Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1

The dependent IN Reformer for the People Vol. 2 No. 13 Friday, March 30, 2007 $1.00 CRABCRABCRAB POLITICS:POLITICS:POLITICS: Democracy in Belize: A Regression Analysis By: Gus A. Perera that irrespective of which party was litical arena, collecting baseline data PUP became the “power” in I read with much curiosity, the com- in power, it was always business as of the perceived failures of the present Belmopan. The PUP manifesto read mentary which makes reference to usual – corruption, abuse of power, political system, and finally, finding out in part: “The UDP rulers have the NGO Consortium report of 1993 and cronyism. The Belizean people what changes the people most wanted shown that they are bent on achiev- dealing with the old “stratagem to were desperately looking for a space to see as part of any political reform ing absolute power, whether by hi- recruit new voter at election time” that would give them more say in the effort. jacking the House of Representa- through the arbitrary granting of running of the country’s affairs. By the end of 1997, the documented tives or by manipulating the judi- Belizean citizenship to Central Ameri- Project Democracy concerns of Belizeans fell into three cial system. Ministers commit can immigrants. Between 1994 and 1997 SPEAR, categories: excessive concentration of crimes, squander the country’s re- The commentary aroused curiosity with the help of a Political Reform Ad- power resulting in abuse and leader- sources and ride roughshod over not so much because of its content, visory Committee (PRAC) lead a na- ship arrogance, lack of accountabil- the people. Their administration but more so because it was this very tionwide public consultation campaign ity on the part of elected ministers of has provided the strongest argu- same issue that ignited SPEAR’s Po- under the banner “The People’s government resulting in corruption, ments for urgent political reform.” litical Reform Campaign in 1994. Agenda.” and the lack of people’s participation In 1999, one year of their 1998 Deja Vu The objectives of the campaign in- in the decision-making process result- general elections victory, the PUP ap- In 1993, not only was the passport cluded creating an increased aware- ing in political oppression. pointed a Political Reform Commis- machinery “cranked up” but voter ness of the workings of the political Poli-triks Par Excellence sion to review the system of gover- disillusionment was at an all time high. system, informing citizens of their In 1998, and promising political re- nance and make recommendations for The Belizean voters were convinced rights and responsibilities in the po- form and power to the people, the improvement with a view to achiev- ing greater democracy. In his speech to the commission, Prime Minister Musa said – “regard no institution, TheThe “Lady“Lady forfor LadyLadyville”ville” no law, and no policy or practice as sacred.” In 2000, the Political (Please Turn To Page 3) GetsGets CommonerCommoner SupporSupportt Inside this Issue Ladyville’s Independent Seven led by Sharon Thurton has gained the support of Belize City-based Commoners’ or- pg 3 ganization. Patrick Rogers, spokesman Money Laundering for the Commoners and deputy Chair- man of the VIP met with the candidate in Belize for Ladyville Chairlady on March 22. Rogers, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2003 General Elections pg. 4 in the Lake Independence division told Independent Weekly, “Independent Beer Belly Ache slates throughout Belize deserve our as- sistance with logistics. We are happy to help Ms Sharon and her team in any pg.5 way we can.” Sharon has lived in Ladyville for over Journalists under 30 years and is a professional caterer who owns her own business. She has Ladyville’s Independent Seven Chairlady candidate Sharon Thurton has the support of attack Belize City-based Commoners’ organization. Patrick Rogers, VIP deputy Chairman. sponsored the Thurton Football Club for the past 5 years. Independent Seven village council man, and a blue backgrounded, pre- She says although both the UDP and aspirants are well known residents sumably PUP slate, lead by Herman pg. 7 PUP asked her to run on their slates she Fernando Leal, Reginald Williams, Blease. feels it is in the best interest to leave the Martin Jimenez, Hosni Thurton and two Voting takes place April First at the Zee’s Genius red/blue politics out of the village coun- other ladies from Ladyville Odessa Community Center. It is the largest, single cil. Among her top priorites are expand- Gibson and Carolee Hecker. most important village council elections of ing the new library’s services and open- Other “horses in the race” includes the bunch so all eligible residents are en- ing hours, and to increase participation slate identifying itself as UDP led by couraged to cast their ballots. of villagers in sporting events. Lucio Choc, incumbent village chair- Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 2

Editorial Director LettersLetters toto thethe EditorEditor cabinet. You see Belizeans, our courts elections, Iran has elections, and China Meb Cutlack Belize is in a State can rule on a matter but it is the will and has elections. Cuba has a form of elec- of Tyranny! force of the cabinet that implements tions but do any of those translate to I write in support of the VIP to form those rulings. We see no move towards true democracy or the brand of democ- our next government. this kind of will today. So in effect we racy we seek? The days of voting for a It was the latter part of 2005 that VIP have done away with the RULE OF color must come to a quick stop if we Editor placed on record its vision and position LAW. The cabinet now makes its own are to get out of this looming dictator- on issues affecting Belize. In the articles law and will force compliance. ship. As for me, I will work with the Karla Heusner Vernon and public statements that followed, the The snubbing of our laws has lead to VIP especially to bring two critical VIP warned that Belize was well into a cover up of loans, gifts and favors, changes to our system of representa- the 5th stage of corruption, bordering given to the privilege within a rising tion. on a state of tyranny. Today that we Belizean oligarchy that missed its mark 1. To Amend the Referendum Act are able to see and hear under oath so far in the creation of this threatening to allow the people to vote directly on General Manager about THE POLICY OF GOVERN- dictatorship. This was exposed in the local and national issues. MENT 1998 THRU PRESENT, it is DFC COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 2. To Introduce a Recall Referen- clear that our jewel is in the final stage HEARING. Further still, the contempt dum to end the term of elected leaders Trevor Vernon of corruptio: tyranny. Make no mistake and disrespect displayed by those tes- who have lost the public trust. about this one. In order to get ourselves tifying, to the commission and in the face Belizeans, it is time for us to wake up out of this state of affairs we will be of Belizeans at large, exposes the true and act. The VIP represents a real forced to understand it. belief of those persons close to the chance for Belize to redirect our nation Recently it has been exposed that the building dictatorship. toward a real Belizean solution. They Design/Layout Government of Belize is willing to see According to the testimony from will work to bring to us National Unity, the rulings of our higher courts ignored. many at the heart of the near missed Productivity, Family life environment, William G . Ysaguirrre This is evident in the BTL/ PROSSER dictatorship, Government during the Social Justice and Fair Representation. issue. The finances of social security period 1998 thru present, advocated and the government of Belize have not policies to create monopolies! Citizen Bub Sat Published by: been audited for years. The DFC and 1) Novelos in transportation, Social Security coffers have been plun- 2) Universal Health Services in the Beauty among debris Independent Publishing dered into bankruptcy. Even more re- health sector Dear Editor, cently, there has been unjustified firing 3) BTL monopoly and an illegal Now that the San Ignacio dump (sani- tary land fill?) has spread out to the Company Ltd. of BTL workers and to add insult to in- change of its article of association. jury, a public lynching by way of job 4) A complete control of the con- Western Highway, it affords easy bird severance, of a lead trade union nego- solidated revenue fund, where ministers watching right from your car. P.O. Box 2666 tiator, during an ongoing industrial dis- and representatives along with senators, There are not too many species for pute. All this has been happening un- town councilors, and contract workers, viewing, but the numbers of vultures are something to behold as they pick Telephones: der the watch of our Director of Public take out more than they put into the Prosecutions who has the power to development of the country. A recent through the garbage and trash looking bring criminal charges against anyone he calculation shows that the salaries of for choice tidbits of rotting meat. (501) 225-3520 considers it “desirable so to do”. I feel elected officials equals in some cases And the lovely yellow flame created that it is time for the DPP to act on be- and surpasses that which is allocated to by burning hospital waste, abatoir waste, used pampers, chemical residue Email: half of the people and a good place to municipal bodies in any given year. All start is with criminal proceedings against this done in secrecy and with the acqui- in plastic bottles, batteries and etc - oh those who have plundered the “poor escence of Her Majesty’s loyal oppo- yes, please include Bowen and Bowen’s [email protected] man’s bank”. sition. “recycled” plastic bottles, is a wonder The VIP warned in an earlier article In understanding tyranny, Belizeans as you drive through the smog-filled night. Printed by: that only the unarmed judiciary stands must know that elections do not equal democracy. Iraq under Sadaam had between the people and the armed (Please Turn To Page 15) National Printers New Road Belize City, Belize

INdependentThe Reformer [email protected] P.O. Box 2666 Belize City, Belize YES! Send me 6 months of the INdependent Reformer for as little as For an online version of the “QuoteBZ$30.00 (US$30.00 of theinternational) Week” INdependent Reformer Name (please print) visit us at Address Apt. http://www.belizenorth.com/ independentreformer.htm OR City State Zip http://belizenews.com/ independentonline.pdf Email Address

