belize times december 6, 2015

The Belize TimesThe Truth Shall Make You Free

Established 1957

6 DECEMBER 2015 | ISSUE NO: 4972 www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

SCAN HERE

ANDY PALACIO…8 years on

TOP MODELPg. 2

Senators Patrick Andrews, Lisa Shoman and Anthony Sylvestre Jr.

Pg. 9

Pg. 4

Prisoner Turns

Fugitive

A motion for an Inquiry into Immigration Corruption goes before the Senate next Wednesday

Will Senate Block Corruption Probe?

A BELIZEAN TRAGEDY

Pg. 19

Police are on the look-out for 27-year-old Lawrence Bernardez of Lakeland area Dangriga who escaped from Po-lice custody while be-ing transported to the Hattieville Prison on December 02, 2015.

Shadisha Arnold Anna Carlos Elizabeth Mckoy

Wanted international fugitive David Nanes

Schnitzer

Corrupt former UDP Minister, Elvin Penner

Drug plane torched after “drop off” Pg. 23

Caribbean’s brightest young minds chat with PUP Leader

Pg. 6

THE BELIZE TIMES 6 DEC2015 202

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus

EDITOR

Alberto Vellos

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte

Printed and Published ByTIMES NEWSPAPER LTD.

Tel: 671-8385#3 Queen StreetP.O. BOX 506

Belize City, BelizeEmail: [email protected]

[email protected]

The Belize TimesThe Truth Shall Make You Free

Established 1957

14 APR 2013 | ISSUE NO: 4840 www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

SCAN HERE

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of One Belize Dollar

8 years on

6 Feb

LOCAL WEATHER26 Mar 27 Mar8 Dec 9 Dec7 Dec6 Dec5 Dec4 Dec

PUP NOTICE

Andy Palacio’s Birthday

Celebrations

ANDY PALACIO…

National Convention

The People’s United Party will hold a National Convention on Sunday January 31, 2016 for the posts of:

1.) Party Leader2.) 4 Deputy Party Leaders3.) Party Chairman4.) Treasurer5.) Legal Advisor6.) National Communications Director7.) National Campaign Manager

Nominations for candidates for the above-named posts must be submitted in writing to the PUP Secretariat at Independence Hall, #3 Queen Street, Belize City by Tuesday December 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

The venue of the convention will be announced on a later date.

by Yasser MusaI miss Andy Palacio. He had a con-

viction for substantial things, not addic-tion to superficial things.

Today, on his birthday I want to reflect on many things, but time must restrain my enthusiasm. Let me settle for three - Cultural Matters, Climate Change and Andy as an Ambassador of ideas.

Often I would discuss cultural mat-ters with Andy and one such issue would be the way many artists in our land are made to feel like cultural refugees. Re-spect is such an important thing in the multi-cultural space. It is as important to understand the other as much as it is to comprehend the self. Cornel West says, “Tenderness is what love feels

like in private. Justice is what love looks like in public.” Andy was an artist who stood up for all of us. He evolved into a man who negotiated and navigated through our many mul-tiples and brought the emphasis of our lives down to its simplest tones – love for humanity.

Andy Palacio was a man engaged in the development of society. When he was awarded the highest global recognition by the United Nations, as UNESCO Artist for Peace it secured a space in the imagination of the world, that we in Belize belong to the com-munity.

Today there are serious discus-sions and plans to extract History as a subject from the curriculum of High

School. If this is indeed so, then the artists, writers, thinkers and teachers of this land must be prepared to stand against this. More than ever a subject such as history must be the founda-tion upon which we build the educa-tional integrity of each youth, build his or her capacity to reason, analyse and think. This is why the teaching of histo-ry from the perspective of oppression, resistance, triumph and accomplish-ment is so critical.

Andy was a big supporter of the teaching of African and Maya History in our school system. He believed that the root lines to our Africaness and our indigenousness is a critical step on the ladder to mental liberation.

Andy was a man of enormous kindness and humanity. He had an amazing capacity to listen to and un-derstand the struggle of others.

Right now in Paris leaders from across the globe are in heated discus-sions regarding climate change. Now 99% of all scientists across our planet agree that climate change is a man made disaster, but inside the congress of the most powerful nation there are serious forces latching on to the 1%. What does this have to do with Belize and Andy Palacio? Well, Andy was a man who engaged with his village, his nation and his world, and we too must follow this kind of behaviour – con-necting with ideas is the first step to action.

Let us explain to our youth the sig-nificance of Andy Palacio. Let us recall

Almost eight years after his pass-ing, Belizeans at home and abroad cel-ebrated the 55th birthday of musical icon and Cultural Ambassador Andy Palacio yesterday, December 2nd, 2015. A memorial mass was held in each of the following communities, Belize City, Dangriga, Belmopan, Pun-ta Gorda, Seine Bight, Hopkins and Barranco Village his home town.

To continue to keep the memory and legacy of Andy Palacio alive, the Wagiya Foundation partnered with the Andy Palacio Foundation to sponsor the FIRST EVER music festival fund-raiser in Barranco Village. This festival will be held this Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 2pm to 10 pm. This ef-fort is intended to be an annual event and will help provide the resources to bring to life Andy’s dream of music education in his hometown of Bar-ranco. This is a family-friendly affair! The main event will feature a number of live performances from Garifuna music favorites. The line-up of art-ists will include: The Garifuna Collec-tive, Lloyd Augustine, Sophia Blanco, Titiman Flores, Wageirale Drummers, Francisco ‘Chico’ Marcial and World Culture Band. There will be excursions from Belize City and Punta Gorda in addition to boat runs from Punta Gor-da. Additionally, there will be shuttle buses and taxis running day and night from the junction to Barranco.

Rest in Peace Andy P.

Andy Palacio, born and raised in the southern, coastal, village of Barranco, received the Best New Artist Award at the Caribbean Music Awards in 1991, the prestigious WOMEX Award in the 2007 and the BBC3 Awards for World Music award in the Americas Category in 2008. In addition to a long career of teaching and serving as Deputy Administrator of the National Institute of

Culture and History, Palacio was also named as the UNESCO Artist for Peace. Palacio released five albums including the highly acclaimed Wátina which was produced in collaboration with Garifuna All Stars from Belize, Guatemala and Honduras that he named The Garifuna Collective. His contribution to music and the country of Belize is invaluable as was his commitment to preserving

the traditional Garifuna music, culture and language.

how we felt when his live performanc-es enveloped the space of our soul that could never be erased, dimin-ished or deterred. Let us pause today, even for only for a few seconds, on the music man’s birthday and remem-ber how beautiful it is to remember.

THE BELIZE TIMES6 DEC 2015 3 03 03Belize’s Rising Debt Sugar Prices Go Up!

November 26, 2015Standard & Poor’s, an international

credit rating agency, has raised red flags over Belize’s rising debt.

S&P forecasted in a November 25th report that the Government’s debt will rise sharply in the upcoming months. It cites that debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio will increase to 75% in 2015, from 66% in 2014.

The report also notes that Belize’s fiscal obligations has risen steeply due to increased spending for electioneer-ing done by the Barrow Administration in the months leading to the November 4th snap general elections, a 13% public sec-tor wage hike and hundreds of millions of dollars as compensation payments to the former owners of Belize Telemedia Limited and Belize Electricity Limited. In the case of BTL, a pre-payment of $162

million was negotiated between Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Lord Michael Ashcroft. The final payment will come following arbitration proceedings and it is expected to be between $300 and $600 million more.

S&P noted that the increased debt and weaker fiscal position has in-creased the economy’s vulnerabilities against growth prospects, and lead to a decline in the international reserves to less than $400 million.

S&P will continue to monitor Be-lize’s economic status and will be up-dating their forecasts over the next few months.

The report caught the attention of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who issued a press release to record the concerns of its private sec-tor members.

Cane farmers still face bleak futureBelize City, November 27th, 2015

With little concern for the painful consequences to be felt by all Belizean consumers, the Government of Belize an-nounced on Friday, November 27th, that it has approved a 25 cents increase in the price of sugar.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minis-ter of Agriculture Gaspar Vega delivered the news, explaining that the decision to increase local sugar prices was made to offset the impending loss in revenue for cane farmers, due to an EU decision to lower the prices for sugar imported from Belize and other African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

Vega said that the Government was considering a higher price increase, but settled at the 25 cents.

Just days after the November 4th elections, the Belize Sugar Industry of-ficials informed cane farmers that the expected payments for farmers derived from sugar revenues will fall in the up-coming crop season to $41.56 per ton, some $28.89 less than last year’s $70.45 per ton.

The news is devastating to cane farmers. Many depend on sugar revenue, provided in two separate payments, to meet loan payments with banks. The first payment occurs in December, at the start of the new crop and just in time for the

Christmas season.The cane farmers’ first reaction was re-

quest that Government increases the price of sugar locally. They called for an increase of 25 cents, which experts say will result, at best, in an additional $4.60 per ton.

The question is, however, whether the sugar price hike will really alleviate the losses felt by cane farmers, since only 10% of the total sugar produced is sold on the local market.

BSI estimates that in the new crop, it will mill 1,225,000 tons of cane and produce 129,000 tons of sugar. 10% or 12,900 will be distributed for local con-sumption. For cane farmers, this would mean $4.60 per ton, which approximates to a total of $59,340 from local sugar sales. That amount, when divided evenly among the 6,000 cane farmers in the in-dustry, dwindles to $9.89 more per cane farmer.

Cane farmers should brace for tough times ahead, however. The cane season, set to start on December 7th, depends largely on effective planting and cutting practices, good weather conditions and the efficiency of cane delivery and milling by the factory. For several years, challenges have been experienced.

EU sugar prices are expected to fall even lower in 2017, when they preferential market for ACP countries comes to a close.


Will Senate Block Corruption Probe?A motion for an Inquiry into Immigration Corruption goes

before the Senate next WednesdayBelize City, December 03, 2015

At a Senate meeting to be held next week Wednesday, December 9th, a motion will be tabled for an inquiry into glaring mismanagement and cor-ruption in the Ministries of Immigration and Nationality, and National Security. The motion will be introduced at the request of Opposition Senators Lisa Shoman, Anthony Sylvestre Jr. and Pat-rick Andrews, and it will be debated and voted on.

