National Perspective September 5, 2010

COULD IT HAPPEN ON OCT. 17TH

On Sunday, August 29, 2010, Hon. Gabriel Martinez, Minister of Local Government formally declared St. George’s Caye as Belize’s newest village. In colourful words in his prepared speech on Sunday he boldly stated “The champagne corks can be unleashed and the

drums roll as St. George’s Caye meets its formal entry into village status.” This momentous occasion was prefaced in May of this year when St. George’s Caye, for the fi rst time, elected a Community Council to oversee the affairs of the soon-to-be village. With St. George’s Caye now an offi cial village, it is expected that the recently elected Community Council will become the fi rst ever St. George’s Caye Village Council. The following persons were elected to serve on the Community Council earlier this year:John Watt Searle – ChairmanTravis Codd

Reliable reports to the National Perspective is that several high-level public service transfers that were to take effect yesterday, September 1, have been delayed until next month October 1st. The Public Service of Belize has been awashed with rumors the past few weeks of the impending transfers of several Heads of

Edition106 Vol. 3 - Week 01

See story on page 6

RESHUFFLE

Continued on page 3

See story on page 5

HOLD THE CHAMPAGNE GABRIEL

Continued on page 13

Sunday, Se[tember 5th, 2010

Departments, two of which may be a demotion. There has been no offi cial word on this matter but some pro-administration sources are saying the matter is routine, and do not refl ect any change in policy, or the implementation of a new policy. That may be the semi-offi cial line but our “other” sources say

BIAS TOWARDS NONE

See story on page 6

at least one of the transfer refl ect the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance’s disapproval with the performance of three Heads of Departments. In the case of Mrs. Marilyn Ordonez, the Commissioner of Income Tax, who is reportedly being transferred to the Treasury Department and will take up the

Candelaria SaldivarMarilyn OrdonezRuth MeighanDorothy Bradley

posting of acting Accountant General, the PM is peeved that Mrs. Orodonez publicly expressed her disapproval of a recent Statutory Instrument preventing the Income Tax Department from collecting taxes on health benefi ts. The insurance industry and the unions are totally opposed

ESPAT VS BRICENO ??

Belize City; Wed. Sept. 1, 2010As the People’s United Party move to get its house in order and put its best foot forward united in its preparation to celebrate its sixtieth

Anniversary negotiations are still going on to get on the same page especially because following the anniversary there will be that Special National Convention slated for

Hon. Gabriel Martinez(L) Deputy Party Leader Mark Espat (R) Party Leader John Briceño

Sunday, September 5th, 2010PAGE 2

which is the zoning of the areas around the Fort Street Tourism Village which will see millions of dollars invested and no real benefi t coming to the Belizean people. The BTB claims the people outside are unruly. But one should not be upset with people who are doing the best they can to feed their families, they have to hustle. The zoning will seek

to marginalize these “hustlers” and trap everything inside the village walls and not even the crumbs will reach the outside. However, anyone that ventures outside the village walls will see orderly well behaved and “hungry” Belizeans lining the streets. The BTB is interested in herding people behind barriers than ensuring more ship arrivals, more guest disembarkation and increase spending by guests. Their job is to give Belizeans a greater slice of the tourism pie, but instead, they are allowing one of their own, Michael Singh to be doing shenanigans to the detriment of the industry. The approach of the present UDP government is a wait-and-see attitude which they have skilfully adopted. The Sugar Industry and the Citrus Industry has been left to fl ounder. These two industries are critical to Belize’s foreign exchange, and both industries have major structural and production problems that will take the Belizean economy spinning downwards. For months the BELCOGEN project has affected the production of sugar. Production was down this year by almost 20,000 tons. Citrus prices has been artifi cially negotiated low which is to the detriment of the

growers and Belizean economy combined with the infi ghting taking place between the owners of the factory, CPBL. In both cases the government has done nothing, said nothing, and is not expected to do anything simply because everyone believes that they are incompetent. All Belizeans are frustrated with the

present UDP government. At every street corner the cry is the same, “the government is doing nothing for the poor.” Of course everyone wants the general elections to be called so that they can install a government that is progressive, a government that can instill confi dence. They don’t want a government that stands by and

The United Democratic Party Government is good at spinning their lack of accomplishments in order to make it appear as though they are improving the Belizean economy. Amidst the rampant crime wave, Hon. Carlos Perdomo was removed as Minister of Police and the UDP Chairman Douglas Singh was installed as the new minister. Well, almost four months has past and Singh has not done anything for the Police Department and certainly has had no impact on the crime situation. Instead, he has angered the rank and fi le of the Police Department as well as the general public with his “smart” remarks. D o u g l a s Singh’s brother, Michael Singh has also created confusion in the Tourism Industry due to his incompetence and arrogance. He has publicly disrespected Tour Guides and Tour Operators by stating that they are operating ‘below standards’. Many in the Tourism Industry are asking the Minister of Tourism to tell Michael Singh to resign. Our sources in the Tourism Sector have indicated to us that Minister Heredia has been given this request in writing. Everyone is well aware that Minister Heredia and Michael Singh do not see eye to eye. It is strongly believed that this last act by Michael Singh has left the Hon. Heredia no choice but to sack him. Of course big brother Doug Singh will be up in the Prime Minister’s face to ensure that his arrogant brother is spared and given a gag order instead, similar to the one that he, Doug Singh, received after constantly offending the Belizean people. Michael Singh appeared as though he is ashamed of the Minister of Tourism. He sees himself as a fi nance and business genius while the Minister is of a fi sherman’s background. In the early part of the UDP administration, Michael Singh gave the impression as though he was the Minister of Tourism in the absence of the Minister. There is a project that the Belize Tourism Board is pushing

watch businesses closing and not do anything. Jobs are being lost and the Prime Minister is more interested in paying thousands of taxpayers’ money to produce a song and then pay for the air time with the hope that people will like it. A song is not the answer. It will not put people to work, or stop the crime and violence that are

plaguing the country. Most Belizeans see RESTORE Belize as just another UDP hustle. Six months from now, there will be nothing to be remembered about RESTORE Belize. As mentioned before, all we can do is give these ‘geniuses’ in Belmopan advice and hope they may one day listen. Nigel Petillo, who is a supporter of the government and who tried to make a difference in

Harmonyville, has been turned into a monster by Joe, Alfonso and Juliet. He has been attacked for trying to improve Belizeans lives. But as we have said to all in the struggle, hang in there, help in on the way.

25 Nanche St. Belmopan

OPEN YOUR EYESTHE PEOPLE ARE AWAKE!

“ All Belizeans are frustrated with the present UDP

government. At every street corner the cry is the same, “the government is doing nothing

for the poor. ”

MIKE SINGH MUST GO! !

Sunday, September 5th, 2010 PAGE 3

Continued from page 1to the implementation of this measure since it obviously discourages employers, employee organizations and associations, as well as individuals from seeking health care insurance. It has also been pointed out to the PM that this tax also applies to many other benefits such as though afforded to CEO’s and other high-profiled contract officers, many of whom have contracts that specifically ensure that they do not have to pay taxes on their benefits, and Belizean taxpayers are the ones picking up that tab. Accordingly, however, Mrs. Ordonez has improved Government’s fiscal collection through her sheer aggressiveness, and in the context of no good deed going unpunished, her zealousness may yet end up being the reason for her undoing. Our sources are opining that Kent Clare, currently the Supervisor of the department’s technical section, and a 27 year

veteran, may be offered the post. Ms. Maxine Davis, a 30+ year veteran of the department and the current Deputy Commissioner is believed to be near retirement age, or at least less than a year away from “long leave” (pre-retirement leave) and there is, of course, the Barrow administration’s well-known penchant for political tribalism. Mrs. Ordonez is slated to replace Mrs. Dorothy Bradley, the current Accountant General who is in turn slated to replace Mrs. Ruth Meighan as Chief Elections Officer, who is in turn slated to replace Candelaria Saldivar as Chief Transport Officer. For many in the Service, these two transfers are in effect demotions. In the case of Mrs. Bradley, the last Auditor General’s Report on the Barrow administration’s performance was very unkind to her, and raised many questions. Some now opine that she is being made the scapegoat and shunted

off to Elections and Boundaries to be disciplined by the UDP’s Commission chair Albert August, a known, very public and rabid UDP. In the case of Mrs. Meighan, a well-respected career public officer, August’s unhappiness with her is widely known simply because she is not as enthusiastic as he would like about toeing his political line. In Saldivar’s case, she was promoted to CEO of the Ministry of Transport, Public Utilities and Emergency Management when the former officer holder, Major George Lovell, ret. was transferred to the new Ministry of Police and Public Safety. Saldivar, of course, passes the Barrow administration’s litmus test with flying colors since she is the sister of Minister of the Public Service and Sports, Hon. John Saldivar, and openly campaigned for her brother during the past General and Municipal Elections.

ReshuffleMany in the Public Service believe Saldivar is the one responsible for all the chaos affecting the public transport industry and should be removed. It must be recalled that whilst functioning as Chief Transport Officer Candelaria Saldivar also allegedly gave her fiancée a high price contract to refurbish the Belmopan Bus Terminal. Under her watch Belize have more Bus line operators than ever before and still the regulation of the industry is in disarray. Many routes and runs have been taken away from the traditional bus line operators and given to party hacks and favourites and the problem has gotten even worse. Many commuters believe that this is the worst that public transport service has ever been. This is all because of the incompetence in the Department by Transport Chief Candelaria who is among the first to be promoted instead of being removed.


H E A LT H C A R E N E G L E C T E D

N O U R G E N C Y F O R T H E P O O R

by: Nuri Muhammad

Two weeks ago, on August 19, Jason Staine entered the KHMH Emergency Room complaining of severe stomach cramps. He was accompanied by his mother, Mrs. Bernadette Staine. From the beginning the service was poor. Jason was made to lay on a bed in the ER as he cried from discomfort and his mother pleaded helplessly for attention. She was told that her son would probably need a CAT scan to determine the exact cause of his stomach cramps. In a panic and still anxious about exactly what was ailing her oldest son, Mrs. Staine quickly rushed home to get the $300 for the required diagnostic scan, however, when she returned she found that her son had still not seen a doctor or been given any kind of medication to relieve him of his severe discomfort. After several hours and still no CAT scan, Jason suddenly stopped breathing. His mother screamed for help but got no attention from the medical staff. Jason was later pronounced dead. What caused the death of Jason Staine? Was he poisoned? Was it dengue? Was it some strange unknown virus or bacteria that had killed this normally healthy, 32 year old, truck driver? No! The post-mortem revealed that Jason died of dehydration. Dehydration…? Imagine that; dying of dehydration while in a hospital, in 2010. A condition that is treatable with ingredients found in any kitchen; yet Jason Staine lost his life because the medical staff at the KHMH didn’t find the interest nor the time to properly diagnose him after several hours inside the KHMH. If a simple IV or what we call “drip”, was administered to him upon admittance to the ER, Jason’s death could have been avoided.What went wrong here? The objective of this essay is not to bash the medical staff at the KHMH; I myself have been well served on more than one occasion by the professional care received from this institution. But one has to ask what is going on when an otherwise healthy young man looses his life because of an ailment so common that even non medical persons can administer the treatment to revive the affected. Dehydration killing a grown man—come on, something is terribly wrong and needs fixing. What is going on here? Were the doctors/nurses being overtaxed with long hours of double and triple shifts? Were medical personnel suffering from sleep deprivation which could contribute to misdiagnosis, forgetfulness and bad judgment calls? Is the ER staff responding to so many victims of violence that they have little time for other forms of emergencies? Or maybe the problem is systemic. Maybe the system needs a critical review and adjustments need to be made to better serve the public, especially the poor. Health care is a human right; not a commodity. It’s not until you are laying on your back helpless on a hospital bed that you realize how important access to the best health care is to your survival. If you’re poor, the matter is even worst because it will determine how much