Payment Included Bill me later Prices for subscription and postage may vary for subscription outside Belize. Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 3 MoneMoneyy LaunderingLaundering inin BelizBelizee The U.S. Internal Revenue Ser- single Count of tax evasion for not national security, the court docu- ers that he could help take their vice had been targeting Minnesota paying between $30,000 and ments say. firms public. He then gained con- businessman John Priscella since at $80,000 in tax on income of more Priscella told undercover agents trol of company bank accounts and least 2003, when the agency con- than $170,000 in 1998. She faces that “no one would go after a busi- depleted them. According to court cluded that he owed taxes on more up to five years in prison and a fine ness that supports missing children,” documents, Priscella bragged to than $3.6 million in unreported in- of $100,000. according to public records. undercover IRS agents that he was come from 1995 to 2000. IRS agents caught Priscella wir- Priscella worked out of the base- “an expert in offshore banking” and But it was a money-laundering ing $35,000 to a bank in Belize, ment of his pink, multi-level home claimed to know a German busi- scheme that undercover IRS agents money that he believed had come in Crystal . In an affidavit submit- nessman with “diplomatic status” picked apart that finally resulted in from the sale of stolen vehicles, ac- ted to the court, the IRS said who could take large amounts of criminal charges. cording to court documents. Priscella previously had engaged in cash outside of the country because Last week, Priscella, 55, pleaded Priscella had set up a “front” busi- two fraudulent schemes in the state. he didn’t face the same security guilty in U.S. District Court to four ness, the Neighborhood Network In one, he created shell corpora- checks as others. counts of money laundering. He Advisory, to funnel the money. The tions and persuaded people to in- Priscella told the undercover could face 20 years in federal company provided software for vest in them, selling them worthless agents that he had 17 offshore bank prison and a fine of up to $250,000. people to download to get informa- stock in exchange for valuable pos- accounts, ranging from Belize to the His business associate, Amy tion on Amber Alerts for missing sessions. Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Guernsey Elizabeth Kirsch, a former Minne- children, severe weather updates, In the other, he approached pri- and Jersey. sota resident, pleaded guilty to a criminals on the loose and issues of vate companies and convinced own- story by Jackie Crosby, Star Tribune CRABCRABCRAB POLITICS:POLITICS:POLITICS: (Continued From Page 1) “The constant reshuffling of Cabi- ing the judicial system. Ministers administration has once more Reform Commission completed its net Ministers and the correspond- commit crimes, squander the “provided the strongest argu- task and presented to the Prime Min- ing changes in staffing across the country’s resources and ride ments for urgent political re- ister 103 recommendations for po- public service created instability roughshod over the people.” This form.” litical reform. Believing that the re- and lack of continuity in implemen- form process had begun, the Politi- tation of recommendations from cal Reform Commission celebrated commissions, councils, and its achievement. projects.” The Reality Persons interviewed as part of Unfortunately, the assessment on the study expressed their view that political reform which was done by the investigations into the Social SPEAR in 2006 revealed the con- Security and DFC scandals (and trary – in reality, hardly any serious more) would yield no results, no reform was undertaken and democ- arrests, no convictions, and that the racy, 25 years after Independence, politicians, knowing this, had, in remained illusive to the Belizean popular Creole language “no people. change fi change.” The SPEAR Reform Assessment And so, almost 10 years after the Report concludes by noting that po- promise of Political Reform, and 25 litical reform expectations were met years after Independence, democ- with “great disillusion and disap- racy in Belize has been, paradoxi- pointment.” It goes on to note cally speaking, “progressively re- that people’s high expectations were gressive”. grossly unmet and that “even when And most ironically, the reality in recommendations were made and 2007, is that our present “rulers accepted, there were no adequate have shown that they are bent on human and financial resources for achieving absolute power, implementation of the recommen- whether by hijacking the house of dations.” representatives or by manipulat- VISTA DANCE STUDIO Director: SISTIE FAIRWEATHER -HARMES BelizeBelize fishingfishing boatboat 10th annual DANCE RECITAL detaineddetained byby RussiansRussians to be held at the

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, day the vessel, which has not reported BLISS Performing Arts March 23 (Itar-Tass) – itself, was spotted on Thursday by a Russian coast guards detained the surveillance aircraft to the south of 6;00 p.m. on Sunday April 1, 2007 Bansei Maru fishing boat flying the Sakhalin. It was intercepted by a coast Belize flag for violating the border re- guard ship and taken to the port of TICKETS; Adults $20 Child $15 gime. Nevelsk for investigation. The coast guard service said on Fri- Phone: 225-3064 or available at door Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 4 BeerBeer BellyBelly AcheAche buy it for special occasions now, not just to have on hand. The price of a single beer ranges from $2.75 to $3 for a regular, $3.50 for pre- mium in shops or $6 or more in a bar or restaurant or a dance. It’s a shame, because right across the border you can get a Modelo for 6 pe- sos, about $1.20, or 36 pesos for a six pack, or around $7. So we can’t even By: Karla Heusner Vernon get half a sick pack for the same amount I am standing in front of the cooler in of money. the shop. Red Stripe, Miller, Heineken, Beer in Belize is not the common man Lighthouse, Belikin Premium and Regu- or woman’s drink, as in other countries. lar. I have only a few dollars left over It’s becoming more of a luxury item every from the grocery shopping and man, do day. Those of us who live in Ladyville, I deserve a cold beer after the week I just a stone’s throw from the beer fac- had. tory, feel particularly hurt that beer is so But like potato chips, how can you expensive. After all it’s a community in- have just one? dustry that employs a lot of people. Of Do you remember when we used to course, some enterprising employees are order a case of beer, stick six or so in actually contrabanding Belikin and selling the fridge to make sure they were good it for less than the factory charges. I am and cold, just IN CASE friends came not sure how this is happening, but it by? Those were the days of house par- is….imagine, smuggling local products. ties when people hardly ever asked you Now Bowen and Bowen not only has to to BYOB, because everyone had worry about competition from the outside, enough disposable income to have but also on the inside. house parties for no reason other than Imported beers, I mean those brought it was Friday. People would always in legitimately and on which all the cus- bring extra liquor anyway or run out to toms duties and excise taxes are paid, are get a quart of something when the sup- also in trouble. One of the merchant ply was running low. Just to keep people houses told me their sales are down 30% at the party, stop them from drifting off or more and they see Mexican products to the discos. with the same label at many bars and I see a lot of people having truck par- clubs. ties these days. You know, standing What can they do? People want beer around in front of someone’s house or and they will get it and not pay any more outside a sporting field, drinking from than they have to. Call the police and cus- the back of a pickup. Mostly contra- toms? That’s a good one. If I told you band liquor. how many people tell me they buy the con- It’s pretty open, not hidden at all. traband from men in uniform you’d fall Contraband beer and liquor flow freely over backwards. at almost every social event now from Anyway, I have had this cooler door weddings to Christenings. Look out open long enough, I have to pick a beer across the crowd at any sporting event and leave. Do I spend a little extra for an and it’s a sea of Modelo, Corona Ex- imported lager, or pay far more than I tra, Superior, Sol, MJD and Fosters, should to support the local brew? (from Airport Camp) and Heinekin in Or do I close the door, leave the shop the bigger bottle (from the Free Zone), and make a phone call to another sup- Miller Genuine Draft and Miller Light, plier and get a whole case of something Gallo et all. Sometimes I wonder if the delivered to my door no questions asked, only people drinking the “Beer of Belize” as long as I don’t ask any questions ei- are the tourists. ther? Due to taxes and the high cost of fuel Oh Mon, I give up. I’ll save my money and doing business, the price of a case on this one and spend it on three of four of Belikin beer seems like it has qua- beers in the next time I am in Chet. Duty drupled in recent years. A lot of us only free, guilt free, yes, practically for free. 1/2 acre lots in Burrel Boom 10 acre plots in Burrel Single-12 acre plot in starting at $10K Boom starting at $50K Ladyville $120 K Call 600-1627 Call 600-1627 Call 600-1627 for details for details for details Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 5 JournalistsJournalists underunder attack…attack… asas GeneralGeneral ElectionsElections drawdraw nearernearer The media which was so earnestly can sit beside his archrival Senator The public is now demanding more in wooed by the ruling party is now Dickie Bradley, in court and defend al- when it comes to personal ethics of our branded yellow journalists or “attack leged master predators for obscene politicians — all our politicians. The media.” One particularly notorious poli- sums of monies. Then yes, the voting people want to see a more articulate and tician went as far as calling a central public will form perceptions that are not active integrity commission. They are media personality by a Hilter-era name. too flattering of the Hon Leader of the demanding a less elastic, rubber stamp Reporters have become the scapegoats Opposition, and his leadership. role from the offices of the Ombuds- for the crimes of chief crony & his With outmost respect for the Hon man, the Auditor General, the Contrac- minions…as if journalists are fabricat- Henry Young, I say this paper is merely tor General, and, yes, the Governor By: Trevor Vernon ing the raping and pillaging the treasury reflecting widespread, and growing, General himself. The people see these and the natural assets of this our coun- public opinion. Opinions formed not as oversight offices as having been re- The citizenry of the entire country of try, writing fictitious stories of their all- a result of any judicial review or hear- duced to simpering “yes men”. People Belize has moved from just becoming too-true dark side self-enrichment from ings but by the public’s observations are abused, their rights violated, land restless to collectively developing a re- public resources. from the evening news and the live and property taken away, killed through solve to rid ourselves of the lowliness The people, including traditional party broadcast of both the Senate hearing police brutality or highway repair negli- of the political directorate, (of which the supporters, are increasingly disillusioned and the recently concluded DFC Com- gence and all we get is silence, evasive leader of the opposition apparently with what they are seeing and hearing mission hearing. What this paper has comments or musical instruments for the plays some role). Things done in the of the activities of BOTH red & blue been saying is simply this: the opposi- schools. The very people who have the dark are coming to light, for the most leadership. And here we do lump the tion is perceived as having been too constitutional power to protect us from part thanks to the demands of the unions red with the blue. When the Opposi- accommodating to the robber barons those who would exploit us, have sold and the leaking of documents to the tion leader can repeatedly go to court and a corrupt government, in fact he out. Nothing personal to any of them, media. The politicians are now blam- to defend the interests of the untouch- seems a primary player at many levels. but this is what Belizeans now believe. ing everyone but themselves for their able Lord Ashcroft and then brag about The people are asking: how can you The media, including Independent own improper conduct, including the how well he gets paid for doing so, ulti- protect us, yet who set out to hurt us at Reformer Weekly, has an obligation to misappropriation of public funds. mately at the public’s expense; when he the same time? (Please Turn To Page 8) Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 6 TheThe PoPulaPoPulaTingTing ofof BelizeBelize