The sloppy prosecution by Police authorities of wanted international fugi-tive David Nanes Schnitzer, two weeks ago, which led to his eventual escape has raised eyebrows and re-opened a can of corrupt worms. Nanes, a man wanted in neighboring Mexico for a multi-million dollar fraud scheme was hiding in Belize under the cover of “Da-vid Banes”. He had acquired Belizean documentation including nationality, passport, social security card, driver’s license, and even a voter’s I.D. under the false name. The nationality certifi-cate for the fake “David Banes” is dat-ed November 2012 and has been traced to the days of Elvin Penner, the corrupt Minister who sold away Belizean na-tionality to Won Hong Kim, an interna-tional criminal who was locked up in a prison in Taiwan.

Penner has never been detained by Police for a real criminal investigation or made to answer for his transgressions in Court. The state, meaning the UDP Government and their functionaries in the Immigration Department, Police Department, Director of Public Pros-ecution office and Auditor General’s Department, have all played a role in covering up corruption. But clearly, Won Hong Kim was not the first nor last to benefit from the UDP’s illegal sale of national and passport. Two years later, there is the David Banes case, and the suspicion that there is much more that should not go unchecked.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow might have alluded to this on October 15 2013, when he explained that the UDP had expelled Penner because “More evidence has surfaced of the involve-ment of Elvin Penner in other in-stances of what to us is impropriety. The material presented to Cabinet was and is enough for us to feel that Elvin Penner was involved in addi-tional instances of what I will term irregularities”.

Barrow refused to discuss what was the “more evidence” he referred to that had compelled them to politi-cally distance themselves from Penner.

Lead Senator for Government Business Godwin Hulse is expected to recuse himself from the Senate de-liberation as he is also the substantive Minister of Immigration which is the fo-cus of the investigation. Should Hulse remain in the Senate to participate in the discussion and voting, he will be acting in severe conflict and against legal principles of natural justice which mandate a man not to be a judge in his own cause.

The Opposition Senators want the Senate to investigate corruption at the Ministry of Immigration. It is expected that the Business, Church and Union Senators will support the motion in the name of good governance.

Belizeans must carefully monitor the reaction and response of the five remain-ing UDP Senators. Two of them, Francine Burns and Aldo Salazar, have legal train-

ing and should object to Hulse’s participa-tion in the deliberations. The third, Carla Barnett, is a self-proclaimed good gover-nance guardian who must prove that she really believes the things she writes. So far, her recent entry into politics as a UDP candidate at a time when the UDP Gov-ernment was blatantly using taxpayer’s money for election campaigning, how-ever, proved that she could look the other

way. The other two are spineless UDP lackeys.

Should the Senate approve the mo-tion next Wednesday, it will give the Senate the power to carry out a thor-ough investigation, with the authority to call on Government employees such as Ministers of Government, the Chief Executive Officers in the Ministry of Im-migration and Nationality, and National Security, or the Auditor General to report on the findings of their investigations.

Of note is that the Auditor General has not made public the full report of her Department’s investigation of the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality, following the Penner scandal in Septem-ber 2013.

THE BELIZE TIMES6 DEC 2015 5 05

EDITORIALTHE ROAD TO RUINATION

Three teenagers were burnt to death at the girls section of the Youth Hostel on Saturday 28 November 2012.

This latest outrage follows a long line of dis-turbing, despicable failures on the part of the

UDP government, stretching back to 2008 and travelling through to Saturday.

The newly re-elected UDP has started off badly. Very bad-ly. The Prime Minister is frail and sickly and is concentrating on not only enriching his family members but trying to get his sister to hold on to the Queen Square constituency for a few years until youngest son Anwar rakes in more millions of dollars before trying to take over from his father.

Oldest son, Shyne, presumably plotting to hold a proper diplomatic passport as a member of Belize’s House of Rep-resentative is expecting his father to help him take over in the Mesopotamia division. He told the media he is getting training from his father.

The late Harry Courtney would have said “what an este!”The Prime Minister’s rapidly failing health is being

pounced upon by his Deputy Prime Minister Gapi Vega, the Education Minister Patrick Faber and the Police Minister John Saldivar.

With the Prime Minister doing no government work, and the Ministers all forming alliances for power, the country is running itself. There is no government, just a bunch of power hungry politicians just back in government and grabbing all they can get. We would not be surprised to hear that Gua-temala troops are in southern Belize. Nor are we surprised that the Prime Minister’s niece applied for and was given bail for Nanes wanted and requested by Mexico, and our security Police allowed him to leave the country.

In a feigned act of pretending to be concerned the Prime Minister told the media widespread corruption by public officials, from Ministers of government right down the chain were involved in the whole Nanes affair. Excuse us if we find this silly as well as cynical. The government is blaming the government. And who is in charge of this widespread, deep seated corrupt “Ministers all the way down”. This is not the first or second time the Prime Minister has sought to deflect criticism from his failure by shunting or trying to confuse the issue.

Deputy Prime Minister Gapi Vega, we are informed, recently held a meeting with his northern caucus of UDP Ministers and standard bearers. He has just awakened to the Prime Minister’s plan depriving him of leading the party when the Prime Minister leave in three years’ time or is forced to leave the earlier due to his worsening health condition.

Gapi is supported by the Cayo politicians and four from Belize City and three from Belize District.

Gapi seems to be satisfied that the Prime Minister was hoping Dr. Carla Barnett would win a seat and eventually be maneuvered into leadership. Only this could explain why so many millions of dollars were spent in their campaign in Freetown.

In other circumstances, UDP party shenanigans, and power play is of little concern. Not this time. The party is barely in office four weeks and they have not yet taken hold of the reigns of the government.

The change of Minister at the Lands Ministry is a serious matter. Those who have hustled from the nation’s resources at lands are already grumbling that nothing will happen un-der Minister Hulse except for meetings, reports, workshops while applications pile up. There are presently hundreds of “election” lands which owners who paid graft are pressing to receive title. They are appealing to their northern boss but he will not belittle himself to ask Hulse to do him any favours.

It is against these back drops that on Saturday afternoon three teenagers at Youth Hostel were burnt in broad day-light when the wooden room they were imprisoned in was engulfed in flames. Every protocol at the Youth Hostel was violated. The Minister responsible for Youth Hostel is yet to offer a public apology to this nation for this gross negligence under his watch.

It needs reinforcing to say this was no freak accident. This was negligence of a fatal kind.

The less unfortunate young people with delinquency is-sues are placed at the Youth Hostel in order to be under su-pervision and under protection, by the state and its agencies. They should never be in harm’s way or exposed to danger, or be allowed to be a danger to themselves or others.

What happened on Saturday is unforgiveable. We fully expect that the Ministers will sacrifice a few low level em-ployees and then pretend they have rectified the problems.

They will have done no such thing.The on-going mismanagement and incompetence starts

at the top of the government. It flows and trickles its way down through the chain of cronies into the ranks of public officers. It is corroding and eating away at the ability of Belize as a young nation to properly administer the public services on which so much important aspect of our lives depends.

Electing public officials is not for them to be dividing the spoils and enriching self and kind. It is a huge responsibility on which rests good governance and competent delivery of services.

It is clear, based on the imperial evidence offered from the first and second term of the UDP government, that this third term will be an unmitigated disaster.

Ruination is not that far away.


Caribbean’s brightest young

minds chat with PUP Leader

PUP Freetown UWG Yard Sale

COME SHOP EARLY!GREAT DEALS ON A WIDE SELECTION OF ITEMS:

TOYS, CLOTHES AND HOUSE HOLD ITEMS!

Organized by the Freetown Constituency - UWG

YARD SALE #1

DATE: Saturday December 5, 2015 TIME: 8:30 am to 1:00 pmPLACE: Cor Sixth and F Streets, King’s Park

YARD SALE #2

DATE: Saturday December 12, 2015TIME: 8:30 am to 1:00 pmPLACE: Park in Belama

Belize City, December 2, 2015Historic Independence Hall

on Queen Street hosted a special visit by the Caribbean’s brightest young minds on Wednesday af-ternoon.

As part of the 2015 annual governance meetings of Carib-bean Examination Council (CXC) taking place in Belize this week, an extraordinary delegation con-sisting of the region’s top per-formers in the CXC/CSEC and CAPE exams is being hosted to a special visit of the country. The delegation has held meetings with key leaders including the Prime Minister and the Opposi-tion Leader.

On Wednesday afternoon, it was the delegation’s turn to meet the People’s United Party’s young Party Leader Hon. Francis Fon-seca. Hon. Francis welcomed the young students to Independence Hall, sharing a brief history of the PUP. Each student introduced himself or herself, sharing in re-turn their remarkable achieve-ments in their respective exams.

The seventeen students are from Antigua and Barbuda, Guy-ana, Jamaica and Trinidad and To-bago.

Among them is Cecil Cox, a student of Queen’s College in Guyana, who is the CSEC region-al top awardee to receive a CAPE regional top award, and Brandon Judnarine who not only made history for his country, Antigua and Barbuda, by being the first student to perform among the best in the region, but also for excelling as the Most Outstand-ing Candidate Overall in the May/June CSEC examinations with passes in 22 CSEC subjects.

The students also had the op-portunity to chat with the Party Leader, and they led an interest-

ing discussion inquiring about his travels to Caribbean countries, his views on how to improve the level of women participation in politics and his vision for Belize.

Also participating in the meeting were Deputy Leader Florencio Marin, Deputy Leader Mike Espat, Deputy Leader Ju-lius Espat, Hon. Rodwell Fergu-son, and Hon. Oscar Requeña.

The delegation of students will get a chance to visit some of Belize’s world famous attrac-tions, such as the Xunantunich archaeological site.

PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca

THE BELIZE TIMES6 DEC 2015 7 07

BHS Students get first-hand experience in global leadership

Washington DC, U.S, December 1st, 2015

The Organization of American States (OAS) promotes and sup-ports efforts by universities, schools and public or private institutions for the organization of Model OAS Gen-eral Assembly (MOAS).The MOAS Program for high school students of the Hemisphere functions within the Office of the Assistant Secretary General (OASG) Ambassador Nestor Mendez of the OAS.

The MOAS 2015 held in Washing-ton DC this week is the largest con-ference in recent years. All 34 OAS member countries are represented by 17 United States High Schools plus 8 International Country schools from Belize, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Puerto Rico.