access you will have to services that may save your life. There seem to be no urgency in the health care system for the poor in Belize. Look again at how long it took for public health officials to declare that dengue was a serious problem? Despite the rapid escalation of cases throughout the country, especially in the Belize and Cayo districts; despite the alarm sounded from Drs. Miguel Rosado and Fernando Cuellar, that private clinics were experiencing a tremendous increase of cases when compared to previous years; and despite Central America and the Caribbean reporting that dengue was on the rise in their respective territories, in Belize, the public health authority seemed almost reluctant to admit that we were in the throes of an epidemic; despite the overwhelming number of cases reported, including some deaths. One has to ask why the slow response with declaring it an urgent situation when the actual evidence of an increase was all around. Where are the Ministry of Health officials and their policies to save lives? This was the exact opposite of the official response to the H1N1 virus for which there was no evidence of a local breakout. We could remember public health authorities requiring mandatory cancelation of public events because of the H1N1 scare. Yet with dengue clearly in evidence there has been an almost casual response.Again, the whole way the health authorities have handled the dialysis treatment issue begs the question of how serious public health authorities take the life of the poor in this country. They should be ashamed and embarrassed to admit that it has taken over two years to get the affordable dialysis treatment facility set up, despite the fact that World Organization for Renal Therapy (WORTH) offered their facilitation of these facilities over two years ago. Only the poor has died and have continued to suffer during this period of neglect in our health care system. The private hospital who offered this service made a literal “steal” from the government by charging exorbitant costs for a treatment that has become easily affordable for the average

person seeking such service outside of Belize. When I mentioned to a friend, recently visiting from the US, that Belizeans were forced to pay upward of $300USD for one dialysis treatment, he almost fell off his chair. In the US it’s less than a third that cost and in Canada, even less. In fact, in the US, the treatment is outsourced and provided by private clinics ran by technicians, not doctors. So what is going on with health care when it comes to the poor in this country? Clearly the rich can fly out to the best medical facilities abroad paid

for by their own resources or some comprehensive insurance scheme, but it’s the poor who have to rely on the public health care system. The challenge remains, what will Belize do to give our poor universal access to health care. We are probably a long ways off from a comprehensive health care system but we were well on our way with NHI introduced by the last PUP government. This program gave those who couldn’t afford it, access to tracery level care, to the extent that it was available in Belize. The

program had its short comings because there were clearly limitations where access to free care for major problems requiring prolonged tracery care was concerned. Those needing such care still needed to find the cost of private care, at home or abroad. But despite these short comings, NHI was good for Belize. It provided the poor access to

needed care not offered beyond the primary health care system. Every effort has to be made to keep this program on stream, and in fact, expand it countrywide. However, while health care is a human right, it is also a personal responsibility; you have to take care of you before you depend on any health care system to do so. So while we need an NHI system in place to provide access to those who can lease afford it, there is also the important component of prevention, which is still better than cure. (Comments welcomed at [email protected])

Health care is a human right; not a commodity. It’s not until you are laying on your back helpless on a hospital bed that you realize how important access to the

best health care is to your survival.

ffIN THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE A.D. 2010

ACTION NO. 23 OF 2010

IN THE MATTER of Section 42 of the Law of Property Act Chapter 190 of the Laws of Belize Revised Edition 2000

and

IN THE MATTER of an Application for a Declaration of Title in respect of land held in continuous and undisturbed possession

NOTICEisherebygiventhatanapplicationforadeclarationoftitleinfeesimpleabsoluteinpossessionhasbeenmadebyEldonSmithofNo.12/14GabourelLaneBelizeCityofALL that lotoflandsituateonGabourelLaneBelizeCity,andbeingLotNo.1060intheRegistrationAreaofFortGeorge/PickstockformerlyLotNo.807onGabourelLaneBelizeCityandboundedontheNorthbyLot1057,ontheSouthbyGabourellane,ontheEastbyLot1059andon theWestbyLot1061as shownon theOfficialPlanofBelizeCityTOGETHERwiththebuildingsanderectionsstandingandbeingthereon.

AnypersonwhowishestoopposetheapplicationshouldfileaNoticeofOppositionandAffidavitgivinghisgroundsforopposingtheapplicationwithin28daysofthisadvertisement.

The date of first hearing is set for Wednesday, 10thNovember2010at9:00o’clock.

DATEDthe13thdayofAugust2010

MUSA&BALDERAMOS Attorneysof91NorthFrontStreet fortheApplicantEldonSmith


It’s been three weeks since Belmopan’s BWEL Butane Gas Company watchman, went missing on Sunday August 8th and his immediate family, common-law Maria Ochoa Wife who is the mother of his five children fears the worse. Edgar Gonzalez 47 years left home around 4:00 in the afternoon that Sunday towards his work which is situated on Forest Drive in front of the Police Training Academy and while he indeed signed in the employee attendance register he never returned to his love ones. Ms Ochoa says nothing been the same since that fateful day and his sudden disappearance has brought down excess stress and frustrations on her. She’s been with Gonzalez for seventeen years and during this time he has

worked hard to provide the best he can for her and her children, today, with his disappearance, she has to find ways and means to put bread on the table. Now that school has reopened she is not financially capable of providing the mounting costs of tuition, textbooks among other purchases such as uniforms and footwear.She noted that this is the first time during all their years together that something like this has occurred and it does not

paint a happy ending. Food supplies have been depleted and she has no means to provide with dignity for her children who now depend on her to put food on the table. She been depending on the on the goodwill of missionaries of a church for meals but there is great need for more assistance and its difficult with all this tragedy without Gonzalez who was the sole provider.Gonzalez was last seen wearing long brown pants, black and white checkered shirt and dark brown leather shoes. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Edgar David Gonzalez or information about what may have occurred to him is asked to call the nearest police formation or call Maria Ochoa at 628-5856.

A PAID ADHYDE IS A BLOODY USER!!!

Pretends to care about Black Southside Belizeans

Willfully ignores Barrow & UDP’s Corrupt Practices

Deceives Belizeans into think-ing (His)tory is Belize’s History.

BOGUS KREMANDALA

BWEL WATCHMAN MISSING Eight chargEd for h ill V iEw Stabb ing

of Pol icEmanBelmopan Police have arrested and charged eight men and say they are another regarding a fight in St Margaret vil lage in which a police officer sustained serious stab wound injuries. The men charged with ‘Attempted Murder’, Dangerous Harm and use of Deadly means of Harm are identified as Elex Cordon, 25; Marco Cordon, 23; Marcelo Hernandez, 18; Angel Hernandez, 19; Moises Orellano, 20; Alfaro Garcia, 20; and Isua Polanco, 20; and a sixteen year old minor. Five of the men involved are residents of St Margaret while the other three are from surrounding communities. Police are looking out for the other man identified as Jesse Polanco who has been spotted in Belmopan.According to police reports, an all-out brawl broke out at St Margaret’s Hill View Bar on Saturday August 21st around 11:55 pm and it Manager Antonio Borland

sought police assistance by reporting the matter. That is when Constable Mauricio Casti l lo and a BDF soldier responded and arrived at the scene. Upon their arrival they saw persons apparently leaving the bar whilst two other men were fist f ighting and immediately the PC Casti l lo and the BDF soldier intervened but others in the crowd overpowered them and forced them to the ground. During this t ime the police lost his .38 service revolver which was reported as stolen.Casti l lo received a total of six stab wounds to his chest , waist , leg and head. He was rushed to the Belmopan Hospital treated and released a week later. The BDF escaped unhurt .All men pleaded not guil ty and were offered bail .

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Edgar David Gonzalez



CARICOM AND UDP GOVERNMENT DECLARE WAR ON BELIZEANS

CONTRIBUTED BY : ANONYMOUS IIIt is a cowardly, shameful, disrespectful, unprofi table agreement our Belizean government leaders made with the other leaders of CARICOM countries to destroy Belize, its people, its trade and all other embryonic democratic institutions we have nurtured in Belize for over 25 years.The countries of CARICOM especially Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are not more advanced than Belize in anything, therefore the terms of trade with them would not be mutually advantageous. Jamaica for example, with the exception of their tourism sector, is one big hovel where, the ex-slaves are fi ghting among themselves to rule each other in an endless, sad black on black violence and internecine warfare fed by the profi ts of the illegal drug trade. Belize will not be a part of this scenario.I don’t know where Henry Gordon got this ‘Broa Anancy’ story to tell you, CARICOM is

good for Belize. Gordon is not an expert in anything and should not be a vile mouthpiece for the corrupters. CARICOM has turned out to be a dagger in the backs of the Belizean people. Gordon belongs to the same ethnicity as the CARICOMERS, the same ethnicity as the publisher of a newspaper that espouses the black-power and the anglophile neurosis, same as the civil servants and those who want to see black domination in Belize. How all this federation or integration is shaping-up right under our noses and the government whether UDP or PUP have no power, no constitutional authority to sign any treaty or agreement which sells-out Belize live-stock and barrel to any other country or countries. This CARICOM agreement is purportedly a contract but it is voidable because it is a criminal act to steal from innocent people their natural resources. No contract is valid IF ONE OF ITS ELEMENTS or purpose is illegal or against the common good of

the public. Clearly CARICOM agreement is an illegal contract because its purpose is to steal Belizean natural resources, to steal their rights colluding with government ministries to jump ahead of the line to steal Belizean rights to licenses to enter businesses. There are bona-fi de Belizeans who have invested millions of dollars in Belize but because their investors were of different racial origins than black Belizeans, the government of the day oppress and suppress their business aspirations. Now, they are allowing foreigners to obtain the very same licenses to perform the same businesses. This is a declaration of war and as such we must respond accordingly to the government’s aggression.It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong in taking away people’s political independence, social and morale dignities through this hocus pocus CARICOM agenda. Belizean public never benefi t from this massive fraud perpetuated by all our politicians.

The people never had a chance to question this stupendous debacle. We should reject CARICOM just like we reject Guatemala. We can and will do business with all nations of the world including CARICOMERS, if we have the comparative advantage. Don’t the politicians’ economic development experts understand this well-defi ned economic principle?Belizeans have to wake up and smell the coffee. The Caricomers are here taking over the fi shing industry, the citrus industry, taking over government through fi fth columnist operating out of various government ministries and ministries’ offi cers, the west offi cial have taken over the fi nancial banking institutions, the heart to development of the nation which is our fi nances. Why are our elected leaders accepting this monstrosity from Caricomers? Is it because certain amounts of money has been promised and received and/or will be received, there is

Lee Henkis a repeat sexual offender has been arrested and

c h a r g e d with the ‘un-natural crime’ and ‘Grevious Harm’of an indecent

c h a r g e d

nature against a nine year old boy. He appeared before Senior Magistrate Frazer this week where he was arraigned since the case is a matter for the Supreme Court. The Magistrate denied bail on the request of the Prosecutor who told the court that this was a sensitive case especially because it was an attack against a young child and secondly because Henkis was a repeat offender. The incident was reported to police by the child and his mother during which the child stated that he had left his father’s house walking on Dean Street when he met a man known to him as ‘MISTER’ who then lured him to a greenhouse situated on the same street. Upon arrival at the said house, Henkis impose himself on the child and sodomized him. He then gave the child a Cell-phone and allowed

R E P E A T S E X U A L O F F E N D E R C A P T U R E D & C H A R G E D

him to leave.The police picked up Henkis and carried out an Identifi cation parade on Monday where the young boy identifi ed him as the person who sexually abused him.Henkis was convicted for the same crime and sentenced to eight years imprisonment in 2002 but was released early because of good behaviour. He now fear for his life as he heads back to prison, and requested from the Magistrate that he be placed in protective custody.He is expected back in court on October 20th 2010.