By Richard Harrison food in our home only once, for about a cados and lime, searching for reusable occurring between the ‘indigenous’, His- In the past 50-60 years, has Belize be- week, during my lifetime. During that truck parts or just visiting his friends who panic and black populace? Are these come more of a cosmopolitan society? week, we ate mostly over-ripe avocado lived in those parts. behaviors deliberately ‘promoted’ within WIKIPEDIA describes cosmopolitan with stew beans and corn tortillas. We I can still remember when Caesar the subcultures that ‘motivate’ each group? in the following way: “describing an en- learned very early that it was ‘normal’ for Sherrard (I think he is South African) came Are there new trends in inter-racial mix- vironment where many cultures from entrepreneurs to experience upward and to San Ignacio with his family as ‘hippies’ ing among Germanic and Hispanic per- around the world coexist; or a person downward trends in their economic af- in a little Volkswagen van. He set up a gift sons? Is there a trend in the mixing of whose perspective reflects exposure to fairs throughout their lifetime. He was the shop next door renting one of Carmen American ex-pats and the ‘local breed’? a variety of cultures. It may also have builder of a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Requena’s property (I understand that at If so, what motives or ‘drivers’ are at the weaker senses of “worldly” or “so- My mother was also fiercely indepen- one time she owned most of what is now work here? phisticated”. dent, determined to do the best with what Santa Elena), and he eventually started It was not by coincidence that people The word derives from Greek cos- we had, understanding and living the New Hope Trading Company. They em- of African and European origins landed mos (the Universe) and polis (city). Its meaning of ‘through good times and bad’. ployed many Belizeans and produced high and settled here among the ‘indigenous’ sense overlaps to some extent with be- She also set her life by proverbs and say- quality wooden furniture and gift pieces peoples. Even ‘indentured’ laborers from ing a universal citizen, implying identifi- ings. She would tell us ‘early to bed, early for sale to tourists and later for export. China and India did not land here by co- cation with a world community rather to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy My dad used to sell him mahogany and incidence. Christian Lebanese and Pal- than with only a particular state, nation and wise’. We would have to rise with cedar lumber. Many years after, Efrain estinians who came here, and all over Latin or people. Indeed, its first recorded us- the sun, and she would check that we com- Medina who worked a long time for New America, were escaping difficulties in their age was by Diogenes the Cynic, who pleted all the chores that she set for us Hope, started Medina’s Furniture in his own countries. Guatemalans, Hondurans described himself as a “kosmou before getting ready for school. At vari- back yard. and Salvadorans who have been moving polites”, i.e. “a citizen of the world”; and ous stages, she supervised us working in It does not take a social scientist to fig- here in great numbers also sought to es- as such he would seek attachments be- her back-yard vegetable garden and feed- ure out that the populating of Belize has cape wars and economic strife in their own yond the local ones, disregarding the ing the chickens that provided eggs for not been coincidental. Just looking at the countries. The scale of this generational importance given to ‘accidentally’ ob- our table, saying ‘if you don’t sow, you Mayan population….you see round faces, influx of ‘foreign’ people could in no way tained concepts of gender, place of birth, can’t reap’. She would say ‘waste not, tall bone structures, with clear skin (al- be considered ‘insignificant’, given the place of residence and so on. want not’, and so we were not allowed most Chinese looking eyes) in the Mopan relatively small population of Belize. Many The word is sometimes misused to mean to make waste of anything. She gave the Maya of central Belize…..you see darker Belizeans go to other countries, mostly the only “the global”, either as a person who example by doing such things as making skin with relatively short bone structure in USA, to escape difficulties they perceive is seasoned in ways of the world, or as an patch-work bed-sheets from clothes that the Quiche of southern Belize….you see they cannot overcome here, to reunite with adjective, to describe something with a did not fit us anymore. She would say very tall bone structures and almost their families who went before, to pursue far-reaching impact. However, it is argued ‘make hay while the sun shines’, oth- pointed in the Yucatec of northern Belize. the ‘high life’, or by adjusting to their cir- by many scholars that a multicultural con- erwise we would ‘learn how barley Their features are so unique even to this cumstances. People might be coming here text, multiculturalism, is a necessity for grows’. Although I had no idea what hay day, as to suggest that they coexisted within for similar and justified reasons. people to develop a cosmopolitan iden- or barley was, I got the sense very early. a relatively small geographic area, with In this decade, Belize is observing an- tity. She loved the ‘speed and accuracy’ only limited inter-racial mixing. Can it be other large scale influx of ‘foreign’ per- Cosmopolitan identity would, as all other booklets we would use to do our home- suggested that the same is occurring to- sons. Again, this is by no coincidence. identities, be contextual and situated. This work. She would say ‘don’t leave for day with the ‘new’ Germanic, Indian and Some local business leaders have ex- might mean that while feeling quite cos- tomorrow what you can do today’, and Chinese ethnics that have arrived here? pressed the need for Belize to populate mopolitan in a situation, a person could she would have us working in the yard Is there a deliberately high level of mixing (Please Turn To Page 8) act, for example, as a nationalist in a dif- until sundown most days. If we did good ferent context. work, she would reward us with evenings The cosmopolitan view is the core of to play football or basketball in the neigh- cosmopolitanism, a socio-political stance borhood. She understood the importance or movement which sees all persons in all of punishment and reward in shaping her nations as members of a single global com- children, while always expressing unques- munity — in contrast or conjunction with tionable love. We would have to be home nationalism. before dark, or get a trashing not soon My father’s father (Charles Harrison) forgotten. She would listen to Seferino was of Irish-African blood coming to Coleman every evening on Radio Belize, Belize from the Caribbean. His mother and laugh out loud at the healthy cheer he (Barbara Medina) was of Mestizo origin spread to his listeners, making reference coming to Belize from Guatemala and to funny things he observed taking place Mexico. in our communities across Belize. She My mother’s father (Wahib Habet) was was the builder of moral and spiritual val- of Lebanese origin, while her mother ues and work ethics. (Verena Lisbey) was of Afro-Mestizo ori- As children, my father always took one gin coming to Belize from Cayman Island or two of us (we are ten siblings) along and Tabasco Mexico via Guatemala. with him, to most places he went. This kind of mixture is common-place Whether it was to the Royal Bank of in Belize. Canada (now the Belize Bank), to nego- My father was an independent type, and tiate financing for his projects; or to de- was the ultimate entrepreneur in my eyes. liver logs to Mr. Johnny Roberson’s (I He had a thousand and one ideas for in- think he is American) sawmill in Ontario. come generation, and actually made many Sometimes he would take us to Spanish experimental projects, from tub ice-cream Lookout, ‘just to show you how the little to bamboo crafts, from planting beans to German boys drive tractors and plough saw-milling timber, from operating a con- the fields’, or to show us how the men cession serving the British army to trading were able to repair damaged truck parts avocados and limes. He was never suc- so they could work ‘like new brand’. We cessful in a grand scale on any project, got to know many parts of the country, but I can remember my mother rationing from north to south, whether trading avo- Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 7 Zee’Zee’Zee’sss GeniusGeniusGenius By: Meb Cutlack tion, social ideas and ideals? As Zee poor, who are still being brought up by education at the University of the West Zee Edgell’s new novel “Time and the wrote, the school’s attitude was: “In a relative because ‘mother’, and often Indies. She then worked for the “Daily River” is being launched this week at cases like this, we believe it is entirely ‘father’ too, is ‘away’ in the USA. Gleaner” in Jamaica from 1959 - 1962, the Bliss. up to the modesty of the girl to prevent While the sheer brilliancy of ‘Beka and next became editor of the “The It seems an appropriate moment to these happenings”. Lamb’ written some years ago, still reso- Reporter”. She also taught at St. revisit her first book, ‘Beka Lamb,’ a Toycie then, and a lot of today’s nates as if it was written yesterday, its Catherine Academy in Belize City. book that truly reflected life in Belize at young women face the same set of cir- clear message is an indictment of Belize In 1981, she was appointed Director the time Zee was growing up. cumstances, disgrace and a single today. of the Women’s Bureau in Belize. From Extraordinarily, and perhaps distress- mother’s life of trying to raise a family. Where is the future so glibly prom- 1984 - 1985, she assumed the portfo- ingly, the main character (Toycie’s) ex- In Beka Lamb, Emilio, the father of ised by Independence? Where has it lio of vice president of the YWCA in periences then, almost 3 generations Toycie’s child, faced no consequences. gone? How brutally our politicians, and Nigeria, and was also a UNICEF con- ago, still reflect many of the socially crip- He was not expelled from school. He many of our big businesses, have cor- sultant to the Somali Women’s Demo- pling and negative aspects of our was able to receive the education his rupted it, have taken away hope and cratic Organization. Back in Belize in Belizean society today. wealthy family paid for and look for- promise from generation after genera- 1986, she became Director of The De- Zee’s portrayal of Toycie and her re- ward to a job and position in society tion of young Belizeans. Too often, not partment of Women’s Affairs. lationship with her young man from when he graduated. even by intent but by selfish corruption Zee is currently Assistant Professor among Belize’s upper class; her preg- Toycie was however damned and and greed – the only ingredients neces- in the Department of English at Kent nancy out of wedlock and of being everything Troycie’s aunt had saved for sary to stop a society dead in its tracks. University, Ohio. Zee has written three dishonoured and flung out of school, of Toycie’s education was wasted. Isn’t Here’s Zee ‘history’: Born Zelma L. other novels since Beka Lamb. In Times being deserted by the father of her child, it equally true today that there are hun- Tucker in Belize City. Zee has had a va- Like These (1991). The Festival of San is all too familiar - even today. dreds of girls like Toycie out there? And riety of careers. She received a diploma Joaquin (1997) and now Time and the Back then did Toycie and Beka faced also, hundreds of under privileged girls in journalism from the Polytechnic of River. a different set of standards in educa- and youths particularly, from among the Central London, and then furthered her Welcome Home Zee! TourismTourism decisiondecision making:making: aa mattermatter ofof factfact