This is Belize High School first representation at the MOAS but definitely not the last. Principal Ja-mie Lee Usher is extremely pleased with her students’ performance and commitment. Having been assigned to represent the island nation of Bar-bados in October, preparation began fast and furious, with our delegates meeting weekly to prepare their po-sition papers and research article re-buttals. The delegates are charged

with the responsibility to represent Barbados’ interests, policies and per-spectives on the topics of the agenda.

A total of 12 seniors from Belize High School have been working hard to debate, negotiate and have resolutions related to hemispheric issues:

Ms. Yashika Issrani and Mr. Tyler Eck represent Barbados on the General Committee: Migration in the Americas and Protection of human rights in busi-ness

Mr. Rolando Santos and Mr. Louis Sroka sit on the First Committee: Juridi-cal and Political Affairs.

Mr. Ankit Chandwani and Mr. An-thony Navarrete sit on Second Commit-tee: Hemispheric Security.

Miss Jasmine Betancourt and Miss Wendy Huiling Huang sit on the Third Committee: Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI).

Miss Shania Williams and Miss Dip-ti Karnani sit on the Special Committee:

Children and Youth. Mr. Romeo Caruso and Mr. Amit

Nandwani sit on the GET Committee: this committee works closely with the General Committee in producing decla-rations. Romeo Caruso has also been elected as Chair of this committee, an honor, as a first time participant.

The delegation is chaperoned by BHS Academic Advisor Ms. Michelle Arnold and by Principal Jamie Lee Ush-er.

At the opening ceremonies, co-ordinator of the MOAS Program Ms. Nelly Robinson and Ms. Jeymar Bia-chis, MOAS consultant, welcomed the over 400 participants and 50 faculty ad-visors to the 34th Model OAS General Assembly.

Also Present in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS Headquarters, were Belizeans: Mr. Mike Bejos, Ms. Kendal Belisle and Ambassador to the OAS, Ambassador Pat Andrews. Ms. Belisle had the honor of delivering the welcome address the entire assembly on behalf of Ambassador Mendez.

Ms. Belisle and Ambassador An-drews met with the delegation and even took time for a couple pictures.

The MOAS is an invaluable hands-on experience that encourages stu-dents to develop leadership and com-munication skills, as well as negotiation techniques, through the practice of diplomacy. Principal Usher confirms her school’s annual participation in the MOAS activities as BHS continues to raise the bar of education and educa-tional opportunities offered to high school students.

Belize High School Principal, Jamie Lee Usher, and students attending the Model OAS General Assembly in

Washington D.C.

THE BELIZE TIMES 6 DEC2015 8 08

SJC presents modern African and Maya History program!

Belize City, November 26, 2015On Wednesday November 25th 2015, the St. John’s Col-

lege made history when it presented a comprehensive His-tory program to the administration of the high school and to the Belizean public.

In June 2013 St. John’s College High School took a bold new step forward by announcing the implementation of the teaching of African and Maya History at the 1st form level and a renewed focus on Belizean History for the 2nd Form level. Over the past two and half years this new program has been piloted and rolled out utilizing the tools of technology - free e-readers, an e-library, e-resources and an online web portal for study guides, slide shows, videos, maps, articles and notices.

The final product was unveiled by Head of the History De-partment Yasser Musa and History Teacher, Delmer Tzib, and handed over to high school Principal, Yolanda Gongora.

The African and Maya History program focuses in the first semester on the origins of Humanity in Africa, the develop-ment of Agriculture and technology, West and East African Empires and Great Zimbabwe. In semester two the program focused on human migration into the Americas, early to late Maya Civilization to the moment of European contact in the 15th century.

The revised History program at the 2nd form level gives alternate perspectives of the indigenous and African popula-tions in the Americas from the time of European contact to Post-Independent Belize. It focuses on the adverse effects of conquest, slavery, post-slavery, the Caste War, early 20th century British Honduras, rise of the worker, the nationalist movement, social and racial consciousness and the road to Independence. Special emphasis is placed on the origins and history of the Guatemala claim and the modern realities of the debate today.

The high school considered the presentation of the pro-gram as a progress report on the important role that the teaching of history plays at the 128th year old institution.

According to Tzib, it’s availability on electronic media is a key component since students are moving past papers and books and looking to technology for education.

“If you look at education, primarily today we need to adapt to the generation that we have and the generation that we have is not primarily looking at printed text and that sort of thing. They are looking at technology and we are trying to adapt technology into the programme so that they enjoy it. It is not simply about dates and memo-rising dates and that sort of thing, it is more about them

internalising themes and understanding ideas of how society functions and how they can change society as well. So when we look at creating books, we decided that electronic books would be quite fea-sible to be used in terms of our school,” said Tzib.

There has been a rising interest in African and Maya History program in other schools, despite fading support from the Ministry of Education. On Thursday, November 26th, Musa travelled to Punta Gorda where he presented the African and Maya History pro-gram to 20 principals of the Toledo District.

“It was a special moment for me be-cause the encounter was engaging, excit-ing and full of hope. I am grateful for their openness and look forward to working with them to ensure that we make the teaching of history, our history, a foun-dation of our education system,” Musa remarked.

Yasser Musa had a fruitful meeting to discuss the African and Maya history program with 20 principals of the Toledo District

Presentation at SJC

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10 SPORTS THE BELIZE TIMES 6 DEC2015

City Boys lead U-15 football

Gwen Liz boys, No.1 into basketball playoffs

Maud Williams & SCA advance to basketball finals

Belize City, November 29, 2015City Boys bombed Face of Belize 4-0 at

the MCC Garden on Sunday to hold the top spot in Week 4 of the Belize District Football Association’s (BDFA) Under-15 football com-petition.

City Boys’ Jalen Babb and Akeem Suther-land scored a goal each, while Kenroy Linares scored the 2nd and 4th goals. City Boys goalie Shawn Bilharry kept his slate clean by stopping a penalty kick by Ajani Vaughn.

Other matches:Ladyville Jaguars vs. Berger United -

4-0Goals by D’jon Canelo, Lyndon Flowers,

Ryan Chiac (2)Brown Bombers vs. Carlston United –

1-0Goal by Tyreek “Pippin” MuschampHattieville River Side Boys vs. Collet

Strikers - 3-0Goals by Jadon Macgregor (2), Mario

RiveraDjon Canelo scored Ladyville Jaguars

1st Goal

TyreeK Muschamp scored Bombers’

1st goal

Hattieville’s River Side Boys

Collet goalie Tyrell Estrada vs

Mario Rivera

Belize City, December 1, 2015

Maud Williams High School girls and the unde-feated St. Catherine Acad-emy will clash in the Central Division secondary school basketball finals.

Maud Williams and St. Catherine’s Academy won their semifinals matches at Bird’s Isle on Tuesday night.

Maud Williams elimi-nated the Anglican Cathedral College girls: 38 – 32 with Arika Shephard scoring 14pts while Ashley Bailey a4dded 13pts. ACC’s Zaria Jenkins scored 20pts and Shantia Palacio added 8pts.

Meanwhile, the SCA girls blew out the Wesley College girls: 33 – 13, led by Indie Dixon with 12pts.

Maud Williams team

Maud Williams’ Latifah Ferguson

Ashley Bailey scored 13pts

Belize City, November 30, 2015

The Gwen Lizarraga High School boys are No.1 with a 6-1 record, entering the Central Division high school basketball playoffs to begin at Bird’s Isle on Wednesday, December 2.

The Gwen Liz boys posted their 6th win, 60-58 over the St. Johns College boys on Monday night. Keyvon Evans led Gwen Liz with 24pts. Jahson Phillips led SJC with 21pts and Brian Sutherland added 13pts.

The Gwen Liz boys de-feated Anglican Cathedral College 53-49 last Wednes-day.

Sadie Vernon Technical High School boys are the only ones who upset Gwen Liz boys 69-62 on Saturday afternoon. They were led by Keyvon Evans with 27pts.

The ACC boys upset SJC 64-62 on Friday night, led by Holdane Swazo with 25pts.

SJC posted their 4th win 72-60 against Naza-

rene High School on Wednesday. Llewellyn Gentle led the team with 13pts.

Ladyville Technical High posted their 2nd win 64-63 against Naza-rene High on Thursday. They were led by Raheem Henry with 18pts.

The Wesley College boys post-ed their 6th win: 66-60 over Sadie Vernon on Thursday; led by Tevaun Lennan with 16pts.

SJC’s Kenton Young scored 8pts

Gwen Liz team

11SPORTSTHE BELIZE TIMES6 DEC 2015

Sacred Heart College takes on Christian Ambassadors

in U-19 basketball finals

MicRoe Light & Peace win 1st BECOL U-23

basketball final

Belize City, November 29, 2015Team DigiCell 4G’s Ian Whit-

taker won the Weekend Warriors Cycling Club’s Burrell Boom race in the A Division, while Team F.T. Williams’ Isaiah Willacey won the B Division, and Team Caribbean Tires’ Alejandro Moralez won the C division race, 30 miles to the finish line at Leslie’s Imports on Sunday.

A Division1st Ian Whittaker – Team DigiCell 4G -

1:25.202nd Dean Belisle – Team Bel-Cal3rd Robert Mariano – Team DigiCell 4G4th Fiztgerald “Palas” Joseph – Team

Lampaz5th Dave Yearwood - Team Lampaz6th Kirk Sutherland – Team DigiCell 4G7th Jack Sutherland – Team DigiCell 4G8th Isaiah Willacey – Team F.T. Williams

– 1st B Div.9th Salvador Alvarado – Team F.T. Wil-

liams – 2nd B Div.10th Mark Reid – Team Santino’s – 3rd

B div.C Division

DigiCell 4G’s Ian Whittaker wins Weekend Warriors’

Boom race

1st Alejandro Moralez – Team Caribbean Tires - 1:39:42

2nd Lawrence Craig - Truckers Posse3rd Eustace Ireland - Kulture Megabytes3rd Chris Berry - Team BNE5th Alfonso Moralez – Team Caribbean Tires6th Steve Gill – Team SMARTIndividual Time Trials – 11.5 miles on

Burrell boom bypassA Division1st Daniel Cano – Team Santino’s - 27:402nd Fitzgerald Joseph – Team Lampaz –

28:373rd Stephen Bissett – Team Lampaz - 29:28. 4th Dave Yearwood – Team Lampaz -

29:375th John Burns – Team DigiCell 4G - 30:01.B Division1st Isaiah Willacey – Team F.T. Williams -

28:212nd Dean Boyce – Team F.T.Williams - 30:533rd Mark Reid - Team Santino’s - 30:584th Mike Phillips – Team Lampas - 31:545th Ian Abraham – Team SMART - 32:08.C Division1st Chris Berry - Truckers’ Posse -33:042nd Steve Gill – Team SMART - 34:123rd Lawrence Craig - Truckers’ Posse - 34:534th Eustace Ireland – Team Lampaz - 35:035th Alfonso Moralez – Team Caribbean Tires

- 35:35.