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Accussed offender Lee Henkis


HIGH-TECH HIGH SCHOOL OPENSBy: Roy Davis

Belize City, Wednesday 1st September 2010

Belize High School (BHS) opened its doors for this fi rst time this morning, welcoming new students on the UWI campus on Princess Margaret Drive. The new high school is a continuation of Belize Elementary School (BES), which is located just down the road in what has become an extremely congested school zone in the City. Like BES the school is privately owned and it not fi nancially aided by the government. BHS is a co-ed high school and has an initial enrollment of 41 students. According to the Principal, Mrs. Leticia Eck, at its peak it is expected to have no more than 300 students, ensuring that the student-teacher ratio stays small. Even so, BHS will ease the

overburdening of other high schools, and is a welcome addition to Belize’s educational landscape. The school’s curriculum is strongly technology-based, and teachers have been trained in

the use of ‘smart boards’, a computer screen that can be written upon, but that can also access the Internet during teaching sessions. Students will also be required to bring laptops for their classes and will learn foreign languages, including Spanish, Mandarin and French, using the Rosetta Stone online programme. “Our goal,” said Mrs. Eck, “is to prepare our students for universities anywhere in the world.” There will be a variety of extra-curricular activities available to

students, including scuba diving and horse back riding on the weekends, and the usual array of academic clubs, like yearbook, sports, newspaper and even a Red Cross Club.

Mrs. Eck is assisted by the Vice-Principal, Mrs. Jamie Lee Usher, along with 5 full-time and 5 part-time teachers. The same classrooms that are used by UWI students at night will be used by BHS students during the day. BHS is the brainchild of the parents and Board of Governors of BES, and like its parent primary school is Christian/Catholic based. “We have extremely strong parental involvement,” said Mrs. Eck, “and we believe that is what will get us through.” She explained that the parents are involved in the organizing and planning of the school’s activities, and that they become part owners through a bond-holding system. The school’s motto is “Learners today… Leaders tomorrow.” And certainly the excitement on the faces of the staff and students on the fi rst day bode well for the school’s continued success.

Teachers will use ‘Smart’ Boards not Black Boardsthe use of ‘smart boards’, a computer screen that can be written upon, but that can also access the Internet during teaching sessions. Students will also be required to bring laptops for their classes and will learn foreign languages, including Spanish, Mandarin and French, using the Rosetta Stone online programme. “Our goal,” said Mrs. Eck, “is to prepare our students for

Staff Of Belize High School

I was engaged for a few minutes last Monday night by a discussion on LOVE Television’s “Belize Watch” program which has featured regular Monday night appearances with host Rene Villanueva, Sr., by senators Godwin Hulse and Henry Gordon. The discussion is, in my humble opinion, too often muddy, but it has its moments when the sheer “obstreperousness” of the two senators makes it engaging. (And please, my use of the word “obstreperousness” is not meant to be pejorative, as in the context that they were being rude or noisy or such, but that they can be defi ant and stubborn in holding to a particular opinion. One of the qualities I admire these two men for is exactly that – they believe strongly in their opinions on many things and are unafraid to

express them without being loud and rude.) Anyway, I was engaged by Henry Gordon’s defi ant fl ying in the face of the “conventional wisdom” that “common sense” is dead. What is common sense, Gordon asked almost defi antly. Indeed senator, what is this common sense that people just almost off-handedly praise and bemoan the lack of? Apparently this wondrous knowledge, and of course I assume that it is knowledge, is in short supply but when present it is better than school learning, that is formal education. It seems that once you are armed, (and again I am presuming), with an adequate supply, you can do great things. It is a wonder that it has not yet been bottled and sold or that schools, maybe churches, have yet to be founded, and rituals installed to

ensure that through praise we are continually supplied by mystic means. Where does one fi nd this wonderful elixir, this panacea, this cure all, this wondrous substance? I do hear time and time again tenuous connections that sound as though one may have to go to the School of Hard Knocks, but that address too is ephemeral if not ambiguous. I was engaged by the Henry’s denouncing if only because I had just fi nished reading the book “Outliers” by author Malcolm Gladwell, and in one section he had sought to defi ne what he called “Practical Intelligence.” I reproduce, (sadly without his permission but with full attribution), as much of the relevant section as is practical solely for the edifi cation of my

readers, “The particular skill that allows you to talk your way out of a murder rap or convince your professor to move you from the morning to the afternoon section, is what the psychologist Robert Stenberg calls “practical intelligence.” To Sternberg, practical intelligence includes things like “knowing how to say it for maximum effect.” It is procedural: it is about knowing how to do something without necessarily knowing why you know it or being able to explain it. It’s practical in nature: that is it’s not knowledge for its own sake. It’s knowledge that helps you read situations correctly and get what you want. And critically, it is a kind of intelligence separate from the sort of analytical ability measured by IQ. To use the technical term, general intelligence and practical intelligence are “orthogonal”: the presence of one doesn’t imply the presence of the other. You can have lots of analytical intelligence and very little practical intelligence, or lots of practical intelligence and not much analytical intelligence, or – as in the lucky case of some like Robert Oppenheimer – you can have lots of both.” - excerpted from “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, “THE TROUBLE WITH GENIUSES, PART 1” page 101.

In defence/defi ance of common sense


agreement within a year.Abbas told reporters accompanying him to Washington that the deadline is reasonable because many of the issues have already been

discussed in previous rounds.“If there is goodwill, then it is more than enough,” he said. “Everything is clear.”However, Netanyahu has not agreed to pick up where negotiations left off in December 2008 between his predecessor, Ehud Olmert, and Abbas.Abbas said he hoped for an active U.S. role in the talks. He said that when the two sides reach a deadlock, the Obama administration should “present proposals to bridge the gap between the two positions.”Abbas and Netanyahu remain far apart on key issues.Abbas wants to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east

RAMALLAH, West Bank – The Palestinian president said Tuesday

NEWSW RLDIRAQIS APPROACH END OF U.S.

COMBAT ROLE WITH WORRYBAGHDAD – As Vice President Joe Biden presides over the formal end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq, few Iraqis are cheering the American exit.Iraqis, who for years have railed against the U.S. occupation, are generally happy to see that the American presence won’t be endless. But there is also considerable trepidation about whether Iraq can go it alone.Just under 50,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq — down from a peak of nearly 170,000 at the height of the military surge in 2007. Those troops will be focused on training and assisting the Iraqi military, and will no longer be allowed to go on combat missions unless requested and accompanied by Iraqi forces.Underscoring the shift, Biden was making a new appeal to Iraqi leaders Tuesday, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, to end the political deadlock and seat a new government. March 7 parliamentary elections left Iraq without a clear winner, and insurgents have since exploited the uncertainty to hammer Iraqi security forces.Iraqi forces are vastly improved and attacks have plummeted since the dark days of 2006 and 2007. But rarely a day goes by without some loss of life, and spectacular attacks such as the violence on Wednesday that killed 56 people still happen with disturbing regularity.Biden and U.S. offi cials have downplayed suggestions they are abandoning Iraq at a crucial time. The vice-president Tuesday said militants’ attempts to again wreck havoc in Iraq have been unsuccessful.In an address to the nation to mark the end of combat operations, al-Maliki said Iraqi forces were capable of handling security and protecting people from attacks after U.S. combat troops pull out. He characterized attacks that continue to plague the country as a “desperate attempt by

al-Qaida and remnants of the former (Saddam Hussein) regime to prove their presence.”“I assure you that the Iraqi security troops are capable and qualifi ed to shoulder the responsibility,” he said in comments broadcast live on Iraqi state television.The end of combat operations, according to al-Maliki, was a basic step in restoring Iraq’s sovereignty. The prime minister also promised a full withdrawal of American troops next year.But many Iraqis do not share the optimism demonstrated by the vice president and the prime minister.The fear of political divisions, aggravated by the struggle for control of Iraq’s oil potential, is ever present. Some Iraqis worry that without the American soldiers, their country will revert to a dictatorship or split along religious and ethnic fault lines.U.S. military offi cials say the reduction in troop numbers doesn’t hinge on Iraq forming a new government, but on the ability of Iraqi forces to handle security on their own.

The decision to draw down to 50,000 troops was made by President Barack Obama, and is not part of the security agreement between Iraq and the U.S. Under that agreement, all American troops are to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.A spokesman for President Barack Obama, Robert Gibbs, said on television Tuesday that Obama had been assured recently by the top American commander in Iraq that it would be highly unlikely that a new wave of violence would envelope the country and prompt the U.S. to send troops back to Iraq.The president is scheduled to give a speech Tuesday evening commemorating the end of combat operations in Iraq, in what appears to be an attempt to remind Americans that he’s keeping his promise to end the Iraq war.The dwindling U.S. military presence has deepened concerns that Iraq will be taken over by its neighbors — namely Iran — who many think is waiting to fi ll the power vacuum created by the departing Americans.

Iran and Iraq are both majority Shiite countries. And Iran has already capitalized on the U.S.-led overthrow of its arch enemy Saddam to secure greater leverage in Iraq, using centuries-old religious and cultural ties.Even former Sunni insurgents in Fallujah, who supported armed resistance against two American assaults on the city in Iraq’s western province of Anbar, are dismayed at U.S. troops leaving after they joined forces and fought extremists together.In the three provinces that make up the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, the American military departure is also cause for concern. The Americans have often been perceived as the protectors of the minority Kurdish population, which was repressed under Saddam, but later carved out a relative oasis of stability in northern Iraq.Othman Ahmed, 38, and a lawyer from the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, said Iraqi politicians would like to return Iraq to the strong centralized government of the former regime — meaning the Kurds’ hard-won autonomy could be at jeopardy.Many Iraqis also had higher hopes for their quality of life after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, especially after years cut off from the rest of the world under Saddam. Now people have access to the Internet, satellite television and consumer goods such as new cars, laptop computers, and mobile phones. But they struggle with constant shortages of electricity and water, the capital is crisscrossed with concrete barriers and parents worry about their children’s education after thousands of teachers fl ed the country.To many Iraqis, the U.S. drawdown and emphasis on the end of combat operations looks to many Iraqis as if Obama is playing to domestic politics instead of assessing what is truly right for Iraq.

al-Qaida and remnants of the former The decision to draw down to 50,000

Iran and Iraq are both majority Shiite

ties.Even former Sunni insurgents in Fallujah, who supported armed resistance against two American

province of Anbar, are dismayed at U.S. troops leaving after they joined

In the three provinces that make up the

Iraq, the American military departure is

have often been perceived as the protectors of the minority Kurdish population, which was repressed under

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right

ABBAS SEEKS ACTIVE US MEDIATION IN MIDEAST TALKS

he will seek active U.S. mediation in negotiations with Israel that are resuming in Washington this week.President Barack Obama is hosting Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to kick off the fi rst

direct talks in nearly two years. Obama

has said he hopes to see a peace

MEDIATION IN MIDEAST TALKSMEDIATION IN MIDEAST TALKSMEDIATION IN MIDEAST TALKS

Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War. He has agreed to minor border adjustments that would enable Israel to keep some of its largest West Bank settlements, while compensating the Palestinians in a land swap.Netanyahu has endorsed the idea of a Palestinian state in principle, but that Israel will not give up east Jerusalem, the Palestinians’ intended capital.Abbas, meanwhile, warned that the talks could be derailed if Netanyahu fails to extend a 10-month curb on settlement extension that expires Sept. 26. “If they refuse to extend the halt of settlement activities, then it will be diffi cult for us to continue the negotiations,” Abbas said.Netanyahu has not committed to such an extension, but he is under pressure from hawkish coalition partners to resume construction.