By: Sir Ronald Sanders its own participation. · 84% of services required by the tunity for reliable shipping to fill an ob- A new study commissioned by the Guyana, which was invited to partici- hotel sector are being purchased locally. vious void. Equally, there is need for Caribbean Hotels Association (CHA) pate, declined. The new Minister of · 74% of vegetables used by the Caribbean countries to develop agricul- has re-emphasised the important role Tourism, Mannie Ram Prashad, who hotel sector are produced locally; tural production and marketing plans, that tourism plays in the economies of appears keen to get the sector moving · 67% of dairy products are and to dismantle barriers to the impor- many Caribbean countries, and has Guyana, said this was a private sector sourced locally; tation of fish, fruit and eggs from regional pointed to opportunities for locally and decision. · 63% of meats are sourced lo- neighbours. regionally produced goods and ser- The point of the study was to quan- cally; Were such arrangements in place, vices. tify what a sampling of the hotels (small · the hotel sector provides em- Guyana, Dominica, St Vincent, St Lucia The study entitled, “The Caribbean and large) in the 10 countries spends ployment at the average rate of 2.3 and Belize could provide much of the Accommodation Sector as a Consumer on an annual basis on locally and re- employees per room, spending $61.1 fish, fruit and other agricultural products of Locally Produced Goods and Ser- gionally produced goods and services, per room per day in payroll and related still being imported by the hotel sector vices and Contributor to Government and their contribution to the revenues costs in 2005; in the region. Revenues” was produced by Tourism of governments. · The hotel sector provides direct The study also revealed that less than Global Inc with funding from the Euro- Only 54 of the 604 hotels in the ten entrepreneurial opportunities in at least one-half (47%) of requirements for light pean Union (EU) and the African Car- countries responded. Of these the prop- 14 areas identified in the survey e.g. taxi manufacturing is sourced locally even ibbean and Pacific Group. erties in the USVI and Trinidad and concessions, water sports, spas and though some items are higher than the Informed decision-making about Tobago were reported to be outstand- beauty salon, gift and craft shops and average. For example bakery has an tourism by both governments and the ing in their cooperation. restaurants. 80% share of the market, non-alcoholic private sector in the Caribbean has suf- This reticence in providing informa- But, there are areas in which the ho- beverages 66%, uniforms 60%, and fered from insufficient information based tion indicates two things: the intensely tels could do better and which provide printing and stationery 56%. on hard evidence. competitive character of the hotel busi- opportunities for local and regional Expenditures on construction and fit- This is the second study that the CHA ness in the Caribbean, and a lack of ap- businesspeople including fishermen, in- ting out of hotel plant are extremely low has commissioned recently on the Car- preciation by hotel managers and own- terior designers and construction firms. with market share at 39% locally and ibbean tourism industry in an effort to ers of the value of research and data to For example in a region whose wa- 8% regionally. guide decisions on the basis of knowl- their own decision-making. It is an area ters are abundant with fish, only 20% CHA should be congratulated for its edge rather than hunch. An earlier study in which CHA will have to work con- of hotel needs is purchased locally. The effort to raise the basis of decision-mak- conducted by the World Travel and tinuously in the future to educate its share of the local market for fresh fruit ing about the tourism industry from Tourism Council in 2004, established members. and eggs is even worse at 16% and 10% hunch to research. the considerable contribution (an av- In any event despite the fact that only respectively. Now governments and the private erage of 65%) that tourism is making 8.9% of the properties responded, the The hotels claim that “factors beyond sector should join them in taking advan- to the GDP of the region. study concluded that “the sample size their control influence their ability to pro- tage of the obvious opportunities to The ten countries covered by the new overall was sufficiently large to make cure locally, such as local supply chain keep more of the tourist dollar in the study are: Antigua and Barbuda, Ba- generalizations with a level of precision elements -e.g. availability, quality, price, local and regional economy. hamas, Barbados, Dominican Repub- of plus or minus 5% at a 95% level of reliability, and logistics and convenience, Sir Ronald Sanders is a business lic, Dominica, Jamaica, St Lucia, St. accuracy”. as well as intra-regional shipment issues executive and former Caribbean Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago and Some of the findings are as follows: on a regional scale”. diplomat who publishes widely on the US Virgin Islands. · 93% of the utilities, i.e., elec- This points, once again, to the urgent small states in the global commu- It is noteworthy that the US Virgin tricity, water and telecommunications need for a regional transportation policy nity. (Caribbean News Net, March Islands was sufficiently keen for the purchased by hotels comes from the for the efficient and swift movement of 10, 2007). study to be conducted that it paid for local economy; goods within the region, and the oppor- Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 8 TheThe PoPulaPoPulaTingTing ofof BelizeBelize (Continued From Page 7) generated significant demand for immigra- take the risk of operating illegally. immigration may be one of the biggest in- itself with more consumers so that they tion to Belize, as a stepping stone to that Belize’s lax policy on immigration, on dustries. Unfortunately for Belizeans, it can sell more of their produce and grow country; given that the US ‘barrier to distribution of national resources to for- may be interpreted that this industry might their domestic-market-oriented busi- entry’ of Belizean nationals into their coun- eign nationals, on law enforcement will- have been relegated to the grey market nesses. Some business leaders and po- try is set relatively low. Belize’s accom- ingness and capability, in dispense of jus- by way of elitist collusion, exploiting the litical leaders expressed the opinion that modating realities for get-rich-quick by any tice, and in exportation of funds, has been nationalist views of most Belizeans, by without ‘investors’ and/or ‘laborers’ from means’ subculture would make it quite inviting influx of other types of prospect- pandering in public with nationalist pro- abroad, Belize will not be able to develop attractive to such persons as they bounce ing ‘investors’. In many instances, it can nouncements while it could be business itself. Is there a deliberate racially moti- on the trampoline. Belize’s ‘guided’ rela- be argued that these prospectors are not unusual. Like most other state-regulated vated attempt at latinizing Belize, or is it tions with Nigeria, Cuba and CARICOM required to attend to the responsibilities industries in Belize, it would be described primarily an economically motivated issue has also stimulated increasing immigration that should accompany the rights that they as a monopoly, or at best an oligopoly; if of populating Belize with ‘consumers’? from those parts, especially of profession- enjoy here in Belize. Some of them come there are only a small number of actors We would be in a better position to an- als who come here and later bring their from very vast countries, where national and beneficiaries. swer this question if Haiti was also one of families to settle. laws are not as well known or respected There is a lot of good that can come our next door neighbors, and we were Thus exists a strong demand for work as their own laws and they learn to make about when foreign nationals bring new making an obvious choice of Latins or permits and residential/nationality status by do with what they can ‘get away with’. skills, know-how and resources to Belize, Blacks. Belize has undertaken to pro- foreign nationals in Belize….and the pur- In any case, if difficulties arise here, they and use them in ways that Belizeans can mote its tourism ambitions to north Ameri- ported thriving trade in such ‘rights’. Like just flee and alter their identity or are pro- learn and develop themselves. We should cans, and their entrepreneurs are listening drugs, any industry with strong demand nounced as expired persons back in their be aware that with every opportunity and coming here in increasing numbers. for its commodity with comparative ad- vast territories. comes risks, and it may be wise to take Would it not be interesting to know the vantages will continue to operate, even if Since Independence, Belize’s immigra- steps to mitigate those risks. percentage of tourism businesses in Belize it is made illegal and loses its revenue tion policy has been mostly influenced and Does all this mean that Belize is bound which are owned by Americans or natu- heading in the national budget. The in- determined by persons who fancy them- to become increasingly cosmopolitan? ralized American-Belizeans? The US come is thus lost to the national treasury, selves ‘internationalists’. To them it And if so, is ‘cosmopolitan’ diametrically policy of restricting the entry of persons and would thus accrue to the private ped- seems, citizenship and nationality is just opposed to ‘nationalist’? from the Middle East and Asia has also dlers and their accomplices who would another tradable commodity. In Belize, RemittancesRemittances toto LatinLatin AmericaAmerica fromfrom USUS toptop $100B$100B

