half-Moon Caye.

Rooster’s sin was that he made coconut oil in his spare time. For crying out loud. How does a little initiative and make-a-five-dollar-extra scheme cause a fixture who been on the island all his life, to be treated so harshly.

MIKE TYSONMike Tyson could do with a bit of

coconut oil making skill from Rooster.The man who was the youngest

heavyweight champion of the world has succeeded in blowing away three hundred million dollars and now has less than three thousand dollar in his bank account and looking for work.

There is something in the Holy Bible about the fool and his money.

34,000 JAMAICANS DEPORT-ED

Between 2000 and 2010, some 34,000 Jamaicans were deported from the USA and Britain back to Jamaica. Yea! Thirty four thousand. That’s more than half of the popula-tion of Belize City.

Which brings up this question. How many Belizeans have been de-ported from the USA for the past twelve years?

We Belizeans have a right to know.

Up to the year 2000, some seven hundred Belizeans had been deported to Belize City from America.

What is the figure now?WORDS OF WISDOMTo everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to breakdown, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stone together;

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace - Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3


UDP victimization in San Pedro

Leron Johnson gunned down on Holy Thursday

Leron Johnson

U.S. increases Visa fees

Belize City, April 11, 2012Belizeans applying to obtain a non-

immigrant United States Visa will have to cough up more as the application fee is increasing as of this Friday, April 13th.

The US state Department has an-nounced an adjustment in the process-ing fees of $40.

This means Belizeans applying will have to pay $320 as part of the applica-tion, while still having no guarantee that their applications will be successful.

The increase in fees, according to the US State Department, is meant to support the addition and expansion of the United States overseas facilities and other expenses borne from an in-crease in visa demand.

Stats that don’t lieThere you go again Mr. X, this is your fifth editorial

since the start of the UDP’s second term and it is your fifth attack on the PUP, stating that “a majority PUP gov-ernment in 2012 would also have been a disaster”. Your statement begs us to ask the big question: ‘for whom would it have been a disaster and why?’ But when we saw last week that Cabinet had approved a high-paid job for your son and son-in-law and also the BTL and BEL ads in your 64-page Amandala edition, the answer became clearer.

Belize City, April 8, 2012The murder rate of this proud gov-

ernment has reached such new levels in Belize that a young man, described as a hard-working, soft-spoken team player at work, was gunned down while on the job. Leron Johnson, 21, met his sudden death just as he finished doing a good deed for someone who had other ideas than telling him thanks for the lift.

Just before 3:00 on Holy Thursday afternoon, Johnson was on a work er-rand on Custard Apple Street near Fa-ber’s Road Extension when he report-edly stopped to give someone a ride. That was his mistake and he ended up paying with his life because when neighbours realized what had happened, it was too

late. Johnson lay dead on the street, still wearing his helmet, but his blood oozing onto the earth from a single bullet hole in the back of his head. Another had ripped through his abdomen, and his pants pock-ets were turned out, suggesting that his killer robbed him.

Residents of the area reported that they heard two gunshots, and then saw an ambulance rushing to the scene. When they came out, they discovered that Johnson, who was near his motor-cycle, was not fixing it as they had initially thought he was, but was actually dead. Johnson was gainfully employed with Ca-vetubing.com, a tour guiding company.

The police, as is known, have no clues and no suspects.

BELIZE CITY, Wednesday, April 11th, 2012Having flattened the lives of 25 hard-

working workers at the Belize City Council, the UDP’s train of sustained and continued victimization is rolling through a place in des-perate need of sustained and well-executed vision: San Pedro Town. The majority-led UDP Town Council voted in a secret cabal of sorts to fire 3 staffers, namely: Gonzalo Ala-milla, who worked in the Income Tax sec-tion; Mester Acosta, working in Accounts and Trade Licensing and Pablo Kumul.

According to Council source, the fir-ings were a decision reached at a meet-

ing held by the Council. But it appears that other than allegations involving politi-cal campaigning and/or affiliations, no real reason has been given by the Council for their dismissal. In addition, the decision to fire was never unanimous because the sole PUP Councillor Wally Nuñez has pub-licly stated that he never gave his assent to the firings.

The UDP campaigned on the mani-festo promise not to fire anyone, regard-less of their political stance outside of the Council. But it appears they had NO inten-tion of honoring such a promise.

belize times april 15, 2012

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