Israeli-Arab Knesset member Hanin Zoabi


expected fighting to begin earlier this summer, but has since said those doomsday predictions may have been somewhat premature.The Council on Foreign Relations is a nonpartisan think tank with offices in New York and Washington, and Sweig is a longtime scholar on the

NEWS FROM Latin america & regional

New photos show Fidel Castro with U.s. joUrNalistHAVANA – Cuba on Tuesday

released pictures of Fidel Castro with an American magazine correspondent and a Washington-based expert on Latin American policy.The images show Cuba’s 84-year-old former leader with Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic and Julia E. Sweig from the Council on Foreign Relations during a visit Monday to the Havana aquarium — Castro’s second trip there during a media blitz that has seen him making near daily appearances.Goldberg is a national correspondent for the magazine who has written on the Middle East and Iran.For months, Castro has warned of nuclear war that would pit Washington and Israel against Iran and would also involve an attack on North Korea. He even said he

Mexico captures “La BarBie” drug trafficker

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico captured major drug trafficker Edgar “La Barbie” Valdez on Monday in a new victory for President Felipe Calderon’s high-stakes war on murderous cartels that threatens the country’s image among investors and tourists.Federal police caught Valdez, a leader of the Beltran Leyva cartelbased in central Mexico, in a residential area near Mexico City, the government said.Valdez, a 37-year-old Mexican-American born in Texas, put up little resistance, a police spokesman said.“Valdez has connections with organized crime groups operating in Central and South America to

smuggle drugs to the United States, where he is also wanted,” national security spokesman Alejandro Poire told a news conference.Nicknamed “La Barbie” for his fair complexion, Valdez is believed to have been behind a surge in bloodshed in central Mexico as he fought for leadership of his cartel. U.S. authorities put a $2 million bounty on his head but Poire did not say if Valdez would be sent to the United States.After tracking Valdez for more than a year, the capture by Mexican officials on Monday follows the killing last month of another major drug boss, Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel.“This is clearly an important capture

and will take some pressure off Calderon in the short term but the impact will only be partial unless the government moves to arrest La Barbie’s hitmen and dismantles his gang,” said Pedro de la Cruz, a security analyst at Mexico’s National Autonomous University.“Unfortunately for Calderon, his capture could provoke even more violence if the Sinaloa cartel, the Zetas and La Familia try to move into his territory, which is very likely.”Calderon is struggling to contain growing alarm in Mexico and abroad over his drug war. More than 28,000 people, mainly traffickers and police, have been killed amid vicious turf battles sparked by the army-led crackdown in the 3-1/2 years that the austere former lawyer has been in power.Backed by Washington, Calderon has made it the central goal of his presidency to crush the powerful cartels that earn an estimated $40 billion a year. But the bloodshed, including the torture and butchering of captives by rival gangs, has overshadowed most of Calderon’s successes.Officials announced this week they had fired nearly 10 percent of the federal police force as Calderon seeks to rein in the cartels and curb widespread police corruption.But in a sign violence has not abated, a shootout on Monday

between the army and drug hitman lasted for more than 12 hours and killed eight people, terrorizing the town of Panuco in the Gulf state of Veracruz.Recent drug-related violence has included the killing of 72 people, thought to be migrant workers, near the U.S. border, the murder of a candidate for governor in the same region and slayings of groups of people at rehabilitation centers and parties.Drug hitmen have also used small car bombs for the first time in recent weeks as they also target mayors and step up their intimidation of newspapers and television stations.Valdez has been a leading contender to head the Beltran Leyva cartel since soldiers killed its former boss,Arturo Beltran Leyva, in December 2009, triggering a power struggle within the organization.Valdez was once close to top drug fugitive Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman, head of the Sinaloa alliance based in northwest Mexico, after growing up selling marijuana in the United States and developing a taste for luxury cars, nightclubs and designer clothes. Guzman is also a former ally of the Beltran Leyva brothers but the two gangs are now bitter rivals.“It’s a good score for the government but it’s also good news for the Sinaloa cartel,” Mexican drug trade expert and columnist Jose Reveles said of Valdez’s arrest.

Major drug trafficker Edgar “La Barbie” Valdez is pictured after being captured

U.S.-Cuba relationship.A report on the encounter in state media provided no details on what was discussed.The former Cuban leader underwent emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006 and disappeared from public view for four years, recuperating

from an undisclosed illness in a secret location. But he has been popping up everywhere of late. He even took in the dolphin show at the aquarium on July 15.Also accompanying Castro at the aquarium were leaders of Cuba’s Jewish community.Alan P. Gross, a 60-year-old native of Potomac, Maryland, was working for a firm contracted by the U.S. Agency for International Development when he was arrested Dec. 3 in Havana and sent to the high-security Villa Marista prison.Cuba says Gross was distributing illegal satellite phones, but he apparently has not yet been charged with a crime, nearly nine months after his arrest.Gross’ family says he was distributing communications equipment to the island’s Jewish community for humanitarian reasons.


people have grown weary of the in-house fi ghting.The PUP emerged from last week’s National Party Council (NPC) with renewed vigour and an urgent sense of purpose. Unite the party and move forward to the ultimate goal of a

true restoration of Belize. Delegates from across the country rose in unison to declare their support for Johnny Briceño and to demand a united and inclusive “big tent” approach to the looming task ahead.For the fi rst time in a long while, party supporters believe that an end to the bitter and damaging differences are in sight. The fear of the fi ve parliamentarians, who seemed mostly concerned that Party Leader Johnny Briceňo was planning to ignore the constitution of the party and call a snap-election, was allayed and while they did not attend the NPC, there is no indication that any protestation is at hand. A press release from party headquarters assured that “The National Executive of the PUP also met on special session on Monday, August 30, 2010 to discuss the implementation of the decisions made by the NPC and to ensure that the rules and procedures used to conduct the special convention were constitutional and would meet the transparency and accountability promised by the Party Leader, Honourable John Briceño.”

There might yet be mischief afoot from those in whose interest disunity is preferred, but Johnny Briceño has pulled a masterful chess move. To cry foul and pretend that enough time was not given for a challenge is unfair since everyone knew that a convention was due from as long as two years ago. With his latest manoeuvring, Briceño has proven that he can play in these big leagues and it is time for all to put their differences aside and close ranks behind the leader and move forward in the best interest of progress. Our system of democracy cries out for a strong opposition and the over half of our population that support the PUP deserves proper representation. The UDP have been given an opportunity and have failed miserably. It is time to put competent and hard-working individuals back in Belmopan and to put this wayward train back on track. We owe it to ourselves, to our children and most of all to our country. May GOD bless Belize!

Members of the People’s United Party breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday last when word came out that delegates from across the country had reached a consensus. For too long, members and supporters of the ‘grand old party”

have been kept in limbo, waiting and hoping for a sign that those at the top could work out their differences, bury their hatchets and get on with the task at hand.The hard cold reality is that the United Democratic Party have been failing miserably at governance but with a splintered and unfocused opposition, they have been able to move from weak to weak with nary a dissenting bleat. We have seen that we cannot rely upon a seemingly infi ltrated, compensated and castrated media to hold this UDP administration to task. When word broke last Friday that fi ve of the six PUP members of parliament had paid Johnny Briceño a visit in what appeared to be a show of unity against, a few persons became rather nervous. I must admit that I was in that number. While it must certainly be obvious by now that I consider the PUP the better party for Belize, it can be no less evident that I would not be inclined to support any “Zinc Fence” controlled PUP. If a challenge to Briceńo’s leadership was to come, it would be from one of two sources. Freetown representative Francis Fonseca who enjoys the support of the so-called old guard or Mark Espat, whose support comes primarily from the Zinc Fence and Channel Seven. In the end, Espat’s downfall might very well be the very source which he considered his strength. Belizeans are quite wary of the strong infl uence that Evan Hyde and his Zinc Fence sub-culture have over Mr. Espat. Mark Espat, and Hyde’s son Cordell, have become practically inseparable and generally are known to speak with one voice. Looming at all times over the two is the ever Machiavellian and malignant infl uence of Father X. That association makes many people nervous and while, yes we all read what the man writes, many are opposed to his divisive ways and racist and bigoted policies. Belize is just too small to be perpetually divided and pitted against itself.Apparently, that is also the message sent to and heeded by those persons in the upper echelon of the People’s United Party. A house divided against itself cannot stand and our

Unite the party and move forward to the ultimate

goal of a true restoration of Belize.

I N F A M O U S “ C O R E S A M P L E R ”

S T O L E N

Orange Walk police are investigating a reported burglary which allegedly took place between July 10th and August 28th at the BSI Compound specifi cally at the building used by the Sugarcane Quality Control Authority. According to the Authority’s Manager, Marcos Osorio, the intruders stole two high price tag equipment namely ‘the Authority’s Sugar Cane Core Sampler’ valued at $60,000 and a Horizon Model 703 Hydraulic Press valued at $60,000, two smaller Aramy Presses valued $8,000, two kitchen sinks valued $550.00 and two 40 Watt fl uorescent lighting bulbs, all to a total of $128,592.00 dollars. It si not known how the intruders managed to enter the building and more importantly how the manage to make it out of the building and compound with these equipments that for certain

needed transportation to get it out because of its size and weight. In February of 2009, the Sugar cane Core Sampler, which was one of the equipment stolen, was the center of controversy because it was introduce in the testing of cane quality and caused cane farmers to protest which resulted in a confrontation with police and ultimately caused the death of Atanacio Gutierrez who was gunned down by police. The Core Sampler was suspended the equipment was placed in their warehouse to be sold at a later date. It is believed that the stolen equipments were smuggled out of the country along the Orange Walk Mexican border to the Mexican Sugar Industry of Obregon which is situated on the other side of the border some three miles away from Cacao Quintana Roo across from San Roman.

CONTACT US AT:Editor: 628-3215

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25 Nanche Street, Belmopan

Equipment valued $128,000 stolen from Sugarcane Quality Control Authority Building


acting out, frustrated because there isn’t enough to do and where there is, they may not have the extra cash to support their ambitions.Despite what Prime Minister Barrow keeps harping upon, life is way much harder on our people and some are falling through the cracks. More and more I hear from folks that they want to leave Belize and never return – Belize is depressing to them and that there is no hope for opportunities that one can live a life

More UDP ‘Quitar land business’

BY RHENAE NUÑEZ


“The United Democratic Party is the preacher of no particular ‘ism’. We do operate a system that seeks always to empower the private sector as a preferred instrument of stimulation and economic growth. But we are also statist in a sense, in that we do not shirk from a large activist role for government, especially when it comes to protecting the poor. This is not some new conviction forced upon us by the circumstances that have obliged even the most hallowed bastion of capitalism to reexamine the magic of the marketplace. No! We have long since considered so-called big government a moral and practical imperative in aid of the poor. We will make no real progress against violence, marginalization, diseases, except through the agency of a muscular central government. And the dispossessed in this country must always know that the strong arm and watchful eye of the United Democratic Party will ever be the guardians of their welfare, promoters of their interests, and guarantors of their survival.” Prime Minister Dean Barrow, 2010-2011Budget Presentation, March 15th, 2010

I wish I could feel the once infectious atmosphere of the annual September Celebrations but much as I try, I cannot. These days I keep running into friends who would tell me that they are doing their best to cope, being jobless or that their meager earnings is not enough to supply their needs, or that their children are

of dignity. I also often hear of the disheveled condition of the streets. News of the Belize City Center being in a state of disrepair was one more to add to the woes of many who are trying to fi nd a reason to smile these days. Above all the sad stories I’ve heard – the saddest ones I’ve heard are stories of persons overcome by despair who have committed suicide. These stories have dotted the evening newscast with little or no reaction to them.