Mr. Belize Rigo Vellos leaves his mark in Mexico

Belize City, November 29, 2015

Four-time Mr. Belize, Rigo Vellos, won 1st place in the Mr. Maya Bodybuilding Com-petition held in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico, on Saturday November 28, defeating other Mexican bodybuilding athletes.

In October, Vellos won the Mr. Belize title for the fourth year in a row.

Benque Western Queens win

Cayo basketball champs

San Ignacio, November 28, 2015The Benque Western Queens

blew out Belmopan Shock to win the 2015 Cayo women’s female basket-ball championship with back-to-back wins, when the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Basketball Association held the championship finals sponsored by BECOL at the Falcon Field court over the weekend. Trophies will be pre-sented when the finals conclude on Saturday night, December 5.

Panthers win Cayo basketball

senior finals Game 1

Panthers’ Daniel Nol-berto scored 21pts

Top 5 A Div. road race

Top 5 B Div. road race

Top 5 C Div. road race


For SaleBy Order of the

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edi-tion, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 20th day of February, 2013, between ALBERTO D. COLE-MAN of No. 30 Hopeville, Cattle Landing, Toledo District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit as Instrument LTU-201300324, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece and parcel of land described as Lot No. 30 and delineated in Entry No. 12159 Reg 28 recorded at the Lands and Survey Department and comprising 603.940 Square Meters in Hopeville, near Cattle Landing Village, Toledo District, Belize TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 11th day of November, 2015.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP91 North Front Street

Belize CityAttorney-at-Law for

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.


Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Com-panies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 1st day of May, 2012, between Eglah Arnold of 101 Belizean American Site, Hattieville Village, Belize District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIA-BANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 11 of 2012 at Folios 389 – 456, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publica-tion of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece and parcel of land situate in Hattieville Village, Mile 17 on the Western Highway, Belize Dis-trict, Belize and being Lot No. 100 comprising 833.33 Square Yards bounded and described as shown and comprised in Fiat Grant No. 565 of 2011 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.






Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Com-panies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 28th day of November, 2007, between NATALIE HULSE of #6 Buena Vista Street, San Ignacio Town, Cayo District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIA-BANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 15 of 2011 at Folios 1327 – 1392, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publica-tion of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT freehold piece and parcel of land situate along the North side of Bullet Tree Falls Road, Kay Works Agricultural Area, Cayo District and numbered Lot No. 22 containing 510.425 square metres of land being a subdivision of Block No. 47 bounded and described as shown on Entry No. 10480, Register 20 dated 26th June 2007 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.





For Sale

By Order of the

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Compa-nies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Transfer of Mortgage made the 8th day of May, 2009, registered in Deeds Book Volume 11 of 2009 at Folios 733 -752, between BELIZE MORTGAGE COMPANY 2002-1 (the Assignor) SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., and PHILIP BENJAMIN CLARKE, and by a Deed of As-signment of Mortgage made the 15th day of September, 2005 recorded in Deeds Book Volume 28 of 2005 at Folios 1005 - 1080, between D.F.C. (the Assignor) and the said BELIZE MORTGAGE COMPANY 2002-1, which said property was mortgaged by the said PHILIP BENJAMIN CLARKE to the said D.F.C. on the 11th day of February, 2003, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in Deeds Book Vol. 6 of 2003 at Folios 1441 – 1482, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

THE SCHEDULE

ALL THAT lot piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 77 in the subdivision known as Los Lagos, situate in the Mile 13 area, Northern Highway, Ladyville, Belize District, as surveyed by Kenneth A. Gillett, licensed surveyor and recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan at Register 16 Entry 4460 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.



Belize CityAttorneys-at-Law for


THE BELIZE TIMES6 DEC 2015 13

BY ORDER OF CHARGEENOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between Stephen Watters and Gloria Watters (Jointly) and the said Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 501.740 square metres being Parcel 3108, Block 20 in the Belmopan Registration Section situate at No. 19 Tapir Street, Belmopan, Cayo District, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of STEPHEN WATTERS and GLORIA WATTERS (Jointly)

DATED the 24th day of November 2015

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE

Phone: (501) 224-5644Fax: (501) 223-0738

Sorux Group Limited #129,034(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Sorux Group Limited:

a) is in dissolutionb) commenced dissolution on the 24th day of November,

2015; andc) Cititrust International Limited whose address is 35

Barrack Road, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company

Cititrust International LimitedRegistered Agent

QUIKTRAK NETWORKS LIMITED #58,508(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that QUIKTRAK NETWORKS LIMITED:

d) is in dissolutione) commenced dissolution on the 30th day of November,

2015; andf) David Pankov whose address is Profsoyuznaya

Street, Bldg. 55, Apt. 51, Moscow, Russia is the Liq-uidator of the Company


HONORIOUS INVESTMENTS LIMITED #55,195(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that HONORIOUS INVESTMENTS LIMITED:

a) is in dissolutionb) commenced dissolution on the 1st day of December,

2015; andc) Kyriakos Kyriakou whose address is Kalliopis 11,

Flat 103, Lakatamia, 2304 Nicosia, Cyprus is the Liq-uidator of the Company


VIDAGIO PROPERTY LIMITED #109,843(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Re-vised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that VIDAGIO PROPERTY LIMITED has been in dissolved as at 28th November, 2015 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.



The only Defeat is never to try - anything else is a setback

By Senator Lisa M. ShomanNothing beats a trial but a failure.

How many times was this drummed into my head as a child? Countless - and you must have felt the same urge to roll your eyes as I did, each time this cliché was said to you. But the mes-sage did sink in.

What you probably were not told, is that the only defeat is in never trying at all - and that everything else is only a setback.

The Senate in Belize is widely

viewed as a rubber-stamp - a toothless, largely ceremonial creature, whose function is not evident in our democracy except as some mythical check and bal-ance - especially since the 13th Senator has never been released into law by the Prime Minister (who was its progenitor) thereby guaranteeing a majority for the Senators appointed by the PM.

What needs to be understood is that Section 61 A which sets out the “Powers and functions” of the Senate under the Constitution Section 61A (1) states that “the Senate shall have the powers and shall exercise the functions set out in the Subsection (2).”

The use of the word “SHALL” makes those powers and the perfor-mance of the functions MANDATORY - not discretionary.

In other words, the Senate CAN-NOT pick and choose if it wishes to “ex-ercise the functions” listed - it MUST do so. It has a legal obligation to do so.

These are serious and weighty powers and functions and the Senate cannot simply abdicate its responsibil-

ity to act. Senators cannot just ignore the constitutional mandate entrusted to the Senate. They must perform the functions assigned to the Senate. They have a legal obligation to do so.

Therefore, the Senate must act in order to approve (or not) the appoint-ment of Public Officials such as the Contractor General, Ombudsman, and members of the Elections and Bound-aries Commission or the Integrity Com-mission.

Likewise, the Senate- if there is a matter of public interest or importance, including an inquiry into mismanage-ment or corruption by persons in Cen-tral Government, particularly when both the PM and Minister of Immigra-tion have expressed those concerns - SHALL ACT in order to INSTITUTE AND CONDUCT AN ENQUIRY AND INVESTI-GATION INTO THE SAME.

Anything less, is a dereliction of duty. Anything amounting to a refusal is an abdication of responsibility of the functions of the Senate.

Each Senator has sworn an individu-

al oath to uphold the Constitution, and to carry out his or her responsibilities under the Constitution, the best of his or her ability, without fear or favor.

I have been asked why bother presenting a motion to the Senate for an inquiry and investigation if I al-ready ‘know’ that the motion will be defeated.

This simple answer is because it is my duty, and because I am deter-mined to give each and every Senator a full and fair opportunity to demon-strate to all Jewelizeans (including the cynical ones) that they will also com-ply with their duty pursuant to Sec-tion 61A of the Constitution of Belize. After all, it is their responsibility to do so.

In Belize, far too often, we give up without even trying, on the basis that something is futile. We sometimes believe ourselves defeated without even trying.

Rosa Parks set out deliberately to sit on that bus knowing that she would be removed, indeed knowing that her removal was inevitable, and that it would be a personal setback, but not a defeat.

I am determined to do my duty. I am determined try as long as there is an opportunity, and I will not see a setback as a defeat.


Continued on page 19

LESSONS FROM THE EAST, Part II


Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 27th day of March, 2012, between MARY CARIDDI of Paslow Falls Area, Cayo District, Belize of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 6 of 2012 at Folios 1121 – 1172, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto. All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land or lot situate along the Mopan River, Paslow Falls Area, Cayo District and being Block No. 9 (9.75 acres) of land the Lionel Balan sub-division survey of Grant No. 505 of 2007 comprising 20.86 acres of land and the Survey of a strip of National Lands comprising of 1.00 acre, situate along the Mopan River, Paslow Falls Area, Cayo District and more particularly delineated and described as shown on a plan dated 3rd September, 2007 on Entry No. 10732 Reg No. 17 and Final approval Granted by Ref No. LUA 91/07(28) recorded and registered at the Survey Department, Belmopan City attached to the said property TOGETHER with all build-ings and erections standing and being thereon.





OPENWEB LIMITED #81,208(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that OPENWEB LIMITED:

a) is in dissolutionb) commenced dissolution on the 27th day of Novem-

ber, 2015; andc) Photis Photiou whose address is 6 Kolokotroni

Street, 1st Floor, Nicosia 1101, Cyprus is the Liqui-dator of the Company


Tretco Limited # 62,718(“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Tretco Limited:

a) is in dissolutionb) commenced dissolution on the 27th day of No-

vember, 2015; andc) Photis Photiou whose address is 6 Kolokotroni

Street, 1st Floor, Nicosia 1101, Cyprus is the Liquidator of the Company


By Micah J. GoodinIn the last sixty plus years of its

existence the Government and people of Taiwan have pursued pragmatic poli-cies that have encouraged positive eco-nomic growth.