reprinted from www.iadb.org money,” Terry said. in North America, Europe and Asia. is administered by the IDB, makes in- GUATEMALA CITY – Remit- The IDB and the MIF support pro- The total was 14 percent higher than vestments, loans and grants to finance tances to Latin America and the Car- grams to expand the economic impact the amount for 2005, said Terry. innovative projects in areas such as ibbean will continue to grow in com- of remittances by encouraging finan- At $23 billion, Mexico was by far microfinance. ing years and surpass $100 billion a cial institutions to handle these flows the top recipient of remittances, fol- The MIF began analyzing remit- year by 2010, according to the Inter- so that people who send or receive lowed by Brazil ($7.4 billion) and Co- tances in 2000 to gauge their vol- American Development Bank’s Mul- money transfers may build credit his- lombia ($4.6 billion). ume and economic impact. Their tilateral Investment Fund (MIF). tories and gain access to services such Several countries received slightly studies and projects spurred com- MIF Manager Donald F. Terry to- as savings accounts, insurance, pen- more or less than $3 billion: Guate- petition among service providers day presented the estimate for the sions and business and housing loans. mala, El Salvador, the Dominican and encouraged financial institutions money transfers made by Latin Ameri- The MIF will also support a new Republic, Ecuador and Peru. to enter a market traditionally can and Caribbean migrants at a news program launched by the International For 2007, Terry said, the MIF ex- dominated by money transfer com- conference held here on the eve of the Fund for Agricultural Development pects remittances to Latin America panies. annual meeting of the IDB Board of (IFAD), which will establish a $10 mil- and the Caribbean to rise to around The fund currently finances vari- Governors, which will convene here lion facility to finance projects to cut $72 billion. ous programs seeking to leverage Monday and Tuesday. the cost of making money transfers to About the MIF remittances and expand access to “Given present economic and de- remote rural areas around the world. The Multilateral Investment Fund formal financial services for mi- mographic trends in Latin America Remittances in 2006 promotes private sector development grants and their families as well as and the Caribbean and in industrial- Latin American and Caribbean in Latin America and the Caribbean, to stimulate economic activity and ized countries, remittances will con- countries last year received some with an emphasis on microenterprise job creation in their communities of tinue to grow in volume over the next $62.3 billion from its migrants, mostly and small business. The MIF, which origin. few years to more than $100 billion a year by 2010,” he said. For the IDB and the MIF, added Terry, this growth is not a cause for celebration because it reflects the fact that the region cannot generate suffi- cient income opportunities to prevent millions of people from migrating. Nevertheless, he said, remittances will continue to flow and already ex- ceed both foreign direct investment and overseas aid to Latin America and the Caribbean, helping millions of families to escape poverty. “The challenge for the countries in this region, and for institutions such as the IDB and the MIF, is to find ways so these flows may have a greater development impact by offer- ing migrants and their families more options to get more out of their Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 9 It’s all fun and games until someone pokes an eye out... and then it’s hilari- ous. There is a fine line between fishing and een ly just standing on the shore like an idiot.

T I never apologize. I’m sorry, but that’s ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) professional options. Accept the inevi- Page just the way I am. Stand up and propose your ideas, table and continue to do your job. Your I dream of a better tomorrow... where and you’ll be surprised how many lucky day this week will be Sunday. A day without sunshine is like night. chickens can cross roads and not have people will follow you. You will enjoy VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) their motives questioned events that lean toward theater, art, or Need some adventure in your life? Don’t look at me in that tone of voice music this week. Purchases will be well Exotic destinations beckon you. Put Live like every day is the last day worth it and they will last a long time. your efforts into physical fitness pro- 7/5 of the population doesn’t under- Love like you have never been hurt Channel your energy into decorating or grams or competitive sports. You can stand fractions Dance like no one is watching household chores. Your lucky day this convince others to follow suit. Be dip- week will be Monday. lomatic when dealing with in-law. Your Two wrongs don’t make a right... but Heck is where people go who don’t TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) lucky day this week will be Tuesday. three rights make a left believe in gosh You may find that depression is caus- LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) ing you to feel lonely and insecure. Take Everything is moving quickly, just the I love animals... They’re delicious! You laugh at me cuz I’m different. I the time to close deals that have been way you like it. Look into making laugh at you cuz you’re all the same. up in the air. Entertain those who can changes to your personal papers and Keep watching....maybe I’ll do a provide you with valuable information don’t neglect those bills that have been trick I’m not totally useless! I can be used and knowledge. Your energy will be piling up. Be careful not to lead some- as a bad example high. Your lucky day this week will be one on if you truly have no interest. You Never Knock On Heaven’s Tuesday. may overspend if you travel this week; Door...ring the bell then run (he hates You have the right to remain silent. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) however, the trip will be one to remem- that) Anything you do or say will be exag- Try to get others to stand behind your ber. Your lucky day this week will be gerated or misquoted and used against good judgment. Don’t rely on others to Sunday. I’m usually skinny and gorgeous but you. do your work. This is a great day to SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) its my day off! mingle with people you would like to If you go shopping, only take what Live your life so the preacher won’t impress. Try not to argue about trivial you can afford to part with. You won’t God, if you can’t make me skinny, have to lie at your funeral. matters. Your lucky day this week will be able to keep a secret. Depression please make my friends fat! be Monday. may be likely if you’re away from home. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Travel for business purposes may bring CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) mestic scene. Get together with friends You will learn valuable skills if you sign the highest returns. Your lucky day this You may want to invest in something or relatives. Get thinking about prolong- up for seminars this week. Entertain- week will be Tuesday. that will grow in value. Don’t back ing longevity. Try not to spend too much ment could cost you more than you ex- SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) down but don’t ignite the situation. Your on children or entertainment. Your lucky pect. Pamper yourself this week. Do Your ability to talk circles around your ideas are right on the mark and your day this week will be Thursday. things because you want to, not because colleagues will help you forge ahead in work commendable. You will be too PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) someone else thinks you should. Your the workforce. Trips should be your quick to point your finger at your mate. You should be putting in some over- lucky day this week will be Tuesday. choice. Pleasure trips will bring you into Your lucky day this week will be Satur- time. You will have a tendency to put LEO (July 23-Aug 22) contact with new and interesting day. on pounds. You can make progress if Try to keep your opinions to your- people. In-laws or older individuals may AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) you deal with the right individuals. Plea- self. Emotional disputes will only end in give you a bit of a hard time this week. Make sure that you have all the perti- sure trips will be favorable and bring sorrow. Take a long look at your Your lucky day this week will be Sat- nent information before any reprisals or about romance. Your lucky day this present direction and consider your urday. making any moves. Focus on your do- week will be Thursday.

/ '//$ÜˆÌ Ê
˜Ì œ˜ÞÊÕ˜Ì Õ˜ÌFOR"" .ERIES2ESTAURANT Ê œÕ}>ÃÊœ˜iÃÊ-Ì°ÊEÊ >ÞÊ-Ì]Ê iˆâiÊ ˆÌÞ

iÀˆi½ÃʈÃÊ«À>V̈V>ÞÊ>Ê iˆâi>˜Êˆ˜Ã̈ÌṎœ˜°ÊÀœ“ÊÌ iˆÀÊ Õ“LiÊLi}ˆ˜˜ˆ˜}ÃÊ œ˜ÊÀii̜ܘÊ,`]Ê̜Ê>˜ÊiÝ«>˜Ãˆœ˜Ê̜Ê>ÊÃiVœ˜`Ê«>Viʜ˜Ê >ÞÊ-Ì]Ê̜ʘiÜÊ `ˆ}Ãʜ˜Ê œÕ}>ÃÊœ˜iÃ]ÊÌ iˆÀÊÌ>Žiʜ˜ÊÌÀ>`ˆÌˆœ˜>Êv>ÀiÊ >ÃÊ>Ü>ÞÃÊÀi“>ˆ˜i`Ê + Vœ˜ÃˆÃÌi˜ÌÊ>˜`Ê>LœÛiÊ«>À°Ê7 ˆi]Ê>}>ˆ˜]ÊÌ iÀiÊ>ÀiÊLiÌÌiÀÊ«>ViÃÊvœÀʜÛiÀ>Ê + vœœ`Ê`iiVÌ>LˆˆÌÞ]ÊܓiʈÌi“ÃÊ`œÊÃiÌÊ iÀˆi½ÃÊ>«>ÀÌ°Ê/ iˆÀÊiÃV>LiV iÊ>˜`Ê + Ì iˆÀÊV ˆÀ“œiÊ>ÀiÊ}œœ`]ÊiëiVˆ>ÞÊÜ i˜ÊޜÕÊ}iÌÊÌ iʘˆViÊ œÌÊ̜À̈>Ã]Ê>˜`Ê ¥z Ì iˆÀÊvÀˆi`Êwà ʈÃÊܜÀÌ ÞʜvÊ>ÊÃi>È`iÊ`ˆ˜iÀʈ˜Ê >ÞiÊ >ՏŽiÀ°ÊÊ ÕÌ]Ê>>Ã]Ê œ˜iʜvʓÞʺëˆiûÊV>ÃÈwi`ÊÌ iˆÀÊÀˆViÊ>˜`ÊLi>˜ÃÊÜˆÌ ÊÃÌiÜÊV ˆVŽi˜Ê>ÃʍÕÃÌÊ ºœŽ»]ÊÊÜÊÌ iÀiʈÃÊÀœœ“ÊvœÀʈ“«ÀœÛi“i˜Ì°ÊÊ/ iÞÊ`œÊ}iÌÊ>˜Êº
»ÊvœÀÊÃiÀۈViÊ >˜`Ê>̓œÃ« iÀiÊÌ œÕ} ]Ê>˜`ÊÜˆÌ ÊÌܜʏœV>̈œ˜Ã]ÊޜÕÊ`œ˜½ÌÊ >ÛiÊ̜Ê}œÊv>ÀÊ œÕÌʜvÊޜÕÀÊÜ>Þ°Ê