It is a rat-race and everyone is too busy trying to get by.In his presentation of the 2010-2011 Budget, Prime Minister Barrow said that there were some funds allotted to assist single mothers. “The fi rst is a Conditional Cash Transfer Programme. This is being funded with $4.0 million from local resources and will target the most deprived and disadvantaged in urban and rural areas. Again, we will look particularly at youth and single mothers. The Programme will give cash in return for the benefi ciaries engaging in activities such as immunization, school attendance, and health and family education. Then there will be a Food Assistance Program with an initial $1.0 million to provide at a subsidized cost basic food items to the elderly poor and marginalized women and children.” It begs the question: how have these “most deprived and disadvantaged” been accessing the support? I am still waiting to see and hear of that money is being distributed, and to whom, and most important, how those mothers were selected. But like many of the pie dreams that we have been sold, this one too seems to have been lost in the cobweb of empty disingenuous promises made to our people by this government. Years ago when I was co-host on the most popular talk-show ever in Belize, Dickie Bradley’s Wednesday Night show on Krem Radio, I said that the governments of the future have to be more sociallyconscious. They have to be more

“Despite what Prime Minister Barrow keeps harping upon, life is way much harder on our people and some are falling through the cracks. More and

more I hear from folks that they want to leave Belize and never return – Belize is depressing to them and that there is no hope for opportunities that one can

live a life of dignity.”

IS THE CHAIRMAN SELLING LANDS AT VALLEY OF PEACE?There are mounting allegations about shady an alleged land transactions taking place in the Valley of Peace village involving its Village Chairman, Ely Sanchez, who has just been elected to offi ce less than six months ago. According to village sources, several families have lost their already cleared lands which were leased to them under the former administration and it is being redistributed to persons willing to put up money that is allegedly given to Ely Sanchez who is said to be the middleman working in conjunction with other unscrupulous persons at the lands department. It is further alleged that some 32 persons are pressuring the Chairman to deliver the lands promised as it is claimed that collectively they have given up to $60,000 dollars. The National Perspective has learnt that at least one person almost lost his life when he tried to defend his land from invaders who had already taken

over part of his land. The person is being identifi ed as 35 year old Camilo Pop who told the NP that on Tuesday 17th August, he found out that one lady by the name of Lilia Vanegas was claiming his land and that lands surveyor; Guillermo Valdez had already surveyed part of his property on the instruction of Chairman Sanchez for Ms Vanegas. When Pop advised them that the said parcel was his and showed them the lease, Vanegas told Pop that she had already bought the land from the Chairman. Pop says he had to bring out his shotgun to get the invaders off his property and that when they called in the police. It is alleged that Valdez called in the police who responded with four armed policeman from Belmopan. Upon their arrival at the said property at the Valley of Peace, police start shooting at Pop and pop and his shotgun had to fl ee the area jumping into a dry creek to evade the shooting policemen.

Pop said he really got scared but stayed hidden in the bushes for a while. Meanwhile the police went to Pop’s home to harass his family and where one PC Usher allegedly slapped his 11 year old daughter Wengley Pop and pushed over the other 2 girls namely, Irlanda, 15, and Morelia 13 to the ground while the police stood harassing his wife 34 year old Josefa Pop who at the time had a 4 month old baby in her hand. Apparently, there is one lands offi cer Matute who might know more to this story because the redistribution of the lands taken away from previous owners passes through him. Camilo Pop manage to make it out alive from this ordeal with the police and came into Belmopan on the 18th with all his document apparently to confront the Authorities but was picked up by the Belmopan police and locked up then released without charges. According to

him, during his time locked up he manages to bring the whole story to the attention of Commanding offi cer Guzman who ordered his release.Apparently, it is reliably understood that the vice Chairman, Annibal Batres, himself lost lands that was given to other people and when he went inquiring with the Chairman, he was told that it is the people at lands and when he went to lands he was told that it was on the recommendation of Chairman Ely Sanchez. It is alleged that there is an initiative by villagers who are signing a petition for his removal but the NP has not been able to verify. Meanwhile Camilo Pop has seek legal assistance from the Legal Information Bureau in Belmopan where he has reported what transpired.

DESPAIR HANGS OVER THE SEPTEMBER

CELEBRATIONS LIKE HEAVY MIASMA


Since last week Tuesday’s PUP Northern Caucus Patchakan Accord, the PUP has been in the headlines and ever since has been on a political uphill but in a positive way. PUP Leader John Briceño pulled a trump card with an exhibition of his support which started a few weeks ago with a meeting in Dangriga. That support gave him the confi dence to therefore show his strength in Patchakan, which created some energy for the base of the PUP. If Johnny was coach of a basketball team, the strategy would have been that he called a full court press towards the end of the third quarter to give his team a comfortable lead going into the fi nal quarter of the game. This strategy forced his opponents to make a mid-game adjustment. This is to say that for those people who aspire to challenge Briceño will fi nd themselves trailing either way because they’ve applied the wrong strategy or were not conditioned for the pressure in the late stage of the game. That aside, this obviously brings the PUP to the greatest level of unity the party has seen since 2004-2005. Naturally, those close to the UDP will try to create mischief in order to try and sustain a division within the PUP. The only thing that they can hold on to is the fact that the fi ve PUP Parliamentarians, 1) were absent from the National Executive Meeting that followed the Patchakan Accord, 2) they collectively went to visit with Party Leader Briceño, and 3) they were absent from the National Party Council meeting that was held this past Saturday. That though did not dampen the spirit, enthusiasm, and support for Briceño at the NPC Meeting on Saturday. The delegates at the Party Council meeting resoundingly supported Briceño’s position to set a date for the convention and approved

the 17th of October, 2010 and the venue being Dangriga for the Party’s special National Convention. The atmosphere and the mood on Monday at an emergency Executive meeting was very cohesive and the members felt that since Patchakan and the meeting on Monday, they have made a larger step towards far greater unity. The reason I said that those close to the UDP want to create mischief with the issue of the Parliamentarians is because so far, that appears to be the only thing they can touch that seems to be a negative in terms of the direction the PUP is going. For us PUPs, we know fully well that we exist under a democratic system of government and everybody has the opportunity to exercise his or her democratic right and that is respected and adhere to within the PUP. We also understand that in a democracy the majority rules. So from north to south and east to west, PUPs all across the country are excited because we are seeing our party become united. This is timely because the month of September is our national celebrations and it’s the time of the year when we practice and accentuate our patriotism, nationalism, and unity as a people, and so it is very important that around this time of our national celebration that our great PUP is coming together united. The PUP needs to be united for more than just the month of September. We

BY: MARSHALL NUNEZ

The PUP needs to be united for more than just the month of September.

We need to be united in order to win elections; we need to win the general elections in order to save this country

from the direction in which it is heading.

need to be united in order to win elections; we need to win the general elections in order to save this country from the direction in which it is heading. The PUP once united and when it forms the government, have a responsibility and an obligation to this nation to restore the health services, the education system and to seriously address the crime situation. We have to restart the economy; we have to ensure that the agricultural sector continues to produce to its expectation; that investor confi dence is restored; that this platinum tourism destination is promoted to guarantee that Belizeans benefi t from Belize’s resources be it in tourism or education or any other sector so that Belize is for Belizeans fi rst. As we enter the 2010 September celebrations, it is with dampened spirits because we do not feel that there is anything for us to celebrate. We have been asked to make many sacrifi ces; we feel as if we are under siege by crime and criminals and with no type of security to give us hope. The police cannot provide safety for our citizens and they are not apt to properly investigate the perpetrators of crime in order to get a conviction in court. Not only does the justice system not appears to be fair but also, most people feel that the executive is interfering with the judicial branch

of government. These are reasons enough for the PUP to understand why it is so important for us to be united because it is of utmost importance that we restore dignity to our lifestyle. Anyways, it is the September celebrations and as Belizeans, we need to feel some level of patriotism, therefore, we are obligated to love this land that our forefathers have fought so valiantly to defend. While we are not happy with the way the land is being administered, we are blessed to be able to call Belize our home and we must defend it from the political cancer called the UDP. We are proud to be Belizeans although we are not proud of how we are represented. So we want to ask everybody to love Belize and believe in Belize especially during these times. We know how diffi cult it has been during the last thirty months of this UDP government especially when we have been sacrifi cing our very dignity in order to survive. We have been asked to imagine the possibilities when indeed the reality of life has been the hardest it have ever been under this myopic UDP regime. Now, let us look forward and unite as Belizeans, unite as PUP, let us stand up and fi ght for what is right! Let us put our trust and hope in in the Almighty and walk with dignity towards the future. Just my impartial view.


be qualified to vote for village councils under this Act live in such an area. Even the status of the recently elected Chairperson and Councillors come into question when juxtapose alongside Part 3 Section 7(b) of the Village Council Act which states under Qualifications of Chairperson and Members: “Any person shall be eligible to be elected as a member of a council who: has ordinarily resided in the village for at least one year immediately preceding the election.” In the case of St. George’s Caye, it means then that the Chairperson and all Members’ primary residence must be at St. George’s Caye which is in the Belize Rural South Constituency in order to qualify to hold office. Judging from the names that comprise the Council, I daresay that some if not all, might not meet that qualification. Quite frankly, the present St. George’s Caye Village Council is a questionable, if not a downright illegal Village Council based on the prerequisites as laid out in the Village Council Act. From our vantage point, this situation can only be remedied if all of the names mentioned above relocate to the island immediately instead of just visiting from time to time to recreate. The other questionable issue would be the procedures under which these persons were nominated and elected since the ‘nominators’ must be on the voters list for the constituency in which the village is located; in this case it is Belize Rural South. They must also reside in the village (in this case, on St. George’s Caye) for a specified period of time.As a result of this gross oversight and questionable practices, the Ministry of Local Government and the Election and Boundaries Department ought to revisit this situation and properly address these matters before the rush to turn St. George’s Caye into a Community or Village. We also call on the present members of this illegal/questionable Community/Village Council to do the right thing and step aside until this situation is rectified and the situation regarding the status of St. George’s Caye is properly addressed.

Continued from page 1

HOLD THE CHAMPAGNE Jason MusaLilly BowmanChris RoeLynn YoungKay MenziesWhat might seem to be a momentous and historical occasion is cause for concern. The history of St. George’s Caye has been well documented in the annals of Belize’s history. This tiny caye was once the Capital of the Belize Settlement during the late 1700 and 1800’s. Over time as the country began to develop, the Capital was relocated to Belize Town on the mainland and St. George’s Caye eventually evolved into a mostly private holiday venue for the colonial masters and their descendants. Over time, land on the caye was parceled out to mostly well-to-do Belizeans and a huge portion is presently still controlled by the British Army. In short, St. George’s Caye became a private caye owned mostly by wealthy Belizeans and foreigners who have since built vacation homes where they recreate on weekends and special holidays. This has been the caye’s status for over a hundred years until the recent move by land owners to change the status of the caye to a community and now an official village. As stated before, this is cause for some concern as St. George’s Caye is not your typical village island like Caye Caulker. Hardly anybody lives on the island, except for a couple resort owners, their employees and a few soldiers of the British Army who only see the island as their place of employment, not their home. And as stated before, the land and property owners use the island mostly for recreational purposes and not as their main residence. For the most part, the houses on St. George’s Caye remain unoccupied for most of the year and the island for the most part is like a ghost town. This is in direct contravention of Part II Section 3(1) of the Village Council Act which states under Establishment of Villages and Village Councils: The Minister may, by Order published in the Gazette, fix and declare any area of Belize not comprised within any city or town to be a village for the purpose of this Act, provided that at least two hundred persons who would

adept on social dynamics in order to understand and better serve the needs of our people. I believe I made the comment in 1995. Today we have regressed even further and the suffering is even more widespread and hardest on children, women and the elderly. Our men are dying at alarming rates – yet the response has been woefully inadequate. Token words from politically appointed persons who will pack up and leave once this government is gone from office are just not cutting it. All over children are being exploited by sick @^&* who prey on them and in some cases, so their families can eat. In the courts, justice seems elusive and a luxury reserved for those who can afford it and have the necessary connection – the stench of corruption emanating from the courtrooms is frightening. The dismay and despondence is well registered just about everywhere one goes. While Belizeans continue to look for ways to survive the Prime Minister continues to play politics and his cheap PR game. Times are rough and Mr. Barrow needs to HUMBLE himself, get off his HIGH-HORSE and GO HAT IN HAND on behalf of this nation. That is what a leader who cares does. This is not about the Prime Minister and his lavish lifestyle. This is about well over half of the population that is clinging on by

their fingernails. It is distressing to see that as other governments look for ways to stimulate their economies and find ways to keep their people employed and even to find more employment for their citizens - this government does not hold a promise to this hurting nation – rather Barrow and the supercilious bunch in government applaud the demise of entities who have employed many Belizeans. The song “I am Belize” is the anti-thesis to what is the reality right now. Belize right now is a very depressing place to be. The streets are disheveled and unkempt, diseases that should be preventable and curable in Belize in this day and age are taking out our young population; crime is the only way out for many who have become desperate and suicide the only end some see as escape from the hardship. It is time that our people get some sensitivity from our leaders on both sides of the political fence. One day the riches you have amassed will not be enough to protect you from the wrath that is brewing in our people.