In the 1950s the Republic of China was in a pursuit of stability and self-sufficiency. Top priority at the time was given to economic stabilization and food production. This resulted in an effective land reform program that encouraged food production and stabi-lized food prices.

A decade later after much success in agriculture the Taiwanese shifted its focus to promoting labor- intensive and export- oriented industries to take advantage of low- cost labor and to penetrate markets beyond its shores. At one point in time Taiwan was re-ferred to as the Bicycle Kingdom of the world, for its production and export of bicycles. This shift was complemented by the introduction of foreign exchange administration and taxation. Therefore, improving investor climate.

In the 70s the rapid export of the previous decade had stimulated a strong domestic demand for machin-ery, equipment and materials. During this period Taiwan’s industrial technol-ogy was more advanced and ripe for higher level or basic and heavy industry development. The government carried out Ten Major Development Projects

that improved railway, airport, port and electricity. Taiwan had effectively re-duced its reliance on the foreign sup-ply of intermediate products through the strategy of substitution.

In the early 80s their economy began to reap the benefits of its trade policies. The government adopted economic liberalization and interna-tionalization to guide its development. Taiwan used its resources to develop capital and technology intensive in-dustries such as electronics, informa-tion and machinery.

During the 90s rising wages forced labor intensive industries to move off-shore. Taiwan was compelled to up-grade or transform its manufacturing industries from toys and umbrellas to IT products. Since the 90s, technology

trade agreement including the pro-motion of Free Economic Pilot Zones (FEPZs) which is to ease restrictions of goods, personnel, money, informa-tion and knowledge, to create a com-petitive environment.

My recent trip to Taiwan sparked an interest for global politics, global economics and global relations. It compelled me to think about the future development of my Belize. Whether one day we would be able to stand on the world stage and fiercely compete with the entire world and dominate the markets that be.

The Republic of China has fo-cused on the creativity of its people. It is the commitment of this country to the development of its people that has yielded economic progress. For example every year there is what is called the Taiwan Excellence Awards which are awarded to innovators.

There are numerous programs and funding designed to fuel and en-courage creativity.

According to the World Trade Or-ganization, Taiwan was the 17th larg-est exporter and 18th largest importer of merchandise in 2012. Data for the following year reveals that Belize was the 170th largest exporter in the world. Therefore, there were at least 169 countries exporting far more than we could imagine.

has become an indispensable entity for Taiwan, globally dominating the produc-tion of computers, tablets and televi-sions among other items.

Following the new millennium Tai-wan began to promote a knowledge based and sustainable economy. It also linked to the international trade system via its membership in the World Trade Organization in 2002.

For the period 2012- 2013 Taiwan focused on industrial remodeling and global linkage. The government grasped the opportunities of an era of change and strengthening the nuts and bolts of Taiwan’s economy by launching the Golden Decade National Vision Plan. This plan focused on innovation, open-ness and structural adjustments.

Taiwan has signed on to various


PRINT SERVICES VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES

VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES

UNICEF Belize - Terms of Reference - Long Term Agreement (LTA) UNICEF Belize - Terms of Reference - Long Term Agreement (LTA)

UNICEF Belize - Terms of Reference - Long Term Agreement (LTA)

UNICEF Belize – Terms of Reference - Long Term Agreement (LTA)

PRINT SERVICES

1. Background and context

UNICEF Belize wishes to enter into a non-exclusive Long Term Agreement (LTA) with a company for the provision of print services. Each year, the UNICEF Belize office produces and prints multiple products, including documents, posters, agendas, invitations, brochures, leaflets, fact sheets, publications etc. many of which are required on short term notice. The office is therefore looking to establish a roster of print service providers.

2. Justification

As projects are recurrent and often similar in nature, a Long Term Agreement and a roster of service providers would save the UNICEF Belize office considerable amounts of time related to advertisement and selection. It would also support staff members not familiar with print quality needs in selection, as each of the LTA holders would have its specified expertise defined by the office.

3. Purpose and Objective

Professional print services will be performed at the desired quality level, in a timely fashion, with defined cost limits, with simplified administrative processing and reduced transaction costs.

4. Methodology and technical approach

The service provider will use technical expertise and state of the art hardware to provide print services, delivering high quality products according to UNICEF needs on short notice:

1. Printing of letter-sized documents in black and white and colour, on different types of paper 2. Printing of brochures, leaflets, invitations, agendas and other products 3. Printing of several paged publications 4. Printing of large sized products such as posters, vinyl banners & roll-ups 5. Printing of other items such as t-shirts, bags, folders, pens etc.

5. Activities and Tasks

Printing of digital files in agreed upon quality, size and quantity.

6. Deliverables and Timeframe

The time needed per deliverable will be negotiated at the beginning of each project. Delivery will be made either by provider or picked up by UNICEF if in Belize City.

7. Management

Supervision will be determined on project basis.

8. Type of Contract and Remuneration

The contract is a two year Long Term Agreement (LTA) valid for two years based on satisfactory performance. Remuneration will be determined on project basis and each separate project will specify a price based on the established and agreed upon rates and deliverables. Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF. Please note that UNICEF does not cover travel costs or offer office space.

9. Qualifications

Access to high-end professional printing equipment and capacity to process requests at short notice.

10. Application:

Closing date for submitting applications is 16th December 2015. Late applications will not be considered and regret letters will only be sent to short-listed applicants.

Kindly submit two working samples of highest print quality items for the following items:

1. Double sided full colour print on medium glossy hard paper of the following document: (click) https://www.dropbox.com/s/he5rp4j6gbuwwmg/UNICEF%20Belize%20Fast%20Facts%20DEC15.pdf 2. One-sided full colour high quality print of 17x24” poster – any content

Also submit a detailed financial proposal for the specific items that the company can provide, specifying the detailed cost per item and bulk discounts within ranges, for example 1-50, 50-200 etc.

1. Printing of letter-sized documents - In black and white - In colour - On standard paper - On glossy paper - On hard, matte paper etc. - Single sided / double sided

2. Printing of tri-fold brochures, simple one-sided leaflets, event invitations, event agendas and other products specified in a price list

3. Printing of several paged publications in full colour 4. Printing of large sized products

- Poster (17x24” and other sizes) - Vinyl banner - Roll-up banner - Other as needed

5. Printing of other items - Simple document folders with logo printed in full colour - Pens with printed logo - String bags & canvas bags with printed logo and/or text - T-Shirts with printed logo and/or text in full colour - Small note pads with printed logo and/or text

Please also share, if applicable, a catalog of print services and items offered, along with a detailed price list per item with bulk discounts.

ALL submissions to be sent by email to [email protected], attention: Operations Assistant; subject –LTA Print Services. Working samples to be delivered physically at: UNICEF Belize office, Coney Drive Gordon House 3rd Floor, Belize City. Closing date for submitting applications is 14th December 2015.

UNICEF Belize – Terms of Reference - Long Term Agreement (LTA)

VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES

Please Note that this is a shorter version of the Terms of References- for the full Terms of References, please see the link on UNICEF Belize Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UNICEFBelize

1. Background and context

Each year, the UNICEF Belize office produces multiple video products, including animated, documentary and Public Service Announcement material, many of which are required on short term notice. The office is therefore looking to establish a two-year Long Term Agreement (LTA) with available companies to create a roster of video production service providers.

Video narratives play a very important in UNICEF’s communication. As communication increasingly develops in real time through digital channels, UNICEF needs companies ready to support video production within short timeframes as well as companies with professional experience in developing and executing longer term strategies and approaches to videos that will work to raise the brand’s voice and image. UNICEF also needs to harness the best video production companies to support the development of narratives during critical and urgent scenarios.

4. Methodology and technical approach

The applying companies should have proven successes with both public and private sector and should have a team assembled that covers the necessary areas of video production in order to work quickly and mobilize efforts, including: cinematography, pre-production, post production, creative ideas, animation and motion graphics, and sound design. The service provider will use above expertise and state of the art software and hardware to provide video services and produce high quality video products according to UNICEF needs, including:

1. Public service announcement or behaviour change video production 2. Video documentation of events and video production (filming during event + summary video) 3. Documentary video production 4. Animated video production 5. Other video production as requested

9. Experience required

Professional video production company with a strong portfolio, with experience in:

Directing videos or commercials Projects featuring children. Developing short form video clips and/or documentary style videos. Campaigns targeting a social media demographic. Utilizing the latest hardware and software for video production On time product delivery under tight deadlines. Working with non-profits, NGOs or international organisations. Working experience

with UNICEF is an added advantage.

UNICEF Belize – Terms of Reference - Long Term Agreement (LTA) VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES

Familiarity with UNICEF brand guidelines, quality standards and ethical regulations is an added advantage.

Depending on the particular needs for the production, listed are team members and expertise requested (depending on production):

Developing high quality awareness raising videos for online audiences. Pre-Production Support: Understands communication needs and develops creative video

concepts that cover these needs. Also can support with location planning, scene set up, and casting.

Videographer: Cameramen with the most up to date skills and equipment. Director: Oversees all elements of the creation of the video, from beginning to the

end. Works on the ground to ensure the production goes right. Production Crew Member: Video shoot coordinator who has proven experience in

coordinating live filming. Must have experience with cameras or microphones while on set. Post Producer: Has a strong acumen for editing, motion graphics, and sound design to ensure

a video is developed more fully once footage is delivered.

Developing high quality awareness raising animations for online audiences Animator: Understands illustration programs and is familiar with mapping out storyboards to

ensure an idea is communicated. Can also execute drawings to generate animations. Motion Graphics: Works to get images in animations moving in 3D formats and fashions. Must

have experience with most up to date programs for computer graphic programs. Copywriter: Helps develop the storytelling aspect of an animation. Creative Director: Helps generate the initial idea that animation team can bring to life. Sound Designer: Works with animators to ensure that animation can have audio cues that

sync with the visual story being told. Must have experience with cutting edge sound programs.

10. Application:

Closing date for submitting applications is 14th December 2015. Late applications will not be considered and regret letters will only be sent to short-listed applicants.