œÌi\ÊÊ >`Ê̜ÊÃi˜`ʜÕÌÊÌ iÊÀiۈiÜiÀ½ÃÊ>}i˜ÌÃÊ­«Àœ«iÀÞÊÃVÀii˜i`ʜvÊVœÕÀÃi®Ê œ˜ÊÌ ˆÃÊ>ÃÈ}˜“i˜ÌÊ>ÃÊÌ>À}iÌÊiÃÌ>LˆÃ “i˜ÌÃÊ>ÀiÊLi}ˆ˜˜ˆ˜}Ê̜ÊëœÌʓiʜÕÌtÊ

"* -ONDAY 3ATURDAY *ÀˆViÃÊfx°xäÊEÊ1* ¥ÜÜÜ°ÞiœÜÌ>ˆLiˆâi°Vœ“ Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 10

People who are dreaming of of God nor the confidence of men. But a something different from this reality are Church which is genuinely aware that only simply wasting time and keep going back the perfect reign of God can divide wheat to the beginning again. Moreover, they from tares, good fish from bad, will be show they have not understood human- granted the grace of holiness and righ- InspiredInspired InsightsInsights kind. teousness which it cannot create for itself. Because that is human, just as Such a Church will know that it has no the Church shows us to be, in our wick- need to affect a high moral tone for the edness and, at the same time, in our in- world’s benefit, as though everything in it vincible courage, which faith has given were as good as it could be: it will know Church’sChurch’s MysterMysteryy us? And the love of Christ has us live. its treasures are stored in very earthly ves- mess of dirt, which is the dirt of the The Church exists, not for the pious sels, that its lights are dim an flickering, its world. and righteous, but for sinners and godless faith weak, its knowledge lacking, its con- She speaks of the sweetness of the man. It must not judge and condemn, for fession of faith halting. It knows that there Master, of his nonviolence, yet in his- all the gravity of its message, but heal, for- are no sins and omissions to which it can- tory she has sent armies to disembowel give, save. Its inevitable warnings must not be tempted and to which it has not, in infidels and to torture heretics. not be and end in themselves, but a re- one way or another, yielded and that how- She carries a message of evangeli- minder of the offer of grace held out by ever much it continues to keep sin at a cal poverty, yet she often seeks gifts and God. It can never, despite all its graces it distance, it has no reason to keep the sin- alliances with the powerful. has received, indeed precisely because of ner at a distance also. The Church would We have only to read the Inquisi- the grace it has received, pretend to be be unable to enter the Kingdom of God tion trail of St. Joan of Arc, to convince self-righteous caste or class of pure and justified, if looked down self-righteously ourselves that Stalin was not the first to holy men. It can never assume that un- on publicans and sinners. But if the By: Rev’d LeRoy Flowers falsify charges and corrupt the judges. holy, godless and evil things exist only out- Church, as the fellowship of those who Here is the mystery of the Church of We have consider what the inno- side itself. There is not endangered, frail, are called to righteousness and holiness, Christ, a true, impenetrable mystery. cent Galileo was made to sign under and unstable, constantly in need of cor- remains aware of its guilt and sin, then it She has the power to give me ho- threats to be convinced that the person- rection and improvement. The front-line may live in joyful assurance of forgiveness, liness, yet she made up all, the way nel of the church, although they make between the world and the reign of God then in the dawning reign of God its un- through, of sinners- and what sinners! up the Church, are often evil and fal- passes directly through the centre of the holy members will be saints, then it need She has the omnipotent and invin- lible personnel, capable of making er- Church, through the heart of every indi- have no fear despite the almost irresistible cible faith to renew the Eucharist, yet rors as great as the earth’s path round vidual member. temptations to which it is exposed and she is made up of weak men groping in the sun. A Church which in these last days despite its constant failures and mistakes. darkness and fighting daily against the It is useless to want anything else does not realize that it is composed of sinful For the Church has been promised that temptation of losing their faith. from the Church except this mystery of men and exists for sinful men, must grow he who humbles himself shall be exalted. She carries a message of pure infallibility, sanctity and sin, courage and hardhearted, self-righteous and without This is the Church we are called to build transparence, yet she is incarnate in a weakness, credibility and the lack of it. compassion, deserving neither the mercy and be to the world. JournalistsJournalists underunder attack…attack… (Continued From Page 5) ber. The daily pains are too great for troops to bring harm to more jour- nalist, Richard Hulse who was found them to remain in the state of mass nalists. The sustained attack as vi- viciously murdered in his home a report what is going on in Belize. In- party hypnosis. They will vote for in- cious as the ones being visited on our month ago…without any semblance cluding things the politicians do not dependent slates, where the choice 2006 man of the year is an attack on of a real investigation. want the public to know. We will print exists. us all. We must band together to fight The MEDIA is not to blame for the letters and articles from people who So we believe that the media, es- this grave injustice; because, if we mess Belize is in. We all know exactly are fed up, feel this government has pecially the non-aligned houses, needs don’t they’ll feel free to take it to the who is responsible. But not to worry, been too long in office. That’s just the to be united in our opposition to the next level and we could end up get- they will fall from glory soon enough. way it is. The SPEAR Polls has twice predators on both sides of the house ting our faces peeled off just like the And when they do, we will all be confirmed that the majority of who are inciting and instigating their late freelance court reporter & jour- there to comment on it. Belizeans feel this way, it is there in black and white for the entire world to see. And furthermore, when faced with these harsh economic realities of be- ing taxed on everything including medi- cines and death certificates, the Belizean people have had to shed their inhibitions of the overbearing tradi- tional respect for the “honorable” elected politicians. They are no longer afraid of The Minister’s tactics of in- timidation. They are truly freeing themselves from the mental slavery and demanding better of elected rep- resentatives. Belizeans will continue to show their displeasure, at the current polling for elections of the 192 or so Village Councils and we will continue to re- port it. The government can try to hide the results, the Red & the Blue can claim all the victories they wish but that’s not the reality in the streets and picados of the countryside. The people are waking up from the slum- Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 11 TOPICALTOPICAL TIDBITSTIDBITS Huge drug catch said Pukke’s credibility was “zero” and it draws up legislation later in the year. citizen abandoned along the roadside that he continued to obscure his hold- The debate examined 10 options for in Cacao. ings even during lengthy testimony dur- proposed laws to reform the chamber, El Universal also talks of brothels ing the 10-day contempt hearing. “I including splitting the Chamber equally operating with Central American cannot let pass the duplicity I found in between elected and appointed peers. women in El Ingenio, a sugar planta- this case,” Messitte said. Messitte froze Leaky Border tion village. Pukke’s assets in 2005 while the FTC Not Condeleeza, the case was still pending, and appointed the receiver, Robb Evans & Associates other rice to track down his holdings. In the fall, the receiver asked Messitte to hold Pukke in contempt, saying he was us- (Reuters) - U.S. and Panamanian of- ing family and friends to hide substan- ficials made one of Central America’s tial sums. Pukke did not comment after biggest drug busts on March 14, seiz- the ruling. Messitte said he would con- ing 11.4 tonnes of cocaine worth an sider possible jail time if Pukke contin- estimated $200 million on a ship bound ues to shield his funds. for the United States. U.S. Coast Guard The receiver claimed the hidden funds and Panama’s anti-drug police stopped included a $10 million stake in a project the boat in the Pacific Ocean after it had to build multimillion dollar homes near left Panama and arrested eight Venezu- a Belize game preserve, a purported elan men aboard a Belize registered interest in an online gambling venture vessel. Mexico, Prensa Latina - Trafficking worth $20 million, Latvian bank ac- with people, drugs, arms and Central Belize in cheating counts and a $6.45 million Laguna American women is commonplace in Beach , Calif. , mansion that was bought Quintana Roo, at the southern Mexi- Reuters reports that Mexico is con- scheme in the name of a friend. In his testimony, can border with Belize. ducting tests on U.S. rice imports to Pukke denied the charges that he was Hundreds of places are unguarded at ensure it is free of genetic material not not forthcoming about his holdings. He what El Universal daily defines as a liq- approved for human consumption, a said he invested $3 million in the Belize uid, unmarked, imaginary border along government official said on Wednes- game preserve but lost much of his the 112 mile Hondo River. day. stake after declaring personal bank- Such are the cases of La Unión, San Marco Antonio Meraz, who heads ruptcy in 2005. He said the Latvian bank Francisco Botes, Cacao and El Ingenio a federal Biosecurity and GMO com- accounts were controlled by his father, villages. People can cross the river on mission, said the government was test- who used the money to help pay his foot from Belize to La Unión, and al- ing for the LL Rice 601 strain, which son’s hefty legal fees. though the Navy improved their pa- contaminated the U.S. commercial Lesson for Belize trols, they neither request ID at night nor supply last year. detain anyone. The USA Rice Federation said on Next to San Francisco Botes, in Wednesday Mexican officials had September the Belize Police seized stopped rice shipments at the border cargoes of AK-47 and AR-15 rifles and were asking for certification that heading to Mexico and detained the grain is free of the genetically seven Nicaraguans and one Belize modified material.

(AP) A federal judge has ruled the British politicians have voted to re- Visit founder of a debt management firm ac- form the country’s unelected upper cused of cheating thousands of debtors house of parliament, the House of Lords, is in contempt of court for trying to making it fully elected for the first time shield assets from a fund set up to re- in its history. The Belize Zoo pay the former customers of his com- Following two days of debate in the pany. House of Commons, members voted U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte 337 to 224 in favour of evicting all ‘he- ordered Andris Pukke to turn over reditary peers’ in the House of Lords. roughly $40 million worth of disputed In the UK, it has been traditional to holdings that include proceeds from an appoint hereditary peers - Lords who The Best Little Zoo Internet gambling venture, a Belize hous- serve a life term rather than a fixed pe- ing development and a California man- riod in office, an unusual practice in most sion. democracies. In The World Messitte said Pukke had not been The vote will not automatically be- forthcoming with a receiver the judge come law, but the government says it appointed to find Pukke’s assets. He will take the results into account when Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 12 EnvironmentalEnvironmental planning:planning: it’sit’s terriblyterribly importantimportant toto BelizeBelize –– RIGHTRIGHT NOW!NOW!