SPOT CHECKContinued from page 11

The newly elected Council for the beautiful village of Hattieville wishes to thank all villagers for their ongoing

support and cooperation.

The new Council has appointed a Lots Committee in accordance with the Village Council Act.

The following persons have been appointed to serve on the Lots Committee for the period June 2010 – June

2013.

Mr. Gilbert Domingo Mr. Daniel Mejia

Mr. Dwayne StaineMrs. Wendy Castillo

Mr. Glenn KingMr. Ludrick Arnold

Mrs. Buelah Longsworth Gillett

The public is advised that no other persons are authorized to conduct any land transaction on behalf of Hattieville village Council. Any persons attempting

to obtain information or process applications are unauthorized and illegal.

LAND NOTICE

CONTACT US AT:

Editor: 628=3215

nationalperspectivemail.com

[email protected]


Belize City, August 29, 2010

Defending sub-champs Atlantic Bank kept their championship hopes alive to the 3 game series of the 2010 Interoffi ce Basketball championship fi nals by toppling Tuff e’Nuff 70-62 in Game 2 at the Belize City Center on Friday night.

ATLANTIC BANK & TUFF E’NUFF TIE 1-1 IN INTEROFFICE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

Tuff E’Nuff had beaten Atlantic Bank 67-64 in the regular season, and as expected, in Game 1 in last Wednesday,

they burned Atlantic Bank 69-65.

Ashton Edwards had led the attack with 17 pts, also grabbing 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and dishing out an assist.

Densmore ‘Wable’ Edwards added 15 pts, grabbed 3 rebounds and 3 steals, and handed out four assists. Ian Ferrera led Atlantic bank with 16 pts and grabbed 4 rebounds while Andrew ‘Head’ Staine added 16 pts and grabbed 3 rebounds.In Game 2, Ashton’s and Densmore’s older brother, Tyrone “Joker” Edwards hit 2 long treys as he top-scored the game for Tuff E’Nuff with 21 pts, and Tuff E’Nuff was up 13-11 in the fi rst quarter. Tyrone also grabbed a rebound and 2 steals while handing out 5 assists. His brother, Densmore ‘Wable’ Edwards also drained in 2 long treys, as he added 13 pts and grabbed 4 rebounds and blocked a shot, and Tuff Enuf continued to lead 32-28 at the half.Darwin ‘Dawgy’ Elijio refused to go quietly into that dark

night and he led Atlantic Bank’s

Defending sub-champs Atlantic Bank kept their championship hopes alive to the 3 game series of the 2010 Interoffi ce Basketball championship fi nals by toppling

expected, in Game 1 in last Wednesday, 4 steals, and dishing out an assist.

counterattack, draining in 2 long treys in the 2nd half, as he scored 17 pts, grabbed 3 rebounds and a steal, and dished out an assist to take over the lead 46-44 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Atlantic Bank’s Justin Wade added 12 pts and grabbed 7 rebounds, while Ian “Penny” Ferrera added 10pts, Leon “Bigs” Williams was the bankers post man, scoring 9pts in the paint and grabbing 19 rebounds!Andrew “Head” Staine also hit a trey in money time as he and Jermaine Tillett added 6pts each to the Atlantic Bank score.Lynden Galvez and Paul Roches each scored 6pts for Tuff E’Nuff, while Ashton Edwards and William Black chipped in 4pts each.The decisive Game 3 has been set for Wednesday night, September 1, which also be trophy night.Game 2 was to have been preceded by the game for 3rd place between Telemedia ‘Digicell’ and First Caribbean / Quan’s Trading co, but Telemedia won it 20-0 in uncontested fashion, when FCIB/Quan’s were a no show.

Lynden Galvez

Densmore “ Wable” Edwards Blocks Shot

San Lucas, Guatemala, August 29, 2010

Belizean riders Giovani Choto and Allen Castillo both did well in representing the jewel in the XLVI Guatemalan U-23 junior cycling tour held from August 26-29. Giovanni Choto fi nished 3rd overall with a cumulative time of 10:57:46 over the 4 stages of the tour, while Allen Castillo emerged as the King of the sprints, with a total of 32 pts, out-performing his nearest rival, Aldo Zamora, of the Jalapa Cycling Association, who had 20 pts.Dorian Monterroso of the DX Decorabaños from Quetzaltenango emerged the overall champion of

the tour with a cumulative time of

10:55:18. Monterroso’s teammate Fredy Colop took 2nd prize with a cumulative time of 10:55:58.The Guatemalan Cycling Federation presented cash prizes, trophies and medals to the winners at the conclusión of the tour. The 4th stage was 2 laps over a circuit from San

Lucas to El Tejar, a total distance of 88 kilómeters, with the top teams vying intensely for the top places, right down to a furiosly contested sprint for the fi nish, such as had never before been seen in previous tours.Rolando Soloman of the Jalapa Association won the 4th stage, clocking 2:14:20, while Adler Torres of the Esquipulas CCF

team was hard on his wheel to place 2nd, Víctor Sánchez of the Team Fraijanes was 3rd, in that same lead spint, with the champion Dorian Monterroso palcing 4th.Mario Santizo of the Coca Cola team clocked 2:14:24 as

GIOVANNI CHOTO & ALLEN CASTILLO WIN IN U−23 GUATEMALA JUNIOR CYCLING TOUR

he placed 5th. Mario Santizo also had 15pts to rank 3rd in the sprints.Dorian Monterroso also won King of the Mountains with 14 pts over Rolando Solomán who also had 14pts and Mario Santizo.

Allen Castillo emerged as the King of the sprints

Mario Santizo of the Coca Cola team clocked 2:14:24 as

Giovanni Choto fi nished 3rd overall


Belize City, August 29, 2010

City Boys lead the Belize Bank Super League football playoffs with 11 pts from 3 wins and 2 draws, and will challenge Nizhee Corozal in the championship fi nals which begin at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium in Corozal on Sunday, September 5. The City Boys left tire marks all over Hattieville United as they romped to a 4-0 win at the MCC. garden on Sunday, while Nizhee Corozal knocked out the Placencia Assassins 1-0 at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium.The City Boys took the game to Hattieville United from the getgo, and Jack Dawson put them on the good foot early when he drilled home the winning goal in the 7th minute

and Hattieville goalie William Johnson could do nothing about it. Leon “Lem” Jones and Jarret Davis led the Hattieville counterattack, and Leon Jones beat all the City Boys’ defenders Mark Grant, Shawn Thurton, Tyrone Linares and Haitian import Godson Michel, to get off a shot that forced City Boys’ MVP goalie Charlie Slusher to come up with a diffi cult save, but it was still a 1-0 ball game at the half.City Boys’ Rookie of the Year Dalton Cayetano, Whitfi eld

the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead in the 79th minute. Jason Young also

c h a l l e n g e d Johnson with a bullet of a shot, but the ball was rejected by a save that Johnson knew very little about.The Hattieville defense was hard pressed to contain Tyrone Muschamp’s attacks and when they brought him down inside the goal area, the referee awarded the City Boys a penalty. Team captain Gentle gave Diennemercy Pierre

Patnett, Raymond “Killa” Gentle and Tyrone “T-bone” Muschamp

pressed forward with their attack in the 2nd half, with the help of Haitian import Diennemercy Pierre, who had replaced Jack Dawson. Cayetano got off a hard shot that with goalie William Johnson only managed to defl ect to the feet of Killa Gentle. Johnson, came out of goal to forestall the play, but Raymond “Killa” Gentle danced the ball around him to get off a shot at the empty goal, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.Gentle got another shot at redemption when Johnson came out of goal again, and this time “killa made no mistake as he booted

CITY BOYS & NIZHEE COROZAL WIN THRU TO 2010 BELIZE BANK SUPERLEAGUE FINALS

the 79th minute. Jason Young also and Tyrone “T-bone” Muschamp the ball to convert the penalty as the City Boys led 3-0 in the 86th minute.Another Haitian import Johnson Semexant took the fi eld to replace Jason Young, and Semexant immediately worked the ball up the left wind to blast off a long range missile that had William Johnson beat, but it rebounded off the crossbar, right to the feet of Tyrone Muschamp, whose right away shot sent the ball into the net for the 4-0 lead in the 89th minute. Corozal Nizhee also have 11pts, but City Boys have the better goal differential. Michael “Chenko” Whittaker gave the Corozal fans reason to cheer and their money’s worth when he scored the winning goal in the 40th minute as the Corozal crew led 1-0 at the half.

The Placencia squad needed a win for that extra 3pts to total 10pts and a shot at the fi nals, but all the King’s horse and all the King’s men, including such dazzling strikers like

Ashley Torres, Zerrick Torres, Jason Westby and Gary Young failed to make any impression on the Nizhee defenders led by the able Nizhee captain Antonio Castillo, Kenny “Chupacabra” Canul, Julio Tun and Andrew Allen, and helped goalie Benito Moriera shut out the Placencia squad to secure the 1-0 win.

Duienne Mercy Pierre 3rdgoal

c h a l l e n g e d Johnson with a bullet of a shot, but the ball was rejected by a save that Johnson knew very little about.The Hattieville defense was hard pressed to contain Tyrone Muschamp’s attacks and when they brought him down inside the goal area, the referee awarded the City Boys a penalty. Team captain Gentle gave Diennemercy Pierre

Raymond Gentle 2nd Goal


Letters Editorto the HOROSCOPEYOUR WEEKLY

Aries March 21-April 19

You like obstacles. Obstacles give you something to work around. They give you something to do. At least that’s your viewpoint at the outset of the week. Abso-

lute force may not be the best way forward; sheer charm may be a lot more potent. When all the barriers before you suddenly lif t, you and your comrades march toward victory in a shower of confetti. You have no time to celebrate what with your family’s demands on your time, but the weekend is all yours. Call your friends because a party

Taurus April 20-May 20The world’s a more beautiful and more intense place with you in it this

week. Don’t delay in sharing your passion; the stars are with you now. Avoid making romantic plans and decisions; the energy’s much better for that at the end of the workweek, when socializing and voicing your feelings can lead to bigger, better things. If you’re not sure what to say or do, wait for an impulse to kick in -- it ’ll be right on. This weekend, whether you’re coupled up or shopping around, listen twice as much as you talk.