Kindly submit a technical proposal (specifying equipment and team at disposal), links to at least 3 relevant working samples and detailed financial proposal for each of the following, specifying the detailed cost per service, and a final price for a one (1) minute video for each category:

1. Video documentation of events and video production (including filming during the event) 2. Documentary video production 3. Public service announcement or behaviour change video production 4. Animated video production 5. Any other services offered

ALL submissions to be sent by email to [email protected], attention: Operations Assistant; subject –LTA Video Production Services.

Please see full ToRs before applying: www.facebook.com/UNICEFBelize


By G. Michael ReidLike a thief in the night, presi-

dent elect of Guatemala Jimmy Mo-rales slipped into Belize last Friday night under the cover of darkness and obscurity. Ironically enough, Morales’ campaign slogan was “Ni corrupto, ni ladrón” (Neither corrupt nor a thief). We promise not to tell!

It was previously rumoured that the new president of Guatemala would bypass Belize on his tour of Central American nations. Ac-cording to the Prime Minister, the reason why they told us that was because they weren’t sure if he was coming. They didn’t want to say anything just in case he didn’t show up. Really! Why? Is it that he did not want to disappoint us or is it that he himself did not want to be disappointed?

Another possibility is that they wanted to sneak him in and out with no one being the wiser. This man is famous for clandestine meetings; remember the Ashcroft deals. As usually happens in Belize however, someone invariably let the puss out the bag and five self-declared activists painted placards and went out to make Morales feel unwelcome. They were quickly and roughly tackled by Police and no one is sure if Morales was even aware of their presence. I do not believe that this was a case where any protest would have been bet-ter than none; if there was to be a protest, it should have been publi-cized. Radio stations usually allow such announcements and a simple phone call to Krem and Love would have sufficed. One can only hope that Morales did not leave believing that what was out there represent-ed the full extent of our discontent? That would be sad indeed!

Jimmy Morales is the come-dian turned politician who was able to get himself elected in Guatemala following the abrupt downfall of for-mer President Otto Pérez Molina.

Perez Molina was forced to vacate his seat following the La Linea scandal. Following the release of a report exposing widespread cor-ruption in government, hundreds of thousands of Guatemalans took to the streets and demanded that Per-ez Molina step down. After months of demonstrations and civil unrest, Pérez Molina was stripped of prose-cutorial immunity and the end came quickly thereafter. In September, he was arrested and charged and went straight from palace to cellblock. Justice was neither delayed nor de-nied.

Many believe that Belize could do well with its own version of the International Commission against Impunity (CICIG) which brought justice to Guatemala. The CICIG

out an Integrity Commission, has no functioning oversight committee and boasts of a politically appointed Auditor General. Our government refuses to give data to Transparen-cy International and if they did, no one doubts that we would be close to topping the list. In June of this year, Belize was blacklisted by the European Union (EU) and accused of being a tax haven for multination-al companies. Just last week, the United States Treasury Department named Belize as one of several des-tinations where business associ-ates of the Islamic terrorist group ISIS are laundering money through the use of shell companies. Has the best come yet?

By Saturday afternoon, Mo-rales’ brief visit to Belize was all but forgotten as news broke of the terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of three young teenage girls. The news hit social media like the very wildfire which consumed the wooden building in which the girls were being kept and it prompted a quick and tearful press conference. Some very disturbing details were released.

What happened at the Youth

Hostel on Saturday was obviously a tragedy waiting to happen. Twice before had fires been deliberately set there one of the girls were even reportedly known to be a firebug. Yet, they were locked up in a room and one of them was allowed to keep a lighter. The room was then properly secured, complete with a faulty lock that had been known to give trouble to open before. Is it making any sense yet?

Sparing the rod

Twice before had fires been deliberately set there one of the girls were even reportedly

known to be a firebug. Yet, they were locked up in a room and one of them was allowed to keep a lighter. The room was then properly secured, complete with a faulty lock that had been known to give trouble to open before.

is an anti-corruption agency which was established in that country in 2007 and which worked effectively to expose corruption, violence and organised crime within public in-stitutions, political parties and the civil society. The CICIG was jointly proposed by the United Nations and the government of Guatemala with an aim to strengthening public institutions and fighting the culture of impunity. Apparently they are a whole lot more serious about fight-ing corruption than we are.

Activists in Salvador and Hon-duras, buoyed by the CICIG’s re-cent success in Guatemala are now calling for similar initiatives to help tackle corruption, crime and impu-nity in those countries. Given the endemic corruption in our House, it is high time that we join our voices to this chorus crying out for help. The problem is that here in Belize we cannot even get our govern-ment to sign onto the United Na-tions Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Belize is the only Central Ameri-can country that has not signed onto UNAC and one of only a few in the entire world that has not done so. What are we afraid of? For the en-tire three terms of this current gov-ernment, Belize has operated with-

There are quite a few things that must be taken into consider-ation when examining this case. First of all, there was a gross der-eliction of duty by those in charge. Tears are not enough; heads must roll. Given the fact that the young people housed at that facility are all known trouble makers, the num-ber of guards to inmates is woe-fully inadequate. For a population of 51, there are all of four guards and from all reports, there were two on duty at the time. Folks, in the tourism industry there is strict requirement for one guide to every eight persons and these are sup-posedly normal law-abiding individ-uals. Here we have known trouble makers and the supervision is one to twenty-five? You’re right, maybe it’s just me!

A very important aspect here also, is the role of parents in the rearing of their children. I have long been lobbying for a parent-ing class for, in particular, first time mothers. Yes, fathers definitely need to remain involved but given the reality of the times, mothers are usually left burdened with the responsibility. (Did anyone notice

that no fathers were in-terviewed about this inci-dent?) Life comes with no manual but there are many mothers, quite a few single, who have successfully raised “nor-mal” children. Their ex-perience and expertise should be sought out and utilized.

Parents also need to understand the respon-sibilities that come with having children. They can-not spoil them and then

throw them upon the state and wash their hands of the problems. They must remain engaged in their development. We have much work to do and we must approach these problems from every possible an-gle. If we do not pay more attention to the plight of our young, there will be perpetual hell to pay. We did not start the fire but we must do what we can to extinguish it. Pray that we can find a way!


Terms of Reference - UNICEF Belize Communication & Communication for Development Cross-Cutting Support

Please Note that this is a shorter version of the Terms of References- for the full Terms of References, please see the link on UNICEF Belize Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UNICEFBelize 1. Background Communicating the impact of UNICEF’s policies, programmes and partnerships for children is what shapes public perception of the organization, hence the level of support it gets. It is vital therefore to clearly articulate UNICEF’s relevance and advantages compared to those of other child-focused organizations, so that our value added is understood by the general public and key decision makers. In Belize, UNICEF is a strong partner in the promotion of children’s rights, Early Childhood Development, Education and Child protection, among other themes. The role of the individual communication contractor is to further strengthen the impact and visibility of UNICEFs programmes by developing and implementing (C4D) behaviour change, advocacy and communication strategies targeting decision makers, communities in target districts and international audiences. 3. Duties The communication contractor assists in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Belize CO advocacy and communication strategy to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives in the country, enhance the organization’s credibility and brand nationally and contributing to the fundraising initiatives by communicating about UNICEF Belize interventions internationally and with key donors.

4. Overall Duties and tasks: Ensure that the production of communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan. Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – in the country, to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience. Maintain and update media relations contact list/database. Ensure rapid and accurate

information dissemination to the media.

Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.

Draft and edit articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.

Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements.

Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.

Manage the office website and Social Media channels – Facebook, Youtube, Twitter -

Terms of Reference - UNICEF Belize Communication & Communication for Development Cross-Cutting Strategies

share appropriate information when applicable keeping the channels active and attractive to users, keeping the public updated on the activities of the office as well as other issues related to children in Belize through engaging photo and video stories.

Write stories for internal UNICEF network (ICON) to share important activities, lessons learned and success stories with UNICEF colleagues globally.

Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact.

6. Qualifications, experience

1. Education Advanced University degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Communication for Development or a related field.

2. Qualifications - At least five years progressively responsible relevant work experience in

communications or media relations field. Knowledge of international media, good understanding of development issues, world affairs and current events. Broad-based knowledge and experience with both print and digital media.

- Familiarity with Communication for Development and behaviour change communication is a distinct advantage

- Fluency in English required, knowledge of Spanish is considered an advantage. - Background/familiarity with Emergency situations an added advantage

3. Competencies of Successful Candidate

- Highest-level communication skills, including engaging & informative formal public speaking. - Excellent writing skills - Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment. - Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals. - Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments. - Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives. - Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities. - Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise. - Seeks and proposes opportunities for advancing UNICEF's mission

4. How to apply Closing date for submitting applications is 14th December, 2015. Late applications will not be considered and regret letters will only be sent to short-listed applicants. ALL submissions to be sent by email to [email protected], subject – UNICEF Belize Communication / C4D contractor To apply, please submit:

1. Cover letter 2. CV 3. P11 (updated and signed) 4. Writing Sample 5. Financial Proposal clearly showing monthly charges

Please visit our website http://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/PDFs/P11.doc to access the Personal History (P11) Form. Please see full ToRs before applying: www.facebook.com/UNICEFBelize

Terms of Reference - UNICEF Belize

Terms of Reference - UNICEF Belize

Communication & Communication for Development Cross-Cutting Strategies

Communication & Communication for Development Cross-Cutting Support


Continued from page 15

The best is yet to come?

Education continues to be an area of priority for the Taiwanese as this is where a stable founda-tion for global competitiveness will be produced. The proportion of Tai-wan’s population receiving higher education continues to rise steadi-ly as education remains accessible and of a high quality.

The health of the Taiwanese people is also an area of priority as their government has rolled out a National Health Insurance program twenty years ago to reduce the burden of healthcare for the poor. Remember that the health of a na-tion is the wealth of nation.

Taiwan’s unemployment rate stands at a meager 3.73%. Mini-mum wage in Taiwan has raised in the 5 consecutive years. In Be-lize unemployment hovers around 15%.

In 65 years Taiwan has shifted from an agro based economy to service industry economy that has reaped massive wealth. Belize, its close friend and ally has not ma-tured much. We are still largely de-pendent on an agro economy.

Unlike Belize, the technocrats and policy makers of Taiwan’s eco-nomic office have always been pru-dent, organized and precise. Our ministry of economic development in Belize has only succeeded in fur-ther developing the pockets of the minority while the majority fade into poverty.