By: Nadja Chamberlain flood plains, steep slopes, and could be developed in the future with- where the toxins from the garbage Being an environmental advocate in groundwater recharge areas. We out hurting our wildlife habitat, our fish- won’t filter down into their ground- Belize will require some knowledge would mark off the 66 ft. buffer zones eries habitat, our water supplies and water, and how the dump can be of environmental planning in order to that are Queen’s Lands and are for other important factors that support downwind where the smells from the help protect Belize, so here are public benefit, i.e., those areas where our treasure chest of natural resources. facility won’t drift into their neighbor- thoughts to ponder in this second of both freshwaters and salt waters meet If we’re really smart to start with, hoods from time to time. Even in the a series of articles. the land. Saving this buffer is pres- the areas that we look for to develop communities, we could have wildlife Because Belize is a small country ently the law but in some places the will have elevations at least 20 feet corridors so a squirrel in Corozol and has a small population, environ- law is not being respected. We would above sea level so that 50 years from could jump from tree to tree until he mental planning is do-able for the en- mark off a buffer zone of the man- now we won’t be building dikes and got to Punta Gorda, and singing birds tire country. Belize has a treasure groves that protect our shorelines and dams to hold back the sea that is ris- would remain a part of our life. chest full of natural resources that provide nursery areas for our impor- ing with climate change. Living on We are small in population, we provides us with a high quality of life; tant fisheries, and we would mark off higher elevations in the coastal areas have land, and we have choices right but we have to protect those re- buffer zones around the edges of our will also protect us from hurricane now. But this is RIGHT NOW! We sources from poorly planned devel- lagoons and estuaries to protect our storm surges. This will also leave our are starting to grow in some ways that opment. We could lose this quality fisheries. Of course, archaeological existing undeveloped coastal areas for are not beneficial to all. Let’s de- of life either through many poorly sites would be marked off as would recreational uses by the people and mand that we stop and do some seri- planned small development projects be areas that are already considered so they can continue their traditional ous environmental planning and even or through a few poorly planned large as parks and reserves. There are lifestyles. We would then never have put a moratorium on the sale of large developments. Well-planned devel- other concerns such as environmen- to worry about not having access to parcels of government land until the opment that considers the impacts on tally sensitive areas of endangered the sea like in Florida where nearly all people of Belize can do this planning our way of life and the impact on the plants and animals that should be pro- shorelines have been blocked off for for their future. Belizeans could still environment can be beneficial to all, tected and these have already been private use and going to the few beach ask for the smaller parcels of land that including the developers, while identified in studies of the special ar- parks means being squashed together are their due, but let’s leave as much thoughtless development impover- eas of Belize. We would need to mark with thousands of others trying to en- of our government land intact so that ishes us. off shoreline parks so the people will joy the seaside. we could trade for land we’d like to Let’s look at how the process of always have access to the sea. Belize After we find the very best areas for have for specific uses in the planning environmental planning for the future already has some wonderful inland development, we can get to the com- process. works because we can all make con- parks but the sea-land interface need munity level where people can have Carefully consider what has been tributions to it. First of all we need a protection, too. Next would be to input on how they want to live, where proposed here. If you agree with the big topographical map of Belize and mark off areas of soils that are good they want their neighborhood parks to concept, ask those who are going to some folks with knowledge of land for those important agricultural uses be, where their children’s schools be running for office if they would use, natural resources, and geology, that add so much to our good nutri- should be, what would be their op- support environmental planning that for example. Here are some of the tion in Belize. OK, these are just portunities for employment, and to tell would benefit the entire country. And considerations we need to make: some examples and you get the idea what would be important for them in be prepared to be a part of the plan- We will begin by marking off areas about this part. a new community. They can even plan ning process by offering your services where people should not live like Then we would look for areas that where the village dump should go, i.e., in your area of expertise. E-GoE-Govvernmenternment prizprizeses toto bebe aawwarardedded In a bid to promote greater public the area of electronic government. tended to recognize significant sector transparency and citizen partici- “Technology is an important tool with achievements in countries with more pation, the Organization of American which governments can modernize limited resources. States (OAS), partnering with the In- their institutions, increase efficiency, This initiative is one of the activities stitute for Connectivity in the Americas ensure accountability and generally of the Network of Electronic Gov- (ICA), today launched the “excelGOV” strengthen democratic governance,” ernment Leaders of Latin America electronic government prizes. said Quiñónez. and the Caribbean (RED GEALC, in Public sector organizations in 32 Individuals and institutions may sub- Spanish), an OAS-created forum for Latin American and Caribbean coun- mit as many nominations for the hemispheric efforts to promote the tries are eligible for these awards, excelGOV Awards as they wish by exchange of experiences and coop- designed to recognize efforts to use filling out the online application form, eration in this area. The Dominican information and communication tech- details of which are available on the Republic will host the next RED nologies (ICTs) to implement strate- Web (www.redgealc.net). A group of GEALC annual meeting, slated for gies to improve transparency and par- experts from around the region will May 24-25, and the excelGOV ticipation. Institutions connected to judge the nominations and select the Awards will be presented at that time. the executive, legislative or judicial OAS Executive Secretary for top ten finalists; these will then be With technology in the public ser- branches or other central government Integral Development Alfonso evaluated by a panel of distinguished vice becoming increasingly important agencies are eligible. Quiñónez experts in the field of the knowledge- in the region, last year the OAS Gen- Winners in both categories—public progress in using technology for pub- based society. eral Assembly adopted the Declara- transparency and citizen participa- lic services. In rating the applications, special at- tion of Santo Domingo: “Good gov- tion—will be awarded 10 scholar- OAS Executive Secretary for Inte- tention will be paid to solutions that ernance and development in the ships to pursue OAS e-government gral Development Alfonso Quiñónez meet the United Nations Millennium knowledge-based society,” which un- training courses, as well as a trip to explained that the excelGOV Awards Development Goals. Two awards will derscores the importance of ongoing Canada, where the ICA is based, to were created to highlight progress be- be given in each category—for best use of ICTs to strengthen democratic observe first-hand that country’s ing made throughout the Americas in solution and best effort, the latter in- institutions. Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1313 PollPoll showsshows PUPPUP NearNear DeadDead By: Meb Cutlack A university of Belize opinion poll last week showed Said Musa and the PUP barely breathing in the political scales and headed for sure elimination in any coming election. Musa was hardly able to beat the leading Independent com- petitor, and the PUP party itself garnered only 16% in a possible 2008 election while the independents polled more than 20% between their various parties. This is a stunning indictment of PUP rule and, while the poll awards the UDP a comfortable 55.5%, the results of the Independent parties reveals that al- though many of the candidates and their parties are totally unknown the public wants them. In the “The People’s Perception of Elec- tion 2008" poll the opinions of 430 ran- domly selected persons were sampled nationally via telephone. Pollsters asked respondents two ques- tions: Who would you vote for as the next Prime Minister? Which party would you vote for in the next general elections? For the first question: 14.9% of the sample said they would vote for Said Musa, while 55.7% said they would vote for Dean Barrow. The independents were led by the NRP’s Cornelius Dueck who was supported by 8.9% respondents. On the second question of which party they would vote for: 55.5% of the respondents said they would vote for the UDP, while 16% would vote for the PUP. The NRP would get 8.9%, VIP, 7.3%, the PNP 2.6%, and the We the People Movement 2.4%. In both Stann Creek and Toledo Inde- pendents polled higher than the PUP. According the Channel 7 the poll found: “ that in the Belize District sample, the Prime Minister at 12.8% only has a nar- row lead of less than a percentage point on Paul Morgan and Cornelius Dueck COURTSCOURTS staffstaff helpshelps who earns 12% of the support from the sample group.” In other districts, the poll recorded that the support for independent leaders actu- BabyBaby ErollynErollyn TillettTillett ally surpassed that for the Prime Minister. The significance of these results, added Press Release--The staff & man- to the first series of Village council elec- agement of Courts (Belize) Limited tions (in which support for Independents has donated $2000 to Errolyn Tillet. also soared) should not be underesti- The money will be used to assist mated. Every day that goes by makes little Errolyn with medical expenses the Independents stronger. in the United States where she will This lesson should also come home to undergo treatment. the UDP and get them to realize that there Our staff was very touched by the is something ‘lacking’ in their offerings to story of Errolyn so we wanted to the Belizean electorate. The 55% repre- assist. Our Managing Director, Mr. sents little more than they have tradition- Keith Slater, agreed to have the ally achieved in winning elections in the Company match any staff dona- past. tions. In an effort to raise funds, The people want a change in the way staff countrywide gave personal they are governed. It is probable that, see- donations and wore casual clothes ing recently the total impotence of the for a fee. We were able to collect present Senate set up, they also urgently $1,000 and at 4:30pm last Friday; want an elected Senate. we were pleased to present a COURTS marketing manager Camila Hunt presents baby Errolyn Tillett and her It is no time for the UDP to gloat but to cheque in the amount of $2,000 to mother Claudette Haylock wih the $2,000 donation from the management & staff. consider seriously just what the elector- little Errolyn. Her mother, Claudette our Company’s heartfelt gesture. for helping to make this donation a ate is saying. Haylock, was very appreciative of The management thanks the staff success. Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 14 TOOTOO WILDWILD FORFOR WORDS!WORDS! ZooZooZoo &&& TTToobooboob