Gemini May 21-June 21

Form a romantic question in your mind, its one you’ve been wanting answered. Talk to as many people as possible about it - veiling it in general terms and feeling them

out subtly if need be. Getting tons of ideas and input frees up your own thinking, and the end of the workweek is a great time to let it all percolate. Don’t expect immediate clarity, but do prepare to take some concrete action this weekend, when you’ve got a sense of fun combined with stellar emotional intelligence – a making for big-time.

Cancer June 22-July 22

Don’t put it off when it comes to love this week. Responses are very likely to be very good, so why delay? Not to mention that the same

communication delivered might just be taken the wrong way - or never delivered at all. Avoid any big, important romantic interaction now, and save it for a very fabulous end of the workweek. And this weekend an over-the-top gesture or declaration has an amazing impact.

Leo july 23-August 22

You are a success. You are almost a legend among your coworkers. But enough about what they think: How do you feel about what you’re doing? That’s the big question on

Monday and Tuesday, and it stays in the back of your mind all week. When someone asks casually about your life goals, don’t be shy. Modesty and pride are major themes as per-sonal qualities go, they are not as contradictory as they seem -- and the weekend finds you feeling happy and in control. Sunday is one of those top-of-the-mountain days.

Virgo August 23-Septemer 22

It’s healthy to have the jitters before traveling; the prospect of unfamiliar ter-ritory provokes that response in many people. An open, philosophical ap-

proach -- rather than a strictly practical approach -- is the way to go during the first half of this week. You are the master of your destiny. .

Libra September 23-October 22

A diplomatic tete-a-tete may be necessary to smooth things over between you and an important (if volatile) ally early this week. Maybe bake some cookies and bring

them along to the occasion. If you two have been at each other’s throats lately, it may be because you have so much in common; find something to laugh about. Midweek, you and your friends are laughing nonstop about an inside joke, but on Friday there’s really not much time to do anything except work.

Scorpio October 23-November 21

You’re stubborn as all get-out about a matter of the heart this week and if you’re coupled up, your sweetie’s got their work cut out for them. Look a little closer, and

you really should take it -- you’re only scratching the surface. Then you’ll know what you truly desire at the end of the workweek -- which is convenient because the stars are facilitating your efforts to make it happen. This weekend, though, you’re not quite as powerful as all that; act modestly and watch your romantic step.Sagittarius November 22-December 21Don’t be so concerned with how you’re going to harvest apples from

a tree you haven’t planted yet. Get the tree planted and worry about how to make apple pie af ter you’re surrounded by buckets of apples. Worrying in advance isn’t a good use of your t ime when you already won’t have enough t ime to get done all the things you need to. You’d l ike to rely on the help of your fr iends but your energies are mismatched. You may have to go this one alone. Some good news: Sunday is a lucky day.

Capricorn December 22-January 19

Add a dash of creativity to a matter of the heart on Monday and see how the f lavor of it changes -- it could be very yummy, though, you’ll want to

boil the situation down to a more concentrated, pure essence, letting the extraneous stuff burn off so you can see (and smell, and taste) what you’re really dealing with. The big changes you can make to this romantic recipe may be a little scary at the end of the workweek, but they’re necessary. Ex-pect to keep stirring and adjusting through the weekend too.

Aquarius January 20-February 18An unexpected phone call gets you thinking about someone you haven’t

thought of in years. The start of the week is defined by strange discoveries made in strange places, and the middle of the week is defined by -- lucky you -- love. A sizzling affair: strawberries, whipped cream, the works. Wednesday is pure bliss and Thursday is the sequel. It only follows that Friday will be something of a letdown. Try not to let it drag your entire weekend down. Your emotionality is not in charge; you’re in charge.

Pisces February 19-March 20I t’s a cold, hard world sometimes. Thankfully, there are blankets. This

week are cozy days - - hot dinners, soft music, maybe some poetry - - and Wednesday is a fair ly dreamy day, too. On Thursday, try your hand at be-ing creative, but don’t be too specif ic about what you do. Clarity of thought isn’t as important as fullness of feeling. Friday is a romantic day - - again, poetry f igures strongly - - and the mystery of this other person in your life is endlessly thrilling. Saturday puts you in a creative mood again.

Dear Editor,

The theme for this year’s September celebrations is “ UNITED AND PROUD; MOVING FORWARD. I AM BELIZE.” It is a timely and most appropriate theme as we Belizeans do have so much to be proud about as we move forward in the development of our young nation. This time around each year, is a time when we as Belizeans are most certainly in a patriotic, jubilant, festive and energized mood. However, I must ask the question “How proud and patriotic are we?” Especially with reference to our national symbols and particularly regarding our Belizean Flag. Each year during the September celebrations I am totally appalled and dismayed by the blatant disrespect that some of us Belizeans exhibit towards one of our main national symbol, the Belizean Flag. Each year a variety of Belizean fl ags are made, some made of cloth, plastic and even paper. Year after year, and even during the celebrations you can fi nd our Belizean Flags all tattered and torn and even thrown on the streets, in the drains and even in the canals. I strongly believe that these fl ags should either be stored or disposed of in a more respectful

and honourable way. As a way of giving back to our community, Love FM one of our local media houses have started an annual raise your fl ag competition in which both motorists and residential home owners compete for very attractive prizes for their property that represents true patriotism. This year the National Celebrations Commission have set September 17th, 2010 as our National Colour Day, in which Belizeans are asked to wear our national colours all day. As a part of its “Restore Belize” campaign, I am most certain that our Belizean Government can embark on an educational campaign to promote more civic pride and respect for our national fl ag. Our government can also play their part by displaying transparency, good governance and restoring good faith in the eyes of our Belizean populace. Let’s extend educational campaign beyond the September celebrations to encompass everything Belizean, including a “CLEAN” Belize. Let us all wave our fl ags with pride this year. Long live Belize and God bless Belize. Rashida VernonUB Public Admin Student.


Ionie Louise Arnold, 70Andy Victor Carr, 27Dale Joseph Sibley, 16Dennis Luis Smith, 57Elsie Elizabeth Ferguson, 93Gilda Unicey Johnson, 67Lloyd Beet, 54Richard Michael Nicholson, 48Lenina Ken, 39

Reinaldo Carlos Supal, to Mariana Zenaida Mossiah both of Corozal TownNigel Rubio to Sandra Maradiaga both of Pomona Village, Stann CreekOrlando Choc to Soyla Felicita Teck both of Maya Mopan, Stann CreekJose David Gonzalez to Yeniffer Consuelo del Carmen Argueta both of Belmopan, CayoJoacob Olfert to Aganetha Hildebrand both of Little Belize, CorozalJerry Friesen to Myra Dueck both of Spanish lookout, CayoShezar Dorce of Georgia, USA to Guytelle Cave of Florida, USAAdrian Rosalez to Rosillia Henry Navarro both of Caledonia, CorozalAllen Alden Palacio of Texas, USA to Shanda Jubilee Ariola of Ladyville, BelizeJermaine Jerome Zuniga to Darcel Louise Sanchez both of Belize CitySergio Humberto Ayala to Dinah Marie Lopez both of Belize CityNery Saul Paz Cano to Karen Lizeth Orellano both of Belize CityAlvin Llewellyn Stevenson Jr. to Kira Sharima Milligan both of Willows Bank, BelizeRancey Randy Lopez to Elorene Cal both of San Pedro Columbia, ToledoManuel Makin to Maria Teck both of San Roman, Stann CreekHoward Ryan Jacob to Dawn Marie Loudahl both of North Carolina, USARaul Edgar Gonzalez Moguel to Shamira Tanisha Aguilar both of Corozal TownJason Chadwick Graff of Texas, USA to Andrea Diana Baker of Texas, USAMartin Muzikant to Sherolyn Sherilee Moore both of Belize CityLincoln Alexander Cuthkelvin to Marlenie Marciana Madrill both of Maskall, BelizeAndre Shamir Salgado to Kelsey Lennie Sampson both of Belize CityPeter Peters to Jenny Yesenia Santos both of Cowpen, Stann CreekJean Paul Pascal Cantareul to Michele Marie Lima both of Belize CityJacob Reimer to Flori Tracy Thiessen both of Spanish Lookout, CayoEdley Martinez to Laurie Martinez both of Hopkins, Stann CreekShalton Arana to Evette Shian Martinez both of Belmopan, CayoDesmond Lewis to Desiree Henry both of CayoKerby Montgomery to Jolene Lynne Stewart both of Oklahoma, USAStephen George Ladd of Washington, USA to Virginia Elizabeth Phelan of California, USAOscar Rene Velasquez to Silma Edith Saquie both of Belmopan, CayoJohan Redecop to Agatha Krahn both of Shipyard, Orange WalkPeter Petkau to Susana Olfert both of Shipyard, Orange WalkJohan Braun to Maria Dyck both of Shipyard, Orange WalkRaul Alberto Cervantes Negrete to Crusita Subey Cano both of Santa Clara, Corozal

Isabella Blanca to Gilbert and Susana Dolores Canton nee VanzieKristen Vanna to Kyle Allan and Venetia Idolly Craig nee ClareAngell Francisca to Adran Claude and Alys Jennifer Ramirez nee CarrilloMadison Leigh to mark Lyndon and Beatriz Teresita Godfrey nee GuerraSheanna Rianna to Theodore Andrew and Judith Nunez nee MartinezDanica Marie to Sylvestre Enrique Jr. and Maylin Janine Trejo nee TelloDevon Charles to Darwin Gilbert and Rosita Sarita McFadzean nee Ortiz

PUBLICANNOUNCEMENTS

Births

Marriages

Deaths

Continued from page 6

no reason for this fraud. Most Belizeans don’t need CARICOM, don’t need Jamaican or Barbados citizenship, don’t want to live there and they don’t see any benefi ts deriving from this integration. We have performed many cost benefi t analysis to ascertain the pros and cons and sadly and truly, Belize is better off staying out of CARICOM. The only two things Belize will get more of by remaining in CARICOM are more crime and violence and the infl ux of more Caricomers from Caribbean islands. Belize needs more highly qualifi ed, highly trained experts in all vocations and careers not an infl ux of people from failed states and economies. Caricom countries are in a constant state of poverty and disequilibrium. Mr Henry Gordon is no expert on the ramifi cations of sovereignty, the movement of goods and/or people from Caricom countries and neither understands the rationale for tariffs, quotas, and exchange controls; you have never been exposed to the machinery of an industrialized nation whose engines are driven by democratic, accountable and effi cient systems. You think that you have a nation and you are the law, but you represent only the law. If you all break them we have a system to deal with you. Belizeans were never informed properly and never voted but are being forced now to accept the dictates of the Caricomers. Gordon must let the people decide for CARICOM or regarding the Guatemalan issue; but don’t take it upon yourselves to dictate who we must trade with, or give away our citizenship to. The giving away of our natural resources to Caricomers must be stopped and right now!Caribbean countries have their own problems and as a CARICOM they have no prosperous direction which means that nothing good is coming out as a benefi t to member states. It is time to stand up to our elected offi cials and save our nation.Would you emigrate to Jamaica or to New York?Can you gain employment in Jamaica or Babados that can compensate you the same as in New York?Why are we creating a fi fth wheel and fi fth columnist in Belize when we can buy and sell our

products at rational reasonable prices to USA, Mexico, Barzil or Canada? Why?Caricomers are taking away from us without us benefi tting in any way. We want to generate our own laws based on our traditions, ethnic and cultural mores. We need Belizean heading our own Court system. We don’t need them in our University teaching us how to make snake oil and certainly don’t need them to head our churches. We don’t need a fi fth columnist in our Central Bank, in our Ministry of Finance to sell (restore?) our country to the pompous, erratic afro-Caribbean modality just because they have studied in the Caribbean.All countries of the Caribbean are defi ned as less developed countries (LDC) and as such are always receiving money and technological assistance from the more advanced nations. Belize sits in the same (LDC) position. So please explain Mr. Henry Gordon why Belizeans should take on more misery?Presently, the people of Belize are struggling to survive and if we don’t act in time to stop the Caricomers, you and your children will be brought down into the economic abyss. Belizeans must not give up so easily what they have fough for and continue to fi ght to claim and reclaim year after year.The choice is clear, we have to decide if we will continue to be dictated by the Caricomers or exercise the free choice to set in Mexico, USA and Canada treating on your terms with other leaders of developed nations on trade, oil and other monetary issues. If we are not benefi tting none then we don’t need Caricom. We won’t be the fi rst.CARICO does not and will never serve the true interests of Belize.Caricom and the UDP Government have declared war on the people of Belize; they pretend with mellifi cious words, while holding a dagger to the backs of Belizeans. It is now obvious that they are destroying true bona-fi de Belizean businesses, the Belizean Education, the Belize legal and Judicial system and I general, the Belizean economy. Its time to wake up and open your eyes….If you snooze Belizeans, you will defi nitely loose!