Taiwan represents just one of the many nations that have risen itself from the ashes. Taiwan did not become Taiwan overnight. They faced their struggles and hardships but they never surrendered. One day Belize will stop surrendering and depending on the charity of larger nations. One day we will ac-quire the vision to make the most of the resources God has blessed us with. We must invest and awak-en our greatest resource, our peo-ple.

LESSONS FROM THE EAST, Part II

A Belizean Tragedy

By Hilairé Bennett

The patient dies while the physician sleeps;The orphan pines while the oppressor

feeds;Justice is feasting while the widow weeps;Advice is sporting while infection breeds:Thou grant’st no time for charitable deeds:Wrath, envy, treason, rape, and murder’s

rages,Thy heinous hours wait on them as their

pages

“‘Dear lord of that dear jewel I have lostWhat legacy shall I bequeath to thee? – Shakespeare, The Rape of Lucrece

Upon the Government of Belize’s sign-ing on to the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Belize Government became tasked with the responsibility of ensuring “that children, and especially young women receive the opportunities that will ensure their overall well-be-ing…” – Dolores Balderamos Garcia, 1993

Shadisha Arnold, 16; Anna Carlos, 16; and Elizabeth McKoy, 14, lost whatever fu-ture opportunities that would have availed them in the securing of their well-being in the tragic fire that took their lives on Satur-day, November 28th. These girls were pad-locked in a disciplinary holding cell subse-quent to their escape from the Youth Hostel at Gracie Rock Village at mile 21 ½ on the George Price Highway.

According to Starla Bradley, Director of the Community Rehabilitation Depart-ment, several protocols were breached. The girls were not properly screened when

they were returned by the policing authorities and the door of the holding cell was padlocked with the teen girls inside. Judith Alpuche, Chief Executive Officer in the Min-istry of Human Development, has indicated that an inves-tigation into this tragic situ-ation has been ordered with Margaret Nicholas, Director of the National Committee for Families and Children, lead-ing the charge and UNICEF supervising so that “clarity” could be reached.

Clearly, the rights that were to be afforded to the three vibrant teens under the dictates of the CRC were violated when protocols were not followed.

Obviously, if protocols exist there must have been a written policy regarding a Standard of Care owed to these children housed at the facility. There is also the ques-tion of whether a duty of care was realised and whether there were any policy reasons for denying that duty.

This tragic event calls for greater discussion of ur-gent re-evaluation of exist-ing policies and methods in the management of these supposedly wayward youths. Qualification of personnel

must be considered and the institu-tion must be geared to rehabilitation rather than a purely disciplinary pro-gram (as seems to be the case) so as to re-integrate these young people into society with prospects of a better future. As Dolores Balderamos Garcia warned in 1993, “we cannot con-tinue to allow our young women to fall short of their own ideas and therefore become trapped in the cycle of poverty”.

Many of the youths with delin-quent behaviour are being raised in an impoverished environment – both economically and morally. Medical ex-perts have suggested that the brains of children may degenerate between birth and three years because of a lack of sufficient nutrition brought about by poverty making them prone to vio-lent tendencies.

However, many children who are nourished physically and emotion-ally albeit raised in socio-economically poor families grow up to be educated, responsible persons. But it is from within the morally developed envi-rons that these delinquent youths are moulded. It is the criminogenic neigh-bourhoods where the negative forces far outnumber those forces that cre-ate decent, law abiding citizens. These become the habitats of the inner-city children who grow up surrounded by adults and older youths who are themselves delinquent, whom will undoubtedly influence the character of these children negatively. These “hoods” are pernicious to the moral growth and development of children.

The absence of people who teach morality by their own everyday exam-ple and who insist that children follow their example contributes to moral poverty. Therefore, it is necessary for institutions like the youth hostel to implement with urgency policies with an objective to character formation and moral education being part of the rehabilitating process of the youths, especially precious girls like Shadisha, Anna and Elizabeth.

Character formation and moral education should be re-instituted and insisted upon in our school curricu-lum. More importantly is the recogni-tion of the Government and constitu-ency representatives that the political posturing, propaganda and rhetoric is

not needed as the election is over. Tackling the social ills, poverty, in-equality, crime and violence and joblessness is the country’s pri-ority. These are some of the root causes that resulted in the death of Shadisha, Anna and Elizabeth, who quite possibly could have been part of the “pool from which the next generation of leaders will emerge”.

It is with much hope that this article written in all humility will result in the reassessment of the Youth Hostel and other institutions by the Ministry of Human Develop-ment and the rest of related-Gov-ernment agencies to avoid a tragic re-occurrence of November, 28th 2015.

I shed my grief for these girls with my Pen!! Rest in peace.

Shadisha Arnold Anna Carlos Elizabeth Mckoy


For Sale

By Order of the

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Com-panies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Transfer of Mortgage made the 8th day of May, 2009, between Belize Mortgage Company 2002-1 (the Assignor) SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD., and VICTOR E. USHER, which said property was mortgaged by the said VICTOR E. USHER to the said ATLANTIC BANK LIMITED on the 6th day of April, 2006, and recorded at the Land Charges Register Volume 31 at Folio No. 81, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

THE SCHEDULE

Transfer Certificate of Title dated 22nd day of July, 1991 registered in the Land Titles Register Volume 23 Folio No. 126 - ALL THAT piece or parcel of land containing 54.6 acres more or less situate east of Manatee Lagoon being the parcel numbered 1 on a subdivision by H.D. Flowers, Land Surveyor dated 6th November, 1973 and recorded at the General Registry in Belize City in Surveyor’s Plans Book 6 at Folio 246 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.






Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Com-panies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 8th day of February, 2007 between CLARICE J. VALENTINE of Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part, and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED, hereinafter called “the Bank”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Vol. 6 of 2007 at Folios 1289 – 1316, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 768 comprising of 696.537 square metres situate on the West side of the Hopkins/Sittee River Road, Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 1330 of 2006 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 1330 of 2006 TOGETHER with all buildings, erections and developments standing and being thereon.






THINK ABOUT ITTHREE GIRLS BURNT TO DEATH

Three weeks after “The Best is Yet to Come” election slogan, the UDP’s gross mismanagement kicked the country in its stomach. Three young girls burnt to death at the Youth Hostel, at mile 21 on the George Price Highway.

The same old, tired, incompetent gov-ernment which has been mismanaging the nation from 2008 was re-elected on 4 November for bribing and manipulating the voter’s list in the most blatant abuse of public monies. There were scandals after scandals and no efforts to improve public administration.

As the crucial inferno engulfed the two sixteen year olds and a 14 year old, helpless villagers could not break into the building to save them from a hellish death, on Saturday afternoon 28 November.

The girls were being punished by be-ing locked up in a punishment room which was padlocked from the outside. Imagine that. And then no one was around in the event of any emergency. So when the fire started it just burnt itself out without anyone being able or available to open the door from outside.

These things are part of a growing sub-culture in today’s public service. The complaints of public officers are that po-litical interference is now endemic. It is hard to employ good people or enforce work rules and ethics because the Minis-ters employ their cronies who are outside the reach of the rules. Administrators are afraid to discipline political employees.

All across the public service the pro-fessional management and the rules and regulations are being pushed aside. When last had anyone seen advertisements for government employment requirement standards and qualifications?

The members of staff at the Minis-try of Lands are all recruited from Orange Walk to rush land applications based on party politics through the system. Minis-ters and their henchmen get land papers for choice parcels of lands while the public are given the run around.

And so it is in most government de-partments. In the case of Customs De-partment, hustling and corruption are at an all-time high. Relatively junior customs official routinely own five and six concrete homes valuing in excess of quarter million dollars each.

The Corozal Free Zone is a smugglers paradise.

Just a few months ago an elderly fe-male “inmate” at the mental institution in Belmopan was raped.

Thirteen babies die, one after the other, after the other in the course of one month and no one is responsible. The most incompetent UDP Minister, if that is possible among a bunch of senior incom-petents had nothing to say or do. He and his grossly incompetent CEO are both back in government. The Minister is once again Minister of Health and rats.

For the next few years this country will experience weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Pain and suffering is heading this way.

“Many more will have to suffer, many more will have to die. Don’t ask me why”. Bob Marley-Natural Mystic song.

GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT CAME HERE

The new President of Guatemala was in Belize City on Saturday. In another of that disrespectful attitude to the people of Belize the government said nothing of the visit until the last minute. Especially as it was on a Saturday afternoon when most people are at home watching foreign TV.

Five brave Belizeans decided there is no way the Guatemalan President elect could put foot on Belizean soil and they would not be able to protest.

This tiny, ineffective and harmless pro-test was met with outrageous response by the government. The unprofessional GSU was instructed to deal with the pro-testors, none of whom are advocates of violence or have ever demonstrated vio-lently in their many public protests. Yet vid-eo recordings show two of the protestors being treated unnecessarily rough by the GSU who were brandishing U.S.-issued machine guns.

Belize’s bravest woman, Ya-Ya Marin Coleman, attempted to lie down on the street in front of the on-coming vehicle carrying the Guatemalan President elect. Video which went viral shows her being dragged like a dog across Coney Drive.

It is clear that the GSU has no training in how to deal with peaceful, lawful pro-tests. Their behavior was heavy-handed and outrageous. Thug behavior.

If we had a real government, the Pres-ident’s visit would have been announced well in advance and dozens of peace-ful protestors could have gathered and it would have been a healthy and important part of our democracy. Imagine every weekend over twenty-thousand protes-tors gathered publicly against the former President Molina of Guatemala and Gua-temala’s notorious military and Police con-ducted themselves professionally. But in Belize five protestors were treated abys-mally by the government’s goon squad.

The five brave protestors were Wil Maheia who came all the way from Punta Gorda, Ya-Ya Marin, Rosalie Staines, Pat-rick Rogers and the one and only Geovan-nie Brackett.

Oh! For more men and women like these.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

Chicago fired its police chief this week. He was fired after a judge ordered him to release the Police video of a 17 year old teenager being shot 16 times in 15 seconds by a white Police Officer. This shooting happened in August 2014.

When the video was released last week and shown across America, black Americans immediately started protesting and calling for resignations. The Police Of-ficer is now charged for murder.

The ongoing, epidemic like shooting of black people by white Police has now led to a movement called Black Lives Mat-ter.

HOW MUCH MORE BOMBING?