Visitors to the Belize Zoo cool off as they enjoy floating on a tube down the Sibun River. By Sharon Matola FUN! rock (and you can jump off of this big It is a simple journey back - how? Forget packing a kayak or canoe, white stone into the river), is a screened Jump back into your toob and float a “It’s a hot one! Like seven inches zoo transport will take you on a short cabana where lunch and cold drinks bit to a nearby trail, climb out and then from the mid-day sun!” These words 10 minute drive and then assist you as await you...... very beautiful and exotic have a leisurely walk back to your ac- belong to legendary guitarist, Carlos you place your backside into a toob. and yes, you may hear the call of howler commodations. Santana, from his song, “Smooth”, but You and your toob will be on the monkeys while you enjoy a healthy help- Cool? Relaxing? Refreshing? Yes to they also do well to describe a visit to peaceful and lush Sibun River, and as ing of rice and beans.,,, all of that!! It is truly a very beautiful The Belize Zoo during mid-day at the you head eastwards, the calls of Swimming? The best! Trails to time spent in Belize’s tropical natural height of our dry season kiskadees, kingfishers and tanagers will walk? Of course! paradise. But don’t sweat it! Because now, guide you towards the Belize Zoo River And if you are staying at the Tropical No doubt about it, simply: TOO there is a cool “post-zoo” river trip Camp. Education Center (or want to stay WILD FOR WORDS!! which is simple and easy and of course, Situated nearby a gigantic limestone there), then forget a vehicle pick up! What kind of Airplane would Belize choose to form its own CARICOM Airline? By: Ray Auxillou Caricom trade numbers. We can see have one airplane picked, but that is a start for sure. the potential market in Jamaica , Trinidad trade secret and should something bet- There is a lot of new bureaucratic It was interesting reading the new fad and Barbados with perhaps vegetables? ter be found, would quickly change my rhetoric in the Jessop article in the Belize sweeping the Eastern Anglophile Car- But without internal transportation, by mind, provided the characteristics men- Times, coming now from previous ibbean members of CARICOM, as ship and airline, the concept of a grow- tioned above were met. Belize private sector complaints and presented by writer David Jessop in the ing Caricom trade is a dead one. PM The trouble with Jessop’s article, it positions, on non-existant opportunities, Belize Times, regarding the formation Musa did the right thing the other day is apparent the Eastern Anglophile Car- explaining the problems from Belize of a CARICOM internal AIRLINE. calling for an emergency meeting of ibbean are thinking only in terms of tour- economic viewpoints in trading with This follows much debate here in Belize Caribbean Heads of State to discuss ist seats. A fool’s game in my experi- Caricom. I still don’t see any logic in in what we want out of this idea? Belize internal transportation organization. ence. A multi-purpose aircraft should all the hot air though. What I see is greed is at a crossroads with Caricom and So if Belize were to go it alone in be able to earn it’s keep in different fields on the positions of Eastern Caribbean Central American trade and while we attempting to start Caricom trade what of endeavor to smooth out the cycles anglophile governments. Without trans- are constantly bombarded from home would we need for an airplane? Quite of seasonal trade. Interesting to read portation, Caricom, Mr. Jessop now and abroad with the concept of a Car- simple really!. What we need is the big- that one island over there on the other agrees, is a non-starter as an economic ibbean Federation, or CARICOM gest cubic volume and weight carrying side of the Caribbean pond, has de- entity. Lip service is fine, but can Belize country, or association, the business and space possible for the lowest price. We cided to act unilaterally and open their start a Caricom airline on it’s own? We economic trade statistics do not sup- need a multi-purpose aircraft, one for skies and borders, to include five neigh- are surely looking at 12 to 15 years of port a CARICOM membership. Only passengers and cargo. This would boring islands to outside air carriers, in trade building operating at a loss, at least politics on the world stage is of any ad- mean fuel economy, 1800 mile range order to foster trade, competition, lower from jet fuel. Even a cheap operating vantage to us in Belize, in the foreign with reserve, weight and space capac- fares locally and new routes, were none airplane costs money to run. The sharks arena from Caricom dreams. ity as big as possible and speed would now exist. With ambitions at least to from the Eastern Caribbean banks Our trade with Caricom is a miserly not be a consideration, fuel economy become an Eastern Caribbean airline would be watching us closely ready to drop in the bucket at $44 million a year. per pound, or cubic foot volume car- hub at the expense of the other local compete, once we opened CARICOM Outpaced by much larger trade num- ried is what counts financially. What players. On this side of the pond, Belize markets and trade. Are these bers with Mexico, or Central America airplane would that be, given the dis- should be also an airline hub, but how CARICOM people in our bureaucracy neighbors and growing. Even India and tances from Belize to the rest of the tar- do we do it? Our own CARICOM air- really serious about this? China are going to eventually surpass get market areas in Caricom. Well I line, one plane endeavor would be a Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1515 Social Page St John’s College students Chris- topher Waight and Eric Alamina won the first ever annual Math Olympiad sponsored by the Belize Social Security Board. Waight and Alamina scored the highest points – 1,900 to claim the title outright. They also each won a DELL desktop computer with the latest software and accessories as their first prize and a cash prize of $1,000 educational grant, trophies, medals, and certificates of partici- pation. They also won a projector and atrophy for their school. Namrita Balami and Ronald Rempel of Belize Christian Acad- emy won second prize which in- cluded a $1,000 education grant each, a plaque, a certificate, medal, and a trophy, plus $500 for their school. Roberto Gongora and Dorita St John’s College students Christopher Waight and Eric Alamina share the moment of triumph at the SSB Math Olympiad with their Sanchez of Orange Walk Technical math teachers Ufemia Castillo, Julio Tarrogo (holding trophy) and Nadine Williams. High School won third prize, which was $700 educational grants each, They also won a $400 prize and a plaques, certificates, and medals. trophy for their school. LettersLetters toto thethe EditorEditor (Continued From Page 2) Southern Long Caye Of course there is a price to pay for 5 Rodwell Ferguson & Fred all of this beauty, but we don’t mind that, Cabral: 450 acres Jenkins Creek area since fumes have drifted into school 5 Ernesto Castillo c/o Eagle Dean yards, businesses and even water Company: 30 acres Placencia lagoon cachement tanks in San Ignacio, that our 6 Rodwell Ferguson, wife Anna Mae children get to breathe all of this. & son: 10.011 acres Pla lagoon, entry I don’t know much about dumps and 8672, 1 acre Placencia lagoon, 2 acres whether or not they are a health hazard Placencia lagoon, 148.93 acres Mile 29 because you can read all sorts of things Southern Hwy, entry 7375, 48.478 on the internet. But I do wonder about acres west of Sittee bar mouth along some things. For instance, can you sea coast, 5.315 acres Pelican Range, catch a cold or other more serious vi- entry 8887, 14.73 acres old Mullins rus from breathing fumes from burning River Rd, plan 283/9, 20 acres mile 11 hospital waste? Stann Creek Valley Rd, plan 115/8 And of course, we know, in spite of 7 Andrea Villanueva: 3 acres what our tourists might think, that we Placencia lagoon 1427.559 m2 Small DO practice Sustainable Tourism. Af- Morris Caye 5.315 acres Pelican Range ter all, the Tourist Board tells us we do. 8 Elena Cuellar: 1.503 acres And while seeing might be Belize-ing, Placencia lagoon 1327.559 m2 Small it’s not always believing. Morris Caye Signed, Judy Duplooy 9 Charles Longsworth: 1.503 acres Rene Villaneuva Sr gets peck on the cheek from Miss Belize Universe Maria Jefferies at southwestern portion Northeast Caye, the launch of his new book, “Thanks for Choosing Love.” Land-grabbers Not 1 acre Placencia lagoon So Anonymous 10 Anthony Fred Cabral: 2 acres Pla Dear Editor lagoon Some residents of Placencia & Seine 11 Percival Neal & wife Betty Jean: Drug Kingpin gets 33 years Bight & Maya Beach were talking about 1 acre Placencia Lagoon, 5 acres this land grab issue outside the main gro- Placencia lagoon, 50 acres northern March 23, 2007 — A drug smuggler trafficker’s cooperation in the case. cery store the other day. Here is a list side Flour Caye with ties to Colombian terrorists was Hertular also threatened a Belizean that is circulating the community. We 12 Aquaworld Limited: Jose & sentenced yesterday to more than 33 law-enforcement officer that same year thought it would be of interest to your Yvonne Coye: 9.735 acres Placencia years behind bars for threatening to kill and offered a hand grenade to a person newspaper. inner lagoon, federal agents and conspiring to import who turned out to be a federal infor- 1 Charles Leslie: 20 acres inner 10.066 acres Placencia, between inner tons of cocaine into the United States . mant, believing it would be used to blow Placencia lagoon entry 8672 & outer lagoon, 10.059 acres Lark Robert James Hertular, 36, of Belize, up DEA agents in April 2003. 2 Devita Williams: 10 acres Placencia Caye boasted of ties to notorious paramili- Hertular was arrested in January lagoon entry 8761 13 George Westby: 12 acres Pla In- tary leader Carlos Castano, and threat- 2004 and extradited to the United States 3 Alexander Nolbito: 10 acres ner lagoon ened to have DEA agents killed after six months later. Manhattan federal Placencia lagoon entry 8761 Signed, they refused to drop an investigation in Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald also or- 4 Hands Foundation: 14 acres Concerned Placencia resident 2001 in exchange for the drug dered Hertular to pay a $250,000 fine. Friday, March 30, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1616