UDP & CARICOM DECLARE WAR ON BELIZEANS


By: Dulce Silva

When the Emperor Napoleon of France was about to return from battle, he sent a message to Josephine. “Am returning in three days. Don’t wash.” While modern-day noses may not agree with Napoleon’s sentiments, there is some evidence that lovers are

attracted by each others’ natural smell above and beyond the scents of soap, perfume, fragrance, cologne and chewing gum. That we are infl uenced by naturally-emitted scents called pheromones, so subtle and yet so powerful that we can be drawn to or repelled by people for reasons we don’t even understand. Olfactory research has shown that certain odors can prevent shoplifting, inspire confi dences and make us hungry even when our stomachs are full. The perception of fragrance is embedded in the portion of our brains where emotions arise, making smells from childhood immediate memory triggers, and creating a strong emotional pull towards or away from smells depending on the positive or negative associations of the memories they are attached to.

Choosing a perfume is like choosing a lover: you don’t rush; you learn everything you can; you take your own feelings seriously. With an eye to these requirements, the aim of this article is to teach you about the types of fragrance, the fragrance

families, the right ways to wear perfume, and how to shop for the perfect perfume.Find your fragrance personality before choosing a new perfumeWhen you choose a perfume, you are expressing something about the way you want to see yourself or your “fragrance personality”. Do you want to feel fresh and clean? Exotic and energetic? Youthful or woman-of-the-world? You’d think it would be an easy thing to fi nd a new perfume—just pick the scents you like, right? Sure, that’s where you should start, and you should also make an effort to consider scents you dislike. Fragrance researchers have found that many people fi nd the scent of lavender calming, because it reminds them of earlier times and their grandmother’s linen closet. But we are all individuals, and someone who was made to stand in the linen closet until she ate all

her broccoli may not fi nd the scent of lavender pleasant at all. On the other hand, the scent of tobacco is attractive to many people, and has found its way into dozens of men’s colognes and a signifi cant of women’s perfumes, often characterized as having a leathery-woody-spicy-tabac scent.

Take your time perfume shopping before you buy a perfume fragrance.Perfume shopping isn’t something you can do in a single day, because after a few sprays at the samples counter, the sensors in your nose shut off and either you can’t smell the perfumes you’re trying on, or they blend and create a perfume that doesn’t really exist. At that point, you may fi nd yourself coming home with something that turns out to smelling completely different from the way it did in the store. The fragrance didn’t change during the car ride home: after a half-hour or so of not being exposed to fragrances, your nose just started working again!Take lots of breaks when shopping for perfume. Whenever possible, start with lighter scents, so your nose won’t be overpowered early on. If you’re looking for something rich and heady, test one or two fragrances, wander off to shop for something else or grab a cup of coffee, and return in 20 minutes or more to try a couple more.Read the perfume information before you buy.You can sometimes fi nd lighter scents by reading the descriptions on the packaging: packaging is

often colored to refl ect the overall tone of the scent, so that you will often fi nd fruity scents in bright packages, rich, complex ones in deep reds or browns, and light fl orals in pastel colors. It’s not always a sure thing, though: some perfumes made for the ‘teens and ‘tweens are heavy with sweet, aqueous scents and fl orals, often

boosted with high-potency citrus. You’ll fi nd them in blues and greens, metallic-fi nished bottles and high-tech looking packages. Clear your sense of smell.Like all our senses, after being exposed to stimuli for awhile, our olfactory senses “habituate”, shutting down to pervasive or continuing aromas or odors. Sensors can be recalled to duty by “palate cleansing”, or by taking a break. Fragrance boutiques that specialize in scented oils often leave saucers of coffee beans around so you can get a little more mileage out of your scent sensors. In the way that a wine taster takes a bite or two of bread between tastings, sniffi ng the coffee beans refreshes your sense of smell and lets you sniff a few more scents before your nose gives out. If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, you might save some time by talking to the salesperson about scents you like and asking for help fi nding a perfume that combines them.

History and Origins of Perfume, Fragrance and Cologne.Choosing a perfume is like choosing a lover: you don’t rush; you learn everything you can; you take your own feelings seriously. With an eye to these requirements, the aim of this article is to teach you about the types of fragrance, the fragrance

History and Origins of Perfume, Fragrance and Cologne.

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HEALTHY LIVINGThe Basics of OsteoarthritisArthritis is a general term that means

inflammation in joints.Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body. It most commonly occurs in the weight bearing joints of the hips, knees, and spine. It can also affect the fingers, thumb, neck, and large toe. It usually does not affect other joints unless previous injury or excessive stressis involved.Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as a “shock absorber.” The shock-absorbing quality of normal cartilage comes from its ability to change shape when compressed (flattened or pressed together).Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making it more susceptible to damage. Over time, the cartilage may wear away in some areas, greatly decreasing its ability to act as a shock absorber. As the cartilage deteriorates, tendons and ligaments stretch, causing pain. If the condition worsens, the bones could rub against each other.Who Gets Osteoarthritis?Osteoarthritis affects nearly 21 million Americans. The chance of developing the disease increases with age. Most people over age 60 have osteoarthritis to some degree, but its severity varies. Even people in their 20s and 30s can get osteoarthritis. In people over 50, more women than men get osteoarthritis.What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?Symptoms of osteoarthritis most often develop gradually and include:Joint aching and soreness, especially with movement.Pain after overuse or after long periods of inactivity.Bony enlargements in the middle and end joints of the fingers (which may or may not be painful).Joint swelling and joint fluid accumulation.What Causes Osteoarthritis?There are several factors that increase a person’s chances of developing osteoarthritis. These include:Heredity. Some people have an inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for making cartilage. This causes defective cartilage, which leads to more rapid deterioration of joints. People born with joint abnormalities are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, and those born with an abnormality of the spine (such asscoliosis or curvature of the spine) are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the spine. Obesity . Obesity increases the risk for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Maintaining ideal weight or losing excess weight may help prevent osteoarthritis of the knee and hip or decrease the rate of progression once osteoarthritis is established. Injury. Injuries contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. For example, athletes who have knee-related injuries may be at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. In addition, people who have had a severe back injury may be predisposed to develop osteoarthritis

of the spine. People who have had a broken bone near a joint are prone to develop osteoarthritis in that joint.Joint Overuse. Overuse of certain joints increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. For example, people in jobs requiring repeated bending of the knee are at increased risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee.How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is based on a combination of the following factors:Your description of symptoms.The location and pattern of pain.Certain findings on physical examination, when necessary.Your doctor may use X-rays to help confirm the diagnosis and make sure you don’t have another type of arthritis. X-rays show how much joint damage has occurred.Sometimes blood tests will be given to determine if you have a different type of arthritis.If fluid has accumulated in the joints, your doctor may remove some of the fluid (called joint aspiration) for examination under a microscope to rule out other diseases.How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?Osteoarthritis usually is treated by physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises, oral medications, hot and cold compresses to the painful joint, removal of joint fluid, injection of medications into the

joint, use of support ive d e v i c e s such as c r u t c h e s or canes, and weight c o n t r o l . S u r g e r y may be helpful to relieve pain when other t r e a t m e n t o p t i o n s h a v e not been effective.The type of t r e a t m e n t

prescribed will depend on several f a c t o r s i n c l u d i n g your age, activities and o c c u p a t i o n , overall health, m e d i c a l h i s t o r y , l o c a t i o n of your osteoarthritis, and severity of the condition.W h a t M e d i c a t i o n s Are Used to Treat Osteoarthritis?M e d i c a t i o n s may be prescribed to reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis. Pain-relieving m e d i c a t i o n s i n c l u d e acetaminophen

(for example, Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs (often called NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Celebrex. Some medications in the form of creams, rubs, or sprays may be applied over theskin of affected areas to relieve pain. For some people with persistent pain despite these pills or creams, steroids can be injected directly into the joint for pain relief. These injections are typically limited since prolonged use can lead to bone and cartilage deterioration and weakness.Synvisc, Supartz, Euflexxa, Orthovisc, and Hyalgan are medications given as a series of 3 to 5 weekly joint injections that can relieve pain in some people with osteoarthritis. Currently, these drugs are only approved for knee osteoarthritis.When osteoarthritis pain is severe and other treatments are not working, some doctors will give stronger pain pills, such as narcotics.Unfortunately, none of these will reverse or slow the progression of joint damage caused by osteoarthritis.How Does Weight and Exercise Impact Osteoarthritis?Staying at your recommended weight helps prevent osteoarthritis of the knees, reduces the stress on weight-bearing joints and reduces pain in affected joints. Once you have osteoarthritis, losing weight also can

relieve the stress and pain in your knees.Exercise is important to improve joint movement and to strengthen the muscles that surround the joints. Gentle exercises, such as swimming or walking on flat surfaces, are recommended because they are less stressful on your joints. Avoid activities that increase joint pain, such as jogging or high impact aerobics. Exercises that strengthen the quadriceps muscle reduce knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.Are There Alternative Treatments for Osteoarthritis?Some medical research has shown that the supplements glucosamine and chondroitin may relieve pain in some people with osteoarthritis -- especially in the knee. There is no evidence that glucosamine can help rebuild cartilage.Some people also use methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for arthritis but there is questionable medical evidence showing their benefits. MSM is a naturally occurring compound that is taken as a dietary supplement.Acupuncture and bioelectric therapy also may be useful at relieving pain.What Supportive Devices Are Available to Help With Osteoarthritis?Supportive or assistive devices may be helpful to decrease pressure on the joints with osteoarthritis. Knee supports may be helpful for some people to stabilize the ligaments and tendons and decrease pain. Canes or crutches may be helpful to take pressure off certain joints.In addition to pain relief, assistive devices improve function and prevent falls. A licensed physical therapist or other health care professional is needed to recommend what devices are best for you.Is There a Surgery for Osteoarthritis?When osteoarthritis pain is not controlled with medications and the other mentioned treatments, or when the pain prevents you from participating in your normal activities, you may want to consider surgery.There are several types of surgery for osteoarthritis. They include: Arthroscopy to clean out the damaged cartilage has not been proven in recent studies to be effective for osteoarthritis.; Joint replacement surgery to replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. Joint replacement surgery should be considered when the severity of the joint pain significantly interferes with a person’s function and quality of life. Even under the best of circumstances, surgery cannot return the joint to its normal state (artificial joints do not have all of the motion of a normal joint). However, an artificial joint will diminish pain. The two joints most often replaced are the hip joint and the knee joint. Artificial joints are now also available to replace shoulders, fingers, elbows, ankles, and back joints to treat severe pain that has not responded to other treatments.Joint fusion removes the damaged joint and fuses the two bones on each side of the joint. This is done more often in areas in which joint replacement is not effective.Talk to your doctor to determine if any of these treatment options are right for you.

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National Perspective September 5, 2010