The poor, unfortunate people of Syria. How much bombing can they endure? The French are bombing them. The British are

bombing. The Americans are bombing. The Russians are bombing. Some unclear coalition of Australians, Canadians and Middle-Eastern countries are bombing.

WE HAVE LOST SARSTOON

On a very serious note. The President elect of Guatemala was on a short visit to Belize this Saturday 28 November 2015.

He and the Prime Minister of Belize sat down and spoke.

Nowhere has this nation been told if the Prime Minister raised the issue of Sar-stoon River and Sarstoon Island.

The Guatemala government had writ-ten to the Prime Minister a few months ago confirming and re-affirming their po-sition regarding our southern border. Gua-temala made it as clear as daylight that they are taking over full sovereignty of the WHOLE Sarstoon River which includes the Sarstoon Island.

Half of the Sarstoon River was always part of the border with Guatemala. That half is our territory. The other half is Gua-temalan territory.

The whole Sarstoon Island is in our half of the river. As such it is part of our national territory. This is how it was from 1859 up to 2015. We have sat back and al-lowed Guatemala to exercise and enforce Guatemala’s sovereignty and law in the whole of the Sarstoon River.

They tell us in writing that out of courtesy they allow the BDF to use the Sarstoon River to reach the tiny little out-post at Cadenas. They say in writing that the Prime Minister is misleading us by pretending that when the BDF use the Sarstoon River it is because the BDF is exercising Belizean sovereignty. They write that such is not true. They allow the BDF to use the Sarstoon River and they ESCORT the BDF to and from Cadenas on Tuesdays and any other days the BDF have to use the Sarstoon River.

This is a very serious matter.The Prime Minister has failed this na-

tion by not raising this issue with the new President. This is a monumental failure.

VENEZUELA ELECTIONS

On 6 December the people of Vene-zuela will go to the polls to vote for a new National Assembly.

29 opposition groups have formed a coalition in an effort to bring down the government of President Nicholas Madu-ro who took over from the popular Hugo Chavez who remained in office for 16 years to his death.

Venezuela has the 3rd or 4th largest reserve of oil, yet its economy is under severe stress. There are widespread shortages of items from toilet paper to milk, crime is rampant and inflation is high.

The opposition parties in Venezuela have about one third of the parliamentary seats at present.

The government has accused the United States of meddling in their affairs.

DISCONTENT

The Deputy Prime Minister is being asked to remove himself from his office at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Part of the confusion is that he was also the Minister of Lands. The Prime Minister de-moted the Deputy and appointed Sena-tor Hulse as Minister of Lands.

Deputy Gapi has told his northern politician caucus he is not moving from his office. He is right. He has been humili-ated enough with the taking away of the Lands Ministry but he is still the Deputy Prime Minister of the government. No one can tell him to move out of his office for a junior person.

Also, there are secret meetings be-tween the five UDP Ministers from Or-ange Walk and Corozal as they are un-happy with the government.

We will watch and listen if the north is man enough.

Gapi need some of Johnny Briceño blood.

CAN SHYNE RUN?

The arrogance of the UDP reached a new level when the Prime Minister and one of his Ministers announced the fu-ture of their constituencies.

Days after the general election of 4 November the re-elected Dean Barrow let it be known he is expecting his sister to take over his Queen Square constitu-ency. Likewise Michael Finnegan whose sister had a child with Dean Barrow, al-lowed the word to be out that Jamal Shy-ne Barrow would take over the Mesop constituency. Shyne himself made the announcement.

Apparently the UDP voters and the constituency belong to the two politi-cians to give away to family members. Boy oh boy.

One of the disqualifications which bars anyone from being elected to the National Assembly is contained in Sec-tion 58 of the Belize Constitution. A per-son is disqualified if they are serving a sentence of imprisonment of more than twelve months in any commonwealth country.

Two key words are commonwealth country and serving a sentence. Shyne was convicted in the USA and jailed there for nine years. The USA is not a common-wealth country.

Secondly, it seems the person has to be serving the jail sentence at the time he is elected.

Shyne can run in general elections in Belize. The question is, can he win after his father is gone?

CAN BARROW WALK?

Video of the Prime Minister coming out of his vehicle to attend a meeting with the newly elected President of Gua-temala showed our Prime Minister look-ing frail and barely walking.

Television captured the Prime Minis-ter at Dangriga on 19 November showing his skin to have slightly dark color than his usual well-lotioned complexion.

The Prime Minister’s voice is starting to crackle.

Our Prime Minister is clearly not in good physical condition.

WAR IS HELL

Last month was the 203 anniver-sary of the retreat of Napoleon’s army from Russia. Fifty thousand French sol-diers were killed crossing the Berezina River in Russia. There were half a mil-lion soldiers who invaded Russia under Napoleon in June 1812. By December 2012 only ten thousand soldiers were still alive.


BYM calls on authorities to give youth issues meaningful attention

WAKE UP CALL!!

Notice is hereby given that MARIA GONZALEZ is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Zee’s Grocery Shop”, situated at 4252 Croton Lane, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that BHAG-WAN ISSRANI is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Leena Shopping Center”, situated at Flea Market, Tourist Village, Front Street, Belize City, Belize District un-der the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CHONG-WU TAN is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be oper-ated at “Bian Wen Diner”, situated at 34 East Canal, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that EDWARD MUSA JR. is applying for a renewal of a Publican General Liquor Li-cense to be operated at “James Brodie & Co.”, situated at 1 ½ Miles Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that EDWARD MUSA SR. is applying for a renew-al of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “James Brodie & Co.”, situated at Albert Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CURTIS MUSA is applying for a renewal of a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “James Brodie & Co.”, situated at 2 ½ Miles Phillip Goldson Highway, Be-lize City, Belize District under the In-toxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

ONE HP Printer Color Laser Jet (CP1215) for $120. Serious inquiries contact 620-1804.

FOR SALE

Mrs. Myrtle Palacio to join Observer Mission in St. Vincent & the Grenadines elections

Drug plane torched after “drop off”

Spanish Lookout, Cayo District, Decem-ber 2, 2015

The charred remains of a suspected drug plane was all local authorities found when they responded to reports that a plane was flying low over Spanish Lookout in the wee hours of Friday morning .

Residents who live nearby say they heard the plane land and a vehicle drive to the area. Shortly after, they saw fire.

When Police and civil aviation officials ar-

rived at the scene, they found pieces of the Cessna 172 aircraft sitting on a private road in the community. The plane was devastated by fire, and au-thorities believe this was intentional.

The aircraft is suspected to have carried out a “drop off” of drugs. Unlike recent cases, where the oc-cupants left behind a small aircraft and a helicopter intact, the passen-ger or passengers did not feel so

generous towards the Government.

Police are in-vestigating wheth-er the numbers on the aircraft’s tail, YV-3241, can help them locate the ori-gin.

December 1, 2015The members of the Belize Youth

Movement (BYM) place on record their deep sorrow and concern following the tragedy at the Princess Royal Youth Hos-tel on Saturday, November 24, 2015.

The scale of the injustices commit-ted against 16 year old Anna Carlos, 14 year old Elizabeth Mckoy and 16 year old Shadisha Arnold, as well as others who continue at the institution, will hopefully be exposed soon and served full and proper justice.

It has taken the devastating death of three teenagers for our society to be-gin to realise that the social issues af-fecting our young people are at a boiling point. The urgency, depth and complex-ity of these issues will require greater examination for there to proper under-standing. Failure to give the issues ad-equate attention will result in further tragedies and crises.

The reality is that the environment at the youth hostel, consisting of young people dealing with development chal-lenges, is a microcosm. Young people everywhere in our country are under stress, facing dwindling support and

opportunities and poor guidance in a country where there are sufficient re-sources to properly care for each and every Belizean.

The situation for our young people is so dire and the issues so pervasive, that the at-risk youth population is not confined to the youth hostel or the Wagner Youth Facility, but can also be found at our homes and schools, put-ting many others at greater risk. If au-thorities want to know the extent of the challenges, we suggest that they closely monitor the behaviour and at-titudes of young people in neighbour-hoods and within schools and note how parents and teachers are struggling to cope. These environments are ticking time-bombs.

So how did we get here? We call out and condemn this Government for constantly ignoring the need to pro-vide meaningful attention to our young people whether through the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports or Human Development. The Belize National Youth Policy, the comprehensive youth devel-opment plan launched under the aus-pices of Former Ministers of Youth Pat-

rick Faber and Herman Longsworth since February 27, 2013, has been left on a shelf to gather dust.

Additionally, important research such as the Gayle Report (2010), which linked eroding social and eco-nomic conditions in homes and com-munities to the prevalence of gang violence and highlighted the need for adequate responses, the CARICOM Commission on Youth Develop-ment (2010) Report, which provided evidence of the many economic ben-efits of youth investment, and the Be-hind the Prison Gates Report (2014) which critically examined the handling of young people at the Kolbe Correc-tional Facility; have gone ignored, at the expense of a better society.

We recognise that the Govern-ment is only one key factor in arriving at a solution. But we insist that the Government’s actions or omission to act can either nurture an environ-ment that is conducive to a com-munity working towards progress or preparing to implode. We are experi-encing the latter.

Once more, we appeal to the Ministers of Youth Hon. Patrick Fa-ber and Hon. Elodio Aragon to take their roles seriously and give life to the National Youth Policy, commenc-ing with the formation of the autono-mous Belize National Youth Council. Stop treating young people as non-priorities.

Belize City, December 3, 2015PUP Secretary General, Mrs. Myr-

tle Palacio, will join an Observer Mis-sion tasked by the Commonwealth to observe Parliamentary elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines set for Wednesday, December 9th 2015.

Mrs. Palacio is a former Elec-tions and Boundaries Commission Chief Elections Officer in Belize with a depth of knowledge in the electoral system and processes. As part of the Commonwealth Observer team, she will be monitoring the elections cam-paign and election day in the Carib-bean country.

Several other electoral missions, including the OAS, have given notifi-cation of their participation.

When Vincentians go to the polls, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves will be hoping they re-elect him to serve a historic fourth consecutive term in office.

His United Labour Party (ULP) won eight of the 15 seats in the last general elections, with the other sev-en going to the Arnhim Eustace-led New Democratic Party (NDP).

Political pundits say this election will be another close one but are giv-ing the edge to Gonsalves’ ULP.

belize times december 6, 2015

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